Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Point of Intersection
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The point where everything I'd done up to now converged.
Early in the morning, I opened my eyes. I slowly stroked my Ghost Sword, White Night.
A low, rumbling cry. The black blade, now quite obedient after being honed, moved as I willed it.
I'd received a lot of help from it. More than I expected.
Considering how prickly it had been at first, the changes were beyond imagination.
"...Thank you."
I lightly wiped down the weeping sword. After carefully finishing the maintenance, I sheathed it once more.
Dawn was slowly breaking. I gathered my qi and watched the scene.
How's the body?
Good enough. No strain for moving.
Internal energy?
Calm. But given a trigger, it would rampage like a wild beast.
And the mind?
A bit impatient. I could feel it myself. But since I was aware of it, it wouldn't become a big problem.
I went over what I planned to do in my head. I cleaned myself up and changed into fresh clothes.
Will it go smoothly? What I have to do today.
A cascade of events would tangle together. The Blood Cult's schemes. The sea of blood that would erupt within them.
People would die. In droves. In that riot, could I really rescue the one I wanted to save?
"Red Cloud?"
"Here."
Black Orchid stood beside me. The tips of her hair were still damp from her recent wash.
"What are you thinking?"
"About what needs to be done today."
"Will it go smoothly?"
"I don't know. But..."
I voiced what I'd been mulling over.
"I'll make it so."
...
The Nine Heavens Jade Maiden spoke.
"Talks with the Raksha Sect and Black Snake Sect are done. They'll all cooperate. The remnants of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect are joining too. Over a thousand warriors will move at once."
"......"
"We'll seal off Akmin. Until every Blood Cult spy on the lists is captured, not even an ant will escape. The moment street control begins, the unaffiliated demons and Blood Cult spies will mix in and start rioting. Those with brains won't join in, but the brainless ones will get swept up in the Blood Cult's agitation and spill blood."
"......."
"The signal will rise into the sky for all to see. Move the instant the red fireworks burst. The chaos will be on your side. Unknown. Use that gap. And Hwacheon Fist Demon."
"What?"
"Don't let my disciple die."
"Fuck this! How many times do I have to say she's not your disciple?! She's mine!"
The sealing of Akmin.
And with it, the bloody purge that would begin.
We blended into the streets and looked up at the sky. Just as the Nine Heavens Jade Maiden had foretold, at the appointed time, street control started.
The red flames painting the sky were a bonus.
"...Let's move."
We crossed the streets as they began to grow noisy. Our target was one thing alone.
The heart of the Blood Cult hidden deep within Akmin, sifted through and isolated.
"What the hell is this...?"
"Blood Cult thugs mixed in with Akmin! Everyone, get down on the ground! Right now!"
"Anyone who doesn't comply will be deemed a Blood Cult spy! You there! Don't move!"
"What bullshit is this?!"
"Blood Cult?! Why the hell would the Blood Cult pop up here?!"
"Fuck! The three sects have teamed up!"
"Those bastards... They're scheming to split the Ghost Lion Black Night Corps, aren't they?!"
"The sects are pressuring the unaffiliated warriors!"
"Don't just take it! Push back! Why should we kneel?!"
"I said don't move!"
"Don't listen to the sects!"
"They stole the Ghost Lion Black Night Corps!"
"What?! Stole it?!"
"Then fuck, does that mean these big shots are conspiring?!"
"Where's the Ghost Lion Black Night Corps?! Who's got it?!"
"Hand it over to me! The Seven Stars Gate's last elixir!"
"That guy's got it! That one!"
"Cut down anyone who moves! Show no mercy!"
"Kaaack! You bastards! The sects are trying to kill all the unaffiliated warriors!"
"U-us...? Why...?!"
"I saw it! I saw it! The Nine Heavens Jade Maiden has the Ghost Lion Black Night Corps!"
"The Nine Heavens Jade Maiden?!"
"No! Black Snake Sect! It's the Thunder Force Squad! They've got it!"
"It's the Ghost Lion Black Night Corps!!"
"Where?! Where! Let me see too!"
"Show no mercy! Push forward! Treat all the incited ones as Blood Cult spies!"
"Prioritize those on the lists! Confirm their faces clearly!"
"Form up! Don't antagonize the other sects!"
"Shoulder to shoulder! Form the formation!"
"These fuckers are scheming!"
"Kill them! Kill!"
"Give it to me! To me!"
"Aaaack! D-don't kill me! I'll get down! I'm getting down!"
"Mom... Mom..."
"Treat anything that moves as an enemy!"
"Poison! They're using poison!!!"
"Control it! Now! Ordinary cultists, get inside the buildings! Hole up and don't move!"
"It's the Blood Ghost Squad!!!"
"North Gate Bookstore's intervening!"
"We have to get out of Akmin! These bastards! They're trying to kill us all!"
"F-fight back! If we don't kill, we'll be killed!"
"Power! Give up your power!"
"Kuhahaha!! Back to the old days! Drench our cult in blood!"
"Only the strongest will survive!"
"Seize the Ghost Lion Black Night Corps!"
"Kill the Blood Cult spies!"
Sounds mingled together.
Mingled and mingled until the way ahead blurred.
But I ran. My feet moved. I leaped over a few buildings, slipping between clusters of clashing warriors.
The moment they saw the band on my shoulder, the sect members flinched. But the demons were different.
Those swept up in the agitation saw everyone around as enemies. Even us, brushing past, were no exception.
"Filthy sect dog!"
A qi-charged sword flew at me. I grabbed it mid-swing and snapped it instantly.
---Kachang!
Grabbing the demon's throat amid the flying shards, I slammed him to the ground and broke his arm.
"Kaaack!"
"If you want to live, get down."
I passed him by. Hwacheon Fist Demon bellowed.
"Where exactly?!"
"Just ahead."
I turned three alleys. Leaped a wall, crossing over the heads of fighting warriors.
One particularly large building. Inside the inn it disguised itself as, people clustered in murmurs. But the moment we entered, the atmosphere froze solid.
A contrived voice followed. One man asked.
"Is... is something happening outside?"
I asked.
"Where's the Blood Killing Squad's Wolhyang?"
"...Attack!"
In an instant, dozens of shadows leaped through the air.
Hwacheon Fist Demon shouted.
"Go! Unknown! I'll handle these bastards myself! Clear the path!"
"Leave it to me."
I cut down only those directly blocking us. Amid the scattering sword qi, I bored straight through, carving a path.
Black Wind naturally blended in, stretching out like a shadow. With silent footwork, she surged ahead along the opened way.
"Trap mechanism... hidden chamber... according to the intel... here! Young Master Mu! This is the passage!"
"Over here! Dan-hwa! The Black Wind!"
"Got it!"
Most of the forces focused on Hwacheon Fist Demon. But some turned their eyes to me.
"You bastard!"
"Die!"
Ghost Sword White Night let out a wail like damned souls. Frozen winds fluttered in all directions.
Amid that chill, I moved my sword.
Ice White Blood Ghost Art
Fourth Form
Flash Scatter
A gnashing boundary.
A single line devouring flesh.
---Kachaaang!!
"Kuhk?!"
Abnormally swift sword aura tore through space. Those caught in it tumbled back, vomiting blood.
"Cough!"
"A master!"
"To handle our cult's advanced art so easily...?!"
Condensed internal energy flowed naturally through my body. Amid it, I heard White Night's whisper.
A promise to lend its power. I also felt Black Wind busily moving her hands from behind.
The trap to the hidden chamber. It probably wouldn't open easily...
From here, we'd have to buy time.
Not one of the visible foes was easy prey. But among them, I was the least easy.
It had to be that way regardless.
"If you want to touch what's behind me..."
I held my sword straight. Swallowed the frost on my lips.
I lowered my breathing.
Lower than ever before.
"Get through me first."
...
"Young Cult Leader!"
Bad news poured in. Gokcheong raised his head.
It wasn't the only thing swarming. As if mechanisms connected to the surface were opening, strange noises fell from above.
"......"
He had a vague idea of his pursuer's identity.
That's why he was preparing to wrap things up. But the enemies moved faster than expected.
...However.
All that remained here were him and small fry. The Blood Cult's elites had already escaped Akmin.
The enemy was fast, but he was faster too.
To finish the job, Gokcheong stood before Wolhyang.
She whispered with a venomous smile.
"Gokcheeeong... Things going sideways? Something blow up upstairs?"
"All as planned."
"For someone so calm, your face looks pretty dark... huh...?"
"There are many escape routes. Smart beasts dig multiple burrow entrances. If one's blocked, use another."
"Ahaha! All that cool posturing, and now you're running like a loser? You're really something. You. Hng. Never my type to begin with, and now even further from it."
"I'm tired of your taste games. Wolhyang. Choose now."
Gokcheong drew his sword.
"Will you join us?"
"You know my answer, so why ask?"
"...Tch."
Heavenly Blood Sword ignited at his fingertips.
Gokcheong nodded to Wolhyang.
"No last words?"
"Shouldn't that be your line...?"
"What?"
"How much of a sucker did you think I was? Huh? Restrictions? Disciples? Ahaha! All bullshit! I held back, and it was worth it! Whoever it is, I wanna fuck 'em up bad!"
---Druduk...
A sound.
The sound rang out.
The sound of the Myriad-Year Golden Chains breaking.
Gokcheong unwittingly stepped back. Wolhyang vomited blood.
Internal injuries. Severe ones. And yet...
She was tearing off the chains one by one as payment.
---Kwang!
"You... you crazy bitch! You'll die before you break them all! Bad move! You idiot bitch!"
"You don't know!! Whether I die or you die!!!"
Vomiting blood from her mouth was just the start. Now blood leaked from every orifice.
Yet she laughed. Cackled madly and poured more strength into her body.
Like a maniac.
Truly unhinged.
---Kwang! Kwang!
"This is more my tasteeeee!! Ahahahahaha!!!"
That one.
She's truly insane.
Gokcheong's face twisted. He shoved his subordinates forward and shouted.
"Kill her! Kill Wolhyang!"
"Y-Young Cult Leader?!"
"That's an order! Kill that woman! Anyone who disobeys, I'll cut down myself!"
She couldn't risk killing herself directly. Shoving his men ahead, Gokcheong turned immediately.
Yeonmireung. He needed Yeonmireung. He'd deemed Wolhyang nearly impossible to recruit anyway, but she was different.
He climbed the stairs. Opened the door.
"You!"
He snatched the last heir of the Seven Stars Gate from the iron bars.
He ignored her choking gasps. Even if she took some damage, as long as she lived, she was usable.
So far, everything was as planned. A bit derailed, but still proving his capabilities.
He'd set the three sects against each other.
Now inciting the unaffiliated demons into all-out war.
And amid it, he'd already extracted the necessary forces.
The real prizes secured, and most of the extras too.
A result the Cult Leader would be pleased with.
"Don't resist!"
"......!"
"You fool! Why?! Did you still hold hope?! Too bad, all as I planned! Even if the demonic cult noticed our moves late, it's over! The main cult is coming to greet their Young Cult Leader, me! No variables! Give up! You are..."
---Kuduk!
Yeonmireung choked as her neck was gripped. Gokcheong growled.
"The main cult's property! Serving until death is your only choice left! Obey! Obey me! Forget your human days! Bend your will to survive...!"
"You fucking dog!"
A chill.
Gokcheong launched himself away.
---Kwaaaaang!!!!
The massive explosion shook the cavern. Gokcheong, flipping to his feet, stared ahead.
A giant. Amid blazing sword qi, a man holding Yeonmireung. Gokcheong's face twisted at the unexpected arrival.
"What...?! The main cult's mechanisms dismantled this fast?!"
"Easy. Not that hard. I've handled worse plenty of times. No wonder this body's a core asset of Full Moon. Though, without the prior intel, it would've taken longer."
Behind the swaggering black-clad man in demon garb stood a dark-haired man.
Gokcheong's eyes trembled for a moment. So did the opponent's.
"...You?"
"...That guy from back then?"
Gokcheong laughed in disbelief.
"Chasing the Ghost Lion Black Night Corps brought you... all the way here? Huh? Answer me! Unknown!"
"...Were you behind all this?"
"Eat or be eaten! That's the world of murim! You made a foolish choice! Ignoring the advice I bothered to give!"
Fate's prank?
Or heaven's will stripping away his last shred of humanity?
Gokcheong controlled his surging qi. He asked sincerely.
"Who the hell are you people?"
The man he'd met at the inn, Unknown, swept his face. His eyes changed in an instant, asking.
"...Where's Blood Killing Squad's Wolhyang?"
Blood Killing Squad's Wolhyang?
That was their real goal? Gokcheong scoffed in response.
The giant growled.
"You dare treat Mireung like this? I'll rip you apart and display your limbs in the streets."
"Rip my limbs? A worm like you?"
"Arrogant fuck! I'll blow your head off!"
The giant thrust his fist. Gokcheong, reflexively drawing his sword, froze mid-motion.
---Kwaaaaang!!!!
The brutal strike echoed as if to collapse the entire cavern. But it didn't reach him.
One fist was blocked by two hands.
Two core figures of the Blood Cult.
The ones who should've greeted him earlier brushed away the dust and whispered.
"Young Cult Leader. We came since you were late."
"Are you hurt?"
The two pillars upholding the main Blood Cult.
"Left Attendant. Right Attendant."
The two peak experts joined. Now superior in numbers and realm alike.
The order to give was one. With the Left and Right Attendants in hand, the task was clear.
Gokcheong's gaze flicked past Unknown.
That day, seated at one table sharing a meal.
Amid clashing opinions, perhaps it was destined from the start.
Gokcheong opened his mouth. Moving his slightly heavy tongue, he commanded.
"Scraps have latched on. Long road ahead, so..."
At the end of the underground network the Blood Cult had built over decades.
In that vast subterranean cavern, he whispered.
"Kill them all."