Chapter 117
Chapter 117
The Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden (3)
'Whew. That was close—I almost greeted her warmly.'
Se-woon thought to himself as he watched Su-rin freeze like ice upon seeing him.
Though their training sessions—where he'd thoroughly beaten her—far outnumbered their actual conversations, he still felt a flicker of warmth at seeing her.
But he couldn't show it. The leader of the Cheoncheon Unit she knew wasn't Tang Se-woon.
'Come to think of it, I should come up with an alias for when I'm acting as the Unit Leader. I can't just keep being called "Leader" forever.'
After crushing the Blood Cult's forward outpost, the Cheoncheon Unit had imprisoned the captured Sound-Severing Blood Demon in the underground dungeon of the base.
For now, the task of managing him had been entrusted to Jang So-pyeong of the Kaifeng Branch. Unlike the other members who had returned to their own sects or families, Jang So-pyeong, as the branch leader of Kaifeng, could keep an eye on the base at all times.
Se-woon had ordered that the prisoner be given just enough rotten rice and muddy water to keep him barely alive.
And no one thought it excessive.
'For a piece of trash who used humans as fodder to breed the Solitude Parasites, even that is more mercy than he deserves.'
Recalling the wretched state of the Sound-Severing Blood Demon—who had wailed for death the moment he regained consciousness—Se-woon felt a deep satisfaction.
By now, the Blood Cult would have confirmed the complete destruction of their forward outpost.
This outcome would be a devastating blow to them.
Following the meaningless death of the White Night Fiend Heo So-chang, one of the Blood Cult's Ten Elders had been abducted—an unprecedented disaster.
The fact that their meticulously hidden outpost had been discovered by a mysterious group was shocking enough, but now one of their elders had been taken hostage?
Though they likely weren't worried about their secrets leaking, thanks to the Blood Demon's binding curse.
The greatest achievement of Se-woon and the Cheoncheon Unit was that they had created the first crack in the Blood Cult's seemingly flawless grand scheme.
'This will hit them completely differently from Heo So-chang's death.'
The White Night Fiend's demise had been unexpected, but the Blood Cult's plan to incite conflict between the Martial Alliance and the Unorthodox Factions had still succeeded.
This time, however, their carefully laid scheme had collapsed before it could even begin.
'Because those squirming Solitude Parasites were the key to triggering the Great Righteous-Demonic War in the previous timeline.'
With the power to control the life and death of countless orthodox martial artists through the Solitude Parasites, the Blood Cult had exploited their infected puppets to sow chaos and conflict.
Those whose lives—or the lives of their loved ones—were held hostage had no choice but to aid the Blood Cult, even knowing the devastation it would bring to the martial world.
But Se-woon had severed that root before it could take hold.
As everyone knew, he had burned every last Solitude Parasite to ashes.
He had made sure of it, ensuring not a single trace remained.
The Solitude Parasites possessed terrifying power, but they had one fatal flaw.
'They take an absurdly long time to hatch.'
That was right. To create the right breeding conditions and hatch the parasites required at least ten years.
He had briefly explained to the Cheoncheon Unit members that it was merely one of the Blood Cult's outposts, but in truth, the Solitude Parasite breeding ground was a core facility the Blood Cult had poured their blood and sweat into maintaining.
Having utterly annihilated such a place, the Blood Cult would now be scrambling to revise their plans.
Se-woon had informed the Cheoncheon Unit members of their success.
Though they were still reeling from the series of shocking events, as martial artists who carried a righteous fury in their hearts, they quickly steadied their resolve.
Before long, pride for the Cheoncheon Unit had begun to shine in their eyes when they looked at Se-woon.
When the time came to disperse after completing their mission, Se-woon didn't assign them individual tasks.
The risk of exposure was too great—if any of them were caught acting alone, they would become instant targets of the Blood Cult.
Instead, he simply gave each of them a detailed breakdown of the flaws in their martial techniques and how to improve them, along with the "encouragement" that failure to correct these issues by the next meeting would result in expulsion.
After setting the date for their next gathering, Se-woon returned to the Sichuan Tang Family.
—You're back.
The first to seek him out was none other than his father, Tang Mu-yeol.
Tang Mu-yeol's gaze was calm and heavy.
After a long silence, the father spoke with difficulty to his son.
—Se-woon, I intend to step down as family head.
This was something Se-woon had never anticipated.
Did his father think he was scheming to seize the position for himself?
He immediately tried to dissuade him, but Tang Mu-yeol shook his head slightly and continued.
—Now I understand why you've been so desperate all this time.
Having witnessed the horrific aftermath left by the Kaifeng Blood Massacre with his own eyes, Tang Mu-yeol had come to a profound realization.
It was the awareness of his own inadequacy.
He hadn't believed for a second the Namgung Family's claims that the Unorthodox Factions were responsible.
Only now did he truly grasp the depth of his son's warnings about the terrifying darkness lurking beneath the martial world.
—But this isn't me running away by passing the burden to you. It's so I can stand and fight alongside you.
—The turbulent times ahead can only be weathered by heroes.
Tang Mu-yeol's voice and demeanor were unwavering.
—My role now is to stand behind you.
To guard his child's back.
And Se-woon couldn't dissuade his father from his resolute decision.
Thus, it was decided that very day—Se-woon would ascend as the new head of the Sichuan Tang Family.
"So, you're saying you're now the head of the Sichuan Tang Family?"
Hmm, was it really that surprising?
The Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden's mouth hung open so wide he could practically see down her throat.
'Well, I suppose it is shocking.'
When Se-woon nodded in confirmation, the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden exhaled deeply, muttering "Hah..." under her breath.
But Hwa Wol-young's astonishment was understandable.
To become the leader of a prestigious family at such a young age—barely past his majority.
No, not just any family, but one of the Seven Great Families, the most elite martial clans in the world. Such a thing was unprecedented in all of history, save for one exception.
'......Only the legendary Heavenly Demon.'
She didn't want to compare this boy to that monster, but history spoke for itself.
As she struggled to process the shock, Se-woon smiled faintly and continued.
"To be precise, it's not a full succession yet. Think of it as a regency period."
"A regency..."
A regency referred to when a crown prince governed in place of an ailing or elderly king, ruling under the monarch's guidance.
"Is the family head—no, is Tang the Great unwell?"
"Not in body, but..."
Se-woon hesitated before speaking with difficulty.
"My father was deeply shaken by the horrors left behind by the Kaifeng Blood Massacre."
"Ah."
"After returning, he expressed his wish to step down as family head and focus on his duties as a physician, dedicating himself to healing the suffering commoners."
"......I see. That's understandable."
Hmm, that should suffice.
Se-woon had fabricated a plausible excuse.
But the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden showed no sign of suspicion.
"We had planned to announce the transition publicly only after the handover and training were complete, so I must apologize for informing you belatedly."
"Nonsense. It's only natural to keep a family's internal affairs private. Pay it no mind."
"Your understanding eases my heart."
Se-woon bowed respectfully.
His dignified and composed demeanor—rare even among seasoned elders—unconsciously drew a pleased smile from her.
'But how strange...'
At first, she had been deeply concerned by the other party's terrifying, transcendent talent.
Yet the more they spoke, the more inexplicably comfortable she felt around him.
It was as if she were talking to a fellow disciple or a martial artist from her own sect.
But that was impossible.
'The Divine Maiden Sect doesn't accept secular disciples. There's no way our techniques could have leaked to the Tang Family.'
So why did she feel the distinct aura of the Divine Maiden Sect's martial arts emanating from Se-woon?
It was truly baffling.
Just as Hwa Wol-young tilted her head in confusion—
"By the way, did you arrive ahead of schedule to discuss the Mystical Forge?"
"......!"
Se-woon's words shattered her thoughts.
For some reason, the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden's expression darkened abruptly.
After a long silence, she exhaled deeply and spoke.
"Sigh... Since you've also been laboring over the forge's activation, I'll cut to the chase."
"Please, Sect Leader."
"......I came today to inform you that I may not be able to assist with the Mystical Forge's activation."
"!!"
The Mystical Forge could not be activated.
For the Sichuan Tang Family, this was a bolt from the blue.
Se-woon's pupils trembled as if struck by an earthquake.
......But inwardly, he felt differently.
'Well, I expected as much.'
From the moment she arrived, Se-woon had already guessed this might be the case.
During the Mystical Forge's activation, the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden's role was to ignite the first flame of the Spirit Fire burning within.
It could only be kindled through an immense expenditure of spiritual energy via a secret ritual.
"At the Martial Alliance's Mystical Forge, I was able to ignite the Spirit Fire by amplifying the effect with a sacred artifact left behind by my master."
"I see."
"But that artifact was completely drained of power while purging the remnants of the Kaifeng Blood Massacre's curse. It's now sealed in a dormant state."
"Ah..."
"My apologies. I was so preoccupied with aiding the victims that I only learned of the Alliance's decision too late."
"Then, when might the artifact's seal be lifted?"
"Hmm... At the very least, it will require three months of meditation and energy infusion to restore its function."
"Three months..."
Se-woon feigned deep contemplation before murmuring,
"I'm afraid three months is far too long. Many of our plans were already set in motion under the assumption that the Mystical Forge would be operational. Is there truly no alternative? We could procure spirit pills or elixirs to supplement the spiritual energy required."
Though his face showed desperation, Se-woon already knew his suggestion was absurd.
Sure enough, the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden shook her head.
"I understand your urgency, but it's impossible. Spiritual energy isn't something that can be substituted. Only the pure energy cultivated through rigorous training can restore the artifact."
"Hmm... Then is there no other means of amplification?"
"There is, but obtaining it is virtually impossible. To match my master's artifact, you'd need a divine relic of extreme yang energy—something like the South Sea Solar Palace's Undying Ember Essence or the Ten Thousand Thunder Pearl of the Minor Thunder Temple."
The Undying Ember Essence, comparable to the North Sea Ice Palace's Eternal Ice Crystal, was a sacred artifact passed down through the Solar Palace's leaders. The Ten Thousand Thunder Pearl was likewise a symbol of the Minor Thunder Temple's abbot, a esoteric Buddhist sect based in the western regions.
Even Su-rin couldn't hide her dismay upon hearing the required materials.
These factions ruled their own corners of the martial world, untouched by the influence of the Martial Alliance or the Seven Great Families.
"Then it seems there's no other choice."
"Sigh... I truly apologize for—"
"In that case, please return to our family in fifteen days."
"Very well. Fifteen days—......Wait, what?"
Fifteen days?
Not three months?
"......What do you mean?"
"You said it's possible if we have a divine relic for amplification, correct?"
"W-Well, yes, but..."
Perfect.
Se-woon inwardly cheered.
He had secured her confirmation—if they had the materials, it could be done.
In truth, this had been his goal in meeting the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden.
He already knew exactly where and how to obtain a divine relic of extreme yang energy.
A single location flashed through Se-woon's mind.
"In fifteen days, I will deliver the relic needed to activate the ritual into your hands, Sect Leader."
"......!!"
The Southern Barbarian Territories.
His next destination—where he would crush the Blood Cult's schemes and retrieve the divine relic Wildfire, the key to activating the Mystical Forge.