Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Crossroads (1)
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"Are you really planning to retreat just like this?"
Chu Seung asked roughly as he lifted his cup.
"Why? Are you thinking of heading back to Biheaven Fortress?"
The Bloodlight Demon Emperor, his upper body wrapped in bandages, gave a wry smile as he replied.
"If you give me permission, I'd rush there right now."
"Do you have confidence you'd win?"
"I don't know. No, honestly, I have no confidence. But rather than live with this humiliation, dying in a straightforward fight doesn't seem so bad."
His face flushed red from heavy drinking, Chu Seung fidgeted as if ready to bolt the moment the Bloodlight Demon Emperor gave the word.
"I fully understand how you feel. It was humiliating to tuck tail in front of the enemy. Honestly, my insides are churning too."
The Bloodlight Demon Emperor patted his chest and raised his cup.
"But you know as well as I do what result would have awaited us if we'd fought them."
Chu Seung bit his lip and said,
"Death. All of us."
"Exactly. That's why we retreated. Old men like us don't matter how we die, but we have to save the young ones we can."
Chu Seung stared blankly at the drink the Bloodlight Demon Emperor poured him, then asked,
"What if your body had been intact?"
"Even alone, I wouldn't be confident."
"What about the two of us?"
After a moment's thought, the Bloodlight Demon Emperor shook his head.
"Still seems impossible. As a martial artist, my instincts tell me we absolutely couldn't win, even if we threw everything we had at them."
"Damn it!"
Chu Seung irritably downed his drink.
"They seem even stronger than when I saw them before. They were already astonishingly powerful back then, but this time... it was truly..."
The Bloodlight Demon Emperor trailed off, then suddenly chuckled as if struck by a thought.
"I thought so even then, but looking back, we were really lucky."
"Lucky how?"
"What if those guys hadn't left the cult and stayed by the Lord's side? Would our plan have succeeded?"
"We still would've succeeded. Just not as easily. The casualties would've been severe."
"Right. Even the Divine Demon Division—we subdued them more easily than expected. But if the Divine Demon Division Leader had been there, we couldn't have. Those under him are the strongest of all."
The Bloodlight Demon Emperor's expression darkened sharply at the mention of the Divine Demon Division.
"Hah! Who the hell sold them out to Myriad Poison Valley?"
Chu Seung shook his head at the Bloodlight Demon Emperor's mutter.
"No idea. But to falsify reports to the Lord and sneak the imprisoned Divine Demon Division members out, they'd have to be in a high position. As the Division Leader said, there's a high chance a Blood Cult spy is hiding among our top brass."
"That guy's words about cleaning house before plotting hit like a dagger."
"......"
The two silently emptied their cups for a long while.
Having threatened the Bloodlight Demon Emperor to force the Heavenly Demon Cult warriors to retreat, Sima Geon, Cheol Woo, and Dang Cheon Hwa briefly spoke with the Ha Hu family members before turning away.
Many begged them to stay at Biheaven Fortress until the Heavenly Demon Cult threat was fully gone, but Sima Geon, having witnessed their ugly side to the end, ignored the pleas.
"I've gained a lot from this experience."
After leaving Biheaven Fortress, Dang Cheon Hwa—who had been silently brooding—finally spoke.
"What do you mean?"
Cheol Woo, whose mouth had been itching, perked up and asked.
"I've properly learned how dangerous it is when a talentless fool clings to pointless convictions. The problem is, it doesn't stop with him—it infects those around him too."
Dang Cheon Hwa sighed, stuck his pipe in his mouth, and clicked his tongue repeatedly.
"Tsk tsk, how does a tiger father end up with such a mongrel son?"
"The previous Biheaven Fortress Lord must've been a good man."
"He was. A hero and knight of his era. He upheld justice and chivalry, fought evil without hesitation, and had exceptional tolerance. He was stubborn once he decided on something—pushing even unreasonably—but he never fell into blind obstinacy like his son. He always listened to those around him and made rational judgments. But that son of his..."
Another sigh escaped Dang Cheon Hwa's lips.
"That explains it. Honestly, I didn't expect you to get so angry, elder."
"When... Ah, that idiot Sang Gwan Hong spouting nonsense?"
"Yes."
"Of course! I never dreamed he'd suggest attacking the retreating Heavenly Demon Cult."
Just thinking about it made anger rise, flushing Dang Cheon Hwa's face red.
Sima Geon had proposed—laced with threat—that the Heavenly Demon Cult simply retreat.
Surprisingly, Biheaven Fortress's warriors rebelled against Sima Geon's opinion. They insisted they couldn't let the first aggressors go without payback, arguing they must avenge those lost to the Heavenly Demon Cult's attack, pushing for battle.
Biheaven Fortress's warriors hadn't missed that half of the Eighteen Bandits—who had terrified them—had died upon Sima Geon and Cheol Woo's arrival, and even Myriad Poison Valley's Lord Dong Chuk had lost his life to Cheol Woo. They saw it as a golden chance to seize momentum. Moreover, Poison Ghost Dang Cheon Hwa's presence fanned their confidence.
Sima Geon said nothing to the Biheaven Fortress warriors' call to attack the Heavenly Demon Cult. Cheol Woo, watching Sima Geon, also kept silent.
But Dang Cheon Hwa couldn't.
Furious at Sang Gwan Hong's claim, Dang Cheon Hwa grabbed him—who had become Biheaven Fortress's top elder after Sang Gwan Baek's death—like a rat. He declared no participation in battle and warned that reckless moves would be punished. With the Ha Hu family backing Dang Cheon Hwa's stance, the wavering warlords turned to Biheaven Fortress's position.
"You saved them, elder."
"Right. What utter fools, weren't they? If we'd fought as they wanted, most would've lost their lives..."
"No, that's not what I meant."
Cheol Woo laughed and shook his head, making Dang Cheon Hwa furrow his brow.
"Not that—what do you mean?"
Glancing at Sima Geon walking ahead, Cheol Woo said,
"If you'd been even a bit slower to intervene, they'd all be dead. By the boss's hand."
"What?"
Dang Cheon Hwa's eyes widened at the unexpected words, brows shooting up.
"Your anger had boiled right up to here."
Cheol Woo pressed his forehead with the back of his hand and continued.
"The boss was just about to act when you stepped in. A little later, and..."
Cheol Woo drew a finger across his throat and asked Sima Geon,
"Right?"
Dang Cheon Hwa looked at Sima Geon in shock.
Sima Geon gave no reply, but Dang Cheon Hwa instinctively knew Cheol Woo spoke true.
'Hah! The lucky ones were you lot.'
Recalling Sang Gwan Hong yelling at the retreating Heavenly Demon Cult, he let out a hollow laugh.
That was when it happened.
The obedient Black Wolf suddenly lifted its head and bolted forward.
"Hey? What's up, Black Wolf!"
Cheol Woo called after Black Wolf, which vanished into the darkness in an instant.
Moments later, unexpected voices rang out.
"What's this? The fight's already over?"
Guided by Black Wolf came Noe Jeon at the lead, followed by the rest of the group that had been moving separately.
"You slowpokes crawling like slugs. Who do you think I am? I finished it in a flash."
Cheol Woo thumped his chest arrogantly and laughed haughtily.
"Who... did you say?"
Gwan Woong, about to retire, asked suspiciously if he'd misheard.
"The master of Sword Pavilion has arrived."
Sky Guard Unit Leader Hyeon Nok's words made Gwan Woong bolt upright from his bed.
"Sword Pavilion? You mean the Sword Queen?"
"Yes."
"Alone?"
"A few women who seem like escorts are with her, but not many."
"Hah! Impressive. From her perspective, this place is no different from a death trap. I hope we haven't been rude?"
"A soldier went immediately upon contact, so it should be fine."
Gwan Woong nodded, already dressed properly.
As he left the room, Hyeon Nok led the Sky Guard Unit members following.
Gwan Woong disliked their fuss but knew their duty, so he said nothing.
"Where is the Sword Queen?"
"The soldier escorted her to Snow Pine Pavilion."
"Snow Pine Pavilion? Ah, that place."
Gwan Woong recalled the lake a bit away from their camp, and the elegant pavilion by its shore.
"Perfect. I regretted passing it by earlier."
As Gwan Woong headed to Snow Pine Pavilion guided by Hyeon Nok, others who heard the news rushed over.
"I heard the Sword Queen has come."
"It's suspicious. Could be a trap."
"It's a ploy to buy time."
Opinions flew, followed by urgent advice to be cautious in meeting her.
Gwan Woong listened to their concerns but dismissed all who wanted to accompany him, taking only Hyeon Nok and the Sky Guard Unit to Snow Pine Pavilion.
Upon Gwan Woong's arrival, tension rippled across the faces of the women guarding the pavilion.
'Impressive.'
Gwan Woong's eyes gleamed, instantly gauging each woman's skill. Even in the Heavenly Demon Cult's elite Sky Guard Unit, few could beat them.
Even so, their numbers were too few. Gwan Woong was genuinely awed by the Sword Queen's boldness in coming with just five escorts.
Gwan Woong's gaze turned to the Sword Queen conversing amiably with Hyeong Mu Gang.
Unlike Hyeong Mu Gang listening awkwardly, the Sword Queen smiled occasionally, chatting as comfortably as if hosting guests at home.
When her escorts blocked Gwan Woong's path, Hyeon Nok said coldly,
"It's the Lord. Show respect."
"It's fine. Don't make a fuss. And everyone, withdraw."
"But..."
"Withdraw."
"Understood!"
At Hyeon Nok's gesture, the Sky Guard Unit quietly retreated. But Hyeon Nok stayed by Gwan Woong's side.
As the Sky Guard Unit fell back, the escorts politely yielded the path with bows.
Noticing Gwan Woong, Hyeong Mu Gang hurried over and bowed deeply.
"You've arrived, Lord?"
Gwan Woong nodded lightly and ascended to Snow Pine Pavilion.
A middle-aged beauty awaited with a warm smile.
"I hope my late-night visit isn't too rude."
The Sword Queen, Baek Ok Sang, smiled as she spoke.
"Not at all. I passed this place this afternoon and regretted not stopping—thanks to you, I can enjoy its charm properly."
"I'm glad. I'm Baek Ok Sang."
As the Sword Queen formally introduced herself, Gwan Woong clasped his hands in a dignified salute.
"I'm Gwan Woong. It's an honor to meet the famed Sword Queen."
Surprised by Gwan Woong's unexpected courtesy, intrigue flickered in the Sword Queen's eyes.
"I never imagined the Sword Queen would seek me out."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. But I can guess the reason."
The Sword Queen asked with an interested look.
"What do you think brought me to see the Lord?"
"The Nangong family, isn't it?"
The Sword Queen didn't answer Gwan Woong's confident question immediately. She merely wore an enigmatic smile.