Chapter 65
Chapter 65
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Annihilation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hwang Cheol-ung could not hide his despair.
It was a trap laid specifically for Baek Mu-heun. Over two hundred men had been mobilized for this ambush. The preparations were flawless, and their target had come alone. But what was this outcome?
He was kneeling, both arms severed, while the Sword Demon Assassination Squad and the secret units were utterly annihilated.
“Gah!”
The Red Demon Pavilion Lord coughed up blood.
Mu-heun watched the man kneeling before him—arms severed, body mangled, coughing up blood—and spoke.
“You see, it would have been so much better if you had just answered my questions from the beginning. Did it really have to come to this?”
Mu-heun regarded Hwang Cheol-ung with a look of pity.
“Knghh… You bastard. Don’t think this is the end.”
“The Flame Demon and the Ice Demon?”
“H-How did you know?”
“Did you really think I’d walk into a trap without knowing that? Didn’t you see me behead that guide of yours right at the start?”
Not long after arriving at Blood Tear Gorge, Mu-heun had beheaded Chu Mu-yeol, the Flame Demon's servant who guided him there. While the man had been an annoyance, the main reason was to reduce the enemy's strength, even by one, before the battle began.
“So you knew everything… How do you plan to handle it?”
“Don’t worry about them. The Sun and Moon Divine Maiden of the Sacred Fire Palace has likely already reported to the Cult Leader. I will make good use of your death and the deaths of the numerous secret units here.
For example… the Lord of the Killing Palace and the Lord of the Law Palace here will testify that the ones who attacked me on my way back from the disciples' gathering were the Red Demon Pavilion Lord and the armed forces of the Elders.”
“That’s…”
“I don’t think the Cult Leader will punish them, but at the very least, the whole world will know they tried to kill me using you. Then, even if one of their subordinates died, the Flame Demon and Ice Demon won’t be able to act rashly.”
At that moment, Cho Seon-neung, the Killing Palace Lord, and Cheon Ji-gyeong, the Law Palace Lord, had the same thought. The Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family was not some young upstart who relied solely on his own strength.
He already understood the ways of the martial world and was as seasoned as any veteran. He knew how to win people over and use them, and possessed the audacity to use himself as bait… He was, in every sense, a fitting candidate for the next Cult Leader.
Mu-heun looked at the armless, blood-soaked Hwang Cheol-ung and spoke in a low voice.
“Today, your head will fall to the ground, and the Red Demon Pavilion will vanish from the Demonic Cult.”
“W-What!”
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as they say. When you drew your blade, Pavilion Lord, you should have been prepared for this.”
“…”
“Then, I shall send you on your way.”
Mu-heun nodded at the Blade Leaf Demon and Mu-hwa, the head of the Sacred Moon Demonic Family. The Blade Leaf Demon and Mu-hwa nodded back, raising their greatsword and axe.
*Swish!*
Hwang Cheol-ung's head flew. With this, the head of the man who had joined hands with the Sichuan Tang Clan to drive Blade Leaf Gorge into despair had fallen. The roots of the ill-fated connection that began in Blade Leaf Gorge had been completely pulled out.
Hwang Cheol-ung's expression resembled that of the Golden Fang Poison Claw, who had died in Blade Leaf Gorge.
“Would it be alright to entrust the remaining remnants of the Red Demon Pavilion to you, Lord Blade Leaf Demon, and the Elders?”
Hearing this, the Blade Leaf Demon and the Elders, especially Mu-hwa of the Sacred Moon Demonic Family, replied with joy.
“Excellent!”
* * *
- The Cult Leader's Hall
The Sun and Moon Divine Maiden reported the situation so far and what was about to happen in Blood Tear Gorge to the Cult Leader in detail.
“Understood.”
“The Red Demon Pavilion Lord will likely die in Blood Tear Gorge. However, what should be done about the Flame Demon and the Ice Demon, who orchestrated this?”
“Leave them be.”
“…Yes.”
The Sun and Moon Divine Maiden was slightly puzzled by the Cult Leader's answer. It seemed he cherished the Fourth Young Master, yet he never offered him special treatment or protection.
The Cult Leader, not oblivious to her thoughts, spoke so the Divine Maiden would understand.
“It merely accelerates his growth.”
“…!”
The Sun and Moon Divine Maiden couldn't hide her astonishment.
‘The Cult Leader believes the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family will devour even the other five disciples!’
This was the moment that Mi-wol, the Sacred Fire Palace Lord and Sun and Moon Divine Maiden, finally became certain.
* * *
The disciples' banquet had ended, and the trap to kill Mu-heun had been utterly shattered. That night, the leaders of the various factions who had arrived after receiving Mu-heun's message and offered their help exchanged brief greetings.
Among them, Cheon Ji-gyeong and the Blade Leaf Demon seemed to be quite close.
“Blade Leaf Demon. It's been a while. I heard about what happened in Blade Leaf Gorge. Have you recovered well?”
“Yes, it is all thanks to the Fourth Young Master.”
“Haha, the Fourth Young Master is indeed extraordinary. Did you hear? He won the recent Divine Dragon Assembly.”
“Yes, I just heard. I thought he would have grown stronger since I last saw him in Blade Leaf Gorge… but I didn't expect it to be to this extent.”
“Tell me about it. I'm more surprised today than I was seeing him at the Divine Dragon Assembly.”
“But… Lord of the Law Palace.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“How did you come to be here? I don't think it was just because of the Fourth Young Master.”
“Hahaha! The Killing Palace Lord and I came at the request of the Sacred Fire Palace Lord. It's the first time the Sacred Fire Palace Lord has made such a request, but when you think about who is behind her, isn't it obvious?”
“…!”
Just then, Cho Seon-neung, the Killing Palace Lord, approached Mu-heun and spoke.
“By the way, Fourth Young Master. About that dagger you used to stab the Red Demon Pavilion Lord at the end.”
“Yes, Lord of the Killing Palace.”
“Did you coat the dagger with something? Why did the Red Demon Pavilion Lord's Blood Heaven Demonic Arts suddenly fade, and why did he age so rapidly?”
“It's the antidote to the Rosy-Faced Blood Heaven Demonic Arts.”
“…!”
The Killing Palace Lord seemed deeply flustered.
“Th-Then, you mean you knew about the attack in advance and prepared an antidote for the Blood Heaven Demonic Arts? And you precisely struck a gap while the four of us masters, myself included, were engaged in battle?”
“Yes… haha, the heavens were on my side.”
“Hah! Hahaha! Have you ever learned assassination separately?”
“I have not.”
“Haha… In that case, would you be willing to interact with the disciples of the Killing Palace?”
“Of course.”
Mu-heun promised the Killing Palace Lord, and Cho Seon-neung departed, unable to contain his admiration.
That day.
The three Elders and the Mon'o Pavilion Lord felt deep in their hearts the extent of the faction supporting Baek Mu-heun.
Weren't the lords of the Three Palaces, who were on a different level from the leaders of other factions, showing this much favor to the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family?
It was no longer a matter of supporting the sixth disciple on a mere hunch. What they were witnessing was a new current within the Divine Cult, and the faction gathered here was second to none.
They were certain of it.
If they didn't fall behind in the power struggle, the one with the strongest martial arts would ultimately become the next Cult Leader. And it seemed Baek Mu-heun, the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family, would be more than capable of surpassing all the other disciples within three years.
* * *
That night. The trap set by the Flame Demon and the Ice Demon had come to an end, but Mu-heun's counterattack was still in progress. A banquet of slaughter.
The Red Demon Pavilion Lord had died in Blood Tear Gorge, and the Red Demon Pavilion was facing a storm of blood.
The Blade Leaf Demon and his warriors stormed the Red Demon Pavilion with ferocious momentum, swinging their greatswords and cutting down Hwang Cheol-ung's men stationed at the main gate.
The main force of the Sacred Moon Demonic Family began conquering the outer sections of the Red Demon Pavilion, while the Tenth Elder, Mu-hwa, swung his axe toward its center.
Earth-shattering roars erupted simultaneously in every area and branch of the Red Demon Pavilion. Their forces were already enough to wipe out the pavilion, but having lost their Pavilion Lord, Vice Lord, command unit, Ak Jin-sam, Gang-in, and Wi Gun-seong, the Red Demon Pavilion was utterly helpless.
Yu So-jeong, head of the Purple Poison Demonic Family, and her subordinates spread a poison resembling purple roses. Those who practiced martial arts felt their internal energy scatter and could only mount a feeble resistance before being mercilessly slaughtered.
Ma Yun-chu of the Sun and Moon Demonic Family identified and evacuated the ordinary maids and servants who did not practice martial arts, while ruthlessly killing anyone among them who made a suspicious move.
The newly appointed Vice Lord of the Red Demon Pavilion had no idea what was happening. The scene unfolding before his eyes was incomprehensible to them, who were accustomed to plundering and slaughtering others.
The hunters had become the hunted; those who dealt death were now being killed… It was a strange sight, something they could never have imagined.
Savage, beast-like warriors wielding greatswords approached from the west, while axes raged in the east. A purple poison mist spread throughout the area, and those who didn't practice martial arts were quickly evacuated.
If one were to describe the unfamiliar scene that had befallen the Red Demon Pavilion in a single word, it would be… ‘annihilation.’
Then, an unexpected figure caught his eye: Mon'o Pavilion Lord Bul-wi. Striding toward the Vice Lord, Bul-wi smiled and said.
“You see… one must choose their master well.”
“Ha, haha, isn't it just fate?”
“Hmm… admirable. I bear you no ill will.”
And with that, the head of the newly appointed Vice Lord of the Red Demon Pavilion fell to the ground, his eyes closing as he remembered the final scene.
* * *
- The Next Day
An announcement was made from the Cult Leader's Hall to all members of the Divine Cult, and notices were posted throughout the roads of the Heavenly Mountains.
The notice read as follows.
[The Red Demon Pavilion bore malice over the defeat of Ak Jin-sam, Wi Gun-seong, and Gang-in at the hands of Baek Mu-heun, Un-pyo, and Pa-sun of the Heavenly Dance Family during the Divine Dragon Assembly. They subsequently attacked the Heavenly Dance Family, but were defeated in turn. Hwang Cheol-ung, the Red Demon Pavilion Lord, is dead, and not a single survivor remains in the Red Demon Pavilion.
We hereby officially announce the destruction of the Red Demon Pavilion. All duties previously managed by the Red Demon Pavilion will be temporarily overseen by the Blade Leaf Demon and the Mon'o Pavilion Lord.
Furthermore, as the Heavenly Dance Family merely defended against the Red Demon Pavilion's attack, they will not be held responsible for this incident. A search is underway for any other instigators involved.]
Although this was the official announcement from the Cult Leader's Hall, everyone in the know understood. The Red Demon Pavilion Lord's target had not been the Heavenly Dance Family, but its Fourth Young Master.
They also knew that it wasn't a fight between the Heavenly Dance Family and the Red Demon Pavilion, but one in which four Elders and a Pavilion Lord had joined, along with the two Palace Lords known as the absolute powerhouses of the Divine Cult.
Finally, as the announcement stated that the Blade Leaf Demon would take over some of the Red Demon Pavilion's duties, one could infer that he too had participated in the battle.
The gossips, who loved to talk, stared at the notices with great interest. For them, this was excellent material.
“To target one of the Cult Leader's disciples, what audacity!”
“Heh heh, that's why they were destroyed.”
“I heard there were four Elders on the scene.”
“F-Four Elders!?”
“That's right! The Mon'o Pavilion Lord was there too, as were the lords of the Law Palace and the Killing Palace!”
“W-What? Then, does that mean the four Family Heads, the Mon'o Pavilion Lord, and the lords of the Law and Killing Palaces all support the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family?”
“It seems so. It's only been a few days since the Cult Leader announced his sixth disciple, and the landscape has already shifted so dramatically. It's truly unpredictable.”
“It just goes to show how special an impression the sixth disciple made at the Divine Dragon Assembly. He's so young! And he hasn't been learning martial arts for long, yet he's already reached such a level!”
“I can't imagine what will happen in the next three years.”
“I wonder how the other disciples will react.”
Some gossips discussed the state of the succession race.
“I heard there was a banquet for the six disciples yesterday. And that one of the disciples there used the Red Demon Pavilion Lord to orchestrate this.”
“Is that true? To eliminate a competitor in the succession race?”
“That's what I'm saying.”
Some gossips discussed the rivalry between the disciples. But none of their chatter held any real meaning. Except for one thing.
“By the way, I heard the Red Demon Pavilion is going to become the Dragon Demon Pavilion now.”
“The Dragon Demon Pavilion? Why the Dragon Demon Pavilion?”
“Because! The 17th Divine Dragon is supposedly going to take charge of one of the cult's Five Pavilions!”
“Is-is that really true?”
“It's just something I heard, but since the Red Demon Pavilion is gone, someone has to take its place, right? And who else is more suitable than the Cult Leader's sixth disciple?”
“So, should we start calling him the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord instead of the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family or the Divine Dragon?”
“Exactly!!”
The name that would rise anew from the ruins of the shattered Red Demon Pavilion.