Chapter 361: Chapter 361

“Wow…”

Dan So-mi, who was looking outside the carriage, let out an exclamation.

Even though she had already been to Hubei before, the reason she was in awe was that every single building in sight looked different.

Also, sightseeing without Dan Woo-hyun was a first.

To this small child now, everything looked new and fascinating.

Unlike her, on the opposite side, there were those who were setting a serious mood.

Namgung Cheon, Sa Do-hak, and Jeok Mu-seong, who were hiding their faces under masks, were also present, and perhaps due to the atmosphere these three exuded, the others inside the carriage bowed their heads, feeling intimidated.

They would rather go outside and drive the horses like Jang Sam-tae.

‘The atmosphere…’

‘Is too heavy…’

‘I hate this… I want to go out.’

‘If they want to fight, they should do it outside, what is this?’

‘Ahem…’

Including Zhuge Yeon, Gwon Mu-jin, Ma Jang-gang, and even Zhuge Un and Mae-hyang.

Under the momentum exuded by the three, they kept their mouths tightly shut like clams, unable to even utter a single word.

One of the reasons they hung their heads low was that they did not want to lock eyes with them.

This was because sparks might fly at any moment.

In the end, as if trying to break the gloomy atmosphere, Namgung Cheon spoke first.

“Are you so dissatisfied?”

“No, you bastard. Even our side is being left alone, so I am saying I do not know why I must help them over there.”

Sa Do-hak spoke in a disgruntled tone.

Even the Demonic Cult was being left alone. Since it was unknown what was happening there now, how must he feel when none other than the Demonic Emperor was going to help the orthodox path?

Although his expression was not revealed due to the mask, he seemed to have many complaints.

“If a problem arises on that side, I will also rush over. Was that not the promise?”

“Still… my pride…”

Sa Do-hak spoke, pausing.

The others forced smiles.

It was Sa Do-hak, who was called the peak of the Five Emperors. Since the pride of such a person would never be low, he seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

“In any case, your face is covered… and as long as you do not draw out demonic energy, there should be no problem, right?”

“…Tch.”

In the end, the one who raised his hands in surrender was none other than Sa Do-hak. Listening to Namgung Cheon’s words, they seemed right, and there was also the advantage that he could borrow his help if an issue arose in the Demonic Cult.

From Sa Do-hak’s perspective, it was not a losing trade.

He let out a deep sigh and leaned his body against the backrest.

“No! Why are you not asking me?”

At that moment, Jeok Mu-seong raised his voice as if angry.

While looking after Sa Do-hak in various ways, they had dumped this task on Jeok Mu-seong as if it were all too natural.

There was nothing he gained from this.

However, at the same time, the gazes of Sa Do-hak and Namgung Cheon turned toward him.

“If you had done things properly, this kind of thing would not have happened in the first place!”

“Haha! Are you sick somewhere? How can you expect to receive anything from us? When you are the culprit behind this entire situation.”

“…….”

Jeok Mu-seong kept his mouth shut like a mute.

This was because if he had not lost the Martial Sovereign Castle and had driven out the Blood Heaven in time, a situation like this would never have happened.

Jeok Mu-seong let out a heavy sigh as if dejected.

‘Oh, my fate…’

“I see a village.”

“I see, is that Mount Hyeongmun?”

“Wow… it is huge.”

Mount Hyeongmun is a mountain located in southwestern Hubei. Although it was the place where the safehouse of the figures from the Murim Alliance and the Heavenly Dao Association was hidden, what they aimed for was none other than the large village near Mount Hyeongmun.

Although they had come to resolve the matter, they could not go to dangerous places since they had Dan So-mi with them.

Yet, since they were in a position where they could not leave her behind in Hunan either, they eventually brought her along, so they had to leave her in the safest place.

That was why they chose it.

“But it is quieter than I thought.”

As the carriage entered the village, the surrounding scenery came into view. Zhuge Yeon, who was looking at it bit by bit, wore a grim expression for some reason.

‘There are many martial artists.’

The moment the village came into view, the excited expressions of the people changed. This was because they felt that the air flowing through this village was not very good.

What was the reason?

It was undoubtedly due to the martial artists spread all around.

“The Hyeongmun Sect is located here. They were people who held fairly high positions in the Murim Alliance.”

Zhuge Un muttered as he looked out the window.

Martial artists visible in all directions.

Among them, those wearing the uniform of the Hyeongmun Sect caught the eye. The way they roamed around patrolling as if looking for something felt somewhat out of place.

“Perhaps they went under the Blood Heaven?”

“It appears so.”

“Hmm…”

Namgung Cheon nodded in understanding.

If it was the Hyeongmun Sect, he also knew it well. He recalled that the sect leader there was quite skilled, grasped situations well, and was a righteous person.

“For even such a person to cross over to the Blood Heaven…”

“Isn’t it natural for humans to submit before power?”

“Indeed…”

“But it seems the Hyeongmun Sect is not the only one here.”

Zhuge Yeon glanced and narrowed her eyes.

At the end of her gaze was a group of men. They were roaming around with firm expressions, and the clothes they wore were peculiar.

They wore bright red robes, and embroidery reading ‘Blood Heaven’ could be seen on their chests.

All of them were martial artists who seemed quite formidable, and they too were lingering around as if searching for something.

Then suddenly, as if discovering the approaching carriage of the Hunan Dan Family, they cast their gazes.

“Stop.”

He spat out the words.

Although it was spoken from a somewhat far distance, there was no way those present could not hear it.

Tension hung on the faces of the people inside the carriage.

“What should we do?”

Jang Sam-tae asked with an anxious expression.

The appearance of those approaching was unusual. Since he knew well what kind of group the Blood Heaven was, if the fact that they were from the Hunan Dan Family was exposed, troublesome things would occur.

‘Since our Family Head completely smashed them…’

Jang Sam-tae broke out in a cold sweat.

The root of the Blood Heaven was the Blood Demon Cult, and it was none other than Dan Woo-hyun who smashed that place and even swallowed the cult leader, the Blood Demon, whole.

Needless to say, from the perspective of the Blood Heaven, they would not hold very good feelings.

“Wait. You must not do anything foolish.”

Namgung Cheon muttered in a low voice.

If the opponent showed no intent to kill, there was no need to take action. Since they even had Dan So-mi on their side, they had no desire to start an unnecessary fight.

‘But to think they have already stretched their hands this far…’

Namgung Cheon sighed inwardly and frowned.

Hunan and Hubei are adjacent. Since they could invade as much as they wanted if they set their minds to it, their descent into Hunan would literally be a matter of time.

While he harbored such worries, before he knew it, the men gathered near the carriage.

Those in the surroundings watched the situation.

Not only the members of the Hyeongmun Sect but also passing martial artists.

Everyone seemed curious about who was riding inside the carriage.

“Where did you come from?”

A man wearing the clothes of the Blood Heaven stepped forward and asked.

His gaze was sharp like a blade, as if piercing through the entire body.

“Well, you see. We are…”

“Ah! Mister! So-mi wants to go over there!”

At that moment, Dan So-mi got off the carriage with sparkling eyes. Having spotted something, her eyes shone brightly and she ran off toward a certain spot.

Startled, Jang Sam-tae jumped up from his seat.

If Dan So-mi disappeared in a place like this, he would not be able to die a peaceful death.

“Hey, you! Where are you going!”

“But this looks delicious!”

The place where Dan So-mi ran was none other than a street stall. At the stall set up in a place without a single customer, there were numerous skewers and sweet pastries.

Perhaps made with a different recipe from Hunan’s, the smell was very different from what she had eaten so far.

“Buy it for me!”

“…Do you want to eat it?”

“Yes! Buy it for me!”

Dan So-mi smiled broadly and tugged at Jang Sam-tae’s collar.

At that act of clearly acting cute, a sigh leaked from Jang Sam-tae’s mouth. Rummaging through his pouch, he pulled out a silver coin and handed it over.

“Thank you!”

The stall owner bowed deeply to the waist with a bright greeting.

Since people did not venture out much due to the recent turbulent atmosphere, business had not been good, but for a sudden customer to buy food-what could be more joyful than that?

“What are you doing? Did I not ask where you came from?”

Shring!

The man drew his sword and pointed it at Jang Sam-tae. A fierce energy that felt ready to slice off his neck at any moment was felt.

At the same time, not to mention those inside the carriage, even Jang Sam-tae prepared to rush at them.

How dare he draw a sword in front of Dan So-mi?

It was an act deserving of heaven’s punishment.

However, before anyone could step forward, Dan So-mi ran up to the man.

“Would you like some of this?”

She held out a skewer while saying those words.

Not a single trace of shadow could be seen on her innocent face.

The man stared intently at Dan So-mi.

He also eyed the skewer held out in front of him.

He wondered if there was some other intention, but nothing could be gleaned from Dan So-mi’s beaming face.

‘To think I cannot even read the thought of a mere child.’

The man sheathed his sword with an absurd expression.

“This vicinity is dangerous, so you should be careful.”

“Hehe, thank you. But So-mi is fine! Since I have Uncle Jang.”

At the words ‘Uncle Jang’, the man glanced at Jang Sam-tae.

He did not seem to possess any great ability, and was he not just a coachman driving a carriage?

Seeing that she trusted such a person, this little child seemed to still not know the ways of the world.

At that moment, the man’s gaze turned toward the carriage.

Suddenly, the door opened and a modest-looking woman appeared.

“So-mi! Come here quickly! What are you doing acting so suddenly!”

It was Mae-hyang.

She scolded Dan So-mi with a deathly pale face. At her slightly raised voice, Dan So-mi approached Mae-hyang’s side with a dejected expression.

That appearance looked just like a mother and daughter.

Since Mae-hyang also showed no signs of having learned martial arts, the man smirked and turned his back.

Soon, he moved away with his companions and vanished.

“Phew… I thought something terrible was going to happen.”

Jang Sam-tae broke out in a sweat and laughed awkwardly. If not for Mae-hyang and Dan So-mi, this vicinity might have become a sea of blood by now.

“Where should I drive you?”

Jang Sam-tae let out a sigh of relief and climbed onto the driver’s seat again.

Going to Mount Hyeongmun immediately seemed like a stretch.

Also, since they had the top priority goal of keeping Dan So-mi in a safe place, his question was extremely natural.

“For now… let us go to the government office.”

Namgung Cheon’s somewhat firm voice was heard.

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