Chapter 164

Chapter 164
Chapter: 164

Chapter Title: Crossroads (1)

—

“Is it truly your intent to pull back in this manner?”

Chu Seung questioned with a raspy voice, gripping his vessel tightly.

“What? Do you have a sudden urge to march back toward Biheaven Fortress?”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor, his torso swathed in heavy layers of linen, let out a self-deprecating smirk as he answered.

“Give me the word, and I would sprint there this very instant.”

“And do you possess the certainty of triumph?”

“I cannot say. Truthfully, I lack it entirely. However, perishing in a blunt confrontation seems a more honorable fate than enduring this shame.”

His skin flushed from the intensity of the spirits, Chu Seung shifted restlessly, looking as though he might dash off the second the Bloodlight Demon Emperor gave his blessing.

“I grasp your frustration perfectly. Retreating like beaten curs was a bitter pill. My own heart is heavy with resentment.”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor gestured toward his chest before lifting his drink.

“But you are as aware as I am of the catastrophe that would have ensued had we engaged them.”

Chu Seung ground his teeth and muttered,

“Slaughter. For every one of us.”

“Precisely. That is why we chose flight. Men of our years have little to lose in how we fall, but we must protect the youths who still have lives to lead.”

Chu Seung gazed absently into the liquid the Bloodlight Demon Emperor provided, then inquired,

“What if your strength had been at its peak?”

“Even then, I would not favor my chances.”

“What if we stood together?”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor pondered for a breath before shaking his head.

“Still a losing venture. Every instinct I possess as a warrior screams that victory was impossible, even if we committed our souls to the strike.”

“Curse it all!”

Chu Seung drained his cup in a fit of irritation.

“They seem even more formidable than during our previous encounter. Their power was staggering then, but now… it was something else entirely…”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor’s voice trailed off, replaced by a sudden, wry chuckle as a realization hit him.

“I suspected it back then, but in hindsight, fortune was truly on our side.”

“Fortune? In what way?”

“Imagine if those individuals had never abandoned the cult and had remained at the Lord’s right hand. Would our coup have ever bore fruit?”

“We would have prevailed. But it would have been a bloody labor. Our losses would have been catastrophic.”

“Indeed. Even the Divine Demon Division—we broke them with less effort than anticipated. But had the Divine Demon Division Leader been present, the outcome would have shifted. Those under his command are peerless.”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor’s face grew grim at the mention of the Divine Demon Division.

“Hah! I wonder who the traitor was that delivered them to Myriad Poison Valley?”

Chu Seung shook his head at the Bloodlight Demon Emperor’s low grumble.

“It remains a mystery. However, to doctor the reports to the Lord and spirit away the captive Divine Demon Division members, it had to be someone within the inner circle. As the Division Leader remarked, there is a strong likelihood that a Blood Cult mole is lurking among our commanders.”

“His warning about purging our own ranks before seeking conquest felt like a blade to the throat.”

“……”

The pair remained in a heavy silence, steadily emptying their cups for a long duration.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Having utilized threats against the Bloodlight Demon Emperor to compel the Heavenly Demon Cult forces into a withdrawal, Sima Geon, Cheol Woo, and Dang Cheon Hwa shared a brief dialogue with the Ha Hu family before departing.

A multitude of voices implored them to remain at Biheaven Fortress until the shadow of the Heavenly Demon Cult had fully receded, but Sima Geon, having seen the depths of their cowardice, paid no heed to their entreaties.

“This journey has proven quite educational.”

Once they had cleared the gates of Biheaven Fortress, Dang Cheon Hwa—who had been lost in dark reflection—finally spoke.

“How so?”

Cheol Woo, eager for conversation, leaned in with curiosity.

“I have witnessed firsthand the peril of a mediocre man clinging to hollow principles. The tragedy is that such stupidity is contagious—it ruins everyone in his orbit.”

Dang Cheon Hwa gave a heavy sigh, placed his pipe between his teeth, and clicked his tongue in disdain.

“It is a tragedy to see a lion of a father produce such a pathetic whelp.”

“The previous master of Biheaven Fortress must have been a man of quality.”

“He was. A true titan and a paragon of his time. He championed honor, struck down wickedness, and possessed a vast heart. While he could be unyielding once his mind was set—sometimes to a fault—he never succumbed to the senseless pigheadedness of his offspring. He valued counsel and weighed his choices with logic. But that son…”

Another weary sigh escaped Dang Cheon Hwa.

“That explains the friction. To be honest, I was surprised to see you lose your temper, elder.”

“When… Ah, when that fool Sang Gwan Hong was spouting his idiocy?”

“That’s the one.”

“Naturally! I never imagined he would have the audacity to propose a strike against the retreating Heavenly Demon Cult.”

The mere memory reignited his fury, painting Dang Cheon Hwa’s features a deep shade of crimson.

Sima Geon had dictated—under the threat of force—that the Heavenly Demon Cult simply leave the field.

Incredibly, the combatants of Biheaven Fortress had balked at Sima Geon’s decision. They argued that the invaders should not be allowed to depart without a blood tax, claiming they needed to avenge the fallen, and demanded a full assault.

The warriors of Biheaven Fortress had noted that half of the Eighteen Bandits—the group that had paralyzed them with fear—had been slaughtered upon the arrival of Sima Geon and Cheol Woo. Furthermore, the Lord of Myriad Poison Valley, Dong Chuk, had met his end at Cheol Woo’s hands. They viewed this as the perfect moment to seize glory. The presence of the Poison Ghost Dang Cheon Hwa only bolstered their reckless bravery.

Sima Geon had met the cries for war with a stony silence. Cheol Woo, observing Sima Geon, had followed suit.

But Dang Cheon Hwa could not remain passive.

Livid at the suggestions of Sang Gwan Hong, who had assumed the role of Biheaven Fortress’s primary elder following the passing of Sang Gwan Baek, Dang Cheon Hwa had seized the man like a common vermin. He announced he would take no part in such madness and vowed that any rash actions would be met with discipline. With the Ha Hu family aligning with Dang Cheon Hwa, the hesitant lords eventually fell back in line with the fortress’s official stance.

“You were their savior, elder.”

“I suppose. They were utter simpletons, weren’t they? Had they marched out as they desired, the majority would have been slaughtered…”

“No, you misunderstand me.”

Cheol Woo chuckled and shook his head, causing Dang Cheon Hwa to knit his brows.

“Misunderstand? Explain yourself.”

Casting a look toward Sima Geon, who walked a few paces ahead, Cheol Woo remarked,

“Had your intervention been delayed by even a moment, they would all be corpses. Slain by the boss.”

“What?”

Dang Cheon Hwa’s eyes widened, his forehead creasing in shock.

“Your own irritation was visible, but his had reached the breaking point.”

Cheol Woo tapped his brow with his hand and went on.

“The boss was on the verge of taking action when you stepped in. A second later, and…”

Cheol Woo made a slicing motion across his neck and looked toward Sima Geon.

“Am I wrong?”

Dang Cheon Hwa stared at Sima Geon in a state of disbelief.

Sima Geon offered no verbal confirmation, yet Dang Cheon Hwa felt the chilling certainty that Cheol Woo spoke the truth.

‘Hah! It turns out those fools were the lucky ones after all.’

Thinking of Sang Gwan Hong’s hollow barking at the departing Heavenly Demon Cult, he let out a dry, mirthless laugh.

In that moment, a change occurred.

The normally docile Black Wolf snapped its head up and surged forward into the brush.

“Wait! What has gotten into you, Black Wolf!”

Cheol Woo shouted after the creature, which disappeared into the shadows in a heartbeat.

Soon after, familiar voices echoed through the night.

“What is the meaning of this? Has the conflict already concluded?”

Emerging from the trees behind Black Wolf was Noe Jeon, leading the remainder of the group that had traveled by a different route.

“You laggards, moving with the speed of snails. Who do you think you’re dealing with? I settled the matter in a blink.”

Cheol Woo pounded his chest with bravado and let out a boisterous laugh.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“To whom… are you referring?”

Gwan Woong, who was preparing to rest, asked with a skeptical tone, wondering if his ears had played a trick on him.

“The ruler of the Sword Pavilion has made her appearance.”

The report from Sky Guard Unit Leader Hyeon Nok caused Gwan Woong to spring from his cushions.

“Sword Pavilion? You speak of the Sword Queen?”

“Indeed.”

“Is she alone?”

“She is accompanied by a small retinue of women who appear to be her guard, but their numbers are few.”

“Hah! Quite bold. From her perspective, this camp is a lion’s den. I trust we have extended proper hospitality?”

“A sentry was dispatched to meet her immediately, so there should be no cause for offense.”

Gwan Woong nodded, already adjusting his attire.

As he stepped out of his quarters, Hyeon Nok and the Sky Guard Unit took their positions behind him.

Gwan Woong found their constant vigilance tiresome, but he respected their protocol and remained silent.

“Where is the Sword Queen currently located?”

“The guards have escorted her to the Snow Pine Pavilion.”

“Snow Pine Pavilion? Ah, that spot.”

Gwan Woong envisioned the lake situated a short distance from the main camp, along with the refined structure that sat upon its bank.

“Excellent. I felt a pang of regret for ignoring its beauty earlier today.”

As Gwan Woong made his way toward the Snow Pine Pavilion with Hyeon Nok leading the way, news of the visitor spread, drawing others to the scene.

“I am told the Sword Queen has arrived.”

“It reeks of suspicion. This could be an ambush.”

“A transparent tactic to delay us.”

Arguments broke out, followed by frantic warnings for him to exercise extreme caution during the meeting.

Gwan Woong took note of their worries but refused to let anyone join him, taking only Hyeon Nok and the Sky Guard Unit as he approached the pavilion.

As Gwan Woong drew near, a sharp tension became visible on the faces of the women standing watch.

‘Remarkable.’

Gwan Woong’s gaze sharpened, instantly evaluating the martial prowess of each guard. Even within the elite ranks of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Sky Guard Unit, there were few who could claim superiority over these women.

Regardless, their numbers were minuscule. Gwan Woong felt a genuine sense of respect for the Sword Queen’s audacity in entering his territory with only five protectors.

Gwan Woong’s attention shifted to the Sword Queen herself, who was engaged in a lighthearted chat with Hyeong Mu Gang.

Unlike Hyeong Mu Gang, who looked stiff and out of place, the Sword Queen wore a gentle smile, appearing as relaxed as if she were receiving old friends in her own garden.

When her guards moved to intercept Gwan Woong, Hyeon Nok spoke with a sharp edge,

“This is the Lord. Show the proper deference.”

“It is quite alright. Do not create a scene. All of you, step back.”

“But, my Lord…”

“Step back.”

“As you command!”

At a sign from Hyeon Nok, the Sky Guard Unit retreated into the shadows. However, Hyeon Nok remained firmly at Gwan Woong’s side.

As the Sky Guard Unit moved away, the women guarding the pavilion bowed and cleared the entrance.

Spotting Gwan Woong, Hyeong Mu Gang hurried forward and offered a low, respectful bow.

“You have come, Lord?”

Gwan Woong gave a slight nod and climbed the steps of the Snow Pine Pavilion.

A woman of middle years and striking grace greeted him with a welcoming expression.

“I trust my unannounced arrival at this hour is not a burden.”

The Sword Queen, Baek Ok Sang, spoke with a soft smile.

“Not in the least. I passed by this lake earlier today and felt a twinge of regret for not stopping—it is thanks to you that I may appreciate its serenity.”

“I am pleased to hear it. I am Baek Ok Sang.”

As the Sword Queen offered her formal introduction, Gwan Woong brought his hands together in a salute of high respect.

“I am Gwan Woong. It is a privilege to stand before the renowned Sword Queen.”

Faint surprise at Gwan Woong’s refined manners flickered in the Sword Queen’s eyes.

“I had not anticipated that the Sword Queen would seek an audience with me.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. Yet, I believe I can divine the purpose of your visit.”

The Sword Queen looked at him with renewed interest.

“And what do you believe has brought me to the Lord?”

“The Nangong family, I presume?”

The Sword Queen did not provide an immediate confirmation to Gwan Woong’s direct query. Instead, she merely maintained her mysterious, knowing smile.