The Legend of the Northern Blade-Chapter 199: Where There is Light, There Must Be Shadow (3)

Chapter 199: Where There is Light, There Must Be Shadow (3)

Two days later, Heaven's Summit learned of the Northern Army Branch's annihilation, and a meeting of its leaders was immediately convened. The regularly scheduled messenger pigeon never arrived, which the Xinjiang Branch found strange. They dispatched an investigation team, who discovered the massacre.

Heaven's Summit was prepared. They already had countermeasures in place and urgently sent response orders to every branch. Their main force was also set to depart and confront the Silent Night, although the sheer scale of their troops and required supplies delayed their departure.

As a result, the Demon Hunters set out first. The plan was simple. The elite minority would hold the enemy at bay until the main force arrived to join them.

Just as the situation became urgent, however, another letter arrived.

"What's this now?" the Ruling Hall Director, Yuk Ji-Mun, asked his subordinate.

"It's a letter from the Zhongnan Sect. They're requesting help."

"The Zhongnan Sect?"

"Yes, they say a witch has appeared."

"A witch? What do you mean?"

"I don't know the details, but apparently, she annihilated dozens of martial artists from the Kunlun and Zhongnan Sects. That's why they've asked for our help."

"A witch?" Yuk Ji-Mun's expression hardened. Could it be an advance party from the Silent Night?

It was entirely possible, as the Silent Night had always been unpredictable. Perhaps this was a ploy, a distraction sent ahead of their main forces. If he was right, it was a matter they couldn't overlook.

"So, what is the Zhongnan Sect doing now?"

"They said they have formed and sent a second pursuit team. However, they requested our help because they're worried it won't be enough."

"Hmm!" Yuk Ji-Mun's expression grew grave. If the Zhongnan Sect was telling the truth, then the Silent Night was attacking the Central Plains from both the inside and outside simultaneously. This was a complete reversal of their previous pattern of attacking from the outskirts, making it all the more bewildering.

"What should we do?" his subordinate asked.

"Are there any troops we can spare?"

"Aside from the forces heading north and our reserves, almost no one."

"Hmm..." Yuk Ji-Mun stroked his chin, a habit that surfaced when he was deep in thought. After a long moment, he rose from his seat. "I'm going out for a bit. While I'm gone, check on the Ruling Hall's forces."

"Understood."

Yuk Ji-Mun left the Ruling Hall and headed for the guest quarters, where visitors typically stayed. The building was enormous, large enough to house hundreds of people at once, but it was rarely full. After all, to stay there, one needed either martial prowess or a reputable standing with Heaven's Summit. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The complex was currently nearly empty since the event to select the Demon Hunters had just ended. However, one person remained , and he was the reason Yuk Ji-Mun had come.

Yuk Ji-Mun knocked on the door of a small room in the innermost part of the complex.

A young voice called from inside, "Who is it?"

"It is I, the Ruling Hall Director Yuk Ji-Mun."

A moment later, the door opened and a young man appeared.

"Director Yuk," Dam Soo-Cheon said politely, clasping his hands together in greeting. He was the most brilliant young martial artist in the jianghu, a man who could have stayed in the most lavish room but instead chose the humblest of lodgings.

"I'm sorry to disturb you. May I come in for a moment?"

Despite being one of the most powerful figures in Heaven's Summit, Yuk Ji-Mun was careful not to treat Dam Soo-Cheon carelessly. The young man's demeanor was imposing, even by his own standards.

"Please come in, Director Yuk." Dam Soo-Cheon invited him in with a smile.

Yuk Ji-Mun entered, but a peculiar light flickered in his eyes. An unexpected person was already inside.

"Greetings, Director Yuk," Seomoon Hye-Ryung said. While a young woman in a room with an unrelated man could easily be misunderstood, she showed no sign of embarrassment. Rather, she simply offered Yuk Ji-Mun a faint smile.

"Ah, Young Lady Seomoon, you were here too."

"I came to discuss something with Young Lord Dam."

"I hope I haven't interrupted."

"Not at all. We just finished our conversation."

"That's a relief."

"But Director Yuk, what brings you here?"

"I came because I have a favor to ask of Young Lord Dam." Yuk Ji-Mun's gaze turned to Dam Soo-Cheon.

"Please speak. I'm listening."

"I need your help."

A peculiar glint appeared in Dam Soo-Cheon's eyes. The Ruling Hall was one of Heaven's Summit's most elite organizations, comprised solely of martial geniuses. Yuk Ji-Mun himself was a formidable figure, and his warriors could each take on a hundred foes. They could wipe a major sect off the map overnight. For such a man to come seeking help was unexpected.

"Could you please explain the circumstances?"

"There's talk of a witch appearing in Hubei."

"A witch?"

"She slew dozens of martial artists from the Kunlun and Zhongnan Sects and caused a huge uproar."

Seomoon Hye-Ryung, who had been listening quietly, glanced up with a sparkle in her eyes. "Who led the Zhongnan Sect martial artists?"

"The Blue Mountain Sage. He too died at the witch's hands."

"The Blue Mountain Sage? Isn't he the junior brother of the Sect Leader, the Blue Crane Sage?"

"That's right."

The Blue Mountain Sage was a master skilled enough to rank among the top five in the Zhongnan Sect. For a force including him to be annihilated was no small matter.

"The witch's strength is extraordinary, and her methods are abnormally cruel," Yuk Ji-Mun continued. "That's why I want to ask a favor of you. I want you to get rid of that witch."

"Me?" Dam Soo-Cheon blinked in surprise.

Yuk Ji-Mun smiled. "I know many of your people have joined the Demon Hunters. They will be a great asset to you, but surely you know it won't be enough, don't you?"

"......"

"If you grant my request, I will become your strongest ally."

"I presume your request is to subdue or eliminate this witch."

"Correct. We need to focus on the Silent Night. Given the urgency of our situation, we cannot divert our forces to deal with a witch."

"Hmm..." Dam Soo-Cheon looked at Seomoon Hye-Ryung.

She nodded. While his individual martial prowess was unmatched, he lacked significant support. If the Ruling Hall Director backed him, it would benefit him greatly in the future.

"Very well. I will take on this mission."

"Thank you. The Zhongnan Sect is sending a second pursuit team as well, so they should be helpful. I'll also request cooperation from the nearby Wudang Sect."

"There's no need to mobilize the Wudang Sect," Dam Soo-Cheon countered confidently.

Yuk Ji-Mun nodded at his resolute, almost arrogant, attitude. "I understand. However, feel free to request their cooperation at any time if you need it. I'll put in a good word for you."

"Understood."

"Then I'll leave it to you."

With those final words, Yuk Ji-Mun left.

Once they were alone, Dam Soo-Cheon asked Seomoon Hye-Ryung, "Is it really necessary for me to take on such a trivial task?"

"Yes, it's absolutely necessary."

"Necessary?"

"If it were two months ago, you wouldn't have needed to do this, but the situation has changed."

"Is it because of Master Jin?"

"That's right. His fame threatens yours. As you know, in the jianghu, fame is power."

"So, you're saying I need to boost my fame?"

"To soar even higher, you need powerful wings. This mission will strengthen your wings."

"Hmm!"

Seomoon Hye-Ryung's eyes sparkled with wisdom. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not to mention a good excuse to drive Dam Soo-Cheon out of Heaven's Summit.

"I suppose the duel with Master Jin will have to wait," he sighed.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung reassured, "Don't worry, you'll definitely have another chance."

Dam Soo-Cheon nodded reluctantly.

Seeing him, Seomoon Hye-Ryung felt a slight pang of guilt.

I'm sorry, Soo-Cheon. You'll never get the chance you want. However, this is all for your own good. Please don't resent me.

She comforted herself by thinking that everything was for his sake.

sep

Amidst everyone's cheers, the Demon Hunters departed. Led by Commander Shim Won-Yi, five captains and fifty members set off on their horses, faces filled with determination.

Shim Won-Yi's complexion, though, wasn't good. His internal injuries from fighting the Black Fog Warrior, Jo Wol, hadn't fully healed yet. Normally, he would have concentrated on recovering, but he didn't have time for that now. He was determined to make up for the humiliation he had suffered, so he chose to push himself.

Suddenly, he raised his head and looked at the massive walls of Heaven's Summit, but his father was nowhere to be seen. Since his humiliating defeat, Shim Mu-Wae had withdrawn his brief, concerned gaze and treated him coldly, viewing him as an embarrassment to Justice Heaven. This wounded Shim Won-Yi's feelings deeply.

When I return, it will be as a hero revered by the world. Father, please take care of yourself until then.

He gritted his teeth, his fighting spirit blazing.

Meanwhile, Dam Soo-Cheon quietly left through the rear gate of Heaven's Summit, his lion's mane billowing in the wind. Seomoon Hye-Ryung walked beside him.

He looked at her. "Well then, I'm off."

"Take care and return safely."

"Don't worry. I don't know who this witch is, but she won't be able to hurt me."

"I'll believe you."

Dam Soo-Cheon grinned and set off.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung stood there, watching him disappear into the distance. When his figure finally faded from view, her expression turned as cold as ice, and she turned around.

A scholar with refined features, Gwan Dae-Seung, approached her. "Our grand plan starts now. Are you ready?"

"Is there a need to be ready? Either way, we had to do this eventually."

Gwan Dae-Seung smiled. "Is that so? That's reassuring."

One by one, martial artists gathered around them, their numbers swelling to over a hundred. Dressed in black martial arts uniforms and red robes, they exuded auras as sharp as blades.