Chapter 17: Stop Everyone
The twilight of early evening was settling in.
"Hurry up."
Tak Horak's words made the Black Shadow Corps members nod. They had already changed into disguises—no, into the pitch-black uniforms symbolizing the Black Shadow Corps.
"Tak Horak."
One person watched him with eyes full of concern.
It was Sa Wol. She too was dressed in black martial robes, her face mask pulled up.
"Yes, Deputy Commander."
"Is this truly the Lord's will?"
"It is. No, it is."
Tak Horak replied while testing the swing of his spear shaft.
"The Lord clearly told me: exterminate those insolent bastards."
"Did the Lord send a secret transmission?"
"No."
Tak Horak declared confidently.
"He told me with his eyes."
"His eyes?"
"Yes. Didn't you see it too, Deputy Commander? That intense gaze. He clearly commanded with his eyes to wipe out the families of those hypocritical murim scum."
"...Isn't that a bit too much of a stretch?"
"Any true disciple of the Divine Cult must repay any insult received. And when the Lord himself is insulted, how can his subordinates just stand by? Some things don't need to be said—they must be done."
"You're right."
Sa Wol nodded. Deep down, she was just as much a Cult disciple to her bones, so she agreed with Tak Horak's logic.
If Dong Yun had seen this, he'd have clutched his forehead from dizziness. The mindset of Cult disciples couldn't be judged by normal standards.
Sa Wol gazed at the Black Shadow Corps preparing as if it were the most natural thing, lost in thought.
Sado Hwan... He's definitely changed.
Their Lord, Sado Hwan, had changed somehow since escaping the cave collapse. Before, he'd been arrogant and conceited. Knowing he was weak and only pretending strength by relying on his family's prestige, Sa Wol had felt nauseous every time she saw him.
But now?
As if he'd been hiding his power all along, he'd unleashed Flying Sword. He'd shrugged off the mountain waste poison and paralysis toxin that had afflicted the entire Black Shadow Corps like a casual stroll. He'd even perfectly fooled Un Yeop Ja, a Peak realm master at the height of maturity.
It is strange.
He'd revealed himself as a Super Peak master, yet he still avoided using lightness skills, riding in carriages instead, or using sound transmission. Maybe it was just ingrained habit.
But setting that aside.
He's more of a true Cult disciple than anyone.
Within the Cult, Sado Hwan had always been a liar. But out in the murim, he was a model disciple. Revering the strong while respecting his subordinates—he was like a picture-perfect Lord.
Before, she'd have scoffed at fighting to avenge his humiliation. But in her current confusion, she'd been swept up in Tak Horak's logic before she knew it.
"Still, shouldn't we confirm his intentions once more?"
Sa Wol tried to think calmly, but Tak Horak shook his head.
"This is the perfect moment, while the Lord's holding Un Yeop Ja."
With Tak Horak wielding Cult disciple logic, Sa Wol was fully convinced and nodded.
"We'll finish preparations and attack within half a shichen."
"Where do you plan to strike first?"
"Well..."
"They'll head to the Baek Family Manor."
"How do you—you know that?"
Dang Si Hyeok, about to speak casually, flinched under Un Yeop Ja's cold gaze and switched to formal address.
If Tak Horak was really moving the Black Shadow Corps, the Baek Family Manor would be first. That's where the Cheonghae Sam Geol—who'd swung swords at me and threatened me directly—were.
If we hit Somyeongjang first, they might hear the commotion and flee.
Of course, the Black Shadow Corps could track them, but once exposed, a Demon Cult extermination squad would form, dragging things out. Better to handle it swiftly.
But I couldn't explain that. I'd learned right after arriving in this world that brazenness worked better.
I put on a serious face.
"It's a hunch."
"...A hunch?"
Dang Si Hyeok looked baffled.
"You expect us to go to Baek Family Manor on your hunch? For a Demon Cult matter?"
"We'll go."
But Un Yeop Ja nodded.
"You're trusting this man now?"
"I trust him. He's a seer from the East."
Un Yeop Ja had his own unspoken ability from birth. Even a vague "hunch" would feel like truth to him.
Reliable as ever. That's why I went out of my way to win him over.
"From this moment, per Murim Alliance regulations, I hereby form the Demon Cult Extermination Squad. By rank, I'll command on-site. Young Master Dang, any objections?"
"...None."
Strangers who'd been at odds moments ago united instantly under the banner of Demon Cult extermination. It showed just how much murim folk despised the Cult.
"Young Hero Kim, any advice?"
I nodded.
"The Tang Clan has the most warriors, so send them to notify the sects in Taeryeong County. Announce the Extermination Squad's formation. Also, send word to the Beggars' Sect to spread the news."
First priority: my safety. To ensure that, get the Tang Clan out of my sight.
The Tang Clan were Murim Alliance affiliates, but they'd deal with Cult disciples if it suited them.
Given Un Yeop Ja's personality, he'd leap out the window yelling "I'll go ahead!"—leaving me thrown to the wolves alone. Extermination Squad or not, they'd prioritize verifying if the Black Shadow Corps were genuine.
"Sound plan. Young Master Dang, move your Tang warriors to spread the word, and send elites to Baek Family Manor."
"...Understood."
Dang Si Hyeok eyed me suspiciously but I played dumb. Soon, the Tang warriors and Dang Si Hyeok filed out.
"Then, see you at Baek Family Manor."
Un Yeop Ja was already stepping on the windowsill. I nodded, and he soared off like a bird with Yunryong Eight Forms.
...That's why I sent the Tang first. Knows Yunryong Eight Forms and still ignores the door for windows.
[What do you plan to do?]
Amid the urgent situation, Pa Cheon, who'd been silent, spoke up.
"Stop them, obviously."
[Execute them all for disobeying orders.]
"Disobeying? I never gave any. Just punish them and back to the Cult—stick 'em in Punishment Cave for a few days."
[...Punishment Cave?]
"Yeah? Why?"
[Take back what I said about you being soft. Kill them instead.]
"Punishment Cave isn't that bad, right?"
In Return of the Murim Lord, it was a vast, complex cave for confining the punished. It even hid treasures—the protagonist had entered voluntarily.
What's the big deal?
[...No. It's hell.]
Never been there himself, yet making a fuss.
"Anyway, time's short. Gotta hurry to prevent bloodshed."
Murim lightness skills outpace horses over short distances. Unable to use them, I'd ride—and needed to move fast.
"I-is that true?"
The Baek Family Manor Lord paled. Un Yeop Ja had arrived swiftly with news of the Black Shadow Corps.
"Then we must flee—"
"Get a grip!"
Un Yeop Ja's shout startled him.
"The Demon Cult's Black Shadow Corps are known for assassination and tracking. Fleeing means getting picked off one by one! Better to set traps here and block them. Send women and children away secretly, gather all who can fight."
"C-can we stop them?"
"Their Lord is Sado Hwan of the Sado Family—one of the Mad Demon Six Families, a Peak realm master."
Un Yeop Ja removed two metal bracelets from his wrists. Thud! Thud! They sank into the floor.
"The Sado bloodline—I'll handle it."
Swallowing hard at the murderous aura, the Manor Lord nodded.
"We'll prepare."
Noise began echoing from Baek Family Manor in the darkness.
"Prepare! Don't let a single rat through!"
"You there! Quit whining and move!"
And more.
"Tang Clan warriors!"
"Support from Homu Pavilion!"
"Beggars' Sect aid!"
Tang warriors arrived a step late, followed by sects sending reinforcements on hearing of the Cult. In less than an hour, over two hundred warriors gathered—mostly second- and third-rate.
"Can we hold this road, big brother?"
The youngest of Cheonghae Sam Geol gripped his spear tensely. The second chimed in.
"Heard Cult bastards use boys and girls' blood for sorcery."
"They chew human flesh like ghouls to cultivate demonic arts."
The eldest shook his head.
"They're human, not monsters. Plus, we've got True Man Un Yeop and Sichuan Tang warriors. We'll win."
Un Yeop Ja sat cross-legged in the garden center, eyes closed, exuding an extraordinary aura.
In that silent moment, only breaths audible.
Shing—!
Un Yeop Ja suddenly drew his sword.
"Light the fires!"
Torches flared everywhere. As darkness receded, the unseen appeared.
"Gasp—!"
Warriors inhaled in shock.
Baek Family Manor's walls.
Dozens stood atop them.
The Black Shadow Corps.
They were just as startled.
- What happened?
Sa Wol sent a secret transmission to Tak Horak at Un Yeop Ja's sudden appearance.
- I don't know. Looks like we were spotted.
Tak Horak scanned the warriors, noting the Tang attire.
- Did the Tang track us?
- Maybe.
- What now?
Sa Wol pondered. Minus Un Yeop Ja, they were rabble. Tang were there, but fresh off Dok So Gong's poison—Black Shadow Corps, grinding their teeth over toxins and hidden weapons, had little to fear.
The problem's Un Yeop Ja.
Her sharp eyes caught he'd removed self-sealing heavy bracelets. Same Peak realm, but she instinctively knew she lagged behind.
As she hesitated—what to do?
"Where's your Lord?"
Un Yeop Ja's voice was ice.
"Black Shadow Corps. Where's your Lord, Sado Hwan?"
"..."
"As expected of Sado blood—cowardly hiding?"
Hummm—!
Pure milky-white energy gathered on Un Yeop Ja's sword, like clouds taking form. It flowed along the blade.
Sword Qi—Peak realm symbol—manifested.
"If he doesn't show—"
Un Yeop Ja stepped back, lowering into sword stance.
"I'll slaughter you all."
- What now, Deputy Commander?
Tak Horak looked to Sa Wol, who still pondered.
Then.
"What are you waiting for? Charge!"
Impatient Dang Si Hyeok yelled. Warriors drew weapons and rushed forward.
- Deputy Commander! Orders!
Sa Wol still hesitated.
But now, enemy had the advantage.
Better to fight back than take hits.
- All men...
But Sa Wol's transmission cut short.
Charging warriors halted at a sudden terrifying pressure.
Whiiiiiish—!
A massive whoosh followed by.
BOOM—!
Something shattered Baek Family Manor's main gate, embedding in the ground.
A pitch-black sword from tip to hilt. Half its blade pierced the blue steelstone floor.
Silence fell on the sudden chaos.
And then.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Through the splintered gate, a man walked in.
"Everyone."
Sado Hwan said.
"Stop."