Scholar Demon Venerable

"Yes, I don't know who will come, but since it is said that the evil faction is rampant in this Kaifeng, perhaps the entire Demon-Subduing Unit will come."

"If that happens, what is there to worry about?"

Hyeokryeon Jongdo was overjoyed.

The Demon-Subduing Unit was divided into a total of four units, each with seventy-two members. In total, it was a combat unit of three hundred members, including the unit leaders and deputy unit leaders.

"They will arrive at dawn or in the morning at the earliest. So please prepare in advance."

"I understand. Don't worry."

Although a crisis had come to the Hyeokryeon Manor, it seemed that on this occasion, he could completely break the power of the evil faction in Kaifeng.

Hyeokryeon Jongdo stood up from his seat and said to the gathered people.

"The justification for this fight is on our side. Soothe the affiliated martial artists so that they do not waver. Since it is a fight that they started first, we will see the end. So, General Manager, when the warriors of the Zirong Palace arrive, prepare everything so that they can rest comfortably."

"Yes, master."

As the master's order fell, everyone returned to their respective positions.

Hyeokryeon Jongdo, who was left alone, sat down and let out a deep breath.

"Phew. What is this frustration?"

His chest had been heavy since noon. It was pounding as if something was about to happen.

'Is it because my subordinates were killed?'

With the death of many martial artists, a large hole had been created in his power. It was understandable that he was frustrated since what he had prepared for the past year had disappeared like a mirage overnight.

'No. The Zirong Palace is still left. And after we wipe them out, we can absorb as much as we can of what they have.'

He took comfort in the fact that the elite of the Zirong Palace were coming.

He thought that an opportunity had come in the midst of a crisis. But an unknown anxiety was still weighing on his chest.

* * *

"How are they doing?"

"They have lit up the manor and strengthened their guard."

Seok Deok-jo reported to Cheongun.

In the wide courtyard of the Fengyun Manor, beggars were still eating and talking loudly.

Cheongun looked at the report and said.

"Tell the Black Sword Gang to be careful."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

He had already heard from Yeom-ak that the Red Turban Gang had been annihilated.

He was not disappointed. In any case, he had no intention of protecting them.

The only fortunate thing was that the Black Sword Gang was intact.

Although they had also committed murder and oppressed others with their power, they had committed less of the evil acts of giving up on being human like the Red Turban Gang.

Was there room for rehabilitation?

'If it doesn't work, I'll just beat them up and make them human.'

* * *

The day broke.

Although many things had happened in Kaifeng, no ominous rumors had spread. Because the Beggars' Sect had controlled the information.

But because the sound of screams and fighting had been heard loudly, many people thought it was strange.

Moreover, many people had seen over three hundred martial artists rushing into Kaifeng early in the morning.

Since many people had seen them entering the Hyeokryeon Manor, a rumor that a big fight would soon break out spread in an instant.

Cheongun stood on the railing of the pavilion located by the pond and looked down into the water. Many fish were playing.

The Blood Emperor, who had been watching such a Cheongun silently for a while, asked.

[What will you do? Will you just hope that they move first like this?]

"What should I do?"

[You bastard, didn't I ask first?]

The Blood Emperor rebuked Cheongun for his question.

Cheongun smiled brightly, turned his head, and looked at the Blood Emperor.

"I have the same thought as you, Blood Emperor."

[What? Hahaha.]

The Blood Emperor laughed loudly at Cheongun's words. He thought that even if he didn't talk much with Cheongun, their intentions were connected.

[When will you move? If it were me, I would have gone already.]

"I want to do that too, but shouldn't I give them time to eat? They say they ran all night."

[That's true. It might be their last meal in this world...]

At dawn, Cheongun had received a visit from Yeom-ak.

He had grumbled and given Cheongun information. It was the news that the warriors of the Zirong Palace were flocking.

Although they hadn't even arrived in Kaifeng yet, the Beggars' Sect already knew the information.

Because of this, Cheongun had worried about what to do, and he had come to a conclusion.

Cheongun said in an indifferent tone.

"Is Thousand-household Commander Seok here?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Seok Deok-jo came running and knelt on one knee.

Cheongun gave him instructions.

After receiving the order for a long time, Seok Deok-jo carefully stored the item Cheongun had handed him in his bosom and left his seat.

Soon, the Fengyun Manor became chaotic.

Cheongun also moved his steps somewhere.

* * *

On the large main gate, a plaque with the words "Hyeokryeon Manor" written in a powerful and flowing script was hung.

Perhaps because it was painted with gold powder, the letters and the dragon that wrapped around the border of the plaque shone with a golden light.

The entrance of the Hyeokryeon Manor was tightly blocked by about ten warriors.

At a glance, they were people with an extraordinary momentum. They were different from the ones who had been guarding the main gate before.

The passersby whispered at the different appearance of the Hyeokryeon Manor.

Jeobeok, jeobeok.

A man wearing a flying fish robe appeared at the entrance of the Hyeokryeon Manor.

At the man's appearance, the ones who were guarding the entrance became tense.

The flying fish robe was a military uniform worn by high-ranking officials of the Jinyiwei, but they did not recognize it.

They just thought it was similar to an official's robe.

"Stop!"

A man blocked Cheongun's front.

Cheongun looked at the man with indifferent eyes.

The man looked at Cheongun and said.

"I've never seen you before. The Hyeokryeon Manor has important business, so no one can enter or leave right now. Reveal your identity."

Although there was a coercive part, it was a polite attitude.

Looking at such a man, Cheongun moved his steps.

"I said stop. If you come any closer, you will regret it."

"..."

Looking at Cheongun, who was approaching without caring, the man narrowed his eyes.

"You didn't come with good intentions. Send a message inside, that an enemy has come."

"Yes."

A man quickly disappeared inside.

But Cheongun did not stop him and just moved forward one step at a time with indifferent eyes.

Finally, the distance between him and the man narrowed to seven feet.

The one who moved first was the man.

He immediately clenched his fist and threw a great roc blow at Cheongun's chest.

The attack, which had taken the posture of a phoenix flapping its wings and flown, was bent without even being able to unfold.

Thwack.

Crash.

With one gesture of Cheongun's hand, the man flew to the side and was thrown.

The onlookers frowned and gripped their weapons.

"Attack!"

The two men in front attacked first.

It was a fierce attack as if to cut Cheongun's torso, swinging their swords.

Cheongun slightly twisted his upper body, deflected the first man's attack, and tripped him.

Then he bent his upper body and dodged the second man's sword. Then he stood up and received the second man's chest with his shoulder.

Tung.

"Keuk."

The second man also rolled on the floor.

The men attacked in succession.

Cheongun unfolded the ghost step and deflected the opponent's attack. He had a leisurely appearance like a person who had come out for a walk.

He slightly twisted his body and just swung his arms and kicked.

Crash.

"Keung."

The twelve guards had all fallen, and the only ones left were the two who were standing in the back.

They were so surprised at Cheongun's amazing martial prowess that they jumped into the main gate as if to run away.

"E-enemy!"

"It's an ambush!"

They went inside and, in fear, wagged their tails like dogs looking for their master and shouted at the top of their lungs.

As if in response to that sound, warriors jumped out from all directions.

As Cheongun passed the main gate and entered the courtyard, attacks flew from all directions.

Cheongun swung his two arms, turned them to his left waist, and then unfolded them to both sides.

Hoo-ung, thwack.

Taiji Coiling Dragon Palm.

It was a palm art where a dragon coiled with the principles of Taiji, and it was an ultimate art of the Imperial Palace Armory.

It was a martial art that was by no means inferior to the Wind and Thunder Chain Fist and the Black Dragon Breaking Heaven Fist.

"Chahat!"

Uuung, peong!

The Taiji Coiling Dragon Palm rotated and blew away the warriors of the Hyeokryeon Manor who were rushing in like moths.

The warriors of the Hyeokryeon Manor could not handle Cheongun's martial arts.

Finally, dozens of warriors were scattered all over the place.

Cheongun passed them and moved his steps deeper inside.

He already knew most of the geography of the Hyeokryeon Manor. Since he was familiar with the arrangement of the buildings and the location of the main pavilions, his steps were without hesitation.

As he passed the soaring main gate and entered, he saw a large pavilion with a large training ground.

It was the core building of the Hyeokryeon Manor.

On the plaque of the building, the two words "Yuanhe" were written. It was the writing of a fairly famous person.

"Yuanhe? They get along? Hehehe."

Cheongun sneered. He had an expression that said he didn't know what they got along with and what they harmonized with.

The Blood Emperor looked ahead and said.

[Are you confident?]

In the wide training ground, hundreds of people were standing in an orderly fashion and looking at Cheongun.

They seemed to be the warriors of the Zirong Palace, and every one of them had a great momentum. Their power was different from that of the warriors of the Hyeokryeon Manor.

The Blood Emperor looked around and said.

[Although they are so-so, the combined attack formation they will unfold could be a problem. Moreover, fighting against many by yourself is not as easy as you think. They are on a different level from the ones you fought last time.]

"Yes."

[If it really doesn't work, you have to know how to retreat.]

The Blood Emperor, as if he were worried about Cheongun, gave a long speech.

Cheongun silently nodded his head and chewed on the Blood Emperor's words.

"I neither look down on my opponent nor am I overconfident in myself. There is only one thing I believe in."

"..."

"The best. I will just do my best."

Meanwhile, at Cheongun's appearance, all the attention in the courtyard was focused.

Hyeokryeon Jongdo, who was standing in front of the building, opened his eyes fiercely and asked the person next to him.

"Is that him? The culprit of this incident?"

"That's right. Although his clothes have changed, it is definitely him."

Hyeokryeon Jongdo slowly looked at Cheongun. He was a man who seemed to have just reached his coming-of-age. It was a face he had seen somewhere, but he couldn't quite remember it.

That wasn't the problem.

Hyeokryeon Jongdo asked the people next to him.

"But is that an official's robe? It's strange."

The clothes Cheongun was wearing were the flying fish robes worn by high-ranking officials of the Jinyiwei. It was a military uniform of the highest rank that could not be worn carelessly even by the Jinyiwei.

But the people here just tilted their heads at the flying fish robe they had never seen before.

If Cheongun had appeared wearing even the official's hat on his head, their response might have been different.

"I don't know about that."

"I have never heard of such a costume either."

Although it looked like an official's robe, an official's robe has a form that matches the rank. So they guess the person's rank and official position by looking at the form of the official's robe.

But the flying fish robe Cheongun was wearing was a form they had never seen before.

A man said to Hyeokryeon Jongdo.

"They say that young people these days arrogantly wear clothes with a golden color and a dragon pattern."

"Really? Haha, is that guy crazy?"

Although anyone could wear golden clothes, putting a dragon pattern was a problem that had to be thought about a little.

There were also various dragon patterns, and since it could be seen as a challenge to the Emperor, they did not put a dragon pattern on their clothes as much as possible.

Even if they did, it was customary not to put it on a golden color.

But wasn't the person who had attacked the Hyeokryeon Manor wearing a yellow robe with a golden color and even a dragon pattern embroidered on it?

The men all turned their gazes to Cheongun.

Hyeokryeon Jongdo looked at Cheongun and said to the people around him.

"But did that guy come alone?"

"Well. There will be other people outside."

At that moment, Cheongun, who was standing at the entrance, said with his internal energy.