Chapter 166
Wuhan, Hubei Province.
Murim Alliance headquarters.
At the heart of the orthodox martial world, a most unusual tension filled the air.
It was because news had arrived that the leader of the Evil Path Association had been replaced, and the new master was none other than Jaseong, the leader of the Hao Sect.
In the alliance leader's office, the Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Cheon-rui, sat facing Tang Tian-yue, the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Bang!
Namgung Cheon-rui slammed the desk.
A teacup jumped, and spilled tea splattered everywhere.
The gentle mask he usually wore had been cast aside, his features twisted by rage.
"I made sure the Hao Sect leader was dealt with... And yet, in that brief time, the new Hao Sect leader rose and even managed to swallow the Evil Path Association whole!?"
His voice trembled with fury.
Only a few months before, he and Tang Tian-yue had conspired together to send the former Hao Sect leader over a cliff.
They had expected the Hao Sect to fall into chaos and collapse, but instead, an even greater monster had been born.
Tang Tian-yue had a look of barely contained anger as well.
"Ever since he blocked our Sichuan Tang Clan's elite at White Crane Temple, I suspected he was no easy opponent... But I didn't expect him to be this much. To crush the unorthodox giants by sheer force and ascend as leader of the Evil Path Association."
"......"
"Alliance Leader. What do we do now? The Hao Sect, which revealed itself to the world, has not only devoured every black path force in the Central Plains, it's even taken over the other unorthodox factions. Their power now rivals, or—perhaps—surpasses our Murim Alliance."
Tang Tian-yue was not exaggerating.
The intelligence of the Hao Sect, the financial power of the Tianxia Association, and the military might of the Evil Path Association—
Combined under Jaseong, their force had become truly monstrous.
"And our so-called 'orthodox' martial world? Zhongnan and the Murong Clan still feud, calling each other mortal enemies. Meanwhile, Mount Hua, Beggar's Union, Shaolin, and various middle-and-small sects have all turned their backs on our Murim Alliance."
The repercussions from the 'Soul-Bewildering Powder Incident' exposed by Jaseong were still ongoing.
The moral authority of the Murim Alliance had been dragged through the dirt and its unity scattered like sand.
At this rate, they couldn't guarantee victory in a head-on clash with Jaseong's alliance.
Namgung Cheon-rui fell into deep thought.
He tapped the tabletop, tap, tap, his gaze growing sharper, soon glinting cold as a serpent's eye.
"There's only one thing to do."
Namgung Cheon-rui finally spoke.
"First, we must unite the fractured orthodox martial world. By force, if needed."
"How do you propose that?"
Tang Tian-yue countered, "Those who already turned their backs—why would they listen to us?"
Namgung Cheon-rui smiled coldly.
That smile was chilling enough to freeze a man's spine.
"The small and medium sects can be won over at any time. Bribe them with money, offer them positions, or simply crush them with force—there are plenty of methods. What matters most is the Nine Sects-One Union."
He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"Beggar's Union, Mount Hua, Shaolin—so long as the central pillars of the Nine Sects-One Union turn away from us, the Murim Alliance is just a mere shadow."
"Then how will you bring them over? Those old men are far too stubborn to be persuaded with words."
"Persuade? No, Tang head."
"Hm?"
"We simply replace them, don't we?"
"Replace... what do you mean?"
"If Beggar's Union, Mount Hua, and Shaolin... had new chiefs and sect leaders—ones who obediently follow the will of our Murim Alliance?"
"What? You can't mean..."
Tang Tian-yue's eyes widened.
The moment he grasped Namgung Cheon-rui's meaning, a chill ran down his spine.
"Surely... You aren't talking about assassinations?"
"Assassinations—how distasteful a word. Let's call them... unfortunate accidents. Or perhaps, sudden illness."
Namgung Cheon-rui began laying out his serpent-like schemes.
His plan was cunning and cruel: remove the heads of the orthodox factions, install his own puppets, and seize the Murim Alliance completely.
"I've already made moves. I've drawn in those within each sect who harbor resentment or ambition. Give them strength, provide a justification... and they will gladly betray their masters and senior brothers."
He lifted a teacup as he spoke.
Tang Tian-yue swallowed dryly.
The elder before him seemed less an alliance leader than a devil even worse than any demonic cult leader.
But he nodded.
Having already crossed the river, he had no choice but to take the devil's hand.
"Very well. The Tang Clan will help. We'll provide our secret poisons—there's nothing better for killing quietly and leaving no trace."
"As expected of you, head Tang. We understand each other."
The conversation of these two giants of evil filled the secret chamber.
A bloody wind of purge was ready to sweep the martial world.
* * *
The Evil Path Association HQ, Black Union City.
This place sat deep within the rugged mountains of Zhongjing province.
Crossing a bridge over a colossal canyon, one would see a fortress carved from black stone cliffs.
For centuries it had served as the stronghold of the unorthodox factions.
Surrounded by sheer cliffs on all sides, it was nearly impossible to attack or infiltrate.
Hidden amidst perilous, cloud-brushing peaks, it was the very heart of the unorthodox world.
Inside, a labyrinth of vast caverns housed enough space for thousands of warriors.
At the center, the grand hall—a massive cavern hewn from stone—opened to the sky, sunlight pouring in from above.
But now, it was no longer the Evil Path Association's alone.
Whiiish—
Black banners fluttered everywhere.
Each bore the Hao Sect's crow and the Evil Path Association's black dragon together.
It was a declaration: the Hao Sect had become the new master of the Evil Path Association.
Of course, it made sense.
Jaseong had become the new Hao Sect leader, and—as was customary among the unorthodox supreme leaders—had become leader of the Evil Path Association as well.
"Greetings to the Sect Leader!"
"Greetings to the Association Leader!"
As Jaseong walked toward the central grand hall, warriors lining the corridor on both sides saluted him with the cupped fist salute.
Disciples of the Hao Sect and fighters of the Evil Path Association mingled together.
Jaseong nodded as he passed.
Behind him followed Hyang-I.
"Our Hao Sect, which always operated from the shadows, is now openly showing itself in the martial world,"
Hyang-I remarked, pride and resolve upon her face.
"Hyang, you'll be overseeing the internal management together with the Evil Path Association's strategists from now on."
"I understand, Sect Leader. I'll do my very best for both the Evil Path Association and the Hao Sect."
At her reply, Jaseong nodded silently and entered the vast cavern adorned with glowing night-luminescent stones.
That place—carved with sword scars everywhere—had once been the main training yard used by generations of Evil Path Association leaders.
'Let's get started again today.'
Jaseong drew the Wicked Flame Sword from his waist.
The black blade gleamed coldly in the light of the luminous stones.
By now, his previous injuries were almost healed.
Though damage to his meridians lingered from the Eleventh Gate opening, with days of energy cultivation and secret healing techniques left by the Eternal Divine Physician, he had managed to recover.
The healing power of the Heaven Evading Celestial Formula had played a major part as well.
Whoosh! Changrang!
The Wicked Flame Sword sliced through the air.
A black flame flickered along the sword's edge.
With innate true ki now steadily gathered in his middle dantian, Jaseong could freely awaken the true power of the Wicked Flame Sword.
Fwoosh! Crackle! Fwoosh!
Jaseong kept up his daily training to deepen his harmony with the sword.
This blade was more than just a weapon—
It was a dangerous yet enchanting partner, lending its power in exchange for his own life.
Just then, a voice sounded from the entrance.
"Great hero."
It was Lee Rin.
Dressed in blue martial robes, she looked like a solitary ice flower—pure and cold.
"You're training from early morning again. Did you at least eat breakfast?"
"Just a little."
"Haaa. Someone who was coughing up blood from internal injuries can't just eat a few bites! Come have some pastry before you continue."
"... I don't need pastries anymore."
"An adult being picky about food?"
... Asking for pastries was called picky eating?
A truly bewildering logic.
Lee Rin asked again.
"How about sparring with me?"
"Sparring? All of a sudden?"
"My swordsmanship hasn't improved much lately. I thought I might gain some enlightenment if I spar with you..."
She explained—though it was only half true.
In reality, with Jaseong recently entangled in so many matters, Lee Rin hadn't been able to spend time with him.
Now that he was Evil Path Association Leader, he was even busier, so she wanted to spend time together this way.
Unaware of her feelings, Jaseong sheathed his sword and nodded.
"Good suggestion. I was just about to loosen up as well."
At his current realm, Jaseong was at late "peak expert" without having opened the Immortal Gate.
Lee Rin was also a supreme expert—she had monstrous energy, spanning two sixty-year cycles.
'So she's a good sparring partner.'
The two faced each other.
Tension filled the air.
"Then I'll start."
Lee Rin swung her sword.
Her style was fast and precise.
The chill unique to the Ice Lord Asura Sword Art was evident at her sword's tip.
Jaseong activated the Samadhi Eyes.
Swish—
Time seemed to slow down for him.
He could see where her sword would go, what her next move would be.
He could even read her intent.
Whish! Swish! Slip!
With minimal motion, Jaseong dodged all of Lee Rin's attacks, then countered by targeting her openings.
"Urk!"
Lee Rin staggered back, eyes wide.
'I can't see his sword...'
Even among supreme experts, Jaseong's swordplay was almost cheating thanks to Samadhi Eyes.
No matter how splendidly Lee Rin wielded her sword, she couldn't even touch the hem of his robe.
Just then, the main training yard doors opened again.
"Sect Leader, mind if I join?"
It was Gu Janghu, carrying two throwing blades.
"Huff... Huff... If I team up with Gu the protector, we might just have a shot. Sect Leader, is it alright if we both attack at once?"
At Lee Rin's question, Jaseong nodded genially.
"By all means."
A statement provoking the competitive spirit in both Lee Rin and Gu Janghu.
Their eyes lit up in response to his relaxed attitude.
Together, they surrounded Jaseong.
"Then here I come!"
Gu Janghu slashed his two throwing blades.
A powerful force surged toward Jaseong, the unpredictable trajectory of Guryong Flying Blade weaving through the air.
At the same time, Lee Rin thrust her sword from the opposite side, the chill of the Ice Lord Asura Sword Art blocking Jaseong's retreat.
A simultaneous pincer attack—a perfect harmony.
But Jaseong was not pushed back at all.
Whoosh!
Spinning, Jaseong deflected Gu Janghu's blades with the Wicked Flame Sword and dodged Lee Rin's sword with elegant, dance-like motions.
Clang! Bang!
Jaseong targeted both their openings at once: Gu Janghu's flank and Lee Rin's shoulder.
"Urk!"
Both fell back, cold sweat trickling down.
'To read our perfect team attack like that... Does great hero have eyes on the back of his head?!'
Gritting her teeth, Lee Rin raised her energy, but after several more exchanges, the outcome was unchanged.
"... I surrender. Let's stop. Huff... huff..."
She sheathed her sword and sat down, breathing heavily.
"You really are a monster... Even the two of us together can't so much as touch you!"
Gu Janghu also lowered his blades, forcing a bitter smile.
"No matter how much we train, we can't reach you, Sect Leader. Your wall is just too high."
Jaseong smiled faintly.
Well, it was only natural.
He had defeated even the greatest unorthodox experts in duels, including Heavenly Black Sword Venerable, sect leader of the Black Star Sect, called the best sword of the unorthodox world.
So, of course Lee Rin and Gu Janghu together were not a match for him.
"You've both improved a lot. Your coordination was much sharper now."
Jaseong praised honestly.
The truth was, Lee Rin and Gu Janghu were growing at a remarkable pace.
It only seemed slow in comparison to the monstrous Jaseong—but by martial world standards, they were prodigies among prodigies.
After his match with Lee Rin and Gu Janghu, Jaseong continued training alone in the main yard.
Within the quiet cavern, only the sound of sword aura tearing through the air echoed.
At some point—
"Disciple."
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice at his ear.
A beam of light descended from above, and a small black-furred cat with golden eyes appeared out of thin air.
Its haughty and proud air remained unchanged—it was the spirit beast, Night Cat Celestial Spirit.
'... What brings Night Cat Celestial Spirit here all of a sudden?'
Jaseong, looking puzzled, sheathed his sword and bowed.
"Spirit beast, Night Cat Celestial Spirit—greetings."
"It's been a while, disciple. You've been making quite a ruckus lately."
"Why are you on the surface all of a sudden?"
"I have important news to deliver."
"Important news?"