Chapter 173
Yeo Un-hwi said that the Great Heaven Alliance was a fence to protect his people. Therefore, he wished they would join him within that fence. Haha. Yeo Un-hwi already considered Jin So-baek and the Hao Sect as his own people.
Jin So-baek was unexpectedly moved at his words, his gaze, and his sincerity. He then struggled with all his might to hold back the tears welling up in his eyes. Who in the world had ever said such words to him and the Hao Sect?
However,
“If it becomes known that we are together, it might harm the reputation of the Great Heaven Alliance.”
Of course, he knew. He knew the people of the Five Great Families were exceptionally good. That was why Jin So-baek was even more cautious. He wasn’t being overly sensitive. There would undoubtedly be many who would look upon them with prejudice. And seizing this opportunity, those who usually viewed the Five Great Families unfavorably would spread all sorts of malicious rumors, claiming that the so-called Orthodox Faction was associating with the Unorthodox Faction.
Thus, he had intended to refuse until the very end.
“I don’t care about such things at all. If I truly don’t like it, I’ll just smash everything. Who’s going to stop me? Am I wrong?”
Knowing full well that Jin So-baek’s cautious attitude and words were born from genuine concern for Yeo Un-hwi and the Great Heaven Alliance, Yeo Un-hwi let out a refreshing laugh, as if to instantly dispel his worries.
“Huh? …Ha, hahahahaha!”
Jin So-baek, who had been momentarily dumbfounded, burst into loud laughter. He’d just smash everything if he didn’t like it? When a man who was not only the Martial God but also the Heavenly Demon said such a thing, all his previous worries felt like nothing.
“Haha. You truly are an amusing customer.”
In that moment, Jin So-baek was deeply moved. He said it was fine for them, who were called the Unorthodox Faction, to join. No, he even wanted them to join. And such an extraordinary man was extending his hand to them repeatedly.
“So, your answer?”
“Yes. I will gladly join you.”
With Yeo Un-hwi saying this much, there was no longer any need for hesitation. And this man truly possessed the power to shatter a world he didn’t like. So, what more was there to fear or hesitate about?
However,
“For now, let’s keep this matter hidden from the outside world.”
“Hmm? Why is that?”
Yeo Un-hwi looked utterly bewildered that they would hide the fact of their alliance, and Jin So-baek offered a small smile.
“We are an information organization.”
He then continued, his face utterly serious.
“If it becomes known that our Hao Sect belongs to a particular faction, we will undoubtedly face restrictions in gathering information in the future. Unless it’s an unavoidable situation, I believe it’s wise to avoid revealing that the Hao Sect is affiliated with the Great Heaven Alliance for now.”
“You really are… All right. I understand. We’ll do that.”
His words certainly made sense. Since the fact that they were together was what truly mattered, regardless of whether it was known or not, Yeo Un-hwi decided to follow Jin So-baek’s wishes.
“Ahem. By the way,”
Jin So-baek cleared his throat briefly, then cautiously asked.
“If this is the case, what will be the nature of your relationship with me?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll still pay cleanly for our personal transactions.”
Yeo Un-hwi, understanding what Jin So-baek was implying, chuckled and replied.
“You truly are the best, customer, hahaha!”
Jin So-baek burst into cheerful laughter, as if he had never been surprised by the fact that Yeo Un-hwi was the Heavenly Demon. What did it matter? To him, Yeo Un-hwi was simply the best customer. His laughter that day was unusually boisterous.
Shocking rumors began to spread throughout the Murim. It was the tale of a war between the Demonic Cult and the Five Great Families.
“Have you heard the news?”
A man who had just entered an old Inn and ordered noodles spoke to his companion.
“What news are you talking about?”
“Apparently, the Demonic Cult sent a massive force to the Peng Family in Hebei a while ago.”
“Huh? To the Peng Family, the Demonic Cult? No, why on earth?”
“That, I don’t know. But it seems four of the Ten Great Demon Stars were with that force.”
“Hoh! With that many troops, the Demonic Cult must have been absolutely determined.”
“Indeed.”
“Then the outcome is obvious. How could such a thing…”
Those who heard the story up to that point let out sighs of lament. They were certain that the Peng Family in Hebei must have suffered immense damage from the Demonic Cult’s terrifying assault.
However,
“They say they fended it off.”
“What? No, what do you mean… Four of the Ten Great Demon Stars went, and they fended it off?”
“Yes. They even fended it off without significant damage, and conversely, most of the Demonic Cult’s forces were killed. All of the Ten Great Demon Stars were killed, too.”
“Is that even possible?”
“I heard that the other Five Great Families arrived just in time to help, somehow knowing.”
“Oh! So that’s it. As expected! But even so, they fended it off with just the Five Great Families? Were the Five Great Families that powerful?”
“I’m surprised by that too. Perhaps the Five Great Families have been hiding their true strength all this time.”
“In any case, it’s incredible. Truly incredible. Hahahaha!”
“But there’s also a strange rumor going around.”
“A strange rumor?”
“Yes. They say a Golden Dragon lives in the Peng Family in Hebei, and that it protected the Five Great Families from those Demonic Cult bastards.”
“A Golden Dragon? Hahaha! No, my friend. What kind of preposterous tale is that? Where in this world are there dragons?”
“Right?”
“When such a major incident occurs, gossips always exaggerate and create absurd stories. Hasn’t that happened countless times? You really are something.”
“Haha! Now that I mention it, you’re right. I thought…”
Soon, the ordered noodles and dishes arrived, and the men, who had been excitedly chattering about the Murim rumors, began to eat. Before long, they dismissed the tale of the Golden Dragon as mere nonsense and thus appeased their hunger.
And it was not far from that place.
“As expected! I knew he would succeed!”
“Indeed. He truly is the Commander!”
“Still, the distance was so great; I was worried we wouldn’t make it in time, but it’s truly a relief, a relief.”
These were individuals with an extraordinary Internal Energy/Aura, evident at a glance. They were none other than the White Wolf Unit. After Yeo Un-hwi heard news of the Demonic Cult from the Demonic Alliance and rushed towards Hebei like lightning, they diligently followed him towards Hebei.
It was quite a long distance, but because they had pushed themselves to go faster and faster, their appearances were a mess. They hadn’t been able to sleep or wash properly. But they had no choice. The Peng Family in Hebei was everything to them. When such a family was on the verge of annihilation, how could they leisurely rest and run at their own pace? Not knowing what the situation had become, they found every moment urgent.
However, when they were not far from Hebei, the news that reached their ears filled the White Wolf Unit with immense relief and joy. It was truly fortunate. Their hearts soared at the thought that when they returned, they would not be met with the tragic sight of a ruined Peng Family, but rather the family as they had always known it. However, as warriors of the Peng Family, they regretted that they could not be there during such a great crisis.
In any case,
“It’s a relief, truly.”
Everyone murmured the same words repeatedly. Soon, they began to ride their horses diligently towards Hebei once more.
And then,
“They fended it off, you say? Haha. As expected. Incredible, truly incredible.”
Someone accompanying the White Wolf Unit burst into hearty laughter. Hebei was now not far off.
Early dawn.
A high mountain peak is near the Peng Family in Hebei.
Rumble!
Flash!
Suddenly, a dazzling golden light erupted from the mountain peak above, illuminating the sky for a long while before slowly fading away.
“Finally, the Heavenly Martial Divine Art has reached the seventh stage.”
The source of that golden light was Yeo Un-hwi. He had found himself a peaceful dawn for once. So, after a long time, he had climbed to this favorite spot of his to cultivate the Heavenly Martial Divine Art.
However, perhaps thanks to the new insights and feelings he had gained from fighting major battles without rest for a while, the Heavenly Martial Divine Art had advanced to yet another new realm. What was astonishing was that the difference between the sixth and seventh stages was quite significant. As he roughly estimated, everything had doubled in power compared to when he reached the sixth stage. It was an astonishing feat. Where, indeed, was the limit of the Heavenly Martial Divine Art? But no matter what, he would reach that limit. Yeo Un-hwi reaffirmed his resolve.
Soon, he rose from his spot. And then, Shing. He drew the sword that was at his waist.
Hummm.
The Sword hummed softly. The divine Sword, Wolya (Moonlit Night), was said to have been used by successive Heavenly Demons. Its mysterious blade, reflecting differently depending on the viewing angle, grew more beautiful the longer one looked at it., to the point where it felt as if one’s soul was being drawn into it.
Yeo Un-hwi then stood before a massive boulder and slowly swung his sword. No, given its slow speed, it would be more accurate to say he moved it rather than swung it.
However,
Swoosh.
The massive boulder was cleanly sliced by Wolya’s slowly moving blade. And only after a long moment did the boulder fall apart along the cut line. It was simply astonishing that such a result was achieved with only a slight infusion of Internal Qi.
“Yes. This Sword will be sufficient.”
He had already needed a sturdy weapon, be it a blade or a sword, that wouldn’t break. Not only did he not have to worry about Wolya breaking, no matter how much power he poured into it, but he was also greatly anticipating what kind of might would be unleashed if he wielded this sword with the Heavenly Martial Divine Art. No, on the contrary, he felt he should be cautious.
A satisfied smile spread across Yeo Un-hwi’s face as he sheathed Wolya. Everything he had gained since becoming the Heavenly Demon pleased him: This Sword, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, various precious Elixirs and treasures, and even the formidable power of the Demonic Heavenly Cult.
Having already taken on the mantle of Heavenly Demon, he intended to do his best, both as the Successor of the Martial God and as the Heavenly Demon, and above all, to fully protect his family, including his wife and daughter, and his people.
“I should set aside a day to examine the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
That too was one of the World’s Greatest Divine Arts, so it would undoubtedly be helpful. It seemed better to use the Heavenly Demon Divine Art rather than the Heavenly Martial Divine Art when operating under the name of Heavenly Demon. Not that anyone would recognize both, but the Aura/Energy of the two Martial Arts was distinctly different.
One fortunate thing was that Yeo Un-hwi’s body, having inherited everything from the Martial God and undergone Bone and Marrow Cleansing, had become a physique that defied common sense and reason, capable of cultivating any Martial Art simultaneously without strain, as if it could contain all the Martial Arts Under Heaven without difficulty. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have even considered cultivating the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
The sun was already rising. The view from this mountain peak was still truly magnificent.
Hoo.
A gentle smile appeared on Yeo Un-hwi’s face as he lightly exhaled. It was because he had thought of his family.
Although there was much to do in the future, he had been busy for a while, so he felt he should spend some time with his family. Whatever he did, it was all ultimately to live happily with his family, and if he missed out on that time, everything would be meaningless.
It was then.
“You’ve arrived.”
Yeo Un-hwi spoke without turning around.
Soon, Jujak, one of the Four Great Protectors, appeared behind him and knelt.
“I greet the Heavenly Demon.”
“It’s troublesome to greet me like that here every time, so from now on, a simple bow will suffice.”
“Yes. I understand.”
“By the way, you’ve come at a good time. I actually had something to ask of you.”
Yeo Un-hwi slowly turned around, a corner of his mouth lifting.
“It might be the easiest mission, or conversely, the most difficult.”
“Pardon?”
Jujak tilted his head, puzzled by Yeo Un-hwi’s enigmatic words. Yeo Un-hwi grinned.
“Do you happen to like taking care of children?”