Chapter 394: Chapter 394

“Wow… it’s all broken.”

It was the word Dan So-mi spat out upon seeing that place for the first time.

Judging by the remains scattered here and there, it was clear that a considerably large building was built, but except for only one place, they were all collapsed.

That also looked like a stable.

Traces of being burned were clear, and faded bloodstains were seen here and there.

Namgung So-hye, Zhuge Yeon, and Mae-hyang hurriedly took the children and headed toward the stable.

They did not want to show them such traces.

If she knew it would be to this extent, it might rather have been better to camp in the open even if they got hit by rain. Was sleeping in the carriage also not one method?

Namgung So-hye wore an inwardly dissatisfied expression.

“It is a massacre.”

Sa Do-hak and Jeok Mu-seong looked around and passed such words.

The traces in the surroundings made them guess that the people here were massacred. It looked like not a single person escaped, and there was also no trace looking like they rebelled.

These people would not even have guessed the fact that they were dying.

“He is a tremendous expert. He must be similar to me or a paper’s width apart.”

Mu Cheon-pung muttered, convinced.

Although many traces were erased, if one interpreted looking only at those that did not vanish, he must unmistakably be a figure of about the Five Emperors.

Why did such a person massacre people in this kind of place?

He could not understand.

“It is the Slaughter Emperor.”

At that moment, Zhuge Un muttered.

He had seen such a thing in the past too. A sect massacred without even being able to rebel, no, without even knowing the fact that they themselves were dying.

The Martial Alliance, which was investigating those traces, reached a conclusion that the opponent was the Slaughter Emperor and folded all pursuits.

Clashing with the Slaughter Emperor is not good.

No matter who it was, it was the same.

If they were those who active while revealing themselves outwardly, they would devise a way to capture him, but in the case of the Slaughter Emperor Bi Cheon-ung, he was too secretive and like fog, so tracing his tracks was exceptionally difficult.

He could not even grasp how many people had to be sacrificed.

Therefore, Namgung Cheon and Zhuge Un decided to cover up that case, obtaining the consent of the Nine Great Sects and One Association and the Eight Great Families.

“Umm… it seems unmistakable.”

Namgung Cheon also discovered a few things similar to the traces of the Slaughter Emperor he had seen in the past. Since even that was something letting them know it was Bi Cheon-ung’s doing, there was no need to think otherwise.

“Who is Bi Cheon-ung?”

“You, do you not know the Slaughter Emperor Bi Cheon-ung?”

“Ah… that strange fellow?”

Mu Cheon-pung wore a dumbfounded expression.

Twenty years ago.

Even at that time, he was a young fellow hung with the name of the Five Emperors. Thinking of his age, it was something that could by no means exist, but thinking of the circumstances under which he ascended to the Five Emperors, it was not particularly strange either.

Twenty years ago, the one who was called the Slaughter Emperor at that time.

Because the one who ruled the darkness while receiving awe from assassins was not Bi Cheon-ung.

“He was tremendous. Rumors were also abundant.”

“Haha, myself and these two saw that man right before our eyes.”

That was something that happened before Mu Cheon-pung plundered the imperial court.

The leaders of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions, as well as the outer-realm forces, gathered in Shanxi land and talked about a martial arts tournament. The reason was to stop the long-standing fight and join hands to nurture successors.

Under the situation where those who agreed to this were gathered in one place, the incident happened.

Bi Cheon-ung, who appeared suddenly, cut off the necks of the North Sea Ice Palace Master, as well as two leaders of the outer-realm Southern Barbarians. Also, in that spot, the one called the Slaughter Emperor at that time was present, and he also had his head fallen without even being able to resist.

Bi Cheon-ung vanished leisurely from that spot, and no one could capture him.

Therefore, many people say.

That although the best among the Five Emperors would unmistakably be Sa Do-hak and Namgung Cheon, they might be done in by the Slaughter Emperor Bi Cheon-ung if it was an ambush.

“At that time, even the Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic, and outer-realm… an enormous number of pursuers followed behind him, but those who returned alive were few.”

“I remember. After that, those wishing to get involved with Bi Cheon-ung vanished no matter what happened.”

Sa Do-hak wore a dumbfounded expression and spat out the words dejectedly.

A number too large to think they were done in by merely one assassin died. Since the Demonic Cult was also one of the organizations that suffered that blow, how could they not be bewildered?

It was also the moment the pride of the Demonic Cult of the World was crumpled.

“Because of that incident, we also suffered immensely. With people asking if we hadn’t called the Orthodox, Demonic, and outer-realm all together to kill them all at once.”

Jeok Mu-seong frowned.

In the end, since the assassination of important figures occurred in the front yard of the Martial Sovereign Castle, it was natural that the arrow pointed toward the Unorthodox factions.

Therefore, the Unorthodox factions had to hold their breath for a while.

They had to soothe those who looked ready to invade right away, and also amass larger strength in preparation against a possible emergency.

“Because the Unorthodox factions were weak at that time. There was no such thing as the Five Emperors either.”

Sa Do-hak picked his ear and looked at Jeok Mu-seong.

In the end, although he obtained the name of the Five Emperors, it was a title created in confusion because Mu Cheon-pung was captured by Sa Do-hak.

It was by no means achieved by Jeok Mu-seong himself.

Knowing that gaze, Jeok Mu-seong frowned.

“At any rate, the fact that he is a grand expert remains unchanged.”

“Why did such a person do this kind of thing…”

“Hmph, can assassin bastards help it? Unmistakably done after receiving money.”

“But he himself stepped forward to massacre a single sect of this level? Isn’t that an even more laughable talk?”

Assassins always move for money.

That would also not be an exception for the Slaughter Emperor Bi Cheon-ung.

Only, the strange thing was that it was funny that he himself stepped forward for a sect of this level, not the Slaughter Emperor’s subordinates. It was difficult to think of it as the behavior of the leader commanding a giant organization called the Assassination Pavilion.

Even if the client themselves wished for Bi Cheon-ung to step forward in person, how could they pay that astronomical sum? The ones who could move such an amount would probably be the five great merchant groups under heaven.

“Although commanding the Assassination Pavilion, the Slaughter Emperor is originally famous for traveling alone. I think it might be due to that… but still, it is strange.”

“No matter. If we are chatting, rain will pour down. Gather dry wood to light a fire and prepare to sleep.”

Although Dan Woo-hyun looked around, he did not feel any particular interest. The dying of a person in this martial world was a too natural story, and it was not something that must trigger someone’s interest.

Dan Woo-hyun walked toward the stable and came to an abrupt halt.

Turning his head with a swish, his gaze swept the surroundings.

* * *

Tae Gong-jin sheathed his sword and let out a sigh.

Blood was filled in all directions, and the surroundings changed to a ferocious scenery as if struck by a shell. It was wretched to the extent that it was difficult to think of it as a deed committed by merely two people.

The same was true for Tae Gong-jin.

Traces of his entire body being cut and torn.

It was an exhausted appearance, letting one know that a fierce battle took place.

He vomited a bowl of blood with a surge.

“Oh dear, oh dear…”

Regret was filled in the corners of Tae Gong-jin’s eyes.

What would have happened if they pushed through just like that?

Unavoidably, one of the two would have died.

However, Tae Gong-jin knew well who would have died. Although Cheon Mu-gwang looked to be doing his best, unlike how he was hiding a final move, Tae Gong-jin poured out all his full power.

The one becoming a corpse would have unmistakably been Tae Gong-jin himself.

Tae Gong-jin, who shined a bitter smile, turned his gaze very naturally and looked at one place.

He seemed to have realized that someone was coming.

“In the end, you missed again.”

“Haha, are you coming now? Quite late…”

He looked at the woman with a finely trembling gaze.

Nam Ju-ryeon.

She, who held a white sword, looked around and let out a deep sigh. It was because of Cheon Mu-gwang, who vanished without a trace even though such a rough fierce battle took place.

If only there was at least a bloodstain… Although bloodstains were here and there, they were formed during the fight, so the direction in which he vanished could not be known.

Nam Ju-ryeon approached toward the injured Tae Gong-jin, applied gold sore medicine, and wrapped the wound with a cloth.

“Do not speak like that. I came as fast as possible, after all… The problem was that we noticed too late.”

Nam Ju-ryeon could not hide her regret.

Cheon Mu-gwang is certainly a strong expert worthy of leading the new Eight Immortals. However, he could by no means fight while holding the upper hand against the two of them, Nam Ju-ryeon and Tae Gong-jin.

That was why they had tried to see a settlement in this place today, but because they noticed too late, they blew the opportunity.

Nam Ju-ryeon let out a small sigh.

“It is not the time to be focusing only on that Cheon Mu-gwang, though…”

“Everyone in Cheon Mu-je’s shadow has begun activity. They will probably reveal themselves from the dark side soon.”

“Haha, they crawl out one by one stealthily.”

“Was it not an already expected thing?”

“The timing is a bit bad…”

Tae Gong-jin stood up from his spot and let out a sigh.

The world is running crazy due to the Blood Heaven. The orthodox martial world was shattered, and the Demonic Cult’s side also did not look that good. Since the Eight Immortals, who say they guard the Central Plains martial world, were distracted by other things, who on earth would guard this martial world?

Tae Gong-jin let out a sigh.

“What Cheon Mu-je wants is ultimately our lives, and the life of the Martial God. Even if we stay still, they will crawl out on their own, though…”

“Then is it not too late…”

“Indeed.”

Tae Gong-jin shined a bitter smile.

Even now, the Eight Immortals are pursuing those in Cheon Mu-je’s shadow. However, unlike them who are gradually growing stronger while hiding their appearances, the current Eight Immortals are spending their strength in tracing, so the correct answer would be that they are remaining in that spot.

It could by no means be called a good situation.

“Did the fox escape well?”

“I do not know where she went… she did go well, though. Do you guess?”

Nam Ju-ryeon let out a sigh and shook her head.

At least that fox must not fall into their hands.

The power the gumiho possesses transcends imagination. The moment it falls into Cheon Mu-je’s hands, he might reach a god-like realm on his own.

“Cheon Mu-je is Cheon Mu-je, but Cheon Mu-gwang also seems to be aiming for it…”

“Aiming? And Cheon Mu-je is leaving that be?”

“Whether he knows or not…”

Since they could not know Cheon Mu-je’s mind, no matter what they thought, an answer did not come out. merely leaving it to imagination and guessing was all they could do.

“If so, I must hope she fled well. It is too late for us to pursue behind too…”

Nam Ju-ryeon smacked her lips as if regretful.

If they had protected Cheon Mu-gwang or the fox, they would have achieved one of their goals, but since both flew away, her regretful feelings were large.

“Do not be too discouraged. There will be another opportunity someday.”

“Yes. Even if we think about it, it only makes us feel bad… let’s move quickly. Since everyone must be waiting anxiously.”

“Is everyone gathered?”

“Of course. It seems Ryu Hwa-gun found something.”

At the name Ryu Hwa-gun, Tae Gong-jin trembled slightly. But soon, whether he understood something, he nodded.

“I see… he is still a grand schemer…”

“I hope it is a good story, though.”

Tae Gong-jin moved slowly and followed behind Nam Ju-ryeon.

Tae Gong-jin, who was staring at her leading the way for a moment, looked at something behind his back.

Even though it was clear that nothing was seen and no one was there, he gave his gaze as if looking at something.

Turning his gaze once again, he clicked his tongue softly.

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!

Support on Ko-fi