Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 87

The incidents that occurred almost simultaneously throughout the Central Plains spread like wildfire, capturing everyone’s attention. Several aspects of these events stood out. First, the involvement of the Golden Toad Trading Company and the Daeha Trading Company, two of the most powerful organizations of the time, was central to the matter. For some unknown reason, the Golden Toad Trading Company had simultaneously requested escorts from twenty-four of its branch offices. The payment was identical for each—one thousand gold taels—and all but one were robbed. The transportation of five carriages was also identical, as was the payment, and they were all robbed.

The methods of the robberies and the martial arts used varied, but according to the survivors, the attackers were masters from the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult, which shocked the martial world. The only escort that was not robbed was the one that departed from the Jinan branch in Shandong Province. It was said that those who attacked them were also presumed to be masters from the Martial Alliance. The carriages were destroyed in the attack, revealing their contents. As people had expected, gold bars filled the carriages. This news quickly spread throughout the martial world, leading to various speculations and placing the martial forces in a difficult position, sometimes causing them to exchange meaningful glances. The true meaning of this incident remained unknown.

“Grand Tutor, I am at a loss as to how to handle this matter,” said Gu Gija, the head of the Daeha Trading Company and known as the Azure Dragon Swordsman, with a grim expression as he addressed Heavenly Martial Grand Tutor Cho Ryang. He had been there for over an hour, but he was the only one speaking. Cho Ryang was still focused on looking at the orchids, sometimes wiping their leaves with a dry cloth. Gu Gija watched him, feeling a surge of anger, wondering if the current situation was less important than caring for orchids, but he couldn’t say anything and just kept muttering.

“Grand Tutor, this matter raises many questions. It seems to be a critical issue that requires a thorough investigation, putting the very survival of our Daeha Trading Company at stake.”

Regardless of what he said, Cho Ryang didn’t even look at him, focusing only on the orchids.

“Grand Tutor, please say something…”

“Pathetic fellow.”

Cho Ryang’s first words completely disregarded Gu Gija’s feelings. Gu Gija was dumbfounded. Of course, he had never thought of himself as pathetic in his life, but to hear only that one word after an hour was too unfair and absurd.

“Alright. What are your questions?”

He still didn’t turn around. It was as if he was saying that Gu Gija wasn’t even worth facing. Nevertheless, Gu Gija had to prepare an answer to his question.

“First, the fact that the Golden Toad Trading Company entrusted the escorts all at once, and that they did so to branch offices instead of the main office, is the first question. Second, the fact that the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult attacked us simultaneously. I still get a headache when I think about this. There is no connection… it’s an impossible event. Third, their corpses. The corpses of those believed to be from the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance. Most of them were found not far from where the escorts were robbed. Fourth, the traces of martial arts on their corpses. The martial arts of various sects of the Central Plains, both righteous and demonic, and even those from beyond the borders, were all mixed together. Fifth…”

“Enough. Solve your questions on your own.”

“What? What do you mean by that…”

“It means exactly what I said. Answering your questions is of no benefit to us. The deed is already done, and you will be too busy trying to clean up the mess. So, what do you think? Who do you think is behind this?”

Gu Gija straightened his seventy-year-old back and said confidently,

“I believe it is a collaboration between the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult. Of course, it is not realistic, but based on the circumstances, there is no other explanation. At first, I wondered if it was a self-made drama by the Golden Toad Trading Company, but that didn’t make sense in many ways.”

“What do you mean?”

“Yes… well… if it was all their doing, there would be no reason for them to harm our trading company through such a complicated process. In other words, the Golden Toad Trading Company would gain nothing from doing this. Second, most of the people dispatched by the Golden Toad Trading Company at the scene were killed. Third, I cannot believe that they have the power or masters to eliminate the masters of the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult. Finally, even if we accept all of that, the Golden Toad Trading Company does not have the authority to move the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult at once. No, no force in the martial world is capable of moving them all at once.”

Gu Gija seemed to have a habit of organizing his thoughts with his fingers.

“So, your conclusion is that it is a collusion between the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult?”

“Yes. That’s right. It seems to be the most reasonable judgment at this time.”

“That’s amazing.”

Gu Gija’s head tilted to the side and then returned to its original position.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m amazed how you managed to make the Daeha Trading Company the best in the Central Plains with that level of intelligence.”

‘That guy is really annoying. If he weren’t my superior, I would just…’

“Why? Are you upset by what I said?”

Gu Gija raised both hands and waved them hastily.

“No, not at all.”

Cho Ryang turned his gaze from the orchids to Gu Gija. He removed the smile that habitually lingered on his lips and opened his mouth with a bored expression.

“Let’s summarize the situation. The Golden Toad Trading Company requested escorts from 24 branch offices simultaneously. The escorts were robbed by masters who appeared to be from the Demonic Cult in the south and the Martial Alliance in the north. They were all killed shortly after. Of course, before that, the people from the Golden Toad Trading Company were also killed by masters from the Martial Alliance or the Demonic Cult, and only a few survived. The only place that was not robbed was one location, where the carriage was destroyed, and it was confirmed that it contained gold bars. Coincidentally, no mysterious figures appeared there either. Haha. It’s quite interesting. Someone with various purposes.”

“What do you mean…”

“You don’t need to know. You think it’s the work of the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult, but I think differently. The fact that people from the Golden Toad Trading Company died could be evidence that it was their doing. The gold bars that were revealed in only one place, and the fact that it was not robbed, also makes the Golden Toad Trading Company suspicious. Above all, the fact that this whole thing started with them proves that it was their doing. The important thing is not who did it, but what they are aiming for. And we will suffer severe damage to our finances and the trust we have built up, and there will be disruptions in the operation of the trading company for the time being. This alone is a huge loss for us. But… this is not all. We have learned something very important from this incident. It is something big enough to make up for our financial losses.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Cho Ryang stared at Gu Gija. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking from his expression.

“If we conclude that it was the Golden Toad Trading Company’s doing, it means they have a much greater power than we thought. They were a force that no one paid attention to, but now all forces will be watching them. If it wasn’t their doing and another force was behind it, things will get more complicated. And if there is someone behind the Golden Toad Trading Company, it will be even more complicated… Anyway, the person in the shadows is definitely a powerful one. With this one incident, they have managed to lead the current situation as they intended. If… if there is someone behind the Golden Toad Trading Company and that force can influence the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult in some way, our plan needs to be revised from the beginning. Also, the fact that the Martial Alliance or the Demonic Cult openly targeted our escorts, and didn’t even try to hide their actions, is like a public declaration of war. It means that they are not satisfied with the back-and-forth attacks in the shadows. Furthermore, the fact that all the masters of the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult were killed provides a clue to judge the relationship between the person who led this and them.”

Gu Gija understood only half of what he was muttering to himself. It would be refreshing if he could just reveal his thoughts, but the man in front of him didn’t do that, and didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so.

‘Yeah, you’re a genius, and I’m just a guy who has to lick your feet. Damn it… even though you’re the Great Disciple of the Heavenly Emperor, is it okay for you to treat me like this?’

“Then, what should we do from now on?”

It was a question he asked casually, as if he didn’t expect much.

“Do you even need to ask? Just compensate the Golden Toad Trading Company.”

“What? Even though it might be their doing… you’re saying we should compensate them without even investigating?”

“We have to move as they want. It’s not the time yet. Give what we have to give, and get what we can get. You don’t have to think about anything and just focus on running the trading company. There probably won’t be any more incidents like this for a while. The person who will do what you want to do has already been decided. So, you can go and pat your concubine’s butt.”

Gu Gija’s face was severely contorted. His red, bloodshot eyes between his wrinkled old face showed how agitated he was inside. As Cho Ryang turned back to the orchids, Gu Gija realized that it was a signal for him to leave the room. He turned around with a twitch of his lips. His heart was in turmoil as he left the room without saying a word or even bowing.

“Huhu, the Golden Toad Trading Company! What is their true nature? And what do they really want? The person who benefits the most from an incident is always involved in the background. From that point of view, it would definitely be the Martial Alliance, but it’s not that simple. The fact that the Demonic Cult is also involved is a decisive factor that overturns this simple logic. They are still in a hostile relationship, so that possibility is almost non-existent. Then, is it simply to put us in trouble, or to create chaos in the current situation? Hmm… were the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult just being used by a hidden force? Or are they connected in some way? It’s probably the former. Anyway, nothing is certain at this point. The cards I hold are the worst. But one thing is clear. You can only know the result when the game is over, and victory always goes to the one with power.”

His gaze was fixed on the orchids, but his mind was busy trying to unravel the complex situation.

After Blood Hand Heavenly Lord left his elder brother Cho Ryang’s residence, leading a group of people out of the manor, the sun, which had been in the middle of the sky, was rapidly tilting towards the west.

★ Pa Cheon left the Martial Alliance secretly without taking a single attendant. He recalled the situation at the Supreme Council a little while ago.

“We obtained information about the Daeha Trading Company’s large-scale escorts from 12 locations. It was judged that this was the perfect opportunity to strike a blow against them. We discussed it with Shinan Lord and immediately obtained approval from the Great Commander to rob the escorts. However, we succeeded in robbing the escorts in 11 of those locations, but unfortunately, they were all killed by mysterious figures. The same situation occurred in 12 locations in the south, and surprisingly, they were the Demonic Cult.”

White Tiger Lord was still trying to calm his surprised heart and gave a somewhat disorganized report. Shinan Lord continued his words.

“The source of our information was a spy we planted in the Daeha Trading Company. The information he gave was accurate, but in one location, the scale of the escort was twice as large as the information we had. The problem is who attacked us. It’s hard to believe that the Daeha Trading Company staged a self-made drama to target the escorts, and it doesn’t seem like the Golden Toad Trading Company has that much power. I think it’s probably one of the forces from beyond the borders, including the Blood Demon Heaven. This incident shows that their intelligence network has already spread throughout the Central Plains. We need to be especially careful from now on. And this incident is like a declaration of war against us. We need to prepare countermeasures.”

Pa Cheon smiled faintly as he recalled the words of Saman Heavenly Brain So Cheon-ak. The direction he was moving was towards the Beggar Clan. His movements, cutting through the air, were indistinguishable in the darkness.

★ “As the Supreme One predicted, someone came out of the Great Punishment Hall. We have already contacted the Heavenly Demon. They will probably have the most terrible experience of their lives.”

King of Beggars, Poong Cheon-ho, looked excited just thinking about it.

“Good. Now, contact Ha Gun-pyo. Tell him to start the operation… and Twin Olds!”

“Yes, Supreme One.”

“It seems like it’s time for you to move as well. You can move the forces you have prepared. And I will give further instructions through Poong No, so keep that in mind.”

“Understood.”

“Now, the Central Plains will have a nightmare. The forces from beyond the borders will also not just wait for an opportunity. But we won’t go to all-out war either. We have to make everyone get involved in the fight. They won’t be able to engage in all-out war because they are wary of each other, but they can’t just sit back and be attacked. If we stir up the mud in between, we will have a lot to gain.”

Twin Olds and the King of Beggars shook their heads inwardly at Pa Cheon’s smile.

It was as if they were watching a mischievous child who had set a trap and was enjoying the situation that was about to unfold. Pa Cheon changed the subject.

“How are So-gun and So-wang doing?”

“Yes, Supreme One. So-gun is currently in closed-door training in the underground training hall. Her talent is indeed one in a thousand. What’s even more amazing is her obsession with martial arts, which is exceptionally rare. I’ve never seen such a tenacious girl before.”

Pa Cheon smiled contentedly at the words of Old Doctor.

“That’s right… her tenacity is something that even I admire. She will grow rapidly in the future. A female emperor who will rule this era may be born.”

★ Blood Hand Heavenly Lord rode his horse, recalling the words of his elder brother, Heavenly Martial Grand Tutor.

“Investigate the background. And then, use our forces scattered in various places to stir things up as you see fit. All the martial artists in the Central Plains, whether they are from the Martial Alliance or the Demonic Cult, are our enemies anyway. For now, consider the Blood Demon Heaven as our only ally.

Target the organizations under the Martial Alliance, but avoid any possibility of all-out war. For example, you can attack the subordinate organizations of each branch of the Martial Alliance, but you must not directly attack them. Do you understand?”

‘Damn it! Yeah, you’re talking big to me now, but let’s see how long that lasts. It’s because of Master’s order that I’m holding back for now. But I will reveal your dark secrets someday. If it weren’t for Binghwa’s request, my wheel would have already cut your throat.’

The number of cavalry he led was only three hundred, but their momentum was formidable. Thirty swordsmen, who always followed him like shadows, were right behind him. They were currently heading east along the Yellow River. Their final destination was Jinan.

It was to visit the Jinan branch of the Daeha Trading Company, which was the only one that was not robbed. Since the headquarters of the Martial Alliance was located along the Yellow River, they planned to cross the river at Hampo.

Doo-doo-doo-doo

The speed of the cavalry was quite fast. The horse’s mane fluttering in the lead and the clothes dancing in the wind created a magnificent sight under the moonlight.

When the group arrived at Hampo, they looked around. It was a small ferry, and since it was night, they thought there would be no ferryman, but unlike their expectations, they could vaguely see a figure in the distance. He was sitting with his back to the river, casting a fishing rod.

Hehehehe

‘What a carefree guy. Fishing alone in the middle of the night…’

The man wearing a large bamboo hat didn’t even turn around, even though three hundred cavalrymen had arrived noisily behind him. That was why a question mark appeared on Blood Hand Heavenly Lord’s face.

“Hey, are you the ferryman here? I’ll give you as much money as you want, so take us all across the river.”

It was an order. The person, whom Blood Hand Heavenly Lord had identified as the ferryman, was still looking at his fishing rod without moving, with the moonlight shining on his broad back. When he still didn’t react, a murderous aura emanated from Blood Hand Heavenly Lord.

“How dare this ignorant bumpkin not even turn his head when this elder is speaking?”

He threatened him with a murderous voice, but the ferryman remained as still as a stone statue. Blood Hand Heavenly Lord felt strange. He quickly looked around.

It was clear that there was no one around except for his group and the ferryman, who might be deaf. He was sure of his feeling. Blood Hand Heavenly Lord turned around and snapped his fingers. Following his signal, one of his subordinates approached the ferryman. The black-clad warrior, who had reached within a few feet of the ferryman, opened his mouth towards the man with his back turned.

“Do you want to die? If you don’t get up and bring the boat, I will kill you.”

He intentionally infused his voice with internal energy and looked at the reaction with a triumphant expression. However, he was soon bewildered, not knowing what was going on. Unlike his expectations, the ferryman was fine. Instead, he shook off the dust as if nothing had happened and stood up without turning around. The black-clad warrior was startled and took a step back without realizing it the moment he saw the ferryman’s face in the moonlight.

—————————————-

I’m late. This is all for today.

I would like to recommend a good novel.

It’s a martial arts novel called ‘Han of the Continent’ that is being uploaded on this serial.

It’s a good story. I don’t think I need to say more.

You’ll know if you read it. A considerable amount has been uploaded, and although I haven’t had much time to read it myself, I believe that if you have patience and read it steadily, you’ll be completely engrossed. Have a good day.

The Emperor’s Sword – 89
The appearance of the bamboo hat-wearing stranger revealed in the moonlight was terrifying enough to make even the black-clad warrior, who had staked his life on a single sword, tremble with fear.

The jawline visible beneath the bamboo hat gleamed with a blue light, reflecting the moonlight.

The hair that flowed down, framing his face, was unmistakably blood-red. How could a human have a blue face and red hair? The black-clad man doubted his own eyes.

It was not a misperception, as they were standing so close. Moreover, the stranger’s one sleeve fluttered in the occasional breeze, further intensifying the fear he inspired. He took a step back and looked behind him. His gaze, which sought salvation from his lord who had always given him unwavering faith, now held the meaning of facing a limit he could not handle. But soon, he had to abandon that thought.

The face of his lord, who seemed like he would never change, was clearly different from usual, and based on his not-so-short life experience, it was definitely an expression of fear. What could be the reason for the Blood Hand Emperor, who seemed to fear nothing in the world, to act this way?

‘Huh… that person’s appearance is exactly the one that Second Commander Lee of the Blood Demon Heaven warned my senior about…’ His senior had once told him this:

If you ever encounter a stranger in the Central Plains with a blue face, red hair, and one arm, run away without question.

Combining the words of Second Commander Lee of the Blood Demon Heaven, it was clear that the man was a monster that none of them, except for their master, could handle. It would be better to heed my advice and not lose your life in vain by thinking about appearances.

The Blood Hand Emperor’s eyes widened as much as they could, and his mouth slightly opened.

“You, who are you?” He didn’t even realize that his own voice was trembling.

It was not easy for a man with such strong self-esteem to show such a broken appearance. Even if faced with the threat of death, a man of his type would not bow his head to beg for his life, or at least that’s how he appeared on the surface. Considering this, it was truly unexpected that his voice would tremble on its own. Whether he knew this or not, the bamboo hat-wearing stranger calmly took a step forward, and this alone froze the black-clad warrior, who had somewhat arrogantly approached the stranger, from head to toe. The black-clad warrior wanted to retreat at all costs. He belatedly realized that an instinctive fear, against his will, had taken control of his body’s nerves in an instant, but there was no benefit to be gained from this realization.

Barely a groan escaped his lips, a sound that revealed his state to everyone, “Ugh… ugh…” He was not a child learning to speak, nor was he a deaf-mute who could not hear or speak, yet his tongue was as if it had been petrified and could not move. From this, it seemed that it was not simply due to an insurmountable fear of the opponent. That was the truth. An inexplicable energy was emanating from the body of the bamboo hat-wearing stranger approaching in front of the black-clad warrior, and it was a deliberate action that was binding the black-clad warrior’s body. At least in this regard, the Blood Hand Emperor, who should have been sitting on his horse with a dignified posture and a touch of arrogance, was in a slightly better position than his subordinate. His horse was backing away without refusing its master’s will. As if his actions were a signal, the three hundred and thirty figures and the horses that formed a single shadow simultaneously stepped back.

This situation was unexpected by anyone, and it was extremely unfamiliar and alien to the group involved.

A strange tension flowed beneath the feet of the people, keeping pace with the flow of the river, and it suddenly awakened their pride and tenacity as warriors like a nightmare on a summer night.

“Hey… everyone stop. And you, you stop there too.”

“Hehehehe…” The low, sinister laughter that flowed from the bamboo hat-wearing stranger easily crushed the fighting spirit of the group that had risen like fire. “Everyone attack. Kill him.”

The Blood Hand Emperor’s appearance as he shouted out orders was not the confident one of the past, and this was the same for his subordinates who knew him. The black-clad warrior who had stepped forward at the beginning could not help but resent his lord. The stranger, who had approached so close that their shoulders were touching, was breathing in sync with him, and although he couldn’t dare to look to the side to confirm, it was clear that the source of an insurmountable fear was burning there.

From the black-clad warrior’s throat, which was holding its breath, a rough, choked breath was exhaled, and his heart was pounding as if it would leap out of his mouth.

“I have no interest in you small fries, but my friend is not the same…”

“Lament your bad luck. I don’t want to get my hands dirty, so all of you commit suicide.”

The voice coming from the black-clad warrior’s right was clearly directed at their group of over three hundred. “Everyone, surround that man.” The proud lord was only giving such orders, so the black-clad warrior’s disappointment could only grow.

The lord’s wheel, which had always split opponents in two with a single gesture, no longer promised absolute faith. “Huh…” The moment the stranger’s only hand was placed on the black-clad warrior’s shoulder, he gasped, swallowing empty air.

“You are pathetic. It would be foolish to waste any more time on you.”

“Let’s finish this quickly, since it’s boring.” Could there be anyone in the world as arrogant as this?

Did he truly see the three hundred cavalrymen before him as mere pebbles that could be found anywhere, covered in dirt and rolling on the ground?

Or was he a madman who considered himself a god?

In any case, it didn’t seem to matter. As soon as the Blood Hand Emperor’s hand was raised, the cavalry behind him, as if nothing had happened, bravely spurred their horses and surrounded the stranger from all sides. The movements were quick, but their expressions remained unchanged. Upon confirming the bamboo hat-wearing stranger’s calm demeanor, only anxiety was rampant on their faces, rising to the surface.

The moonlight also held its breath, and the wind became still. The bamboo hat-wearing stranger moved the hand that had been on the black-clad warrior’s shoulder and grasped the edge of his bamboo hat. As he moved, the black-clad warriors drew their weapons in unison. The rough breaths they exhaled and the light emanating from their swords and blades combined to add a heavy layer of tension to the already tense atmosphere. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the stranger’s hand, and as if enjoying this, the stranger’s hand slowly lifted the edge of the bamboo hat, revealing his hidden face clearly under the moonlight. The stranger’s fully revealed face was undoubtedly so bizarre that it was frightening to look at. If one were to suddenly encounter him alone in the dark, it would not be strange at all if their heart stopped.

He was the Heavenly Demon. The founder of the Heavenly Demon Sect and a legend who is still talked about as the greatest master in the martial world,

He was the personification of the legend itself. The black-clad warriors, who had no way of knowing this, tried to regain their composure and ignited their fighting spirit.

They were ready to attack at any moment when the Blood Hand Emperor gave the order, and the air in the area was filled with tension due to the energy they were emitting.

The person standing next to the Heavenly Demon, despite being at the center of the incident, was as still as if he were an outsider. No, it was because he couldn’t move.

It was believed that if he moved even a finger, he would no longer be guaranteed the happiness of breathing.

“Attack.” Finally, the attack order was released from the Blood Hand Emperor’s mouth. It was a moment that no one had been waiting for, so they flinched for a moment, and in that moment, the bamboo hat held in the Heavenly Demon’s hand was shot into the air.

The bamboo hat, which had reached over thirty feet in an instant, burst into flames. “This… was it a signal flare?”

If so… The Blood Hand Emperor stared blankly at it and quickly looked around.

“Chwa chwa chwa…” A strange sound tore through the silence of the night, leaving a strange lingering echo, and the direction was from the river.

The stranger remained still, his gaze fixed on a point in the air, and the subordinates who were supposed to carry out the Blood Hand Emperor’s attack order also stopped moving and were looking in the direction of the sound. On the river, unknown shadows were rapidly moving towards them. “Good heavens, they are skimming over the water!”

‘Good heavens.’ The Blood Hand Emperor was so surprised that he couldn’t think of anything. Those that had come close enough to be distinguished with the naked eye were clearly human figures, numbering around 100. The reason he was so surprised was not just because they were displaying the pinnacle of lightness techniques, such as the effortless water-treading (無力踏水) or the rapid water-skimming (登萍渡水), which allowed them to float and run on water.

He himself could easily perform that level of lightness technique. The problem was the number.

How could over 100 people be so proficiently skimming over the water?

What kind of group possessed so many masters who had mastered the pinnacle of lightness techniques that could not be imitated without over 100 years of internal energy? His thoughts naturally turned to the Martial Alliance or the Demonic Alliance, but he shook his head after looking at the stranger in front of him again.

In any case, they were now trapped. Although their numbers were three times that of the enemy, he knew that apart from his 30 direct subordinates, there were no others who could match the masters running on the river, so he was acutely aware that they would not easily escape the danger.

“What are you doing?” The ones at the front of the approaching figures kicked off the water and leaped into the air. “Get a grip. Everyone, form a defensive formation…” The Blood Hand Emperor’s urgent order was cut short.

It was because he saw over ten enemies jumping into their ranks. The Heavenly Demon was calmly watching the scene, and the rest of the figures were joining in, pressing the black-clad warriors. They were also wearing black, but they had a red blood dragon embroidered on their chests. A person gently landed next to the Heavenly Demon.

The Emperor’s Sword – 90
[I greet the Investigator.] The face of the person who bowed deeply, sending a telepathic message to the Heavenly Demon, was too handsome. The one who looked even more mysterious under the moonlight was none other than Jade Kirin, Ya Yul Jeong Hon. He was also one of the sixteen squad leaders of the Demonic Emperor’s Sword Guard, and the figures who appeared with him were also members of the Demonic Emperor’s Sword Guard.

“Kill everyone except for one.” At the Heavenly Demon’s command, Jade Kirin also joined the battle. The smile on his lips made the killing intent feel even more intense. The Blood Hand Emperor became desperate.

It wasn’t unexpected, but his subordinates were no match for the unidentified enemies. The only ones who seemed to be at a similar level were his thirty direct subordinates, and even they were constantly retreating as if they were overwhelmed. The enemies were cruel and showed no hesitation.

Heads were flying off with a single sword strike, and waists were being split in two, falling to the ground. Weapons were also frequently shattered. The Demonic Emperor’s Sword Guard were the strongest among the relatively young members of the Heavenly Demon Sect, all under 40 years old.

Given that, the current situation might have been inevitable.

The Blood Hand Emperor tried to leap up to help his subordinates who were falling one after another.

However, that was just his thought, and he had to be wary of the enemy approaching him right away. The one who seemed to be the leader of the group that had arrived a little while ago!

A man as handsome as his senior was approaching, and the moment he judged that he was approaching, the Blood Hand Emperor took out two wheels. The cool touch of the wheels held in both hands awakened his mind. ‘Quick and decisive. I don’t want to admit it, but the guy behind him is a master I can’t handle. Then, it’s best to kill this guy as quickly as possible and escape.’ The Blood Hand Emperor was seeking a way to survive even in that short moment. The tide had already turned.

It seemed impossible to save his subordinates. In that case, he was comforting himself that it would be better for him to survive and take revenge. Jade Kirin approached the horse that the Blood Hand Emperor was riding with an extremely ordinary footwork. The distance between them was five feet!

Even though it was a distance that could be covered with a single leap, he did not rush. It was also because he sensed that his opponent was not an easy one, but it was also because his personality was naturally relaxed when it came to doing things. Since he was not holding even a common piece of metal in his hand, the Blood Hand Emperor could see that his opponent was a master of bare-handed combat.

The Heavenly Demon, who was watching the two gradually closing the distance, was enjoying the battle alone.

The black-clad warrior who had stepped forward at the beginning was still standing motionless next to him. When the Heavenly Demon’s gaze briefly rested on him, he stiffened all over.

The Heavenly Demon’s head moved, following the movements of the Demonic Emperor’s Sword Guard as they were killing the enemies.

‘They seem to be trained well enough. With that level, I wouldn’t have to worry about anything I entrusted to them.

But something is missing.’ What was the meaning of his judgment? What was missing?

Even though it was a battle of three hundred and thirty against one hundred, the Demonic Emperor’s Sword Guard was sweeping away the enemies without hesitation, yet something was missing? It was when the distance between Jade Kirin and the Blood Hand Emperor reached two feet.

The Blood Hand Emperor leaped up from his horse and soared into the air like a flying tiger, and a dazzling light began to fill his hands. He crossed his hands and gathered them in front of his chest, then flung them towards the approaching Jade Kirin. The wheels, guided by the light, cut through the darkness with a strange noise and went straight for Jade Kirin. The two wheels, approaching in an extremely ordinary straight line, were so strong and fast that it was impossible to know how to defend against them.

Jade Kirin spread his hands and took a posture as if he were rubbing against a wall. “Kwang!” The Blood Hand Emperor, who was in the air, was lifted even higher by the pressure of the space exploding, and Jade Kirin immediately fell to the ground. Jade Kirin, who had white hands, was unharmed even after the previous clash. He stepped on the grass that was scattered all over the ground and leaped up again. His hands were still white, and they were gradually becoming transparent as if his blood vessels were about to show. The wheels that had collided with Jade Kirin’s hands were retrieved back into the Blood Hand Emperor’s hands and then flew again, tearing through the space.

In an instant, Jade Kirin curled his ten long and slender fingers—which looked like a woman’s—towards the ground, protruding the center of his palm. Then, he began to draw countless circles in the air as if he were about to support the sky.

It was at that moment that hand shadows began to multiply with a buzzing sound.

The hand palms, which seemed to have multiplied to over thirty in an instant, were now drawing strange trajectories as if they were coiling a rope, and they squeezed between the two wheels that were rushing in.

‘What, what is that technique?’ No matter how fine the mesh, it is impossible to hold water. It was like water. The hand shadows, which were being shot out with dozens of illusions, were passing by the real objects as if they would not cause any damage even if they were left alone.

Moreover, even the target point, his body, was rotating and becoming blurry, so the two wheels could only scrape the space and skim low over the ground. The two wheels did not stop there and immediately changed direction, turning to approach the Blood Hand Emperor. But before that, he had to deal with the hand shadows that were approaching him. In this case, it was best to avoid them.

He immediately twisted his waist and moved two feet to the left, and on top of that, he swung his legs and rose another foot. ‘This, this guy…’ The hand shadows that were still approaching him were advancing without stopping. Behind them, the two wheels could be seen following.

He unconsciously stretched out both hands and released his internal energy. “Pang!” With the sound of a leather drum bursting, the released internal energy should have broken the hand shadows in front of him like twigs.

“Pang!” The Blood Hand Emperor’s body curled up into a ball and spun continuously in the air.

When he realized that his internal energy had failed to block the opponent’s attack, he had curled up his body and tried to block the opponent’s attack by raising his protective energy and using both arms. It was a choice based on his own calculation that he would give flesh and take bone, as the opponent would also be excluded from the wheel’s attack at the moment he attacked. However, the impact he received was not small, even though he had raised his protective energy and blocked it with both arms, and he had spun due to the aftereffects of the impact. He was thrown back five feet and barely landed on the ground. “Thud.” He carefully looked at the wheels that had returned to his hands and realized that he had not inflicted any damage on his opponent. “This… damn it.”

He really never thought that he would be in this situation.

He had a habit of subtly looking down on the martial arts of the Central Plains.

Although he was barely in the top 10 within the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace, he thought that if he went to the Central Plains, there would be no one who could dare to stand in his way.

But now, he was being pushed back even by a guy who was considered a subordinate of that monster who didn’t even look human, and he was so angry that he was about to explode. He had already forgotten his original plan to escape from this place. He felt that even if he survived here, he would not be happy at all unless he returned the humiliation he had just suffered to his opponent.

He quickly scanned his opponent. As expected, his opponent was standing there unharmed, staring at him, and there was not a trace of agitation in his gaze. He felt like he was shrinking. At that moment, the monster behind him opened his mouth. “It’s boring.”

“What are you doing?” It seemed like he was talking to his subordinate. Jade Kirin bowed his head, understanding what the Heavenly Demon Investigator was saying. “I apologize. I will finish it quickly.”

“Well, I guess you don’t want to end a long-awaited battle so easily.

But this is not a sparring match.

If you use your full power, you can finish off a guy like him in five moves. Your actions are disrespectful to your opponent. Finish it quickly.” “Yes, sir.” ‘What, what are those guys babbling about?

They can finish me in five moves? I’ll fry them in boiling oil…’

The Blood Hand Emperor’s face was flushed red. He prided himself on being among the top seven strongest in the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace, which he considered the best faction in the world. But the words those guys were spouting were arrogant and dismissive, as if they didn’t even consider him worth their time.

Of course, he could admit that his opponent was a skilled fighter who was not inferior to him in the previous clash.

However, he was confident that if he used his full power, his opponent would never be able to surpass him, so his anger, which had been wounded in his pride, quickly turned into uncontrollable killing intent and paralyzed his reason. “No. Step back. It’s boring to watch, so I’ll take care of it.” The Blood Hand Emperor, who was about to rush forward, felt a chill run down his spine at the monster’s words. He finally understood the situation. The fact that the monster, the source of the fear he had momentarily forgotten, was going to step in directly was enough to make him realize the current situation anew, and it quickly demanded that he feel the despair of having no choice but to die here.

‘What am I doing? I should be running away…’

He finally began to survey his surroundings. Of the over three hundred subordinates he had, fewer than a hundred remained alive. The thought that so many of his men had met their end in such a short time sent a chill down his spine. The enemies were far stronger than he had anticipated.

“Everyone, fall back!” The Heavenly Demon bellowed, channeling his inner energy into his voice. At his command, the hundred swordsmen of the Demonic Emperor’s Guard swiftly retreated, creating space.

The hundred or so surviving warriors of the Heavenly Emperor’s faction were bewildered by their coordinated retreat, while some seemed to be in awe of their own survival.

Most of them were alive, but the majority were in such a state of disrepair from the severe wounds they had sustained that they could barely stand on their own two feet.

The Heavenly Demon’s gaze fixed on the black-clad warrior beside him.

His only hand once again settled on the man’s shoulder, and he could feel the man’s trembling through his palm. He spoke in a low voice to the man who was shaking like an aspen, “You are already dead. Where is the pride of a warrior, showing such a pathetic sight? You are worthless alive, so you might as well die.”

It was rare to hear someone speak so lightly of death.

At least, those words would bring a sense of utter deprivation to one person, but to others, it seemed like just another ordinary, insignificant event.

The Heavenly Demon’s hand seemed to turn crimson for a moment, and a light appeared to cut straight through the black-clad warrior’s shoulder, chest, and side.

And then… *thwack* The man’s opposite side burst open, spilling his insides out.

Blood, flesh, and shattered bones… the weight of a man’s life was too much to bear, and it was pitifully collapsing.

The Heavenly Demon was not the kind of man who would explain what authority he had to commit such slaughter! What he did was always just, and he believed that his own standards of thought and judgment were the only basis for the order of the world. That was enough. He turned his back on the expectant gazes of the Demonic Emperor’s Guard and began to walk towards the surviving members of the Heavenly Emperor’s faction, who were cowering before his brutal killing intent, to carry out his death sentence.

There were people there who had to choose one of three options: to fight to the death, disregarding death; to try to escape, even though there was no chance of survival, amidst ridicule and contempt; or to give up all hope and quietly accept death.

None of these options would give them any satisfaction, but they had to choose one, and the person who would decide was keeping his mouth firmly shut. ‘That man is not human.

He is clearly an extremely powerful master beyond measure.

Moreover, that cruelty is not something that can be considered human nature. Damn it…

Is this where my life ends?’

It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? I finally have a space to post my work again.

This site will continue to be used in the future (even after the Emperor’s Sword is finished).

I will be posting daily for the time being.

If you ask if I have a backlog… I don’t. What have I been doing all this time?

I haven’t been idle. I’ve been revising the third volume, reviewing the future development, and planning in detail. I can’t make progress on my writing if I can’t post it, and once I’ve written something, I can’t stand not posting it.

That’s why it had to be this way. For the time being, I will focus only on posting.

(Until I start revising the fourth volume) Thank you. From Dokkaebi.

The Emperor’s Sword – 91. Just a few days ago, his position had always been on the opposite side.

Was fate mocking humans by so easily changing their positions?

The Blood Hand Emperor gripped the two wheels [a type of weapon] in his hands tightly.

He was not afraid of death. However, there was something that bothered him, and if he could avoid it, he wanted to beg for an extension of his life, even if it was a miserable one. A dry laugh escaped his lips.

*Puhuhuhu* The number of people he had killed was also not small.

He had always taken such actions for granted. One of the things he despised most was weakness, and he had always thought that if one did not have the strength to protect oneself, one should endure the pain and hardship. Now that he was in such a position, he could understand the eyes of those who were dying, even if only a little.

Knowing that a moment of contemplation would not save him from this crisis, he issued the order that would determine his final form of death.

“Warriors of the Heavenly Emperor’s faction! Let us die gloriously. Kill that monster!”

There was no need to say such things. The monster before them seemed like an impenetrable wall that could not be destroyed, and it was an insurmountable situation.

As his command fell, the eyes of the helpless men, who had been trembling with fear until just a moment ago, changed. They were now filled with a fierce killing intent and fighting spirit that seemed to transcend even death. And as if to prove it, they leaped towards the Heavenly Demon. Their combined force, wielding swords and sabers, was quite impressive.

The Heavenly Demon wore an expression of admiration, not mockery. “Ho, now you look a bit more like warriors.”

“I will also do my best to decorate your end.” A low murmur, completely out of place with the current situation, escaped the Heavenly Demon’s lips, and at the same time, his body turned sideways, and he stretched his hand forward.

His hand was gradually growing larger. No, it only seemed that way, and in reality, the qi [internal energy] surrounding his hand was peeling off like fish scales.

Towards the masters of the Heavenly Emperor’s faction who were rushing towards him, the light emanating from the Heavenly Demon’s hand swept them all away at once without a sound. It was as if countless spirits of light had appeared all at once. *Thwack, thwack, thwack* The power to pierce through anything it touched was unbelievable. There was no way to avoid it, as it was pouring down on them from all directions. Where could they escape?

In the end, the only way was to break through with even greater force, but unfortunately, they did not have such power. *Aaaack!* The bodies of the black-clad men, screaming in agony, were torn apart and shattered, creating a gruesome scene. The hundred swordsmen of the Demonic Emperor’s Guard, who were standing behind the Heavenly Demon, were also speechless with shock. Not a single one of the black-clad men in front of them was standing upright. The Heavenly Demon, as if nothing had happened, calmly fixed his gaze on the Blood Hand Emperor. “Why aren’t you attacking?”

It was clear that he was speaking to him, but he wanted to think of it as if it were coming from another world, and therefore had nothing to do with him. It was truly unpleasant that such a person existed, and it was considered bad luck that he had encountered him in this place. Why was it so difficult to realize that he was the only one left alive?

Then, a word that the monster had uttered earlier flashed through his mind like lightning, and he thought it was truly a stroke of luck. “I have one question.” The Blood Hand Emperor’s calm voice was unexpected by everyone. They had expected him to attack in a last-ditch effort, but he was surprisingly calm and was attempting a conversation as if he were talking to an old friend.

“What is it?” The Heavenly Demon spat out curtly, as if annoyed. “Earlier, you clearly said to kill everyone except one…”

The Heavenly Demon’s face contorted. He knew what the man was up to.

‘This guy is a rat too. Why is it so hard to see a true warrior?

If you’re afraid of dying, you shouldn’t have stepped into this harsh world…

Ugh, I don’t like these guys.’ “I believe I did…”

“Why? I’m the only one left alive among them… Does that mean you’ll spare me?”

The Heavenly Demon had originally said to kill everyone except one because he had something to find out from the one he spared.

But the man had cleverly seized on those words and was begging for his life.

The Heavenly Demon’s blue face twitched and trembled. “Do you want to live?”

Is there anyone in the world who does not want to live when faced with death?

In that respect, the Blood Hand Emperor was just an ordinary person, and words reflecting his inner thoughts naturally flowed out of his mouth in a hurry. “Yes.

I want to live.” It was easy to see from his quickly changed tone that he was desperately trying not to offend his opponent. The Heavenly Demon scanned the Blood Hand Emperor up and down with a look of contempt.

“Don’t you want to take revenge on me? I’ll give you a chance. If you bury the deaths of your subordinates like this, their vengeful spirits will probably haunt you…” “Please spare me.

I… I have things to do. And I believe you are the kind of person who keeps their promises.”

“Huh…” Ok Kirin, who was standing behind the Heavenly Demon, also had a dumbfounded expression.

Begging for life… It was an incomprehensible sight to him, and seeing it made him want to kill the man even more. If it weren’t for the Master, he would have killed that man right away.

He was now regretting that he had shown mercy during the previous clash. “Fine. I’ll spare you.”

Different reactions were expressed at the Heavenly Demon’s words. The Blood Hand Emperor’s face was filled with joy, while the faces of Ok Kirin and the other Heavenly Demon Cult masters were filled with surprise and disbelief.

“However, I can’t just let you go. In exchange for sparing your life, you must pay the price.

Will you still do it?” There was no need to think about it. Surviving was his greatest goal at the moment, so… “I will. What do I have to do?”

His face was now filled with a mixture of relief at being able to live and anxiety about what demands his opponent might make. “It’s very simple.

Answer the questions I ask and leave one thing behind.” “Is that all?

Please ask me.” What was the Heavenly Demon trying to find out from the Blood Hand Emperor?

Judging from the man’s attitude, it seemed like he would spill any information.

“Tell me about the strength of the Heavenly Emperor’s faction in the Central Plains and your main base.” The Blood Hand Emperor showed reluctance.

It was as if that was the one thing he could not do.

The Heavenly Demon observed his expression and chuckled. “If you don’t want to, don’t.

I don’t particularly want to hear it. I believe you know that I am not merciful enough to spare a useless man.”

The Blood Hand Emperor raised his hand and waved it quickly.

And he wanted to say something, but the words would not come out.

‘He’s not as obsessed with life as I thought. I personally like those who are not afraid of death. In that regard, I’m very happy to be able to give you death.

Yes, that would be fine too. It would be meaningful to disappear with loyalty and duty to the organization you belong to.’

The Blood Hand Emperor’s face gradually turned yellowish at the Heavenly Demon’s words.

“I, when did I say I wouldn’t talk? Just give me a moment to think…” “That’s enough.

I suddenly don’t want to hear it anymore. I’ve lost interest.

It’s useless to hear such things anyway.” “How can you say one thing and then another?

You also say one thing and then another, so why should I keep my word?” “I’ll talk. Isn’t it enough if I talk?”

‘How did I end up in this situation? I have to survive no matter what.

Everything is meaningful only if I am alive. There is no one who will recognize my loyalty after I die.

Even if they do, it will be of no benefit to me, will it?’

The Blood Hand Emperor’s face quickly hardened, as if showing his inner decision, and he pursed his lips tightly.

His mouth opened with difficulty after a long time. “The Heavenly Emperor’s faction in the Central Plains is not very large.

The number of people stationed in Daesangbeol does not exceed two thousand, and the rest are mostly locals who do not know of our existence. The strength of the Heavenly Emperor’s main base is… um…

In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that we have a grasp of the strength of all the forces in the martial world.

Objectively speaking, the Blood Demon Heaven and the Four Evil Blood Cult have similar strength to us, but strictly speaking, they are weaker than us. The Four Evil Blood Cult has the largest number of members, but they are behind in the number of top masters, and the Blood Demon Heaven also has a numerical advantage over us, but they are inferior to us in terms of the proportion of top masters.

Also, in terms of financial power, even the Martial Alliance is no match for us.

Considering all these points, it can be said that the Heavenly Emperor’s faction has the highest objective strength.”

He was saying a lot, but there was not much actual information.

As the Heavenly Demon’s face seemed to frown, the Blood Hand Emperor quickly changed his words and began to add detailed explanations.

The words flowing from his mouth were all classified secrets that should never be revealed to the enemy, and he himself was aware of this, so he had an uneasy expression throughout his speech.

‘What a pathetic man. A disciple of the Deputy Chief is leaking the organization’s secrets just to save his own life.’