Chapter 110

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 6, 2025

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“Huge deal?”

Soo-oh looked at me with a puzzled expression.

I pointed north. Not at the forest like Soo-oh had, but further—way further.

“People who want to kill monsters are coming here.”

“Monsters? You mean they’re after Choseol?”

It’s been months since I mentioned anything about monsters, yet she got it right away. I nodded at Soo-oh.

“In that case, shouldn’t we just tell Master Musabu? He’ll easily take care of it.”

Soo-oh spoke as if it were obvious that Cheonma could handle anything. After all, Soo-oh has lived under the influence of the Cheonma Church. It’s not strange for her to think Cheonma can defeat any enemy.

And honestly, Cheonma is strong. Though I don’t know much about martial arts compared to Eunjai, assuming they’re similar, there’s a good chance Cheonma could conquer the entire Murim world alone.

Even if the other side created something to counter this Cheonma, Omyeong-seong is still here.

The problem lies in the fact that the upper echelons of the Cheonma Church seem to be fracturing.

Is everything really okay?

“Have you heard of the Nine Factions?”

“Yeah. Musabu taught me. They act like they’re guardians or something, but they’re just bullies.”

In my faded memories, certain words flickered. Why call them “Nine Factions” instead of “Nine Great Sects”? Checking the memory of an informant who came here revealed that the Nine Factions aren’t actually nine sects.

They started as nine major sects, but smaller factions joined in, making it quite a large group.

Besides, beggars wouldn’t join a gang of thugs, right?

The Nine Factions make massive profits by collecting taxes from their territories and subordinate factions.

Knowing how the rich exploit the poor, it’s absurd to think they’d protect anyone.

So even if you mention “guardians”…

“They’re not protectors; they’re violent groups. I explained this briefly before. They use force to protect people in areas where the government’s authority doesn’t reach. Of course, being human, they eventually end up exploiting others.”

The Cheonma Church isn’t much different. It’s even more unstable considering they control people by implanting insects into their bodies.

There’s no clear vision for people to follow.

And I know why.

There’s no specific deity here. People only believe in the strength of Cheonma.

Behind that belief lies the truth: a single immortal cultivating sacrifices and subordinates for themselves, treating everyone like livestock without them realizing it.

Their origin was twisted.

And recently, the immortal who maintained this place shattered. The one who could protect it is gone.

Now the owner of this breeding ground is dead, and the gates have opened.

What will happen next is obvious.

Even if we win now, the future is uncertain.

This precarious group will eventually collapse because the immortal keeping it together is gone.

“When they suffered heavy losses against the Martial Gods, some sects even disappeared entirely. Knowing that a second Martial God might appear, what do you think they’ll choose?”

“Why not just submit instead of fighting unnecessarily?”

Soo-oh sounded very much like someone from the Cheonma Church.

Submit to the stronger one.

“If this Martial God spreads like an epidemic, what should the Nine Factions do?”

“So, they’re trying to kill Choseol.”

Before I finished explaining, Soo-oh figured out why the Nine Factions would attack us.

I didn’t mention that the Nine Factions had become part of the larger Murim Alliance. Nor did I say that officials might be observing this conflict.

Explaining the Nine Factions would’ve been out of bounds anyway.

Because I lack sufficient information.

But since the Cheonma Church is falling apart so badly that I can’t gather that info, I told Soo-oh something I technically shouldn’t know.

If the upper ranks of the Cheonma Church were functioning properly, I wouldn’t have thought about saying this…

They’re willing to let go of one of the strongest individuals, despite not knowing the Cheonma Divine Skill but possessing powerful techniques like the Heupsung Grand Law or the Wall-Crushing Sword Technique.

Anyone in this martial world would do anything to obtain such overwhelming power.

No, in terms of usability, they could also harness the Cheonma Divine Skill through me.

Because everyone in the Cheonma Church, including Cheonma himself, believes the skill used by the Martial God is the real Cheonma Divine Skill.

Eunjai considers the original Cheonma Divine Skill he once used as an incomplete version. That’s the true Cheonma Divine Skill.

Anyway…

I gave Soo-oh one piece of advice.

“If things get dangerous, running away is also an option.”

I subtly offered Soo-oh one possible choice for the future.

“What about Choseol?”

I shrugged.

“What can I do? All I can do is split myself, like I did for you.”

Currently, in the meeting room, Director Jigwan is pressuring Cheonma to make a decision. The problem is that he brought up the era of Jeonyang.

He criticized Cheonma for potentially ruining the Cheonma Church again, just like when he handed over all his power to Jeonyang back then.

Worse, he insulted Jeonyang using harsh words filled with emotion.

Emotions run deep.

Cheonma immediately raised his hand.

Director Jigwan’s right arm was torn off.

Not cut, but crushed in midair as if grabbed by an enormous invisible hand. It spun around before being ripped off, like a child tearing the limbs off an insect.

Though I couldn’t feel it, those present, like Om Yeong-seong and In Sim-won, were suffering under immense pressure.

To me, it seemed like they were having trouble breathing due to psychological reasons, but inside, their Qi must’ve been violently swirling.

Suddenly, Soo-oh grabbed my waist and pointed toward the high hall of the Cheonma Church.

“Choseol! Right now, Master Musabu is extremely angry.”

You can feel it from here too, huh?

I agreed with Soo-oh.

“Someone must’ve hit a sore spot for Cheonma.”

In short, the meeting fell apart. Moreover, when Om Yeong-seong drew his sword toward Cheonma while standing beside Gumi Mil-mil…

The Cheonma Church might disappear sooner than expected.

“Why would Master Musabu get mad? He’s usually so composed. What could’ve been said?”

“Ask him yourself next time.”

I’m curious how he views his own past.

Anyway, the meeting ended due to Cheonma’s mood.

A man in my faded memories lamented, saying that blowing the early stages without doing anything makes recovery almost impossible.

All I’ve done is play some strategy simulation games, but what does he know?

Yet, that assessment isn’t entirely wrong.

Even the memories of someone skilled in tactics and strategy agree.

“Master Musabu hasn’t visited lately, has he? Since he’s the leader of the church, he must be busy with church affairs…”

Soo-oh took a few steps away from me and stared directly at me.

“I’m strong enough to earn Master Musabu’s praise, so I’ll protect Choseol if bad guys come!”

She declared confidently.

“Cheer up.”

“Why does it sound like it’s none of your business!”

Soo-oh lunged at me, clashing hands dramatically.

“You’re weak!”

Ah…

Soo-oh’s expression distorted. Then she ran to the iron sword resting on the porch and drew it.

“I’m strong! At least stronger than Choseol!”

A purple mist flowed from the sword.

Compared to the crystal-clear energy of Cheonma or Om Yeong-seong, it’s quite small. Or maybe I just can’t see the rest.

“Firstly, Soo-oh, I can’t see your energy, so doing that won’t help.”

Her face showed realization—”Oh, right…”—before she quietly returned the sword to its scabbard and placed it back on the porch.

She’s far from being a proper martial artist. A martial artist’s memory flashed—never leave your weapon unattended on the porch.

Now, not only the man in my faded memories but also other people’s memories are flickering.

“And what’s the point of being stronger than me? You need to be stronger than the enemy.”

But many memories agree with this statement.

Soo-oh sat on the porch with an extremely annoyed look on her face.

“That’s true! It’s true, but hearing it from you, Choseol, is irritating!”

That’s true in terms of raw power.

Of course, I can drain living beings of their warmth and turn them into monsters, but I won’t ever do that again.

“Doesn’t the truth bother you?”

Ah, she’s sulking.

Maybe I teased her too much. While pondering how to console her, I subtly checked the gaze of another harvester.

The harvester group uses spears like guns.

They’re effectively hunting martial artists.

Those with mediocre skills die instantly from volleys of attacks, while those who survive are dealt with by stronger harvesters in the back.

The issue is that they’ve ventured too far.

Into the territory of the Cheonma Church. The border.

Normally, they’d need new orders, but the command center is temporarily frozen.

It’s frustrating seeing what’s about to happen.

If possible, I’d love to use them as bait to see whatever special preparation the Murim Alliance has set up. Thinking about that, I approached Soo-oh.

“Soo-oh.”

She turned her head sharply.

I grabbed her cheeks with both hands and forced her to look at me.

“Oww!”

Pure physical strength-wise, I’m stronger. My physique gives me considerable power.

“Things are going to get really dangerous soon. If something unfortunate happens, live for yourself at that moment. Remember what I always say?”

I often told Soo-oh to do what she wanted. When faced with choices, I waited for her to think carefully before deciding.

Sometimes, I just acted without waiting.

To use me effectively, it’s best to pursue what you truly desire. When moving toward a noble cause, you can achieve great things.

Like Tisah did.

“Why are you talking like you’re about to die?”

Soo-oh complained while her cheeks were pinched.