Chapter 187
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Valley of Sorrow
“Is everything loaded?”
“Yes, Young Guild Master!”
“Then, I'll conduct a final inspection.”
Cheon Hwi-san, the Young Guild Master of the Cheonbu Merchant Guild, meticulously inspected the goods loaded onto the carts. He cross-referenced the items from the Western Regions with documents, checking them one by one.
He checked for any damage and made sure the medicinal herbs from places like Blade Leaf Valley were properly treated to prevent spoilage on the journey.
To inspect things so meticulously without trembling before the cultists. Of course, at first, his heart had pounded just from entering the cult's territory, but it was different when he was checking the merchandise.
He had steeled his heart.
He was a quintessential merchant who calculated profits and losses with absolute certainty when it came to trade.
‘To think our Cheonbu Merchant Guild would join forces with the Demonic Cult to trade in the Xinjiang region... I can easily acquire herbs, tea, food, and even goods from the Western Regions that are only found here. If this trade route is successful, the profits will be substantial.’
Of course, he had to give a portion of the profits to the Dragon Demon Pavilion, but that was fine. Just securing the trading rights for the Xinjiang area brought more gains than losses.
“Good. Everything is in order. We will depart soon, so everyone, form up and stand by.”
“Yes!”
Cheon Hwi-san then went to find Cheon Ga-rak, the man in charge of the trade escort.
“We are ready to depart, Unit Commander.”
“Understood. By the way, Young Guild Master.”
“Yes.”
Cheon Hwi-san's heart began to pound again. No matter how well he thought he understood what kind of person Lord Mu-heun was, or Lord Pa-sun and Lord Un-pyo, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
The Demonic Cult, infamous for its wickedness.
This was the territory of the Demonic Cult.
The warrior before him was the Commander of the Demonic Cult's Azure Dragon Unit.
He was anxious that he might displease him.
However, Cheon Ga-rak smiled warmly and said.
“You're very meticulous with your product inspection, aren't you? Hahahaha!”
“Ah... yes. My father taught me that trust must be the foundation of a merchant's business.”
“Trust?”
“Yes, it's about buying and selling goods with confidence.”
“To build trust, one must have confidence.”
“Yes. To do that, I must first have confidence in myself, and one cannot have confidence without learning, researching, and confirming. So I studied hard. But how could this be my achievement alone?”
“Hm?”
“Before studying the products, what's needed is information.”
“Information about the products.”
“Before leaving Sichuan, I received a product list from Lord Baek Mu-hyeon, who is in charge of the Divine Cult's Dragon Demon Pavilion finances. Thanks to that, I was able to study in advance.”
“Hahaha, they are indeed known for their meticulous work.”
The Heavenly Dance Family's first son Baek Mu-hyeon, second son Baek Mu-seong, and third son Baek Mu-gang. While Mu-heun was away in the Central Plains, they were temporarily handling the Dragon Demon Pavilion's duties.
As they were indeed erudite and quick-witted young masters, their work processing was twice as fast as others. With their help, the Dragon Demon Pavilion had accomplished the remarkable feat of almost completely restoring the functions of the Red Demon Pavilion.
“That's right. So, the success of this venture is all thanks to the elders of the Divine Cult. I have merely followed their arrangements.”
“Hahahahaha. For a merchant from the Central Plains, you speak quite righteously! But your modesty is excessive! Sending a list of goods to be traded for confirmation beforehand. Isn't that perfectly normal? However, not taking what's normal for granted and meticulously checking and working is another matter entirely.”
“Haha... you flatter me.”
“Ahem, anyway, I and two squads from the Azure Dragon Unit will guard the very front. The Maple Leaf Unit will be in the center, and Pa-sun and Un-pyo will guard the rearmost position.”
A thorough escort for the long, snake-like caravan.
And among them were four warriors at or above the Transcendent Peak level. A massive force that even three average sects combined could not handle.
Cheon Hwi-san bowed and said.
“Thank you once again for the escort.”
“Haha, don't mention it. This trade route is important to us as well, so don't worry about it. More importantly, let's depart now.”
“Yes!”
Cheon Hwi-san said to the porters and drivers.
“We're moving out!”
“Yes!!”
Thus, the Divine Cult's first trade route, which had been blocked for some time, was reopened. From Kucha County in Aksu, back to Sichuan.
At that moment.
Atop a pavilion built in Kucha County, someone was watching their caravan depart. I-baek of the Fierce Tiger Family. His gaze was fixed solely on Un-pyo as he spoke.
“Wow... The more I look, the more amazing it is. Is that really the same Un-pyo from back then? He's changed beyond recognition.”
After meeting Un-pyo again, I-baek had immediately requested a duel. However, Un-pyo, who had to get right to his escort duties, had refused.
“Tch, would it kill him to fight for a little while?”
I-baek also knew why Un-pyo had refused. He knew it was a rational choice. But being denied a fight by someone he wanted to fight, he couldn't help but feel grumpy.
“Un-pyo. I wonder how much stronger you'll be the next time we meet.”
I-baek was astonished by Un-pyo's growth. During the Divine Dragon Assembly, he had clearly been a warrior who had only reached the Peak. He wasn't weak for the younger generation, but he was by no means I-baek's match.
Un-pyo, who wielded the great blade, Black Cloud. He had been weak, but he had fighting spirit. That's why I-baek had remembered him. However, the Un-pyo who returned from the Central Plains was a completely different person.
His fighting spirit was gone.
And yet, a tingling energy that sharpened one's animal instincts now emanated from his body.
He didn't know if it was his experience in the Central Plains that had made him grow, or Baek Mu-heun's influence. But one thing was certain: he couldn't fall behind him.
“Whatever the reason, next time, you will have to fight me.”
I-baek gave a light wave toward Un-pyo.
Un-pyo, too, felt the gaze from afar. And he waved back at I-baek.
Pa-sun, following at the rear and watching Un-pyo, spoke sarcastically.
“Anyone watching might think you two were lovers.”
“Shut up.”
“Haha, Lord Un-pyo. Do you think you can win if you meet Lord I-baek next time?”
“I don't know. But...”
Un-pyo caressed the great blade, Black Cloud, on his back and said.
“I have to win. So as not to bring shame to my lord.”
“Hmm... It doesn't look easy, but I think it's possible.”
“Yes, Lord I-baek has also reached the end of the Transcendent Peak. He might have even entered the Transcendent Demon realm already.”
At that moment.
There were others who were also watching their progress.
The commander of the Flame Demon's secret unit, the Soul Dark Assassination Unit.
It was Jeok-in.
***
The bandits in the border region between Xinjiang and Qinghai are largely divided into two factions.
The Flower Snake Sect, widely known to be led by a woman of flower-like beauty.
Their leader is Hong-rin.
The Blue Eye Sect, said to be led by a blue-eyed foreigner wielding a long spear.
Their leader is Ma-i.
These were people who chose to steal the crops harvested by farmers rather than toil and sweat to grow their own. They were blatant plunderers.
However, they never provoked powerful martial artists. They knew their place in order to live long. Their leaders, who were at best Peak-level masters, had established three absolute rules.
First. Do not mess with the warriors of the Kunlun Sect.
Second. Do not mess with the warriors of the Demonic Cult.
Third. Do not catch the eye of the Three Supreme Blades of the World.
Thanks to these rules, they had been able to survive for a long time. But it seemed that was about to end.
“...So, they're coming through this pass.”
A chill that seeped into every joint. A cold voice that seemed to pierce through the ears to the brain. The leader of the Flower Snake Sect was kneeling, trembling as she listened.
The hidden refuge of the Flower Snake Sect, established invisibly between a river and a mountain.
It was positioned so they could escape either to the river or the mountain in case of an unforeseen crisis.
However, no one reached the river, and no one reached the mountain.
Seven powerful individuals had come for them with purpose. Dressed in pure white robes and white overcoats, they wielded a breathtaking chill at will.
A cold fog surrounded the hideout, and they arrived. All who resisted died. The gap in power was so vast that no one even dared to attack.
“...So I want you to attack them.”
Hong-rin, the leader of the Flower Snake Sect, immediately slammed her head to the ground and replied.
“How could I refuse! I will do as you command! So please, just spare my life!”
“Pfft.”
A clear scoff.
But Hong-rin felt no shame. The only thought circling in her mind was how to get out of this place alive.
“No, if you don't want to, you don't have to.”
“No! I'll do it!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Of course. Just give the order!”
“Then, take your subordinates and go wait now.”
“Yes!”
Hong-rin led the remaining survivors of the Flower Snake Sect out. It didn't matter who they were supposed to attack. To live even one second longer, she had to obey.
No, she didn't even have the will to defy that chilly voice.
The owner of the cold chill and the chilly voice was the Ice Demon, Yeon A-ryeong.
Yeon A-ryeong headed for the border of Qinghai and Xinjiang, accompanied by the seven White Robes of Ice and the Flower Snake Sect.
The Flame Demon, Cho Yeom-wi, also swiftly subdued the Blue Eye Sect and led them out.
The goal was the failure of the trade caravan led by the Dragon Demon Pavilion. And, Mu-heun's subordinates, who could be used to lure out the Dragon Demon, Baek Mu-heun.
The Azure Dragon Unit, the Maple Leaf Unit, Pa-sun, and Un-pyo.
The shadow of death loomed over the Qinghai border.
***
The Cheonbu Merchant Guild's caravan journey was smooth. They rested when the horses grew tired, and with ample food, there was no fear of starvation.
No bandits from the Green Forest attacked them.
In fact, it was an expected outcome.
The caravan stretched a full li from front to back. With its considerable size and powerful-looking warriors, it was normal that most bandits wouldn't even dare to touch them.
Thus, they safely entered Qinghai Province.
A gorge with cliffs on both sides. The Valley of Sorrow.
Although the terrain was harsh, it was the usual path the Demonic Cult took when heading to the Central Plains, so its safety was guaranteed.
However.
Unlike before, an unexpected ambush occurred.
Atop the gorge's cliff.
A woman with flowing red hair, an iron whip in her hand, shouted.
“Who are you bastards! You can't be unaware that this is the territory of our Flower Snake Sect and Blue Eye Sect!”
Furthermore, a blue-eyed foreigner blocked the narrow path the caravan had to pass through and shouted.
“If you don't want to die, leave the goods behind!”
The foreigner aimed his long spear at Pa-sun and Un-pyo.
Cheon Hwi-san was extremely flustered. Having been held by the Sichuan Tang Clan for so long, this was his first time helping with the family business by joining an escort mission. Therefore, it was also his first time being ambushed.
To the eyes of Cheon Hwi-san, who was still a second-rate warrior, the Peak-level masters Hong-rin and Ma-i looked like grim reapers.
‘Hiiik! What do I do! Such powerful warriors in a gorge like this!’
However, Pa-sun and Un-pyo, who were guarding the caravan, maintained impassive expressions. Just then, the Maple Leaf Unit Commander, Un-gak, who was guarding the center of the caravan, shouted.
“Are you unaware that this is an escort of the great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”
“Th-The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”
“That's right. It wouldn't be difficult to strike you down right now, but we have a long way to go, so we were thinking of letting you pass. What do you say? Still want to try your luck?”
“....”
The Flower Snake Sect and Blue Eye Sect were extremely flustered by the fact that these warriors were from the Demonic Cult. As their pupils wavered and their stances became unstable, Un-gak continued.
“What will it be? Will you be blinded by greed and throw your lives away? Or will you give up the riches and preserve your lives?”
Cheon Hwi-san observed the expressions of the Demonic Cult warriors, including Pa-sun, Un-pyo, and Un-gak. He could see their composure at a glance.
‘Indeed, the supreme masters are different.’
Their relaxed expressions reassured Cheon Hwi-san, and he, in turn, reassured the porters who were with the caravan.
Just then, women dressed in white appeared behind Hong-rin. There were seven of them in total. Also, from the top of the cliff, warriors wearing black hats and black robes descended behind Ma-i.
That wasn't all.
As if they had been following all along, four men wearing red beads around their necks appeared at the very rear. In an instant, they were surrounded.
Cheon Hwi-san once again studied the warriors' expressions. Pa-sun, Un-pyo, Un-gak, Cheon Ga-rak.
But, unlike before, there was no trace of composure.