< Rapidly Changing Situations (2) >
The task of spreading news across the continent through long-distance communication was proceeding more smoothly than expected.
Despite facing difficult circumstances, the Zhuge Family made their best efforts, but the crucial factor was the many monsters from Gonmudo, disguised as Mosan Faction masters, who scattered across various locations to assist in the communication.
“Huh— I can’t believe the Mosan Faction was this capable. We’ve been blinded by our arrogance, thinking we were the best. Truly, we were like frogs in a well.”
Although the head of the Zhuge Family sighed at having overestimated their competitors, this incident would serve to spur them on to work harder, so it wasn’t entirely a bad thing.
“Of course, sending the news out isn’t everything.”
Considering the transportation issues in the Ganghwan Realm, which required tremendous time and effort to overcome areas, this was nothing short of a miracle.
However, this was just the first button being pushed.
Countless obstacles were still left to tackle.
Some people received the news only to dismiss it as absurd, while others suspected some trickery was at play. There were even those who sought to turn the event to their advantage.
Fortunately, since the sender was the well-known Zhuge Family and the content involved the universally recognized enemy, the Demon Cult, it helped garner attention. Otherwise, most would probably have turned a blind eye.
“Anyway, we successfully attracted everyone’s interest. It would be best if they actively cooperated, but even if they don’t believe immediately, it doesn’t matter. Our purpose is already accomplished.”
For the time being, it would be sufficient to patrol their territory again, driven by a hint of suspicion, and make sure not to overlook any suspicious circumstances.
All of this would serve to limit the movements of the lurking individuals gradually tightening the noose around them.
“Furthermore, the Demon Cult’s infamous reputation is greater than expected. As long as it doesn’t harm them, there’s no need to provide information, right?”
And it didn’t take long for the situation to unfold as anticipated.
As a result—
“There have been reports of suspicious circumstances in the forests near Gopyeong in Shanxi Province. Residents reported numerous individuals hiding, prompting the Yeonggeommun to search the area, yet they failed to find any substantial traces…”
“There were traces of an unknown force discovered in the Cheolgwa Bang of Gangseo Province. After observing signs of a group camping, they attempted to track them down but lost them as they fled beyond their territory…”
“There’s news of troops observed moving during the night in the Gyujun’s escape vicinity. They demanded payment for more detailed information…”
All kinds of information began flooding into the Zhuge Family from across the continent.
The sight of people bustling about, frantically organizing a mountain of materials, exemplified a perfect central control tower.
“Ugh, just looking at it makes my head spin.”
Hugo, who had quietly approached to observe the situation, clicked his tongue.
The laborious task of discerning the truth from the overwhelming influx of information and sifting through the necessary parts was no small feat.
No matter how much his status had surged and his mental acuity and intellect improved, he still couldn’t adapt to that wave of documents.
Most of the tasks handled by his other avatars were processed neatly through competent subordinates, after all.
“The news from Gangseo Province lacks credibility. It’s absurd that those who had been thoroughly erasing their traces would leave camping evidence, and the fact that a mere minor sect like the Cheolgwa Bang could track them is questionable…”
“Verification from Gyujun is complete. During a similar timeframe, there were signs of military activities from the local warlord, Gyeongchin-wanggun. They likely mistook the secret operations there…”
However, true to their reputation for intelligence, the Zhuge Family quickly analyzed the incoming information and distinguished the valuable from the worthless.
They filtered out falsehoods likely to cause harm, trivial rumors stemming from misunderstandings, implausible intelligence based on distance and time, and any fabricated content that was solely beneficial to the organization.
“The evidence from Shanxi Province appears to be quite plausible. Geographically, it makes considerable sense, and the corroborating testimonies also…”
“Ah! There were similar reports from Hubei’s Jinju! Coincidentally, the distance between the two locations isn’t far at all. Calculating the route from Shanxi to Hubei, it’s not surprising!”
After going through such processes, the remaining information turned into invaluable data akin to gold.
In the family, learned scholars, known for their cleverness, put their heads together to start detailed analyses of the most plausible proposals.
Several travel routes were narrowed down, and the presumed destinations were organized succinctly.
Hugo’s eyes widened at the place names written at the top of the report.
“Beijing.”
The site of the former Imperial Palace where the Dragon Heart resided.
Wasn’t this a place of considerable significance?
The other locations listed beneath it also appeared quite reasonable.
“…Impressive! I can’t believe it could be organized this well in just a few days.”
He could truly feel why they maintained lofty reputations for such a long time.
Honestly, until now, there had been a slight feeling of disdain, but now slightly different thoughts began to whirl in his mind.
“I’m intrigued.”
Hugo’s eyes sparkled as he licked his lips.
These were genuinely capable individuals that could serve excellently in any role!
He best understood how much easier it was for those in power to have competent subordinates.
Images of his capable subordinates flitted quickly through his mind.
Jin So-Ran from Earth, Banshee Queen Olivia, Vampire Mulo from Trueblood, and Diana from the Hubert Association…
And beside them, people from the Zhuge Family began to crowd in.
“Hey, Young Master? Are you alright?”
“…Oh! I’m sorry. I was just sorting my thoughts for a moment…”
Hugo was jolted back to the present, responding to the voice that called him while he was lost in another train of thought.
The place he found himself was a meeting where the higher-ups of the family gathered to discuss the analysis results.
He needed to clear his mind and focus more.
“Phew, it’s understandable to have so many thoughts. Of all places, Beijing! There’s a limit to how shameless one can be; I never imagined they’d return there.”
At that moment, Cheong Gwan, a master from the Mosan Faction who was also reading the report, let out a soft sigh and spoke.
In fact, the reason Hugo, merely a guest, was able to join such a sensitive gathering was entirely due to this circumstance.
The leader of the Mosan Faction had asked him to stay, citing his active efforts at the Shaolin Temple as a justifiable reason for his participation.
“Well, Cheong Gwan may have heard of me for the first time now that you’ve been assigned a task.”
Isn’t that just how connections work?
Besides, regardless of that, he certainly qualified for the position.
He was, in every sense, a peak martial artist.
A cornerstone comparable to the strongest of the Zhuge Family, who had yet to reach the realm of transcendence.
“Of course, even within the same realm, levels vary and there are differences in experiences, so their combat powers might not be equal. Still, being at the peak level means one is more than capable of representing an entire region.”
In truth, since he had been playing in a big pond from the start, mingling with extraordinary individuals, it was common for there to be no transcendents or even peak levels among smaller sects.
Moreover, he was a young master who only recently crossed the threshold of maturity.
Considering his bright future, it was no special treatment at all.
“It’s not yet certain that it’s Beijing.”
“However, it’s indeed the most likely location. To be honest, I view it unfavorably as a place for the ritual… Hmm, but that could change depending on the type of ritual performed.”
“Indeed. The Demon Cult has many sorceries that defy destiny.”
Meanwhile, discussions among the attendees continued actively.
Yet, there was a common consensus among them.
Namely, that they must somehow prevent the completion of the ritual.
“…We have much to do. We need to send out reconnaissance teams to find a definite site, and if we’re to fight and rescue the captives, we’ll need support from others. If the battlefield is Beijing, it must consist of elite forces, not mediocre ones. Furthermore, at least three experts from the Current Realm will be necessary to face a Heavenly Demon…”
“The primary step is problematic. Those who go out on reconnaissance aren’t likely to return. And the Demon Cult doesn’t just have the Heavenly Demon. Considering the Ghost Sword Demon Master and Jiangshi, there’s…”
As they exchanged words, everyone fell silent.
The expressions on their faces clearly reflected their horror at the daunting reality they now faced.
Then suddenly.
“I will go to Beijing.”
The confident voice of a young man resonated within the meeting room.
He who had quietly been observing the situation— Hugo.
“This matter is a race against time. We must complete the reconnaissance as quickly as possible and confirm the location to move to the next stage, right? I have confidence that I can extract myself from any situation, so I will directly confirm it.”
His willingness to voluntarily enter the most probable and dangerous location led to pushback from those around him for a while.
The circumstances of simply participating in battle were vastly different from infiltrating an enemy stronghold that might be well-prepared for his arrival.
Not to mention that location was infamously abominable for utilizing qi— the Magic Realm.
However, the resistance dwindled quickly against Hugo’s unwavering resolve.
In fact, given that the Zhuge Family’s daughter was a sacrifice, they were likely more anxious than anyone.
With circumstances as they were, having a high-level martial artist like Hugo step forward voluntarily was indeed both a source of relief and gratitude.
“Then I’ll set off immediately. If possible, I’ll also check on the conditions of the hostages. Please take care of things here in the meantime.”
“…Our family will devote all our efforts, so don’t worry about this side. You must ensure your own safety and return as well. You are the future pillar of the martial world.”
As if there were no time left to delay, after the worried yet kind words from Taesang Gajoo Zhuge Gunak, Hugo immediately packed his belongings and left the family.
Pa pa pat—
With a solemn atmosphere, he soared into the air, stepping into Yung Jung Mountain.
But the seriousness gradually faded the moment he passed outside the mountains, transforming into a lightness as if he was merely out for a stroll, just a few hours later.
“I might as well refine my martial arts outside. Indeed, the best way to master a technique is through real battles.”
His thoughts, completely unmatched to the situation, were combined with a low hum.
Of course, he had no intention of visiting the Magic Realm first.
“Let’s see… At this pace, it’ll take about a week to arrive, huh? It is frustratingly far. Well, by the time I arrive, everything should be perfectly sorted out.”
After all, the one waiting eagerly for the location of the target was someone else entirely.
Someone who could handle matters faster, more surely, and cleaner than anyone else.
A new landlord who would pursue fleeing tenants to the very ends of hell to bring them back.
*
“How much time has passed?”
Jin So-Ran, staring blankly at the blue sky outside, tightly shut her eyes.
The sky, contrary to her heart, was brilliantly clear without a single cloud.
“I never imagined I’d end up here, not even in my wildest dreams.”
The site of the Imperial Palace in Beijing.
This place was a well-known Magic Realm.
It drained the qis from martial artists and sorcerers, rendering them incapable of their full abilities, while ordinary people withered away and died just from staying here for a while—a land of death.
She already understood clearly why the members of the Demon Cult had brought her to this place.
“Human sacrifice… I’m the offering…”
Blessed with exceptional insight, she had been able to deduce without difficulty why the cultists had kidnapped her, what they wanted, and what they planned to do while being their captive for some time.
After all, they weren’t exactly trying to hide anything.
“Then again, what good would it do, considering I can’t escape?”
The room she was in was an individual chamber near the site of the Imperial Palace.
Aside from the formation technique protecting her from the hostile surroundings, there were no other measures restricting her actions, yet neither she nor anyone else who had been captured attempted even to flee.
“One step out, and I’d likely be subdued immediately. After that, my situation would only worsen.”
Though she could see quite a few members of the Demon Cult, there were certainly many more she couldn’t perceive.
Most likely, even now, they were swarming around her, hidden out of sight.
“Hah…”
A sigh escaped her lips involuntarily.
This had become a habit she had abandoned counting, growing as commonplace as her daily routine.
“…Ah, right. I need to exercise.”
At that moment, a certain promise she had made to someone flashed in her mind.
Though the time spent together was far shorter compared to family, somehow, she kept unconsciously recalling that promise every time she found herself alone.
-“I’ll be here working hard on my exercise, so please tell me about what happened there, okay? It’s a promise?”
Due to that, even after being captured by the Demon Cult, she practiced consistently and kept herself together for a while, but as time went on, her will had begun to fade.
Still, until yesterday, she managed to complete her routine through sheer habit…
“…Does it even matter? I won’t be able to hear the stories anymore anyway.”
She hesitated before rising but eventually flopped back into her seat.
Until now, she had been holding onto hope, fighting to endure somehow, but that too had reached its limits.
The real end was now looming nearby.
“Ah, I wish I could at least see that person one last time…”
Just then, while continuing her daze of thoughts.
“Eh?”
An exclamation slipped from her lips.
Having been lost in thought, she noticed a change that had occurred.
“What is that?”
Her eyes turned skyward.
Rumbling—
The sky that had been clear without a cloud just moments ago was now altogether shrouded in thick black clouds.
As if foreshadowing something forthcoming.
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