SWNOVELXO Chapter 191
Episode 191: Pretty Sisters
Whoosh! The Black Dragon settled his chaotic emotions.
Yeon Sowol was actually Lady Yeon.
Although it was a short time, it was shocking for the Black Dragon, who had shared hardship and joy with her in the Demon Sect’s Path.
But now wasn’t the time to leisurely express his thoughts about this shocking revelation.
Blood Sect.
The national traitors who tried to destroy the world 300 years ago. Not only did they return, but they were also threatening everyone’s safety even now.
That fact was etched into the Black Dragon’s mind as he held the Sosumahu close.
“Lady Yeon. So what should we do now?”
“There’s no need to linger in the Demon Realm. We must find So Cheonma and Lord of the Right to break through Five Demon Gates and head to the surface. Their reach has extended even into the Demon Realm, so even worse things may be happening in the Demon Sect.”
Jeoksawol spoke in a calm tone.
Gangsimajon, one of the Four Great Loyalties, had taken direct action. While they may have repelled the enemies, it couldn’t be assumed that was the end.
The Demon Sect Headquarters.
They had to see what was happening there.
Hmm… “It’s not that I don’t trust the power of Cheonma, but…”
Being the command leader of the Heavenly Alliance, Jeoksawol was well aware of the methods and ultimate goals of the Blood Sect.
They had hidden their pawns everywhere to engulf the Three Great Powers of Jeongsama while slowly advancing their schemes to either undermine their forces from within or, when the time was right, rise up altogether and seize the leadership.
It wasn’t that he doubted Cheonma, but if the Blood Sect prided itself on having the Four Great Loyalties, they could certainly contend with Cheonma.
Moreover, the Demon Sect had particularly strong ties to the Blood Sect. Though the prominent Cheonma had wiped out the Blood Sect’s minions in his time, he didn’t completely sever all links.
If all ties between the Blood Sect and the Demon Sect had truly vanished, there would be no Cheonma Gangsi or the ascension of Gangsimajon.
“Understood, Lady Yeon.”
“Yoo Gongja.”
“Yes, Senior.”
Yujinhwi nodded at Jeoksawol’s call.
“Search for So Cheonma together.”
“Will do.”
Yujinhwi nodded again.
Deep down, she still didn’t feel comfortable with Jeoksawol.
But now wasn’t the time to be caught up in personal feelings.
For the sake of his survival, and everyone’s survival, they had to cooperate with Jeoksawol.
Her senses pierced through the mist of the Demon Realm and extended onward.
*
At the same time.
So Cheonma Baek Cheon-hwa was facing off against the Lord of the Right, Makdaewon.
“…So you’re asking me to betray my father?”
Baek Cheon-hwa’s impassive face contorted.
Lord of the Right, Makdaewon.
Her confrontation with him had been three days ago.
Even as someone who had forged the techniques of the Demon Sect, finding an exit amid the mist of the Demon Realm was no easy task. Just as she was attempting to find the entrance to Five Demon Gates, Makdaewon appeared.
He insisted that the winner of the tournament should be So Cheonma and offered his help.
Baek Cheon-hwa accepted his joining without suspicion. While the tournament should be a competition among individuals, this time it was special.
Both the New Religion and the Orthodox and Heretic factions’ post-stimulation indicators were participating.
As both a post-stimulation indicator of the New Religion and the daughter of Cheonma, she could not let the victory of the tournament go to the Orthodox or Heretic factions.
It was the same for Makdaewon. She figured.
But today, what Makdaewon said was shocking.
“It’s not betrayal, Lady So Cheonma. You are stepping into the position of the new Cheonma. You will prove your martial prowess to your father, the current Cheonma who disregarded you. Under the ironclad laws of the New Religion, ‘the strong thrive, the weak perish.'”
Makdaewon spoke slickly, his words flowing like smooth water.
Last night.
He had secretly received orders via a communication before bed.
[Advance the plan. Recruit So Cheonma.]
Makdaewon’s role in this tournament was twofold.
One was to deal with the Joint Alliance and Goeryong as a post-stimulation indicator of the Orthodox faction.
The second was to recruit So Cheonma.
So Cheonma Baek Cheon-hwa.
He knew her very well. The strongest among the post-stimulation indicators of the New Religion. So Cheonma, acknowledged by all post-stimulation indicators of the New Religion.
However, her father, the current Cheonma, did not recognize her. He was indifferent.
So, the father had given instructions. She must be recruited first before the plan begins. After gathering significant power through her, he would defy the current Cheonma.
It would be a simple task to sway her, who had mixed feelings about her father. Moreover, if things went well, he could even marry her. Beyond her status as the daughter of Cheonma, she was regarded as the number one beauty of the New Religion. An enticing proposal.
Upon hearing Makdaewon’s words, Baek Cheon-hwa’s eyebrow twitched.
“My father does not disregard me.”
Baek Cheon-hwa felt displeased. The relationship between Cheonma and her was that of a father and daughter. It was not something a third party like Makdaewon could comment on carelessly.
And to say he disregarded her? It was true in the past. If it had been a while ago, she might have fallen for Makdaewon’s sweet talk.
But not now. Her father didn’t disregard her; rather, he acknowledged her. His ample teachings during the Two Horse period proved that.
But now, to rebel against her father? To “prove her martial prowess”?
Suspicious.
Baek Cheon-hwa distanced herself from Makdaewon.
“And your words sound as if you’re asking me to rebel against my father, or rather the New Religion. What is your true intention, Makdaewon?”
“What’s wrong with rebelling? ‘The strong thrive, the weak perish.’ That is one of the laws that govern our New Religion. The history of the New Religion is one of continuous conflict, rebellions, and civil wars, all within the realm of the strong prevailing. Our path is no different.”
Makdaewon’s eyes blazed.
His statement wasn’t wrong. The history of the New Religion was indeed a history of civil wars. The one who defeats Cheonma becomes Cheonma. The method of inheritance of the New Religion’s Cheonma was simple, but it was rare for a sole life-or-death duel to determine the Cheonma.
Both the challenger and the challenged mobilized their supporting powers to fight. The civil wars over the position of Cheonma had been countless.
The Heavenly Horse Church operated on the principles of the strong thriving and the victors taking all. Defeat meant certain death. Thus, challengers led all into war, and upon victory, they acquired everything.
Such relentless struggles took place in the New Religion. Unlike the Orthodox factions valuing reputation and the Heretic factions trading benefits, it was a different strategy of the martial arts. Makdaewon’s words were not out of place from the perspective of martial arts.
But Baek Cheon-hwa did not want to follow his words.
She knew well. Even if Makdaewon or Changma rebelled, her father wouldn’t panic; he would likely be pleased.
It would be the same if she rebelled. Logically, she understood.
Yet, in her heart, she couldn’t comprehend it. She had just barely gained her father’s acknowledgment. And now, to ask for rebellion?
“I’ll pass. You all handle it yourselves.”
Baek Cheon-hwa retreated. Contempt filled her gaze. Seeing her expression, Makdaewon’s eyebrows creased.
The first step of the plan had gone awry. An ominous sign. Just as Makdaewon attempted to persuade her again…
“Shut your nonsense.”
Whoosh!
Fwoosh! A black flash flew in and lodged itself between Makdaewon and Baek Cheon-hwa.
It wasn’t simply a sword throw; it was maneuvering an ethereal sword imbued with intent.
Soon, a figure emerged from the mist and gracefully landed in the space. Swoosh. The sword embedded in the ground floated into the figure’s hand.
A beauty, blessed by the heavens.
Yujinhwi of the Joint Alliance was there.
Upon seeing Yujinhwi, Makdaewon’s face tightened.
“T-this is an Ethereal Sword?! W-what in the world…”
The Ethereal Sword.
It allowed one to wield swordsmanship freely in the air by infusing intent into the sword without physically touching it. Only masters who had at least reached the Stage of Transcendence could execute the techniques of the ethereal sword. Yet here was the Joint Alliance demonstrating it.
Baek Cheon-hwa’s expression was also tense. Yujinhwi of the Joint Alliance. She had researched his exploits.
Having defeated the Sword Dragon Jin Paeseon of Mount Hua and countless post-stimulation indicators of the Orthodox faction, he was a prodigy of the Joint Alliance with an undefeated record.
He was the brother of the famed Orthodox post-stimulation indicator, Hyeon Cheol-soo, and was designated the next leader of the Joint Alliance.
People said that if Hyeon Cheol-soo had appeared instead of the Joint Alliance, it would have been natural for the Yongbong Society to have won, and that assessment wasn’t an exaggeration. A master who reached the Stage of Transcendence before coming of age— his talent was beyond measure.
So that’s why my father mentioned Yujinhwi and wanted him to join the New Religion.
Baek Cheon-hwa finally understood why her father, Cheonma, so eagerly wanted to meet Yujinhwi. Why he had brought him into the New Religion while accepting unreasonable conditions.
She thought of her own talent. Thought everyone in the New Religion acknowledged her. She was also referred to as the number one genius of the New Religion.
But in front of Yujinhwi, all those praises felt hollow. The overwhelming gap in talent, a talent soaring higher than the heavens, looked down upon her.
“During the Cheonma Tournament, the Blood Sect targeted my disciple and attacked. It’s an emergency. The victory of the Cheonma Tournament is no longer important. We will break through the Five Demon Gates and head to the surface together.”
Yujinhwi spoke with a cold tone.
As soon as she finished her words, the Sosumahu embraced Wi Soryeon.
Last but not least, they were followed by Jeoksawol, who had changed into the spare attire prepared in advance.
The moment Jeoksawol appeared, a sweet atmosphere spread all around. Her dazzling beauty illuminated the dark Demon Realm.
“You are…”
Makdaewon’s voice trembled.
Hearing his voice, Jeoksawol smiled.
“Yes, I am the Lady of the Flame, Jeoksawol. What Yoo Gongja said is correct. There might be those who question my existence. But we do not have time to explain further. We must hurry to the surface. Oh, and you can stay behind.”
As soon as Jeoksawol’s gaze turned to Makdaewon, an energy erupted from her body, engulfing him.
Swish! Then, a gust of wind shot out towards Makdaewon, interrupting his blood flow, causing his body to stiffen as he fell to the ground.
“There’s no need to take along a traitor who has allied with the Blood Sect. Baek Cheon-hwa. What about you? Will you follow the Lady’s commands?”
Suddenly, the Flame Lady appeared.
As Baek Cheon-hwa was stammering upon hearing her words…
“Um… Dad… Mom… Pretty sisters are… mumble mumble…”
Bloop!
The Sosumahu nestled in Wi Soryeon’s embrace began to babble.
*
Darkness enveloped the Heavenly Mountain.
Below it, the Demon Sect Headquarters shone bright like a sea of flames.
Whoosh… On one of the peaks of the not yet fully thawed Heavenly Mountain, a handsome man with black features stood, emitting blood-red light from his eyes.
Hyeollumajon.
A member guarding the four corners of the Blood Sect, the monster of Hyeon-Kyeong had appeared.
Hiss…
Beyond that, the forces of the Blood Sect revealed themselves.
“…Gangsimajon. The foolish corpse’s plan has failed. Naturally. Thus, from now on, I will lead the plan. The Demon Sect will fall into my grasp henceforth.”
A twisted smile formed on Hyeollumajon’s handsome face. His eyes grew even redder. Drip. Blood tears flowed down from his eyes.
“Tell Changma that I have arrived at the Demon Sect. Baek Murang. I will reclaim your position as Cheonma.”
“Your command!”
One of Hyeollumajon’s subordinates bowed his head. Swipe! Watching as the subordinate melted into the shadows, Hyeollumajon smiled.
Finally.
The Demon Sect was just a step away from falling into the hands of the supreme being.