Chapter 70
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Fourth Demon Falls
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Rare good news arrived at the Murim Alliance.
It was welcome tidings for the branch that held sway over all of Shandong, a first in quite some time.
The righteous factions of the martial world, led by the Murim Alliance, had been on a streak of consecutive victories, but in the end, it was like cutting off one's own flesh.
In the midst of all that, this good news brought joy to the branch's high-ranking officials.
Most of the warriors had rushed to the front lines, and the messengers, who handled all the intelligence, eagerly wielded their brushes for the first time in ages.
Kill , Victory , Star Rank Four .
The Heavenly Sword Dragon and his warriors had successfully hunted down the fourth demon.
The Mad Wind Twin Demons—usually rather reserved, as if they possessed another personality altogether, but once they went berserk, they were known to savor the taste of blood for five straight days.
Killing him didn't just alleviate a long-standing worry for the righteous factions; it was also encouraging because it bolstered their prestige.
And the Heavenly Sword Dragon was none other than the Sword King's grandson.
Though he wasn't affiliated with the Murim Alliance, the Sword King represented the Alliance, so his fame and achievements elevated the Alliance itself. Nangong Cheon-hwi had unwittingly contributed to the Murim Alliance time and again.
"We've finally caught a break."
The acting master of the temporarily named West Alert Pavilion—the one who had sent the letter—let out a long sigh.
He was a man with a striking white goat beard.
"Thank you."
Standing in for the absent Ha Seong-seo, he expressed his respects to U Hak-bong before him.
"The Alliance will send an official letter, but when you return to the sub-branch, please pass along my regards to the Pavilion Master."
One piece of good fortune after another felt like nothing short of a double celebration, a sense of having crossed not just a major hurdle but an entire mountain stronghold.
"I will."
The two men, who shared many connections, weren't strangers, and even U Hak-bong—usually as carefree as a layabout—treated this man with utmost courtesy. It was Ga Mak-wi.
The Murim Alliance's Shandong branch was located in Yeonju Prefecture.
Word had reached them faster than it could to Seo Mun-ha, who had departed for Dongchang Prefecture, and Ga Mak-wi had shared both official and personal intelligence in the process.
"This time, we've truly indebted ourselves greatly. With the Coastal Merchant Group's Pavilion Master captured, we should soon track down those missing young experts whose whereabouts are unknown."
"Will he open his mouth easily?"
"That's our job, isn't it?"
Rehashing the obvious, they walked through the inner courtyard.
'Well, Supreme Sword has fire in his eyes from the start.'
It was only a matter of time. Capturing the Pavilion Master had spurred their movements, accelerating the timeline—and that meant minimizing further damage.
"There's something I've been curious about."
Ga Mak-wi broached the subject, glancing at him slyly.
"How exactly did you catch him? That corpse you delivered earlier, too."
"Haha, there's a story behind it."
"......"
"A secret weapon, you see."
U Hak-bong tugged at the corner of his mouth and added,
"He's a shy fellow, so pass along my greetings instead. And the rewards."
Ga Mak-wi let out a deep sigh. Few had contributed as much as he.
All the gathered warriors were lending their strength, but the results couldn't be ignored—and U Hak-bong drove the point home about this mysterious figure whose identity remained unknown.
"Everything in the world reveals itself in time, doesn't it?"
Even his codename screamed "secret weapon"—a clear signal not to pry.
"By the way, Pavilion Master Ga, what do you plan to do first once the war ends?"
The war and the chain of events weren't over yet, but he shifted the topic, asking hopefully about the future.
"Take a bath first. Scrub off the grime nice and slow. Or maybe take a vacation down south there."
"If it's a vacation, I'd recommend the north. The south is still...?"
"Indeed."
With that everyday chatter concluded, Ga Mak-wi personally escorted him to the entrance.
"I apologize for the poor hospitality. Once this is over, let's have a proper feast."
"I'll look forward to it."
The moment U Hak-bong, who often spoke of magnanimity, turned his back, his expression turned dubious.
'Something's off.'
The nagging feeling he'd harbored for some time wouldn't fade.
It was like a fishbone stuck in his throat, unpleasant and unrelenting.
So he asked.
Having gone through every detail in their mundane back-and-forth, he had examined everything from front to back, yet he left the branch with lingering doubts.
"Brother U!"
Then, a flash of insight struck—just as the Beggar Clan disciples, scattered in all directions, began gathering around him one by one.
"......!"
It matched.
The demons' movements, and the purpose lurking beneath the surface.
"Map!"
"Huh? Suddenly?"
"Anyone, bring a map! Quick!"
A wide-eyed Beggar Clan disciple handed over a yellowed leather map.
It detailed Shandong's terrain starkly.
Why had the Sun-Moon Cult demons risen at this precise moment?
Of course, with the Murim Alliance's encirclement tightening gradually, it wouldn't be strange for them to light the beacon of counterattack at any time.
But one thing nagged at him: for demons so meticulous in their schemes, there were oddly sloppy aspects.
'That's right.'
It had been too smooth.
More precisely, not sloppy, but a series of somewhat regrettable choices.
'If I were the Sun-Moon Cult...'
U Hak-bong set aside Seo Mun-ha—the wildcard—and pondered.
Even just the Mad Wind Twin Demons wouldn't have died so futilely.
Not after Nangong Cheon-hwi, who was all about saving face, had left Shandong soil.
Regardless of the Sun-Moon Cult's style, they could have exploited the hostages more aggressively.
They could have sown disinformation to incite greater chaos or completely concealed the demons' tracks.
"......!"
Layering assumptions upon assumptions, U Hak-bong's eyes widened like saucers.
Tracing the demons' paths, they converged on one spot.
Thud.
Finally, he marked a single point on the map.
The focal point where the fleeing Sun-Moon Cult demons would converge.
It was one of the areas where Hebei and Shandong met, near a village engulfed in flames.
Seo Mun-ha handed a gourd of water to the utterly exhausted Seo Mun Jun-sang.
"Good work."
The displaced villagers were all dazed, lost in shock.
The warriors' devoted efforts in tending to them.
"Thank you."
Seo Mun Jun-sang, sleeves rolled up, demonstrated exceptional skill and was clearly adept at handling people.
"Is brother alright?"
The greatest difficulty was the unprecedented devastation none had witnessed before.
Seo Mun Young-ryeong, her spirit utterly drained, lay deep in slumber beside Bi-ryong.
"I'm fine."
Seo Mun-ha brushed it off casually.
Though more familiar with such horrors than anyone, he couldn't ignore their age and positions.
Seo Mun Jun-sang was still young, after all.
Despite the flawless victory, the Seo Mun Clan heir had taken a considerable shock.
As a peak-level warrior brimming with self-confidence, he now felt insignificant.
"Impressive."
It was a harsh lesson in his own limitations and frailty.
"No need for that. It's something everyone faces eventually."
Seeing Seo Mun-ha's calm demeanor reminded Seo Mun Jun-sang of the family elders.
They had always taught the harsh realities of the jianghu martial world.
Now, Seo Mun Jun-sang had experienced it firsthand, not just in words.
"I knew it intellectually. But I never realized I was even weaker than Ryeong-ah."
This experience would serve as excellent foundation for his path as a warrior.
Seo Mun-ha patted Seo Mun Jun-sang's broadened shoulders.
Numerous tents had been erected across the grounds.
Even setting aside the warriors, they were shelters to shield the people from night dew and chill winds.
The two siblings had yielded their status privileges, surrendering their tents—which allowed them to instantly recognize the familiar footsteps approaching.
A few people gathered in the dead of night.
Centered around Ha Eun-ye, who had reclaimed her position.
"You've worked hard, Young Master Seo Mun."
Until the village could be rebuilt, the people needed a place to rely on, and she had stepped in for the fleeing county magistrate.
"There are spare tents over there. With Ryeong-ah here too, rest well tonight."
Ha Eun-ye readily offered her own tent.
"Tomorrow will be another forced march."
Many among the refugees had nowhere else to go.
It would be ideal to shelter them all, but the Murim Alliance branch was temporary, so resources were limited.
Thus, they had dispatched messengers to local landowners and divided the people accordingly.
Under Seo Mun Jun-sang's judgment, the Seo Mun Clan would take some in—even if it meant a grueling journey to the nearest Jename Prefecture.
Seo Mun Jun-sang glanced at Seo Mun-ha, who nodded.
"Understood. Thank you for your consideration."
Seo Mun Jun-sang offered a formal fist salute to those of higher status.
"Mm......"
Then he carried away the half-asleep Seo Mun Young-ryeong.
"Not coming along?"
As people departed one by one, Ha Eun-ye pointed to Seo Mun-ha, who sat perched on a rock.
"Someone has to stand watch. Besides, it's cramped."
He surveyed the small tent and the refugee camp.
Hundreds of people, at least.
No one idle, except the injured.
Seo Mun-ha claimed he had nothing to do, but after lending a substantial hand, he had been on forced marches for days.
"Why don't you rest too?"
His nonchalant attitude made him hard to recognize at first.
"We're short on sentries. Two would be better."
Just looking at the utterly spent Bi-ryong revealed the urgency of recent battles, and she had pitched in personally.
"Your wounds?"
But that wasn't the only reason, it seemed.
"Manageable."
Ha Eun-ye sat beside Seo Mun-ha and chuckled at the warhorse slumped like a human, fast asleep.
"Never seen this one before."
"Needs more care than So-so, but doesn't pick favorites like her."
"The other So-so would get mad if she heard that."
She recalled the earlier scene.
The fiercely interrogating Dang So-so had hounded Seo Mun-ha until she tired herself out.
"It wasn't just So-so who was angry, though."
"I was out of it too, back then."
Even a cornered rat will bite a cat.
Having let Nakwolhyang slip away, she could only pat her chest in relief.
"You saw my ugly side because of it."
Compared to the demon who had unleashed his full power, her surge of relief and security had overwhelmed her emotions.
"What do you want to say?"
Seo Mun-ha asked with a low chuckle.
"Nothing particular. In Young Master Seo Mun terms, just feeling a bit lonely."
Still clueless in these matters, she teased him subtly.
"Doesn't Young Master Seo Mun have anything to say?"
The long-festering resentment had borne fruit.
Ha Eun-ye, who had never thought beyond that, felt a vague restlessness and sought solace from someone in a similar position—pushing her body relentlessly through hardships.
"Mm...... Glad you're safe."
That someone was Seo Mun-ha, but his offbeat response fell far short of expectations.
"You said that already."
Ha Eun-ye was so baffled she almost laughed.
"I just heard the news."
"News?"
"Blood-Faced Asura is dead."
"Good."
"The intel came from someone named Gu Chil."
Probing without truly pressing, she revisited his past actions.
"No regrets?"
"None. If there were, I wouldn't have started."
"I don't really get it. Or what to do next. I'm not as happy as I thought I'd be."
Achieving one's goal often meant losing direction.
Having devoted herself single-mindedly to growing from girl to woman, she now struggled to find purpose beyond fulfillment.
"My options are limited anyway."
Having opened up, she craved drink more than ever today.
"Maybe I should just get married. Looking back, even a political marriage wouldn't be so bad."
Watching Seo Mun-ha and Baek Ri-seol, she had often envied their alliance, formal as it was.
"Why so quiet?"
"Hm?"
"Would Young Master Seo Mun like it if I married?"
"Better late than never. Unlike revenge, marriage leaves you with kids."
"What kind of answer is that?"
Seo Mun-ha betrayed her hopes in a whole different way.
Composing herself, Ha Eun-ye continued.
"Joking aside, thank you anyway. For everything. I've received so much help from you, Young Master Seo Mun."
"I didn't do anything special......"
Her tone suggested finality, tilting Seo Mun-ha's head.
"Just saying goodbye in advance. Once I return home, who knows when we'll meet again."
She had already declared she would step down as unit leader.
"I've been consumed by duties, so for a while, I'll focus on training. Even Seol-ah seems far ahead."
No one had grounds or reason to dissuade her firm resolve.
Seo Mun-ha offered quiet support.
"What are you two doing, looking all mopey?"
It wasn't just one.
"Both of you."
Plenty of time until dawn, Dang So-so fussed while brushing back her hair by her ear.
"So-so......?"
Ha Eun-ye widened her eyes like a startled rabbit.
"Sorry if I'm interrupting, but my ears were itching, and turns out you two were talking about me."
Feigning innocence, Dang So-so hinted at their prior words with a glare, having dragged the innocent Baek Ri-seol along to avoid misunderstanding.
"I...... couldn't sleep either."
Though she hadn't refused outright, Baek Ri-seol added awkwardly.
"Su-hyang happened to relay a message from my maid."
That even a woman would kill her.
Her maid, reflecting on her rudeness after witnessing Seo Mun-ha's display, lay awake in anxiety.
'I didn't do anything wrong, right? Miss?'
Ignoring the comical plight, Ha Eun-ye, having missed the two women's approach, chided Seo Mun-ha instead.
"......You knew, didn't you?"
Her face slightly flushed.
Dang So-so thrust a bottle at Ha Eun-ye, who sighed.
"Villagers gave it. Brought it well, right?"
"We're on duty......"
"It's all over. Besides, we're not Murim Alliance members, and Sister Ha won't be soon either."
Dang So-so claimed her spot. Unlike her carefree demeanor, Baek Ri-seol and Ha Eun-ye harbored different thoughts.
"All that's left is Child Ghost, and Blood-Faced Asura, right?"
"Just Child Ghost. Red Shadow Sword Demon still has an unknown cause......"
The two women exchanged mismatched views.
"Ah, Red Shadow Sword Demon was Young Master Seo Mun......"
"Blood-Faced Asura was Young Master Seo Mun?"
Suddenly clamping their mouths shut, they stared piercingly at Seo Mun-ha.
"Must be tough living as a liar."
Dang So-so's wry remark came later.
Eternal secrets don't exist. Abruptly branded a public enemy, Seo Mun-ha's indifference to bred misunderstanding.
"I killed them."
Seo Mun-ha admitted it all too simply.
He hadn't meant to hide it.
Blood-Faced Asura was just a relay in the process, easily deducible.
For Red Shadow Sword Demon, the Azure Flag delivering the corpse had omitted details beyond the obvious death, treating them as extraneous out of respect for Seo Mun-ha's desire for anonymity.
"So this is what it feels like......"
The usually taciturn Baek Ri-seol reflected inwardly, while Ha Eun-ye and Dang So-so seized the chance to unravel all doubts.
Whoosh.
Smoke from the dying campfire rode the wind.
Before the new sun rose.
"Why no answer?"
Dang So-so eyed Seo Mun-ha curiously amid her barrage of questions, but his gaze remained fixed beyond the dark sky.
"Young Master Seo Mun?"
Suddenly, footsteps sounded.
Thud.
As if awakening the silence.
Tension surged, and abruptly, the sky came crashing down.
Kuuuung—!
That figure, cloaked in an elder's dignity, was a dark heaven incomparable to mere fire demons—a walking calamity, the sky of the demons.
"Let me see, the cult's signal was around here somewhere?"
The old man, slowly bathed in sunlight, embodied the demons' heaven and disaster incarnate.