Chapter 576

Chapter 576

Not far from the Village of the Beginning, there stood a small island that was home to an ancient and prestigious martial sect known as the Heavenrend Sect. Despite its modest size, with just over ten members barely qualifying it as an official sect, the name of the Heavenrend Sect carried considerable weight.

The sect's leader, Cheon Geum, had once risen alone amidst the ceaseless conflicts between martial sects. Renowned as one of the five absolute figures of martial superiority, he had triumphed over numerous formidable opponents. But for reasons that remained unknown, he retired from murim roughly thirty years ago, a time when the name of Heavenrend Sect had already spread far and wide.

However, even this great master still met his end, betrayed by a disciple named Ji Woo. Due to Ji Woo's actions, the master suffered grave injuries, and the Heavenrend Sect was annihilated by the Ak Rim Sect, a long-time enemy. All of Han Ja-Seong's martial brothers and fellow disciplesexcept for senior sister Yun, who had left for the Martial Allianceperished. Sisters Min, Dok, and Yu, senior brothers Jin and Gil, and even the master himself!

Han Ja-Seong, the youngest member of the sect, who also regarded the sect master as a father figure, was left in shock as he witnessed the ordeal. He was bewildered both by Ji Woos sudden attack and by his masters passive attitude facing it.

***

Han Ja-Seong's consciousness snapped back, and his eyes widened with alertness as he sat up. The first two things he noticed were the piercing scent of an apothecary and the softness of the blanket.

You're awake.

Han Ja-Seong stared blankly at the speakeran old man.

The old man continued, Are you the youngest member the sect leader took in? I havent seen you before.

...Yes.

Well, pleased to meet you. I am Oh Bak-Sae. The one who treated you and Hee-Ah... Actually, I just gave you medicine to make sure you'd awaken.

What on earth happened?

That's what I want to ask. What exactly happened? Han Ji-Wook, from the militia, visited the island where Heavenrend Sect was located not long ago. There was nothing there but ruins.

Han Ja-Seongs eyes bulged in shock. Hee-Ah... Where is Hee-Ah?!

Ah, theres no need to overreact. Yun Young is taking care of her and shes mostly fine. Youre the one in critical condition.

Tell me. Where have all your martial brothers and your master gone?

Han Ja-Seong's expression soured at the question. Fiends... They invaded... There were about a hundred... and eerie, powerful ones among them.

Fiends?

Master called the one leading them Elder Tae Sang-Jae of the Ak Rim Sect.

Tae Sang-Jae Well, that explains the remnants of qi in your body. There are traces of the Devils Massacre in you, a poison that erodes and consumes the host.

But...You said something about Han Ji-Wook finding nothing but ruins. Then what about the bodies of my martial brothers?

Indeed, Han Ja-Seong had seen his master and brothers being slain by the fiends when he fled the island.

Not a single body or bloodstain was found. I thought everyone had survived, the elder mumbled bitterly as he knocked the ash off from his pipe.

Rest now.

Why am Ihere?

What are you talking about?

While we were fleeing, the Green Forest Bandits spotted us first. I lost consciousness, so I dont know what happened, but when I came to, they were gone. And...that monstrous woman who was with Tae Sang-Jae was chasing after us.

Han Ja-Seong remembered how she had said she would take Hee-Ah. However, Hee-Ah was fine. So who had brought them here?

Hmm, that young man and the beautiful lady you speak of? After they brought you here, they left almost immediately.

Did they save me then?

Hmm. I doubt it. Neither of them showed any sign of knowing martial arts.

Oh Bak-Sae's words further confused Han Ja-Seong, and he tilted his head in puzzlement. How could this be? Had that red-haired woman just knocked him out and left without doing anything more? Or had something else prevented her from harming them, forcing her to leave?

The important thing was to meet the couple first. He had to express his gratitude, and he also had to ask them questions.

But the situation was not looking good.

If you're lucky, you might see them again.

What...do you mean?

As she arrived at a certain cave, she saw themthe ones who were brazen enough to enter the Hori Cave, where her beasts and mutated monsters resided.

Damn it! I dont think they were caught, but where have they gone?! Miss! Miss, where are you! Kwak Joon-Seong is here to protect you!

Quit shouting. We dont want to alarm the White Wraith Jiangshi...

Bah! White Wraith Jiangshi my ass! Do you think its faster than my sword?

The faces of the militia members looked like they were ready to explode with frustration.

Is that blabbering idiot any help at all?

Yet, no one dared speak up due to the influence of the Gongdong Faction.

Intruders, huh? They truly picked an inconvenient time to appear.

The woman contemplated what to do with them, but she did not have to think for too long.

One of the faces seemed familiara young man who witnessed the annihilation of the Heavenrend Sect. His martial prowess appeared pitiful. Was he here seeking something, or had the force of the Massacre Devil within him guided him? Ultimately, the reason didn't matter.

The red-haired woman clapped her hands lightly, deciding on her course of action. Though she had been instructed not to kill them, she wasn't too keen on that idea. Crippling them a little wouldn't hurt.

Not all the ghasts were awake, but with the White Wraith Jiangshi capturing passersby and the awakened ghasts, they had enough force to obliterate the intruders.

With her mind made up, she appeared before them nonchalantly. It seemed they had come to search for someone who had gone ahead inside.

"Looking for someone, boys?"

Confusion spread across the men's faces at her leisurely question.

"Who Who are you?"

"How did she appear just like that?!"

These were reputed martial artists. However, this woman had appeared out of nowhere before they could sense her presence. Was she an assassin? They were all instantly on guard.

The Gongdong Factions second disciple was present, and yet, they hesitated to act.

A formidable foe!

The thought that flashed through their minds made them hesitant.

The young mans eyes widened as he recognized the red-haired woman. You?!.

You know her?!

Its her! The witch from Ak Rim Sect, the one who murdered my master and brothers!

Horror filled the eyes of everyone present.

Oh dear, little boy, do you have nine lives? To think you survived and made it here! Well then, I should give you a gift, shouldnt I?

What in the world are you plotting here!

In response to their desperate cries, the red-haired woman stepped forward with a leisurely stride. Well, theres not much harm in telling those who are about to die

An instant later, she vanished.

Kwak Joon-Seong had been leading the patrol confidently, but what happened right now was beyond his comprehension.

Wha What?! he yelled in shock.

Before he could even realize, she had unsheathed his sword and was now holding it.

As a martial artist, to have his weapon taken was shameful, but being unable to detect the theft meant a stark warning for his life.

Planning something, you say Well, it's simple. I'm going to sweep the Village of the Beginning clean and take the Heavenly Destroyers secret book stored there.

Youre joking! You plan to take that demonic book?! Are you out of your mind?! yelled Han Ji-Wook.

The woman shrugged indifferently. I dont know, am I?

We wont let you take it just like that.

Dont worry. I have my methods. By the way, arent you curious about what's right beneath you?