Book 7 Chapter 27

The Worries of Ma Jingga

"Splashhhhh!"

The rain hammered down on the ground like a madman.

"What are we to do about this matter?"

Ma Jingga, the head of the Cheonmu Academy, scanned his surroundings and spoke in a grave tone.

As if to deepen the somber atmosphere, or perhaps due to the sky's mischief, a downpour raged outside.

"It is believed there are no other alternatives."

An elder stood up and expressed his opinion, but it was an opinion worse than not hearing anything.

"Then are you suggesting we sacrifice the children? Does that even make sense?"

Ma Jingga's voice grew increasingly agitated. Within another giant's heart, a silent rage was now burning.

"However, the Black Heaven Alliance Leader desires the custody of all children involved in the death of his son, Gal Hyo-bong. And as the Head, you must surely know that the Iron-Legged Demon Cavalry they dispatched is a show of force regarding that demand."

"Hmm…"

The Iron-Legged Demon Cavalry! Deathly iron cavalry who wield warhorses and long spears as their weapons! They were terrifying beings that starkly demonstrated how brutal deeds could be committed by iron cavalry trained in combat, who had mastered peak martial arts.

Human weapons that exist for mass slaughter! The dispatch of the Iron-Legged Demon Cavalry alone was enough to infer the immense anger of Black Heaven Alliance Leader Gwang-hyeol-do Gal Jung-hyo and the Martial God Demon Gal Jung-hyeok lurking behind him.

However, there was no need for them to be silenced either. They were the ones who attacked without warning. The actions of the Vermilion Bird Squad and the Heavenly Sword Squad were acts of self-defense. In fact, he strongly felt like celebrating and praising them for miraculously returning alive. Yet, seeing the elders exhibit such timid attitudes, it was understandable that Ma Jingga felt frustrated.

Ma Jingga was not the only one who felt frustrated. Gongson Il-chwi, the Sword Master and head of the Elder Council, also felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

'What has happened…'

It had been several days since the regular reports from the Thousand-Mile Pursuit Poison Pill, attached to Bi Ryuyeon's group, had ceased. He had never once forgotten to report regularly. It was clear something had happened to him.

'It feels as if my eyes and ears have been blocked!'

If the Pursuit Poison Pill was safe, he might be able to get a clear understanding of the events that transpired on Mount Wudang.

'Must I give up…'

Gongson Il-chwi had to accept the possibility that the Pursuit Poison Pill might no longer be in this world. His gaze turned back to Ma Jingga, whose face was flushed red. For now, he had no choice but to trust the head's judgment.

"According to the testimonies regarding the situation of the Heavenly Sword Squad and the Vermilion Bird Squad, they were the ones who attacked first. So, are you saying we should bow down to them merely because of a show of force?"

"However, the evidence is insufficient."

Another elder stepped forward. He was Venerable Master Yeongheo of the Huashan Sect, who taught advanced swordsmanship.

"They claim it was their son, who has a mental disorder, escaping from prison in Chok-jung. Furthermore, they are adamantly insisting that the masked figures in black who attacked the Vermilion Bird Squad were warriors dispatched to recapture their son. Moreover, there are no bodies of the Heaven and Earth Twin Assassins and his subordinate assailants, who the Vermilion Bird Squad claims they fought. In this state, we are at a disadvantage. Furthermore, it seems the Black Heaven Alliance Leader Gal Jung-hyo genuinely has no knowledge of this incident."

"Heh heh…"

Murmurs could be heard from all around. The elders and the Warrior Division were at a loss.

"Evidence… evidence… If only there was evidence…"

Those who had fled with their tails between their legs had skillfully erased all traces, leaving no evidence behind. Yeomdo also bore some responsibility for not paying attention to the scene management. Who would have known that they, who were thought to have completely retreated, would secretly return at night to erase all traces and flee? Therefore, it was impossible to present any evidence. The verbal testimonies of those involved lacked credibility.

All the arrows of criticism were aimed at Yeomdo. Yeomdo tried his best to ignore it in his heart.

"It is not a claim, it is the truth!"

Ma Jingga finally broke his composure and reacted irritably. As expected, these people were too narrow-minded.

"They are demanding adherence to the Law of Blood, the principle of 'the one who tied it must untie it.' What will you do?"

"We cannot accept their demands!"

Ma Jingga's decision was resolute.

'The one who tied it must untie it' means the one who tied the knot must untie it, implying that the person who caused the trouble must take responsibility. This law, referred to as the Law of Blood in the demonic sects, meant that those involved in this incident could have their actions nullified if they passed through the obstacles, gates, and trials they sent. In other words, they had to survive on their own. It was a method often used when the truth of an incident could not be clearly ascertained.

"The group they sent is the Iron-Legged Demon Cavalry! You must surely know that the leader of the Iron-Legged Demon Cavalry is the legendary demonic sect warrior, Chilpung Mokheun Gucheonhak! Sending only children against the Iron-Legged Demon Cavalry, the strongest cavalry of the demonic sects, created to specialize in dealing with peak experts, and Chilpung Mokheun Gucheonhak, is no different from sending them to their deaths. Moreover, why should we accept their demands when the fault lies with them?"

"But we have no evidence to present."

"The children's eyes and ears are that evidence."

Ma Jingga slammed the table once more, raising his voice. Like a hamster on a wheel, the meeting continued to spin in circles.

"I will go!"

All eyes turned to one person. It was the person who had spoken out a little while ago.

"If that's what they want, we have no choice but to face them!"

The person with blazing eyes was none other than Yeomdo.

Bi Ryuyeon's hand was also in this decision. To Yeomdo, who was contemplating the situation, Bi Ryuyeon uttered a word like a devil's whisper!

'You must take responsibility for what you've done!'

'Let's handle it ourselves!'

Though unreliable, Yeomdo agreed that there was no choice but to do as Bi Ryuyeon said. It seemed Yeomdo would have to bear all the responsibility for this incident in Bi Ryuyeon's stead.

'To lead the children into a den of death…'

He had also heard the formidable reputation of the Iron-Legged Demon Cavalry. However, he did not feel fear. Although they were peak combat units, they were not peerless masters. As far as Yeomdo knew, this was certainly true.

'I am not afraid!'

Yeomdo repeated to himself. Though he seemed to fear nothing in this world, he definitely had something he feared. He wasn't afraid of anything else. But one thing! Bi Ryuyeon's unpredictable actions were something he greatly feared.

The Vermilion Bird Squad and the Heavenly Sword Squad were exhausted from the events on Mount Wudang. But the world did not give them any rest.