Chapter 154
It started as a small point.
That point, which was shot towards the blazing sun, was an aggregate of ki derived from his fist.
That point, in a very short time.
...and it transformed powerfully.
A wind point.
A spiral of wind rose fiercely around the point.
The spiral wind swelled in an instant and soon turned into a whirlwind of enormous size.
Due to the transformation of the wind, the atmosphere distorted and a strange sound was produced, making the ears tingle.
But it was still too early to be surprised.
Because the wind point, which had begun to swallow all the ki of nature, had swelled up like a snowdrift and had turned the inside of the area into the middle of a typhoon.
The hems of Wi-ji Chan's and Jeon Woo-chi's clothes, their hair, and the wick of their hearts.
...fluttered fiercely like a lantern in the wind.
As they fully accepted the typhoon that was penetrating their cheeks, they felt an indescribable sense of awe.
In that moment.
So-ah, who was still extending his fist towards the sky, opened his mouth.
"Brother Chan. You're right. In that immense sea of swords of the sword-controlling art, a mere human would have no way to survive. Even if I were to use the Iron Armor Great Rotation, the defensive art of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts, I would not be able to handle the thousands of blades, and my body would become a scabbard."
So-ah slightly twisted the fist he was holding.
Then, from the center of the wind point that was manifesting a terrifying typhoon in the air, the lightning, which was the symbol of the Heaven-Shattering Consecutive Cannon, flashed! and gleamed.
"So. If I were to face your sword-controlling art, I would unfold this one fist and respond. If I can't shake off the sea of swords with any defensive art, then I just have to break it head-on!"
Just then.
'...!'
'...!'
The fist wind that had been covering the empty air seemed to stretch to the end of the sky, and then, at the point where it had covered the sun, wasn't it causing a huge explosion?
It was an instant.
In that short moment, a pitch-black darkness descended on the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
From a wind point to a fist wind.
From a fist wind to a vortex of fist gang imbued with lightning.
The aftermath of the Heaven-Shattering Consecutive Cannon, which had transformed several times and exploded in the sky, caused a strong residual wind even after it had easily subsided and disappeared.
Once again.
The hair and hems of Wi-ji Chan's and Jeon Woo-chi's clothes fluttered.
Only then did Jeon Woo-chi realize that this young man in front of him.
...sometimes, whether he was a devil or a mischievous brat.
...or a martial artist of the Orthodox Path who advocated for chivalry.
...So-ah, who was completely indistinguishable.
'He has now become a master that no one can stop.'
...he realized that he had grown enough to be called the second God of War.
And...
"So-ah."
Wi-ji Chan said, staring at So-ah with calm eyes.
"Yes, Brother Chan."
"You've grown up wonderfully. I mean it."
"You too, brother. You've grown up even stronger."
"Yes. That's enough for today. It seems we won't be able to settle the score. When you and I start to get gray hair, let's have another match."
"Alright."
Wi-ji Chan extended his hand.
So-ah also readily took that hand.
On the faces of the two, along with a loud laugh, a light of numerous emotions appeared.
It was a face that was filled with a sense of relief, as if they had resolved a long-cherished wish.
In that moment.
"But, Brother Chan."
"Yes?"
"The ending is a bit strange, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"I'm talking about the sea of swords you showed me. It seemed like it would be blown away by my Heaven-Shattering Consecutive Cannon."
"What? Haha! You brat!"
"Ahem! It's not 'you brat'. I'm serious."
"What?"
"Hahaha!"
"Hahahahaha!"
In the end, it ended with So-ah's sharp wit, who had thrown a comment with a hint of sincerity.
***
The next day—
"What is all this? The side dishes, the side dishes... there must be more than 30 kinds."
"So-ah. This is the first time in my life that I've had such a feast."
"Then shall I pull out that hair for you?"
'Crazy... what the hell is that nonsense?'
At So-ah's incoherent joke, Jeon Woo-chi almost cursed. (If Wi-ji Chan had not been present, he would have poured out a lot of curses.)
But that thought did not last long.
No.
It could not last long.
Because currently, in front of his eyes, a feast of an astonishing level was showing off its splendid majesty.
"Brother Chan. Is there perhaps a former imperial palace cook in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? No matter how precious the ingredients are, can the taste be this ecstatic!"
So-ah said, waving his chopsticks.
"How did you know? The chef of our headquarters is a former imperial palace cook."
"Keck!"
"Ke-keck!"
He had just thrown it out there...
Is it real this time too?
So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi, who had been greedily swallowing their food, let out a fake cough.
'What on earth is this place? It's common to carve mountains for martial arts training, but a chef from the imperial palace?'
'It's a place that has everything except what it doesn't have. No! It probably has everything.'
Once again, the two trembled before the immense wealth of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult (trembled with envy).
Just then.
"Young Leader. May I come in?"
A low question flowed from outside the door.
"Yes. Come in."
At that.
The one who opened the door was an old man in his early sixties who had come from the Cult Leader's office.
So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi stopped their gluttonous inhalation of food and showed the feat of wiping the foreign matter from their mouths with a lightning-fast technique.
"Young Leader."
"Yes, Deputy Chief Jang."
"Last night, there was an emergency meeting between the Cult Leader and the Council of Elders. As a result..."
The old man took out a sealed letter from his bosom and handed it to Wi-ji Chan.
Wi-ji Chan tore open the letter and scanned the contents.
「Regarding the cooperation with the Martial Alliance for the subjugation of the White Lotus Cult, the following list of initial military force and budget support is approved.
The representative negotiator of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the young leader Wi-ji Chan, from this day forth, will not only command the entire military force of his direct unit, the Heavenly Spirit Unit, but will also command the two additional battalions, the Heavenly Sword Unit and the Blood Spirit Unit.
Also, since the 12 monks of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Hall are being supported, contribute to the subjugation of the demonic beasts, the true power of the White Lotus Cult.
Furthermore, since 5 million silver coins are being supported for the great cause, make sure to receive the bank notes from the executive department.
In the future, when the detailed subjugation plan of the negotiator and the Martial Alliance is established and a full-scale war begins, I and our cult will not spare any additional support, and I declare that in case of an emergency, I will personally annihilate the White Lotus Cult branch.
The young leader will always be dignified and do his best to achieve his own will.
I am leaving to track the White Lotus Cult. Therefore, I am delivering the Cult Leader's order in writing.
Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Leader, Wi-ji Gang's official seal—」
"Father!! Thank you!!"
Wi-ji Chan, who had read the entire letter, shouted at the empty air with a brightened face.
At that, So-ah's expression also brightened up on its own.
"Brother Chan! It seems things have gone well."
At that.
"So-ah! The Cult Leader has not only given us a total of three battalions of military force, but has also supported a budget of 5 million silver coins. What's surprising is that this is only the first round of support. As soon as a clear outline is established, he has promised additional support, and it seems that he himself has gone down the mountain with his cult members to investigate the White Lotus Cult."
'It went well! It really went well!'
'With this, this mission has also achieved a great result!'
Only then could So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi truly feel at ease.
Although they had already been promised cooperation, wasn't the important thing the actual military force and budget support?
In such a situation, seeing that the first round of support, which was nothing more than a superficial measure, was so well-composed, it could be seen that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had also strongly expressed its intention to share life and death with the Martial Alliance the moment a full-scale war began.
"This is all thanks to you, So-ah. It seems you have gained the Cult Leader's trust."
Wi-ji Chan praised So-ah with a smiling face.
It might have sounded like he was just being polite, but this was Wi-ji Chan's true feeling.
Because the Cult Leader was such a careful, meticulous, and cautious person, he had honestly not even hoped for this much support.
But that very caution and sharp intuition of Wi-ji Gang had, on the contrary, become the driving force that produced this result.
Wi-ji Gang was a man who knew how to read the board.
Therefore, after his father had passed away, he had seized control of the chaotic internal situation of the cult in an instant and had carried out a large-scale personnel purge and reorganization, a strategic-type human who had seized power...
Such a Wi-ji Gang had seen the future in the young man of the Orthodox Path named Jin So-ah.
Also, because he trusted his son, he had unusually persuaded the Council of Elders, broken the custom, and had shown the unconventional move of cooperating with the Martial Alliance.
"No. It's thanks to you, Brother Chan!"
"No. It's thanks to you, So-ah."
"Aww! I said it's thanks to you, Brother Chan!"
"I said it's thanks to you!"
So happy were they that So-ah and Wi-ji Chan showered each other with praises.
But...
'Ah... if you guys are just going back and forth with each other, what does that make me? Phew! I shouldn't have followed if I knew it would be like this.'
Jeon Woo-chi, who was next to them, felt embarrassed as if he had become a surplus human.
Of course, whether that was the case or not, So-ah and Wi-ji Chan, who had no regard for Jeon Woo-chi's inner thoughts, continued their conversation.
"So-ah! Go back to the Martial Alliance right away and form the advance party of the Orthodox Path."
"I will. We have to stir up 'there' first, right?"
"Of course. The place where thousands of demonic beasts are sealed."
"Gansu."
"The cult branch."
"Haha."
"Hahaha!"
...exchanging a strange way of speaking and even adding a smug smile. (Of course, only in Jeon Woo-chi's eyes)
'You brats! Your showing off ends today. In the end, the ones who will break the heads of the demonic beasts and be active are the sorcerers and monks like me. Tsk, tsk! Well, when that time comes, I'll also show off to that arrogant brat So-ah! Phew!'
Jeon Woo-chi made such a vow in his heart and his two eyes shone.
Just then.
"What? Brother Woo-chi? A guy who has done nothing has such a deep look in his eyes? How can..."
Finally, So-ah's mockery came out.
'Do you really have to say everything out loud to feel relieved? You f*ck!'
Jeon Woo-chi was inwardly enraged.
It seemed that his personality had not yet been perfected as much as his outstanding magical power.
It seemed he had a long way to go to become a true Taoist.
Or maybe anyone would have cursed in this situation?
***
Kaifeng Prefecture, Government Office—
"Hah! Amazing!"
Bao Qingtian, so astonished, shook his head.
Today, a dozen or so sturdy martial artists had arrived at Kaifeng Prefecture.
It was because he had identified the faces of the criminals who had been escorted by the people dispatched from the Martial Alliance headquarters.
"Are these really the agents of the Eastern Depot, and did Young Hero Jin break them and cripple Eunuch Han?"
Bao Qingtian, even after receiving confirmation, could not believe the words of the Martial Alliance people.
"That's right, Lord Bao. This is a letter from the Alliance Leader that has taken Young Hero Jin's opinion into account. Please read it and, through a strict investigation, punish the secret activities of the White Lotus Cult and the Eastern Depot, who are trying to swallow the world, with a single stroke."
Bao Qingtian took the letter and quickly read it.
In the letter, all the information about the Eastern Depot and the White Lotus Cult that So-ah had collected so far was recorded in detail in Abbess Hongryeon's handwriting.
"Hohoho! I knew that Young Hero Jin was an outstanding strategist and a wise person, but his martial arts are truly beyond description. To break the Eastern Depot single-handedly! Jeon-ho. In your common sense, do you think that is possible?"
Bao Qingtian, as if he still couldn't believe it, asked his trusted subordinate, Jeon-ho, whose martial arts were very outstanding.
At that.
"Unless it was the former Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult or the God of War, the great hero Moyong, in my opinion, I judge that there is no one in this era who can perform such a feat."
"But didn't they say that Young Hero Jin did it?"
"So, I am also surprised. This suggests the birth of an absolute master who represents the era."
"Kehkehkeh! I saw the value of Young Hero Jin early on."
Bao Qingtian burst into a hearty laugh and was pleased, and then his eyes met with the Eastern Depot men who were tightly bound by ropes and had become bald, rolling their eyes.
"But. These people's hair... why..."
"Ah! That is, Lord Bao..."
"???"
"In the process of Young Hero Jin securing the testimony... he just pulled it out."
"Ahem! Hah... if Young Hero Jin did it, there must have been a reason for it."
At the conversation between Bao Qingtian and the person from the Martial Alliance, the Eastern Depot men were so dumbfounded that they were at a loss for words.
'Is there even a reason to pull out all the hair? Aww!'
In that moment.
A stern one sentence from Bao Qingtian flowed towards them.
"You, who have become officials who live off the country's money, have deceived the people and insulted His Majesty the Emperor. In investigating the case, I adhere to the principle of presumption of innocence, but this time, I will conduct an unusually strong interrogation."
In the eyes of the Eastern Depot men, Bao Qingtian, at this moment, was no different from King Yama of the underworld.
(End of Chapter)