Chapter 162

Chapter 162
## Chapter 162

### Chapter Title: Secret Tale (2)

—

“Stop right there.”

Dang Cheonhwa moved to intercept Cheol Woo, stepping directly into his path.

“Out of my way,” Cheol Woo commanded, applying physical pressure to move him.

Dang Cheonhwa was acutely aware that Cheol Woo’s demeanor and tone toward him had shifted, yet he couldn’t find it in himself to take offense. Anyone witnessing Sanggwan Cheon’s behavior would likely have the same reaction.

Nevertheless, he remained rooted to the spot. Knowing Cheol Woo’s immense strength and volatile nature, he knew that the moment he stepped aside, Sanggwan Cheon’s life would reach its end.

“I said, move…”

Cheol Woo began to grow visibly annoyed, his hand reaching out to shove Dang Cheonhwa, but he suddenly went silent. The hand that had been pushing dropped away as if he had lost interest. While Dang Cheonhwa blinked in confusion at this sudden compliance, Sima Geon strolled up to join them.

“I was merely…”

As Sima Geon walked past, he gave Cheol Woo’s shoulder a brief tap.

When Dang Cheonhwa moved to grab Sima Geon’s arm to restrain him, Cheol Woo quickly blocked him, shaking his head in warning.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“And why not?”

“He is absolutely furious. If you touch him right now, things will end badly for you.”

“What is that supposed to…”

Dang Cheonhwa couldn’t detect anything out of the ordinary from Sima Geon’s presence and failed to grasp Cheol Woo’s point. However, when the high-ranking members of the Pinnacle Sky Hall attempted to bar Sima Geon’s progress toward Sanggwan Cheon, the reality of the situation became terrifyingly clear.

“Krahk!”

“Uwaaak!”

A chorus of screams filled the air simultaneously.

Every warrior who had stood in Sima Geon’s way was now stumbling back, clutching the stumps of their arms.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

The severed limbs that had been tossed into the sky fell back to the earth with heavy, wet sounds.

Having effortlessly cleared the path, Sima Geon now stood directly in front of Sanggwan Cheon.

“Sima Outsider, was it?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Sima Outsider. Interesting. I’ve never viewed myself through that lens, but I suppose from your vantage point, it fits.”

The sheer dread emanating from Sima Geon’s neutral expression and hollow voice seemed to constrict Sanggwan Cheon’s entire frame, yet the man clenched his teeth and refused to collapse.

“I can appreciate your resolve in turning down assistance from the Sima Outsider. However, if we were to simply walk away after being pulled into a conflict we didn’t ask for, we would look like fools. Therefore, I want to verify one thing.”

“W-What is it?”

“I am curious if you, who so boldly claim the right to label us the Sima Outsider, actually possess the character to back up such talk.”

Sima Geon turned his gaze toward the silent gathering of martial heroes.

“We received aid from Elder Poison Freak and the Ha Hu Clan, and since we have a history of conflict with the Heavenly Demon Cult, we entered this fray. It wasn’t solely for the benefit of the Pinnacle Sky Hall. We stepped in because we were concerned for that man and the members of the Ha Hu Clan.”

The eyes of the heroes followed Sima Geon’s pointing finger directly to Ha Hu Yeon.

“If we depart this instant, not just you, but every person standing here will perish. You realize that without me having to explain it, don’t you?”

“…”

“If we stay, the outcome is reversed.”

“Divine Demon Division Leader, haven’t you grown a bit too arrogant?”

Chuseung forced out a dry laugh and yelled his challenge. Sima Geon turned his head with agonizing slowness.

Chuseung, feeling the crushing weight of the power contained in those calm, steady eyes, swallowed his words and clamped his jaw shut in fear.

Having silenced Chuseung with nothing more than a look, Sima Geon pressed on.

“You who categorize us as the Sima Outsider—I want to see if you truly have the moral authority to do so.”

“What are you demanding?”

Sanggwan Cheon seemed to have regained a sliver of his composure.

“Your life, or theirs. Make a choice.”

“What?”

“If you give up your life, they will be spared. But if you choose to cling to your own existence, every one of them dies.”

“I told you, we do not require your help.”

“You are failing to understand the situation.”

Sima Geon turned and signaled to Cheol Woo.

“Cheol Woo.”

“Right here, boss.”

“If this man chooses to live until the very end, slaughter them all.”

Dang Cheonhwa looked toward the direction Sima Geon was pointing and his jaw dropped in disbelief.

“W-What in the world is happening…”

“Understood.”

As Cheol Woo released his Ink Gang Asura Qi to its maximum capacity, a wave of horrific bloodlust surged from his body. The warriors of the Pinnacle Sky Hall who were caught in its wake began to panic, their movements becoming erratic.

“W-What do you think you’re doing?” Sanggwan Cheon cried out, his voice filled with alarm.

“I can respect your personal code that prevents you from accepting help from the Sima Outsider. But throwing away the lives of others just to maintain that ego is something I find utterly incomprehensible. It is actually sickening. And the fact that they view this as a noble act? It’s pathetic. So, decide. Kill yourself and ensure their survival. Refuse, and watch them die. At the hands of the Sima Outsider.”

“How far will this cruelty go?”

“That is the nature of the Sima Outsider. I shall count to ten.”

Sima Geon began to fold his fingers one by one.

“One.”

“…”

“Two.”

The count continued steadily. Yet, Sanggwan Cheon remained paralyzed by indecision.

His eyes darted frantically, his lips twitched as if trying to find words, and his entire body shook with internal conflict, but he could not bring himself to act.

Cheol Woo began to walk toward the ranks of the Pinnacle Sky Hall warriors. Dang Cheonhwa, who had intended to stop him, hesitated and stayed back.

The warriors of the Pinnacle Sky Hall braced themselves as Cheol Woo approached with an aura of pure destruction. However, they knew deep down: with their current level of skill, they stood no chance against the monster walking toward them.

“Nine.”

With only a single finger remaining, Sanggwan Cheon finally made his move.

“Die!”

Sanggwan Cheon’s blade lunged toward Sima Geon, who appeared to be completely open.

Gasps and shouts erupted from the heroes who had been watching the confrontation with bated breath.

Most of them imagined Sima Geon’s immediate demise. It was a treacherous strike delivered at point-blank range, far too fast for anyone to avoid.

As if to prove them wrong, Sima Geon performed a slight, graceful twist of his torso to let the blade pass, then reached out and grabbed Sanggwan Cheon by the back of the neck.

“Guhk!”

Sanggwan Cheon thrashed in a state of pure agony.

“Ten.”

Sima Geon, his face remaining entirely stone-cold, stared deeply into Sanggwan Cheon’s eyes and spoke the final number of his count.

“You labeled us the Sima Outsider? Then what does that make you? A fraudulent gentleman?”

Sanggwan Cheon was unable to respond. Before a word could escape him, Sima Geon snapped his neck with a sharp twist.

He threw the lifeless body of Sanggwan Cheon toward the stunned warriors of the Pinnacle Sky Hall.

“If there is anyone else here who believes they do not need the assistance of the Sima Outsider, step forward now. We will leave this place and not interfere again.”

Dang Cheonhwa cast a fierce, threatening look around the crowd, as if he were ready to strike down anyone who dared to speak up.

No one uttered a word, even without Dang Cheonhwa’s intimidation. Whether they were scared or simply disillusioned, they had truly expected Sanggwan Cheon to give his life for theirs. Instead, he had failed them. His final, desperate attempt to kill Sima Geon had left them in a state of profound shock.

“Was it actually true? Would you have spared them if he had taken his own life?”

Dang Cheonhwa directed his question to Sima Geon.

He had only stopped interfering with Cheol Woo because of a direct mental message he had received from Sima Geon.

“Not at all. Even considering the people who died because of that man’s so-called principles, I could never let them go.”

“Hah!”

Dang Cheonhwa could only watch with a stunned, empty expression as Sima Geon walked past him.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Ghost Gate Clan?”

Eum Jeok So tilted his head in thought, then slapped his leg in realization.

“Ah! The Ghost Gate Clan!”

“Weren’t they completely destroyed?”

At Ma Uk’s question, Jwa Geom gave a small nod.

“That’s right. The rumors say the Divine Demon Division didn’t leave so much as a pebble standing—they burned the whole place to the ground until it was nothing but ash.”

“Are you the sole survivor of the Ghost Gate Clan?” Eum Jeok So inquired.

“I am.”

“Then why has the last remaining heir of the Ghost Gate Clan sought me out?”

“I seek vengeance.”

“Vengeance.”

Jong Yo struggled to adjust his posture and lowered himself onto his knees before Eum Jeok So.

“The Heavenly Demon Cult and the Divine Demon Division. I am aware that the Valley Lord has a history with them. As do I. Please permit me to join your cause so that I may find my revenge.”

“Combining forces is all well and good, but looking at you…”

Eum Jeok So scanned Jong Yo’s frail condition and spoke with a look of dissatisfaction. Hyeol Sal Pa Pa stepped up quietly and whispered to him.

“This is the Ghost Gate Clan, Valley Lord.”

“I am aware of that. What of it?”

At Eum Jeok So’s dismissive response, Hyeol Sal Pa Pa looked frustrated and pointed significantly to her own head.

Eum Jeok So still didn’t seem to grasp the point. However, Jwa Geom and Ma Uk picked up on her meaning instantly.

“That’s it, the Ghost Gate Clan!”

“Yes, exactly, the Ghost Gate Clan!”

Jwa Geom and Ma Uk both shouted at the same time and helped the kneeling Jong Yo to his feet from either side.

“You aren’t in good health—please, sit down.”

“Yes, get comfortable. Have something to drink.”

Hyeol Sal Pa Pa, unable to endure Eum Jeok So’s confused staring at their change in attitude, leaned in and whispered again.

“They say the intellect and the strategies of the Ghost Gate Clan are unmatched under heaven. There is no better mind for war.”

“Ah!”

A loud realization escaped Eum Jeok So’s lips. He finally understood why Ma Uk and Jwa Geom were being so attentive.

“I see. A strategist doesn’t require a powerful body. Though I’m not entirely convinced we actually need one.”

To Eum Jeok So’s comment, Jong Yo responded with a respectful but unwavering tone.

“If the Valley Lord’s plan for revenge is limited to merely pestering the Heavenly Demon Cult, then my presence is unnecessary. Your current strength would be more than enough. However, if you intend to reach for something greater, my meager talents may prove to be indispensable.”

“Something greater, you say.”

Eum Jeok So contemplated for a moment, then broke into a smirk.

“I’m not even sure what I truly want yet. But I do know I want to crush the Heavenly Demon Cult into the dirt. So, you’re on the team. I look forward to working with you, strategist.”

Eum Jeok So held out a cup toward Jong Yo.

Jong Yo accepted the cup with deep respect and quickly finished the drink that Eum Jeok So poured for him.

After they had shared three rounds of drinks, Eum Jeok So spoke up.

“Very well, let’s hear the strategist’s perspective. What should be our first move?”

“We must flee.”

For a brief moment, the entire group froze. Not just Eum Jeok So, but even Ma Uk and Jwa Geom—who had been enjoying their drinks—went still. Hyeol Sal Pa Pa’s eyes widened as she stared at Jong Yo.

“Those aren’t exactly the most inspiring words for a strategist to start with. But I assume you have a justification?”

Eum Jeok So was the first to regain his composure, leaning forward to listen. Even though he was smiling, the sharp, flickering intensity in his eyes signaled to Jong Yo that he was dealing with a dangerous leader.

“The Elder Council is beginning to move.”

“I am aware of that.”

“We are currently in no position to engage them in a direct confrontation.”

“Are you suggesting we would be defeated?”

“We would likely win. However, it would be a hollow victory that leaves us ruined. Most importantly, the Poison Blood Demons by themselves aren’t enough to bring down the Heavenly Demon Cult. And as powerful as the Poison Blood Demons are, they are far from being invincible.”

“That’s a fair point. I can concede that.”

Eum Jeok So nodded, subconsciously touching the scar left by the previous Ho Gol Dang Lord.

“We’ve caused enough chaos with our hit-and-run tactics for now. From this point forward, we must focus on expanding our influence as much as possible. Without real power, we can’t hope to challenge the Heavenly Demon Cult—or the Blood Cult that is expanding in the darkness.”

“You even have knowledge of the Blood Cult?”

“Naturally. I am also aware that they played a role in the finalization of the Poison Blood Demon technique.”

A low whistle came from Eum Jeok So.

“I’m impressed. No one else was supposed to know that.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Are you serious? The Blood Cult was involved?”

Ma Uk and Jwa Geom asked in total shock.

“They were. They tried to exploit both me and the Ten Thousand Poison Valley for their own ends. It ended with me turning the tables and using them instead.”

Eum Jeok So let out a short laugh, thinking back to the violent end of Jin San Yo in the Undying Cave.

“But how are we supposed to build a real force? Most of the groups with a grudge against the Heavenly Demon Cult have already flocked to us. The issue is they are barely holding on—they have no real strength left. No respectable organization has any reason to side with us.”

At Jwa Geom’s remark, Jong Yo quietly picked up his cup. He took a small sip to clear his throat and spoke.

“Before I lay out the strategy, there is something I must clarify first.”

A subtle smile appeared on Jong Yo’s face as he looked around at Eum Jeok So and the others in the room.

“Aren’t any of you curious as to why the Divine Demon Division Leader possesses such an impossible level of martial skill?”