Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon Cult
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Heavenly Demon Cult!
The moment news spread of the massive mobilization by the Heavenly Demon Cult—commonly known as the Demonic Cult—the entire martial world erupted like a kicked beehive. The Righteous Factions' Seven Great Sects, Five Great Families, and Four Great Martial Clans swiftly gathered around the Great Righteous Alliance. The unorthodox sects mobilized along their own networks, converging on the Sunlit Heavens and the Tyrant Emperor Sect.
Smaller sects banded together in their own ways, ears pricked to every whisper of the world's movements, while renowned martial artists sought out battlefields where they could lend a hand.
The Great War of the World!
The realization that coexistence with the demon-like Heavenly Demon Cult was impossible had shaken the entire world, forcing everyone into a desperate war for survival.
Even ordinary folk were no exception. In regions along the paths leading to the continent's heartland, lines of refugees stretched endlessly.
Shortly after word of the Heavenly Demon Cult's advance began to circulate, rumors spread that rivers of blood and heaps of corpses marked their every passage, spurring mass evacuations from even more areas.
Amid this whirlwind sweeping the world, Do Cheon sat with a heavy heart, discussing the movements of the Volcanic Divine Sword and the Heavenly Demon Cult.
"Are you certain?"
"The condition for them to advance on the world is for the current Heavenly Demon to perfect the Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon. That's why Heavenly Demons of every generation would enter secluded cultivation every winter to complete it. But no Heavenly Demon in history ever succeeded. That's what kept the world safe. The current Heavenly Demon did the same every winter, including last. According to our intelligence, though, when he emerged this spring, it wasn't with the usual fanfare. He failed to complete it."
"So they learned that the Generation's Heavenly Demon's ultimate arts had leaked out into the world."
"It was grave enough for the Heavenly Demon Cult's very existence to warrant marching on the world. That's precisely what the Heaven-Rending Legion and I feared from the start."
"How did they find out?"
"It's not like they have no eyes or ears in the world."
"Well... true enough."
Do Cheon nodded. That's when the usually silent Celestial Insight Maiden cautiously interjected, addressing Ga Gyeom-chang.
"You said one person was bound at the Heavenly Demon Sovereign Tower?"
"That's what I heard. Several approached but were spotted by the demon cultists and beheaded, so no one got close enough to identify him. But they said it was an old man, covered in blood."
"Why do you ask?"
No sooner had Ga Gyeom-chang finished than the Volcanic Divine Sword spoke up.
He trusted there must be good reason for the Celestial Insight Maiden's interest.
"I... dare to entertain a bold notion."
"What thought makes you speak so cautiously?"
Not just the Volcanic Divine Sword—everyone stared in confusion. The Celestial Insight Maiden steadied her breath several times before continuing.
"I've heard that since last winter, the Heaven-Rending Legion's whereabouts have been unknown. After leaving my post at the Secret Shadow Pavilion, I no longer receive reports, so details escape me, but somehow..."
She trailed off, unable to finish.
Yet her words had already struck the Volcanic Divine Sword and Ga Gyeom-chang like lightning.
"You're saying it's the Heaven-Rending Legion who's been captured?"
Ga Gyeom-chang asked in shock. The Volcanic Divine Sword simply stared at her, too stunned to speak.
"For the Heavenly Demon Cult to bind someone atop their Sovereign Tower for all to see, it can't be an ordinary captive."
"...!"
"I know they caught only the White Witch while pursuing young master Ha who took the Hell Demon Scripture, but after that, his trail went cold... I hope my fears are unfounded..."
Ga Gyeom-chang glanced at the Volcanic Divine Sword, whose face had hardened.
"We can't rule it out."
The Volcanic Divine Sword's words hung heavy.
As the Celestial Insight Maiden said, anyone bound atop the Heavenly Demon Sovereign Tower for the world to witness wouldn't be some nobody. Tension thickened as Do Cheon blurted out,
"We'll know for sure once we go and check."
"...!"
"...?"
All eyes turned to Do Cheon. He looked back, puzzled by the stares.
"They're coming to catch me, right? Better to go meet them and drive them off than sit here waiting."
It made perfect sense. Letting the Heavenly Demon reach the continent's center would only multiply the casualties. If they had to stop them anyway, better to do it sooner.
One by one, the others nodded in agreement. Then the Celestial Insight Maiden spoke cautiously again.
"It's just speculation, but if it might be the Heaven-Rending Legion, we should inform someone."
"Who?"
"His chief disciple, young master Nam Myeong, is here."
***
"They say corpses pile like mountains and rivers run with blood wherever they pass."
"They target every sect with even a shred of fame, slaughtering them without mercy."
"They kill without regard for age or gender, and commit unspeakable atrocities against women regardless of age."
"We must unite the world and stop them swiftly."
Voices clamored over one another.
Grandmaster Hyun Cheon felt a stone lodged in his chest, suffocating him.
War was inevitable.
To protect their lives on this land, all must unite against the demonic horde. But their foes were so overwhelmingly strong that imagining the sacrifices was heartbreaking.
'If this old man's life alone could save the world... Amitabha!'
As Grandmaster Hyun Cheon closed his eyes, someone from the Wudang Sect sighed.
"Even the Iron Divine Dragon has us reeling—now the Demonic Cult? Ha! Has heaven abandoned this land?"
Grandmaster Hyun Cheon's eyes snapped open.
"Someone go to the Iron Lion Sect!"
His sudden shout silenced the room. All eyes fixed on him.
"Seek out the Iron Divine Dragon and Volcanic Divine Sword. Beg them to lend their strength against the Demonic Cult horde."
"How can we trust them?"
Doubts flew even before he finished. Grandmaster Hyun Cheon slammed the table and stood.
"The Righteous Factions have united against Demonic invasions before. No reason we can't join with the Iron Divine Dragon! I'll go myself—mark my words!"
This was no time for empty debate. Even now, countless suffered horrors unimaginable.
Grandmaster Hyun Cheon stormed out alone, driven by the compassion of one who served Buddha.
***
Iron Lion Sect.
The Celestial Insight Maiden and Ong Jung-seo greeted the urgently arrived Grandmaster Hyun Cheon. As they escorted him from the gate to the guest hall, he cut straight to it upon seeing them.
"Time presses, and you know of the Demonic Cult's invasion, so I'll be direct. I ask that the Iron Divine Dragon and Volcanic Divine Sword fight alongside us."
Glancing past them, wondering why the two weren't present, Grandmaster Hyun Cheon pressed on.
"Senior Volcanic Divine Sword has gone to Mount Hua."
"Where is benefactor Iron Divine Dragon?"
"In secluded cultivation."
"At a time like this?"
"It's a battle of whether we can handle the Heavenly Demon or not, after all."
"Surely if we all unite—"
"Who would join hands with our senior brother?"
Grandmaster Hyun Cheon fell silent. He'd just witnessed that very mood among the Great Righteous Alliance members.
"We live on this land too. Even at odds with the Great Righteous Alliance, we won't stand idle in its hour of crisis. When the time comes, we'll fight in our own way."
"Ha..."
Grandmaster Hyun Cheon's chest tightened further. Seeing his distress, the Celestial Insight Maiden added,
"Trust in senior Volcanic Divine Sword."
"...?"
"He always said he kept close to the Heaven-Rending Legion while wary, preparing for any contingency."
"He went to join hands with him?"
"I don't know the details. Only that senior Volcanic Divine Sword is moving swiftly."
"Ha, so that's it. While everyone else debates idly, he's already acting."
Grandmaster Hyun Cheon sighed, turning to leave. Pausing with lingering regret over the Iron Divine Dragon, he looked back. The Celestial Insight Maiden bowed silently. As he departed, Ong Jung-seo spoke.
"What makes them think they're so superior, pushing us like that."
"How heavy must those steps have been to seek out our senior brother. Anyone else would die of shame. For him to come means he's truly a monk worthy of emulation."
"You make it sound that way."
"Let's head in."
"Right. By now, he might've crossed the Yangtze."
"He's probably already at Mount Hua."
"Already?"
"You've never seen senior brother's lightness skill."
"Last time, when we set a trap for the Black Night Heaven's lord, he came to me while I was captured—seemed fast, but fast enough to reach Mount Hua already?"
"Faster than that."
"...!"
"My guess, but senior brother probably hasn't grasped his own power fully."
"Eh? That possible?"
"He mastered it but hasn't truly tested it, so he's never unleashed it fully. At best, sparring with the Heaven-Rending Legion gave him a rough sense."
"Ha..."
"Come to think, the Generation's Heavenly Demon truly is remarkable."
"Who else? The one called peerless through the ages."
"Yes."
"But someone that strong—why complicate things so?"
"Senior brother, you mean?"
"Yes. If he just crushes the Heavenly Demon Cult openly, no one would bother him again."
"Exactly."
"Then why not?"
"Because it'd end there."
"End?"
"Once everyone knows senior brother mastered the Generation's Heavenly Demon's arts and is an invincible absolute master, who would oppose the sect? If he wants the Yangtze routes, they'll yield; if he claims the seas, it'll be done."
"Sounds great. No enemies, no fights, no hassles."
"Yes. But then we'd have nothing to do."
"...?"
"Senior brother's sole life goal is raising the sect together with us brothers. Not just raising it, but together. He wants to see us grow strong, contribute, take pride in ourselves, and enjoy the process. Like parents finding joy in watching their children mature."
"So he's grown so strong he's beyond desire without realizing."
"Spot on. Experience trumps all knowledge."
"Ahem. I've a bit of that. Heard plenty too."
"Yes. So while senior brother's away, your experience and cunning are vital to guarding the sect."
"No worries. Our contingencies using the Wise King are set. Any fool charging in gets a thrashing."
"Good. Still, let's review them one by one, just in case."
"Sure."
Their footsteps carried their murmured conversation toward the Lion Hall.
***
Mount Hua Sect.
A sect perched on Mount Hua in Shaanxi Province, famed as a sacred peak since ancient times, also called the Volcanic Sword Sect. After long strife between sword factions seeking to hone their martial arts on its spiritual energy and Taoists cultivating their arts, they merged into one. Their influence now blanketed not just Mount Hua but all of Shaanxi.
The orthodox sword family!
The prestigious house of righteousness!
Do Cheon marveled that besides the Volcanic Divine Sword, another figure worthy of such titles stood before him: the Mount Hua Sect Leader.
"Forgive me for sitting idle while your master suffered."
"I brought it on myself. And the sect leader's seat allows no leisure. More importantly, this is the Iron Divine Dragon at the storm's heart. And this is young master Nam Myeong, chief disciple of the Heaven-Rending Legion."
"Mount Hua welcomes the Iron Divine Dragon and young master Nam Myeong."
The sect leader nodded at the Volcanic Divine Sword's words, smiling warmly at Do Cheon and Nam Myeong in turn.
"I'm Do Cheon. Mount Hua... is truly wonderful."
He voiced his honest impression. Without specifying what, the sect leader simply beamed.
"Nam Myeong."
Nam Myeong greeted quietly. Uncharacteristically for an unorthodox martial artist, he seemed outgoing and affable. But worry over his master weighed on him like a mountain, etching deep lines on his already pale, sickly face, making him hard to approach.
The sect leader turned to the Volcanic Divine Sword.
"The Heavenly Demon Cult brought you here in such haste?"
"What says the Great Righteous Alliance?"
"No word."
"...!"
"Still in disarray, it seems."
"Even so."
"Master, pay it no mind. Winds have blown before, yet Mount Hua stands firm."
"True. Old age brings needless worry."
"With you returned and such a stalwart ally, Mount Hua is secure."
"Mount Hua need not step in."
"Pardon?"
"Stopping the Heavenly Demon Cult is for me and the Iron Divine Dragon. Perhaps even him alone."
"What do you mean?"
"The Heavenly Demon Cult moves because of this young man."
The sect leader's eyes widened at the unexpected revelation, flicking between Do Cheon and the Volcanic Divine Sword.
"The Generation's Heavenly Demon's ultimate arts! He's mastered them."
The words hit the Mount Hua Sect Leader like a thunderbolt.