Tadat— tadadadat—!

“It seems we’ve reached our limit.”

Next to Wiso, who was nodding his head, the Fourth Guest stopped with a smiling face.

“Fourth Guest…”

“Then please stay well, Sect Master.”

“I will take responsibility for the children of the Fourth Guest…”

“I believe you.”

Wiso turned his back and started running away from the Fourth Guest.

At some point, he felt the presence of the three evils who had been chasing them.

‘Not yet!’

There was still important information that he had to deliver to Jin Sohyun.

He could not die until he delivered it.

Wiso tried to ignore the sound of fighting coming from behind him and ran and ran.

There were only about thirty zhang left on the escape route he had seen in advance.

He felt a sharp killing intent from behind him.

‘Now!’

Wiso rolled his body forward.

Lazy Donkey Rolling.

Wiso, who had rolled on the floor, performing the Lazy Donkey Rolling that a seasoned martial artist would never do, gritted his teeth at the pain he felt in his back.

If he had been even a little late in rolling, his body would have been cut in two.

While he was getting up from the floor and running, he heard a clicking sound from behind.

“Tsk.”

Wiso felt the enemy getting closer and ran with all his might.

And finally.

He faced a cliff.

Below it, a river with a fast current was flowing, and it was full of reefs.

Nevertheless, Wiso ran without slowing down and threw himself off the cliff.

“Huh?”

Ak Dongji, who had been chasing him, stopped right in front of the cliff and looked down.

Although he saw a shape that seemed to have fallen, Wiso’s figure was not visible.

“He wouldn’t have committed suicide now.”

Yongtusalgoe Masok approached from behind Ak Dongji, took out one of the spears he was carrying on his back, and aimed it at the bottom of the river.

It was to kill Wiso if he ever raised his head.

But even after a long time, Wiso’s figure was not visible.

“He must have gotten caught on a reef somewhere and died.”

“The opponent is the Hao Sect Master. He is not someone who would die so easily after sacrificing his own masters like that.”

“Then what do you want me to do? We can’t go down there.”

“…”

This time, Ak Dongji was right.

No matter how outstanding a master was, jumping down from this height into a valley full of reefs was no different from a suicide act.

After that, the two evils, who had been moving their gazes to find Wiso, had no choice but to stop their pursuit and return.

“What… it’s not over yet?”

Ak Dongji and Masok asked, watching the fight between Baekmyoeumgoe Churyeonghoe and the Fourth Guest.

“If you’re so free, why don’t you help?”

As Churyeonghoe shot back sharply, Masok silently took out a spear and threw it.

Buung—!

The spear that had flown, tearing through the wind, was embedded in the Fourth Guest’s thigh.

“Keuk!”

The Fourth Guest, whose one knee was down, tried to endure somehow, but the curved sword of Ak Dongji, who had appeared behind him, cut his neck.

Seogeok—!

The Fourth Guest’s neck fell to the floor.

“Tsk!”

“Phew. He was an annoying opponent. What about the Hao Sect Master? Don’t tell me you two chased him and missed him?”

“We missed him.”

At Masok’s answer, Churyeonghoe stuck out her tongue slightly.

“Our Great General Manager is going to be so angry again.”

The three people who had killed the Fourth Guest returned to the place where Mu Yu and Wiso had had a meeting.

There, they saw the figure of the First Guest, who was still fighting.

“I thought he was a master of the Hao Sect, but he was a better master than I thought. To think that Yi Changsu still hasn’t finished him.”

The fast sword of the One Sword Absolute Evil, Yi Changsu, persistently aimed for the vital points of the First Guest, but the First Guest’s sword did not collapse.

Rather, it struck Yi Changsu’s sword even more sharply and aimed for his neck.

While the two were engaged in a bloody battle, Mu Yu asked with an annoyed face.

“Don’t tell me you missed him?”

“We couldn’t help it. The bastard threw himself into the valley.”

“Hmm… well, that’s fine.”

Mu Yu quickly regained his composure.

“Anyway, since that spy bastard can’t spy anymore. It won’t matter.”

“What are you going to do now? We’ve caught the mouse… shouldn’t we start moving soon?”

“Follow me. You’ll be able to see something interesting soon. Ah, and clean that up quickly.”

The remaining evils, who had nodded their heads, stood next to Yi Changsu, who was fighting with the First Guest.

“It’s an order, so don’t take it personally.”

At Masok’s words, Yi Changsu frowned as if displeased and then sheathed his sword.

“Then I’ll stop fighting.”

As Yi Changsu turned around, the four evils filled the gap.

The First Guest smiled, gripping his sword.

“Come.”

***

Puhak—!

“Quickly, get him!”

“Sect Master!”

A large fishing net pulled Wiso up from between the fast-flowing valley.

“Phew— phewk!”

Wiso, who was vomiting water from his mouth, didn’t even have time to come to his senses and pulled the collar of the person standing closest to him.

“Help me up.”

“Yes!”

Wiso, who had barely managed to get up with help, hurried his steps without even having time to dry his body.

“Guide me… to Jin Sohyun.”

***

Three men stood below Mount Wudang. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Gwak Myeong looked at Gu Yong and the man he had brought with him, who had arrived later than planned.

“Why did you bring such a traitor?”

According to Gu Yong’s words, the man named Ryang whom he had brought was a traitor of the Beggars' Sect and a person who had made a great contribution to the Heretic Path's Alliance’s plan.

Nevertheless, Gu Yong had insisted that he had to bring Ryang, even if it meant taking a long detour.

“If the person we are looking for is really here… we will need Ryang. Please trust me.”

Gwak Myeong had no choice but to nod his head.

Song Wu, who had been moving with them, had left to ask for help from the Shaolin Temple, and there was no one who could help Gwak Myeong, not even the Martial Alliance.

Except for Gu Yong and the man named Ryang whom he had brought.

“Let’s go.”

Gwak Myeong went up the mountain with Gu Yong.

How long had they been climbing?

Daoists in black Daoist robes and wearing crowns appeared in front of Gwak Myeong and Gu Yong.

They cupped their hands and greeted Gwak Myeong.

“Welcome to Wudang. I am Soyong, a second-generation disciple of Wudang.”

“Did you know we were coming?”

“Yes. I will guide you from now on.”

Gwak Myeong and Gu Yong stepped on the Dowon of the Wudang Sect with the Daoist of Wudang who had appeared as a guide.

The scale of the Wudang Sect, which was called the pinnacle of the Daoist sects along with the Shaolin Temple, was certainly different.

Numerous Daoists were training their martial arts, shedding hot sweat day and night, and the aura of the Daoists lined up in one place seemed to pierce the sky.

“Welcome, Great Master Gwak. I am Ilseon, who is in charge of the elder position of Wudang.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

Ilseon guided them to the reception room of the Wudang Sect.

Gwak Myeong, Gu Yong, and Ryang, who had entered the reception room, receiving the gazes of numerous Daoists, were served tea.

Ilseon asked with a benevolent smile.

“The situation in the Central Plains is chaotic right now… what is the reason for Great Master Gwak’s visit to our mountain?”

“I came to see the sect master.”

“May I know the reason? As you know, since the Alliance Friend Order has been issued, the Wudang Sect is busy preparing for war for the peace of the righteous martial world. Of course, the sect master is also very busy.”

“It’s because of the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon.”

At the words ‘Blood-Sucking Sword Demon’, Ilseon’s expression became serious.

He nodded his head, caught his breath for a moment, and then stood up from his seat.

“Would you please wait a moment.”

With these words, as Ilseon left the reception room, the current sect master of the Wudang Sect, Ilmun, appeared a short while later.

At the appearance of Ilmun, from whom a mysterious aura could be felt, Gwak Myeong and Gu Yong stood up from their seats and cupped their hands.

Since it was the appearance of the sect master of the Wudang Sect, the number one sword sect in the world, it was natural to show respect.

Nevertheless, Ryang did not stand up from his seat.

Thanks to that, as Gu Yong was about to make him stand up, Ilmun waved his hand.

“Leave him be. I don’t know the circumstances, but there must be a reason for having his pressure points sealed.”

Ilmun saw through Ryang’s condition at once.

‘As expected of the sect master of Wudang.’

Gwak Myeong and Gu Yong sat down with Ilmun, feeling nervous.

“I heard you have something to say about the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon.”

Gwak Myeong, who had nodded his head, opened his mouth.

“Before that, there is something I would like to say to the sect master.”

“Speak.”

Gwak Myeong felt his lips drying up from nervousness.

Still, he had to do it.

For the sake of the martial world.

“I want to meet Dan Mugi.”

A silence fell.

Ilmun neither confirmed nor denied and just stared at Gwak Myeong.

As the suffocating silence continued, Gu Yong, who could not bear it any longer, was about to open his mouth to say something.

“Why…”

“Why do you want to meet Dan Mugi?”

At Ilmun’s question, Gwak Myeong and Gu Yong’s hearts pounded as if they would burst.

In fact, it was a question that was no different from a gamble.

It would not be strange if Ilmun denied it here and kicked them out.

Nevertheless, Ilmun rather asked a question.

The reason for looking for Dan Mugi.

At this, Gwak Myeong said.

“The Blood-Sucking Sword Demon… because I think his power might be related to the Ming Cult.”

Ilmun closed his eyes as if in thought.

Soon, Ilmun, who had opened his eyes, stood up from his seat.

“Follow me.”

The place that Gwak Myeong and his party, who had left the reception room following Ilmun’s guidance, headed to was the most sacred peak in the Wudang Sect, Tianzhu Peak.

‘In a place like this…’

To think that he had hidden the sect master of the Ming Cult on Tianzhu Peak.

In a situation that he could not have imagined, Gwak Myeong and Gu Yong entered the inside of Tianzhu Peak with half-nervous and half-excited faces.

And there.

The three of them were able to face Dan Mugi, who was known to be dead.

“Keke… what is it this time… judging by your appearance, you don’t seem to be the horses of Wudang. What have you prepared this time, Ilmun.”

Ilmun ignored Dan Mugi’s words and looked back and forth between Gwak Myeong and Gu Yong and said.

“If there’s anything you want to try, try it.”

Under Ilmun’s permission, Gu Yong released Ryang’s pressure points and said.

“Now, it’s your turn.”

“Please keep your promise.”

“Yes.”

Ryang said this and walked in front of Dan Mugi, who was bound all over.

Dan Mugi looked at Ryang, who was approaching him, as if interested.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Ryang.”

“You’re talking nonsense! I’m not even curious about your name. I’m asking why you’re crawling in front of me!”

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“What?”

“How did a person who is the sect master of the Ming Cult get his precious item stolen? I’m so curious about that.”

“You… you son of a bitch… do you want to die!?”

“To think that you’re in such a state even with such a famous sword… it would be better for you to bite your tongue and commit suicide.”

“What’s important is not the sword…! It’s not that kind of sword…!”

At Dan Mugi’s scream, which was close to a struggle, Ryang brought his face close and asked softly.

“Then what is important?”

***

“This isn’t working either.”

Jin Sohyun, who had been hunting the group of men in black for several days, using bandits as bait, dusted off his bottom and stood up after confirming that no signal had come for over two days.

“Or maybe you’ve wiped out all the heretic path bastards.”

At Kang Seopyeong’s words, Jin Sohyun scratched his head.

“Not yet. The real one hasn’t even appeared yet.”

“The real one… are you talking about the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon?”

“Yes.”

“By the way, that strong Blood-Sucking Sword Demon bastard hasn’t shown his face at all. Isn’t he hiding because he’s afraid of you?”

The Blood-Sucking Sword Demon was hiding?

No, that couldn’t be.

From their first meeting, Ma Seongun had shown a strange obsession with Jin Sohyun.

As if he had known him from before.

If not that.

‘As if he knew this would happen…’

As Jin Sohyun was lost in thought, Palbong appeared with Cha Seol.

“Big brother.”

At Cha Seol’s call, Jin Sohyun glared at Palbong and said.

“I told you not to bring Seol to a place like this.”

“I-I… it wasn’t my will…”

Palbong, who had at some point become Cha Seol’s friend, was moving regardless of his own will.

“He’s here.”

In the meantime, Cha Seol said.

“Who?”

“The Hao Sect.”

Following Cha Seol’s words, Jin Sohyun, who had returned to the mountain fortress, was able to meet the exhausted Wiso there.

At his appearance, which was unfitting for the head of a sect, Jin Sohyun asked.

“What happened?”

“Many things have happened. In the end, our tail was stepped on.”

The fact that their tail was stepped on meant that the Heretic Path's Alliance had noticed the betrayal of the Hao Sect.

“It seems that trying to find out the movements of the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon was the cause of the trouble. The Hao Sect is the one that provides information… not the one that receives it.”

Jin Sohyun realized that the Ghost Star Travelers were not with Wiso, and he also understood the reason why Wiso was able to escape from the clutches of the Heretic Path's Alliance.

“The Ghost Star Travelers are…”

“They all died. To deliver a message to you.”

Wiso cleared his throat once and then said.

“I know where the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon is… and what he is trying to do.”

“Tell me.”

“Will you be okay? He is strong. To the point where even the Five Great Masters of the Central Plains can’t stop him now.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Wiso looked at Jin Sohyun’s unwavering eyes and thought.

‘It was these eyes. Because of these eyes… I have come to walk a rough path.’

Wiso said.

“He… is in Sichuan.”

(End of Chapter)