Chapter 22. Sword Demon Clan (3)
“Ordinary soldiers, move to that side!”
“Anyone taking the outside martial artist examination, come over here!”
The Sword Demon Clan ruled the region around Qinghai Lake.
Whenever they held their outside martial artist examination, countless martial artists gathered.
Members of the Demonic Cult unable to find positions at the main headquarters.
Wandering warriors of the Unorthodox Path with no organization.
Even orthodox martial artists expelled from their sects.
All of them came knocking on the Sword Demon Clan's gates.
Could it really be true?
The Sword Demon's favored concubine, Hyeonri, observed the martial artists taking the examination from a high place.
Is the man who will protect me and my son from Lady Woo really among them?
Three days earlier, she had been shocked when Cheon Wolyeong's secret letter reached her.
Even though Wolyeong was the Heavenly Demon's daughter, the letter described the internal circumstances of the Sword Demon Clan with frightening accuracy.
If you wish to survive Lady Woo, take a martial artist named Bi Anso as your guard.
She had met Wolyeong several times at banquets.
Despite being the daughter of the Heavenly Demon, Wolyeong had been surprisingly friendly.
Other noblewomen from powerful families subtly avoided Hyeonri because she was merely a concubine.
Only Wolyeong had treated her warmly.
Yet sometimes, Hyeonri had felt a cold calculation hidden beneath that warmth.
Why?
We do not have a bad relationship, but we are not close enough for her to interfere this much.
What did the Princess want?
Was she truly trying to protect Hyeonri?
Or was she trying to harm her, just like Lady Woo?
Hyeonri could not understand her intentions.
“Why have you come to the examination grounds?”
At the mocking voice, Hyeonri swallowed nervously.
The one speaking was Lady Woo.
Still, Hyeonri did not show her anxiety.
She immediately stood with a smile.
“You have arrived, First Madam.”
“This is the first time I have seen a concubine take interest in the outside martial artist examination.”
“I became bored staying inside my room, so I came to enjoy the fresh air.”
“Is that so?”
“If you are unhappy with your current guards, tell me.”
“I will speak to the Clan Head and assign more capable guards to you.”
Hyeonri felt a chill.
Guards chosen by Lady Woo?
That would be like pressing a bloody blade directly against her throat.
“How could I trouble First Madam over something like that?”
“Please do not worry.”
“How is your son's health?”
“I heard he ate something wrong and was bedridden.”
A cruel smile spread across Lady Woo's lips.
Hyeonri clenched her teeth and barely suppressed her anger.
Her son had nearly died from poisoning.
It was obvious to anyone that Lady Woo had been responsible.
Yet Hyeonri could not express that anger.
“Thanks to your concern, he has completely recovered.”
“The physician even said he developed resistance to poison.”
“Tsk, tsk.”
“Even if he is the child of a concubine, he still carries the Clan Head's blood.”
“How shameful for him to trouble the Clan Head by suffering so much from something like poison.”
“My apologies, Madam.”
Hyeonri lowered her head.
If she continued looking at Lady Woo's face, she might lose control of herself.
She felt Lady Woo's contemptuous gaze on the top of her head.
She heard the maids behind Lady Woo openly laughing at her.
She had to suppress the anger trying to burst from her like a flood.
“Take care not to trouble the Clan Head while he is busy with outside matters.”
“Should women like us not settle household matters among ourselves?”
Lady Woo left with her maids.
Hyeonri remained with her head lowered, fists trembling.
This cannot continue.
Even if I somehow survive, my son will eventually be killed by that woman.
Her gaze became cold as she looked back toward the examination grounds.
At that exact moment, Bi Anso climbed onto the martial stage.
So that man is the rope the Princess sent down to me.
Hyeonri watched him and made a decision.
She did not know Wolyeong's real intentions.
But no matter the price, she would grab that rope and never let go.
Normally, an infiltration mission required an alias.
This time, I was using my real name.
This mission was important.
If I completed it successfully, my name might be firmly remembered throughout the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, or at least among the upper leadership.
Fame and achievements were essential if I wanted to become Prince Consort.
Using my real name could attract unnecessary attention.
But if I wanted the position, that was something I had to accept.
“Applicant number 192, Bi Anso, enter the martial stage!”
Still, there was no reason to attract unnecessary attention from the beginning.
No matter who my opponent was, I should defeat him moderately.
I entered the martial stage.
My opponent soon followed.
The examiner began explaining the rules.
“The first examination is a spar.”
“If you make your opponent unable to fight or force them out of the stage, you pass.”
“Losing does not automatically mean failure, so do your best.”
As expected of the Demonic Cult.
Simple and clean rules.
My opponent was a middle-aged swordsman.
His clothes suggested the Unorthodox Path.
But the way he held the sword had a firm foundation that hinted at orthodox martial arts.
Was he expelled from some orthodox sect?
“That Bi Anso fellow is unlucky.”
“To meet that man in the first round.”
“Who is he?”
“Wait, that is Jong Mu, the Phantom Cloud Sword.”
“Why is a first-generation disciple of Kunlun here?”
“Did you not hear?”
“He was expelled recently.”
“He killed one of his senior brothers and fled.”
“He probably wants protection from the Sword Demon Clan before Kunlun destroys his martial arts.”
People nearby recognized my opponent and began whispering.
A former first-generation disciple of Kunlun with a famous title.
What an annoying opponent.
Because he was somewhat famous, many people's attention turned toward us.
Not just the other applicants.
Even blood relatives of the Sword Demon Clan watching from above.
“Phantom Cloud Sword Jong Mu came to the Sword Demon Clan.”
“This is fortunate for our family.”
“Could Kunlun have sent him as a spy?”
“He is famous even in the Central Plains.”
“No.”
“Jong Mu killed one of his own brothers and fled.”
“Kunlun is desperately trying to capture him too.”
“Then this is good for us.”
“A warrior like that simply walked into our clan.”
Should I call this fortunate or disappointing?
Everyone's attention was focused on Jong Mu.
Even the examiner seemed convinced Jong Mu would win.
He was already yawning before the spar began.
“Hey, idiot.”
“...Are you talking to me?”
“Who else is stupid enough to stand in front of me without knowing their place?”
Was this bastard really from Kunlun?
Listen to his mouth.
Ah, right.
He killed one of his brothers and was expelled.
“I do not know where a bastard like you crawled from.”
“Judging by your pathetic aura, you are probably some bandit from the Unorthodox Path.”
“Then again, a fool like you would naturally fail to recognize this great lord.”
I was from the Unorthodox Path.
But a man who killed his own martial brother was hardly in a position to talk about righteous and unorthodox paths.
Even in the martial world, where strength ruled, this bastard had incredible shamelessness.
“Still, this great lord is merciful.”
“I will give you one final chance to survive.”
“Leave the stage voluntarily, and I will spare your life!”
“A man who killed his own martial brother has no right to speak about mercy.”
“Stop talking and draw your sword.”
“I am tired, so let us finish quickly.”
“W, what?!”
His face turned red.
To become furious from such a small provocation.
If someone threw this bastard into a real battlefield, he would probably die without anyone even noticing.
