Chapter 387: I Know Where
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Light of puzzlement dwelled in Eon Po-Wook’s two eyes.
‘Cold Cruel Peony and… Butterfly Dance Great Lord?’
The appearance of these two, super-first-class experts who represented the Sichuan region, the so-called tier of ‘Four Famous Hands of Sichuan.’
Among them, Eon Po-Wook was meeting Tang Chun-chu for the first time.
The regional distance was far, and more than anything, the Sichuan Tang Family was an Orthodox faction force.
Conversely, Sol Byeok-ra’s Purple Forest Enchanted Gate was an Unorthodox camp, so they had maintained periodic exchanges.
However, Eon Po-Wook immediately recognized he was Tang Chun-chu.
His conspicuous attire was already telling.
That he was the current Family Lord of the Sichuan Tang Family.
The silver embroidery on the left of the vermillion vest.
Tang Gate.
That alone told who he was.
Also.
Tang Chun-chu was a person with the sobriquet Butterfly Dance Great Lord, said to be proficient in unpredictable whip techniques and hidden weapon arts, his hand techniques reminiscent of butterflies fluttering in confusion.
The iron whip he just wielded proved it.
The Sichuan Tang Family’s treasure called Heaven-Terrifying Divine Whip.
Tang Chun-chu was the only one in this generation who possessed it.
Yet.
Tang Chun-chu and Sol Byeok-ra appearing together was a quite peculiar combination.
There was a story that most people knew.
That the Sichuan Tang Family and Purple Forest Enchanted Gate were rival enemies.
That wasn’t simply a conflict based on factional logic.
It was an extremely emotional clash.
There was no choice.
Because the two forces had overlapping portions of the territories they had established within the Sichuan region.
Because of that, they had always been at each other’s throats, engaging in quarrels.
The time that had solidified into such resentment had continued for nearly ten years.
It was practically a relationship beyond repair.
That’s what everyone thought.
Yet those two were now moving together.
Eon Po-Wook immediately intuited.
‘I see.’
It must be a temporary alliance formed upon coming here.
With the Divine Martial Sword as their goal.
At that time, Sol Byeok-ra spoke with a meaningful expression.
“Let’s not bother with pointless mental sparring. It’s a proposal offered sincerely.”
Eon Po-Wook, having smirked, received the words while maintaining his powerful formless Aura/Aura/bearing.
“It’s an enticing proposal.”
Then he looked around the ruined surroundings.
“Are more of this group still lurking? They seem different from that Darkness-Craving Blood Clan or Heretic Cult.”
In an instant, someone’s Secret Sound Transmission rang out.
-You’re quite capable. I underestimated your strength too much.
The owner of the Secret Sound Transmission he had heard at the very beginning made a sound again.
At that moment, Eon Po-Wook released transparent energy from his entire body.
KUKUNG…!
A wave of weighty Formless Energy.
It was momentum that made even Tang Chun-chu and Sol Byeok-ra flinch.
Eon Po-Wook, having cast his gaze to one side, shouted.
“Now I’ll beat you up!”
Thick killing intent was lodged within, writhing fiercely.
He had already discerned the location of the person who sent the Secret Sound Transmission through his outstanding energy sense.
Just as he was about to kick off the ground.
“It’s futile.”
Sol Byeok-ra suddenly restrained him in a quiet tone.
Eon Po-Wook, having paused, made a puzzled expression.
“Futile?”
“We’ve also heard that Secret Sound Transmission several times already. And we even tried launching surprise attacks after determining the Aura, like Castle Lord Yan. But we always missed.”
“Hmm… then that Aura is a false one?”
“Right. When we actually went there, only strange talismans were stuck there emptily.”
“I see… it’s a sorcery art that plants Aura in trees and such?”
“Yes, we think it’s likely the Wood Direction Master, one of the Five Element Direction Masters famous since old times as the Heretic Cult’s leadership position.”
“The Wood Direction Master handling wood energy… then that makes sense.”
When Eon Po-Wook muttered while slightly nodding his head, Tang Chun-chu spoke while putting away his iron whip.
“If we combine our forces, we can surely counter the enemy’s attacks. Come, how about deciding here?”
It was an invitation to join the temporary alliance.
Not to be outdone, Sol Byeok-ra also let out a quiet voice.
“Loyal Gate Sword Group Master and Rain Feather Martial Gate Master have also been recruited by the enemy.”
“Scorching Blood Sword Knight and Rain Phase Sword Road…?”
“We confirmed it ourselves. We think there must be other expert groups too. So wouldn’t it be proper to band together here?”
No sooner had Sol Byeok-ra’s words ended than presences were felt.
A large-scale group was rapidly approaching from beyond the bushes on the side.
The identities of the presences were about one hundred seventy belonging to the Sichuan Tang Family and about one hundred thirty belonging to the Purple Forest Enchanted Gate.
CHEOLKEOK… !
The corner of Eon Po-Wook’s mouth rose as he sheathed his sword.
“Hut… I’ll accept the proposal. With this many personnel, our chances of winning seem sufficient.”
Having so said, he then alternately looked at Tang Chun-chu and Sol Byeok-ra and asked.
“If we cooperate and obtain the Divine Martial Sword, how will the owner be decided?”
Tang Chun-chu answered while wearing a faint smile.
“Naturally… we can decide by strength.”
At that, Eon Po-Wook, having flashed his eyes, showed his teeth and laughed in return.
“Keukut, that’s a very pleasing word.”
“First, securing it in our hands is the urgent matter. Let’s talk more about the rest then.”
Eon Po-Wook agreed with Tang Chun-chu’s words.
“Of course, well said. Earlier, the one who released the Secret Sound Transmission said. That he serves the being who possesses the Divine Martial Sword.”
“We’ve also heard similar things over the past few days.”
Following Tang Chun-chu’s words, Sol Byeok-ra opened her mouth.
“Who it is, is obvious. Either the leader of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan or the Cult Master of the Heretic Cult…”
At that time, the Secret Sound Transmission echoed like a reverberation again.
-At any rate, consider the test passed. Do you covet the Divine Martial Sword that much? As a final warning… if you give up even now, survival will be guaranteed. Huhu…
After that, his Secret Sound Transmission was no longer heard.
Eon Po-Wook completely ignored it and let out a cold sneer.
“Huhut. Such arrogance trusting in sorcery arts… very well, try to stop me if you can. The only thing that can break my will is my own will alone.”
Immediately after, he looked at his rear personnel and declared.
“This court enters joint travel with Purple Forest Enchanted Gate and Sichuan Tang Family from now on.”
At that, his subordinate group cried out in unison.
“By your command!”
It was the moment a large-scale allied force coalition of Thousand White Sword Castle, Sichuan Tang Family, and Purple Forest Enchanted Gate was born.
* * *
In a worn-down house in the forest.
The divine power of Cheol Ryu-heun, which had recovered to a complete level, was displaying unfathomable mystical applications.
TSEUTEUT, TSEUTEUT, TSEUTEUT…
When the mysterious scarlet eye-light Cheol Ryu-heun released soon divided into several strands and connected with the pupils of those who had been subjected to blood sucking by the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.
“Kkeo…”
“Keukuk…”
“Euk, eueuk…”
Each trembled their body while letting out agonized sounds.
The red eye-light was a power that directly affected the target’s mental realm.
Hence, the mental anguish everyone was experiencing seemed quite severe.
Among those people were Righteous Sea Martial Gate Master Vast Sea Sword Knight Danli Yeol and the talent of Five Yang Sword Hall, Instant Flash Sword Do Jwa-baek.
Beside them, Sea Path Sword Master Danli Hyeok and Breaking Waves Sword Lady Danli So, the siblings, watched their father with anxious expressions.
It was the same for Five Yang Sword Hall Master Single Flash Sword Hegemon Do Woo-pung.
‘My son, please…’
He was unconsciously clasping his hands tightly together.
That’s how desperate his wish was for his only son to regain his senses.
At that time, Cheol Ryu-heun said in an indifferent manner.
“There’s nothing to worry about. The energy that corrupted the heart’s nature has mostly been removed. Thanks to Gun Mu-ak preparing a remedy.”
Simultaneously, Do Woo-pung’s face beamed.
“Ah, what you mean is…”
“Yes, it’s only a matter of time. And… it’s almost done.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s words, Do Woo-pung bowed his head.
“Thank you! Sect Master Cheol.”
After a while since then.
SYUT, SESYUT…
Cheol Ryu-heun quietly gathered his divine power, then after regulating his breathing, said.
“It’s finished.”
Sure enough, Vast Sea Sword Knight Danli Yeol, Instant Flash Sword Do Jwa-baek and others had recovered normal eye-light.
Not only that, their fangs had also returned to their original size.
Even the scars that had remained from having their necks bitten had as well.
“Ah…!”
“Ah, Father!”
The Danli siblings moved swiftly and flung themselves into their father Danli Yeol’s arms.
“H-how, how are you here…”
He was stammering in a shamefaced yet moved expression.
Do Jwa-baek also headed toward his father’s side.
“I’m truly sorry! I… was struck while being reckless.”
Do Woo-pung shook his head and smiled brightly.
“What are you talking about? I was the one who sent you here.”
His expression was full of relief.
Setting everything else aside, he was happy just that Do Jwa-baek had returned.
But the anger toward the enemy grew that much more.
‘I will never forgive them!’
Now his resolve was firmly set.
He would stake the honor and pride of Guangdong’s Four Lords to annihilate that Darkness-Craving Blood Clan and Heretic Cult.
In the midst of that, Cheol Ryu-heun, having crossed his arms, blurted out a surprising remark.
“There’s a separate hideout that the Heretic Cult has hidden.”
Simultaneously, the attention of all gathered focused on him.
Hae Su-yeon, having widely opened her eyes, asked a question.
“What? Then you mean another headquarters has been prepared somewhere?”
Cheol Ryu-heun, having nodded his head, gave a chin gesture.
“Earlier, I peeked into their heads. From there, I obtained several pieces of important information.”
At that sound, the gathered people clicked their tongues in amazement.
Reading the scenes contained in others’ thoughts was a truly strange and mysterious ability.
At that time, Namgung Sang-rin murmured as if guessing something.
“Wait. Sect Master Cheol, could it be…”
“Yes, the place where the Ink Blood Heart that Shin So-sul mentioned yesterday exists.”
“Ah…!”
“Those fellows had hidden it very secretly. Well, it’s not secret anymore. Since I’ve found out.”
Having so said, Cheol Ryu-heun continued speaking.
“Tomorrow, we depart to strike the real headquarters. Near where the Ink Blood Heart exists, a gate to another world will be forming.”
Cui Lan asked with a curious expression.
“Did you see what form it takes?”
“It’s an artificially created heart, so it’s quite grotesque. It’s like a giant monster’s heart, perhaps. No, the appearance was more like combining countless animal hearts.”
Cui Lan, having furrowed her brows, shuddered.
“Ugh… I don’t like it. Somehow, I can imagine it.”
“The main forces undergo blood transfusion there. Destroying it is no different from half a victory.”
Seol Pan-gyo and Mae Yak-bang, who were listening, spoke in turn.
“We must go and smash it all.”
“Of course. Without fail…”
Namgung Sang-rin soon displayed meaningful eye-light.
“Are we just breaking through head-on?”
“Of course. We head directly to the destination. Destroying everything that blocks us as we go.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent bold declaration, Namgung Sang-rin responded with a smile.
“Hut… yes. It’s a simple and clear plan. But it completely suits my taste.”
The others also burned with Fighting spirit like Namgung Sang-rin.
Cheol Ryu-heun summoned Divine Wind outside with a whistle, then spoke with an indifferent expression.
“Now, no opponent can handle me. Before the enemy lies only the shadow of death.”
Then he leaped nimbly onto the back of Divine Wind, who had appeared outside.
Namgung Sang-rin, having hurriedly followed outside, asked with a bewildered expression.
“Huh? W-where are you suddenly going?”
At that, Cheol Ryu-heun, having gripped the reins, threw out a brusque voice.
“Greeting guests.”
“Pardon?”
“Also, doing some reconnaissance.”
“What do you mean…”
“Don’t bother asking bothersome questions. Just wait while doing what I told you earlier.”
Leaving only those words, Cheol Ryu-heun disappeared like lightning along with Divine Wind.