Chapter 322 : The Arrival of Monsters (1)
Chapter 322: The Arrival of Monsters (1)
Violent Dragon Twin Swords, Mo Biyoung, Jong Seok, and Deung Ae looked upon the scene with satisfaction.
“By any chance, are you Peerless Dragon Flower?”
As Mo Biyoung turned around, a female swordsman stood with shining eyes.
“I am.”
“Wow! It’s Peerless Dragon Flower! You’re my idol!”
Though the swordswoman still looked young, the vitality in her gaze hinted that she possessed tremendous martial prowess.
Mo Biyoung smiled and offered a clasped-hands greeting.
“You flatter me.”
As Jong Seok watched the scene with a warm smile, someone suddenly thrust a wine cup toward him from behind.
“Are you perhaps the Central Venom Dragon?”
Jong Seok had never heard that alias before.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard such a nickname.”
“Didn’t you kill those villains from Blood Demon Castle with poison?”
“Well, I did…”
“Then that’s it. You’re the one who, alongside the Azure Dragon Hero, swept those bastards away with terrifying poison arts! Since it’s your first time hearing it, take it as a new alias and treat us generously. Start by accepting my cup.”
Jong Seok hadn’t known that he’d been given a nickname.
But the alias Central Venom Dragon (天中毒龍) sounded surprisingly pleasant to the ear.
That nickname made him feel as though he had finally become a true member of the Heavenly Central Sect.
Deung Ae quietly slipped away from the group.
Everyone else was basking in the joy of their cool nicknames, and he alone felt left out, so he withdrew out of embarrassment.
Just then, a young man approached him.
“By any chance, are you the great hero Hidden Sky Duke (隱天大公) Deung?”
“…Excuse me?”
Deung Ae looked at the young man with an innocent face.
“Is it true that even if you’re stabbed with a sword, not a drop of blood comes out?”
“My martial arts were developed precisely so I wouldn’t be cut by blades.”
“See! He really is the Hidden Sky Duke! Great hero, please accept our drink.”
Three or four young men rushed over and greeted Deung Ae.
“We are Final Flames learning external martial arts. We humbly request to hear about external arts from you, great hero.”
Instead of answering the question, Deung Ae asked back,
“My alias is Hidden Sky Duke?”
The nickname meant a man so vast he could cover the sky.
Some interpreted Hidden Sky Duke as a grand master who lived in seclusion within the Heavenly Central Sect.
Though Deung Ae was overjoyed to receive such a splendid nickname, he did his best to hide it.
Seeing the eyes of the prodigies filled with admiration toward him, he felt he had to uphold his dignity.
The reason why the experts of the Heavenly Central Sect were now enjoying such widespread fame was none other than their defeat of Jo Qiansheng, the former guardian of Blood Demon Castle.
Moreover, the martial world had been captivated by the group’s achievement in slaying the demonic masters of Blood Demon Castle, whom even the prestigious Shangguan Clan of the Murim Twelve Great Families, the comparable Mount Song Ak Clan, and Hongchangmun could not touch.
Their fame was further fueled by the fact that they raised Yong Hwarin, the recently most renowned Heavenly Sword Hero.
“Tch! What about us, then?”
Now that even Deung Ae was surrounded by admirers, Violent Dragon Twin Swords, left standing alone, let out a disgruntled snort.
While drinking surrounded by others, Yong Biyang glanced at Jong Seok and Mo Biyoung.
Despite having received great nicknames, the two had become increasingly lost in thought since the fight with Jo Qiansheng, often staring blankly into the air.
They wore faces of deep concern.
Yong Biyang realized that the direction they kept gazing toward was always the same.
‘Fool that I am. They’ve been looking toward the Sky Ocean Merchant Union where their son is, worrying about him this whole time. Though they are accompanying me to Shaolin Temple, their hearts remain with their son. I came this far without even noticing.’
Yong Biyang clicked his tongue at his own foolishness.
Though he was flushed red from drinking heavily, he did not suppress the drunkenness with his energy.
He simply wanted to enjoy the moment.
Inside the room, Yong Biyang and the group were all gathered together.
He had summoned them, saying he had something to discuss.
Violent Dragon Twin Swords looked excited, thinking there would be more drinking.
“It’s just… during dinner, I heard a rumor that the Blood Demon Castle faction is using venomous arts against the orthodox martial sects heading to Shaolin Temple. Judging by what we’ve experienced, the rumor seems true. My son will also soon leave the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and head to Shaolin. The bastards were harmed by him once, so they’ll surely be out for revenge.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“From here on, we’re in a region under Shaolin’s influence, so there shouldn’t be major danger. My son asked Instructor Mo to bring the Four Great Divine Items, and now it seems he might truly need them.”
Violent Dragon Twin Swords, unaware of the mood, responded bluntly.
“The Small Sect Leader’s message was that we should meet at Shaolin Temple. That would mean it’s not that urgent.”
When Violent Dragon Twin Swords spoiled the gravity of the moment, Mo Biyoung glared at him.
“The Sect Leader is speaking. Why are you interrupting him?”
Though Violent Dragon Twin Swords was known for his unruly personality, even he had to lower his head to Mo Biyoung.
“My apologies, Sect Leader.”
Seeing them, Yong Biyang smiled gently.
“That is why I plan to send Instructor Mo and my adopted son to my son.”
Violent Dragon Twin Swords tilted his head and asked,
“Sect Leader, doesn’t the Small Sect Leader already have the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect with him?”
Mo Biyoung fired back this time with killing intent in her eyes.
At that, the Twin Dragons of Violence closed their mouths, watching her carefully.
"Then isn’t the Sect Leader’s escort too weak?"
When Mo Biyoung spoke, the Twin Dragons of Violence flared up.
"Master Mo, that’s too harsh, isn’t it? The two of us are more than enough."
Mo Biyoung smiled.
"I actually find Master Deung more reliable."
"Hmm. There’s no way to prove that though."
"There is a way. A duel with me would do."
At her words, the two turned their faces away.
When traveling across the world with Yong Hwarin, the Twin Dragons of Violence had once been nearly equal in skill to Mo Biyoung.
But at some point, the tide had turned.
Even when the two joined forces, they could no longer defeat her. Not because their skills had regressed or plateaued—
They had grown more than twice as strong since the time they visited the Namgung Clan, but Mo Biyoung’s progress had surpassed even that.
Rumors even circulated that ‘The true genius of Heavenly Central Sword Sect is Mo Biyoung.’
"I’ll be fine with the Twin Dragons of Violence and Master Deung."
"Even so..."
Mo Biyoung wanted to go more than anything, but she couldn’t show that on her face.
"I’ll arrive at Shaolin Temple soon. There’s no need to worry. And I’m not the same weak Sect Leader I used to be."
She had already proven that in the battles at the Southern Heavenly King’s manor and at Blood Demon Castle.
Martial artists had witnessed Yong Biyang’s martial prowess, which reached the pinnacle level, and honored him with the grand alias of Azure Dragon Hero.
"Right now, my son needs the two of you more than I do. And Uija has just finished his closed-door training and hasn’t seen Hwarin yet—he must be eager to see her."
"Thank you."
Jong Seok accepted Yong Biyang’s command, eager to see his sworn sister Yong Hwarin.
When Jong Seok accepted, Mo Biyoung also bowed her head.
"I accept the Sect Leader’s command."
"Since it’s been said, you should leave now."
"No, we will depart tomorrow morning."
"No, if you’re going to go, the sooner the better."
"I’m worried those Blood Demon Castle bastards won’t leave Hwarin alone. They’ve suffered at her hands several times—they’ll want revenge. Being at her side as soon as possible is what would help me most."
The two bowed deeply.
"Understood, Sect Leader."
"Before you leave, take that with you. It’s said to be one of the Four Great Artifacts—guard it well."
Yong Hwarin had already given a brief explanation about the Vermilion Blood Cup in her letter, so they knew it was important.
"Understood. Then we will take our leave."
Mo Biyoung and Jong Seok left the inn and unfolded their movement arts, sprinting toward where the Cheonhae Trading Company was located.
Once they were gone, the Twin Dragons of Violence muttered with regret.
"We wanted to go too..."
Hearing that, Yong Biyang chuckled.
"You two cause too much trouble. You’d be no help to Hwarin."
"Sect Leader, you underestimate us too much."
"Rather, you underestimate yourselves. Every incident we’ve encountered on the way here—didn’t you two cause them all?"
"When did we do that?"
Looking sheepish, the two pulled long faces.
"Until we reach Shaolin Temple, I’ll treat you to some Golden Elixir Wine, so don’t feel too left out."
The two suddenly bowed to Yong Biyang with reverent eyes.
"We will lay down our lives for the Sect Leader."
At those words, Deung Ae suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha! Sect Leader, maybe it was a great loss not to send those two amusing ones to Young Master Yong."
But Yong Biyang had no intention of sending the Twin Dragons of Violence to Hwarin.
They were always causing unpredictable incidents—Yong Biyang already had enough headaches from them and had no intention of passing those on to his son.
Yi Taegong, watching all this, pressed his temple as if nursing a headache. Though he was the second-in-command of the Heavenly Demon Cult, there was still one person he could do nothing about.
Even Yi Taegong, the first-in-command, Ok Ilhwa, couldn’t control this person.
"If Elder Bong makes a move, our cult will be thrown into chaos."
The one Yi Taegong addressed was an old woman with red hair.
Though she was nearly seventy, she practiced youth preservation arts and looked like a woman in her forties.
"Think about it, Yi Taegong. If your son were killed, would you sit still?"
"That’s true, but..."
"I’m not going as a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult. I’m going on my own, to take revenge on the Yong brat."
She was the type of person whose stubbornness couldn’t be swayed. Yi Taegong let out a long sigh.
"Understood. At least take my escorts with you."
But the old woman shook her head.
"How could I borrow someone else’s strength for my son’s revenge? I’ll do it alone."
Yi Taegong, known for his cold rationality in the Heavenly Demon Cult, could only shake his head. He didn’t have the authority to stop her from taking revenge on Yong Hwarin.
The old woman was the mother of the Third Elder Yi Kangmin. He had no grounds to stop her.
Fifty years ago, just hearing the name Red-Haired Demon Empress (적발마후) could silence even a crying child. She had a vicious temperament that would kill anyone, young or old, who crossed her.
At one time, even the orthodox sects of Murim had formed a joint strike team to eliminate her—but each time, she annihilated them, cementing her fearsome reputation.
Eventually, the Masters of the Five Swords of Mount Hua, the Wudang Seven Sons, and the Four Vajras had to step in. Only then did Red-Haired Demon Empress Yi Myeongja vanish from Murim.
Even though she had mastered supreme demonic arts, she couldn’t face that lineup and went into seclusion.
Now, even her youth preservation arts were so wicked they involved absorbing the vitality of young women.
"Anyway, I’ll be leaving the sect soon. Know that. I’ll bring back the head of the Yong brat and appease my son’s spirit."
As she stood and gave that warning, Yi Taegong shook his head.
Once she was gone, Yi Taegong spoke into the air.
"Follow her and guard the Empress. She’s still the mother of our brother-in-arms. Watch over her."
"We receive your command."
A voice answered from the void, and three silhouettes followed after Red-Haired Demon Empress.
Yi Taegong had tried to stop Yi Myeongja’s quest for revenge because the Heavenly Demon Cult’s forces were not yet fully reorganized.
It was better not to draw the attention of Murim just yet.
Red-Haired Demon Empress was not one to remain quiet once she stepped out into Murim. A bloodstorm was bound to erupt—and it wouldn’t end as a mere gust.
If she rampaged through Murim, all responsibility would fall on the Heavenly Demon Cult. That’s why he had wanted to stop her at any cost.
There was nothing to gain from provoking Murim just yet.
"A bloodstorm is about to sweep through Murim..."
Yi Taegong muttered in an ambiguous tone, as if unsure whether to be amused or worried.