The Descent of the Wind Calamity
Deep within the subterranean chambers of the Sasa Sect, two middle-aged men stood in the shadows.
One was the master of the Sasa Sect, the Sasa Sect Leader.
The other was the leader of the Bido Gang, the Bido Gang Leader.
"Sect Leader, isn't it about time you shared this with me?"
The Bido Gang Leader scowled as he stared at the altar before them.
What is this energy? Why does it feel so suffocatingly powerful and ominous?
A faint, dark red flame flickered weakly atop the altar.
Though he had grown somewhat accustomed to demonic energy after joining hands with the Sasa Sect Leader, it still made his skin crawl.
The demonic art he had been gifted was no low-grade trash one could buy on the streets.
It was a fragment of the Demonic Spirit of the "Flying Demon," a highly sophisticated demonic art.
As one of the legendary Hundred Demons that the absolute organization Matian once boasted, the Flying Demon's techniques suited the Bido Gang's martial style perfectly.
Thanks to this, the Bido Gang's strength had exploded overnight. In alliance with the Sasa Sect, they had seized complete control of the surrounding region.
Of course, this meant they had completely severed ties with the Tang Clan and the righteous sects of Sichuan.
To gain something, one must be prepared to lose something.
While letting go of their connections to the righteous path was regrettable, the sheer power they had obtained was well worth the sacrifice.
At least, that was what he had believed—until the Sichuan Righteous Alliance was established and marked them for eradication.
Unlike the Sasa Sect, which had yet to suffer any direct blows, the other sects in their coalition were shaking to their very foundations, save for the Bido Gang.
"More than half of our allies have already been wiped out. Shouldn't we be doing something by now?"
Despite the relentless raids that had lasted for over a fortnight, Cheol-hwa had not wavered. He marched forward with an iron-hard resolve that perfectly matched his name, systematically crushing every allied sect in his path until only the Sasa Sect and the Bido Gang remained.
"Given their momentum, it will take them no more than three days to reach this place."
"They are faster than expected."
Just as the Sasa Sect Leader said, this outcome completely defied their calculations.
At the heart of the enemy's relentless advance were Tang Ja-ryeo and the Dark Moon Unit.
The strongest weapon of the Tang Clan's collateral branch—capable of rivaling even the direct line—had completely shattered the expectations of both leaders.
Furthermore, the martial prowess of Cheol-hwa and Cheol-geom was far more devastating than rumors had suggested.
Yet, unlike the anxious Bido Gang Leader, the Sasa Sect Leader remained remarkably composed.
"Just how incredible is that flame anyway?! Are you telling me we are risking our entire lives on it? At least give me a proper explanation!"
Unable to contain his frustration any longer, the Bido Gang Leader roared. In response, the Sasa Sect Leader calmly offered a brief explanation of the Demonic Fire.
"A flame modeled after the Sacred Fire? How is that supposed to help us?"
It was certainly an astonishing revelation, but its actual utility remained unproven.
To the Bido Gang Leader, grand terms like "Sacred Fire" or "Demonic Fire" meant nothing. What he desperately needed right now was the power to survive the impending storm.
"I do not know the exact details either. However, it will undoubtedly serve as the weapon that delivers us from this crisis."
"Tsk!"
Dissatisfied with the vague answer, the Bido Gang Leader clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Then when will it be completed?"
"Very soon. Only one final sacrifice remains."
"Is that so? What is it? I shall fetch it immediately."
The Sasa Sect Leader looked at the eager Bido Gang Leader with a strange, unreadable gaze.
Failing to sense the chilling intent behind those eyes, the Bido Gang Leader waited expectantly for his ally's command.
Squelch.
"....?!"
The Bido Gang Leader stared down in utter disbelief at the Sasa Sect Leader's hand, which had plunged straight through his chest.
"Why....?"
Without ever learning the reason for the betrayal, the Bido Gang Leader's eyes went dull, and he drew his last breath.
Even after taking the life of the friend he had been smiling and conversing with just moments ago, the Sasa Sect Leader's expression remained entirely flat.
"Because your heart is the final key required to awaken this Demonic Fire."
To kindle a Demonic Fire born of pure demonic energy, one needed the blood and corpses of hundreds of victims, capped off by the hearts of powerful demonic artists who possessed highly refined demonic energy.
The hundreds of corpses had been gathered long ago. All that remained was the heart of a martial artist who had reached at least the Transcendental Realm.
Originally, he had planned to take his time preparing the final sacrifice, but their circumstances no longer allowed for such luxury.
"Forgive me. I shall pay for this sin in the next life."
Accepting the inevitability of his own eventual damnation, the Sasa Sect Leader placed the Bido Gang Leader's heart onto the altar.
Whoosh!
A wave of scorching heat instantly erupted from the altar, filling the entire underground chamber.
"Is this... is this the Demonic Fire?"
The dark red flame possessed a mesmerizing, bewitching quality that seemed to pull at the very soul. Just looking at it made one's blood run hot.
The demonic energy within his body, which had always been wild and difficult to control, now flowed in perfect harmony with his will.
This was the true reason for kindling the Demonic Fire.
Clap, clap.
With a slow, mocking applause, Yeo Ui-gi stepped out of the shadows, a bright smile plastered across his face.
"You have worked hard, Sasa Sect Leader."
The Sasa Sect Leader looked at Yeo Ui-gi with a gaze remarkably similar to the one he had directed at the Bido Gang Leader just moments prior.
Grin.
Yeo Ui-gi did not miss the look.
"What? Do you wish to discard me just as you did the Bido Gang Leader?"
"....The thought crossed my mind. But I doubt it would be so easy."
At the Sasa Sect Leader's sighing admission, Yeo Ui-gi chuckled.
"I understand the feeling. I covet that flame greatly myself, but..."
Yeo Ui-gi's situation was not much different from the Sasa Sect Leader's. The only real distinction was that Yeo Ui-gi was a demonic artist of a significantly higher caliber.
"Let us secure the Demonic Fire and depart. Before those bastards arrive."
"Very well."
However, the intrusion came far faster than either of them could have ever anticipated.
* * *
Meanwhile, Yoo Sung lightly scaled the outer wall of the Sasa Sect.
Initially, he had planned to slip in quietly like a thief in the night, taking only what he came for.
Perhaps it would be better to destroy the Sasa Sect in a more spectacular fashion.
In any case, his true martial arts were not accurately known to the world. Those who had witnessed his full strength were already dead.
At most, only rumors of the entity known as the "Three Calamities" lingered, and very few in the Jianghu would ever associate him with those legends.
"Shall I play the part of the Wind Calamity once more after all this time?"
The three monsters who brought ruin to the martial world.
Among them, the most boisterous and flamboyant was the Wind Calamity. This was the moment of his descent upon the Sasa Sect.
BOOM!
With a violent explosion of wind, the main gates of the Sasa Sect were blasted inward, and their wooden plaque shattered into splinters.
A sect's plaque was their pride, their honor, their everything.
"Who—"
"An enemy attack!"
The disciples of the Sasa Sect realized Yoo Sung's presence far too late. Before they could even scream in the face of the raging tempest, they were swept away, reduced to cold corpses.
Whoosh.
Yoo Sung watched indifferently as the fierce wind swallowed everything in its path, then calmly stepped forward.
There are two of them in the basement.
Two men possessing formidable demonic energy, alongside the scorching heat of the Demonic Fire, awaited him below.
* * *
"Who goes there?!"
Yeo Ui-gi and the Sasa Sect Leader, who had been locked in a subtle battle of nerves, stared in shock at Yoo Sung's sudden appearance before quickly narrowing their eyes in hostility.
"Where did you come from?"
"How many of you are there?"
Judging by the chaos echoing from above, they assumed he was the leader of the raiding force.
But Yoo Sung did not spare them a single glance. His eyes were fixed entirely on the dark red flame burning fiercely atop the altar.
"They really did kindle the Demonic Fire."
Muttering softly, Yoo Sung could feel the terrible, deep-seated resentment swirling within the flame.
"Feeding this to her directly will only cause trouble."
Ordinary people would lose their minds the instant they absorbed the Demonic Fire. Demonic artists only deluded themselves into thinking the flame freed them from the backlash of their corruptive arts.
In truth, they were merely temporarily suppressing the madness using the vengeful spirits consumed during the creation of the Demonic Fire.
As time passed, an even greater madness would inevitably consume them, and the Demonic Fire would swallow them whole.
Knowing this, even Matian had eventually banned the creation of the Demonic Fire.
And yet they handed the method to Yeo Ui-gi and the Sasa Sect Leader?
The one who taught them how to create the Demonic Fire was undoubtedly Yeo Mi-ho.
He was curious about her ultimate goal, but he quickly dismissed the thought. What mattered now was that the Demonic Fire before him was genuine, and it would be of immense help to Soso.
"You won't hand over the Demonic Fire willingly, and I am short on time. Let's end this quickly."
"Arrogant bastard."
"He's lost his mind."
A gentle breeze began to swirl around Yoo Sung's feet.
Flinch!
"Could it be?"
"Damn it, why is that monster here?!"
Ever since Yoo Sung entered, a wind had been blowing through the sealed basement. At first, they had assumed it was merely a draft from the open door.
But as they watched the wind gently veil Yoo Sung's face, a terrifying legend flashed through their minds.
The Three Calamities, without exception, bring ruin.
The Fire Calamity is scorching by her mere presence, igniting flames in her wake.
Beside the Water Calamity, rain clouds always gather; though her rain may bring fleeting joy, the endless deluge ultimately leaves deep scars upon the earth.
Yet, the greatest of the three is the Wind Calamity. Where he passes, nothing remains—neither ash nor water. All are utterly powerless before his gale.
Therefore, if you encounter the Wind Calamity, flee at once. If flight is impossible, pray for his mercy.
The vivid descriptions of the Wind Calamity echoed in their minds like a death knell.
"Why is the Wind Calamity here?!"
Ignoring Yeo Ui-gi's panicked shriek, Yoo Sung took a slow step forward.
"The Demonic Fire! He is after the Demonic Fire!"
At the Sasa Sect Leader's shout, Yeo Ui-gi's eyes flashed with desperate resolve.
"We kill him first, then we figure out the rest."
"Agreed!"
The two men, who had been ready to cut each other's throats moments ago, joined forces and lunged at Yoo Sung. Their coordination was so seamless it made their previous discord seem like a lie.
Whoosh!
Yeo Ui-gi's fists pressured Yoo Sung's head and legs, while the Sasa Sect Leader's saber hemmed him in from the left and right.
It was a high-level combination that instantly sealed off all escape routes, but unfortunately for them, their opponent was the Wind Calamity, Yoo Sung.
Whoosh.
A gentle breeze pushed back the fierce demonic energy pressing in on him.
Crack!
The wind was soft, but the killing intent it carried was devastating. The gentle breeze shattered Yeo Ui-gi's right wrist and proceeded to cleanly sever his entire right arm.
"....?!"
Before Yeo Ui-gi could even scream, retreating in sheer bewilderment, both of the Sasa Sect Leader's arms were severed in a flash of invisible wind.
"You two do not belong to me."
Killing them here was a waste. Soon, Cheol-hwa and Cheol-geom would arrive at the Sasa Sect. They would take these two subdued bastards to the Sichuan Righteous Alliance to claim their merit.
In the meantime, he had to purify the Demonic Fire and integrate it into Soso's body.
For others, this delicate task would take at least a few days, if not months.
Purifying it on the way and naturally integrating it into Soso's body should take about an hour.
In that time, he could easily regroup with Cheol-hwa.
Having quickly calculated his moves, Yoo Sung shattered the dantians of Yeo Ui-gi and the Sasa Sect Leader.
As he tapped their pressure points to completely immobilize the Sasa Sect Leader—
Thud!
"....?"
Yeo Ui-gi's head suddenly exploded into a shower of gore.
"....Like father, like son. He acts exactly like his old man, right down to being a member of the Ten Demonic Gates."
Yoo Sung clicked his tongue as he stared at Yeo Ui-gi's headless corpse. It seemed a vile curse had been placed on Yeo Ui-gi's body, designed to detonate his head the moment his dantian was destroyed.
To others, it would be a grotesque and unfamiliar sorcery, but to Yoo Sung, it was intimately familiar. It was a classic sorcery of the Yeo Clan.
Yeo Il-cheon wouldn't have had the leisure to cast such a spell on his own son, which meant the caster was undoubtedly Yeo Mi-ho.
"Will this make Yeo Mi-ho move sooner?"
A cautious person would hide deeper upon learning of Yeo Ui-gi's death, but Yeo Mi-ho would be different. If she was using Yeo Ui-gi to create the Demonic Fire and using Pagun to awaken the Soul-Reaping Demonic Path, she would be furious at this setback and show herself.
He just couldn't predict what form her retaliation would take.
"I should consult with the lady of the Zhuge Clan."
But before that, purifying the Demonic Fire and having Soso absorb it was the priority.
Grab!
Easily suppressing the violently resisting Demonic Fire, Yoo Sung vanished from the Sasa Sect.
A short while later, a group arrived at the Sasa Sect—it was the Dark Moon Unit, led by Cheol-hwa.
"The Wind... Calamity?"
"The Wind Calamity was here!!"
As everyone stared at the devastating scars left around the Sasa Sect, their minds instantly conjured the image of the Wind Calamity, one of the Three Calamities. Meanwhile, Yoo Sung was already soaring back toward the Heavenly Sword Academy.