Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: To the Central Plains
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"Young Master, do you have a reason for cultivating your strength within the Demonic Cult?"
Asking me first about my reasons for building strength in the cult suggests his own circumstances for joining weren't pleasant. Besides, for him to ask while trembling like that, it must be for an important reason.
"I do."
"Would you... be willing to share it with me?"
"My reason for cultivating strength in the Demonic Cult is simple."
Before I could answer, Seo-bong swallowed nervously.
"To become the Cult Leader."
"But..."
I cut him off again.
"To become the Cult Leader and transform the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult from a demonic cult into a righteous one."
"......!"
Seo-bong seemed slightly taken aback. This was likely the first time he had heard a member of the Demonic Cult speak like this... Seeking some kind of confirmation, he asked me again.
"What kind of cult is the righteous cult you envision, Young Master?"
I paused for a moment before raising my right hand and speaking.
"Since ancient times, martial artists who followed the path of righteousness and chivalry were called the Orthodox Sects. But over time, that has become corrupted. Those pathetic bastards don't even know the meaning of righteousness and chivalry, yet they go around calling themselves heroes, righteous warriors, or great heroes. What a load of crap."
Next, I raised my left hand and continued.
"Among them are those who are polished on the outside but inwardly care only for their own interests and safety. They don't even treat others as human. No, in fact, they harbor all sorts of filthy thoughts and secretly commit evil deeds."
I then clenched my raised hands into fists and struck them together.
"But, if there are those who are merely polished on the outside... there are also those who are rotten to the core, inside and out."
A flame ignited between my two clenched fists.
*Fwoosh*
"When such men fight, small villages tend to vanish without a trace..."
When I parted my hands, a talisman was burning, and the smoke rising from it formed the image of a village.
"What if that was the village where I grew up?"
"W-what do you mean...?"
Seo-bong was bewildered, unable to understand what I was saying.
"There was a sole survivor from that village. He learned medicine and was called the Divine Doctor. But he was eventually betrayed and killed by those outwardly polished men. However..."
"..."
The talisman and smoke then vanished without a trace.
"As it turned out, they weren't the only ones in the world. There were others—worse, stronger, and more ruthless. Beings that transcended the common sense of humans and martial artists... beings like gods.
That is why all martial artists need greater strength. This is no time to bicker about the Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic Cults. The time will come when we must all cooperate."
"S-such a thing..."
"First, I will reform the Demonic Cult, which currently pursues only power. I will have it pursue a balanced strength, one where all its members can cooperate and live well. Ultimately, I will form an alliance with the masters of the Central Plains to stand against the existence from beyond the heavens."
"I... I see."
"Everyone has a tragic story. But to overcome it and take action is both a qualification and a privilege of the strong. Now, tell me your story."
"...Understood."
Did Seo-bong understand everything I said? No. Probably not. But he must have felt and understood my will and emotions.
Even if some things aren't understood, one can still perceive how they differ from what came before. He must have sensed that I am not pursuing strength alone.
Just as I did when I listened to the words of my master, the Heavenly Demon.
"When I was young, my village was destroyed by a martial artist. I don't even remember if they were from the Orthodox or Unorthodox Sects. But not everyone died. In fact, quite a few people survived. My sister and I were among them."
"You had a sister."
*'Just as I thought...'*
"The problem was that we lost our parents... but it didn't matter. I had my sister."
"I see. Where is she now?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"That's right. My sister and I entered a sect called the Yangcheon Sect. To be precise, the Yangcheon Sect took in orphans and trained them."
"Is your sister still there?"
"No. The Yangcheon Sect claimed to be an Orthodox Sect, but inwardly, they were a group of despicable scum. My sister and I were worn down by hard labor every day, and some even tried to rape my sister while she slept."
"..."
"Just then, our cult attacked. The cult's warriors annihilated the Yangcheon Sect, then took me, leaving my sister behind. I haven't known if she's alive or dead since then."
"So, do you resent our cult?"
"No. I did at first, but I gradually came to realize it. Without strength, it's the same whether you're in the Divine Cult or the Central Plains. Even if we had stayed in the Yangcheon Sect, our future would not have been bright."
"Do you want to see your sister?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Train hard. I'll be going to the Central Plains for this trip to Sichuan, so I'll try to look for her. And as you grow stronger, you'll have more opportunities to go to the Central Plains alone for missions or investigations. When that time comes, confirming her fate and even meeting her won't just be a dream."
"...Young Master."
Seo-bong didn't know what to say to Mu-heun for showing him such consideration. He clenched his teeth, holding back tears. Then, he knelt.
"Young Master, I will carve this debt of gratitude into my very bones and never forget it."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I haven't found your sister yet."
"Ah, yes... yes."
"I'll look over your martial arts a bit more. Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
And so, I spent about another day reviewing Seo-bong's martial arts. He clearly wasn't a natural fit for this place, but if he grew strong, the Demonic Cult would welcome him with open arms and cooperate in finding his sister, wherever she might be.
And though I can't be certain yet, if my suspicions are correct, his sister is in Sichuan.
***
After sending Seo-bong off, the Blade Leaf Demon and his head disciple, Un-gak, visited the now-empty Dragon Demon Pavilion.
"Welcome."
"I didn't have the chance to greet you properly before in all the confusion... I hear there's no one in the Divine Cult who doesn't know your name now, eh?"
"Haha, it seems so."
The Blade Leaf Demon, having come to the Dragon Demon Pavilion, gazed at me intently.
"Kekeke, I can't even fathom it now. The realm of the Transcendent Demon... no, have you entered the Supreme Demon realm?"
"Yes."
"Uwahahahaha! Even I wouldn't be a match for you now! Amazing, truly amazing!"
The old man's boisterous nature hadn't changed.
"Haha... I still have a long way to go."
"Indeed! Aren't you the man who intends to embrace the Heavenly Mountains? You must climb even higher."
Just then, I saw a familiar face.
"Greetings. I am Un-gak, Lord of the Wind Demon Unit of Blade Leaf Valley."
"It's been a while. ...You've grown stronger."
"Haha, everyone in Blade Leaf Valley has been training with all their might. We worked hard enough not to be ashamed before anyone, and I thought we had grown strong, but seeing you, Fourth Young Master, I feel that even that was not enough."
Un-gak, Lord of the Wind Demon Unit.
When I saw him in Blade Leaf Valley, he was at the peak level, but now he had clearly entered the transcendent peak.
"I'm the abnormal one. You're doing more than well enough, so don't worry."
"Seeing you, Young Master, makes me want to continue striving forward. Thank you."
After greeting Un-gak and the other members of Blade Leaf Valley, I asked the Blade Leaf Demon to engage the Sichuan Tang Clan near the western border.
"The Sichuan Tang Clan is one of the Five Great Families, known as the pillars of the Orthodox Sects. They are by no means an easy opponent."
"What's your plan?"
"The Tang Clan's own martial strength is formidable, but the bigger problem is their long history. From that history comes their solidarity with other Orthodox Sects. In particular, there are the Kunlun, Qingcheng, Kongtong, and Emei Sects, which lie between our cult and the Tang Clan."
"So isolating the Tang Clan is the priority."
"Correct. I will handle that part. I need you, Blade Leaf Demon, to draw their attention by engaging the Tang Clan near the western border, where they are disrupting our cult's trade. The Heavenly Dance Family's Azure Dragon Unit, Pavilion Lord Mong-o, and the other elders will also provide support."
"Understood."
I must scatter the Sichuan Tang Clan's forces as much as possible. And I must first turn the hearts of the Kunlun, Qingcheng, Emei, and Kongtong Sects away from the Tang Clan.
The most suitable person for that task was, of course, me.
After all, in my past life, I was one of the three great Divine Doctors of the Central Plains and had connections with almost every sect. Also known as the Mad Doctor, my words were harsh, but my skills were second to none, so it was not uncommon for various sects to request my help.
I learned their inside stories each time, and now is the time to use those 'inside stories'.
"Then I'll be counting on you."
"Please, take care of yourself."
"Don't worry."
Thus, I entrusted important roles to everyone in Blade Leaf Valley and prepared for a journey to sever the limbs of Sichuan.
***
I donned white robes and a long jacket.
I packed my belongings into a bundle, along with some liquor and food for the road. I chose bamboo leaf liquor. I packed numerous medicinal herbs and acupuncture needles, savoring the aroma. I also took a handful of the Ja-gwi pills I had prepared in advance.
I had been consistently researching how to utilize fragrances. For me, who had mastered the Myriad Fragrances, there were no limits.
The use of fragrances depended only on one's ability; it was limitless. Fortunately, in my past life, I was one of the three great Divine Doctors of the Central Plains. I was more knowledgeable than anyone about the use of herbs and poisons, and I could distinguish every kind of scent.
On this journey, my knowledge as a Divine Doctor will play a significant role.
Before finally departing, I bid farewell to my father and brothers.
"I'll be going now."
"Please, be careful."
"Yes, Father. You too, my brothers."
"Yes, leave the Heavenly Dance Family to us. We may not be you, but we will always strive to be sufficient."
"Haha, why are you all, who are many times more skilled than I, being so modest? More importantly, please solidify our alliance with the Purple Poison Demon Family. And when the research on the formation I requested is complete, please draw the formation diagram and burn this incense in the center."
"Understood. Leave it to us."
The look in the eyes of my Heavenly Dance Family brothers. The emotion I felt from them was acknowledgement. After our final farewells, I left the Heavenly Mountains.
Un-pyo, with the Black Cloud on his back.
Pa-sun, with the Pa-sun Spear on his back.
These two were my limbs, growing stronger by the day.
"Hello, Dragon Demon. Or should I call you Pavilion Lord of the Dragon Demon Pavilion now? Hoho."
"Haha, please call me whatever you're comfortable with."
Seol Ha-ryeong of the Sacred Fire Palace arrived, carrying a load of luggage.
"I don't know why you need me, but thank you for letting me get out of the Heavenly Mountains for a breath of fresh air."
"I'm the one who should be thanking you for coming."
Gu Yang-baek of the Killing Palace had almost no luggage. At a glance, it seemed he had none, but the necessary items were balanced and attached all over his body, hidden beneath his black robes.
These were the key members for this journey.
I instructed Hyeok and Cheon-hyang to follow at a slight distance.
Mu-heun sent a telepathic message to Cheon-hyang.
[Follow like that, then come to my room.]
[Yes! Master! Oh, and... I want to smell mango scent today!]
"Alright, you rascal."
And with that, Mu-heun left the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and set foot toward the Central Plains.