Shut Up.

There was more than one location marked on the map.
Naturally, the group would have to split up.

“Judging by the number of markings here, this appears to be their main base. I will take this area.”

Moyong Hwi pointed to the area with the most marks.

“Young Lady Jegal and Young Master Peng, please come with me.”
“Then I will take this area.”

Jeon Pung pointed to the area with the second-largest number of marks.

“We will accompany you.”

It was Danmok Yun. Danmok Yun and Danmok Seo.
Jeon Pung nodded upon seeing the two of them.
Once Moyong Hwi and Jeon Pung had chosen their groups, the rest proceeded quickly.

“We will go this way.”
“Then we will take the remaining location.”

As during the investigation, Gyo-ha moved together with Namgung Hyeok and Jeon Pyeong.
The same was true for most of the others, aside from a few people.
If a battle broke out, it was better to fight alongside people one was at least somewhat familiar with.
And so, Gyo-ha’s group arrived at their destination.

“This is the place?”
“…There was a reason they were so difficult to find.”
What they found at their destination was a small shrine.
It was close to the city, yet rarely visited.
The shrine was old and weathered, but the inside was well maintained.
That meant people had been coming and going even recently.
Sure enough.
They sensed people inside.

“There are people inside.”
“Three. Just as the map indicated.”

Jeon Pyeong sighed. Seeing the information prove accurate reminded him anew of how terrifying the spider woman was.
Since they were wearing Taoist robes inside a shrine, no one would find them suspicious.
The fact that they had separated instead of gathering together also helped.

“Should we move in immediately?”

Gyo-ha asked with shining eyes.
His body had already been itching for a fight ever since meeting the woman.
He wanted to fight as soon as possible.
Jeon Pyeong was about to nod when his eyes suddenly trembled.

“Wait.”

Gyo-ha and Namgung Hyeok, who were standing ahead of him, turned around.
Something was wrong with Jeon Pyeong’s voice.
His gaze was fixed on one person.
One of the people they had been pursuing.

“…Martial Uncle Yu Hyeon?”

His voice was filled with disbelief.
As though he had just sensed their presence, the Taoist turned around.
The moment he looked their way, Namgung Hyeok and Gyo-ha moved simultaneously.
They were concerned he might flee.

“Enemies!”

At the Taoist’s shout, the others also took their stances.
They were also wearing Taoist robes.
Contrary to Namgung Hyeok’s and Gyo-ha’s concerns, they did not attempt to flee.
The two sides faced one another.
The Taoists’ faces were filled with confidence.
Then the Taoist who had announced the attack spoke.

“It’s been a long time, Pyeong.”
“…When did you return? No, what are you doing here?”

Upon closer inspection, their Taoist robes looked similar.
They were difficult to recognize because they were old and tattered, but they clearly belonged to the Mount Hua Sect.
The other two sets of robes were also familiar.

“Qingcheng and Diancang.”

The answer came from Namgung Hyeok.
They were not disguises. Jeon Pyeong would have noticed if they were.
Even though their identities had been exposed, the other two remained calm.

“I had intended to visit you eventually, but I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

The Taoist called Yu Hyeon appeared pleased to see Jeon Pyeong.

“Martial Uncle, you were supposed to be in Qinghai…”
“I was fortunate.”

Yu Hyeon spoke gently. Jeon Pyeong sensed something foreign in his smile.

“…What happened to my junior brothers?”
“Jeon Ang is alive. Although he has taken a different form, that too must be fate. Unfortunately, the other children failed to survive the baptism.”

At those words, Jeon Pyeong realized the source of his unease.
He was different.
Fundamentally different from the Yu Hyeon he had known.
Most importantly.

“…What happened to your internal energy?”
“The Dao takes a different form for every person. Once one finds another path, there is no reason to insist upon following only one.”

The internal energy of a Taoist sect.
It was not merely accumulated internal energy.
It was no different from the sect’s very foundation.

“…Have you fallen in with some heretical cult?”

Yu Hyeon’s expression changed at Jeon Pyeong’s question.

“A heretical cult? Watch your words.”

It was not only Yu Hyeon. The other two reacted the same way.
Anger trembled in their eyes.

“You’ve gone mad.”

Namgung Hyeok snapped coldly.
Yu Hyeon slowly turned his head toward him.

“Yes. You cannot help being ignorant when you know nothing.”

Yu Hyeon spoke without expression, but soon returned to his previous smile.

“This works out well. An Apostle has descended nearby. Once you receive the baptism, you will understand what I mean.”

There was no need to hear any more.
Jeon Pyeong drew his sword.
Jeon Pyeong had also been present during the battle with Jo Chung.
A being who had been human yet transformed into an insect.
Yu Hyeon was the same.
Jeon Pyeong’s sword hand trembled.

‘Martial Uncle Yu Hyeon, why did it have to be you…?’

His eyes wavered with mingled anger and sorrow, but he soon gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword.
Yu Hyeon looked saddened as he watched Jeon Pyeong.

“How unfortunate. But don’t worry. You too will soon come to see the Dao.”
“That will never happen!”

Jeon Pyeong swung his sword at Yu Hyeon.
At that signal, Gyo-ha and Namgung Hyeok also charged at the opponents before them.

They could guess the identities of the people wearing Taoist robes.
The missing members of the Vermilion Bird Unit.
And the Black Tortoise Unit members sent to search for them.
However, none of that mattered now.
Right now, they were nothing more than enemies.
Jeon Pyeong frowned as he swung his sword.
Teong.
It was blocked far too easily.
Jeon Pyeong knew Yu Hyeon’s abilities well.
Yu Hyeon possessed greater scholarly talent than martial talent.
His gentle disposition had also earned him widespread respect.
Perhaps he could have faced the Jeon Pyeong of the past, but he should not have been capable of contending with him now that Jeon Pyeong had become a Plum Blossom Swordsman.
However.

“Keuk.”

Jeon Pyeong gradually began to be pushed back.
The reason was the ominous power surrounding Yu Hyeon’s body.
The power known as Yokai Qi.
Another swing of Yu Hyeon’s sword sent Jeon Pyeong flying back.

“Do you see? This is the power He bestowed upon me…”

Kwang!
The explosive sound cut Yu Hyeon off.
When he looked to the side, he saw one of his companions lying on the ground.

“Keulleok!”

The man coughed up blood.

“…What?”

When Yu Hyeon turned his head, he saw Gyo-ha looking equally surprised.
When everyone’s gazes fell upon him, Gyo-ha scratched the back of his head.

“Brother, be careful. These men are no ordinary opponents.”

Namgung Hyeok warned him.
But Gyo-ha could tell even without the warning.
A familiar energy was flowing through their bodies.

‘It really is Yokai Qi.’

It resembled Heretical Qi, but its essence was different.
A power humans should not possess.
Gyo-ha clenched his fist.

“You must meet the Apostle, so I won’t kill you.”

The Qingcheng Sect Taoist pointed his sword at Gyo-ha.
The stance was familiar to him.
The Pine Wind Sword Art.
That was why disappointment appeared on his face.

“…So it isn’t the Clear Clouds Crimson Sunset Sword Art.”

The Qingcheng Taoist’s face twisted upon hearing Gyo-ha’s mutter.

“What an insolent fellow Taoist. Do not blame this Taoist’s sword for showing no mercy.”

Wind surged from the Qingcheng Taoist’s sword.
A violent tempest. It was incomparably more powerful than the one wielded by Song Hak, whom Gyo-ha had fought.
Kwang!
Gyo-ha’s foot collided with the sword.
Gyo-ha’s toes trembled. The man possessed enough monstrous strength to block Gyo-ha’s strike.
As expected, it exceeded human limits.
However.

“…Song Hak’s sword was better.”

The Pine Wind Sword Art Gyo-ha knew was not like this.
A cutting wind concealed within a gentle breeze.
Twitch.
The Qingcheng Taoist’s eyebrow rose.
It was because Gyo-ha had mentioned Song Hak.

“You appear to know my martial nephew. He is a talented child. But now that I have received His power, he is no match for this Taoist!”

With that shout, Yokai Qi erupted explosively from the Qingcheng Taoist’s body.
The Qingcheng Taoist charged at Gyo-ha.
However, Gyo-ha’s gaze remained calm as he watched him approach.
His opponent was strong.
As he had claimed, he was on a completely different level from Song Hak. He had no need for technique.
He possessed overwhelming strength beyond human limits.
And that was precisely why.

“…You won’t win with strength.”

But against an even greater force, he could only be overwhelmed.
Gyo-ha took his stance.
Monstrous strength beyond human limits. What of it?
Gyo-ha’s muscles swelled.
Kkirik.
The iron encasing his injured arm groaned.
One arm was impaired, but it didn’t matter.
His palm shot forward.
Red Blossom Palm (赤華掌).
Just as sword and palm were about to meet.
The erupting power vanished.
No, it hadn’t vanished.
It had merely changed owners. The instant they touched, it was drawn into Gyo-ha.

“…!”
“Huh?”

Their gazes met.
Gyo-ha looked just as bewildered as the Qingcheng Taoist.
But it was already too late to stop.
Gyo-ha’s palm shattered the sword and struck the Qingcheng Taoist’s abdomen.
Kwagagagang!
The Qingcheng Taoist was sent flying.
He tried to rise but immediately vomited blood.
The battle came to a halt.
Gyo-ha scratched his head beneath everyone’s stares.
He had done nothing wrong, yet somehow felt as though he had.
The remaining two could not continue fighting and instead studied Gyo-ha.
They were trying to understand what had just happened.

“…I’m not entirely sure, but…”

It appeared that the power possessed by these enemies was no threat to Gyo-ha.
The scales tipped at once.
It was a favorable situation, yet for some reason, bitterness rose within him.

“What are you?”

The Diancang Sect Taoist who had been facing Namgung Hyeok asked.
Gyo-ha was about to answer when something strange caught his eye.

“…Um, can I ask you something?”

The two frowned at the sudden question.
Yu Hyeon soon smiled gently.

“What is it?”
“Is that supposed to happen?”

The two followed Gyo-ha’s gaze.
They saw their companion trembling as though convulsing.
The Taoist’s body convulsed and bent in unnatural directions. The grotesque sound of breaking bones rang out, and something could be seen writhing beneath his skin.
The two frowned at the sight.
They appeared to know what was happening.
The Qingcheng Taoist tried to stagger to his feet. However, his limbs, their bones twisted out of shape, merely scraped feebly against the floor. Strange sounds came from his grotesquely contorted arms and legs.

“Kkeueuk! Keueueuk!”

His body began writhing on the floor. As the Taoist screamed, his eyes abruptly turned red and swelled. Then the skin on his back split open and fur began to emerge.

“What…?”

Jeon Pyeong adjusted his grip on his sword in horror. Gyo-ha and Namgung Hyeok also could not hide their bewilderment. A strangely shaped beast tore its way out of the man’s skin as though shedding a husk.
Its face resembled a rat’s, but it stood on two legs.

“Jjirrrrrrrrr!”

An ear-piercing noise rang out.
The beast looked around before fixing its gaze on Gyo-ha.

“Gi-ve. It. back.”

Its voice was mixed with a monstrous screech, but its meaning came through.
The power Gyo-ha had taken.

“Mi-ne!”

The beast charged toward Gyo-ha.
The other two nodded as they watched it.

“But he should have been chosen…?”

It was a quiet murmur.
Jeon Pyeong’s gaze turned toward Yu Hyeon.
It was because he remembered what Yu Hyeon had said earlier.

“…Don’t tell me Junior Brother Jeon Ang…”
“That’s correct.”

Yu Hyeon did not deny it. Jeon Pyeong’s face contorted as he looked at him.
Anger and sorrow twisted across his face.

“But do not worry. That form is also proof that he inherited His power. Although he came to resemble the Apostles’ true forms rather than His, that too could be called an honor.”
“……”

Yu Hyeon smiled gently at the frozen Jeon Pyeong.

“Jeon Pyeong, do not worry. Someone like you may be chosen as I was…”
“Shut up!”

Plum blossoms bloomed from Jeon Pyeong’s sword.
The fragrance of plum blossoms spread.
One petal, then two.
As the fragrance spread, the number of petals increased.
Soon, beautiful plum-blossom petals filled the surroundings.

The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword.

Mount Hua’s proud plum-blossom sword art unfolded from Jeon Pyeong’s hand.
Carrying a murderous intent far deeper than anything he had shown before.