Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Doomed Caravan
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Having finished the forging, Hyeok Mulin stayed at the Namdo Iron Gate for a few days to rest.
The Pure Soul Divine Demon Art possessed an almost miraculous recovery power, allowing him to rapidly restore his condition.
Thus, on the third day, with most of his internal energy recovered, Hyeok Mulin went to visit Kun Do-sang.
"Cult Leader, what brings you here...?"
Kun Do-sang, who had been lying exhausted on his sickbed, tried to rise, but Hyeok Mulin immediately stopped him.
Unlike Hyeok Mulin, he appeared to have recovered less than a tenth of his strength.
That wasn't unusual.
They had worked nonstop for seven days and nights, so this was the normal state of affairs.
Hyeok Mulin's recovery in just three days was the abnormal part.
"How's your body holding up?"
"Feels like death. The fatigue I didn't notice during the work hit me all at once afterward."
"You worked hard."
"It's fine, though. No, my mind's more at ease than ever. We won that battle in the end, didn't we?"
He was right.
We had won.
Not on a battlefield, but in the workshop, battling iron, heat, and cold.
"This is the final product, the completed sword."
Hyeok Mulin handed him the Heaven-Splitting Demon Sword.
Kun Do-sang touched the scabbard, nodded in satisfaction, and handed it back to Hyeok Mulin.
"I've forged all sorts of weapons over decades, but I've never seen one without a single flaw. Not to boast, but this is truly a magnificent sword."
"I think so too."
Hyeok Mulin retrieved the sword and smiled contentedly.
"Recover slowly. I'm heading back to the main cult."
"Already? I was planning a feast to celebrate the birth of the Heaven-Splitting Demon Sword."
"Save that joy for when we meet again. It'll make you want to see me more."
"Huhu, you're right."
Kun Do-sang's lips curved into a faint smile.
But it didn't last. Soon, his expression turned regretful.
"...Cult Leader, there's something I need to say."
But at that moment, Hyeok Mulin cut him off.
"I know."
It was probably that Namdo Iron Gate couldn't openly declare support for the Heavenly Demon just from this incident.
In a way, it was natural.
Even after forging the Heaven-Splitting Demon Sword together for days and building some bond and goodwill, crossing the line to full sect support required overcoming another hurdle.
A sect leader had to weigh the pros and cons for the sect's benefit before deciding.
No matter how much personal rapport they shared, it was limited to the sword's forging.
Namdo Iron Gate still lacked evidence to back full support.
"I'm truly sorry."
Kun Do-sang bowed his head in shame.
But Hyeok Mulin didn't mind at all.
"I didn't come here for your support—I came for the sword. I've achieved that perfectly, so I'm satisfied. Lift your head."
"Cult Leader..."
His eyes glistened with emotion.
Then, as if resolving something, he spoke in a firm voice.
"Even so, I can say this with certainty: even if we can't stand at the forefront of your supporters, we will never stand against you."
Friendly neutrality.
Not bad. In fact, the best outcome.
He had only come for the sword anyway.
Securing an exquisite masterwork sword and forging a positive tie with one of the demonic landscape's sects was pure profit for Hyeok Mulin.
"That's more than enough. I'll win the rest over myself later."
As Hyeok Mulin exuded confidence, Kun Do-sang relaxed, as if chiding himself for worrying needlessly.
Hyeok Mulin gave his final farewell.
"Stay healthy until we meet again."
"May the Cult Leader enjoy longevity and health."
Leaving Kun Do-sang's bow behind, Hyeok Mulin exited the chamber.
He ordered the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad waiting ahead.
"We're returning to the Heavenly Demon Palace."
"Yes!"
"Then..."
Hyeok Mulin turned his head and continued.
"Follow at your own pace."
"...Pardon?"
As the squad members tilted their heads in confusion, Hyeok Mulin shot forward without giving them time to question.
They stared blankly at him vanishing into the distant mountains, then their faces paled. Without a word, they urgently unleashed their lightness skills to chase after him.
Meanwhile, Hyeok Mulin, leading with Shadow Swift Step, moved with incredibly light footsteps.
His hair streamed neatly back, perfectly riding the wind's direction.
He glanced at his blurred surroundings, gauged his speed, and nodded.
'Definitely faster.'
Not just his lightness skill, but the Pure Soul Divine Demon Art reaching the fourth realm had made him noticeably quicker than before.
Even with moderate internal energy use, it matched his previous top speed.
'This is the power of a profound art.'
He clearly felt the art's advancement translating directly to his martial prowess.
Checking his senses, the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad was far behind, the gap widening.
Not just the members—even the capable squad leaders couldn't keep up.
But still.
"As expected of the captain."
Ji Wolhon alone stuck to Hyeok Mulin's tail.
Of course, by his internal energy, it seemed to be his limit. If Hyeok Mulin went all out, he'd pull ahead, but this was already impressive.
Their movements differed starkly at a glance.
Hyeok Mulin glided smoothly with flowing steps, while Ji Wolhon advanced with massive strides, covering vast distances in powerful bounds.
Hyeok Mulin spoke to Ji Wolhon following behind.
"Must've been boring these past few days."
"Not at all. It was a great chance to broaden my horizons."
He meant it.
A warrior used to life-or-death combat had toured the workshop, witnessing another kind of battlefield. It was refreshing for him.
It would likely play a big role in future insights.
"Since we came this far, you should've grabbed a weapon."
"I tried on several there, but none felt right. Even if gear helps in battle, I prefer the sensation of bare hands."
"I see."
"However."
Ji Wolhon parted his robes, revealing the armor beneath.
"I got armor instead of a weapon. Woven with lapis lazuli and dark qilin silk, it's light as silk robes yet tough. A fine piece."
"Ho."
"The squad members each got gear suited to them. Their purses are lighter, but their hearts are fuller."
Good then.
We owe Namdo Iron Gate a lot.
Hyeok Mulin glanced back and smirked.
Then he turned forward and accelerated even faster.
Returning to the Heavenly Demon Palace, Hyeok Mulin naturally headed to the Pure Heaven Pavilion.
Sima Jin, buried in documents as always, greeted him.
"You're back later than expected."
"Did you think I'd return faster than this?"
"Yes. With the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, I figured you'd stir up a storm. But seeing your demeanor, it seems you didn't go that far. What's that new sword?"
Sima Jin's gaze went to Hyeok Mulin's waist.
It wasn't his old one, but a new sword exuding a subtle aura and noble elegance.
"I had a new one made there."
"Pardon? You didn't just receive it—you made it?"
As Sima Jin asked dubiously, Hyeok Mulin smiled warmly in response.
Sensing the Cult Leader had accomplished something again, Sima Jin smoothly shifted to Namdo Iron Gate talk, as if routine.
"Looks like things wrapped up well with the sect leader."
"Yes. And I got their firm assurance they won't oppose me, at least."
"Friendly neutrality—that's huge help already."
"Release all the Namdo Iron Gate envoys we captured before. No need to haggle now that we've built good ties getting the new sword."
"Understood. Consider it done."
Sima Jin bowed in acceptance.
"Anything happen at the cult while I was gone?"
Not long absent, Hyeok Mulin expected nothing major.
If there were, word would have reached him first.
"No, nothing you'd need to worry about. The Yagul Clan is safely progressing construction in Yin Valley, and the Hyeok Clan is steadily filling the vacant chief steward position."
"Good."
"Also, Manri Merchant Association resumed operations smoothly after changing leadership, heading out on a long-distance caravan in two days."
"Relieved to hear it."
Manri Merchant Association was Hyeok Mulin's hidden lifeline.
With its core overhauled, the first caravan had to succeed.
"Destination?"
"Not Shin-gang this time. Playing to their long-distance strengths, they're heading to Cheonghae Province."
"Cheonghae Province..."
...Wait.
Hyeok Mulin froze.
Shin-gang caravan.
Long-distance route.
Cheonghae Province?
Combining the info sparked a realization.
No way.
His face hardened as he asked Sima Jin.
"What's the most valuable cargo on this caravan?"
"Cargo?"
Sima Jin pondered briefly before answering.
"The Cheonghae Province Comprehensive Topographical Map—the first map detailing all its roads and terrain."
"...As I feared."
This was bad.
His words confirmed it.
This caravan was doomed to fail.
Tangled with the Three Longevity Assassins, like vines.
The Three Longevity Assassins.
The collective name for the world's largest assassin groups: Four Souls Hall, Black Rock Hall, and Kill Hall.
Their missions succeeded without fail; targets were always eliminated, no matter what.
And this caravan from Manri Merchant Association would cross paths with them.
And...
They would be massacred to the last soul.