Chapter 99: Heavenly Demon, Just Burying a Corpse
Heavenly Demon, Just Burying a Corpse
Chapter 99: Heavenly Demon, Just Burying a Corpse
"Welcome, champions."
Members of the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting—an exclusive gathering of tournament winners—greeted Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak as they entered the conference room. Among them were young men around Woo-sung's age and seasoned warriors well into their late thirties.
As past victors of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, each was considered among the elite within the Murim Alliance.
The eldest among them spoke first.
"Everyone here is a member of the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting. We don't belong to any specific division, nor do we share the same duties. We simply gather occasionally to exchange thoughts. Please, take a seat."
As Woo-sung and Baek Yak settled into their chairs, another man continued.
"Let's skip introductions—you'll learn who we are in time. I'll get straight to the point. As you know, locating the Demonic Path's stronghold hasn't been easy. That's what we were discussing."
The martial artists of the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting exchanged glances before turning their attention to Woo-sung. It seemed they had already deliberated among themselves, so Woo-sung and Baek Yak listened quietly.
"The last plan proposed was Huang Gai's 'Bitter Deception.'"
Woo-sung nodded.
"Could you elaborate?"
Of course, he knew what the Bitter Deception was—a stratagem where one deliberately harms their own to deceive the enemy. The most famous example was Huang Gai of Wu feigning defection to Cao Cao.
The man who had mentioned the plan introduced himself.
"I suppose introductions are in order. I am Woo Si-gyeol of the Gale Brigade."
As a brigade leader within the alliance, Woo Si-gyeol was undoubtedly among the top-tier experts. Though Woo-sung, whose strength had grown exponentially, felt little awe, Si-gyeol was still a recognized master within the martial world.
Si-gyeol continued.
"Since we've already discussed this among ourselves, we wanted your opinion. Our gatherings aren't secret, so we deliberately delayed summoning you. The location for the deception is here, and the time is now. We know your strength is formidable. If a dispute were to break out here, you'd beat us half to death before fleeing. The reason would be obvious—you're the same man who thrashed even Guyang Hoo. Naturally, the Murim Alliance would punish you officially. It's a difficult operation—someone would have to be severely injured, and you'd face condemnation. But we're considering this because we suspect spies may have infiltrated the alliance. If someone approaches you, we might uncover them or intercept the Demonic Path's movements. What do you think?"
Woo-sung nodded slowly, scanning the faces of the younger members.
How desperate must they be to resort to this?
But his experience in the martial world far surpassed theirs. And the Demonic Path he knew wouldn't fall for such tricks.
Still, he appreciated the effort and replied calmly to avoid bruising their pride.
"I oppose it."
"Why? Speak freely. We were hesitant ourselves."
"We welcome dissenting opinions. We mainly wanted to meet and discuss with you two."
Woo-sung adjusted his explanation to their level.
"What the Demonic Path seeks isn't territory, spies, or numbers—it's individual martial prowess."
Some of the champions bristled inwardly, but they kept listening as Woo-sung continued.
"Their targets have been the Fist King, the head of the Moyong family, and now even Sword Emperor and Blade Emperor. This means the core figure of the Demonic Path must possess strength surpassing even Blade Emperor's to make absorbing such power worthwhile."
"Hmm..."
Si-gyeol gestured for him to go on.
"That's the first reason. The second is connected—they won't emerge openly until they can surpass the Three Gods. They remember their defeat in the Five Peaks War. In my estimation, they'll continue these exhausting ambushes until a Demon God capable of facing the Three Gods simultaneously is born. What follows is speculation."
Several members folded their arms, urging him to continue.
"We're listening."
"Go on."
Woo-sung obliged.
"The alliance leader, Sword Emperor, the other members of the Three Gods, sect leaders, family heads... These are their primary targets. If I may add, even the strongest of the Black Path. Their second goal is internal—absorbing rival factions within the Demonic Path itself. Twenty years have passed since the Five Peaks War. Those who attacked Blade Emperor may have aimed to consolidate power."
The champions' expressions hardened. This was something they hadn't considered.
"Lastly, the most concerning possibility—if the first two fail, they may abandon targeting individuals and resort to outright slaughter."
Woo-sung's implication was clear: before another full-scale war like the Five Peaks, they would devour weaker sects to bolster their strength.
For the orthodox factions, this was a dire prospect.
One man spoke up.
"So instead of absorbing martial power, they might massacre to replenish their strength?"
Woo-sung nodded.
"They might employ all three methods. That's what worries me."
Si-gyeol smiled.
"Your perspective is entirely different. Since we're here, we might as well hear more. Given this assessment, do you have further advice?"
At least Si-gyeol and the others seemed open-minded.
Now Woo-sung had no choice but to speak seriously.
"There is no solution."
"None?"
"Shh, let him finish."
"This isn't a contest of strength but of survival. Prepare, train, guard the alliance leader, ensure our seniors aren't left vulnerable, and strengthen ties between sects. The Murim Alliance and the Emperor's Council didn't get along—that's why the council's strongest died isolated. I'm not blaming the alliance, but broadly speaking, that's the truth. Of course, Blade Emperor's overconfidence played a part—he likely thought no one outside the Three Gods and the alliance leader could rival him. Hence, it's a matter of survival. We may lose battles, but we can't allow a Demonic Path reign. We must live diligently and stay vigilant. Even if the Black Path asks for help against the Demonic Path, the alliance must act. Are we prepared for that?"
"Helping the Black Path? That's absurd."
Woo-sung glanced at Baek Yak.
"Train daily, share information, fulfill duties, and wait for the Demonic Path to entangle themselves in our net. They prey on weaknesses—and everyone, individuals or groups, has them. As Blade Emperor did."
And, bitterly, so had the Fist King.
Though Woo-sung had finished, the champions remained silent, pondering his words.
After a moment, Woo-sung asked,
"Will some of you be joining the search parties soon?"
Several nodded, and one replied,
"I volunteered. I enjoy traveling. Any advice?"
"If they're hiding deep in the Central Plains, finding them may be impossible. If the alliance's intelligence fails, we must think differently—break conventional assumptions."
"Such as?"
Woo-sung voiced a terrifying possibility.
"What if they've slaughtered and taken over an entire sect within the alliance? Or occupy imperial lands under the court's protection?"
"The Demonic Path?"
"The imperial court would prefer all martial artists gone. I've been tracking them alone, so take this as speculation."
Being sharp-minded, the champions tried thinking outside the box.
One mused,
"What if they're not on land? Some large lakes have islands. I recall reading about it in Jin So-han's chronicles."
"I think I've read that too."
"Or an entire island shrouded in mystic formations, preventing boats from approaching."
Baek Yak added,
"They could be in the frontier regions. Simple—psychologically, the lands beyond the Central Plains are seen as hostile. Even if the alliance sends scouts, they'd be easy to handle."
"A valid point."
Si-gyeol looked at Woo-sung.
"We called you here only to receive lessons. Now, the real matter—as Dragon-Phoenix Tournament winners, you're automatically members of this meeting. Refusal isn't an option. No leader, no fees, no fixed location, no hierarchy—just an open gathering. Once in, you can't leave. Even the alliance leader is stuck—he's a past winner too."
At Si-gyeol's forceful declaration, the others burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
Woo-sung and Baek Yak exchanged glances before bowing to the champions. Woo-sung said,
"The rules suit me. I'll join."
"We're honored."
Such was the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting.
Though unstated, all present held key positions—Special Operations, Military Council, Guard Division—and were rising stars.
Yet even as they laughed, Woo-sung studied their faces carefully.
Laughter aside, he didn't fully trust them.
Being past tournament winners meant little to him.
After all, he'd just met them today.
The Fist King had kept an eye on the Murim Alliance too.
Around the time Woo-sung mentioned "absorbing rival factions within the Demonic Path," two former comrades—Heavenly Demon and the Tyrant—clashed.
The Phantom Demon spoke.
"Spare him, Wi Ji-cheon."
He wasn't even fighting.
"GAAAH!"
The words were directed at Wi Ji-cheon—the Heavenly Demon—who was dragging the Tyrant by his hair across the ground while evading the Blood Lord's Blood Sky Technique with effortless footwork.
At one point, Ji-cheon yanked the Tyrant's head up, muffling his screams.
Despite hauling the massive warrior, Ji-cheon's movement wasn't slower than the Blood Lord's relentless assault.
The Phantom Demon muttered,
"Blood Lord, stop. It's too late."
Ironically, the Tyrant had taken more damage from the Blood Sky Technique than Ji-cheon's attacks.
Ji-cheon had deliberately positioned himself at the center, using Void Manipulation to redirect the Blood Lord's strikes. The gap in combat experience was staggering.
As the Tyrant burned under the Blood Sky Technique, Ji-cheon drained his life force—Supreme Yang Energy—into his dantian.
Neither the Blood Lord nor the Phantom Demon wanted this outcome.
When the Blood Lord halted, despair etched on his face, Ji-cheon retreated seven paces, eyeing them coldly as the Tyrant's body withered.
Ji-cheon was wary—he'd never seen the Phantom Demon fight.
The Blood Lord roared at the Phantom Demon,
"Why did you just watch?!"
The Phantom Demon replied,
"You, unprepared, for real combat. And Wi Ji-cheon, strong."
Once Ji-cheon finished absorbing, he exhaled deeply and stood, smoothing his disheveled hair.
"Blood Lord, Phantom Demon. There's one seat left among the Left Envoys. Still uninterested? If both of you join, I'll make room. This is just the beginning."
The Blood Lord turned to leave.
"...I'll report your actions to the Palace Lord."
Ji-cheon sighed.
"My friend, you saw the Tyrant attack first. Explain properly. And your friend here isn't one to lie. You, on the other hand... Tsk."
As the Blood Lord vanished without retort, Ji-cheon turned to the Phantom Demon.
"Phantom Demon, join me."
The Phantom Demon stared blankly.
"Wi Ji-cheon."
"Speak, my stuttering friend."
The Phantom Demon enunciated each word deliberately.
"You're not worthy of loyalty. You feel no loneliness or fear. You'll betray everyone and stand alone. Then bear the weight of your deeds. Or surround yourself with those like you. Like the Sword Demon."
Without turning his back, the Phantom Demon retreated. Ji-cheon called after him,
"Why'd you suddenly speak clearly? Why so inconsistent? Are you mad?"
The Phantom Demon tilted his head.
"Today, I saw your methods. I must train harder. Wi Ji-cheon, until next time."
As the Phantom Demon vanished, Ji-cheon did as he always did—kicked dirt over the Tyrant's corpse and tamped it down.
"What an orator. Stabbed right through the heart. And my techniques are exposed..."
He stomped on the Tyrant's half-buried face and grumbled,
"Honestly, none of you are sane."
Just then, the Young Palace Lord of Ten Thousand Demon Palace appeared with a white cat.
"Deputy Wi, what are you doing?"
Ji-cheon packed the dirt firmly.
"Young Lord, you're here."
"I asked what you're doing."
At the reprimanding tone, Ji-cheon straightened, clasped his hands behind his back, and replied flatly,
"Just burying a corpse."
His gaze locked onto the Young Lord, who fell silent.