The Hall Master of the Martial Forest Alliance, Yeon Cheon-baek, was busier than ever.
This was due to the ceaseless conflict between the Martial Forest Alliance and the Blood Sect since the latter’s emergence.
Martial Artists from the alliance were hurriedly reforming the Array Formation Teams capable of hunting Entities, while skirmishes erupted all over the world as they tried to thwart and dismantle those same teams.
To make matters worse, a surprise raid that had been prepared with great ambition ended in utter failure.
Yeon Cheon-baek found himself overwhelmed, taking on not only the previous responses to the Blood Sect but also the follow-up actions due to this latest defeat. He wished for ten more bodies just to keep up.
“Phew.”
As he tackled the problems flying in from every corner, Yeon Cheon-baek let out a long sigh.
He sensed a presence at the door.
Just when he thought he had a mountain of unresolved issues, it seemed another one was on its way.
“Reporting!”
“Speak.”
“The Brain Knife Outcast has left the alliance.”
Yeon Cheon-baek’s hand froze while drafting a letter.
“Is there anything unusual?”
“Moyong Yeon-hwa has joined Ho Cheon-an’s party.”
“Hmmm… Do we know where they headed?”
“I apologize. I have no information on their destination. Shall I look into it right away?”
“No, that’s alright.”
Yeon Cheon-baek set down his brush and went deep into thought. Moyong Yeon-hwa was now in the company of Ho Cheon-an.
“Hahaha.”
He chuckled lightly.
Currently, Ho Cheon-an’s situation was far from good. Though he claimed to be acting alone, the Martial Forest Alliance had already expressed suspicions about him, leading to his ostracization.
No matter how much he had previously supported the Moyong Clan, to have brought along the direct lineage of a well-known Peak Expert was quite a skill.
‘Should I risk that talented skill?’
Yeon Cheon-baek recalled Ho Cheon-an, who had asked for a private meeting before heading out to the eastern region.
[I worry that if this operation goes awry, I might not return to the alliance. So, I would like to inform only you of my destination.]
Ho Cheon-an, with eyes full of hesitation and confusion, was making enigmatic statements back then.
At the time, he thought it was just the pressure of an important task weighing down on him, but now he could glimpse the meaning behind those words.
The message left by Ho Cheon-an was a backup plan in case he fell into a trap set by the Blood Ancestor, leading to the worst-case scenario.
[If things go wrong and I cannot return to the alliance, I will head to the Heavenly Demon Sect.]
The Heavenly Demon Sect.
A religious group that worships the Heavenly Demon as the strongest Martial Artist in the world, venerating him as a living god.
To honor such a deity, faith is not just an option, but a necessity.
Members of the Heavenly Demon Sect go to great lengths to protect the Heavenly Demon, the core subject of their belief.
However, if the Heavenly Demon was indeed the strongest Martial Artist, would it even matter to protect him from other Martial Artists?
Thus, they have strived to safeguard the Heavenly Demon from other threats.
An existence that no single Martial Artist could contend with.
That was the Entities.
‘They say the Heavenly Demon cannot exert power against Entities, thus the Heavenly Demon Sect developed their Array Formation Teams…’
Yeon Cheon-baek shook his head, brushing off the thought.
Whether the Array Formation Teams were formed as a means to prove faith or as a protection for the Heavenly Demon who cannot deal with Entities doesn’t matter.
What’s important is the fact that the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Array Formation Teams would be of great help against the Blood Sect, alongside the knowledge that Ho Cheon-an was heading to Xin Gang to mobilize the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Why was the Heavenly Demon Sect feared as the Demon Sect?
Because their actions were utterly unilateral, and their very essence was foreign to the Martial World.
Martial Artists pouring out from the Demon Sect were nothing but crazed individuals who had gone mad while practicing demonic arts, having no interaction with the Central Plains.
Even the Martial Artists of the Demon Sect, who were supposed to manage these madmen, only called for dominance and showed no intention of reconciling with the Martial World, which has led to the perception they possess today.
How could they be made to act?
Yeon Cheon-baek could hardly imagine what he could do to stir the Heavenly Demon Sect’s military forces.
Yet if Ho Cheon-an truly succeeded in mobilizing the Demon Sect,
It would be a lethal move no one could expect.
‘I sincerely hope for his success.’
With that thought, Yeon Cheon-baek picked up his brush again.
To catch the Blood Sect by surprise when the Demon Sect strikes them from behind was a task that required diligent preparation starting now.
“Hmm.”
As Yeon Cheon-baek steeled his mind and wrestled with the paperwork,
Clump! Clump!
The Bicheongmacha raced towards Xin Gang.
*
Thanks to the patient Tang So-yeol, Moyong Yeon-hwa found herself riding in the Bicheongmacha at a reasonable speed.
Squeak?
Naturally, she also came face to face with Seo Gong, who had been hiding in the cart. Seo Gong displayed his curiosity upon seeing Moyong Yeon-hwa on the Bicheongmacha.
“Hmm.”
She looked at Seo Gong with a complex gaze. The changes within the Master of the Faction were not due to Seo Gong, but given what had transpired, it was tough to warmly greet him.
Time was needed.
And it wasn’t just with Seo Gong. Unlike when Dokgo I-seol had joined, at least she had a paper-thin bond with Hyeok Gi-rin, but aside from that, no one among them had any ties with Moyong Yeon-hwa, making the atmosphere slightly awkward.
Joining the party and immediately leaving the Martial Forest Alliance, they exchanged just a few greetings before now being squeezed together in the narrow cart; it was only natural to feel a bit uncomfortable.
That awkward atmosphere was broken by Tang So-yeol.
Due to the cart’s nature, she gave up on fanning and massaging shoulders, but it seemed she couldn’t resist pinching Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheeks, still keeping him beside her. Meanwhile, Seo Gong was nestled in Hyeok Gi-rin’s embrace.
“Right. We are heading to Xin Gang, right? But are you planning to go to the Demon Sect to seek the Heavenly Demon or the Heavenly Demon itself?”
Moyong Yeon-hwa gasped, covering her mouth and widening her eyes in surprise.
It was quite the shock to suddenly hear they were heading to the Demon Sect right after joining the party. But it was essential to know such things if they were to move together from now on.
I mixed in some explanations for Moyong Yeon-hwa as I began to speak.
“Well, in terms of seeking help, it’s quite similar. The Heavenly Demon Sect possesses numerous adept practitioners and outstanding Array Formation Teams.”
Excluding Black Cat, who had lived in the Demon Sect for quite some time, the rest of the party displayed expressions of surprise.
It was indeed a lesser-known fact in the Martial World.
However, when tracing the origins of the Demon Sect, it was only natural.
The Heavenly Demon, cursed by the blood dragon, could no longer contend with Entities. The Heavenly Demon Sect developed around that very Heavenly Demon, culminating in its current form today.
The Heavenly Demon was the centerpiece of the faith that established the Heavenly Demon Sect. Ignoring the religious significance, the martial knowledge the Heavenly Demon attained was at the core of the Heavenly Demon Library.
It was only natural for them to invest in many Array Formation Teams and research various formations to protect the Heavenly Demon and the Heavenly Demon Sect from Entities.
“Judging solely from the Array Formation Teams that can currently fight Entities, the Heavenly Demon Sect definitely surpasses the Martial Forest Alliance.”
“Oh my…”
What was the reason why most factions in the Martial Forest Alliance neglected training their own formations?
Because there was no need to do so.
Entities were no longer regarded as a real threat, and the already large factions had no need to risk themselves hunting Entities as they sought growth.
On the other hand, the Heavenly Demon Sect had numerous Array Formation Teams and a reason to maintain the intensity of their training.
Faith.
Even if no Entities threatened the Heavenly Demon Sect, training teams and practicing formations serves as proof of devotion to the Heavenly Demon.
Thus, the majority of their military forces were likely trained to engage in combat with Entities right away.
“But will that even be possible?”
Tang So-yeol asked me with the expression of someone desperately needing a smoke.
“We aren’t moving the Heavenly Demon or the Heavenly Demon. We need to mobilize the whole Demon Sect. That couldn’t possibly be achieved just through connections.”
“Of course.”
While Wi Seoryeon and Wi Ji-cheon were on friendly terms with me, neither would forsake their duties towards the Heavenly Demon and aid me.
Even if those two showed favor to me, it wouldn’t be easy to mobilize the Heavenly Demon Sect.
In fact, it would be exceedingly difficult.
Since the founding of the Heavenly Demon Sect by the first Heavenly Demon, they had never intervened in the affairs of the Martial World.
For the Heavenly Demon Sect to actively engage would be a one-of-a-kind occurrence, meaning that a mere decent bargaining wouldn’t suffice.
“Then we’ll need to prepare gifts.”
Gifts to make the Heavenly Demon Sect that had never moved before bound off their chairs.
Providing such gifts to the Heavenly Demon Sect would be no easy feat.
It was going to take considerable preparation even before preparing a gift.
I began to carefully explain my plans, met with curious stares from the party.
*
What is the most urgent issue to handle currently?
That would be the crafting of the arrays belt for Moyong Yeon-hwa and the repair of the arrays belt previously used by Dokgo I-seol.
Though Tang So-yeol seemed to resemble a neighborhood punk and had a careless attitude, his skills counted him among the best artisans in the world.
Seo Mun-yeon designed the arrays belt according to Tang So-yeol’s prowess, meaning that the blacksmithing skills necessary for making or repairing the arrays belt were no ordinary matter.
“Hmmm… This is going to be difficult.”
“How can that be? Will you not provide what I desire?”
“Sorry, but this is something I simply cannot produce. You should seek another smith.”
And thus, I found myself here in Shengsu, running around in search of someone competent.
“Sigh.”
Having visited several recommended proficient blacksmiths, I found none could craft an arrays belt.
There was no help for it. All I could do was hope that one of my disbursed companions had found a capable blacksmith.
With no results, Moyong Yeon-hwa and Tang So-yeol returned to the inn for a break.
“Did you return, Senior Ho Cheon-an?”
“Hmm. Nothing out of the ordinary?”
Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled slightly.
“Nothing particularly happened. Just the two of you discussing something, I suppose.”
What could it have been?
Moyong Yeon-hwa appeared rather dispirited as she left the room. Watching her, Tang So-yeol, who had been lounging on the bed, chuckled.
“Did you really think finding a craftsman as skilled as me would be easy? Such a worthless brat who doesn’t appreciate the greatness of his master.”
He scratched his belly as he spoke, seemingly pleased that I had returned empty-handed.
Honestly, it was quite malicious for him to take joy in my failures.
I glared at the mischievous Tang So-yeol.
“What did you do?”
“Do?”
I gestured towards the door that Moyong Yeon-hwa just exited.
“What did you do to Moyong Yeon-hwa?”
“Disciple, why would I do something to her? You’re being absurd.”
“What you did shouldn’t be just my problem, but yours too.”
The departed Moyong Yeon-hwa looked completely drained.
Why would she look so down just after joining the party?
If the Bicheongmacha had been racing at full speed, then perhaps.
But we traveled at a consistent speed thanks to Tang So-yeol, and the very fact that she looked so tired could only mean that he had done something.
“Disciple, is it amusing for your woman to look drained while glaring at her master?”
Tang So-yeol stared at me as if he found it ridiculous.
…Or was it not?
While Tang So-yeol was quite the rascal, he wasn’t the type to trump up lies to evade responsibility.
“A mere Peak Expert couldn’t possibly get anxious or feel inferior just from doing errands or massaging shoulders.”
Seemed about right.
“If she needed a massage, she could’ve just spoken up.”
I grabbed Tang So-yeol’s ankle and pressed hard on the Yongcheon point with my index finger.
“Ah! Aah!”
Tang So-yeol’s body jumped like a fish when I stimulated his most sensitive pressure point.
Seriously, it was just acupressure, yet the dramatics.
As I poured my absolute effort into massaging his Yongcheon point, Tang So-yeol’s twitches finally eased.
Seriously, some moderation is needed for his malicious deeds.
With Tang So-yeol blissfully snoring behind me, I stepped out to find Moyong Yeon-hwa.
Moyong Yeon-hwa was outside the inn, catching some breeze.
She looked up at the sky in silence, seemingly lost in thought as if weighed down by attending to Tang So-yeol.
“There you are.”
“Oh, Senior.”
“Disciple, please just overlook the deeds of Tang So-yeol. He tends to become overzealous… I doubt there was any malice.”
“Oh… It’s alright. After all, I owe my life to Tang So-yeol. It’s only right that I help him since he tried to help me.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s expression displayed no trace of insincerity.
…Could it really not be because of Tang So-yeol?
As I noticed the quietly weighed-down demeanor of Moyong Yeon-hwa, she faintly smiled.
“Did you think I felt disheartened because of Tang So-yeol?”
“Hmmm… I can’t deny it.”
“Hoho, thank you for your concern. But that’s not the case.”
I found myself in a slight confusion.
If it wasn’t because of the Bicheongmacha or Tang So-yeol’s mischief, then just what could cause Moyong Yeon-hwa to look so dampened?
“Is there something troubling you that you would like to share?”
Moyong Yeon-hwa hesitated slightly before speaking up.
“I’m worried that I may not be able to be of any help.”
…What kind of nonsense is this?
“Actually, I was quite surprised yesterday. Senior Ho Cheon-an, alongside the other companions, revealed his connections with the Heavenly Demon. Moreover, the others accepted plans I couldn’t even fathom quite casually.”
It seemed my new companion was quite startled by the revealed ties to the Heavenly Demon.
“Standing among such extraordinary individuals, I can’t help but wonder if I can contribute in any meaningful way… Embarrassingly, I find it difficult to shake off those thoughts.”
Mhm.
Honestly, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s confession took me aback.
What had she shown in the Shengsu Faction? She had been a bold woman, unashamed to showcase her skills even in front of branch clan members and servants.
Not only that, but when she confessed having feelings for me, she showed poise by choosing to head back to her main family to save the Shengsu Faction.
Though she had wavered in our meetings since then, she ultimately mustered her resolve and approached me.
Yet, I never expected Moyong Yeon-hwa, upon joining our party, would feel demoralized to the point of asking herself, “Can I even do this?”
Only now did I realize the fatigue weighed heavily in her eyes.
Determining this, the cause of her turmoil was easy to deduce.
Ever since leaving the Shengsu Faction, Moyong Yeon-hwa had poured her heart and soul into rebuilding it. Could it be said that her efforts bore fruit?
Of course, people can grow tired if they diligently work towards something with no visible rewards.
It seems the temporary joy of setting off on a journey with me had only masked the exhaustion within her, which had accumulated over time.
And that exhaustion likely led her to negative thoughts such as, ‘I can’t do anything of significance.’
Thus, the only thing I could offer was comfort.
“Moyong Yeon-hwa, you can absolutely do it.”
“Hoho, I’m afraid I’ve caused you worry.”
But surprisingly, it felt as though my encouragement had an opposite effect.
‘After all, I’m just a concern for Ho Cheon-an,’ she sported a self-mocking smile and lowered her gaze.
Perhaps my words hadn’t conveyed my sincerity adequately.
Therefore, I lightly patted her shoulder and spoke again.
“I genuinely believe Moyong Yeon-hwa can excel.”
“…Senior.”
Suddenly, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face flushed bright red.
