Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Time Brings New Encounters (2)
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Jong Ri-yeon came down to the dining hall. Her hair, still slightly damp and not fully dry, gave off an intriguing sheen.
Perhaps because of that, many people in the dining hall couldn't tear their eyes away from her face. Jong Ri-yeon sat down at the table in front of Dam Ho, her expression utterly unperturbed, as if she were used to such stares.
"Did I keep you waiting long?"
"No!"
Dam Ho shook his head.
On the table sat a half-empty bottle of liquor and some simple side dishes.
"Pour me a drink too?"
"Mm!"
Dam Ho nodded and filled her cup. Jong Ri-yeon downed it in one gulp.
Just from that single drink, her face flushed bright red in an instant.
Jong Ri-yeon smiled.
"It's bitter, but good."
Dam Ho nodded and tossed back his own cup.
A pleasant burn spread through his throat. The innkeeper's own brew was incredibly strong, which brought on a delightful buzz.
Jong Ri-yeon sipped her liquor. Before long, her eyes had grown hazy with intoxication.
Propping her chin on one hand, she gazed at Dam Ho.
"You know what?"
"......"
"You're such an unlucky guy. Headstrong personality, no compromise in you at all. Wherever you go, trouble follows, and you've got enemies everywhere......"
Her voice, laced with drink, came out soft and moist. Dam Ho listened to Jong Ri-yeon's words in silence.
"Aren't you worried? Making so many enemies like that."
"And you? You've turned the Nangong family against you. You okay with that?"
"How could I be? I'm scared to death even now. But I don't regret it. Thanks to that, I saved Yeon-i's life. If I hadn't saved Yeon-i, I'd have regretted it even more."
Jong Ri-yeon downed another cup, as if her throat were parched.
"Master always said that. To value the people at the bottom. And he lived that way himself. But it's overwhelming for me. How did Master manage it? Wasn't Master ever afraid?"
The question directed at Dam Ho had turned into Jong Ri-yeon's own rambling monologue.
She might act calm on the outside, but inside, she was incredibly fragile. She was just trying to stand tall because she was a physician, a profession that dealt with life itself.
Jong Ri-yeon knew her fears, but she was fully aware of her role as a physician and what she had to do.
"Now you tell me. You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Really?"
"What's done is done. Can't turn it back. So we move forward. No matter what lies ahead."
"You're really strong. I envy you. If only I had that unshakeable resolve...... Why did Master have to pick me as his disciple?"
Muttering to herself like that, Jong Ri-yeon suddenly slumped face-first onto the table. She had passed out from the alcohol.
Dam Ho gazed at her wordlessly.
Jong Ri-yeon showed no signs of waking. Dam Ho finished the remaining liquor, leaving her there.
After draining the entire bottle, Dam Ho hoisted Jong Ri-yeon onto his back and carried her up to her room.
Her clothes were disheveled from the drunken stupor, revealing glimpses of her pale skin.
Her flushed face was stunningly beautiful, enough to shake anyone's heart. But Dam Ho's expression barely changed as he looked upon the lovely Jong Ri-yeon.
After staring down at her for a moment, Dam Ho stepped out. The door closed, leaving Jong Ri-yeon alone in the room.
"Ha!"
An inexplicable sigh echoed through the room.
***
Gohyeon was a city in the southern part of Shaanxi Province. With major highways intersecting from all four directions, it naturally drew crowds of people.
As people gathered, wealth followed. That wealth attracted even more people, and Gohyeon grew into a fairly large city.
Moreover, being in southern Shaanxi, it was seen as relatively safe from the Demonic Cult. While the north in Saxiu had a Murim Alliance branch, nothing like that existed here.
Shaanxi was a barren land with no massive sects like the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families. Instead, it was filled with mid-sized sects of moderate scale and small dojos.
Gohyeon was no different. It had five small dojos and an organization called the Blue Cloud Hall. The relatively large Blue Cloud Hall claimed to be the alliance leader of Gohyeon and thus controlled the most interests.
Even as blood winds blew across the land with the Demonic Cult's rise, Gohyeon prospered instead, thanks to its reputation for safety drawing in wealth.
Blue Cloud Hall was thriving as a result.
"Profits are up thirty percent from last month. Haha!"
"Congratulations, Hall Lord. At this rate, our Blue Cloud Hall could become a powerhouse rivaling the Nine Great Sects."
"Haha! You think so?"
Boisterous laughter erupted from the hall lord's quarters.
Blue Cloud Hall's lord, So Do-cheol, and his deputy, Jang Myeong, sat facing each other, chuckling.
"By the way, a letter came from the Murim Alliance, right?"
"Yes. I was just about to bring it to you."
Jang Myeong pulled a letter from his bosom and presented it to So Do-cheol. As So Do-cheol read it, his face twisted slightly.
"What's it say?"
"Obvious. They want money from the Murim Alliance. And manpower, too."
"Bastards, like thieves in broad daylight."
"Who says otherwise? Everyone knows Shaanxi has nothing to do with the Demonic Cult. Why should we give them our money and men?"
"But we can't just ignore them outright."
"Exactly! Those guys hold grudges forever."
So Do-cheol scratched his chin.
His face clearly showed annoyance.
He thought the Murim Alliance's demands excessive, but he couldn't ignore them. Not only the Five Great Families and Nine Great Sects, but most influential sects across the land belonged to the Alliance.
Defying them would invite endless repercussions.
"Damn it! No choice. We'll make a show of it. Deputy, figure out a suitable amount. Pick some kids to send to the Alliance, too."
"How many kids?"
"Fifty or so should do. Mostly the new recruits."
"Understood."
Jang Myeong smiled.
The new disciples still had much to learn. They weren't proper martial artists yet.
Sending them to the Murim Alliance posed no real loss to Blue Cloud Hall.
"But we'll have to cough up more cash."
"Yeah! Money we can earn back. Heh!"
"Got it. I'll handle it."
"You're easy to talk to, Deputy. That's why I like you."
"I always respect you, Hall Lord. In this life and the next, I'll follow only you."
"Hahaha!"
So Do-cheol burst into loud laughter at Jang Myeong's flattery.
The thought of Blue Cloud Hall booming under his leadership lifted his spirits. What greater honor for a leader of a faction?
"The seat beside me is always yours. Got it? We're in this till the end."
"Of course. Who else but me to stand by you, Hall Lord? Even to the ends of hell."
"Good! I'm in a great mood. Let's have a drink."
"I'll have the attendants prepare some side dishes."
"Mm!"
As So Do-cheol nodded contentedly,
"Kaaak!"
"Aaak!"
Screams erupted, and chaos broke out outside.
"What the hell?"
So Do-cheol's face darkened instantly.
Jang Myeong shot to his feet.
"I'll check it out."
"No, come with me."
The two rushed outside together.
"No way!"
The moment they stepped out, their faces contorted in horror.
Blue Cloud Hall was under attack by unidentified foes. Hundreds of warriors in red uniforms had stormed in, slaughtering the hall's members.
Blood sprayed, screams filled the air.
Most of the fallen were Blue Cloud Hall warriors; the red-clad invaders suffered almost no losses. It was utter domination.
"Wh-who the hell are they?"
So Do-cheol's shoulders trembled.
Then Jang Myeong's scream-like voice rang out.
"It's the Demonic Cult. They're definitely Demonic Cultists."
"Demonic Cult?"
Only then could So Do-cheol view the battlefield with a clear gaze.
Terrifying prowess, merciless hands, hundreds of warriors with the emotionless eyes of killers.
Countless sects dotted the land, but only the Demonic Cult possessed forces with such distinct traits.
"Why the Demonic Cult?"
So Do-cheol muttered blankly, forgetting even to rage.
"Blue Cloud Hall Lord So Do-cheol, that you?"
A chillingly cold voice pierced So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong's ears.
"Gasp! When?"
"Urk!"
Hearing it right behind them, they whirled around in shock. There stood a warrior in blood-red robes and a bamboo hat.
A bloody haze rose from the warrior's face beneath the hat, obscuring his features entirely. On his back was a long object wrapped in cloth.
The sight froze So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong like frogs before a snake.
Instinct told them this blood-red figure was from a wholly different league. They couldn't even think of resisting.
"Uwaaak!"
"S-save me!"
Even as they watched, Blue Cloud Hall members died helplessly. The hall's annihilation was inevitable.
The blood-red warrior asked.
"Want to save your disciples?"
"Y-yes."
So Do-cheol gritted his teeth in reply.
He couldn't let Blue Cloud Hall be wiped out. He had to preserve the lineage, by any means.
In a flash, the blood-red warrior unwrapped the object on his back. Three swords emerged.
He tossed two at So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong's feet.
"Fight."
"What?"
"Hall Lord So Do-cheol, win and I'll spare the rest of Blue Cloud Hall. Deputy Jang Myeong, win and I'll spare your family."
"Grk!"
"Fight."
The fight inside was over. Surviving Blue Cloud Hall members knelt, awaiting the Demonic Cult's judgment. On one side, knives pressed against Jang Myeong's family's throats.
"Hall Lord."
"H-husband!"
"Da-daddy!"
The hall's disciples and Jang Myeong's family wept.
"You devils......"
So Do-cheol glared at the blood-red warriors in fury. But he had no choice. Neither did Jang Myeong.
The two picked up the swords.
"Sorry."
"Forgive me."
To save what mattered most to them, they had to fight.
Chaeng!
Their swords clashed.
Sparks flew, blood spilled.
The two, who had been like blood brothers for twenty years, now unleashed killing blows as if they were mortal enemies.
The blood-red warrior watched, arms crossed. The bloody haze on his face faded, revealing his true appearance.
Prominent cheekbones, sunken eyes. Above his hooked nose, red pupils gleamed with eerie fervor and madness.
A cold smile played on the blood-red warrior's lips.
He carried three swords.
Two were for making those with something to protect fight each other.
Like So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong battling fiercely before him.
The blood-red warrior's name was Deung Cheon-so.
In Deung Cheon-so's eyes, So Do-cheol and Jang Myeong fought, blood streaming down their faces. The desperate struggle of those with something to safeguard brought pleasure beyond mere interest.
Deung Cheon-so spoke.
"Next target?"
"Saxiu."
"What did the Cult Leader say?"
"No survivors needed."
At his subordinate's reply, Deung Cheon-so's lips curled up.
"That's what I do best."
Then—
Puk!
"Kuhuk!"
Jang Myeong's scream echoed across the battlefield. So Do-cheol's sword had pierced his heart.
"H-Hall Lord."
"Sorry."
So Do-cheol turned his head, avoiding Jang Myeong's gaze.
Jang Myeong's body collapsed in a heap. His wide eyes brimmed with resentment toward So Do-cheol.
"Aaak! Darling!"
"Daddy!"
Jang Myeong's family screamed.
So Do-cheol ignored their cries and faced Deung Cheon-so.
"Khuk! I won. Spare my disciples."
Tears streamed from his eyes.
Deung Cheon-so gripped the third sword.
The smooth hilt fit perfectly in his hand.
"My bad."
"What?"
"Win and I'll spare your hall members? That was a lie."
"N-no way?"
"I'm a Demonic Cultist, remember? Lies are our bread and butter."
Deung Cheon-so laughed.
Puk!
The sword sank into So Do-cheol's chest like tofu.
Seared by agony, So Do-cheol's eyes bulged. Deung Cheon-so patted his back.
"Don't feel too hard done by. Plenty more will follow your lead."
Focus faded from So Do-cheol's eyes.
That was his end.
The third sword's purpose: to claim the life of the victor from the first two.
Deung Cheon-so collected the three swords and issued a command.
"Kill every last ant. Let the world know our cult's terror."
"Yes, sir!"
Death descended on the surviving Blue Cloud Hall members.
Amid the carnage of blood and death, Deung Cheon-so laughed. His laughter terrified not just Blue Cloud Hall but even his fellow Demonic Cult warriors.
Deung Cheon-so's moniker was Blood Sea Judge.
The one who pronounced death's verdict with madness. He was one of the Demonic Cult's vaunted Seven Great Demon Lords.
Wherever he passed, only a sea of blood remained.