"They're already back?"
"I told you!"
"Y-You mean they've already defeated the Demonic Cult? It's been less than four days since you left?"
Tang Su-Myeong asked again, his expression dumbfounded.
The fear inspired by the name Demonic Cult was deeply ingrained in their bones. Who didn't know about the brutal war a hundred years ago? Every murim warrior felt the same.
Though it was tacitly forbidden even to mention it, it was no exaggeration to say that no murim warrior was unaware that the Demonic Cult was a terrifying and dreadful enemy.
So how could anyone not be shocked that they defeated such foes in just four days and returned?
"Is that even possible?"
"Come on, surely it wasn't the entire Demonic Cult that came. It must have been just an advance party."
"No, you fool. Do you think I don't know that? Even if it's an advance party, it's still the Demonic Cult. Don't you know what kind of place that is?"
"…True."
Hearing this, Tang Moon-hyuk nodded. Even if it was just an advance party, it was still the Demonic Cult. Moreover, considering that this advance party devastated the entire Hangzhou, it couldn't simply be dismissed as a mere advance party.
"If it were any less, that scoundrel, the Evil Sect leader, wouldn't have begged for help. Rumor has it that the Ten Thousand People Clan suffered greatly at the hands of the Demonic Cult."
"Surely it is not that bad…"
"Come on, do you think I'd make this up? This news came straight from the Beggars' Union."
"Is that true?"
"Of course!"
Tang Su-Myeong said firmly and then slowly shook his head.
"But… even if they borrowed the Evil Sect's power, to finish off those bastards in just four days and come back… what exactly is this Mount Hua's Sword Saint…?"
"Is it only the Mount Hua's Sword Saint's power? The Five Swords and other Mount Hua members who went along also contributed."
"That's right, that's right. That makes sense."
A subtle pride blossomed on the faces of the Tang family members talking.
Murim warriors usually didn't enjoy seeing other sects gain prominence because it meant their own sect's influence diminished relatively.
But on the faces of the Tang family members discussing Mount Hua's achievements, there was no trace of displeasure.
"Indeed, the family lord's foresight is truly remarkable."
"Exactly. Who would have imagined Mount Hua would come this far?"
"Not only the elders but most people opposed it. Honestly, who would have thought of allying with Mount Hua back then? We are the great Tang family, and they were a ruined sect."
Everyone expressed admiration in unison.
When Mount Hua's status was far lower than now, Tang Gunak formed an equal alliance with them. The Tang family's head had strong authority, and the elder council that actively opposed it was disbanded, so no one openly resisted. But inwardly, there was much dissatisfaction.
But who would have thought that choice would turn out like this.
"At that time, the only one in the world who truly understood Mount Hua's true value was our family lord."
"Exactly! That is why he must be our family lord."
Pride naturally blossomed on the faces of the Tang Family members.
To the Tang Family, Mount Hua was not just another sect or outsider. They had maintained relations and supported Mount Hua since before it was recognized by the world, and they were their only blood alliance.
The higher Mount Hua's status rose, the more the greatness of the Tang Family was highlighted, so there was every reason to be pleased.
"This will raise Mount Hua's status once again."
"What a cliché! It's not just Mount Hua! The status of the Heavenly Friends Alliance and the Tang Family will also rise again."
Tang Moon-hyuk chuckled.
"Thinking about how those Nine Great Sects bastards, especially that Shaolin bald guy, will be furious already makes me feel like a decade-old blockage is clearing."
"Right, right!"
The gathered people burst into loud laughter.
They had never had good feelings toward the Nine Great Sects, including the Shaolin sect. Due to regional characteristics, the Tang Family opposed the Qingcheng sect, backed by the Nine Great Sects. The resentment peaked after the Plum Blossom Island incident, so such reactions were natural.
"But… where are our heroes who accomplished such great deeds? I heard Miss Soso also came back?"
"Tsk tsk. That's obvious. They must be receiving praise from the higher-ups right now."
"I suppose so?"
"Is this an ordinary matter? It's not just anywhere, but the Heavenly Friends Alliance. They crossed the enemy's territory in the Southern lands, achieved merit, and returned. They deserve praise all day and night for seven days straight!"
"Heh. I'm jealous. I wish I could get praised by the family head once."
"You won't get that in your lifetime, so don't get your hopes up and just be careful not to get cursed."
"What?"
The atmosphere became lively. Though they hadn't accomplished the feat themselves, as members of the same Heavenly Friends Alliance, it was enough to ignite their pride. Everyone gathered in groups to praise Chung Myung of the Mount Hua's Sword Saint and those who supported him.
They did so without a hint of doubt that they were receiving praise fitting such a tremendous achievement.
And at that moment.
"Listen carefully."
"…"
"I said listen carefully."
The heroes of Mount Hua who boldly entered the den of the Four Sects Alliance in the Southern lands, defeated the Demonic Cult members massacring civilians, and escaped that brutal Southern Lands without casualties… were lined up kneeling with their arms raised.
Baek Cheon, silently bowing his head deeply, glanced sideways at Hyun Jong seated at the head seat. Seeing the blue veins bulging on his forehead like a snake, Baek Cheon quietly lowered his eyes again.
"I've… lived a long life…"
"…"
"What? They gave you a pirate ship and you just rode it back?"
"…"
"You tore apart the pirate ship to cook food and set it on fire?"
Hyun Jong's eyes gleamed with killing intent.
Of course, this Hyun Jong was not the one who had been sleepless with worry over his disciples.
Upon hearing that a burnt pirate ship was found after a fierce battle, he rushed a thousand li upriver to Nanjing, then heard those he was worried about had arrived at the mouth of the river on the ship and were partying, so he ran another thousand li and just arrived at the mouth of the river.
"Heh heh… heh. Hehehe…"
Hyun Jong, laughing incredulously, suddenly rolled his eyes and lunged forward.
"Are you people even human beings!"
"Catch them!"
"Stop them!"
As Hyun Jong lunged, Tang Gunak and Hyun Sang quickly moved to restrain him. Hyun Jong, dangling in their grasp, repeatedly kicked the air.
"I thought the one remaining kid was rotting inside! What? You came on a pirate ship? And you were hungry so you tore it apart? You bastards worse than the Four Sects Alliance!"
"P-Please calm down, Alliance lord!"
"Oh, sect leader! Please hold back! They did come back after achieving good deeds, didn't they?"
"Good? Good deeds? Damn it! So what if they achieved merit? They're still immature as ever! People!"
Hyun Jong's powerful kicks repeatedly brushed dangerously close to Baek Cheon's face, the wind pressure striking his pale face.
But Baek Cheon dared not pull his head back and only averted his gaze.
'I didn't know anymore…'
Who would have known Hyun Jong wouldn't wait at the mouth of the river but would roam around the Yangtze River? They thought it would be fine just to approach the mouth of the river and set up communication means in advance.
They never dreamed that Hyun Jong, burning with worry, would go upriver while they were warming themselves by the fire on their way back.
"Well, if you're hungry… we should have eaten something…"
"Shut up, you bastard!"
"Be quiet!"
"Shut your mouth!"
"You don't open your mouth! Never open your mouth! I'll kill you for real!"
The Five Swords were startled and unleashed a barrage of words at Chung Myung.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Just shut up!"
Chung Myung, verbally beaten, pouted.
Unlike Chung Myung, the other Five Swords had no words even if they had ten mouths.
Think about it. They insisted on playing in the water despite being told not to, went to the riverbank, and then heard the kid drowned. They rushed to search all day, only to find the kid was peacefully playing at home. How would a parent feel? Surely their heart would rot with worry.
'If it were me, I'd at least beat their backs to shreds first.'
'The sect leader is truly a sage. He spared us.'
Hyun Jong glared at Un Geom with murderous eyes.
"And you! You bastard! You!"
Un Geom bowed his head even lower.
"I sent you along to prevent this from happening! What? You were just dying there together? Did that go down your throat? Did it?"
Un Geom's forehead almost touched the ground. Seeing his back curled like a snail inside its shell, the Five Swords couldn't hold back tears.
'Sasuk.'
'I'm sorry, senior sasuk.'
'Oh dear…'
Un Geom had a mouth too, but now he completely lost the ability to speak. If only he had stopped briefly by the river to set up a communication line while leisurely going upriver, things wouldn't have escalated like this. Missing that simple step caused the master and other disciples to travel all the way to Nanjing.
Thinking about how worried they must have been rushing to Nanjing at full speed…
"I'm sorry…"
"Oh my fate! How did three generations…"
They sent the Un disciples, Baek disciples, and Chung disciples together to prevent accidents. Yet all three did the same thing side by side. At this point, shouldn't they seriously consider if the sect is cursed?
Of course, Un Geom had some grievances. Still, he couldn't utter a word because there were others here who were even more wronged.
"Even the young family lord does the same!"
"Huh?"
Namgung Do-Wei, suddenly hit by the unexpected remark, widened his eyes. He had been sitting in a corner, cautiously kneeling.
"If your group is doing crazy things, shouldn't you stop them first? How can the young family lord of the Namgung Family do the same as these reckless bastards!"
Namgung Do-Wei's eyes grew even wider.
"M-Me?"
"Exactly!"
"These people?"
"Well…"
"Me?"
"…"
"Me?"
Hyun Jong's face lost its soul. Just from that reaction, one could understand what Namgung Do-Wei had seen and experienced.
And then, as if unable to comprehend the situation, Chung Myung spoke.
"I told you we would go and come back safely, so don't worry and just wait. Maybe the sect leader is getting old and worrying unnecessarily."
"…"
"Anyway, everyone came back safely, so isn't that enough?"
At that moment, everyone present saw Hyun Jong's face, blankly staring at Chung Myung, gradually change and twist like a demonic spirit.
It was a sight the disciples of Mount Hua had never seen before. The word 'escape' flashed strongly in their minds.
"Aaaah! You crazy bastards!"
Finally exploding, Hyun Jong threw off Tang Gunak and Hyun Sang who held his arms and lunged at the Five Swords.
Long after… Hyun Sang recalled that he saw an Asura there.