Black Flame Dragon Swallowing the Blood Sea (7)
Murim Alliance's Myriad Communications Division.
"Hands up properly!"
At Jegal Somyeong's thunderous command, Maeng Ju-won's trembling hands shot up straight again, quivering like jelly. Watching this near-thirty-year-old man sweating buckets over a punishment fit for children—hands on head—only made him look more pathetic and infuriating.
His mind must be completely gone to issue orders from the Myriad Communications Division like that. Procedurally, it was fine. In the chief's absence, the deputy chief, Maeng Ju-won, was the natural acting head. But the orders demanded the recall of the Elder Council—and worse, assigned the Seung Ho-dang to enforce it. That was the problem.
In the world... the Seung Ho-dang, of all things...
Politically, it could be interpreted as the Myriad Communications Division branding the Elder Council as Black Dao scum. Right now or anytime later, it was ammunition to shake the division to its core. Even for someone whose brains had been scrambled by Jin Sowoon, this crossed the line far too blatantly.
"You knew better than that. Have you truly lost your mind?"
Maeng Ju-won mumbled at his lips in response to Jegal Somyeong's question, unable to speak.
"If you've got a mouth, use it! Speak! Is this something you did without a single excuse?"
"...No, it's just..."
"No? No? You think there's any room for excuses here?!"
When pressed to explain, Maeng Ju-won clamped his mouth shut.
"You bastard! What's with that dissatisfied look? You think you did well?!"
"I... actually..."
"You still have more to say?! A man who shouldn't have a word to utter even with ten mouths dares open his one?!"
"..."
It had been nearly an hour of the same scolding looping endlessly. Maeng Ju-won was dying inside.
'He tells me to speak, then not to...'
If only he'd just take the punishment and be done, but no—he kept nitpicking every little thing, dragging out the berating.
At this rate, he'd get chewed out just for breathing.
"Then allow me just one word."
"You dare—!"
"It's not an excuse. I just wanted Jin Sowoon to feel the Myriad Communications Division's authority. That's all. I admit my mistake. But please recognize my sincere intent to bring in talent."
Maeng Ju-won blurted it all out in one breath, cutting off any interruption. He panted heavily, as if he'd said his piece.
Jegal Somyeong was dumbfounded by the sheer audacity.
"Fine. But how did you move the Seung Ho-dang? They wouldn't budge on a mere division order."
"Ah... that? No big deal. I went, knelt, and begged. Real polite-like—"
"..."
Rubbing his hands together, Maeng Ju-won boasted like it was some heroic tale.
Ha, does this fool have no shame at all! Not only would the Elder Council hound them later, but he'd dragged the division's reputation through the mud.
"You truly—"
As Jegal Somyeong's fury boiled over, the cowering Maeng Ju-won suddenly snapped his fingers and pulled a pouch from his sleeve.
"This is it!"
"Hm?"
"This is it, Chief Strategist."
Caught off-guard by the abrupt shift, Jegal Somyeong found himself drawn in.
"What's that?"
"The pouch that saved me from disaster."
Has this idiot's mind completely flown the coop?
"It's something Jin Sowoon asked me to deliver to you."
His excitement chilled at the name Jin Sowoon. That sharp kid would've foreseen the backlash from this mess. So why accept the order and the Seung Ho-dang? Curiosity piqued, Jegal Somyeong reluctantly opened the pouch.
Inside were two sheets that looked like transmission slips and a wooden token.
He unfolded the first slip first. The unfamiliar format furrowed his brow. Intelligence groups like the Murim Alliance used compact, standardized formats to pack info into tiny slips. The Myriad Communications Division mostly dealt with internal and Beggars' Sect styles. This new one wasn't from either—and likely not connected to them.
Does he have a separate intel source?
Flipping it over, recognition dawned.
...Haomen?
The upstart intel network nipping at the Beggars' Sect's heels, growing explosively. Rumors said the Beggars' Sect couldn't meddle in Alliance affairs because of Haomen. And Jin Sowoon had ties there too?
Those emerging in Sichuan are presumed to be from a different affiliation than those appearing in the Fuyu Plains during the same period. However, their martial arts' aftereffects show commonalities in shaking victims' minds and causing loss of reason.
He couldn't hide his shock. They'd already compared the Fuyu Plains fiends—still baffling the Beggars' Sect and Alliance—with Sichuan's? Jegal Somyeong quickly opened the second slip.
Since 10 years ago, people losing reason have been found in Sichuan. They commonly suffer recurring nightmares, foam at the mouth while sleeping, and other debilitating symptoms. Healers like the Tang Clan examined individuals separately, missing the common thread. Symptoms of sudden reason loss and hallucinations match classic sorcery aftereffects. They mimic mental illness superficially, evading detection. The key difference: internal turmoil even during sleep, causing hidden injuries—intermittent and hard to spot.
They even collected detailed patient records? Incredible...
Jegal Somyeong marveled anew at Haomen's threat to the Beggars' Sect. But something felt off—the situation veering from his predictions.
No way...
An itchy unease gnawed at him. He dismissed it. The Alliance was already straining to probe Fuyu Plains. More groups? Unthinkable.
"Aren't you checking the last one?"
"..."
He looked up to find Maeng Ju-won with hands down, peering over his shoulder.
"When did you drop your hands?"
"I'll check the slip and put 'em back up."
"..."
"This looks like big trouble, right?"
"..."
Jegal Somyeong fiddled with the wooden token in the pouch, then pulled it out—like a gambler eyeing his last chip.
Blood Cult Emergence. Jin Sowoon.
Jegal Somyeong's hand trembled as he read it.
Maeng Ju-won, oblivious, yapped on.
"Whoa! Blood Cult? Good thing I groveled to send the Seung Ho-dang. Otherwise, our academy kids would've been toast!"
Instead of denial, he spun it to cover his ass. Was this really the deputy chief?
Jegal Somyeong infused the token with qi and hurled it at him.
"Die!!!"
"Gaaack!"
Gu Jeongryong was floored by the scene before him.
"What the hell..."
Dust swirled everywhere as people clashed fiercely.
"What are you idiots doing?! The opponent's just Tae-eul Gate! Tae-eul Gate! Aren't you ashamed of Kunlun's name?!"
The problem: all fighters were White Dao affiliates.
What the hell are they doing!
Nearly twenty Kunlun and secular sect disciples lay sprawled. Another twenty formed Kunlun's famed Thirty-Six Wild Swan Sword Formation.
Incredibly, facing it: three young men, barely in their twenties.
"Stop!"
Unable to watch, Gu Jeongryong flashed between the formations. Reckless, but his confidence made it possible.
"Ah! Division Chief!"
"The chief's here!"
"Thank god!"
The gold-silver-bronze brothers sheathed instantly, retreating. Kunlun disciples, slower, clashed blades with Gu Jeongryong.
Clang clang clang clang.
Blocking four simultaneous strikes, he marveled at the weight.
So the Thirty-Six Wild Swan is one of Kunlun's elites.
Tensing at the risk of humiliation or injury, he surged qi, unleashing sword energy at their feet.
Pa pa pa pa pa!
The ground exploded, dirt flying. As Kunlun faltered, Gam Cheonak and Seung Ho-dang surrounded the academy students from Kunlun and secular sects.
"Who are you?!"
Kunlun Elder Sangwon flushed red, bellowing.
"Seung Ho-dang Division Chief Gu Jeongryong, Elder."
Sangwon's sour face shifted. Composing himself, he intoned sternly.
"This isn't for Seung Ho-dang. Step aside."
Gu Jeongryong eyed the fallen Kunlun and secular students, then the brothers—tired but intact behind him.
The situation was clear.
They got ambushed, pride stung.
Kunlun and secular sects couldn't beat Tae-eul Gate juniors. That's why Sangwon wouldn't back down even at "Seung Ho-dang."
"Sorry, can't do that."
"...What?"
Sangwon's robes swelled like they might burst.
Gu Jeongryong stayed calm.
"This isn't the time for us to fight each other."
"...You think this is a fight?"
Sangwon seemed beyond reason.
Gu Jeongryong cut straight.
"Previous groups were ambushed and took losses."
"...?"
The hall's heat chilled instantly.
"Word is, Elder So Chung-hyeon and Elder Jeong Sa-ik fell to the fiends."
"...Ridiculous..."
"Elder Sangwon."
Late arrival Elder Suheo's call turned Sangwon's head.
"Is what he said true?"
"Not confirmed. We're heading to check."
Sangwon scowled.
"You marched without knowing?"
"It's from Jin Sowoon and Cheol Sunjik."
"Cheol Sunjik? That Twelve Peaks guy?"
"Yes."
Though both from the 108 Peaks, Jin Sowoon's dominance made them irreconcilable. Same info from both? Unlikely coincidence—boosted credibility.
"Hard to believe, but if true, we make it their problem."
Sangwon nodded at Suheo's words.
"No choice."
Sangwon glared at the brothers.
"Don't think this is all Kunlun has."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Turning, he roared at his students.
"What are you lying there for, like you did great?! Get up!!"
His thunderclap snapped them up, groaning.
Gu Jeongryong sighed long, eyeing the brothers.
"Good work."
"...We nearly died, but thanks, Division Chief."
"Can't praise you, though."
"Huh?"
Gu Jeongryong's incredulous scolding followed.
"Why fight them head-on with force?! Lucky you held. If they'd used Thirty-Six Wild Swan from the start, you'd be dead! Know that?!"
His yell drew odd looks from the brothers.
"..."
"..."
"...Ahem."
They glanced awkwardly, mumbling, some shaking heads to hush others.
A suspicion hit Gu Jeongryong.
"No way... they used it from the beginning?"
Geum Pyo scratched his head with an awkward grin.
"They were dead serious. Yeah, you're a lifesaver, Chief."
Eunho, silent till now, glared daggers.
"That's why I said bail midway!! We nearly died how many times?!"
"Ah! We didn't die, so chill! Bail then if you wanted!"
"Ahh!!! Brothers, no fighting!!!"
The brothers devolved into bickering. Gu Jeongryong gaped inwardly.
Just three held off Thirty-Six Wild Swan?
Gam Cheonak approached.
"Prep's done. Ready to move."
"..."
"Chief?"
Gu Jeongryong eyed him oddly.
"Cheonak, you, me, and one more—could we block Thirty-Six Wild Swan?"
"...What? New suicide technique? Die alone if you wanna."
Gam Cheonak shook his head, as if he'd lost it.
Right. Normal reaction.
"Yeah, impossible as expected... but how..."
"How what?"
Sangwon's reaction suggested no lie. What to believe?
"Never mind... not important now."
Curiosity aside, time was critical.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Eerie gait. Pallid skin. Blackened nails, beast-like fangs. No matter how many times he rubbed his eyes, it was a jiangshi.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck."
Nam Hwaseong spewed curses beside the monk, and even straight-laced Ilgak nodded in disbelief at the absurdity.
"Never dreamed Shima Jiangling Art would resurface..."
"Never imagined seeing a real jiangshi in my life..."
Like Absorption Great Law, this Reverse Heaven sorcery from the Four Great Demonic Arts—who'd dare use it?
Eunseollan snapped the dazed pair.
"...Uh, n-now's not the time to admire! It's, it's coming this way!"
After eyeing Moyong Jaehwa, the jiangshi lurched comically fast toward them.
"Patrons, fall back!"
Ilgak clasped hands, charging. Golden Diamond Force poured from his fists, pummeling it.
Pow pow pow pow!
The jiangshi, unfazed by Thunderbolt Arrows, twitched back. Onlookers marveled at Shaolin prowess—but voices faded.
Ilgak's golden glow dimmed.
"...Ilgak seems exhausted."
Moyong Jaehwa nodded at Eunseollan's words. No wonder—sustained high-grade Diamond Force drained even a Shaolin disciple.
Yet Ilgak held firm.
"Jaehwa! Evacuate everyone!"
"But Monk..."
"I know! So go! Till Senior Jin arrives...!"
Ilgak startled himself. Pressing sincerity, he continued.
"...Don't we need someone protecting the rest till Senior Jin comes?!"
His yelled punches faded golden. The jiangshi pressed, nearing the group.
Stuck, Ilgak endured.
Nam Hwaseong bit his lip watching.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, that fucker Jin Sowoon... didn't mention jiangshi..."
As Moyong Jaehwa moved to speak amid Nam Hwaseong's shuddering curses—
He snapped his head up, eyeing them.
"Exactly five forms! I'll buy that time—lead them and run!"
His abrupt words stunned them.
"What's that face? I can't last longer!"
"No, why you specifically..."
Moyong Jaehwa and Eunseollan barely knew him—practically enemies.
Nam Hwaseong stared seriously.
"Jin Sowoon promised five Demon-Exorcism Talismans."
Moyong Jaehwa puzzled, but Nam Hwaseong shoved their backs.
"Anyway, move! If jiangshi's active, we might all die here."
He slammed his fists to shake fear.
"Damn fools dirtying the jianghu with jiangshi?"
Grinding teeth, he hurled downslope. Otherwise, terror would've paralyzed him pre-fight.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Ridiculous newbie moves, but tension made him swallow hard. Calamity staining the world in blood. Murder machine for killing humans only. Nightmare avoided.
"Damn Jin Sowoon!"
He didn't know why he volunteered. Not for five talismans—he wasn't that dumb.
"Say you used 'em all later! You're dead!"
Not petty gain-loss. Some emotion he couldn't name. Maybe stepping up to figure it out.
"Hwaseong! Careful!"
Ilgak fell back, perhaps overwhelmed.
"Raaah!!"
Lukak Iron Cloud Fist—propelling Samwonmun to 108 Peaks' top.
Green fist force charged through the gap, smashing dominantly.
The comical jiangshi switched targets, clumsily punching—unaware of danger.
"Stupid thing dares face Lukak Iron Cloud—"
Boom.
The heavy clash echoed. At impact, Nam Hwaseong swallowed his boast.
Five forms my ass... not even three.
How long had Ilgak lasted against this monster?
Crunch.
Right hand near shattering. He shifted qi left, firing Iron Cloud Palm.
Scraaaape.
It swept the head—but like Thunderbolt Arrow, no flinch.
"Damn..."
Recalling fist and palm for final technique, the jiangshi extended a leg.
Thud.
Plain kick, yet he flew three zhang like hit by a great bell—no resistance—crashing into a tree.
"Hwaseong!"
"Kuhk, urk!"
Bile rose with blood spray. Clear internal injury.
"...Damn bastard... said he'd be right here..."
Mumbling curses, Nam Hwaseong rose. Ignoring Ilgak, the mindless jiangshi approached him.
"Gotta keep the five-form promise."
Forcing qi into raging meridians, he swelled twice normal—risking burst.
Meantime, the jiangshi taunted: thud. thud. Closing instantly.
"Hwaseong! Dodge!"
Nam Hwaseong unleashed wildly.
"Raaaah!!"
Green glow enveloped it fully.
Pow pow pow pow pow!
Too slow to track fully, poor defense...
Despairing laugh escaped.
"...Haha."
The jiangshi reemerged from green light.
"Even for jiangshi, this is cheating, right?"
Not failed defense. No need.
Black nails sharpened.
"Hup!"
Lightning-fast unlike before, piercing heart.
"Eh?"
No—aimed to. But for golden threads on throat and hands.
"..."
Tracing threads up, Nam Hwaseong yelled.
"...Damn, why'd you take so long?!"
The jiangshi's corpse-face showed first panic. Clawing to snap threads, they tightened instead.
At thread's source, a man with deadpan expression held it.
"Never thought a real idiot would body-slam an Iron Corpse."
Jin Sowoon—the source of Nam Hwaseong's madness till now.