Chapter 333: Toward the Public Enemy

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CHEOK, CHEOK, CHEOK, CHEOK…

Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae’s eyes widened as they emerged through the stone door of the cliff.

‘Huh?’

They saw a group positioned across the spring.

The two, whose expressions had been weary from fighting Nuwa Yin Serpent, soon brightened greatly and called out.

“Sect Leader Cheol!”

“Ah! To see you again here…!”

Cheol Ryu-heun, standing on the ground, gestured with his hand.

“You two came out just in time.”

Along with him, the party behind also dismounted from the Heaven-Piercing Divine Birds’ backs.

Simultaneously, Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae flew over and took a cupped-fist salute when.

SEUK.

One person stepped forward and spoke while wearing a faint smile.

“Hoo, can you not see me?”

Namgung Heon-rin was startled upon confirming his face.

The owner of the voice was none other than Namgung Sang-rin.

“Brother!”

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

The Namgung brothers hugged each other tightly as if by prior agreement and shared the joy of reunion.

“Why are you here, brother…?”

“What do you mean why – a fully grown man is wandering around lost like a child, so I was worried and came to get you.”

“Ah…!”

Only then did Namgung Heon-rin roughly grasp the situation and looked toward Cheol Ryu-heun.

“Sect Leader Cheol, did you perhaps… receive someone’s request?”

Cheol Ryu-heun, meeting his eyes, nodded indifferently.

“Yes, you probably already have a rough idea who?”

“Ah, yes… thank you truly.”

Namgung Heon-rin thought of Ju Yu-gang along with his answer.

‘Right, headquarters must have informed him of the disappearance.’

At that moment, Murong Seol and Murong Song approached them.

“Hello? It’s so good to see you again like this.”

“Heon-rin oppa, you’ve become even more gallant since we last met?”

Starting with that, Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae exchanged introductory greetings with the party around them.

Of course, every moment was a succession of shocks.

Because the identities of the party including the White Peak Sword Sect guests were so splendid and grand…

Jeon Kwae continuously clicked his tongue inwardly in admiration.

‘My word, even Sword Wheel Crown Prince and Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord…!’

In the midst of that, certain people particularly drew attention.

They were two women and one man positioned at the very rear of the party.

Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae instinctively sensed it.

That those three didn’t belong to the categories of Orthodox or Unorthodox faction.

They soon became certain.

That the three were of demonic path origin beyond the border.

The feeling that reached their bodies was such.

Especially the aura of the man standing in the center was terrifyingly spine-chilling.

The fearsome presence of Extreme Heaven Demon Emperor Gun Mu-ak, the current Grand Prelate of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

GULP.

Having swallowed hard, Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae’s tension heightened as they clenched their fists tightly.

Was it the descent of a demon god who presided over the bottomless hell?

Gun Mu-ak’s aura was truly darkness itself with no visible end.

Namgung Sang-rin introduced those three people on their behalf.

“The person in the center is the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Grand Prelate, and the two on the left and right are his attendants. Don’t be too tense. They’ve temporarily become our allies.”

Then, the Heavenly Demon Left Attendant Little-Face Bell Demoness Eun Yi-bi and the Heavenly Demon Right Attendant Delusional Seductive Demoness Lady Ya Baek-ji greeted them in turn.

Following that, Gun Mu-ak approached and asked expressionlessly.

“Those two?”

At that, Cheol Ryu-heun replied just as expressionlessly.

“Yes. New forces who will be helpful going forward.”

Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae still wore expressions of incomprehension.

What kind of combination was this?

Orthodox, Unorthodox, and even the demonic path beyond the border together…

Having read that sentiment, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke again.

“A lot has happened while you were trapped here. Well, I’ll tell you later.”

His gaze soon lingered on the sword Namgung Heon-rin possessed.

“How do you feel about achieving Supreme Sword Spirit Fetal Peak?”

Only then did Namgung Heon-rin quickly adjust his expression.

“Ah… did you predict I would achieve it?”

“Of course. You’re the bloodline of Namgung Family, after all. Between the two of you, you had greater potential.”

Jeon Kwae beside him scratched the back of his head.

“I’m a bit disappointed for my part… but you speak correctly. Thanks to Heon-rin’s achievement, we overcame the crisis from Nuwa Yin Serpent that suddenly revived.”

In an instant, some of the party’s complexions completely changed.

“Gasp…!”

“N-Nuwa Yin Serpent!!”

“That legendary monster really exists?”

To those who didn’t know what it was, Gwi Je-shin, Beop-yeol and others explained what they knew.

The expressions of the people who heard that story were colored with astonishment.

Expressions of newly realizing the danger of the Shiwan Mountains.

Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae briefly explained what had happened inside the cave.

Currently, Nuwa Yin Serpent had received new wounds and was petrified once again.

The two people, having finished their story, once again expressed gratitude to Cheol Ryu-heun and bowed their heads.

However.

Cheol Ryu-heun muttered as if it was unexpected.

“I didn’t know that thing would wake up again.”

Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae wore rather flustered expressions.

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“D-did you anticipate that would happen as well?”

Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged his shoulders and answered brusquely.

“How would I know that? It’s not like I’m a Prophetic God or something.”

“Ah…”

“Is that… so?”

“Anyway, you managed to survive. That’s enough then.”

At his apathetic voice, Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae were lost for words.

We almost really died, you know…!

Namgung Heon-rin, having calmed himself down, soon held out the sword he’d obtained as if to offer it.

“I’ll give this to you, Sect Leader Cheol. I’m already satisfied with just the martial arts achievement. Excessive greed is forbidden.”

“Keep it. You should have it.”

“But…”

“That sword is called Azure Steel Sword – a famed treasured sword of an ancient ruler. In those times, they said there was nothing under heaven it couldn’t cut. Back then it was treated as a kind of divine weapon.”

“I’ve heard of it too. A rare famous sword said to have rivaled the Heaven Reliance Sword… wow… I didn’t know this was it.”

“That Heaven Reliance Sword your brother has now.”

“Really…?!”

“The Sword Emperor happened to discover the Azure Steel Sword in the Shiwan Mountains in the past. But he already had the Divine Martial Sword. So he just put it in there.”

“I see.”

“The one who picks it up is the owner anyway. So use it as you please. Elder brother with the Heaven Reliance Sword and younger brother with the Azure Steel Sword… isn’t that harmonious?”

“Haha. Yes, understood. Then I’ll make good use of it.”

“They’re still there, right? The elixirs inside the iron chest.”

“Yes. About half… hoo, we had expensive meals. Thanks to that, we endured without starving.”

“Good. Then gather all of them and let’s leave this place. There’s a lot more to do from now on.”

“What is it?”

“Eliminating the public enemy that spread the Divine Martial Sword rumor.”

“Pardon? Public… enemy?”

“Simply put, hunting bad guys. That’s what we have to do.”

“We were also attacked before, so perhaps…”

The moment Namgung Heon-rin trailed off, Namgung Sang-rin beside him whispered.

“Yes, it’s definitely that group. As Sect Leader Cheol said earlier… many incidents have occurred. That’s why we’ve gathered, transcending factions.”

“Hmm…”

Shadows fell across Namgung Heon-rin’s face as he swallowed his pondering.

‘This is no ordinary situation. Especially seeing that the Heavenly Demon Cult party has joined…’

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun’s voice reached his ears.

“What are you doing? Don’t hesitate – quickly go gather everything and come out.”

“Yes!”

Having answered in unison, Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae swiftly headed for the stone door.

But then.

They paused.

The two turned their heads backward in unison and spoke.

“Um, S-Sect Leader Cheol… it’ll be fine now, right?”

“Nuwa Yin Serpent got petrified again with new wounds, but surely it won’t unexpectedly…”

However, Cheol Ryu-heun replied indifferently.

“I don’t know. I’m scared too. So figure it out yourselves. Well, if it wakes up again and you die fighting, that can’t be helped.”

At those words, Namgung Heon-rin immediately looked toward Namgung Sang-rin’s direction.

A look saying: Will you come with me?

At that, Namgung Sang-rin averted his gaze and said.

“Good luck, little brother. I’ll wait here.”

“…”

“One of us needs to survive, right? To rebuild the family.”

“…”

* * *

A rectangular luxurious side room.

Eul Sa-jeok was lying on a wide, long high-quality bed.

Soon, a soft laugh flowed from between his thin pale lips.

“Hoho.”

He, with his head buried in the pillow, recalled the recent events.

When he had unexpectedly met his benefactor and escaped from prison…

-That pill contains a special gu poison egg.

-What? S-gu poison…!

-Don’t be alarmed. It will restore your body. Using the innate true energy in your body as nourishment. That’s why I called it a special gu poison.

-Ah…

-The incubation period for that egg is fifteen days. You won’t even feel it though.

-Then afterward… what will happen?

-The gu poison I gave you was recently completed. Once the egg hatches, it will take over the dantian’s role and also restore your ruptured bones and muscles. However…

-I understand now. The price of that efficacy is… my life.

-Hoho, you’re not stupid. If you consume the gu poison, your lifespan will be shortened.

-…

-But in exchange, it will give you fearsome power.

-Then how long… will I be able to live?

-About forty or so.

The smile on Eul Sa-jeok’s lips grew even deeper.

‘About forty… yes, that’s fine. If I can live as a strong one for the remaining time… heh. Is this what it feels like to be reborn? I wish the gu poison egg would hatch quickly.’

The medicinal effects had started to appear.

Though the egg hadn’t hatched yet, the broken bones had already mended.

Therefore, he could move his limbs to some extent.

‘Heaven Emperor Society…’

It was the first time in his life he’d heard of it.

That name, Heaven Emperor Society.

It was a group riddled with mysteries.

He couldn’t learn anything about it.

Still, through this matter, he felt one thing.

That the Heaven Emperor Society’s forces were at a level that could threaten the entire Jianghu.

Just looking at the mystical gu poison’s effects, he could readily surmise that.

Once the gu poison fully hatched in the future, he would truly rise to the ranks of the strong.

At that moment.

SEUREUREUK-

The door slid open smoothly and a bamboo-hatted man stepped in.

Eul Sa-jeok, who had been lying down, immediately sat up.

“You’ve come?”

“You may skip the bothersome formalities. Take a comfortable posture.”

The bamboo-hatted man’s identity was Pa Ga-wi, Grand General of the Central Heaven Division under the Heaven Emperor Society – the benefactor who had given him the opportunity for escape and revival.

“Ah… yes.”

Having nodded, Eul Sa-jeok reclined comfortably.

At that moment, Pa Ga-wi spoke with a meaningful expression.

“I stopped by briefly because I have something to tell you.”

Eul Sa-jeok’s pupils suddenly gleamed with light.

“Could it be…”

“Yes, I’ve cleanly disposed of the visitor and his entire family.”

Those words meant they had killed off the White Peak Sword Sect-origin Guk Gyeong-in and his family.

“Hehehe. I’m truly grateful. I feel a bit better now.”

“Seeing you happy, I’m glad it pleased you. There’s one more thing.”

“Ah…”

Eul Sa-jeok recalled the previous conversation.

-That jailer earlier has a daughter of marriageable age.

-You rascal… are you asking me to let you have your way with her?

-Yes, if I could rape her all night long and then kill her… I think it would relieve some of this frustration.

-Hoot, I’ll gladly grant that.

Pa Ga-wi immediately looked toward the door and commanded.

“Bring her in.”

No sooner had the words ended than a young woman was dragged in by sturdy bamboo-hatted men.

Her curvaceous body was bound with rope.

Moreover, there was even a gag in her mouth…

“Mmph, mmph!”

While the woman squirmed, shedding tears and snot, Eul Sa-jeok’s gaze burned hot like fire.

“Is that his daughter? My, she’s… prettier than I expected.”

“How about it, does your mouth water?”

“Yes… I want to strip that wench naked quickly… and torment her until dawn. Hehe.”

“You rascal, good eyes. Everyone, tie that wench down beside the bed. In a way that’s easy to play with.”

“Yes!”

The woman was tied down with her limbs spread wide and wept.

“Mmph, mmph… heuummph!”

Pa Ga-wi and his subordinates departed, having completed the task.

SEUK.

Eul Sa-jeok’s dirty hand reached toward the woman’s ample bosom.

“I’ll eat you up nicely. Until you die… moan and moan again in ecstasy. Huhuhu.”