Chapter 370

Chapter 370: Upheaval (3)

Having discreetly sent his offspring and all the martial artists of his clan back to their ancestral home in Shandong, Hwangbo Ak journeyed to Dongting Lake in the company of the Martial Alliance forces.

It was evident that the revelations regarding the Maitreya Luminous Cult had been distributed far beyond the Hwangbo Family, as martial artists from across the entire Central Plains were converging upon the Martial Alliance in massive numbers.

Shortly after arriving at the temporary headquarters of the Alliance near Dongting Lake, Hwangbo Ak received an explicit summons from Alliance Leader Cheok Pae-myeong himself and made his way toward the grand reception chamber.

“Hahaha! It has been an age, Family Head Hwangbo.”

“I trust you have remained in excellent health, Alliance Leader.”

Adopting his well-rehearsed persona of an aggressive, unthinking martial artist, Hwangbo Ak matched the Alliance Leader’s boisterous welcome with equal vigor, before shifting his attention to offer respects to another elder who sat waiting within the room.

“It is a privilege to meet the Leader of the Hengshan Sect.”

“I offer my greetings to the honorable Sect Leader of Mount Heng.”

“Hohoho. It truly has been far too long since our paths last crossed.”

Hwangbo Ak raised his bound fists in a polite salutation, which the Mount Heng Sect Leader Yangmuja mirrored with equal courtesy.

The Mount Heng Sect had long enjoyed a respectable reputation, though for generations it had remained just outside the prestigious ranks of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang. That status shifted roughly a decade ago when the order finally secured its place among those elite factions—a milestone achieved almost single-handedly through the efforts of Yangmuja, the current Sect Leader and their preeminent martial artist, celebrated across the lands as the Greatest Sword of Mount Heng.

Yangmuja was an enlightened master of the Realm of Truth and held a place among the revered circle known as the Twelve Heavenly Pillars.

“Hahahaha. Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing both the Mount Heng Sect and the Hwangbo Family uniting with us under a single banner.”

Yangmuja and Hwangbo Ak offered agreeable responses to the Alliance Leader’s proclamation.

“We are setting forth to eradicate the Demonic Cult and reestablish righteousness within the Jianghu. How could a sect committed to the orthodox path possibly remain idle?”

“Hmph. Those treacherous Demonic Cult villains had the audacity to play us for fools. I will not tolerate such insolence.”

Wholly deceived by Hwangbo Ak’s carefully crafted facade, the Alliance Leader offered a pleased grin and declared, “Then take your well-deserved rest for the remainder of this day. Our vanguard begins its march northwest at dawn tomorrow.”

“…Tomorrow? So suddenly?”

Hwangbo Ak questioned with an expression of genuine bewilderment, prompting a resolute nod from the Alliance Leader.

“Precisely. We depart tomorrow morning, ensuring those Demonic Cult vermin have no opportunity to retreat into the safety of Xinjiang.”

Hwangbo Ak found himself mentally debating between two courses of action.

Should he maintain his dim-witted persona and laugh it off, or should he attempt to subtly extract further intelligence?

After assessing the situation in a split second, Hwangbo Ak devised a plausible counter-argument.

“Ahem. To tell the truth, I have issued a mobilization order to all the martial artists of my clan so we might utterly annihilate the Demonic Cultists who dared deceive us. Would it not be wiser to await their arrival?”

“Hahaha! Do not let that weigh on your mind. Our immediate focus is solely on purging the surviving elements of the Maitreya Luminous Cult in Gansu. Once we have secured Gansu and Sichuan, your household’s additional forces can unite with our main body, and we shall press forward directly into Xinjiang.”

The true motivation behind the Alliance Leader’s aggressive timeline was tied to his hidden agenda.

His actual objective was to orchestrate a conflict that would inflict catastrophic casualties upon both the Demonic Cult and the Orthodox Faction. Under the pretense of preventing an enemy retreat, he intended to initiate the campaign using only the forces currently assembled on short notice.

The fewer the initial troops, the bloodier the engagements would be; and as more righteous warriors perished, the deeper the Orthodox Faction’s animosity would fester.

Once that cycle of vengeance began, they would not content themselves with merely purging the Maitreya Luminous Cult from Gansu; they would possess all the blood-lust required to invade deep into Xinjiang.

Furthermore, there existed an additional prize designed to entice these self-proclaimed Orthodox Factions into the harsh terrains of Xinjiang.

‘Hehehehe. I was initially displeased by the continuous successes of the Maitreya Luminous Cult, but this situation is unfolding as a magnificent stroke of fortune.’

That irresistible prize was material wealth.

Throughout history, the Orthodox Faction had confined their strategies against the Demonic Cult to defensive measures.

What was the fundamental reason they had never launched a full-scale invasion into Xinjiang?

The answer was straightforward: Xinjiang was a desolate, unforgiving territory. There was simply no economic benefit to capturing it.

However, the circumstances had fundamentally changed.

Every prominent clan in the martial community was aware that the Maitreya Luminous Cult had successfully established a highly lucrative trade corridor connecting Gansu with the Western Regions.

The immense riches of gold and silver traversing that pathway were waiting to be plundered, and where fortunes were to be made, avaricious fools would gather in limitless numbers.

Precisely as the righteous forces were streaming into the fortress of the Martial Alliance.

“So the Maitreya Luminous Cult has been the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult this entire time.”

These revelations had penetrated a remote, hidden valley located deep within the Central Plains as well.

“Providence has not abandoned our cause. Our hour has finally arrived.”

Upon receiving the missive from his underling, the Blood Cult Leader spoke with a glimmer of fanaticism burning in his eyes, before delivering his decrees.

“Relay these instructions to every single follower immediately. Travel with the utmost secrecy and assemble within Gansu.”

“Your commands shall be executed, Cult Leader!”

The moment the servant hurried out of the cavernous chamber to disseminate the decree, the Blood Cult Leader turned his gaze backward.

He looked down upon a lifeless body positioned precisely at the center of an enormous geometric formation painted entirely in fresh blood.

“The instant the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Martial Alliance lock blades, we shall harvest their lifeblood to fulfill our grand ambition!”

True to the Alliance Leader’s word, the assembled hosts of the Martial Alliance commenced their deployment the following morning.

They advanced northwesternly from their lakeside stronghold, traversing Yichang in the southern reaches of Hubei Province, and pressed forward toward the borders of Shaanxi.

At the mountain pass that served as the gateway between Hubei and Shaanxi, the Zhuge Family integrated themselves into the grand army.

“We are grateful for your participation.”

Following a respectful exchange of martial courtesies with Zhuge Mun, the Patriarch of the Zhuge Family, the Alliance Leader casually inquired.

“By any chance, did your scouts observe any movements from the Wudang Sect along your journey?”

He asked this because Mount Longzhong, the ancestral seat of the Zhuge Family, was situated in relatively close proximity to Mount Wudang.

“I took the liberty of sending a messenger to Mount Wudang during our march, but their leadership indicated they would remain observant of the unfolding situation for the time being.”

It was not the Alliance Leader who offered this reply, but rather the Mount Heng Sect Leader Yangmuja.

“Tsk. It baffles me how individuals who claim the title of Taoist masters can receive tidings of the Demonic Cult and offer such a passive response.”

He showed no hesitation in criticizing Wudang openly before the gathered leadership. His transparent hostility was not merely born from leading the lowest-tiered entity among the Nine Great Sects and taking petty swipes out of resentment toward the esteemed Wudang.

Instead, this behavior was a direct reflection of his cultivation.

Mount Heng, revered as the Southern Sacred Mountain, was legendary as the final resting place of the ancient God of Fire. For this reason, one of its primary summits was designated as Zhurong Peak.

Drawing from this lore, the Mount Heng Sect’s internal cultivation system was a formidable technique centered on Extreme Yang Qi. As the individual who had mastered this Mind Art to its absolute zenith, Yangmuja’s personal disposition was heavily influenced by it, rendering him famous for a volatile, explosive temper entirely uncharacteristic of a traditional Taoist priest.

When in high spirits, he was jovial and sociable, but the moment a matter displeased him, he would unleash scathing words upon anyone regardless of rank, and in extreme cases, his blade would leave its scabbard before onlookers could comprehend the danger.

Attempting to de-escalate the rising tension, Alliance Leader Cheok Pae-myeong offered a warm smile and spoke aloud.

“Hahaha. Do not dwell too heavily upon it, Mount Heng Sect Leader. At the very least, they are not aligning themselves with the Demonic Cult to obstruct our campaign, correct?”

While his words appeared designed to soothe Yangmuja’s irritation, a sharp underlying threat was woven into the statement.

His intended meaning was unmistakable.

Any faction that attempted to delay this crusade or alter its course would be branded and dealt with as a member of the Demonic Cult.

With the addition of the Zhuge Family to their ranks, the righteous coalition finally crossed into the territory of Shaanxi. They moved swiftly through Pingli County and advanced to Shiquan County, where two massive congregations of Taoist swordsmen stood waiting to greet them.

These were the martial artists of the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect, the two dominant pillars of Shaanxi Province.

The Zhongnan Sect currently lacked an absolute expert in the Realm of Truth to claim a position within the contemporary Twelve Heavenly Pillars, and Mount Hua’s legendary Plum Blossom Sword Immortal had recently perished during the conflict with the Blood Cult.

Nonetheless, the profound heritage cultivated over more than a century as foundational members of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang was far too formidable to disregard.

Though neither lineage possessed an unrivaled grandmaster at present, both factions brought over a hundred martial artists who had successfully attained the Peak Realm.

The Martial Alliance, the Mount Heng Sect, the Zhuge Family, the Mount Hua Sect, and the Zhongnan Sect—all reinforced by the presence of Hwangbo Ak, the renowned Fist King.

Three absolute masters accompanied by more than a thousand combatants traversed Shaanxi and advanced determinedly into Gansu. After passing through Hanzhong along the western frontier of Shaanxi Province, they crossed the regional boundary and marched for several days until they neared Mount Kongtong, the historical grounds of the now-extinct Kongtong Sect.

They had arrived in Pingliang County, the adjacent territory and a locality that had recently achieved widespread renown for its elaborate theatrical performances, musical compositions, and flourishing creative arts.

And it remained an open secret that this immense cultural resurgence was entirely driven by the patronage of the Maitreya Luminous Cult.

“Reveal yourselves this instant, you treacherous Demonic Cult filth!!”

“The hour of divine retribution has arrived to punish you for misleading the populace and draining their resources all these years!”

The moment they set foot within Pingliang County, the Orthodox combatants began bellowing at the top of their lungs, attempting to provoke the Demonic Cultists into open warfare.

Yet, no martial artist stepped forward to answer their challenges.

Well, there was one exception.

A solitary, fragile elderly man devoid of any internal cultivation tentatively stepped onto the path to meet the advancing host.

Suspecting this might be a cunning trap devised by the Demonic Cult, the entire vanguard grew rigid and glared at him as Alliance Leader Cheok Pae-myeong advanced to confront the newcomer.

“Identify yourself, and state why you obstruct our vanguard.”

“I-I am m-merely a r-regular local resident who has dwelt h-here my w-whole life, honored masters. T-Truthfully, I c-came out here t-to deliver a m-message.”

The elder was shuddering so violently he could scarcely articulate his syllables, and the warriors observed his movements with a multitude of conflicting emotions registering on their countices.

‘This is a communication from the Demonic Cult.’

‘What game are these cowards playing, hiding behind an old civilian like this?’

Overwhelmed by the collective weight of their scrutiny, the old man carefully clarified the situation.

“Umm… i-if you are seeking t-those individuals, they have a-already gathered their belongings and d-departed, sirs.”

Shortly after intelligence reached their quarters that the Martial Alliance was actively exposing the true lineage of the Maitreya Luminous Cult and gathering the Orthodox Factions, Jin Hayeon maintained her composure and posed a question. “Young Master. In what manner do you intend to respond?”

Il-mok merely offered an indifferent shrug and replied as though the matter merited little concern.

“It is straightforward enough. We shall simply fall back into Xinjiang.”

“Are you suggesting we execute a withdrawal without engaging them in combat?”

Il-mok gave an affirmative nod to her inquiry.

“There is no benefit to fighting them here. The Alliance Leader is merely a puppet of the Imperial Court, and his intention is to force us and the Orthodox Factions into a war of mutual destruction. By executing a clean withdrawal, we completely neutralize his strategy.”

His deduction was logical enough that the attending maidservants drifted into their own contemplations for a brief period, until Jeong Hyeon tentatively raised her hand.

“Y-Young Master. W-What occurs if the righteous host p-pursues us directly into Xinjiang?”

“In that event, we simply retreat to our primary fortress and engage them there. If they are reckless enough to march to their own doom across a harsh terrain they do not comprehend, we have no reason to avoid the confrontation.”

Should circumstances demand it, Il-mok was entirely prepared to execute a scorched-earth campaign.

This would involve dismantling every village and contaminating every water source along the path of the enemy’s advance, rendering it impossible for them to sustain their logistics through foraging.

Xinjiang was predominantly arid under normal conditions, plagued by a chronic scarcity of water and provisions. If he lured the invading forces deep into that territory and implemented such a strategy, he could decimate their entire army while incurring minimal casualties among his own ranks.

If they could neutralize the invading host without suffering heavy losses, the machinations of the Imperial Court would be rendered entirely powerless.

Granted, a scorched-earth policy would bring severe tribulation to the civilian populace residing in those zones, but Il-mok possessed a rationale that made this consequence manageable.

‘We have accumulated substantial reserves of grain through our commerce with the Western Regions. We can easily provide ample restitution for their hardships once the conflict concludes.’

As Jeong Hyeon nodded in agreement with Il-mok’s outline, Hyeokryeon Seon-ah articulated a concern of her own.

“And what transpires if they decline to follow our retreat into Xinjiang? This province is a domain you have spent years of diligent effort to cultivate, Big Brother.”

A subtle, lethal intensity gleamed momentarily within Hyeokryeon Seon-ah’s eyes.

The mere thought of those self-righteous moralists laying waste to the domain her brother had spent years nurturing was enough to cause her inner energy to surge with irritation.

Recognizing the source of her frustration, Il-mok reassured her with a gentle expression.

“Do not distress yourself over it. Our withdrawal is merely a temporary measure. Once the Beggars’ Gang, the Hwangbo Family, and the Wudang Sect recognize the reality of the situation and align with us, we shall launch our return march.”

He calculated that the ongoing investigation by the Beggars’ Gang would reach its conclusion within a month or two at the absolute latest.

Following his explanation, Jin Hayeon voiced an uncertainty that had been occupying her thoughts.

“Young Master, how do you intend to maintain communication with our sympathizers if our forces are entirely confined within Xinjiang?”

“There is no cause for concern regarding that matter either. The individuals executing this withdrawal are strictly the combatants and spiritual leaders of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

There remained thousands of entirely ordinary practitioners distributed across Gansu who possessed no documented affiliation with the Demonic Cult and possessed no knowledge of martial arts whatsoever.

And Il-mok did not intend to utilize them merely as a passive transit network for messages to the Beggars’ Gang.

‘With our entire intelligence infrastructure remaining operational in the region, orchestrating our eventual counteroffensive will be exceptionally smooth.’

They would remain in place, serving as the hidden eyes and ears of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult directly beneath the gaze of the occupying forces.

Concurrently, Il-mok’s directive for a strategic withdrawal rippled across Gansu Province and northern Sichuan with incredible velocity.

Inevitably, that decree reached the borders of Pingliang County, which prompted an immediate reaction…

“What is the meaning of this directive?! For what reason must we abandon everything and return to Xinjiang!?”

Baek Cheon, who had spent every single day in Pingliang County immersing himself in the theatrical arts, was practically trembling with rage as he vociferated.

“Today, tomorrow, and the days following! Are you aware that my theatrical performances are entirely booked to capacity for the next several months?! How can anyone demand that I simply desert my devoted audience who have waited so fervently to witness my artistry performance!!”

“These are the explicit directives of the Young Master!!”

When the martial artist tasked with delivering Il-mok’s orders barked that response back at him, Baek Cheon’s countenance collapsed into an expression of utter despair.

The stage represented his entire existence.

Yet, under no circumstances could he bring himself to violate a command issued by Young Master Il-mok, the very individual who had rescued him from obscurity and elevated him into renown.

Deprived of any logical recourse against the order, his immense anger swiftly redirected itself toward an alternative target.

“Those wretched Orthodox hypocrites!! I vow I shall slaughter every single one of them!!”

He uttered the oath right then and there. The moment this strategic retreat concluded and they advanced back into the lands of Gansu, he fully intended to utilize the remains of the righteous hypocrites who had disrupted his performances to practice his intricate hidden weapon floral compositions.