Chapter 183: To the Demonic Cult
Looking at the trembling demonic practitioners, I organized the situation in my own way.
‘Come to think of it, Yi Hwa has been following me all along. Nevertheless, the fact that Old Man Jong and the Heavenly Demon’s Personal Guard came to Samyang County must mean there was a way to summon them.’
It seems that in the process of calling Old Man Jong, Samyang County became known.
[I heard the Demonic Cult is in the midst of internal strife, and it seems quite serious over there too.]
Agreeing with Master Zhang Sanfeng’s words, I nodded and assessed the situation.
‘If they can come looking for him like this, it means Old Man Jong’s location is known to some extent even within the Demonic Cult.
The fact that they had been standing by until now even though an expert of Old Man Jong’s caliber left the Cult suggests there must be a serious problem inside the Demonic Cult.’
From what I heard, I knew Old Man Jong belonged to the neutral faction.
That might be why they stood by.
Or they might have stood by because trying to drag him back by force would cause too much damage.
The fact that the conflict was continuing with factions divided internally meant that a balance of power was maintained to some extent between the two sides.
If they mobilized their forces to strike Old Man Jong, the balance might collapse.
If so, it was natural to move cautiously.
Of course, this was just my inference.
Above all, these demonic practitioners were too weak to be said to have come to capture Old Man Jong.
Although they had a trick or two, at this rate, they did not exceed the level of an ordinary (?) peak expert.
“I need to hear why you came here first. Since it doesn’t seem like you came to fight.”
“Ah…… Yes! That’s correct!”
‘I won’t have to engage in useless psychological warfare.’
Their words and attitude became proper.
Now it seemed I just had to listen.
“To get straight to the point, we came to escort Elder Vajra Iron Demonic Sovereign.”
“At this point?”
The Demonic Cult wanted Old Man Jong.
It was a natural thing, but it was also true that such a natural thing had not happened until now.
“Has something happened in the Cult?”
“The interior of the Holy Cult is still in chaos. The confrontation between the Heaven-Obeying Faction that serves the cur…… Heavenly Demon and the Heaven-Rebelling Faction that refuses to recognize him is still ongoing. Although the conflict has intensified since Elder Vajra Iron Demonic Sovereign, who acted as a balance between the two sides in the center, left, it hasn’t crossed the line yet.”
The demonic practitioner’s voice trembling when he said ‘current Heavenly Demon’ was funny, but what was even funnier was the situation of the Demonic Cult.
Listening from a third person’s perspective, it was simply a mess.
To think this was the current state of the Demonic Cult, which once threw the Central Plains Martial World into terror, brought nothing but laughter.
‘I suddenly understand how Master Heavenly Demon, who is frying demonic practitioners in hell, must feel.’
And one more thing.
‘The current Heavenly Demon’s grip on power might be weaker than I thought.’
Although he had not inherited the complete Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the one sitting on the current throne of the Heavenly Demon was nominally the ruler of the Demonic Cult.
Though he suffered from a lack of legitimacy, even so, failing to control his subordinates left no room for excuses.
“So, you want Old Man Jong to return and be a punching bag getting hit from both sides?”
“That is not it!”
The demonic practitioner shouted, worked up.
Although he quickly bowed his head upon realizing who he had raised his voice in front of, the reaction he showed was definitely sincere.
Which meant there was another reason.
“So it isn’t an internal problem.”
“……Yes. The movements of Tibet are unusual.”
“Tibet?”
An unexpected faction was mentioned.
‘Oh? Geographically speaking, Tibet is indeed a place that shares a border with the Demonic Cult’s territory, right?’
“Is it to the extent that the Cult is on guard?”
“They say a tremendous powerhouse has emerged in Tibet. Rumors are spreading that the Potala Palace, which was the absolute powerhouse of Tibet, was collapsed and integrated by his hands.”
In short, the neighboring Tibetan Martial World was being integrated by the hands of a suddenly appeared absolute powerhouse, raising a sense of crisis.
Although I did not know much about Tibetan Martial World, I had heard of the Potala Palace.
It was virtually known as the ruler of Tibetan Martial World.
The collapse of such a martial arts power meant Tibet was on track to be unified under a single force.
‘Both the Green Forest and Tibet. Is integration the trend these days?’
I didn’t know if it was because of the bastards from the Crane organization who were meddling and causing trouble everywhere, but a sense of suspicion arose first.
This also felt like a symptom of paranoia or something……
‘Anyway, I’ve got the gist of it.’
According to what he said, it was not unreasonable for the Demonic Cult to be on guard.
Because it is human instinct to want to use something once it falls into one’s hands.
And the Demonic Cult intended to use this as a pretext to settle their long-standing internal issues.
“I shall ask three more questions.”
“Yes.”
“Are you from the Heaven-Obeying Faction?”
“……Yes.”
The answer was quite delayed.
That was understandable.
The Divine Maiden Yi Hwa and the Demon Sovereign Old Man Jong were beside me, and Yi Hwa had referred to me as the greatest existence under heaven.
The fact that the story of Yi Hwa and Old Man Jong heading to Samyang County had circulated within the Demonic Cult meant that the reason behind it was also highly likely to be known.
‘Yet, someone from the Heaven-Obeying Faction came anyway. The fellow called the current Heavenly Demon is quite bold.’
Whether he had the confidence to control someone like me, or if he was simply backed into a corner that much.
Whichever it was, the one on the current Heavenly Demon’s throne was clearly not ordinary.
“I am the Heavenly Demon. Would you deny it?”
“…….”
This time, the silence was long.
Only after some time had passed did the demonic practitioner who had been conversing with me open his mouth.
“……I do not know.”
“Hahaha!”
I laughed out loud.
Because I could infer an important detail from the demonic practitioner’s answer.
‘The support for Yi Hwa and Old Man Jong within the Demonic Cult is considerably high.’
If they were the Heaven-Obeying Faction, it meant they followed the current Heavenly Demon. Yet, he could not reach a conclusion on my question.
It could be that their faith in the current Heavenly Demon was lacking, but their trust in Yi Hwa and Old Man Jong’s choices must also have been considerable.
‘This is bigger than I thought.’
If it had this level of influence even on the Heaven-Obeying Faction, it meant I could exert an even greater influence on the Heaven-Rebelling Faction.
Although I had once told Yi Hwa, Old Man Jong, and the Heavenly Demon’s Personal Guard that we should ascend the Ten Thousand Great Mountains together someday, to me, the Demonic Cult was still perceived as a dangerous, hostile territory.
But looking at it now, I realized it was not a place to enter while thinking of it purely as hostile territory.
It was more manageable than I thought.
Having inherited the complete martial arts of Master Heavenly Demon, I could exert a powerful influence in the current Demonic Cult that could decide its master.
Depending on how I moved, I could even look beyond that.
‘I’ve decided!’
“Yi Hwa.”
“Yes.”
“Pack our gear. It is going to be a long journey.”
“……Yi Hwa receives the command of the great one.”
Uncharacteristic of Yi Hwa, who always pretended to be mature, emotion seeped into her voice.
“Old Jong.”
“Please give your command.”
“Gather the Heavenly Demon’s Personal Guard. And that fellow Yi Gyeong-cheon as well.”
Yi Gyeong-cheon was the one learning the proper Heavenly Demon Divine Art from me (Master Heavenly Demon).
Since his original skills were not at a level to be ignored anywhere, taking him along would definitely be useful.
“Will Yi Gyeong-cheon alone suffice?”
However, Old Jong asked my intention once more, which was unusual for him.
He was asking if there was anyone else to call.
“Is there a problem?”
“I shall receive your command.”
Having confirmed my clear intention, Old Jong finally moved his body.
‘He must be referring to that fellow, Baek Mu-ho.’
The guy who had mastered even Master Heavenly Demon’s sword with a talent that reached the heavens.
The friend who had always been with me except for the trip to Suzhou.
Did they say that if you have even one friend who would risk their life with you, it is a successful life?
If so, my life was surely a successful one.
‘As much as he obtained Master Heavenly Demon’s sword, accompanying us would be possible, but…’
It was not just possible; it was clear that he would be of much greater help than Yi Gyeong-cheon.
However, I completely erased that possibility from my mind.
The one heading to the Demonic Cult now was not the orthodox rising star, the Young Heavenly Dragon.
It had to be the current Heavenly Demon who inherited all of Master Heavenly Demon’s legacy.
Strong and grand.
Wielded like a flame lighting up the darkness, it had to burn brightly.
‘Sorry, my friend.’
“Ex-excuse me……”
While I was hardening my resolve in my own way, a voice calling me was heard.
The three demonic practitioners, who were now struggling even to meet my eyes, cautiously spoke.
“You said you would ask three questions……”
I should stop teasing them here.
“Tell me your names one by one. I can’t call you ‘hey’ or ‘you’ throughout the entire journey, can I?”
***
Baek Mu-ho, who had deep shadows under his eyes, was listening to a report with stacks of documents as tall as a person piled up on his desk.
“He left?”
“Yes.”
Samyang County was the backyard of the Baek Family Escort. Its influence extended throughout the entire town, with eyes and ears laid out everywhere.
Hearing the report of the Snow Shadow, Baek Mu-ho rubbed his tired eyes and let out a soft groan.
“……Damned bastard. I was planning to drag him over and make him do some work soon.”
Baek Mu-ho, who grumbled as he cursed Yeon Cheong-un, sighed as he looked at the piled-up documents.
“Sigh! It would be easier to just hold a sword and charge at a million-strong army.”
“Haha……”
“Is it funny? Do you want to do this together with me?”
“……I shall take my leave.”
The Snow Shadow turned serious and quickly fled.
Left alone, Baek Mu-ho let out a low sigh once more.
“I knew he was hiding something, but……”
He was told that demonic practitioners had visited Samyang County, clashed with Yeon Cheong-un, and soon departed together.
Together with the demonic practitioners of the Demonic Cult who were staying in Samyang County.
Although the detailed circumstances were unknown, it was understandable that something made it difficult for them to act together given the situation.
“That bastard, how disappointing……”
Still, it would have been nice if he had asked to go together.
Swallowing those feelings, Baek Mu-ho wore a bitter smile.
***
The one who brought Tibet to submission; the owner of the mighty power lightly furrowed his brow at the news flown from the distant Central Plains.
“The matter of the Green Forest is also a half-baked result……”
“My apologies.”
The one who brought the news pressed his head against the ground as if even meeting eyes was not permitted.
The one looking at the letter asked in a low voice.
“The cause?”
“They say a Divine Monk intervened.”
“Divine Monk…… Is it Shaolin.”
A deep displeasure lingered in his voice.
Although it did not show on his expression, the swaying of energy representing his emotions burned the letter held in his hand.
“In Sichuan, that fellow Heu-do of the Wudang Sect intervened and interfered, and this time it is Shaolin’s Divine Monk. The two places I hate the most among the Nine Great Sects have run amok side-by-side.”
“My apologies.”
“Tsk! You are lucky. You should thank the successor of the Limitless Great Sun Qi who went to the Blood Cult. If my mood had not improved because of him, your head would have been gone.”
“…….”
It was a situation where even receiving apologies was annoying.
The one with his head pressed to the ground realized that keeping silent was the best option and closed his mouth.
“Even though I twisted them so they wouldn’t grow straight, it seems the Nine Great Sects are still the Nine Great Sects.”
“Even a decayed fish has value, does it not.”
“The immortal path is indeed like that.”
The owner of the power spoke as if he deeply understood the immortal path.
For a moment, a complex and subtle emotion appeared on his face, and then, as if having made a decision, he gave instructions to the one standing.
“I must tear the Nine Great Sects apart. I intended to proceed while maintaining a balance, but if they keep interfering, I have no choice but to take action.”
“Should we trigger what we prepared?”
“Do so. Tell the Green Forest and the Water Bandit Alliance to prepare as well.”
“As you command.”
The one who received the command gathered the prostrate figure and headed outside.
“Since the gods are in heaven, the world is at peace. Hmph!”
Left alone, the mighty one looked up at the sky and cast a sneer.