Chapter 635: They Dared to Touch Both My Brother and My Friend?
Jin Hagun had expected the Hermit of Heaven and Earth to show a reaction.
He thought the man might flash a meaningful gaze upon hearing that evil had awakened.
Yes, that evil was him.
But Hwa Yulcheong didn’t reveal the slightest hint of such awareness. He only looked surprised, flustered, and concerned—his response rendering Jin Hagun’s intentions meaningless.
“Leader Jin, what exactly do you mean by that? What ‘great evil’?”
Jin Hagun spoke while looking at the Blitz Blade that the Chief Steward had shown earlier.
“That hidden weapon is a meticulously forged counterfeit. Lately, that imitation has been circulating secretly through the martial world.”
At his words, the leaders nearby murmured in agitation. Especially the Sect Master of One-Sword Sect, who despised the Demonic Cult and had believed it to be their doing, furrowed his brow. A counterfeit weapon didn’t necessarily point to the Demonic Cult.
“I cannot reveal any more details here.”
Jin Hagun didn’t deny that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was involved. Nor did he mention the death of the White Dragon Branch Leader.
There was no benefit in provoking them right now.
Hwa Yulcheong’s eyes gleamed with righteous resolve.
“If you ever need help, just say the word.”
In response to Hwa Yulcheong’s words, the sect leaders around them also showed steady gazes, as if to say he only had to call and they’d come.
Jin Hagun respectfully cupped his fists and said,
“You noble warriors are upholding the spirit of the martial world. On behalf of the Alliance, I sincerely thank you.”
After offering his farewell, he prepared to leave.
“I’ll take my leave now. Please get some rest.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Although Jin Hagun had told him to rest, Hwa Yulcheong rose from his sickbed. As it had always been throughout his life, he was not one to rest even for a moment.
Jin Hagun stepped forward to support him. His rough hands had grown so thin, only bone remained beneath the skin.
“It’s been quite a while since I held your hand.”
Jin Hagun tried to recall whether they’d ever held hands before but couldn’t remember. It must’ve been from a time long ago, when he was still a child.
Hwa Yulcheong then turned to the other leaders present.
“You all should head back too.”
Jin Hagun had thought of them as the wall protecting Hwa Yulcheong, but now the man was sending everyone away. With every word he spoke, a little more suspicion was dispelled.
The leaders followed the two men as they walked.
“They may attempt another ambush. Allow us to guard you.”
At the Sect Master of Jade Pine Sect’s words, Hwa Yulcheong shook his head.
“At my age, I could die without any regrets.”
“Please don’t say such things.”
This time, the Sect Master of One-Sword Sect stepped forward.
“You still need to protect the martial world for another thirty years.”
“My friend, even you can’t promise that.”
The leaders following behind laughed. They were all relieved and joyful at the fact that Hwa Yulcheong was safe.
As he felt their reliance upon him, a sudden thought crossed Jin Hagun’s mind.
'What if he truly was the evil one?'
Perhaps the life he had lived in disguise for decades had become his real life.
Perhaps, while pretending to live righteously, he had truly become a great hero.
And if that were true—how could anyone see through such a life?
When he was deceiving even himself.
At that thought, one person naturally came to mind.
Someone who, no matter how deeply the other tried to hide it, would eventually dig it up without fail.
Someone who would shamelessly stick their head deep into another’s heart and ask with a bright smile, “What’s this dark little hole here?”
Someone who might say, “I’ll tell you if you promise to dance with me!”
At that moment, Hwa Yulcheong asked from beside him.
“Why are you smiling?”
Jin Hagun flinched and turned to look at him. He hadn’t realized he was smiling.
“Seeing you safe, sir, lifts my spirits.”
Jin Hagun brushed away the person who had surfaced in his mind.
This was something he had to handle on his own—no matter what.
With that, the two of them stepped out into the Grand Hall.
The martial artists waiting outside let out a loud cheer the moment they saw Hwa Yulcheong.
Each called him by a different title.
Master Hwa, Great Hero Hwa, Elder Hwa, Hero Hwa.
But the respect on their faces was all the same.
Not a single person here had lived without once receiving his help.
It seemed the rumors were spreading fast—there were even more martial artists gathered now than before.
As cheers erupted from inside, the ones outside joined in with loud shouts.
The martial artists who couldn’t enter the manor must’ve surrounded the grounds from outside.
At this rate, before the day ended, all of Wuhan’s martial world would know that Hwa Yulcheong had been ambushed.
Jin Hagun silently looked out at those in the courtyard chanting Hwa Yulcheong’s name.
They looked as if they were about to march into war—burning with fervor.
One hidden weapon had stirred all of Wuhan to a boil.
Then, a martial artist rushed in from outside and reported something to the Sect Master of One-Sword Sect.
The Sect Master turned to Hwa Yulcheong and reported.
“We’ve located the place where the Demonic Cult rats are hiding!”
The most shocked person at that announcement was Jin Hagun.
The Sect Master of One-Sword Sect immediately took his subordinates and left first.
“I’ll go.”
Others quickly followed after.
“We’ll assist you.”
Several faction leaders moved together with him.
Half of those present rushed out alongside them.
Jin Hagun couldn’t sit idle.
If they really had discovered the location of Geom Muyang, then he had to intervene before conflict broke out.
“I’ll go as well.”
As Jin Hagun hurried after them, Hwa Yulcheong called out to him.
“Great evil always possesses conviction. A twisted and corrupt conviction. It’s that very conviction that makes evil even stronger.”
Their eyes met, entangled in the air.
He wanted to ask how one could overcome such a thing, but there was no time for such a conversation right now.
“I’ll be back.”
Jin Hagun launched himself into the air. From behind, Hwa Yulcheong’s voice followed. As he did when it was just the two of them, he called his name.
“Be careful, Hagun.”
* * *
The operations room of the Heavenly Communication Pavilion was running busily as always.
With the highest level of alert in effect, it was, in every sense, a wartime situation.
Not just the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, but even Hidden Moon had joined forces, pouring all their intelligence resources into Wuhan.
Thanks to that, information was being exchanged between the Main Division and Wuhan faster and more accurately than ever before.
And today, an unexpected report arrived.
An attendant soldier rushed in with an urgent letter, his face filled with shock.
“The Forbidden Demon Order has been broken.”
The once-bustling operations room instantly fell into silence.
All eyes turned to the attendant who had made the report.
Sima Myung’s expression hardened.
It was the first time something like this had occurred since he had become the Chief Strategist.
The Forbidden Demon Order had been broken?
It was a report that should never have been possible.
Especially not now, amidst this extreme state of emergency.
The Forbidden Demon Order was a special punishment issued by order of the Cult Leader.
It was usually given to a demonic practitioner who had achieved great merit but also committed a crime—one whose contributions were too significant to be thrown into the Thunder Prison, yet whose sins could not be overlooked.
They would have their internal energy sealed and live in hiding throughout the Central Plains.
Most would take on roles with minimal human interaction—such as hunters, woodcutters, or herb gatherers. Occasionally, exceptions were made to allow them to run small businesses in back alleys or marketplaces.
They were strictly forbidden from ever leaving their assigned region.
If they violated the Forbidden Demon Order and left their designated area, the penalty was death.
Since it was a violation of the Cult Leader’s decree, the punishment would be accompanied by excruciating pain before death.
Which was why, if anything, they might choose suicide—but never broke the Forbidden Demon Order.
“Who broke it?”
Then, a shocking name was spoken.
“Demon Flame Lord has violated the Forbidden Demon Order and left his assigned region.”
The Demon Flame Lord was a former demonic practitioner who, even back then, possessed the level of strength equivalent to a Demon Supreme.
One attendant soldier opened a box marked with flags and pulled out the one bearing the character ‘Flame’ (焰).
The flag, which hadn’t been used in ages, was thick with dust as it was placed upon the strategic map.
“And… it’s reported that he has released the internal energy seal.”
That report was even more shocking than saying he had escaped.
Of course, when they were confined, their pressure points would be sealed to prevent the use of internal energy.
At that time, a special internal energy suppression would be applied.
If the seal wasn’t lifted by the Main Division and was forcibly broken, the person would die within days.
Depending on their martial prowess, the time of death would vary—from as short as one day to as long as seven.
But by the seventh day, they would die without exception.
They were people who certainly knew this.
And yet… he had escaped and released the internal energy seal?
Either they were prepared to die, or they believed they wouldn’t.
And today, the one who violated the Forbidden Demon Order was not the only one.
Another urgent report arrived.
“White-Bone Soul Demon has broken the Forbidden Demon Order and left his designated region.”
The flag bearing the character for ‘Bone’ (骨) was also placed on the strategic map.
White-Bone Soul Demon was an older demonic practitioner from two generations prior, and his age had already reached a staggering one hundred fifty.
'He was still alive…!'
Even Sima Myung had completely forgotten about his existence.
If only one had left, it might have been seen as a spontaneous act.
But two meant there was external influence at play.
'Someone had extracted them.'
Someone who not only knew their classified location, but also had the power to persuade them.
As expected, a follow-up report came.
“They are heading toward Wuhan.”
Sima Myung’s expression hardened.
Either of the two masters, if released, would be capable of inciting a storm of blood across the martial world.
And both of those fearsome demons were now heading to Wuhan?
This was a worst-case scenario unfolding in real time.
Even with the Demon Supremes already present there, it was a situation walking on thin ice—
and now, two aged demons who had broken the Forbidden Demon Order were heading there?
It was like the ice cracking beneath their feet, and no one knew who would be pulled into the abyss.
“Shall we dispatch a pursuit unit?”
Ordinarily, elite forces including the Demonic Army would be mobilized to hunt them down.
No matter the cost, no matter how great the sacrifice, they would be pursued and captured—to prove that the Forbidden Demon Order must never be broken.
But Sima Myung shook his head.
Not this time.
No—he couldn’t.
Given the current situation, he couldn’t afford to send the Demonic Army to Wuhan as well.
Sima Myung stared at the two newly placed flags and asked,
“Do they even know… who is there?”
His gaze shifted to one specific spot.
“Send an urgent transmission. Inform them of this.”
It was directed at a new flag that had just arrived in Wuhan.
Extreme (極).
* * *
“There are people I know in Wuhan.”
Even in Wuhan, Demonic Buddha had connections, forged diligently with his short legs over time.
“I plan to use their help to dig deeper into the Hermit of Heaven and Earth.”
Would mere acquaintances lend their aid for something like this?
Demonic Buddha was now playing a card he’d been saving—just for this.
Realizing this, Geom Muyang offered sincere thanks.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. This is only right.”
Now that the Great Young Master had asked for help, Demonic Buddha would mobilize everything he could to support Geom Muyang.
And if he ran out of things to offer, he’d probably sell the very undergarments he wore to continue helping.
At that moment, Ho Myeong rushed in to report.
“The Demon-Slaying Brigade and Wuhan’s martial artists are on their way here. You must evacuate immediately.”
Without another word, Geom Muyang and Demonic Buddha swiftly exited the room.
There was no chance that the Demon-Slaying Brigade had come to escort them.
It was more likely that the martial artists of Wuhan were storming in, and the Demon-Slaying Brigade was simply joining them.
They were trying, somehow, to prevent a confrontation.
The best way to help Jin Hagun was to get out of there as quickly as possible.
Geom Muyang hadn’t expected he’d find himself in a situation where he’d have to flee this place again.
Truly, Wuhan’s circumstances were accelerating like a raging current.
They slipped out through the back door with practiced swiftness.
Having done this before, Gwak Yeong followed behind them without fear.
Swish!
At the end of the alley, a man who had been keeping watch collapsed from Demonic Buddha’s wind technique.
But Demonic Buddha didn’t kill him—he only knocked him unconscious.
Geom Muyang turned to the martial artists of the branch and said,
“Even if you run into them—don’t kill them!”
Because that was likely what the power behind all this truly wanted.
No sooner had they slipped away than the Demon-Slaying Brigade and martial artists of Wuhan burst in through the door.
“They just escaped! Let’s pursue them at once!”
At the shout of the Sect Master of One-Sword Sect, Jin Hagun responded,
“From this point on, the main force will handle the pursuit.”
But the Sect Master didn’t step back so easily.
“This is related to the Hermit of Heaven and Earth. Please let us assist.”
The eyes of the martial artists behind him were equally resolute.
They could have been stopped by force, but now wasn’t the time for that.
Especially not when the Sect Master of One-Sword Sect had once lost an arm to a demonic practitioner.
‘I trust that he’ll get away safely.’
Jin Hagun believed in Geom Muyang.
And besides, he had Demonic Buddha with him.
“Very well. Let’s pursue them together.”
And so, the pursuit began.
Watching the scene from atop a withered old tree in the distance were two individuals.
Standing atop a slender branch, they were both striking and youthful in appearance.
They were none other than Geom Mugeuk and the Poison King.
“He acts so high and mighty with me… but look at him now. Running around like a headless chicken, chased by the Martial Alliance’s martial artists.”
“If it were you, there’d be even more chasing after you.”
Pretending not to hear, Geom Mugeuk continued on with what he wanted to say.
“Goodness, even Demonic Buddha seems to be glowing. How are they supposed to escape like that?”
Just the sight of the two of them standing side-by-side on a tree branch painted a picture-like scene.
Gazing at the distant figures of Geom Muyang and Jin Hagun—pursued and pursuing—Geom Mugeuk’s eyes deepened.
“Still… they’ve touched both my brother and my friend at the same time.”
Turning to the Poison King, Geom Mugeuk added,
“And even your loyal little gatherer, Poison King.”
The Poison King nodded with an expression that said that’s exactly what angers me the most.
“What now?”
The Poison King—desperate to finish things up in Wuhan and return to collecting toxic herbs with Demonic Buddha—asked sincerely.
But Geom Mugeuk knew that this incident wasn’t something so simple.
That was why he had come in person.
He had even made a promise to Sima Myung not to step in directly. Of course, it was a promise he had no intention of keeping.
“Let’s head to a tavern where lots of beautiful lady warriors gather and have a drink first. I really ran all the way here without a single moment of rest. They say the women of Wuhan are quite the beauties.”
The Poison King glanced toward the chaos unfolding in the distance. His expression said, They’re running around like that, and we’re drinking?
To which Geom Mugeuk replied with a laugh,
“They’ll handle it well enough on their own. Let’s use this opportunity to help those two boring guys get a little closer. Meanwhile, we’ll have a drink with the lady warriors and work out a plan.”
Looking out over the dazzling streets of Wuhan, Geom Mugeuk added calmly,
“Who says they’re the only ones allowed to plot?”