Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Darkwood Sect (3)
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Cheongun sat down in the seat where the Darkwood Sect Leader had been sitting.
Only after he killed the former Darkwood Sect Leader did his underlings come rushing in like a horde, but most of them seemed to have grasped the situation.
Having just witnessed Cheongun sweeping through their sect's headquarters, and now seeing their Sect Leader lying pathetically on the floor, they whispered among themselves before nodding in understanding.
Then, they all saluted in unison and took positions on either side.
The strange thing was how much faster they accepted the current situation compared to the Bloodline Pavilion.
It was a clear sign of just how low the previous Sect Leader's standing had been among them.
Well, it was good news for Cheongun.
He had avenged his connection and killed the Darkwood Sect Leader, so taking over the sect just like this was the ideal outcome for him.
"Is this everyone?"
The man sitting closest to Cheongun's question answered.
"S-some are still out on missions, so..."
"I see. Everyone else is here, excluding them?"
"Yes, all the division leaders are present."
Cheongun's eyes moved quickly.
He was checking how many demonic cultists were among them.
The forces of the current martial world could be broadly divided into three.
The Justice Alliance, encompassing the righteous factions.
The Evil Alliance, binding the unorthodox factions.
And the Heavenly Demon God Cult.
The Demonic Cult wasn't simply a group that followed demonic ways.
It was a gathering of those utterly obsessed with the supremacy of the strong, centered around an absolute being called the Heavenly Demon.
Invincible Divine Cult, All Demons Submit, Eternal Demon Army, Return of the Heavenly Demon.
In simple terms, a cult of fanatics.
Naturally, they had their goals.
Unification of the Central Plains.
The Demonic Path Rules the World.
Enveloping all the people of the Central Plains under the shadow of the supremacy of the strong.
To that end, they had been secretly infiltrating the black path forces, using that as a foothold to gradually expand their influence in the shadows.
And among them, the Darkwood Sect was one of their key branch altars, so it was only natural that there would be many demonic cultists.
Sure enough.
Over a dozen blue windows overlapped before his eyes, all notifying him of activated traits.
'Around ten, roughly?'
Still, the proportion wasn't that high.
This was about the same level as the Bloodline Pavilion.
Cheongun organized his thoughts for a moment.
Then, he nodded slightly and spoke.
"There are quite a few demonic cultists."
More than a few swallowed hard at his words.
"I'm in deep contemplation right now. Though the Darkwood Sect has served as a branch altar for the Divine Cult until now, that won't happen anymore now that I've become the Sect Leader."
Cheongun tapped his knee lightly with his fingertips.
"As Sect Leader, the path I will take forward is the overthrow of the Demonic Cult."
A chilling silence descended.
With several demonic cultists right there, declaring the overthrow of the Demonic Cult must have been shocking.
"But is the problem with the cult, or with the people? Above all, I cherish demonic cultists more than anyone."
The division leaders gasped at his words.
Cherish demonic cultists?
As if they were attachment dolls—what kind of absurd nonsense was this?
But Cheongun was sincere.
To him, demonic cultists were more precious than spirit elixirs.
"So, normally I'd have to cut off the heads of all the demonic cultists here, but as a special mercy, I'll give you a choice."
Cheongun slowly raised two fingers.
"One. From now on, pledge loyalty to me, not the Divine Cult. Even if you've already learned demonic arts, that's fine. I'll personally teach you a new inner cultivation method that can control the demonic qi."
Then, one finger folded down.
"Two. If you want to leave, go back to the Divine Cult right now."
Murmurs spread like ripples at his words.
Two choices, yet each one was shockingly generous.
Pledge to him, and he'll teach a cultivation method.
One that controls demonic qi, no less.
An absurd proposal, but its credibility depended on who was making it.
The man was an absolute master who wielded lightning qi freely.
A Daoist lineage absolute master, at that.
It wouldn't be strange for such a master to possess anti-demonic cultivation methods.
Moreover, the odds of a master at such a profound realm lying about this were exceedingly low.
Thus, the second choice was equally groundbreaking.
If you're leaving, then leave.
Something even Shaolin monks might say. The demonic cultists' eyes widened.
Of course, Cheongun wasn't part of the righteous factions and didn't walk the path of Dao, but they had no way of knowing that.
Cheongun smiled brightly and opened his mouth.
"I'll give you one incense stick's time—fifteen minutes."
Everyone fell into contemplation.
Stunned by the sudden situation, they only glanced at each other.
At that moment, a masked man sitting to one side shot to his feet.
"Then this one will take his leave."
He shot Cheongun a glance and departed.
"Me too."
As if that were the signal, another stood and left.
Those eyeing each other began to rise one by one.
They all left the hall in a rush.
Of the many demonic cultists, only three remained.
Cheongun asked.
"Why did you stay?"
"...We didn't learn demonic arts by choice."
"I see. Good."
"...Pardon?"
At that moment, Jeok Hwa-ryeon, who had vanished from her seat, appeared behind Cheongun.
"Hwa-ryeon. Did you find it?"
"Yes. Pavilion Lord—no, Sect Leader."
In her hand was what appeared to be a fishing rod.
"Well done."
Cheongun jumped to his feet and took the fishing rod.
He examined it, swinging it around to check its condition.
Then, with a wistful expression, he murmured.
"Time to go."
Cheongun's figure vanished in a blur, leaving only dust swirling in his place.
Everyone panicked at the Sect Leader's sudden disappearance.
The only calm one was Jeok Hwa-ryeon.
As if it were routine, she sat right next to the head seat.
Thus, they all waited blankly for the Sect Leader who had vanished.
How much time passed?
A short while later, a dark silhouette appeared beyond the hall's entrance.
The figure approached leisurely, fishing rod slung over his shoulder.
Their gazes followed the rod to the fishing line.
A massive lump was being dragged along.
As if several were bound together.
"...?"
Soon, moonlight illuminated the hall's entrance.
The silhouette was Cheongun.
And the lump being dragged was the demonic cultists who had just left the hall.
Under the moonlight, Cheongun said.
"What a whopper."
"......"
Cheongun roughly sorted out the situation and left the Darkwood Sect.
He had to personally greet the Justice Alliance elders who would visit the Bloodline Pavilion headquarters tomorrow, as the new Pavilion Lord.
He left the Darkwood Sect temporarily in the hands of Jeok Hwa-ryeon, Hong So-yeon, and the Baek Seol demonic cultist trio.
With the demonic cultists weeded out, reorganizing and stabilizing the force would be more suited to them than him.
He had also sent Bloodline Pavilion members as support.
But a problem arose.
"......"
"......"
Bloodline Pavilion Lord's residence.
Two men sat facing each other at a simple wooden table, drinking tea.
One was a burly monk with a shaved head.
The other was Cheongun.
Unlike usual, Cheongun was slightly flustered.
Because the monk before him was no ordinary monk.
An absolute master who subdued demons and reached the pinnacle of power, earning the moniker Subduer of Demons, King of Fist.
The Justice Alliance Leader and Shaolin Abbot.
Geum Myeongju.
Cheongun barely managed to keep his expression from twisting.
He had expected a few elders at most, not the Justice Alliance Leader himself.
Having reached the Mixed Origin Realm, Cheongun's senses—which were already sharp—had become extremely acute, yet the monk before him only felt like a distant wisp of qi.
Everything was hazy, like something beyond the Return to Truth Realm.
To this extent, one might doubt if he was even a living being.
Geum Myeongju gazed steadily at Cheongun.
Then, slowly, he spoke.
"I had heard rumors that the Bloodline Pavilion Lord had changed, but I never imagined the protagonist would be so young."
"Is that so?"
"To reach such a realm before even thirty. Truly astonishing."
"Does the sword care about age?"
At Cheongun's retort, Geum Myeongju chuckled heartily and drained his teacup.
"I assume you know why this monk has visited your pavilion."
"To take away the sleazy spy who was hiding out, right?"
"That's part of it, but I must say my curiosity about you is greater."
Cheongun looked at Geum Myeongju.
His mouth smiled, but his eyes were sharp.
Then, Geum Myeongju spoke.
"I heard you raided the Darkwood Sect yesterday as well."
"News travels fast."
"Heh, they say the ears of great sages reach beyond a thousand li."
"You had a spy in the Darkwood Sect too, I see."
"......"
Cheongun set his teacup down on the table.
"So, is raiding the Darkwood Sect a problem?"
"It leaves plenty of room for suspicion. Both the Bloodline Pavilion and Darkwood Sect have ties to the Divine Cult, don't they? Your intentions in taking control of both forces..."
Before he could finish.
The Justice Alliance Leader couldn't complete his sentence.
He was staring at something.
Cheongun slowly followed his gaze.
It was fixed on the wooden fish in Cheongun's bosom.
Cheongun casually pulled out the wooden fish.
A special mark read 'Shaolin Chief Protector'.
It was the wooden fish Geum Myeongju had personally crafted with care for his sole disciple venturing into the world.
Shaolin disciples had one rule.
When wandering the jianghu and forming bonds through Buddha's teachings, give your wooden fish to that dharma friend.
It wasn't merely a sign of friendship.
It was proof of having entered under someone who had accumulated greater virtue and imparted teachings superior to one's own.
Thus, the Justice Alliance Leader couldn't help but be shocked.
This man had received the wooden fish from his one and only disciple!
The Justice Alliance Leader immediately pressed his palms together.
Cheongun did the same.
"Namu Amitabha Bul."
"Namu Amitabha Bul."