Chapter 167
Jeon Woo-chi's magical tool.
The fluorescent light beam, drawn by the Heavenly Will Brush, became an unquenchable flame and thus adorned the pitch-black night sky like a star for a while.
That strange ability was an unparalleled mirage.
So-ah's eyes also sparkled along with the light beam.
"Wow! Brother Woo-chi... what is this?"
"Yes. This is the sublimation of magical power into light. It's a dazzling light that acts as a deadly poison to all demonic beasts made of demonic ki."
"Dazzling light... is it a similar concept to the Buddha's light that is often mentioned in Buddhism?"
"That's right. Demonic beasts also react to the Buddha's light."
"Then which is more deadly to demonic beasts, the dazzling light or the Buddha's light?"
It was a childish question.
Although So-ah was usually playful, since he was so knowledgeable and had excellent insight, he had never asked such a childish question that only children would ask...
Therefore, Jeon Woo-chi snorted and answered.
"Pfft! Ask what you should ask. What do you mean by asking a Taoist such a question?"
"Ah, so which one is stronger!"
"Of course, the dazzling light is stronger, you brat!"
"Hmm..."
At Jeon Woo-chi's words, So-ah stroked his chin and stared at the empty air.
He seemed to be deep in thought about something.
"What's wrong?"
Jeon Woo-chi asked, feeling that it was strange.
At that.
"The Gansu cult branch subjugation. The monks of the Shaolin Temple are also standing at the forefront, right? Although the monks of the Shaolin Temple are martial monks, their magical power is also great, so it would be easy for them to deal with the demonic beasts with that Buddha's light, right?"
It turned out that So-ah's attention was all on the Gansu subjugation force.
'That brat!'
Jeon Woo-chi was once again convinced that So-ah was either a truly carefree person, or if not, he was definitely a madman.
When the day broke, So-ah had to risk his life and set out on a journey to handle the disaster in Sichuan.
Of course, since So-ah was also a human.
In the current situation, it was only natural to worry about his own safety.
But So-ah did not worry about that at all.
Seeing So-ah, who was only concerned with the problem of the White Lotus Cult and the Gansu subjugation, Jeon Woo-chi could not help but wonder if his heart was made of steel.
"The monks of the Shaolin Temple are not just martial monks... since they are proficient in magical power, they will probably be no different from natural enemies to the demonic beasts. Don't worry too much."
"That's right, right? What kind of people are our monks? Besides, they say that Master Gwangwon's martial arts have improved recently, so he's no different from a vajra indestructible body! Ah. What a waste. I want to go too."
So-ah expressed his disappointment.
It seemed that even in the midst of that, he had imagined beating up demonic beasts with Gwangwon.
"Jin So-ah. You're really amazing. Aren't you worried? Just the two of us have to handle the disaster in Sichuan. What if you happen to face your natural enemy, the Rain and Heaven Demonic Sword, No Yeong-myeong, can you be so carefree?"
At Jeon Woo-chi's words, a vein popped out on So-ah's forehead.
"This brother is crossing the line. Who? The Rain and Heaven Demonic Sword, No Yeong-myeong?"
"Haha. Yes. The Rain and Heaven Demonic Sword, No Yeong-myeong. He almost killed you when you were fifteen, and at the Martial Alliance Hero Tournament, you almost died from his heavenly punishment art. At that time, it was a relief that my master saved you, otherwise, you punk, you would have died."
Although he was furious, Jeon Woo-chi's words were true.
But So-ah did not give in.
Now.
"The me of that time and the me of now are different."
Because the So-ah of that time and the So-ah of now were on different levels...
"Brother Woo-chi. Just you wait. I will take the head of that vicious old man, No Yeong-myeong."
As he said that, So-ah's expression was extremely serious.
Because for So-ah, the Rain and Heaven Demonic Sword, No Yeong-myeong, was like a lifelong nemesis.
"Yes. Now it's really worth a fight with that guy. Because you, So-ah, have improved unbelievably."
Jeon Woo-chi also did not doubt him.
After crossing the threshold of the Profound Realm in the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, So-ah's martial arts had risen to a level that made the word 'quantum leap' seem pale.
Although No Yeong-myeong was a rare master who had dominated an era, he would not be an insurmountable wall for the current So-ah.
"It's not just worth a fight! I'm going to take his head, brother!"
"Alright, alright. You're so obsessed!"
So-ah's eyes were blazing with fighting spirit.
***
The next day...
So-ah, who had handed over the command authority of the vanguard to Zhuge Hyuk and Baek In-hwa, handed over the map of the Gansu cult branch that he had received from Wi-ji Chan, and then opened his mouth with a very calm attitude.
"Alliance Leader. Elder Baek. Military Strategist Zhuge. After finishing the matter in Sichuan, I will follow you to Gansu right away."
"Yes... please be careful."
"You must take care of yourself."
"Young Hero Jin. See you in Gansu."
Just then.
Myo-seon, Moyong Hwa, and Moyong Su entered the room and approached So-ah.
"Great Disciple... are you really going to be okay?"
"Great Disciple..."
Moyong Hwa and Moyong Su were worried beyond measure.
Although they were nervous ahead of their first large-scale expedition, the thought that So-ah would be facing an enemy that was strong enough to annihilate the Iron Fist Sect still made their hearts sink.
"Junior Sister. Junior Brother. Don't worry. The two of you, go to Gansu with the seniors. I'll follow you soon. It won't take long."
"Great Disciple. If it's dangerous, you know, right? You can't overdo it."
"Please promise, Great Disciple."
Although So-ah tried to comfort the two, they were still staring at So-ah with worried eyes.
In that moment.
An unexpected one sentence flowed into the room.
"I'm going with you, So-ah."
"...What?"
It was none other than Myo-seon who had intervened.
At that.
"So-ah. Do that. Myo-seon came to see me last night. She asked me to let her accompany you. Thanks to you, Myo-seon has opened her Conception Vessel and has entered the beginning of the Harmonious Realm. She will probably be a powerful helper. I also think I will be relieved if I do this."
"Alliance Leader..."
Abbess Hongryeon also opened her mouth and added to Myo-seon's words.
So-ah looked back and forth between the faces of Abbess Hongryeon and Myo-seon.
Myo-seon was exuding a thick fighting spirit from her whole body and was showing her determination, and Abbess Hongryeon also had a firm expression, as if she had no intention of bending her will.
'Yes... if Myo-seon goes with me, she will be a great help. Besides!'
Besides!
On the one hand, he thought it was a good thing.
Because So-ah's destination was none other than the Emei Sect.
"Alright, Alliance Leader. Let's go together, Myo-seon-ah. I was planning to head to the Emei Sect anyway..."
"To the Emei Sect?"
"Yes. The White Lotus Cult brats chose the Iron Fist Sect as the first opening of their Sichuan conquest. Then, of course, their next destination will be the Emei Sect."
At So-ah's words, Abbess Hongryeon asked with a deep look in her eyes.
"What is the basis for that, So-ah?"
"The White Lotus Cult brats have annihilated the Iron Fist Sect. Then, their next destination will surely be one of the three hegemons of Sichuan: Emei, Qingcheng, and Tang, right?"
"But?"
"A significant number of the masters of the Qingcheng Sect have been excluded from the vanguard this time. In other words, the power of the Qingcheng Sect is currently concentrated in their main mountain. The White Lotus Cult will not be unaware of that. Then they will not attack the Qingcheng Sect head-on. Can they attack the Tang family then? That's not it either. The Tang family is a place surrounded by a huge number of mechanisms and deadly poisons. The Tang family is, both in name and reality, the best dragon's den and tiger's lair of the Orthodox Path, so the White Lotus Cult will not attack rashly either."
"Aha!"
"On the other hand, the Emei Sect, the Alliance Leader is also at the main office, and numerous masters have been selected for the vanguard. In a word, for the White Lotus Cult, to strike the Emei Sect now would be no different from robbing an empty house. If I were the White Lotus Cult, I would definitely choose the Emei Sect as my next destination."
At So-ah's words, everyone in the room greatly sympathized.
"That's a clear reasoning, Young Hero Jin."
Zhuge Hyuk also nodded his head and opened his mouth.
"Of course, it's just a prediction. But if we use Brother Woo-chi's carpet, we can secure enough mobility to travel all over Sichuan in a single day. Wherever the brats head, we will be able to face them within a few days. Furthermore, as soon as the meeting ended yesterday, I sent a carrier pigeon to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, so considering that Shiwanda Mountain and Sichuan are not that far apart and that the mobility of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is the best in the martial world, there is a high probability that the matter will be concluded more smoothly than expected."
It's easy to say, but in fact, it's a crazy thing to do.
Perhaps, if the one who was claiming it was not So-ah, the people in the room would have just snorted.
But because it was So-ah.
Because it was the words of the number one problem solver, So-ah, who had never made a mistake in carrying out a great cause until now.
The people had a hope in a corner of their hearts.
"And. I have already contacted Brothers Beon-pal and Beon-ha, and the North Sea. By now, my brothers and the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, the great hero Wang Bang-tae, must have received the letter. The masters of the Green Forest and the Waterway Fortress, who have coiled up all over the Central Plains, will head to Gansu. Of course, it will take some time for the people from the North Sea to arrive, but my brothers and the North Sea Ice Palace will be a great help."
"Ah!"
"Aha!"
"Hohoho!"
This time, Abbess Hongryeon, Baek In-hwa, and Zhuge Hyuk burst into admiration and laughter at the same time.
If things went this way, the Gansu subjugation operation would not simply be a cooperation between the Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but a union of the entire Central Plains, excluding the White Lotus Cult.
The Martial Alliance, the union of the entire Orthodox Path.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Green Forest, and the Waterway Fortress, which were represented as the backbone of the Black Path.
Furthermore, even the number one of the foreign lands, the North Sea Ice Palace.
No matter how much it was the White Lotus Cult, they would not be able to handle all of this.
But So-ah's strategy was not the end of it.
"Is that all? Soon, the imperial court, the imperial army, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard will greatly suppress the White Lotus Cult at the national level."
"So-ah!"
As Abbess Hongryeon's two eyes widened, So-ah briefly explained the recent events related to Bao Qingtian and Jin Won-tak.
Only then did Abbess Hongryeon and Zhuge Hyuk understand why So-ah had been so confident and relaxed all along.
Also.
'As expected, as expected! So-ah is truly a hero of this era... the mastermind of the Evil King's Castle will disappear from the world without a trace through this child!'
Baek In-hwa once again strongly confirmed that the fate and heavenly ki of So-ah that he had divined were clearly matching.
"Alliance Leader. Elder Baek. And Military Strategist. Be safe. I will see you in Gansu soon! Our junior sister and junior brother, be safe too. See you in a few days!"
Starting with So-ah, Jeon Woo-chi and Myo-seon also respectfully cupped their fists to the people.
Thus, the three set out for Sichuan with an ambition that was almost reckless.
That journey was the 'beginning of a legend' that would be remembered for a long, long time in the history of the martial world.
***
Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—
"Young Leader! Then are you planning to head to the Emei Sect of Sichuan, not Gansu or the Martial Alliance headquarters?"
The leader of the Heavenly Spirit Unit, Hyeon Dong-hwa, asked Wi-ji Chan.
At that, Wi-ji Chan nodded and said.
"Yes. Leader Hyeon. It would be a priority to help So-ah."
"Then? Are you going to lead all your forces and go right away?"
"That's not it."
"Then...?"
"The first subjugation force of our cult is also a considerable force. This journey, more than anything, speed is life. If everyone heads to Sichuan at once, there will be a disruption in mobility. Besides, the Gansu cult branch of the White Lotus Cult has a huge number of demonic beasts sealed. They will never be able to be dealt with by the power of the Martial Alliance alone."
"Then what measures should we take?"
"I and the Heavenly Spirit Unit will go to the Emei Sect of Sichuan. The remaining two battalions of the subjugation force, the Blood Spirit Battalion and the Heavenly Sword Battalion, will head to Gansu and support the Martial Alliance. Also, the 12 sorcerers of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Hall will be divided in half, half with us to Sichuan, and half with the Blood Spirit Battalion and the Heavenly Sword Battalion to Gansu. Let's organize it like that, Leader Hyeon."
"I obey!"
"Then, right now, give the command to the leaders of each battalion. I will go to meet the head of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Hall and get permission for the expedition."
Wi-ji Chan's voice was trembling slightly.
Whether it was the excitement of a person facing his first large-scale battle in his life that was making him tremble.
Or whether it was some kind of fear that was making him tremble.
It was still a matter to be seen.
(End of Chapter)