novellhall Chapter 244 : The Reason Things Turn Into a Complete Mess
Chapter 244 : The Reason Things Turn Into a Complete Mess
Chapter 244: The Reason Things Turn Into a Complete Mess
Murim Alliance Leader Namgung Soseon silently gazed out the window toward the direction of the Ten-Thousand Great Mountains, from which no news had come.
Far beyond sight, in that distant place, the Murim Alliance’s precious talents must be carrying out a desperate escape.
“I only hope the Primordial Heavenly Lord is watching over them.”
They were chivalrous heroes who, despite their innate martial talent and fame, would never turn away when faced with injustice.
True members of the Orthodox Faction, who willingly threw themselves into such dangerous missions where no honor could even be gained.
Such talents were rare even within the Murim Alliance. And among that group was even his own son, who had followed Murong Cheonghye into that place—no wonder Namgung Soseon’s heart was deeply troubled as he waited for news.
“I hope no news is good news.”
It had already been some time since the rescue team was sent. If they hadn’t been discovered during their escape, then some kind of message—carrier pigeon or otherwise—should have arrived by now.
As both the Alliance Leader and the Clan Leader of the Zhuge Clan, his insides felt as though they were burning.
“Please do not worry too much, Alliance Leader. Young Master Dan Mujin has never once failed a task he has taken on.”
It was Ilhogae of the Beggars’ Union, trying to persuade him to trust that troubleshooter from Beijing, boasting that his success rate was nearly absolute.
“However… even if the request succeeds, doesn’t the situation usually turn into a complete mess?”
“……”
At the Alliance Leader’s question, Ilhogae scratched his cheek, momentarily at a loss for words.
As expected of a sect leader. Even from faraway Beijing, it seemed he had thoroughly investigated Dan Mujin before hiring him.
Just as he said—although the requests were always successful, the situations often escalated and grew far larger than expected.
“It only happens occasionally. Occasionally.”
At that defense, Namgung Soseon narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Ilhogae.
“More importantly, Alliance Leader, while your concern is understandable, I believe we must first resolve the issues lurking within the Murim Alliance.”
As the conversation began to drift in a strange direction, Zhuge Seon stepped in and brought up his matter.
They had already fallen behind in the intelligence warfare against the Demon Cult, and it seemed spies had even infiltrated their ranks. The Murim Alliance strategist emphasized the need for a counterintelligence strategy.
At this rate, no matter what operation they attempted against the Demon Cult, they would constantly fear betrayal.
They could not tell who to trust, and as suspicion spread among them, their unity would crumble from within.
“Hmm, that is indeed a valid point.”
Namgung Soseon nodded, acknowledging the strategist’s proposal.
At that moment, Ilhogae raised his hand slightly and once again brought up Dan Mujin’s name.
“Then perhaps we should entrust that to Troubleshooter Dan Mujin as well?”
In the past, he had casually muttered to Park Chil, who served under him, listing his specialties.
Recovering unpaid debts, tracking missing persons, infiltrating sects or businesses to uncover corruption or spies—he had done all sorts of things.
The next candidate for Dragon Head Sect Leader.
“That young man again? The more I observe, the more it seems you are strangely protective of him. Could he perhaps be connected to the Beggars’ Union?”
“……That could not be the case. I simply recommended him because he is a capable talent.”
Ilhogae denied any connection and reaffirmed that it was purely a recommendation based on merit.
“And I firmly believe that in this rescue mission as well, that young master will play a crucial role.”
He intended to properly nurture the next Dragon Head Sect Leader so that he would not follow in the footsteps of the current one.
The tracks left by the previous cart were all too clear—better to avoid them.
“Hmm, if he truly performs as you say, then I will consider giving him the next request as well.”
Thus, even the next job was already being secured.
Did that candidate for Dragon Head Sect Leader know of their sincerity, and of how Park Chil was diligently spreading his reputation?
If he did, perhaps he would not behave as erratically as the current Dragon Head Sect Leader.
‘So please, bring them back safely, Young Master Dan Mujin.’
With that hope in mind, Ilhogae of the Beggars’ Union nodded to himself.
The Ten-Thousand Great Mountains, once dyed in the colors of autumn leaves, had now turned red with blood and corpses.
When I told those black-clad bastards to come at me, they rushed in from all directions as if they had been waiting.
Trails of killing intent filled my vision, and a storm of blades surged toward us.
Before, the four members of the Demon-Slaying Unit could barely manage to defend themselves, but after the four of us joined them, the tide of battle began to shift.
Especially Jo Harang—before this woman, who cleaved through three or four men at once with her massive blade and tyrannical saber technique, even the enemy’s overwhelming numbers seemed to falter.
And the Namgung siblings, fighting back-to-back, moved as one with the Boundless Sky Sword Technique, cutting down enemies in perfect unity.
“Free-Spirit Sword! Witness the brilliant achievement of Jang Jin!”
“Hah, what nonsense! Just a mere Captain of the Chivalrous Unit!”
The two captains of the Murim Alliance fought in tandem, cutting down wave after wave of enemies, becoming drenched in blood yet refusing to retreat.
And since I had appeared, the Evil-Slaying Demoness—like someone awakened—was sweeping through enemies with terrifying momentum.
“Why of all times… are you here…!”
Her aura was so violent and explosive that even I felt hesitant to approach her.
If even an ally felt this way, how terrifying must she be to the enemies facing her?
“Are you insane? No matter the request, how could you think of coming into Demon Cult territory!”
After sweeping away enemies with her claw technique, Tang Yeo-hye slapped my back and scolded me when we found a brief moment to speak.
Being lectured by a woman much smaller than me felt rather strange.
“Who said I came here because of the request! Huh?”
The request was merely secondary.
If I was going to move anyway, I might as well receive support and money while doing so.
“When your sister’s life is in danger, how could I just sit still as her younger brother?!”
I didn’t specify which sister. At that, both Tang Yeo-hye and Murong Cheonghye’s shoulders twitched simultaneously.
“W-what? Then you came all the way into this hell because of me…?”
“Focus!”
Grabbing the end of my staff, I extended it and hastily knocked away a flying dagger aimed at Tang Yeo-hye.
My fingertips tingled—it carried considerable internal energy. In the distance, the Dark Command Unit Leader clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“Get a grip. We all have to survive and make it back, don’t we? You said you still have many things you want to do in the future.”
Wasn’t she the one who left her clan and joined the Demon-Slaying Unit for that very reason?
“You… you really are….”
For some reason, her voice trembled as she slipped out of my arms.
Clang!
“Sohye, they seem to be faltering!”
“Hah, even the Demon Cult members are human after all! They cannot withstand the momentum of the Evil-Slaying Demoness!”
Murong Cheonghye, as if she had returned to her prime, had gone completely berserk, harvesting blood and screams without restraint.
As we all joined forces and began cutting down enemies, our momentum gradually rose.
Like small stars gathering into a great constellation, our numbers didn’t merely double—we created a synergy many times greater.
“Overhead Slash Roar! And you bastards…! Pressure-Shoulder Dog-Back…!”
And especially with me—whose internal energy was practically inexhaustible—and Murong Cheonghye, who was a killing machine incarnate, at the center, we pushed through the enemy ranks like a tidal wave.
Puff! Slash!
A storm of white Qi Projection burst endlessly from the tip of my staff.
I couldn’t replicate the refined control of the Blazing Flame Realm that condensed and released energy, but in terms of endurance and persistence, I dared say I surpassed even masters of that realm.
Even after taking down fifty Demon Cult members, I continued to emit clear Qi Projection without any sign of fatigue, and disbelief spread among the enemy ranks.
“What the hell is that bastard…?”
“What kind of internal energy…? Does he never get tired?!”
Their voices were filled with shock. Realizing the tide had turned, they hesitated instead of rushing in as before.
“Young Master Dan Mujin.”
At that moment of brief respite, Murong Cheonghye, standing back-to-back with me, spoke.
“A chivalrous hero like you must not meet an unjust death in a place like this. So…”
As if she had made a decision, she tightly gripped her sword.
Her expression had already changed to that same resolute and solemn look I had seen on the cliff.
“No matter what happens, I will ensure that you alone survive.”
“……”
The Vice Captain of the Demon-Slaying Unit declared that even if it cost her life.
What was wrong with her all of a sudden? It was honestly a bit frightening.
Was she always this obsessive toward someone she fixated on? Or perhaps…
Had she figured out my identity?
The question rose to my throat, but there were too many ears around us, and enemies still surrounded us.
“Uh… th-thank you.”
In the end, all I could offer was an awkward, clichéd expression of gratitude.
Hearing it, she smiled faintly—like a flower blooming in the middle of the battlefield.
“What are you doing! Have the children of the Ming Cult lost their nerve?! Kill those bastards in front of you at once!”
At that moment, the Dark Command Unit Leader’s roar shook the mountains.
At that thunderous shout, the Dark Command Unit members snapped back to their senses and raised their blades once more.
“It’s already a sea of blood everywhere.”
“So there’s no thought of retreat?”
Normally, when forty percent of one’s forces are wiped out and the enemy remains intact, morale collapses or retreat follows.
But look at them—their unwavering resolve, their obsession and killing intent to slaughter us at all costs.
“Ming Cult Unvanquished…! Eternal Dominion of the Cult…!”
Their mad cries, willing to embrace death, were worthy of being called the Demon Cult.
“We’re ready to die too, you bastards!”
Tang Yeo-hye shouted sharply, refusing to be outdone.
Though small in stature, her overwhelming presence caused the others to steel themselves as well.
“The Orthodox Faction will not fall! Die, you Demon Cult bastards!”
Though only eight voices, they rivaled the force of those that shook the mountains.
And so, in our battered state, we once again clashed, seeking to tear out each other’s throats.
“Uoooo!”
The battle unfolded with unimaginable brutality.
After fierce combat, when half a day had passed and the outcome became clear—
I realized my head was still attached, and the stench of blood still clung to my nose.
“M-Mujin…”
Tang Yeo-hye’s voice sounded drained of strength—so unfamiliar compared to her usual lively tone.
“W-we won, right?”
Jo Harang asked, collapsed on the ground as she struggled to breathe.
Looking around, a horrifying scene of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood filled my vision.
After repeated battles, we had finally cut down all the enemies.
Of course, since the Demon Cult members were still human, some had fled when the tide turned—but their number was not even one-tenth.
“Ghk… this… is not the end…”
At that moment, the Dark Command Unit Leader—Jeokgwang—whom I thought was a corpse, glared at us from among the bodies, grinding his teeth.
Even as blood poured from his mouth, he radiated fierce hostility.
I could clearly see the terrifying killing intent directed at us.
“The pursuit… will continue…”
Some had escaped alive, and this was still Demon Cult territory. They still had forces remaining—meaning the hunt would continue.
“In the end… the flames of the Ming Cult… the White Flame… will sweep across you… and the Central Plains…”
White Flame. I had heard of that before—their so-called eternal, sacred fire.
“The Divine Maiden of this era… has whispered the oracle… so watch closely…”
That, too, was something I had heard before.
The Divine Maiden of the Demon Cult.
Without saying a word, I stared at my red palm.
‘…….’
The former Divine Maiden remained silent, as if deeply troubled.