Episode 346

“What?”

A bewildered voice burst out in the main hall at Jinmu’s sudden declaration.

Hwang Shin and the guys looked confused, not fully grasping the situation, while Il-hwan, Gwi Chung, and the other leaders of the Demonic Cult were taken aback.

“Gr-Grotto-heaven Lord, that’s not possible.”

Jinmu sipped his tea with an indifferent expression in response to Il-hwan’s question.

“What is?”

“What do you mean, ‘what’? Requesting a ranking match in the current situation, what kind of nonsense is that?”

“……”

He is applying for a rank level-up match against Fourth Grotto-heaven Lord, Neung Seo-hyun.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with that.

A ranking match? Sure, he can apply. Jinmu is certainly capable.

But the timing is the issue.

Ranking matches are only permitted twice a year.

It was customary to conduct ranking matches on predetermined days and notify everyone to receive certification, and there were no instances of ranking matches occurring on any other days.

“…Grotto-heaven Lord, this is unacceptable. Even if the change of Lords of the Grotto-heaven is inevitable, the ranking match must receive the Cult Leader’s approval. Ignoring this will lead to Mountains of Heaven…”

“Geez, you’ve already forgotten.”

Jinmu, cutting off Il-hwan’s words with a snort, calmly observed the assembly.

“Did you forget what I’m trying to do?”

“……”

“As I’ve said before, I’m someone who wants to fight on equal footing with Bokri Do-cheon. I said I don’t need any approval.”

Yes, that’s right.

It’s not as if we don’t know that this person is like that.

“But regardless, there are rules that must be observed.”

Rules, you say. Are you a Justice sect?

“If you try to dismantle the system that has sustained the Cult till now, the entire Mountains of Heaven will mobilize.”

As if in agreement with Il-hwan’s heavy voice, Gwi Chung nodded gravely beside him.

Jinmu, who had been watching the two for a moment, chuckled softly.

“Those guys? They probably can’t move.”

“…What?”

“It was the same before. They said Tianshan would move if they didn’t get formal approval from Bokri Do-cheon.”

“Well, yes.”

“So, did they move?”

“……”

“Did that Tianshan or the Cult Leader ever contact us?”

“No, that’s…”

“Then it’s fine.”

“But.”

“Why do you keep saying ‘but’? Once you start, you have to run it till the end. But this, but that. If you start weighing everything, there’s no end to it. Stop the nonsense and just trust me because I’ve made my decision.”

“……”

Jinmu’s decision left Il-hwan and Gwi Chung with uneasy expressions.

Really, how much should I explain this to them…

“Tsk tsk, these subordinates don’t even understand their lord’s personality.”

“Per…sonality?”

“Why do you think Bokri Do-cheon is staying still?”

“……”

“It’s true that Bokri Do-cheon is concerned about the unification of the Twelve Grotto-heavens’ power. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have placed his confidants as the Grotto-heaven Lords. But concern and fear are different things.”

“……”

“People like us are mostly similar.”

Jinmu’s words were incomprehensible.

People like us? What kind of people are they?

“That person is waiting.”

Wa…iting? For what?

Il-hwan, Gwi Chung, Hwang Shin, and the guys all looked at Jinmu’s eyes, which were emitting a sinister light, with curiosity.

Curious, indeed.

However, beyond that, they wouldn’t understand even if it was explained.

Those who’ve only looked up wouldn’t comprehend the feeling of looking down from above.

The emptiness and sense of loss when realizing there is no one left to face.

Once you realize you can beat anyone in a fight, the interest in fighting itself wanes. You lose the drive to strive fiercely for a higher state.

That is why those who have reached that place seek vicarious satisfaction.

Watching others fight.

They even provoke fights on purpose, finding amusement in the spectacle.

It’s a bad habit, but it’s the best way to overcome endless boredom and tedium.

But even that is only temporary in the end.

One way or another, there must be a rival.

Before becoming bedridden with age, finding someone to end his life while still somewhat mobile is of utmost urgency.

He realized this after coming to the Demonic Cult.

It has been three years since Bokri Do-cheon, who constantly sought to conquer Central Plains, retreated from the front lines and went into seclusion.

Right at the time of his death, it was the Evil Emperor Hyeok Ryun Mugang.

With the death of his arch-nemesis, all the joy he had vanished.

He probably lost his appetite for a while. Now, he must wait for death with no other choice.

Conquering Central Plains? A Demonic world?

Even if achieved, it wouldn’t last long. He would die, stricken by disease, powerless.

Well, while the orthodox sects prepare for the future by training successors, it was a distant matter for Bokri Do-cheon and himself.

What good is it to do favors for others when he’s about to die of old age?

Amidst all this, he appeared.

Suddenly appearing, a bold young lad who visualizes the concerns he had feared and dares to challenge the throne. By now, having heard that he is strong, he must be jumping with joy.

So, he waits. Not with fear, but with exhilaration.

“Heavenly Lord? Could you explain something….”

“……”

As Jinmu kept silent, Gwi Chung cautiously asked.

Even if I tell you, small fries like you wouldn’t understand, so I’m not telling you.

“Anyway, Tianshan won’t make a move.”

“……”

“So, first send a letter to Neung Seo-hyun.”

As Jinmu’s expression, whose intentions were unreadable, added to the confusion, Il-hwan spoke up heavily.

“…Alright. But if the Mountains of Heaven doesn’t move and Neung Seo-hyun doesn’t accept, what then?”

“That could happen too.”

“……”

Jinmu nodded and smiled slyly.

“Given the current situation, Neung Seo-hyun is very quick at assessing the situation. They won’t act unless the conditions are favorable.”

“That’s right.”

“But they will have no choice but to act.”

“Pardon?”

“……”

Something keeps going back and forth.

He said the Fourth Grotto-heaven Lord wouldn’t act, then said they had no choice but to act.

“What on earth?”

Jinmu did not answer that question either. Instead, he stood up and shouted loudly.

“Send the message and prepare the drums! We will proceed as slowly as possible while beating the drums. Make sure everyone can hear as we head towards Fourth Grotto-heaven!”

“Y-yes, Grotto-heaven Lord!”

Even if there is debate when discussing deployment, once an order is given, everyone responds in unison.

Even if it means marching towards their death.

Having watched Jinmu turn his words into reality time and again, there was no choice but to trust him. Above all, if one didn’t follow…merciless beatings were sure to follow.

After everyone had left, Jinmu called for Hwang Shin.

“Hwang Shin, when you send a letter to Neung Seo-hyun, also send letters to the remaining Twelve Grotto-heaven Lords. Tell them that I am betting my power against Neung Seo-hyun’s.”

“Betting your power… You mean?”

“Yes. Then everyone will come to watch, and Neung Seo-hyun won’t be able to resist coming out.”

“Then why don’t you tell the others?”

“…Would they listen? They’d start opposing it, saying it’s dangerous for us.”

It’s only natural.

Even if Gwi Chung remained silent, Il-hwan would throw a fit, insisting it can’t be done even with a knife at his throat.

Anyway, an overly loyal guy is a problem. He keeps trying to speak frankly, geez. You can’t beat him up for speaking the truth.

“What are you doing? Got a lot of time on hand?”

Jinmu added a mischievous remark, glaring slightly as Hwang Shin remained still.

“…Understood.”

Hwang Shin bowed his head as always.

He didn’t know how things were unfolding, but even if he died by his side due to a wrong situation, it was something he could look forward to in its own way.

With Hwang Shin and the children gone, leaving only Wei Yang-jin, Jinmu propped his chin up and wore a sinister smile.

Neung Seo-hyun.

The Iron Lady who boldly competed among men to rise to the position of Grotto-heaven Lord with just a single Seize-and-Lock Technique.

He provokes that overflowing confidence and pride.

It’s obvious that if she doesn’t show up while the other leaders are watching, she’ll be labeled a coward.

Even if it’s not about pride, she has to come out for the sake of her reputation.

And what about the other lords?

When he first declared his challenge for the throne, they might have scoffed in disbelief, but seeing him defeat the twelfth-ranked Neung Seo-hyun and Fourth Grotto-heaven firsthand would inevitably make them feel threatened.

At that point, they must decide whether to unite against Jinmu or join hands with him to ascend to the Mountains of Heaven.

If that happens, there’s no need to go around tediously capturing one place after another.

Goodness, even so, learning such a brilliant strategy from a child is something else.

Suddenly, I wonder if that kid, who once said he’d challenge the top leader of the big village, is doing well.

“Yang-jin.”

“Yes?”

“I should meet those kids again.”

“…?”

Anyway, preparing to go on a campaign would take a day or two.

I should gift the child who gave me great insight with a lifetime supply of sweets.

Flap.

Letters prepared at the center of the Vast Sky branch flew to various parts of Xinjiang.

The burly, towering figure, watching the homing pigeons change direction, removed his jacket to reveal his browned muscles.

“Ptui!”

His firm resolve was expressed in the spit he filled his palm with, and a three-foot-long drumstick, with cloth tightly wound at the end, was vigorously swung following the movement of his flexing muscles.

Dwoooong!

The tough drum, made by stretching cowhide tightly, resonated as it was struck by the drumstick, causing the mountains and rivers to vibrate deeply.

Bwooo!

The warriors at the forefront, having received the drumbeat, blew long on the horns made from buffalo horns, and the following warriors raised their spears and swords in unison.

Steps advancing to the battlefield to attack Fourth Grotto-heaven, Dark Sky branch.

“Sixth Grotto-heaven! Advance!”

As Il-hwan and the Puppet announced the advance, the vigor of the warriors stepping forward shook the earth.

However, they were not fast.

The horses trampled the ground slowly, and the steps of the advancing warriors were slow and solemn, like a procession escorting an emperor.

As if announcing their march to the mountains and rivers and proclaiming it to all people, the slow walking in time with the drum and horn sounds drew the people of Vast Sky branch out to the main road, their mouths agape as they watched the majestic spectacle.

“Hwang Shin.”

“Yes!”

At Jinmu’s low call, Hwang Shin responded politely.

“There’s no need to rush. Move while taking adequate rest. Rest every five kilometers, and set up camp every 50 kilometers.”

“……”

“And supply enough alcohol and meat to hold feasts every night. Do you understand what this means? We’re going as slowly as possible. If they get bored, tell them to enjoy the scenery.”

“Understood.”

Hwang Shin, who answered, turned his horse and conveyed the orders to Il-hwan and the Puppet.

Jinmu smiled satisfactorily.

Two hundred kilometers to the Dark Sky branch.

Announce their advance to Fourth Grotto-heaven with the sound of drums, and wait until the twelve Grotto-heaven Lords, who received the carrier pigeon, come running out of curiosity.

To show them who he is.

Thus, Jinmu left the Vast Sky branch and moved towards the Dark Sky branch, where Fourth Grotto-heaven’s main forces were stationed, at a slow, very slow pace.