47 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 47 In the Depths of the Hundred Ghosts Castle. Sama Bonjeong stood at the foot of the stairs, looking up at the White Snake God seated on the throne, explaining the plans for the future. "After toppling the Biseung Trading Company, we must seize the opportunity to conduct business with Binggung. If we establish dealings with them, other foreign territories...” Rumble— Suddenly, the depths shook as if an earthquake had occurred, causing dust to fall. Following this, a faint explosion sound was heard from afar, causing the White Snake God’s eyes to turn as cold as ice. The pure white stare was fixed on Sama Bonjeong. “There’s unrest outside.” The voice that escaped the White Snake God’s red lips was chillingly cold. “I will report back once I ascertain the situation.” Noticing the displeasure on the White Snake God’s face, Sama Bonjeong quickly spoke and stood up. ‘Usually, he would delegate such matters to others and continue our conversation.’ Sama Bonjeong’s expression darkened. The long-awaited plans to annihilate the Mount Hua Sect had been thwarted repeatedly, turning the White Snake God into a ticking volcano. ‘How hard have I worked to calm and appease the lord’s temperament...’ In haste, he left the depths of the castle. Screech— At both sides of the door guarding the depths stood two identical old men, as if they were twins, hands clasped behind their backs. Thud. Once outside, Sama Bonjeong frowned and looked up as the door closed behind him. “Elders.” He looked at these enigmatic old men, whom the White Snake God referred to as the Black and White Ghostly Killers, and spoke softly. “Please prepare for any situation that might arise.” The two showed no reaction, staring into the empty air like statues guarding a temple. Whish— However, Sama Bonjeong was satisfied, knowing that was enough, and turned around. ‘With these two guarding the door, this place should be fine...’ Since he first saw them, their demeanor had always been the same—obscure eyes, as if sharing one mind, their actions and speech indistinguishable. Even with the commotion outside, they displayed no interest. Their purpose, since ancient times, was singular. To guard the door. Step— Step— While walking, Sama Bonjeong spoke. “What’s happened?” “...Someone’s broken down the main gate.” Answered the voice from atop the roof, causing wrinkles to appear on Sama Bonjeong’s forehead. “Broken down the main gate...?” A response he hadn't expected even in his dreams caused Sama Bonjeong’s face to freeze. “Daring to attack this fortress!” Sama Bonjeong’s voice lowered. “Is it the Murim Alliance? Or the Bichen Guild? Or perhaps another of the Six Emperor Clans?” “Well, it’s...just one person.” “One person?” Sama Bonjeong’s eyebrows twitched. “Then what’s all this commotion about?” “They suddenly broke down the main gate, giving us no time to react.” “...Fools.” Sama Bonjeong glared. “Hurry up and assess the situation.” “Yes, understood.” With those words, the creaking sound of movement on the roof above ended, and they vanished. “...Whoever that crazy person is, they've made up their mind to die.” His steps quickened. Now that he understood the situation, he had to resolve it. Tatata— Soon enough, his walk turned into a sprint, and after crossing the long corridor, what he witnessed was a wall of people. “Who dares break down the gate...?” “What’s going on?” “They say the gate has been destroyed?” “Some lunatic, I tell you.” As the words of the many martial artists who had rushed out amidst the commotion reached his ears, Sama Bonjeong parted his lips. “What are you doing, just standing there?” “Huh!” “Lord General!” “I asked what you’re doing just standing there.” “Well, someone broke down the main gate of the fortress...” “What I’m asking is why you see an intruder and do nothing about it!” Sama Bonjeong’s reprimand turned the martial artists pale, their eyes darting nervously. “It’s…” “With all this time talking, capture the intruder!” “Yes, understood.” The martial artists, who had been blocking the view like a wall, grabbed their weapons and moved quickly. Once they dispersed and the view cleared, Sama Bonjeong was momentarily at a loss for words. The gate that had guarded the Hundred Ghosts Castle like an iron fortress was smashed to pieces. “To think someone could destroy our main gate alone, what an absolute madman…” Sama Bonjeong was taken aback. Before the shattered gate, a young man stood with a nonchalant expression, as though unconcerned by the large number of martial artists before him. As he stared at the young man in disbelief, sweat began to bead on Sama Bonjeong's forehead. ‘Hua... Mountain Sect?! Why is the Mount Hua Sect here? Could it be!?’ He noticed the plum blossom emblem on the young man’s robe, and his face grew stern. ‘Another ambush thwarted? Even employing Dongbangju and Nambangju along with the Hundred Ghost Corps failed; who thwarted us? Was it this young man? Or someone else?’ His head started to overheat as he recalled the information swirling in his mind. Then the young man opened his mouth. “Hmm, about five hundred, it seems.” The voice was calm and small. But even from a significant distance, it rang clearly in Sama Bonjeong’s ears. “Just as I heard.” A shiver ran through his body. Though he couldn’t discern the young man’s martial prowess, his developed sense of smell was warning him. The scent of death emanating from the young man. Sama Bonjeong firmed his gaze and spoke. “...Summon the Northern Leader and the Ghost Execution Team.” * * * Cheon Hwi looked at the martial artists in front of him. The moment the gate broke, martial artists swarmed out from the pristine white fortress like ants. Easily numbering over three hundred. Yet none of them uttered a word. They just gripped their weapons and glared. “A Taoist from the Mount Hua Sect.” At that moment, accompanied by a dignified voice, an elderly man with white hair emerged in front of the martial artists. “Do you understand what you’ve done?” “I broke a gate.” “...” With Cheon Hwi’s reply, the elder and the martial artists’ faces stiffened, and a murderous intent filled the air. A highly volatile situation. Swoosh— Just in time, Hyun Do and Ha Woojin appeared with graceful martial arts maneuvers from the sky. “Did you plan to go alone?” “Going alone is dangerous.” Without glancing at them standing beside him, Cheon Hwi replied indifferently. “Either way, it's the same confrontation.” “You have companions, it seems.” The eyes of the elder, who had been glaring at the two Taoists with astonishing movement techniques, narrowed sharply. "Mount Hua Sect seems ready to wage war with us... Zhongnan Sect?!" His eyes widened in shock. "...Mount Hua and Zhongnan joined forces, is this some scheme of the Murim Alliance?" The elder quickly scanned the surroundings. If Mount Hua and Zhongnan truly joined hands, it was hard to believe that only these three had come to the Hundred Ghosts Castle. Cheon Hwi smiled as he noticed the elder’s reaction. “We’re just the three of us.” “You expect me to believe that?” “Believe it or don’t, it’s your choice.” Hyun Do and Ha Woojin stifled their laughter. The tension they had felt eased upon hearing Cheon Hwi’s tone. “Mount Hua Sect doesn’t engage in cowardly tricks like you.” “Neither does the Zhongnan Sect.” With those words, they drew their swords. The air grew heavy. Thud! The martial artists leaped forward simultaneously. Spears, swords, sabers, bizarre sickles, chains... Using varied weapons, they aimed to take the three’s lives. Swish— Cheon Hwi easily deflected the weapons targeting his vital points and reached out with his hand. Boom! Boom! With the sound of air bursting, the martial artist's armor in his palm was torn apart. “I’ll handle the left side.” “I’ll take the right.” Realizing that being close to each other would hinder their martial arts, Hyun Do and Ha Woojin moved to either side. “They should be fine.” Cheon Hwi pressed forward, effortlessly sweeping away the advancing martial artists like autumn leaves. Crack! Thud! His strikes pierced the midsections of the Hundred Ghosts Castle’s fighters, steadily collecting souls. One, two, three... When more than fifty martial artists who attacked were instead felled, no one was left standing. “Urkk—” “Ugh—” The martial artists, gravely injured by internal impact, squirmed on the ground, clutching their stomachs, spitting blood and bile. “Ugh.” “So noisy.” Cheon Hwi trampled over the groaning men and casually gazed at the serene Hundred Ghosts Castle. “They still won’t all come at once?” Staring at those still inside the castle, Cheon Hwi turned his gaze sideways. Hyun Do and Ha Woojin, who had moved to either side, were showcasing their martial prowess unreservedly against the attackers. Particularly, Hyun Do was fierce. Whirring! He infused his sword with inner strength. The strength, like a skein of thread, wrapped around the blade, summoning sword energy. His glare sharpened in an instant. The power of the Taiyi Mirigong he had mastered reached its pinnacle, unleashed by his fury. Swoosh— Swoosh— Hyun Do’s sword moved quickly. So fast it was hard to follow with the eyes, creating multiple afterimages that soon multiplied to dozens. This was the Plum Blossom Tremor. Slice! The martial artists charging at Hyun Do suddenly ceased motion and collapsed. “Today, I’ll finally avenge my junior disciple.” Staring at the fallen foes, Hyun Do’s eyes brimmed with killing intent. He began his rampage. Blood surged everywhere. Screams filled the air as the martial artists fell. “That face with that behavior, it's intense.” Cheon Hwi watched Hyun Do with an impassive gaze. Hyun Do, with his fierce expression, wielding his deadly sword without mercy, resembled a wrathful demon. “Don’t you think?” Cheon Hwi turned and asked. The man who had attempted a sneak attack was startled to meet Cheon Hwi’s gaze, but swung his chain regardless. Whip— The man attempted to loop the chain around Cheon Hwi’s neck. Reacting swiftly, Cheon Hwi’s hand moved. “Gah!” The chain, caught in his grip, made the man swallow hard. Seeing the bewildered man, Cheon Hwi let out a chilling laugh. Clang! With force, the chain snapped. He infused inner strength into the half-broken chain in his hand and swung it. With a sickening crunch, the man’s arm bent at a grotesque angle. “Aaaah!” With a scream. Crunch! The man’s face was smashed. Cheon Hwi tossed the blood-stained chain carrying brain matter and turned his head. The martial artists who aimed to ambush him were frozen with fear. At that moment. “...Seems like there really aren’t any more of them.” The elderly white-haired man reappeared. “Th-Third Leader!” With his appearance, hope sparked on the faces of the ambushers. “Trying to attack the Hundred Ghosts Castle with just three, they must be mad.” The elder straightened and spoke. Swish— Cheon Hwi looked at the elder. Behind him were thirty men, spinning scythe-chained weapons, directing killing intent at him. The elder shouted at the martial artists with bewildered eyes glancing around. “You’re all just a hindrance. If you don’t want to get hurt hanging around here, get lost.” “Y-Yes, understood.” As the fearful martial artists tried to flee, Cheon Hwi casually lifted a finger. Thud! Thud! A chilling sound followed, and they collapsed as if their strings were cut. “What the...” The elder’s complexion went pale. ‘What did he do?’ The finger was now pointing at the elder. “...!” Startled, the elder yelled in desperation. “Kill, kill him!” Following his orders, the men hurled their scythes. Slicing the air with deadly precision, the scythes headed straight for Cheon Hwi. Swoosh— Yet suddenly Cheon Hwi blurred and vanished. “D-Dimensional Shift?!” The elder cried out in astonishment. Thump! Thump! His subordinates fell one by one. “Wh-When...” The elder glanced sideways, then turned his palm over, his face turning ashen. Crack! With a swift motion, Cheon Hwi shattered the elder’s head and began walking towards the Hundred Ghosts Castle. “Seems I need to take matters into my own hands.”