Published at 9th of August 2022 9:06 am

Chapter 169: Conquest (1)

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“Oh my god.”

“Just one of those is the same weight as me…”

“I can’t believe you can carry that with just muscle strength. Indeed, the Leader’s way of training is much harsher than ours.”

The group stared at Woon-seong like they were looking at a monster. He himself would too, if only he couldn’t see the strain on his muscles.

Woon-seong glanced down at his arms. It was clear that his muscles were straining.

Why wouldn’t it be hard for Woon-seong?

He just didn’t feel like expressing it.

If you struggle with just this much, you won’t be able to wade through the muddied and thorny fields before you.

Also, he had to act strong as the Cult Leader, not just an avenger.

Woon-seong pulled down the Black Dragon Robe, which had been rolled up. He waved his hand and said, “That is all.”

The soldiers bowed their heads.

They then dragged off the empty box.

Maybe it was because the weight of the box had greatly reduced by removing the iron bracers, but they did not feel the danger of collapse from earlier.

Watching them, Woon-seong smiled predatorily as he lounged in his seat.

Seeing Woon-seong like that, Sang Gwan-chuk could not hide his worrying tone. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Woon-seong nodded. “It’s okay.”

He would make it okay, even if it wasn’t okay. Those were Woon-seong’s inner thoughts, but he did not have to say them aloud.

Despite Woon-seong’s words, Sang Gwan-chuk could not shake his worries. He continued to look anxious.

Woon-seong changed the topic to distract him.

“How is the occupation going?”

While the Cult of the Heavenly Demon marched, they had made several missions to occupy parts of the region first. What Woon-seong was asking about were the results.

Sang Gwan-chuk slowly talked.

High west, low east.

Was there a phrase more suitable for expressing the geography of Guizhou Province?

Guizhou, where mountains covered almost the entire province, had higher altitudes in the west and gentler slopes in the east.

The place where the Martial Alliance had decided to settle was the city of Anshun.

Anshun was a mountainous region about three days away from Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou Province.

From Anshun, it was not only easy to procure supplies because of nearby hubbubs, but it was also in a support position to protect the capital and its numerous temples.

The capital city was the pride of a province.

It was as if the Martial Alliance expressed their willingness to protect their pride by choosing Anshun as the battleground.

Then, the question arose as to what kind of place Anshun was as a battlefield.

Anshun.

There were over a hundred large and small peaks where small battles could be held, and a basin suitable for all-out fighting right in the center.

That was Anshun.

Clang—

In one of those hundred peaks located in the region of Anshun, the sound of metal colliding with metal rang through the air.

The sound was jarring.

A loud shout could be heard: “Don’t be forced back! Push forward. They can’t hold out either. Just a little more and we can take it!”

It was Gwan Tae-ryang.

Gwan Tae-ryang slashed through the soldiers of the Martial Alliance with his blade.

The members of the Charred Dragon Unit lined up behind him, as did demonic soldiers behind them.

They were currently climbing along a rugged ridge.

To seize the base of the Martial Alliance at the summit, obviously.

This is an order from the Senior Strategist. In other words, it is no different from a direct order from the Leader!

Gwan Tae-ryang cut down another Alliance soldier. You could tell how many people he had already slaughtered based on the sticky blood clinging to the metal blades.

Gwan Tae-ryang didn’t care about that at all. Wielding his blade, he shouted: “Glory to the Heavenly Demon!”

The Charred Dragon Unit and other Demons echoed his rally: “Glory to the Heavenly Demon!”

The soldiers began to climb faster.

While the Charred Dragon Unit was fighting, the Samsara Demonic Cavalry had also been tasked with another summit, struggling against Martial Alliance soldiers there.

Mask Demon lifted his weapon and shouted. “Follow me!”

Then, all those who wore face masks followed after the black horse.

It was as if one person was acting, smooth without a single error.

Not, it felt like a river of black was bending.

Heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee –

Soldiers were entangled together on the battlefield and the horses of the Demonic Cavalry snorted.

At this time, the riders let go of the reins, lifting from their saddles and swinging.

Thwack—

Someone’s head was smashed, raining bits of brain.

The man didn’t care about the blood raining down, as he continued to swing.

Puchi—

Three more people were attacked.

Heart, head, abdomen.

All places were different, but none of the attacks were fatal.

“Growl.”

Perhaps there was a wily one among the Alliance soldiers. One of them reached out, grabbing at the spear which pierced through his body.

“Hoho?” His eyes raised beneath the blood-stained mask.

But that was it.

“Heiyah!”

Mask Demon sped up instead of retrieving the weapon.

Heeheeheeheeheehee –

The horse sprinted forward, charging through the battle. Still holding onto the spear, the soldier was dragged along.

Dragged along the floor, the soldier eventually let go.

Mask Demon, wielding his polearm again, shouted: “Scatter!”

This cry echoed through the guard, as the horses scattered amongst the battle.

Their horses could run across mountains and plains, their weapons able to tear apart limbs!

Wherever a member of the Samsara Demonic Cavalry galloped would be a river of blood.

It was like a vortex had torn people into pieces, still swirling.

Seeing the sight, Mask Demon roared: “Glory to the Heavenly Demon!”

It was the same cry Gwan Tae-ryang had made.

Hi-yi-ying!

***

“Heh-heh.”

Peng Ah-hu showed signs of discomfort as he stared down at the map. He had planned to occupy all the bases, but ended up losing about a third to the Cult of the Heavenly Demon.

“Damn it.”

He swore. It was a remark he would usually never make because of his status as an elder.

But what did he care? No one was watching right now.

It was okay to do whatever he wanted when no one was watching.

That was why he swore again, not hiding his frustration.

“Fuck you…”

But he swallowed the insult he was ready to spit out, fixing his expression.

Someone came inside the room.

“I heard that the movements of the Demonic Cult are unusual.”

The one who had entered was another of the 72 Supreme Masters, just like Peng Ah-hu.

It was Seo Jong-tak of the Three Gorges Sect.

Like Peng Ah-hu, he was also placed in Guizhou as an elder of the Martial Alliance.

Peng Ah-hu was uncomfortable with the question, but pretended to be relaxed.

“This is still within my expectations. Besides, knowing that it would be impossible to add any more bases, the Demonic Cult won’t be thinking of making another move.”

Seo Jong-tak nodded his head. “If so, I am glad we can prevent the Demonic Cult’s movements in Guizhou.”

That made Peng Ah-hu laugh. “Puhahaha, I don’t know what you’re worried about. They’re just cultists, after all.”

“Right? I guess I’m too worried.”

Seo Jong-tak laughed faintly and Peng Ah-hu nodded.

However, he grimaced at the next words.

“But Elder Peng, you might be worried.”

“Worried?”

“I heard your nephew was in the New Dragon Battalion, but he is now strangely missing?”

“Hmm, do not speak of such negativities.”

As soon as the story came out, Peng Ah-hu’s expression was solemn. No matter who saw him, they would say he was worried about his nephew.

But his internal thoughts were completely different from his face: What does whether he survive or not have to do with me?

Peng Hak was a direct descendent of the Peng Clan, but Peng Hak and Peng Ah-hu had a poor relationship.

There was a reason, of course.

It was actually because while Peng Ah-hu had been hiding his ambition, he wanted to become the clan head.

As the son of Peng Ge-ak and direct descendant of the main line, Peng Ah-hu’s nephew was the legitimate next in line.

In fact, even within the Peng Clan, Peng Ah-hu and Peng Hak were famous for colliding events. However, this was not known to the outside world because it was taken as family in-fighting.

Without knowing Peng Ah-hu’s thoughts, Seo Jong-tak said, “I hope he is alive.”

“Haha, it will be alright,” Peng Ah-hu said, agreeing with him. Hmph, it would be better for him to die at the hands of the Demonic Cult than to give him the clan head’s seat. So of course it will be alright.

Of course, he did not forget to suppress these thoughts. As if he didn’t want to talk about such depressing matters, Peng Ah-hu changed the topic.

“Beyond that, it seems like things have fallen within the expected range in Guizhou, but I am not sure how it will be in Chongqing.”

Seo Jong-tak still hadn’t noticed anything off, immediately worrying about the future of Murim.

“Well, we are here, but it’s not like there aren’t martial artists in that direction.”

As he said, there were other Orthodox factions in Chongqing. There was also the Mount Tai Sword Sect there, so there should be no problems.

“Haha, we should be able to stop the Demonic Cult safely in both Guizhou and Chongqing.”

At the same time, Peng Ah-hu felt a chill go down his spine. For some reason, he recalled Jwa Do-gyul’s words.

What do you mean that a ‘sacrifice’ is necessary? Hmn…

Somehow, the words made him feel uneasy. Peng Ah-hu closed his eyes.

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