The Demonic Supreme Sword Novel - Chapter 86

Chapter 86
## Chapter 86: The Beggars (1)

After completing their duties at the meat shop, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo detoured to visit the Clear Heart Clinic on their way home. The facility was currently in the midst of a massive reconstruction effort. Noe Jeon, who had arrived slightly earlier to inspect the progress, hurried over to meet them.

“Unbelievable. This place has transformed since I saw it just a few days ago. They are working at a staggering pace.”

Cheol Woo stared at the rising structure with genuine shock. It had been barely twenty days since the ashes of the destroyed Clear Heart Clinic were cleared to make way for new foundations, yet the progress was undeniable.

“What did you expect? Look at the sheer number of laborers they’ve hired,” Noe Jeon remarked, sounding unimpressed. “The amount of capital being funneled into this project is astronomical.”

Cheol Woo snorted at the older man’s tone. “Did you contribute a single coin? Why are you acting so proud of the budget?”

“I never said I paid for it! I’m just stating facts. Besides, those guys from the Beggars’ Sect are the only ones taking it easy. They already made a fortune in Sungmyeong Province, and now they’re here at the Clear Heart Clinic site, lining their pockets again.”

“Even so, they’re only doing the heavy lifting. The technical precision is coming from those men over there.”

Cheol Woo gestured toward the workers assembling the roof of what was to be the living quarters.

“The skill of those carpenters is undeniable. That old man leading them is supposedly the most famous master craftsman in the region—a true legend in his field.”

“Those artisans were dispatched by the Hao Gate, weren’t they?”

“Correct.”

“Hah! They’re certainly trying hard to stay in our good graces. I suppose even bottom-feeders have a sense of self-preservation.”

“Word is they’ve waived their fees entirely, as it was a prior arrangement with the Hao Gate.”

“Most of them are likely disciples of the gate themselves. It’s a desperate move to ensure their own survival.”

Cheol Woo gave a contemptuous smirk as he looked away from the laborers, turning his attention back to his companion.

“Right, Boss?”

“Stop wasting time with idle talk. We’re leaving,” Sima Geon replied. His expression remained a mask of indifference as he scanned the construction before turning to walk away. Cheol Woo scrambled to keep up.

“We’re already here—aren’t you going to check on Jin? She’s staying just next door.”

“Not now. I was told she is occupied with her studies.”

Cheol Woo looked toward Noe Jeon for confirmation, and the latter nodded.

“That’s right. I stopped by earlier; she was completely absorbed in her books.”

“She doesn’t seem exhausted?”

“Not at all.”

“Ha ha! That Grand Reversion Pill is truly a miracle medicine.”

A wide, satisfied grin broke across Cheol Woo’s face as he thought of Sima Jin. The pill had not only cured her of the lingering effects of her heavenly punishment but had left her more vibrant and energetic than ever.

“Oh, by the way, Division Leader. That eccentric Master Joo was inquiring if you had any free time.”

“For what reason?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’ll claim he wants to discuss martial theory or enlightenment, but he’s really just looking for a challenge.”

“I see.”

Sima Geon gave a short nod and then fixed his eyes on Cheol Woo.

“And you?”

“He has mastered the art of yielding to overcome force. A session with that old man would do you a world of good.”

“He’s right, Deputy Leader. You need to learn some flexibility. If you keep relying on nothing but raw power, you’re going to break before you learn your lesson.”

“I think I’ll break your neck before that happens,” Cheol Woo muttered, cracking his knuckles as he stepped toward Noe Jeon. The latter let out a small cry and darted behind Sima Geon for protection.

“Anyway, give it a shot. It will be beneficial.”

“Fine. But there’s something else I’ve been wondering about.”

“What is it?”

“You’re planning to start something, aren’t you? Is that why you summoned everyone?”

Cheol Woo leaned in, his face tight with curiosity. Sima Geon sighed and pushed Cheol Woo’s head back with a single finger, resuming his walk toward their residence without offering a reply.

“Am I right? Is that the purpose of the meeting tonight?”

Cheol Woo’s relentless prying didn’t cease until they finally reached their front door.

—

The Gwanje Shrine sat on the fringes of Soheung, a crumbling relic of a building.

By the time the assembly gathered, the veil of night had completely descended. Roughly seventy individuals were present, each of them exuding a sharp, predatory intent.

“You have arrived.”

Three men, who had been stationed at the ruin since sunset, bowed low in greeting.

“Is the information verified?”

The question came from the elder leading the group: Pung Cheonroe, the Flying Heaven Mad Demon and a high-ranking elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

“Yes, Elder. We have confirmed that the Divine Demon Leader and his Deputy are indeed living in Soheung. We have identified their exact residence.”

Pyo Yeong, a specialized scout from the Dark Fragrance—the Cult’s elite intelligence wing—responded with precision. His team had been embedded in Soheung for five days prior to the main group’s arrival.

“Is it true they are operating a butcher shop?”

“It is.”

“Hmph! To think the Divine Demon Leader Sima Geon and the Diamond Yaksha are spending their days carving meat. It’s preposterous.”

Pung Cheonroe’s face twisted in disbelief.

“Where is this house located?”

The man beside him, Gu Seonglyang—Grand Elder of the Red Dragon Gang—asked the question, his eyes burning with a thirst for blood.

“The Divine Demon Leader and his second-in-command are staying in Uga Village, roughly ten li north of the Soheung city center.”

“What is the distance from this shrine?”

“Slightly more than ten li.”

“They are practically within arm’s reach.”

For martial artists of their caliber utilizing lightness skills, such a distance could be crossed in mere moments.

“In Uga Village, the residence houses the Divine Demon Leader and his siblings, the Deputy Leader, and two associates named Gwa Yu and Yong Jung. There is also an elderly man and a youth who appear to be related. The boy is Ha Hu Yeon; the old man’s identity remains unconfirmed, though he is referred to as Old Man Ha Hu.”

“Vermin of the Ha Hu Clan. Excellent.”

Gu Seonglyang’s eyes flared with icy rage. He had never forgiven the loss of the Red Dragon Gang’s successor during the events at Sungmyeong Province. That massacre had ignited a brutal shadow conflict between the Red Dragon Gang—backed by the Heavenly Demon Cult—and the Ha Hu Clan.

“If they are indeed members of the Ha Hu Clan, they won’t be easy targets. Did you gauge their strength?” Pung Cheonroe asked, narrowing his eyes.

“We attempted to, but we withdrew immediately.”

“Why?”

“It was clear their power was beyond our ability to safely measure.”

“A convenient excuse for cowardice,” Gu Seonglyang spat. However, Pung Cheonroe knew Pyo Yeong was no coward and signaled for him to continue.

“The Divine Demon Leader and the Deputy spend most of their time at the shop. The siblings manage a ranch to the north, where Gwa Yu and Yong Jung are also stationed during the day.”

“And the Ha Hu pair?”

“They assist at the ranch occasionally, but they don’t have a fixed routine. They maintain a separate residence within Uga Village.”

“Something about them feels off.”

“We will take care of them. Leave that task to the Red Dragon Gang.”

At Gu Seonglyang’s insistence, Pung Cheonroe paused briefly before nodding.

“Very well.”

“My thanks.” Gu Seonglyang gave a shallow nod and turned back to Pyo Yeong. “And the girl, Sima Jin—is she at the main house?”

The coalition had formed not just for the sake of the Red Dragon Gang’s vengeance, but to reclaim the Heavenly Demon Pill. Capturing the girl who was the catalyst for the Sungmyeong incident was a primary objective.

“No. Sima Jin is currently residing in a makeshift structure near the Clear Heart Clinic.”

“The clinic?”

“A local medical house. It was torched by the Hongik Gang recently, but it’s being rebuilt. She is apprenticing under the physician there.”

“As we discussed, that girl belongs to us as well.”

Pung Cheonroe did not argue. “Do as you wish with her. Just ensure it doesn’t compromise the primary objective. And make sure those Ha Hu individuals are dealt with properly.”

“Naturally. I will handle the elder Ha Hu myself. The youth will be dealt with by him.”

Gu Seonglyang pointed toward a warrior whose gaze was sharper than a blade. Pung Cheonroe studied the man for a second before speaking calmly.

“I don’t doubt your prowess, but for the sake of certainty, we will assign a few more men to assist.”

Gu Seonglyang’s jaw tightened, but he conceded with a nod. “As you wish.”

“Good. Now that the girl and the Ha Hu Clan are the Red Dragon Gang’s responsibility, let us finalize the main strike.”

“My clan will lead the first wave,” a middle-aged man with a sword strapped to his chest declared, stepping forward.

“If the Crimson Flame Clan takes the lead, I have no concerns. However, a warning: do not target the siblings for death during the initial strike. Even if you must injure them, keep them alive. A warrior with nothing left to lose is far more dangerous than one who is hindered by hostages.”

“You want us to use them as shields.”

“Precisely.”

“You can slaughter them later if you wish, but for now, they must remain breathing.”

“Understood.”

“Rather than a staggered assault, wouldn’t it be more effective to strike simultaneously with our full force?”

The speaker was a middle-aged man dressed in deep crimson martial robes. This was Jwa Mok, the Patriarch of the Phantom Divine Clan, which had been humiliated and subjugated by the Divine Demon Division in years past.

Pung Cheonroe gave a grim chuckle at Jwa Mok’s freezing stare.

“I don’t care about the strategy, as long as I am the one to end that monster’s life.”

The woman standing beside Jwa Mok spoke with a voice thick with malice. A pale snake coiled around her arm hissed, its tongue darting out. Pung Cheonroe looked at Eum Seolhui and felt no irritation at her bloodlust.

*They called her the once-in-a-century genius of Myriad Poison Valley. Her hatred is well-earned, having watched her entire family being cut down before her.*

Pung Cheonroe observed her face. She had once been a beauty to match her martial talent, but now her features were hideously scarred and distorted.

“If the opportunity arises, the kill is yours. But be warned: everyone here seeks the same prize. Steel yourselves, for the honor of taking his head is available to anyone strong enough to claim it.”

At that moment, the air in the shrine grew heavy with a murderous heat. It was a mixture of those seeking righteous vengeance and those seeking the glory of the kill.

While the Supreme Leader Gwan Woong was away on a southern campaign, the North Heaven Sword Demon had discovered the location of Sima Geon and Cheol Woo. He had immediately organized this strike force.

The group was largely composed of survivors and descendants of the clans the Divine Demon Division had crushed during the Cult’s bloody unification. The North Heaven Sword Demon had intended to lead the mission himself, but a rebellion led by Gwan Seung—the former leader’s grandson—had broken out in the Supreme Leader’s absence.

This forced the North Heaven Sword Demon and other top tier elders, like the Blood Light Martial Emperor, to stay behind to suppress the uprising.

Though he wanted to delay the strike, the rage of those seeking revenge was too volatile to contain. To prevent a separate internal schism, he had appointed the Flying Heaven Mad Demon—who held a personal grudge deeper than most—to lead the operation, even though the team was smaller than originally intended.

“Listen closely.”

Pung Cheonroe clapped his hands to focus the room.

“Securing the Heavenly Demon Pill is just as vital as our revenge. Do not lose sight of that. The attack commences tonight…”

Pung Cheonroe stopped mid-sentence.

The smirk vanished from his lips. His head snapped toward the left side of the shrine’s dilapidated roof.

A crescent moon hung over the broken tiles, but Pung Cheonroe’s gaze was fixed on something far more tangible than moonlight.

“We have company.”

Pung Cheonroe turned a predatory grin toward a startled Pyo Yeong.

“I’m not sure if they followed you or us, but these rats are surprisingly skilled.”

Before the echo of his voice died away, the roof gave way. Simultaneously, two silhouettes launched themselves into the night sky like streaks of lightning.

“You think you can escape from me?”

With a mocking laugh, Pung Cheonroe pushed off the ground and surged upward in pursuit.