novelraw Chapter 158 : Chapter 158
Chapter 158 : Chapter 158
Chapter 158. I will embrace the world.
The Demonic Prison incident dealt a truly enormous, a truly severe blow to the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.
The Alliance Leader, the Sword Saint, urgently gathered the heroes and announced that all these events were the machinations of the Demonic Cult and were not true.
But that was nothing more than trying to cover the sky with the palm of his hand…….
“Alliance Leader, the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect have sent a letter.”
“……”
At Ho Jong-ak's report, the Sword Saint squeezed his eyes shut.
The letter sent by the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect was as clear as day.
It was ten out of ten likely to contain their intention to withdraw from the Righteous Heavenly Alliance and to hold them responsible for this incident.
The problem was that it wasn't just the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect.
“A letter has also arrived from Wudang and Shaolin.”
Wudang and Shaolin had also sent a letter with the same content.
Was that all?
The students of Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and the Tang Clan studying at the Heavenly Martial Academy all packed their bags and left for their respective sects.
Also, those who belonged to the Righteous Heavenly Alliance also took off their martial arts uniforms and returned to their sects.
The problem was that this was only the beginning.
Dozens of letters flew in every day.
They were sent by various minor sects, most of whom had close relationships with Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and the Tang Clan.
And for good reason, the true power of the Nine Sects One Gang did not come from a single force.
For example, a sect like Shaolin, with its long history, was bound to have produced many disciples.
Among them, not only the disciples of the main mountain but also the secular disciples were enormous in number, and the number of sects they established was said to be in the hundreds throughout the world.
In other words, the withdrawal of Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and the Tang Clan meant the disappearance of even the minor sects that filled the ranks of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.
“Send… a reply.”
With his eyes squeezed shut, the Sword Saint took up a brush and wrote a long letter to the sects that had expressed their intention to withdraw.
It was a long explanation stained with lies and excuses, but that was all the Sword Saint could do right now.
With four of the ten sects of the Nine Sects One Gang withdrawing at once, it was as if at least sixty percent of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance's strength had been blown away.
Moreover, wasn't it no exaggeration to say that the Mount Mao Sect had practically been annihilated after the last attack by the Unrivaled New Demon?
‘I can't handle it.’
Even while writing the letter, the Sword Saint couldn't even grasp how to get through the current situation.
The situation was that hopeless, so for now, he could only wring his hands.
Also, the division of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance was only just beginning.
It was clear that Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and the Tang Clan would begin to demand a blood price in earnest.
That meant a civil war beyond the division of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, so no one could dare predict how chaotic the situation would become in the future.
‘What should I do about this… what…….’
The Sword Saint agonized deeply, but no sharp solution came to mind for now.
Even the Great Divine Physician of Immortals, who usually served as the Sword Saint's strategist and gave various advice by his side, had urgently returned to the Qingcheng Sect.
His sect, the Qingcheng Sect, was on the verge of collapsing due to the alliance of the Emei Sect and the Sichuan Tang Clan, so he could not stay by the Sword Saint's side.
* * *
Meanwhile, Jin Cheon and his party returned in glory, receiving a fiery welcome.
Since this attack on the Demonic Prison had also achieved enormous military merit, it was only natural for them to be welcomed by everyone in the Cult.
Thanks to this, it was only natural for Jin Cheon's position within the Cult to rise even further.
As the Seventh Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, he had become the disciple of the Iron-Blooded Demonic God the latest, but since he had achieved so much, he had come to possess achievements and recognition greater than that of the First Young Master, Cheon U-jin.
Of course, Jin Cheon did not care about such things in the slightest…….
“Heavenly Demon’s reign. Demonic Dao’s Angel. Long live, long live, long long live. I greet the Cult Leader.”
The first person Jin Cheon met after returning to the Cult was, as expected, the Iron-Blooded Demonic God.
“You have worked hard.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God's gaze towards Jin Cheon was warm.
If there was one person to whom the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, who rarely showed her emotions, revealed her human side, it would be Jin Cheon alone.
“Thanks to you, our Cult has also been able to breathe a little easier, so your merit is indeed great.”
“I am merely devoting myself to the revival and prosperity of our Cult.”
Jin Cheon bowed his head.
And that was a sincere feeling, stemming from loyalty, without a single lie.
“My connection with you will be a great blessing to our Cult.”
The reason the Iron-Blooded Demonic God said this was because Jin Cheon's performance was that great.
Hadn't he achieved a feat that no one had been able to accomplish in the past several hundred years, dividing the Righteous Heavenly Alliance?
To the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, who could hardly use even one-tenth of her power, Jin Cheon was nothing short of a lucky charm.
Moreover, the connection from the previous generation… she had a rather special relationship with the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior, so it was only natural that he seemed even more endearing.
“I am endlessly, endlessly grateful.”
“You must have gone through a lot of hardships, so rest well for a few days.”
“However……”
Jin Cheon opened his lips as if it were out of the question.
He was in a hurry.
Hadn't he just recently gathered the Heavenly Principle Trigram, the Earthly Center Trigram, and the Wind and Cloud Trigram to create the Heaven and Earth Treasure Box?
Now was the time to use that Heaven and Earth Treasure Box to track down the first Heavenly Demon, Dokgo Seong, and destroy him.
As long as he existed, there would be no peace in the world…….
“No matter how urgent it is, one cannot live without even a few days of leisure.”
The Iron-Blooded Demonic God soothed Jin Cheon's impatient heart with a gentle smile.
“As the Cult Leader of the great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, I command you, Seventh Young Master Jin Cheon, to rest well for a few days and stabilize your mind and body.”
“As you command.”
Jin Cheon had no choice but to follow the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's command.
How could he dare?
To Jin Cheon, the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's command was law.
“Jin Cheon, my disciple.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
“The destiny given to you and the mission you carry are truly great. To not be crushed by that weight, there are times when you must rest. Sometimes, you must also know how to find your own small joys in a peaceful daily life.”
“Hmm.”
“Do not be too engrossed. If you live like that, you may achieve what you want, but you will lose everything precious.”
Jin Cheon felt a distant profoundness in the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's words.
The words spoken by someone who has reached such a supreme realm as her are bound to contain deep meaning.
Jin Cheon gladly engraved the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's advice in his heart.
Was the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior his only master?
She too was Jin Cheon's master, so how could he not properly follow her teachings.
“Your disciple, Jin Cheon, will follow my master's words.”
Jin Cheon bowed his head.
It was not a statement made to the Cult Leader as the Seventh Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
It was a tribute paid to his master as a disciple.
“Yes, do so.”
A bright smile appeared on the Iron-Blooded Demonic God's lips.
* * *
Jin Cheon, as always, after having an audience with the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, headed to the shrine where the spirit tablet of his master, the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior, was enshrined.
“Master, I am here.”
Jin Cheon said, offering wine to the spirit tablet of the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior.
And by Jin Cheon's side was Dang Cheon-wi.
For a direct blood relative of the Sichuan Tang Clan, he was enjoying a luxury (?) that a martial artist belonging to the Orthodox Faction could not even imagine, having come to the backyard of the Cult Leader's Hall.
“Great Hero, I greet you after a long time.”
Dang Cheon-wi also followed Jin Cheon and offered wine to the spirit tablet of the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior.
“It reminds me of the old days.”
Jin Cheon smiled faintly.
“In the old days, we used to offer wine to Master's spirit tablet together.”
“Yes, we did.”
Dang Cheon-wi nodded his head as if he remembered.
“I didn't know a day like this would come again, Senior Brother.”
“How would I have known.”
Jin Cheon snorted.
Indeed, one had to live a long life to see things.
Who would have known that there would be a day when they would talk and laugh after crossing the irreversible river of Jin Cheon's defection.
He had only desperately hoped that they would not meet on the battlefield and have to kill each other…….
“Anyway, don’t worry.”
“Yes?”
“I won’t touch the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“……!”
“Whether I like it or not, it’s the clan of my dear younger brother, so I can’t just wipe it out.”
“S-Senior Brother.”
“Anyway, looking at how things are going, an alliance between our Cult and the Sichuan Tang Clan seems to be a necessity, not a choice.”
Jin Cheon's words were very reasonable.
Currently, the Sichuan Tang Clan was allied with the Emei Sect and was confronting the Qingcheng Sect.
Since the Qingcheng Sect belonged to the Righteous Heavenly Alliance led by several Daoist sects, it was only natural for them to have a very hostile relationship with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
With the situation like this, the best choice for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was to support the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect while keeping the Qingcheng Sect and the Righteous Heavenly Alliance in check at the same time.
Was that all?
Jin Cheon had the intention of not just supporting them, but also establishing a friendly relationship with the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect.
‘I will not be hostile to the world. I will embrace the world. The Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect will be the beginning.’
Jin Cheon recalled the mistake committed by the first Heavenly Demon, Dokgo Seong, and once again reaffirmed his will in his heart.
Usually, those who pursue the path of the hegemon would try to bring the world to its knees and place it under their feet, but Jin Cheon was not like that.
Rather than trying to reign with overwhelming power, he intended to make the world his ally through inclusiveness.
He believed that was the only way for the revival and prosperity of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which was surrounded by enemies on all sides…….
“You deliver the letter to the Tang Clan yourself. That our Cult will support the Emei Sect and the Tang Clan.”
“I-is that really true?”
“Yes.”
Jin Cheon nodded his head.
“Depending on the situation, we may be able to sign a permanent non-aggression pact.”
“S-such a thing.”
Dang Cheon-wi was truly astonished and flabbergasted by Jin Cheon's proposal.
A permanent non-aggression pact with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?
If that were to happen, the Sichuan Tang Clan would have nothing to lose.
Of course, since the Sichuan Tang Clan would have no trust in the Demonic Cult, it would be difficult to believe easily even if they signed a treaty…….
“Anyway, tell them that. That our Cult has no intention of fighting with the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Emei Sect.”
“I-I will do so.”
Dang Cheon-wi was at a loss as to whether this was a dream or reality.
If they were to sign a non-aggression pact with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Sichuan Tang Clan would be the first in history…….
“And while you’re staying at our Cult, be comfortable. No one will dare to touch you, so don’t be scared for no reason.”
“Hahaha……”
Dang Cheon-wi laughed awkwardly.
In the past, Dang Cheon-wi had been Jin Cheon's shield, but now that Jin Cheon was offering to be his shield, he felt a new sense of emotion.
“Well then, let’s go.”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
Jin Cheon took Dang Cheon-wi and left the Cult Leader's Hall, heading for his home.
‘Yes, I should take this opportunity to rest well for a few days as the Cult Leader ordered. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a moment to breathe.’
As Jin Cheon was thinking so and walking.
“Young Master, are you busy?”
“Huk.”
Jin Cheon was startled by the voice calling him from behind.
‘Th-this voice is.’
He knew without even turning around.
“Young Master~?”
“Oh. Hmm.”
Jin Cheon turned around with an awkward smile.
“Have you been well? Haha, hahaha……”
“Of course. Thanks to you, Young Master, I’ve been very well. Hohoho.”
The Demonic Scripture Pavilion Master, Yi Seol, smiled meaningfully.
Her expression was like that of a female tiger that had found its prey, looking very dangerous.
‘I won’t be able to rest.’
Jin Cheon sensed his fate.
It seemed he would have to be dragged to the Demonic Scripture Pavilion, study demonic arts until his nose bled.