Chapter 347
As the warriors of the Martial Alliance began to harbor doubts not about the Five Kings’ Legion, but about Moyong Geom and Hae Cheong-yeon, the atmosphere surrounding the Grand Martial Assembly grew cold and listless.
A clap requires two hands, but the warriors of the Martial Alliance had lost the will to fight altogether.
Seeing this, Seol Poong and the Five Kings’ Legion halted their actions, choosing instead to watch the unfolding situation within the Martial Alliance.
Inside the Martial Alliance, things were dire.
Reports of expanding battlefronts piled up like rolling snowballs each day, and with them, suspicions toward the leadership only deepened.
Demands to uncover the truth came from all directions, and even among the alliance’s own warriors, distrustful glances became commonplace.
They were truly surrounded on all sides.
Hae Cheong-yeon sat in the chief’s chamber, coldly staring down Je Gal Ji-gang, who lay prostrate before her.
“You promised to bring the Martial Alliance under my control?”
Je Gal Ji-gang trembled as he replied, “P-please forgive me, Supreme One! I did my utmost!”
Hearing this, Hae Cheong-yeon’s brow furrowed sharply.
Not only did he fail to admit his incompetence, but he didn’t even offer an apology.
She wondered if there was any reason to keep such a shameless, inept man alive.
She wanted to kill him on the spot.
Of course, she knew well that Gwa Yeom of the Reversed Blood Demon Clan had once been called a genius, so it was unfair to blame everything on Je Gal Ji-gang.
But Je Gal Ji-gang’s usefulness had been to bring the Martial Alliance under her control. Now that plan had failed, she saw no reason to keep him alive.
After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to give him one last chance.
“Is there any way to make amends?”
Je Gal Ji-gang’s eyes lit up as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Yes, Supreme One! If we just wait until public opinion calms down a bit—”
He answered as if this was some brilliant strategy.
But Hae Cheong-yeon’s frown deepened.
“That’s your solution? You want me to wait?”
Je Gal Ji-gang hurriedly explained, “Yes, Supreme One! We’ll first reveal the prepared ‘Collapse Incident’ and show Ma Won-woong’s face, buying time. Then, we’ll slowly clarify what we can. Eventually, they’ll lose interest in the battlefront issues that don’t concern them. At that point, if we stir up other incidents to divert their attention, a chance to recover will surely come!”
Hae Cheong-yeon toyed with her crimson lips, muttering thoughtfully, “Hmm… so you’re saying we should wait out the storm?”
Having lived a long time, she knew that no matter how heated things got now, the masses’ passions would soon fade.
If they could just stall and muddle through, this crisis might simply pass.
She pondered whether to follow Je Gal Ji-gang’s advice and wait for the situation to improve—or to abandon the Martial Alliance altogether.
But she didn’t have to decide.
A new, unexpected figure suddenly appeared.
“What? Who’s appeared?”
“W-well…”
The newcomer was none other than Ban Jung-yang, the Blood Wolf Swordmaster.
The greatest martial artist of the era had finally broken his seclusion and descended from Mt. Antang.
But that wasn’t all.
The Swordmaster declared this about the Martial Alliance’s leadership, who were currently under the world’s scrutiny:
“I, who have surpassed the Thunder God and Sword God’s advancements, can distinguish those among the Blood Sect’s followers who have been possessed. I will personally visit the Martial Alliance to verify whether they have fallen under the Blood Sect’s influence. Therefore, the Five Kings’ Legion and the Martial Alliance’s warriors must cease fighting for now!”
The martial world erupted in excitement.
After seven long years, the true greatest martial artist had returned.
And his skills were said to surpass even the Thunder God and Sword God.
He could even expose the true nature of the Martial Alliance’s leaders.
There was no more thrilling development than this.
All eyes in the martial world now focused solely on his movements.
Meanwhile, Hae Cheong-yeon was horrified.
“What? What did you say?! What’s going on?!”
Having once been defeated one-on-one by the Five Kings, who were considered the world’s top warriors, the existence of the Swordmaster was naturally a burden to her.
But that wasn’t the source of her shock.
“He’s surpassed the Thunder God and Sword God’s advancements?!”
Deep within Gwa Yeom’s soul lay a deep-seated fear of the Thunder God and Sword God.
And now, the era’s greatest martial artist had achieved their level.
Moreover, he was coming to verify her personally.
If that was true, she could not remain idle.
Her face pale as death, Hae Cheong-yeon clenched her teeth and muttered, “No… I can’t let him come…”
The shadows of the Thunder God and Sword God, which had turned her past life into hell, seemed to be closing in once again in this life.
One day before news of the Swordmaster’s descent from Mt. Antang spread, Sun Woo-jin addressed those gathered in the conference room.
“Tomorrow, the Swordmaster will appear.”
Everyone exchanged surprised glances.
Among them, Lady Son Eun-sang of the Yeoryeong Demon was the first to speak.
“Isn’t the Swordmaster currently unconscious, trapped in possession?”
Sun Woo-jin smiled faintly and nodded.
“That’s true. But the Reversed Blood Demon Clan doesn’t know that.”
“Huh?”
Son Eun-sang looked puzzled, unable to grasp his meaning.
Then, Myeo Ah-ran, who had just returned from the Five Kings’ Legion after the Swordmaster’s arrival, spoke with bright eyes.
“They’re going to present a fake Swordmaster.”
Sun Woo-jin smiled and nodded.
“Exactly. The Mugeukpae we met at the Antang Mountain Lodge will play the role of the fake Swordmaster, under the guidance of Elder Pyo Seo-geuk.”
He explained further.
“The Reversed Blood Demon Clan has already been defeated one-on-one by the Five Kings, so they’re wary of the Swordmaster, who is said to be even stronger. Now, the Swordmaster is appearing. I’ve instructed the fake Swordmaster to claim she has surpassed the Thunder God and Sword God’s advancements and can identify Blood Sect members. The Thunder God and Sword God have been her greatest fears for over a hundred years.”
Myeo Ah-ran’s face lit up with admiration.
“As expected!”
Yong Woo-shin, head of the Dragon Clan, didn’t immediately understand like Myeo Ah-ran.
But as he slowly pieced it together, he repeated Sun Woo-jin’s words.
“So… the Reversed Blood Demon fears the Thunder God and Sword God and is wary of the Swordmaster. Now, the Swordmaster appears embodying all of that, with the ability to identify Blood Sect members. She can’t just sit still. So what choice does she have?”
Son Eun-sang’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she exclaimed, “She’ll have to come out to capture the Swordmaster! Just like she did with the Five Kings, bringing along three elite Fire Realm masters!”
Sun Woo-jin nodded.
“That’s right. She’ll come out secretly, so no one else notices. I don’t know if she’ll bring three Fire Realm masters again, but she’ll deploy her strongest forces.”
Namhae Saintess Si Seo-woo spoke with determination.
“Then that will be the only chance to capture the Reversed Blood Demon.”
Others nodded resolutely.
But among them, Cheong Gong-jin, head of the Hengshan Sect, wore a worried expression.
He spoke cautiously.
“It may be the only chance, but can we really capture her? Didn’t we say our forces are inferior in a direct confrontation?”
Their faces darkened.
Indeed, the enemy had the Reversed Blood Demon, a Five Kings-level master, plus three Fire Realm elites.
Even if the Swordmaster returned from the Five Kings’ Legion, they only had three Fire Realm masters.
They were clearly outmatched.
Sun Woo-jin spoke up.
“The Swordmaster, Seol Poong, and the Five Kings’ secret bodyguard, Pyo Young-do-gun Maeng Hwi-yeom, will come directly to Zhejiang Province. According to Seol Poong, Maeng Hwi-yeom is among the top tier of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars in martial power.”
Being among the top tier of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars meant he was on the cusp of the Fire Realm.
That was undoubtedly impressive.
Still, the group’s expressions didn’t brighten.
That level wouldn’t be enough to match the Fire Realm masters.
The difference between having crossed that threshold or not was absolute.
But Sun Woo-jin wasn’t finished.
“And one more—Gwae Seon has agreed to come.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.
Yong Woo-shin quickly asked, “Gwae Seon? You mean Cheong Seong Gwae Seon, Cheong Gwang-jin?”
Sun Woo-jin smiled broadly and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. I asked through my sworn brother, Hwa Young-bin, and he agreed without hesitation.”
Cheong Seong Gwae Seon was a Fire Realm master classified among the Five Great Eccentrics of the martial world, alongside the Lone Poisonous Sword, Seo Il.
Now, they had four Fire Realm masters on their side.
Though the Reversed Blood Demon’s skills were formidable, considering that Moyong Geom and the other three were just entering the Fire Realm, the balance was somewhat restored.
At last, the group’s expressions began to brighten.
Hope was finally on the horizon.
Sun Woo-jin addressed them solemnly.
“And the task of confronting the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon will be handled by Elder Sword Saint and myself. The rest of you should take on the remaining masters of the Fire Realm.”
At this, Namhae Saintess Si Seo-woo looked at him with concern and asked, “Just the two of you against the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon? No disrespect, Lord Sun Woo, but are you sure that’s wise? Wouldn’t it be better if two of us faced her instead?”
Sun Woo-jin smiled faintly and replied, “Of course, my abilities are lacking. But I have another plan. And… if my prediction is correct, there will likely be one more who can assist us.”
He glanced down at the Hongyeon Sword, the treasured heirloom of the Sun Woo family, still in his hand.
He still didn’t fully understand the mechanism, but that sword had granted him a second life, a second chance.
And this time, he intended to hope for another miracle from it.
Not long ago, when his father, Sun Woo-jung, handed him the Hongyeon Sword, Muk Rang had examined it carefully and said:
“This sword… it’s less a weapon and more a mystical tool. It’s a Sealing Demon Sword.”
“A Sealing Demon Sword?”
“Yes. Though it’s old and worn, the patterns etched on the blade are unmistakably a sealing formation designed to imprison malevolent beings. A high-level sealing array, no less. Impressive. You say you stabbed yourself with it and were sent back in time?”
“Yes, I can’t be certain it was the sword alone, but the circumstances clearly point to that.”
Sun Woo-jin had already confided in Muk Rang about his time regression. Muk Rang was fascinated and had long been curious about the Hongyeon Sword, suspecting it might be the cause.
So, upon receiving it, he examined it closely—and unexpectedly discovered the sealing formation.
“Hmm. It’s not a time-related formation, which is odd. But it definitely seals malevolent entities. And right now, it’s the most useful formation you have.”
At those words, Sun Woo-jin’s eyes flashed.
If the formation sealed malevolent beings and was useful now, there was only one conclusion.
“Could it really seal the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon?”
“Exactly. If you can stab the demon’s heart with this sword, you can seal it inside.”
Sun Woo-jin’s expression turned surprised. “The heart? But if you stab the heart…”
“Don’t worry. If you can pierce the heart cleanly and the sealing formation activates properly, only the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon will be sealed. She herself will remain unharmed. This formation also protects the target. It will shield her until the demon is sealed and the sword is withdrawn.”
“Ah!”
Sun Woo-jin looked at the Hongyeon Sword with a mixture of awe and hope.
To think the sword held such power—it felt as if the heavens had gifted him this blade to save Hae Cheong-yeon.
He pictured her face in his mind, his eyes shining.
“Hae Sojeo…”
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.
Piercing her heart cleanly would be far more difficult than simply killing her.
But Sun Woo-jin believed.
If his prediction was right, it would be possible.
Recalling that moment, Sun Woo-jin lifted his head and addressed those gathered in the conference room.
“We will depart for Zhejiang Province tomorrow morning, before the Sword Contestant’s arrival is announced. Rest well tonight—I expect us all to meet in top form.”
With that, he dismissed the meeting.
Yong Ga’s clan leader, Yong Woo-shin, exchanged a tender glance with Namhae Saintess Si Seo-woo, and the two walked out together, deep in conversation.
Meanwhile, Yeoryeong Seokma Son Eun-sang hurried past them, rushing somewhere.
Sun Woo-jin watched her retreating figure and smiled bitterly.
She was undoubtedly heading to the Demon Lord Ma Jong-hwan of the Life-and-Death Sect.
Perhaps to spend what might be their last day together.
A last day.
Yes.
If they left tomorrow morning for the decisive battle against the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon, today might be the final day they could spend with those dear to them.
For Son Eun-sang, for Si Seo-woo, and for Sun Woo-jin himself, it was the same.
Sun Woo-jin remained seated until everyone had left the room.
Only when the room was empty did he finally reveal his exhaustion, letting out a deep sigh.
“Phew…”
Though he had maintained a confident front before the others, the truth was the battle against the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon was far from certain.
In martial arts battles, the presence of an overwhelmingly powerful champion was crucial—and in this fight, that champion was undoubtedly the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon.
Even if fate favored them and they won, there was no guarantee everyone here would survive.
“No, casualties are probably inevitable.”
Sun Woo-jin thought, staring darkly at the ceiling.
Suddenly, he missed Dang Ye-eun.
He wanted to spend what might be their last day together.
To see her smile, hold her tightly, and kiss her.
Just once more.
And he longed for his foolish friends at Gwanggeomneung—Bi Sa-young and Bae Jong-gwan.
They had been his friends through two lifetimes, and he wanted to say goodbye, just in case.
At that moment, he missed them all deeply.
Smiling bitterly, he muttered to himself, “You’re getting soft, Sun Woo-jin. Focus on those right beside you first.”
He rose and began walking toward where his father, Sun Woo-jung, and his stepmother, So Nan-so, were.
Grateful, at least, to see them on what might be his last day.
Back at the Hanam Province Martial Alliance.
Hae Cheong-yeon listened tensely to Jegal Ji-gang’s report, her expression sharp.
“…According to our intel, the Sword Contestant left Antang Mountain alone, without any followers. So, Your Excellency, you should proceed to Anhui Province as you did during the Four Kings era and ambush him along his route.”
Hae Cheong-yeon nodded, though something still unsettled her.
Watching the Martial Alliance’s intelligence agency, Mancheonggak, gather information, she was glad she hadn’t killed him earlier.
He was surprisingly useful.
But despite that, an inexplicable unease gnawed at her.
She knew well how important such feelings were.
Some instinct, beyond reason, was warning her that something was wrong.
“Could it mean the Sword Contestant is stronger than expected? That this force isn’t enough?”
She didn’t know.
But she couldn’t ignore the feeling.
She had to prepare.
At that moment, Jegal Ji-gang, sensing her mood, spoke cautiously.
“May I suggest some reinforcements who might be of use to Your Excellency?”
Hae Cheong-yeon inwardly thought, “Ah, I’ve shown too much anxiety.”
But since it was out, she responded with a cold smirk.
“Hmph! To be effective in this fight, they’d have to rank among the top thirty-six in the world. Do you think you can recommend such people?”
Jegal Ji-gang’s eyes gleamed meaningfully.
“Though they may seem insufficient to Your Excellency, I have two Fire Realm masters to recommend.”
Fire Realm masters?
Hae Cheong-yeon’s eyes widened.
“Two Fire Realm masters?!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Her curiosity piqued, she looked at Jegal Ji-gang expectantly.
If two more Fire Realm masters joined, they might even stand a chance against the Sword God, not just the Sword Contestant.
That was an incredible boost.
She asked eagerly, “Who are they?”
Jegal Ji-gang smiled confidently.
“One is Seo Il, the Poisonous Blade Hermit. He’ll do anything for the right price. He’s nearby now, so we can contact him immediately. What do you think?”
Hae Cheong-yeon’s smile turned icy.
“What are you waiting for? Summon him at once. And the other?”
Jegal Ji-gang’s face lit up with amusement.
“The other is Gwe Hyung, one of the Five Great Eccentrics. He’s from Jeongsa Island and has a weakness for beautiful women due to his unsightly face. I believe if Your Excellency shows him your grace, he’ll obey any command. What do you think?”
Hae Cheong-yeon smiled seductively.
“Oh? That’s exactly the kind of warrior I like. Such a man deserves to see my face.”
Controlling those enchanted by her beauty had long been one of Reverse Heaven Blood Demon Gwa Yeom’s specialties.
So, she thought, it was safe to assume this man was already within their grasp.
At last, the unease she’d felt began to ease.
She smiled alluringly, her mind already turning over plans.
“Now then, descendant of the Brain God and Sword Master, the number of Hwakyeong’s top fighters you have to face has increased from four to six. How does that sound? Think you can handle six opponents?”
Of course, Sun Woo-jin had no way of knowing this.
Things were truly spiraling into a full-blown crisis.