Chapter 68: Five Years Later
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 68: Five Years Later
The Anhui Blood Calamity.
It refers to the war between the Murim and the Black Sky Cult that took place in Anhui five years ago.
The result of that conflict, which claimed countless lives, was none other than—
The end of the Murim.
The various great families and sects that had once wielded immense power through their profound martial arts all vanished without a trace.
The Great Work of the Heavenly Demon, the victor of the Anhui Blood Calamity, had been realized.
The world had become a place where the "Murim" no longer existed.
The common people, whose lives had been influenced to varying degrees by the movements of martial artists, now fell under the direct governance of official authorities.
Of course, it wasn't as if forces attempting to revive the Murim didn't emerge.
However, every time they did, the Heavenly Demon would fly in and incinerate them entirely, nipping them in the bud.
And so, five years had passed.
Watching the bright moon rise, the Heavenly Demon tilted her wine cup.
"Shall I bring you some side dishes?"
It was the Spirit Demon who spoke. She had only recently returned from traveling across the land to see if any Murim insurgencies were brewing.
"You should sit as well."
The Heavenly Demon spoke, gesturing toward the refreshments already laid out.
"Yes, My Lord."
Sitting beside her, the Spirit Demon respectfully accepted the cup the Heavenly Demon offered.
Sipping the cold wine while gazing at the moon, the Heavenly Demon asked, "So, was there anything unusual?"
"No. The suspicious group in Sichuan turned out to be merely a volunteer militia trying to protect themselves from bandits."
"I see. Were there no rumors either?"
"There was... a rumor regarding an entity known as 'The Predator.'"
"The Predator?"
Crunch. The Heavenly Demon asked back while chewing on a snack.
"Yes. They say it is someone who disposes of thugs and bandits. They are called 'The Predator' because the corpses of their victims vanish without a trace."
"It isn't a Blood Demon, is it?"
"No. It was different from that. It seems the name was given simply because the bodies disappear."
"Hmm... This world truly has many strange things. So... did you find out the identity of this Predator?"
"I could not go that far. However, there is a puzzling detail."
"What is it?"
"It is the information the Predator asked the villagers for after taking care of the bandits and thugs."
When the Spirit Demon handed over a small slip of paper, the Heavenly Demon held it up to the moonlight.
Names of locations were written on the note.
"These places look familiar."
"Yes. Anhui, Sichuan, Hanam."
"Indeed. This place in Anhui is where we fought five years ago. Sichuan is where I first met In-ho. And Hanam is..."
"Where the old Black Sky Cult was located," the Spirit Demon finished for her.
"So there is someone tracing our footsteps... no, In-ho’s footsteps."
"Yes. But I do not know the reason why. I will investigate further."
"No, that won't be necessary."
"What do you mean...?"
The Heavenly Demon gestured with her chin toward a silhouette standing outside the brushwood gate.
Only then did the Spirit Demon realize someone had arrived. She drew her weapon, falling into a guarded stance.
"Well, you don't look like you've come to fight. What brings you all the way here?"
"I suppose you knew I was coming."
A voice drifted in from the silhouette beyond the gate.
It was a soft voice. A woman.
"I've known for about two hours now," the Heavenly Demon said, pouring herself more wine. "So, what is it you wish to know? No, before that, I want to know why someone with no connection to him is wandering around looking for my disciple."
"What if I'm looking for him because I do have a connection?"
Creeeak. The uninvited guest opened the brushwood gate and stepped inside.
The figure revealed in the faint moonlight did not seem to fit the name "Predator."
She is elegant.
Taking in the woman's appearance, the Heavenly Demon downed her wine.
"I'll start by introducing myself. My name is..."
As the Predator spoke her name, the Heavenly Demon’s eyes widened.
The Heavenly Demon poured wine into her cup once more.
She raised her hand, holding the cup up so it overlapped with the moon hanging in the sky.
Sip.
After taking another drink, the Heavenly Demon set the cup down and spoke.
"That name... I have heard it before."