Chapter 186

Chapter 186
## Chapter 186: Return (2)

The momentum of the North Sea Ice Palace showed no signs of faltering after they obliterated the Peng Clan.

Minor powers that once commanded respect in Northern Hebei, such as the Dragon Star Clan and the Imperial Sword Sect, were dismantled in the blink of an eye.

The devastation wasn’t confined to Northern Hebei alone.

As the North Sea Ice Palace laid waste to that region, their subordinate allies—the Heavenly Tiger Gate and the Cloud Mountain Sect—commenced a blitz against the martial factions of Shanxi. Plunged into chaos by the sudden treachery, Shanxi’s primary defenders, including the Hengshan Sect and the Great Yin Sect, crumbled with barely a fight.

Using the Taihang Mountains as a natural divider, the two invading prongs marched through Northern Hebei and Shanxi before converging southward toward Hebi in the northern reaches of Henan Province.

Just south of Hebi sat Zhengzhou. To its east lay Kaifeng, the heart of the Beggar Clan, while to its west rose Song Mountain, the seat of the Shaolin Temple.

Observers watching the tactical movements of the invaders felt a chill of dread when the forces set their sights on Hebi.

The objective of the North Sea Ice Palace had become terrifyingly obvious.

They were moving against the twin pillars of the martial world, specifically the Shaolin Temple.

It was not the Beggar Clan they sought.

While the Beggar Clan maintained a massive presence, their headquarters was spread thin across the land, serving more as a symbolic hub than a concentrated military target.

Word that the North Sea Ice Palace was marching on the Shaolin Temple sent shockwaves of panic through the martial community.

The prestige of the Shaolin Temple was incomparable.

It stood as the ultimate beacon and soul of the orthodox factions.

Sensing the impending disaster, the Murim Alliance scrambled to organize a massive relief force for the Shaolin Temple. However, the alliance had been hollowed out by internal political rot; it possessed only a shadow of its former authority, and even this desperate mobilization struggled to form a cohesive unit.

While the public was once again let down by the alliance’s ineptitude, hope was not entirely extinguished.

The Wudang Sect and the Mount Hua Sect had correctly anticipated the invaders’ trajectory the moment the Peng Clan fell. They had already dispatched significant reinforcements southward. Simultaneously, the Beggar Clan sent out urgent runners to every branch, demanding a total mobilization of their beggars.

Even the dominant power of Shandong, the Shandong Evil Clan, offered their blades to the cause.

Proclaiming a quest for retribution for their allies in the Peng Clan, they sent a formidable host of warriors—fully aware that if the Shaolin Temple was razed, their own borders in Shandong would be the next to burn.

They were joined by countless wandering swordsmen and minor sects, all converging on the Shaolin Temple to protect the heart of the martial world.

The atmosphere grew thick with the impending sounds of war.

The Diamond Martial Hall, a massive complex situated roughly three days south of central Hebi, was the next to fall to the North Sea Ice Palace’s advance.

There was no blood spilled.

Hall Master Yi Ja-ung, recognizing the futility of a localized defense against such a tide, decided his strength was better spent at the Shaolin Temple. He dismissed his younger and less experienced students to their homes and led his elite disciples toward Song Mountain to join the main defense.

Occupying the Diamond Martial Hall without a struggle, the North Sea Ice Palace halted to recuperate and wait for the Heavenly Tiger Gate and the Cloud Mountain Sect to arrive from their conquest of Shanxi.

Despite their string of easy victories, the physical toll of the march required a period of recovery.

However, they maintained a strict perimeter.

While no organized army stood in their immediate path, they were deep within hostile territory, where the threat of a sudden counter-strike or guerrilla ambush remained high.

One night, while Buk Ri-jin was making his rounds to verify the guard rotations, he was called to the quarters of Buk Ri-hwang.

“Father, it is Buk Ri-jin.”

“Enter.”

Stepping inside, Buk Ri-jin found Buk Ri-hwang sharing a table with Mo Gong-jeong and his younger brother, Buk Ri-do.

“Take a seat.”

Buk Ri-hwang indicated a place for him. As Buk Ri-jin sat down, Mo Gong-jeong poured him a drink.

“My thanks.”

After a few quiet drinks, Buk Ri-hwang slid a parchment across the table.

“Look this over.”

“What is this?”

“A missive that just arrived from the Blood Cult.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Startled, Buk Ri-jin looked up, only to see Buk Ri-do scowling.

“Those Blood Cult freaks handed it directly to our forward scouts,” Buk Ri-do muttered, clearly frustrated that their hidden scouts had been so easily compromised.

Steadying his nerves, Buk Ri-jin read the contents.

The letter was short but packed with high-level intelligence.

It listed the exact numbers and movement patterns of the reinforcements coming from Mount Hua, Wudang, the Beggar Clan, and the Shandong Evil Clan. It even included their current camps and estimated times of arrival at the Shaolin Temple.

“Look at the map as well.”

Buk Ri-do spread out a detailed topographic map of Henan Province, focused heavily on the region surrounding the Shaolin Temple.

“It marks every hidden trail and goat path. These people are unsettling.”

“They have prepared so thoroughly that it feels as if they lured us into this position on purpose,” Buk Ri-jin noted.

While Buk Ri-do was unnerved by the Blood Cult’s reach, Buk Ri-hwang remained stoic.

“Regardless of their motives, this data is invaluable. This map is precisely the advantage we were lacking.”

Mo Gong-jeong nodded in agreement.

“I concur. We can send scouts to count heads, but mapping terrain with this level of precision takes months. This is a vital gift.”

“I agree, Uncle.”

“My nephew…”

As Mo Gong-jeong trailed off into a low mumble, Buk Ri-jin ignored the odd tone and addressed his father again.

“But why hasn’t the Blood Cult moved their main force yet? They swore they would act in tandem with us. This information is helpful, but their absence is troubling.”

Buk Ri-do, who oversaw the palace’s intelligence network, responded.

“There was a massive crackdown recently… a ‘manhunt’ is perhaps more accurate. The orthodox sects have been purging their ranks. It seems the Blood Cult’s ability to move openly has been severely restricted.”

“Even so, this is risky. If the unified power of the Central Plains falls upon us, we will be overwhelmed.”

“That is unlikely, brother,” Buk Ri-do countered. “The Heavenly Demon Cult and the factions of Jiangnan are on the verge of total war. The Central Plains cannot afford to turn their full attention to us.”

“Your brother is correct,” Buk Ri-hwang added. “With the Righteous Heaven Alliance currently paralyzed, we should take what we can get. If the assault on the Shaolin Temple becomes too costly, we will withdraw at the right moment. Our pact with the cult was simply to disrupt the balance. If we secure Northern Hebei, that is victory enough. We strike Shaolin to ensure that security. And do not forget the power of the Blood Cult’s Leader. When he finally chooses to move, the entire martial world will shake.”

The room fell silent. The memory of the youth who had walked into the North Sea Ice Palace alone and displayed such terrifying power lingered in all their minds.

“Perhaps our concern shouldn’t be focused on the present,” Mo Gong-jeong suggested, raising his cup.

“What are you implying?”

“You know exactly what I mean. The question is whether the Blood Cult intends to honor their long-term promises.”

Buk Ri-hwang tapped his cup against Mo Gong-jeong’s.

“We will ensure they do. One way or another.”

—

Two weeks after concluding a brief period of training, the group consisting of Sima Geon and the Sword Empress reached the outskirts of Wuhuan, the territory where the Living Immortal Medical House was located.

“I thought you went to check in with your people? You’re back already?”

Cheol Woo, having dropped his gear in a third-floor room, came down to find Man Chu already at a table in the common area.

“I am.”

“How much further until we hit the Living Immortal Medical House?”

“We should be there by tomorrow.”

Noe Jeon spoke up before Man Chu could answer.

“How would you know that?”

“Hahaha! Have you forgotten where we first crossed paths?”

“Oh!”

Cheol Woo suddenly remembered that they had rescued Noe Jeon from that very medical sect.

“We spent a night in this very inn before the trackers caught up to us.”

“You’re a lunatic. On the run and you stop for a comfortable bed.”

Cheol Woo looked at him with a mix of amusement and disbelief.

“A man can’t hide in a hole like a rodent forever. Sometimes the safest place to hide is right under the enemy’s nose.”

“So, you weren’t caught here?” Man Chu asked.

“Hahaha! Oh, we were. They hit us in the middle of the night. I was sleeping so soundly in a real bed for once that I almost died before I could even draw my breath.”

“A shame. It would have saved us the trouble of looking at your face,” Cheol Woo teased, reaching over to pinch Noe Jeon’s cheek.

At that moment, So Su-rin, who had just finished a quick bath, came downstairs drying her hair.

“What is all the noise about?”

“This fool is reminiscing about the time he stayed here while running away from the Heavenly Demon Cult.”

So Su-rin stopped in her tracks.

“Are you mental? We risked everything to break you out, and you were taking naps?”

As her expression darkened, Noe Jeon began waving his hands in a frantic apology.

“It wasn’t like that! It was just one night, and then the scouts… Ow! Help me out here!”

Noe Jeon looked to Cheol Woo for support, but Cheol Woo was already busy drinking with Man Chu, dismissing him with a casual wave.

As So Su-rin continued to berate Noe Jeon, Sima Geon emerged from his room and joined them.

“You were gone when I checked. Where did you slip off to?”

“I had a few things to settle with Lady Neung.”

“Aha!”

Cheol Woo gave a knowing, mischievous look, causing Sima Geon to let out a dry laugh.

“It wasn’t what you’re thinking.”

“Hahaha! Then what was it?”

“I received word that the Spear Dragon Sword Emperor, who is supposed to duel her, has moved to private quarters outside the Living Immortal Medical House. We were discussing that.”

“What does that matter to us?”

“Lady Neung wants to proceed with the meeting immediately since we’ve lost time, but Jin-ah is still at the Living Immortal Medical House.”

“And?”

Cheol Woo laughed and looked around the table.

“Does anyone understand why the Captain is worried? The Sword Empress goes for her duel. We go watch, or we go visit Jin-ah. Why are we treating this like a grand military strategy session?”

The table remained quiet.

“Come on, anyone?”

As Cheol Woo looked for an ally, So Su-rin sighed and shoved a piece of meat into his mouth.

“Stop talking and eat.”

“Well handled,” Sima Geon noted with a smirk, then turned back to Man Chu. “You returned quickly. What did you find?”

Man Chu’s playful demeanor vanished instantly as he set his cup down.

“Yes. The situation is grimmer than we anticipated.”

The entire group leaned in, sensing the shift in tone.

“The Heavenly Demon Cult and the coalition of the Jiangnan martial world, led by the Nangong Clan, are back at each other’s throats. It hasn’t escalated to a total war yet, but violent skirmishes are breaking out across the entire border.”

“That region is a powder keg. Even when the Heavenly Demon Cult pulled back, they never truly left—they held onto half of Jiangnan. The only reason there was a ceasefire was the death of the previous Sword Empress and the interference of the Blood Cult.”

“True. The Beggar Clan believes a massive conflict is now unavoidable. With the Huichun issue settled, the Heavenly Demon Cult can focus their full strength. But that isn’t the primary concern right now.”

“Is it the Shaolin Temple?” Cheol Woo asked, setting his drink aside.

They hadn’t spoken to many people on their journey, but the rumors of the North Sea Ice Palace destroying the Peng Clan and moving toward Song Mountain were impossible to ignore.

“Yes.”

“It’ll be like the attack on the Nangong Clan, won’t it? Everyone will rush to defend it because it’s Shaolin.”

“Precisely. It isn’t just Mount Hua, Wudang, and the Beggar Clan. Even the Shandong Evil Clan, who have been hostile lately, sent a massive force. Many others are flocking there to protect the symbol of the orthodox world.”

“Masses of people don’t win wars. Strength does. What does the Beggar Clan think will happen?”

“Their prediction is that the orthodox forces will win decisively, provided there are no major surprises.”

“Surprises?”

“Yes. The leadership finds the North Sea Ice Palace’s aggression to be suspicious. They don’t believe the palace would act so recklessly without support.”

“With the Heavenly Demon Cult causing trouble in the south, maybe they just saw a window of opportunity?” Noe Jeon suggested.

The others nodded; it was the most plausible theory.

“They are also considering the possibility of a secret alliance.”

“Between the Heavenly Demon Cult and the North Sea Ice Palace?”

“Yes.”

Cheol Woo shook his head dismissively.

“I doubt it. The Heavenly Demon Cult doesn’t play well with others. They’d rather break than bend their pride for an alliance.”

“It’s just a theory. They mentioned other players as well.”

“Who else is there? The Blood Cult?”

“Yes.”

“No way. They were decimated last time. They’re just rats in the walls now, plotting in the dark. They don’t have the numbers for a war.”

Unlike Cheol Woo, Sima Geon’s expression remained grim.

“They could have been rebuilding in the shadows. Based on the power of the leader we encountered, I wouldn’t dismiss them so easily.”

“Maybe. But Captain…”

“Yes?”

“Doesn’t this involve you directly?”

“What are you talking about?”

Cheol Woo grinned and pointed a finger at Sima Geon.

“You’re the sword of Shaolin, aren’t you?”