Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Southern Barbarian Beast Palace
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‘Whew... This situation is really ambiguous.’
Baek Hyun let out a heavy sigh as he organized the information he had obtained from his first exchange with the possessors.
The fact that the Hao Clan or the Beggars' Sect had been absorbed by the Wheel of Destruction was truly grim, but it didn't mean all hope was lost.
It was a situation that could only be described as ‘ambiguous.’
‘Who would have thought there were more than one or two possessors.’
Baek Hyun recalled the last words from Sam-soon's contact.
‘Aside from you, nothing is confirmed yet, so just keep that possibility in mind for now. This is all the information I was ordered to relay to you, Master.’
The existence of another player who could become an ally, besides himself and Sam-soon, was good news.
No, if things went well, it would be the best possible scenario.
The problem was...
‘If it's a player I'm not close to who's possessed, cooperating might be difficult.’
Dominating the World was a game where only veterans remained, so a ranker capable of possession in this world would naturally be someone he knew.
The issue was that while they knew of each other, there were a few players he had never really talked to.
An incompatible ally was more dangerous than an enemy.
If the other possessor was someone he hadn't built rapport with beforehand, differences in playstyle or personality could lead to conflicts.
In that case, the presence of another player would become a liability.
‘At least they won't become enemies, that's fortunate.’
By the game system, players could not join villain organizations at all.
Moreover, if players didn't stop the villain organizations, the world would fall into chaos, so the possessors would surely work to subjugate them as well.
‘...Let's think positively. We do need every ally we can get.’
Just as Baek Hyun was trying to compose himself one way or another.
“Even you seem tense about heading into battle. Well, subjugating Malevolent Spirits is different from facing fellow humans.”
Baek Hyun's master, Mok Heon, who had been watching him, set aside the book he was reading and spoke up.
This was inside a fast-moving luxurious carriage.
They were currently heading to the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace headquarters along with various Starpoint Sect warriors.
“Ah, yes. Facing fellow martial artists does make me a bit nervous.”
“That's inevitable. Even if they're enemies, they're still human. In that sense, fighting Malevolent Spirits is far more relaxing.”
Mok Heon closed the book he had been reading and continued.
“However, even against fellow humans, you must not hesitate the moment you draw your sword.
No matter how much they preach the way of the blade and justice, the martial world is one of strict survival of the fittest. The actions of the strong are justified no matter how unreasonable, while the weak aren't even granted the right to converse with them.
Thus, we must prove our strength. To have a proper conversation with them.”
Baek Hyun, who had answered absentmindedly, was startled by the sudden profound teaching.
Was this what they called answering a fool according to his folly?
The more time he spent with him, the more he felt there was much to learn.
It truly felt like meeting a proper adult.
“Sect Leader... No, Master, do you plan to talk with them? Since they crossed the line first, I assumed we'd properly punish them.”
“Problems solved by violence alone will return as violence someday. If we resolve everything with force, what difference is there from the ruffians of the unorthodox sects or the Demon Cult?
The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace didn't used to show such aggression. There must be some circumstances.”
Oh, as expected of a sect leader from a Daoist sect with a touch of Buddhism—the dignity in his attitude toward enemies was something hard to put into words...
“That said, to reconcile with bandits who charge with swords drawn, you first have to disarm them and break their arms...
So, we'll first crush the Beast Palace's forces to break their morale, then gradually find out why they've done this.”
...It turned into half non-killing sword in just two sentences.
Was this truly the ‘righteous path’ philosophy that the Starpoint Sect pursued?
‘As expected, I like it.’
Baek Hyun nodded with a satisfied smile.
Mok Heon nodded back in the same way.
‘By the way, there might be circumstances... Certainly, the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace's movements are suspicious.’
No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace to挑衅 the Starpoint Sect.
From the perspective of the southern barbarians, maintaining exchanges with the Central Plains was greatly beneficial to their livelihood.
There was some sense of being ‘outsiders,’ but no particular ill will, and no major disputes had arisen.
Moreover, their military strength was inferior, so clashing head-on would mean higher chances of defeat.
Considering all those factors, their hostility felt truly out of nowhere.
Unless someone was pulling strings, suddenly changing attitudes like this was odd.
‘As expected, is it that side.’
A high executive of the Wheel of Destruction.
Just as Baek Hyun narrowed his eyes, having tentatively concluded.
-Knock knock
-Sect Leader, we have arrived.
Finally, the carriage carrying Mok Heon and Baek Hyun reached the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace's main base.
Upon hearing the voice from outside, Mok Heon and Baek Hyun disembarked, greeted by over a dozen warriors who all appeared to be at the peak realm or higher.
Around them, hundreds who had already dismounted from mounts were busily setting up a supply camp.
“Welcome, Sect Leader. You must have had a hard journey.”
“What hardship is there in riding comfortably in a carriage? You've all had it hard until now.”
“Thank you. And that child beside you is perhaps...”
“Baek Hyun, who became my disciple a few days ago at the mountain entry exam. He has excellent aptitude but lacks experience, so I've brought him to fill that gap.”
“Oh, so this is the famed Solar Body child. Even the Division Leader has been praising you.”
“It's an overestimation. I still have much to learn, so please teach me much, senior brothers.”
Facing the intrigued gazes, Baek Hyun cupped his fists and bowed politely.
An aura unbecoming of a Daoist, and the title ‘Division Leader.’
It didn't take long to guess their identities.
The Shoot the Sun Sword Unit.
The Starpoint Sect's strongest force, always at the forefront in slaying the sect's enemies, warriors of reversal called the arrowheads of Hou Yi.
“Where is Mok Jin?”
“The Division Leader went to respond to an attack on one of the outposts. He should be back soon...”
“Were you looking for me, senior brother?”
At that moment, a rough, feral voice like a wolf's echoed out.
Turning his gaze slightly, in the dense forest near the camp.
In the humid jungle where the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace's headquarters was located, a man with a long sword slung on his back emerged.
The leader of the Shoot the Sun Sword Unit, and one of the three elders in the Starpoint Sect.
Gale Swift Sword, Mok Jin.
His attire appeared spotless without a speck of dust.
But Baek Hyun, with his sharpened senses through the dantian, instantly realized he hadn't been idle.
‘His clothes reek of blood. Did he just finish killing?’
Sensing the human blood scent he hadn't smelled in a long time, Baek Hyun truly felt this was a battlefield of martial artists.
“Mok Jin, how's the situation?”
“Roughly sorted out. They were determined to just flee, so it was quite a hassle, but that's a strategy that only works if there's somewhere to run.”
In response to Mok Heon's question, Mok Jin began explaining the battle situation with a confident smile.
“They've set up outposts throughout their territory. We've established bases across the entire jungle they occupy, so once the main force presses in, they won't be able to flee even if they want to.”
“You set up bases across this entire vast jungle? That must have been hard work.”
“Yes, as you can see just now, those fly-like things keep interfering with base construction. My unit and I got quite the taste of it.”
Baek Hyun couldn't hide his amazement at Mok Jin and the Shoot the Sun Sword Unit's remarkable achievements.
No matter how much the enemy avoided combat, who would have thought they'd plant dozens of bases right in their front yard...
As expected of the Starpoint Sect's strongest force.
It was like the main sect force just laying a spoon on already-cooked rice.
“Anyway, once full battle begins, they won't avoid fighting anymore, so we were waiting for you, senior brother. The others maybe not, but...”
“Yes, cornered this much, the Palace Lord will step out now.”
The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace's Palace Lord, Maeng Liao.
His prowess as a warrior was slightly inferior to even Mok Jin, not to mention Sect Leader Mok Heon.
The problem was the ‘Monstrous Being’ he commanded.
The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace warriors communed with Monstrous Beings through special methods, living alongside them and fighting as one in battle.
Thus, it wasn't an exaggeration to say their strength was determined by how powerful a Monstrous Being they had tamed.
And the pinnacle of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, their supreme expert Maeng Liao's tamed Monstrous Being was...
“It's been a while since I'll get to hunt one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.”
One standing at the apex of all Monstrous Beings—the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.
That was why Mok Jin declared he couldn't handle Maeng Liao alone.
Within the Starpoint Sect, the only one who could face both Maeng Liao and his ‘terrifying monster bird’ simultaneously was the sect's supreme expert, Mok Heon.
“And one more thing to report. Actually, this is the most shocking news...”
“Shocking news? What could it be?”
“Among those interfering with us, there was a young girl who didn't even look twenty. Her movements were exceptionally swift, so it took two or three of my unit members to barely handle her.”
“Not even twenty, yet achieved that level? Impressive talent, but... doesn't seem that shocking.”
Mok Heon glanced back at Baek Hyun as he replied.
Matching several Shoot the Sun Sword Unit members, who had reached the peak realm at such a young age, was certainly remarkable.
But compared to Baek Hyun's astonishing achievements, it paled.
Mok Jin had witnessed Baek Hyun's skills just days ago, so why make a fuss over that...
“...That girl was also commanding one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.”
The moment Mok Jin's final words rang out.
A silence so deep not even breathing could be heard descended.