The Blood Sect had clearly expressed their intention to move in any direction, so we had to prepare for that.
Wi Ji-cheon, who had been quietly observing the conversation with the Blood Person, finally spoke up.
“So, you’re the grandson of the Blood Ancestor?”
“…It’s merely blood that ties us.”
“I had a feeling. The ways of the Blood Sect must be hard for someone with your character to accept.”
“Do you know much about the Blood Sect?”
“There was a time long ago when the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Blood Sect were allies.”
Wi Ji-cheon brought up a topic no one had expected.
“There was a period when we sought their power to lift the curse of the Black Dragon Blood. Well, as you know, it ultimately resulted in nothing.”
Was there such a tale?
“They are true villains, so they can use cruel methods far beyond your imagination. The results will probably surpass your expectations in bizarre ways, so keep all possibilities open.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
Wi Ji-cheon slowly rose to his feet, a hint of worry in his eyes.
“Seoryeon will be quite disappointed.”
“Please take care.”
“Do be careful.”
With that, Wi Ji-cheon left rather abruptly.
After his departure, our group began to gather slowly. Tang So-yeol, filling a pipe with a tobacco leaf, opened his mouth.
“So, in the end, things have come to this with the Blood Sect?”
“Yes. It seems we will become enemies.”
“Good. Now we have a legitimate excuse not to return to the Tang Clan.”
Tang So-yeol chuckled.
“In the end, it’s confirmed that the Blood Sect can control entities, and the reason they do so is clearly to create chaos in the Martial World, so we can’t just stand by.”
“Indeed. It seems there’s a reason for Bicheongmacha to get going again.”
Hyeok Gi-rin grinned widely.
“Now we can provide real help.”
Despite having already received more than enough assistance, I couldn’t lift my head in embarrassment while thinking of accepting their help.
“I was already prepared to follow you to the ends of hell. A fight with the Blood Sect… as the next leader of the Dark Dragon Sect, I’ll surely earn an unmatched reputation.”
Black Cat crossed her arms and emphasized the point.
“We already agreed to work together. You aren’t going to start whining about danger now, are you?”
Honestly, Black Cat’s words hit home. Not sure if my expression gave that away, I hurried to respond.
“Oh, no! I’m truly grateful for the help!”
I fought alongside Jeong Cheol and participated in his performances, even risking my life against him. However, that battle was fundamentally between Jeong Cheol and me, one on one.
But fighting the Blood Sect would be different.
We would be engaging the power of the Blood Sect, inherently increasing the danger my group would face.
So, while grateful and sorry for them joining me, I was also worried.
But this time, I could not refuse help.
Unlike Jeong Cheol, the entities we’d soon face from the Blood Sect were not opponents I could take down alone.
“Everyone. Please lend me your strength.”
Seeing my companions nod in agreement, I thought to myself.
I will repay this debt of kindness someday.
As I made that resolve in my heart, Tang Do-yeon asked,
“So, what’s your plan?”
“Since I have no clear grasp of how the Blood Sect will act or their stronghold or power dynamics, it’s hard to prepare a specific plan. However, if we are to confront the Blood Sect, there is something we must always be ready for.”
I recalled the bizarre encounter with the Master of the Faction, Red Blood Rat.
It had been quite a struggle.
Although Black Cat, I, and Miss Yeo Il-ye charged in, we didn’t come out unscathed even in that battle with the entity, Red Blood Rat.
Miss Yeo Il-ye and Hyeok Gi-rin had directly wielded iron chains, Bicheongmacha had pulled us there, and it was only because I and Black Cat stalled for time that Hyeok Gi-rin managed to silence Red Blood Rat with a single strike.
Reflecting back, it was clear what we must prepare for in the battle with the Blood Sect.
“It’s precisely the Array Formation.”
If we had merely managed to form a very basic formation against Red Blood Rat, we wouldn’t have had such a hard time handling it at all.
So, to oppose the Blood Sect effectively, we must establish an Array Formation.
One that’s preferably superior.
I surveyed my companions.
There was me, who utilized brain techniques; Black Cat, who used the Nine Yin; Miss Yeo Il-ye and Hyeok Gi-rin, who were proficient in the Jeomchang Faction’s unique methods; and the unconventional energy emanating from Dokgo I-seol.
It was genuinely a diverse assembly of abilities.
The formation relies on practitioners sharing similar inner cultivation methods.
In the knowledge I obtained while playing the game Martial World, I came across ways to unlock an Array Formation, but I couldn’t think of any existing formation that could meld together our current energies.
Even if I were to somehow find and use such a formation, its efficiency would be abysmally low.
If no Array Formation exists in this Martial World that can encompass my companions, the solution is simple.
We make one anew.
“To procure that formation, we’re heading to Hubei.”
A gathering place recognized in this world of martial arts.
The place Bicheongmacha would aim for to acquire the Array Formation is none other than the House of Jegal.
* *
“…You’re leaving?”
Miss Yeo Il-ye and Black Cat had just reunited, and now Hyeok Gi-rin and Dokgo I-seol were vigorously pursuing them, claiming they couldn’t bear to watch this any longer?
Wi Seoryeon was shocked by this fact.
“Well, something happened worth leaving for.”
“Hmm.”
Observing Tang So-yeol calmly relay the facts, Wi Seoryeon sensed something had transpired overnight.
Among the hurried group gathering their camping gear, an intangible tension was palpable.
Returning to the original state of martial artists, their Mi Wang feelings were evident.
Wi Seoryeon sighed, comforting herself as she approached Black Cat and Ho Cheon-an.
“I wish you luck.”
“This sudden departure is…”
“No, I had a good time while it lasted. I hope we can meet again someday.”
Seeing the busily moving group, Wi Seoryeon swallowed a sigh. The romance unfolding right before her eyes along with the gambling partners all leaving at once made her feel lonely already.
Approaching Wi Seoryeon, Tang So-yeol said,
“Hey, don’t look so down.”
“…Not really.”
Seeing Wi Seoryeon’s clearly drooping expression, he scratched his head awkwardly.
“I might not come back to Xin Gang again, but if I do, I’ll share what’s happened among those guys.”
“Hah.”
Wi Seoryeon chuckled. Was my expression so pitiful that I needed such a clumsy reassurance?
It was laughable.
Both Tang So-yeol’s awkward consolation and the slight alleviation of her own melancholy.
“Here’s hoping. You’re sure to stir things up again, so we’ll meet again someday.”
“Right.”
Although it was a promise without any certainty, Wi Seoryeon found great comfort in it.
The group was bustling to wrap up the campsite preparations, and Dokgo I-seol had unilaterally informed her subordinates that she would be joining Ho Cheon-an’s group.
As Wi Seoryeon bid farewell to the group, they boarded the Bicheongmacha.
Dokgo I-seol, calming her racing heart, climbed aboard the Bicheongmacha.
Having grown up her whole life in Yunnan, this long trip to Xin Gang was an adventure for Dokgo I-seol, but she didn’t have even a moment’s peace to enjoy it.
However, the current Dokgo I-seol was different.
This time she was embarking on a journey with the renowned Brain Knife Outcast.
Leaving the confines of the campsite and facing various challenges, it was likely she would naturally grow closer to Ho Cheon-an and perhaps a romance would bloom.
With such hopeful expectations, Dokgo I-seol gazed at Ho Cheon-an only to suddenly notice something odd.
“Check your seatbelts! Tighten them securely!”
The whole group was clamping down on their seatbelts without exception. Hyeok Gi-rin even embraced Seo Gong firmly.
“Miss I-seol, please wear your seatbelt as well. The Bicheongmacha runs fast.”
Ho Cheon-an’s words spurred thoughts in Dokgo I-seol’s mind.
Why are we being so dramatic about getting on a cart?
Even if the cart is fast, it’s still just a cart. Considering the abilities of a Peak Expert, even if it flipped, the chance of injury is almost non-existent.
With such thoughts, Dokgo I-seol donned her seatbelt, while the others contemplated.
The Bicheongmacha may zip around at an extraordinary speed, but by purely speed standards, it wasn’t anything a Peak Expert couldn’t withstand.
But.
The terror of the Bicheongmacha stemmed not solely from its speed.
It was the discrepancy of how far beyond what a standard cart should reach in velocity. And despite being confined within the format of a cart, the constant jolting that stimulated anxiety. The safety mechanisms preventing escape until the cart was utterly dismantled.
And above all else.
“Alright! Now let’s hit the road!”
For the thrill-seeking driver’s behavior, which suggested they might recklessly do anything for speed.
As everyone clasped the handles tightly, Dokgo I-seol felt already that something was going amiss.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In an instant, the Bicheongmacha accelerated.
With a speed one could scarcely believe was attributed to a cart, Dokgo I-seol was covered in goosebumps.
“Th-this is okay, right?!”
“Just adapt!”
Hyeok Gi-rin, already experienced, firmly hugged Seo Gong while looking at Dokgo I-seol.
“It’s fine. Just treat it as a rite of passage.”
“No! This is anything but normal! How can I avoid trees at this speed on this forest road?!”
“Hahahaha! It’s fine!”
With blaring sounds!
Tang Do-yeon swung the handles masterfully, evading trees. Naturally, the cart inside endured tremendous inertia.
“AAAH!!”
Dokgo I-seol couldn’t hold back her scream.
“Hahahahaha!!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“W-what is going on?! AAH!”
Wi Seoryeon gaped in astonishment as the Bicheongmacha vanished in an instant.
The clattering hooves of the horse carrying it truly punctuated Dokgo I-seol’s screams as mere background noise.
“Hah.”
Wi Seoryeon chuckled to herself, turning away.
“What an amusing bunch.”
Her eyes touched her own pitch-black hair.
The dark locks and red irises were reminiscent of a Black Dragon.
Due to the curse of the Black Dragon, no trick could mask her celestial aura and features.
If I weren’t a Heavenly Demon, would I have been able to join them?
Would I have shared more enjoyment as we traveled together?
‘Maybe.’
But reflecting calmly on such possibilities held no regrets in Wi Seoryeon’s expression.
Had that been the case, she might’ve traveled with them and enjoyed herself.
But Wi Ji-cheon would always have to guard the Heavenly Demon Pavilion alone.
It plagued her mind, which was why she hadn’t become a Heavenly Demon.
Even if she had gone along with the group, that thought would surely pull her back to Xin Gang before too long, so there was no need for regrets.
Suddenly reminded of Wi Ji-cheon, Wi Seoryeon realized she had been quite busy gambling with him for quite some time now, while absorbed in what was happening with Ho Cheon-an.
Clutching the dice tucked away in her pocket, she declared.
“Today, I’ll be gambling with dear Father.”
All the lingering feelings shed, Wi Seoryeon’s steps headed toward the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
