Chapter 185

Chapter 185: Night of the Long Sword (1)

The Central Plains.

If interpreted precisely by its characters, the title designated the vast flatlands stretching across the core of the landmass.

In reality, however, it served as a conceptual term that represented this entire world, encompassing the collective realm of the martial artists known as the Jianghu.

Naturally, the Central Plains comprised an immense territory where boundless rivers, towering peaks, and massive mountain ranges linked together in grand succession.

A history spanning thousands of years had piled epoch upon epoch, blending the lineages of the Dao, Buddhism, and the Martial Arts, while an innumerable array of Murim sects, prominent clans, and minor factions dotted the landscape.

Among these, within the righteous path of the Orthodox Faction, ten monumental and illustrious organizations shone brightly across the land.

They were designated as the Ten Great Sects.

Positioned beneath them, a countless multitude of small and mid-sized factions defended their respective territories, cultivating and perpetuating their unique martial legacies.

Yet, wherever a brilliant light shines, a dark shadow is inevitably cast.

While members of the Orthodox Faction pursued the path of illumination, there existed martial artists who ran in the diametrically opposite direction.

The Seven Great Demonic Sects.

These seven massive organizations had coalesced over a vast span of time through the shifting pacts and blood feuds of Unorthodox and Demonic Beings.

Though their internal philosophies differed, they were bound by the ruthless doctrine of the Survival of the Fittest.

Because of this brutal nature, absolute unification eluded them, yet their combined might was easily a match for the Ten Great Sects.

Among their number.

During the daytime, not a single sign of their presence could be detected, but the moment the pale moonlight and the scent of slaughter intertwined, an esoteric order would step from the shadows to mock the morality and laws of the mortal world.

That entity was the Heavenly Yin Sect.

The Heavenly Yin Sect was rumored to be an order of women who mastered Yin Qi and wielded the freezing essence of the moon, though virtually nothing else was verified about them.

Even those sparse details were merely fragments leaked whenever they emerged into the Jianghu during crises to project their absolute authority.

No substantial knowledge existed regarding the specific martial arts, Formation Dao, or Illusion Arts they deployed.

Consequently, the denizens of the Jianghu remained perpetually fascinated and unnerved by the Heavenly Yin Sect.

Following centuries of relentless investigation, the wanderers of the Jianghu had managed to confirm only a solitary, undeniable fact.

The Dark Abyss.

The Heavenly Yin Sect remained concealed within the Dark Abyss.

The Dark Abyss.

An enigmatic territory completely absent from any map of the Central Plains.

It occupied a single line of text within the ancient records of the Orthodox Faction, described as a pitch-black fissure that manifested when the cosmos was initially split into the Upper Realm and the Lower Realm.

It was impossible to discern whether it was a physical chasm of immeasurable depth, a warped pocket dimension at the edge of the Upper Realm, or merely a phantom conjured by human dread.

Yet it remained indisputable that the organization known as the Heavenly Yin Sect truly endured, concealing their presence within that very place.

A massive lake situated somewhere within the Central Plains.

A full thousand zhang beneath its mirror-like surface, the lakebed finally came into view.

Upon that unimaginably deep floor, a complex formation was etched in the script of the ancient Upper Realm.

Only an individual capable of unraveling the array or presenting proof of eligibility could pass into the subterranean domain below.

Though the common folk of the world remained oblivious, the title of this realm carried immense weight among those who knew.

The Dark Abyss.

The Heavenly Yin Sect, the order of the deep chasm where even the rays of the moon could never penetrate.

At that precise moment, within the most secluded chamber of the Dark Abyss, a cavern of stalactites was trembling violently.

“The life-token moon of the Seventh Dharma Maiden has fractured.”

A muted, feminine tone drifted from behind a sweeping drapery in a corner of the stone chamber.

“Is her life extinguished? Or has her cultivation been destroyed?”

A woman clad in a sapphire-colored robe, bowing low before the drapery, responded.

“The truth is not yet verified.”

“Not yet verified?”

Jjiiiiing.

At that exact instant, a wave of absolute Cold Qi surged across the entire stalactite cavern.

Moisture droplets plunging from the ceiling froze solid mid-descent.

The dampness coating the stone floor instantly crystallized into frost.

Simultaneously, the heavy drapery began to warp and twist abnormally.

The intense Yin Qi radiating from behind it was so profound that the surrounding space appeared to bend under the pressure.

“A prominent Dharma Maiden of the Heavenly Yin Sect has met an uncertain fate, and your answer is that you do not know?”

The tone plummeted even lower in pitch.

“You do not know?”

That utterance alone caused a primal dread to ripple down the spine of the kneeling woman.

“Is that the sort of report you deem acceptable?”

Rumble.

The entire subterranean chamber shook.

Scores, even hundreds of stone spikes snapped and plunged downward.

The frozen icicles zipped through the air like thrown blades, burying themselves deep into every surface.

One specific fragment, as if guided by an unseen grasp, hovered tightly against the throat of the robed messenger.

Instantly, crimson blood trickled forth, spreading across the surface of the clear ice.

“…Forgive me. I shall implement countermeasures immediately.”

Only then did the frozen blade drop harmlessly to the ground.

With a sharp clink, the icicle shattered, and the terrifying Cold Qi that had gripped the cavern dissolved as though it had never been.

“Investigate this. Identify who dared to strike a Dharma Maiden of our Heavenly Yin Sect without authorization.”

“I understand, Sect Master.”

“Bing Ye.”

“Yes, Sect Master.”

“You shall handle this matter yourself.”

“I shall execute your decree.”

Shhh.

Accepting the mandate, the robed figure dissolved, fading away like a specter in the moonlight.

Thus, after an age of seclusion, the seal of the Heavenly Yin Sect parted toward the outer Central Plains.

Bubble bubble bubble.

Whether they were mythical sirens or deep-sea humanoids, ten silhouettes surged upward from the floor of the unfathomable lake, swimming with explosive velocity as they broke out into the open world.

At that very hour.

Dong Bongsu stood atop a mountain of corpses.

Since it was a matter of cleaning up the battlefield, he had gathered all the deceased into a neat pile near the ruined foundation of the Main Hall.

Cremation was reportedly the standard practice in these parts, so it would be simple enough to incinerate them later at the funeral grounds on the boundary of the River Capital.

Nearby, Jeon Rahwa along with the surviving family members were thoroughly occupied with tidying the area, but Dong Bongsu, having effortlessly completed his portion of the labor using the Super True Qi Field, stood with his arms folded, buried in reflection.

『Jade Pendant of the Heavenly Yin Sect’s Maiden』

※ Features an integrated locating function of sorts, effective between individuals utilizing identical mana characteristics.

A fresh description had materialized on the magical item he had transferred to Jeon Rahwa.

He was weighing its implications, as the detail carried significant weight.

‘In the context of Hero, it is a realm where mana is expended to cast spells or trigger abilities. Yet in this world, Internal Energy is naturally recognized as mana. That property has already been verified. Therefore…’

What if locating someone is entirely feasible among individuals who utilize the exact same type of Internal Energy?

He shifted his gaze toward Jeon Rahwa.

She was directing the youths, meticulously restoring order to the entire estate of the Iron God Gang.

The critical variable was whether the Twin Snow Yin Cold Art he had provided—the path Jeon Rahwa was currently cultivating—originating as a manual left by a deceased soul in the Boundary Realm, was actually a technique belonging to the Heavenly Yin Sect.

Realistically, the odds of it being unrelated were overwhelmingly higher.

How many layers of random chance would need to align for such a correlation to exist?

Yet Dong Bongsu, having weathered innumerable bizarre coincidences already, understood perfectly that anomalies reside within the matrix of possibility.

A 0.000001% probability?

It was an occurrence that practically bordered on impossible.

But it manifests nonetheless once in a million iterations.

The mere reality that it can manifest at all.

That meant it demanded calculation.

The nature of existence ensures that one can never be certain until the event unfolds.

He needed to make arrangements.

The mere integration of a tracking mechanism implied that this object held tremendous value within that specific order.

The exact second he finished sorting his deductions regarding the jade token.

He spotted a gathering of individuals making their way toward the remodeled Iron God Gang—which still lacked a fresh title—from the horizon.

By visual estimate, they comprised more than a few dozen people.

Could it be that Fire Bell Gang he had encountered earlier?

Or perhaps it was the One-Eyed Sect or the Black Wind Hall whose titles kept repeating in local talk.

What if they assumed this estate had been abandoned?

Sprinting in to seize control would be deemed basic logic by the principles of this region.

In that case, it was only appropriate to counter with his own logic as a hero.

Whoosh.

Lightly balancing upon a single strand of hair atop the highest cadaver, Dong Bongsu vaulted into the atmosphere, crossing the boundary of the Iron God Gang in a flash to descend directly in front of the arrivals.

He refrained from striking immediately.

Upon closing the distance, he perceived that their true identities diverged from his initial assumptions.

“Who stands there?”

The middle-aged figure spearheading the contingent flinched when Dong Bongsu materialized before him like an apparition.

Yet he swiftly collected his wits, staring directly at Dong Bongsu as he spoke.

“That is an inquiry this public servant ought to be posing.”

“A public servant?”

“Precisely. This servant is the Prefect governing this River Capital.”

This was Prefect Yo Han-myeong, who had commenced his investigation with the 7th District and systematically scoured the remaining sectors; finding naught, he had ultimately marched to the Iron God Gang.

“Now, it appears the identity of this official has been clarified. Therefore, I ask once more. Who are you?”

A Prefect.

Essentially equivalent to a city mayor.

This development was actually favorable.

If he intended to reside here for the foreseeable future, an encounter with the local authorities was inevitable.

“The current master of this estate.”

Current master.

It was a brief but definitive phrase that clarified nearly everything.

Yo Han-myeong swallowed with a dry throat and scrutinized the individual before him once more.

The man projected a generally detached and stoic aura, yet he was a tall, remarkably handsome youth possessing silver-gray locks and dark pupils.

Strangely, his meridian points appeared unrefined, and his physique was slender, suggesting his External Arts training was minimal at best.

To evaluate him solely by aesthetic standards, he was a person who could never be categorized as a martial expert.

However, the Murim was never a domain where one could formulate conclusions based on outward appearances.

If anything, one had to exercise greater vigilance when encountering such anomalies.

Furthermore, to question the adversary’s capability while standing before the utterly pulverized remnants of the Iron God Gang was a blunder even a simpleton would avoid.

After deliberating on his words for a brief interval, Yo Han-myeong finally voiced the primary query directly.

“What became of Cheol Hon and Cheol So-ah?”

“I executed them.”

The reply was delivered with absolute nonchalance, as if he were merely stating he had consumed grains for dawn and wheat for midday.

Naturally, from Yo Han-myeong’s vantage point, it was a staggering revelation that forced him to catch his breath.

Even though the Iron God Gang had been backed into a corner by the Seven Star Immortal Society, he had faintly intuited that Cheol So-ah was concealing a hidden variable.

He had speculated that Cheol So-ah might possess martial competence on par with Bukgung Ri…

To think he would receive an admission that treated Cheol Hon and Cheol So-ah like ordinary daily meals.

“By chance, was the eradication of the Seven Star Immortal Society also your doing?”

“That was not my action.”

“Then do you harbor knowledge of who perpetrated it?”

“I do not.”

Though he was positive Bukgung Ri was responsible, Dong Bongsu refrained from volunteering data that served no purpose in being disclosed.

At that response, Yo Han-myeong briefly locked eyes with Dong Bongsu before averting his gaze first.

It was an instinctual reaction, a premonition that some catastrophic consequence would unfold if he lingered on that stare any longer.

“Ahem. Very well. Then I shall present merely one final inquiry.”

“Proceed.”

“Do you align with the Orthodox Faction? Or do you walk the Unorthodox or Demonic Path?”

From Yo Han-myeong’s perspective, the specific faction mattered little, but the knowledge remained necessary for his records.

Regardless, with both the Seven Star Immortal Society and the Iron God Gang eliminated, he required clarity on whether the ‘author’ of this upheaval was a figure who could be reasoned with or utilized.

Naturally, Dong Bongsu had already deciphered the entirety of Yo Han-myeong’s thoughts.

“I am unaligned.”

“Un…aligned?”

“I shall merely tread the course of eradicating wickedness and elevating the standard of justice.”

“…Elevating the standard of justice?”

“Correct. It is irrelevant to me whether they claim righteousness or walk the demonic path. The corrupt shall be eliminated, and the virtuous shall be supported.”

“…”

“Ultimately, it makes no difference if it is a hound, a feline, or refuse, does it? From the perspective of the Magistrate’s Office.”

“…”

“Should an outside adversary strike, I shall repel them. And…”

“And?”

A subtle curve graced Dong Bongsu’s mouth, offering a brief glimpse of his teeth.

“I also intend to subjugate the entire Murim of the River Capital during this venture.”

Hearing those words, Yo Han-myeong swallowed hard once more.

It was glaringly obvious that this was no empty hyperbole.

From the moment the youth single-handedly wiped out the Iron God Gang, his sheer capacity and right to make such claims were indisputably demonstrated.

“V…very well. That remains your prerogative, naturally.”

Nonetheless, since matters had developed to this stage, he had to secure the final detail.

“What shall be the designation of the sect you intend to establish upon this ground?”

The title of an organization.

—Thank you. For responding to our summons. You represent our ultimate expectation. Please, deliver this realm from ruin.

Abruptly, the echoes of the Goddess Lumina, which had played when he initially initialized What is Hero, drifted through his recollection.

‘Ultimate expectation.’

Since he had advanced to this point.

Dong Bongsu was already taking genuine amusement in this reality.

Even if he himself could not foresee how merciless that amusement might turn out to be.

—Bear in mind. A hero is not a title designated by external forces. It is a path you select for yourself, which the populace validates. A trajectory he could chart independently and receive validation for from the masses.

Dong Bongsu weighed the concepts a few more times but concluded there existed no superior title than this one.

Finally, his lips parted to speak.

“The Hero’s Sect.”

“Hero’s… Sect?”

“Precisely. I, our followers, and this domain shall henceforth assume the mantle of the hero to cleanse this wretched Jianghu.”

Duuuung.

【Guild】Declaration of the Hero’s Sect:

Even a champion cannot realize monumental deeds in isolation.

Your proclamation to establish a guild shall strike absolute terror into the hearts of innumerable wrongdoers.

Yet, where illumination converges, a matching intensity of darkness shall also loom adjacent.

I offer prayers that you and your fellowship shall surmount every tribulation through absolute conviction.

․ Enlist ten guild associates.

├─ Status: 0%

└─ Benefit: Heroic Chronicle +1, [Guild Interface] unlocked.