Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Pure Demonic Qi
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The Heavenly Demon looked at the Blood Path Guest and spoke.
"What did that filthy bastard do to make the Sword Demon chase him all the way to the Escort Bureau?"
The Blood Path Guest hesitated for a moment. As the Heavenly Demon's eyes narrowed slightly, he finally opened his mouth.
"He emitted demonic qi."
"Demonic qi? Then he's a demonic arts practitioner."
"I'm not entirely sure about that. But that demonic qi..."
The Blood Path Guest recalled the situation from back then. Then he continued forcefully.
"It felt like it would suck me right in."
At those words, the Heavenly Demon's eyes widened. Demonic qi that felt like it would suck you in—what could that possibly mean?
"What do you mean by that? Suck you in?"
"I mean... it was pure. It felt like unadulterated, pure demonic qi with nothing mixed in."
The Heavenly Demon's eyes gleamed at the Blood Path Guest's words. His mind began to race nimbly.
"As expected of the Sword Demon. So that's why you chased after him?"
"Yes."
The Heavenly Demon nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Good, very good. Anything else?"
The Blood Path Guest racked his brain. Then he recounted every memory related to Dan Hyeong-u in detail.
"He subdued both the Sword Demon and me in an instant. Using that pure demonic qi. And he restored the Sword Demon's crippled demonic arts in a single breath. That man was like... like an immortal."
"An immortal wielding demonic arts... then perhaps a Demonic Immortal?"
The Heavenly Demon muttered to himself before questioning the Blood Path Guest again.
"How does he compare to me?"
The Blood Path Guest couldn't answer. He couldn't bring himself to say that Dan Hyeong-u possessed superior demonic qi to the Heavenly Demon. And with that alone, the Heavenly Demon had his answer.
The Heavenly Demon nodded.
"I see. So now, the only thing left is the Golden Demonic Art."
He muttered that and turned back toward the window.
Behind the Heavenly Demon's back, the demonic subordinates remained bowed, holding their breaths.
In the Martial Alliance Leader's office.
Dugun Un and Jegal Jung-cheon were engaged in a grave discussion.
"Some sects are showing suspicious movements. If we sit idle like this, the Martial Alliance could fracture."
"Have you identified them?"
"Yes, but even knowing who they are, we have no means to restrain them."
"That's a problem. And at a time like this, of all times..."
Dugun Un's expression hardened further. The Martial Alliance was a massive organization.
He had anticipated that some splintering might occur eventually. But not now—it was inconvenient timing.
"What about the Heavenly Demon Citadel?"
"No notable movements on the surface yet. The Sword Demon seems quiet as well."
"The Sword Demon... In some ways, he's not like your typical demon."
Jegal Jung-cheon tilted his head at Dugun Un's words. To him, demons were simply madmen obsessed with blood, slaughter, and martial arts. The Sword Demon struck him as one of those types too. He couldn't comprehend what Dugun Un meant.
"In any case, the Sword Demon and the Victory Dragon Unit Leader will handle themselves... The real issue is the Heavenly Demon."
"Indeed. If the Heavenly Demon moves, the Heavenly Demon Citadel will follow, and the repercussions will be immense."
"Exactly, immense. Even just the Heavenly Demon Citadel moving would be bad enough. But if all the demons in Shin-gang and Blue Sea unite and rise up? That would be truly catastrophic."
Jegal Jung-cheon's eyes widened at Dugun Un's words. Cold sweat poured down his face. He didn't even want to imagine such a scenario.
"Th-that couldn't happen. Demons never unite."
"How can you be so sure? There's the Heavenly Demon Citadel, isn't there?"
"The Heavenly Demon Citadel only exists because of that unique figure, the Heavenly Demon. No matter how great he is, he can't unify all demons. Because they're demons, after all."
As Jegal Jung-cheon spoke, he gradually regained his composure. The more he explained, the more convinced he became of his own logic.
Yes. They were just demons, nothing more.
"What if someone far greater than the Heavenly Demon appeared and unified them?"
"Th-there's no such person. No demon could surpass the Heavenly Demon."
"Not until now, at least."
Dugun Un closed his eyes slowly as he said that. He sank into thought. Even as he voiced it, he knew it sounded absurd. Yet he couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him.
"Well, I'm just worrying over nothing. Right now, the priority is preventing the Martial Alliance from splintering. Isn't that so?"
"Yes. For now, we must persuade the sects as best we can and strengthen our unity."
"Indeed. I trust you'll handle it."
"Of course."
Jegal Jung-cheon caught his breath after replying, then continued.
"Also, the investigation into the disputed regions is complete."
"Oh? And?"
"The conflicts have essentially ended."
"Already? Ended?"
"Yes. In each case, one side was utterly crushed. With no one left to fight, they had no choice but to conclude."
Dugun Un let out a low groan.
"Hmm, I see. Unavoidable, then. In that case, investigate the victorious sects thoroughly."
"Yes, I've already given the orders. They might join the Martial Alliance soon enough."
After that, Jegal Jung-cheon and Dugun Un discussed the Alliance's affairs at length for quite some time.
And a few days passed.
"Alliance Leader! Th-this is bad!"
Dugun Un sighed softly at Jegal Jung-cheon's frantic shout as he rushed in. The very thing he had feared had come to pass.
"It didn't go well, I take it."
"'Didn't go well' doesn't cover it. They've formed a new alliance!"
"A new alliance?"
"L-look at this."
Jegal Jung-cheon handed over a letter. Dugun Un took it and read it through.
"Righteous Heaven Alliance..."
The letter's contents were straightforward. They had formed the Righteous Heaven Alliance to maintain order in the martial world.
The core sects were the ones Jegal Jung-cheon had recently uncovered, plus those that had emerged victorious from the recent conflicts.
"Everything I feared has come true."
"I have no excuses. I should have acted sooner to prevent this..."
"This wasn't something you could have handled alone. In any case, summon the elders so we can discuss our next steps."
"Yes."
"They're holding a founding ceremony, so we should send someone... but I'm already worried."
Jegal Jung-cheon bowed his head at Dugun Un's words. The letter announced the birth of the Righteous Heaven Alliance—and extended an invitation to their founding ceremony.
They couldn't send an incompetent representative. But no one important would want to go. From the Martial Alliance's perspective, the Righteous Heaven Alliance was a band of traitors.
"In any event, I have a bad feeling that the martial world is in for some turmoil."
Jegal Jung-cheon simply bowed in silence at Dugun Un's words. Thus, the Martial Alliance split in two.
News of the Righteous Heaven Alliance's founding spread across the land. The Henan Escort Bureau was no exception. Rumor had it that even the Heavenly Demon Citadel had received a letter—nearly every martial organization of note had been invited.
Jo Seol-yeon read the letter through, then set it down on the table.
"The martial world is headed for chaos."
"Probably. With the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits gone, the Martial Alliance fractures as expected."
"What should we do? We've been invited to the founding ceremony, so we should attend..."
Strictly speaking, the Henan Escort Bureau was affiliated with the Martial Alliance. But neither Jo Seol-yeon nor Hyeong Pyo paid it much mind. Frankly, the Alliance's constant meddling had been a nuisance.
"This might be a good chance to distance ourselves a bit. We've had plenty of headaches because of the Martial Alliance lately."
That was true enough. Most recently, the Victory Dragon Unit had triggered the Escort Bureau's crisis.
"Then we'll attend. Now we just need to decide who to send."
As the name implied, the Righteous Heaven Alliance aimed to uphold one pillar of the righteous factions. Internally, they might oppose or fight the Martial Alliance, but outwardly, they professed to strive for martial world peace.
A closer look at the gathered sects revealed several powerhouses. Especially with two of the Five Great Families involved—the influence they wielded wouldn't be insignificant.
This was an opportunity to flaunt the Escort Bureau's strength. They hadn't had the power before, but now they did.
Sending the Sword King or Sword Demon would sufficiently demonstrate their prestige.
Jo Seol-yeon pondered deeply. Then she looked at Hyeong Pyo and spoke.
"Doesn't Brother Dan seem in a foul mood lately?"
"Pardon?"
Hyeong Pyo stared at Jo Seol-yeon in mild surprise at the sudden mention of Dan Hyeong-u.
"I'm not sure. He seems the same as always to me..."
Dan Hyeong-u's recent activities amounted to little more than lounging around the guest quarters.
Jo Seol-yeon shook her head slightly.
"No, something's definitely up. I can't guess what, but he seems troubled."
Hyeong Pyo tilted his head at her words. A troubled Dan Hyeong-u somehow didn't fit.
Dan Hyeong-u was the sort who could smash any problem in an instant.
"Why not ask Brother Dan to handle this?"
Hyeong Pyo looked troubled at Jo Seol-yeon's suggestion.
"If Young Master Dan goes, the Sword King and Sword Demon will likely insist on accompanying him."
Without Dan Hyeong-u, and with the Sword Demon and Sword King gone too, the Escort Bureau would struggle in a crisis. Jong Chil had grown remarkably, but the foundation wasn't solid yet.
And Jo Seol-yeon knew that full well.
"But we can't rely on them forever."
"True, but the timing..."
Jo Seol-yeon smiled brightly. It brimmed with confidence.
"It'll be fine. Nothing will happen."
In the end, Hyeong Pyo had no choice but to nod.
"Very well, then."
"Think positively. It's a founding ceremony—maybe they'll hold a tournament. It'd be fun to see Brother Dan participate."
In truth, Jo Seol-yeon wanted to go herself. But she couldn't. The Escort Bureau was at a critical juncture, building its foundations and pillars.
"I'll deliver this letter to Young Master Dan, then."
"Please do."
And so, the letter-cum-invitation found its recipient: Dan Hyeong-u.
Lately, Dan Hyeong-u spent more time lost in thought. Ever since wiping out the Demon Shadow Division and Sword Shadow Division, a strange sensation had been troubling him.
It wasn't regret or hesitation from killing. If it were, he would have felt it long ago. How many had he slain since entering the world?
Today, he had no desire to venture out. He stood in the courtyard before his quarters, eyes closed, deep in contemplation.
"Not going out today?"
Dan Hyeong-u opened his eyes at the sudden voice. He knew who it was without looking. He could sense everyone's movements in the Escort Bureau as if they were in his grasp.
"I've come to see the Celestial Blade."
Dan Hyeong-u nodded. The Celestial Blade was on display for anyone to view. As long as they didn't take it.
He had no need for it himself, yet he had a hunch it belonged with him.
Jegal Rin bowed lightly, then lifted the Celestial Blade hanging before Dan Hyeong-u's room.
From the day he first arrived at the Escort Bureau, he had inspected it daily. To uncover its secrets—and to check if the Golden Demonic Art might be hidden within.
The more he examined the Celestial Blade, the more mysterious it seemed. Gripping the hilt sent a refreshing energy seeping into his palm, invigorating his body. Swinging it infused the blade with scorching qi.
Jegal Rin had tried every method to unravel its mystery but failed. It didn't seem forged from special materials. Yet something was there.
'If only I could smash it open...'
He was out of options. All that remained was shattering it to peer inside. But he couldn't. It wasn't his to own, and destroying such a treasured blade was unthinkable.
Humans forged blades, but transcending limits to create treasures like this was the work of heaven. No mere mortal effort could produce it. How could one destroy such a thing?
Jegal Rin sighed and hung the Celestial Blade back up.