The Heavenly Demon Divine Sect's Yueyang Branch was in a state of continuous tension.
When the First Young Master arrived leading the elites of the Changsha Division, everyone thought it was just a passing wind.
If there was urgent business, he might stop by.
In the life of a demonic practitioner, how could a wind not blow once in a while? As long as one wasn't blown away by that wind, it would be fine.
But the wind continued to blow.
The next day, martial artists from the Pyeonggang Branch arrived.
Being nearby, they knew their situation well.
The strongest martial artists from the Pyeonggang Branch had arrived.
And they had even opened their armory and donned protective armor.
Starting with them, all the elites of Hunan began to gather.
The elites of the Yiyang Branch arrived, followed by the martial artists of the Hengshan Division.
Someone from the Hengshan Division who was said to be doing so well lately also came, and they could even see the face of the monster rookie who had joined the Yeongheung Branch.
Elites from other divisions and branches also arrived one after another.
Only then did they realize.
It wasn't just a passing wind, but a typhoon.
And their Yueyang Branch was in the eye of the storm.
And today, a piece of news was finally delivered into the heart of the typhoon.
Ho Myeong entered Geom Muyang's room with quick steps.
"A message has come from the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion. They say they've found the female artisan from the Iron Workshop with a burn on the back of her hand."
Even if the number of women working in an Iron Workshop was small, how could there be only one or two such women in the Central Plains? Nevertheless, the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion had produced a result.
Geom Muyang did not doubt the result.
If they said they found her, then they had found her.
Geom Muyang shot up from his seat.
"Let's go."
At Geom Muyang's reaction, ready to go and capture her immediately, Ho Myeong wore a troubled expression.
"But the place the woman belongs to is..."
Ho Myeong carefully added.
"She belongs to the Martial Alliance headquarters' Iron Workshop."
“...”
Geom Muyang's expression hardened.
The most troublesome name to deal with had come up.
Ho Myeong continued with the information sent from the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion.
"The woman's name is Gwak Yeong, twenty-seven years old. She is one of the three artisans of the Martial Alliance headquarters' Iron Workshop."
"An artisan at twenty-seven?"
To become an artisan of the Martial Alliance's Iron Workshop at such a young age, and as a woman, meant that she not only had talent but had also made extreme efforts.
'But she made counterfeit weapons?'
She even met Gu Yong personally to sell the items.
These were parts he couldn't understand.
"It's also been confirmed that she was away from the Iron Workshop around the time she met Gu Yong. But the problem is, they say they lost track of her after she returned to Wuhan. It is presumed that news of the Black Hand Sect incident here reached her."
Judging by her actions, she seemed certain to be the woman they were looking for.
"It seems we'll have to go to Wuhan after all."
Ho Myeong could not answer Geom Muyang's words, which were spoken as if to himself.
The place where the Martial Alliance headquarters was located.
Wuhan was truly a forbidden territory for the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
Moreover, even if they gave notice beforehand, it would be impossible to enter Wuhan leading the elites of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
The Martial Alliance would never permit such an operation.
"I will enter Wuhan alone."
There was a reason for such a decision.
"With all the elites gathered here, they won't expect me to enter Wuhan alone."
At that, Ho Myeong said firmly.
"Absolutely not."
"Is there another way, then?"
Of course, there was no other way.
Even so, sending Geom Muyang there alone was unacceptable.
"Then at least allow me and my subordinates to accompany you."
Ho Myeong stared at Geom Muyang with eyes that said he would never back down.
"If you insist on going alone, you'll have to cut us down first."
Geom Muyang gazed out the window for a moment, lost in thought.
Soon, he nodded his head in permission.
"Fine. Then let's inform only the Division Lord here and slip out quietly."
It meant not telling any of the other martial artists here.
But he had to tell the Division Lord.
If they started searching for the missing First Young Master, rumors would spread quickly.
"Understood. I will find a way for us to leave secretly."
At that, Geom Muyang gestured for him to come and look out the window.
Ho Myeong walked over and stood beside him, looking outside.
A line of carriages and carts delivering goods was arriving there.
As the number of people residing here increased, the number of people coming and going naturally increased as well.
To feed this many people, they had to buy a great deal of cooking ingredients and food, and they also needed more people to wash dishes and clean.
Thus, several times a day, carriages and carts transported food and people.
Ho Myeong understood Geom Muyang's meaning.
"That's right. They don't pay much attention to the departing carts."
While incoming carriages were thoroughly searched, the empty departing carriages and carts were not inspected as rigorously.
A few days later, a large carriage was approaching Wuhan.
"We will arrive in Wuhan soon."
Packed into the rear cargo area were Geom Muyang, Ho Myeong, and the elites of the Changsha Division.
They had taken off their martial robes and were dressed as ordinary laborers.
Some were bare-chested, while others were disguised as old men with wrinkles and beards.
The carriage was disguised as if it were transporting workers to a construction site in Wuhan.
They were more tense than ever before.
Although they were elites of their division, they did not have experience carrying out an operation right in front of the Martial Alliance headquarters.
Instead of reassuring his subordinates, Ho Myeong emphasized the danger.
"As you know, this mission is extremely dangerous."
It was truly a life-or-death mission.
"We will have to face two types of enemies. The ones who made the counterfeit weapons, and the members of the Righteous Path."
In some ways, the masters of the Martial Alliance were more dangerous than the ones making the counterfeit goods.
How could there be only one or two Martial Alliance masters who held a grudge against the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect?
Crucially, since they had not informed the Martial Alliance about this matter, they would have no excuse if they were killed by their hands.
Moreover, this was a mission with none other than the First Young Master.
"Our mission is one. To follow the First Young Master's orders and to protect the First Young Master."
Ho Myeong looked at Geom Muyang and said forcefully.
"We will serve you well so that we can escape safely."
He left out the part, 'even if it means we all die.' Ho Myeong's loyalty was genuine.
Geom Muyang gazed at the approaching Wuhan and replied indifferently.
"I will not be returning on this road alone."
When the Blood Heaven Blade Demon lifted his head and looked out the window, something was floating in the air, flying towards him.
Startled, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon saw a book floating towards him.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon caught the book.
A strange light flashed in his eyes as he confirmed the title, and he immediately began flipping through the pages and reading.
"My goodness, what would you do if the book was poisoned? Reading it right after catching it like that? Sometimes you even lick your finger to turn the pages."
The person who appeared from the distant darkness, falsely accusing him of licking his fingers, was Geom Mugeuk.
Without even looking at Geom Mugeuk, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned a page and said.
"Dying while reading a book wouldn't be so bad."
Geom Mugeuk shouted happily and ran into the room.
"Elder! I've missed you!"
As Geom Mugeuk rushed to embrace him, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood up, cupped his fist respectfully, and showed his courtesy.
"Greetings, Acting Cult Master."
Geom Mugeuk, who had been running towards him, stopped awkwardly.
"Why are you being like this? Between us."
"Do you have any orders for me, Acting Cult Master?"
"It's me. The handsome Young Cult Master who ignored the pleas of the other seven Demon Sovereigns begging me to visit them first after returning, and rushed to see you, Elder. You're really too much!"
Only then did the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's expression soften, and he sat down again.
"Too much? You're the one who's too much, only coming to greet me now."
"That's why I brought a gift, isn't it? It's the book you wanted to read, right? It just so happened to be in the Heavenly Demon Scripture Pavilion."
The book he brought was a collection of essays left by a master from the past.
He had read all the other books left by him, but this was the only one he had not been able to obtain.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, his eyes still on the book, said.
"Don't you know you're not supposed to take books out of there?"
"And yet you're reading it so diligently."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon quickly turned another page.
"Because this is the only chance I'll get to read it."
"No, please read it slowly. I'm giving it to you as a gift."
"You're giving this to me?"
"When you say something like that, you should look at me!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze was still fixed on the book.
"It's a book that can't be given away without the Cult Master's permission, though?"
"Am I not the Cult Master?"
"The Acting Cult Master."
"Then I'll change the rules. Aren't temporary rules still rules? And this is rude to Father too. 'There's a book I want to read, please check if it's in the Heavenly Demon Scripture Pavilion.' What's so hard about saying that, why didn't you ask him?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon read the book in silence.
His special relationship with his father was probably something that couldn't easily be explained with words.
"I hear you've been cooped up in the Heavenly Demon Scripture Pavilion lately?"
"I'm reading with the thought that if not now, when else would I read?"
"A good attitude."
A satisfied smile appeared on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's lips.
"My decision to read books this time is purely because of you, Elder."
"Because of me?"
"After meeting you, I learned the joy of reading, didn't I?"
"You haven't even read that much. You always dozed off after a few pages."
Geom Mugeuk pretended not to hear and continued.
"Ah, our Elder is so strong because he reads so many books. That's why he's so cool. If I also read a lot of books, wouldn't I be able to overcome the wall of martial arts that's currently blocking me?"
Believing firmly in those words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon even nodded his head and said.
"No matter how high the wall, if you stack books like stairs, you will one day be able to climb to the top."
It was a way of saying to step on those books and overcome the wall.
"If you can't climb it, it's because you haven't read enough books."
"I'll probably be the first Young Cult Master to try and overcome the next level of the Nine Calamities Demon Art through books."
After a brief pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said.
"That's why your Nine Calamities Demon Art will be the strongest."
When Geom Mugeuk looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, he was still looking at the book, and this time, when the Blood Heaven Blade Demon slyly lifted his head to look, Geom Mugeuk was looking at the bookshelf.
"There are a lot of new books I haven't seen before."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon may have taken his words as flattery or a joke, but his influence was indeed a big reason why he decided to enter the Heavenly Demon Scripture Pavilion.
Geom Mugeuk took out this book and that from the bookshelf and examined them.
How much time had passed like that?
"Take this book back."
"Why? I told you it's a gift."
"It's fine. I'll ask the Cult Master for it later."
Geom Mugeuk sent him a suspicious glance.
"You've already finished it, haven't you?"
Seeing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinch, Geom Mugeuk launched an offensive.
"Of course you must have finished it. A moment ago, you were barely listening to me because you were reading, right? Right? You didn't even look at my face once, did you? Didn't that book have a subtitle like this? My Young Cult Master, Traded for a Book!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon finally broke into a wide smile.
It had been a while since he read a good book, and exchanging jokes with Geom Mugeuk like this was so enjoyable.
Just then, Jeok-yeon's report came from outside.
"Grand Strategist Sama Myeong requests your presence at the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion."
Until now, he had delivered news directly about what had happened.
But being asked to meet at the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion meant something had happened.
"Elder, I'm leaving. I'll see you later."
"Take the book!"
Geom Mugeuk caught the book that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon carefully sent over with his energy, tucked it into his robes, and disappeared from sight.
After he left, as the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was about to sit down again, he saw a book he hadn't seen before placed where Geom Mugeuk had been.
As if anticipating he wouldn't accept it, he had even prepared a note.
—The Main Sect won't collapse just because one poetry collection goes missing from the Heavenly Demon Scripture Pavilion.
That book was also one the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had been unable to obtain and read.
It was a book he wanted even more than the previous one.
Geom Mugeuk had remembered this book, which he had mentioned in passing sometime ago.
"You're still the same, even as the Acting Cult Master."
He probably wouldn't change even when he became the Cult Master.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sat down with a deep smile and began to read the book.
This time, he started turning the pages very slowly.
Even licking his finger once.
Geom Mugeuk had already heard the news that his brother was headed to Wuhan.
The reason Sama Myeong had called him today was because someone else was also heading to Wuhan.
A flag was placed on the terrain map.
The character written on the flag was 'Han,' meaning cold.
A master represented by a flag from the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion meant that they were a master of considerable skill.
"Han Wol-gaek is on his way to Wuhan."
Han Wol-gaek was a master of the Righteous Path who had lost his family to demonic practitioners in the past.
Thus, he was someone with a deep grudge against the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
"Coincidentally, after the First Young Master left for Wuhan, he also headed to Wuhan."
It could be a coincidence, or it might not be.
If it were only this, he wouldn't have called for Geom Mugeuk.
"Han Wol-gaek is a person of interest to our Sect, so we are always tracking his movements. However…"
A new flag was placed on the terrain map.
This time, it was 'Byeok,' meaning jade green or blue.
"While investigating another matter, we coincidentally discovered that the Jade Mountain Sword is also heading to Wuhan."
He too was a master skilled enough to have his own unique flag.
The problem was the timing.
At the very time the First Young Master headed to Wuhan, two renowned masters of the Righteous Path were heading there.
Geom Mugeuk's gaze deepened.
"If they are going because of my brother, then there must be someone behind the scenes who can move at least two flags."
He didn't know how these two masters were connected to the person behind this incident, but in any case, they were masters representing the Righteous Path.
Even if they attacked, they weren't people who could just be killed carelessly.
Especially not in Wuhan.
Sama Myeong said carefully.
"At least two."
What if other masters that the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion hadn't identified also joined them?
"Please order the First Young Master to return."
He was probably saying this because his instincts as a strategist were telling him something was wrong.
"My brother will not return."
Geom Mugeuk stared at Sama Myeong.
Even in this situation, Sama Myeong did not try to send him.
Indeed, the more dangerous the situation became, the more reluctant he would be to send him out.
Even though he hadn't asked to be sent, Sama Myeong spoke first, firmly.
"I cannot allow it."
Geom Mugeuk obediently nodded.
He knew well that Sama Myeong considered protecting the successor of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect more important than any other mission.
In fact, it was a matter he would have to consider even if Sama Myeong asked him to go.
For him to go when the danger hadn't been clearly identified? That was a poor strategy.
A choice to ignore his brother's pride and his request, solely to save his life.
Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to the green Demon Sovereign flag on the terrain map.
Sama Myeong's gaze naturally followed.
"Are you worried that the Poison King won't be able to handle it?"
"No, I'm worried he'll handle it too well."
Sama Myeong also understood what that meant and nodded silently.
What if a situation unfolded where the Poison King carried out a massacre in Wuhan?
It meant that the most powerful war deterrent in the Martial World was currently on the front lines.
The Poison King and his brother were both very hard-line people.
People who would never break.
Someone was needed to take their place.
"Please relay this situation to one person."
Thus, the news was delivered to one person.
A short while later, the soldier who had gone to deliver the message under Geom Mugeuk's orders returned.
He returned and placed a new flag on the terrain map.
The flag of the one his brother trusted the most, the one who understood his brother the best—it was a golden flag.
"The Demon Buddha left for Wuhan a short while ago."