Toward Qingcheng Sect (1)

“…And so, those two are now heading to the Qingcheng Sect together with the two ladies of Emei.”

When Sag Muhun finished his report early in the morning, Cheon Jueun nodded.

“So it truly was the Righteous Chivalry Guild.”

At that, Je Wonyeong gave a hollow laugh and muttered.

“Ha, then… the rumor about the Masked Demon Lord must also be true.”

His words made Sag Muhun frown in confusion.

Judging from their reaction, it almost seemed they already knew about the Guild.

And what was this “Masked Demon Lord”?

When Je Wonyeong’s words darkened the mood, Sag Muhun asked with a puzzled look.

“You already knew it was the Guild? And what is this Masked Demon Lord you speak of?”

Seol Pung spoke on behalf of the others.

“The truth is…”

After Seonu Jin, Bi Sayoung, and Sag Muhun had gone to pursue the Giant Demon and his fiends, those who remained managed to capture one of the troublemakers causing a ruckus at the tavern.

Hae Cheong-yeon had judged that he was likely a Blood Cultist serving to draw attention.

That he was indeed Blood Cult was confirmed by the martial arts he used, and so the squad interrogated him for information.

From his lips came a name none of them expected.

The Masked Demon Lord, Sa Won-yang — a supreme fiend of the Great War who slaughtered countless orthodox masters — was said to be the hidden master of the Righteous Chivalry Guild.

The name was so shocking that the squad held off judgment.

It could have been a lie the cultist spat before death.

But if Sag Muhun’s news was right, then the Guild truly was the Blood Cult’s forward base, and the claim about Sa Won-yang was likely true as well.

Sag Muhun asked again in shock.

“Sa Won-yang, the Masked Demon Lord?!”

Sa Won-yang was a near–Sect Head–level master, considered even more formidable than Ji Gwang-ok, the Blood-Seeking Demon General whom Seol Pung had once barely withstood.

And that only because Ji Gwang-ok had not fought in earnest. Against Sa Won-yang’s full power, resistance would be nearly impossible.

As gloom fell, Hae Cheong-yeon spoke flatly.

“There’s no need for despair. It’s true we cannot face him alone, but if Young Master Seonu can move the Qingcheng Sect, then even such a man is not beyond reach. Also, Brother Sak, please pass some of this information to the Martial Alliance. If the leadership has any sense, they’ll realize this breach of the non-aggression pact is their chance to press the Blood Cult. They won’t miss it.”

But inwardly she thought: If they have any sense, that is.

She too could not dismiss the possibility that all this was happening with the Alliance’s tacit approval.

Then Cheon Jueun asked.

“Then what should we do now? With the Giant Demon dead and the Guild exposed, isn’t there no reason to remain here?”

Her point was fair.

They had entered Mountain Sword Sect territory to lure out the Giant Demon’s forces, not expecting them to truly be present.

Thus their purpose was already fulfilled.

Je Wonyeong agreed.

“True. And if we are to leave, the sooner the better. Reports say over a thousand Guild fighters are gathering toward Guizhou, with three supreme masters among them.”

The previous battle had only been won due to fortunate circumstances. Normally, two hundred could not defeat five hundred.

That had been sheer luck.

Facing a thousand enemies would be hopeless, even with great masters among them.

Na Seoyu frowned.

“But leaving right after achieving our goal feels wrong. We’ve lived alongside these people. If we go, they may truly be massacred.”

Je Wonyeong smiled thinly.

“Lady Na, you are kind. But don’t worry so much. The Un Clan’s troops are expected to join soon. Mountain Sword Sect’s forces are already near four hundred; if they merge with the Un Clan, they’ll be nearly a thousand strong. And with the Un Clan’s two great masters, they’ll be enough to resist.”

Just as he said this, murmurs spread among the gathered wanderers.

Shouts reached them, carrying grave news.

“What?! The Un Clan was attacked?!”

“Unak Sword is dead?!”

“Then what will happen?!”

Startled, they sent Seol Pung to investigate. He returned with shocking news.

The previous night, a dozen Guild assassins had struck the Un Clan, among them an astonishing master.

With over eighty years of inner strength, he slew more than a hundred of the Un Clan’s elite and killed one of their two great masters.

In a single night raid, the Un Clan’s strength had been halved.

Though details were scarce, it seemed their reinforcements would not arrive.

Hearing this, Je Wonyeong let out a bitter laugh.

“Ha, what cruel timing. If we leave now, as Lady Na feared, they will all be wiped out.”

Hae Cheong-yeon muttered grimly.

“A pinnacle with eighty years of cultivation… could it be?”

She turned urgently to Sag Muhun, disguised among the wanderers.

“Brother Sak! Please find out who those attackers were, and if they live or die!”

Surprised, Sag Muhun nodded.

“About them? Very well.”

Perplexed by her tense look, Seol Pung asked.

“Why, Lady Hae? Do you suspect something?”

Biting her lip, she answered.

“No matter how many masters the Guild has, it is hard to believe they would send one with eighty years of inner strength as a mere assassin. And above all… we already know one such master. One who was scouting the Un Clan.”

Everyone immediately pictured Commander Man Jong-im.

Their faces went pale.

“N-no, surely not…”

“That is why it must be checked.”

And indeed, Hae Cheong-yeon’s guess was right.

According to Sag Muhun’s report, the attackers were Commander Man Jong-im and the First Squad of the Twelfth Unit.

They had all perished in the fight.

Sag Muhun said heavily:

“They could have escaped, but when his comrades died, the master with eighty years of strength fought to the end, raging wildly. To his last breath he cursed the unorthodox.”

“Haa…”

All sighed.

He had not been their favorite comrade, but death was still death. And he had dragged all of his men to it.

Even veterans of the Flying Dragon Unit felt sorrow.

Hae Cheong-yeon scowled.

“Commander Man caused a disaster even at the end. To halve the Un Clan’s strength at such a time! Now Mountain Sword Sect’s fate hangs by a thread. As Young Master Seonu predicted—only too late.”

Cold words, but true.

The fate of Mountain Sword Sect now was as fragile as a lamp in the wind.

As gloom settled, Cheon Jueun asked timidly.

“Then… what should we do?”

It was not an easy question.

Neither Hae Cheong-yeon nor Seol Pung could answer.

Meanwhile, I, Bi Sayoung, Lady Jeong-yeon, and Lady Jeong-an were hurrying toward the Qingcheng Sect.

But the two ladies were not yet fully recovered, and our pace slowed.

After less than half a watch of movement, exhaustion showed. Lady Jeong-yeon panted painfully and apologized.

“Haa, haa, forgive me. Though this is to save my senior sister, we are only burdens to you, young sirs….”

Lady Jeong-an forced a bright smile.

“But don’t mind us! Even if we look like this, Emei disciples are tough! Hahaha!”

But her face was deathly pale.

Bi Sayoung said gently, concerned.

“You should say that while not stumbling, young lady.”

“Ah, you noticed? Ahaha, I’ve been caught.”

Still smiling, she suddenly lost balance and collapsed.

“Ah!”

“Jeong-an!”

But the one before her was Bi Sayoung, peerless in lightness skill, swifter even than Captain Seol Pung.

In a flash, he caught her arm.

Thud!

Startled yet grateful, Lady Jeong-an gasped.

“Ah! Thank… you. You are so fast.”

Bi Sayoung flushed faintly, avoiding her eyes, and scolded.

“How could you travel in such condition?! Jin! We should stop at an inn tonight!”

Jeong-an looked down, apologetic.

“S-sorry.”

Awkward fellow.

Still, he wasn’t wrong.

I smiled kindly and told them:

“As Sayoung says, let’s rest at an inn tonight. Recovering your bodies first is the shortest path to rescuing your sister.”

Lady Jeong-yeon panicked, shaking her head.

“N-no! We can even sleep outside! We needn’t trouble you so much…!”

But Bi Sayoung snapped irritably.

“And if your health worsens, and your sister is not saved, will you still not regret it?”

“Wh-what…?”

He pressed on.

“Think what matters more—your pride, or your sister’s safety?”

“T-that’s…”

I gestured for him to stop and softened the words.

“You can repay us later. But your sister may not have a later. That is what matters most.”

“Ah…”

Blushing, Lady Jeong-yeon lowered her head in silence.

Then Bi Sayoung said brusquely:

“I’ll go ahead and get rooms and food. Bring them slowly. Tonight’s expenses are on me—celebrating surviving the Giant Demon. Eat as much as you like.”

And he vanished in an instant.

From his words, I realized—

Ah, they must have no money.

That was why they panicked at the thought of an inn.

Sure enough, the ladies looked embarrassed, unable to speak.

The fellow had a delicate side after all. Or perhaps, delicacy when it came to certain women.

I grinned.

“He nearly died to the Giant Demon today. So we’ll feast. Eat your fill. He’s rich.”

Though most of his wealth came from money I’d stolen from the Black Market, it was still true.

I felt oddly proud.