Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Grand Plan (1)
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At the southern tip of Guangdong Province, guests arrived at Wind Cloud Manor, a secluded seaside estate about thirty li from the Red Dragon Stronghold.
"Welcome. We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival since receiving word."
Hwa Nong, an elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult and master of the Hwe Ryeong Hall who had gone into hiding when an investigation was launched over the Divine Demon Division incident, greeted them with a courteous bow. He was also known as the Immortal Divine Physician of the Blood Death Cult.
"Skip the formalities and treat me like you used to. This feels awkward."
Despite being proclaimed the leader of the Blood Death Cult, Yahu Hon had declared he wouldn't ascend to the throne until he proved worthy and left the Red Deer Manor. He offered a weary smile.
"Is that really okay?"
Hwa Nong asked with a playful expression.
"Of course. Speak freely."
"Understood. If that's what you want, so be it."
Straightening his bent back, Hwa Nong examined Yahu Hon's complexion and clicked his tongue.
"Your face looks haggard. The journey here must have been tough."
"It's quite a long way, indeed. Took a lot of time too. But it's not just the distance that's wearing me down."
"I know. No need to say it."
Hwa Nong gazed at him with pity, easily imagining the anguish Yahu Hon must have felt—losing his grandfather right before his eyes yet powerless to act, forced to flee.
"Grandfather said he would give me a sword. I heard you've been preparing it, Elder."
"Yes. It was originally meant for the cult leader, but he decided to pass it on to you."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"You should be."
Yahu Hon's anticipation soared at Hwa Nong's confident reply. His grandfather aside, Hwa Nong—the Immortal Divine Physician—was not one to make empty promises.
"By the way, are these all the men you brought with you?"
Hwa Nong's gaze shifted to the men standing silently a step back. Including Yi Bung Bi, who had carried Yahu Hon to safety from Phoenix Mountain, there were ten in total.
"Yes. Pay your respects to the elder."
At Yahu Hon's command, the men bowed in unison.
"We greet the Elder."
"Hm. Their skills seem decent enough."
"They were part of the Dharma Protection Unit."
"Dharma Protection Unit? I heard their leader and everyone else were wiped out."
"They were reserves who couldn't join the battle for various reasons."
"Lives spared by heaven, then."
Hwa Nong chuckled wryly and addressed them.
"Ha! You're a lucky bunch. You arrive just as I've completed the Radiant Pills."
At the mention of Radiant Pills, Yi Bung Bi and the others' eyes lit up. Within the Blood Death Cult, the fame of the Radiant Pills crafted by Hwa Nong rivaled that of the Shaolin Temple's Great Reversion Pills.
"Th-thank you."
Yi Bung Bi and the men bowed deeply in unison.
"Don't forget why I'm giving these to you."
"We won't."
Hwa Nong turned away from the men, his gaze steady.
"Enough standing around outside. Let's go in. There's much to say and hear."
"Yes."
They followed a winding, maze-like path until a elegantly decorated inner courtyard came into view.
"Show them to their rooms."
After ordering his subordinates to prepare quarters for Yi Bung Bi and the others, Hwa Nong led Yahu Hon to his private chambers.
"Who is that?"
Yahu Hon asked, eyeing the man lying motionless on the bed like a corpse.
"Who do you think?"
Hwa Nong countered with a meaningful smile. Yahu Hon caught on immediately.
"Is he the sword you're giving me?"
"Exactly. That's the blade I prepared for the cult leader—one you'll now wield."
"What kind of man is he?"
Delighted to introduce him, Hwa Nong puffed out his chest proudly.
"A genius sent from heaven."
"Pardon?"
"His wisdom, awakened from childhood, spans the four seas. His martial talent, once shrouded by heaven's curse, has fully spread its wings. If he continues like this, we'll soon witness the birth of the world's greatest martial artist."
Hwa Nong declared firmly to the stunned Yahu Hon.
"He'll be the key figure in unifying the cult and even take down the Divine Demon Division Leader who stole the cult leader's life."
"How is that possible?"
Yahu Hon's face showed utter disbelief.
He had assumed the sword his grandfather prepared would be someone formidable. But Hwa Nong's description far exceeded his expectations.
"Do you know of the Nine Yang Severed Meridians?"
"Nine Yang Severed Meridians...?"
As Yahu Hon tilted his head, Hwa Nong offered another example.
"What about the Nine Yin Severed Meridians?"
"Ah, that I know. It's a condition born from excessive yin energy at birth, right?"
"Correct. Women born with unparalleled talent but also heaven's curse. Treatment is exceedingly difficult, but if successful through sheer luck, they display abilities that shake the world. It's even said the founder of the Sword Pavilion, the first Sword Empress, suffered from it."
"I've heard that story."
"The Nine Yang Severed Meridians is its exact opposite. But far rarer. Treatment is proportionally trickier and more arduous."
"So you're saying he was born with the Nine Yang Severed Meridians?"
"Yes. And I cured him."
Pride beamed from Hwa Nong's face. It seemed overly boastful, but Yahu Hon felt no resentment—curing such a curse was no small feat.
"His potential was truly extraordinary. The cult leader was so impressed he taught him martial arts personally."
"You mean the cult's own arts? Surely not Leader Investigator Blood Sea Demon Lord's techniques?"
Yahu Hon asked in shock.
"Yes. What's astonishing is how quickly he learned. Even the cult leader was amazed."
"How fast, exactly...?"
"By the time the cult leader left, he was already on par with the Dharma Protection Unit Leader."
"......"
Yahu Hon, well aware of the Dharma Protection Unit Leader's prowess, gaped speechlessly. Enjoying the reaction, Hwa Nong grinned mischievously.
"Want to hear something even more shocking?"
"Is there more to be shocked about?"
Yahu Hon let out a hollow laugh.
"How long do you think he's been seriously training in martial arts?"
"No way..."
"One year. Just one year to reach that level. And it's been some time since the cult leader taught and left him. I honestly don't know how much he's grown since."
"My god."
Yahu Hon stared at the unmoving man—Gu Cheon Jin, the de facto heir of the Red Dragon Stronghold—as if beholding a monster.
"Oh, there's one more gift."
Standing, Hwa Nong led Yahu Hon to the adjacent room. Five more men lay there, eyes closed like Gu Cheon Jin.
"Who are these?"
"Who do you think?"
After studying them briefly, Yahu Hon shook his head.
"No idea."
"The cult leader didn't mention it."
"No, he didn't."
"The arranged swords aren't one, but two."
"Pardon?"
Yahu Hon's eyes widened.
"Swords come in two. The one I showed first is a peerless blade to conquer the world. This one is lesser, but still quite serviceable."
As Yahu Hon still looked puzzled, Hwa Nong laughed heartily and explained.
"The Myriad Poison Valley created something called the Poison Blood Demon."
"I know. A true monster, they say."
"Right. A body as unbreakable as diamond, wielding all its former martial arts intact. And as the name suggests, it exudes a horrific poisonous aura from every pore."
"So these are Poison Blood Demons too?"
Yahu Hon's eyes sparkled with hope, but Hwa Nong shook his head with a wry smile.
"Of course not. Creating a Poison Blood Demon requires the Immortal Myriad Poison Spirit Command Art, which I don't know—it's the Myriad Poison Valley's secret. Even if I did, I lack the poison expertise and materials. The cost of their last ritual was immense. Without the Heavenly Demon Cult's aid, it would've failed. Yet that bastard..."
Hwa Nong, who had supported the ritual hoping to claim a Poison Blood Demon, seethed recalling how Yin Jeok So took them all. He never acknowledged Yin Jeok So as their true master.
"Anyway, these are made referencing the Poison Blood Demons. Not quite the Immortal Myriad Poison Spirit Command Art, but our cult has a similar great technique."
"How strong are they?"
"Nowhere near a Poison Blood Demon, naturally. Their bodies are tough, but not diamond-hard. They can use their original martial arts, though."
Tapping his temple, Hwa Nong continued.
"The key is they lack thought—they obey their master's commands absolutely. They feel no pain. Unless their head is completely severed, they never stop. Even if limbs are hacked off and guts spill out, they move on their master's orders until death."
"Similar to the disciples you raised, Elder."
"You could see it that way."
Hwa Nong tapped his head again.
"But strictly speaking, they're different. Those were fully living beings; these aren't. The gap is huge. Just in terms of bodily toughness, they're incomparable."
Yahu Hon nodded vigorously in agreement.
"If we secure as many as possible, they'll be a tremendous force. Whew! After those battles, the cult's strength is greatly diminished—this is a godsend."
"I've prepared some. These are the last."
"Pardon? How many...?"
"Exactly two hundred."
"Ah!"
Yahu Hon's eyes bulged once more. He had no strength left to be surprised.
"I'd make more, but I can't. Materials are no longer available."
"You mean these men?"
Yahu Hon pointed at them.
"They're the most crucial, but countless other things are needed too."
"How did you procure them all?"
The number two hundred was inconceivable to Yahu Hon. No endeavor succeeds every time—countless failures must have consumed who knew how many lives.
"Using the Red Dragon Stronghold's power. Mostly rebels against the Heavenly Demon Cult and Hwe Cheon affiliates we siphoned off."
"Is that feasible? The Red Dragon Stronghold wouldn't cooperate willingly. They know you're with the cult, Elder."
"True enough."
Hwa Nong slowly turned back toward Gu Cheon Jin's room.
"But with his help, it's different."
Gazing at Gu Cheon Jin with affection, Hwa Nong continued.
"Even bedridden, awaiting death, he devised schemes that brought the Red Dragon Stronghold immense wealth. Diverting people is child's play for him."
Hwa Nong omitted mentioning how Gu Cheon Jin had aided not just with materials but in perfecting the technique itself.
"Since he recovered and took charge, the Red Dragon Stronghold has grown enormously. Even the Heavenly Demon Cult's leadership watches with fearful eyes, though they hide it. But they don't realize—the growth is far faster and vaster than they think. Lately, he's even secretly rallying those who opposed the Heavenly Demon Cult. Know what that means?"
"They're targeting the Heavenly Demon Cult itself?"
"Exactly. Of course, the stronghold's leaders believe it's all his will."
"You've steered them that way, Elder?"
"Heh heh heh! Yes. Precisely on the cult leader's orders. If it goes according to plan, the Heavenly Demon Cult will kneel at our feet."
Unable to contain his excitement, Hwa Nong clenched his fists, his body trembling.