Chapter 136: The Sound of Winter’s End (3)
Chapter 136: The Sound of Winter’s End (3)
"This... what on earth is this..."
A low groan escaped the Little Arhat’s lips.
Even for him, a man who had clashed so violently with the Unorthodox Faction that he was called an Arhat Monk, this sight was not something one could ever grow used to.
I felt the same. Even the warriors of the Dragon Slaying Alliance accompanying us could only stare, their mouths agape.
—Caw!!
A lone crow looked down at us and let out a long, piercing cry. As if on cue, crows began to shriek from every direction. The sound of their flapping wings rose like a storm.
Everywhere the eye could see, there were corpses.
The capital of Chongqing Prefecture is Ba County.
As its name suggests, it was the provincial capital of the Bashu region during the era of the Han and Zhong dynasties, making it an ancient city with over a thousand years of history.
It could not be dismissed as a mere county.
It is one of the largest cities in the Central Plains, consisting of the Nine Open Gates and Eight Closed Gates, along with four satellite towns, sixty-four districts within the city walls, and over eighty surrounding villages.
In terms of sheer scale, it is larger than Beijing and rivals even Nanjing.
It had taken us two days to walk from the border of Chongqing Prefecture to Ba County. Ironically, the outlying counties had seemed almost peaceful in comparison.
As we walked along the official roads, the bodies of commoners who had starved to death while begging were strewn everywhere.
It was as if a famine had struck only this land in all the fertile Central Plains. Corpses of those who had frozen to death, unable to survive the winter, lay stiff among the snow, their gaunt limbs jutting out.
The sight repeated itself endlessly. Crows circled above, while wolves and stray dogs prowled the shadows.
If there is a hell in this world, this is it. I wondered if the Eight Cold Hells of Buddhist scripture looked like this. Every village we encountered in the bitter cold was deathly silent.
Grit.
Blood dripped from the Little Arhat’s clenched fist.
In this moment, a single spark of heat had finally ignited.
The Little Arhat’s face glowed a fiery red as his Middle Dantian surged. He trembled violently, his racing heartbeat visible through his chest.
"This... people... people should not be treated like this."
"I agree."
My own voice was unsteady. The words barely formed between my cracked lips.
It wasn't out of some grand sense of chivalry or a simple notion of justice. I had never really felt such emotions before.
However, simply... as a human being.
I merely felt that this was something any human should find abhorrent.
Yes, that had to be it.
"...Is Hebei like this as well?"
"Of course not."
"What is Hebei like...? Its prefectures and counties?"
"Peaceful and serene. People set off fireworks to wish for the end of winter, and when spring arrives, they bake sweets to share with one another."
Without the commoners, the Dragon Slaying Alliance could not survive.
We are a group that collects taxes in place of the government, controls the logistics of the canals, and amasses vast wealth.
Some might call us parasites. They wouldn't be wrong. But I prefer to call it a mutually beneficial symbiosis.
Thus, the commoners of Hebei fear martial artists, but they do not despise them.
We may be exploiters, but we are not mass murderers.
While there are plenty of displaced poor in the large cities of Hebei, such atrocities do not occur in most of the land.
But Chongqing is different. The Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance’s income comes from extorting the vast wealth of Chongqing, and they exert their power fully in this remote region, far from the eyes of the Imperial Court.
The Five Grand Generals, who command the Imperial Army, are all stationed at the borders.
The nearest military command to Chongqing is the Shaanxi Governor’s Office, and the distance is as vast as the length of the Korean Peninsula.
Therefore, the local government here would have had to control Chongqing without military power.
In such a position, there was no way they wouldn't be suppressed by the blades closest to them.
Chongqing has, in effect, become a feudal state independent of the Imperial Court.
This is what happens when the Black Path forms a single alliance and rules a region cut off from the outside world.
It was a landscape of chaos comparable to the Spring and Autumn period, the Warring States, or the era of the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms.
"Grandfather."
"Yes."
Peng Ik-cheon, standing beside me, replied with a calm expression.
He didn't even spare a glance at the corpses scattered about.
In his long life, tragedies of this magnitude were likely not a rare sight.
"I need you to take charge of facing the Sword Demon. Is that possible?"
"Based on the last reports of the Sword Demon’s martial prowess, it is not impossible."
He narrowed his eyes as he continued.
"But I cannot guarantee it. At the level of the Harmony Realm, there is no such thing as a guaranteed victory."
The compatibility of their martial arts, the nature of their intent, a momentary lapse in concentration, or even their physical condition on that specific day.
Those in the Harmony Realm are people who do not miss even the slightest variable. This is especially true when facing someone of the same rank.
They are individuals who have reached the pinnacle of martial arts and theory.
Incarnations of war who have perfectly melted countless techniques into their own bodies.
For such people, even a single life-saving technique becomes a strike of a lifetime, and a single sword strike delivered by chance becomes a secret technique capable of certain slaughter.
In other words, at that level, a guaranteed victory does not exist.
"However, Hwi."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Everything you face from now on will be like this. So, what will you do? Will you save yourself and retreat to wait for a better day until the outcome is certain?"
Peng Ik-cheon said this as he drew his blade and rested it on his shoulder.
With the posture of a leisurely wanderer out for a stroll, he asked:
"Or will you reach out and strike to seize victory until the very last moment?"
"It seems I’ve learned well from you, Grandfather."
Sring. My blade slid from its scabbard. I stood beside him, mirroring his posture.
The weight of the blade on my shoulder was palpable. This weight was more than just a blade forged of steel. It was about carrying the name of the Peng family on one's shoulders, walking forward—
And not stopping until the blade is buried in the opponent’s throat.
That is the essence of the martial arts that the Great Hebei Peng Family passes down to all its direct descendants.
If you can surely cut off the enemy's breath, you walk forward proudly from the front, no matter what damage you sustain.
"I’ll leave the Sword Demon to you, Grandfather."
"The Heavenly Thunder Alliance will lead their subordinates forward."
"I’ll have to pray for Brother Hyeon-cheon’s safety. Since the main family’s martial forces are all there. As I am the only Peng here, I should assist you, Grandfather."
"Ho-ho, do you think you can keep up?"
"Fortunately, I’ve learned exactly how to move forward."
At that answer, deep wrinkles formed around Grandfather Peng Ik-cheon’s mouth as he smiled.
"Splendid. Raise the Peng Family Banner. It must never be broken."
"As long as I am alive, I will protect the family name."
"Good."
The reflection of myself in his eyes was no different. My lips curled back, baring my teeth.
—Whiriririck! Bang!
Before our conversation could even finish, a firework shot up into the night sky over Ba County. It was the signal flare from the Lord of the Assassination Pavilion.
"Already? Weren't we supposed to march after waiting for word from the Martial Alliance Leader?"
"The Pavilion Lord must have judged that now is the opportune moment. He probably thought we could manage even without the Alliance Leader."
—Whiririck! Bang!!
Fireworks shot up from all directions around Ba County.
It looked as though the assassins of the Assassination Pavilion, who had been sent ahead to scout, were all firing their signals in unison.
I scanned our surroundings. The Ten Thousand Swords Hall was located in Ba County. There was no need to worry much about other minor lackeys.
Therefore, with our current military strength, wiping out the Ten Thousand Swords Hall shouldn't be too difficult.
If this was the Pavilion Lord’s judgment...
"Dragon Slaying Alliance."
Sring. The blades of the grandfather and grandson pointed toward Ba County.
"Burn the Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance to the ground."
—Pshhhhh!
The warriors of the Assassination Pavilion once again set off red fireworks into the sky.
With that signal, the warriors of the Dragon Slaying Alliance began to charge toward Ba County, each letting out a savage war cry.
They followed the shadow of the Peng Family Banner fluttering at the very front.
*
There are three major martial sects in Chongqing.
The Ten Thousand Swords Hall in Ba County.
The Ghost Gate Meridian in Mount Gwi.
The Jongri Family in Fuzhou.
While there were countless smaller sects like the commoners of this land, those three were the ones known to definitely possess masters of the Harmony Realm.
In truth, it is rare for more than three Harmony Realm masters to exist in a single region.
Though there are many experts in this land, it is uncommon for the number of those known to be in the Harmony Realm to exceed thirty.
Among them, the fifteen most elite are chosen: the Fifteen Lords of the World.
And from those, the five belonging to the Black Path Demonic Alliance are selected: the Five Tyrants of the Unorthodox Path.
To be chosen as one of the five strongest among the countless warriors of the Black Path.
The Lord of the Chongqing Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance, Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Hall, the Sword Demon, Sa Mun-hyeok of the Killing Road Sword.
The Lord of the Ghost Gate Meridian, the Heavenly Killer, Jin Hoe-seong of the One Soul, Ten Thousand Spirits.
The Leader of the Heavenly Thunder Alliance, the Extreme Moon, Hwang Jung-un of the Ten Thousand Strength Heavenly Army.
The Leader of the Black Forest July Society, the Hao Clan Leader, the Ghost Snake, Wiji Cheon-yeong of the Ink Smoke Hundred Schemes.
The Master of the Thousand Moon Pavilion, the Divine Spear, Baek Won-gyeol the Shadowless Guest.
Even in the long history of the Murim, these were individuals who could vie for the title of the World's Best in any era they were born into.
And if one were to pick the one among them who was considered the most outstanding and was certain to be the next strongest of the Black Path, it was the Sword Demon.
Within the Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance, he was called the Sword King. Every other sect called him the Sword Demon.
Sa Mun-hyeok of the Killing Road Sword acted more like a demon than a king, so it was only natural.
He even took pride in his blood-soaked reputation.
Back when he traveled the rivers and lakes, he was called the Killing Road Sword (殺路劍) because he left no one alive on any path he walked.
He was known as the most dangerous man, regardless of whether one was Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic.
Therefore—
"Seong Ryang-ha. How could you be so arrogant?"
He had seized the advantage with ease, laughing as he let his blood-stained sword hang low.
"A mere nobody who couldn't even stand in the same place as me in his prime. Did you truly think you had joined the ranks of masters just because you donned the hollow name of the Assassination Pavilion Lord? I heard the Dragon Slaying Alliance was like a well, and indeed, you were rotting away in Hebei, ignorant of the world."
"...Heh... heh... ptui!"
Seong Ryang-ha spat out blood-mixed saliva and stepped back.
Without even thinking of wiping his mouth, he gripped his short sword with trembling hands and spoke.
"I knew you had joined hands with the Blood Cult, but to think you’d be this base. You were the leader of a sect, Sa Mun-hyeok...! What joy will follow you, living alone after turning all your disciples into those things?"
"Gratitude and grudges only exist after one is alive, Seong Ryang-ha. You fool, didn't even Peng Ik-jin back then build such a reputation only after he survived?"
"At the very least, the Blade Emperor did not grovel to stay alive. Look at your own hideous state!"
"We shall see if that old man grovels when I plunge my sword into his throat."
Sa Mun-hyeok laughed, sword in hand.
Having achieved the state of Pure and Clear, his appearance and body had been perfectly restored to his prime, creating a stark contrast with the Pavilion Lord’s face, which had aged with time.
"Do you think we would be ill-prepared when you lot are striking with such momentum?"
"You madman... you have crossed the forbidden line of the Murim. This will not just be a matter of Orthodox and Unorthodox; even the Imperial Court will take issue with it. Even if your wretched life survives today, do you think Chongqing will be kept whole?"
"Haha—Hahaha!!"
Sa Mun-hyeok burst into boisterous laughter at Seong Ryang-ha’s desperate words.
"Crossing that forbidden line is the entirety of martial arts! Both transcendence and ecstasy lie beyond those lines. These words may be lost on you, but this old man shall give you a lesson. The sum of martial studies is only Life, and the true meaning of martial arts is only Killing—that is why the destination of martial arts is called the Gate of Life and Death!"
Sa Mun-hyeok’s sword fell toward Seong Ryang-ha’s neck.
"And what does it matter if Chongqing burns? As long as I am alive, why should I throw my life away worrying about what comes after? I can simply take more disciples, and I can simply rebuild the sect."
Seong Ryang-ha gritted his teeth and blocked the sword.
He already knew, but he was forced to realize it once again.
This madman was clearly a master a level above him, and perhaps even stronger than the Six-Armed Rakshasa Peng Ik-cheon, who was currently considered the strongest in the Dragon Slaying Alliance.
At the very least, he was far stronger than the Fist King, Eon Do-cheon of the Heavenly Void Fist.
The only reason he was still alive was that the man was letting him live.
Like the sensation of sharpening a blade before a great battle. He was merely a scarecrow to warm up the body.
That, too, was about to end. His hands shook, and his breath hitched.
'I have to let the Dragon Slaying Alliance know. I have to tell them that he brought in the Blood Cult and set a trap.'
Seong Ryang-ha’s gaze shifted to the side.
He saw a man fiddling with a tube containing the Assassination Pavilion’s signal flare. It was a Blood Ghost of the Blood Cult.
After slaughtering an assassin of the pavilion, he had picked up the signal flare from the corpse.
"You dare look away? Do you still have the luxury for that?"
—Thwack!
A foot slammed into Seong Ryang-ha’s abdomen. With an impact that felt like his internal organs were being turned to mush, Seong Ryang-ha’s body was sent flying. The Sword Demon slowly approached him and said:
"The fun is over."
From far away, a roar of "Waaaaa!" could be heard. The warriors of the Dragon Slaying Alliance were charging in after seeing the signal flare.
Right into this death trap.
The Sword Demon’s blade rose. Under the dark night sky, the blade gleamed alone.
At that moment.
—Wheeeeeee!
Along with a ear-splitting noise.
—Clang!!
The Sword Demon’s blade was violently deflected upward.
Since everyone present was a high-level master, they clearly saw the object that had flown in, lost its momentum, and was now floating in the air.
It was a Black Arrow. A single arrow, painted pitch black, had flown in and accurately struck the Sword Demon’s blade.
It wasn't a surprise attack that could succeed against a Harmony Realm master; it was done for the sole purpose of announcing one's location.
When the Sword Demon turned his gaze in that direction, he saw two shadows already fleeing from dozens of yards away.
"Run, run! Uncle! Run!"
"Just get on my back! Didn't you say you were only going to watch? Why on earth did you use that!"
"I-I’m somewhat acquainted with the Pavilion Lord, so seeing him die right before my eyes was a bit—!"
"Argh!!"
Hearing those voices, a smirk escaped the Sword Demon’s lips.
"The Murong family has arrived. First Elder, would you care to go and take those vermin?"
"Shouldn't we catch the Pavilion Lord first?"
"Hmm...?"
His presence was clearly still—
When he turned his gaze back, there was nothing left where the Pavilion Lord had been lying.
Even in that split second, he had used a technique to leave a heavy presence behind while his body slipped away. It was indeed the Silver Stealth, a technique containing the long history of the Assassination Pavilion.
He had unleashed the life-saving technique he had been saving until the very last moment, not missing the opening created by the Murong family’s intrusion. He had even embedded his intent deeply into the spot.
To think he had been hoarding that much strength until he was on the verge of death.
"He sought life first and pushed his grudges to the back; perhaps the realm beyond is not a dream for him after all."
The Sword Demon laughed as he watched the Pavilion Lord’s retreating figure in the distance.
"That is, if he makes it back alive today."
With those words, the figures of the Blood Ghost and the Sword Demon shot forward like bolts of light.