Unlike Wiso’s concerns, Jin Sohyun and the First Guest returned earlier than expected.

“Are you okay?”

The First Guest nodded his head and stood behind Wiso.

As his face looked more relieved than expected, Wiso was curious but did not ask.

Because there was something else he had to resolve first.

“First, I must make an excuse. The reason I had the monsters meet with Young Master Jin… was for confirmation.”

“What confirmation?”

“Confirmation of which side the Hao Sect should stand on.”

“So you’ve decided?”

Wiso, who had nodded his head, said.

“From now on, the Hao Sect will fully support Young Master Jin. Of course, for this, we must still act as if we are a subordinate information organization of the Heretic Path's Alliance. Only then can we grasp their movements.”

The Hao Sect’s declaration of support.

The meaning of this was quite significant.

Because in the current situation, the Hao Sect was the only one who could grasp the direct movements of the Heretic Path's Alliance.

As Jin Sohyun nodded his head, Wiso continued.

“Young Master Jin may not know yet, but the current situation in the Central Plains is not normal. The Nine Factions and Five Great Families, which can be said to be the pillars of the righteous martial world, have begun to gather their strength.”

The fact that the Nine Factions and Five Great Families were moving at the same time meant that the Martial Alliance had made a decision.

“Moreover, according to recent intelligence, the leaders of the heretic martial world have begun to move.”

“The entire heretic martial world?”

“That’s right. Coincidentally, the pillars representing the righteous martial world and the heretic martial world are moving all at once. As if they have been waiting for this moment. We think this is…”

Wiso hesitated, unlike his usual self, and then said.

“We believe we have entered the stage of the calm before the storm.”

“The calm before the storm… a war?”

“That’s right. The Righteous-Demon War between the righteous martial world and the Ming Cult began with a surprise attack by the Ming Cult, but this time the flow is different. A total war will break out.”

The Righteous-Demon War was a fight between the Martial Alliance and the Ming Cult, and the fire spread to a huge war as the sects that sympathized with the Ming Cult among the heretic martial world joined in large numbers.

But this time, the righteous and heretic paths were preparing for a total war.

This was likely to be a fight that would risk the entire martial world.

“And one more thing… there is news I must deliver. It’s news about Ma Seongun.”

As Ma Seongun’s name was heard, Jin Sohyun’s gaze changed.

Wiso continued, feeling a chill at Jin Sohyun’s eyes, which held a cold anger.

“It is news that the branches of the Martial Alliance have been attacked by the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon. Although it is not certain information, according to intelligence, the Sword Saint, who was one of the Five Great Masters of the Central Plains, was murdered by the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon.”

The death of one of the Five Great Masters of the Central Plains.

If Kang Cheon’s words were true, there was a high possibility that Ma Seongun had also absorbed the power of the Sword Saint.

“Where is that bastard now?”

“It is not known, but we may be able to find out.”

“By what means?”

“If we find out, we will share it with you, young master, immediately. Please trust me and wait this time.”

Although he didn't want to trust Wiso and the Hao Sect anymore, Jin Sohyun also had no other choice.

He had tried to find the main base of the Heretic Path's Alliance using the black bamboo, but the black bamboo had already left their hands due to the attack of the monsters, including Mangryang.

There was a high possibility that the carrier pigeon tower that had delivered the black bamboo had also been closed and had disappeared.

“This is the last time.”

“Thank you.”

Wiso, who had finished talking with Jin Sohyun, took out a black letter from his bosom.

“The Heretic Path Assembly…”

A grand assembly that had never been held since the Heretic Path's Alliance was established and Ju Cheon had been enthroned as the leader of the heretic martial world.

Wiso had also received an invitation.

“It won’t be easy.”

Wiso felt as if he were entering a tiger’s den with fresh raw meat in his bosom.

“Are you really going to go?”

As the Fourth Guest asked with concern, Wiso slowly nodded his head up and down.

“I have to go since I was invited. Nothing will change even if I turn my back on the Heretic Path's Alliance now. I have to see it with my own two eyes.”

The Heretic Path's Alliance Leader, Ju Cheon.

“What his inner thoughts are.”

***

“Keung—!”

Beomgang, who had opened his eyes after a long time, let out a short sigh as he saw the unfamiliar ceiling.

“Am I… alive?”

“For now.”

Beomgang laughed foolishly at the familiar voice coming from his side.

“What on earth… are you?”

Beomgang had a pride in being the disciple of the Fist King.

He had the talent for it, and he had inherited the one and only will of the Fist King.

That’s why Beomgang also had a certain confidence that it would be hard to find his match among his peers.

But.

All his pride had been shattered the moment he met Jin Sohyun.

But Beomgang seemed to know the reason.

‘I can’t just blame it on talent.’

He had felt nothing when he saw Ju Opal, who had been doing a straight punch in front of a waterfall for 30 years.

He had just thought of it as a meaningless act of a commoner who had no talent for martial arts.

The fist mark created by decades of time.

The perfect Fajing that even the great Jin Sohyun could not imitate.

Beomgang had not felt any interest in it.

‘Little brother was different.’

But Jin Sohyun had seen a new possibility in Ju Opal.

Even though he already had the power and martial arts to rule the world, he had tried to gain a new possibility and power by watching Ju Opal.

“Is this… the difference between me and my little brother.”

“What is?”

“It’s nothing. By the way, what do we do now?”

At Beomgang’s question, Jin Sohyun could not give any answer.

The war that would risk the fate of the martial world was now just around the corner, and it seemed that nothing could stop this war.

A bad feeling of powerlessness came over him.

But Jin Sohyun, instead of bowing his head, stood up.

“Brother Beom, you should rest here a little more.”

“It’s fine! I’m okay.”

Beomgang, who had come down from the bed to prove his well-being, could not even stand up.

“Huh…?”

His two legs did not listen to him.

“It’s a side effect of the poison. Most of the poisonous gas has been removed, but there’s nothing that can be done about the damaged muscles.”

“Damn it…”

Beomgang gritted his teeth.

There was nothing he could do.

When Jin Sohyun was facing dozens of monsters alone, he had not only been tied down by just two monsters, but he had also been poisoned and injured.

But now he couldn't even move as he pleased.

As Beomgang was feeling anger at his rising powerlessness, Jin Sohyun placed his hands on both his shoulders.

“Brother Beom.”

“…”

“If a war is bound to happen, I will need your strength, Brother Beom. So, save up your strength.”

“I don’t know if someone like me will be of any help to you.”

“You will be. Because you, Brother Beom, are the one and only disciple of the Fist King. So, please wait here for now. Later, when I need your help, Brother Beom… help me.”

Beomgang, who had nodded his head with difficulty, this time put his arm around Jin Sohyun’s shoulder.

“Don’t lose. From now on, and forever.”

“That’s a very difficult order.”

“You said you would become the best under heaven.”

“I understand.”

Jin Sohyun, who had finished his short conversation with Beomgang, left the doctor’s office.

The snow that had fallen softly at some point had piled up high enough to cover his ankles.

Pushing through the piled-up snow.

Jin Sohyun quickened his pace.

***

The only thing that could be heard amidst the heavy air was the faint breathing of the people.

Like martial artists, their regular breathing was not disturbed.

“Does such a martial art really exist in the world?”

The first one to speak was the leader of the Fierce Tiger Iron Sword, Peng Ohyun.

He wiped his cheek once with a pained face.

Gu Jucheol, with whom he had been drinking face to face just a few days ago, had been killed.

Of course, before that, the Sword Saint, Hong Yumong, one of the Five Great Masters of the Central Plains, had died.

Two absolute masters had died by a single person.

“His power has reached a level that cannot be fathomed. I was not confident that I could block his slash.”

At the words of the Shattering Wave Sword, Gwak Myeong, the faces of Peng Ohyun and Yeom Yoa hardened.

“A power beyond humans. Such a power that has no limits cannot exist.”

At that moment, an old man dressed in a Daoist robe with a yin-yang symbol embroidered on it, which was a harmony of black and white, stroked his beard that grew long down to his solar plexus and said firmly.

“It is a power that goes against reason. Unless that person has reached the so-called realm of a god, how can he take the power and memories containing the experiences of the person he killed?”

Everyone’s gaze gathered on the old man.

He was an elder of the Wudang Sect who had come down from Mount Wudang at Gu Yong’s request.

The Changhe Sword, Ilsong.

He, who had appeared with twenty Wudang swordsmen, said as if denying Ma Seongun’s power.

At that, Yeom Yoa said with a sharp voice.

“It’s not just us, but the Flying Heaven Sword Master has also confirmed it. Is the elder of Wudang trying to ignore even the Flying Heaven Sword Master?”

Ilsong stroked his beard again and said.

“I am not trying to ignore him. But the Flying Heaven Sword Master is also a human like us. He can be mistaken.”

“You said it was a mistake?”

As Gwak Myeong’s voice turned cold, Gu Yong, who was caught between them, became restless.

“Everyone, please calm down. Now is…”

“It is true that the power of the person called the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon is mighty, and he has a brilliant talent. But! Throughout the history of the martial world, the only one who could steal another’s power was the Ming Cult’s Absorption Art. Moreover, the Absorption Art only stole the opponent’s internal energy, and it could not steal martial arts or memories.”

Ilsong lowered the hand that was stroking his beard and placed it on the table.

“The Blood-Sucking Sword Demon is a person with great talent. The Heretic Path's Alliance used him to make it seem as if he were stealing blood, internal energy, and martial arts. In reality, he was just imitating the opponent’s martial arts.”

“Imitating… you say?”

As Yeom Yoa said as if she couldn't believe it, Ilsong nodded his head.

“Among those who have inherited the talent of the heavens, there are those who can realize the mystery of martial arts just by looking at it. We call them the Heavenly Martial Body.”

At Ilsong’s words, Song Wu’s eyebrows, who had been silent all along, trembled.

Ilsong’s gaze, which had not missed this, had a strange light in it.

“Do you know something?”

“It’s… nothing.”

Song Wu lightly shook his head.

“Hmm. Anyway, I’m not saying that the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon is weak. It is true that he has a strong power enough to overwhelm the Sword Saint alone, but I’m saying that there is no need to be overwhelmed and scared by the absurd idea that he takes the power and martial arts of the person he killed.”

After that, Ilsong said he would return to the Wudang Sect and prepare for the upcoming fight, and then he left.

The gazes of those who were left behind naturally turned to Gwak Myeong.

Now that Gu Jucheol was gone.

The only one who could lead them was Gwak Myeong.

Gwak Myeong, who had suddenly been burdened with a heavy load, pulled himself together, who was about to collapse, and raised his head.

“Did you say the Alliance Friend Order has been issued.”

At Gwak Myeong’s question, Gu Yong nodded his head.

Alliance Friend Order.

The highest order that the alliance leader, the supreme authority of the Martial Alliance, could issue.

The Alliance Friend Order, which had never been issued since the Righteous-Demon War that had occurred decades ago, had now been issued.

“This is it.”

The wooden slip that Gu Yong handed him had the contents of the Alliance Friend Order written on it.

The content was short and concise.

And clear.

[To all the sects, martial families, and factions that are part of the righteous martial world. Prepare for the coming war.]

(End of Chapter)