– I didn’t actually take the poison, Tae Pyeong-ah.
When Seol Ran said those words, Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong let out a deep sigh of relief.
According to the information leaked from the Inbong clan, the special maid Seol Ran of the Crown Prince’s palace had supposedly ingested slow poison grass.
However, in reality, Seol Ran had sensed the trick in advance and only pretended to drink it.
– And the people of the Inbong clan think I actually took the poison!
Seol Ran even took it a step further. She wrapped the situation up nicely so that Seol Tae Pyeong could use it to his advantage.
If she had aroused suspicion and complicated the situation at that point, the Inbong clan would have immediately come up with an excuse or devised another scheme to deal with it.
But Seol Ran kept the truth a secret for now and informed Seol Tae Pyeong of everything as it was.
Thanks to that, Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong could calmly observe the entire situation and decide how to act.
– It’s highly likely that a giant demonic spirit will soon rampage through this Cheongdo Palace.
– W-What…?
There isn’t much time to deal with this properly, Ran-noonim. Please help me!
– Krrraaaaaaaah!
Seol Ran heard the roar of the demonic spirit through the storm.
Even though the sound came from the distant ruins of the Red Palace, it seemed to spread throughout the entire Cheongdo Palace. Eventually, groups of demonic spirits began to rise one by one; they started twisting their bodies grotesquely as they glared at the maids.
“Kyaaah!”
“Demonic spirits! Demonic spirits have appeared!”
“Everyone, stay calm!”
Just as the maids were about to fall into panic and terror, the special maid Seol Ran shouted loudly. If one wished to maintain the composure of those around them, the leader of the group must not lose their own calm.
Even in this dire crisis, seeing Seol Ran remain calm like this, the servants and maids swallowed nervously and lowered their heads.
The maids of Peaceful Moon Pavilion were all in disarray, their clothes unkempt, and their minds not fully together.
Seol Ran who had somehow managed to bring along the fallen Wang Han steadied herself and spoke firmly.
“Secretary Wang, until Tae Pyeong arrives… that monster will come to kill me.”
“…What?”
Sun Demonic Spirit Pyeong Ryang, the twisted creation of the Plague Demonic Spirit, knew exactly who was most important to Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun, who held the upper hand in this situation.
Swordmaster Seol Tae Pyeong had been the key figure preventing the Plague Demonic Spirit from progressing in this trapped time, but the one who had an equally huge influence was Seol Ran, who would later rise to the position of Heavenly Maiden.
Of course, Seol Ran couldn’t possibly know all this, but she simply nodded at her brother Seol Tae Pyeong’s serious words.
If Seol Tae Pyeong spoke with such gravity to her, there must have been a reason.
She left the Peaceful Moon Pavilion believing only that, and indeed, the disaster known as the Sun Demonic Spirit descended upon Cheongdo Palace.
At this point, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.
“I must first go to the Crown Prince’s Palace and ensure His Highness’s safety, given my position. However, Taoist An will be heading to the scene. I will also assign a few of my maids to accompany you.”
Even amidst the raging storm, Seol Ran steadied herself and spoke firmly to Wang Han.
“What about you, Maid Seol? If that monster really is after you, shouldn’t you be escaping from Cheongdo Palace?”
“Of course, I must escape. But first, I’ll confirm the safety of His Highness in the Crown Prince’s Palace, then I’ll lure the monster away. Please just buy me some time until then.”
***
“I’ll gather other general-level officers! General Seong, please take care of yourself!”
“Foolish! The other generals must hold their positions! Maintain order and oversee the entire situation within the palace!”
Amidst the pouring rain, Grand General Seong Sa Wook gripped his sword tightly.
Though he had risen to power through sheer strength, he was also a leader fully capable of commanding his forces.
Having faced countless crises over the years, he knew exactly how to act at this critical moment.
“Demonic spirits are emerging everywhere without warning! This must be the influence of that demonic spirit!”
Though his throat was dry and withered, his voice was booming.
“‘Since nowhere is considered safe, the headmaids and masters of each palace will probably fortify their positions! The only ones capable of rescuing them and gathering them in a safe zone are general-level officers who can command warriors regardless of situation or affiliation!”
Han Cheon Seon was struck with shock. He felt as if he had been hit by lightning when he heard these words.
The only thought that dominated his mind was that he had to stop the disaster right in front of him, but General Seong Sa Wook was calmly observing the overall situation in the palace.
“Go and deliver the message! I’ll take down that monster, but you must subdue the demonic spirits infesting the palace as quickly as possible and minimize casualties!”
As important as slaying the monster was, minimizing casualties was just as crucial.
In a crisis, it was important for the group to move in an organized manner.
And Seong Sa Wook volunteered for the most difficult task.
He intended to slay the roaring monster, Sun Demonic Spirit Pyeong Ryang, himself.
Whether this was the reckless bravado of an old man or the seasoned resolve of a veteran general, it remained to be seen. Failing to slay the Sun Demonic Spirit here could lead to an even greater disaster.
However, regardless of the outcome, a soldier’s duty was to carry out the orders given.
Han Cheon Seon nodded his head and dashed out of the Red Palace. He was the only one who could provide a detailed report of the situation at the scene.
Hwaak!
But despite how it looked, Sun Demonic Spirit Pyeong Ryang was quick-witted.
Instinctively, it knew that killing the messenger first would slow down the enemy’s response, so it leaped toward the fleeing Han Cheon Seon.
Whoosh!
Slash!
However, Seong Sa Wook swiftly moved and his sword cut through the Sun Demonic Spirit’s arm once again.
By the time the severed arm hit the ground, Seong Sa Wook’s sword was already back in its sheath. Only the delayed arc of the sword’s path scattered the raindrops.
The quick strike, so fast that it was impossible to follow it with the eyes, was a skill that only those gifted with the highest level of swordsmanship, among the most battle-hardened, could possess.
“I don’t know what grudge drives you to wear the skin of that loyal warrior and cause such havoc… but you’d be wise to abandon the thought of getting past me.”
Whoooosh!
In that instant, the demonic spirit swung its arm and aimed to attack Seong Sa Wook’s neck, but the latter quickly lowered his stance to dodge.
However, even the shockwave left in the path of the demonic spirit’s fist was enough to push his frail body back. The Seong Sa Wook who once dominated the battlefield in his prime was no longer there. Now, only an old man nearing a hundred years of age remained.
On the other hand, the Sun Demonic Spirit which was now wielding the power of Vice General Jeong Seo Tae in his prime, was at the peak of its strength.
Furthermore, the power of the Sun Demonic Spirit was further amplified by the Plague Demonic Spirit’s blood. Now it was a being far beyond the reach of any human.
Vice General Jeong Seo Tae was a madman who had drunk the Bitter Harmony Poison three times.
Handling that power was no easy feat, but the blood of the Sun Demonic Spirit that splattered with every slash also clouded the mind.
How could one hope to manage such a monster that healed from any wound and could demolish buildings with a single blow?
Yet Seong Sa Wook gripped his sword sheath tightly and managed a strained smile.
Bang!
When the Sun Demonic Spirit kicked off the ground and leaped forward, the earth beneath it caved in, sending up a cloud of dust.
He blinked once and the monster was already right in front of him. With such a huge body, it should be sluggish yet its speed was beyond human capability.
Flaaash!
If it came down to a contest of strength, Seong Sa Wook wouldn’t last even a single exchange.
However, the level of swordsmanship he had achieved was mostly composed of techniques that had reached a divine level.
Even when a thousand-pound weight fell down, Seong Sa Wook’s technique which combined both boldness and precision allowed him to let the weight flow like water.
Whoooosh!
Warriors who had crossed swords with Seong Sa Wook often felt as if they were trying to slice through falling leaves.
Just as leaves flutter in the wind and change direction constantly, the moment you think your sword will touch them, they slip away. And even if they do touch, they glide softly along the blade to escape its grasp.
In the end, it feels as if you’re striking at nothing but empty air. It was no different from fighting a ghost.
Whoooosh!
Whoooosh!
No matter how many times the monster swung its fists, it could not land a hit on Seong Sa Wook.
Of course, Seong Sa Wook still had to maintain his balance to avoid being swept away by the sheer force of the attacks.
When ultimate strength meets ultimate skill, the battle inevitably drags on, with neither side able to claim victory.
Ultimately, it would be the one who lost focus at the very end who would be defeated. In a battle of endurance, the old Seong Sa Wook was at a severe disadvantage.
In the end, Seong Sa Wook needed to seize the one opportunity to cut off its head. It meant that, sooner or later, Seong Sa Wook would have to make his final move.
Bang!
When the Sun Demonic Spirit’s fist slammed into the ground, the entire area trembled. Feeling that immense power shaking even the earth, it wasn’t hard to realize that just a graze could be deadly.
However, if one continued to evade and deflect, an opportunity would eventually arise.
It was at that moment when the Sun Demonic Spirit tried to lift its fist from the ground again.
Clang!
It was only natural that the sword strike couldn’t be seen.
When speed surpasses its limits, even the senses lag behind.
As Seong Sa Wook flicked his sword once amidst the pouring rain, the Sun Demonic Spirit’s head was severed and rolled across the ground. The blade of the Cloud and Mist Sword was drenched in the demonic spirit’s blood.
“Your overwhelming strength is impressive, but there are too many gaps in your movements.”
After flicking his sword, Seong Sa Wook tightened his grip again to cut the remaining body of the Sun Demonic Spirit in two. Since the head could regrow at any moment, he had to slice the body beyond recovery.
Just as he was about to swing his sword once more,
Whoooosh!
Jeong Seo Tae who spent half a lifetime as a warrior possessed extraordinary sword skills. Yet, the reason he rarely used his sword was that his immense strength resolved most situations.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t use a sword—he simply chose not to.
And if that immense strength were honed with delicate precision under the name of technique, even the greatest warrior of Cheongdo would inevitably leave an opening.
Would Seong Sa Wook in his prime have been able to cover even that opening?
Clang!
Thud!
When the headless Sun Demonic Spirit pulled its fist from the ground… a sword as big as its body was clutched in its hand.
The Great Sword was made from the blood and bones of the Plague Demonic Spirit. It was a sword personally bestowed upon the monster by the Plague Demonic Spirit and it was forged from its own bones.
Perhaps Seong Sa Wook hadn’t expected a blade to emerge from there, because by the time he realized it, the sword had already slashed through his body.
“Urgh.”
A spurt of blood burst from Seong Sa Wook’s mouth and his eyes widened in shock. No matter how prepared he was, he couldn’t have imagined that such a huge sword would come out from under the ground.
What came into his view was… the sight of the Sun Demonic Spirit’s head regenerating once more.
Watching as the monster lifted that enormous sword and assumed a fighting stance, anyone could mistake it for a seasoned warrior who had honed his skills for a lifetime.
Could a demonic spirit truly mimic a human so perfectly?
Moreover, with the added power of its blood and the Plague Demonic Spirit’s demonic energy, its strength was now several times greater than that of the actual Vice General.
Thud.
Seong Sa Wook’s severed right arm fell onto the wet ground.
Unlike the Sun Demonic Spirit’s limb, that arm would not regenerate.
Seong Sa Wook had to grit his teeth due to the intense pain and bleeding that followed.
He tried to grip his sword with his remaining left hand, but first, he had to figure out how to stop the bleeding.
***
“We must evacuate immediately! Our priority should be getting His Majesty out of the palace!”
“The place is swarming with demonic spirits! We can’t just leave recklessly!”
“Then shouldn’t we just evacuate the capital entirely?”
“With this storm and lightning raging outside, if we encounter demonic spirits out there, it’ll be even more dangerous! There aren’t even properly fortified places to retreat to!”
The council meeting was filled with the sounds of officials arguing as they rushed to devise a plan.
The dignified assembly hall had lost all semblance of decorum and was now packed with officials shouting at the top of their lungs.
Boom, boom.
At that moment, a huge roar echoed again from the direction of the Red Palace.
When they looked out at the storm through the window, they saw that the armory next to the Red Palace was also collapsing.
It was terrifying to watch as the huge structures of the Red Palace, which had stood alongside Cheongdo Palace’s history, crumbled one by one.
The high officials could only swallow dryly at the sight.
First, they needed to ensure the safety of His Majesty, and if possible, escape from Cheongdo Palace as quickly as they could.
But where could they go?
With demonic spirits rising from all over the place, everything was in chaos.
The generals were likely gathering as many soldiers as possible from each palace in Cheongdo Palace to fight the demonic spirits, but who would protect their lives in the meantime?
Frankly, it wouldn’t be surprising if a demonic spirit rose up from beneath the very floor of this council meeting at any moment.
Every moment was a threat to their lives.
Crash!
Swoosh!
At that moment, the door was kicked open and the vice warrior commander of the Red Palace, Han Cheon-seon, rushed in.
He was drenched from the rain and his entire body was smeared with dark red blood.
The high officials couldn’t help but swallow dryly at the sight.
“General Seong Sa Wook is holding off that monster! We must take this chance to head to the Emperor’s chamber!”
They needed to secure the safety of the Emperor, even if it meant cutting through the field of demonic spirits.
That was the main point, but the officials first focused on what had been said earlier.
General Seong Sa Wook was standing against the Sun Demonic Spirit.
Though his strength had waned with age, he was still the greatest swordsman in Cheongdo, and if anyone could resolve the situation, it was him. No monster had ever withstood his blade.
To the gathered officials, this news brought a glimmer of hope.
Boom!
However, not even a moment had passed before the Sun Demonic Spirit Pyeong Ryang stormed into the main palace.
Raindrops splattered against the giant blade made of the bones of the Plague Demonic Spirit.
The sight of him trudging through the pouring rain and leading the demonic spirits, looked like a Grim Reaper on his way to take the lives of all living things.
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