Chapter 205
Chapter 205. The Summons Order
The Four Directions Hall Lord did not return the Four Seasons Hall Lord's peaceful greeting and instead asked sharply.
"Why didn't you tell me? If I had known the North Sea Ice Palace had completely fallen under the Blood Sect, I wouldn't have left so defenselessly."
"I only found out not long ago myself. Had I known the North Sea Ice Palace was a den of the Blood Sect, I would have acted more cautiously as well."
"Do you think the other branches are similar to the North Sea?"
"I haven't confirmed it, but probably so."
"No, I'm not limiting the question to the branches beyond the borders."
At Peng Sihyeon's low voice, a brief silence fell.
If it wasn't the outer branches, then they were all in the Central Plains. She was asking whether even the Central Plains branches had been swallowed by the Blood Sect. There was no way to know right now.
The Four Seasons Hall Lord's sky-colored eyes shifted subtly to the side.
As if he had seen Peng Sihyeon's cheek, he asked,
"Are you injured?"
"It's nothing, so don't worry about it."
So-hwa sensed the Four Seasons Hall Lord using an eye technique and quietly lowered her sleeve to hide the bandages.
When So-hwa returned to the main hall of the North Sea Ice Palace, Peng Sihyeon was not there. She came back much later with Bai Woon-Hyun, and there was a long blade mark on her face.
It wasn't a sword wound. Judging by the wide spacing of the torn flesh and the rough surface of the wound, it was a saber cut.
Since the rest of her was fine and only her cheek was injured, it looked as though she had inflicted the wound on herself.
Bai Woon-Hyun's expression was extremely dark, so So-hwa did not ask what had happened. Namgung Jin and the Black Tortoise Pavilion Leader were the same.
The blind Four Seasons Hall Lord asked the question no one else did.
But perhaps sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere, he soon returned to the main topic.
Turning his gaze to Tang So-hwa, he asked,
"Did you succeed in reclaiming the Ice Palace?"
It was a short question, but it was everything the Four Seasons Hall Lord needed to ask.
"Yes, the bloodline of the Ice Palace has become the master of the North Sea Ice Palace."
"If the original plan remains unchanged, then you'll be heading to the Great Desert as well."
At those words, Peng Sihyeon furrowed her brows.
"...... Are you thinking of doing again what you did in the North Sea?"
"Yes. But not right now."
As the Four Directions Hall Lord showed signs of anger, So-hwa quickly shifted her gaze to Zhuge In-hwi.
"It seems the time for the Five Minerals Powder's brainwashing to wear off is approaching. When do you plan to issue the summons order?"
"I thought of sending letters in advance, but I'm debating whether to wait, thinking that those who were never brainwashed might contact us as soon as they recover their memories."
That was a reasonable idea. There would be no more certain verification than seeing them come to headquarters to demand answers.
"However, if anyone divulges the secret of Five Minerals Powder within their sect or acts on their own before contacting the headquarters, trouble may arise."
"Yes, that's also a concern, which is why I'm hesitating."
"I fully understand why you're deliberating, Hall Lord, but I would like you to summon all the sects."
"Can you tell me the reason? Or will you tell me later?"
Zhuge In-hwi was cautious with his gaze, but Peng Sihyeon understood the implication.
"Is it something I shouldn't hear?"
So-hwa shook her head.
"No. You may hear it. You saw it as well, Hall Lord."
She explained in a calm voice.
"The Blood Demon is subjugating people's will by planting Gu poison in their bodies. This time, in the North Sea, we discovered a way to detoxify it."
Zhuge In-hwi showed great interest.
"Are the materials to make the antidote easy to obtain? If you tell me, I'll try to procure them as quickly as possible."
"We brought some back from the North Sea, so there's no need to make more for the time being. And the materials are common, so I can obtain and make them myself."
Zhuge In-hwi's expression remained the same, but his voice subtly changed.
"You don't intend to share the method of making the antidote?"
"I apologize."
Though Zhuge In-hwi asked coldly, So-hwa refused.
She had no choice.
How could she say that her blood itself was the antidote?
To explain that, she would have to reveal far too many secrets, and in return, she would surely invite greed for her blood. Zhuge In-hwi might not exploit her, but if word reached the Blood Sect, they would try to drain her blood.
She thought the Four Seasons Hall Lord would persistently persuade her, but he showed an unexpectedly calm attitude.
"Understood."
"Is that it?"
Peng Sihyeon, who had been quietly listening, even interjected.
"I tried to stay silent since I don't know the details, but still, this is a method to detoxify the Blood Demon's Gu poison. Shouldn't it be shared with the headquarters? If something were to happen to you, the method would be lost entirely."
Instead of saying it would be meaningless if she died, So-hwa offered a compromise that would put them at ease.
"I'll make plenty of antidote so there's no shortage. Even after I return to the main sect, I'll keep sending it regularly, and I'll do my best to stockpile enough that there won't be a problem even if something happens to me."
The Four Seasons Hall Lord nodded.
"Do so."
Peng Sihyeon seemed displeased with the Four Seasons Hall Lord's attitude.
Having directly witnessed the tragedy of living as a slave to the Blood Demon in the North Sea, she appeared to be taking a conservative stance. Still, she did not press So-hwa any further.
Sensing that the two Hall Lords had stepped back, So-hwa continued.
"I intend to give the antidote first to any Alliance member who harbors the Blood Demon's Gu poison. When the Four Seasons Hall summons the Alliance members, please send a letter so that person accompanies them."
Zhuge In-hwi asked back, somewhat surprised.
"Do you know who harbors the Blood Demon's Gu poison?"
"Not all of them, but I know one person."
While observing the Martial Arts Tournament, So-hwa had discovered a rising star whose internal energy felt strange.
"It's Taoist Myungdan of the Mount Hua Sect."
A heavy silence followed, with no one readily opening their mouth.
After a long while, Zhuge In-hwi asked,
"Are you certain?"
So-hwa nodded as she replied.
"Yes, I'm certain."
"How do you know that?"
Peng Sihyeon could not hide her surprise, but she didn't seem to be doubting her.
Fortunately, So-hwa could offer a plausible lie to this question.
"I once had the opportunity to examine Taoist Myungdan's body, and I confirmed it then."
The Four Directions Hall Lord seemed to recall it and quickly accepted the explanation.
"Now that you mention it, I do recall hearing that you treated Taoist Myungdan at the Mount Hua Sect together with the Divine Physician."
As the two Hall Lords accepted it, So-hwa dropped another bombshell of a statement.
"Therefore, I plan to remove the Blood Demon's Gu poison from the Taoist Myungdan's body in front of all the Alliance members."
Both Hall Lords showed signs of fluster, but So-hwa added her purpose.
"Rather than explaining the Blood Demon's existence and Gu poison with words, it will be more effective to show it right before their eyes."
It wasn't merely to help the Alliance members understand.
"The same goes for the Blood Sect members. They're scattered like a cellular organization. It's difficult for us to know who among those at the headquarters is a Blood Sect member. However, if they see Taoist Myungdan vomit out the Blood Demon's Gu poison and regain freedom, they'll come looking for me, who possesses the antidote."
Tang So-hwa took out a bottle of antidote from her sleeve and placed it forward as she spoke.
"So please gather as many Alliance members as possible. Not only the sects, but also those in the branches, please arrange a venue so that as many people as possible can witness it."
* * *
The martial artists who had been whispering in front of the Four Seasons Hall turned their heads. Sensing a terrifying presence, they reflexively drew their swords.
A figure could be seen walking along the stone path. A Four Seasons Hall disciple who recognized him frowned unconsciously.
'Looks like the Black Sky Demon has heard the rumors.'
The Four Seasons Hall Lord and the Four Directions Hall Lord had ordered them to conceal Tang So-hwa's return, so this situation was awkward.
The Black Sky Demon shed his usual swagger and spoke coldly.
"I've come to see the Four Seasons Hall Lord. Inform him."
However, the Four Seasons members guarding the gate only exchanged glances and could not move.
The Black Sky Demon's patience—thinner than a sheet of ice—snapped.
Chwaak.
As he lowered his arm toward the ground, hidden weapons densely filled the spaces between his fingers. Showing his fist bristling with iron spikes, he said,
"I have no intention of fighting you, nor of forcing my way inside, so summon the Four Seasons Hall Lord."
"It is late at night. We will inform the Hall Lord, so please return to your quarters for now. We will send someone to notify you immediately."
"Now."
"Right now is a bit......."
"Greetings to the Black Sky Demon."
Someone cut off the Four Seasons Hall member's words.
Even the Black Sky Demon, stiff with tension, turned his gaze in surprise.
"What?! How are you here? How did you get into the headquarters?"
Flustered, the Black Sky Demon moved his lips as he examined Namgung Jin's face. Smiling, Namgung Jin approached and naturally guided the Black Sky Demon to the side.
"Thanks to entering together with the Hall Lord, I haven't been expelled yet. However, it seems I'll have to leave the headquarters soon, so I wished to catch up with the Grand Elder."
Namgung Jin acted warmly familiar toward the Black Sky Demon, as if genuinely pleased to see him. Yet the two were not close enough to exchange such a conversation.
Precisely because of that, the Black Sky Demon did not shove Namgung Jin away. He assumed there had to be some scheme at play.
Sure enough, a single letter slipped into his sleeve.
Turning his back to the Four Seasons Hall, he opened the paper Namgung Jin had handed him. The characters written in So-hwa's handwriting were neatly arranged.
『I will go to the Tang Clan quarters. Please wait in the pavilion.』