“I’m so bored.”
Wi Seoryeon glanced around the banquet hall with a languid expression.
All she could see were people avoiding eye contact and sporting subservient smiles.
The members of the Dark Dragon Sect and Outcast Factions from Yunnan were at least a level above these folks, it seemed.
She licked her lips at the thought.
If she’d known it would be this boring, she should have invited Seo Gong.
If she could just stroke that warm, soft fur coat of his, time would fly.
“Well, at least it’s better than my father’s situation.”
Wi Seoryeon looked over at Wi Ji-cheon.
“Hahahaha!!”
“Hehehe!”
Wi Ji-cheon was quietly drinking among the chuckling leaders of the Seo An Outcasts, but Seoryeon could definitely feel the irritation radiating from his poker face.
Seeing that, she downed her drink.
“Ho Cheon-an, you’re really in trouble now.”
She silently wished for Ho Cheon-an’s well-being.
He would likely need to take a beating to relieve the pent-up anger within Wi Ji-cheon.
“Hahaha! Just by being able to see the esteemed face of the Heavenly Demon is already a glory of three lifetimes! But it’s unfortunate that I couldn’t meet the Brain Knife Outcast, Ho Cheon-an.”
Just then, one of the sect leaders mentioned Ho Cheon-an.
“I heard he’s busy with business in Sacheon City.”
The sect leaders subtly inquired about Ho Cheon-an’s whereabouts.
Wi Ji-cheon swallowed a drink and then spoke.
“There won’t be any visit from the Saint while he’s in Shaanxi.”
The moment Wi Ji-cheon spoke, the eyes of the sect leaders sparkled.
“Hmm. If I had to guess, it seems the Saint has pressing matters to attend to in Sacheon City.”
“Surely, he must have a deeper intention behind it.”
The sect leaders were trying hard to gauge the inner thoughts of Wi Ji-cheon.
For them—and for the Martial Forest Alliance excluded from joining—as important as understanding the Heavenly Demon Sect’s movements and intentions was nothing less than crucial.
Depending on the intentions of Wi Ji-cheon, the dynamics of the world could be entirely altered.
If the Heavenly Demon Sect truly defeats the Blood Sect and just heads back to Xin Gang, what then? Even if they claim to be a sect, they won’t be able to eliminate all the Blood Sect entities scattered across the world.
It would take time, but the Righteous Faction would clean up the entities spread all over, and public sentiment would shift towards the Righteous Faction.
From the perspective of the Outcast Factions opposing the Righteous Faction in various regions, this was an unwelcome scenario.
On the other hand, what if the Heavenly Demon Sect intended to spread its influence across the world?
If the Heavenly Demon Sect achieved victory, they would use the excuse of the entities scattered all over the world to expand their influence, and the sects that aligned with them would benefit along the way.
Which side should they lean toward: the Blood Sect or the Heavenly Demon Sect?
To weigh the pros and cons, they needed more information about the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Perhaps their earnest feelings reached Wi Ji-cheon, as his tightly shut mouth began to crack open.
“Working for the sect, I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The fact that the Brain Knife Outcast was working for the sect?
The unusual words revitalized the sect leaders’ eyes.
“By ‘working,’ do you mean?”
“Our sect anticipates a prolonged campaign for the eradication of the Blood Sect. The retreat of the entities from Sacheon and the concealment of entities here in Shaanxi confirm this conclusion.”
“Indeed, I see.”
“Since becoming a hero of the martial world, the Blood Sect has lived in the shadows, preparing for such an event. If they really start to flee, catching them won’t be an easy task.”
With every word from Wi Ji-cheon, the sect leaders held their breath.
Ultimately, what Wi Ji-cheon was stating was that the Heavenly Demon Sect was preparing to invade the Central Plains. Even if the Heavenly Demon Sect claimed they had no ambition to conquer the Central Plains, merely staying there for an extended period would naturally expand their influence.
“Were we meant to establish at least one foothold in the Central Plains?”
With Wi Ji-cheon’s statement, the sect leaders began to envision the current situation gradually.
Ho Cheon-an was planning to establish a base for the Heavenly Demon Sect in Sacheon.
But, in reality, Wi Ji-cheon and the warriors of the Heavenly Demon Sect were engaged in dealings with the Outcast factions in Shaanxi.
They hadn’t outright declined Ho Cheon-an’s proposal, but it was as good as a rejection from the Heavenly Demon Sect.
“Certainly, it would be hard to exert influence if they set up shop in the Righteous Faction stronghold of Sacheon…!”
“Indeed, they must have plans for the world…!”
The eyes of the sect leaders darted eagerly, resulting in the leader of the Seo An Sect finally speaking up after much difficulty.
“Then, are you considering establishing at least a temporary residence in Yunnan? I heard you’ve built good relations with the Outcast factions there.”
Wi Ji-cheon took another drink before responding.
“Settling in Yunnan wouldn’t be bad, but it seems a bit too far to travel across the entire Central Plains.”
Wi Ji-cheon’s meaningful response.
This answer began to spread far and wide even before the banquet had concluded.
*
“Become famous.
Then even if you take a dump, people will applaud.”
This quote came to mind every time I trained in the morning lately.
In order to polish just the Brain Knife, I’d forgotten all about the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword and had been starting over from scratch.
“Hmm. Impressive…! To be able to take basic training so seriously.”
“Even after reaching Hwa-gyeong, you still chew on fundamental techniques like that?”
“Indeed, the path to the Higher Realm lies in fundamentals!”
… A wind of basic training swept among the veteran newcomers of the Sacheon Outcasts.
While the existing members of the Sacheon Outcasts rolled their eyes as I trained in the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword, saying things like ‘He’s at it again’, today was different.
“First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword!”
With Hyeok Gi-rin’s shout, my sword alongside Seo I-ryeong’s and Jo Yong-sang’s sliced through the air.
“Azure Cloud’s Charge! Absolute Azure Cloud Slash!”
It had already been two weeks since I started training in the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword.
Just two weeks ago, I was just a Brain Knife that pretended to be a powerful sword, a quick sword, a transforming sword, a whimsical sword that couldn’t even mimic the Brain Knife. Now, I could relatively handle the essential techniques of powerful, swift, and transforming styles.
I wasn’t the only one progressing.
Maybe it was because I now had fellow trainees and a strict master in Hyeok Gi-rin.
Jo Yong-sang and Seo I-ryeong were also showing explosive growth.
Of course, there were minor side effects.
Smack!
“Ow!”
Jo Yong-sang rolled over after getting struck on the forehead by Hyeok Gi-rin’s wooden sword.
“How many times must I tell you to stop mimicking the sword of Young Hero Ho Cheon-an?!”
“Ugh… I’m sorry.”
As I watched Jo Yong-sang rubbing his forehead and making a whiny face, I wondered whether “having monstrous talent” referred to someone like Jo Yong-sang.
Jo Yong-sang was catching on to the Brain Knife techniques embedded in my First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword and trying to emulate them.
“Now, Jo Yong-sang, let’s go solo! First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword!”
“First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword!”
Hyeok Gi-rin treated Jo Yong-sang with extreme strictness. Perhaps it was purely a necessary measure rather than any personal feelings.
Normally, it would be overlooked due to being my friend, but stealing the essence of martial arts mastered by others could lead to untold consequences.
Having talent is good, but it wouldn’t do to use that talent recklessly.
Hyeok Gi-rin was managing Jo Yong-sang strictly to rein in the fantastic talent he possessed.
Smack!
“Owww!”
While leaving Jo Yong-sang, who was rolling on the floor, I finished training with Seo I-ryeong and sat down for breakfast.
Well, if one could say we shared a meal together after shoving all the noodles in at once.
“Hehehe~”
Seo I-ryeong squatted down in front of Seo Gong, who was curled up in a corner of the Outcast Inn, chuckling.
Do you really like Seo Gong that much?
Shaking my head, I stuffed the leftover noodles into my mouth, only to find the Black Cat sitting in front of me after finishing my training.
“Senior! If you’re going out today, let’s go together!”
“Hmm?”
“I need to restock on rice snacks.”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
Let’s see, which sect is near the snack shop where the Black Cat buys rice snacks?
Ah, I remember now! Today we can stop by the Western-style restaurant.
“Are you going out with the Black Cat today?”
“Have a nice trip, Honorable Person.”
As my group saw me off, I left the Outcast Inn with the Black Cat.
Compared to two weeks ago, the number of gazes following us had significantly decreased, but there were still many who watched the Outcast Inn intently.
“It’s about time for a bite, isn’t it?”
“That does seem to be the case.”
I maintained an outwardly relaxed expression while internally sighing.
Although the past two weeks in Sacheon City were leisurely enough to be called a vacation, my heart felt uneasy.
It had been long enough for any response to arise, yet no signs had emerged.
This strategy was meant to corner the Blood Sect, but would it actually be effective?
Am I giving too much time to the Blood Ancestor?
As more time passed, anxiety began to creep in.
While I was lost in thought, the Black Cat placed something into my mouth.
It was a rice snack.
“You can succeed, so don’t worry too much.”
“… Right.”
The Black Cat divided the last remaining handful of rice snacks from her pouch and placed half in my palm.
Is this her form of encouragement?
I inadvertently let out a chuckle.
People say the heart is like a reed, and here I am, feeling calm just because I received half a handful of rice snacks.
Anyway, these rice snacks were delicious.
As I munched on the fragrant, sweet rice snacks, we quickly arrived at the bakery. The shop owner, recognizing us, eagerly bowed as he welcomed us, and the Black Cat effortlessly ordered the same snacks she often got.
“Well then, see you later, Senior!”
Just like always, the Black Cat disappeared, one hand filled with snacks and the other piled high with rice snacks, and I headed towards the Western-style restaurant.
The gatekeepers of the Western-style restaurant recognized me immediately and I wasted no time meeting with the sect leader, Baek Saja.
And as soon as I met him, I realized I had finally received the response I had been waiting for.
“Hmm. What brings you to the Western-style restaurant?”
The look Baek Saja gave me was anything but gracious.
Well, Baek Jeryong likely knew that Da Jeryong had come to drink with me and gained some realization. Therefore, Baek Saja had no reason to be hostile.
But still, the look he gave me signified he had received some information.
“I would like to make a request.”
“A request, you say?”
“Presently, I am fighting alongside the Heavenly Demon Sect against the influence of the Blood Sect. Ideally, I would like to crush the Blood Sect’s powers in one go, but as of now, they’re avoiding clashes with the Heavenly Demon Sect… for the warriors of the Heavenly Demon Sect to operate in the Central Plains, they would need a stronghold.”
Baek Saja’s eyebrows twitched.
“Are you suggesting we establish a base for the Heavenly Demon Sect here in Sacheon City?”
“Exactly.”
I wanted to set up a base for the Heavenly Demon Sect in Sacheon City.
This was the matter I had been seeking the leaders’ understanding on as I visited on the past two weeks.
Honestly, coldly assessing the situation, it was unlikely that the factions in Sacheon City would accept this proposal.
No matter how temporary the term may sound, which Righteous Faction would welcome the warriors of a Demon Sect onto their territory?
However, over the past two weeks, the sects I reached out to hesitated to say “no.”
The influence and clout I possessed couldn’t be disregarded, and besides, my request had enough merit.
“The Heavenly Demon Sect actively opposes the Blood Sect that’s disrupting the world. Assisting such a sect could be seen as a righteous act, regardless of stance. While it may not be an easy task, I trust the factions in Sacheon City can show that kind of spirit, and thus I make this request.”
However, the risk of accepting my suggestion was immense.
Would the Heavenly Demon Sect actually stay in Sacheon City for a while and then leave? If they didn’t leave, could the Brain Knife Outcast take responsibility for it?
Such concerns were unavoidable.
“The Western-style restaurant has no direct ties to the Heavenly Demon Sect, but traditionally, the Righteous Faction and the Heavenly Demon Sect have been rivals. While it’s important to suppress the Blood Sect’s force disrupting the world, what worries me is whether it would become a new headache for Sacheon City.”
“There’s definitely a possibility that the situation you’re worried about could arise. However, would you believe in me? The title of the Holy One is respected even within the sect.”
“Respected title… it is.”
The distrust emanating from Baek Saja intensified.
After all, the Western-style restaurant was a sect for those training in the Fiery Yang Art.
Even being a sect leader, he couldn’t escape the nature of practitioners of the Fiery Yang Arts, so his expression faltered.
Baek Saja clearly regarded my words as lies.
From his attitude, I could sense that he firmly held evidence to back his disbelief.
What could that evidence be?
It was undoubtedly the ambition shown by Wi Ji-cheon in Shaanxi to conquer the martial world.
So it seemed Wi Ji-cheon had treated them well in Shaanxi after all.
Baek Saja looked as if he wanted to shout at me, “Oh traitor! Are you planning to sell the city of Sacheon to the Heavenly Demon Sect?” His mouth, however, produced a rather bland response.
“The suggestion of the Brain Knife Outcast, I shall consider it thoroughly.”
“I await a positive response.”
As I exited the meeting with the sect leader, Da Jeryong was waiting for me outside. He regarded me with a discontented glance before bluntly speaking.
“Walk with me for a moment.”
“Sure.”
Once we reached an isolated area, Da Jeryong opened his mouth.
“So you’ve become Hwa-gyeong, huh?”
“Just some lucky breaks.”
“Was that lucky break the Heavenly Demon Sect?”
No surprise that he asked without holding back. I simply smiled.
“Is that what you think?”
“This isn’t the time for riddles. The public will think so.”
Da Jeryong’s words rang true.
He had directly received the realization from me, so he’d think I leveled up to Hwa-gyeong by my own genius. However, to the public eye, my growth seemed almost supernatural.
People would scramble to piece together the reasons for my sudden rise to Hwa-gyeong, but ultimately, there would be no clear answers.
What if the link to the Heavenly Demon Sect were to be revealed, and worse, if it came out that I was trying to hand Sacheon City over to it?
Rumors about Ho Cheon-an might start circulating.
If the rumors about Ho Cheon-an circulated, people would assume that the reason the Heavenly Demon Sect opposed the Blood Sect was not due to any righteous motive but rather to expand their influence over the Central Plains.
“I heard that the Heavenly Demon was saying he’d expand his influence everywhere in the world in Shaanxi. Thus, the sects in Sacheon will no longer believe your words.”
“Ah, the Heavenly Demon Sect is just thinking of establishing a foothold. They’re not aiming for world domination.”
Da Jeryong scowled and shot back.
“Right, that’s a likely story. If that were truly the case, who would believe it?”
That was indeed the case.
Hence why I was setting this whole scheme in motion.
Seeing I had no reaction, Da Jeryong sighed heavily.
“I was just sharing rumors I know because I owe you something.”
“Thanks for that.”
“Humph.”
Da Jeryong sneezed and disappeared, while I stepped out of the Western-style restaurant to find other sects. Some showed subtle reactions while others merely displayed perplexed expressions, possibly having not yet heard of the news.
But once rumors spread, they couldn’t be taken back.
And my news would spread faster than those rumors.
The sect leaders and elder members who caught wind of this would feel a sense of betrayal, and some among them would leak the rumors they encountered in Sacheon City.
Eventually, those rumors would spill all over Sacheon City, and the residents might begin to side-eye me, even if they initially regarded me with favor.
And those suspicious gazes would provide a guarantee that my actions were not deceitful.
How long would that process take?
I don’t know, but it wouldn’t take very long.
So I might as well tell Tang Do-yeon to prepare for the trip now.
Once I leave the Outcast Inn, I need to keep running without a break.
