Chapter 331: Arrival

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Hae Su-yeon and the group wore bewildered expressions.

What? Wait, suddenly Somersault Cloud of all things?

Using the mystical cloud from storybooks to travel?

Gun Mu-ak immediately grasped the hidden meaning and asked.

“Did you bring another divine creature?”

“Sharp as ever.”

At Cheol Ryu-heun’s words, the group finally realized.

Right, it’s birds!

Sure enough, shadows appeared in the sky where Cheol Ryu-heun was gazing.

Birds rapidly approaching while crossing the dawn-lit sky.

In total, four flying birds.

Before long.

“Wow!”

“They’re huge!”

The party admired the appearance of the birds that had approached the sky above their heads.

The body length alone exceeded three Zhang, and both wings were even longer than that.

Moreover, their colors were diverse, giving an otherworldly feeling.

Red, blue, and black feathers were intermingled together.

Yet they harmonized so perfectly that they were extremely beautiful.

It was as if four large strange flowers were flying through the sky.

When Cheol Ryu-heun soon sent a hand signal, all four birds descended to the ground in unison.

-Ppireuk, ppirureuk, ppireuk!

It was a strange and beautiful cry matching their appearance.

Was it the sweet melody of the heavens?

A power that made the listener’s heart at ease resided within it.

They were most certainly rare divine birds.

Observing them up close, their appearance was even more impressive.

Tail feathers as gorgeous as a peacock’s, a head reminiscent of a mountain owl, and wings similar to a crow’s in shape.

Moreover, their beaks were sharp and pointed with curved tips like an eagle’s, and very large and long.

Watching that sight, Iron Blood Martial Alliance Leader Sword Wheel Crown Prince Gwi Je-shin’s gaze lightly wavered.

“Those are the ones that used to follow the Four-Bird Sword Immortal Guest in the past…?”

At that, Sun Yang Sword Castle Lord Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Beop-yeol beside him added with an exclamation.

“Ah… that seems to be correct!”

“It is.”

When Cheol Ryu-heun nodded, murmurs began around them.

Four-Bird Sword Immortal Guest.

It was a tremendous epithet that anyone with interest in martial history couldn’t not know.

About eighty years ago, he was the rival of the Unorthodox-origin Jianghu hegemon Great Yaksha Demon Sword Helian Ryung and the pinnacle of immortal martial arts of the Orthodox path…

He was also one of the past owners of the Divine Martial Sword.

To be precise, he was the owner before that great figure Helian Ryung appeared.

At that time, the four birds under the Four-Bird Sword Immortal Guest’s command were divine creatures called Heaven-Piercing Divine Birds.

Cheol Ryu-heun briefly explained the circumstances.

“I knew Four-Bird Sword Immortal Guest’s hermitage location from long ago. So I visited there and borrowed the Heaven-Piercing Divine Birds that are as fast as Somersault Cloud.”

At those words, Gwi Je-shin was surprised again.

“Pardon? You borrowed them, meaning…”

“He’s still alive. Though he’s already past two hundred years old.”

“Goodness…!”

“When I met him, he had reached the lofty realm of being half-immortal, half-human.”

A soundless wave shook everyone’s hearts.

It was shocking hidden history.

That Four-Bird Sword Immortal Guest was still alive…

At that moment, Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon exchanged faint smiles.

It was unexpected news, but not surprising given their circumstances.

Those two had already seen the Blood-Eye Black Divine Python before.

“Anyway, he loaned out the Heaven-Piercing Divine Birds on one condition.”

Cui Lan beside him asked with a curious expression.

“What was that condition?”

“The essence of Transformation and Ascension to Immortality.”

“My word…! So you’re saying you borrowed them in exchange for teaching that secret technique?”

“Nothing in this world is free.”

At that, everyone’s gazes grew blank.

How could he possibly know even the essence of Transformation and Ascension to Immortality?

HWIIHWIK-

Cheol Ryu-heun, having mounted Divine Wind’s back, gestured with his chin.

“Come, let’s get going. Hurry and mount.”

At that, the group moved in an orderly fashion by teams.

Gripping the reins, Cheol Ryu-heun opened his mouth with an indifferent expression.

“Our first destination is Life-Stealing Mist Cliff of the Shiwan Mountains.”

Gun Mu-ak, having turned his head, casually remarked.

“Isn’t that the remote region called Valley of Death since ancient times?”

“Yes, the only martial artist who ever emerged alive from that place was the Sword Emperor from eight hundred years ago – only that one. But we must go there first.”

“It seems you have important business there.”

“There’s someone I need to meet there first. We made an appointment.”

“An appointment?”

“That’s right. An appointment.”

With those words, Cheol Ryu-heun briefly recalled Ju Yu-gang’s words.

-I was planning to meet you anyway, and you appeared just in time.

-Why, do you have a request for me?

-It’s something… like that.

-If it’s a request, just say it’s a request – what’s this ‘something like that.’ Speak clearly.

-Ahem… fine… I have an urgent request.

-What is it?

-Could you find someone for me?

-A person? That’s an interesting request.

Following that, his gaze lingered on Namgung Sang-rin’s face.

Their gazes quietly met.

A smile spread across Namgung Sang-rin’s lips.

‘Thank you. Sect Leader Cheol.’

He knew well who they were going to meet there.

His younger sibling, Heon-rin.

-Are you worried about your younger sibling?

-Ah… yes. Haha. I guess I was too obvious about it.

-Don’t worry. You’ll meet them before long.

-Pardon?

He had recently heard the detailed story from Cheol Ryu-heun.

About the incident where his sibling, who had devoted himself to the military, suddenly went missing during a certain secret mission…

But he wasn’t worried.

Because he was reassured by what Cheol Ryu-heun added.

-Your sibling has probably taken refuge in the place of fortune that Sword Emperor Buk Ga-shin arranged. I drew a rough map for them back then. If they’re not foolish, they’ll be hiding there, building their strength and waiting for the right time.

Yes, there was nothing to worry about.

If Cheol Ryu-heun of all people said so, then that was that.

‘Heon-rin…! Just hang on a little longer. I’m coming soon.’

The moment Namgung Sang-rin spoke inwardly.

SEUK.

Someone’s white, pretty hand gently rested on one of his shoulders.

The owner of the slender jade hands was Stone-Piercing Sword Lady Murong Seol.

No words were exchanged, but the warm feelings of caring for each other were deeply felt.

Meanwhile.

Gun Mu-ak also saw that gaze and wore an expression showing he immediately figured out who it was.

Hadn’t Cheol Ryu-heun said the day before yesterday?

That a family member of White Peak Sword Sect’s guest had gone missing in the Shiwan Mountains.

‘The one who disappeared was of Namgung Family blood.’

-The number of personnel who went missing after going to the Shiwan Mountains – Righteous Sea Martial Gate, Iron Shadow Blade Gate, Crow Pattern Sword Hall and others – is quite large. Even a family member of our sect’s guest went missing.

-A guest’s family?

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

-You know where they are…?

-Call it a shelter I arranged in advance. The supreme fortune of an ancient martial artist is a bonus.

Gun Mu-ak, having recalled those words, didn’t probe further.

“Whatever it is, it’ll be helpful to us, I’m sure.”

“Of course. Since you’ve decided to trust me, trust me to the end. You’ll gain reliable allies there.”

Hearing those words, inwardly smirked.

‘Hoot, how interesting. To think the shelter is Life-Stealing Mist Cliff of all places…’

Namgung Sang-rin, having composed his expression, asked softly.

“Sect Leader Cheol, then is the next destination the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation?”

Cheol Ryu-heun nodded and replied expressionlessly.

“We need to obtain new power there. Also, the advance party and reinforcements are planned to converge there as well.”

No sooner had those words ended than Divine Wind leaped up while emitting pure white heat haze.

KKWANG-!

Along with it, the Heaven-Piercing Divine Birds carrying the party also soared into the sky all at once.

* * *

Over thirty people gathered by a stream on one side of the lush jungle.

Swordsmen in yellow martial attire.

The lizard emblem on the left side of their chests indicated which force they belonged to.

It was none other than Dokgo Sword Family – one of the Seven Great Families.

Among them, one person quietly let out a pondering sound.

“Hmm…”

He was New Province Sword Saint Dokgo In-wang, the current family head of Dokgo Sword Family and a renowned warrior of the Henan region.

He frowned while recalling yesterday’s events.

Last night, he had sensed the scent of blood and went to find its source.

However.

It was a trap.

The blood scent was created by a mysterious formation unique to the Shiwan Mountains.

From that point, he became lost.

It was a disaster.

No matter how much he walked, he only circled the same place.

That wasn’t all.

While wandering lost, they were even ambushed by enemies.

That group was fierce and agile.

Moreover.

Their power aside, their pointed, long nails and fangs were chilling, like those of beasts.

Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Everyone was among Dokgo Sword Family’s best elite swordsmen, and especially Family Head Dokgo In-wang possessed exceptional martial force befitting a top-tier master representing the Henan region.

However, if things continued this way, problems would certainly arise.

Soon, one swordsman approached and spoke cautiously.

“It seems the rumor about the Divine Martial Sword itself is a trap.”

The man who appeared to be in his early forties was Dokgo In-ok, a family master.

As Dokgo In-wang’s cousin, he was an ultra-first-rate swordsman who had mastered the family’s sword path supreme art, DokCheon Six Swords.

“Hmm, I’ve been contemplating. But having come this far, going back empty-handed doesn’t sit right.”

“First, let’s secure an exit from the formation, then request dispatch forces from the main family. That would be the best strategy for now. Besides, the enemy seems somehow…”

“Yes, I know. Similar to the characteristics of the ancient Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.”

“Yes…”

“Fine, understood. Let’s do as you say. If that enemy is truly the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, there are many risk factors…”

But at that moment, a strange Sound Transmission echoed like a reverberation.

-Hoho. It’s already too late to slip away. The formation changes constantly.

Dokgo In-wang, Dokgo In-ok, and the others shot to their feet in alarm.

They instantly sensed it.

That the owner of the Sound Transmission was a considerable warrior.

The voice whose direction couldn’t be pinpointed proved that fact.

Dokgo In-wang immediately operated his superior internal power.

As he did, his two eyes flashed with light.

‘There!’

Dokgo In-wang, having drawn his sword, kicked off the ground and dashed fiercely.

PAK-!

His subordinates who had also drawn their swords immediately followed behind.

Before long, they stopped upon reaching a certain point.

“Hm?”

“Over there…!”

“Oh?”

Not far ahead, someone stood alone atop a boulder.

Dokgo In-wang recognized who he was at once.

‘Gate Master Danli!’

It was Danli Yeol, the Great Sea Sword Liom – gate master of Righteous Sea Martial Gate, an Orthodox power of the southern continent, and one of the Four Pillars of Guangdong.

The Sound Transmission they had heard earlier was his.

Danli Yeol spoke softly while standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Did you enter the mountain to obtain the Divine Martial Sword?”

At that, Dokgo In-wang asked back with a guarded attitude.

“You… know something? No, did you see the Divine Martial Sword?”

“Indeed.”

“…!”

The moment Dokgo In-wang’s gaze wavered, Danli Yeol, with hands behind his back, wore a hint of a smile.

“If you follow me now, you’ll learn the answer.”

Right at that moment, a sharp voice burst out from somewhere.

“Be careful! Don’t be fooled!”

Immediately after, a woman appeared nearby like lightning and fired sword energy toward Danli Yeol’s direction.

SYUKAAAAAK- PEOHEOEOENG!

The spot where Danli Yeol had stood was instantly covered in a cloud of gray dust.

The identity of the woman who had released heavy energy through her sword technique was Chrysanthemum Fragrance Sword Mother – a core member of the advance party Cheol Ryu-heun had urgently dispatched.

* * *

Around that afternoon.

Cheol Ryu-heun and the party landed on a flat area atop a certain cliff.

It was the edge of a precipice leading to the place of fortune within Life-Stealing Mist Cliff.