158 - Mission, Pursuit (8) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

The standoff had escalated. Jin Geon smirked awkwardly while breaking into a cold sweat. "This is ridiculously twisted." Chasing after one transcendental being only to find another appears. And not just any transcendental being. The aura of magic emanating from the old man with snake-like eyes, who introduced himself as the "Seventh Elder of the New Religion," was definitely that of someone who had ascended to transcendence decades ago. Moreover, the identity of the other young transcendental entity was becoming ever more certain. "The younger one holds a higher position?" The behavior of the Seventh Elder was peculiar. Although by both realm and age, the Seventh Elder was clearly superior to the young man, he treated him with the deference of a subject serving his king. Jin Geon broadened his thinking. Despite his usual carefree lifestyle, it didn't mean he was dim-witted. Merely observing the situation was enough to turn his suspicions into certainty. "Supreme Master, Cult Leader." "Oh?" "A Cult Leader wouldn't be so feeble. Strength rules in their domain, right? It doesn't make sense for a respected Elder to serve a weak Cult Leader. And yet, there's deference? Listen here, old man. I'm no fool. I can tell." Jin Geon pointed at the young transcendental being. "That one must truly be the Cult Leader. Designated as the next in line." The Seventh Elder let out a sly laugh. "For a mere central plains runt, you're quite perceptive. But…" In an instant, Jin Geon felt a chilling sensation on his nape and instinctively swung his blade. Clang! With a shock, the blade was knocked away. An attack without warning or visibility. It had targeted his nape. "Insane!" The murderous intent was indescribable. Amidst this, the Seventh Elder continued. "Yet you stand so boldly, oblivious of your place." "Should I bow so low to a Demon Cult Leader?" "It's not the Demon Cult; it's the New Religion. The next ruler of this world." "Utterly lost in heresy." Jin Geon exhaled deeply. The Seventh Elder's release of magical energy, ready to pounce at any moment, sharpened Jin Geon's senses to a razor's edge. "The situation is..." Disadvantageous. On our side, two mature transcendents; on theirs, a novice and an experienced transcendent. In reality, when it comes to transcendent realms, the slight differences in level don't really matter, setting us in a deadlock. However, the issue was our remaining energy. Chasing and battling the Cult Leader for days had its toll. Just as the Cult Leader's physical strength had diminished, so had Jin Geon and his companions' stamina and focus. Adding another transcendent in peak condition to this equation, how could this situation be advantageous? So, what should be done? Jin Geon pondered and soon made a decision. "Let's retreat." "I agree." It wasn't about fearing defeat. It was that standing and fighting now would bring too little gain. Right? The information gained was too significant. Fleeing to prevent the information from never reaching the Martial Alliance would be a greater mistake in any future battles against the Demon Cult. "Do you think they'll let us go?" The Seventh Elder's arm blurred once more. Jin Geon and his allies succeeded in blocking the attack again. However, they weren't relaxed in countering the follow-up assault. "No way?!" Before he knew it, the Seventh Elder was close at hand. Whatever stepping technique he used, it evaded Jin Geon's senses completely. Barely catching a hint of his presence meant he was already too close. Jin Geon clenched his teeth and slashed his blade. Clang! An impossible sword attack. The sword's trajectory instantly went off-target, leaving a long wound across Jin Geon's chest. Blood spurted out. "Not too deep." But how long that would remain a minor wound was another question. For now, it was bearable. "Run!" Jin Geon shouted as loudly as he could, prompting his companion to turn and flee. "Showing your back to the enemy, typical of central plains scum." "Strategic retreat." Jin Geon wrapped his energy around himself. The chi densened, reaching almost uncontrollable levels. Kiiing! It was akin to a kamikaze tactic, using the principle that losing control of such condensed chi would result in a massive explosion. "Aren't you going to look after your Cult Leader?" At Jin Geon's words, the Seventh Elder's gaze shifted toward the Cult Leader. He clicked his tongue and said, "How crafty." Boom! The Seventh Elder kicked Jin Geon away. Then, turning towards the Cult Leader, he exclaimed, "Master! We must retreat!" The Cult Leader nodded and ran back in the direction of the New Religion. Only then did Jin Geon relax, reducing the energy infused in his chi, and fully retrieved his internal energy. He then collapsed to the ground. "Phew…." That was close. Jin Geon lay back, exhaling deeply. Three days had passed. Wi Gwang-cheon had finally reached the border of divine strength and could face the multitude of followers who had come to welcome him. "Lord of a Thousand Horses! Blessings upon thousands of horses!" Each and every one of them prostrated on the ground. It was a scene he had always witnessed until he left Mount Shimman 15 years ago. Although it had been quite some time since he last felt his position so tangibly, the foremost thought that surfaced in Wi Gwang-cheon's mind was singular. "...They have fled." Wi Gwang-cheon's fists clenched tightly. The veins on his forehead bulged with rising anger. Fleeing in the face of the enemy dealt a severe blow to Wi Gwang-cheon's pride. What followed were musings on 'what-ifs'. What if he had just a bit more stamina at that moment? What if he hadn't created a situation necessitating a hasty retreat? Or, if he hadn't taken that poison. If he had approached the central plains and CheonSalSeong differently. Endless thoughts began to boil a fire within Wi Gwang-cheon. It set his body and spirit ablaze, stoking his emotions. "Vice cult leader." The Seventh Elder spoke. "Let's return. To ShinGang." Wi Gwang-cheon looked in the direction of the central plains. "Next time." He would absolutely not show his back. In any situation, regardless of the enemy faced, he would shatter everything in his path. "...Let's return." Wi Gwang-cheon set off on his journey home after 15 years. * Not long had passed since the incident in Cheonghae. The scale of the event was incomparable to anything before. The information gathered was of utmost urgency, thus swiftly reaching the ears of Sa Baekwoon, the leader of the Martial Alliance. In the garden of the Martial Alliance Leader's estate, Sa Baekwoon made a solemn face after receiving a full report from military strategist Jegal Muyeon. "...That was the Vice cult leader?" "Yes, that's correct. The entity causing chaos at the Blue Dragon Martial Arts Assembly under the name Kang Woo-seol was the vice cult leader of CheonMaSinGyo. While tracking him down in Cheonghae, we received assistance from Taoist Jin Geon, and the cabinet chief together with him cornered the vice cult leader, but the intrusion of a demon cult elder led to the failure of the capture." Bitter news yet again. Sa Baekwoon then asked, "What's the damage?" Truthfully, he didn't want to know. The news that someone had lost their life to a reckless sword was still something Sa Baekwoon, despite his long years in the martial world, could never quite get used to. However, his position as the leader did not allow him to turn a blind eye. "...Four hundred and seventy-eight of the Alliance's warriors, and three thousand two hundred and fifty-seven martial artists from various regions who had aided in the pursuit." Jegal Muyeon bowed deeply. "...That's just the number of those confirmed dead." Sa Baekwoon's eyes squeezed shut. "What about interrogating the captives?" "It’s ongoing. From what we’ve learned so far, it seems likely the demon cult will attempt another invasion." "How dare they." In an instant, a surge from Sa Baekwoon's body left Jegal Muyeon breathless. Yet, Sa Baekwoon did not withdraw his aura. It was a rare sight for him, who always showed kindness and never flaunted his power to others. "How daring, those wicked sorcerers, to covet the central plains once more." It had been barely 20 years. The fact that so many warriors and civilians fell to the demon cult was a memory from less than 20 years ago. Yet, how could they dare bear their fangs so soon again? How could they dare harm those small beings? "Leader..." "Yes, perhaps we’ve been too gentle until now." Exactly 18 years after the Blood Massacre, Sa Baekwoon had ascended the leader's position and devoted himself to maintaining peace. Preferring dialogue over conflict and the pen over blood, together with his allies, he sought to cast sunlight over the martial world of the central plains. This was the result. Sa Baekwoon reluctantly acknowledged. "Strategist." "Yes." "Peace has lasted too long, it seems." "Leader..." "The martial world seeks blood." The martial world desires it. The endless strife that shouts for survival of the fittest and winner takes all. To establish a new moral order. The end of a brief and sweet peace. "If that's what they desire, we must grant it. It’s the natural order of this land." Sa Baekwoon rose from his seat. "BakDoMuRim (百道武林)." The land of martial artists who strive on the righteous path, their spirit, beliefs, and justice. It was necessary to remind the invaders that none of it had faded in the slightest. "It’s time to unite under that name once more." Turning away from Jegal Muyeon, "Convene a grand council." Jegal Muyeon's eyes widened. "The grand council you refer to is..." "The very one you know." The Central Plains Grand Council. It was a promise. A promise made 20 odd years ago, after the Blood Massacre had ended, by the warriors and factions who led the conflict to unite and tackle any future threats. - When the central plains land faces danger again, we need to set aside our grudges and unite. There will certainly come such a time in the distant future. - How shall we do that? - By making a promise, one upheld with honor and name. A conference seems fitting. A meeting where no one is allowed to be absent, and individual grievances cannot be claimed. This was a measure directly conceived by War King Jegal Byeok on that day. -Central Plains Grand Council. For the sake of protecting this land, I implore all of you, just once, without any exceptions, to participate in the council and put our heads together. 'I thought this would not be used in my lifetime.' Such a cruel twist of fate. Sa Baekwoon spoke with a hint of bitterness. "Summon the Nine Factions and the families." Their renown is needed. "Summon the experts of the previous generation." Their wisdom, which navigated through the Blood Massacre, is needed. "And one more thing." "Summon all the Four Saints and Six Kings." Or, should it now be called the Three Saints and Five Kings? Sa Baekwoon let out a wry laugh. It was the absurdity of calling upon the most glorious names in their faded moment that amused him. "We need our comrades' strength." Jegal Muyeon made a determined face and bowed deeply. "Understood." Exactly three days later, the martial world's hermits, asleep during this era of peace, were all awakened. * In a mountain village in Kang Seo Sung, Ma Il-Seok spoke to Mok Seon-o. "Brother, are you truly not going?" "Yes, I have already faded from the martial world of the central plains." "You might be needed." "I am a wave of the past." Mok Seon-o drank his tea in one gulp. And then, with a bitter smile, he said, "...The martial world must flow. It can't always rely on the past." "Brother..." "The central plains are not small, are they? So, it's not like it’s unknown." Mok Seon-o added quietly with a gentle tone. "Surely, there must be a name to replace me in this martial world." Ma Il-Seok couldn’t push any further. He just looked at Mok Seon-o for a while, then forced a playful smile and said, "What if that happens to be Yuan, that guy?" "That wouldn’t be too bad." Mok Seon-o chuckled. "Go on then." "I shall return." Ma Il-Seok turned around without any lingering regret. Beggar King Ma Il-Seok. He had once again set out for the martial world of the central plains.