Chapter 89
Chapter 89
The Descending Darkness
"How is Hwangbo Geon faring?"
Namgung Myeong sipped his tea as he addressed the man seated across from him during their private meeting.
The middle-aged man bowed deeply before answering his lord seated at the head of the family head's chamber.
"Despite suffering from the aftermath of his shattered dantian, he continues to keep his mouth shut."
Though the streaks of gray at his temples spoke of his advancing years, his gaze remained as cold and sharp as ice—like a wolf baring hidden fangs.
This was none other than Namgung Taeyun, the second-in-command of the Namgung Clan, the foremost family in the martial world, and the unwavering right hand of Namgung Myeong—known as the "Azure Sky Blood Wolf."
"It's not out of loyalty to me that he remains silent."
"Indeed. He likely realizes that the only lifeline left for him is you, Lord Clan Leader."
Namgung Myeong set down his teacup and continued, "I expected the fool to babble nonsense once cornered. It seems even the dullest of men find some hidden wit in their final moments."
"......"
In truth, much of Hwangbo Geon's actions during the Kaifeng Blood Incident were connected to the Namgung Clan.
Yet Hwangbo Geon refused to speak.
Even if he couldn't survive, he believed Namgung Myeong and the Namgung Clan would protect his family.
"His execution will take place soon. Instruct the warden of Thunder Prison to coax him into keeping his mouth shut until then."
"As you command."
Of course, Namgung Myeong himself had no intention of saving the Hwangbo family.
At that moment, a glint of unmistakable greed flashed in Namgung Myeong's eyes.
"What of the funds and assets he controlled?"
"We successfully seized all of Hwangbo's financial strongholds by using a martial sect established by a Namgung branch family in Jinan. All that remains of the Hwangbo estate is an empty shell of a manor."
"Everything they enjoyed was only because we sheltered them in the first place. Taking it back is hardly unfair."
"Indeed. With this, we've planted the Namgung banner in Shandong while also securing an additional thirty percent of the clan's projected annual revenue."
Clink.
Namgung Myeong set down his teacup abruptly.
"That's insufficient."
"Pardon?"
"It's far less than I anticipated. There must be hidden reserves beyond the known vaults."
"Ah."
"After the Kaifeng incident, kidnap those whose movements were suspicious and extract information from them. We'll squeeze out more than enough."
"Understood!"
Amidst the chaos, the Namgung Clan had moved faster than anyone else—turning crisis into opportunity.
They had stripped the Hwangbo Clan of all its wealth and claimed it for themselves.
'......Truly terrifying.'
And it all stemmed from the man before him.
Namgung Taeyun shuddered.
This was an ability Sword Emperor Yoo Jin-hak lacked—one that his master possessed in full.
"Cutting away a useless slave and even securing Shaolin, which remained unmovable—this can only be the will of heaven favoring me."
"Indeed!"
The talent of a true emperor, destined to stand above all others.
Namgung Taeyun was certain that the one who would soon ascend to the throne of the martial world was none other than Namgung Myeong.
Knock, knock.
Just then, a voice called from outside.
"Lord Clan Leader, the young master has arrived."
"Baek?"
Namgung Myeong granted permission, and the doors to the clan head's chamber opened, revealing a man of imposing aura.
Appearing to be in his mid-twenties, he immediately bowed respectfully to Namgung Myeong.
"......This unworthy son, Namgung Baek, greets the Clan Leader."
Known in the martial world as the foremost prodigy of the younger generation—
The "Heavenly Thunder Sword Dragon," successor to the previous generation's "Flame Mountain Sword Dragon"—
And now, due to unforeseen tragedy, the sole heir of the Namgung Clan—Namgung Baek.
Namgung Myeong's eyes gleamed with intrigue as he regarded his second son, who had arrived unannounced.
"Oh? You've broken through to the Pinnacle."
"......Yes, Father."
"The same achievement I reached at your age. You've worked hard."
"......Father, I have urgent news and must beg your pardon for this abrupt visit."
"Hmm?"
A flicker of doubt crossed Namgung Myeong's face.
Namgung Baek, who was usually excessively formal, had bypassed pleasantries entirely to state his purpose.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Namgung Taeyun bowed and swiftly exited the chamber, ordering the guards stationed outside to withdraw as well.
Left alone with his father, Namgung Baek delivered his shocking revelation.
"......The death reports of my elder brother and sister were falsified."
"!!"
"The coroner discovered traces of demonic arts entirely inconsistent with the Blood Sea Dragon King's martial techniques, but someone concealed the evidence."
The bodies of Namgung Jun and Namgung Ho-yeon had been delivered first to the Namgung Clan, not the Murim Alliance's autopsy chamber—
Because Namgung Myeong had declared that no outsider would lay a blade on his deceased children.
After the clan's coroner completed the examination, the report was forwarded to the Murim Alliance.
If Namgung Baek's words were true, this was a crime on par with Hwangbo Geon's treachery.
Understanding the severity, Namgung Baek had rushed here the moment he uncovered the truth.
"This proves the Blood Cult's claims weren't false. We must swiftly root out the spy within our clan and contact the Alliance to mend the rift between the orthodox and unorthodox factions before—!"
"There's no need."
"......What?"
Namgung Myeong's response was firm.
As his son stared in stunned silence, Namgung Myeong spoke in a voice devoid of emotion.
"I already knew."
"?!"
"Did you truly think I wouldn't know what you've just discovered?"
"Wh—What? Father? Then why—?!"
He already knew everything?
As Namgung Baek trembled in disbelief, Namgung Myeong asked,
"Do you know why the Namgung Clan could never surpass Wudang?"
"......?"
"Because the era I was born into—was an era of peace."
"Th-That can't be—!"
"But now—!"
Namgung Myeong's voice boomed suddenly, his face alight with ecstasy.
"At last—that era has ended!"
"......!"
"My son. It matters not whether the Blood Cult is our enemy or some hidden pawn lurking in the shadows."
"!!"
"What matters is that the perfect opportunity to forge a new world order has fallen into our hands—no, into mine!"
Namgung Baek's face was frozen in shock.
And rightfully so.
This was the first time he had witnessed his father's true nature.
If the schism between the orthodox and unorthodox factions escalated further, the bloodshed that would engulf the martial world was unimaginable.
Yet his father was calling it an opportunity without hesitation.
"Tomorrow, you will ascend as the new Young Clan Leader."
"F-Father! My brother and sister—their funerals haven't even concluded!"
"They were destined to fall behind regardless. This is more than enough to appease their spirits."
"Father!!"
"The martial world will change—and a new order shall be written!"
Whoosh!
Rumble—!
In that instant, an overwhelming aura erupted from Namgung Myeong's body, flooding the room like a tidal wave.
The presence of a supreme master, hot on the heels of the Sword Emperor himself, filled the chamber.
Thud.
'Guh—!'
Namgung Baek dropped to one knee.
Even though he had reached the Pinnacle, the sheer disparity in power was unbearable.
Then, Namgung Myeong murmured softly,
"That new order will be forged by us, the Namgung Clan—not by the likes of Wudang. And if anyone dares obstruct my grand ambition—even if it's the last child I have left......"
Namgung Baek's eyes were wide with horror as he stared at his father, now consumed by madness.
"......Be prepared to lose everything."
The same time.
Blood Cult's main palace.
"So, the conclusion is that Baekya-cha is truly dead."
Eighth Elder Yo Ui-rim, the "Black Bone Witch," spoke with a look of disbelief.
"Tch. That idiot. I knew that worm was doomed the moment he started flailing around recklessly."
"Amitabha. A disciple who couldn't even fulfill the Cult Leader's simplest order deserved death."
As Seventh Elder, the "Twin Demons of Slaughter," clicked his tongue, Fifth Elder Death Buddha, the "Death Buddha," spun his prayer beads and spat venom without hesitation.
The five elders were holding a meeting while their master rested briefly.
"Hmm, but the Tang Clan's name has surfaced again."
At that moment, Second Elder Ghost Shadow, the "Blood Brain," shook his head with a pained expression.
"What does the Deputy Leader think?"
"The Tang Clan isn't the issue."
Deputy Leader Sword Demon Jo Yangpung answered in a chilling tone.
"It's Tang Se-woon. He is the problem."
"!!"
The moment Tang Se-woon's name was mentioned, killing intent flickered in the elders' eyes.
During the Poison Demon incident, they had dismissed it as a fluke caused by Ya Yul-seung's weakness and carelessness.
But this time, the Kaifeng Blood Incident had been reduced to a half-success—largely due to Tang Se-woon's interference.
"Tch. That Divine Craftsman talent. Who knew such an annoying power would emerge?"
"If even capturing the Poison Demon wasn't luck......"
"Amitabha. Rumors say he didn't refuse the Alliance Leader's offer to take him as a disciple—but secretly accepted and has been training under him."
"If he keeps obstructing our grand plans, shouldn't we just kill him now?"
"That's become difficult."
"Why?"
As the Twin Demons of Slaughter radiated bloodlust, Ghost Shadow replied firmly.
"After the truth of this incident spread, he's now hailed as a hero. Attempting an assassination now would backfire."
"That brat—how could he possibly be a threat?!"
"If his death triggers a full-scale investigation by the Murim Alliance, our tails could be exposed."
"!!"
"Our success with the Blood Cult could be overshadowed."
Unlike the Murim Alliance's failures, the Blood Cult's operations had been flawless.
Though they hadn't caused devastation on the scale of the Kaifeng Blood Incident—
They had secured ritual artifacts capable of inflicting greater damage than the Blood Rain sorcery.
They had amassed vast war funds.
And amidst the chaos, they had successfully planted their shadows in the cracks of the orthodox factions.
If such success could be rendered meaningless, caution was warranted.
The Twin Demons of Slaughter clicked his tongue regretfully.
"Tch. That bloodstained brat has suddenly become a major player."
"Well, just like during his fight with the Poison Demon, he reportedly pushed his innate qi to the extreme this time too. Left alone, he won't last much longer."
"True. His so-called 'heroism' is just a gamble—victory snatched by pouring his life into divine artifacts and innate qi, despite not even reaching the Flowering Realm."
Sword Demon Jo Yangpung continued,
"What matters now is deepening the rift between the orthodox and unorthodox factions—until it escalates into war."
"!!"
Instantly, all eyes locked onto him.
The war he spoke of was unmistakable—
The Great Righteous-Demonic War.
"Once the three elders operating in the Central Plains and beyond move to execute the second phase of our grand plan......"
As Jo Yangpung's words trailed off, a terrifying demonic aura seeped from every elder present.
"......That insignificant pest will be crushed beneath the tide of blood."
The "Tyrant of Sichuan."