Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Topple the Great Bow Sect (1)
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‘This... this person is definitely the one!’
Cheok Cheon, the Black-Clothed Bow King clad in black robes, had been somewhat confused until now—whether this was the First Heavenly Demon or the Fifth Heavenly Demon who had absorbed the fateful encounters of all previous Heavenly Demons.
But at last, he was certain.
His subordinates could sense it too.
From the very beginning, throughout the entire history of the martial world, fewer than five people had ever accomplished such a feat—and among all Heavenly Demons, only one.
The First Heavenly Demon, Gunryong.
“The... the First Heavenly Demon?!”
“No way! Then...?”
“Have you broken free from your seal?”
Like Cheok Cheon, the middle-aged members of the Phantom Bow Squad had clung to a faint hope in their hearts: that someday the Heavenly Demon would return and save them.
It was only as white hairs began to appear, one by one, that they finally met the idol they had dreamed of even in their sleep.
Who was it that said a man remains an eternal boy until he grows old and dies?
Those words rang true.
Regardless of age, every member of the Phantom Bow Squad reverted to the excited boys of their youth, welcoming their idol with open arms.
“Sorry it took so long.”
As the Heavenly Demon gazed at the squad members looking up at him with shining eyes, he realized once more.
‘I am the Demonic Cult, and the Demonic Cult is me.’
Along with that, he resolved to share in glory, wealth, and honor alongside the Cult's followers.
Around the time the Heavenly Demon and the Phantom Bow Squad were reuniting in感動.
“Lord Gunryong! What in the world is going on? These aren't fish or birds—why are all these archers dead in droves...?”
Yang Hui-gun, the Ghost Shadow Sword, had been climbing the steep slopes of Hang Mountain alongside the Heavenly Demon.
Mid-climb, he had spotted over a hundred Great Bow Sect archers suddenly dying and rushed over in shock.
Yang Hui-gun was slightly taken aback as he laid eyes on the legendary Phantom Bow Squad—and members who seemed on par with his own father.
“Ah, let me introduce you. This is Yang Hui-gun, the Ghost Shadow Sword. He looks so much like his father, Loyal Ghost Sword Yang U-ryang, you'd believe it at first glance. And these are Phantom Bow Squad Leader Black-Clothed Bow King Cheok Cheon and his squad.”
“Oh! A descendant of Great Hero Yang U-ryang!”
“We've heard plenty about Ghost Sword Manor!”
The Phantom Bow Squad was well aware of Ghost Sword Manor.
The only reason they hadn't visited was simple.
They'd heard that Ghost Sword Manor's situation was dire until the Heavenly Demon appeared to save them.
Not wanting to impose on a manor already in trouble, they hadn't set foot anywhere near Yonyeong Province out of a guilty conscience.
“To me, the Phantom Bow Squad is like my great uncle's household. Allow me to pay my respects to all you great heroes and brothers.”
Yang Hui-gun, thrilled, offered a deep bow with clasped fists.
In truth, among the Demonic Cult's Five Kings, the one closest to Loyal Ghost Sword Yang U-ryang had been Phantom Bow Ghost King Cheok Dae-yeon—so he held special affection for the Phantom Bow Squad.
“But why are you here on Hang Mountain? To claim it?”
Once the greetings concluded, the Heavenly Demon asked for the full story.
“Yes.”
Cheok Cheon then explained in detail why they had no choice but to hole up in the Great Bow Sect and jointly attack the Hang Mountain Sect.
“Oh, right! This isn't the time. We've left a ton of bodies on Hang Mountain and caused a huge commotion, so the Hang Mountain Sect will send reinforcements soon. We need to retreat quickly...”
“Retreat where? Back to the Great Bow Sect?”
The Heavenly Demon asked with his signature mischievous grin.
“Th-that’s...”
Cheok Cheon was at a loss for words.
Now that he thought about it, hadn't the Great Bow Sect tried to slaughter them and deliver an ultimatum?
Moreover, with the Heavenly Demon having butchered every Great Bow Sect disciple on Hang Mountain, they were now bitter enemies who couldn't coexist under the same sky.
Yet abandoning Hang Mountain was out of the question.
‘The Hang Mountain Sect was on the brink of collapse... It’d be such a waste.’
For Cheok Cheon and the Phantom Bow Squad, who had wandered the Central Plains for so long without claiming a proper famous peak or lofty mountain, it was heartbreaking.
Just as a true base was within reach, they'd clashed with the Great Bow Sect—meaning they'd have to conquer Hang Mountain with their own forces alone.
Of course, other options existed.
“Lord Heavenly Demon. If I may be so bold... could you lend us your strength to topple the Hang Mountain Sect?”
Cheok Cheon broached the subject, his face flushed with shame and embarrassment.
With the Great Bow Sect's forces crippled, he had to ask the First Heavenly Demon to help crush the Hang Mountain Sect together.
It felt shameless and awkward to make such a request so soon after reuniting—he couldn't even lift his head.
It was right then.
“Why do you have to topple the Hang Mountain Sect specifically?”
The Heavenly Demon asked.
“P-pardon? Well, naturally... we archers of the Heavenly Mountains need a high, treacherous famous peak...”
“Naturally, we must reclaim the Heavenly Mountains.”
“That's true, but that's still far off, so for now, a temporary base...”
This time, Yang Hui-gun spoke up.
“If it's alright with you, why not stay at our Ghost Sword Manor on Dome Green Mountain? It's not quite Hang Mountain, but the terrain is rugged enough, the peaks splendid—it's called a famous mountain for good reason.”
“Eh? Well...”
“Thanks to the power of the returned First Heavenly Demon, Ghost Sword Manor has surpassed the Moyong Clan to become Yonyeong Province's undisputed top faction. We have more than enough capacity to host the entire Phantom Bow Squad as honored guests and retainers.”
“...!!”
Cheok Cheon and the Phantom Bow Squad had been wandering and holed up in the Great Bow Sect and Hang Mountain, far from Shanseo Province, so they knew nothing of the latest developments in distant Yonyeong Province.
“I-is that true?”
Cheok Cheon himself, even the youngest member Jeong Hyeok, asked cautiously in shock.
“Of course! I've heard that the Phantom Bow Squad and the Yang family of Ghost Sword Manor have always been close. As Lord Gunryong says, you can stay at Ghost Sword Manor until we reclaim the Heavenly Mountains. No—in fact, I implore you.”
Yang Hui-gun bowed his head deeply in sincere request.
For Ghost Sword Manor, which was growing its forces, the Phantom Bow Squad's elite addition would be an immense boon.
‘Even if I have to leave Ghost Sword Manor later or travel to aid Lord Gunryong, I can rest easy.’
With the Phantom Bow Squad there, he could confidently leave Yang Dae-un and Yang Yeon-hwa behind.
If Ghost Sword Manor and the Phantom Bow Squad joined forces, they could withstand even the might of the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans.
“Good. For the sake of pursuing great ambitions together, you should stay at Ghost Sword Manor. Don't like Dome Green Mountain?”
“No, isn't Dome Green Mountain Yonyeong's premier famous peak? If Ghost Sword Manor permits it, we'd be more than happy.”
Cheok Cheon and the squad members were beyond pleased that their long-standing headache—the issue of a residence—had been resolved so effortlessly. They were utterly dumbfounded.
“Then what about Hang Mountain?”
When youngest Jeong Hyeok asked, the Heavenly Demon smiled.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? You allied with the Great Bow Sect to strike the Hang Mountain Sect. Now, it's the opposite.”
The Heavenly Demon envisioned reversing their approach entirely.
Instead of allying with the Great Bow Sect to hit the Hang Mountain Sect, they would turn around.
“Ally with the Hang Mountain Sect and strike the Great Bow Sect.”
The reason to topple the Great Bow Sect? They had arrogantly ignored the Heavenly Mountain archers and coveted the Phantom Bow Squad's forces.
Moreover, the Heavenly Demon had already slain countless Great Bow Sect disciples, making reconciliation impossible.
“But will the Hang Mountain Sect accept us?”
Cheok Cheon tilted his head.
They had been fiercely battling each other just hours ago, lives on the line—could that rift heal so quickly?
“Their situation isn't good, right? To a man dying of thirst, even seawater looks drinkable. And...”
The Heavenly Demon's reason for targeting the Great Bow Sect was to exact the Demonic Cult's revenge in equal measure—not to covet their wealth or territory.
“Once we crush the Great Bow Sect, we offer whatever's left to the Hang Mountain Sect as a game-changing concession.”
Now, it was the Great Bow Sect's turn to become the hunted—not the Phantom Bow Squad or Hang Mountain Sect.
“Hmmm.”
Late at night, the Great Bow Sect leader's chambers were bustling as Blood Heaven Bow Ghost Jo Baek-ho paced anxiously back and forth.
The reason for his extreme unease was something else entirely.
‘Why no word from the vice leader?’
No matter how long he waited, Flying Death Blood Bow Go In-pyo hadn't returned—not even a letter.
By now, they should have wrapped up the deed and come back, yet there was total silence.
“Should I send more men to Hang Mountain?”
Jo Baek-ho called in his subordinates and asked offhandedly.
“We've already dispatched well over a hundred disciples to Hang Mountain.”
“Sending more would leave our main sect vulnerable.”
“Exactly. The Phantom Bow Squad's forces are strong, so they're just delayed. Best to wait longer.”
“Hang Mountain's terrain is steep, and those Phantom Bow bastards scamper like mountain goats. Maybe the pursuit is holding them up.”
Various opinions flew, but the consensus was to wait more.
“Very well.”
In the end, Jo Baek-ho had no choice but to accept his subordinates' advice and wait another hour.
“Sect Leader! Sect Leader!”
Just as sleep was beckoning and drowsiness set in, his subordinates came rushing in, faces pale with horror.
“What is it? Has Vice Leader Go In-pyo finally returned?”
Interpreting the frantic commotion as Go In-pyo's group's return, Jo Baek-ho was overjoyed.
But alas, it wasn't the news he awaited.
“No... the Hang Mountain Sect has sent people.”
“None other than their sect leader and top executives, in person.”
“What?”
Far from Go In-pyo, the Hang Mountain Sect—with whom they were locked in fierce combat—had sent their sect leader and executives sneaking in at this late hour. Jo Baek-ho's eyes widened, sleep forgotten.
“One Pine Child Gyu Ho himself?”
One Pine Child Gyu Ho, Hang Mountain Sect's leader.
To Jo Baek-ho, he was a lifelong rival, competing fiercely for the title of Shanseo's top master.
They weren't on good terms, so Gyu Ho's personal visit meant something major.
“Yes. What should we do?”
“For now... bring them to my chambers in secret. No one else knows.”
After brief deliberation, Jo Baek-ho decided swiftly.
Thus, Hang Mountain Sect Leader One Pine Child Gyu Ho and about six top executives entered the heart of the enemy territory: the Great Bow Sect leader's chambers.
“Heh, who would've thought I'd see Hang Mountain Sect's key figures in my own room? So, what brings you here in the dead of night?”
Jo Baek-ho spoke with a hint of mockery.
Given his rivalry with Gyu Ho, his words couldn't be polite.
“Tsk tsk. You have no idea.”
But this was unexpected.
Instead of rising to the bait, Gyu Ho clicked his tongue and looked down condescendingly.
“What?”
Jo Baek-ho was mildly shocked, gauging the mood.
The real shock was just beginning.
“No matter how long you wait, Vice Leader Go In-pyo and your Great Bow Sect disciples won't return. They've been dead for ages.”
“Wh-what do you...?”
Realizing the Hang Mountain Sect knew everything, Jo Baek-ho panicked, words failing him.
“The Phantom Bow Squad ambushed and halved your forces. Still don't get it?”
Gyu Ho proposed with unwonted seriousness.
“Our Hang Mountain Sect and your Great Bow Sect—let's join hands, if only temporarily. One goal: strike the Phantom Bow Squad first.”