Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Those Who Infiltrated the Martial Alliance
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The Soul-Stealing Immortal, having regained consciousness, did not speak right away.
He simply remained silent.
He listened to the three of them finish their conversation.
‘Only a fool would interrupt such a historic moment.’
Mu-heun continued his story about the Ghost Spirits.
“The place Hye-nang returned to is very likely where they've been taking the abducted martial artists.”
“Then shouldn't we just strike them there? This is the Martial Alliance. No matter how well they've hidden themselves, we can select an elite force skilled in formations, led by the Soul-Stealing Immortal, find them, and attack.”
Mu-heun shook his head and said.
“There is a problem. We saw them heading toward Guiwon Temple, but they were not there. So I asked my servant, the Heavenly Fragrance Owl, to monitor and see where they disappeared from, but…”
“But?”
“It reported that they suddenly became untraceable. They simply vanish, without any clue as to whether they sink into the ground or rise into the sky.”
“V-Vanish?”
“Yes. Furthermore, I have some knowledge of formations myself. However, when I faced them in Okhwa-hyeon before, they were difficult to find when they were determined to hide.”
“Are you saying their arts are that superior?”
“I wouldn't say one side's arts are superior. The arts they use are closer to ghost arts, which is likely just unfamiliar to the practitioners of the martial world.”
“Hmm…”
Wi-guk and Bi Chwi-hak bowed their heads in thought, while Mu-heun devised another plan.
“Even if we search the entire vicinity of Guiwon Temple, there's no guarantee we'll find them.”
“Then, it seems our only option is to make direct contact with them.”
“However, they are also highly likely to sense our presence. This is a difficult request, but to find them as quickly as possible, we must use bait.”
“Bait?”
“Yes. I will track them with my Thousand-Li Subtle Fragrance, while a martial artist of no great skill acts as the bait. I will follow the martial artist's scent, locate their base, and we will wipe them out in one fell swoop.”
Just then, the Soul-Stealing Immortal suddenly stood up, laughing boisterously as he spoke.
“Just say the word. I'll bewitch anyone and throw them out as bait.”
His words sent a shiver down the spines of Mu-heun, Wi-guk, and Bi Chwi-hak. Mu-heun cleared his throat and said.
“While necessary, I would prefer someone with strong mental fortitude to volunteer. This task requires one to risk their life, and there's a possibility their mind might not withstand contact with those beings.”
At that moment, Wi-guk tilted his head and spoke.
“Excuse me… Master Mu-heun, isn't there a tracking art you use called Thousand-Li Subtle Fragrance?”
“Yes.”
“What is its range? Could it, by any chance, also find the Unorthodox Sect members who have infiltrated this place?”
“…Pardon?”
“Sect Master? Infiltrated?”
Wi-guk cleared his throat and spoke.
“I mentioned this to the Soul-Stealing Immortal, but heretics from the Unorthodox Sects have flocked here after receiving a request from the Demonic Cult. And the target of that request was you, Master Mu-heun.”
“M-Me?”
“Yes. They are called Sura's Seven Melodies and the Three Supreme Blades of the World. It seems the Three Supreme Blades are planning to ambush you on your way back to the Demonic Cult, while Sura's Seven Melodies have entered the Martial Alliance to find you.”
Upon hearing Wi-guk’s words, the Soul-Stealing Immortal, Jang Ryang, flew into a rage.
“Who are they? Which bastards dare! I will cast my arts upon them this instant and tear their bodies to shreds! Damn it! They’re worse than dogs!”
Mu-heun calmed Jang Ryang down and asked calmly.
“Do you know who they are disguised as?”
“No. This information was difficult to obtain as it is. I do not know who has infiltrated under disguise.”
“Then, I believe I can find them.”
“R-Really? Is your tracking art capable of such a thing?”
“No. It’s not the tracking art. I believe I can lure them out. I already had my suspicions about certain individuals, but I lacked proof. However, hearing your words, Sect Master, has given me an idea.”
“An idea?”
“Yes, now that I’ve confirmed their target is me, I can lure them out more effectively. Let's catch them first. I will explain what will happen afterward slowly, starting now.”
“…Oh!”
Mu-heun explained his plan to the three of them. A plan to use the Unorthodox Sect members targeting his life, rather than the warriors of the Orthodox Sects, to capture the Ghost Spirits.
After all, the best strategies were to get something for nothing, to profit from others' quarrels, to use one enemy to defeat another.
However, a corner of his heart grew bitter. The one from the Demonic Cult who had ordered his death. Which of his five senior brothers and sisters could it be?
In the end, would he have to kill them all with his own hands?
After much deliberation, all that remained was a cruel resolve.
‘If they want to see the end, then they shall.’
Just then, after the entire plan was laid out, the Soul-Stealing Immortal asked if he could have a word.
“First, I would like Master Bi Chwi-hak and Master Wi-guk to accompany me to the Martial Alliance’s secret chamber. The heads of the Five Great Families and the leaders of the Nine Sects, One Gang are gathered there now, waiting to hear your words.”
Bi Chwi-hak and Wi-guk looked at each other, nodded, and spoke.
“The secret chamber of the Martial Alliance… It seems the time has finally come?”
“Indeed. It will be an era of upheaval.”
“Understood.”
Jang Ryang then approached Mu-heun.
“Master Mu-heun.”
“What is it?”
“The current situation has changed slightly.”
“The situation has changed?”
“Yes. It seems you will have to fight and defeat all the semifinalists of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly at once.”
“Excuse me…?”
***
*Three weeks ago.*
In the city of Hamnyeong in Hubei Province, there was a sect called the Fierce Sword Sect. For a group belonging to the Orthodox Sects, they were famous for showing no mercy in their attacks.
They were criticized for their excessive ruthlessness toward opponents.
True to their name, the Fierce Sword Sect was overflowing with belligerence and known for their heavy-handedness.
They were still called an orthodox sect because they adhered to the line of justice and at least outwardly claimed to be righteous. However, their reputation was always hitting rock bottom.
Two weeks before the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, they were preparing to participate, even though they hadn't received permission from the Martial Alliance yet.
It was then.
A visitor came to the Fierce Sword Sect. The visitor stormed in without warning, shattered the main gate, and then cupped his fist in a salute.
“Greetings! I have come to learn a thing or two from the fierce swords that command Hamnyeong!”
The sect master and elders of the Fierce Sword Sect took great pride in their swordsmanship. Thus, they welcomed challengers with open arms.
They would not refuse a challenge from anyone, but they couldn't help but say a word to the ruffian before them.
“What!? If you wish to request a duel, you should have come politely! Why did you destroy the gate!”
“Kekeke. What need does a soon-to-be-gone sect have for a main gate?”
“Hah!!”
An elder from the Fierce Sword Sect roared, unable to contain his anger.
Just then, the sect master, known as the First Sword of Hamnyeong, walked unsteadily toward the sudden visitor and raised his hand to calm the sect elders and disciples.
“That’s enough.”
“S-Sect Master!?”
The sect master showed a relaxed smile and said.
“Since we are an orthodox sect, it is right to try and talk to those who are willing to converse. However!”
The sect master’s smile vanished as he pointed to the shattered main gate.
“But for beasts that don't know how to talk, a beating comes first.”
At that, the elders and disciples cheered.
“Waaaaaah! Sect Master! Show him no mercy!”
“That’s right! He looks like a beggar anyway, we should beat him like a dog until he fixes the gate!”
“Don't even think about walking out of here alive, you bastard!”
However, the visitor who had so brazenly shattered the gate simply curled his lips into a smirk.
The sect master of the Fierce Sword Sect was annoyed by his attitude, but he calmly tried to gauge his opponent’s skill again. To shatter the main gate in a single blow, he had to be at least a first-rate master.
But…
Even when he extended his senses to gauge his skill, he felt nothing.
‘This can’t be…’
The sect master felt something was amiss. He had already reached the transcendent level, so how could he not feel any energy from this man?
Could this ruffian be one of the Unorthodox Sects’ supreme masters?
The sect master’s heart raced, and he began to examine the man more closely.
The man, dressed in crimson clothes, had black iron plates wrapped around both wrists and a giant scythe slung across his back. His long black hair was tied back, revealing his neck, where a tattoo was etched in what looked like blood.
Wasted Blood Melody.
‘…!?’
The moment the Fierce Sword Sect’s master saw the tattoo, he realized something had gone terribly wrong.
His past days of being conceited about his skills and failing to suppress his belligerence had finally brought disaster upon him.
Even if his opponent was strong enough that he couldn't sense his energy, if he was only at the level of a master, it wouldn't be a hopeless situation. By coordinating with the other elders, they might be able to handle him.
However,
His opponent was Wasted Blood Melody… Wasted Blood Melody!
Of the two most infamous organizations currently on the Orthodox Sects’ public enemy list, the Three Supreme Blades of the World and Sura's Seven Melodies, Wasted Blood Melody was the man said to be the leader of the latter.
That meant his opponent was at least at the Profound Realm.
Even if he, the elders, and all the disciples joined forces, they couldn't win. But the cheers of his sect members behind him only grew louder.
*Gasp, gasp.*
His own breathing grew just as ragged.
“Sect Master! Beat him to a pulp!”
“Don't hold back!”
“Etch fear into him!”
‘Damn it!’
Unfortunately, besides the sect master who stood face-to-face with Wasted Blood Melody, no one in the Fierce Sword Sect recognized the gravity of the situation.
‘I need to buy time. I must ensure the elders and disciples can escape. First, I’ll naturally reveal his identity and guide them to flee.’
The sect master quickly made a decision.
“Who are you, and why have you come here?”
“Kekeke, the old man is using his head.”
Unlike before, the sect master flinched at Wasted Blood Melody's words, a cold sweat running down his back.
“…W-What do you mean by that?”
“Since those morons in the back don’t seem to get it yet, I’ll tell them myself.”
“…!?”
Wasted Blood Melody then shouted loud enough for everyone in the Fierce Sword Sect to hear.
“Listen up, you morons who have one foot in the Orthodox Sects! This Thousand Eagle Demonic Scythe on my back isn't a sharp blade meant to slice cleanly through skin! On the contrary, it's jagged. Why? To inflict a hellish agony upon morons like you!”
Hearing this, the members of the Fierce Sword Sect grew furious and shouted.
“What!? Sect Master! Are you just going to let that son of a bitch be?”
“If the Sect Master won't act, I will and beat him myself!”
“We need to tear his mouth open to make him come to his senses!”
“You damn bastard! You must have no fear!”
Despite the curses being hurled at him, Wasted Blood Melody merely smirked. In contrast, the more enraged the Fierce Sword Sect members became, the paler the sect master’s face grew.