Chapter 152
Instead of answering, Baek Mu-Gun raised his sword and thrust it forward. The Specter Slayer King felt a ray of intangible and silent lightning-like energy pass by his face, then he heard something breaking behind him. When the Specter Slayer King turned his head, he saw a finger-sized hole in the trunk of a large tree. Mu-Gun had just undoubtedly performed the Absolute Killing Sword, a Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art technique that was formless and soundless.
Upon confirming that Mu-Gun knew the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art, the Specter Slayer King got goosebumps all over his body. The Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art, which he had desired so much, was now right in front of his eyes. He finally had a chance to fulfill the Specter Sects long-cherished wish. The problem was that getting Mu-Gun to teach him the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art was out of the question.
Let me tell you this now. There is no way I will teach this to you, Mu-Gun said.
If you teach me the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art, I will do whatever you want me to.
However, the Specter Slayer King had no intention of giving up on the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art no matter what. He would literally do anything if it meant being able to get his hands on it.
Hmm, I find it better to just wipe the Specter Sect off the face of the earth. An assassin organization like the Specter Sect is of no help to the world. Moreover, it is connected to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, which is unforgivable.
If youre willing to pass down the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art to us, the Specter Sect will be more than willing to take the lead in overthrowing the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. If you want, we are also willing to fall under the Baek Sword Sects command and carry out your orders, the Specter Slayer King pleaded.
Well, you can just as easily have a change of heart. You can just pretend to have never said that after you obtain the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art. More importantly, if the Specter Sect obtains the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art, you will be able to spread your wings. I cant let that happen.
What can I do to make you pass down the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art to me?
If you work under me until we put an end to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, I will pass down the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art to you. Until then, the Specter Sect has to faithfully obey my commands and refrain from committing any immoral conduct, Mu-Gun offered.
How can I believe you? You, too, can just as easily have a change of heart. What if you go back on your words after we have gone through all sorts of hardships and put an end to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect? That would render all our efforts worthless, the Specter Slayer King said in a displeased tone.
It is fine if you dont want to do it. I have nothing to lose. Anyway, we still have a long way to go, so its about time we put an end to this. Mu-Gun raised his sword not just to intimidate the Specter Slayer King but to actually kill him.
Wait! the Specter Slayer King shouted when murderous intent leaked from Mu-Guns sword.
Dont try to negotiate with me any further. What I have said is the only condition I am willing to offer you.
Fine, I will accept your terms. The Specter Slayer King decided to comply with the conditions Mu-Gun had set forth.
Youre going to comply with my conditions? Mu-Gun asked in surprise.
Yes. I dont have a choice in the first place, do I? If I dont follow your conditions, you will kill me. Moreover, as I have already mentioned, I will do anything as long as it means I can get my hands on the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art. In return, make a firm promise that if the Specter Sect successfully fulfills your condition, you will definitely pass down the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art to us, the Specter Slayer King said firmly.
I promise. If just words are not good enough, we can ask the Putuo Sword Sects Young Matriarch here to bear witness. Mu-Gun promised.
As the Putuo Sword Sects Young Matriarch, I will bear witness to the promise that the Baek Sword Sects Young Patriarch has made to the Specter Sect.
So Yeon-Hwa gladly stood witness to the promise between them. She did not like the idea of making a deal with the Specter Sect, an assassin organization, but she decided to authenticate the promise between them because she concluded that it would be best for murim to have the Specter Sect contribute to defeating the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.
You are not going to go back on your word later because of your relationship with the Golden Shield Sword Dragon, are you?
Should I promise to handle this matter fairly with the name of the Putuo Sword Sect on the line? Yeon-Hwa said.
I will take your word for it.
Do we have a deal, then? Mu-Gun asked.
Yes. What should I do now?
Sever your ties with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Afterward, bring your sect members and move to Shaoxing. You have two months.
As you wish.
Having decided to follow Mu-Guns order without hesitation, the Specter Slayer King left the area.
Will the Specter Sect keep their promise? He is probably just pretending to make a deal with you to save his life, Yeon-Hwa said in doubt.
Thats certainly possible, but the Specter Sect wont be able to give up on the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art. As the Specter Slayer King said, they will do anything if it means obtaining it.
What do you plan to do with the Specter Sect? Yeon-Hwa asked.
Well use them in our fight against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Well, the fact that they are not on the Nine Celestial Demons Sects side alone is already beneficial to murim.
It would be best if we can reform the Specter Sect with this opportunity and let them be reborn as a righteous sect.
We should not expect that to happen. The other righteous factions will not acknowledge them either way, Mu-Gun replied.
You have a point. More than a clan or two out there probably harbor resentment against the Specter Sect. However, if you pass down the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art to the Specter Sect, they will be able to commit more murders. Will that be okay?
Ill worry about that when it comes.
Mu-Gun had no intention of letting the Specter Sect live. They would only commit evil if they were to remain in the world. However, he had no intention of handling this himself either. He planned to dwindle the Specter Sects forces as much as possible through the fight with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. It could be seen as a dirty trick, but Mu-Gun thought that it would be best to get rid of organizations like the Specter Sect even if he had to use underhanded methods.
Using them to fight against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect would give them an opportunity to atone for the sins they had committed. Some would likely criticize Mu-Guns methods, but at the very least, Mu-Gun was firm with his intentions.
After meeting the Specter Slayer King, Mu-Gun and Yeon-Hwa quickly resumed their journey. They reached Shaoxing twenty-eight days after they departed from Nanchang. As soon as Yeon-Hwa arrived in Shaoxing, she went separate ways with Mu-Gun and headed to the Putuo Sword Sect.
* * *
At the Heavenly Killer Sects secret cave, Shadowless Demonic Monarch Jae Kang-Cheon sought an audience with Heavenly Killer Divine Demon Dok Go-Seong. He had a heavy expression.
Whats wrong? Why do you look so stiff?
The two Demonic Monarchs who were tasked to get rid of the Golden Shield Sword Dragon have been killed. Their Higher Demons have also been annihilated, Kang-Cheon reported.
What do you mean by that? Who killed them? Go-Seong asked, clearly baffled.
The Golden Shield Sword Dragon.
What nonsense is that? How in the world could the Golden Shield Sword Dragon kill them when the Three Great Slayer Kings were also with them? Go-Seong continued to question the preposterous report he received.
I received news that the Golden Shield Sword Dragon is the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects successor.
Did you just say the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect?
Yes. I heard that they clearly witnessed the Golden Shield Sword Dragon using a golden Thunderbolt Sword.
Are you sure about this?
Yes, there is no doubt about it. After confirming that the Golden Shield Sword Dragon is the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects successor, two Demonic Monarchs retreated to the Heretical Emperor Hall.
Didnt you say that they were killed a while ago?
Yes. However, they did not die at Mount Yuhua.
What? Continue your report. Go-Seong said.
It seems they gave up on the Golden Shield Sword Dragon and instead joined up with the Underworld Sects Demonic Monarchs at the Heretical Emperor Hall. Together, they planned to eliminate the Ximen-Tang coalition, which tried to attack the Heretical Emperor Hall, Kang-Cheon continued to explain.
But?
They took advantage of the darkness of the night to attack the Ximen-Tang coalition, but the Golden Shield Sword Dragon appeared. According to the reports, he killed two of our Demonic Monarchs and three of the Underworld Sects Demonic Monarchs. The Higher Demons under them were also all killed.
The Golden Shield Sword Dragon did all that by himself? Go-Seong asked in disbelief.
"That is right."
Huh, although he is the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects successor, how could he kill five Demonic Monarchs by himself? No, Im sure the Three Great Slayer Kings were there too. Despite all those factors, youre still confident that he was capable of such a feat? Go-Seong said while in total disbelief.
With all due respect, the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects successor had repeatedly thwarted the great cause of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Isnt that proof of how strong he is? Kang-Cheon replied. He sounded mortified.
We cannot let him have his way this time.
What do you plan to do?
We will hold a Divine Demons Summit and request the nine great factions to join forces in eliminating the Golden Shield Sword Dragon.
Heavenly Killer Divine Demon Dok Go-Seong was well aware that the power of the Heavenly Killer Sect alone would not be enough to deal with the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects successor. Considering the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects successor was the sworn enemy of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, this was not a matter that a single faction could deal with. The nine great factions had to join hands.
To discuss that, Go-Seong convened a Divine Demons Summit, gathering the Nine Celestial Demons Sects Nine Great Demon Kings.
* * *
Upon returning to the Baek Sword Sect, Baek Mu-Gun explained everything that happened in Jiangxi Province to Baek Cheon-Sang. Cheon-Sang was shocked to hear that Mu-Gun single-handedly defeated five of the Nine Celestial Demons Sects Demonic Monarchs.
Huh, I knew you were strong because youre the Thunder Gods successor, but you still managed to surpass my expectations.
It was only possible because they let their guard down.
Even if they were caught off guard, who else could accomplish what you have done? Although you are my son, I cant help but be astonished by your great power, Cheon-Sang said in admiration for Mu-Guns martial prowess.
Although it is a good thing that I was able to eliminate that many Demonic Monarchs, the Baek Sword Sect and the Loyal Heart Alliance may fall into danger because of this.
Is it because you are the Thunder Gods successor?
Yes. The Nine Celestial Demons Sect will most probably target me first, which means the Baek Sword Sect and the Loyal Heart Alliance will be in danger as well. I am ashamed of myself. It seems my stubbornness has brought danger to the Baek Sword Sect and the Loyal Heart Alliance, Mu-Gun apologetically said.
Thats enough. It has already happened, so stop blaming yourself. Didnt you kill five of the Nine Celestial Demons Sects Demonic Monarchs as a result? You have accomplished a great feat for the sake of murim, and you did what you had to do. The Loyal Heart Alliances members will also understand. The Nine Celestial Demons Sect will not be able to attack the Loyal Heart Alliance so easily either. They would have realized through this incident that Absolute-Realm masters are not good enough to handle you. To make sure they can defeat you, they will have to deploy a Supreme-Realm master, which means the Nine Celestial Demons Sects Nine Great Demon Kings will have to take action themselves. The Nine Celestial Demons Sect cannot just allow that, Cheon-Sang reassured Mu-Gun.
Mu-Gun had also thought of that. The reason the Nine Celestial Demons Sect had not appeared before them yet could be because the Nine Great Demon Kings martial arts were yet to be completed, making it unlikely for the Nine Great Demon Kings to personally move.
However, that could be wishful thinking on Mu-Gun and Cheon-Sangs end. They also had to always assume the worst situation and prepare countermeasures for it when dealing with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.
That would normally be the case, but they are up against the Thunder Gods successor. It would not be strange if the Nine Divine Demons personally take action since the Thunder Gods successor is their mortal enemy, Mu-Gun replied.
What do you suggest we should do, then?
I have been thinking a lot about it on the way here. The best we can do is request help from the Nine Prominent Sects.
The Nine Prominent Sects? Will they actually help us? Cheon-Sang said in doubt.
The Nine Prominent Sects know how important the Thunder Gods successor is. They will gladly deploy their martial arts master to protect the Thunder Gods successor.
As the Thunder Gods successor, Mu-Gun had built a friendly relationship with the Nine Prominent Sects through several of his previous reincarnations. Many of the former martial arts masters of the Nine Prominent Sects had a strong friendship with the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword Guyang Hwi, which was Mu-Guns previous reincarnation. Hence, Mu-Gun thought that they would try to help the Thunder Gods successor in consideration of their friendship with Guyang Hwi.
Why dont we ask the Seven Great Families too, then? Cheon-Sang suggested.
To protect their own safety, the Seven Great Families will definitely not send a master above the Absolute Realm, Mu-Gun said.
But you never know, right? I cant comment much about the other Great Families, but the Great Namgung Family will definitely not turn a blind eye, Cheon-Sang insisted.
I doubt that, but lets try requesting their help anyway, Mu-Gun unwillingly said.
Okay.
On another note, the Specter Sect, one of the Three Greatest Assassin Organizations, might come to Shaoxing soon.
What? Is the Specter Sect going to attack us? Cheon-Sang asked in surprise.
No. They have joined us in the fight against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Mu-Gun explained.
Why would they stand with us? Cheon-Sang prodded, finding it hard to believe.
The Three Greatest Assassin Organizations were worse than the evil sects. Due to their nature, it would make more sense for them to be connected to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. There was little possibility of them joining hands with a righteous faction.
I have what they desire the most.
And what could that be? Cheon-Sang asked curiously.
A martial art, Mu-Gun said.
A martial art?
Mu-Gun explained that he knew the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art, which was the Specter Sects long-lost martial art. The Specter Sect decided to stand on the Baek Sword Sects side to get their hands on it.
How did you get the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art?
It is one of the martial arts that the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect has left behind along with their legacy, Mu-Gun said, coming up with a made-up story.
Even if this is a coincidence, this is truly fortunate. However, will they take our orders just because of it? Cheon-Sang worriedly asked.
The Specter Slayer King appeared before me with his life at stake just to confirm if I knew the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art. That is how much they desire its scriptures. That's also evidence that they will uphold their end of the bargain.
Will you also keep the promise you made with them? Cheon-Sang asked.
If the Specter Sect survives the fight against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, then I have to.
Cheon-Sang guessed that Mu-Gun was trying to wipe out the Specter Sect by using them in the fight against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. He did not like Mu-Guns idea of using the Specter Sect and abandoning them after. Even if they were a wicked assassin organization, Cheon-Sang thought that Mu-Gun should not go against his promise. However, he decided to respect Mu-Guns idea. Even if there were some radical aspects to it, Mu-Guns determination to protect the justice and peace of murim was as serious as it could get.
Got it. Is there anything else you want to tell me? Cheon-Sang changed the subject.
No, that is all for now. Anyway, what happened to the deployment of forces to the Loyal Heart Alliance United Corps?
Of the twelve clans, all eleven except the Wuyi Sword Sect have deployed their elite forces to the United Corps. The Wuyi Sword Sect decided to pay one hundred thousand silver nyang as the operating funds of the United Corps instead of sending their elite forces, Cheon-Sang briefed Mu-Gun about the situation.
Did all the Patriarchs of the twelve clans come? Mu-Gun asked.
Yes. As planned, we have also formed a council consisting of the Patriarchs of the twelve clans.
The Patriarchs of the twelve clans would act as delegates of the council to keep the alliance leader Baek Cheon-Sangs arbitrary decision-making in check. Furthermore, they would also discuss important and trivial matters regarding the Loyal Heart Alliance.
The formation of the council and the United Corps makes me feel as if the Loyal Heart Alliance has been properly established, Mu-Gun said happily.
Honestly, this still feels like a dream. I stayed in the countryside all my life, but now I have become the Loyal Heart Alliance Leader, which encompasses the clans not only in Zhejiang Province but also in Fujian Province. This is all thanks to you, Cheon-Sang gratefully said.
Not at all. This is all the fruits of your efforts, Father.
No matter how hard I try, it would not have been possible had you not been by my side, helping me. Lets keep getting along well, Cheon-Sang thanked Mu-Gun again.
I will do my best.
Good. Enough chatting, you should get going. My daughters-in-law are probably earnestly waiting for you.
Understood, Mu-Gun briefly answered.
After talking to Cheon-Sang, Mu-Gun was guided to Namgung Hyun-Ahs residence. This used to be the Black Sword Gangs manor, so Mu-Gun did not know his way around yet.
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