Chapter 200
Chapter 200
Nonetheless, their apparent tranquility did not translate into inaction. The Eastern Sky Branch vigilantly monitored the situation across the other branches of the Central Plains Murim Alliance. Furthermore, they made meticulous preparations to swiftly mobilize their forces if assistance was required by other branches.
Achieving this required the ability to promptly secure information, a challenge effectively met through the Heavenly Secret Hall\'s information network. With the Heavenly Secret Hall efficiently gathering and relaying information from various parts of the Central Plains, Baek Cheon-Sang, the representative of the Eastern Sky Branch and the leader of the Loyal Heart Alliance, remained well-informed.
During this period, a circumstance arose that necessitated the mobilization of the Eastern Sky Branch\'s forces. This development transpired upon receiving information about the tragic demise of four members of the Seven Saints at the hands of the Heavenly Killer Sect, compelling the Southern Sky Branch of the Central Plains Murim Alliance to seek refuge in Hubei Province.
Once the credibility of this information was verified, Dan Seol-Young promptly visited Baek Cheon-Sang.
Come in.
Father! Please dont be surprised. We received information that four members of the Seven Saints have died.
What did you just say? Four of the Seven Saints died?
Yes. The four Saints lost their lives to the Heavenly Killer Sect, which was moving in Jiangxi Province.
Are you sure about the information?
Yes. I have confirmed it repeatedly.
By four of the Seven Saints, who are you referring to?
They are the Great Namgung Familys Namgung Byeok, the Guangdong Jin Familys Jin Gwang-Cheon, the Great Ximen Familys Ximen Zong, and the Great Zhuge Familys Zhuge Wen.
Huh, the Namgung Familys sovereign elder is also included? Does Hyun-Ah know about that? Cheon-Sang asked worryingly.
No, you are the first person I\'ve told this news to, father.
"When Hyun-Ah learns of this news, she\'ll be deeply shocked. I\'m worried."
If it is Sister Namgung, she\'ll get through it, so dont worry too much, father.
Yeah, she is a strong kid, so she will overcome it well. Still, you should take good care of her from the side.
Yes, father.
"With four of the Seven Saints gone, defending against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect and the Sky Beast Palace becomes challenging for the Southern Sky Branch alone. What exactly happened to them?" Cheon-Sang inquired.
We received news that they gave up on Hunan Province and fled to Hubei Province.
I dont think the problem will end just by retreating to Hubei Province.
Yes, you are right. If there are no martial arts masters capable of stopping the Nine Celestial Demons Sects Divine Demons, Hubei Province will also fall into their hands. Seol-Young replied frankly.
"I\'m curious if there\'s a martial arts master capable of halting the Divine Demons of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect."
"Perhaps it might be feasible to thwart them if the martial arts masters from the previous generation of the Wudang Sect and the Shaolin Temple intervene."
"I\'m uncertain. The status of the previous generation\'s martial arts masters remains unclear, and even if they are alive, there\'s no guarantee they\'ll leave their base," Cheon-Sang expressed a pessimistic outlook.
Indeed, although it is said that they have cut ties with the secular world and devoted themselves to cultivation in order to ascend to immortality, they won\'t turn a blind eye to the safety of murim. Seol-Young expressed her opinion.
If that is the case, then it is a relief. But I wonder if we should make a move too?
I think it would be good to send the Loyal Heart Alliances Absolute Realm masters to Hubei Province. Seol-Young suggested.
Will they be enough?
"In the Southern Sky Branch itself, manpower isn\'t lacking. The crucial aspect is the number of martial arts masters. Additionally, given the need for our forces to travel to Hubei Province, it might be wise to keep the mobilization to a minimum," Seol-Young explained.
I see, lets do as you say then. Putting that aside, have you heard anything from Mu-Gun?
I havent heard anything else aside from the news that he joined up with the Northern Sky Branch. I\'ll tell you as soon as I hear any new information, father.
Okay. Keep up the good work, it must be hard on you.
No, it is fine. I\'ll take my leave now. Seol-Young went back after finishing her report.
Upon Seol-Young\'s departure, Cheon-Sang promptly summoned the Absolute Realm masters of the Loyal Heart Alliance. After briefing them on the situation, he requested their support for the Southern Sky Branch in Hubei Province. The Absolute Realm masters of the Loyal Heart Alliance readily agreed, leading to the departure of a total of sixteen Absolute Realm masters.
This group included the Qiankun Hands, the Daybreak Swordmaster, the Four Peerless Wanderers, the Seven Wanderers, and the Sword Immortals from Mount Hua Sect and Zongnan, journeying from Jiangsu Province to Hubei Province.
Cheon-Sang, the leader of the Loyal Heart Alliance, opted to remain at the Eastern Sky Branch to handle any unforeseen circumstances.
* * *
The Tyrant Cult from the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, which was defeated by Baek Mu-Gun and the two Saints, having merged with the Underworld Sect in Fangshan County, Shanxi Province, proceeded to Weinan, Shaanxi Province. There, they joined forces with the awaiting Blood-Crazed Clan.
In accordance with the Northern Sky Branch\'s foresight, their intention was to unite with the Myriad Tribulations Clan in Guizhou Province and launch an assault on the Western Sky Branch situated in Sichuan Province.
Amidst these developments, the elite forces of the Northern Sky Branch, equipped with fifteen days\' worth of provisions, embarked on tracking down the merging factions. Mu-Gun led this pursuit alongside the executives of the Northern Sky Branch, which included the two Saints.
By the way, do all the Nine Celestial Demons Sects Divine Demons possess transcendental martial arts? Peng Mu-Hwe, accompanying Mu-Gun, asked.
That is right.
Do you know all about the transcendental martial arts they possess?
Yes, I do.
Then, can you tell me about their transcendental martial arts?
Okay.
Mu-Gun agreed to Mu-Hwes request without much thought. This was because there was no reason to hide the transcendental martial arts of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. As the ancient saying goes, Know the enemy and know yourself; and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. [1].
To effectively counter the Divine Demons, it was imperative to brief the Northern Sky Branch executives on the Nine Celestial Demons Sect\'s transcendental martial arts. Mu-Gun proceeded to explain these techniques to all the executives, not just Mu-Hwe.
The Northern Sky Branch executives were left in astonishment, their mouths agape, at the formidable power inherent in the transcendental martial arts of the Divine Demons. Furthermore, they once again marveled at Mu-Gun\'s prowess, considering that he had single-handedly defeated these formidable opponents.
In the interim, Mu-Hwe and Huangfu Chong scrutinized the Absolute Profound Principles they had successfully comprehended, comparing them with the transcendental martial arts of the Divine Demons. Despite the awe-inspiring nature of the Divine Demons\' techniques, the Absolute Profound Principles they had awakened held a power not inferior to that of the Divine Demons.
While victory against the Divine Demons couldn\'t be assured, it seemed likely they wouldn\'t succumb easily either in a confrontation.
Yet, they grappled with finding a solution to the Heavenly Killer Divine Demon\'s transcendental martial art, specifically the Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Art, capable of enveloping individuals in a senseless space, causing the loss of all senses.
In a moment of contemplation, a question arose: Was there a method for Baek Mu-Gun, the successor of the Thunder God, to break the Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Art, the transcendental martial art of the Heavenly Killer Divine Demon?
"Out of curiosity, do you happen to possess the knowledge on how to counter the Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Art of the Heavenly Killer Divine Demon?" Huangfu Chong inquired, unable to contain his interest, directing the question to Mu-Gun.
The only way to break the Heavenly Killer Divine Demons Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Art is to obtain a Divine Eye. Mu-Gun revealed.
A Divine Eye? Are you referring to the Heavenly Eye: Clairvoyance, one of the Six Psychic Powers in Buddhism?
That is correct. I am referring to the ability to literally see through everything.
Does that mean that you possess a Divine Eye?
I am the Thunder Gods successor. Through the eyes of the Thunder God, I am able to see through the Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Arts veil of darkness and break it. Mu-Gun said indifferently.
"In that case, you must be the only one capable of breaking it. Besides you, no one else should possess a Divine Eye," Huangfu Chong said firmly.
"Who knows? I wonder if the successor to the Thunder God is truly the only one in the entire world."
Do you mean that aside from the Thunder God, there are successors of other Gods? Huangfu Chong asked in surprise.
I have never seen them before, but according to the ancient records, aside from the Thunder God, there were successors to the Fire God and the Light God. Mu-Gun revealed.
You are talking about the Three Greatest Mysterious Sect.
That is correct.
"Nevertheless, the successors of the Fire God and the Light God are like fairy tales passed down through generations, and in the past one thousand years, they have never manifested in the world. From an objective standpoint, it could be assumed that the legacies of these two Gods are no longer being inherited," Huangfu Chong remarked.
That has been the case so far, but no one knows what will happen in the future.
Are you implying that the Fire Gods successor and the Light Gods successor may appear?
"That\'s something I can\'t determine either. However, what I do know is that even if we can\'t perceive the Three Greatest Mysterious Sect, their presence could persist somewhere in the world. If the world ever direly requires their power, their existence will be revealed," Mu-Gun elaborated.
Lets hope something like that doesnt happen.
That would be for the best. The fact that all Three Greatest Mysterious Sect appear would mean that the world is in grave danger. Mu-Gun said.
In any case, thank you for giving us information on the Divine Demons transcendental martial arts. The same goes for the information of the Three Greatest Mysterious Sect.
Dont mention it.
"By the way, it\'s about time we get an update from the Southern Sky Branch. The silence is concerning, especially with no word from the four Saints," Mu-Hwe expressed, worried about the safety of the four Saints.
Mu-Gun shared the curiosity. If the four Saints had indeed succumbed to the Heavenly Killer Divine Demon, it would not only jeopardize Hunan Province and Hubei Province but also pose a significant threat to the Western and Northern Sky Branches. Mu-Gun hoped that the Heavenly Killer Sect was not the faction originating from Jiangxi Province.
However, the news conveyed by the Heavenly Secret Hall the following day dashed Mu-Gun\'s hopes. The Northern Sky Branch executives were stunned to learn that all four members of the Seven Saints had fallen victim to the Heavenly Killer Divine Demon\'s Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Art, losing their lives.
The additional shock came with the revelation that the Southern Sky Branch had abandoned Hunan Province, seeking refuge in Hubei Province.
The Northern Sky Branchs executives immediately convened an emergency meeting.
"With the demise of the four Saints, defending against three factions of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect and the Sky Beast Palace becomes challenging. The adversaries will likely capitalize on the situation, launching an assault on the Southern Sky Branch now situated in Hubei Province. Perhaps it\'s wiser to halt the pursuit of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect\'s forces here and prioritize supporting the Southern Sky Branch."
The Zongnan Sects Patriarch, Jin Do-Myeong insisted on sending support to the Southern Sky Branch.
"If we follow that course, the Western Sky Branch will be at risk. Considering the Eastern Sky Branchspecifically, the Loyal Heart Alliancehas promptly sent their Absolute Realm masters to Hubei Province, I don\'t see the necessity for additional reinforcements to the Southern Sky Branch," voiced the Patriarch of the Hebei Peng Family, Peng Mun-Cheol, presenting a dissenting viewpoint.
It will be difficult to stop the Nine Celestial Demons Sects Divine Demons with just Absolute Realm masters alone. Supreme Realm masters are needed to stop them. Do-Myeong refuted Mun-Cheols opinion.
That would be resolved if the previous generations martial arts masters from the Wudang Sect and the Shaolin Temple come forward.
They are people who turned their backs on the secular world in order to ascend to immortality. There is no guarantee that they will step up to the plate. Do-Myeong was skeptical about it.
Above all, in order to stop the Heavenly Killer Divine Demons transcendental martial art, Young Master Baek, the Thunder Gods successor, must be there. The Mount Hua Sects Patriarch, Young Ho-Goon, supported Do-Myeongs opinion.
As Ho-Goon emphasized, breaking through the Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Art required Mu-Gun\'s presence, given his possession of the Divine Eyes.
"Then, how about this? Young Master Baek can serve as reinforcement for the Southern Sky Branch, while we continue our pursuit of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect\'s forces here," proposed Huangfu Tian, the Patriarch of the Great Huangfu Family.
"If the Thunder God\'s Successor is absent, the only ones capable of confronting the Divine Demons are the two Saints. On the other hand, within the forces of the three factions of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect assembled in Shaanxi Province, there are three Divine Demons. In the event of a battle, we might find ourselves in a perilous situation," Ho-Goon voiced his apprehension.
"They are aware that the two Saints and the Thunder God\'s Successor are on our side. They won\'t engage in a reckless confrontation. If we maintain a certain distance while pursuing them, they are unlikely to initiate an attack," Huangfu Tian clarified.
"We won\'t be able to initiate an attack either. Furthermore, if they unite with the faction in Guizhou Province and target the Western Sky Branch, supporting them will be challenging without an adequate number of martial arts masters capable of confronting the Divine Demons."
Both Huangfu Tian and Ho-Goon stood firm with their opinions.
Then how about we do this? Mu-Gun, who was listening silently, spoke.
What do you propose? Mu-Hwe asked.
"Before the forces of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect in Shaanxi Province unite with the faction in Guizhou Province to launch an attack on the Western Sky Branch, our plan is to rendezvous with the Western Sky Branch and strike first. This way, even if I\'m not present, the balance of Supreme Realm masters will remain unchanged, giving us a strong chance of securing victory," Mu-Gun explained.
Do you mean that you are going to go support the Southern Sky Branch?
As Patriarch Huangfu said, I am needed in order to break the Heavenly Killer Divine Demons Heavenly Dark Sky Killing Art. It is best for me to go even if it is for the sake of killing the Heavenly Killer Divine Demon.
Certainly, at this point in time, that seems to be the best method. Mu-Hwe nodded in agreement to Mu-Guns opinion.
"The crucial factor lies in whether the three of us Seven Saints can triumph over the three Divine Demons. What\'s your perspective? Do you believe we can defeat the Divine Demons?" Huangfu Chong asked Mu-Gun.
Mu-Gun had previously engaged with and vanquished two Divine Demons. Furthermore, in the recent encounter, he faced the Tyrant Divine Demon and the Blood-Crazed Divine Demon. Given these experiences, only Mu-Gun possessed the capability to provide an objective evaluation of the Seven Saints\' prowess against the Divine Demons.
"If the Divine Demons have fully reached the Supreme Realm, to be frank, the odds will be slim. However, the Divine Demons I encountered haven\'t reached that level yet. With the Seven Saints\' martial realm and accumulated experience, you stand a reasonable chance of prevailing.
Nevertheless, exercise caution concerning the Divine Demons\' transcendental martial arts. Regardless of their martial realms, their transcendental martial arts wield the power to determine the outcome of the battle," Mu-Gun objectively advised.
The best outcome would be to put an end to the fight before they manage to use their transcendental martial arts.
That is correct.
"Then, we\'ll proceed as you suggest. We\'ll immediately reach out to the Western Sky Branch. And you, are you planning to head to Hubei Province right away?" Huangfu Chong affirmed his agreement with Mu-Gun\'s proposal.
"I can\'t predict when the forces of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect and the Sky Beast Palace in Hunan Province will mobilize, so I believe it\'s best for me to set out as soon as possible," Mu-Gun remarked.
Okay. Then, lets go our separate ways here.
Then, I will go ahead first. I wish you all Godspeed. Mu-Gun said.
Take care of yourself too.
Mu-Gun parted ways with the executives of the Northern Sky Branch in Zhongyang County, Shanxi Province. Subsequently, he proceeded directly towards Hubei Province.
1. A quote from Sun Tzus Art of War.