Chapter 350: The Number One of the Unorthodox Faction (3)
“Ah… I see. Then I suppose you already knew that the Potala Palace recently attacked the Kunlun Sect, destroyed it, and took the survivors hostage, declaring they would kill them all unless they bring the White Moon Sword Lord.”
“…??? No. I didn’t know that at all. Explain in more detail.”
What kind of situation was that?
The completely unexpected news made me feel as if I had just been struck on the back of the head.
The destruction of the Kunlun Sect itself had happened even before my regression.
How could I forget? When the Demonic Cult invaded the Central Plains, the first sect they annihilated was the Kunlun Sect.
However, unlike before my regression, this time the Demonic Cult had not moved directly. Instead, the Potala Palace—known to have joined hands with the Demonic Cult—had launched the attack.
And rather than pushing deep into the Central Plains, they had settled in the ruined Kunlun Sect and were calling me there while holding the survivors hostage.
“It’s a trap.”
“Yes. Of course it’s a trap. But if you were still in Sichuan Province, it would’ve been difficult to ignore even a trap like that. That’s why you moved to Zhejiang Province beforehand, isn’t it? Being far away gives you the excuse that you couldn’t act immediately.”
“I’m telling you I really didn’t know. What do you think I am?”
“Well…”
“No. Don’t say it. I think I can guess.”
I could roughly imagine it.
As a warrior of the Orthodox faction, I wouldn’t be able to ignore the massacre happening at the Kunlun Sect.
Meanwhile, I could simply wait behind the scenes and hope someone else walked into the trap instead.
That kind of thinking was common in the Unorthodox martial world.
After all, they were people who prioritized survival and profit above all else.
There was no reason to criticize the Twin-Ghost Killing Sword either.
Unless someone extremely precious to him was caught up in the situation, how could one blame someone for choosing safety?
But…
“I was planning to stay here a few more days since there were still things left to do. But it seems I should leave first.”
“You mean you’ll go even though you know it’s a trap?”
“They sent me such passionate love letters, didn’t they? At the very least, I can feel more sincerity from that than from these scraps. It might be worth going to meet them.”
With a faint smirk, I waved my arm toward the pile of letters that had almost turned to ash.
The internal energy swirling with the wind extinguished the remaining embers and scattered the ashes far away.
After watching them for a moment, I turned to Tang Sowol.
“Let me say this first…”
“You mean you can’t take me with you this time, right?”
“No. The opposite. I need your strength.”
“…What?”
Perhaps because I had always sent her away whenever dangerous situations arose, Tang Sowol tilted her head in confusion.
“Why are you looking at me like that? The only reason there was a problem before was because all the opponents I’ve been fighting lately were Flowering Stage warriors. Your strength is already at a very high level.”
“Is it?”
“It is. If you were to spar with the Twin-Ghost Killing Sword here… well, maybe not sparring. But in a life-and-death battle, even if there were three or four of him, you would win.”
“With all due respect, I don’t think Miss Sky-Winged Poison Phoenix is quite that strong. Of course, she could easily defeat me, but facing three or four opponents is another matter, isn’t it?”
The Twin-Ghost Killing Sword cautiously interrupted after hearing that even three or four of him would die.
“If you’re referring to the battle against the subordinates of the Golden Ghost Wolf King, I only used moderate poison because I was worried you’d get caught up and die.”
“…Excuse me? I was clearly holding a top-grade poison-repelling bead.”
“A poison-repelling bead can’t stop poison capable of killing Flowering Stage warriors.”
“Ah…?”
The Twin-Ghost Killing Sword had only seen Tang Sowol fight once, but he had witnessed her feed extreme poison to Flowering Stage warriors—poison that functioned almost like mental restrictions to them—so he quickly accepted the explanation.
However, something seemed to bother him.
“I knew you possessed a special constitution, but I didn’t realize it was this extraordinary. But if you use poison powerful enough to affect Flowering Stage warriors, wouldn’t that be dangerous even for the White Moon Sword Lord?”
“I’m immune to all poisons, so it doesn’t matter. If anything… the one in danger would be the Illusory Illusion Witch.”
“Wha—?! I… I’m going too…?”
“Did you think you’d just watch alone?”
“I don’t want to go…”
“What was that? You don’t want to live?”
“I said I’ll definitely prove useful! B-but you do have countermeasures against the poison, right?”
“Of course. Even if you’re poisoned, I’ll detoxify you before you die.”
“…Is there another method?”
“We simply avoid situations where that level of poison is necessary in the first place.”
“No matter what happens! I will definitely protect Miss Tang!”
“That’s a good attitude. But don’t feel too pressured. You won’t be the only one.”
After saying that, I turned my gaze toward Tang Sowol.
I hadn’t even said anything yet, but the moment our eyes met, she nodded.
“You want me to send letters in advance, right? To my father and Sister Hwarin.”
“And also summon Seol Lihyang.”
“…What?”
“I’ll call the Sword King, Venerable Jeong Hyeon, and if possible even the Murim Alliance Leader.”
“…What?”
I raised the corner of my lips into a grin as Tang Sowol blinked in confusion.
“They called for me, so of course I should go. But there’s no reason for me to meet them alone.”
“Well… that’s true.”
Tang Sowol nodded uncertainly.
Well, the Potala Palace probably didn’t expect me to come to the Kunlun Sect alone either.
But they certainly wouldn’t expect a crowd of Flowering Stage warriors—and other masters—to show up together.
They must have prepared something, but…
Unless the Heavenly Demon personally appeared, we could push through with sheer force.
“Alright. Then it’s settled. We’ll send the letters and head to the Kunlun Sect immediately. Considering the distance from Zhejiang Province, we should arrive around the same time.”
Perhaps it was because of the sudden list of terrifying figures being summoned.
The Twin-Ghost Killing Sword stood there frozen.
So I added a simple explanation.
“Did you know?”
“Know what…?”
“If you knowingly walk into a trap, it’s no different from an ordinary life-and-death duel.”
“…Of course.”
The Twin-Ghost Killing Sword stared at me for a moment before nodding.
“As expected of the Number One of the Unorthodox Faction.”
This time, it was my turn to stay silent.
I explained to the Black Lotus Sect Lord what I had just heard.
Then—
“You do understand how dangerous this is, right?”
“As long as the Heavenly Demon isn’t there, it won’t be a problem.”
“And if the Heavenly Demon is waiting there?”
“Then it simply means it’s my time to die. I’ll settle for something modest like dragging him down with me.”
“Do you even know what ‘modest’ means?”
The Black Lotus Sect Lord looked dumbfounded for a moment before speaking again.
“I’ll send the Tyrant-Heaven Hall Master. Take the One-Saber Asura with you on the way.”
“…What?”
“I can’t leave here because I must clean up the aftermath of this matter and persuade others to form the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance. But if the pride of the Black Lotus Sect—the Number One of the Unorthodox Faction—insists on jumping into a death trap, I can’t just watch. I’ll lend you my sharpest sword.”
“The titles you’re using to describe me are full of fabrication, and technically the One-Saber Asura is my subordinate… but I appreciate the support.”
“You shameless brat.”
The Black Lotus Sect Lord clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Still, the important thing was that the Black Lotus Sect would lend a hand in this matter.
“You think it’s the perfect opportunity for the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance?”
“It truly is. It’s unfortunate for the Kunlun Sect, but… are you leaving immediately?”
“Yes. If you plan on giving me travel funds, now would be the time.”
“I heard you looted the Golden Ghost Wolf King’s treasury before.”
“Even so, how could I refuse kindness from an elder?”
“I never said I’d give you anything…”
The Black Lotus Sect Lord chuckled helplessly and tossed me a small metal token.
When I caught it and examined it, the shape looked very familiar.
“A Sect Lord Token? I don’t think I need this anymore.”
“It’s a little different. It’s a Deputy Sect Lord Token.”
“…?”
“The material is different.”
Indeed, it was.
The Sect Lord Token was made of ivory plated with gold.
But the Deputy Sect Lord Token was made entirely from cold iron.
Just holding it gave off a faint coolness even in summer.
It looked simpler, but in terms of value it was probably several times more expensive.
As I turned the cold iron token in my hand, the Black Lotus Sect Lord spoke lazily.
“If you show that, you’ll be treated the same as me wherever I’m not present.”
“Is it really alright to give something like this so easily?”
“If you’ve already rejected the position of Black Lotus Sect Lord, you might as well accept this much.”
After saying that, he waved his hand as if telling me to leave.
“You should get going now. Because of someone who keeps causing trouble but never cleaning it up, I’m going to be quite busy from now on.”
“How pitiful… well then, good luck with that.”
With those words, I tucked the cold iron token into my robe and turned around.
I grabbed the door handle to leave—
Then I stopped and spoke without turning back.
“As soon as this matter is resolved, I’ll send you the Tang Clan’s research results. I’ll also contact the Demon Physician and send him once I reach him.”
“I won’t expect much, but I’ll wait.”
“Yes. Then I’ll see you next at the founding ceremony of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance.”
“Alright.”
It was a rather casual farewell.
But between the Black Lotus Sect Lord and me, this was the right kind.
After leaving his office, I finished packing quickly.
Soon, I sensed an unfamiliar presence outside the door.
When I opened it, someone familiar stood there.
The Tyrant-Heaven Hall Master.
The strongest warrior of the Tyrant-Heaven Hall, the Black Lotus Sect’s direct military force.
Before my regression, he had been one of the people who constantly picked fights with me.
Now I knew why.
He had secretly coveted the position of successor to the Black Lotus Sect Lord.
And when I suddenly appeared and monopolized all the attention and fame, he resented it.
But now his gaze toward me was completely gentle.
As if he were meeting not a rival but a future superior.
Before my regression, he had been quite troublesome.
Now he was obedient enough to surprise me.
Perhaps this too was because, unlike before, I was now the Number One of the Unorthodox Faction.
In any case, everyone was now gathered.
All that remained was to depart.
Before leaving completely, I quietly bowed my head toward the direction of the Black Lotus Sect Lord’s room.
Then I started walking.
***
Before long, we arrived at the village at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains.
This was where we had agreed to meet before heading to the destroyed Kunlun Sect.
Had they been preparing even before receiving my letter?
Although I hadn’t arrived late, most of the people I requested help from were already there.
Namgung Dowi was absent due to some matter, but in his place Namgung Jong had arrived with several warriors of the Namgung Clan.
Venerable Jeong Hyeon came with only four martial monks—but every one of them was a Diamond Arhat.
As for the Murim Alliance Leader, he had brought the entire Clear Wind Unit, one of the Murim Alliance’s main military forces.
Lastly, from the Tang Clan came Seo Mun-Hwarin and Seol Lihyang—
and unexpectedly, Tang Jincheon himself.
All of them were familiar faces.
My heart felt reassured, and my steps grew lighter.
Before I realized it, I was smiling as I hurried toward them.
And then—
“Th-the Black Lotus Sect is attacking!”
“…What?”
I stopped running and turned around.
The Illusory Illusion Witch, who exuded a sinister aura.
The One-Saber Asura, who simply looked vicious.
Tang Sowol, whose mastery of poison arts gave her a subtly dangerous presence.
And the Tyrant-Heaven Hall Master and his subordinates, who looked exactly like stereotypical Unorthodox warriors.
“…I see. That misunderstanding is understandable.”
They weren’t surprised because of me.
Right?
Right???