Book 28 Chapter 3

Delivering a Letter

—Woman’s World

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!

"Stop!"

Two tall female warriors guarding the main gate of the vast estate shouted at a fine horse galloping from afar, kicking up dust. The female warrior on the right held a silver spear as thick as a man's forearm, while the one on the left wielded a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, the kind Guan Yu might have used. Both women were in no way inferior to nine-foot-tall men in stature. Furthermore, the stern aura emanating from their entire beings far surpassed that of ordinary martial artists.

However, the brown fine horse, galloping with its breath ragged as if it were about to die, showed no signs of slowing down.

"I warn you again! Stop! Next time, I'll cut you!"

The two tall female warriors shouted this time, infusing their voices with internal energy. Their skill was far beyond what one would expect from mere security guards at a main gate. Indeed, what sect would station female warriors as guards at its main gate?

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!

However, the fine horse's speed did not decrease; instead, it seemed to accelerate, as if squeezing out its last ounce of strength.

"Halt the intruder [止]!"

Pang!

The thick silver spear held by the tall female warrior on the right pierced the air and lunged towards the charging fine horse.

Even though there was still about three zhang left before reaching the fine horse, the formidable spear energy shot out with a loud sonic boom, piercing the horse's torso and passing through it.

"Execute the intruder [斬]!"

The female warrior on the left swung the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, which must have weighed at least a hundred jin, with a whoosh.

Shwooooosh!

A streak of white blade light flew in a crescent moon trajectory.

Swerve!

A large hole was blasted open in the chest of the galloping fine horse, and blood splattered. Simultaneously, the horse's head was severed as it collapsed, breaking its legs.

"What!"

Normally, the rider should have been cut in half along with the horse's head. However, only the horse's head fell to the ground. The rider had already launched themselves into the air.

"You've managed to evade the first strike of our Divine Family's General! But you won't get any further."

The man in the air tried to say something to them, but it seemed he couldn't speak properly, only opening and closing his mouth.

Pang! Whoosh!

The silver spear and the Green Dragon Crescent Blade simultaneously cleaved through the air.

Clang! Clang!

The man blocked their attacks with the sword he drew and, using the intersecting spear and blade as a stepping stone, launched himself into the main gate.

After flying five zhang into the gate, the intruder rolled twice to cushion their landing and then knelt on one knee, coming to a complete stop.

Chajajajajajajang!

Suddenly, dozens of sword tips flew from all directions, precisely aiming for his throat. All the sword owners were women.

The man, still unable to rise, panted heavily.

"To invade the Divine Horse Manor in broad daylight, you've got some nerve. Let's see your face!"

A slender woman, who appeared to be the leader of these women, appeared confidently beyond the forest of swords, with a long, dark spear resting on her shoulder. She was taller than most men, with a sturdy build, and her features were more stern than beautiful.

"Seventh Young Lady!"

"Young Lady Hyo-hyo!"

The women parted, making way for her.

The spear-wielding woman wore a black martial arts uniform with short sleeves and a long, slit skirt. With each striding step, her firm thighs, glimpsed through the skirt, and her gracefully extended, slender legs exuded a healthy vitality that captured the eye. She was the seventh daughter of this household, Gal Hyo-hyo.

"Wow… Isn't that him, the 'intruder' we've only heard about? We should catch him and take a commemorative portrait!"

Hyo-hyo approached leisurely, as if to inspect the spectacle, and confirmed the intruder's face.

The intruder was panting heavily, as if from a long journey, and was an old man with white hair and a rather unhealthy complexion. He was also bandaged diagonally across his chest, suggesting he was injured. The moment she recognized his face, Hyo-hyo's eyes widened.

"Grandpa Sword Demon?"

The man, surrounded by the women's swords, had two sword scars running diagonally across his face, like a half-formed 'X' character.

He was none other than Sword Demon Cho Wol, one of the Black Heaven Ten Peaks.

Why was he, one of the ten great masters of the Black Heaven Alliance, in such a state, at such a time, and in such a place?

It wasn't that he hadn't revealed his identity; it seemed he was too out of breath to do so. And yet, he had sustained such severe injuries.

She recognized at a glance that the wound, still bleeding, was a sword wound. Who could possibly inflict a sword wound on the Sword Demon? A bad premonition began to creep in.

"Hah-huk-huk!"

Panting heavily, Sword Demon Cho Wol pulled out a tightly sealed letter from his bosom and barely managed to open his mouth.

"To the Great Madam… I have urgent words for the Divine Horse Manor…!"

The fact that a master like Sword Demon was carrying it himself in his injured state… Hyo-hyo's sharp eyebrows furrowed deeply.

Accompanied by Hyo-hyo to the outer hall, Sword Demon was handed over to Gal Hyo-hong, the virtuous second daughter of the Divine Horse Manor, dressed in a crimson silk robe, and guided inside. Passing through the inner courtyard and along the corridor next to the training ground, Sword Demon silently looked up at the majestic main residence situated in the center of the inner hall, with a beautiful garden behind it.

Hyunwol Hall (玄月展).

This was where the mistress, who effectively managed the Divine Horse Manor, resided. Even the Sword Demon could not help but bow his head. In fact, he not only bowed his head but also held his breath, trembling. His tension was evident.

Following Hyo-hong, who guided him with a calm demeanor, Sword Demon blinked and ascended to Hyunwol Hall. As he entered with hesitant steps, he saw about a dozen women of various appearances, including Hyo-hong and Hyo-hyo, standing neatly on either side. And in the center, on a large rosewood chair, sat a woman clad in black, as dark as the midnight sky.

"This commoner, Cho Wol, pays his respects to the Great Madam."

As soon as he saw the woman, Sword Demon collapsed to the ground and bowed deeply in greeting.

This black-clad woman was the Great Madam 'Muhwa (無化),' the actual mistress who managed everything in the Divine Horse Manor and the first wife of the Martial God, Gal Jung-hyeok.

The black-clad woman, gazing at the prostrate Sword Demon with eyes as deep and dark as an abyss, asked,

"You have words to deliver?"

"…Yes."

"Well, what is the news?"

Perhaps she had already guessed it would not be good news. Her voice, though seemingly indifferent, held a certain weight.

"That is…"

Sword Demon, his voice trembling, could not continue.

This woman had been with the Martial God Gal Jung-hyeok for the past hundred years, and was a valiant woman who had founded the Black Heaven Alliance with him, a legendary figure. Sword Demon Cho Wol had once served under her, and he still considered that time an honor. How could he easily convey 'that' to such a woman?

Noticing Sword Demon's unusual demeanor, the woman's gaze slowly swept over him, finally resting on a white bundle hanging on his back.

"Bring it here."

At those words, Sword Demon's shoulders trembled as if he had been wounded in the chest.

"I obey."

Thump! Thump! Thump!

After bowing his forehead to the ground three times, Sword Demon unfastened the white bundle on his back and laid it on the floor.

Inside was a neatly folded set of upper garments. The clothes were stained a dark red with blood.

With trembling hands, Sword Demon lifted the blood-stained clothes to his head, crawled on his knees to the woman's face, and carefully presented them.

"Th-this clothing…"

As Sword Demon's voice, choked with emotion, faded, the air in the chamber grew chillingly cold. A sharp silence pierced the depths of the lungs.

The woman, who seemed unshakable like a mountain no matter what, slowly unfolded the clothes with a slightly trembling hand.

With a rustle, the clothes were spread open.

Sharp, diamond-shaped holes were pierced in the back and front of the upper garment, and blood had spread from these areas.

"What happened, Cho Wol!"

A thunderous shout erupted from the woman's lips. The immense pressure that seemed to crush his entire body almost made the Sword Demon vomit blood. Tears welled up in the Sword Demon's eyes as he looked up at the black-clad woman, and then trickled down his scarred cheek.

"The Alliance Leader…! He was murdered!"

"What?! Impossible! Who would dare harm that child!"

CRASH!

Unable to contain her emotions, she struck the floor with her right hand and leaped from her seat. The rosewood handle of the chair immediately turned to powder.

Sword Demon Cho Wol, tears streaming down his face, prostrated himself before her and cried out in sobs,

"The hateful culprit was the Heaven-Smiting Alliance Leader, Na Baek-cheon! That villain!"

Sway!

The woman in black, known as Hyun-ui (玄衣), stumbled and grasped the dragon-headed staff standing beside her chair, striking the floor.

CRASH!

With a shockwave that reverberated throughout Hyunwol Hall, cracks began to spread across the floor. Her falling body regained its balance. Her feet were now embedded more than an inch deep into the floor. Her body was frozen like a stone statue from the shock.

At that moment, a woman to the right of Hyun-ui, glaring at Sword Demon with blazing eyes, stepped forward and shouted,

"Nonsense! How can that be true?! Speak the truth, truthfully!"

She was the second wife of Gal Jung-hyeok, the second mistress of the Divine Horse Manor, Dan Hye, with fiery red hair like burning flames. Her gaze, as if about to burn the Sword Demon to ashes, made the sobbing Sword Demon unable to lift his head from the floor.

Then, a woman standing to the left of Hyun-ui spoke with an icy voice,

"Have you come here to plunge the Divine Horse Manor into chaos and weep? Sword Demon Cho Wol, state the facts precisely and fulfill your duty here."

Her voice, chilling to the bone, jolted Sword Demon awake. He glared, his eyes wide.

"Sword Demon Cho Wol reports! It was… it was… a cowardly sneak attack, stabbing him in the back!"

* * *

"……!"

Sword Demon's eyes widened as if they would tear open. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The scene unfolding before him was that unbelievable. In the heart of the Black Heaven Alliance, in its innermost sanctum, what was happening? Futile questions echoed in Sword Demon's mind.

'It must be a lie, right? A nightmare, right?'

For a moment, his mind refused to comprehend the situation. It was a scene so far removed from reality.

Na Baek-cheon was looking at his own hands. And in his hands, he held a white sword, stained red with blood.

The famous White Sword, known to all in the martial arts world. Sword Demon had even clashed with it once. It was indeed the beloved sword of Na Baek-cheon, the leader of the White Dao Alliance's Heaven-Smiting Alliance – the white lightning 'Baek-rye' (White Lightning). There was no doubt it was that sword.

The sword's edge and his hand were drenched in crimson blood. The original owner of that blood was now slumped over the desk in his usual office.

In a pool of blood.

Seeing all this, anger and hatred towards Na Baek-cheon, the mastermind behind it all, finally filled Sword Demon's pupils. However, someone moved before him.

"You scoundrel!"

The person who charged at Na Baek-cheon, roaring, wore a mask. It was the Pavilion Master of Macheon.

"How dare you assassinate the Black Heaven Alliance Leader! Can you still call yourself the leader of the Heaven-Smiting Alliance, Na Baek-cheon!"

Macheon Pavilion Master unleashed a palm strike, attacking Na Baek-cheon. Tremendous internal energy swirled around his palm.

"Th-this is a frame-up!"

Dodging the deadly palm strike, Na Baek-cheon protested urgently. But Na Baek-cheon himself must have known that his excuse wouldn't work.

"Shut up! You, the leader of the Heaven-Smiting Alliance, still making cowardly excuses in this state! Na Baek-cheon, you're utterly pathetic!"

Macheon Pavilion Master delivered a second palm strike without hesitation.

"I know you won't believe me! But the truth is the truth!"

Dodging Macheon Pavilion Master's palm strike, Na Baek-cheon shouted again. Each of Macheon Pavilion Master's palm strikes was accompanied by an immense internal energy that could crumble mountains, making it difficult for even Na Baek-cheon to find an opening for a counterattack.

"Take that pathetic excuse to the Yama's Palace!"

At that moment, Macheon Pavilion Master's hand cleaved the air. From his hand, something invisible, not sword energy, not palm force, but an intangible energy, flew towards Na Baek-cheon. Aiming for him, to cut him down.

Na Baek-cheon swung Baek-rye, still stained with red blood, to deflect the invisible attack. Na Baek-cheon's Baek-rye precisely cut through the invisible trajectory.

And at that moment, the invisible blade suddenly split into dozens of pieces. The dozens of invisible blades, exuding killing intent, shot from all directions to tear Na Baek-cheon apart. Na Baek-cheon forcibly twisted the trajectory of his sword and hastily conjured a sword barrier, but the attack pierced through the defense and shredded Na Baek-cheon's chest.

"Kuk!"

The Macheon Pavilion Master's attack passed through Na Baek-cheon's defense as if it were air and inflicted a wound on his chest. It must have been a rather deep wound. Na Baek-cheon's blood splattered into the air and fell into the pool of blood.

"This is all a conspiracy! It's someone's plan! I didn't kill the Alliance Leader!"

Swallowing his groans, Na Baek-cheon shouted.

"Let's talk, not fight, communicate!"

Macheon Pavilion Master and Sword Demon were enraged by his seemingly wronged tone.

"The evidence is clear! Yet you still make excuses? Just admit it and come at me, you villain!"

Then Na Baek-cheon shouted.

"I cannot admit to a sin I did not commit. I am innocent. I have done nothing wrong. Above all, there's no reason!"

Suppressed groans escaping him, Na Baek-cheon pleaded his innocence.

"Is that so, really?"

Macheon Pavilion Master pointed a finger towards Na Baek-cheon's chest.

Thud! Thump!

The next moment, Sword Demon saw something fall out of the torn front of Na Baek-cheon's robe, along with blood.

"That, that is!"

A cry of shock escaped Sword Demon Cho Wol.

Na Baek-cheon's face turned ashen. It was a look of realization, but it was too late.

Because of his extensive experience in the martial world, Sword Demon recognized the sinister object at once.

"Soul-Shattering Poison Dagger (쇄혼독비)!"

Its dark body and the bas-relief carvings of two black scorpions on it were undoubtedly the cursed, forbidden weapon, the Soul-Shattering Poison Dagger. It was not something a person with good intentions would hide.

"You accursed wretch! You dared to murder our Alliance Leader!"

Complete certainty filled Sword Demon Cho Wol's mind. The fact that Na Baek-cheon, the leader of the Heaven-Smiting Alliance, had assassinated the Black Heaven Alliance Leader.

"I've been set up, Cho Wol! Why would I assassinate Alliance Leader Gal? Why?!"

However, after witnessing the Soul-Shattering Poison Dagger, he had no more doubts.

"Shut up, Na clan! I will not listen to any more of your dirty excuses! Surrender immediately and pay for your crime!"

Sword Demon now fully drew his sword and joined the fray. A terrifyingly swift swordplay flew towards Na Baek-cheon, intending to cleave him into pieces.

With the addition of Sword Demon, one of the Black Heaven Ten Peaks, to Macheon Pavilion Master's attack, Na Baek-cheon began to show signs of exhaustion. It was clear that as time passed, even Na Baek-cheon would have no chance of winning.

Gritting his teeth, Na Baek-cheon retaliated. It seemed he had given up on mere verbal excuses.

He twisted his sword to deflect Sword Demon's attack, then unleashed 'White Lightning Flash' (백뢰일섬), a counter-attack technique from the White Lightning Piercing Heaven Sword Style.

Shh-k!

The tip of Na Baek-cheon's sword swept diagonally across Sword Demon's body, drawing red blood.

"Kuk!"

"I'm sorry, Cho Wol! But I can't die here! Not until I prove my innocence!"

"Nonsense, villain!"

With a face that seemed to say he had no choice, Na Baek-cheon exclaimed.

"Hundred Lightning Strikes!"

Baek-rye unleashed dozens of sword energies, and volleys of sword energy swept past Macheon Pavilion Master and Sword Demon.

An attack that left no choice but to block or evade. Macheon Pavilion Master and Sword Demon, who were about to attack Na Baek-cheon again, were forced to switch to defense. At that moment,

CRASH!

A tremendous impact swept through the office, accompanied by swirling dust. In that brief moment when the dust obscured their vision like fog, Na Baek-cheon used his high-speed instant movement technique, 'White Lightning Flash Step' (백뢰섬보), to escape the office. However…

"Vulgar ruffian. This childish trick!"

Chaaaaaaah!

The dust was torn apart like fabric by a curtain of sword light from Macheon Pavilion Master's single strike.

Na Baek-cheon had succeeded in escaping the office, widening his maneuverability, but it was too soon to celebrate.

Beeeeeeeep!

Immediately after escaping the dust, Sword Demon blew an emergency whistle he kept for duty. With the sound of a high-pitched flute, the security guards of Macheon Pavilion, stationed around, converged instantly. Their mobilization was faster than imaginable.

The Black Heaven Alliance was not idle either. They conducted emergency mobilization drills twice a day, changing locations each time. This was why such a rapid assembly was possible. And this worked very unfavorably for Na Baek-cheon.

"Black Heaven warriors, immediately deploy the 'Eight-Lock Formation' (팔쇄진)!"

Eight-Lock Formation meant an eight-layered encirclement. Over a hundred warriors moved in perfect unison, forming concentric rings of encirclement.

"Black Heaven warriors, subdue this assassin immediately!"

Sword Demon pointed at Na Baek-cheon and shouted.

The assassin Na Baek-cheon's disadvantage was clear. However, he possessed the skill to become the leader of the Heaven-Smiting Alliance. Dozens of lightning bolts, tearing through the darkness, flashed incessantly. Each time the white lightning split the darkness, screams of Black Heaven warriors echoed through the night sky.

"Reporting! The intruder has broken through the Eight-Lock Formation and escaped over the Black Heaven Alliance's walls."

A thunderous roar erupted from Sword Demon's lips.

"You scoundrel!"

Clutching his bleeding chest, Sword Demon gritted his teeth.

Grind!

He gnashed his teeth so hard that blood flowed from the corners of his mouth.

"Immediately deploy the area encirclement and pursuit formation, 'Heavenly Net, Gate-less Formation' (천라지망 무문진)! You must not let him escape! Kkrek!"

His qi and blood were agitated due to his rage, and the sword wound widened. The blood flowing from the opened wound stained his upper garment red. Because it was a sword wound inflicted by the Supreme Heavenly Sword Technique, the shock extended not only to his flesh but also to his internal organs.

Sword Demon's body staggered.

"Get treatment quickly…"

Clank!

He violently shook off the hand of a subordinate trying to support him and stood firm.

"Shut up! There's no time for that! By my authority, request an urgent emergency meeting!"

Walking away from his subordinate, Sword Demon shouted in a voice filled with rage and hatred.

"It's war!"

* * *

CRASH!

Cracks began to spread in all directions around Hyunwol Hall, centered on the dragon-headed staff that the stone-like Hyun-ui had slammed down with force.

The hall reverberated with painful tremors, as if anyone who entered would have their skin burst just by touching it.

The Hyun-ui, who had personally given birth to and raised Gal Jung-cheon, whose body had now turned to stone, as well as his blood relatives who shared the same blood flowing within their bodies as the murdered man, and even the mistresses of the Divine Horse Manor who had doted on him, all trembled as if their hearts were being pierced by a heated blade. No, it wasn't their bodies trembling, but their souls.

Jiiiiiiiiing!

The air in Hyunwol Hall was violently shaken by the convulsion of their souls.

"This… is a lie."

A pained moan flowed from the depths of Hyun-ui's lungs, as if her chest were being slowly sawed by a blunt blade.

"This… is a dream!"

It was a cry of pain, so intense it could be called a scream. The woman glared at Sword Demon as if she could tear him apart at any moment and shouted,

"Speak quickly! That this is all a lie! That the child is still alive! Quickly!"

However, Sword Demon, shedding silent tears, finally struck his forehead on the ground and cried out,

"Please…! Kill me!"

Thump!

He struck his head on the ground with such force that it echoed. His forehead immediately began to bleed.

"Great Madam…!"

Thump!

Flesh tore from his forehead, and blood splattered onto the floor.

For a moment, Hyun-ui, staring blankly at the scene, found her eyes filling with a transparent mist of deep despair.

Sword Demon struck his forehead on the ground even harder and cried out,

"For failing to protect my master!"

Thump!

"Kill me!"

Gasp!

The once-cracked floor of Hyunwol Hall was stained red with a handful of vibrant blood.

"Mistress!"

"Eldest Sister!"

The women cried out in surprise upon seeing Hyun-ui, who had vomited blood from the agitation of her qi and blood due to grief and shock. Clutching her chest and staggering greatly, she raised her hand to ward off the women who rushed to support her.

"I… I merely…"

She struggled to steady her trembling voice, her hand gripping the dragon-headed staff so tightly it turned white.

"Everyone… please withdraw from here…"

"Mistress!"

"Great Madam!"

As the women and Sword Demon, with faces contorted by sobs and anguish, bowed deeply and retreated from the hall, the mist that had swelled like crimson dew in her bloodshot eyes fell onto the bloodstain wetting the floor. Red teardrops caused ripples in the pool of blood she had just vomited.

With the crimson ripples spreading outward from the pool of blood, her world also collapsed.

Her heart was being torn into a thousand pieces.

She could no longer hear anything, see anything.

She could only feel the torment of being thrown into the fires of hell, surrounded by thousands of demons tearing at her insides, piece by piece. The more she writhed in grief and sorrow, the more an unknown pain weighed down her soul with a force of tens of thousands of pounds, suffocating her.

Sssshhh…

A faint black aura began to emanate from her body like a hazy mist.

The flowers in the hall touched by the black mist began to wither rapidly.

Fssssss.

The plants decorating the interior of Hyunwol Hall blackened and died as if scorched by fire in the blink of an eye. A sorrowful killing intent spread outwards like ten thousand spears.

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

Her explosive scream of despair shook the very tiles of the hall.

Rumble!

The hall shook as if an earthquake had struck.

From the depths of her heart, something began to consume her body and mind, burning fiercely. Engulfed in flames of remorse, she stumbled out of Hyunwol Hall. She couldn't bear to stay in the stuffy hall, feeling as if she would be crushed.

The women and Sword Demon, who had been told to leave but were now sobbing in front of Hyunwol Hall, had the sunset setting upon their heads.

It was a beautiful sunset. While her son, with holes in his body, was rotting away where her eyes couldn't reach, the world was painting the rear garden of Hyunwol Hall and the lakeside in a beautiful crimson hue, as if celebrating a festival.

The moment she saw that beautiful sight, her dark, deep eyes sank into the abyss.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

With each step she took towards the sunset reflecting on the rear garden, her footsteps shook the ground like drumbeats. The dragon-headed staff, laden with the weight of her sorrow, tore through the earth.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

She walked as if in a daze along the lakeside created next to Hyunwol Hall. Then, golden carps began to float up from the lake she passed. The lake was soon filled with only death.

With every step she took, the plants screamed, and the grass she stepped on withered and died.

She opened the back door and walked into the small forest that lay behind the rear garden. No one dared to stop her as she walked, consumed by her grief. All the women within the estate were slumped on the ground, weeping.

The green forest spread out behind the estate. This was the place where she had raised her children and taught them martial arts with her two younger sisters. Her son had also learned martial arts and knowledge from her here.

A place where every tree, flower, and stone held memories.

A moment later, a heartbroken cry, like a broken string, echoed from within.

That cry shook the Divine Horse Manor with sorrow.

No one could help but cry upon hearing that cry. Everyone knelt on the ground, beating their chests and weeping.

* * *

The injured were immediately moved to the infirmary.

Since Hyuk-joong's current location was the infirmary, they decided to move them there.

Cheonmu Academy was too far away. Not a few people were injured while escaping Macheon Pavilion. Among them, Namgung Sansan, Hyun Woon, and Noh Hak, along with several others, were in critical condition, close to death. It was too difficult to travel further away from Ganghoran Island with so many seriously ill patients.

Of course, the fact that Ganghoran Island was within Macheon Pavilion's sphere of influence was a cause for concern. However, they didn't think Macheon Pavilion would dare to harm Hyuk-joong, the elder. And they believed they had hidden themselves well. The evidence of their arrival on this island had already sunk to the bottom of this lake.

Currently, the safest place was, in fact, Ganghoran Island.

There were also almost no Macheon Pavilion spies snooping around. It was as if they had receded like the tide.

"This is what they call 'darkness under the lamp'."

Bi Ryu-yeon said with a smirk as he looked out the window from the second floor of the infirmary.

"They think we're out of our minds, don't they?"

Namgung Sang followed up.

"If they were sane, they wouldn't have fled to Ganghoran Island. It's so close to Macheon Pavilion, you could practically sneeze on it, right?"

"Yes, the Macheon Pavilion pursuit teams are likely expanding their search radius along the path leading to Cheonmu Academy."

Naturally, surveillance on Ganghoran Island had weakened more than usual. They had dispatched more personnel to broaden the search scope.

"Moreover, Elder Yeom-do, Elder Bing-geom, the Divine Nun Jin So-ryeong, and the First Sword of Jeongchang, Great Hero Yoo Eun-seong, are all here."

Just the fact that they were being protected made Namgung Sang feel reassured.

"And there's 'that' old man. No matter how daring someone is, they wouldn't dare to mess with that old man, would they?"

"Who is that person, anyway?"

Namgung Sang still didn't know the identity of this 'old man.' However, seeing how respectfully Yeom-do, Bing-geom, Jin So-ryeong, and Yoo Eun-seong treated him, he could only guess that he was of extremely high status.

"You don't need to know yet. There's no benefit in knowing."

"Why?"

He didn't think there were any scoundrels daring enough to trifle with legends. That would be equivalent to provoking the entire dark martial arts world. However, all detailed explanations were omitted.

"You'll die if you know."

A terrifying smile formed on Bi Ryu-yeon's lips.

"D-die? Will we be exterminated?"

Was it a secret that needed to be guarded so fiercely? To that, Bi Ryu-yeon shook his head.

"Extermination? Don't be so scary. No, you'll die of a heart attack."

"H-heart attack?"

"Yes, from surprise."

With that, Bi Ryu-yeon closed his mouth. It meant not to ask any further questions. Although his curiosity continued to rise, Namgung Sang had to suppress it for now.

'I'll find out someday.'

What was important now was the assurance that they were being safely protected.

"If things go wrong, this place will become a battlefield too."

At Bi Ryu-yeon's offhand remark, a sense of tension surged through Namgung Sang's chest. That's right, this was still enemy territory. It wouldn't be strange for a battle to break out at any moment. For now, it was important to minimize that possibility. And they needed the strength to fight back if necessary.

"Rest for now."

There were still many injured. There were also casualties.

Namgung Sansan and Hyun Woon had not yet woken up from their comas. Noh Hak, who had lost an arm, was the same.

There were also many casualties.

'Mun-hye…'

Thinking of the empty spot in the Vermilion Bird Brigade, Namgung Sang grew melancholic again.

If only I had a little more strength, it wouldn't have ended like this…

Seeing his melancholic expression, Bi Ryu-yeon tutted.

"Fool, don't blame yourself. You don't have the luxury for that now. Just rest. We'll deal with your sulking later."

"Yes…"

He answered, but his voice lacked strength.

"You should go now. Go and rest."

Namgung Sang said his farewells and left the room.

Scratch, scratch.

Bi Ryu-yeon scratched the back of his head and muttered.

"This is serious."

Namgung Sang was already prone to sulking, but the problem was that the others in the Vermilion Bird Brigade were the same. They were in a state of complete despair. The death of their comrade, Dang Mun-hye, must have been that shocking.

What they needed most now was rest.

They needed to rest their wounded hearts and regain their lost energy.

But their rest was not to be long.

A day passed, then two, and Baek-seom did not return.

Ye-cheong looked up at the sky where Baek-seom had flown multiple times a day. The sky was only chillingly blue, and it did not bring the news she awaited.

As days turned into nights, and the sun rose and set repeatedly, her anxiety only grew.

However, Ye-cheong forced herself to suppress this anxiety.

Everything would work out. Baek-seom's absence must be due to some misunderstanding. But in her heart, her anxiety only intensified, rather than subsiding.

'Please… my husband, be safe…'

"Something terrible has happened, something terrible!"

Namgung Jin, a practitioner of the Signal Method, kicked open the infirmary door.

Inside, Chil-sang-heun was being treated while asleep. He had not yet regained consciousness. It seemed the poison had been neutralized, but his body was maintaining its sleep state to heal itself. They were told not to worry, as he was merely sleeping, not unconscious.

On the next bed lay Namgung Sansan and Hyun Woon, and on the bed next to them, only a blood-stained bandage remained on the white bedding. It was the spot where Noh Hak had lain until yesterday.

"This is an infirmary, Honored Protector Namgung. It is a place that requires quiet. Please calm down."

Ye-cheong warned him. But Namgung Jin, unable to calm down, shook his head.

"I-I can't, Madam!"

He showed no signs of calming down.

Ye-cheong found it odd. It was rare for the head of a clan to be so flustered that he forgot himself.

Namgung Jin looked around. He seemed to be urgently checking if anyone was present.

"Where is he?"

Ye-cheong quickly understood that he was referring to Elder Hyuk-joong. Namgung Jin seemed to wish that Elder Hyuk-joong would not hear his story.

"Why? Is it something he shouldn't hear?"

"That…"

"Calm down and tell me, Honored Protector Namgung. What exactly has happened?"

Namgung Jin swallowed dryly and slowly opened his mouth.

"You need to calm down and listen."

"Don't worry. I always maintain my composure."

Ye-cheong replied.

"I think it would be best if you sat down."

Why was he acting like this today? The head of the Namgung family, who was always composed, was showing none of his usual demeanor.

"I'm fine standing."

Ye-cheong insisted. Namgung Jin, having no choice, finally opened his mouth.

"The Black Heaven Alliance has declared a full-scale war against the Heaven-Smiting Alliance."

Ye-cheong's body stiffened, as if frozen.

She wasn't the only one who froze. Yeom-do, Bing-geom, and Gucheonhak, who had just entered, also stiffened.

"A war between righteous and evil… No, it can't be…"

The three looked at each other and fell silent. Seeing the stiffened faces of each other, they confirmed that what they had just heard was not an auditory hallucination.

"Tell me, Honored Protector Namgung, I'd appreciate it if you'd retract such a cheap joke."

Bing-geom frowned and looked at Namgung Jin. He had known Namgung Jin for a long time, having been a Great Warrior at Cheonmu Academy. However, Namgung Jin shook his head with a dark, shadowed face, as if apologizing for being unable to fulfill Bing-geom's wish.

"What is the reason? A war so sudden? It's unbelievable."

Ye-cheong's question was entirely natural.

War did not normally happen overnight. It occurred when minor clashes were repeated, leading to rising discontent on both sides, accumulating into malice that then escalated into intent to fight, and finally exploded when it reached a certain tipping point. Especially a full-scale war, not a localized conflict, was a highly political act. For the common people caught in it, it was a horrific nightmare and hell, but from the perspective of those at the top, it was a political choice. Because when war broke out, the common people died first, and those at the top died last.

Even so, when war broke out, the common people, whether they won or lost, often died like expendable items, and both sides had to endure immense losses. Therefore, in most cases, war did not occur unless significant gains were at stake.

Yet, a full-scale war without any preceding steps? Without any justification?

"What is the justification?"

War without justification was impossible.

Even a trivial one-on-one duel required justification, let alone war.

A great war requires a great cause and justification (大義名分).

The one who first obtains it is granted the right to declare the opening of war.

Human hearts are fickle and do not easily gather. Especially in the dark path, where profit is valued more than righteousness, this is even more pronounced. Therefore, a great cause and justification are even more necessary. A great cause and justification that can be used to strike the opponent. Only that great cause and justification can unite the scattered hearts of the dark path.

However, until now, the dark path and the righteous path had, under the 'great cause and justification' of suppressing the emergence of the Heavenly Calamity, established a peace system on the surface. As long as the common enemy was not completely eradicated, they had endured the past hundred years under the pretense of uniting their forces to restrain that power.

"With what 'justification' are you overturning the 'great cause and justification' of preventing a second Heavenly Calamity Sea of Blood? If that justification is weak, even the Black Heaven Alliance's decision will be meaningless!"

Namgung Jin uttered words as sudden as thunder, with a grave expression.

"It is reported that the Black Heaven Alliance Leader, Gal Jung-cheon, was murdered."

Ye-cheong's eyes widened. Her expression, which had been barely maintaining its composure, shattered. Her body swayed.

"Gal, my brother? Who would dare commit such a heinous act!"

Namgung Jin spoke with a look of extreme regret, as if he were afraid to speak.

"According to their claims… it was the work of Alliance Leader Na Baek-cheon."

A scream-like cry escaped Ye-cheong's pale lips.

"Impossible!"

Didn't Baek-seom fly away? The fact that their daughter was rescued, the news of it, was sent by none other than herself. Hadn't she personally written that joyous news and sent it to her husband?

'No! Absolutely not!'

Even if their daughter were still captured, her husband was not the kind of man who would do such a thing. He was not the kind of man who would plunge the entire martial arts world into the vortex of war for the sake of one daughter. Therefore, she had braced herself.

She had prepared herself for the choice she would make at the very last moment.

But…

"It's impossible. It's impossible."

Ye-cheong shook her head with a vacant expression.

Thud.

She managed to perch on a chair, barely resisting the urge to collapse.

It's impossible, it's impossible, it's impossible.

She shook her head again and again.

Her entire world was collapsing.