Chapter 271: We're Here Too

TL: FoodieMonster007

Heavenly Peace Sect Leader Seo Baekjong looked out the window. He saw the usual sight of martial artists laughing as they passed the training grounds.

A long time had passed since his son's release, yet the Demonic Cult remained quiet.

As expected! He's incredible.

Seo Baekjong thought of the man in the bamboo hat. He had asked the man because he believed he could do it, but he never expected him to handle it so cleanly.

The days of walking a tightrope between the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic were over. Now indebted to the orthodox sects, the time had come to join them. Of course, he had to join them in a way that brought the Heavenly Peace Sect maximum benefit.

Just then, his subordinate, Yoo Maeng, entered.

"You called for me?"

Seo Baekjong gave him a secret order.

"Send this invitation to the leader of the Demon Slaying Brigade and also spread the word to the sects that follow us."

He planned to hold a secret banquet.

He knew the leaders of the sects following him were dissatisfied with his decision to join the orthodox sects. He had to appease their complaints quickly. Gathering them took an eternity, but they could fall apart in an instant.

His persuasion alone could not resolve this. Jin Hagun, leader of the Demon Slaying Brigade and future Murim Alliance Chairman, had to come and placate them himself.

Now, I will gather the people, so show me what you are capable of.

Little Sword Gang Chief Jong Yeom was more nervous than ever.

As the leader of one of Hunan's top ten sects, he had never been this nervous. He paced back and forth in the main hall, drank water then tea, sat then stood, and went in and out of the latrine. He walked the courtyard only to return inside, repeating the cycle several times.

To his son, Jong Tae, this side of his father was completely unfamiliar. His father, always so dignified, was this nervous? He was even breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Just who is the guest coming today?"

His father had sent all the gang members outside for various reasons. Only a few trustworthy martial artists remained inside the headquarters. His intention to greet the guest in secret was clear.

It was certain that someone important was coming, but his father would not tell him who.

"There's no good in knowing beforehand. Even when you find out who they are later, you mustn't show any agitation. Just follow my instructions quietly."

Just then, a subordinate reported from outside.

"The guests have arrived."

The door opened, and a man stepped into the main hall.

The moment Jong Tae saw him, he froze. The young man's face bore a terrifying scar. He also exuded a faint, evil energy.

A master from the unorthodox sects!

The one who entered was Bi Sayin, heir of the Evil Alliance. Thirteen martial artists followed him. They were the Thirteen Evil Wolves who protected Bi Sayin.

They spread out to every corner of the main hall, dominating the space. The aura of each one was formidable.

Jong Tae felt suffocated by them alone, but the truly terrifying people entered last.

The two who entered last exuded a fearsome energy, making Jong Tae's knees feel weak. They were absolute masters from the Seven Evil Masters.

The Evil Eccentric.

He had mastered the Great Iron Cleave, a close-combat art using the entire body, to its absolute limit. He was known to crumple an iron sword with his bare hands as if it were paper.

His eccentric and cruel personality made him infamous in the murim. He was famous for killing his opponents by inflicting excruciating pain, making him a master from the unorthodox sects no one wanted to meet.

The Light Flash.

He was known as the greatest master of fast sword techniques in the unorthodox sects. The Thunder Chasing Triple Swords he mastered was known as the fastest among the unorthodox fast sword arts.

His personality was taciturn, so no one knew his thoughts or how he lived. A man with a fast sword but a slow mouth, he was also a master ranked within the top seven of the unorthodox sects.

Bi Sayin had accepted Geom Mugeuk's advice and brought two terrifying masters with him.

"Greetings, Young Master. I'm Jong Yeom, leader of the Little Sword Gang."

"A pleasure. I've heard much of Chief Jong's reputation."

After exchanging greetings, Bi Sayin introduced the Evil Eccentric and the Light Flash.

Upon learning their identities, Jong Yeom and Jong Tae turned pale and bowed deeply. The absolute masters of the unorthodox sects, whom they had only heard of, were right before their eyes.

Jong Tae finally understood why his father had been so nervous. He also understood why he had not told him who their guests were. If he had known beforehand, he would have been trembling beside his father.

"This is my son."

Jong Tae politely offered a clasped hands greeting. Although it was a difficult and dangerous meeting, Jong Yeom had deliberately brought his son along. He knew well what a great experience a meeting with such influential figures would be for a martial artist.

"Your son looks very handsome and intelligent."

"He's still a child with many shortcomings. You, go and bring some tea."

Jong Tae, filled with tension, brought the tea.

The teacup he carried trembled. Both Bi Sayin and Jong Yeom saw the tremor, but neither said a word. It would have been stranger if he did not tremble while serving tea to the heir of the Evil Alliance, the Evil Eccentric, and the Light Flash.

After serving the tea, he stood a short distance away and listened to the conversation between his father and Bi Sayin.

"Please, take the seat of honor."

Jong Yeom offered the seat of honor, but Bi Sayin did not take it.

"The seat of honor is for you, Chief Jong."

Bi Sayin was essentially saying, 'I'm not here to take your place'.

As Jong Yeom cautiously sat in his own seat, Bi Sayin got straight to the point.

"I'm sure you're aware the Heavenly Peace Sect has joined hands with the Murim Alliance."

"Yes, I am."

"I'll ask you directly. Does Chief Jong wish to follow the orthodox sects?"

Before hearing the answer, Bi Sayin quickly added.

"Please don't misunderstand and think I brought these two peerless masters to pressure you, Chief Jong. I brought them to show you that we'll be the ones protecting the Little Sword Gang from now on."

Indeed, as if briefed by Bi Sayin beforehand, the Evil Eccentric and the Light Flash quietly drank their tea without revealing any of their energy.

The fact that they remained still made Bi Sayin seem even more impressive. He was a person who could make such terrifying men sit quietly and drink tea.

"No matter what you answer, our alliance won't bring any harm to the Little Sword Gang. I promise you on my name. So please, speak comfortably."

"Yes, I will."

Jong Yeom knew that the fate of the Little Sword Gang would change depending on his answer.

"This gang doesn't wish to follow the orthodox sects. I'm the kind of person who breaks out in hives just thinking about them. The only reason I've followed the Heavenly Peace Sect until now is because they maintained a deep relationship with the Evil Alliance."

Before making his decision, Jong Yeom calmly conveyed his concerns.

"Here in Hunan, the Demonic Cult's power has been strong for generations. Our gang stayed under the Heavenly Peace Sect's shadow to avoid the Demonic Cult's blade."

At that, Bi Sayin's eyes filled with conviction as he spoke resolutely.

"From now on, we'll block that blade for you."

This only added to Jong Yeom's worries.

"The Heavenly Peace Sect won't look kindly on us either."

Bi Sayin replied even more firmly.

"Then the Evil Alliance won't look kindly on the Heavenly Peace Sect."

Jong Yeom stared at Bi Sayin's face. Seeing this, his son Jong Tae was inwardly surprised and impressed. He never thought his father, who had been trembling so much, could show such a confident side. He was not intimidated at all and was securing the promises he needed.

"Can you promise me that?"

"I promise you in the name of the Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman."

Jong Yeom did not drag it out any longer. He immediately rose from his seat, offered a polite clasped hands greeting, and said.

"From this day forward, the Little Sword Gang will share its destiny with the Evil Alliance."

Bi Sayin rose from his seat and returned the clasped hands greeting.

"The Evil Alliance will share its destiny with the Little Sword Gang."

It was the moment the new destiny of the Little Sword Gang was decided.

Bi Sayin immediately bid them farewell. He had many more sects to visit.

Before leaving, Bi Sayin said to Jong Yeom.

"Many sects will share the Little Sword Gang's will. So you can proceed with confidence."

And with that, Bi Sayin, the Thirteen Evil Wolves, the Evil Eccentric, and the Light Flash left.

Only after they left did Jong Tae finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Were you trying to watch your son die of shock?"

"As you live in the murim, you'll experience things like this many times. You must handle them as calmly as you did today."

He knew his son would handle it well. If his son had been frivolous, he would not have had him attend this meeting.

"But shouldn't you have gotten the promise in writing, with a contract or something?"

"If they intend to break their promise, what meaning would a mere contract have?"

Jong Tae was seeing a new side of his father. He had thought his father was just someone who always bowed and scraped before the Heavenly Peace Sect Leader, always laughing heartily.

"I'm truly surprised you made such a decision in an instant."

"It wasn't in an instant."

"Pardon?"

"From the day they secretly sent word for a meeting until now, I haven't slept a wink."

Jong Yeom looked at his son and said.

"How could I make a simple decision when all our lives are on the line?"

Realizing his father's outstanding qualities anew, Jong Tae respectfully bowed his head. The fact that this moment felt so moving must have meant he had never truly respected his father until now.

"Thank you for allowing me to be here."

Even in this moving moment, his one worry, above all else, was the Demonic Cult.

"Will the Demonic Cult really just stand by?"

"Of course they won't just stand by. Now that the Evil Alliance has made its move, they'll start to move as well."

Jong Yeom's gaze fell upon the door through which Bi Sayin had walked out.

"With the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult's appearance in the Central Plains, the slumbering murim has begun to stir."

"No matter what comes our way, I'll handle it with the flexibility of a bamboo."

That was what his father always used to say, but now, his father's thinking had changed. Just as the heir of the Evil Alliance had come to this place today, his son would have to lead the Little Sword Gang in the future.

Jong Yeom hoped his son would live his life safely rather than become a hero of the murim. Just as he himself had lived.

"Your father survived by acting like bamboo, but even bamboo eventually breaks in a great wind. You should live like flowing water."

These were the words he wanted to give his son in the face of the coming wave of change.

The gatekeeper of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Hunan Branch guarded the main gate, same as always.

Standing guard all day was incredibly boring. He often made small talk with the others on duty, and today, a subordinate shared a rumor.

"It seems the Heavenly Peace Sect is secretly planning to hold a banquet."

"A banquet? Where'd you hear that?"

"I know the person who supplies food for their banquets. There's also a rumor that some incredible masters from the Murim Alliance will be coming."

That was not the only rumor.

"There's also a rumor that masters from the Evil Alliance have entered Hunan. The atmosphere feels unusual."

From the Demonic Cult's perspective, both rumors were unwelcome.

The gatekeeper said to his subordinate.

"The mood isn't great these days, so don't go running your mouth for no reason."

"But are we just going to back down to those orthodox sect bastards like this?"

"Enough!"

"Yes, sir."

The gatekeeper paused for a moment before speaking.

"From what I've seen, the Young Cult Leader isn't someone who'll simply back down."

All the subordinates nodded. They had personally witnessed him deal with the Hunan Branch leader and capture the Heavenly Peace Sect's heir. The Young Cult Leader was clearly a person who defied expectations.

Just then, one of the martial artists shouted.

"Someone's coming."

In the distance, two people walked toward them.

They walked slowly, but the feeling was chilling. The gatekeeper wondered if only he felt it and glanced at his subordinates. Their faces were also tense. One subordinate already gripped his sword's hilt tightly.

The gatekeeper's gaze returned to them.

They're just walking slowly, so why am I trembling like this?

Their figures gradually became clearer.

One of the subordinates spoke in a trembling voice.

"Should we sound the alarm?"

Normally, that was a ridiculous suggestion. Sounding the alarm for a visitor without even knowing who it was? A demonic practitioner showing fear? The subordinate who suggested it should have been beaten with a club for such a thing.

However, the gatekeeper hesitated.

Should I sound the alarm?

In that time, the two people drew closer. The fear grew as they approached. Now, all the subordinates had their hands on their swords. They had a premonition that if these two were enemies, they would all die. To think martial artists with such a presence existed.

"Sound the alarm!"

One demonic practitioner ran inside. Soon, a bell rang out.

DANG! DAAANG!

Even as the alarm bell echoed, the two people continued their steady approach.

The two people arrived at the main gate.

One was an old man with a gaunt appearance and cold eyes, carrying a huge giant dao on his back. The other was a muscular giant with a face so frightening it was hard to meet his gaze.

The gatekeeper felt the demonic qi emanating from the two men and finally felt a sense of relief. Nevertheless, his heart pounded, and his body trembled. From their suffocating presence, the gatekeeper finally understood.

They're Demon Supremes!

Only then did the demonic practitioners realize who the two were. They had heard countless stories about the Demon Supremes, even if they had never seen them. That enormous giant dao, those enormous fists, and that powerful, inimitable demonic qi and presence.

They were the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon.

The martial artists at the main gate all bowed at once to show their respect. They rejoiced, shouting inwardly.

We're here too!

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked in a low voice, his small eyes sharp.

"Where is the Young Cult Leader?"