Chapter 54

Despite the terrifying insults, the Forward Blue Wave Unit members honestly didn’t really hear them.

They took immense pride in being part of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

In the Divine Sect, strength was law, so it was a wild and crazy cauldron filled with all sorts of madmen and women.

Man-eaters? Sure, they exist.

Torturers? Those too.

Guys who enjoy killing people? Oh, you bet!

But having encountered various demons up close, I’ve developed a keen eye for twisted individuals turned into irredeemable monsters.

The girl right in front of me? She’s the real deal among those freaks.

I can’t tell why she’s hiding in an orthodox sect. Somehow, her very species feels different from that of any demon…

His jaw trembled.

“Please… spare me…”

A top-tier master rubbed his hands together like he was swatting flies.

The black sect had its perks.

A warrior with no ideals only valued his own life above all else.

Qing looked down at the man pleading for his life.

Just like the others, he was someone who could die without a second thought.

Qing’s gaze shifted a bit sideways.

“Me? Why?”

“If you spare me, I’ll do anything.”

As Qing took a step back, the man screamed in dread.

“Wait! Sir! I have information! I’ll tell you everything I know! I’m looking for the Magic Flute! The Magic Flute!”

Qing halted his movements.

Not that I knew what a Magic Flute was or really cared.

But the thought of a new mission appeared in my mind, suddenly igniting.

The task window labeled [Precursor, (Unknown) crisis] burst into flames and displayed a new line.

[Divine Sect Heaven, Demon Sect War. The Beginning. (Unknown) crisis]

[You can track down an important divine object of the Divine Sect/Demon Sect. Use it to either join the Divine Sect or seize it and become a challenger against the Demon Sect.]

Gain more information about the Magic Flute.

Steal the Magic Flute (from the Martial Alliance)

Deliver the Magic Flute to the Demon Sect.

Deliver the Magic Flute to the Heavenly Demon Sect/Divine Sect.

Steal the Magic Flute (from Heaven’s Kill).

[This choice will affect the world.]

“Ugh…”

Taichang? Is that you again?

Sleeping at two in the morning? You must be tidier than you.

How could I possibly accept you if you’re being so pathetic?

Could you just not breathe and wait for your demise?

Suddenly, a half-formed strategy guide flitted through my mind.

Wasn’t there something about having to tackle three random crises in early, mid, and late stages during gameplay, or something?

But I’ve already seen the final crisis showdown?

What kind of order is this? It’s a total mess, really.

Would it just end if Yenyeong captures me?

Or will I have to deal with three crises when I can barely handle one?

Yet, ever since facing Yenyeong, the mission window felt a bit more manageable.

At least it wasn’t like the Martial Arts Inventory trying to eat my brain.

“Sigh…”

Qing let out a long breath.

I wanted to untangle this tight knot in my stomach immediately, but,

“So, what is this Magic Flute? Why are you talking only about yourself? Isn’t that illegal according to some law?”

Qing leaned in with a tilted stance, continuing,

“Then my judgment will be the death penalty.”

“I’ll tell you!”

“Two hundred years ago, there was a legendary blacksmith known as the Divine Forgemaster of Huadejin. His name was Ban-chi…”

Qing exploded in anger.

“Lady, what the heck are you suddenly pulling out some yarn about? Are you trying to recount grandpa’s old stories? Want me to lose all my teeth like an old man too?”

“N-no! I mean…”

One of Ban-chi’s masterpieces was the Magic Flute made from everlasting steel.

“What? You freaked out just for a flute?”

“Not just any flute—it’s made from everlasting steel. It’s the treasure every musician desires, praised for its beauty of tone even by the Grand Emperor…”

The Grand Emperor Fuxi was like a top deity in ancient China, credited as the creator of mankind.

Like a tree that shared all kinds of knowledge, he generously bestowed upon humans, including music.

Saying even the Grand Emperor was in awe of it is the highest compliment a musician can receive.

But saying to Qing, “There’s a flute that surpasses the sounds of nature and is beautiful,” would probably get him yawning with no interest.

“It’s just a flute, right?”

But tell him,

“That flute is worth ten thousand gold.”

And he’d be like,

“Wow! You got my attention!”

—and he would be amazed.

Ten thousand gold? That’s unimaginable wealth!

At that point, the mission window had every right to make a fuss about it.

Qing thought.

I can’t hand this over to these scumbags.

Nor could I leave it to the Martial Alliance.

After all, didn’t the end boss, Yenyeong, serve as a patrolman for the Martial Alliance?

Tossing a treasure to such a loosely run organization would make it disappear without a trace.

Then what to do?

My master sometimes plays the flute.

Would he like it as a gift?

Qing made up his mind.

“What are you doing?”

“Uh, what?”

“Starting the guide, don’t you know? What are you waiting for?”

“Then, sparing me…”

Qing squinted his eyes.

“What’s this? The villain… talking back?”

“I will guide you! I want to guide! Please let me guide!”

Qing relaxed his face.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

—-

Hundreds of drawers were scattered across the tomb floor.

Decayed elixirs, rusty hairpins, jewelry like jade, broken daggers, and knives lay tangled together.

Who would imagine that the last chapter of the Treasure Map would be the enraged drawer taken apart? It was quite devilish.

Normally, this wouldn’t be something a leader of the Forward Blue Wave would handle, but with a fire lit on my tail, what choice did I have?

How long had it been since the horrifying demon sect’s henchmen rummaged through the tomb?

Finally, from a filthy position at the top levels, which was out of reach, a deep blue flute that was finally tossed out of a drawer landed on the ground with a thud.

“Found it!”

“Finally…!”

Ahnryang Yeom Saraydal exclaimed in astonishment at the prized catch he’d finally revealed.

With its unadorned body, it was about one and a half feet long.

To the untrained eye, it looked like a metal club, but it was honestly invaluable treasure.

“Great, now…”

At that moment,

Thud. Someone jumped into the tomb.

Yeom Saraydal jumped in surprise and grabbed the iron staff.

“Who are you! What’s going on? Where are the others?”

Yeom Saraydal recognized his subordinate’s face.

I didn’t know their name, but that face was familiar.

The subordinate stuttered.

“Uh, well, um…”

—Hey, is that you? I’m coming down now?

Suddenly, a lively voice pierced through the stone chamber.

At that moment, with a light step, a mysterious young girl stood in the chamber.

Qing scanned the stone chamber’s interior.

In the middle was an open stone coffin revealing faded silk resting upon the remnants of decayed corpses beneath it.

And on the floor, drawers were sprawled out everywhere.

“What’s going on? Tomb raiding? Raiding a grave? You shameless villains! Disturbing the peace of the dead, unforgivable!”

Yeom Saraydal glared at his subordinate, demanding an explanation.

Qing also looked at the wet-pants guy.

The subordinate exchanged glances between the captain and Qing.

Then pulled out his sword, pointing it naturally at Qing.

Qing frowned.

“You’re betraying here? Seriously? Is that the best plan?”

“Shut up! I just lured you here!”

“Well, I never planned to let you go anyway…”

Qing hadn’t promised to spare him.

Now that I had arrived at my destination, I was ready to send unnecessary evildoers over to the other side.

Quick-witted, that one.

“Alright, let’s have this, Radiant Moon Sword! Radiant Moon! Demon Sword!”

Qing spat out random words and lunged forward.

Yeom Saraydal swung his iron staff in defense.

Clang! Metal clashed with metal, creating a tremendous noise.

Yeom Saraydal’s face went pale.

‘What kind of background does this young girl have?’

Yeom Saraydal was already drained from smashing the stone chamber’s ceiling.

“What are you all doing!”

With Yeom Saraydal’s shout, the remaining four members rushed forward.

Qing blocked their blades and pulled back, dodging nimbly.

The blade barely grazed her hip.

And then she lifted her sword high.

At that moment,

Clink, the sound of metal clashing.

Chains wrapped tightly around Qing’s arm.

It was referred to as the iron chain weapon in the Central Plain.

“Now!”

The guy holding the chain shouted.

Yeom Saraydal took advantage of that moment, lifting his iron staff high.

I’ll crush that big head in one blow!

The vicious metallic weapon with spikes was aimed straight at Qing’s head.

Qing yanked her arm roughly.

The fusion of her own incredible strength and the chain’s force sent the owner of the chain flying, making him Qing’s shield.

Whack! The one holding the iron chain blocked the iron staff with his back.

In an instant, his spine shattered, and he spewed blood, dying almost immediately.

At the same time, *ding*—an unexpected ringing noise of a bell.

The guy wielding the blade exploded, his insides splattering everywhere.

A bewildered voice filled the stone chamber.

“The Half-Sword has been dealt with!”

“You!”

But despite that shout of triumph, he hesitated, eyeing things with caution—the recognition that Qing was not someone beneath him.

“You’re a mere creature. You know the proper etiquette, right? Raise your hand if you want to die. Seriously, it just screams ignorance.”

Qing waved her finger dismissively.

Yeom Saraydal signaled to his remaining subordinate with his eyes.

At the same time, he folded and unfolded a few fingers into a shape. It was a signal between comrades.

Meaning, attack all at once.

The subordinate briefly lowered his gaze and then returned it.

Indicating he understood.

And—

“Now!”

Yeom Saraydal barked, pouring all his true energy into his feet as he stomped the ground hard.

The subordinate, knowing it was their last chance, stomped with strong energy, soaring high into the air.

Both bodies flew towards the hole in the ceiling.

It was a dramatic act of mutual betrayal, as if they’d planned it.

A specialty of scummy people.

With only a narrow hole but two people jumping at once, it was inevitable they’d clumsily collide in midair.

They crashed to the ground, rolling around.

“You! Didn’t I say to attack? How dare you defy orders!”

“Why are you running away?”

“That’s treason! Treason calls for death! Death!”

“Coming from the guy who was trying to escape by ditching his subordinates, what are you—what the fuck, you worthless scum! I knew you were a pathetic leader right from the start!”

“W-what? Who the fuck are you calling scum now?”

They raised their voices at each other.

Qing frowned.

Demon Sect or whatever, what a chaotic mess, really.

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