Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 126 : A Big Shot Arrives

"Kraaaaaaak!"

The scream echoed loudly. Yuk Sam-yuk couldn't tell if everything happening before his eyes was reality or a dream.

Jin Sa-wol, who had pulled out his sword, took a step back.

Yuk Sam-yuk, with his eyes wide open, reached out his hand, trying to grab Jin Sa-wol's neck.

"A nightmare... It's a nightmare... Yes, this is..."

Thump!

His body collapsed powerlessly to the ground. After twitching a few times, Yuk Sam-yuk stopped moving shortly after.

Swish!

Feeling a slight movement, Jin Sa-wol turned his head and looked at Jo Geom-ok and Son Ae-hwa, who had appeared at some point.

Son Ae-hwa was trembling all over with a look of disbelief.

Tremble, tremble!

The sight of Son Ae-hwa trembling like an aspen tree looked incredibly pitiful.

Swoosh!

Jin Sa-wol's figure appeared in front of Jo Geom-ok and Son Ae-hwa.

Son Ae-hwa, whose eyes met Jin Sa-wol's, suddenly prostrated herself as if she felt killing intent.

"I was wrong. Please spare me."

At her sudden action, Jo Geom-ok frowned. Jin Sa-wol also had a bewildered look in his eyes.

"Get up."

At Jin Sa-wol's words, Son Ae-hwa shot up and bowed her head.

She continued to tremble. She couldn't help it. The dead man was Yuk Sam-yuk, one of the Four Great Guardian Demonic Gods.

He was a demonic man called invincible. There were few within the cult who could defeat him.

An unbelievable event had just unfolded before her eyes.

And who was Kang Hang? He was also a renowned master within the cult. Yet, both had been killed by Jin Sa-wol.

Because she had seen it with her own eyes, it took time to accept the unbelievable reality.

No, her heart and mind were moving in opposite directions, and some unknown energy was rising, constantly tormenting her spirit.

'Am I going crazy?'

She was confused whether it was reality or a dream.

"Hiccup! Heuk! Hic! Why am I like this?"

Son Ae-hwa, surprised by her sudden hiccups, unknowingly took a step back.

Seeing that, Jo Geom-ok felt a strange sense of shared misery.

Jin Sa-wol left the terrified Son Ae-hwa alone and spoke to Jo Geom-ok.

"Leave the bodies and take the wooden chest. It contains the secret manuals of the Esoteric Sect."

"Alright. But who are these people?"

"Yuk Sam-yuk and Kang Hang of the Demonic Cult."

Yuk Sam-yuk was a name Jo Geom-ok also knew well from hearing it often.

"Heuk! Keok!"

Son Ae-hwa, from behind, hit her chest, trying to come to her senses. Jo Geom-ok slapped Son Ae-hwa's back hard.

"Get a grip."

Slap!

"Ack!"

Son Ae-hwa, who let out a scream, seemed to have come to her senses and looked at Jin Sa-wol. But as soon as her eyes met Jin Sa-wol's, Son Ae-hwa quickly bowed her head.

"I was wrong."

"I get it. So pull yourself together and listen carefully to what I say."

"Yes. Hic!"

"Speak."

At the two's response, Jin Sa-wol looked around and said.

"I felt a presence for a moment, but it disappeared quickly. There must be people hiding like shadows. Find them and kill them."

"How can we find what you couldn't?"

"If you burn the forest, they'll pop out."

"A drive hunt."

Jo Geom-ok, understanding Jin Sa-wol's intention, nodded.

"Ae-hwa, go down to the fifth gate and check the situation. After observing the movements of the Demonic Cult members, come back up and report."

"Understood."

After hearing Son Ae-hwa's answer, Jin Sa-wol asked as if he remembered something.

"What about Dan Ji-hyu?"

"He's sleeping."

"Forget what you saw here."

At Jin Sa-wol's words, Jo Geom-ok smiled, and Son Ae-hwa kept nodding her head.

Jin Sa-wol, as if worried about Son Ae-hwa, grabbed her shoulder.

"Keuk!"

Son Ae-hwa closed her eyes and flinched.

"Forget what you saw today."

"Yes."

After hearing Son Ae-hwa's answer, Jin Sa-wol jumped towards the lake again.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

As Jin Sa-wol's figure flew away like a bird, Son Ae-hwa let out a deep sigh. Her whole body was drenched in cold sweat, and a hot energy rose to her shoulders.

"I shouldn't have looked. If I speak of this somewhere and get caught, my head will fly off immediately."

"Your limbs will be cut off. Or you'll be turned to dust."

Jo Geom-ok replied with an unfazed face. Son Ae-hwa looked at Jo Geom-ok as if she were strange.

"How can you say that so calmly?"

"There's no reason I can't."

"I couldn't even lift my head..."

Son Ae-hwa was in great shock because she had witnessed Yuk Sam-yuk's death. Jo Geom-ok recalled when Jo Han-yu died and shivered once.

"Let's go. Let's hide the secret manuals first and do what we have to do."

"Yes."

After the two disappeared with the wooden chest, a cold wind swirled around the area.

* * *

Whoosh!

Jin Sa-wol, who kicked off the rock wall and jumped up, passed by the shadow of the rock wall as if brushing against it.

-Our eyes met.

-Me too.

-I think we need to move.

-He doesn't seem to have noticed yet. Let's wait and see.

The two shadows in the crevice of the rock wall unconsciously exchanged telepathic messages.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Thump!

Jin Sa-wol, who landed on the ground, approached Dokgo Shin-wi, who was lying in Dokgo Hyeon's arms.

Woo Jeong-bong had laid Yeon-il to one side and was treating his wounds.

As Jin Sa-wol approached, Dokgo Shin-wi opened his eyes.

Dokgo Shin-wi's complexion was not good, and Jin Sa-wol's expression also darkened rapidly.

Jin Sa-wol took out a Demonic Spirit Pill.

"For now, please take this."

"No. I can't eat something so precious."

When Dokgo Shin-wi refused, Jin Sa-wol offered it to Dokgo Hyeon. Dokgo Hyeon, seeing Dokgo Shin-wi nod, had no choice but to accept it and put it in his sleeve.

"It feels good to be at death's door."

"You've lived a long life."

Jin Sa-wol said it like a joke. At those words, Dokgo Shin-wi smiled and then asked.

"What about them?"

"They are dead."

"Well done."

"It wasn't me who killed them; they died by your hand, elder."

At Jin Sa-wol's words, Dokgo Shin-wi nodded. Dokgo Shin-wi turned his gaze to Dokgo Hyeon and said.

"Kang Hang and Yuk Sam-yuk were not killed by this Jin family fellow, but died in a mutual destruction with me. Announce it that way."

"Understood."

"Forget everything you saw today."

"Yes."

At Dokgo Hyeon's answer, Dokgo Shin-wi showed a satisfied expression. Dokgo Shin-wi turned his gaze to Jin Sa-wol and said.

"Make sure Hyeon-ah gets out of here alive."

"Is this your last will?"

"Yes. Grand, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Hearing Jin Sa-wol's answer, Dokgo Shin-wi closed his eyes.

"I need to sleep a little. I'm tired."

"Please sleep comfortably."

At Jin Sa-wol's low voice, Dokgo Shin-wi sought sleep. A short while later, when his heart stopped completely, Dokgo Hyeon shed tears and bowed his head.

* * *

"Kraak!"

"You bastards!"

"Help me! Ugh!"

In the wide open space of the fifth gate, screams were rampant as two groups fought. The Martial Alliance and the orthodox martial artists were being killed by numerous Demonic Cult members.

Thwack!

As Geum Sa-ryong's head soared, everyone's eyes turned to Geum Sa-ryong's head.

Mun-gang, who had beheaded Geum Sa-ryong, shook his blood-soaked crescent saber and turned his body.

"Retreat!"

-Screeeech!

As a loud shout and a whistle sounded, the orthodox martial artists began to retreat.

Mun-gang headed for the main hall. Hwang-jeong, with a blood-soaked appearance, joined him.

Upon entering the main hall, a man was seen resting on the grand master's chair.

Dressed in clean white clothes, he was Cheon Woo-rin.

Cheon Woo-rin smiled upon seeing Mun-gang and Hwang-jeong.

"What's happening outside?"

"We've cleaned it up."

"We killed Geum Sa-ryong, the Hall Master of the Justice Hall."

At Hwang-jeong and Mun-gang's answers, Cheon Woo-rin showed a satisfied expression.

The road from the cult to the Esoteric Sect was a long one.

Originally, the main force was supposed to be led by Yuk Sam-yuk, but since he had departed first, Cheon Woo-rin led it.

Because Cheon Woo-rin was the Cult Leader's son, Yuk Sam-yuk also treated him as the Cult Leader's son, not as the Master of the Shadowless Pavilion.

Cheon Woo-rin was well aware that he was receiving special treatment. He had no complaints.

By the time he arrived, the remaining warriors of the Wall Demonic Hall and the Pavilion Master of the Wind Blood Pavilion had also arrived. The Wind Blood Pavilion Master was patrolling the surroundings.

Cheon Woo-rin looked at Mun-gang and smiled.

"I heard that Brother Mun's martial arts are the highest among the various pavilion masters. I'm short on guards, so please stay by my side and guard me."

"Understood."

Even though it was a statement that could be offensive, Mun-gang answered without a change in his complexion. Hwang-jeong's expression hardened, but he hid his expression by bowing his head.

"Deputy Pavilion Master Hwang. Who is up there?"

"Lord Yuk and former Hall Master Kang are there. And Elder Dokgo is also there."

"I wonder why Elder Dokgo, who left the cult, is meddling in the cult's affairs... So, did you find the Three Emperors?"

"We couldn't find them."

At Hwang-jeong's answer, Cheon Woo-rin, as if his mood had soured, stood up from his seat.

"If we can't retrieve the martial arts of the Three Emperors, we can't go back. If we return with no gains, my father will be furious."

"There is another master up there. He seems to be the gatekeeper of the Sea Spirit Peak Map."

"Treasures are always accompanied by spiritual beasts. Is it something like that?"

"Yes."

At Hwang-jeong's answer, Cheon Woo-rin showed interest.

Cheon Woo-rin raised his head to the ceiling.

"Ma-ryong."

Whoosh!

A black shadow dropped from the ceiling.

"Did you call?"

As he appeared and prostrated himself, Mun-gang and Hwang-jeong's expressions hardened.

'There wasn't even a hint of presence... Amazing.'

Mun-gang was amazed by the fact that someone had been so close.

Cheon Woo-rin touched his slightly protruding belly and said.

"Lead your subordinates and go up to survey the area. Find all suspicious places that might hold treasure. However, if former Hall Master Kang or Lord Yuk have already found the treasure, just come back."

"As you command."

Ma-ryong prostrated himself, then stood up and went outside. As he left, Cheon Woo-rin sat on the grand master's chair and raised his hand.

"Faction Leader Seo."

"Yes."

Swoosh!

From behind the grand master's chair, a masked woman with a slender figure appeared.

"Where are my chambers?"

"We have cleared the house on the right. It's being tidied up now, so you will be able to go in and rest soon."

"I'm tired from walking for so long after entering the Esoteric Sect. I should go and rest."

"I will prepare it."

After Faction Leader Seo answered and disappeared, Cheon Woo-rin touched his shoulder and said.

"I heard Brother Mun wants to enter the main headquarters."

"Of course."

"If this matter is concluded well, you will enter the main headquarters with me."

"Thank you."

Mun-gang bowed his head and showed his loyalty. There was nothing to be gained by getting on Cheon Woo-rin's bad side.

He was the man who controlled the Ghost Spirit Valley and the Flower Pavilion at the main headquarters.

Cheon Woo-rin touched his chubby chin and asked Hwang-jeong.

"Former Hall Master Kang went out as a scout this time but has not reported even once. Have you met him?"

"Yes."

"I'm worried he might have other intentions. Have you heard anything?"

"Nothing."

Hwang-jeong answered with a firm expression. Mentioning betrayal meant that there were no good intentions.

"Deputy Pavilion Master Hwang, you will be in charge of security. If any of the orthodox faction riffraff come in, kill them all."

"Yes."

After hearing Hwang-jeong's answer, Cheon Woo-rin stood up from the grand master's chair and exited through the side door on the right.

"See you in the evening. I need to get some sleep."

As he left, Hwang-jeong lowered his voice and asked Mun-gang.

"Surely he's not going to enjoy women's company, even here, is he?"

"That 'surely' is a fact. I heard he's fond of women."

"There are also rumors that he has fallen out of favor with the Cult Leader..."

At Hwang-jeong's words, Mun-gang stroked his beard and shook his head.

"A son is a son."

Mun-gang muttered and pondered what to do next.

However, even he had not anticipated the deaths of Kang Hang and Yuk Sam-yuk. If he had known they were dead, he would have retreated without a second thought.

Son Ae-hwa, who was sitting in the shade of a tree, held her breath when she saw Cheon Woo-rin coming out of the main hall.

'A big shot has arrived.'

(End of Chapter)