Chapter 94: I Am the Sword Demon.
As he unleashed Heaven Earth Infinite, Jin Muhon came face-to-face with Jeongun's memory in that fleeting instant.
This is…
Something had felt off. Astonishingly, the entity possessing Nangong Yeong's body was not a grudge-bound ghost summoned by the Fate Soul Heaven Sacrificing Scripture.
Has Ma-seon reached such heights?
The souls wielded by the Fate Soul Heaven Sacrificing Scripture were typically vengeful spirits buried in resentment, wandering the mortal realm. The core of the art lay in harnessing them as ghostly energy for inner power or deploying them as death souls or split souls.
But Jeongun was different. He had lived out his natural lifespan and departed the world cleanly. Yet Ma-seon had dragged his soul from the netherworld and crammed it into a living body on earth.
A contingency to check the Four Emperors, no doubt.
A scheme to shake the enemy's resolve by pitting old ties against a blade. Jin Muhon didn't know Jeongun's exact role in the Four Emperors' demise, but it was a feat that transcended human limits—a skill worthy of the title King of the Netherworld.
"Tch. The dead should stay dead."
Swaaaaa—
Jin Muhon brushed past Nangong Yeong, thrusting his Four Emperors Sword toward the lingering blood-red afterimage in the air.
Wuuuuuung—
A heavy recoil traveled up the blade. The force flowed through Jin Muhon's frame into the ground, soon rippling outward in massive concentric circles that shook the entire hall.
Kururung!!! Kurururung!!
"Eek!"
"W-Watch out! The pavilion's collapsing!"
The massive structures groaned and tilted, screaming in protest.
No need to clash souls head-on.
Through Jeongun, Jin Muhon had gained certainty. The Fate Soul Heaven Sacrificing Scripture alone couldn't counter Ma-seon, a monster who summoned souls from the afterlife. Rush in recklessly, and he'd be devoured instead.
But that didn't mean there was no way. Cloud Peak Mist Sea. Against a monster treading the path to immortality, he would deploy the immortal arts left by true immortals.
Interesting.
Rather than targeting Jeongun directly, Jin Muhon unleashed Heaven Earth Infinite on the blood containing him.
Swaaaaaaaa—
"Gasp! L-Look at that!"
"The demonic arts! They're being purified!"
The onlookers' eyes filled with shock. Why were demonic arts called demonic? The path of great demonic overlords usually left fields of blood-soaked carnage. Yet the scene unfolding before them was profoundly mystical.
"Ahhh…"
"Ooh!!"
The grotesque, writhing blood qi gradually faded at the tip of Jin Muhon's sword, dissolving into transparent mist like glittering jewels that scattered into the night sky. It wasn't death—it resembled life taking form.
Beneath the silent moonlit night, free of blood stench or metallic clashes, everyone watched in awe as the mist rose like the Milky Way into the heavens.
Clack.
Jin Muhon sheathed the Four Emperors Sword. Only then could the sect leaders and young experts snap back to reality.
***
Deep into the night, the Nangong family estate buzzed like midday. Ordinary warriors and laborers scrambled to clean up the devastation, while maids were summoned here and there for aftermath duties.
The renowned elders gathered for the Murim Conference were equally sleepless. The sect leaders had abandoned the ruined grand hall and relocated to the Family Head Residence.
"Hm. It's quiet here."
"Indeed. One can feel Sword Emperor's presence."
The usually dim Family Head Residence blazed with light for these unexpected guests. The open pavilion overlooked a lush rear garden, and tall walls blocked all outside views. Originally a prison for Nangong Cheon, it now proved an ideal spot for weighty discussions.
"Amitabha. It seems sleep will elude us tonight, so I've called this meeting."
"Well done, Alliance Leader. What is a Murim Conference if not us gathered like this?"
"Hahaha! Quite right."
Shaolin Abbot Gongyo stroked his white beard and took the head seat. To his sides sat the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families in rows, with Sword Emperor Nangong Cheon opposite him.
"The original agenda was aid for the Tang Clan, but more pressing matters come first. If you would, Sword Emperor, please explain the full story."
"Very well."
As Gongyo and Nangong Cheon conversed, the other leaders fell silent, listening intently. These two held the highest seniority here, representing the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families—no one dared act rashly.
"I can't pinpoint exactly when it began. If we count the shadow over the family, decades ago; if the first clear anomalies, several years back."
"Heavens! How could the world's Sword Emperor remain oblivious until things reached this point?"
"Shameful, but true."
"Amitabha. Amitabha."
Sword Emperor's face flushed slightly. Criminal or not, Gongyo's open reprimand before juniors violated rivers-and-lakes etiquette.
"Continue your tale, then."
"Understood."
Nangong Cheon suppressed his displeasure and spoke calmly. How his son and family head Nangong Yeong had changed, how he'd lost his inner energy to unknown arts. How he'd bided his time, sought Buso-yong's aid, met Jin Muhon, and reached this day. Despite the two-hour tale, the leaders listened without a blink to the Nangong family's humiliating secrets.
"…And so it came to pass."
"Hm… A tragic affair. But who exactly are they? Truly the Demonic Cult?"
"Jin Family Head here might explain best."
"Hm?"
Nangong Cheon glanced at Jin Muhon nearby. Normally, an obscure family head couldn't even peek into a gathering of the righteous world's top brass. But without Jin Muhon, everyone here would have suffered greatly. Most leaders, save a few, regarded him with goodwill.
"Yunbong Jin Family… Truly an unfamiliar name."
Gongyo was among the few. Jin Muhon met his gaze with his signature impassive stare.
"……."
"……."
"Ahem! Hm!"
The prolonged silence drew pointed glances from the leaders.
"Jin Family Head. Please stand and introduce yourself properly."
Creeeak—
Jin Muhon smirked, pushed back his chair, and rose. Looking down, he saw aged eyes gleaming with ugly greed.
"Introduce myself. How exactly?"
"Ahem! No strict format, of course. Just naturally mention your origins, moniker, and such."
Jin Muhon's natural demeanor left the speaker oblivious to the bluntness. Jin Muhon met each leader's eyes before speaking slowly.
"Jin Muhon of the Yunbong Jin Family. Apparently I've picked up some odd moniker lately, but originally, you all called me…."
"……?"
"Hey! Jin Family Head! Do you know where you are, speaking so casually?!"
"The Sword Demon."
"Speaking… What? What did you say?"
The hall froze. Most blinked, doubting their ears. Gongyo shot a urgent look at Nangong Cheon, who nodded with a faint smile.
"……!"
Bam!
Ami Sect Leader Wonji slammed the table.
"Aha! The thief betrays himself! You've confessed with your own mouth!"
"N-No! Elder Wonji! What do you mean? Surely he isn't really—"
"Hmph! That's what I was about to say! Yunbong Sword Hero? Ha! Ridiculous! He's the Sword Demon, most infamous among demonic overlords—that one!"
"Gasp!"
"Eek?!!"
"What?!"
Crash!
The leaders sprang up, creating distance. Chairs flew, swords drawn in haste. Only Sword Emperor Nangong Cheon, Muheo, Buso-yong, and Jegal Family Head Jegal Gak remained seated. Muheo whispered to Jegal Gak across from him.
"Hey, Jegal Family Head. Not standing?"
"……."
Jegal Gak merely smiled softly in reply.
"H-How did this happen?!"
"How is the Sword Demon here?!"
"Hmph! Still clueless? We've fallen into the Demonic Cult's trap—of course the Sword Demon's there!"
Wonji pressed Jin Muhon with venomous eyes, sensing opportunity. Jin Muhon showed no reaction, unmoved.
"But I heard the Sword Demon came from the Demonic Cult…."
"His arts didn't look demonic at all."
"Honestly, if the Sword Demon's switched to the righteous path, isn't that better?"
Those who'd reflexively tensed slowly lowered their swords. Aside such sects near Demonic Cult lands, most had no direct grudge against the Sword Demon. Above all, the Heaven Earth Infinite against the blood demon lingered in many leaders' hearts.
"Huh?"
Muheo glanced around in surprise. The leaders' reactions were friendlier than expected. The uproar faded, all eyes turning to Jin Muhon.
"Sword Demon. I apologize for the earlier rudeness."
The leader who'd prompted his introduction bowed politely. Though younger, this was the Demonic Cult's former second-in-command. Even the Murim Alliance Leader couldn't treat the Sword Demon's prowess and fame lightly. Jin Muhon nodded slightly at the sincere apology, then spoke in a heavy voice.
"Today's events aren't limited to the Nangong Family. No sect or family can rest easy."
Bam—!
One leader slammed the table.
"Are you threatening us now?! Even the Demonic Cult lacks the power to strike the entire righteous world!"
"Not a threat. Just facts."
"Proof?!"
Jin Muhon eyed the fuming leader—ruddy-faced, burly, hot-tempered by looks.
"Me."
"What? You, Sword Demon, as proof? What do you mean?"
"I fell to a Demonic Cult bastard. Lost my inner energy, got exiled. Even the Cult Leader lost his power."
"……!"
"W-What? The Heavenly Demon lost his power?!"
The hall erupted like a storm. More chaotic than when Jin Muhon revealed himself. The world's supreme Heavenly Demon, undisputed giant across righteous and demonic—a fall from such heights. From anyone but the Sword Demon, it would be unbelievable.
"Sword Demon. You're saying someone is sowing chaos not just in the righteous world, but the Demonic Cult too?"
A long-silent leader in crisp Daoist robes spoke up—Huashan Sect Leader, mind likely reeling from the blood demon's identity. Jin Muhon nodded faintly in answer.
"The Four Emperors Alliance too."
"What?! Even the Four Emperors leaders fell to them?!"
"Unbelievable! What force strikes righteous, demonic, and emperors at once?!"
"The imperial court, perhaps?"
"Nonsense! We'd know first if so!"
The leaders debated fiercely among themselves. Jin Muhon leaned back, arms crossed leisurely. Sword Emperor gave him an awkward smile.
"Forgive them. They get like this whenever they gather."
Jin Muhon quirked a lip. Buso-yong offered him tea. He nodded thanks in his eyes and sipped the warm brew.
After two hours of spittle-flying arguments, the Huashan leader infused his voice with qi.
"This is maddening. Just ask the Sword Demon."
"……."
"……."
How could the pinnacle of each sect not know? Pride and posturing made them take the long way.
"Amitabha."
Gongyo from the head seat fixed his gaze on Jin Muhon.
"Sword Demon. Do you know who's behind this?"
Jin Muhon set down his cup and nodded heavily.
"I do."