CLS-Chapter 442

Chapter 442:

“Did you say demonic arts?”

“It seems to be the case.”

“Hmm…”

Jegal Yeom’s face grew serious.

He had already assigned Jegal Moon-in to Wei Yan-ho. So Jegal Moon-in would have examined the details together with Wei Jeong-han. Yet for such an opinion to emerge meant that Jegal Moon-in also agreed with Wei Jeong-han’s assessment.

‘Demonic arts…’

This was no ordinary serious problem.

If rumors spread that the Tang Family had learned demonic arts, the Sichuan martial world would be blown to smithereens.

“The Tang Family wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Anyone who knew even a little about the Tang Family would think the same as Jegal Yeom.

The Tang Family’s hatred toward the Demon Cult was second to none. Every time the Demon Cult rose to power, the Tang Family’s territory would be turned into a wasteland, and they would repeatedly abandon their base and flee.

How else could there be talk that the reason the Sichuan martial world couldn’t become the center of the Central Plains was because of the Demon Cult that occasionally rose up and swept through Sichuan?

From the Tang Family’s perspective, the Demon Cult was like a swarm of locusts that unexpectedly swept in and destroyed an entire year’s harvest. And yet they would learn demonic arts?

“It’s hard to believe.”

“All the circumstances point to it.”

“But…”

Jegal Yeom shook his head.

“No. No matter how I think about it, it’s impossible. If it were just one or two people, I might understand. Even the Sichuan Tang Family, with their deep hatred for the Demon Cult, could have one or two people choose practical benefits. But for more than ten people to all learn demonic arts and simultaneously suffer qi deviation – that’s completely incomprehensible.”

“Actually, I too have been unable to reach a conclusion because of that. That’s why I wanted to ask Family Head Jegal’s wise opinion.”

‘Wei Jeong-han.’

Jegal Yeom’s eyes narrowed.

Righteous Hero Sword Wei Jeong-han.

Anyone who knew him during the war in the past wouldn’t imagine they could hear such a polite request from Wei Jeong-han.

Though his direction was different, Wei Jeong-han was someone who could be felt to be even more hopeless than that Wei Yan-ho. At least Wei Yan-ho was a fellow without ambition who didn’t go around creating incidents himself, but Wei Jeong-han was different.

To Jegal Yeom, who remembered Wei Jeong-han’s blade-like appearance from the past, the current Wei Jeong-han was utterly unfamiliar.

‘In the end, do people inevitably become rounded?’

Jegal Yeom believed that humans don’t change. What feels like a change in personality isn’t because that person changed, but because the weight of the world makes them hide their own nature.

Then what about Wei Jeong-han?

Did that blade-like Righteous Hero Sword from the past still remain behind that gentle face?

For now, it was impossible to know.

“Even if you call it a wise opinion…”

Jegal Yeom let out a contemplative sound.

More than ten people from the Tang Family suddenly suffered seizures and all collapsed at once. And their symptoms were similar to those who had been afflicted by demonic arts.

What conclusion could be drawn from this situation?

‘This isn’t good.’

Jegal Yeom opened his mouth.

“It’s unimaginable that the Tang Family would secretly communicate with the Demon Cult to obtain demonic arts. Even if they had such intentions, it wouldn’t be possible. Demon Cult members reject Central Plains people even more than we reject the Demon Cult. Since both sides hold grudges against each other, there’s no way the Demon Cult members would pass their martial arts to the Tang Family.”

“I think so too.”

“Then it would be a case of accidentally obtaining demonic arts, meaning they practiced it among themselves. But whether the Tang Family members would actually make such a choice…”

“If the demonic arts were powerful, wouldn’t it be possible? Like the legendary Blood Demon Divine Art?”

“Of course, if it were demonic arts of that level, any martial artist couldn’t help but be interested. There would certainly be those who’d want to learn it. But not everyone could be drawn to such demonic arts. If this disaster occurred, there should have been at least one person who knew about the spread of demonic arts and spoke up, but seeing how quiet it is…”

“Hmm, I see.”

“It would be possible if the leadership knew and hid it, but then they wouldn’t have called Master Wei or me. Rather than let it spread outside that the Tang Family learned demonic arts, they’d give up their family head position and step down. Tang Cheon-gun is that kind of person.”

Wei Jeong-han, who had been quietly reconsidering Tang Cheon-gun’s character, also nodded in agreement with Jegal Yeom’s words.

Tang Cheon-gun would naturally make such a choice. While Tang Cheon-gun never wavered on internal matters, he was someone who valued the Tang Family more than himself when it came to external issues.

‘Then what in the world is going on?’

While Wei Jeong-han was troubled, Jegal Yeom spoke up.

“When I consider all the circumstances, there’s only one case that makes sense.”

Wei Jeong-han waited for Tang Cheon-gun’s words with tense eyes. He was afraid because he felt the words he was thinking would come out.

“Someone must have intentionally spread a specific martial art. Otherwise, such a thing couldn’t happen.”

Jegal Yeom’s face also looked grim.

This statement contained a clear possibility.

“If you say someone…”

“It’s probably them.”

It was obvious.

Who could spread demonic arts? It would be impossible without the Demon Cult.

“They could create demonic arts that seem plausible but actually destroy the body when practiced, then use it like poison.”

“Hmm, that’s possible. We don’t have the ability to verify whether demonic arts are normal or not. We’d either have to practice it or not – one of the two. But I can’t figure out how it flowed all the way here, or what route it took.”

Jegal Yeom also nodded.

“Perhaps that route isn’t important.”

“What? What do you mean…”

“There’s something more important. Everyone is focusing on how such a thing happened, but what we should really focus on is why such a thing happened.”

Wei Jeong-han nodded. Jegal Yeom was right.

If the Demon Cult did such a thing, what exactly were they aiming for?

While one could find meaning in weakening the enemy’s strength, it didn’t seem likely that the mighty Demon Cult would scheme just to harm a dozen or so people from the Tang Family.

“Then…”

Jegal Yeom continued in an extremely serious tone.

“As you’re probably already thinking, if someone plotted this conspiracy, it won’t end with the Tang Family. Either the Tang Family was where the incident erupted first, or they used the Tang Family as a test subject.”

Wei Jeong-han’s brow furrowed.

This was something he had been considering too. But hearing those words from Jegal Yeom’s mouth made it feel more certain.

‘For what purpose?’

The moment Wei Jeong-han felt doubt, Jegal Yeom spoke up.

“As you know, the biggest problem with this incident is that even those who suffered qi deviation don’t know why they fell into qi deviation. We can’t ask them precisely since they’re unconscious, but even if they wake up, the situation probably won’t change much. If there were reasons they could guess, others could guess them too.”

“You speak truly.”

“In other words…”

Jegal Yeom opened his mouth in a heavy tone.

“It wouldn’t be strange if there are already others throughout the martial world going through the same process.”

“Mmm.”

Wei Jeong-han seemed to grasp how terrifying that could be.

“If this continues to happen during the war with the Demon Cult, truly horrible things will occur. You well know how frightening it is to have casualties continuously appearing.”

“…Yes.”

Wei Jeong-han nodded heavily.

Deaths tear at the heart, but injuries gnaw at reality. If during continued battle, allies fall into qi deviation and rampage, then lose consciousness without dying while their bodies rot away?

Proper rest couldn’t be achieved, and operations couldn’t continue. Moreover, manpower would be continuously consumed in evacuating the wounded.

‘It’s the worst.’

Troops continuously being pulled from the front lines meant the front couldn’t be maintained. While it might not be particularly problematic in small-scale battles, there was no greater problem in large-scale warfare.

If this was part of the Demon Cult’s grand design for the next great war?

‘We’d experience hell.’

Wei Jeong-han felt the matter was growing beyond his expectations. When he first came to the Tang Family, his mood had been light, but as time passed, the situation was becoming increasingly horrible.

Until now it had been mere speculation, but the moment this speculation became reality, the Demon Cult War would begin right from the Tang Family.

“What should we do?”

“A large-scale investigation is needed. We won’t get answers this way. We need to gather all available personnel and talent from the Righteous Martial Alliance to the Tang Family.”

“Hmm.”

Wei Jeong-han couldn’t readily answer.

It was beyond his authority, and…

“You must have doubts.”

“I apologize.”

“It’s natural. After all, the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Alliance are at odds with each other. In such a situation, sending those who could be called the core of the Righteous Martial Alliance to the Sichuan Tang Family, which belongs to the Heavenly Alliance, would be a great adventure. I understand.”

Jegal Yeom wore a bitter expression.

It was absurd that they had to suspect each other even when facing the Demon Cult’s grand conspiracy.

“Perhaps we need to transcend the boundaries of the Righteous Martial Alliance and Heavenly Alliance.”

“It won’t be easy as things are.”

“So I have a proposal for Master Wei.”

“A proposal?”

“The current situation cannot be resolved through the struggle of just a few people. It’s a situation where the wisdom of both the entire Heavenly Alliance and the entire Righteous Martial Alliance must come together.”

“Mmm, that’s right.”

“Our Jegal Family also believes this is a matter that must be handled beyond factional lines. At minimum, we’ll need to reinvestigate the entire martial world based on the investigation here. If the worst comes to pass, we could suffer complete defeat without being able to lift a finger against the Demon Cult’s attack.”

Wei Jeong-han also agreed with Jegal Yeom’s words. This was now an emergency. This matter was no longer just the Tang Family’s business. It was the entire martial world’s business.

“So what I’m saying is…”

“Yes.”

“The first step to resolving this matter is gaining the Heavenly Alliance’s cooperation.”

“I also think so. So if Family Head Jegal would…”

“No.”

Jegal Yeom shook his head.

“The Heavenly Alliance is a confederation. Being a confederation, it’s free, but being a confederation, each family’s voice isn’t very strong. If we’re talking about influence, it would be the Tang Family rather than me. But the Tang Family Head also can’t move freely right now.”

“Mmm.”

“So what I’m saying is…”

A subtle smile appeared on Jegal Yeom’s face.

An interesting picture was being drawn.

‘I wonder where this will lead.’

It wasn’t simply for amusement. It was a necessary process.

“There seems to be one interesting solution. Do you by any chance have thoughts about arranging a meeting between Wei Yan-ho and the Heavenly Alliance Leader?”

Wei Jeong-han’s eyes widened.

“Y-Yan-ho?”

This is worrying.

Extremely worrying.