Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: 7. Rising Where One Fell (1)
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Daoist Cheonghui headed to a place far removed from the Fengjin Inn. Once they reached an area devoid of people, he finally spoke.
“I am Daoist Cheonghui of Wudang. I know you’ve been watching us. Come out.”
“…….”
“Escort Leader Im.”
No response came. Yet Daoist Cheonghui waited patiently.
After a moment, a rustling sound emerged, and the ground about ten paces away stirred.
A glint of light flashed in Daoist Cheonghui’s eyes.
In that instant, the earth’s surface parted, and a figure emerged.
“Escort Leader Im?”
“My apologies, Daoist. I had to check if any pursuers were following.”
The man, tossing aside the cloth he had used to camouflage himself on the ground, was Im Horyeong, the escort leader of the Northern Escort Agency.
Im Horyeong was in utter rags. His left arm was missing, presumably severed, and his body was covered in old scars. His dust-caked clothes hung in tatters like rags.
“Are you alright, Escort Leader Im?”
“I’m fine. But the agency’s people…”
Thick tears streamed down Im Horyeong’s cheeks.
Everyone from the Northern Escort Agency had perished, leaving him alone. If Chief Escort Mak Gong hadn’t desperately drawn the enemies’ attention, he wouldn’t have survived either.
Seizing a moment when the foes let their guard down, he had hidden in a sand pit. An ordinary person would have focused solely on preserving their life. But Im Horyeong was no ordinary man.
He had clung to survival for one reason: to avenge his comrades.
Daoist Cheonghui comforted him.
“At least you survived. That’s a relief.”
“Daoist… ugh!”
Im Horyeong’s shoulders heaved.
Daoist Cheonghui silently watched him. He knew no words could offer true solace in such a moment.
Once Im Horyeong had composed himself, he spoke.
“My apologies.”
“No need. If you’re able, I’d like to hear what happened.”
“I tracked them all the way to their base.”
“Really?”
“I staked my life on it.”
Im Horyeong gritted his teeth. His eyes were bloodshot red.
The attackers had fled north with the Northern Escort Agency’s cargo. He could have simply escaped, but instead, he shadowed them in secret.
He believed uncovering their identity and exacting justice was the only way to avenge his fallen comrades.
Risking his life, he tailed them for two days and finally discovered their destination.
“Are you certain they’re remnants of the Demonic Cult?”
“I overheard their conversation. They definitely used the term ‘our cult.’ From what I know, no one in the martial world uses that phrase except the Demonic Cult. And they wore robes emblazoned with a pattern reminiscent of the sacred flame.”
“Hmm!”
Daoist Cheonghui let out a low groan.
It wasn’t conclusive proof. But the mere mention of a term associated with the Demonic Cult made the journey here worthwhile.
“You’ve done well.”
Daoist Cheonghui patted Im Horyeong’s back.
A residual tremor ran through Im Horyeong’s back.
The stench of his comrades’ blood still clung to his body, lingering like a ghost. It wouldn’t fade until he avenged them.
A twitch stirred at the corner of Daoist Cheonghui’s eye.
‘Please, let it not be the Demonic Cult…’
He prayed it was merely Im Horyeong’s mistake.
At an hour when all were asleep, under Daoist Hyeonso’s watchful eye, Damho circulated his energy. He no longer needed the Recovery Pills to practice the Central Heaven Heart Technique without issue.
Damho’s Central Heaven Heart Technique had already reached the fifth stage. It was the fruit of the pills’ aid and his own grueling efforts.
During the journey here, Damho hadn’t skipped a single day of cultivation. While others chatted or drank, he cultivated. Thanks to that, he now deeply comprehended the technique.
Daoist Hyeonso murmured.
“The Central Heaven Heart Technique is a solid foundation. Just as Huashan’s core arts evolved from it, deepen this, and you’ll forge your own unique cultivation method.”
Watching his disciple’s rapid progress brought Daoist Hyeonso immense joy.
At that moment, Damho finished circulating and opened his eyes.
“Master.”
“Oh, done already?”
“Yes!”
“Well done.”
Damho rose, unfolding his legs from the meditative posture.
Though he had ridden nonstop from Huashan with scarcely any rest, no trace of fatigue showed on his face. The benefits of the Central Heaven Heart Technique were evident.
In contrast, Daoist Hyeonso’s expression was profoundly grim.
“Is something troubling you, Master?”
“No.”
“Master.”
“It’s nothing. Just much on my mind. Don’t worry.”
“Yes!”
“You rascal!”
Daoist Hyeonso forced a smile.
“Martial Uncle!”
Mugyeong’s voice came from outside.
“Come in.”
At Daoist Hyeonso’s permission, Mugyeong and Ungyeong hurriedly opened the door and entered.
“What is it?”
“Daoist Cheonghui has ordered an urgent mobilization.”
“At this hour?”
Daoist Hyeonso glanced out the window. It was still early dawn, darkness lingering.
“He said it’s urgent.”
“Urgent?”
Daoist Hyeonso’s eyebrow twitched.
At this juncture, only one matter could be urgent.
‘The Demonic Cult.’
Daoist Hyeonso rose swiftly and said to Damho.
“Prepare quickly and follow.”
“Yes!”
Daoist Hyeonso and Mugyeong dashed out first.
As Damho packed Daoist Hyeonso’s belongings, Ungyeong spoke.
“Why not stay behind?”
“Pardon?”
“If they truly are Demonic Cult warriors, no one will have the spare capacity to protect you.”
“Senior Brother.”
“Better to not burden everyone. Staying here helps us all.”
Ungyeong’s gaze was ice-cold, chilling to the bone. Yet it failed to shake Damho’s resolve.
“Why do you think I’d be a burden?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
“No matter what you say, I’m going.”
“Cheonkyeong!”
“I can’t let Master go alone to such danger.”
With Damho standing firm, Ungyeong had no more to say.
“I warned you.”
“I heard you clearly.”
“Stubborn as ever.”
Ungyeong shook his head and turned away. As he moved to leave, he paused and looked back.
“Still… be careful.”
Without waiting for a reply, he exited.
Damho gazed at the door where Ungyeong had vanished, but only briefly. Soon, he finished packing and stepped out.
The young experts from each sect had already gathered before the Fengjin Inn. Mounted and waiting, tension etched their faces.
Moments later, Daoist Cheonghui, Daoist Hyeonso, and Zhongnan’s Yeom Junghwa emerged. At their side was Im Horyeong, his left arm severed.
Daoist Cheonghui addressed the young warriors.
“Time presses, so I’ve summoned you at this hour. We depart Yukmun Pass immediately for Xinjiang. Mind your safety above all and keep pace. Let’s move.”
Daoist Cheonghui mounted first and rode out, followed by Yeon So-ha and the Wudang disciples.
“We move too.”
Yeom Junghwa led the Zhongnan disciples after them.
Huashan’s disciples brought up the rear.
Mugyeong spurred his horse to Daoist Hyeonso’s side.
“Martial Uncle.”
“What is it?”
“Martial Uncle, just confirm if they’re truly Demonic Cult warriors and withdraw.”
“But…”
“Master instructed it. Leave the fighting to Wudang and prioritize your safety. If battle erupts, retreat without hesitation.”
“Understood.”
Daoist Hyeonso nodded at last.
By rank and age, he was the senior-most, but Mugyeong was Huashan’s de facto leader here. Daoist Hyeonso had to obey.
‘Is it really the Demonic Cult?’
Daoist Cheonghui had also let Daoist Hyeonso and Yeom Junghwa meet Im Horyeong. He recounted the battle near Napo Fortress.
Im Horyeong’s account was so vivid it felt like witnessing the fight firsthand. The foes’ techniques he described closely matched those Daoist Cheonghui knew from the Demonic Cult.
Especially the saber art of their leader resembled the infamous Demonic Cult absolute art, Full Wasteland Nine Absolutes Saber.
Above all, the flame emblem on their robes evoked the Demonic Cult’s sacred flame symbol.
Daoist Hyeonso’s face darkened involuntarily.
Twenty years ago, how much blood had been shed? The martial world’s peace had been reclaimed at the cost of countless lives.
If these were truly Demonic Cult remnants, greater sacrifices loomed.
‘Amitabha! Please, let it not be the Demonic Cult…’
Daoist Hyeonso prayed fervently.
Yukmun Pass appeared in the distance.
Guards manned the pass. Already informed, they swung open the gates.
A blood-red wasteland stretched before them.
***
The man’s chamber was vast. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, filled with countless volumes.
His desk sat amid the shelves, perfectly positioned to reach any book with ease.
The man, appearing in his late forties, had strikingly clear features. Unusually fair skin for a man, sharp eyes, and firmly pressed lips left a strong impression.
As he pored over a book, a voice came.
“Clan Lord.”
It emanated from empty air.
The man called Clan Lord looked up. The voice continued.
“It’s Brain Palace.”
“What’s the matter?”
“We’ve got a tail.”
“A tail?”
“Looks like that meal didn’t sit well. Confirmed survivors from the Northern Escort Agency.”
“Didn’t Deputy Leader Jong handle it?”
“My apologies.”
The man furrowed his brow at Brain Palace’s response.
“Where did they attach?”
“Confirmed: Wudang, Huashan, Zhongnan.”
The man’s eyes chilled. He closed his book and stood.
Three of the Nine Great Sects tailing meant all nine might mobilize.
If the Nine Great Sects moved, the Five Great Families would follow, and soon the entire martial world.
“We lack the strength to face the world yet.”
“What shall we do?”
“Abandon this place.”
“Pardon? You mean forsake the Celestial Forbidden Demon Jail so easily?”
“It was inevitable eventually. Just sooner than planned.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll report to the Cult Leader. Begin.”
“As you command!”
Brain Palace’s presence vanished.
Alone, the man muttered.
“Even abandoning the Celestial Forbidden Demon Jail, I must leave a gift.”
His eyes gleamed ominously.