Chapter 217: Chapter 217

The shock the Demonic Cultists received would be immeasurable.

Sa Do-hak, who had returned alive and well, handed down a fierce punishment to the elders and guardians, and the Black Wind Demon God, who had colored the Demonic Cult with fear and ruled it, albeit for a short time, died without leaving even a trace.

At the center of that incident were Sa Do-hak and an unnamed master.

“Never let this matter leak to the outside! Find all the spies and kill them, and if anyone speaks carelessly of this matter, execute them all!”

An emergency was declared immediately and the entire Demonic Cult was controlled. No one could leave, and even carrier pigeons could not be sent.

If anyone was suspected of being a spy, their head was cut off without mercy, and if there was any sign of information leaking, they would capture and imprison anyone.

Meanwhile, Dan Woo-hyun and his party were heading back to Hunan with the carriage, having left Mount Tianshan.

It was no different from a journey to deal with the Black Wind Demon God, so they returned as soon as they completed their objective.

The carriage stopped when they arrived in Urumqi, which could be called the center of Xinjiang.

When they were about to move again after staying there for one night, Dan Woo-hyun did not board the carriage and looked at the others.

“I have a place to go for a moment.”

“Huh? Weren’t you going with us?”

At the sudden words, Namgung Cheon tilted his head. Not to mention So-mi, everyone looked surprised.

“Go back first.”

“You’re not going with us?”

So-mi grabbed Dan Woo-hyun’s sleeve and looked up at him with an anxious gaze.

Although there were many people by her side, So-mi felt anxious about being separated from Dan Woo-hyun.

It was even more so because Sa Do-hak had also left.

Sa Do-hak, who had destroyed the Demonic Cult but could not bear to see it completely ruined, had stayed behind in the Demonic Cult to finish cleaning up before returning.

Therefore, So-mi was somewhat disheartened, but since even Dan Woo-hyun said he was going separately, her anxiety could only be greater.

Dan Woo-hyun hugged such a So-mi.

“Do not worry. I will follow you soon.”

“You are coming back quickly, right?”

“Yes.”

Hearing that reply, So-mi showed a bright smile.

Until now, Dan Woo-hyun had never lied to So-mi.

That was why she had no choice but to believe him.

However, Namgung Cheon felt quite unsatisfied.

“Why not go together?”

“No, going alone is enough.”

He frowned at the word alone. Since no emotion was showing on Dan Woo-hyun’s face, he could not tell what he was thinking.

However, it did not seem like he was simply going to sightsee alone.

If it had been for such a simple reason, there would be no reason for them not to go together.

“Excuse me… then shall I go with you? It would be lonely to go alone. You might also need someone to run errands.”

Namgung So-hye slightly raised her hand and cast an embarrassed look.

Dan Woo-hyun silently stared at Namgung So-hye and then smiled.

“Hmm, then I would rather take that guy instead.”

Jang Sam-tae was startled by the sudden words.

He frowned as if he absolutely hated it, but Dan Woo-hyun just cast a silent gaze at him.

Under the silent pressure, Jang Sam-tae turned his head away, avoiding his gaze, and began to list excuses.

“Well… now that I think about it, when we go back, I have to buy So-mi new clothes… and make delicious food… ah, I feel like I should do a thorough cleaning once… there are so many things to do. Ha. Ha. Ha.”

Seeing him desperately expressing his desire not to follow, Namgung So-hye sighed.

She felt she would be better than someone like him, but she did not like that she seemed to be pushed back again.

She puffed out her cheeks and hugged So-mi.

“Have a safe trip!”

Snorting, she went inside the carriage.

As discontented noises flowed one after another from inside the carriage, Namgung Cheon spoke as if embarrassed.

“I am sorry. She is still immature…”

“I do not mind. More importantly, get ready, Sam-tae.”

“Huh? Are we really going? Aren’t we returning to Hunan?”

“No.”

“…Are we going far?”

“It will be far. More than you think, that is. So you can just go with a mindset of sightseeing.”

Seeing Dan Woo-hyun smile faintly, Jang Sam-tae felt his breath hitch.

Since it came from the mouth of that man and no one else, he could not believe it at face value.

Besides, the most important question remained.

“…Could I die?”

“Do not worry too much. I am taking you along just to run simple errands…”

Although the words had not finished, Jang Sam-tae patted his chest.

That kind of thing was not difficult.

“Haha, if it is that… this Jang Sam-tae will serve you, Manor Lord…”

“However, I cannot guarantee your life.”

“…I will not be able to serve you. Ahem!”

Dan Woo-hyun silently stared at Jang Sam-tae.

Jang Sam-tae also stared back at Dan Woo-hyun.

While breaking out in cold sweat, he showed his will to never back down this time, starting a staring contest for a while.

However, when Dan Woo-hyun slightly made a gesture of raising his hand.

“Hehehe, but of course I must follow! For whose command would this Sam-tae dare to refuse? Isn’t that right, you two?”

“Hahaha.”

Namgung Cheon sighed deeply.

It seemed he did not like Jang Sam-tae’s extremely sly appearance.

However, if there was anyone to stand by Dan Woo-hyun’s side, there would be no one else like Jang Sam-tae.

“May I ask where you are going?”

“Let us call it settling the past.”

“Hmm… I am very curious, but it is a pity I cannot follow…”

Namgung Cheon let out a small sigh.

It was a pity because it was also an opportunity to learn about Dan Woo-hyun’s past.

However, Namgung Cheon also had work to do.

His eyes narrowed.

“Then, we shall leave… I will follow you soon.”

* * *

Sa Do-hak was looking at the ruined landscape of the Demonic Cult.

Countless Demonic Cultists were kneeling around him, but the fact that he did not even cast a single glance at them might be because he also felt a sense of guilt.

This happened because he had left.

Of course, if he had not left, it was more likely that he would have met his death.

The martial arts of the Black Wind Demon God, who was fighting Dan Woo-hyun, was at a level far beyond his expectations.

He realized that if they fought properly, they could exchange about fifty blows, but anything beyond that was impossible.

“It is bitter.”

“We… have no face to show!”

The surviving high-ranking officials slammed their heads onto the ground. Since this happened because their judgment was wrong, how painful must their hearts be?

The Heavenly Demon Pavilion, which had disappeared without a trace, seemed to represent Sa Do-hak’s broken heart.

“How is it, elder brother? From now on, I will make this place yours, Hahaha!”

He recalled a time from very long ago, a time he could not even remember how long it had been.

Dongfang Gu.

Although he was a guy with a truly ridiculous name, his skills were among the best in the Central Plains.

That was why he trusted him, and that was why they were together.

Sa Do-hak smiled as he thought of his one and only friend who was now dead and gone.

‘The place you showed me is no longer here.’

The Heavenly Demon Pavilion had disappeared, and its surroundings were literally no different from a wasteland.

Even if they built a new building, they would not get the same feeling as in the past.

‘It is a place I never want to visit again after leaving like this. Because it is the place where you were killed.’

Thinking up to that point, Sa Do-hak chuckled.

Even so, what was the reason he remained here?

There was only one.

Dongfang Gu loved this Demonic Cult more than anyone.

It was impossible to throw away such a Demonic Cult and leave it to collapse.

Even if only because of Sa Do-hak’s affection for the person named Dongfang Gu.

“Let’s clean this up quickly, you guys!”

Although there was no reason to stay here any longer…

He planned to at least set up the foundation before leaving.

Sa Do-hak smiled as he looked toward the east with nostalgic eyes.

* * *

Dan Woo-hyun and Jang Sam-tae, who were traveling on horseback, were moving at a fast speed toward Gansu.

Because they kept riding without rest, it felt like their waists and buttocks would shatter, but Jang Sam-tae could not bring himself to voice his complaints.

‘It’s… uncomfortable.’

It was extremely uncomfortable.

When he traveled with Ma Jang-gang, it was at least better.

Because even if he was strong, he was not as strong as Dan Woo-hyun, and he knew he could escape as much as he wanted as long as he used his fast feet.

But the person with him now was Dan Woo-hyun, and no one else.

Fast feet?

They wouldn’t even work.

He felt like he would depart this life if he said even one word wrong, so even if his body ached, he could only follow behind without uttering a single complaint.

Jang Sam-tae found this current situation incredibly uncomfortable.

Therefore, he asked while riding.

“Um… Manor Lord, where on earth are we going?”

He hoped it would be as close as possible. He strongly wished to end this uncomfortable journey even a day sooner.

Dan Woo-hyun, who was riding slightly ahead, glanced back.

As if he knew Jang Sam-tae’s mind, he wore a strange smile.

“Do you know where the largest spiritual mountain in the Central Plains is?”

“Isn’t it the Five Sacred Mountains of the Central Plains? Mount Tianshan is not inferior to them either…”

Was Dan Woo-hyun looking for a spiritual mountain? The closest famous spiritual mountain in the Central Plains was Mount Hua of Shaanxi.

‘What, it’s close?’

The moment he thought so and completely brightened his expression.

“Such places are closer to famous mountains rather than spiritual mountains. A mountain is not a spiritual mountain simply because the forest is lush and the mountain terrain is good.”

“Huh? Everyone knows them as spiritual mountains though…?”

Jang Sam-tae looked at Dan Woo-hyun with a strange gaze.

The Five Sacred Mountains of the Central Plains were representative spiritual mountains known to everyone. Countless legends had been handed down since long ago, and there were also rumors that spiritual beasts lived here and there.

But they weren’t spiritual mountains?

‘What is this man talking about?’

Jang Sam-tae could not hide his bewilderment.

“Since places called the Five Sacred Mountains of the Central Plains or Mount Tianshan also have places where spiritual energy gathers, it is not strange to call them spiritual mountains. However, since the entire mountain is not surrounded by spiritual energy, they cannot be called true spiritual mountains.”

“What kind of bulls… gasp…”

He reacted irritably to the incomprehensible words, but when Dan Woo-hyun’s fierce glare pierced him, he hastily covered his mouth.

“Whew… phew…”

Jang Sam-tae let out a sigh of relief and lowered his head.

He could still feel Dan Woo-hyun’s fierce glare.

“Anyway, the place we are going to is that spiritual mountain.”

“…Where is that spiritual mountain located?”

That was the biggest problem.

He wished it would be as close as possible, but why did he feel a sense of anxiety for some reason?

“It is Mount Changbai.”

“Giddyap!”

As soon as he heard the words Mount Changbai, Jang Sam-tae pulled the reins and began to run blindly toward the south.

“Are you crazy?! How can we go all the way there!”

He ran away as fast as an arrow.

It seemed he intended to return to Hunan right away.

If he could just catch up with the carriage, he would cling even to So-mi’s skirt.

It was not a place that took a day or two, but a place that required months to reach, and just the two of them with Dan Woo-hyun?

That was no different from telling him to die.

As if he had forgotten the pain in his waist and buttocks, he ran blindly. It was a sight of him struggling to get as far away from Dan Woo-hyun as possible.

At that moment, a strange object flew toward the back of Jang Sam-tae’s head.

Thud!

“Argh!”

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