Chapter 316: The Unprecedented Crisis Sweeping Through the Murim (2)
The Bukcheon Geom Clan, located between the Heavenly Demon Cult and the Gongdong Sect’s territories, was one of the greatest clans in the Murim.
However, unlike other so-called prestigious clans like the Namcheon Baek Clan, which had expanded their influence by settling in major cities of the Central Plains, the Bukcheon Geom Clan had been coiled up in the relatively remote region of Gansu Province, maintaining its lineage for over a thousand years.
Because of that, in the eyes of most people in the Central Plains, they were treated as a kind of mysterious sect.
In fact, their stronghold boasted defenses rivaling those of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
For someone to have broken through such defenses and reached the Clan Leader was no ordinary matter.
However.
“This is serious…”
Honestly, the affairs of the Bukcheon Geom Clan were their own concern.
What truly concerned her was the fact that Dowang, her greatest asset, was currently absent, having left for an extended period to the Black Lotus Union.
‘At least the fortunate thing is that Young Master So Cheon is still here.’
Though So Cheon had yet to reach the Extreme Demon Realm,
even she, who had already reached that level, couldn’t guarantee her survival if she engaged in a life-or-death battle with him.
That was how extraordinary So Cheon’s current strength was—something that transcended mere cultivation levels.
“Oh, and there’s one more thing.”
“What now?”
Sama Eun rummaged through her robe and pulled out a letter.
“It’s not… bad news, but the Heavenly Demon Cult has notified us that they’ll be holding some kind of tournament soon.”
“A tournament?”
Baek Sang-ah’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Currently, the Heavenly Demon Cult was entirely focused on preparing for the Young Cult Leader’s inauguration ceremony, leaving no room to concern themselves with anything else.
Since even the war had been halted for that reason, it was only natural that they were making grand preparations for the ceremony.
However, as Sama Eun double-checked the letter, her expression gradually turned more and more baffled.
“Yes, the tournament has a rather peculiar name… something like… the Demonic Faction Lord… Competition…”
“…What?”
“It says it’s an open competition where any disciple under the age of thirty from the Demonic Cult can challenge the current Demonic Faction Lord nominee without restriction.”
“…”
Baek Sang-ah’s expression twisted into something bizarre.
She snatched the letter from Sama Eun and read through it carefully.
Once, twice, thrice.
No matter how many times she read it,
the letter described something no sane person should ever accept.
“You’re telling me Young Master Jin agreed to this?”
“Well, I… I’m not really sure…”
“Has he lost his mind?!”
Baek Sang-ah burst out angrily.
“What, does he plan to brag about his skills to the whole world or something?!”
It was often said in the Murim that one should hide thirty percent of their true ability.
But in Jin Yeomyung’s case, he needed to hide ninety percent, not thirty.
“…?”
Sama Eun blinked in confusion.
She had never truly witnessed Jin Yeomyung’s real capabilities.
More precisely, she had never experienced his terrifying, almost vertical growth curve.
Thus, Baek Sang-ah’s words, as if overcoming it was somehow possible, felt awkward to her.
Baek Sang-ah let out a sigh that seemed to reach the depths of hell.
“Hoo! Eun, this isn’t something you need to worry about. It won’t change anything no matter who challenges him. We just need to tighten our defenses and gather information as usual…”
It was at that moment.
A distinctly annoyed snort rang out near her ear.
“Hoooh?”
Baek Sang-ah’s head turned mechanically.
“…Young Master So Cheon?”
What is it now?
So Cheon had somehow snatched the letter from Sama Eun’s hands before she noticed.
“Anyone under thirty… can challenge, you say?”
So Cheon’s face twisted into a mischievous grin as he spoke.
At that moment, Baek Sang-ah’s instincts whispered to her.
‘We’re doomed.’
The person standing there wasn’t the usual gentle So Cheon.
It was the vengeful spirit who had been sharpening his blade of revenge after being betrayed by a trusted friend!
He was ready to rampage the moment he was given even the slightest excuse!
“Young Master So Cheon!”
Baek Sang-ah’s sharp mind quickly searched for a justification to stop him.
“Anyone can challenge, yes, but isn’t your family, the Hidden Shadow So Clan, currently under seclusion? According to Murim law, a family in seclusion cannot participate in any grudges or competitions.”
Her reasoning was quite sound.
The only problem was that the current So Cheon wasn’t in the mood to listen to any reasoning.
“An unspoken rule is just that—unspoken. Is there really a need to apply that between me and that bastard?”
“…”
“I’ll just go stick a knife in his back real quick.”
As So Cheon was about to disappear,
Baek Sang-ah grit her teeth and shouted.
“Young Master So Cheon! If you leave like this, I’ll ban you from drinking and snacking for a whole year!”
Flinch!
So Cheon, who had been about to take a step, froze immediately.
At that moment, Baek Sang-ah had never felt more grateful that she was wearing a mask.
‘What an embarrassing situation!’
The surrounding subordinates had gathered like a pack of dogs to watch this spectacle, and yet here she was, shouting something as ridiculous as a snack ban!
But to her surprise, her words had struck true with So Cheon.
So Cheon was someone who normally resolved everything he needed through borrowing or asking, but the idea of losing the basic welfare benefits provided to him was a severe blow!
“Ugh, ugh!”
So Cheon twisted his face in agony.
If it had been the old So Cheon, who was ruled by laziness, he would have had no choice but to accept the offer.
But ever since he had faced the death of So Jeong, something fundamental about him had changed.
“Still…!”
“…No way?”
“Just for a bit! I’ll be right back!”
“Young Master So Cheon?! Hey, you brat!”
Baek Sang-ah quickly stepped into the air, chasing after So Cheon, who was fleeing toward the castle gates.
“Ooooh!”
“N-… Nine Heavens Sky-Step?!”
“It’s my first time seeing it!”
The subordinates gasped in awe as they witnessed Baek Sang-ah’s supreme lightness skill.
Along with her overwhelming martial prowess that had easily crushed the intruders (though So Cheon had caught two of them), her ability to walk through the air, considered the mark of an absolute master, left everyone stunned.
It was a situation that would undoubtedly leave a deep impression on the subordinates about what kind of person Demonic Sword Flower, the Master of the Black Lotus Union, truly was.
While their loyalty and admiration (?) toward her deepened even further because of it,
Baek Sang-ah herself had no time to care about such things.
“There’s still a month left until the tournament starts! You’d better get back here right now!”
Chzzzzzt!
A dark energy gathered on my twin swords.
It had evolved in a direction slightly different from the usual demonic energy I had been using—a deathly aura.
It was a true Death Sword.
‘Precisely!’
We were still within the great city of Luoyang.
If I unleashed my destructive power recklessly as I usually did, unnecessary casualties could arise.
I had to strike like an assassin—with no traces, no sound. My sword shot toward So Cheon’s back.
However.
Just as the sword was about to land on So Cheon’s back,
Swish!
With incredible acceleration, So Cheon’s body vanished!
“…Tch!”
The moment my twin swords pierced through nothing but afterimages, I immediately realized I had lost him.
Retracting my swords, I stood still for a moment, staring blankly at the spot where So Cheon had vanished.
Then, I threw my head back and screamed toward the sky.
“Arghhh! This is driving me crazy!”
Just imagining what kind of trouble So Cheon might cause next already gave me a headache.
***
While the entire Central Plains was in chaos with strange figures appearing everywhere, the Heavenly Demon Cult was heating up regardless of the outside turmoil.
“Seems like the title of Demonic Faction Lord is really something. There are dozens of times more people knocking on the door of the Demonic Dragon Hall than usual.”
Eighth Elder, King of Nine Hidden Blood Threads Wang Garak, clicked his tongue quietly.
Though he held the title of Elder, he also doubled as the Lord of the Demonic Dragon Hall, and he had been struggling a lot lately with the chaos both inside and outside the Hall.
Across from him, Tenth Elder, Gwang Rahi Yeojin, nodded.
“It must be because of the real combat experience.”
“Exactly. Even among those in the Demonic Dragon Hall who have some confidence in their skills, they’re in a complete panic right now.”
A sneer twisted the wrinkled corners of Wang Garak’s mouth.
“Those fools who used to spend all their time loitering around brothels… Now they’re suddenly trying to act diligent.”
Yeojin chuckled softly as she leaned on her hand.
“Really, the entire Ten Thousand Mountain is in an uproar.”
Stillness within movement.
There was no better term to describe the current state of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
On the surface, it appeared quiet and calm, but inside, it was a seething chaos filled with ambition, greed, and restless energy.
“As you know, there are more high-level experts near thirty than you’d expect. The skill gap among those around that age or younger is quite significant. If you look closely, you might even find some top-tier experts.”
“Indeed. Even the so-called prestigious clans seem to be doing everything they can to send their children to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.”
“At least you have nothing to worry about.”
Unlike most lower Elders, Gwang Rahi Yeojin had no family or faction to represent.
Given that most lower Elders usually commanded at least one armed division, her situation was quite unusual.
“I wonder what the Young Master from the Jin Clan, who turned the Cult upside down, is doing right now?”
“It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it’s been a while, Master of Thousand-Day Pass.”
Thousand-Day Pass Pavilion Master, Mist Prison Wolf Jo Jin-sang, gazed at me with a look of astonishment.
“Your skills have improved tremendously. I can no longer even begin to guess your level with my own eyes.”
“You flatter me.”
“I am always grateful, Master Pavilion Lord. You’ve been looking after my subordinates so that they wouldn’t get into trouble.”
“Hmph, I’m glad you think so.”
The Three Attendant and San Dojeon, who had returned to the Cult before me, had long been qualified to graduate early from the Thousand-Day Pass, but they had been hiding there until I returned.
“And also… the Underworld King’s Unit as well.”
The Underworld King’s Unit, which had started to take shape as an assassination squad under the leadership of Myeong-oh and So Soryu.
Of course, no matter how vast the Ten Thousand Mountain was, it wasn’t easy to keep trainees hidden from others for years.
In fact, I had heard there had been a few dangerous moments, which was why they had recently moved their training grounds near the Thousand-Day Pass to strengthen their secrecy.
“Well, I trust you’re not the kind of fool to betray a favor.”
“Cough! Isn’t this just a generous investment for a promising future successor?”
The Pavilion Master spoke with a grumpy expression.
“Just thinking about what you’ve extorted from me in the past still gives me indigestion.”
“……”
Seeing me at a loss for words, he let out a soft laugh.
“By the way, it seems you’ve walked right into an outrageous trap. So, do you have confidence you can overcome this trial?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t confident.”
“Well, if you didn’t have confidence… Wait, what?”
The Pavilion Master tilted his head in confusion.
“Didn’t you just say yourself that even you can’t gauge my level anymore?”
“Huh?”
I shrugged slightly.
“It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s not difficult. On the contrary, if I want to silence all the noise later, I need to make this big.”
“You’re right about that.”
The Pavilion Master readily agreed.
“Then let’s get to the point. What business do you have with me, the most famous man in the Cult?”
He had already seen through the fact that I hadn’t come just to express my gratitude.
Without dragging it out, I got straight to the point.
“I intend to enter the True Thousand-Day Pass, deep inside the Thousand-Day Pass… ‘that place’ beyond it.”
“…!”
The massive steel door I had to turn away from in the past due to lacking inner strength and comprehension.
As I recalled the sword path of the Ten Heavenly Record Immortal Sword engraved on that door, the figure of my Senior Brother, who had helped me to the very end, appeared like a mirage.
“I believe I can enter now.”