Chapter 318: Thanks to Having Lived Long Years

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When the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan was mentioned, heavy silence descended once again.

The crowd’s silence heightened a strange tension.

It couldn’t be helped.

Because the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan naturally brought one title to everyone’s minds.

Four Dharma-Protecting Kings.

The official name recorded in martial history texts was the Four Great Heavenly Kings Who Protect the Cult and Preserve the Law.

The terrifying demon figures who had displayed fearsome martial prowess alongside Heavenly Demon, the first Cult Leader who founded the Heavenly Demon Cult…

The abilities of those four were exceptional.

They were mystical beings slightly beyond the category of human.

Because each came from ancient bloodline clans that possessed bizarre supernatural abilities.

Among those four, the demon figure from the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan – the Blood-Sucking Demon King – periodically drank human blood.

That wasn’t a habit but the inherent nature of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.

They were born that way from the very beginning.

The other three Dharma-Protecting Kings were no different.

Because they were bloodlines of mystery clans with different characteristics each.

However.

This was now a matter of the forgotten past.

Because the bloodline clans including the four Dharma-Protecting Kings had completely vanished after Heavenly Demon’s era.

Of course, no one knew why.

Anyway, those bloodline clans had disappeared like a lie after Heavenly Demon’s death.

But there was just one exception.

It was the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan that Cheol Ryu-heun had just mentioned.

That bloodline clan had reappeared around five hundred years ago and brought a bloody calamity to the Jianghu.

At that time, countless martial artists were reduced to prey, and also transformed into puppet slaves obedient to the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan’s words.

It was all the effect of having their blood sucked.

Simply explained, it was because the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan had exercised a bizarre supernatural ability to brainwash opponents and even transform their bodies through blood-sucking.

Within just a year or two, the number of personnel following that group had exponentially increased.

Because of that, the Jianghu’s order became a complete mess.

The Darkness-Craving Blood Clan operated secretly focusing on nighttime to grow their power, and the Orthodox-Unorthodox camp, having belatedly grasped their true nature, was greatly troubled.

One person stepped forward to correct the Jianghu order that had become such a mess.

Hidden Dragon Sword Tak Wi-yeon.

Owner of the Divine Martial Sword and possessor of the legendary Nine Grade Martial Bones body that had appeared for the first time in three hundred years since Sword Emperor Buk Ga-shin.

Having killed and eliminated Sword Heaven Fourth Sovereign Gu Cha-gi and risen as the strongest hegemon, he actively resisted and rallied the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions that had fallen into disorder.

At that time, the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan’s chieftain, Blood-Sucking Demon Spirit, was overconfident in his martial prowess and sought to seize Tak Wi-yeon’s Divine Martial Sword.

So he secretly attacked when Tak Wi-yeon was alone.

Bringing a small elite force along.

However.

It was a trap.

Tak Wi-yeon had intentionally leaked information about his whereabouts.

He had anticipated that Blood-Sucking Demon Spirit, the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan’s chieftain, would act in a surprise attack.

The result was successful.

Tak Wi-yeon fought Blood-Sucking Demon Spirit that day and won.

No – he beheaded and killed him.

By his martial force, where his Nine Grade Martial Bones talent and the Divine Martial Sword’s divine power were harmonized, Blood-Sucking Demon Spirit became a lonely ghost.

The Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, having lost their head, became extremely chaotic from that point.

Just as the Jianghu had been, they too were in a confused state of not knowing what to do.

During that time, Tak Wi-yeon led the Orthodox-Unorthodox camp’s elite army – his coup de grace fighting force – and attacked the enemy’s nest.

The Darkness-Craving Blood Clan’s base was Bashu Mountain in the Sichuan region.

Today, the event recorded and passed down as the so-called Great Victory of Bashu Seeking Light was precisely that.

Meaning that they reclaimed bright light there and won greatly.

Thus, two-thirds of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan’s forces were annihilated, and the remnants that barely survived fled to the west beyond the border.

A long time had passed since then.

However, the vanished Darkness-Craving Blood Clan had never reappeared.

Seol Hu-yong recalled a conversation he had exchanged with Cheol Ryu-heun before.

-You shouldn’t look down on Heavenly Demon Cult either. Above all, that young Grand Prelate will walk the path the past Heavenly Demon pursued. That means he has finished a certain level of preparation. In other words…

-Ah, do you have something particular in mind?

-The so-called Four Dharma-Protecting Kings’ lineage may have been revived after a long time.

-…!

Immediately after, a thought flashed through his mind.

‘One of the newly appointed Four Dharma-Protecting Kings betrayed Heavenly Demon Cult…!’

If the group the Heavenly Demon Cult party was tracking was really the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, then it was certain they were connected to the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings.

But there was a question.

How had Cheol Ryu-heun asked about it with such certainty?

In an instant.

Gun Mu-ak, who had been quietly exchanging gazes, spoke frankly.

“Since I’ve decided to cooperate, there’s no need to hide. That’s right. The Darkness-Craving Blood Clan betrayed our Cult.”

At that, Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji nearby nodded as if in support.

Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged and spoke nonchalantly.

“Indeed, my prediction was correct.”

Following that, Gun Mu-ak asked expressionlessly.

“How did you know that?”

“I calculated the probable scenarios based on experience.”

Thanks to having lived long years.

Though you wouldn’t know even if you died and came back to life.

That I, who was the Divine Martial Sword, have been reincarnated.

That Cheol Ryu-heun then continued speaking to his counterpart.

“Well, recent rumors about the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan played a decisive role.”

Everyone had heard about what that was.

-They say a crazy group that goes “haak, haak” and gets excited at the mere sight of blood is rampaging here and there!

-Their movements are like beasts, and they’re only active when it gets frighteningly dark!

-The terrifying Darkness-Craving Blood Clan that craves darkness and blood has appeared again!

Wei Ji-am asked with a puzzled expression.

“Are you saying that rumor is true? I thought it was false.”

Cheol Ryu-heun waved his hand and answered indifferently.

“Of course it’s false.”

“Ah…”

“The rumors about the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan originated from the Yaksha Unit that our sect is cultivating.”

“S-such…”

“Thanks to that, I came to calculate the probable scenarios regarding the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan. Now it has become fact. Through the Grand Prelate’s statement.”

Cheol Ryu-heun looked at Gun Mu-ak’s face again as he said that.

“Rapidly spreading the rumor about the Divine Martial Sword is a tactic to lure the Jianghu. To gather various figures regardless of Orthodox or Unorthodox… so naturally, from the enemy’s standpoint, large-scale fighting strength would be needed. I racked my brain about what the fastest method for that would be. Then only the scenario I mentioned earlier seemed to be the best option. The symbiosis of the Heretic Cult and the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.”

Gun Mu-ak also nodded in agreement at those words.

“I see. The Darkness-Craving Blood Clan’s power is optimal for increasing numbers.”

“Exactly. The Darkness-Craving Blood Clan makes the Shiwan Mountains their new home, and the Heretic Cult that gave them space secures sacrifices to complete their incantation arts as compensation. Furthermore, the one moving those two from behind is…”

“The mysterious organization that secretly helped Aryun-nan.”

“Yes, it all seems to fall into place, doesn’t it?”

“Separate from the Heretic Cult or Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, the mysterious organization’s ultimate goal must be the weakening of the Orthodox-Unorthodox Jianghu’s fighting strength.”

“But that plan will ultimately hit a snag. Because now we’re going there to wreak havoc.”

“Anyway, I’ll trust your prediction and calculations.”

“I’ve also obtained information to back it up. Through the Beggar Sect branch’s emergency communication network.”

“Information? What kind?”

“The disappearance cases of martial artists that occurred heavily in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions just before the Divine Martial Sword rumor spread.”

“Hmm… interesting.”

“The number of people from Righteous Sea Martial Gate, Iron Shadow Blade Gate, Five Yang Sword Hall and others who went to the Shiwan Mountains and disappeared is quite large. Even a family member of our sect’s guest has gone missing.”

“A guest’s family?”

“Well, that’s fine. Because I know where they are. It’s the other missing people who are the problem.”

“You know where they are…?”

“Let’s call it a shelter I arranged in advance. The absolute fortune of an old martial artist is a bonus.”

“It’s a succession of interesting facts.”

“Even if my prediction is wrong, it doesn’t matter, does it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I plan to kill everything that seems like an enemy. Whether it’s the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, the Heretic Cult, or the mysterious organization.”

“Hold on…”

Gun Mu-ak suddenly let his eyes sink and issued a soft voice.

“It seems there’s something more we don’t know?”

At that, Cheol Ryu-heun used Sound Transmission to speak to everyone.

About the series of events related to the enemy he had recently encountered.

It was content Wei Ji-am and Seol Hu-yong had already heard.

While listening to that story, the expressions of Sword Wheel Crown Prince Gwi Je-shin, Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Beop-yeol and others gradually hardened.

The most shocking fact was that some of the Thirteen Seats of the World – the warriors from the Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon’s era of Lost Souls – had been recruited by the mysterious organization.

Thus Cheol Ryu-heun wrapped up his Sound Transmission, excluding only the parts related to the Transcendent Revival Pills.

When the story ended, Gwi Je-shin muttered in a sighing tone.

“My, to think Great Sword Tyrant Lord was involved…”

Following that, Beop-yeol also spoke with a grave expression.

“Then there’s also quite a possibility that other Thirteen Thrones figures have been recruited.”

In the meantime, Gun Mu-ak opened his mouth as if in monologue.

“Collision with that secret force was foreseen then.”

“Right. They lured me to the Shiwan Mountains by mentioning the Divine Martial Sword. Through an obviously transparent lie.”

Cheol Ryu-heun soon gazed at the two women quietly.

Eun Yi-bi, Ya Baek-ji.

Then he asked Gun Mu-ak.

“Is he stronger than those two?”

Who the question referred to.

But Gun Mu-ak immediately grasped the meaning.

“He’s strong. He’s the chieftain of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan after all. His name is Heuk Ma-yung. A figure whose personal demonic power cultivation has reached a tremendous level.”

“Was he a candidate for the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings position?”

“Indeed… what I pursue is the path the Cult Leader walked. Restoring the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings positions was a predetermined procedure. So I was going to give him one seat. Following the era of the great first Cult Leader. But that bastard betrayed my trust and left.”

“Seems he was drawn to a gift from that organization.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, arms crossed, spoke expressionlessly.

“Anyway, if the Heretic Cult and Darkness-Craving Blood Clan cooperate… anything could happen. So on this occasion, I intend to not only grasp the true nature of the mysterious organization that plotted the Divine Martial Sword rumor spread but also completely annihilate the Heretic Cult.”

“Yes, and the punishment of Heuk Ma-yung is my share.”

When Gun Mu-ak nodded, Gwi Je-shin threw out a soft question.

“But didn’t you say earlier? That completely shutting down the Heretic Cult is nearly impossible…”

Cheol Ryu-heun, turning his gaze, replied briefly.

“It’s possible. For me.”

“…!”

“As long as you’re going with me, you need not worry. Just lend me your strength.”

“Ah yes, so you have the brilliant plan?”

“You’ll know everything when we arrive there.”

This time, Beop-yeol carefully asked.

“Then you don’t mind the insufficient numbers? I’m not dismissing the potential of the martial talents you mentioned earlier. Of course, White Peak Sword Sect’s young guests have been proven. However…”

“I’ve already supplemented the numerical aspect as well.”

“Pardon?”

“Reinforcements.”

“Th-these reinforcements you speak of…?”

“I’ve requested support from forces beyond the border.”

At those words, everyone including Beop-yeol and Gwi Je-shin showed surprise.

Even Gun Mu-ak showed signs of questions welling up in his heart.

‘What? Could it be Blood Demon Cult…?’

For now, Asura Demon Cult and Illusion Demon Cult were excluded.

Since those two had already finished being incorporated under Heavenly Demon Cult.

Right at that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun’s voice knocked at everyone’s ears.

“Does ‘forces beyond the border’ only refer to the western demonic path?”

At that, everyone’s eyes went wide.

Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice continued.

“The reinforcements are from the south.”