Chapter 871
After a storm passed.
The atmosphere in the branch, which had already turned into chaos, felt cold and gloomy.
Of course, it couldn’t be any other way.
There was so much blood on the ground that the scent of blood still lingered. Others were busy removing the corpses with somewhat stiff expressions.
In the open sky where the moon had risen, the background appeared somewhat hazy due to the smoke released by the unmanned warriors.
“Those who are captured are to be imprisoned. Gather the bodies and burn them.”
“Isn’t there a separate command required from the branch?”
“It is the Lord’s command. If any problem arises, he declared he would take responsibility, so we must follow the order.”
“Understood.”
Seongryongdae showed no hesitation in his actions as if he had already received the news.
There is one reason why they seemed so stable even after the battle was over.
“The levels of cultivation are different.”
“…I didn’t expect you to be so strong.”
Most of those incorporated from outside had high levels of cultivation.
Seeing it in person, their levels were extremely high. Each one of them was almost at the level of a vice lord.
Since they had already been active in other sects for a long time, they appeared to lack any particular sense about the situation.
However, these were merely individuals drafted from outside.
For some reason, most of those drafted from the alliance were nowhere to be seen.
There was one reason for that.
“Why…!”
“What crime have we committed to deserve this?”
This included not only members of the Cheongryongdae but also those drafted from the Maeng who had come to the Seongryongdae.
“Let me go…! Aren’t we comrades?”
Many shouted in protest, claiming it was unjust, but the unmanned warriors simply took them in without any change in their expression.
Even proper resistance was impossible. The difference in levels was just that vast.
They didn’t throw everyone into prison. They seemed to be selectively taking individuals.
“…What on earth is happening?”
“Damn it… How did it come to this?”
A situation that made no sense at all. The members of the Blue Dragon Army, watching this, could only swallow their disbelief.
Why were their comrades being killed as criminals and imprisoned?
Moreover, why were these members of the Seongryongdae subjected to such treatment?
There was nothing they could discern.
Moreover…
“The remaining individuals are connected to the criminals and will be interrogated upon returning to the main alliance, so keep this in your mind.”
Even those who were initially deemed innocent and left alone were being tied up for interrogation.
“Damn it… why is this happening…”
I lived my life believing in justice and camaraderie without committing any crimes, and yet out of nowhere, I find myself treated this way. The warriors of the Blue Dragon Corps had to constantly bite their trembling lips.
The situation was troubling, but even more problematic was…
“…Is it possible that the Grand Lord truly has connections to the Demonic Cult?”
“That’s nonsense!”
The muttering from the unmanned warriors was immediately denied.
“Who do you think our Grand Lord is…! This is surely a false accusation. It’s obvious that the Holy King is up to something!”
“That’s correct… Even if there was evidence, it hasn’t been shown. This is a blatant frame-up.”
Words spoken with unwavering conviction. The Seongryongdae members glanced at him, but didn’t pay much heed.
Their tone was confident, yet there was an underlying tremor in their voices.
“Our Grand Lord… would never associate with the Demonic Cult!”
“That’s right… He wouldn’t even touch the Sapa.”
“He simply stepped away for a moment to assess the situation… I’m sure he’s devising a plan.”
The sight of people trying to suppress their anxiety, insisting on their faith.
Feeling the emotions rising in their eyes, they tried to ignore it. They could barely hold onto their anxiety when—
“I’m back…!”
A loud noise echoed from one side. At that sound, the unmanned warriors immediately moved.
Even the heads of the Blue Dragons turned at the unusual reaction.
“…Huh…!”
“W-what…!!”
Everyone stood up upon witnessing the scene. Though the bindings were uncomfortable, they weren’t overly restrictive, so it didn’t impede their movement.
“Grand Lord—!!”
All the members rushed out. As expected, it was Ilcheonggeom who appeared.
He looked like a bloody mess, as if he’d been through hell and back, his once pristine attire caked with dust and gore.
What about that once well-groomed face? It was so swollen that his original features were completely unrecognizable.
Whether he was conscious or not, his gaze was dulled, as if in a daze.
Seeing this, the agents were startled and began to move at the sight that seemed far from normal.
“Grand Lord—!! Are you alright?”
“Those bastards…! How dare they…!”
“Stop.”
CRACK—!!!
Those approaching Ilcheonggeom stopped in their tracks from the overwhelming shock.
A deep line was marked on the floor, suggesting something had forcefully passed through.
“If you take another step, I will kill you.”
At the sweet-sounding voice, everyone froze. The one who struck had been a woman.
Her face and body were drenched in blood, and it looked like she was just as injured as Ilcheonggeom.
“If you cross that line now, I’ll punch a hole through your face.”
“But, but we have to save the Grand Lord….”
“Punch a hole through it?”
“…!!”
As one of the men approached, the woman grasped her spear and radiated murderous intent.
The energy she emitted was no joke.
It was only after seeing this that a shiver of doubt swept through their minds.
‘Could it be that this woman did this to the Grand Lord?’
‘…That can’t be….’
They found it hard to believe. No matter how injured the Grand Lord was, there was no way he could have been defeated by that woman.
“Blood Corps.”
It seemed like the Seongryongdae members were reflecting that sentiment too as they approached her with astonished expressions.
“…Did Pi Yeonyeon do this to the Blue Dragon Lord?”
“Huh? Yeah, that’s right!”
In response to the question, the woman grinned widely. Her laughter was even more terrifying as blood poured from her wounds.
Despite such reactions, the woman was simply elated and laughed freely.
The agents couldn’t move closer and only observed.
“Pull yourself together.”
“How much blood have you lost? At least stop the bleeding…!”
“Back off, everyone.”
SWWING.
Seongryongdae drew their swords and stood in their way.
“Though the Blood Corpsman’s words may be sharp, we mean no harm. Do not approach the sinner reckless.”
“What? A sinner!?”
The man shouted with his face turning red.
“Falsely accusing me and calling me a sinner—! Heaven shall be angry!”
“How dare you know anything…!”
“Oh, it’s noisy. Can I kill you?”
As Pi Yeonyeon’s ears twitched and she made her move, Seongyul instantly blocked her path.
“…Calm down.”
“Why? Why should I calm down?”
She genuinely didn’t understand the reasoning. The sense of alienation from that was utterly chilling.
“You must have heard that unnecessary killing is prohibited. So be cautious.”
“…No… So, who are you to stop me?”
Piyeonyeon frowned for a moment, displeased with his words and concurrently radiated an aura of animosity.
“…”
Seongyul’s expression also contorted at the unexpected hostility.
“Pee So-Jeo. Is this how it will be?”
“I didn’t like you from the start.”
“Ha…”
Seongyul’s already pale face turned ghostly white.
The grip on his sword was sharp enough to draw blood.
The atmosphere took a sharp turn. Everyone around looked bewildered, sensing imminent conflict.
“You two. Quit it.”
“…”
“…Ergh….”
Seongyul and Pi Yeonyeon stiffened at the interrupting voice.
It was a petite woman with shimmering green hair who intervened to stop the duel between the two.
“Did you forget what you are here to do?”
“…”
“Oh, that’s not….”
“Don’t talk back.”
Piyeonyeon, rarely caught off guard, quickly straightened up.
The green-haired woman, Dang So-yeol, continued glaring at the two as she spoke with her icy gaze.
“Concentrate on your mission. Foolish arguments can wait until later. Do you not understand?”
“…My apologies.”
“I’m sorry…”
They were shoved into submission by Dang So-yeol’s presence. The other members quickly turned their backs.
The Blue Dragon corps had to swallow their dry throats.
The pressure emanating from her small frame was like that of a specter.
“Tsk…”
After a brief click of her tongue, Dang So-yeol turned her focus to Pi Yeonyeon.
“Where is the Grand Lord?”
The tone rose once more in an instant. But Pi Yeonyeon, still shaken from what had just transpired, hesitated.
“Uhm… Ah, no. The Grand Lord said he’ll confirm something he found and would join us shortly, so he told us to go ahead…”
“Confirm?”
“…Yes, yes.”
Was he following some lead? The awkwardness in Pi Yeonyeon’s speech was concerning, but for now, it was better to let it slide.
Though she was deeply worried about Gu Yangcheon’s condition, Dang So-yeol had her own role to fulfill first.
“…Stop the bleeding and proceed with the binding.”
Dang So-yeol looked at Ilcheonggeom and issued orders. Upon hearing her, the agents behind her moved forward.
In that very moment,
“Don’t… touch me—!!”
Ilcheonggeom, who had been standing still, shot his eyes wide open and roared.
The intensity of his voice sent shivers down the spine of those around him.
SHWING—! The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Everyone heightened their guard and focused their attention on Ilcheonggeom.
Despite being nearly incapacitated and severely wounded, he remained a monster just one step away from the level of a master.
They could never lower their guard.
“Grand Lord…!”
“Are you alright…!”
The Blue Dragon members, seeing this as a stroke of luck, called out gleefully to Ilcheonggeom, but upon hearing their voices, he yelled again.
“…Shut your mouths, you scum—.”
“…Huh?”
A brief moment of silence followed Ilcheonggeom’s words.
“Who do you think you’re trying to touch with your filthy hands? Get away from me!”
As his swollen eyes gradually tinted purple, the madness within him surfaced.
“Those sect bastards who wouldn’t be satisfied even if you were torn to pieces… Hehehe… Soon, the leader shall execute judgment upon you!”
Consumed by a frenzy, Ilcheonggeom’s voice boomed.
“…Ah… Oh….”
The expressions of the Blue Dragon members soured in an instant.
It was the moment when doubts became reality.
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