Chapter 97

Chapter 97

Cheonung let out a sigh of relief and raised the head he had lowered.

“I will properly pay the medical expenses, so I ask that you make sure to treat him.”

“Do not worry. I came here in the first place to treat him. Then……”

Hwa Ryeong stared at Cheon Sangmu as if looking at something unpleasant and spoke.

“Could you not leave now?”

“That will not be possible.”

“Why? Are you a physician?”

“I can stay as a caretaker, can I not?”

It was an absurd remark. The very one who had reduced Youngho to this ragged state was saying he would become his caretaker.

The Killing Intent in Cheonung’s eyes deepened even further.

“Do as you please. I must begin the treatment first.”

Looking at Han Yonghu, Hwa Ryeong spoke loudly enough for Cheonung to hear as well.

“If this one runs wild, the Flame Dragon might die, so please control him well.”

Only then did the Killing Intent flowing from Cheonung’s body fade slightly.

Hwa Ryeong noticed that Hyeon-gang was a physician and immediately had him assist her.

Fortunately, Hyeon-gang possessed a certain level of skill as well, so the surgery seemed to be ending quickly.

However, there was someone watching the scene with cold eyes.

Pungwol, who had come as the strategist and general overseer of the Sun–Moon Divine Cult, gazed at where Youngho lay with chilling eyes.

“That bastard……”

Since he had killed Ho Jagae, Pungwol already knew his strength was not limited to that of a Junior Disciple.

‘Even so, to think he would be this strong…….’

Strong. Overwhelmingly strong. If not for his god, he would not have found it strange for this young man to be called the greatest under heaven.

‘Should I kill him?’

True to his title of Demon Brain, Pungwol never made instinctive judgments. Only rational decisions made through thought.

That was who Pungwol was, and he had always believed that to be correct.

Perhaps because of that, Pungwol now felt a fierce conflict between reason and instinct.

From the moment he had withstood his god’s attack, he had sensed something unusual, but he had never imagined that he would survive even after being struck by a Hardened Force Manifestation.

‘Will that sword reach my god?’

It must not reach him. No, it cannot reach him. Under normal circumstances, Pungwol would have thought and believed exactly that.

But this time was different.

‘I must kill him!’

His god wished for that young boy not to die. Yet Pungwol, who had always valued reason above all else, followed his instinct for the first time in his life.

Eon Cheonghyeon, the head of the Jinju Eonga Clan, approached the Demon Brain and spoke.

“Demon Brain, when shall we make our move?”

“Now.”

“Pardon?”

“Kill the Flame Dragon immediately.”

“……You mean the Flame Dragon?”

“Yes.”

“……Understood.”

Though there were many beside Youngho bearing injuries both great and small, the monstrous Murim Alliance Leader and the Lord of the Unorthodox Alliance still remained.

Moreover, key figures of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Families were also nearby.

The only fortunate point was that the Jinju Eonga Clan did not fight directly with their own bodies but used Jiangshi, so their losses would likely not be great.

Eon Cheonghyeon bowed deeply and returned to his place.

After he left, Chungyeon, the Unit Leader of the Demon Spirit Unit, filled the space beside the Demon Brain and spoke.

“He is someone the Heavenly Demon favors. Is this truly the correct course?”

“I do not know.”

“……Did you just say you do not know?”

“Yes.”

At the distinctly different demeanor from his usual self, Chungyeon sensed that the situation was far from ordinary and spoke again.

“The Heavenly Demon is unaware that the Jinju Eonga Clan is to be absorbed into Our Cult.”

“That is correct. There is no need to report such trivial matters.”

“Then what measures should our Demon Spirit Unit take?”

“Act as usual. Do not heed my orders—follow his orders.”

“……Understood.”

Though the command was a complete mess, Chungyeon showed proper respect and withdrew.

And before even Half a Quarter-Hour had passed, the Jinju Eonga Clan’s rampage began.

“Aaaagh!”

“Jiangshi! It’s Jiangshi!”

“The Demonic Cult is starting a war!”

At the sudden sight of hordes of Jiangshi attacking the Common People, everyone looked toward Cheon Sangmu with bewildered expressions.

Cheon Sangmu tilted his head.

“Unit Leader of the Demon Spirit Unit.”

“Yes.”

Chungyeong, who had appeared before Cheon Sangmu at some point, carefully prostrated himself so as not to commit discourtesy toward his god.

“What are those?”

“I am ashamed that I cannot provide certain information, but by my humble conjecture, they appear to be Jiangshi of the Jinju Eonga Clan.”

For a fleeting instant, an intense Killing Intent flared from Han Yonghu’s body. It was so brief that only a few present could sense it.

Cheon Sangmu nodded and pointed toward the Jiangshi.

“Demon Spirit Unit, kill all those vermin.”

“By your command!”

There were no further questions. Chungyeon immediately issued orders to the Demon Spirit Unit members.

—Exterminate the Jinju Eonga Clan. Kill not only their household members but everyone affiliated with them.

Cheonung and Han Yonghu, having overheard Chungyeon’s Voice Transmission, glared at Cheon Sangmu with bloodshot eyes.

They both knew that the Jinju Eonga Clan had already joined hands with the Demonic Cult, and that those responsible for this incident were on the Demonic Cult’s side.

Judging by his attitude, it seemed Cheon Sangmu did not even know that the Jinju Eonga Clan was to become part of the Demonic Cult.

That meant someone other than the Heavenly Demon had intervened.

And Cheonung and Han Yonghu believed they knew who that was.

Just as Cheon Sangmu was about to speak, having sensed something strange in their expressions—

Suddenly, a Jiangshi appeared before him and charged toward Youngho at astonishing speed.

Most of those present were masters in the State of Transformation. Yet the Jiangshi deceived even their eyes and was about to tear into Youngho’s throat—

Pusshhk!

Cheonung’s sword shot upward from below toward the Jiangshi’s jaw. The blade pierced from its jaw through to the top of its head, and dark crimson blood streamed down along the sword.

But as if that were not the end, other Jiangshi swiftly charged toward Youngho.

When one Jiangshi became three, and soon dozens—

Only then did those present realize something was strange.

‘Why are they targeting only the Flame Dragon?’

‘They are trying to kill the Flame Dragon!’

Though they were masters in the State of Transformation, they had just moments ago squeezed out their Internal Energy to maintain the Formation, so their strength was not coming forth properly.

It would have been fortunate if they simply could not use Internal Energy, but most of those who had exerted themselves to prevent damage during the sparring match between the Heavenly Demon and the Flame Dragon had suffered Internal Injuries.

Horyeung, in particular, was injured so severely that he could barely move.

Because of that, the masters present could not easily kill the Jiangshi. There were only two people here who were completely unharmed.

The Divine Physician Hwa Ryeong, who was treating Youngho, and……

‘The Heavenly Demon!’

The Heavenly Demon, who was merely observing the entire situation.

While Horyeung and the others glared at Cheon Sangmu with vicious expressions, only two men calmly discussed the situation.

—Do you think it is better to leave it like this? Surely we cannot simply stand by and watch the tricks of those Demonic Cult bastards?

At Han Yonghu’s Voice Transmission, Cheonung replied in kind.

—This is better. No matter how vile they are for using Jiangshi, the Orthodox Sect is still the Orthodox Sect. It would be better for them to have suddenly run amok than for those who walk the Righteous Path to be seen as having chosen the Demonic Path.

He was right. No matter that they had joined hands with the Demonic Cult, the Jinju Eonga Clan was still, officially, an Orthodox Sect walking the path of the Righteous Path.

If such people were suddenly seen as having chosen the Demonic Path, distrust toward the Orthodox Sect would only grow by the day.

Already, the number of Common People killed by the Jiangshi seemed to exceed three digits.

That was only at a glance; a closer look would likely reveal even more dead.

—In any case, the Jinju Eonga Clan will disappear from history before today ends.

Han Yonghu bit down hard on his lip.

The Demon Spirit Unit was strong. Though merely a Unit Leader, Chungyeon was a master in the State of Transformation, and the Captains were also highly skilled.

—No one will suspect the Jinju Eonga Clan’s betrayal. It is mostly the Demonic Cult’s forces who are killing the Jiangshi.

—……That is the problem.

There could be no greater humiliation. An incident had occurred at the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, led by the Murim Alliance, yet those cleaning it up were the Demonic Cult……

He felt he could not face the former Murim Alliance Leader who had trusted him.

—Think calmly. The Jinju Eonga Clan should have been erased long ago. We refrained only because of the Orthodox Sect’s standing. Think of this as an opportunity.

Cold and cruel words. Precisely because of that, Han Yonghu felt even more hollow.

‘Where is the Righteous Path heading…….’

But only for a moment. Han Yonghu displayed a sword draw as swift as a Lightning-Like Charge and severed the necks of the Jiangshi rushing toward Youngho.

The word “flash” was hardly sufficient to describe it.

On that day, when the damage to the Common People was severe, the Jinju Eonga Clan was exterminated by the Demonic Cult.

Unaware that his life had been targeted by Jiangshi, Youngho slowly opened his eyes and spoke.

“……Am I mostly healed?”

“No. You must recuperate for three more days.”

“This is sufficient. Thank you for treating me.”

At Youngho’s reply, Hwa Ryeong smiled as though she had found something interesting.

“Unlike Cheonung, you are a polite one.”

“Quite a few people died before they could even receive my thanks.”

“Hmm?”

Sensing the deep sorrow in Youngho’s eyes, Hwa Ryeong asked in a curious voice.

“Have you experienced losing someone precious?”

“More than enough. To the point that I hope it never happens again.”

“You are a peculiar child. You act as though you have lived through the entire world, yet you know that you are still immature as a human.”

“I know it, but I do not know how to fix it.”

“The world is filled with those who are not human. And among them, few realize that they themselves have not become proper human beings.”

Youngho looked at his right leg, wrapped in bandages.

“Is it very serious?”

“No, it is fine now. You may consider the leg almost fully healed. Truly unbelievable recovery. Even if you achieved Bone-Marrow Reforging, I have never seen anyone recover this quickly.”

“Then I may walk now.”

As Youngho moved to rise, Hwa Ryeong pressed his body down firmly.

“Your leg is healed, but your chest has not yet recovered.”

A faint madness flickered at the corner of Hwa Ryeong’s smiling lips. To perceive madness not in the eyes but in the smile alone—she was extraordinary in many ways.

And knowing the peculiar madness of physicians, Youngho could only give an awkward smile.

While lying there, Youngho heightened his senses and examined the surroundings.

“……!”

His eyes widened, and he spoke in a dry voice.

“What happened?”

Serious. That word was wholly insufficient.

“Why are there so many injured besides myself?”

It was difficult to believe these were injuries from the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering. Most were Common People who did not possess even the slightest trace of Internal Energy.

Hwa Ryeong’s expression darkened.

“The Jinju Eonga Clan suddenly ran amok.”

“What do you mean!”

Surely Han Yonghu had kept strict watch, since the Jinju Eonga Clan had cooperated with the Demonic Cult.

‘No—if they were Demonic Cult members, they could still communicate among themselves.’

The Demonic Cult was adept at such schemes.

Still, it was strange. Although the future Youngho had known had changed greatly with the Heavenly Demon’s appearance at this Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, he did not recall such an event.

‘Could it be……?’

Even as he spoke, Youngho prayed it was not so.

“……Was the Demon Brain present?”

Seeing Youngho speak as though he knew everything, Hwa Ryeong’s eyes widened.

“Yes. At first, I did not know he was here, but he revealed himself later.”

‘As expected, it was the Demon Brain.’

A man whom even the strategists of the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance had struggled to contend with.

That man was Pungwol, the Demon Brain.

‘If it is that bastard, there is no knowing what he might do…….’

When it came to using one’s head, Youngho had no way of defeating Pungwol.

‘I made a mistake.’

He had thought only the Heavenly Demon and the Guardians had come. He had not expected even Pungwol to be here.

Had he not revealed himself at the end, no one present would likely have realized that Pungwol had attended the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering.

The reason he revealed himself was, in all likelihood, to display his faith to the Heavenly Demon.

Hwa Ryeong, who had refrained from interrupting Youngho’s thoughts, spoke.

“By the way, child, could you perhaps arrange for me to meet the one called Hyeon-gang?”