Episode 347

A gathering of the leaders of Fourth Grotto-heaven.

Bang!

A slender hand produces an unexpectedly loud noise.

The subordinate who reported the urgent matter trembles with his head bowed under the fierce gaze.

The middle-aged woman sitting in front of him was Neung Seo-hyun, the ruler of Fourth Grotto-heaven, known as the Spectral Shadow Demon Hand.

“How dare they!”

The area around Neung Seo-hyun’s eyes trembled incessantly with rage.

A letter lay in front of her.

It was the second letter stamped with the seal of Mujin, the lord of Sixth Grotto-heaven.

A message to Neung Seo-hyun.

All warriors of the Demonic Cult are under my command, so I do not desire unnecessary sacrifices.

I intend to defeat you through a ranking match and advance to the Mountains of Heaven, so open the door and step forward.

Each character felt powerful.

Indeed, the calligraphy is admirable, but the meaning within was immensely arrogant.

When the first letter arrived, she just scoffed.

To cowardly attack Vast Sky branch while Lee Ok-sang was being threatened by Heavenly Strong Clan, and now they want to hold a rank match?

She hadn’t immediately tried to reclaim Vast Sky branch because she was worried about spreading her forces too thin.

But two days ago.

With the sound of drums, those guys appeared, camped in front of Dark Sky branch, and held loud festivities every night.

And as the story spread that the masters of the neighboring Grotto-heavens had appeared, the second letter arrived.

“Despicable Central Plains scum.”

Neung Seo-hyun crumpled the letter with a scrunch of her nose.

Sizzle!

The letter turned to ash in an instant in the blue flames of her anger, and the grinding sound of her molars echoed eerily.

They waited. Until others from the neighboring Grotto-heavens came to watch.

“You must calm down, Grotto-heaven Lord.”

“……”

“The lords of the four adjacent Grotto-heavens have already arrived at the outskirts and are watching.”

At the words of Elder Do-hwan, who stood nearby, one of Neung Seo-hyun’s eyes twisted grotesquely.

“You must not respond to the ranking match.”

“……”

“This is a trap. They dare not attack Dark Sky branch with hundreds, so they are trying to lure you out to fight…”

Puhk!

Before he could finish speaking, Do-hwan’s head exploded.

A futile death.

It was a fitting end for someone who had unnecessarily stirred up trouble, as the name¹ implied.

“So?”

“……”

The leaders, who were in shock, couldn’t utter a word as they stared at the elder’s body collapsed over the scattered white brain matter on the floor.

“Are you all trying to say that I would lose if I fought him?”

“……”

With a swirl like a vortex, Neung Seo-hyun’s eyes darkened deeply.

“Do you mean to say that I, Neung Seo-hyun, should stay cooped up and wait, even if I am pointed at by others? Afraid of some mere brat from Central Plains?”

“……”

“Who else dares to speak like this?”

No one could possibly speak.

Because Neung Seo-hyun’s course of action was already decided with the death of the elder.

As she rose by gripping the armrest, the leaders prostrated themselves on the ground, bowing their heads.

Neung Seo-hyun, walking through the center, cast a cold light from her black eyes.

’Did the Grotto-heaven Lords swarm in?

‘Damn bastards.’

They might not be the largest faction among the Twelve Grotto-heavens, but they came to watch one of the strongest warriors, herself, being toyed with by a Central Plains brat.

And they would weigh their interests to decide. Whether to cooperate and go to the Mountains of Heaven together, or to fight.

’Offering myself as a sacrifice.

’Alright, watch closely, everyone. And anticipate.

‘After I defeat that young fool from Central Plains, I’ll pluck out the eyes of you who mocked me while watching.’

At a place where the Dark Sky branch could be seen from afar, Sixth Grotto-heaven had set up camp.

While leisurely sitting and teaching Wei Yang-jin, waiting for Fourth Grotto-heaven’s response, So Dong-bo called for Jinmu.

“Heavenly Lord!”

“…?”

The place So Dong-bo’s finger pointed to was the edge of the village where the gate of Fourth Grotto-heaven’s Dark Sky branch was located.

The gate was slowly opening.

Creak.

Through the gap of the door being pushed open with all their might by some strong-looking men, a woman in a black martial outfit slowly walked out.

Jinmu, who was observing her upright posture and dignified walk with enhanced vision, smiled faintly.

“She has quite a fierce look.”

As expected, seeing her face confirmed it.

Facial features centered around a high nose on a long vertical head. Especially the tightly closed thin lips and sharply raised eyes.

Although not formally trained in physiognomy, based on experience, people with such facial features often have similar personalities.

They are independent, prideful, and self-righteous.

Well, appearance doesn’t say everything, but seeing her come out alone shows her pride is certainly wounded.

She’s probably quite angry, too.

“How many have come?”

Jinmu asked, and So Dong-bo answered.

“Four.”

“…Hmm, fewer than I thought.”

Jinmu nodded and slowly rose from his seat.

For two days, Hwang Shin and the children were instructed to lead the warriors of Dark Spirit Troops and monitor around the Fourth Grotto-heaven.

He was waiting for the Grotto-heaven Lords to gather after sending the carrier pigeons in advance.

To create a situation where Neung Seo-hyun had no choice but to come out.

And finally, she came out.

“Well then, shall we go take a closer look at her face?”

Jinmu brushed off his clothes and called Hwan Shin.

“Hwang Shin.”

“Yes!”

“Go and prepare the place.”

“Understood.”

Hwang Shin, having received the order, ran to the center where both formations were confronting each other, carrying luggage with the warriors who had been waiting in advance.

“Hey, Puppet.”

“…Yes?”

“You know those guys nearby well, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Tell them all to gather.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

Wasn’t it supposed to be a ranking match with Neung Seo-hyun?

The Puppet, Gwi Chung, and even Il-hwan and the other figures looked at Jinmu with incredulous eyes.

“Hey, why are these people so unromantic? Is it all about fighting? Going out there and breaking necks or bashing them is something we can do right away.”

“……”

After all this time…

But in battle, was there anything else?

“We might end up eating from the same pot, so first we need to get acquainted and promote harmony. Fighting comes after that.”

At the sly smile, Il-hwan asked urgently.

“Are you seriously thinking of meeting those five alone?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“You mustn’t! Even if you are the Grotto-heaven Lord, if they attack together…”

It was a reaction I fully expected… But why does this guy have so many things he says no to? It seems like ‘but’ and ‘you mustn’t’ are glued to his mouth, right?

“Though it won’t happen, if they want to attack together, let them. It might even be quicker that way.”

“…!”

This is madness.

It’s already dangerous enough. The battlefield is so tense and charged with apprehension.

Though they sang and shouted all night at Jinmu’s command, there was no peace of mind. The appearance of spectators from the other Grotto-heavens only heightened the anxiety.

Jinmu was the only one who seemed unfazed.

What if the Fourth Grotto-heaven lord rejects the ranking battle and opts for a full-scale war?

And if the spectators from other Grotto-heavens join in, while Jinmu might survive, the rest could be annihilated. Yet, Jinmu not only created this perilous situation but also intends to walk into it alone?

“Grotto-heaven Lord!”

Despite Il-hwan’s attempts to dissuade him, Jinmu cast a chilling glance towards the Puppet.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to run?”

“Yes? Yes!”

The Puppet, though sharing Il-hwan’s sentiments, was more afraid of the fist in front of him than his worries, and quickly took off running.

Obeying orders is the shortcut to a long life.

Neung Seo-hyun, walking toward Sixth Grotto-heaven’s formation, furrowed her brows deeply.

What are they doing?

Suddenly, a few men rushed out and quickly set up a tent open on all sides, placed a table and chairs, then stepped back.

Isn’t it as if they’re trying to negotiate or something?

And then, from afar, a young man wearing a black robe was walking over leisurely, waving the sword on his shoulder.

Neung Seo-hyun, watching him with piercing eyes, noticed something unusual.

His stride and weight were inconsistent.

If he were a warrior, he should naturally have a well-ordered gait, but this guy was just walking as he pleased.

In the meantime, he occasionally spat on the ground and scratched his head, looking no different from a country bumpkin out for a stroll.

Neung Seo-hyun was furious at the lack of any tension in his demeanor.

Was he completely ignoring the fact that she was standing right in front of him?

Did a guy like that defeat the Puppet and challenge her to a ranking match?

Thud.

Jinmu, who arrived before the halted Neung Seo-hyun, plopped down on a chair.

“Hey, stop staring and come sit down.”

“……”

Seeing Jinmu beckoning with his hand, Neung Seo-hyun stepped forward again and stood before Jinmu.

Jinmu and Neung Seo-hyun faced each other.

“You, are you proposing some sort of negotiation…?”

“Ah, let’s start the conversation once all the guests have arrived.”

“……”

Neung Seo-hyun’s temples throbbed with thick veins at the sight of Jinmu cutting her off with a cheeky grin.

But guests?

Neung Seo-hyun’s question was soon answered.

Those approaching the tent from afar were undoubtedly the Grotto-heaven Lords who had been hiding and watching.

Come to think of it, there were six chairs under the tent, including those for Jinmu and Neung Seo-hyun.

Did he predict and prepare for such a situation?

“What the hell is this…”

“You’re so impatient. Just wait a bit. If I explain now, I’ll have to explain again later.”

“You bastard!”

She wanted nothing more than to smash Jinmu’s head, who kept interrupting her.

“Hey, if you’re here, sit down. Don’t hover from afar.”

“……”

At Jinmu’s welcoming gesture, the Grotto-heaven Lords, each with a different appearance, approached with tense faces and sat down.

These guys, it’s obvious they’re nervous.

Jinmu, looking at their faces, smirked.

“Should I have prepared some drinks? There’s nothing better to ease a tense atmosphere.”

“……”

Amidst everyone glaring at each other, Jinmu was the only one with a relaxed expression.

“Well then, shall we begin?”

“……”

“Hey, don’t glare at me like that. I’m not very patient, you know. Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll feel like gouging your eyes out.”

Jinmu’s nonchalant demeanor prompted Neung Seo-hyun to speak coldly.

“Rookie. What are you thinking? Gathering the five of us here… Are you that confident in your martial arts?”

“Yeah.”

“What?”

“You five are nothing.”

With a smirk, Jinmu’s dismissive comment filled Neung Seo-hyun and the other Grotto-heaven Lords with killing intent.

Thud!

“…!”

The sword resting on his shoulder.

It wasn’t the sound of it being placed on the table that startled them.

A chill momentarily brushed past Jinmu’s eyes, piercing through Neung Seo-hyun and the Grotto-heaven Lords’ Demonic qi, stabbing at the heart.

“…Calm down and listen first. Otherwise, I might just rip all your heads off.”

“……”

A man of grandeur.

Though his exact skill level was unknown, his composure remained unshaken even in the face of a combined assault.

Neung Seo-hyun and the Grotto-heaven Lords kept silent, not out of fear of his gaze or formidable prowess.

They were impressed by his confidence.

Jinmu surveyed the room leisurely, as if he had anticipated this much.

A combined assault?

Those with quite a reputation wouldn’t entertain such crude thoughts.

Neung Seo-hyun and the Grotto-heaven Lords.

Among those united by the pride of being strong, they prided themselves on being the best.

The warriors of Sixth Grotto-heaven and Fourth Grotto-heaven are all focused.

The fight here will soon spread by word of mouth.

Shall we start the conversation slowly then?

Well, if they unexpectedly join forces, it might be a bit tough, but as promised, I’ll just take their heads.