Chapter 188

Chapter 188
Chapter 188: What Matters Most? (1)

—

Word circulated rapidly that the North Sea Ice Palace had established a base at Hakbyeok, and the brigades responsible for the assault on the Shaanxi martial world were converging on that same location. Observers across the land watched the escalating tension with a sense of impending doom.

Despite the gravity, few truly believed the Shaolin Temple would fall. This confidence stemmed from the massive gathering of heroes and organizations, spearheaded by the Huashan Sect and Wudang, who had united to protect Shaolin—the quintessential heart of the Central Plains.

However, a new complication threw the situation into disarray.

Just as the North Sea Ice Palace neared Hakbyeok and their Shaanxi-based allies prepared to join forces, intelligence from the Beggars’ Sect revealed the movements of the Blood Slaughter Cult. This wasn’t merely the discovery of a few clandestine agents; this time, the cult was mobilizing a significant military force.

The Blood Slaughter Cult, which had remained hidden for a year during an intense pursuit, suddenly burst forth as if releasing a long-repressed fury. Within Shandong, they rapidly decimated three substantial martial organizations.

Initial reports led many to assume these attackers were tied to the North Sea Ice Palace. It was logical to think that Shandong was facing a purge similar to the one that had recently devastated Shaanxi.

However, the Beggars’ Sect grew suspicious when they noticed the targets were located in the south, toward Jiangsu Province, rather than in the north. After deploying a vast network of trackers, they confirmed these were not Ice Palace associates, but the Blood Slaughter Cult operating from the darkness.

This revelation sent a fresh wave of panic through the world of martial arts.

With the Heavenly Demon Cult becoming active again and the North Sea Ice Palace ravaging Hebei and Shaanxi while eyeing the Shaolin Temple, the sudden return of the Blood Slaughter Cult—potentially the most lethal of all—left the defenders without a clear strategy.

Chaos gripped the Shandong region. Not only the Mount Tai Sect but nearly every prominent family and clan that had departed to assist Shaolin now found their own homes under siege by the Blood Slaughter Cult.

The Mount Tai Sect, sensing the immediate danger to their own territory, acted without hesitation.

Upon learning of the Blood Slaughter Cult, they pulled their reinforcement units back from the road to Shaolin. The various smaller factions aligned with Mount Tai followed suit immediately.

While many worried about the sudden gap in Shaolin’s defense line, no one could blame them. With Shandong left vulnerable and without its primary protectors, the potential for a massacre by the Blood Slaughter Cult was too high. The withdrawal was viewed as a painful necessity.

The crisis wasn’t confined to the immobilization of the Shandong martial artists.

The Murim Alliance was already paralyzed by internal discord, and even the Righteous Heaven Alliance—which had grown to eclipse it—found its hands tied.

The headquarters of the Righteous Heaven Alliance sat on the northwestern shores of Mishan Lake in northern Jiangsu, less than a single day’s travel from Old Tiger Manor in Shandong, which had just been wiped out by the Blood Slaughter Cult.

As the Mount Tai Sect began its retreat, the leadership of the Righteous Heaven Alliance engaged in a heated debate regarding the cult’s emergence.

“…It appears we are reaching a consensus to make the Blood Slaughter Cult our primary concern.”

The Left Wing Sage of the Azure Mountain One Immortal, who had assumed leadership of the Righteous Heaven Alliance following the Silver Tiger Clan’s Tenfold Counsel, addressed the assembly.

He looked weary from the hours of deliberation, yet his gaze remained piercing, reflecting the weight of the decision.

“The Wudang Sect and the Beggars’ Sect are already stationed at Shaolin, providing a sturdy defense. Even though the Shandong forces have departed to deal with the Blood Slaughter Cult, the number of warriors still heading to Shaolin is vast. If anything, Shaolin still holds the advantage in numbers.”

Neung Gok, the elder of the Heavenly Edge Scholar who had joined the Righteous Heaven Alliance shortly before the Left Wing Sage took command, stroked his long white beard as he offered his perspective.

“I concur with Elder Neung. We have a grasp on the strength at Shaolin, but the true depth of the North Sea Ice Palace remains an enigma. We cannot be certain if they have revealed their full hand or if they are holding back a trump card. We must stay cautious. The best course is to neutralize the Blood Slaughter Cult quickly so we can then pivot back to support Shaolin.”

Neung Gok nodded in agreement with Gyobang of the Cloud Mountain Divine Fist.

“Exactly. As Elder Gyobang pointed out, we need a swift resolution.”

“And what is the perspective of the Silver Tiger Clan leader?”

The Left Wing Sage turned to Yeongho Jung, who was seated at the end of the table.

The room fell silent as all eyes landed on Yeongho Jung. The Silver Tiger Clan was the fundamental pillar of the Righteous Heaven Alliance; it was common knowledge that its leader possessed influence that rivaled the Alliance Leader himself. Despite this, Yeongho Jung occupied the humblest seat, claiming he held no formal title within the organization. He was met with looks of genuine respect.

“Haha! You only need to listen to the elder sitting over there to know where our clan stands.”

Yeongho Jung gestured with a laugh toward Yeongho Pyeong, who had stepped away from the clan to serve as an elder for the Righteous Heaven Alliance.

“I’ve listened to Elder Yeongho Pyeong argue so passionately for prioritizing the Blood Slaughter Cult that my ears are ringing. Truly, if I wasn’t here, I’d think Elder Yeongho Pyeong was the one running the Silver Tiger Clan.”

The lighthearted joke broke the tension, filling the hall with genuine laughter.

Yeongho Pyeong, who had been the most vocal throughout the morning, turned a bit red but joined in the boisterous laughter.

“Since the clan head is watching me so closely, I have to give it my all.”

“When have I ever watched you that closely, Uncle?”

Yeongho Jung’s mock-offended expression triggered another round of amusement.

“Now, let us be serious for a moment. What is your final thought, Clan Head?”

The Left Wing Sage brought the meeting back to order.

“Is it not best to follow the collective wisdom of this room? Both the situation at Shaolin and the threat of the Blood Slaughter Cult are critical. As Elder Gyobang suggested, a fast resolution followed by a move to Shaolin is the ideal path. Naturally, the final command belongs to the Leader.”

Yeongho Jung stood up slowly, pausing for emphasis. His voice rang out with total conviction.

“To ensure this success, the Silver Tiger Clan will commit its entire strength to the Righteous Heaven Alliance.”

A murmur of admiration rippled through the hall. Some members broke into cheers and applause.

The Left Wing Sage, having spent the morning in deep thought with a furrowed brow, tapped the table to regain everyone’s attention.

“We move toward Shandong. The responsibility for this decision lies with me.”

—

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The sounds of violent impact filled the air, sending tremors across the ground.

The duel between Neung So Hwa and Baek Mu Heun grew more ferocious and complex as the minutes ticked by.

Sima Geon and his companions, along with the followers of the Sword Queen, watched the exchange with held breath.

“Phew! That old man is significantly more capable than I gave him credit for.”

Cheol Woo finally spoke, his face tight with concentration.

“Yes. Above all, you can see the depth of his experience. It isn’t just the years he’s lived, but the refined skill of someone who has survived a thousand life-and-death encounters.”

Cheol Woo nodded at Sima Geon’s observation.

“True. He’s holding back because it’s a practice match, but that killer instinct occasionally slipping through is the real deal.”

“How does he compare to someone like Elder Poison Freak?”

So Su Rin asked.

Though she had gained immense power through the Immortal Poison Refinement Art, she lacked the seasoned intuition of Sima Geon or Cheol Woo when it came to judging a warrior’s level.

“Elder Poison Freak was formidable, but I’d wager this man is a step above him.”

Cheol Woo answered without a second thought.

As So Su Rin stepped back with a slightly huffy expression, Man Chu moved in to ask his own question.

“And what about compared to Elder Sword Freak?”

“Hmm. Technically, Elder Sword Freak was a bit below Elder Poison Freak. But if you consider the insight he reached in his final moments… it’s a difficult comparison.”

Cheol Woo looked to Sima Geon for a tie-breaker.

“What’s your take, Boss?”

“The realization Elder Sword Freak achieved at the end was extraordinary. However, this man’s core martial arts are on that same level.”

“Wow!”

Man Chu breathed out in shock. He remembered that Sima Geon had once placed Elder Sword Freak’s final state on the same plane as the Heavenly Demon Progenitor, the Sword Queen, and the Three Swords of Dalma.

The one most satisfied by this high praise—though she tried to look indifferent while listening intently—was Sima Jin.

At that moment, Baek Mu Heun’s energy flared, prompting Sima Jin to whisper nervously.

“Big Brother, do you think Master is going to win?”

She tried to stay calm, but her voice was thick with excitement. Sima Geon smiled and ruffled her hair as he challenged her.

“What do you think?”

“I’m not sure, but Master’s momentum is incredible right now…”

Sima Geon shook his head.

“You really think so?”

“Isn’t it?”

Doubt began to cloud Sima Jin’s eyes.

“No. Your master is being so aggressive because he has no other choice. He looks like he’s winning now, but give it a moment, and Lady Neung will take total control of the fight. If he continues to throw himself forward without retreating, this could end very quickly. However, fighting someone of his caliber is a rare gift. Lady Neung is using this pressure to gain the experience she lacks. She is using the duel to fully digest the insights she recently gained.”

As Sima Jin’s excitement faded into a pout, Sima Geon patted her head again.

“Jin-ah, how much of your master’s techniques have you actually learned?”

“I don’t really know.”

Sima Jin shook her head.

Dokgo Ryong, who was watching the fight but listening to every word they said, jumped into the conversation.

“Master told me my progress is past eighty percent.”

“I was asking the youngest, not you—don’t be ridiculous,”

Cheol Woo teased, causing Dokgo Ryong to give a sheepish smile.

“Haha! There’s barely a gap between me and my Little Sister anyway. To be honest, aside from my combat experience, I don’t really have anything over her. And as you all know, our internal energy levels aren’t even in the same league.”

The group was stunned to hear that Sima Jin was already rivaling Dokgo Ryong. Given how recently she had started training in earnest, such progress was mind-boggling.

“And you claim to have mastered eighty percent of that old man’s style?”

Cheol Woo asked with a skeptical look.

“That’s right.”

“Ho! Then you must be quite the genius.”

Dokgo Ryong’s chest puffed out slightly.

“I’ve never been called a slow learner.”

“Oh? Well, now I’m interested to see what you can do.”

“Haha! I was actually going to ask for a lesson after hearing my Little Sister talk. Please, show me a move or two.”

Caught up in the moment, Dokgo Ryong made a bold request.

“Oh ho! Excellent. Now that is the spirit of a true martial artist.”

Cheol Woo’s face lit up as he agreed. In the same breath, Sima Jin’s elbow connected sharply with Dokgo Ryong’s ribs.

“Ow! What was that for, Little Sister?”

Dokgo Ryong collapsed, clutching his side and groaning.

“Did you forget? I told you I’d kill you if you stayed behind.”

As the annoyed Sima Jin glared at Cheol Woo, ready to snap at him, a sudden change in the atmosphere stopped her.

A great roar erupted from the center of the clearing. Neung So Hwa, who had been focused on defense, suddenly began to meet Baek Mu Heun’s attacks with her own offensive, bringing the duel to a fever pitch.

The exchange of blows was so rapid that it became a blur.

Their movements were so fast and the flashes of steel so blinding that only Sima Geon and Cheol Woo could truly keep track of the techniques.

*Kaboom!*

With a thunderous crash that sounded different from all the previous strikes, Baek Mu Heun—having put everything into his final sword path—was sent skidding backward across the dirt.

He struggled to find his balance, his sword arm eventually dropping to his side.

He looked across at his opponent.

“Hah…”

A heavy sigh escaped him as he looked at Neung So Hwa. She was breathing heavily, and a thin trail of blood ran from the corner of her mouth, yet she looked steady.

His final attack, the absolute limit of his strength, had failed to penetrate the fluid defense of the Sword Queen. He had hoped to at least make a dent, but she had neutralized it perfectly.

Baek Mu Heun looked down at his own hand.

It was shaking uncontrollably.

“When the spear cannot break the shield, the spear itself must shatter. There is no reason to continue. This old man admits defeat.”

The moment Baek Mu Heun conceded, Neung So Hwa slowly returned her blade to its scabbard and offered a deep, respectful bow.

“Thank you for the match. I have learned a great deal from you, Senior.”

“I had my pride, yet I feel no shame in this. I am glad if our time together was useful. It was an honor. My congratulations on your triumph, Sword Queen.”

The sting of the loss passed quickly.

Baek Mu Heun gave a warm, sincere smile, offering his genuine respect to the woman who had bested him.