Chapter 127
Chapter 127
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: End of the Journey
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Hyeong-u carefully examined the sword under the watchful eyes of his companions. It was truly a blade to his liking. Even the Sword King or Sword Demon might reconsider if they held it and swung it themselves.
The sword's spirit hadn't vanished. It had simply been fully gathered inward. Swung carelessly, it would be little more than a club, but with proper focus, that spirit could be unleashed.
It appeared inferior to even an ordinary iron sword, so no one else would covet it. And with the spirit contained, it wouldn't damage the scabbard like before.
Moreover, the spirit sealed within was far more refined than ever. Even an ordinary child wielding it could unleash tremendous power—provided they could concentrate enough to draw it forth.
Above all, this sword emanated a warm affection. Something no other treasured blade possessed.
A satisfied, gentle smile touched Dan Hyeong-u's lips.
Centered on Dan Hyeong-u as he stood motionless with the sword, faint energies began to gather. Qi descended from the heavens and rose from the earth, quietly drawn into his body.
The amount was minuscule, but once united within him, its presence became profoundly intense.
The companions atop the carriage roof started at the sensation and turned to stare at Dan Hyeong-u.
Dan Hyeong-u slowly channeled that unified qi into the sword.
Saaak—!
The sword absorbed his qi without a trace and, for an instant, unleashed its spirit. But the moment was fleeting. The spirit emerged and vanished almost simultaneously.
Dan Hyeong-u's eyes gleamed. He had attempted something similar before. Back then, the sword couldn't contain his qi and simply let it spill outward. He could have forced it in, but saw no need—and risked shattering the blade.
But now was entirely different. The sword had contained his qi. It had accepted it of its own accord.
Dan Hyeong-u gathered qi once more. This time, a greater volume swirled fiercely.
Intense qi spiraled down from the heavens like a vortex, while from the earth, it surged upward as if a dragon were ascending to the skies.
The two streams collided within Dan Hyeong-u's body. No—they merged as one.
He infused that fused qi into the sword. Though substantial, the blade accepted it effortlessly.
This process repeated ceaselessly. He merged the qi of heaven and earth within himself and fed it into the sword without pause.
The companions watching shook their heads in stunned dismay. The qi churning around the carriage grew ever more massive. And the greater the gathered qi, the more overwhelming its presence became upon unification.
Dan Hyeong-u's dull, crude sword devoured every shred of that immense energy. Not a single wisp escaped. All of it sealed within.
“What exactly are you doing?”
Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, Yeong-sa spoke up.
Dan Hyeong-u halted at the question and turned to face him.
The instant their eyes met, Yeong-sa felt his entire body freeze over. Fear gripped him. Yet his curiosity persisted.
“I made it mine.”
Everyone tilted their heads at Dan Hyeong-u's reply. How could merely infusing qi into a sword claim it as his own?
“What do you mean by that?”
Yeong-sa couldn't help but ask again.
Dan Hyeong-u untied the sword from his waist and extended it toward Yeong-sa. It was a courteous gesture. Yeong-sa swallowed hard. Then, cautiously, he accepted it. Overwhelming curiosity demanded he inspect it.
Nothing happened as he took hold. Cautiously, Yeong-sa began to draw the sword from its scabbard.
Srrrrung.
The blade slid out smoothly. Though overshadowed by Dan Hyeong-u, the Sword King, and others, never making a name for himself, Yeong-sa was still a formidable expert with deep knowledge of swords.
Yet holding Dan Hyeong-u's sword, he could only tilt his head in confusion. It was utterly unremarkable.
Yeong-sa puzzled over it with a furrowed brow. In that instant, a shock like a lightning strike coursed through his body.
“Kraaak!”
Yeong-sa screamed in shock and agony.
Clang!
He dropped the sword. He could no longer grip it.
Dan Hyeong-u calmly picked it up. He took the still-empty scabbard from Yeong-sa's hand and secured it at his waist.
Yeong-sa had learned firsthand why it was Dan Hyeong-u's sword. But questions lingered. He couldn't fathom how it was possible.
His body still trembling from the lingering pain, Yeong-sa slumped onto the carriage roof. On second thought, he felt aggrieved. An explanation would have sufficed—why hand over the sword?
Yeong-sa shot Dan Hyeong-u a look laden with injustice. Their eyes met, and he flinched, quickly averting his gaze.
'Damn it. Why does he stare at me like he's about to devour me?'
Yeong-sa grumbled inwardly as he stared ahead. The carriage plodded onward at its leisurely pace.
Jin Guk-ho requested reinforcements from the Martial Alliance to recapture the Heavenly Demon. Locating the Heavenly Demon's hiding spot was the top priority, so he even commissioned nearby intelligence networks. At the same time, he personally led the Black Tortoise Unit and the Demon Subjugation Squad in the search.
The Demon Subjugation Squad obeyed Jin Guk-ho's orders for the time being. They had to until the Heavenly Demon was subdued. By official Martial Alliance hierarchy, a squad leader ranked below a vice-commander. But the Demon Subjugation Squad was a special unit directly under the Alliance Leader, exempt from standard rankings.
They followed now, but afterward, they would return to their original status—elevated to an entirely new level.
The Demon Subjugation Squad Leader trailed far behind Jin Guk-ho, then noticed an approaching squad member and frowned in puzzlement.
“What is it? Leaving formation disrupts the line.”
The approaching member wore a grave expression. The Leader tensed at the sight, sensing dire news.
“That carriage we just passed.”
The Leader nodded.
“The one we rescued from the Heavenly Demon's grasp?”
“Yes.”
The member continued gravely.
“The Sword Demon seemed to be riding in it. No—it was definitely him.”
The Leader recoiled in shock.
“The Sword Demon? You're certain? No mistake?”
“Impossible. How could I forget that face? I memorized it for a prior mission—and barely survived a brush with death.”
Experiences like that didn't fade easily. The Leader had seen the Sword Demon's portrait before, but it wasn't fresh in memory. Identifying someone long-term from sketches was no easy feat.
“Now that you mention it, it does ring a bell. Then their identity...”
“Precisely. It's the Henan Escort Bureau without a doubt. Rumors said they were heading to Yoneung—looks like they're returning after wrapping things up.”
“Meaning the Heavenly Demon and Sword Demon have already made contact.”
The Leader's face darkened. A brief meeting would be inconsequential. But if the Sword Demon had handed over the key to undoing the Golden Demon Art, it would spell disaster.
The Golden Demon Art was a shackle to demonic cultivators. Promise its release, and they'd charge ahead recklessly, righteous and demonic alike. It could ignite a full-scale war between righteousness and demons.
“Even if they obtained something, escaping the Golden Demon Art isn't simple. We must hurry and capture the Heavenly Demon now.”
The member nodded. Sound logic. Yet unease gnawed at him. Something monumental loomed.
“I'll inform Vice-Commander Jin. You take a few men back to the Alliance and report this to the Leader. It might be nothing, but caution never hurts. Then head to the training grounds and lead the Demon Subjugation Squad's junior disciples.”
The member replied with a hardened expression.
“Understood.”
He could read the Leader's intent. An ominous premonition gripped him too. If the Heavenly Demon truly broke free of the Golden Demon Art, none of them would return alive.
The member led a handful of squad mates away from the group. Watching them go, the Leader muttered quietly.
“The Henan Escort Bureau... a dangerous bunch.”
The Leader glanced at Jin Guk-ho. Report it now? He pondered, then held his tongue. No need yet. The direct report to the Leader was en route, and Jin Guk-ho could focus on the hunt. Distractions might only delay the capture.
Time given to the Heavenly Demon invited unknown perils. Speed was essential now.
The Leader tore his gaze from Jin Guk-ho and marched on in grim silence.
Chapter 2
End of the Journey
Atop the vast expanse of Lake Dongting, endless to the eye, a lone skiff floated idly. Barely large enough for one or two to cast a line, yet a single man stood aboard, gazing at the rippling waves.
How much time passed like that. From afar came the sound of waves parting, and a large boat approached. It halted at a respectful distance, as if wary of even brushing the skiff.
A man shot up from the boat.
With effortless grace, he arced beautifully through the sky before alighting on the skiff light as a feather. Despite the height, the little boat scarcely rocked. A display of astonishing lightness skill.
Upon landing, the man bowed deeply with utmost respect.
“Cult Leader, it's about time to head back.”
“Is it?”
The man on the skiff was the Blood Demon. Standing deferentially before him was Blood Shadow.
Blood Shadow eyed the Blood Demon curiously. This was a side he'd never shown. The Blood Demon was always brimming with confidence, cold and cruel. Yet now, he seemed like any ordinary village elder.
“Is something troubling you?”
“How fares the Umun Family these days?”
“No issues. We received fifty thousand gold taels on the second commission, then severed contact for now.”
The Blood Demon nodded.
“Leave the Umun Family be from here on.”
Blood Shadow bowed deeply, though puzzled by the order.
“As you command.”
“I hear Umun Hwang's granddaughter is making waves, dubbed the Flower of Huazhong?”
Blood Shadow lifted his head to reply.
“Yes. Word is she's traveling with that man from the Henan Escort Bureau lately. But why do you ask...”
Blood Shadow wondered if the Blood Demon had taken an interest in Umun Hye. If so, he'd procure her by any means. Cherished granddaughter or not, he wielded enough power to manage it effortlessly.
“No such thing. How goes the plan?”
Blood Shadow dipped his head slightly and reported.
“Most aspects are progressing smoothly. Sichuan aside, no headway. The Black Snake Room we entrusted it to collapsed, leaving the Tang Family and Evil Manor untouched.”
The Blood Demon nodded.
“Trivial matter. It's tied to that man anyway—handle them all at once later. So, excluding Henan Escort Bureau and Sichuan, everything's on track?”
“Yes. We even secured the Moyong Family this time. Dan Hyeong-u all but ruined them, so we took it without a fight.”
“Heh, that fool has his uses after all.”
The Blood Demon smiled in satisfaction, his eyes glinting as he pressed on.
“What of Poison Shadow?”
“Still underway. Success is all but assured. He boasted deployment within the month.”
“Poison Shadow's no slouch.”
“One thing, Cult Leader—what to do about Dan Hyeong-u?”
“Dan Hyeong-u...”
The Blood Demon's head suddenly throbbed. He'd dismissed him as insignificant at first. Things were different now.
Dan Hyeong-u had defeated the Sword King and Sword Demon, bisected the Tyrant Dragon. Not content, he'd slain the Azure Dragon Sword in one stroke. He'd even withstood the full assault of the Demon Shadow Squad and Sword Shadow Squad.
“And blocked the True Heavenly Thunder, no less.”
The more he dwelled on it, the less ordinary he seemed. A sense of defeat crept into the Blood Demon's heart. The Heavenly Qi Master had forged such a powerhouse in a mere decade.
All the Blood Demon could rely on were Blood Shadow, the Four Shadows, and the Blood Demon Squad. Even Blood Shadow couldn't fell the Azure Dragon Sword or Tyrant Dragon alone. The Four Shadows faced similar odds.
“Wait until the Blood Demon Squad emerges from seclusion. They'll handle him—as per the original plan.”