Chapter 75: Crimson Divine Sword-2
Chapter 75: Crimson Divine Sword-2
By the time I tidied up the two warriors at the initial stage of the peak and turned my gaze, Hwa Young-bin the Red Sunset Divine Sword, who had already struck down the horse-chopper demon, was looking my way.
From what I gathered, he had also been investigating after hearing about the kidnapping of women.
He said that when he couldn't find any lead, he'd come to beg assistance from the Guo Swordsmanship Sect and happened to witness us.
We decided to share the rest of our stories later and return to the Guo Swordsmanship Sect first.
It was because I was worried about whether Bi Sa-yeong and Jeong-an Sojeo were alright.
But when we returned to the main gate of the Guo Swordsmanship Sect, we were able to meet the three people who were coming out safely.
Bi Sa-yeong, Jeong-an Sojeo, and one person I was seeing for the first time.
"Hwa Sahyeong!"
Upon seeing Hwa Young-bin the Red Sunset Divine Sword, Jeong-an Sojeo ran toward him with her face brighter than the world itself.
Watching her, I also noticed Bi Sa-yeong wearing a bitter expression.
However, even seeing her charge back toward him as if about to throw herself into his arms, Hwa Yeong-bin merely smiled gently and said,
"It is good to see you still so bright, Jeong-an Sojeo. I am relieved nothing befell you."
Seeing him like that, I could finally understand everything the two young ladies had been saying until now.
The stories about that unreal man who, for over a decade, had served the Ami Sect while longing for his dead lover...
Somehow, the expression on his incredibly handsome, smiling face seemed so terribly sad to me.
You could tell just by looking.
'That person probably isn't happy,' I thought.
Then I suddenly remembered having seen a similar expression—though not exactly the same—in my previous life.
'The squad leader's eyes in my past life had looked exactly like that.'
Seolpung Jojang had that exact same feeling about him after all my friends like Bi Sa-yeong and Bae Jong-gwan died, and finally after I lost Na So-jeo to the Venomous Snake Ghost.
Acting like usual, joking around and laughing outwardly, but somewhere in his eyes, an unfillable void seemed to dwell...
In my past life, I thought it was simply the grief of losing comrades and a heavy sense of responsibility, but now I thought perhaps the squad leader had also lost something he absolutely could not forget.
And that might perhaps be....
While I was lost in such thoughts, the man beside Bi Sa-yeong suddenly spoke to me with a smile.
"Pleased to meet you for the first time. I am Lee Geon of the Cheongseong Sect."
I snapped back to my senses and answered him.
"Ah, pleased to meet you. I am Seonwoo Jin-i of the Flying Dragon Squad."
He was a beautiful young man so stunning you might mistake him for a woman. His somewhat small build, a pure smile, and above all, his perpetually closed eyes were impressive.
Then he smiled again and said,
"It is because I am blind. I ask for your understanding."
He said it so casually that I felt more embarrassed.
"Ah, understanding? I apologize if my gaze was discourteous."
"It was not discourteous at all. It's just that everyone tends to be curious unless I say something first."
Through that exchange, I realized one thing.
The fact that he didn't seem blind at all.
He behaved like a person who could see everything, no, like someone who saw even more than those who could.
At least one thing was clear.
'A master. Seolpung Jojang? Maybe even beyond that.'
At that moment, Hwa Yeong-bin, who was beside us, opened his mouth.
"He is my saje. His martial arts are strong, but he's a greenhorn who just came into the martial world for the first time. It would be nice if you all could become good friends to him."
Then Jeong Miss Yeon asked with a face full of surprise.
"If he's Hwa Sahyeong's saje?! Then he is the rumored fifth disciple of Cheong-gwang Jinin?!"
Jeong-an Sojeo was also startled and said,
"Ah, so that's why the Blue Cloud Red Sunset Sword...!"
But at those words, I and Jeong Miss Yeon were even more shocked.
"What?! The Blue Cloud Red Sunset Sword?!"
When we looked at him with astonished eyes, he just smiled bashfully.
It seemed to be true.
Jeong Miss Yeon muttered in a daze.
"Good heavens...."
In the martial world, there was one famous saying passed down about the Cheongseong Sect.
'If one can unify Blue Cloud and Red Sunset, they will be able to challenge the divine realm.'
That was of course about the Blue Cloud Red Sunset Sword.
It was said that even within the long history of the Cheongseong Sect, the martial artists who mastered the Blue Cloud Red Sunset Sword could be counted on fewer than ten fingers.
And all of them had been called absolute beings of the martial world.
A prime example was the current Cheonggwangjinin.
But I knew that even Cheonggwangjinin hadn't manifested the Blue Cloud Red Sunset Sword until after his forties....
So this person, who still looked in his early twenties, had already manifested the Blue Cloud Red Sunset Sword?
Then, could he truly be someone who might succeed the title of 'God,' which had been broken since Martial God, Demon God, Thunder God, and Sword God a hundred years ago?
But I had no memory of hearing about such a person in my previous life.
I looked anew at his pretty, innocent-looking face.
Then he spoke with an embarrassed expression.
"I have not yet completely unified Blue Cloud and Red Sunset. It is merely an imitation. That is why my master told me to rest for just a year and then enter closed-door training again."
Closed-door training, huh.
Was that why I hadn't heard of him in my last life?
I asked him on a whim.
"I see. Then, will your closed-door training continue until you perfect the Blue Cloud Red Sunset Sword?"
He shook his head slightly with a troubled expression and answered.
"Well, my master told me not to come out until I had glimpsed the mythical realm."
"Ah, yes. The mythical realm."
Good heavens.
His goal truly was the Sword God.
There was nothing more I could add.
***
By the time we finished tidying up all the Blood Cultists of the Guo Swordsmanship Sect, rescued the women, and sent them back home, morning was already breaking.
Since we had also informed the government offices and nearby sects that the Guo Swordsmanship Sect was the true culprit of the kidnapping incidents and had been occupied by the Blood Cultists long ago, it seemed the aftermath required no further worry.
We told Hwa Yeong-bin about the Righteous Faction Alliance and Lady Jeong-in who was captured by them.
He then muttered to himself.
"The Righteous Faction Alliance was the Blood Cult's forward base? White Jade Dragon Gu Yu-sang, that bastard was a Blood Cultist?"
Hwa Yeong-bin looked deeply shocked, as if he had been acquainted with him.
But he quickly composed himself and spoke with eyes full of killing intent.
"To think the Blood Cult scum I have so desperately wished to tear limb from limb was right beside me. Unbelievable."
Then he turned to his saje, Lee Geon, and said.
"You, return to Cheongseong immediately and inform our master of this fact. Tell him to gather forces to wipe out the Righteous Faction Alliance. Master will likely find it bothersome, so you should be able to ask Cheong-won sabaek to handle it."
His saje Lee Geon then asked.
"What will sahyeong do then?"
"I will head off to rescue Lady Jeong-in first. It seems time is pressing."
I exchanged glances with Bi Sa-yeong and smiled with satisfaction.
Every single one of his judgments pleased me so much. Just hearing his swift and wise words gave me a sense of reassurance.
But when his next words came out, our expressions changed completely.
He had said this:
"It is said the Righteous Faction Alliance is currently concentrating all its power on attacking the Mountain Sword Gate, so remember: the faster you move, the easier the task becomes. Be sure to pass that on."
What?
Startled, we asked him.
"The Righteous Faction Alliance attacked the Mountain Sword Gate?"
He then nodded and explained.
"It seems the thousand-odd troops gathered to deal with the Mountain Sword Gate began secretly moving toward it since last night. They likely intend to strike at dawn. I learned this while gathering information at the Hao Gate."
Bi Sa-yeong's eyes met mine.
Gulp.
His gaze wavered as if caught in a storm.
My own eyes probably looked the same.
***
"Subdue Demons and Exterminate Evil! Wipe out all the unorthodox rabble!"
Domineering Blade Crossing the River Gyeong Ga-deung, a famous peak-level master of the Righteous Faction Alliance, stood at the very vanguard and scaled the walls of the Mountain Sword Gate.
Then he immediately swung his massive blade.
Puhak!
"Gyaaahhk!"
"Enemy raid! Uwaaahk!"
It didn't require a second stroke to take care of the sentry warriors.
Behind him, having scaled the wall at the forefront, over a thousand Righteous Faction Alliance warriors were pouring over the wall like a raging wave.
"Leave no survivors! Kill every last one of the unorthodox rabble to console the spirit of Iron Palm Hero Hwang Jang-gon!"
"Uwaaaaaahhh!"
Having been sworn brothers with Iron Palm Hero Hwang Jang-gon, who died in the previous battle, he had no intention of sparing anyone in the Mountain Sword Gate.
The outer perimeter of the Mountain Sword Gate was being pierced as easily as an awl through paper.
***
Bi Sa-yeong asked me.
"Shouldn't we go back?"
The moment the faces of Jo Won and the others rose one by one in my mind, it felt like heat surged from my heart straight to my head.
I couldn't let any of them die.
There was no need to ask who was more important between Lady Jeong-in of the Ami Sect, whom I'd never even seen, and them.
But after thinking for a moment, I took a deep breath and shook my head.
"It's already too late even if we go now. Besides...."
Two faces came to mind.
The faces of the two people I trusted the most in this world.
I said to Bi Sa-yeong, who still had anxious eyes.
"The squad leader and Lady Cheong-yeon are at the Mountain Sword Gate, aren't they? Those two, even in the worst-case scenario, will make sure nothing happens to Jo Won and the others."
Bi Sa-yeong's expression shifted back and forth several times.
But in the end, he forced a smile and said.
"I suppose so. With those two there, they might have already beaten every last one of the Righteous Faction Alliance dogs. Yeah, let's settle things on our end first. That's the wise move, right?"
I also forced a smile and nodded.
"Yeah, since that's our role."
If we could rescue Lady Jeong-in, we could probably pull in the Ami Sect too.
And if we could gain the strength of the Cheongseong Sect and the Ami Sect, then no matter how large the Righteous Faction Alliance's force might be, it would be merely a candle before the wind.
Having joined forces with Hwa Young-bin the Red Sunset Divine Sword, we quickly began to head for the Guanyin Manor, where Lady Jeong-in was said to be held captive.
***
The Murim Alliance, Mancheong Pavilion.
At the Murim Alliance's intelligence agency and headquarters of the Shadow Unit, Jegal Ji-gang was reading a newly submitted report with a grave expression.
"The hiding place of Georyeokma Jeo Woong-won is the Righteous Faction Alliance in Sichuan, and that Righteous Faction Alliance is the Blood Cult's forward base.... Is this truly confirmed?"
The Lord of Mancheong Pavilion, who was standing before Jegal Ji-gang on standby, bowed his head and replied.
"We have not yet verified it. However, what was delivered with the report was unquestionably a secret manual of the Blood Cult."
Jegal Ji-gang received and examined the torn secret manual that the Lord of Mancheong Pavilion handed him.
It was the Blood Cult secret manual ripped in half, which Seonwoo Jin-i had sent through Sak Mu-heun.
Sak Mu-heun had sent a report to the Murim Alliance using the messenger pigeon of the Shadow Unit Team Eight, which had been wiped out the other time.
Finally judging it highly likely to be true, Jegal Ji-gang gnashed his teeth, his eyes ablaze with fury.
"The Blood Demon, that scoundrel dares...!"
The Lord of Mancheong Pavilion asked carefully.
"Shall we dispatch an armed force to the Righteous Faction Alliance?"
But Jegal Ji-gang, who had been stroking his chin in contemplation for a moment, soon shook his head and answered.
"No, still, confirming the truth should come first. Send word to the sects of Sichuan Province. Tell them to verify whether the Righteous Faction Alliance is the Blood Cult's forward base, and if it is true, to wipe it out completely."
"Yes! Understood!"
Then, with sharp eyes, he gave an additional order.
"Also send the same message to Geomseong, who is at the frontlines. Add that this is a matter so severe it could lead to a second Great Blood War."
At those words, the Lord of Mancheong Pavilion's face stiffened with gravity.
"A second... Great Blood War, did you say?"
"If this is true, it would be more than ample justification for it. But do not worry too much. I will handle it before it comes to that."
"Yes! Understood, Advisor!"
Having finished speaking, Jegal Ji-gang suddenly gazed at the ripped secret manual of the Blood Cult and asked.
"But why did this secret manual arrive torn in half?"
"Well, I also... am not sure."
Jegal Ji-gang fell into thought again, then asked.
"You said this report came from the Shadow Unit Team Eight? Was Team Eight not the one that recently reported Georyeokma's movement north?"
"Yes, that is correct, Advisor."
"If my memory serves me right, we never ordered the Shadow Unit to track Georyeokma, yet you mean to tell me they not only chased Georyeokma but also confirmed his connection to the Righteous Faction Alliance?"
"Y-yes. It appears so."
Then Jegal Ji-gang looked toward the Lord of Mancheong Pavilion with piercing eyes and spoke.
"Something seems a bit off. Summon them to the Alliance. And bring all the information on them and all the reports they have ever submitted to my office."
"Yes! Understood!"
Jegal Ji-gang stared toward the distant frontlines with eyes as sharp as if they could be cut by a blade.
The fact that the Blood Demon was not someone who would sit quietly and abide by the non-aggression pact was something he had long known.
He had also guessed to some degree that puppets would be set up north of the frontlines.
But even he had not imagined that those puppets would be a grand sect the size of the Righteous Faction Alliance.
Moreover, to get caught kidnapping women of the Ami Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects—this was crossing a line far, far beyond all bounds.
Returning to his office, he murmured quietly.
"It means they are not content with Yunnan Province alone, I take it? Heheh, well, this is rather fortunate. At this opportunity, I can chip away at the Blood Demon's power and make him owe me a proper debt."
He had told the Lord of Mancheong Pavilion that it was a matter that could lead to a second Great Blood War, but that would surely never happen.
Because he would never allow it to come to that.
Jegal Ji-gang instead smiled faintly.
If, by sweeping away the Righteous Faction Alliance, he could destroy the forward base into which the Blood Demon had poured his heart and soul, and moreover make the Blood Demon owe him a great debt, wouldn't that be an immensely satisfying outcome?
And at the same time, he could also settle Geomseong's affairs.
His mind was already busy contemplating how to exploit this situation to his advantage.
After pondering for a moment, he finally picked up his brush and personally began to draft a letter to be sent to the Blood Demon.