Chapter 57
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Gu Poison
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Cheonjung Mountain was vast, and a great many martial artists had flooded into it. With even Heavenly Demon Castle from Shin-gang getting involved, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that nearly every sect in the area with even a shred of confidence in their strength was scouring the peaks for the Heavenly Qi Master's hidden abode.
Among those sects, the Tang Family was naturally included. Sichuan, where the main Tang Family resided, was quite a distance away, but they had a branch in Heochang, Henan, which gave them ample leeway.
The Umun Family was also on the move, searching for the hidden abode. In truth, they had no intention of getting involved in this affair. But one person had forced their hand.
As such, neither the Tang Family nor the Umun Family could commit their full might. The Tangs had sent only a single branch division, while the Umuns were represented by Umun Hye and a handful of her warriors.
So the two families joined forces. To be precise, Umun Hye and Tang Ho-gwan had shaken hands. Thanks to that, they had set out together from Heochang and were now advancing step by step toward the Heavenly Qi Master's hidden abode, pooling their strength on Cheonjung Mountain.
"This is troubling. It's already the second time. Who knows how many more will show up, but if they all come at us at once instead of trickling in like this, it'll be a real problem."
"You're right. I never imagined even demonic cultists would appear. Most of them stick to Shin-gang or Cheonghae Province."
Tang Ho-gwan chimed in agreement. No matter how enticing the Heavenly Qi Master's hidden abode might be, the sight of demonic cultists practicing demonic arts showing up when the Martial Alliance itself was involved was shocking.
One thing was certain: the Martial Alliance Leader's Forbidden Demon Art was the bane of demonic cultists. No matter how powerful their demonic arts, they couldn't unleash their full strength before Dugun Un, the Martial Alliance Leader.
That made the Martial Alliance, with its leader present, the natural predator of demonic cultists. Even if Dugun Un was the only one versed in the Forbidden Demon Art, his mere existence was a curse to them.
"Have they found a way to overcome the Forbidden Demon Art?"
Tang Moon-young's eyes gleamed as she asked. She had come along on this expedition, her sharp mind deemed a valuable asset.
"Hmm, that seems unlikely. To research and overcome it, one would need deep knowledge of the art—and right now, only the Martial Alliance Leader possesses that."
"True enough."
Umun Hye and Tang Moon-young nodded in unison. Yet inwardly, they couldn't shake their doubts. How else could they explain the sudden surge of so many demonic cultists?
"I have a bad feeling about this. Demonic energy is seeping in from all directions. There must be far more of them than we thought."
At Tang Ho-gwan's words, Umun Hye and the Umun Family warriors, along with the Tang Family fighters, tensed up.
The warriors Umun Hye had brought were her personal elite units: the Azure Lion Unit and White Lion Unit, along with the Golden Lion, Silver Lion, and Spirit Lion squads. All told, they numbered over forty.
A demonic cultist or two would be no match for them. Umun Hye had absolute faith in the White Lion Unit especially.
The Tang Family had dispatched thirty of their own as well—highly skilled ones at that. They were the cream of the crop, handpicked elites. Having weathered the previous Thunderclap Bomb escort mission, they had grown even more seasoned.
With those two forces combined, their strength was formidable. But demonic arts were truly fearsome. And the people who cultivated them were even more so.
To master demonic arts generally required abandoning one's humanity. They involved inhuman acts, and in the process, one's moral compass was lost.
Of course, even demonic arts could be transcended at the pinnacle, overcoming the inner demon—but reaching that height was exceedingly rare.
"We'll need to stay on high alert this time."
Tang Ho-gwan's warning wasn't meant to frighten them; it was a stark reality. The group heightened their vigilance at his words. And then, a foul demonic aura began oozing from every direction.
Men with bloodshot eyes appeared from all sides, grinning wickedly. There were easily more than fifty of them at a glance.
"The hidden abode we want doesn't show up, but these pests do..."
Umun Hye pouted and grumbled. It was just an attempt to quell her unease, but it drew all the demonic cultists' gazes to her.
"Kekekehe. What prime prey we've stumbled upon."
"Kekekeuk. Mine first."
"Grab it first if you want it so bad. Kehehehe."
The demonic cultists' voices carried a baleful energy. Even a moment's lapse in focus could scatter one's concentration.
As Umun Hye furrowed her brow under their stares, it only provoked them further.
"That scowl is captivating. Kehehehe. Whoever kills the most gets first dibs."
At one cultist's suggestion, they all leaped into action—an unspoken agreement. Of course, whether they'd honor it was another matter.
The demonic cultists moved with blinding speed and power. But the Umun Family and Tang Family warriors were no pushovers, and they held the numerical advantage besides.
"You bastards!"
The Umun warriors roared in fury, swinging their swords. Insulting their mistress warranted no less.
The Tang Family fighters, harboring affections for Umun Hye, unleashed a barrage of hidden weapons in rage as well.
The battle erupted.
Tang Ho-gwan darted through the fray's center, aiding those in peril and maintaining balance. They had the numbers, but the cultists' raw power made it a struggle even for him.
Tang Moon-young and Umun Hye supported the fight in similar fashion. But neither could turn the tide decisively.
"Nngh, this is problematic."
The characters Heavenly Thunder flashed through Tang Ho-gwan's mind. If only he could use it freely...
Its power was still weak, but it was still Heavenly Thunder. Infusing lightning qi into Ten Thousand Plum Blossoms made even a feeble strike earth-shattering for the victim.
But he couldn't use it now.
Because Dan Hyeong-u wasn't there.
He had grasped the insight, but without Dan Hyeong-u nearby, he still couldn't channel lightning qi. Tang Ho-gwan had only realized this after Dan Hyeong-u left the escort mission.
He had trained relentlessly since, making incremental progress, but he still couldn't properly infuse it. Out of a thousand hidden weapons loosed at once, maybe one would carry lightning—if he was lucky.
"Kuhk!"
As Tang Ho-gwan lamented, one Tang warrior took a shoulder wound and fell back.
Pew!
A hidden weapon shot from Tang Ho-gwan's hand.
Clang!
The cultist blocked it, giving the wounded Tang warrior time to regain his footing. Injured but supported by comrades, he rejoined the fight.
Tang Ho-gwan scowled. They were being pushed back.
"Uncle Tang, why not try that?"
Umun Hye had taken to calling him "Uncle Tang" since they grew close, and he doted on her fiercely in return. For a bond forged in such a short time, it was remarkable.
Of course, it was Umun Hye's charm that had won over not just him, but Tang Moon-young too.
Tang Ho-gwan steeled his resolve. He would use Heavenly Thunder.
Even Ten Thousand Plum Blossoms alone wouldn't faze the cultists much. But if even one carried lightning qi, it could restore the balance.
Countless needles emerged from Tang Ho-gwan's bosom.
Heavenly Thunder
Lightning qi surges through Ten Thousand Plum Blossoms! Thunder crashes amid the storm of needles.
"Heavenly Thunder!"
Tang Ho-gwan bellowed, alerting his comrades. They knew his "Heavenly Thunder" was really just Ten Thousand Plum Blossoms in name only.
Even with his control, the weapons scattered everywhere, so caution was key.
As everyone braced, countless needles soared skyward.
"Ten Thousand Plum Blossoms! Kekekeke!"
The cultists laughed, swinging their swords wide. They feared it not at all. But the outcome shattered their expectations.
Flash!
Crackle-crackle!
Kaboom!
The needles they dismissed as mere speed demons each bore lightning. They descended as thunderbolts upon the cultists.
"Kweeeek!"
"Kyaaaak!"
The cultists screamed as lightning struck. None evaded properly. This was the Tang Family's supreme secret art: Heavenly Thunder.
Tang Ho-gwan stared blankly at the devastated field. The ground was pocked with craters from the bolts, and embers smoldered on branches.
"What are you doing? Put out the fires first!"
Umun Hye's shout snapped the stunned group into action, hastily extinguishing the traces of Heavenly Thunder.
Only the Tang Family members stood frozen.
"Uncle... you finally..."
Tang Moon-young couldn't finish, overwhelmed with emotion. They had reclaimed Heavenly Thunder. Its significance was immense—fifty powerful cultists felled in an instant.
As they basked in awe, a cheerful voice rang out.
"There you all are! What a pleasant surprise running into you in these mountains!"
Tang Ho-gwan turned at the familiar voice. Hyeong Pyo waved cheerfully.
"Henan Escort Bureau?"
Tang Ho-gwan wondered why they were here. Surely not after the hidden abode—they lacked the strength.
Neither he nor Umun Hye knew of the Escort Bureau's recent ordeal; it had happened after they left Heochang for Cheonjung Mountain.
"Wow, looks like quite the battle went down."
Hyeong Pyo approached with a grin. Tang Ho-gwan eyed him, then spotted the man behind.
"Y-you!"
Tang Ho-gwan recoiled in shock. Someone who shouldn't be here stood before him. And in that instant, he understood why Heavenly Thunder had suddenly worked.
Dan Hyeong-u was nearby.
"So that's it."
Tang Ho-gwan nodded with a hollow expression. But his eyes burned bright.
Even with Dan Hyeong-u present, that Heavenly Thunder was a monumental achievement—nearly the real thing. He still couldn't unleash it solo, but...
As Tang Ho-gwan lost himself in thought, one figure rushed toward Dan Hyeong-u.
Umun Hye. Arms wide, she threw herself at him, wrapping around his neck like long-lost lovers reunited after a decade.
"I missed you."
Dan Hyeong-u remained expressionless despite her tender words. But Umun Hye wasn't offended.
He hadn't dodged her embrace—that was satisfaction enough. Today would do.
His smiles and joy would come in time.
"Do we have time for this? Everyone's busy moving."
The voice from the rear of the Henan Escort Bureau group tensed the air. It carried an oppressive demonic aura impossible to resist.
A new demonic cultist had appeared.
Umun Hye subtly pulled away from Dan Hyeong-u, scanning behind. A man stood leisurely, sword at his side.
"N-no way...!"
Tang Ho-gwan pointed with a horrified face, his finger trembling.
"Yes, it's the Sword Demon."
Hyeong Pyo's casual reply swept through the group. At "Sword Demon," all froze, eyes locked on him.
The Sword Demon met their stares calmly, offering a faint smile.
Chapter 3: Gu Poison
"Hmm, so that's how it is."
Tang Ho-gwan nodded as if accepting, but doubts lingered within.
How could he trust the Sword Demon? He was from Heavenly Demon Castle. Their terror stemmed from unity—bound under the Heavenly Demon's banner, they wielded greater power together.
Most demonic cultists operated in Shin-gang or Cheonghae, where the Martial Alliance's reach was weak.
It wasn't nonexistent, but their numbers were too vast for easy pacification.
And demonic cultists were outrageously strong. Even the Martial Alliance needed the Leader himself to prevail.
Heavenly Demon Castle sat at the edge of Shin-gang's Cheonsan Mountains, recruiting only the most notorious powerhouses among its cultists.
They gathered under the Heavenly Demon, a figure acknowledged by most such fiends—a schemer and supreme warrior.
The Sword Demon served under him. Trust was out of the question.
"In any case, since you're after the hidden abode too, we can travel together."
Even with the Sword Demon in tow, Tang Ho-gwan felt reassured. With Dan Hyeong-u, they could weather any storm.
Dan Hyeong-u had enabled Heavenly Thunder from a single glance at Ten Thousand Plum Blossoms. His downward sword strikes were absolute. And that movement technique, inhuman in its grace...
"That said, this many people will make navigating the mountains tricky."
Jo Seol-yeon spoke cautiously, and Tang Ho-gwan had to agree. The Tangs alone numbered over thirty; with the Umuns, it neared ninety.
Adding the Escort Bureau pushed past a hundred. Fine on open plains, but this was rugged terrain.
"Send half back."
Umun Hye nodded at Tang Ho-gwan's suggestion. But Jo Seol-yeon and Hyeong Pyo looked troubled—ordering the porters home now was tantamount to a death sentence.