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Of course, more than half of the experts within the Demonic Cult were his subordinates, but to the lower-ranking cultists, Dokgo Seong was still heaven itself. For Sajunhwan, who dreamed of taking control of the Demonic Cult, it was necessary to erase Dokgo Seong’s shadow completely.
“We’ll have to settle this quickly.”
Sajunhwan began putting into action the plan he had been preparing for a long time. Soon, letters bearing the seal of Sajunhwan, the Chief Strategist, were delivered on a large scale by carrier pigeons to the main headquarters and each of the outlying branch headquarters.
“Cult Leader Dokgo Seong has learned the Heavenly Son Blood Demon Art. That accursed demonic art whose practice has been forbidden for generations because of its outrageously inhumane method of cultivation. The whereabouts of the children who had vanished amid doubts all this time have now been revealed in broad daylight. Disgracefully, Cult Leader Dokgo Seong kidnapped the young sons and daughters of the cultists and used them as tools to practice the Heavenly Son Blood Demon Art. The bodies of the sacrificed children were discovered by chance in the Cult Leader’s cultivation chamber. Therefore, I, Sajunhwan, as the Chief Strategist of the Demonic Cult, hereby declare with a bleeding heart that Cult Leader Dokgo Seong has been deposed. He will now be pursued by all as a public enemy of the martial world, and the order for his execution shall not be lifted until the day he dies.”
The lower-ranking warriors at the main headquarters and branch headquarters were stunned upon receiving the proclamation. Dokgo Seong’s reputation had been so great during the War Between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects that, even after learning the circumstances, they could only half believe it.
“S-Surely he couldn’t have done such a thing?”
“No. There is no explanation for the source of Dokgo’s strength other than the forbidden demonic art, the Heavenly Son Blood Demon Art.”
The evidence that had come to light was so clear that even the cultists who had supported Dokgo Seong until then could no longer find any way to defend him. By Sajunhwan’s order, the corpses of the boys and girls who had been kept hidden were publicly displayed. Some cultists had identified the children, leaving them unable even to attempt a rebuttal. Of course, those corpses were the very children Sajunhwan had kidnapped and used in the grand ritual. After the ritual ended, Sajunhwan had secretly hidden the children’s bodies, then buried them beneath Dokgo Seong’s cultivation chamber on the day of his triumphant return.
And that horrific scene was being exposed in its entirety before the members of the Demonic Cult.
Everything was proceeding overwhelmingly to Dokgo Seong’s disadvantage, exactly as Sajunhwan had arranged it. The cultists now had no room left to doubt that Dokgo Seong was the culprit behind the incident.
“That should do it.”
After dispelling all suspicions within the Demonic Cult through the method he had prepared in advance, Sajunhwan immediately set out in pursuit of Dokgo Seong.
“If you’re going to start something, make sure you finish it properly.”
To block Dokgo Seong’s avenues of escape, he decided to spread the news throughout the Orthodox Sects as well. Needless to say, it also had to be delivered to the Demonic Sect, with which they were allied.
The Blood Demon who Shattered Heaven, Dokgo Seong, and the Guardian Demon King Army. No one knew how much military strength would be lost in dealing with that terrifying armed force. Therefore, Sajunhwan resolved to borrow the hands of others to eliminate them. It was what was known as the strategy of borrowing a knife to kill.
The news that Dokgo Seong, the Blood Demon who Shattered Heaven, had learned the Heavenly Demon Blood Demon Art by sacrificing a thousand boys and girls, and had been expelled from the position of Cult Leader and was now being hunted, soon spread throughout the martial world without exception.
“That truly is wonderful news.”
The Demonic Sect welcomed the news with open arms. Since they had been implicitly wary of Dokgo Seong, there could have been no more welcome tidings. The leaders of the Demonic Sect had been unable to hide their grave concern over Dokgo Seong’s reputation, which continued to soar without regard for the heavens. Now that they had gained an opportunity to officially execute him, however, they had every reason to be pleased.
As if they had been waiting for this moment, they dispatched experts on a massive scale to reinforce the pursuit force. The fact that they had sent experts from the main headquarters, headed by Wi Cheong, the Dual-Wielding Demon Venerable ranked sixth in the official hierarchy of the Demonic Sect, made it clear just how much effort the Demonic Sect was putting into eliminating Dokgo Seong.
There was no need to say that the Orthodox Sects, which had lost countless experts to Dokgo Seong, had also dispatched a pursuit force. Dokgo Seong had already played the villain throughout the War Between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects, and the prestigious Orthodox sects that had lost countless disciples to him sent their experts out in full force to pursue him. They could not afford to miss this perfect opportunity to eliminate the thorn in their side, with the Demonic Cult’s tacit approval.
The one who was happiest of all at this news was Yeongho Myeong, the Iron-Blooded Divine Sword and Shaolin’s greatest lay disciple.
As the new Sect Leader of the Iron Sword Sect and a rising expert possessing unrivaled swordsmanship among the younger generation, he had been the disciple of Hyejeong, the Shaolin Holy Monk who had met his end at Dokgo Seong’s hands. Since Yeongho Myeong had greatly respected Hyejeong, it was only natural that he harbored a deep-seated hatred toward Dokgo Seong.
During the War Between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects, he had hunted Dokgo Seong with fire in his eyes in order to avenge his master. But with countless experts guarding Dokgo Seong, Yeongho Myeong had had no way to approach him, and could do nothing but watch even while his master’s killer remained within reach. Now that such a perfect opportunity had appeared, there was no way he would remain still. He led every disciple of the Iron Sword Sect and set out in pursuit of Dokgo Seong.
Thus, Dokgo Seong came to be hunted by the entire martial world. No matter how invincible the Guardian Demon King Army might have been as an armed force, there was nowhere they could flee to shake off the pursuit.
“How is the situation?”
“We’ve already been completely surrounded. There isn’t even a gap wide enough for an ant to slip through.”
Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, Jongni Ryeong’s face turned pale. They had endured countless bitter battles to reach this place, but now they had been driven into a position from which they could flee no farther.
He swept his subordinates with a lonely gaze. Most of the warriors were covered in blood from head to toe, and their exhaustion was painfully apparent.
A complicated expression crossed Jongni Ryeong’s face. The elderly mother, wife, and children held hostage at the main headquarters were most likely no longer among the living. If he had obediently followed the words of the Chief Protector, they would not have died. He would have gained immeasurable wealth, honor, and glory as well. But Jongni Ryeong soon shook his head.
‘I can never betray him.’
Perhaps this was a feeling shared by every warrior of the Guardian Demon King Army. Through ten years of war between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects, the members of the Guardian Demon King Army had become so united that they could boldly call themselves a single body. Their comradeship had blossomed as they joined forces and guarded one another with absolute devotion.
Above all, Dokgo Seong’s role in this had been incomparable. The care and consideration he had shown them were beyond imagination. Dokgo Seong treated them like a parent or a real elder brother, and the warriors of the Guardian Demon King Army had already given him their bodies and souls. Even Jongni Ryeong, who had been dispatched under a secret order from Sajunhwan, had been moved to change his allegiance. The faith and loyalty the Guardian Demon King Army held toward Dokgo Seong were truly beyond expression.
As Jongni Ryeong turned his head away with a lonely look, his eyes fell upon Dokgo Seong’s limp, small body. A look of resolve appeared in his eyes.
“Even if every one of us dies here, we must save the Commander.”
The warriors nodded without hesitation, as though agreeing with his words. Without delay, Jongni Ryeong divided the surviving warriors into ten units.
“Unit commanders, including Gwak Sang and Do Illyong, lead your respective units and scatter in all directions. I will hold off the pursuit force here. Take this to heart… The farther you flee, the greater the Commander’s chances of survival will become. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Of course, Jongni Ryeong did not say a word about what they should do in the event that they were captured by the enemy. Every member of the Guardian Demon King Army already knew.
“Then depart at once.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jongni Ryeong watched the unit commanders lead their troops away in different directions, then walked over to Dokgo Seong. As a member of the Demonic Cult well versed in sorcery, concealing Dokgo Seong’s body was not particularly difficult. While the remaining warriors kept watch in every direction, Jongni Ryeong began casting a spell to hide Dokgo Seong. As he looked down at Dokgo Seong’s bloodless, pallid face, tears briefly welled in his eyes.
“Please survive, Commander. You are our eternal idol.”
Jongni Ryeong shook his head, scattering his tears, covered Dokgo Seong with his cloak, and immediately cast the spell. Dokgo Seong’s body, which had been lying in a secluded corner, soon began to blend into its surroundings. It was a concealment technique that completely erased one’s presence. This technique, later passed down to the ninja clans of Dongyeong, caused Dokgo Seong’s small body to vanish without a trace.
After completing every arrangement, Jongni Ryeong rose and drew his sword. The fact that he had thrown even the scabbard onto the ground revealed his determination.
“They will surely assume that the Commander is mixed in with one of the units that scattered in all directions. To make them believe that, we must all bury our bones here. Do you understand?”
Jongni Ryeong’s order was filled with grim resolve. Yet the remaining warriors of the Guardian Demon King Army nodded without hesitation. To save their Commander, they believed that even dying a hundred times would not be too high a price.
“They’re coming.”
Seeing the pursuit force approaching through a thick cloud of dust, Jongni Ryeong gave the final order of his life.
“All units, prepare for battle. We will show those who betrayed their faith the might of the Guardian Demon King Army. Move!”
“Yes, sir.”
Facing the pursuit force surging toward them like a flood, the warriors of the Guardian Demon King Army gripped their sword hilts until their knuckles strained.
It was evening, as twilight began to settle. Darkness was descending upon the tall walls surrounding the enormous city as well. Feldrian was an endlessly quiet city. Its citizens had long since made it a habit to lock their doors and shut themselves inside their homes as soon as night fell. That was because they wished to avoid becoming targets of the orc raiding parties that attacked at irregular intervals. Thus, the city was gradually being buried in silence.
Not a single light escaped from any of the countless buildings lining the streets.
There was only one exception. Unlike the city below, the upper sections of the walls surrounding the city were brightly lit, forming a sea of lights. Countless torches had been placed at intervals along the walls, illuminating the watchtowers and lookout posts. Inside them, soldiers were engrossed in keeping watch for approaching wyverns. The torches were lit only atop the walls in order to guard against the enemy.
From one of the watchtowers came the sound of a quiet conversation. It was the watchtower guarded by the 57th Defensive Squad.
“So I’m telling you, if I showed up in a village with nothing but salt, every woman in the village came running out, pissing themselves. Then they lined up in a long queue to spend the night with me. All for a single fistful of salt.”
Inside the watchtower was a soldier seen from behind. He had a rough-looking face with a large scar across his cheek. Yet his eyes made him look like an exceedingly innocent young man. He was currently worked up as he explained an experience from his younger days. The other soldiers, however, merely reacted with utter disbelief. Of course, because he was so guileless, most of them were simply teasing him.
“Pah, how are we supposed to believe that? It’s obviously a lie.”
The soldier named Hanson thumped his chest in frustration.
“I’m telling you, it’s true. Good grief. It’s not like I can take you there and show you myself…”
“Hey, Hanson. We know you used to be a salt peddler, but what kind of story is that? It’s obviously a lie.”
If one had to choose the most interesting topic among soldiers, talk of women would surely be unavoidable. Thus, the guards in the watchtower were exchanging lewd stories and eagerly counting the moments until dawn.
“You nasty bastards! Are you looking down on me because I used to be a salt peddler?”
When Hanson suddenly flew into a rage and raised his voice, the soldiers flinched. Not because they were afraid of Hanson, of course, but because they were worried that the nearby watchtowers might hear them. One of the soldiers lowered his voice and warned him.
“Hey. What are you going to do if they hear you in the next watchtower? Talking during the middle of the night is forbidden. If we’re caught, we’ll have to spend two whole months here, just like the 69th Defensive Squad did last time.”
At those words, Hanson shut his mouth. But he still could not contain his anger and continued to snort irritably.
“Damn it. Try living without salt for once. Without us carrying those heavy sacks of salt across the continent, do you think you’d ever even get to see any salt?”
“Well, I don’t think it would matter if there were no salt. If you run around hard enough to sweat, then dry it, salt forms, doesn’t it?”
Another soldier cracked a joke, and the soldiers in the watchtower burst into laughter. The soldier named Hans was usually Hanson’s sworn enemy.
“You little—”
Hanson, worked into an even greater fury, was about to throw a fit again. At that moment, a low voice stopped him.
“That’s enough, Hanson. And the rest of you, too…”
Hanson recognized the owner of the voice as Macmillan, the senior soldier in charge of the 57th Defensive Squad, and barely managed to calm himself.