Chapter 346: You'll Know When You Meet Him
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Round and large flames and heat haze spreading out.
And then.
-Aaaaahk…!
A scream resonating like Secret Sound Transmission.
Thus, Gold Direction Master’s phantom completely vanished from sight.
No.
It was annihilated.
Along with it, the talisman that had been emitting blue light also turned to ash and disappeared.
BUSEUSEUSEUT…
As the sound subsided, the forest mingled with moonlight regained its quiet.
In the midst of that, Cheol Ryu-heun soon turned his head.
“It’s done. There are no other enemies around, so please be at ease.”
Chopping Wave Saber Tiger Ji Jang-jong, having quickly adjusted his expression, approached where he stood.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sect Master Cheol.”
“Yes. Pleased to meet you, Gang leader Ji.”
“Did you recognize me right away? Though we’re meeting for the first time…”
“How could I not know?”
Cheol Ryu-heun indicated Ji Jang-jong’s blade with a glance as he said that.
Nine Script Tiger Steel Blade.
A unique treasure made of ten-thousand-year cold iron, symbolizing the Nine Tiger Blade Gang.
“Ah, right… even with plain attire, the Nine Script Tiger Steel Blade is quite distinctive…”
“Did you come here alone?”
“Yes. But…”
Ji Jang-jong nodded and then looked around briefly.
“…seeing how things have turned out, it seems I was right to come alone. If I had brought subordinates, it could have been disastrous.”
“So the Divine Martial Sword was your objective.”
“That’s… right.”
“That person didn’t try to dissuade you?”
Ji Jang-jong’s eyes sank as heavily as the deep sea.
“He did try.”
The “that person” Cheol Ryu-heun just mentioned meant Thrusting Sword Elegant Scholar Murong Kang.
The memory suddenly surfaced.
The conversation he’d had with him before departing for the Shiwan Mountains…
-Murong Family Head? What brings you here?
-I’ve come to dissuade you.
-What do you mean so suddenly?
-You already know, don’t you? What I mean…
-Could it possibly be…
-The Divine Martial Sword.
-…
-I’ll speak without beating around the bush. The rumor about the Divine Martial Sword is a conspiracy.
-…!
-It’s the cunning plot of the enemy to lure martial artists from various regions to the Shiwan Mountains.
-The enemy?
-Yes. The enemy. So don’t be tempted by rumors about the Divine Martial Sword. An enormous trap probably exists within the Shiwan Mountains.
-No, on what basis…
-Recently, forces dispatched by a mysterious organization attacked our family. Setting aside that it was a surprise attack, each one’s martial force was truly strong.
-Is that true?
-Of course.
-The damage…?
-Fortunately, we minimized it.
-Indeed, being the Murong Family, they wouldn’t easily fall to an enemy’s night raid…
-No, our family was in considerable danger. Even I, who claims to rival you… especially the leader’s martial force was tremendous. I even took internal injuries while facing him.
-Goodness…!
-Not empty words. I hadn’t experienced such power since my martial bout with you three years ago.
-That person was at that level?
-It was a truly admirable level. But at that moment, a benefactor arrived like a miracle. Thanks to him, we drove out the enemy.
-Who was that…?
-The current new sect master of White Peak Sword Sect.
-Ah, Cheol… Ryu-heun?
-Correct. Sect Master Cheol’s martial force was beyond the rumors.
At that time, Murong Kang had briefly explained the series of events.
And he himself had received considerable shock.
-Hmm… astonishing. To think such a force exists… if they’re not Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic path, then what exactly is the enemy’s true nature…
-At that time, Sect Master Cheol said they were the same enemy connected to the past Namgung Household’s Extinction. It was close to conviction. No, I think they’re most likely the same group of assassins. Do you not also honestly think so?
-Hearing the story through, it does seem so, but… the part about the exploding solitary poison is the first I’ve heard.
-Hmm, perhaps the enemy developed naturally? If they secretly proceeded with strengthening their forces after the Namgung Household’s Extinction…
-Is their intent ultimately the arrival of troubled times?
-I think so. Conquest and domination of the Jianghu.
-Somehow I’m feeling the reality of the two-hundred-year cycle of troubled times.
-I feel the same. The attack on our family was a tactic to heighten the sense of crisis. To make many people have strong interest in the rumors… the Divine Martial Sword is the symbol of history’s strongest. Everyone will think so. The martial artist who obtains it will rise as the Hegemon who pacifies the troubled times of corpse mountains and blood seas.
-Since Jianghu history clearly proves that…
-The enemy concocted this plot using precisely that kind of mindset. It’s a cunning scheme that simultaneously stimulates a common sense of crisis and individual desire.
-Then has Sect Master Cheol departed for the Shiwan Mountains?
-He should arrive there soon.
-The Shiwan Mountains itself is one giant trap…
-Sect Master Cheol said he would expose its true nature and secrets. Even if not all of them. So don’t be swayed and just wait quietly…
-But Sect Master Cheol’s conviction is also somewhat dubious.
-…
-Frankly speaking, no one knows whether the Divine Martial Sword truly exists or not. What if Sect Master Cheol’s true purpose is to secure the Divine Martial Sword?
-Sect Master Cheol plans to complete his martial arts in the Shiwan Mountains. There’s no personal greed in that.
-That sounds too vague to me.
-You’ll know when you meet him later.
-What I’m saying is precisely that.
-…
-I’ll have to meet him before the dubious parts are completely clear. Other people would feel the same as me.
-Whether the Divine Martial Sword exists or not, and Sect Master Cheol’s sincerity as well… you mean you must confirm with your own eyes for your curiosity to be satisfied.
-That’s right. I can only decide after meeting Sect Master Cheol… I’ll act while taking your advice into consideration.
So that was why he had come to this place alone.
In preparation for some kind of danger.
And yet.
Today, Murong Kang’s words had turned out to be true.
The Shiwan Mountains was one giant trap.
Ji Jang-jong, whose expression had darkened, lowered his head slightly.
“I’m newly ashamed. At that time, for half-doubting Murong Family Head’s advice…”
At that, Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice flowed out.
“There’s no need to blame yourself too much. Originally, people are drawn by desire. Still, coming alone was the right thing to do.”
“That’s only natural. With such words heard, it would be improper to bring subordinates just for personal greed to obtain the Divine Martial Sword…”
“Murong Family Head anticipated this.”
“Pardon?”
“He said so. That Gang leader Ji values dignity and face ordinarily, but equally values proper cause and righteousness as an Unorthodox stalwart. Thus he would try to persuade you first. And he said that if you ultimately decided to go, you’d set out alone…”
At that moment, Ji Jang-jong wore a faint smile.
“Hehe, he… said such things? That’s somewhat unexpected.”
“Now that I meet you directly, I understand too. Though it’s our first meeting, you’ve been maintaining courtesy toward me considering my seniority, haven’t you?”
Ji Jang-jong immediately showed an abashed expression.
“You’re too kind…”
“The enemy I saw earlier is one of the high-ranking sorcerers of the Heretic Cult. I suspect he’s one of the Five Elements Direction Masters, the leadership.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s words, Ji Jang-jong’s eyes changed.
‘What that guy said…’
-Let me introduce you. This is our cult’s first Forbidden Soul Ghost Thing Body.
-The Heretic Cult!
-Yes, you know well. I’ll make you like this too soon. No, you’ll become even more. Into an evolved Forbidden Soul Ghost Thing Body. Now, struggle all you can until then. I’ll be watching from here… kkihihit.
“Do you know anything about the Forbidden Soul Ghost Thing Bodies he commanded?”
“They would be forces newly created by the Heretic Cult. However, the gang that just died here was probably a group to be used and discarded from the start. More strengthened Forbidden Soul Ghost Thing Bodies must exist.”
“Wait, then…?”
“Yes, I mean forces created using the power of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.”
“Was the Namgung Household’s Extinction in the past also the work of forces under the Heretic Cult and Darkness-Craving Blood Clan?”
“No. An even greater enemy is hiding behind them.”
“…!”
“Will you now move together with me?”
“What do you plan to do?”
“First, I must return to my party. They’re all gathered waiting over there.”
“Ah… you didn’t come alone.”
“I brought an elite force including this sect’s guests to annihilate the enemy. It’s a force that transcends Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions.”
“Pardon?”
Ji Jang-jong, whose eyes had gone wide, tilted his head.
It couldn’t be helped.
Setting aside Orthodox and Unorthodox, Demonic forces…?
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Grand Prelate’s party has also joined.”
“…!”
Ji Jang-jong’s pitch-black pupils created large ripples.
Regardless of that, Cheol Ryu-heun continued in an indifferent voice.
“The current destination is the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation. I plan to reorganize our forces there and then move in earnest.”
“Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation…?”
“I’ll explain in detail when we arrive.”
Cheol Ryu-heun soon strode forward, and Ji Jang-jong also quickly moved his steps.
At that moment.
-It seems you felt safe because it was Soul-Returning Perfect Form Technique. But it’s a talisman of an extreme immortal path that can annihilate even the main body.
Having recalled that, Ji Jang-jong asked casually.
“By the way, what was that earlier…?”
“I prepared it in anticipation of such situations. It’s a precious item.”
“Ah, was it perhaps one of the authentic transmissions of the martial immortal’s?”
“About halfway.”
“Pardon?”
“I met the Four-Bird Sword Immortal Guest recently. With his help, I made and brought several special talismans.”
“Four-Bird Sword Immortal Guest! He’s still alive? He should be over two hundred years old…!”
“He had reached the supreme realm of half-immortal half-human. Because of that, he could make talismans to counter sorcery of soul energy.”
“Goodness! Th-that’s amazing.”
“That person earlier is probably hovering between life and death. Well, he might have died immediately…”
Having spoken in a low voice, Cheol Ryu-heun laughed inwardly.
‘Heh, I saved divine power because of that.’
If he had also operated the Divine Martial Sword’s inherent divine power, he could have inflicted damage on the main body using the Soul-Returning Perfect Form Technique.
But he had conserved it as much as possible.
Because he shouldn’t use divine power before setting foot in the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation.
The reason was simple.
Because when he arrived there, he would have to operate divine power as if exploding it all.
Only by doing so would he achieve what he wanted.
‘The backup forces of the behind-the-scenes power should have arrived by now too. Wait, you’ll soon meet us.’
* * *
Inside the ancient castle.
A large explosion erupted in the rectangular wide stone chamber.
KWAAAAAAAAANG-!
Simultaneously, a scream rang out.
“Aaaaahk!”
Gold Direction Master, who had been sitting cross-legged in its center, was violently flung and crashed into the wall.
KKUKKOONG- TEOLPPEODAK!
He, who had fallen to the floor, was covered in blood all over his body.
It was the effect of being struck by the extreme immortal energy that Cheol Ryu-heun’s talisman exhibited.
“Kkeo… heoh…”
A groan mixed with phlegm leaked from Gold Direction Master’s mouth.
Immediately after.
DEUREUEREUK-
The large gray door opened wide, and one figure stepped inside.
It was the leader of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, Bat Demon Great King Heuk Ma-yung.
“What is it?”
At his chilling voice, Gold Direction Master spoke with a pained face.
“By… Cheol Ryu… heun… I was… struck…”
At that, Heuk Ma-yung drew Gold Direction Master’s body to him with telekinesis.
“Is that so?”
“Yes… I… didn’t expect… him to use… such power…”
The moment Heuk Ma-yung revealed his fangs and drew a cruel smile.
“I’ll make your now-useless body be reborn.”
No sooner had those words ended than Heuk Ma-yung’s teeth sank into his neck.
KWAKWAK!
Following that, the chilling sound of blood being drunk was heard repeatedly.
KKUL-KKEOK-KKUL-KKEOK, KKUL-KKEOK-KKUL-KKEOK…