Chapter 138
White Lotus Cult, Gansu Cult Branch—
"Hah... to think that the gate of the cavern, made of black steel, was bisected so cleanly! I can't believe it!"
The Rain and Heaven Demonic Sword, No Yeong-myeong, could not help but be astonished as he looked at the gate of the cavern, which was split cleanly like firewood.
The three forbidden zones of the White Lotus Cult.
Among them, there was someone who had trespassed into the forbidden zone of the research building, which only those up to the 10th rank could enter.
He was none other than Wi-ji Chan.
But the White Lotus Cult had not yet been able to identify the intruder.
"What do you think, Brother No? In the current martial world, there are only a few swordsmen of this caliber. Who could cut the gate of the forbidden zone with such a technique and defeat the three guardian monks of our cult?"
The one asking was the Left Heaven Demonic Saber, Go Eung.
The reason the Twin Demonic Old Freaks had met side by side in the research building after a long time was because of the commotion that Wi-ji Chan had caused.
"Hmm... there are really only a handful of swordsmen of this caliber. The old man Yonggak of the Jongnam Sect, or Ye Jong-do of the Huashan Sect. The family head of the Namgung family, Namgung Won, or the Taoist Master Jong-ryeo of the Wudang Sect."
"Wouldn't the former Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang, also be included?"
"No. Although that old man is also worthy of being called the best swordsman of his time, the sword of the Kunlun Sect does not have this kind of tyrannical flavor."
"I heard that the spy has been conducting espionage activities for a long time using the art of disguise."
"Kekeke. So it's not the people I mentioned. I don't know who it is, but their skills are enough to give me goosebumps."
Although it was not a situation to laugh, No Yeong-myeong could not hold back the smile that was creeping up on his lips.
Regardless of the advantages or disadvantages of the situation, wasn't he also a swordsman?
Seeing the traces of a supreme sword strike, a strange sense of rivalry and anticipation as a martial artist had welled up.
"Brother No. I suspect that the spy is a person from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?"
"That's right. A person who has deceived the eyes of our cult and has infiltrated the forbidden zone with terrifying martial power. Although the secluded masters of the black and white paths are like the sand of the Yangtze River, for now, it is the most reasonable judgment to suspect the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"If that is your thought, then it is highly likely. I agree."
"Brother No. Let's keep this matter from the Cult Leader for now."
In an instant, No Yeong-myeong's eyes widened.
"Why? The Cult Leader should know."
"Do you know the Cult Leader's recent condition?"
"..."
"His blood ki is at its peak. If he gets seriously excited or angry in a situation like this, he could fall into a state of qi deviation."
"Is it that serious?"
"That's right. I heard that he has been killing the attendants indiscriminately and has been rapidly increasing the human sacrifices recently."
"Hmm... you mean the Cult Leader's blood transformation is not far off."
"We need to be careful until he achieves a complete blood transformation."
"I understand. I will keep it quiet."
"Let's go inside for now. I have a few more things to say to you, Brother No."
Go Eung guided No Yeong-myeong to his quarters.
***
Go Eung's quarters were somewhat strange for a room used by a person of power.
On the five or six tables, the skin tissues and internal organs of demonic beasts were displayed in a taxidermied state, and various poisons and all sorts of strange objects were scattered about, giving off a desolate and bizarre atmosphere.
"Your bad taste seems to be evolving day by day. At least, you should clean up these noisy things in the room where you eat and sleep."
"Hehe, do I have to be nagged even at this age?"
"Do as you please. Ugh..."
As No Yeong-myeong clicked his tongue and sat down on a chair, Go Eung poured tea and opened his mouth in a low voice.
"Brother No. There have been endless problems recently. Do you know that a bad rumor about our cult is spreading like wildfire among the ignorant commoners?"
"Hmm... I've heard."
"If this continues, it will cause a problem in recruiting cult members. Perhaps this matter is a bigger disaster than the failure of the Heroes' Tournament or the problem of the forbidden zone."
As Go Eung's words continued, No Yeong-myeong's complexion turned pale.
He knew well that the matter of seizing the world was not something that could be achieved overnight.
But even after concentrating his power, the grand plan did not easily unfold, so it was understandable for No Yeong-myeong, who had once commanded the world, to feel frustrated.
"Moreover, recently, there was even an incident where Bao Qingtian's trusted subordinates raided our cult's branch. Although the Eastern Depot stopped him, this could lead to a situation where not only the martial world but also the common people and the government all become hostile to our cult."
"Hmm... it must be the trick of a force that is trying to insult our cult. It must be the work of the Orthodox Path, right?"
"That's right. To be more precise, it is the work of Jin So-ah."
"Jin So-ah?"
"He is the true evil hand of our cult."
The moment So-ah's name came out, No Yeong-myeong's shoulders trembled slightly.
Go Eung, knowing how enraged No Yeong-myeong was at present, patted his shoulder and continued.
"There will be a chance. It is now clear that a situation of the world being divided into three will unfold. Although we can't get rid of him right away, I will soon create a chance."
"Promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"That you will plan it so that I can take his head."
"Kekeke. I will keep that in mind."
"Someday, I will mince that brat's body with my own hands."
No Yeong-myeong gritted his teeth and made a vow.
Without knowing at all what kind of scheme So-ah was plotting at present.
***
"Ah! Is someone talking behind my back? My ears are itching."
"..."
The Eastern Depot man, while groaning in the pain of torture, trembled at So-ah's novel idea, which he could not have imagined.
—The Sunflower Manual? I have to have that.
He had never thought he would utter such words.
'This guy's head is filled only with violence and greed. This guy is not human. There would be no such person even in the Blood Cult, let alone the Orthodox Path.'
The man was in agony.
He had been able to come this far by snatching what belonged to others and trampling on others...
The moment he met So-ah, he realized that he would die in pain while paying for all his sins, and a surge of sorrow welled up.
"Young Hero Jin... I have confessed everything I know. Now, even if you let me go, I will have no choice but to die at the hands of Eunuch Han. So, the promise... I will believe that you will keep the promise."
So-ah tilted his head as he looked at the man who was suddenly speaking seriously.
"What promise?"
"Didn't you say that if I confessed everything in detail, you would repatriate me to the Martial Alliance and kill me humanely?"
"Ah! That? Yes. Since I made a promise, I have to keep it. But before that, you have to do one more thing for me."
"What is it?"
"Guide me to where Eunuch Han is."
"Keung..."
The man let out a groan.
No matter how much he had lived a life stained with evil deeds that he shouldn't have done while wearing a human mask.
Because in a corner of his heart, a faint sense of belonging as a member of the Eastern Depot remained.
Therefore, he was not pleased to guide So-ah to Eunuch Han.
But.
"Why? You don't want to?"
"Th-That's not it."
"It doesn't seem like it... it seems you don't want to. Brother Chil-bok! What do you think?"
"Hmm... it seems it will get better if I sprinkle some salt or apply some ointment."
"Hii-i-ik!"
At the two words 'salt' and 'ointment', the man shook his head with a terrified face.
"N-Not at all! No! Young Hero Jin! I will guide you to Eunuch Han!"
"You should have been that passionate from the beginning. Good. Who knows? If you guide me well~ and I achieve my goal, maybe the Martial Alliance will take that into account and let you live?"
"L-Let me live?"
"Maybe. You punk! The Orthodox Path martial world is not a vicious group like you guys."
'Crazy... looking at you, you seem more vicious than the Blood Cult!'
Of course, the man did not show any of his inner thoughts and 'acted' as if he was moved.
Because he had instinctively sensed that it was a slightly more comfortable path.
"Th-Thank you! Young Hero Jin! I will serve you with loyalty!"
"Don't be cheeky."
"...Yes."
***
After that, So-ah found out from the Eastern Depot man that Eunuch Han owned 12 villas throughout the Central Plains, and that he was currently plotting a scheme in Hebei.
'One day behind the Eastern Depot guys who fled from the Liaoning branch. If I run at full speed, I can raid them in time, right?'
So-ah, calculating that a strange situation could occur if the Eastern Depot agents who had retreated from the Liaoning branch met Eunuch Han first, immediately took action.
First, for the recovery of the Eastern Depot man who would be accompanying him on the journey, he hastily sutured his wounds, controlled his ki and blood with acupuncture and moxibustion, and then destroyed his dantian, and then headed to the Liaoning branch to help Myo-seon with the cleanup of the disaster that had occurred last night.
"Phew. Myo-seon-ah. It seems we've cleaned up for the most part, right?"
"Thank you for helping, So-ah."
"You punk! Don't say such disappointing things. Of course I have to help. Were you very surprised?"
"Yes. To think that they were after me because of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians I'm suffering from, and that they were trying to raid me! It really gives me the creeps."
"Don't worry, Myo-seon-ah. I've already killed most of them, and I'll take the heads of the rest. And you know."
"Yes?!"
"That thing called the Sunflower Manual. I'm going to bring it."
"What?"
"I'm going to raid Eunuch Han."
"Hul... won't it be dangerous?"
"Dangerous? He's just a eunuch... no, an old eunuch geezer. And if I take the Sunflower Manual, I'll give it to you as a gift."
"So-ah..."
"They say it's an incredibly great martial art. Besides, they say it can also cleanly manage the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, so you have to learn it for treatment."
"Aww. To be honest, I can't believe that. Will I really get that strong by learning it?"
"We'll just have to try learning it. When it comes to martial arts, the more the better."
"Ah... but I'm still worried. Shall we go together?"
"Don't. Have you seen my martial arts or not?"
"Ah...!"
Myo-seon once again let out a deep sigh as she recalled the earth-shattering martial prowess that So-ah had shown last night.
"So-ah. How on earth did you get so strong? I knew you were strong, but... after the blue-green light flashed from your eyes and your face turned red... you became unbelievably strong."
"I'm also bewildered. Yesterday was the second time I entered an awakened state. But it certainly feels like the power of awakening is being controlled after reaching the peak. If I awaken a few more times, I think I might be able to completely integrate it into my body."
Although So-ah spoke in an extremely ordinary tone, Myo-seon, who was listening, was still in a state of shock.
Reaching the peak.
This was a phenomenon experienced by those who had achieved the Profound Realm, and it was a higher concept than the bone-marrow washing, the gathering of the five qi, and the gathering of the three flowers of the Transformation.
She had no choice but to be astonished as she watched So-ah, who was nonchalantly muttering about a realm that was so far away for Myo-seon that there was no sign of reaching it.
'Living Buddha Grandpa. So-ah is really going to become the number one person in the world like you, Grandpa.'
Myo-seon suddenly looked up at the sky.
It was a day when the warm spring breeze, the sunlight, and the billowing clouds seemed particularly beautiful.
***
"So-ah?"
"What on earth is that..."
"Young Master Jin..."
The Moyong family members could not help but be astonished as they watched So-ah entering the family estate.
Right.
"Is it uncomfortable?"
"N-No. The leash... it's more comfortable than I thought."
The unidentified man who was being led by So-ah's hand, with a sturdy leash around his neck.
It was because of the appearance of the Eastern Depot man.
"Uncle. This is what happened..."
The family members were only able to calm down after briefly hearing about the events of the previous night from So-ah.
"Phew... I was wondering what you had done this time."
"Anyway, I'll be back. It won't take a few days."
"Will you be alright? Didn't you say that Eunuch Han's martial arts are at an earth-shattering level? I'm wondering if it would be helpful if this uncle went with you."
"Uncle. Who am I?"
"Alright, let's not talk about it."
Moyong Baek shook his head at So-ah's confident appearance.
"Instead, for a few days, please take care of the Martial Alliance's Liaoning branch. Myo-seon must be feeling uneasy because of what happened yesterday."
"I will. I will send people frequently, exchange information, and strengthen the security."
"Then!"
So-ah cupped his fists to the people, including his uncle.
Then, soon.
"Hey! Aren't you going to greet them? Does the Moyong family look like a pushover?"
The spark of anger flew to the Eastern Depot man.
"Ah! I... I'll be back! Great heroes!"
The man had no choice but to hold back his tears and even prostrate himself to the strangers as he greeted them.
But.
Wasn't So-ah's sledgehammer flick on the head suddenly slammed into his head?
"You crazy bastard. You really do it when I tell you to? This is a funny guy. Kehkehkeh."
The people of the Moyong family, who saw that sight, were so dumbfounded that they couldn't say anything.
'Who can stop that guy, who!'
'I don't know anymore...'
'Father! I'll say it again, I did not raise So-ah like that!’