Chapter 198

Chapter 198
## Chapter 198: Empty and Full (3)

“Haha! Hahaha…”

Yahul Hon, the commander of the Blood Spirits, could not help but let out a series of strained chuckles while standing before his grandfather. Despite the time that had passed since their reunion, he remained unsettled by the sudden rejuvenation of the elder’s features.

“You little rascal, stop that laughing this instant.”

Yahul Jae let out a weary breath and tapped Yahul Hon sharply on the forehead.

“Is my face really that unsettling to you?”

“It isn’t so much unsettling as it is a complete miracle.”

“What is so miraculous about a man of my years looking a bit more youthful?”

“A bit? Grandfather, you look younger than I do. You practically look like the reflection of my own childhood.”

“You are barely thirty-five years old, yet you speak of your childhood as if it were an ancient era?”

“See for yourself, Grandfather. You appear at least a decade younger than your own grandson.”

As Yahul Hon wore a look of mock injustice, Woo Gong Yi Geuk, who had been observing the pair with a sharp eye, stepped in with a sly grin.

“He speaks the truth, Cult Leader.”

“Not you as well?”

“It is a fact. Your current state and Hon during his twentieth year look like identical twins.”

“Hmm, is that really the case?”

“It is exactly as he says.”

“Well, it is only natural for a boy to take after his grandfather. There is nothing surprising in that.”

Yahul Jae appeared quietly delighted by the observation from his favored eldest grandson, pleased by the resemblance.

“Enough of this chatter. Let us focus on the matter at hand, Hon.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Do you understand who the Blood Spirits are tasked with confronting?”

“I do. The warriors of the Sword Pavilion.”

“Precisely. However, looking at it objectively, the Blood Spirits are not a direct match for them in skill.”

Yahul Hon’s brow furrowed. Just as he was about to protest, Yahul Jae lifted a hand to preemptively quiet him.

“I am not claiming our total power is inferior. The Blood Spirits possess the advantage of numbers, which will balance the scales. But even if we emerge victorious, the toll on our ranks would be devastating. The Sword Pavilion has deployed a significant number of seasoned veterans for this campaign—warriors with decades of combat experience. Heavy losses would be unavoidable.”

“I have been informed of the situation.”

“This is why the youths trained by the Third Elder will be the first to engage. The Blood Spirits will only move in once they have paved the way.”

“So, you are suggesting we wait to seize the spoils of a fight we didn’t start?”

Yahul Hon’s voice rose, his pride clearly stinging at the suggestion.

“Seizing the spoils. If that is how you wish to phrase it, then yes. Does that bruise your ego?”

“It does.”

“We must proceed this way regardless. The Blood Spirits represent the foundation of our cult and are destined for even greater assignments. We cannot waste their lives in a meat-grinder against the Sword Pavilion.”

“But those disciples under the Third Elder are no differ—”

“They are entirely different.”

Yahul Jae’s gaze turned freezing.

“I recognize your sentiment, but do not be blinded. Those children were raised to be consumed. That is precisely why we recruited vagrants, orphans, and those from the lowest rungs of society to train all these years. We will, of course, offer them a fair path. Those who show merit will be compensated, and loyalty will be met with status. Survivors will earn the right to join the Blood Spirits or perhaps even the Gold Spirits.”

“The Third Elder will surely take offense to this.”

“Tsk. I believed you had matured, yet you still lack foresight. The Third Elder was actually the one who first suggested this strategy.”

“What?”

Yahul Hon, aware of the deep affection the Third Elder held for his pupils, widened his eyes in shock.

“In any case, keep that in mind. Do not charge forward impulsively and jeopardize the plan.”

“I understand…”

Yahul Hon’s confirmation was weak.

“Do we have a confirmed location for the Sword Emperor?”

Following Yahul Jae’s inquiry, Dam Dong, the second-in-command of the Gold Spirits, spoke up with a bow.

“We believe he traveled past Yeong Eun Hyeon yesterday.”

“He is making rapid progress. Only two days ago, he was much further south. Is he acting as a lone wolf?”

“No. He is maintaining a close distance to the Orthodox Heaven Alliance. They haven’t officially merged units, but they aren’t traveling separately either.”

“A calculated cooperation, then.”

Yahul Jae gave a small nod before asking his next question.

“The group raised by the Third Elder—where is their current position?”

“Reports suggest they have already reached the outskirts of Phoenix Mountain.”

“Have they integrated with the forces already stationed there?”

“Not yet.”

Yahul Jae stood in silence for a moment before giving a firm command.

“Bring out the map.”

Dam Dong quickly rolled out the parchment. Though the drawing was somewhat rough, it provided a detailed layout of the Shandong region, specifically the area surrounding Phoenix Mountain.

As Yahul Jae studied the lines, Yahul Hon spoke up softly.

“We might be able to use the Orthodox Heaven Alliance’s ties to the Sword Pavilion as a distraction to draw them out, but what of the Shandong Wicked Clan? If they decide to participate, the battle could become far more difficult than we calculated.”

“The Shandong Wicked Clan? Hah, they will be far too busy to look our way. That reality will set in very shortly.”

“Could you explain what you mean by that, Grandfather?”

As Yahul Hon pressed for details, Yahul Jae looked up from the map with a knowing smirk.

“The North Sea Ice Palace is set to launch a strike against the Shandong Wicked Clan very soon. When their own house is being burned to the ground, do you think they will have the luxury of worrying about us?”

—

“Pavilion Lord.”

“You may enter.”

Neung Sohwa, who had been taking a moment to rest, straightened her attire as she gave the word. The entrance opened to reveal two mature women, the leader of the White Sword Unit, and a companion of similar years.

“Please, sit.”

Once the women were settled, Jin Rim moved efficiently to serve tea.

“Please, have a drink.”

“Our thanks.”

Following a few sips and some brief pleasantries, the White Sword Unit Leader, Dan Ri Hwa, sharpened her expression and got to the point.

“We have received a communication from the Orthodox Heaven Alliance.”

Neung Sohwa set her cup down without a sound.

“What is the nature of the message?”

“They have detected several factions moving with great secrecy.”

“Is it the Blood Fiend Cult?”

“That is their primary suspicion.”

“They appear to be converging on Phoenix Mountain, as we suspected,” added Eun Sang, the Phoenix Sword Unit Leader, sitting next to Dan Ri Hwa.

“It seems Phoenix Mountain is the current hub for the Blood Fiend Cult’s movements.”

“That is how it appears.”

“This has the scent of a trap, Pavilion Lord.”

Hwang Ye, a seasoned elder within the Sword Pavilion, shared her doubts in a low, cautious voice.

“I agree. The Blood Fiend Cult has been hidden in shadows for so long, yet now they are leaving a trail far too obvious to ignore.”

Elder Seo Yo Ryeong nodded in agreement with the concern.

Their hesitation was grounded in logic.

By exposing the Haomen as puppets of the Blood Fiend Cult, it had become clear there was a conspiracy to eliminate both the Sword Emperor and the Sword Pavilion during their northern trek to assist the Shandong region. Even the Beggars’ Sect had issued several dire warnings regarding the situation.

“It is entirely possible,” Neung Sohwa answered with a calm demeanor. “Even if it is an ambush, we must proceed. In fact, I would prefer it to be a trap.”

“Pavilion Lord!”

Hwang Ye and Seo Yo Ryeong spoke out in alarm.

“I am aware of your concerns. However, a trap is only a death sentence when one is ignorant of it. If we walk in with our eyes open and our blades ready, the danger is neutralized. Furthermore, the Shandong martial world is applying pressure, and we have the Orthodox Heaven Alliance at our side. There may be obstacles, but nothing on the scale of the disaster you fear.”

Neung Sohwa picked up her tea once more.

“We will ensure the Blood Fiend Cult learns the cost of provoking the Sword Pavilion.”

—

The overnight downpour had finally ceased, but the sky remained obscured by heavy, starless clouds.

“Uncle.”

Hearing Buk Ri Do’s call, the door swung open, and Mo Gong Jeong walked out slowly.

“Is it time?”

“Yes.”

“Then let us depart.”

Mo Gong Jeong walked out from the White Family Inn with a steady gait, and the warriors waiting in the darkness bowed as one.

“What is the travel time to Golden Pine Woods?”

“Roughly half a shichen.”

“Understood. Lead the way.”

Following Mo Gong Jeong’s order, Buk Ri Do took the lead and signaled the group.

Mo Gong Jeong watched his subordinates with a satisfied smile; they moved with flawless discipline and total silence, their very breathing suppressed.

“A promising start.”

“We should probably get moving as well.”

Buk Ri Song, still letting out a sleepy yawn, nudged Mo Gong Jeong in the ribs.

Just as Buk Ri Do had predicted, the contingent reached the Golden Pine Woods exactly two shichen after leaving the White Family Inn. Their numbers had grown slightly along the route as smaller cells of warriors joined the main body on the way to the forest.

“You’ve finally made it?”

Buk Ri Hae, the elder who had been the first to reach the Golden Pine Woods, met Mo Gong Jeong with a warm greeting.

“What on earth happened to you?”

Mo Gong Jeong looked over Buk Ri Hae, noting his exhausted and disheveled state.

“I took a wrong turn and ended up stuck in the wilderness for days. If I hadn’t stumbled upon a local hunter who knew the terrain, I might have missed the rendezvous entirely.”

Buk Ri Hae shuddered at the memory of his wandering.

“Tsk. That is the price for being so eager to rush ahead.”

Buk Ri Song clicked his tongue, remembering how Buk Ri Hae had insisted on acting as the vanguard for the strike against the Shandong Wicked Clan.

“My apologies, brother. I had no idea the mountain paths were so convoluted.”

“Are you even fit for a fight? Your men look like they’ve been through a wringer.”

“Have no fear. We had a rough time in the peaks, but we were the first to reach Golden Pine Woods. We might look a bit ragged, but we’ve had plenty of time to rest. Our strength is fully restored.”

“When did you arrive, Uncle?” Buk Ri Do inquired.

“Around sunset yesterday. we made ourselves as comfortable as the woods allowed. There is no cause for concern.”

Buk Ri Hae continued to insist on his readiness, clearly annoyed by the skeptical looks directed at his worn-out squad.

As Buk Ri Hae offered his justifications, other warriors from the North Sea Ice Palace who had been hidden in the area began to gather.

“Uncle, it seems the full force is assembled.”

At Buk Ri Do’s signal, Mo Gong Jeong stood up from the boulder where he had been listening to Buk Ri Hae’s tales.

“Is everyone accounted for?”

“Yes.”

“There is no time left for resting, and our window is closing. We move out now.”

“As you command.”

Buk Ri Do stepped back and signaled the departure to the waiting ranks.

“I will lead the charge.”

Buk Ri Hae stepped up to Mo Gong Jeong’s side.

“Fine. Have it your way.”

Mo Gong Jeong dismissed him with a wave, clearly having expected the request.

The North Sea Ice Palace forces exited the Golden Pine Woods and arrived at the gates of the Shandong Wicked Clan just as the first grey light of dawn began to seep through the heavy clouds.

The Shandong Wicked Clan’s headquarters, draped in the morning fog, looked like a formidable stone fortress.

Buk Ri Hae stared intensely at the locked main gates before looking back at Mo Gong Jeong.

Mo Gong Jeong inhaled deeply and gave a slow, deliberate nod.

Buk Ri Hae let out a grim smile and marched toward the entrance, waving his hand to signal his personal unit.

Buk Ri Hae unsheathed his weapon.

The blade shined with a brilliant, snow-white luster.

“Taaah!”

With a thunderous roar, a wave of sword energy erupted from the steel, crashing into the gates and shattering the morning silence of the Shandong Wicked Clan.