Chapter 150
The hall was in an uproar at the unexpected news.
Even Yeo Un-hwi's heart pounded madly after hearing the entire story.
The Demonic Cult was heading towards the Hebei Peng Family. That Demonic Cult!
But Yeo Un-hwi soon took a deep breath and calmed himself down.
Getting excited now wouldn't help at all.
At times like this, one needs to be calm and composed.
Now was not the time to let emotions burst forth.
The Demonic Cult is expected to arrive at the Hebei Peng Family tomorrow. But it could be even sooner.
I understand. Thank you for rushing here to tell us.
Commander!
The White Wolf Unit members wore bewildered expressions after hearing the news.
Calm down, everyone.
At Yeo Un-hwi's words, they all nodded forcibly, but it wasn't as easy as he made it sound.
For now, returning quickly is the priority. I'll depart first, so follow me.
Yes. We'll move as fast as we can.
It was then.
Do you need any help?
Black Emperor Dokgo Yeong approached and asked.
But Yeo Un-hwi shook his head.
It's all right.
After Ma-in, the matter with Sama Ryang had just been wrapped up.
He didn't want to ask them for help when they likely had no spare energy, needing to clean up the aftermath and prepare for what was next.
Is that so? Well then. You must be in a hurry, so go quickly.
Even if he left then, it was impossible to arrive in time, but they couldn't keep him any longer.
Time was of the essence.
Yes. Then, I'll see you again someday.
Indeed. I'll look forward to that day.
Dokgo Yeong nodded.
Soon, Yeo Un-hwi looked at the White Wolf Unit.
Be careful on your way.
Yes, Commander. Then... please, we're counting on you.
That was all they could say for now.
Don't worry.
With those final words, there was a tremendous boom as the ground shook.
Yeo Un-hwi kicked off the ground and soared into the air.
Soon, his figure vanished in an instant.
Wow...
The Demonic Alliance warriors, including Dokgo Yeong, marveled at Yeo Un-hwi's incredible lightfoot skill.
But would he really be able to arrive in time?
Don't worry. Our Commander is truly fast. He won't be late.
O Chae-mu, the vice-commander of the White Wolf Unit, said to Dokgo Yeong.
He and the entire White Wolf Unit seemed to deeply trust Yeo Un-hwi.
Even in a situation like this, their faces looked as if they believed Yeo Un-hwi would surely resolve everything.
Haha.
If Dokgo Yeong hadn't seen Yeo Un-hwi's true face today, he would have thought the White Wolf Unit's faith was foolish.
But now, even he found himself thinking, 'Perhaps if it's that man...'
Truly an impressive fellow.
Dokgo Yeong's gaze turned to the sky where Yeo Un-hwi had disappeared.
He had clearly said he didn't need help, that it was fine.
But you know what? This old man, no, our Demonic Alliance isn't so shameless. Isn't that right, everyone?
Dokgo Yeong slowly turned his head to look at the Demonic Alliance warriors.
Everyone nodded in response.
Their faces clearly showed agreement with Dokgo Yeong's thoughts.
There was a massive hall where demonic images were carved into the walls and ceiling.
A thin middle-aged man with a long beard sat on the throne.
A figure was born with an innate aura that overwhelmed all with his mere presence.
This was the leader of the Demonic Heavenly Cult, Heaven-Shattering Demonic Emperor Gwak Cheon-hu.
As one of the Twelve Venerables of the World, he was an absolute being feared by the entire martial world.
"Hmm."
He quietly looked up at the ceiling of the hall, recalling a recent event.
He still hasn't returned?
No, where on earth is that old man Black Demon, and what is he doing that he still hasn't come back?
I heard that all contact was lost after they left the main sect to investigate the Black Kill Squad's matter.
Hmph. He's probably off somewhere indulging in slaughter as he pleases.
But, without any contact, to miss this gathering that even the Cult Leader is attending, is a great disloyalty.
The figures seated around the massive round table in the hall each spoke up.
They were the Ten Great Demon Stars, the absolute masters representing the Demonic Heavenly Cult.
It was then,
No. Black Demon will likely never return. It seems he's no longer of this world.
At Gwak Cheon-hu's words from the throne, everyone's eyes widened.
If anyone else had said it, that person would have scoffed, saying it was nonsense.
They knew better than anyone how strong Black Demon was.
Even the Ten Great Masters would be hard-pressed to face him casually, let alone the Twelve Venerables of the World.
In fact, the Ten Great Demon Stars were known to have power comparable or close to the Ten Great Masters.
So who could possibly harm Black Demon?
But the one who spoke of Black Demon's death was none other than the master, Gwak Cheon-hu.
If he said so, then it must be true.
But how did the Cult Leader know this fact?
Then, as if to answer their questions, Gwak Cheon-hu raised his hand and pointed somewhere.
Everyone's gaze followed where his hand was pointing.
The ceiling of the hall is present.
A massive stone glowing with a mysterious red light was embedded there.
And ten stones of different colors were embedded around it.
It was a decoration symbolizing the Demonic Heavenly Cult's leader and the Ten Great Demon Stars who assisted him.
But
Ah, no...
Among them, the dark purple stone was cracked and shattered.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Could Black Demon really be dead?
Who on earth...
Could it be one of the Twelve Venerables of the World? Or...
In an instant, the hall was filled with confusion.
Recently, the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon was defeated by some military unit from the Hebei Peng Family, wasn't it?
Everyone fell silent and listened to Gwak Cheon-hu's seemingly unrelated question.
Then the Black Kill Squad sent to kill the Scholar Forest Group was annihilated, and now even Black Demon has been killed. Isn't it quite a coincidence for all these events to happen in Hebei? Don't you think?
Everyone recalled the name of the Hebei Peng Family.
Though they couldn't know exactly what had happened, it seemed clear that they were connected to all these events.
Soon, a cold smile spread across Gwak Cheon-hu's lips.
We should take this opportunity to erase the Hebei Peng Family.
Everyone was surprised by the Cult Leader's words.
Will the Murim Alliance stand idly by?
Demon Chaser, the most meticulous among the Ten Great Demon Stars, asked.
Gwak Cheon-hu smiled meaningfully in response.
Haven't you all been bored enough lately?
At the Cult Leader's words, smiles slowly spread across everyone's faces.
Indeed, Gwak Cheon-hu was a figure befitting the Demonic Cult, with the deepest demonic nature of all.
With that, the future plan was decided.
It was time to decide whom to send to the Hebei Peng Family.
I'll go!
A young man seated at the round table stood up abruptly and shouted confidently.
It was Gwak Heo-won, Gwak Cheon-hu's second son.
He was one of the last two survivors who had competed against numerous siblings for the position of Young Cult Master.
But recently, he had fallen quite behind the other one.
So he wanted to make up for it with this mission.
But Gwak Cheon-hu had different thoughts.
No, the third will take this task.
The Cult Leader designated the third son, Gwak Un-do, as the most suitable for this mission.
At that, the second son Gwak Heo-won, who had volunteered first, sat back down with a red face.
He trembled with shame, humiliation, and embarrassment.
'Keke. Stupid fool. Not knowing his place.'
Mocking his brother, Gwak Un-do stepped forward.
I will carry out the order with all my heart!
Four of the Ten Great Demon Stars will go with you. And take that with you as well.
Gwak Un-do's eyes widened at the Cult Leader's words.
Even... even that?
It's about time we let it get some fresh air. It should calm down after smelling enough blood.
Gwak Cheon-hu's words now meant to cause as overwhelming and spectacular an incident as possible.
To make the entire martial world tremble at the power of the Demonic Cult once again.
And so the Demonic Cult headed towards Hebei.
And we are back to the present,
They'll arrive soon.
A smile spread across Gwak Cheon-hu's lips, which had until now been unsmiling.
Those who dared spill the blood of our sacred Demonic Cult members, may all their seeds dry up. My son.
At that same time, in the Alliance Leader's Hall of the Murim Alliance.
If this information is true, we must send troops immediately.
Jegal Mun, the Chief Strategist of the Murim Alliance, spoke urgently.
Murim Alliance Leader Song Il-do wore a slightly disgruntled expression before starting to nod.
But then,
That cannot be done.
Someone who had been quietly listening to the conversation stepped forward.
It was Jang Cheong, the Chief Elder of the Murim Alliance.
What do you mean? How can it not be done?
Jegal Mun showed his emotions unusually.
At a time like this, when the Demonic Cult was heading towards the Hebei Peng Family, how could they say it couldn't be done?
But unlike Jegal Mun, Jang Cheong's attitude was very relaxed.
Of course, if the Peng Family is in danger, we should naturally do so. But that's only if this information is true.
Jang Cheong continued speaking with a small smile on his face.
As if all of this were someone else's business.
I hear the source of this information is unclear. Moving troops based on such unconfirmed words is unacceptable.
But we already knew that the Demonic Cult had been showing unusual movements recently. And after we compiled several other pieces of information, this information about their heading to Hebei has a very high probability of being true. Ignoring this information just because the source is unclear is far too dangerous.
Calm down. That might just be an illusion because the situation seems urgent.
"What?"
Besides, even if that story is true, would the great Peng Family fall so easily? If something really happens, it'll surely hold out somehow and request help. We can send troops then, and it won't be too late.
What nonsense...!
Jegal Mun wore a blank expression beyond disbelief.
What on earth was this fellow saying?
Now, now. That's enough. Listening to it, I think Elder Jang Cheong's words are reasonable.
Of course. If we move troops carelessly and that story turns out to be false, wouldn't we just become a laughingstock? It's best to be cautious.
That's right. Absolutely.
As if to block Jegal Mun from arguing further, other elders soon stepped forward to agree with Jang Cheong's opinion.
Jegal Mun was dumbfounded.
How could such people exist?
Couldn't they distinguish when to engage in politics and when not to?
Now was not the time to consider profits.
Soon, Murim Alliance Leader Song Il-do, swept up in the atmosphere, also licked his lips and nodded.
Ahem. Well, if that's everyone's opinion, we'll go with that.
Feeling the terrible situation with his whole body, Jegal Mun could only squeeze his eyes shut.
Watching him, Jang Cheong inwardly laughed mockingly.
After the meeting ended, Jang Cheong returned to his room.
There, Jegal Gil, who had recently been attending to him, was waiting.
Did something good happen?
He asked with a puzzled expression, seeing Jang Cheong in an inexplicably good mood.
Soon, Jang Cheong relayed everything that had happened in the Alliance Leader's Hall to Jegal Gil, laughing heartily.
The Demonic Cult... is heading towards the Hebei Peng Family?
Yes. And they're moving with tremendous forces, I hear.
Jang Cheong continued speaking while watering the orchid he was growing.
Well, it might be true. But so what if it is? Those Five Great Families are currently at odds with the Murim Alliance anyway. If one of them disappears, wouldn't that be a good thing?
To him, Orthodox Faction, Demonic Faction, Demonic Cult, none of it mattered at all.
Whether innocent people bled or not was even less important.
He was a man who cared only about his own interests above all else.
And so, the smile never left Jang Cheong's lips.
The martial world is truly an interesting place. You never know what might happen. Hehe, don't you agree?
At his words, Jegal Gil's eyes shook violently.
An enormous event had occurred without even his knowledge.
A disaster-like event that couldn't be stopped no matter what.
Soon, Jegal Gil's face was filled with despair.
What on earth could be done about this situation?