Chapter 527: She's Looking for You

TL: FoodieMonster007

The messenger pigeon arrived when they had stopped the carriage to allow the horses a rest.

"An urgent messenger pigeon has arrived from the All-Knowing Hall."

Hwi presented the messenger pigeon to Geom Woojin.

After he checked its contents, Geom Woojin passed the messenger pigeon to his son.

Geom Mugeuk read the message and broke into a bright smile. He then showed it to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who smiled in the exact same way.

Geom Mugeuk's gaze fell on Seo Daeryong. Seo Daeryong was taking a stroll near the horses as they grazed on grass in a distant field.

Geom Mugeuk spoke to Geom Woojin and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"We must go on ahead."

The two men nodded in agreement with Geom Mugeuk's words.

Geom Mugeuk leaped forward, shooting toward Seo Daeryong's location.

"Let's go, right-hand man!"

Seo Daeryong was caught off guard when Geom Mugeuk started running without any warning, and he hurried to catch up.

"What's going on?"

"An urgent messenger pigeon arrived."

Then, words that Seo Daeryong would never forget for the rest of his life came from Geom Mugeuk's lips.

"She's looking for you."

"!"

Hearing those words, Seo Daeryong surged past Geom Mugeuk and ran ahead. His momentary burst of speed was even faster than the Swift Step.

However, Seo Daeryong, who had been running far in the lead, skidded to a halt.

"Where is she?"

"You fool, your heart is going to explode at this rate."

Seo Daeryong's face was flushed as he shouted.

"I asked where!"

"Are you okay?"

When the second sister Dan Bi opened her eyes, she saw her Unnie, Dan Ah.

"What happened?"

"You were unconscious for a while because of the poison on the hidden weapons."

Fortunately, after receiving treatment at this branch, Dan Bi's fever had broken.

"Where are we?"

"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Zheng'an Branch."

"What?"

Dan Ah offered her surprised sister a smile.

"That's what happened. I'll explain later."

"What about Yeon?"

"She woke up a while ago and is eating. Do you want something to eat too?"

"I'm thirsty."

Dan Ah brought her water. As her senses finally returned, Dan Bi grew worried about her Unnie.

"Unnie, are you okay?"

She had heard the nonstop sounds of battle while she drifted in and out of consciousness. She did not need to ask to understand how her Unnie had protected her.

"I'm fine."

"You always say you're fine, don't you?"

Dan Ah was the one who had dedicated her youth to her younger sisters, always saying, 'I'm fine. I'm fine.'

Just then, Dan Bi's eyes noticed the bloodstains covering her Unnie's clothes. Seeing her sister's worried expression, Dan Ah smiled and replied.

"It's okay. It's not my blood, so stop worrying. Want something to eat?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Then sleep a little longer."

"I'm getting up."

She staggered as she tried to rise. Her body was not yet ready to move.

Dan Ah gently laid her sister back down on the bed.

"If we have to fight, wake me up too."

"Okay."

"Promise!"

After making her promise, Dan Bi fell asleep once more.

Dan Ah looked down at her sister in silence. Judging by the worry and affection in her eyes, any fighting would have to be done in her dreams.

Cho Hwi entered the room.

"I'll stay here."

"Then I'll leave her in your care."

As Dan Ah turned to leave, Cho Hwi spoke.

"Thank you."

In response to her sincere gratitude, Dan Ah gave a slight bow before she exited the building.

All the cultists of the branch were gathered in the courtyard.

Their gazes were fixed on her. They likely had a general idea of who was responsible for the day's events. Perhaps because of the branch manager, Kang Dal, who sat on the wall looking out, no one cursed at her or tried to start a fight.

Kang Dal jumped down from the wall.

The members of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad who had already assembled numbered over a hundred. On their side, there were only about twenty. If the enemy attacked with the intent to kill, it would be a difficult fight.

"No matter how crazy those bastards are, they won't be able to handle the aftermath if they attack us."

Kang Dal said this as if he could not understand, but Dan Ah had a feeling she knew the reason.

The reason they were pushing themselves this far, even to the point of confronting the Demonic Cult, was because they had to kill Cho Hwi no matter what.

But why? Just how much money were they paid?

At that moment, the youngest, Dan Yeon, came outside. She politely offered a clasped hands greeting to Kang Dal and made a request.

"Could I possibly get some throwing knives?"

Dan Ah tried to stop her.

"Not in your condition. You need to rest."

"This happened because of us. I have to fight too."

Kang Dal gave an order to his subordinate.

"Give this Young Lady a box of throwing knives."

"Yes, sir."

A cultist brought the throwing knives and handed them to Dan Yeon. After taking the throwing knives, she expressed her gratitude to Kang Dal.

"Thank you."

"Nothing to thank me for. I'm giving them to you so you can die in my place while fighting."

Dan Yeon's eyes widened, and Kang Dal gave her a look that said, 'What other reason would there be?'

Just then, a subordinate came to report.

"Those bastards have requested a meeting with you, Branch Master."

"Just tell them all to get lost."

"The Captain of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad has come in person."

"What?"

Kang Dal leaped onto the wall. Dan Ah went up with him.

A man was walking out from the ranks of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad.

He was none other than Yeo Gwing, the Captain of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad.

He was known for possessing incredible martial arts skills despite being a mercenary.

He rarely made public appearances, but he had shown himself here today. His presence reaffirmed just how important this matter was to them.

It was not just Yeo Gwing. The elite group known as the 'Four-Man Gang' who usually followed him had come as well. The four of them were also far more skilled than the average member of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad.

When Yeo Gwing and the Four-Man Gang appeared, the morale of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad soared to its peak. They all roared, unleashing a torrent of killing intent.

Kang Dal's expression hardened.

"These bastards are asking to die!"

However, his gaze was grave.

If Yeo Gwing had come, it meant they might actually cross this wall. The bastards were truly determined.

"What on earth did that woman do to cause such a commotion?"

Dan Ah gazed at the malice-filled Seven Roads Pursuit Squad and murmured softly.

"At least it couldn't have been something bad, right?"

Just then, a voice rang out.

"Branch Master, let's have a word."

The one who boasted of his martial prowess with the inner arts infused in his booming voice was Yeo Gwing.

After staring at him for a moment with a complicated expression, Kang Dal leaped down outside. The gate opened, and the cultists followed behind him.

Dan Ah watched this meeting in silence. With Yeo Gwing's appearance, the situation had rapidly worsened. Now that Yeo Gwing and the Four-Man Gang had appeared, could he really refuse to hand them over? Everything depended on Kang Dal's decision.

Yeo Gwing and Kang Dal stood facing each other, separated by about thirty paces.

"I apologize for the disturbance."

Kang Dal knew there was no sincerity in that polite apology.

He also knew just how wicked a man Yeo Gwing was. He was the type who enjoyed burning people alive.

"I heard the people we are pursuing have taken refuge with you. If you hand them over, we will leave immediately."

Kang Dal replied calmly in a soft tone.

"They haven't taken refuge here. They are our guests."

He was an opponent he did not even want to exchange words with, but there was no need to provoke his pride in front of his subordinates.

"Guests they may be, but they are unwelcome ones. Please hand them over."

As much killing intent as the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad had behind Yeo Gwing, Kang Dal had the pride, no, the guts of a cultist.

"And if I refuse?"

A taut tension filled their gazes as they looked at each other.

"Even after they leave, won't you and your subordinates still remain here, Branch Master?"

It was a clear threat that he could retaliate privately later.

Of course, it did not work on Kang Dal.

"Who knows about that. I might just beat down those who look down on our Cult, get a promotion, and head to the Headquarters."

If his opponent were not a branch manager of the Demonic Cult, he would have drawn his sword several times over. The patience that Yeo Gwing rarely exercised in his life was being put to a proper test today.

Kang Dal looked up at the branch's sign plaque behind him.

"If you cross past this plaque, there will be no turning back. Don't forget who we are before you act."

Yeo Gwing's proposal came from behind him.

"Why else would we attempt to cross your wall? Branch Master, please concede just this once. I will be sure to repay this favor."

What could that mean? It meant he would surely compensate him with money later.

"I will give you plenty of time to think. I will wait."

Kang Dal did not answer and went back inside. As soon as he entered, he spoke to his subordinates.

"They'll be storming in soon. Prepare to fight."

"Yes, sir!"

He sensed that his opponent had realized he would not hand over the women. And above all, he had never seen bastards like them keep their promises.

The cultists moved with perfect coordination.

Iron posts were erected on both sides of the courtyard, and something like a barely visible fishing line was set up in front of them. They were the blood threads used in warfare.

Other cultists dragged out mobile contraptions that fired hidden weapons simultaneously. An organization ultimately follows its leader, and the cultists of the Zheng'an Branch were not to be trifled with.

Watching this, Dan Ah was inwardly surprised.

Now I see why the murim fears the Demonic Cult. If a mere small branch is like this…

What would happen if the real Demonic Cult started a war?

Kang Dal glanced back at Dan Ah and Dan Yeon.

The two women were standing guard in front of the building where Dan Bi and Cho Hwi were. When their eyes met, Dan Ah said to Kang Dal.

"We might die and be unable to tell you later, so I'll say it now. Thank you for taking us in."

Dan Yeon, who was beside her, bowed her head in greeting.

Kang Dal replied gruffly.

"I didn't take you in for your sake, so there's no need to thank me. This is my own gamble. So that master you mentioned had better have a higher status than me."

Dan Ah thought of Seo Daeryong. Could that innocent-looking man possibly have a higher status than these rough people? She had a feeling he did not.

I'm sorry. It seems I've deceived you after all.

If I had not met that person at the inn, if I had not accepted this job, if you had not taken us in. If I had to make an excuse, I could only say that fate had pushed us here.

It was at that very moment. A cultist watching from outside the wall shouted.

"They're coming!"

CHAANG.

From their positions, the cultists all drew their swords.

At the same time, the bastards leaped over the wall in unison. They had launched a surprise attack, but this side was prepared.

PUAK! PAAAK! PUAAAAAK!

The limbs of the masked men who had thrown themselves at the installed blood threads were severed.

However, the bastards kept coming. The second wave that came over cut the blood threads with their swords, now revealed by the blood soaking them.

But the contraption's hidden weapons were fired at them.

SHWIKSHWIKSHWIKSHWIKSHWIKSHWIKSHWIK!

The ones who had cut the blood threads were all struck by the hidden weapons and rained down.

However, the bastards did not give them a chance to reset the contraption and continued to pour over the wall.

A chaotic battle erupted within the compound. It seemed the bastards had received an order. While overwhelming the cultists with their numbers, they quickly searched for the women.

Their intention was clear. Minimize clashes with the cultists, quickly kill only the women, and then retreat.

A dozen or so masked men swarmed toward Dan Ah and Dan Yeon.

Dan Ah fought without leaving her sister's side.

Her skills were superior to theirs, but the bastards pushed forward with sheer numbers.

However, Dan Ah gritted her teeth and fought like a madwoman. Fighting with the thought that her sisters would die if she did, the bastards could not easily kill her. Dan Yeon also threw her throwing knives, felling their enemies.

It was then.

Yeo Gwing and the Four-Man Gang were walking toward them. As they appeared, the martial artists of the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad fell back.

Kang Dal saw the situation too. However, he could not leave his position to help her. The bastards were pushing so tenaciously that his subordinates would die if he left his spot. He chose to protect his subordinates.

Dan Yeon continuously threw her throwing knives at Yeo Gwing. Her purpose was not to kill him, but to gauge his skill by seeing how he blocked them.

CHAENG! CHAENG!

Yeo Gwing did not even draw his sword. The members of the Four-Man Gang walking on either side of him lightly swung their swords and deflected the throwing knives.

They're as skilled as Unnie!

Four people with such skill. And on top of that, there was their leader, Yeo Gwing.

Dan Ah and Dan Yeon bravely charged forward, thrusting their swords.

Yeo Gwing leaped and engaged them.

Every one of their moves was filled with a strong will to protect each other, but they could not overcome the clear difference in skill between them and Yeo Gwing.

Unable to last even five exchanges, Dan Yeon was the first to be struck by a palm and sent flying backward. At the sound of her coughing up blood, Dan Ah screamed.

"Yeon!"

The moment her hands and feet grew numb with fear that her sister was badly hurt, Dan Ah was also struck and sent tumbling to the ground. Both women had been defeated by Yeo Gwing, who had not even drawn his sword.

Coughing up a mouthful of blood, Dan Ah picked up a random sword from the ground and stood in front of her sister.

"Are you okay?"

"…I'm okay."

She could tell from her voice. Both her sister and she herself had suffered internal injuries.

Her sister also got back up. Because if they were breached, Dan Bi and Cho Hwi were right behind them.

Yeo Gwing's gaze as he looked at them was as cold as a snake's.

"This job has gotten complicated because of you damn bitches. Hurry up and get rid of them, then bring me that wench's head!"

Receiving the order, the Four-Man Gang stepped forward.

"They're quite the lookers. It'd be a waste to just kill them."

The Four-Man Gang looked back at Yeo Gwing with eyes that asked if they could not just subdue them and take them along. They were insane degenerates, revealing their lust even in a situation like this.

Yeo Gwing commanded coldly.

"Stop talking nonsense and tear them to shreds!"

The Four-Man Gang aimed their swords at the two women in unison.

Dan Ah tightly gripped Dan Yeon's hand.

She felt her sister's trembling hand squeeze hers back. She was so sorry she could not protect her sister.

I'm sorry.

The moment the Four-Man Gang unleashed their sword qi in unison!

SHWAAAAAEK.

At the same time, a blade aura came whirling in from another direction. Its target was the Four-Man Gang.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

The blades of whirling enhanced qi spun at a terrifying speed, sweeping through them.

PUK! PU-PUK! PU-PU-PU-PU-PUK!

Without any time to even think of dodging, the bodies of the Four-Man Gang were torn to pieces and exploded in all directions.

However, the sword qi they had already launched was flying toward the sisters.

SHWAAAAAEK!

Watching the terrifying sword qi fly toward her, Dan Ah squeezed her eyes shut. Due to her internal injuries, she could neither dodge nor block it. At the last moment, she pulled her sister behind her back.

KWAAANG!

An ear-splitting explosion rang out. It was the sound of the sword qi colliding with something and bursting.

Silence followed.

My whole body should have been shattered.

Am I alive?

When Dan Ah slowly opened her eyes, the compound was silent.

Everyone had stopped fighting and was staring in her direction.

Yeo Gwing was staring in horror at the scattered, bloody remains of the Four-Man Gang. Kang Dal, bleeding from his arm, was also looking this way with a shocked expression. The cultists, the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad, everyone was looking this way.

She saw someone's back in front of her.

"Haa, haa, haa."

He was only panting raggedly, a sign of how hastily he had rushed here.

And planted in front of him, a giant dao.

Beyond the back of the small-statured man, a single character was visible.

Peerless.