Chapter 112
‘Elder Baek’s special ability is truly great!’
‘No Yeong-myeong’s sorcery is a truly terrifying ability. If he can handle such a spell freely, mass slaughter would be no big deal. This is a big problem, a big problem…’
The sudden unfolding of No Yeong-myeong’s Heavenly Escape Art and Baek In-hwa’s defensive barrier formation sent shivers down the spines of the people in the room.
It wasn’t that the people of the Orthodox Path were ignorant of the various sorceries of the unorthodox path, such as necromancy, special abilities, and spells.
In fact, the Sichuan Tang Clan had used sorcery until just the previous generation, and the Jegal Family was still using special abilities in illusions, formations, transformations, and arrays.
But.
Regardless of black, white, orthodox, or unorthodox, the sight of such a terrifying spell unfolding was unprecedented.
In particular, No Yeong-myeong’s Heavenly Escape Art, which created lightning from the sky, could lead to a terrible massacre.
Those with weak minds had seizures and their bodies trembled.
‘Damn it…’
To make matters worse, So-ah’s situation was also serious.
The explosion of the power of the Great Purity Ultimate Elixir, which had been dormant in the abyss, and the Tae-gyeong power was an explosive force that a mere human body made of flesh and blood could not handle.
In addition to the aftereffects, he had been hit by No Yeong-myeong’s spell, so not only were his heart meridians and ki and blood greatly damaged, but he could not avoid internal injuries.
If Baek In-hwa had not stepped in at the right time, his life would have been in danger…
In that moment.
No Yeong-myeong, who was staring at So-ah and Baek In-hwa with a blazing gaze of anger, spat out in a low voice.
“The head of the Udo-bang of Goryeo…”
“That’s right.”
“This is a matter of the Central Plains. Why are you trying to interfere?”
“Life and death are in the hands of heaven. Is there a separate nationality in the distinction between good and evil?”
“Your sorcery is amazing. But.”
A thick killing intent was imbued in No Yeong-myeong’s eyes.
“Can you really save all of them in front of our cult’s spiritual beast? Keke…”
At the same time.
No Yeong-myeong took out three-colored pouches from his waist.
‘Heart Lamp Art!’
Baek In-hwa unfolded a spell called the Heart Lamp Art to identify the pouches.
At that.
The grotesque and gruesome appearance of a demon began to be specifically drawn in Baek In-hwa’s heart lamp.
‘Ah…! Aren’t those the young Great Line Human-Faced Spider, the Golden Horned Earth Dragon, and the Golden Light Red-Headed Snake! How can he possess such evil demons… If those demons are released, at least a thousand people will lose their lives!’
Baek In-hwa let out a long sigh inwardly.
Only then did he realize the identity of the Evil King Star that had risen in the Central Plains.
‘The Evil King Star of this era… is them!’
He was confident that he could stop them.
Although the key figures of the Nine Great Sects were poisoned, this was the Martial Alliance headquarters.
A hundred official masters and a thousand elite warriors. In addition, if the martial artists who had gathered to celebrate the Hero Tournament joined forces, slaughtering those demons would be no big deal.
But he didn’t know how many people would die if such a situation unfolded.
Besides, Eunuch Han and the fifty or so masters of the Eastern Depot, who were no less than No Yeong-myeong at a glance.
If they were all skilled in the demonic arts of the unorthodox path…
The scene would surely become a hellish pandemonium.
“To have the Great Line Human-Faced Spider, the Golden Horned Earth Dragon, and even the Golden Crown Red-Headed Snake! Amazing.”
At Baek In-hwa’s words, No Yeong-myeong’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“…How do you know that?”
“Such demons are nothing more than a funny joke to me.”
Baek In-hwa played a mind game.
Although it was a bluff, that one word shook the will of No Yeong-myeong, who was prepared for a life-and-death struggle, like a candle in the wind.
***
“Kuhaha! Brother No. To think that you, who once reigned as one of the three great masters of the Unorthodox Path, have become the frontman of a fraudulent cult today. How amusing!”
“That’s what I’m saying. He used to be a man who could make a flying bird fall with just his name.”
The ones who broke the tense silence between Baek In-hwa and No Yeong-myeong were the Green Forest King, Jang Beon-pal, and the Waterway King, Jang Beon-ha.
“Are you bandits making a fuss in front of me?”
“Keke. Brother No! It’s impossible, impossible. Do you really think you can wage an all-out war with just those fifty or so trash? Go ahead and try. The pirate and I may not be people of the Orthodox Path, but we will fight to the death for my younger brother, So-ah.”
“Well, shall I stretch my body for the first time in a while? At my level, I could probably slaughter at least thirty of those cripples in an instant.”
The appearance of the Jang brothers was an unexpected variable for the Martial Alliance.
But now was not the time to be picky about hot or cold rice.
Not only the guests, but even the famous masters of the Nine Great Sects considered the appearance of the Green Forest and Waterway Kings a heavenly fortune.
Besides.
“Amitabha… Benefactor No. I know that the wicked followers of the cult have poisoned the officials of the alliance with their schemes. But Shaolin is still strong. If you are going to cross a river you can’t return from, Shaolin is willing to commit the sin of killing.”
The pressure from the Great Master Gong-seung was a burden that even No Yeong-myeong and Eunuch Han could not defy.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
There was still one more top master in the Orthodox Path who was not poisoned.
“No Yeong-myeong. I’ve been wanting to test my martial arts against yours for a long time. I have recently mastered the final secrets of the Thirty-Six Swords of the World and the Flowing Cloud Sword Art, so won’t I be a good match for your Heaven-Shattering Demon Emperor Sword? If you want, I won’t avoid it.”
It was the Dragon Horn Master of Jongnam who added his words and raised his gentle ki.
[The situation is not good.]
In the face of the rapidly changing situation, Eunuch Han sent a telepathic message to No Yeong-myeong.
[Are you saying we should retreat like this?]
[The problem is that old man who is the head of the Udo-bang. We succeeded in making the key figures of the Martial Alliance, the masters of the sect, into scarecrows, but what if that old man completely destroys the Great Line Human-Faced Spider, the Golden Horned Earth Dragon, and the Golden Crown Red-Headed Snake? With our true military power, we won’t be able to last a single shichen.]
“…”
Eunuch Han’s reasoning was correct.
If it weren’t for Baek In-hwa, No Yeong-myeong had intended to use the demons to create a pandemonium and then slip away, but…
‘It’s certainly impossible in this situation.’
In the face of the variable that was Baek In-hwa, No Yeong-myeong could not let his emotions get the better of him.
Besides, if even the Green Forest King and the Waterway King were on their side.
‘The chances of winning are slim.’
A deep anguish spread through No Yeong-myeong’s mind.
Just then.
“Hahaha! How chaotic the situation is!!”
Once again, a huge shout that was enough to shake the room.
The internal energy contained in that shout was so cold that the people in the room instinctively felt a shiver run down their spines.
‘Those people are…?’
‘By any chance…’
‘From the North Sea?!’
The experienced and insightful people in the room could identify them at a glance.
“I came a long way to meet my s… no, my business partner. But on this good day, it seems there are a lot of uninvited guests.”
The Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace.
When Wang Bang-tae expressed his will using the method of sound art, So-ah, despite his internal injuries, did not forget to perform a cupped fist salute to him.
“P-Palace Lord. How?”
“Hahahat! I came because I wanted to see you. And to make a good impression on the new Alliance Leader. But by the looks of it, it seems the uninvited guests are ruining the event. But don’t worry. I will help you, putting the honor of our palace on the line.”
***
There was no choice.
To think that the Taoist of Goryeo, the mountain bandit, and the Waterway King would join forces.
And that even the North Sea Ice Palace Lord was an acquaintance of So-ah!
It was something No Yeong-myeong could not have imagined.
“We will withdraw from here today.”
The condensed anger in his short words was so fierce that it was enough to make one’s knees buckle just by hearing it.
‘That’s good! From a broader perspective, it’s right to subjugate them today… but the situation is not good right now. This is the best plan.’
Only then did Jegal Hyeok release his tense heart.
For him, more than anything, he was worried about the futile deaths of the young alliance members who would lead the Jianghu.
Although he intended to designate the White Lotus Cult as a first-class public enemy, the top priority now was to detoxify the key figures, identify the spies, and reorganize the alliance.
But his sense of relief was soon shattered.
“Hey! Old man.”
It was because of So-ah’s single word.
Grit—
No Yeong-myeong gritted his teeth and stared at So-ah with eyes that were about to explode.
“You’re lucky. You’ve encountered me twice and survived both times.”
‘So-ah!’
‘Brother Jin… you’re really crazy! To provoke that terrifying human again!’
‘That human must have a heart of steel.’
The people in the room could not help but be astonished.
But for So-ah, he had only said what he had to say.
Because No Yeong-myeong was a mountain that he had to overcome someday, and a rival with whom he could never coexist.
“You brat. I will soon tear your limbs apart and throw your brains to the dogs of hell.”
A hot killing ki rose from No Yeong-myeong’s low voice.
But to So-ah, who was the best in the world in terms of strategy and guts, threats were useless.
“What a bloody curse. By the way, is that an artificial eye? You must have lost one eye.”
No Yeong-myeong tried his best to ignore So-ah’s words, turned his body, and left the main office.
Only then did So-ah.
Thud—
He lost consciousness and fell to the floor.
***
“Keuung…”
It was when he opened his eyes.
So-ah experienced hell from the severe pain that assailed his whole body, but with his tenacious mental strength and the regenerative power of his strong body, he squeezed out his strength and raised his upper body.
“So-ah!”
“So-ah! You still need to rest.”
“Stay lying down!”
When he looked around, Moyong Baek, the Yeon So-so couple, the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon, his two sworn brothers, Baek In-hwa, the Great Master Gong-seung, and even the head of the medical hall.
Many people were seated in a corner of the sickroom to check on his condition.
“How long was I unconscious?”
Moyong Baek answered So-ah’s question.
“Only half a day. You still need to recuperate. If the Great Master Gong-seung hadn’t given you the Great Rejuvenation Pill, you wouldn’t have regained consciousness so quickly.”
“Yes?!”
For a moment, So-ah was startled.
The Great Rejuvenation Pill!
Wasn’t the Great Rejuvenation Pill the best elixir of Shaolin, no, the best elixir of the Jianghu, which was given only once or twice in a lifetime to the most talented martial monks of Shaolin?
He couldn’t help but be surprised that he had been given such a Great Rejuvenation Pill.
“Great Master Gong-seung. Why did you give me the Great Rejuvenation Pill…”
“Amitabha. Young Master Jin. Didn’t you prevent a bloody battle in the Martial Alliance? The alliance owes a great debt to you and Chief Baek of Goryeo. In addition, to the Green Forest King, the Waterway King, and the Palace Lord of the North Sea.”
“Great Master Gong-seung…”
“Hoho. Come to think of it, it wouldn’t be right to call you Young Master Jin.”
“Yes…?”
“The Emergency Measures Committee Chairman of the Martial Alliance. Shouldn’t I call you Chairman?”
“Ah…!”
The moment he heard those words, So-ah, realizing once again that the burden placed on him was by no means small, his eyes shone.
“Seniors. And Grandma Hong-ryeon. First, we will hold a meeting of the sect masters, including the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families, as well as all the sects of the Orthodox Path that advocate the Orthodox Path. Is that possible?”
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon nodded her head.
“Let’s do that. So-ah.”
***
Seven days later…
So-ah’s recovery power was unparalleled.
Although the efficacy of the Great Rejuvenation Pill played a large part in it, even considering that, it was an unimaginable thing if it weren’t for So-ah’s habit of training his body to the limit.
‘Heaven helped. Elder Baek, Brothers Beon-pal and Beon-ha, the Shaolin side who were not poisoned, and Elder Yong-gak who arrived late. In addition, it was fortunate that the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace arrived just in time. If not… phew.’
For the past seven days, the Martial Alliance had been busier than ever since its founding.
The famous masters focused on detoxifying the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder, and even the masters of the North Sea Ice Palace, including the Jang Beon-pal and Jang Beon-ha brothers, stayed at the headquarters and watched the situation. (It was an action that stemmed from their concern for So-ah, rather than a temporary protection of the Orthodox Martial Path.)
So-ah also shook off his serious injuries in just three days and was busy with his work.
He requested medical support from Qinghai and Manju-jang, and sent letters to all the small and medium-sized sects that had not participated in the Hero Tournament.
And in the midst of that, he even showed the spirit of visiting the Wang Bang-tae and Wang So-yeong father and daughter and having a talk about the distribution of snow ice stones.
And.
“Brother! Why on earth did you even hide your name?”
“Haha. I’m sorry. Please call me Jeon Woo-chi from now on.”
“Alright, Brother Woo-chi. The name Jeon Woo-chi is better, anyway.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“By the way, So-ah. What are you going to do now?”
“My head is complicated. But what’s certain is.”
“Hmm…”
“Elder Baek said I should use you a lot. Hahaha. You’re my right-hand man now, right?”
“This is going to be a headache.”
“Brother Woo-chi.”
“Yes.”
“The White Lotus Cult. Let’s crush them!”