Spreading the news across the continent via long-distance communication proceeded more smoothly than anticipated. While the Zhuge Clan's diligent efforts despite their difficult situation contributed, the decisive factor was the numerous Golden Island yokai disguised as "Mosan Sect Taoists," dispersed across the land to assist the ritual.
"Hah— To think Mosan Sect possessed such capabilities. Blinded by our arrogance, we believed ourselves superior. We were truly frogs in a well."
The Zhuge Clan leader, overestimating his rival's strength, sighed. However, this experience would motivate them to strive harder, which wasn't a bad thing.
'Of course, simply spreading the news isn't enough.'
Considering Ganghwange's transportation difficulties, where crossing a single region required immense time and effort, this feat was near miraculous. However, this was merely the first step. Countless obstacles remained.
Some refused to believe the outlandish news, others suspected a trick, and still others sought to exploit the situation for their own benefit. It was fortunate that the information originated from the reputable Zhuge Clan and concerned the Demonic Cult, a common enemy of righteous, demonic, and military factions alike. Otherwise, most would have ignored it.
'Regardless, I've succeeded in capturing everyone's attention. Active cooperation is ideal, but even disbelief doesn't matter. My objective is achieved.'
For now, it was enough that they patrolled their territories with renewed vigilance, scrutinizing any suspicious activity. All of this would become a noose, restricting the movements of those in hiding and slowly tightening around them.
'Besides, the Demonic Cult's notoriety is greater than I thought. They won't hesitate to provide information if it doesn't harm them.'
It didn't take long for events to unfold as predicted. As a result—
"Suspicious activity has been reported in the forest near Gaoping, Shanxi Province. Locals reported a group of individuals hiding, prompting the local Yunggeom Sect to investigate, but they found nothing conclusive…"
"The Iron Ghost Sect in Jiangxi Province discovered traces of an unidentified group. They found signs of a camp and pursued the group, but lost them when they fled beyond the sect's territory…"
"The Guiyang Beggars' Sect branch in Guizhou reported sighting troops moving under cover of darkness. They demand payment for further details…"
A deluge of information poured into the Zhuge Clan from across the continent. The clan members bustling about, frantically organizing the data, had become a veritable central control tower.
'Ugh, just looking at it makes my head spin.'
Hugo, observing the scene from the side, clicked his tongue. The arduous task of verifying, filtering, and categorizing the incoming information was overwhelming. Even with his increased stats and improved mental and intellectual capabilities, he couldn't handle such a flood of paperwork.
The work handled by his other avatars was usually pre-processed and organized by competent subordinates.
"The report from Jiangxi Province is unreliable. It's unlikely the cult, known for meticulously erasing their tracks, would leave traces of a campsite, especially one the mediocre Iron Ghost Sect could track…"
"We've verified the Guizhou report. The Prince Jing's army, the local ruling military power, mobilized troops around the same time. It's likely a misunderstanding of their covert operation…"
However, true to their reputation for intelligence, the Zhuge Clan quickly analyzed the information, separating wheat from chaff. They identified malicious falsehoods, discarded rumors based on misunderstandings, set aside unrealistic reports based on distance and timing, and excluded information fabricated for factional gain.
"The Shanxi report seems highly probable. The location is plausible, and the supporting testimonies are…"
"Ah! The Jin Pearl House in Hebei reported something similar! Coincidentally, the two locations aren't far apart. Traveling from Shanxi to Hebei aligns with the timeline!" After this rigorous process, the remaining information became invaluable data. The clan's most brilliant scholars gathered to meticulously analyze the most promising leads. As they narrowed down several possible routes and compiled a list of suspected destinations—
Hugo's eyes widened as he saw the name at the top of the report.
'Beijing.'
The site of the former Imperial Palace, where the Dragon Heart resided. A highly significant location.
The other locations listed below also seemed plausible.
'…Impressive. To accomplish this in just a few days…'
He finally understood how they had maintained their prestigious reputation for so long. He'd underestimated them until now, but now a different thought crossed his mind.
'I want them.'
Hugo licked his lips, his eyes gleaming. They were talents who could excel in any situation! He knew better than anyone how much easier life became with competent subordinates.
The faces of his capable subordinates flashed through his mind. Jin Soran from Earth, Banshee Queen Olivia, the True Blood Vampire Mullo, Diana of the Hubert Company… And now, the Zhuge Clan members began filling the spaces beside them.
"Young Hero Ha? Are you alright?"
"…Ah! I apologize. I was lost in thought…"
Hugo, startled by the voice, snapped back to reality and replied. He was currently in a meeting with the clan elders, discussing the analysis results.
He needed to focus.
"Hah, it's understandable. Beijing, of all places. Such audacity. I never imagined they'd return there."
Cheonggwan, the Taoist from Mosan Sect, sighed as he read the report.
Hugo, a mere guest, was allowed in this sensitive meeting thanks to Cheonggwan. He had cited Hugo's impressive performance at the Shaolin Temple as a pretext to request his presence, providing a legitimate reason.
'Well, Cheonggwan probably heard about me for the first time during this mission briefing.'
Such were the workings of connections. Besides, Hugo was qualified to be here.
He was a powerful figure at the Supreme Realm on par with the strongest in the Jegal family, who had no one at the Transformation Realm.
'Of course, there are differences within realms and in experience, so our combat power isn't exactly equal. Still, a Supreme Realm warrior is strong enough to represent an entire region.'
He was used to interacting with exceptional individuals in powerful settings, but many smaller sects lacked even Peak Realm warriors, let alone Supreme Realm ones.
Furthermore, he was a young prodigy, barely past twenty. Such treatment was hardly special.
"It's not yet confirmed that it's Beijing, is it?"
"But it's the most likely location. Frankly, I find it an unfavorable location for a ritual… Hmm, it depends on the type of ritual."
"Indeed. The Demonic Cult possesses many heaven-defying techniques."
The discussion continued amongst the participants. However, they shared a common goal: stopping the ritual before its completion.
"…We have much to do. We need to send scouts to the candidate locations, and we'll need support from others to fight the cult and rescue the hostages. If the battlefield is Beijing, we'll need an elite force, not just anyone. And to face the Heavenly Demon, we'll need at least three Transcendent Realm masters…"
"The first step is problematic. They won't let our scouts return alive. And the Demonic Cult has more than just the Heavenly Demon. The One-Eyed Demon Sword, other masters, and the jiangshi…"
The participants fell silent, their expressions reflecting the grim reality they faced. Then—
"I will go to Beijing."
Hugo's clear, youthful voice resonated through the meeting hall. He had been silently observing until now.
"Time is of the essence. We must scout and confirm the location quickly to proceed to the next stage. I'm confident in my ability to escape any situation, so I will personally confirm the location."
The others tried to dissuade him from volunteering to enter the most dangerous and likely location.
Infiltrating a potentially heavily guarded enemy base alone was different from participating in a large-scale battle. Moreover, the location was a notorious demonic realm, suppressing the use of ki.
However, their dissuasion faltered against Hugo's resolute will. They were the ones with a clan member held hostage.
They were grateful for a master like Hugo volunteering to take the lead.
"Then I shall depart immediately. I will also assess the hostages' situation if possible. I entrust the rest to you."
"…The clan will mobilize all its resources, so don't worry. Be careful and return safely. You are the future pillar of the martial world."
With no time to waste, Hugo packed his belongings and left the clan after receiving Elder Zhuge Gunak's worried words of encouragement.
Whoosh
He activated his lightness skill, leaping from Yungjung Mount with an air of determination. However, this serious demeanor gradually faded as he descended the mountain, replaced by a casual air, as if he were on a leisurely stroll.
'I should hone my skills while I'm out. Practical experience is the best way to improve.'
Humming a light tune, his thoughts were at odds with the situation. He had no intention of visiting that demonic realm himself.
'Let's see. At this pace… it will take about a week? It's awfully far. Well, by the time I arrive, everything should be neatly wrapped up.'
There was someone else eagerly awaiting the revelation of the target location.
Someone faster, more efficient, and cleaner than anyone else.
A new landlord ready to hunt down his escaped tenants to the ends of hell.
'How much time has passed?'
Zhuge Huimei stared blankly at the blue sky outside the window, then closed her eyes tightly. Contrary to her inner turmoil, the cloudless sky was radiantly clear.
'I never dreamed I'd end up here.'
The ruins of the Imperial Palace in Beijing.
This was a notorious demonic realm. It drained the ki from anyone within, rendering martial artists and sorcerers powerless, and slowly withering ordinary people to death. She knew why the Demonic Cult had brought her here.
'Human sacrifice… I'm the offering…'
With her sharp intellect, she had pieced together the cult's motives during her captivity. They hadn't bothered to hide their intentions.
'What does it matter anyway? I can't escape.'
She was confined to a single room near the palace ruins. A formation protected the interior from the hostile environment, but otherwise, she was free to move within the room. However, neither she nor any of the other captives had attempted escape.
'I'd be subdued the moment I stepped outside. And my treatment would only worsen.'
There were many visible cult members, but the unseen numbers were likely far greater. Perhaps they were swarming around her even now.
"Sigh."
A sigh escaped her lips, a habit so ingrained she'd lost count.
"…Oh, right. I need to exercise."
Suddenly, a promise she made resurfaced in her mind. A promise made to someone she'd known for a time incomparably short compared to her family, yet constantly remembered whenever she was alone.
-"I'll diligently exercise here, so please tell me what happened there, Young Master Ha. Promise?"
She had clung to this promise, exercising regularly to maintain her resolve. But as time wore on, her will was faltering.
She had managed to continue out of habit until yesterday…
'…Does it matter? I won't be able to hear those stories anymore anyway.'
She rose sluggishly, then slumped back down. She had clung to hope, but now she was at her limit.
The true end was near.
'…Still, I wish I could see him one last time…'
At that moment—
"Huh?"
A gasp escaped her lips.
She finally registered a change that had occurred while she was lost in thought.
'What's that?'
Her gaze shifted to the sky.
Rumble
The previously clear sky was now completely covered in dark, ominous clouds. As if foreshadowing something to come.