Episode 443: Return of the Demon Sect Leader

The atmosphere in the hall was nothing short of peculiar.

Though the meeting was presided over by the leader of the Righteous Alliance, the room was filled with formidable figures from the unorthodox sects, including the Blood Wave Leader, the Dark Sword Leader, the Shadow Sky Leader, the Heavenly Ghost Leader, and the Blood Stain Leader, all sent by the Blood Sect.

Adding to the tension was the unexpected appearance of the notorious Evil Sky Demon, who had been presumed dead but now stood as the head of the Assassins’ Guild. It was no wonder the air was thick with unease.

In essence, yesterday’s enemies had become today’s allies, yet the lingering bitterness between the righteous and the unorthodox was palpable.

“It’s laughable, really. The unorthodox sects, once in league with the Demon Sect, are now poised to betray them at our command. You live long enough, you see everything,” remarked Elder Yuk Cheong-pung with a cold sneer.

Naturally, this irked the warriors from the Blood Sect, who glared in response. Before the situation could escalate, Gu Yun intervened.

“The objective of this operation is to rescue our comrades kidnapped at Heavenly Valley and to eradicate the remnants of the Demon Sect suspected to be hiding there. As you all know, Heavenly Valley has been a sanctuary for treating injured warriors, regardless of their affiliation. This is a united effort to save those injured and to root out the Demon Sect, so I urge everyone to refrain from provocative remarks.”

Gu Yun’s gaze was firmly fixed on Yuk Cheong-pung.

With a major battle looming, Gu Yun seemed like a different person altogether. Yuk Cheong-pung, though displeased, chose not to argue further.

Pointing to the map before him, Gu Yun continued, “According to our intelligence, the captives are currently held at the heart of the suspected area, known as the ‘Demon Worship Pavilion.’ It appears there’s an altar in the courtyard used for sacrificial offerings.”

“Using people as sacrifices! They’re the scum of the earth!”

“Monsters of the worst kind! Let’s wipe them out immediately!”

The righteous warriors shouted in outrage, while the unorthodox warriors listened quietly to Gu Yun’s briefing.

Once the uproar subsided, Gu Yun resumed, “Our primary goal is to rescue the captives. However, if we launch a full-scale assault, they might use the captives as hostages or even kill them.”

“What do you propose, then?” someone asked, prompting Gu Yun to furrow his brow slightly before responding.

“We plan to deploy the Shadow God Squad, experts in infiltration, to secure the captives’ safety. Once they give the signal, we’ll launch our attack.”

“So, we strike all at once when the signal comes?”

“Exactly. While the Shadow God Squad can infiltrate the Demon Worship Pavilion, sneaking the captives out unnoticed is nearly impossible.”

“So, the plan is to create chaos with a full-scale assault to rescue the captives?”

“Precisely. The Shadow God Squad’s sole mission is to rescue the captives.”

At this point, the Blood Stain Leader from the Blood Sect spoke up.

“But even if we launch a surprise attack from all sides, if they catch wind of our movements, it won’t be as effective.”

Gu Yun nodded, as if expecting this concern. “That’s why we’ve devised a way to approach the Demon Sect without alerting them.”

“And what might that be?”

Gu Yun’s eyes gleamed as he surveyed the room. “Few here may remember the Great Demon War from decades ago, but many recall the tactics we used against the Demon Sect.”

“Constant surprise attacks,” someone answered, and Gu Yun nodded.

“Correct. Back then, we built estates across the land, each connected by a network of underground tunnels. We created exits at key points to ambush the enemy and retreat through these tunnels.”

The warriors nodded, recalling the famous strategy. It was said that the Righteous Alliance had a web of tunnels beneath the earth, known as the ‘Earthly Web.’

Gu Yun pointed to a spot on the map with a pointer. “There’s an estate about twenty li from here, connected to these tunnels. Though unused for years, the tunnels remain intact.”

“You propose we use this to approach the target?”

“Yes.”

Gu Yun’s firm response surprised both the unorthodox warriors and the leaders of the Righteous Alliance.

The plan itself was sound. The Earthly Web was a secret known only to the Righteous Alliance, ensuring that even if thousands of warriors approached the target, the Demon Sect would remain oblivious.

But therein lay the problem. Sharing such a secret with the unorthodox warriors was akin to revealing their trump card without any conditions.

Naturally, there was resistance.

“We can’t share the Earthly Web with the unorthodox!” Yuk Cheong-pung declared firmly.

Gu Yun simply watched him, having anticipated this reaction.

Other elders and leaders raised their voices in agreement. “We concur with the Elder’s opinion! Even in dire times, sharing the Earthly Web with those who might betray us is unthinkable! It’s our asset and weapon!”

“Indeed! Why not use the Earthly Web for our warriors alone?”

Meanwhile, the unorthodox warriors watched with folded arms, some even smirking.

They thought, ‘This is why the righteous are called fools who only talk.’

‘So much fuss over sharing a tunnel.’

Yet, their thoughts were both right and wrong. The Earthly Web was a top-secret asset, intricately designed and easy to get lost in without understanding its mechanisms. If one part was revealed, the rest could be deduced.

Thus, the Righteous Alliance was understandably hesitant to share it. But the urgency of the situation was undeniable.

Finally, Sa Bi-gang, a respected figure within the Righteous Alliance, spoke up.

“Fretting over the unorthodox is foolish. If the Demon King descends, we’ll all be wiped out, righteous or not. We must do everything we can.”

With Sa Bi-gang’s firm stance, the dissenting voices softened.

The leader of the alliance, Neung Un-pa, delivered the final word. “I agree with the General’s view. While the Earthly Web is a significant secret, our strength doesn’t solely rely on it. It’s better to share it and face the enemy together than to worry about potential betrayal.”

With the leader’s endorsement, no further objections were raised.

Gu Yun continued, “Let’s proceed with the plan. Using the Earthly Web, we’ll converge at this point. From there, we’ll spread out to these exits, surrounding the target. We can move undetected up to this point.”

The warriors of the Righteous Alliance nodded, recognizing it as the best way to approach the Demon Sect’s stronghold.

Yuk Cheong-pung then raised a valid concern. “But if we suddenly disappear, the Demon Sect might suspect something.”

Gu Yun nodded. “While we wait, we’ll set up a camp here, with second and third-rate warriors. Using the ‘Ascension Beads,’ we’ll make them appear much stronger.”

The ‘Ascension Beads’ were artifacts that made warriors seem more powerful than they were, a clever tool for deception.

“The Demon Sect will think it’s our main camp,” Gu Yun explained. “Just as they used a fake stronghold, we’ll use a fake camp to draw their attention. We’ll even place lookalikes of our leader and generals there, identical in appearance and behavior.”

With this strategy, the Righteous Alliance aimed to outwit the Demon Sect, turning the tables on their foes.

“In the meantime, we’ll use the underground network to move right under their noses, and before that, the Shadow Squad will secure the injured trapped in the enemy’s stronghold.”

“Exactly.”

“And once they signal us, the alliance will launch a surprise attack. Amidst the chaos, we’ll rescue the injured and crush the enemy.”

“Precisely.”

As Gu Yoon nodded, the other warriors, who had been silently listening to the plan, began to murmur among themselves.

The strategy itself was sound.

Moreover, the Shadow Squad was renowned for their infiltration skills, even among the best of the righteous alliance.

“If anyone has objections, please speak up.”

Gu Yoon looked around at the warriors, open to any feedback.

But no one raised any concerns.

The leader of the Blood Sect asked again, “When does the operation begin?”

“Actually… it’s already underway.”

“What?”

“Given the time it takes to infiltrate the stronghold, we’ve already sent the Shadow Squad ahead.”

“Hah!”

The Blood Sect leader let out a disbelieving chuckle.

Yet, inwardly, he was impressed.

‘He may look delicate, almost like a woman, but he has a backbone of steel.’

He must have anticipated no opposition to this plan from the start.

Or perhaps he was prepared to dismiss any dissent.

People underestimated him based on his appearance.

But they overlooked the fact that he was the mastermind leading the strongest faction in the martial world.

“Then let’s commence the operation immediately. In one hour, gather at the center of the underground network.”

Gu Yoon pointed to a spot on the map.

**

“Incredible.”

“No wonder the righteous sects keep this place such a closely guarded secret.”

“This is a perfect example of how intense and meticulous the Great Martial War was.”

The experts dispatched from the Blood Sect marveled as they surveyed their surroundings.

The center of the underground network was so vast and expansive that it made one forget they were underground.

And the dozens of tunnels branching out from there!

Above the tunnels, characters were carved into the rock, which rotated and changed shape at set intervals due to some mechanism.

Anyone entering without knowledge of this place would easily become lost forever.

Gathered at the center were five thousand warriors from the allied forces.

Despite the sheer number of people, the space didn’t feel cramped at all.

The underground network was like another world beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, Gu Yoon paced nervously at one side of the cavern.

By now, the Shadow Squad should have sent word.

According to the plan, the ambush should have already taken place before midnight.

But…

‘Why haven’t we heard anything? Could the Shadow Squad have failed?’

He tried to dismiss the thought, but it nagged at him.

Just then, a warrior rushed over and knelt before Gu Yoon.

“Commander, I have a report! The Shadow Squad failed to infiltrate and has been wiped out!”

“What? What did you say?”