A Shadow Over Sichuan
The Black-and-White Double Sabers have appeared!
The sudden appearance of the Black-and-White Double Sabers threw the vicinity of Baekmyo County into a frenzy.
"My head hurts," Do Sang-woon muttered, rubbing his temples.
Before he could even process the shock of finding traces of the Blood-Sucking Demonic Art in the cave Yoo-sung had mentioned, the arrival of the Black-and-White Double Sabers had brought him a massive headache.
But his panic was short-lived. Do Sang-woon moved quickly.
First, he recalled Do Yoo-chan, who had set out to help Ha Tae-gun and Do Yoo-mi.
Although the couple's situation was still unresolved, Yoo-chan's presence was necessary, as they had no idea what the Black-and-White Double Sabers might do.
Leaving Ho-sung behind to continue assisting the couple, Do Yoo-chan rushed back.
No matter how damaged his dantian was, the power that had once shattered the wall of the Transcendental Realm had not vanished entirely.
Yoo-chan's mere presence would prevent the Black-and-White Double Sabers from acting rashly.
While Do Sang-woon and Do Yoo-chan focused all their attention on the movements of the Black-and-White Double Sabers, Yoo-sung met with Bing-hwa.
"The Black-and-White Double Sabers?" Yoo-sung asked.
Uninvited guests were lingering in the area.
"Yes. Word is they were sent by Pagun," Bing-hwa replied.
"Those two are under Pagun?"
They were masters who walked the line between orthodox and unorthodox, notorious for their cruelty and selfishness. The martial artists of Sichuan had spent considerable effort trying to recruit them, to no avail.
And yet, those very men were staying as guests of Pagun, who was nothing more than a bandit leader?
"Either they were in league from the start, or Pagun possesses something they want."
The latter was far more likely.
What could he possibly have?
While Yoo-sung pondered, Bing-hwa quickly recalled a rumor.
"There were rumors that Pagun knew the location of a relic left behind by the Matian."
"If that were true, the martial artists of Sichuan would have killed him long ago."
After all, didn't the Great Demonic War—the worst conflict in the history of the Jianghu—begin because of a Matian relic?
Furthermore, Pagun was a Second-Class Public Enemy, meaning the Sichuan martial artists would have been hunting him down relentlessly.
The fact that Pagun was still breathing meant the item in his possession was likely not a relic of the Matian.
"Do you know what the item is?"
"Unfortunately, no."
At Bing-hwa's words, Yoo-sung fell into deep thought.
The sudden emergence of the Blood-Sucking Demonic Art, followed by the arrival of the Black-and-White Double Sabers chasing a relic scattered by the Matian.
Was all of this a mere coincidence?
This is starting to get annoying.
Yoo-sung clicked his tongue inwardly, displeased by the lingering shadow of the Matian that seemed to hover around him.
"Well, there's no need to look at it negatively. If they've appeared, they'll likely want to deal with the Blood-Sucking Demonic Art first."
The Black-and-White Double Sabers harbored a hatred for the Blood-Sucking Demonic Art deeper than anyone else.
Since they wouldn't ignore the demonic art's appearance in Frost Village, their attention wouldn't turn toward the Heavenly Sword Academy for some time.
Until then, they could simply watch and wait.
"You're being too optimistic. If we're not careful, those sparks could fly our way," Bing-hwa warned.
Yoo-sung merely offered a meaningful smile in response to her concern.
"If that, too, is destiny, then we must accept it."
At his chilling words, Bing-hwa shook her head inwardly.
However, contrary to her worries, trouble struck the Heavenly Sword Academy much sooner than expected.
"Soso!"
"Lady Soso!"
Breathing softly.
The expressions of those watching Soso sleep peacefully were complex and heavy.
The child, who had been so full of energy just yesterday, had suddenly fallen ill at dawn.
Because she carried the curse of the Heavenly Yin Body, Soso's life was a daily tightrope walk.
Good days, bad days.
None of them could be taken for granted.
"It seems I must pay a visit to your mother's family," Do Sang-woon said, his expression grim.
His wife's family was a branch of the Sichuan Tang Clan, so they rarely sought them out unless it was an absolute emergency.
After Soso's condition became known, they had maintained a connection through Ha Tae-gun and Do Yoo-mi, but with the recent unrest in Sichuan, even that had become difficult.
"My brother-in-law won't have the leeway right now, so I will go myself," Do Yoo-chan offered.
Bing-hwa immediately intervened to stop him.
"You need rest, brother. You've been pushing yourself too hard lately."
As Bing-hwa said, Do Yoo-chan needed rest.
Because his dantian was damaged, even normal physical exertion left him exhausted. He required far more time to recover than an ordinary person, making a journey to the Tang Clan out of the question.
"In that case, I'll go," Yoo-sung, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward.
"You?"
"Where are you planning to go now?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Yoo-sung.
"It's been ten years since I returned. Shouldn't I pay my respects to my maternal grandfather and visit my mother's family?"
Yoo-sung offered a relaxed smile, but his family couldn't easily nod in agreement.
Exactly ten years ago, Yoo-sung had left with that same casual air, so their anxiety was only natural.
Yet, Yoo-sung going was indeed the best option.
Finally, Do Sang-woon spoke with a heavy voice.
"Travel safely. And do not wander off to other places this time."
The next day.
"Be careful on your way. Delivering this letter to your grandfather will help," Dang So-ryung said, her worry unabated.
It was none other than the Tang Clan, one of the absolute rulers of Sichuan.
Though they currently held the lowest seat among the Five Great Noble Clans, their underlying power was not something to be taken lightly.
Particularly now, with the rise of the legendary Poison King, the Tang Clan was striving to leap forward once more. They could not afford to spark any unnecessary conflict with them.
"I will return directly this time without delay. Do not worry."
"...Alright. I believe you, my son."
Leaving Dang So-ryung's anxious gaze behind, Yoo-sung set off toward Sichuan.
Yoo-sung traveled to Sichuan alone.
His family had urged him to take a companion, but he politely declined.
If a situation arose where time was of the essence, it was far better for him to move alone.
The journey from Baekmyo County to Sichuan was smoother than he had anticipated.
Without encountering even a single common bandit, Yoo-sung arrived at the outskirts of Sichuan, where his expression gradually darkened.
Unlike before, the lingering aftermath of war was vividly palpable near the borders of Sichuan.
"Out of the way!"
Yoo-sung lightly stepped aside as a man rushed toward him, shouting.
The fierce, violent energy radiating from the man made it clear he was a demonic practitioner.
Swoosh!
As the demonic practitioner passed, he casually thrust his hand toward Yoo-sung.
It was a stealthy and rapid strike, but it failed to touch Yoo-sung at all.
They really do have wretched tempers.
Though the reason for his flight was unknown, the man had unleashed a lethal strike on a passing pedestrian simply because he was in a foul mood.
Such was the cruel nature of those who practiced demonic arts.
Yoo-sung generally had no interest in demonic practitioners.
However, from what he had witnessed on the battlefields over the past ten years, the vast majority of them were mentally unstable.
"Tsk!"
Seeing his lethal strike fail, the demonic practitioner clicked his tongue and continued his escape.
Instead of striking back, Yoo-sung stepped further aside.
A group pursuing the man was rapidly approaching.
"Damn it! Those demonic bastards!"
"This way!"
"Chase him! Don't let him get away!"
The fleeing demonic practitioner and the three orthodox martial artists pursuing him.
Though the hundred-year war had ended, the Jianghu was still plagued by conflicts with demonic remnants.
In fact, with the collapse of the Matian, the rogue demonic practitioners running wild had become an even greater headache.
I suppose it's because there's no one left to keep them on a leash.
Without a central figure, it was difficult for the demonic practitioners to gather significant strength.
However, because the ones who once held their leashes were gone, the chaos they caused now disrupted every corner of the world.
The orthodox and unorthodox factions were secretly grateful for the actions of these rogue demonic practitioners.
When it was difficult to settle internal affairs after the war, these external demonic remnants served as perfect scapegoats.
"Well, it has nothing to do with me anymore."
Their paths were different.
There was almost no chance their blades would reach Baekmyo County, so Yoo-sung would likely never have to return to that world.
"First, I should go see my maternal grandfather."
He had not visited his mother's family since a single visit during his childhood.
Recalling those distant memories, Yoo-sung slowly walked toward his destination.
"Hmm."
A white-haired elderly man fell into deep thought as he stared at a letter.
The command sent from the main family a few days ago had left his mind in a tangled mess.
To suddenly demand our help...
To be honest, he did not like it one bit.
"Recently, we have been troubled by demonic practitioners harboring insidious intentions within Sichuan. Although the elites of the main family are working tirelessly day and night, our forces remain stretched. We expect all branch families to contribute to the subjugation of these demonic remnants for the sake of the clan."
It was a matter of such gravity that the Clan Leader of the main family had personally issued a strict order.
Upon receiving this news, the representative of the branch family had smiled brightly, viewing it as a golden opportunity.
Most of the other branch families shared this sentiment, but the old man thought differently.
There is no reason for them to drag us into this.
Even among branch families, there was a strict hierarchy.
The branch family the old man belonged to was so distant that their bloodline and connection to the main house had practically faded long ago; it was almost embarrassing to even call them a branch.
Yet, they were being called upon to aid in a demonic subjugation.
The old man recalled the incident currently shaking Sichuan.
The Three Demonic Vagabonds.
They were three demonic practitioners who were currently causing immense trouble for both the Tang Clan and the wider Sichuan martial world.
Each of them was a top-tier master of the Transcendental Realm, once notorious as the loyal hounds of the Matian.
When the hundred-year war with the Matian abruptly ended, the Jianghu had high hopes for peace.
But contrary to their expectations, the demonic practitioners, now freed from their leashes, became a massive plague.
For now, they were easy to deal with because they hadn't united, but if they ever found a central figure again, another war would surely break out.
This was why Sichuan was reacting so sensitively to the Three Demonic Vagabonds.
If the rogue demonic practitioners wandering Sichuan gathered under their banner, there was no telling what disaster might unfold.
Of course, not everyone viewed this situation with dread.
For those seeking a stage to make a name for themselves, this is an opportunity.
Though the old man lived a step away from the martial world, the blood of the Tang Clan still flowed through his veins.
Naturally, his insight into the affairs and nature of the Jianghu was profound.
"Sigh."
As the old man let out a long sigh, unable to make a decision,
Knock, knock.
"My Lord," the chief seneschal's voice came from outside.
"What is it?"
"Your grandson has arrived."
The old man looked puzzled.
"My grandson? Who? Which of my children's sons?"
"He says he is the son of your youngest daughter."
"My youngest?"
At the seneschal's words, the old man's eyes filled with confusion.
Why would anyone from her household come here?
His youngest daughter had married into an insignificant martial academy in Baekmyo County.
Even if he was a branch member who received no respect from the main family, his pride had been wounded when his daughter, carrying the blood of the Tang Clan, left for a tiny academy in the countryside.
However, the old man didn't particularly dwell on that.
Since he had no ambition in the martial world, it was actually more comforting to him than if she had married into a nearby rival sect.
It was just that, because Baekmyo County was so far on the periphery of the Jianghu, they rarely visited each other.
Could it be?
Suddenly, a reason for his grandson's visit flashed through the old man's mind.
The only reason they would suddenly seek him out was if something had happened to Soso.
After all, wasn't Do Sang-woon the one who had traded directly with the Tang Clan, knowing that the Blazing Fire Pill was necessary for Soso's survival?
"Let him in," the old man replied to the seneschal, masking his anxiety.