Chapter 117
The pursuit was going smoothly.
Originally, tracking techniques relied more on the five senses than on qi perception.
Thus, the foundation of tracking arts could be said to be cultivating martial arts that heighten one’s senses over a long period of time.
And now, with the help of Tang Sowol and Seol Lihyang, I had temporarily acquired enhanced senses.
A field of vision where the world felt clearer. Though it was not mine, but a borrowed perception, and thus would be of no help in martial arts cultivation...
It was more than enough to fulfill my original purpose of chasing the faint traces of the Bloodflame Fist Demon.
Leaving behind the blackened village, I followed the faint, unnaturally clean traces.
And whenever I came upon a fork in the road where no signs remained, I continued choosing the path based on the places Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye had mentioned—how many times had I repeated this process?
Perhaps thinking they were far enough from the massacred village, familiar traces began to appear one by one.
They were signs of someone writhing from the side effects of the Bloodflame Serpent Demon Art. No matter how emotionless an assassin may be, they couldn’t completely eliminate fatigue.
Thinking they were safe, they had likely grown complacent and failed to erase several traces entirely.
However, one strange thing stood out.
“It doesn’t seem to be the trace of just one person.”
“What do you mean, Brother Cheon?”
“Exactly as it sounds. There’s a chance it’s not just the Bloodflame Fist Demon traveling with a few assassins.”
“Oh... did you discover traces of a different demonic technique?”
“No. They’re all from the Bloodflame Serpent Demon Art, but the traces differ in physique and level of mastery. They might not be direct disciples... but it seems others trained in the same art are moving with the Bloodflame Fist Demon.”
Even within the Demonic Cult, martial arts are practiced, but like most martial artists in the Central Plains, they don’t revere martial arts themselves.
To them, martial artists are enemies, and martial arts are merely the enemy’s sword.
They learn martial arts out of necessity, but have no desire to monopolize them. No matter how incredible the technique, to them, it’s just a tool. If asked, they willingly teach it to others.
It sounds noble when put like that, but... the problem is, most of them are obsessed with revenge, and all the techniques they teach are demonic arts.
In any case, because of that situation, even in my past life, there were others besides the Bloodflame Fist Demon who practiced the Bloodflame Serpent Demon Art.
Even after learning from the already accomplished Bloodflame Fist Demon, they all either went mad from the side effects or ended their own lives.
Back then, it was a thing of the distant past. But now, it might be a matter of the present.
“Even if their numbers have increased, most of them are first-class. At best, barely at Peak Stage, so there’s no need to worry too much. Still, it’s good to know.”
“Aha, I understand. I’ll inform the others as well.”
Tang Sowol nodded and relayed the information to the rest of the group following behind.
While watching her for a moment, I once again set out to trace the next clue—how many times had we repeated this process?
Before long, a wide river and a long, stretched-out riverside village came into view.
It was the perfect spot for boating.
“This looks like a great place for boating, Sister Tang.”
“Shh! Don’t say things like ‘a nice place to secretly have fun out of sight’ when we’re out in a scenic place like this!”
“I-I didn’t mean it like that...”
Seol Lihyang shook her head with an awkward look, while Tang Sowol gave her a mischievous smile.
Of course, Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye were trembling with their eyes tightly shut, and for some reason, Seo Mun-Hwarin had also turned bright red, hiccuping repeatedly.
Shaking my head, I lightly tapped Seo Mun-Hwarin on the shoulder.
“Senior Seo Mun-Hwarin.”
“Hiick! T-this One wasn’t thinking anything inappropriate! This One just thought... since the boat will sway on the water anyway, we wouldn’t stand out...!”
“I’m always impressed by your imagination, Senior, but that’s not the important thing right now.”
“What’s wrong with This One’s imagination! …Still, I suppose you’re right. Just wait a moment.”
If this was one of the places Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye frequently visited, then the chance of the Bloodflame Fist Demon being here was high as well.
Of course, he may have already left... but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.
Seo Mun-Hwarin stood still and closed her eyes. Faint energy began to spread out from her body.
It was so subtle it would be hard to detect without focused attention. Even that gradually weakened until it extended far beyond the range of my own qi perception.
It felt like dough being spread thin and wide with heavy pressure.
Upon reaching the Flowering Stage, when one can refine inner energy through willpower, techniques previously impossible become attainable.
Like moving objects without touch, creating sword qi condensed to unnatural density, and the massive qi field currently covering the village—these are all such techniques.
After quietly scanning the surroundings, Seo Mun-Hwarin’s eyes suddenly snapped open.
“There is a suspicious presence.”
“Is that certain?”
“Of course. If they notice This One is watching, they’ll flee, so This One didn’t look in detail... but from a brief scan, there was a spot with faint demonic energy.”
“I’ll leave it to you.”
“Kuheum! You can rely on This One! Ah, but even This One only has two hands. Someone may try to flee, so let’s proceed with a slow encirclement here.”
“Reasonable. Then, I’ll place Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye—the targets of the enemy—with you, Senior Seo Mun-Hwarin. That should be the safest position.”
“Even an assassin or martial artist trained in Yang River Qi Techniques could suffer defeat if they lack experience, regardless of their level. Understood. Let’s do that.”
“Yes. I’ll stay with Seol Lihyang, who is the least skilled, and Tang Sowol will…”
As I turned to the side, Tang Sowol spoke up confidently.
“Since the Bloodflame Fist Demon, now at Sub-Perfection, will be taken by Sister Hwarin, it’s actually easier for me to fight the rest alone. I can bring out my extreme poisons.”
“Well, unless someone has resistance like yours, Tang Sowol, having them near you would only get in the way.”
“Hehe. It takes some time, but Brother Cheon, you’ll get there too, so don’t worry.”
“I’ve never been worried. I’ll be expecting it.”
I gave her a small smile and turned to the others.
“Everyone okay? If you have any objections, speak now.”
Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye nodded silently. Their expressions were already filled with resolve. However—
“Hey. We’re going to fight now, right?”
“Yes. If you’re scared, you can stay in a safe place.”
“No. I knew this kind of day would come eventually, living as a martial artist. I’ve heard it from you and Master often. I’m just nervous, that’s all. Just nervous.”
Seol Lihyang took a deep breath, and before long, the disordered flow of her qi settled.
“Alright. I’m ready.”
“There won’t be any danger.”
“I’m not worried about myself. I mean being ready to kill others, even if they’re from the Demonic Cult. I know I’ll be safe—you’re here, Cheon Hwi.”
So that’s what she had been thinking.
While admiring her silently, Seol Lihyang played with the whip at her waist and spoke.
“Let’s go.”
“Understood. Where should we go, Senior Seo Mun-Hwarin?”
After a nod, she replied with a faint smile.
“Follow This One.”
With that short instruction, Seo Mun-Hwarin stepped forward. We followed her quickly, weaving through the crowd again and again.
In the distance, a group that clearly looked like outsiders came into view.
Seo Mun-Hwarin, who spotted them within visual range, whispered quietly.
“Any closer, and we’ll be detected by that Bloodflame Fist Demon’s qi perception. From here, we’ll split according to plan.”
Exchanging silent glances, we spread out and maintained a wide triangle formation.
With so few people, a tight encirclement was impossible anyway. At most, this was just a precaution for any unexpected situation.
This should be enough.
Apparently thinking preparations were done, Seo Mun-Hwarin suddenly dashed toward the man in front.
Tat.
Not full force, but still a glimpse of the prowess of a top-tier master at the Flowering Stage—swift and powerful.
The intensity was such that it seemed the natural qi in the area was being sucked toward her.
Around the time she took her second step, the Bloodflame Fist Demon sensed her presence and, without even looking back, hurled one of his subordinates and began fleeing in the opposite direction.
“What the hell...!”
Though dumbfounded, Seo Mun-Hwarin smashed the skull of the Demonic Cultist who had been thrown.
Puuhk!
There wasn’t even time for last words. The scream of surprise he involuntarily let out was his only farewell.
Wiping the blood off her hand, Seo Mun-Hwarin shouted angrily.
“Running away without even looking back! And you call yourself a martial artist?!”
“Whoever said it, there’s a saying in Murim—beware of women, children, and the elderly. I don’t know who, but they were right again this time.”
The Bloodflame Fist Demon yelled while using full-speed lightfoot technique. Come to think of it, Seo Mun-Hwarin was a woman, had the body of a child, and was elderly in age—so all three applied.
As expected of a former escapee from the Heavenly Net of the Kunlun Sect, his instincts were sharp.
The other Demonic Cultists and assassins, who belatedly grasped the situation, all rushed at Seo Mun-Hwarin to buy time for the Bloodflame Fist Demon to escape.
In the Demonic Cult, where true experts are few and vengeance is taken on each other’s behalf, it was a rational choice.
Of course, no matter how many came, they couldn’t hold Seo Mun-Hwarin for long.
At best, it would buy a few breaths. But the Bloodflame Fist Demon was an expert at fleeing, contrary to his fearsome nickname.
He had a plan, charging toward the river using the shortest path without hesitation.
At that speed, he’d reach the river before being caught by Seo Mun-Hwarin.
Whether he’d escape safely or be caught in the turbulent waters remained to be seen.
What was certain was that he was running directly toward me.
“Get far away, Seol Lihyang.”
“Huh? Oh, oh... okay!”
Realizing she couldn’t interfere, Seol Lihyang quickly stepped back.
But maybe that made her look like an important figure. Narrowing his eyes, the Bloodflame Fist Demon suddenly swung his fist at Seol Lihyang’s back.
Ffwoosh.
The internal energy ignited from his fist shot forward.
It wouldn’t kill, but if hit wrong, it could cause severe burns across her body.
An obvious ploy to create a wounded party and slow pursuit.
But more than that, what bothered me was that he dared ignore me and attack Seol Lihyang in front of me.
“Pathetic move.”
I drew my sword in an instant and slashed.
The sharp sword wind split the air and collided with the internal energy flame released by the Bloodflame Fist Demon.
Puhhng!
With a near-explosive sound, the flame was split in half and dissipated.
I stood in his path and pointed my sword at his brow.
“If you want to pass, you’ll have to defeat me.”
“Then I’ll go around.”
Without hesitation, he veered off and jumped straight into the river.
The sight of him without even a shred of pride made me flinch for a moment.
This guy... is this really the infamous Demonic Cultist?
He was far too different from the Bloodflame Fist Demon I had known before the regression.