Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Shadows of Defeat
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“If only that Chwi-wol fellow's words were true, and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's sole aim was just to maintain a balance with us.”
“It's a reasonable opinion, but being overly optimistic isn't wise.”
Dugun Un nodded at Jegal Jung-cheon's words.
“I know that too. Still, that Chwi-wol wants to meet me. What should I do?”
“To meet him, you'd have to go to northern Hebei yourself. You can't step away during such a critical time. His talents are tempting, but now's not the moment.”
“Fair enough.”
Dugun Un felt a twinge of regret. He'd only received one letter from this Chwi-wol, but its brilliance was immediately apparent. The man was exceptionally gifted. If someone like that worked for the Martial Alliance, he'd be a tremendous asset moving forward.
“In any case, we should look into this Chwi-wol more thoroughly. He'll be working for the Martial Alliance someday, after all.”
“Understood.”
Jegal Jung-cheon bowed respectfully in response. In truth, he didn't care much for this Chwi-wol. Something about him felt threatening to his own position, which soured his mood. And the way he seemed content to sit back and manipulate others from afar didn't sit well either.
“By the way, what are the elders up to now?”
Dugun Un's expression turned grave in an instant. Jegal Jung-cheon replied cautiously in a low voice.
“They're sensing the crisis. They can perceive the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's movements too, so it's hitting them hard. Once that cult starts moving in earnest, it's all over. The elders whose sects are near Shinkang or Qinghai are especially fervent.”
“At least that's something. If there's one good thing to come from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's emergence, it's that. Don't you think?”
Jegal Jung-cheon nodded. He had to concede the point. Without the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Martial Alliance might have fractured once more.
The split with the Jeongcheon Alliance had already been heartbreaking enough. Another fracture would spell the end of the Martial Alliance entirely—no authority, no honor, no power left.
He absolutely could not let that happen. For the sake of the martial world, the Martial Alliance... and himself.
Sa-yeong fled Heyang covered in blood. Staying longer meant certain death; the dread clawed at his heart.
Escaping Heyang took little time. His movement technique was the pinnacle among all shadow arts.
“Urk.”
A stifled groan escaped Sa-yeong's lips. His internal injuries were severe—far beyond what solo meditation could heal. He needed something akin to a spirit pill at minimum.
His body twisted unnaturally here and there. The lingering effects of his Silver Shadow Veil. Despite the wounds, fear had kept him from dispelling it.
He wanted to return to the Blood Demon right then, but he couldn't. He had to meet Blood Shadow. Somehow, he needed to help Blood Shadow reclaim the Blood Shadow Sword.
Dan Hyeong-u's image flashed in Sa-yeong's mind—expressionless, casually swinging his arm. His entire body shuddered. An inescapable terror surged over him.
“Why is it taking so damn long?”
Blood Shadow stared anxiously at the Henan Escort Bureau. Three hundred zhang away, detection was unlikely, but Dan Hyeong-u's monstrous display today had him on edge.
“No way Sa-yeong failed at something this simple...”
Even Blood Shadow acknowledged Sa-yeong's Silver Shadow Veil. No matter how strong the opponent, none could detect it. Failure was inconceivable for a mere sword retrieval.
Blood Shadow sighed, then turned to gaze at the three still deep in meditation, seated cross-legged. The strongest members of Blood Shadow Squad. Yet they'd crumbled after just a single exchange with Dan Hyeong-u, plunged into critical injuries.
The mere thought filled him with dread—him, Blood Shadow, who had never feared anyone before. Not even the Blood Demon. But Dan Hyeong-u was different. Fundamentally different. He didn't seem human at all.
How much time passed like that? Night deepened, but Sa-yeong showed no sign of return. Then the three recovering from their injuries opened their eyes.
“We have no excuse, Captain.”
The three Blood Shadow Squad members stood with heads slightly bowed. Blood Shadow sighed as he regarded them.
“Hoo. It couldn't be helped. My oversight—I never imagined someone far stronger than the Heavenly Demon existed...”
The trio ground their teeth at Blood Shadow's self-deprecating words.
“He's strong, no doubt, but if the entire Blood Shadow Squad mobilized, we'd eliminate him for sure. Blood Shadow Squad is invincible.”
Blood Shadow nodded.
“True. Invincible. But not right now. We'll let others handle him. Blood Shadow Squad has bigger tasks.”
The three withdrew with stiff expressions, lips sealed. They harbored resentment but had no retort. After all, they'd failed to even withstand the enemy's aura.
Blood Shadow inwardly clicked his tongue at his squad members.
Still a long way to go. At this rate, we have no chance. The Lord is clearly underestimating Dan Hyeong-u's power. This will derail the grand plan.
Anxiety spread through Blood Shadow's heart.
“Captain Blood Shadow, what are your orders?”
As Blood Shadow pondered deeply, a Shadowless Squad member approached. Dawn was breaking, pale light pushing back the darkness. Still no Sa-yeong.
“Damn it. Failure it is. We pull out of Heyang for now.”
Blood Shadow issued the command and turned immediately, unleashing his movement technique. Blood Shadow Squad and Shadowless Squad followed in his wake.
Leaving Heyang was swift. Blood Shadow Squad went without saying; Shadowless Squad excelled in mobility arts, slipping out in moments. Once clear, they spotted Sa-yeong—bloodied, collapsed on the ground.
“Sa-yeong...”
A groan-like murmur escaped Blood Shadow's lips. He hadn't imagined Sa-yeong in such a state.
“Must've fled here fearing we'd be exposed too.”
Blood Shadow signaled his men. Shadowless and Blood Shadow Squad members scattered instantly, sweeping the area for hidden foes.
Blood Shadow's senses detected no one nearby, but caution demanded a wider check. Sa-yeong's condition was that shocking.
Blood Shadow approached and examined him.
It was dire. But not life-threatening—with prompt emergency aid.
Blood Shadow's hand moved toward Sa-yeong's dantian.
Woooong.
Vast energy flowed into Sa-yeong's dantian. Rousing it directly was risky, but Blood Shadow didn't care. This was the best option now.
“Kuh...”
As Blood Shadow's inner power roiled Sa-yeong's dantian, he painfully opened his eyes.
“...You're here.”
Sa-yeong endured the agony and rose.
Blood Shadow pulled something from his bosom and offered it—a small pill. Sa-yeong stared blankly.
“Blood Demon Pill.”
Sa-yeong's eyes widened slightly at the name. He swallowed it and immediately entered meditation.
While Sa-yeong meditated, Blood Shadow stayed vigilant against surprises, scanning surroundings. His scattered subordinates trickled back one by one.
“Unbelievable. Your Silver Shadow Veil didn't work at all?”
Nearly two hours later, the Blood Demon Pill's power had nearly perfectly healed Sa-yeong's injuries. He opened his eyes again.
“Not sure if it failed entirely, but definitely useless up close. At a distance, it might go unnoticed—but even that's uncertain.”
Blood Shadow whistled in disbelief.
“A real monster. So your initial capture might not have been carelessness—he knew all along.”
“Not 'might.' He did know. Otherwise, he couldn't have unleashed his aura at such a precise moment. That was no coincidence.”
He'd thought it coincidence at first, but reflection proved otherwise. Even if chance, it defied plausibility. Dan Hyeong-u's shadow loomed large over them.
“Could you go back if I ordered it?”
“Grateful for the Blood Demon Pill, but no. We need a more intricate plan. And another shadow.”
Blood Shadow nodded. They needed one more shadow for this: Moon Shadow. Not for martial prowess, but brains—and his monstrous formations. To counter a monster, they needed their own: formations.
“I'll meet Moon Shadow first. You report the situation to the Lord. You must return.”
Blood Shadow pressed Sa-yeong firmly. Recalling the Blood Demon's mood last time, leaving again wouldn't be easy. But Sa-yeong was essential. Without him, reclaiming the Blood Shadow Sword from that monster was impossible.
Sa-yeong nodded as if understanding, then cloaked himself in Silver Shadow Veil. His form and presence vanished instantly.
Blood Shadow sighed and turned to his men.
“Time to move.”
At his order, Blood Shadow and Shadowless Squad dispersed. Shadowless Squad would monitor Heyang; Blood Shadow Squad would gather the rest of the squad.
Blood Shadow planned an all-or-nothing strike. Even if every Blood Shadow Squad member died, it was worth it for the awakened Blood Shadow Sword. Its power was irresistible—command over all demons in one fell swoop.
Dan Hyeong-u spent the night wide awake. After Sa-yeong's escape, he'd tried to sleep, but the shadow technique nagged at him relentlessly. Sleep mattered little anyway.
Dan Hyeong-u stared at his hand in the room. He raised one casually to eye level, attempting something.
Time slipped by; morning had long passed. Famous for never skipping meals, he'd ignored breakfast, lost in focus. Naturally, Jo Seol-yeon and the others grew curious and came looking.
To them, Dan Hyeong-u missing a meal was shocking.
“Brother, are you in there?”
Jo Seol-yeon's voice came from outside. Dan Hyeong-u knew exactly who stood at the door but didn't reply. He simply stirred his energy.
Swish.
The door slid open on its own. Jo Seol-yeon, Umun Hye, and Jegal-lin stood there, Sword King and Sword Demon visible behind.
They were the five most interested in Dan Hyeong-u lately.
“Pulling off all sorts of tricks now, huh.”
Sword King grumbled lightly. He could open doors without touching too, via Telekinetic Grasp. Anyone could. But using it for a door? Rare. Dan Hyeong-u was an oddity.
Harboring such thoughts, the five entered. With the door open, they had to. Entering Dan Hyeong-u's room was always exciting—full of anticipation.
And sure enough, his posture differed from usual. All five eyes gleamed.
“Huh? What're you doing?”
Sword King blurted. Dan Hyeong-u wouldn't answer, of course. Sword King's face twisted—business as usual.
The five watched silently.
“Huh?”
Sword King reacted first. Sword Demon's eyes flashed simultaneously.
Dan Hyeong-u's hand had blurred faintly, as if scattering.
“So that's it.”
Dan Hyeong-u's mutter piqued their curiosity.
“What's 'that,' Young Master?”
Umun Hye stepped closer, voice laced with allure. Her eyes brimmed with seductive charm. Lately, her allure had intensified; without a veil, she couldn't go out.
When Umun Hye unleashed it fully, even stone-hearted men melted.
But it was futile on Dan Hyeong-u. Her charms only affected nearby men.
Even now, as she poured it on, Sword King and Sword Demon flushed and averted gazes.
Inwardly, they marveled. Such potent seduction. The phrase "bottomless well of allure" fit Umun Hye perfectly.
“Cut it out. Not just him here.”
Umun Hye pouted and turned away at Sword King's words but took another step toward Dan Hyeong-u.
“Young Master, what is it?”
As she asked again, Dan Hyeong-u raised his hand before her.
All eyes fixed on it.
In that instant, his hand grew misty and dispersed like fog. As if vanished.