Chapter 242 – The Road Ahead is Long, but the Steps are Slow (2)

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Sang Han-cheon was staring at the map of Shaanxi Province on the wall with deep eyes. There were two red flags planted on the map.

 

“The two pillars of Shaanxi’s martial arts world are the Huashan Sect and Zhongnan Sect.”

 

Sang Han-cheon raised his hand and pulled out the red flag that was planted in the south. It was the flag marking the location of Mount Zhongnan.

 

Crack!

 

The discarded flag was trampled under Sang Han-cheon’s feet.

 

The Zhongnan Sect was one of the Nine Great Sects. It was not a name to be taken lightly. Even Sang Han-cheon had to pay special attention when dealing with them. But Sang Han-cheon no longer paid attention to Zhongnan.

 

Half of Zhongnan Sect’s leadership was dead or injured. Many other casualties occurred as well.

 

All because of one person.

 

‘Master.’

 

Sang Han-cheon’s gaze sank deep in thought.

 

He couldn’t dare measure the true martial power of Cheon Oh-kyung. Even decades ago, he was already so strong it was hard to find his equal. Let alone now, after so many years had passed, his power was beyond estimation.

 

Cheon Oh-kyung was the successor of the Battle Sword Style, one of the Thirteen Branches of the Demon Cult.

 

The Thirteen Branches had existed alongside the history of the Demon Cult. Many factions rose and fell within the Demon Cult, but these thirteen branches remained firmly established. The Battle Sword Style that Cheon Oh-kyung inherited was special among them.

 

Their potential was so great that even the current Cult Leader couldn’t ignore them. The problem was that they operated largely outside the Cult Leader’s influence.

 

What good were famous swords or blades if you couldn’t use them freely? That’s what the Thirteen Branches were like. Though clearly belonging to the Demon Cult, even the Cult Leader couldn’t handle them carelessly.

 

For Sang Han-cheon, this was an unwelcome situation.

 

‘The Thirteen Branches, they’ll need to be dealt with someday. But for now, we must use them.’

 

The Battle Sword Style, one of the Thirteen Branches. And Cheon Oh-kyung, its current successor. By his hand alone, the Zhongnan Sect suffered a massive blow. Such was his tremendous power.

 

Just as Sang Han-cheon was contemplating how to utilize Cheon Oh-kyung more actively…

 

“Military Advisor.”

 

Suddenly, a white figure appeared silently behind him and prostrated.

 

His hair was white, his eyebrows were white. Even his pupils and skin were white. He was a man who looked surreal because of it.

 

Sang Han-cheon spoke.

 

“What is it? Il-mong?”

 

“A letter, sir.”

 

“A letter?”

 

“Though hard to believe, it’s from… the Murim Alliance.”

 

“The Murim Alliance?”

 

“It’s addressed specifically to you, Military Advisor.”

 

Sang Han-cheon’s eyes sparkled.

 

When he extended his hand, Il-mong quickly took out the letter from his breast and presented it. The envelope containing the letter clearly had the words “For the Personal Attention of the Demonic Cult’s Military Advisor” written on it.

 

Sang Han-cheon tore open the sealed letter and read it.

 

Throughout his reading, a look of interest appeared in his eyes.

 

“Interesting.”

 

“What does it say?”

 

“The whereabouts of Fist Demon. The Murim Alliance has investigated and sent detailed information.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“It seems someone within the Murim Alliance is uncomfortable with Fist Demon. They want to handle it through our hands, it appears.”

 

“How dare they!”

 

A faint killing intent gleamed in Il-mong’s eyes. But Sang Han-cheon laughed.

 

“No need to be so upset. Fist Demon is a major obstacle for us as well.”

 

“But…”

 

“Who in the Murim Alliance would harbor such deep grudge against Fist Demon? There are quite a few candidates, but I can only think of one.”

 

“Who?”

 

“Namgung Chang.”

 

“But he’s the Military Advisor of the Murim Alliance.”

 

“He’s also a direct descendant of the Nam-gung family. And the Namgung family suffered greatly because of Fist Demon. With the family head Namgung Cheon dead, their grudge must be enormous. With that level of hatred, such schemes aren’t surprising.”

 

“Hmm!”

 

Il-mong let out a contemplative sound. Sang Han-cheon smiled slightly.

 

“Well, it doesn’t matter if we’re wrong.”

 

“What should we do?”

 

“According to the letter, he’ll arrive in the vicinity in two days. If we’re not careful, we might ruin everything…”

 

“Then?”

 

“Naturally, we must eliminate him.”

 

Sang Han-cheon smiled meaningfully. Il-mong bowed his head even deeper.

 

“I’ll handle this matter myself. You continue as before, making sure news of Zhongnan Sect’s major damage doesn’t spread.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Ah! What about the Holy Maiden?”

 

“She’s been in seclusion.”

 

“Is that so? Seems the shock was quite significant.”

 

Sang Han-cheon’s eyes gleamed coldly.

 

Leaving Il-mong behind, he approached the window and threw open the firmly closed shutters. The outside view spread out before his eyes.

 

Numerous Demonic Cult warriors were lined up in the training ground of the massive estate. The aura emanating from their bodies dominated the area.

 

Beyond the estate walls, a massive mountain stood tall in the distance. The wind blowing across the mountain swept through the estate, leaving behind a subtle plum blossom fragrance.

 

People called that massive mountain filled with plum blossom scent Mount Hua.

 

“After Zhongnan, Mount Hua is next.”

 

***

 

The boat carrying Dam-ho’s group was traveling upstream the Yellow River at great speed. Going against the current was several times more exhausting than going downstream. Because of this, the Yellow Demon Channel’s water bandits had long since become completely exhausted.

 

Their bodies were drenched in sweat, and exhaustion was evident on their faces. Yet they remained focused solely on steering the boat.

 

Bang Jin-bo exclaimed in amazement.

 

“Whew! This is truly remarkable. Going upstream against this rough Yellow River.”

 

“Captain Jang’s boat-handling skills have reached divine levels. Probably no one else could navigate waters like him and his men.”

 

“I really think so too.”

 

“When we get to land, you should prepare some nutritious food for them. They’d like that.”

 

“I’ll definitely do that if time permits.”

 

“That’s good then.”

 

Muk Il-gwang smiled.

 

At that moment, Jang San-woo approached them and said:

 

“In about an hour, we’ll reach the final hurdle. Everyone should be extra careful.”

 

“What hurdle?”

 

“Among boatmen, it’s called the Hell Gorge.”

 

“Hell Gorge?”

 

Bang Jin-bo’s eyes widened.

 

The name itself exuded an ominous feeling.

 

“How dangerous is it?”

 

“The Three Gates Gorge at least had the current split three ways, but Hell Gorge has fierce waters converging between sheer cliffs. The current is three times stronger than Three Gates Gorge. Plus, there are hidden reefs underwater that can easily break the boat’s hull and sink it.”

 

“Hmm!”

 

Bang Jin-bo’s face turned pale white. Just hearing about it sent chills down his spine.

 

Jang San-woo laughed heartily.

 

“Haha! Don’t worry too much. You don’t think I’d let a boat carrying precious guests sink, do you? Though it’s dangerous, if you follow my instructions, we’ll surely pass Hell Gorge safely.”

 

“I trust you completely, Captain Jang.”

 

“Hehe! Good! In return, once we safely cross Hell Gorge, could I taste your cooking? Il-gwang praised your skills so much, I can’t bear the curiosity.”

 

“Of course. If we can save time by crossing Hell Gorge safely, I’ll cook anything for you.”

 

“That’s a promise.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Then I’ll trust your promise.”

 

Jang San-woo returned to his water bandits.

 

Muk Il-gwang patted the still-frightened Bang Jin-bo’s shoulder.

 

“Haha! Don’t worry too much. No matter how dangerous it is, Captain Jang will get us across safely.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“By the way, Brother is really something. A whole day has passed, and he hasn’t moved an inch.”

 

Muk Il-gwang looked at Dam-ho with an impressed expression.

 

Dam-ho was still standing firmly at the bow of the boat.

 

Despite the boat’s wild rocking as it fought against the fierce current, he remained completely still. Occasional surges of water crashed over the bow but failed to move him.

 

Swirling, backflowing, pulling, pushing…

 

Though it might appear to flow in one direction at first glance, numerous forces were at work within the current. Standing on the boat without support should have been impossible.

 

Even the water bandits steering the boat had to hold onto railings or walls to move around. Yet Dam-ho stood firmly at the bow without any support.

 

The bow was the most unstable part of the speedboat.

 

Maintaining balance there was impossible with ordinary internal energy and sense of balance.

 

Dam-ho responded to the water’s flow through his feet moment by moment. Rather than simply moving his feet and body, he maintained balance through the distribution of internal energy. This allowed him to feel the water and synchronize himself with its flow.

 

The fiercer the current became, the more stable Dam-ho remained. He kept his eyes closed, letting his body attune to the water’s flow.

 

How much time had passed?

 

“Hell Gorge ahead!”

 

The water bandits’ voices made Dam-ho open his eyes.

 

A massive gorge appeared ahead.

 

The gorge, gaping like the entrance to hell, looked perilously frightening. The surging rapids like a tsunami and protruding rocks resembled beast’s fangs.

 

Jang San-woo shouted:

 

“Here we go!”

 

“Aye!”

 

Jang San-woo took the helm himself.

 

The helmsman’s skill was crucial for navigating such fierce rapids.

 

“Unfurl the sails fully. We need to catch all the wind.”

 

“Aye!”

 

“Yong-il, pull that rope tighter.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

Jang San-woo was like a seasoned commander. His skill in coordinating the water bandits had reached mastery.

 

Under his command, the boat slowly advanced through the fierce rapids. The muscles and veins bulged on the arms of Jang San-woo and his men.

 

Creak!

 

The speedboat’s hull narrowly grazed a large reef. A small hole opened, and water gushed in. The waiting water bandits rushed in with planks and hammers to plug the hole.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang barely managed to stand by holding onto the railings. Their bodies were soaked.

 

“Brother?”

 

Bang Jin-bo raised his head to look at where Dam-ho was. Dam-ho was still standing straight. Even such fierce waves seemed unable to affect him.

 

Splash!

 

A mountain-like wave rose and crashed over the bow. Bang Jin-bo thought Dam-ho would face it head-on as before. But Dam-ho, who had remained motionless until now, was swept backward by the wave.

 

“Brother!”

 

A startled Bang Jin-bo shouted.

 

To his eyes, it looked like Dam-ho was being swept into the river.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Whoosh!

 

Suddenly, a short spear appeared, cutting through the water. The blue-tempered spear flew through where Dam-ho had been standing moments ago.

 

“What?”

 

Just as Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang widened their eyes.

 

Swish swish swish!

 

Short spears emerged from the water, targeting Dam-ho. Dam-ho landed on the deck while deflecting each spear.

 

His wrist tingled from deflecting the spears. This meant the force behind them was extraordinary.

 

Dam-ho’s eyes darkened like the muddy waves.

 

“An ambush.”

 

Though Jang San-woo and the water bandits shouted in surprise, Dam-ho remained calm. Instead, he looked up at the sky.

 

“Fist Demon!”

 

A voice filled with killing intent echoed through Hell Gorge.

 

A warrior in blood-red robes appeared above Hell Gorge. It was Deung Cheon-so, the Blood Sea Judge. Beside him was Jin Hye-won, the Full Moon Immortal.

 

Two of the Seven Great Demon Masters had appeared.

 

And they weren’t alone. Around them were hundreds of warriors armed with short spears and bows. Warriors wearing red martial clothes like Deung Cheon-so.

 

In the Demon Cult, they were called the Blood Dark Squad.

 

Blood demons who exhibited supreme power both in and above water. They had come to ambush Dam-ho.