Chapter 293
Chapter 293
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 293
Chapter Title: Aftermath at Emei Sect
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Cheonhwi, standing at the sect's mountain gate, surveyed his surroundings.
The Emei Sect had transformed into a pitiful sight in less than a day.
The nearly half-destroyed interior of the Bokho Temple. And the piles of corpses scattered around it.
The stench of blood from them reverberated throughout the entire Mount Emei.
The brutal conclusion of a harrowing war.
That horrific scene was unfolding right before his eyes.
"It'll take time to restore it to its former glory."
Cheonhwi muttered as he looked around.
The damage to the Emei Sect from the Emei Sacred War was catastrophic. No, it went far beyond even that description.
After gazing for a long while, Cheonhwi's eyes fixed on the person standing alone in the center of the Bokho Temple, directing the cleanup.
"Prioritize treatment! Those who are still fine, collect the bodies and don't slack on guarding the perimeter. You never know. The unorthodox bastards might be lurking slyly, waiting for an opening."
Abbess Sohye, her cleanly severed wound wrapped in bandages, moved her left hand this way and that, issuing orders in all directions.
The busiest among them were the Emei Sect disciples from the Medical Hall treating the wounded.
"Bring the injured this way!"
"Kuhk!"
"Just hang in there a bit longer."
"Apply the golden sore medicine here..."
They hurried about without a moment's delay.
In a situation where patients were everywhere, they couldn't afford to dawdle even slightly.
"But the even worse part is..."
Cheonhwi's gaze, watching the scene, shifted to the side.
It was where the Emei Sect elders had gathered.
The faces of those women, who had rejoiced when the Evil-Black Alliance's forces retreated, were now deeply etched with seriousness and worry.
"Sect Leader..."
It was because the condition of Abbess Sowun, lying respectfully in their midst, was far from good.
Her pallid complexion and unstable energy.
The Medical Hall Leader, carefully checking Abbess Sowun's pulse, let out a deep sigh and withdrew his hand.
"I-Is the Sect Leader all right?"
As Abbess Sojeong hurriedly asked, the Medical Hall Leader wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied.
"...She's stabilized now."
"Phew, that's a relief."
"Good."
Abbess Sojeong and the assembled elders breathed sighs of relief, patting their chests.
"But to properly treat her internal injuries, she'll need at least three or four years of recuperation."
The Medical Hall Leader said with a bitter expression.
"Three or four years?"
"...That severe?"
"It seems she forcibly drew up her inner energy and innate qi while suffering internal injuries. Due to the backlash..."
The Medical Hall Leader trailed off.
But everyone gathered here was a master of profound realm. They roughly understood what he couldn't bring himself to say.
"...If she takes our sect's True Life Pill, will it improve?"
Abbess Sojeong mentioned Emei Sect's spirit medicine, but the Medical Hall Leader shook his head.
"Her injuries are too deep, so taking spirit medicine would only act as poison. The best way is to meditate and rest as she is now."
Everyone let out groans.
The situation was dire.
At this time when the full-scale war with the Evil-Black Alliance had just begun, Abbess Sowun's power was more crucial than anything.
Yet she needed at least three or four years to recuperate.
At that moment, Abbess Sowun's tightly closed eyelids slowly lifted.
"Sect Leader!"
"Are you all right?"
Abbess Sowun, opening her eyes to the familiar faces filling her vision, curved her lips into a smile.
It was a faint smile.
Then, she tried to raise her upper body, which had been laid down respectfully.
"Kuhk."
As she slowly moved, she let out a groan midway and flinched.
It was because the excruciating pain from her severe internal injuries hadn't subsided yet.
"Y-You mustn't move."
"You need to rest..."
The surrounding people, startled, reached out to support her upper body.
Swish—
Abbess Sowun raised her right hand.
It was a gesture meaning she was fine.
As everyone halted their outstretched hands and stood awkwardly, she caught her breath and raised her upper body again.
A short movement.
But because she was moving in her deeply injured state, sweat beaded on her forehead.
The Medical Hall Leader hurriedly said.
"You mustn't move rashly. With such deep internal injuries, you need to rest..."
"...How could a sect leader lie down in such a situation?"
Abbess Sowun cut her off with a resolute attitude and took a deep breath.
And then.
Swish.
She picked up the Wheel of Reincarnation Staff beside her and slowly moved to stand.
The Medical Hall Leader and elders watched her anxiously.
Thud.
Finally, Abbess Sowun stood straight.
She straightened her back and gazed at the ruined Bokho Temple with a complicated expression.
Countless corpses were visible down the mountain.
Bitter taste filled her mouth as she beheld the scene.
"So many have lost their lives."
She murmured in a sorrowful tone laced with moisture, then shook her head side to side to shake off the complicated emotions.
"How is the cleanup progressing? What's the extent of the damage?"
Abbess Sojeong stepped forward at her question.
Prioritizing treatment for the wounded, running around frantically to bring in doctors from external clinics, and so on...
Abbess Sojeong quickly explained the situation after Abbess Sowun had fainted. Finally, she cautiously uttered the words hard to speak aloud.
"...The dead number over a hundred, and most are seriously injured."
"A hundred..."
Shadows fell under Abbess Sowun's eyes.
It was as expected.
The opponents were the Evil-Black Alliance, composed of elite forces like the Ghost Shadow Squad and Blood Shadow Squad.
It was inevitable that there would be casualties.
But when it hit reality, her heart couldn't help but churn.
Abbess Sowun slowly closed her eyes, then opened them.
And softly said.
"It's fine if collecting the bodies and repairing the buildings takes a bit longer. Prioritize treating the wounded first and do your utmost to help them rest."
"Understood."
Hearing the response, Abbess Sowun looked up at the sky with a complex expression, then took a step.
"Where are you going?"
To Abbess Sojeong's question, Abbess Sowun gave a wistful smile and moved her lips.
"I must express my gratitude."
With those words, she passed through the surrounding elders and walked resolutely ahead.
Straight toward the mountain gate.
Soon reaching the gate, she stood before Cheonhwi, who wore a bored expression.
"You look a bit better now."
"Thanks to you, young hero, I rested comfortably."
Abbess Sowun smiled gently.
It was a soft and warm smile.
'They say heroes emerge in chaotic times...'
A youthful appearance, yet his martial prowess was among the best in the world.
A rare genius like Cheongo.
Perhaps even across history, he was one of the few.
Even she found it hard to gauge him.
'For such a talent to appear in this turbulent era—truly a great blessing.'
She was immensely grateful for Cheonhwi's existence.
Without him, she would have died at the hands of the brutish enemy, and the Emei Sect would have been ravaged.
As she thought this, she politely clasped her hands together.
"Amitabha."
Chanting the Buddha's name softly, she maintained her gaze on Cheonhwi and spoke.
"Thank you, young hero."
Cheonhwi shrugged as he watched Abbess Sowun clasp her hands and bow her head.
"It's not just words, right?"
"Of course not. I won't forget this grace until the day I die."
"That's good enough."
Cheonhwi replied nonchalantly.
For speaking to the leader of one of the Nine Great Sects, it seemed rather rude.
But to Abbess Sowun, it felt different.
'He shies away from excessive courtesy.'
Perhaps because she was filled with goodwill.
She interpreted each of his actions favorably.
Abbess Sowun smiled and unclasped her hands.
"Whenever you need our sect's help, just say the word. I'll come running barefoot. Rest before you go."
With those words, Abbess Sowun turned and went to each disciple receiving treatment and each righteous faction warrior, one by one.
"Are you okay? No other injuries?"
She expressed worry to her disciples, and to the wounded righteous warriors, she clasped her hands and gave thanks.
"Thank you for your help. I will never forget this grace."
Cheonhwi watched Abbess Sowun personally greet each one, then turned his head and looked to the side.
It was where the Annihilation Squad had gathered.
Not a single one was unscathed.
Their pure white uniforms were in tatters, and bloodstains peeked through the torn training clothes.
Fortunately, there appeared to be no deaths in the Annihilation Squad.
Cheonhwi walked straight to them.
"Squad Leader!"
"Squad Leader! Kuhk!"
Those treating wounds rejoiced at Cheonhwi's appearance, then groaned.
Cheonhwi looked at them and spoke.
"You all held up well enough."
Ho Gwanggae scratched his hair, slick with blood and sweat, and grinned sheepishly.
"Hahaha. We endured by fleeing when it got dangerous, just as you ordered, Squad Leader."
At his words, sheepish smiles spread one by one across the faces of the other Annihilation Squad members.
Cheonhwi quickly scanned them.
As the inner energy of the Plum Blossom Divine Art flowed in, his eyes emitted a faint colorless light.
"..."
The Annihilation Squad members who met his gaze froze like statues for a moment.
It was because facing those eyes tinged with a faint red hue felt like being stripped bare.
'They should rest a bit.'
After thoroughly examining them, Cheonhwi quickly grasped the squad members' conditions.
Unlike how serious they looked externally, there were no major issues.
A few days of meditation and rest would suffice for full recovery.
"You'll need to recuperate for a while."
All the squad members who met his gaze nodded as if entranced.
"Let's rest here at Emei Sect for about four days."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Pour—
Tea was poured into the teacup.
The rich tea aroma filled the small room, emanating a warm coziness.
Swish—
Yongju-gae glanced at the teacup offered before him, then took it and downed it in one gulp.
He showed no hesitation despite it being freshly brewed hot tea.
"Ugh, it's bitter, so bitter."
Yongju-gae made a face like he'd eaten something inedible, grumbled, and spoke to the person across from him.
"Why'd you call me?"
To his question, which sounded annoyed at first glance, Jegal Gong, sitting opposite, took a sip from his teacup before opening his mouth.
"There's something I'd like you to investigate."
"Investigate?"
Yongju-gae tilted his head.
"What is it?"
"This."
Jegal Gong handed over a scroll.
The scroll, bound with a string shimmering gold, looked important at a glance.
Without hesitation, Yongju-gae unrolled it.
And the moment he read its contents.
"...!"
His eyes widened.
The scroll listed names of people fairly well-known within the Murim Alliance.
All of them were highly renowned figures—from the elders of the Nine Great Sects to high-ranking officials in the Murim Alliance.
Even Beggars' Sect members were among them.
"...Suspects?"
Yongju-gae asked cautiously.
"Yes."
Jegal Gong nodded.
"When did you find this out?"
"I selected those who moved most actively after the war was declared."
Yongju-gae immediately grasped the intent.
"...So you want me to track these guys' recent activities."
"Exactly."
"Tch, it'll take a while."
Yongju-gae grumbled as he tucked the scroll, densely packed with dozens of names, into his bosom.
"So, is that all your business?"
As Yongju-gae groused, Jegal Gong nodded—
Bam! Bam!
Sudden commotion erupted outside.
"What is it?"
As Yongju-gae furrowed his brow.
"S-Strategist!"
A shout came from outside.
"What is it?"
"U-Urgent dispatch has arrived."
Jegal Gong glanced at Yongju-gae, then turned to the closed door and moved his lips.
"Come in."
The door burst open.
Beyond it stood a young man trembling with a face plunged in confusion.
He rushed straight to Jegal Gong without startling or panicking even upon seeing Yongju-gae.
He then placed several smoke tubes from his bosom onto the table.
"Urgent dispatches from the Iron Blood Unit, Divine Dragon Squad, and Death God Squad!"
"What? Iron Blood Unit?"
Yongju-gae looked on in surprise.
It was unprecedented for the Iron Blood Unit to send an urgent dispatch.
If they had, something gravely amiss had surely occurred.
As Yongju-gae stared in shock, the strategist calmly picked up a smoke tube.
He extracted the message and checked its contents.
"..."
For an instant, his eyes turned icy.
The contents were something even he hadn't anticipated.
⚠️ URGENT ALERT ⚠️ [Iron Blood Unit Routed.]
[Divine Dragon Squad Battalion Annihilated.]
[Mission Failed. Thousand Sword Manor Wiped Out.]