Chapter 121
Chapter 121
Plum Blossom Sword Queen, Fist King, Blade Emperor.
Each of them bore titles that were anything but ordinary. And those titles were widely known not only across the Central Plains but even beyond its borders.
All of the Central Plains knew them—yet at this very moment, they were trapped in a thoroughly awkward situation.
What they were doing now was nothing more than examining the bodies of Common People.
The current situation could be summarized simply. The Fist King of Shaolin, the Plum Blossom Sword Queen of Mount Hua, and even Han Yonghu, the Murim Alliance Leader, were all observing the bodies of Common People, unable to hide their exhaustion.
One might say that all they were doing was pulse examinations—what could possibly be so difficult?
However, no matter how formidable they were, observing another’s body was no simple task.
Especially when they were trying to locate Internal Energy deliberately concealed by the Demonic Cult.
Their bodies were fine. They had eaten well and had more than enough time to sleep. It was merely their minds that were not intact.
No matter how Absolute-Level Masters they were, they were still human. And as humans, their mental strength was not infinite—it would inevitably run dry.
And now, they were eating their meal, unable to hide their dark expressions.
Myeonghye, her eyes heavily sunken from extreme fatigue, looked at Han Yonghu and spoke.
“Murim Alliance Leader. Since when did we start conducting pulse examinations on Common People?”
“It has been a week.”
Myeonghye let out a deep sigh.
“That means we must continue this for at least half a year?”
“……Most likely.”
At that moment, Fist King Hye-won’s eyes widened.
“Murim Alliance Leader, did you not say that that dreadful Internal Energy was only discovered within the bodies of children?”
“That is correct.”
“Then should we not examine only the children?”
“That is what we are currently discussing. It is still too early to be certain.”
Hye-won groaned.
“I came because I was told I would meet the Mad Black Sword Ghost…….”
“Yes, it is my first time meeting you.”
At that moment, a voice sounded directly behind Hye-won. No matter how fatigued he was, the title of Fist King had not been earned through luck.
Yet he could not sense it. The presence directly behind him—he could not feel even a trace of it.
With the sensation of his hair standing on end, Hye-won slowly turned around.
And what he encountered was something he could not comprehend.
Seeing Youngho’s face, dark shadows deeply cast beneath his eyes, he felt an inexplicable sense of sympathy.
Originally, he had planned to request a spar the moment he met the Mad Black Sword Ghost. But for now, that thought completely vanished.
To that extent, Youngho’s condition looked far from good.
If an ordinary daughter of a prestigious clan were to see Youngho’s face—one that stirred a strange protective instinct—she would likely spread rumors throughout the neighborhood about his decadent beauty.
With a somewhat displeased expression, Hye-won spoke toward Youngho.
“I heard you locked yourself in your room even before we arrived. I wondered what you were doing, but at least it seems you were not idling.”
Though his tone sounded faintly mocking, Youngho noticed that Hye-won was offering encouragement in his own way.
“Yes, I have not slept for Seven Days and Nights, so I am a little tired.”
Youngho naturally took a seat and continued.
“Murim Alliance Leader, to speak of the main point first—I have found a treatment method.”
At this, Han Yonghu broke into a wide smile.
“Thank you. You have saved us.”
“Frankly, no matter that it was your request, Murim Alliance Leader, the cost-benefit ratio does not favor me.”
“Do not worry about compensation. Even if the Murim Alliance’s coffers are drained, I will ensure you receive proper reward.”
Since the Murim Alliance’s funds were gathered from the sects within it, both Myeonghye and Hye-won stiffened considerably.
However, Youngho shook his head as if to say that was not it.
“I appreciate your words, but I do not believe I have done enough to warrant compensation. The treatment method I found can only be used by me. To be precise, one would need to be at my level to use it without suffering side effects.”
It was a despairing statement. Through Cheonung, they roughly knew Youngho’s strength.
‘There is no one in the Murim Alliance equal to Youngho.’
This included Han Yonghu himself.
Pressing hard against his throbbing temple, Han Yonghu endured the splitting headache.
Still, the important thing was that treatment was possible. The method could be refined over time and eventually be made usable.
However, at Youngho’s next words, the three Absolute-Level Masters glared at him with bloodshot eyes.
“And I also have a rough idea of who committed this.”
Unbelievable. What exactly had he been doing over the past week to uncover both a treatment method and the culprit behind this incident?
“My subordinate is currently pursuing the culprit.”
“Are you referring to Stench Ghost?”
“Yes. That mad bitch is particularly skilled at such matters.”
Suppressing a yawn, Youngho continued.
“When the Explosion Incident occurred at the Namgung Clan and other sects, there was someone disguised as me.”
“We know that man is the culprit. But who in the world is he?”
“Well…… I believe you will recognize the name Mad Face.”
In an instant, violent Killing Intent erupted from the bodies of Han Yonghu, Myeonghye, and Hye-won.
It was a force that could not be suppressed—yet fortunately, Youngho deployed a Hardened Force Barrier, sealing their Killing Intent from leaking outward.
It was a moment so brief it could be called a mere Fleeting Instant, yet within that instant, their Killing Intent could have claimed lives.
Myeonghye slammed the dining table and rose to her feet.
Bang—!
With a loud crash, the table split apart.
Unaware even of that, Myeonghye stared at Youngho and shouted.
“That bitch has appeared?!”
Fearing that others might overhear, Youngho kept the Hardened Force Barrier active as he spoke.
“Yes. As far as I know, while there are many who can disguise themselves as others, the only one capable of possessing such peculiar Heretical Arts as embedding Lightning Bombs of Internal Energy inside a person’s body is her.”
Mad Face.
It was an extremely ambiguous title to call a nickname. And there was reason for that.
Because Mad Face was not a nickname.
Most Common People, and even the vast majority of Martial Artists, knew nothing of her existence. Only an extremely small number were aware of who Mad Face was.
She committed every vile act imaginable—poison, Heretical Arts, and countless other despicable deeds—yet her true Martial Might had also reached the Absolute-Level.
That was Mad Face. To such an extent that those who knew of her would say that had she not been obsessed with Heretical Arts and instead focused solely on martial study, she might have already surpassed Cheonung.
However, the one who made such a statement belonged to the Orthodox Sect, so there was not a single mention of Han Yonghu.
And so they were curious. How exactly did Youngho know of Mad Face’s existence?
“You know of Mad Face?”
“Yes. I have many grudges tied to the Demonic Cult.”
“Ah…….”
At Youngho’s words, not only Han Yonghu but even Myeonghye and Hye-won nodded in understanding. Those who bore deep resentment toward the Demonic Cult were known to occasionally commit eccentric acts.
Rather, this much was comparatively mild.
“As far as I know, even within the Demonic Cult, Mad Face is ostracized.”
“Yet she claims it is because she does not suit the Demonic Cult.”
“Even so, since she blindly follows the Heavenly Demon, that bitch is still nothing more than a fanatic.”
At Hye-won’s words, Myeonghye’s face instantly stiffened.
No—it was not only Myeonghye.
In truth, not only the Nine Sects and One Gang but even the Five Great Families had been toyed with by Mad Face more than once.
Her disguise skills were so exceptional that she could fool even friends of decades. And her ability to observe the person she impersonated and replicate their behavior and appearance was peerless under heaven.
Those who knew Mad Face acknowledged her. And they feared her. To prevent another tragedy, and to avoid losing their own people again.
Because Mad Face always killed the person she impersonated.
There had never been a single exception.
The ones standing before Youngho were old monsters who had experienced more than enough in their lives.
Watching the three cool their heads in an instant, Youngho let out a faint chuckle.
“If there is any fortunate point, it is that I discovered the strange Internal Energy within the children’s bodies before Mad Face could properly begin her activities.”
“Mm…!”
Hye-won had no choice but to acknowledge it. If not for Youngho, Anhui would have already become a sea of blood.
Just among those confirmed so far, the number of children harboring that strange Internal Energy within their bodies far exceeded a hundred.
At this level, it would not be strange to say they had caught it at an extremely early stage.
After all, up to now, there had only been four incidents at most.
—Hey.
‘Hm?’
At the voice transmitted into his mind, Youngho turned his head to the side.
“What is it? Why are you using Voice Transmission?”
He spoke while looking at Muyeon, whose clothes, face, and even hair were covered in dirt.
“Looks like you got beaten pretty badly.”
—I did not get beaten. I just injured my throat a little.
“That counts as getting beaten.”
Muyeon glanced at Han Yonghu and the other outstanding figures before speaking.
—Since you are all eavesdropping anyway, I will just speak like this.
The three nodded.
—Mad Face has one weakness.
“Stop dragging it out and say it already.”
—Ah, seriously. I am trying to tell you and you still complain.
As if frustrated that no sound came from her throat, Muyeon pounded her chest with her fist.
—Mad Face’s weakness is……
After hearing her explanation, Youngho grinned.
“I see… so that is how it is?”
For some reason, the smile was ominous.
At the mere sound of Youngho’s laughter—enough to raise goosebumps—Muyeon’s expression darkened, and Han Yonghu lowered his head.
“Murim Alliance Leader. From now on, focus the pulse examinations on children. Five hundred to a thousand should be enough.”
“Youngho, surely you are not…!”
“Do not worry. I can recognize Mad Face.”
“Is that the truth?”
Before Han Yonghu could react, Hye-won abruptly sprang to his feet.
Youngho looked at him curiously before replying.
“Yes.”
“If there is a secret to it, tell me. I beg you.”
At Hye-won’s nearly pleading behavior, Youngho responded indifferently.
“Did you lose someone precious to Mad Face?”
“Yes, that is correct. He was my Junior Brother. Because of that bitch’s momentary amusement, my Junior Brother died!”
“Then I will tell you. It is not particularly difficult.”
Hye-won’s face brightened.
“Thank you. I will not forget this favor.”
“Yes, the method is simple. You just need to become as strong as I am.”
“……?”
“You simply need to reach a level of enlightenment in martial arts similar to mine.”
As Hye-won’s face twisted, Han Yonghu spoke to Youngho.
“Youngho, regrettably, this operation is too dangerous. To be honest, I am not certain that you can truly recognize Mad Face.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You may have confidence. But if we are to use the plan you are considering, you must give us certainty. That is the responsibility of one who leads.”
“You are correct.”
Youngho genuinely felt that Han Yonghu’s words were reasonable. To lead a group, it was not enough to possess personal conviction—one had to give conviction to one’s subordinates as well.
The conviction that their lord would never lose to anyone.
That was precisely why this method had to be used. It might be somewhat extreme, but if they did not act, the damage would only spread further.
Youngho hated wavering indecisively more than anything.
Left with no choice, he decided to make a bold move.
“Murim Alliance Leader, do you remember the promise I made before I was called Flame Dragon?”
“Mm?”
Han Yonghu carefully sifted through his memories before letting out a sigh.
“Ah…….”
He looked almost as though he had reached enlightenment.
Youngho grinned.
“It is not a request nor an order. It is my wish.”
Han Yonghu muttered under his breath.
“You son of a bitch.”
From this point onward, Han Yonghu would have to persuade not only the Nine Sects and One Gang but also the Five Great Families and the entire Orthodox Sect.
Because Youngho’s method was nothing short of extreme.