Sword Sovereign’s Return Chapter 22

Demonic Practitioners of the Heaven Piercing Cult (2)

“Hoo-oo…”

A deep exhale escaped from Wiji Guang’s lips. The pure true ki mingled in his breath subtly disturbed the air around him.

Nevertheless, a look of displeasure lingered on his face.

“Not enough.”

Wiji Guang muttered as if chewing the words. He could see a wall, yet could not climb over it.

He still was not fully prepared.

It was only natural.

All he had done was a brief flow of ki meditation.

The countless years spent trapped in obsession could not be swept away all at once.

Still, separate from his dissatisfaction, a glint of divine light shone in Wiji Guang’s eyes as he completed a Minor Heavenly Cycle.

It was the process of a dulled blade being reforged—becoming even sharper than before.

When his brief training ended, Wiji Guang swiftly stood and left the training room.

By now, the clash between Seomun Hwa and Mad War Gate had already occurred.

His adversaries must have realized that as well.

There was no time to delay.

As Wiji Guang, sword at his side, strode forward, Go Dongjun appeared before him.

Having been waiting, Wiji Guang greeted him with a pleased expression.

“Unit leader, I have a report.”

Wiji Guang nodded calmly, and Go Dongjun continued,

“Mad Blade Fiend has been confirmed to be at the main base of the Mad War Gate in Luoyang, but it seems one of their guardian protectors, Dead Blood Spear, is absent.”

“Dead Blood Spear, Dead Blood Spear…”

At Go Dongjun’s words, the divine light in Wiji Guang’s eyes grew even sharper.

At the same time, a supremely refined killing intent rippled from his body.

Yet his control was so subtle that even Go Dongjun, standing directly before him, felt no oppression.

However, the translucent aura shrouding Wiji Guang visually revealed just how dense his killing intent was.

Go Dongjun’s eyes showed a hint of surprise upon seeing it.

He could sense that the stymied martial arts of the unit leader were finally showing progress.

For Go Dongjun, who had long observed both the Thousand Sword Unit and Wiji Guang, it was an emotional moment.

But now was not the time to bask in such achievements. Go Dongjun quickly continued his report.

“Also, the Rakshasa Squad led directly by Mad Blade Fiend has moved beyond Luoyang and is focusing on uniting the small-scale outlaws in the Shaanxi region.”

Wiji Guang nodded as he listened to the continued report.

That meant that the odds pointed to there being few, if any, enemies too formidable for the Thousand Sword Unit to handle.

“You’ve done well.”

Wiji Guang nodded in acknowledgement, commending Go Dongjun’s efforts.

Complex emotions surged within his gaze. Yet, worries pondered at a desk served no purpose.

In an instant, the torment in his eyes was cleanly severed, as if cut away by a sword.

“I must see the Grand Chief Administrator.”

He spoke, rubbing his chin.

His low voice resonated throughout the room.

To seek out the Grand Chief Administrator, who held command authority over the Alliance’s martial forces, meant he had resolved to mobilize.

Go Dongjun nodded in agreement with Wiji Guang’s intent.

Murim Alliance Headquarters, Grand Chief Administrator’s Office.

“Unit leader Wi, I can’t recall the last time you visited to request a mission. And so urgently, at that.”

Grand Chief Administrator Cheon Daewoon put down his teacup in a most refined and dignified manner.

When the leader of the martial force, Wiji Guang, requested a special audience, Cheon Daewoon had postponed all appointments to meet him at once.

“I am Unit Leader Wiji, actually…”

Wiji Guang corrected him in a reluctant tone.

He, too, was a sturdy man, but the elderly Grand Chief Administrator’s shoulders were even broader.

The elegant etiquette that flowed from such a muscular frame always felt uncanny.

“It just means you’ve become that distinguished. So, have you managed to shake off your heart demon?”

The Grand Chief Administrator asked with a knowing, faint smile.

“… A heart demon, yes, perhaps that’s what it was. I learned that obsession alone leads nowhere.”

Wiji Guang spoke with eyes that gleamed cold, hardened to a chilling sharpness.

It was not that he had abandoned vengeance. He had simply found a way that would lead to success.

Letting go of obsession had opened the way forward.

“It was that child who changed you, wasn’t it…”

Cheon Daewoon murmured with a subtle expression.

When Seo Yeonwoo was assigned to the Thousand Sword Unit, he had entertained some expectations.

But never had he imagined such swift and dramatic results.

It was a success that far exceeded even his wildest hopes.

“Yes, Yeonwoo… I realized I couldn’t continue a life drowning in alchohol if I didn’t want to be outpaced by that member.”

Wiji Guang replied with a nod.

“He really is a fierce wind, that child.”

Cheon Daewoon blinked in astonishment, then stared at Wiji Guang with a sober gaze.

There were matters that needed to be addressed head-on.

“I have long been disappointed to see your talents stagnate, never filling the vessel I saw in you.”

The Grand Chief Administrator rebuked Wiji Guang in a stern tone.

Wiji Guang stood out even among those belonging to the martial force of the Alliance.

His potential was exceptional, and he progressed rapidly.

It was certain he would one day attain a high post and spread his fame across the land.

Upon hearing the rebuke, Wiji Guang only bowed his head in silence.

“But you’ve suffered enough. Bearing the death of the previous Thousand Sword Unit leader alone was far too harsh. The Chief Administration Office and the Alliance shoulder much responsibility for failing to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice.”

Cheon Daewoon said, patting his shoulder with a bitter expression.

And with that, the conversation wrapped up.

Wiji Guang submitted the report drafted by Seomun Hwa to the Grand Chief Administrator.

[1. On return from mediating disputes between righteous sects belonging to the Murim Alliance in Kaifeng, encountered multiple martial artists presumed to belong to Mad War Gate.

2. The other party struck first, killing our members without a word of negotiation. Judging by their disposition, they seemed intent on killing us all. All suspected members of Mad War Gate encountered were dealt with, but there is a high chance residual forces remain.

3. Further investigation is recommended.]

The report was brief and rough, hastily written on site.

However, the fact that Six Unorthodox Sect forces had appeared near the headquarters of the Alliance was a matter of grave concern.

After reading through the report, the Grand Chief Administrator drummed his fingers on the desk.

“Outlaws were skulking right under the Alliance’s nose, and yet the Secret Annex failed to detect them.”

A deep furrow appeared between his brows. With an angry shake of his head, he spoke on.

“Thousand Sword Unit leader Wiji Guang, how do you plan to handle this matter?”

“According to intelligence from the Secret Annex, it is highly unlikely that the Mad War Gate leader or any main force are present here. Therefore, I will lead a part of the Sword Unit to sweep the area. Depending on the severity, we will kill or capture those involved and get to the bottom of this incident.”

Wiji Guang answered with a steady tone.

The Grand Chief Administrator nodded in response.

While it was not a flawless plan, the confidence gleaming in Wiji Guang’s eyes moved him.

After all, someone had to get out onto the ground and clash with the enemy.

In such urgent circumstances, reassigning other personnel was difficult.

“Very well. By authority of the Murim Alliance’s Grand Chief Administrator, I assign this task to the Thousand Sword Unit. You are to track down and eliminate Mad War Gate members or related forces hiding within Kaifeng.”

“Yes!”

Wiji Guang answered with a booming spirit.

Seeing him turn to leave, the Grand Chief Administrator’s face grew deeply troubled.

Eradicating the enemy at the frontlines was the Sword Unit’s burden to bear.

But the Grand Chief Administrator’s Office, too, had its own battles to fight within the Alliance.

That they failed to notice this incident beforehand—just where had things gone wrong?

After bearing responsibility for the Murim Alliance for so long, Cheon Daewoon let out a sigh.

The Thousand Sword Unit headquarters was far busier than usual.

It had been a very long time since they mobilized on such a large-scale mission.

They had lost their elite, and the new unit leader had been consumed by thoughts of vengeance, so no great missions had been assigned.

But with Seomun Hwa’s return, unit leader Wiji Guang himself was to head this mission.

That the rarely mobilized Sword Unit was entrusted with such a crucial task was a testament to the Grand Chief Administrator’s trust in Wiji Guang and the Thousand Sword Unit.

Seo Yeonwoo coolly observed the headquarters.

More precisely, he watched the Squad members bustling with mission preparations.

‘The level is not low at all.’

He thought, eyes flashing sharply.

It was said that they lost most of their elites, including the unit leader, in a clash with the Demon of Malevolent Slaughter.

Considering that, their level was quite respectable.

Wiji Guang was on the verge of reaching the supreme peak. Go Dongjun too, was a consummate peak-level swordsman.

As for Seomun Hwa, it was unclear whether she had reached the peak—but judging by her ki, she was better than most novice supreme experts.

At Seo Yeonwoo’s current state, unless it was a life-or-death duel, there was no way he could beat her in a match.

Even to someone like Seo Yeonwoo, who knew Seomun Hwa had once been called the world’s greatest swordswoman, her rate of progress was truly astonishing.

In fact, Peng Kahou, too, was at a more than decent level. As befitting a direct descendant of one of the Six Great Houses.

As for the other members Seo Yeonwoo assessed now, their standards were solid.

All had passed the strict vows of the Alliance, putting them at least at first-rate level.

And perhaps due to the loss of veterans, the average age seemed quite young. Which meant—they possessed a great deal of potential.

‘If they have potential, it must be drawn out.’

A smile played on Seo Yeonwoo’s lips.

While watching and analyzing the Sword Unit members thus, Seo Yeonwoo’s thoughts were interrupted by the return of Go Dongjun and Wiji Guang.

“Everyone, gather.”

Go Dongjun’s call went out to the Thousand Sword Unit.

At once, all the members spread out across the area gathered in a circle around the martial training ground.

“Orders have been given from the Grand Chief Administrator’s Office.”

Wiji Guang soon spoke, surveying them.

By now, an aura of overwhelming pressure that could envelop the entire Sword Unit radiated from his body.

Though he’d uttered just a single phrase, everyone inside the assembly hall turned to focus their gazes on Wiji Guang.

‘Impressive.’

Seo Yeonwoo nodded in satisfaction at the sight.

This was a presence distinct from a mere martial artist—it was the charisma of a commander.

It reminded one of a general leading troops, for such was Wiji Guang’s innate talent.

When the previous Thousand Sword Unit leader died, Wiji Guang inherited the leadership precisely because he possessed this talent.

The fact that the Thousand Sword Unit was still so well-organized, even now, was thanks to that same reason.

“We will immediately head to the site where Sword Blossom and Mad War Gate clashed. We must seize the trail before they escape!”

He continued in a calm but resolute tone.

“Mad War Gate is one of the Six Unorthodox Gates, and each of their members possesses power that will not fall short of us in the Thousand Sword Unit.”

Yet, there was no sign that the Mad War Gate’s forces had moved en masse.

“First, we must act quickly. Before those who clashed with Sword Blossom cut off their own trail. And second, we must minimize casualties. Therefore, we will operate as a select elite unit.”

Wiji Guang continued.

The members nodded one after another. There was not a word out of place.

A stir ran through the gathering as Wiji Guang began naming those chosen for the mission.

Himself, as unit leader, and deputy leader Go Dongjun were the first to be named.

Next, came Sword Blossom Seomun Hwa, who would serve as a guide.

Then, the two top-class swordsmen of the Thousand Sword Unit were selected.

And finally, Peng Kahou and Seo Yeonwoo were called.