Chapter 159: Conquest of the Demonic Cult
Conquest of the Demonic Cult?
Cold sweat formed on the back of my neck.
The conquest of the Demonic Cult.
Just hearing those words was enough to awaken an old terror buried deep inside me.
Before my regression...
the incident in which I died within the Myriad Tribulation Flame had begun with the Righteous Alliance declaring a conquest of the Demonic Cult.
The moment the Righteous Alliance raised the banner of Demon Extermination, countless martial artists gathered beneath it.
And an immeasurable number of them lost their lives in the name of conquering the Demonic Cult.
A massive wave of death that swallowed the entire martial world.
To me...
the conquest of the Demonic Cult was death itself.
Moyong Cheonhwi, you crazy bastard.
My breathing almost broke apart from rage.
But I clenched my teeth and forced down the flames rising inside me.
This wasn't the time to let anger take over.
I needed to cool my head and understand the situation.
What exactly was the Righteous Alliance planning?
Sect Leader Cheon Gwangcheon's voice came from beyond the wall.
“Do you understand what it means to speak of conquering the Demonic Cult?”
His voice had turned cold.
“Thousands... perhaps tens of thousands of martial artists may die.”
He continued,
“It will not be only righteous blood and demonic blood that spills.”
“The flames could engulf the entire martial world.”
Despite the Sect Leader's warning, the Righteous Alliance messenger didn't back down.
“I understand.”
His answer was calm.
“Of course, there will be some degree of sacrifice.”
Cheon Gwangcheon's voice sharpened.
“And knowing that, you still speak of conquest?”
“Sect Leader.”
The messenger's tone hardened.
“When you see rotten roots, you cut them away immediately.”
“Otherwise, the entire forest may die.”
He continued forcefully.
“Lee Munjeong revealed demonic martial arts during the Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament.”
“Traces of the Demonic Cult have also been discovered near the border between Kunlun and the cult.”
Then—
“And even a prodigy destined to lead the righteous martial world in the future...”
His voice lowered.
“Kunlun's Young Hero, Taoist Han Mujin, was killed by the Demonic Cult's assassins.”
The instant my name left the Righteous Alliance messenger's mouth...
my fist clenched.
Using my death as justification for conquering the Demonic Cult.
The very thought disgusted me.
“The Demonic Cult's movements can no longer be dismissed as disturbing rumors from the borderlands.”
The messenger continued.
“Their reach has already extended deep into the Central Plains.”
Cheon Gwangcheon challenged him immediately.
“How much of that has actually been confirmed?”
His voice was sharp.
“The Lee Munjeong incident was suspicious from the beginning.”
“What happened near Kunlun's border has yet to be definitively proven either.”
Then—
“And as for Mujin's death...”
The Sect Leader paused.
“we do not know the truth.”
His voice became firm.
“His body has not even been found.”
“Sect Leader!”
The Righteous Alliance messenger's voice rose.
“Are you questioning the conclusion reached by the Righteous Alliance?”
Cheon Gwangcheon didn't retreat.
“I am saying we must be that much more cautious.”
His tone was resolute.
“A conquest of the Demonic Cult is not something as simple as drawing a sword.”
"..."
Silence followed.
A blade-like tension seemed to leak through the wall.
A moment later...
the Righteous Alliance messenger spoke again.
“Sect Leader, you hesitate too much.”
His tone had changed.
“Too much hesitation...”
He paused.
“can create unnecessary suspicion.”
Cheon Gwangcheon shouted angrily.
“Are you threatening Kunlun right now?”
“How could that be?”
The messenger immediately softened his voice.
“The Righteous Alliance respects Kunlun.”
But the words that followed couldn't have been farther from respect.
“Since ancient times, Kunlun has been the righteous faction's bulwark protecting the martial world from the Demonic Cult.”
His voice became pointed.
“If Kunlun hesitates this much before a conquest of the Demonic Cult...”
“the world will begin asking questions.”
"..."
“Has Kunlun abandoned the greater cause?”
Then—
“Or has the very name of the Demonic Cult frightened Kunlun into retreat?”
Using the title of the righteous faction's bulwark and the justification of the greater cause...
the Righteous Alliance messenger was cornering Cheon Gwangcheon.
And he didn't stop there.
“The Righteous Alliance will soon issue an official notice marking the beginning of the conquest.”
An official notice?
What did that mean?
I pressed my ear even closer to the wall.
“The promising young martial artists of every sect will be gathered beneath the banner of Demon Extermination.”
The messenger spoke with conviction.
“A new sword to stand against the Demonic Cult will be forged.”
Then he named it.
“The Demon Expulsion Unit.”
Demon Expulsion Unit.
The name was painfully direct.
A unit specifically created to eradicate the Demonic Cult.
What exactly were they planning?
“The Righteous Alliance trusts that Kunlun will make a major contribution to the newly established Demon Expulsion Unit.”
Cheon Gwangcheon's voice turned cold.
“Is the Righteous Alliance now demanding our disciples as well?”
“Demanding?”
The messenger sounded almost offended.
“We are asking Kunlun to join us in carrying out the greater cause.”
The words were smooth.
But the pressure beneath them allowed no refusal.
A moment later, the messenger spoke again.
“Please make a wise decision.”
His tone became final.
“The Alliance Leader is also waiting for Kunlun's answer.”
With that...
I heard chairs scraping across the floor.
The Righteous Alliance delegation was standing up.
I immediately activated Void Night Shadow Step.
Suppressing my presence...
I moved quickly toward the main hall.
A moment later, the doors opened.
The Righteous Alliance messengers began filing outside.
For just an instant...
the formation of the Righteous Alliance martial artists and Kunlun disciples guarding the entrance loosened.
I slipped through the open doorway like a shadow.
The doors closed again behind me.
Hidden in the darkness inside the hall...
I looked toward Sect Leader Cheon Gwangcheon.
He stared at the closed doors for a long time.
Then he muttered with a weary sigh.
“Conquest of the Demonic Cult....”
Deep exhaustion filled his voice.
“So the Righteous Alliance truly intends to open the gates of hell.”
Cheon Gwangcheon closed his eyes.
Then murmured,
“Han Mujin...”
His voice carried bitterness.
“Even your death is becoming a blade in their hands.”
At that moment...
I couldn't remain silent any longer.
“I have no intention of becoming the blade that opens the gates of hell, Sect Leader.”
The instant my voice rang out—
"...?!"
The atmosphere inside the Sect Leader's Palace changed.
The previously quiet room seemed to freeze.
Then...
a sharp aura erupted from Cheon Gwangcheon's entire body and spread in every direction.
The pressure was so keen that I felt as though my skin were being sliced.
As expected.
I instinctively held my breath.
The title of Kunlun Sect Leader was no empty one.
Then his voice thundered through the room.
“Who are you?”
Internal energy filled his words.
An ordinary martial artist might have collapsed to their knees from the voice alone.
I released Void Night Shadow Step and stepped out of the darkness.
“It's me, Sect Leader.”
Cheon Gwangcheon's eyes shook violently.
“You...”
He couldn't finish the sentence.
Shock and wariness appeared on his face at the same time.
Of course he can't believe it.
Someone everyone thinks is dead just appeared in front of him.
I spoke again.
“Kunlun disciple Han Mujin.”
I lowered my head.
“I report that I have returned alive to the sect.”
"..."
Cheon Gwangcheon stared at me in silence for a long time.
Then he slowly approached.
He reached out...
and grabbed my hand.
“Truly....”
For the first time, his voice trembled.
“Are you truly Mujin?”
“Yes.”
I bowed my head.
“I returned alive, Sect Leader.”
"..."
Cheon Gwangcheon said nothing.
But I could see what he wanted to convey in his eyes.
Joy.
And overwhelming relief.
The Sect Leader slowly released a long breath.
“You were alive, Mujin.”
His voice softened.
“You were really alive.”
I lowered my head again.
“I apologize for returning so late.”
“No.”
Cheon Gwangcheon shook his head.
“Returning alive is enough.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
“More than enough.”
For a moment, he looked at me warmly.
Then gradually...
he brought his emotions under control.
