Ch. 95
'This voice... Hao Sect Guardian General, Gal Seo-ryeong...?'
Jaseong immediately recognized the identity of the figure in black clothes.
With the epithet "Black Forest Sword Empress," she was an unmatched peak expert, renowned throughout the martial world.
The Guardian General Gal Seo-ryeong, known as the sharpest sword of the new Hao Sect Leader, had made her appearance.
"There's only one chance."
Gal Seo-ryeong warned the elders of Killing Valley with a cold voice as they stood dumbfounded. At that moment—
Kuwoong!
A tremendous surge of energy burst forth from her entire body.
The floor of White Fragrant Pavilion rumbled, and the pillars shook, demonstrating an overwhelming presence, not just simple force.
It was an aura so powerful that it seemed to crush the very organs of those facing her.
"?!"
"!!"
"!!!"
Due to Gal Seo-ryeong's overwhelming pressure, the elders of Killing Valley flinched in fear.
Instinctively, they realized she was not someone they could deal with.
'For decades, I've assassinated countless experts...'
'But someone of this level is rare.'
'What kind of inn is this, to have such an expert protecting it?'
'With experts like her together, it will be difficult to take out Gu Janghu.'
The next moment, one of the elders muttered in a low voice,
"... Let's go back."
With that, all of the elders of Killing Valley who had come for Gu Janghu disappeared—shush!—out of White Fragrant Pavilion.
Jaseong considered chasing after them. But Gal Seo-ryeong silently shook her head.
"The elders of Killing Valley are not ones to take lightly. While our martial prowess may be superior, they possess lethal dark weapon techniques. Even if you defeat them, you may very well sustain fatal wounds from their dark weapon techniques."
"But still..."
"And besides, Killing Valley never fights battles they can't win. Now that they know we peak experts are together, they won't target your comrade further."
Gal Seo-ryeong spoke, glancing at Gu Janghu. Only then did Jaseong lower his sword.
"Thank you for your help."
"It's been a while, Ansun branch leader. About half a year, hasn't it?"
"But what brings you here so suddenly?"
"I have something urgent to discuss with you."
... Something urgent?
"In any case, let's talk more in detail after we straighten things up."
Jaseong found it odd, but was grateful to Gal Seo-ryeong for chasing off the elders of Killing Valley without a single drop of blood being shed.
First, Jaseong called Hyang-I for the clean-up.
"Hyang-ah."
"Yes, leader."
"Effective today, sell White Fragrant Pavilion."
"Yes, understood. Leader, I'll prepare a new headquarters for the Ansun branch by tomorrow."
The Hao Sect's principle was secrecy.
Since the secret branch had been exposed to outsiders, it was only natural to relocate.
After finishing his conversation with Hyang-I, Jaseong looked at Gu Janghu.
"I've shamed myself, leader. Because of me..."
Gu Janghu's voice was filled with deep self-blame. He had put his comrades in danger and forced them to move their headquarters.
But Jaseong merely offered a faint smile.
"Gu Janghu. Your affairs are my affairs."
"...!"
"So, there's no need to thank me or feel sorry."
At those brief words, Gu Janghu's face was full of emotion.
Next to him, Lee Rin smiled contentedly. She found Jaseong's loyal character admirable.
After this, Jaseong returned to Gal Seo-ryeong. Gal Seo-ryeong then introduced the figures in black clothes who had come with her.
"Let me introduce them. These are hall masters who were inspired by your plan for the fracture of the martial world."
At Gal Seo-ryeong's words, a man with a rugged beard and a stern black face was the first to greet him.
"I am Lord of the Five Dragons Hall Guo Wencheng, leader of the Lord of the Five Dragons Hall among the Hao Sect's twelve halls."
Next was a man with skin as pale as moonlight.
"I am Lord of the Moonstar Hall White Moon Sword, Jang Baekwoon."
Tied to Jang Baekwoon's waist, befitting his epithet White Moon Sword, was a sword shining like moonlight.
Then, a man with a massive frame and the impression of a bear spoke.
"I am Lord of the Heavenly King Vajra Heaven."
Lord of the Five Dragons Hall, Lord of the Moon Castle Hall, Lord of the Heavenly King Hall.
Jaseong remembered these three.
When Jaseong had previously visited the upper management of Hao Sect to explain his plan, these were the ones who scoffed at him.
But now, their gazes had changed completely–all their former skepticism and ridicule had vanished, replaced by goodwill.
'My achievements must have struck a chord with them.'
Jaseong muttered inwardly and turned his gaze again to Gal Seo-ryeong.
"Then what brings you and the Hall Masters to this Ansun Branch?"
Gal Seo-ryeong grinned and replied.
"Ansun branch leader. I've heard much of your exploits. Just as you once boasted, you've truly caused a massive rift in the martial world. Because of that, our Hao Sect now has the perfect opportunity to step into the spotlight."
At these words, Jaseong smiled inwardly, satisfied that his deeds had benefited the entire Hao Sect.
"So the Sect Leader has decided to reward you."
"What kind of reward?"
"I told you before. If things ended well, you would be given access to the Archive of Lost Master Techniques, the Secret Vault of Peerless Arts, where the martial world's lost manuals are gathered."
"...!"
Jaseong's eyes widened. The Hao Sect had collected manual for hundreds of years from the martial world.
For a genius with unparalleled martial talent like Jaseong, it was the best reward imaginable.
"When you desire, send a carrier pigeon to the upper management. Subordinates will then escort you."
"Thank you. But did you come all this way only to tell me this?"
It was a message that could easily have been sent by carrier pigeon, so Jaseong couldn't help but be curious.
Gal Seo-ryeong let out a small laugh.
"As expected, you are sharp."
"?"
"In truth, I have a proposition for you."
"What kind of proposition?"
"Recently, we received top-level classified information. Among the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects, Poison Valley, Black Star Sect, and Blood Cult are targeting the dominion of Tianxia Association."
At her words, not only Jaseong, but also Hyang-I, Lee Rin, and Gu Janghu opened their eyes wide in shock.
The Tianxia Association was one of the most formidable dark path forces in the martial world.
Mainly operating in the pleasure quarters of Sichuan Province, Gansu Province, and Shaanxi Province, its scale was comparable to the entire assembly of Green Forest's Seventy-two Villages.
Especially, the Association's leader, tian E Shura, gun Hanmaek, had close ties with the now deceased Evil Path Association Leader, and was protected by the latter.
"You must have heard the news that the Evil Path Association Leader died recently?"
"Yes."
"Gun Hanmaek, the Tianxia Association's leader, had deep ties with the Evil Path Association Leader since childhood. He grew his power in the pleasure quarters under the Lord's protection, offering vast sums of money as tribute. Thanks to this, the Lord wielded enormous financial power as the head of the Evil Path Association."
There was nothing more to be said about the Tianxia Association's wealth.
Even Fierce Sky Faction, who was only famous in Guizhou City, lived atop mountains of gold bars, while the Tianxia Association was a massive black-clad force renowned throughout the Central Plains.
"There are two reasons Poison Valley, Black Star Sect, and Blood Cult are targeting the Tianxia Association. One is its wealth–if they subjugate Tianxia Association, they gain a huge source of funds."
"And the other reason?"
"There are rumors that the Tianxia Association's leader possesses the Evil Path Association Leader's seal."
"...!"
This was the true top-level classified information. The Evil Path Association had lost its head and was adrift.
Major powers of the unorthodox sects were secretly scheming to become the new Lord of Evil Path Association.
In such circumstances, the seal handed down through many generations carried immense symbolic importance.
Any unmatched expert possessing that seal could become the new Lord of the Evil Path Association.
Moreover, the seal itself harbored a mysterious energy and was considered one of the Eight Great Treasures of the martial world.
Though it was not a sword or blade, and its exact powers were known only to the past Lords, it was certainly a most precious treasure.
"Of course, it's still not confirmed that the Lord's seal is in the Tianxia Association. This is only information as reliable as an old rumor. Rather than focusing there, it's more important to prevent Blood Cult, Poison Valley, and Black Star Sect from swallowing the Tianxia Association."
"?"
"These three sects have poor relations with our Hao Sect. If they absorb the Tianxia Association, their power will grow, and they'll pose a major threat to our efforts to move into the open."
Concern colored Gal Seo-ryeong's voice. Jaseong nodded silently, then asked,
"Then what is upper management's plan?"
After a moment's silence, Gal Seo-ryeong answered.
"Before Poison Valley, Blood Cult, and Black Star Sect can take the Tianxia Association, we move first."
"Are you saying...?"
"We, the Hao Sect, plan to take over the Tianxia Association."
"...!"
"Help us with this. If you do, we will promote you from branch leader to hall master, and establish the Ansun Branch as Hao Sect's thirteenth hall."
It was the first time the upper management had handed down a directive since Jaseong had become the leader of Hao Sect's Ansun Branch.
Listening to this, Jaseong couldn't help but marvel at the coincidence.
Two hours before, he had told Hyang-I that he would conquer the dark path forces of the Central Plains.
Now, the Hao Sect leadership was embarking on a similar campaign.
'There's no reason to refuse this offer.'
If he succeeded, Jaseong would share the Tianxia Association's vast resources with the Hao Sect, and as a hall master, would be free to enter many of Hao Sect's secret pavilions.
"Well? Ansun branch leader. Will you do it?"
After taking a sip of Celebratory Wine, Gal Seo-ryeong asked.
At that question, Jaseong slowly nodded.
* * *
At that time, northern Fujian Province.
After trekking through rugged mountain ranges and deep gorges, one would arrive at a great household completely cut off from the outside world.
This was Poison Valley, one of the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects under the Evil Path Association.
Poison Valley, the largest of the unorthodox families, was infamous for its mastery and use of poison—it was unmatched in toxic arts, rivaled in the orthodox side only by Sichuan Tang Clan.
The Poison Valley manor was a fortress, walled off with black barriers, utterly sealed off from outsiders.
Within the walls spread a garden of deadly herbs and poisonous beasts, with the very air heavy with a peculiar fishy stench.
At the center of this estate, the valley lord—King of Ten Thousand Poisons, dok Go-cheon—played a jade flute.
Whiriliri—piriri—
At Dokgo Cheon's flute, thousands of snakes stirred.
Crimson silk snakes, black vipers, blue-green pythons—serpents of all kinds writhed, dancing to his tune.
It was a sight like living waves.
And in the middle of this deadly sea, a young woman who seemed barely past twenty stood.
She had flowing black hair down to her knees and pale eyes. Her entire body was being bitten relentlessly by thousands of snakes.
"Kya-haa!"
Sharp fangs pierced her arms and legs, and venom ran across her skin. One bite from these deadly snakes would send even a peak expert to the afterlife instantly.
Yet, strangely, the woman was unfazed. Not a hint of pain marked her face—it was as if she were enjoying a bath, completely at peace.
"You truly are a body immune to all poisons. Even witnessing it with my own eyes—linked by blood—it is a wondrous thing."
Dokgo Cheon, Poison Valley Lord, smiled with satisfaction.
The body immune to all poisons was a legendary constitution that could not be harmed by any poison.
Those born with it had resistance to all toxins and could freely control and wield every deadly venom.
Even Dokgo Cheon, who had devoted decades to the study of poison skills, had never attained such a realm.
This young woman, born with the legendary constitution, was none other than Poison Valley Lord's granddaughter—Dokgo Yeon.
She had the makings of the greatest valley lord in Poison Valley history.
Yet her existence was a fiercely guarded secret from the martial world.
That was due to her unique body immune to all poisons.
Should knowledge of her constitution leak, clans like the Sichuan Tang would stop at nothing to kidnap and experiment on her.
In other words, she was Poison Valley's secret weapon.
"Yeon-ah. Do you remember the task I gave you?"
Dokgo Cheon asked, solemnly.
She nodded calmly.
"Yes, grandfather."
"This time, you must bring the Tianxia Association under the control of Poison Valley. And you must retrieve the Evil Path Association Leader's seal. If you do so, our Poison Valley will become the greatest force in the Unorthodox Faction."
Ambition burned in Dokgo Cheon's eyes. With the Evil Path Association Leader's death, it was a golden opportunity to become the new overlord of the unorthodox sects.
"Of course, swallowing the Tianxia Association will not be easy. From Black Star Sect, Heuk Mugeuk—the so-called reincarnation of the Sword Demon—is expected to move, and as for Blood Cult, those grim folks could pull any trick."
"......"
"Nevertheless, Yeon, you will not lose out to them. You are the greatest prodigy in Poison Valley's history."
He handed Dokgo Yeon the jade flute.
It was not just any flute, but a secret Poison Valley weapon capable of commanding thousands of snake formations—the Snake Spirit Flute.
"That flute controls the Thousand Snake Formation that Poison Valley has cultivated for a century. Each one imbued with deadly venom, this formation will become your limbs."
And that wasn't all. Dokgo Cheon handed her a small wooden box from his waist.
"This is Ten-Thousand Death Soul Powder. With this, no expert can stand against you."
Ten-Thousand Death Soul Powder: This was the ultimate secret deadly toxin, developed over centuries in Poison Valley.
A purple smoke that, once released, would bring death to every living thing within a thirty-zhang radius—even peak-level experts.
Yet at present, only the Poison Valley Lord could use it.
Without extraordinary internal energy, no one could breathe or fight in its miasma.
But Dokgo Yeon could endure it, for her constitution was immune to all poisons.
"Go now. Conquer the Tianxia Association, and return as the new empress of the unorthodox world."
At Dokgo Cheon's words, a cold smile appeared on the otherwise expressionless Dokgo Yeon's lips.
That smile was as chilling as the grin of Death itself.