Chapter 225
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: The New Cult Leader
Screeeech!
Deep in the night. A sharp whistle pierced the air, jolting the sleeping Yin Wolf Gate awake.
“Damn it! We’ve been spotted! Still, we have the target. Let’s retreat quickly!”
Han Mu-baek, the leader of the Sacred Flame Valley assassins who had infiltrated the Yin Wolf Gate under the cover of darkness, shouted as he looked for an escape route.
That damn wolf.
Of all the luck, did the Yin Wolf Gate’s spiritual beast, the Red Wolf, have to be near the main hall?
The assassins of the Sacred Flame Valley possessed superior stealth and agility, but they couldn’t fool the ears of the Red Wolf, whose hearing was several times sharper than that of an ordinary wolf.
But it didn’t matter.
Han Mu-baek glanced back at the figure behind him, whose head was covered with a cloth sack.
Warriors from the Yin Wolf Gate were pouring out, but there was still enough time to escape. After all, their mission wasn’t to fight the Yin Wolf Gate or assassinate a key figure, but to secure the target.
The Yin Wolf Gate would give chase, but as long as they returned with the target…
But in that moment.
Han Mu-baek, who had been hurrying to flee, froze. His face hardened at the unbelievable sight before him.
Beyond the flood of warriors, on the grand dais of the Yin Wolf Gate’s main hall, stood a man among the sect’s leaders who had just emerged from the building.
He was a man of tidy appearance, his hair perfectly held in a topknot crown without a single strand out of place, dressed in a spotless white robe and holding a folding fan.
But why was that man…
His face contorting, Han Mu-baek ripped the sack off the head of the man behind him.
Disheveled hair, a face filled with terror.
His trembling demeanor and furtive glances were completely different from the man in the white robe, but their faces were as identical as twins.
His gaze sharp, Han Mu-baek looked back and forth between the man in white and the man before him, but they were identical, right down to the location of a small mole on their faces.
Could it be…
“A double?!”
At Han Mu-baek’s astonished cry, the man in white on the dais curled his lips into a smirk.
That was answer enough. They had been tricked.
But how?
This was their first mission to prove their worth to their lord, so there could be no room for even the smallest mistake. They had checked and double-checked everything.
His habits and quirks, the way he spoke and acted around people, even his sleeping patterns.
Still suspicious, they had even applied a chemical to his sleeping face that would discolor a human-skin mask.
Only after completing that verification process did they proceed with the abduction.
So how could this be?
“You bastards! How dare you sneak into the Yin Wolf Gate?”
“…”
The Yin Wolf Gate Master, Oh Wang, a man with a beard as magnificent as Zhang Fei’s, bellowed in a voice as large as his massive frame.
“My, we would have been in serious trouble if Your Excellency hadn't devised this plan in advance. You said someone would come for you once the Dragon Ascension Ceremony began, even though you’d already declared your non-participation.”
As Oh Wang bowed respectfully, the man in white smiled and covered his mouth with his fan.
It was clear enough who the real one was.
But Han Mu-baek found it hard to believe and reached for the face of the man they had captured.
If it was a human-skin mask, there would surely be a seam under the chin.
But his fingertips felt nothing.
“You fool. Did you really think we’d use a crude trick like a human-skin mask for the double of someone so precious?”
“What did you say?”
“Well, there’s no reason to answer you. What are you all doing! These are trespassers who scaled the walls of the Yin Wolf Gate without permission!”
At Oh Wang’s command, the warriors of the Yin Wolf Gate drew their swords, and their tamed wolves snarled, baring their sharp teeth.
“Damn it…”
Realizing the mission was a failure, Han Mu-baek’s face twisted as he gripped his dagger.
“Leader, what should we do?”
“…This is the first command we received from our lord. We will proceed with the original mission and secure the target!”
“Yes, sir!”
As Han Mu-baek gave the order, the Sacred Flame Valley assassins faced the dais of the main hall and formed a wedge formation.
A formation designed to effectively pierce through a defensive line.
“Carry out the order!”
The command was given, and twenty assassins shot forward at once.
“Hmph, you fools… A bunch of assassins trying a frontal assault? Fine! I’ll kill every last one of you!”
At Oh Wang’s command, the warriors and wolves of the Yin Wolf Gate, who had been tightening their encirclement, charged forward, man and beast fighting as one.
Just as they were about to clash.
KABOOOOM!
With a thunderous crash, the massive main gate of the Yin Wolf Gate exploded inward, taking the surrounding wall with it.
“Gaaah!”
The warriors of the Yin Wolf Gate who had been standing near the gate were struck by the debris and fragments of the wall, collapsing with screams.
The fight that was about to erupt inside the Yin Wolf Gate came to a halt.
The wedge formation of the Sacred Flame Valley assassins, the charge of the Yin Wolf Gate warriors.
“Ah, sorry about that… I was in a bit of a hurry.”
Through the thick cloud of dust, figures emerged, walking slowly as a cheerful voice rang out.
It was Neung Un-bi and Hyang-i.
“What are you all doing! The Cult Leader has arrived! Raise the Sun and Moon flags at once!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Following the sharp voice of an old woman, burly men rushed in, holding large flags aloft.
Sun and Moon Divine Cult, Eternal Radiance.
The flags, with black characters on a white background, fluttered powerfully in the night wind. Behind Neung Un-bi and Hyang-i, the Venerables of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult—Hwa Yeong, Chung San, and Wang Cheon—stood in a line.
“Cloud Emperor Squad, secure the perimeter!”
At Guard Captain Ju Seung’s cry, the warriors who had been promoted from the former New Moon Squad to the Protectors of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult aimed their swords and pushed back the men of the Yin Wolf Gate.
For Oh Wang, the situation was utterly bewildering.
The man before him was undoubtedly Neung Un-bi, the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult. As the ruler of the north-central region of the Demonic Cult's territory, there was no way he wouldn't recognize him.
Wasn’t Neung Un-bi quite famous?
The stories of him surviving the pursuit of the Orthodox Faction to return to the Demonic Cult and of him killing the renowned Sword Emperor were openly discussed even within the Yin Wolf Gate.
But… the Cult Leader?
What kind of madness was this?
Dam Un-cheon was alive and well at the main headquarters. How could anyone claim the title of Cult Leader unless they were insane?
“The recluses of the Sacred Flame Valley pay their respects to the Cult Leader.”
“…Hah!”
It was getting more ridiculous by the second.
The assassins who had been charging with their lives on the line just moments ago had abruptly turned and were now bowing to Neung Un-bi.
What in the world was this situation?
Stopping a fight to suddenly bow?
Faced with a display worthy of fanatics, Oh Wang was left speechless.
“Cult Leader! We were fooled by the enemy’s scheme, failed to recognize the double, and could not complete our objective. Please punish us!”
At Han Mu-baek’s words, Neung Un-bi glanced at the double, who was sitting on the ground, trembling.
“Punishment? That’s enough. You can stand down now.”
“Cult Leader.”
“Tsk! Have you already forgotten my order?”
“Sir?”
“I told you, didn’t I? You all are far more precious than some strategist whose face I don’t even know. If your lives are in danger, you are to flee immediately.”
“C-Cult Leader.”
“If you charge in there now, that would be truly disobeying my command.”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Han Mu-baek squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head low.
“Ha! Well, I’ll be. This sudden melodrama is bringing tears to my eyes.”
“...?”
“Hey, Third Young Master.”
Oh Wang, who had been speechless, stared at Neung Un-bi with a look of utter disbelief.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“…”
“I made my intentions clear to the Cult. I said I don’t care who becomes the Cult Leader’s successor and that I would not be participating in this Dragon Ascension Ceremony. So what is the meaning of this?”
“What do you mean, ‘what am I doing’?”
“Don’t you know it’s forbidden to attack a sect that has declared its non-participation in the Dragon Ascension Ceremony!”
At Oh Wang’s sudden outburst, Neung Un-bi picked at his ear with an annoyed expression.
“Who’s attacking anyone?”
“What?”
“You’re a frustrating one. You’re part of the Demonic Cult and you don’t even know that?”
“…”
“If I wanted to attack the Yin Wolf Gate, do you think I would have sent just a few people in secret? I would have crushed you from the start and then we’d talk.”
At those words, Oh Wang’s expression turned icy.
He was right.
Wasn’t that always the Demonic Cult’s way?
Conciliation? Persuasion?
They did such things, but usually, they resorted to the most direct method.
Attack first, demand allegiance later.
First, they attack and bring you to your knees, then they ask if you’ll join their side or not.
Of course, refusal in such a situation is not an option.
“Listen, Gate Master of the Yin Wolf Gate. This has nothing to do with the Dragon Ascension Ceremony. I just came to find someone.”
“…”
“I’m talking about that bastard snickering next to you.”
“Shut your mouth! If you came to find someone, you should have knocked on the door! This is no mere abduction!”
“…That’s right.”
“What?”
“But it depends on the person. I heard there was a risk of him fleeing. So I had no choice.”
Seeing Neung Un-bi speak with a constant smirk, Oh Wang’s eye twitched incessantly.
“I was trying to take him nicely, but you’re the one who ruined it. So hand him over now.”
“Hah!”
This wasn’t even a robbery; he was just demanding him out of the blue?
What kind of person was this?
His face hardening into an icy mask, Oh Wang glared at Neung Un-bi and shook his head.
“Third Young Master. I do not hand over my guests so easily.”
“Is that so? Then there’s no other way. I’ve explained the situation enough.”
“What?”
“Like I said, this has nothing to do with the Dragon Ascension Ceremony. I simply came to find someone, and the Yin Wolf Gate got in my way, causing a little friction. That’s all.”
“This brat! Are you trying to play word games with me!”
“Hmph, word games?”
At Oh Wang’s roar, Neung Un-bi chuckled and said quietly.
“Does this… look like a game to you?”
“…Hk.”
For a moment, killing intent flashed in Neung Un-bi’s eyes.
Meeting that gaze, Oh Wang felt his breath catch in his throat.
A sudden cold wind seemed to blow, his body stiffening as goosebumps erupted on his skin. A chilling sensation ran up the back of his neck, and cold sweat soaked his back.
“And you keep calling me Third Young Master… Are your eyes failing you in your old age? Or are you deaf?”
“…”
“See that flag over there? I used to be the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult, but now, I’m the Cult Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Cult.”
“W-What is that supposed to mean?”
“What do you think it means? It means I’ve rebelled against the Demonic Cult.”
Neung Un-bi continued with an icy smile.
“Stop me if you can. I absolutely must take that man next to you.”
With those words, Neung Un-bi took a step forward.
He didn’t seem to be raising his aura, yet an inexplicable pressure emanated from him, causing Oh Wang to flinch and step back involuntarily.
Then, as if ashamed of his own reaction, his face flushed red and he shouted.
“You brat! What an insolent upstart! How dare a mere Third Young Master insult the Demonic Cult, create a new order, and rebel against the Cult Leader?”
At those words, Neung Un-bi shook his head.
Who was insulting whom?
If you thought about it, he was the one chosen by the Sacred Flame, the one who inherited the true lineage.
So it wasn’t rebellion; it was more accurate to say he had come to reclaim his throne.
“What are you all doing! Strike! Kill the traitor and restore the honor of the demonic path!”
That one phrase he uttered, the honor of the demonic path.
It spurred on the intimidated warriors of the Yin Wolf Gate.
“Die, traitor!”
A warrior shot forward, thrusting his sword powerfully toward Neung Un-bi.
A wolf followed close behind.
It was an attack as if man and beast were one body. Even if he dodged or blocked the sword, the wolf’s fangs would tear at his neck.
But a cold smile had already formed on Neung Un-bi’s lips.
“Tsk, unfortunately…”
He extended a hand as he spoke.
Crack!
The straight sword blade folded in half.
Whoosh! Thwack!
The warrior’s body spun around after a follow-up fist smashed into his face.
Grrrowl! Whimper!
The wolf that charged with its jaws wide open had its head slammed into the ground with a single kick.
Its head half-buried in the earth, the wolf died instantly.
“I’ve been drinking… so I can’t control my strength. You’ll have to understand.”
With a cold smile lingering on his lips, the chilling aura of the Tyrant’s Asura Art began to rise from Neung Un-bi’s entire body.