Free Web NovelThe Four-Directions Hall Administrator did not answer the Sagye Hall Administrator’s peaceful greeting and instead asked sharply.
"Why did you not tell me? Had I known the Northern Sea Ice Palace had been completely subjugated by the Blood Cult, I would not have left so defenselessly."
"It has not been long since I found out myself. If I had known the Northern Sea Ice Palace was a den of the Blood Cult, I would also have acted with more caution."
"Do you perhaps think the other Branches will be similar to the Northern Sea?"
"I have not checked, but they likely will be."
"No, my question is not limited to the Outland Branches."
At Pang Shihyeon’s low voice, a brief silence followed.
All Branches that were not Outland were in the Central Plains. She was asking whether some Central Plains Branches might also have been devoured by the Blood Cult. There was no way to know yet.
The Sagye Hall Administrator’s sky-colored eyes shifted subtly to the side.
As though he had glanced at Pang Shihyeon’s cheek, he asked,
"Are you injured?"
"It is fine, so do not trouble yourself."
Sohwa sensed the Sagye Hall Administrator using Silent Script and quietly lowered her sleeve to hide the bandage.
When Sohwa had returned to the main compound of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, Pang Shihyeon had not been there. She had returned much later with Baek Unhyeon, and there had been a long blade mark across her face.
It had not been a sword wound. From the wide gap of the torn flesh and the rough cut surface, it had been a knife wound.
Seeing that she was uninjured elsewhere and that only her cheek was cut, it seemed she had wounded her own cheek.
Baek Unhyeon’s expression had been far too grim, so Sohwa had not asked. It had been the same for Namgung Jin and the Black Tortoise Pavilion Lord.
The one who asked the question no one else voiced was the blind Sagye Hall Administrator.
But perhaps sensing the unpleasant atmosphere, he returned to the main topic.
Turning his gaze toward Tang Sohwa, he asked,
"Did you succeed in recapturing the Ice Palace?"
It was a short question, but it was all the Sagye Hall Administrator needed to ask.
"Yes. The Ice Palace bloodline has become the owner of the Northern Sea Ice Palace."
"If the original plan remains the same, you will also be going to the Great Desert."
At that, Pang Shihyeon furrowed her brow.
"...Are you planning to do again what you did in the Northern Sea?"
"Yes. However, not right now."
When Sohwa saw the Four-Directions Hall Administrator about to get angry, she quickly turned her gaze to Zhuge Inhwi.
"It seems the time when the Oseoksan brainwashing will begin to break is approaching. When do you intend to issue the summons order?"
"I considered sending letters in advance, but I am debating whether to wait, thinking that those who were never brainwashed might contact us on their own the moment their memories return."
That was also not a bad thought. There would be no method of confirmation more certain than watching them come to headquarters to protest.
"However, if they reveal the secret of Oseoksan within their sect or act rashly before contacting headquarters, trouble could arise."
"Yes, that too worries me, which is why I hesitate."
"I fully understand the reason for your concern, but I ask that you summon all the sects."
"Can you tell me why? Or will you tell me later?"
Zhuge Inhwi lowered his gaze carefully, but Pang Shihyeon understood the implication.
"Is it something I should not hear?"
Sohwa shook her head.
"No. You may hear it. The Administrator has seen it as well."
She explained in a calm voice. ƒrēewebnovel.com
"The Blood Demon is inserting Dokgo into people’s bodies to make their will submit, and during this Northern Sea incident, I discovered the antidote."
Zhuge Inhwi showed clear interest.
"Are the ingredients for the antidote easy to obtain? If you tell me, I will try to gather them as quickly as possible."
"I brought some from the Northern Sea, so there is no need to craft new ones for the time being. And the ingredients are common, so I can acquire them and make more myself."
Zhuge Inhwi’s expression did not change, but his voice subtly shifted.
"Are you planning not to share the method of making the antidote?"
"I am sorry."
Zhuge Inhwi asked coldly, but Sohwa refused.
There was no helping it.
How could she say that her own blood was the antidote?
To explain would mean revealing far too many secrets, and in return, greed for her blood would be inevitable. Zhuge Inhwi might not try to use her, but if the Blood Cult heard of it, they would surely try to extract her blood.
She had thought the Sagye Hall Administrator would try persistently to persuade her, but he responded unexpectedly calmly.
"Very well."
"That is all?"
Even Pang Shihyeon, who had been quietly listening, interrupted.
"I was going to remain quiet since I do not know the full circumstances, but still, this is the method for antidoting the Blood Demon’s Dokgo. Should it not be shared with headquarters? If something were to happen to you, the method would disappear entirely."
Instead of saying that the method would be meaningless if she died, Sohwa offered a compromise that would put them at ease.
"I will make as much antidote as possible so there is no shortage. Even after I return to the Tang Clan, I will continue sending it regularly. I will make sure enough is stored that there is no problem even if something happens to me."
The Sagye Hall Administrator nodded.
"Let us do that."
Pang Shihyeon did not seem pleased with his attitude.
She had personally seen in the Northern Sea what a tragedy it was to live as the Blood Demon’s slave, so she naturally took a conservative stance. However, she did not press Sohwa any further.
Feeling that both Administrators had withdrawn, Sohwa continued.
"Among the Alliance members, I intend to first give the antidote to the one who carries the Blood Demon’s Dokgo. When Sagye Hall summons the Alliance, I would like you to send a letter so that that person accompanies them."
Zhuge Inhwi asked again, sounding slightly surprised.
"Do you know who carries the Blood Demon’s Dokgo?"
"Not all of them, but I know of one."
While watching the Duel Tournament to broaden her insight, Sohwa had noticed an odd late-stage aftereffect.
"It is Hall Master Myungdan of Mount Hua."
A silence in which no one could readily speak followed.
After a long while, Zhuge Inhwi asked,
"Are you certain?"
Sohwa nodded.
"Yes, I am certain."
"How do you know this?"
Pang Shihyeon could not hide her surprise, but it did not seem to be suspicion.
Fortunately, Sohwa had a plausible lie ready.
"Previously, I had an opportunity to examine Hall Master Myungdan’s body, and I confirmed it then."
The Four-Directions Hall Administrator nodded quickly, recalling the memory.
"Come to think of it, I heard you treated Hall Master Myungdan together with the Divine Physician at Mount Hua."
While the two Administrators were accepting this, Sohwa added another bombshell.
"Therefore, I intend to remove the Blood Demon’s Dokgo from Hall Master Myungdan’s body in front of all Alliance members."
Both Administrators revealed signs of panic, but Sohwa added her reasoning.
"Rather than explaining the Blood Demon’s existence and Dokgo in words, it will be more effective to show it before their eyes."
It was not only to help the Alliance understand.
"It is the same for the Blood Cult members. They are scattered like a cell structure. It is difficult for us to know who at headquarters belongs to the Blood Cult. But if they see Hall Master Myungdan vomit out the Blood Demon’s Dokgo and become free, they will come searching for me, who has the antidote."
Tang Sohwa took a bottle of antidote from her sleeve, lifted it, and spoke.
"So please gather as many Alliance members as possible. Not only from the sects, but also those at the Branches—please arrange a setting where as many as possible can witness it."
***
The martial artists whispering in front of Sagye Hall turned their heads. At the terrifying presence, they reflexively drew their swords.
A figure was walking along the stone path. Recognizing him, one of the Sagye Hall disciples involuntarily frowned.
‘It seems the Heukcheon Amgui has heard the rumors.’
Since the Sagye Hall Administrator and the Four-Directions Hall Administrator had ordered them to hide Tang Sohwa’s return, this was troublesome.
The Heukcheon Amgui dropped his characteristic swagger and spoke coldly.
"I have come to meet the Sagye Hall Administrator. Go and inform him."
However, the hall disciples guarding the door only exchanged glances, unable to move.
The Heukcheon Amgui’s patience—thinner than a layer of ice—snapped.
Swish.
As his arm lowered toward the ground, throwing daggers filled the spaces between his fingers. Displaying a fist bristling with steel points, he said,
"I do not intend to fight you or force my way inside, so call the Sagye Hall Administrator out."
"It is late at night. We will inform the Administrator, so please return to your quarters for now. We will immediately send someone to notify him."
"Now."
"Right now is a little—"
"I pay my respects to the Heukcheon Amgui."
Someone cut off the hall disciple’s words.
Even the stiffly tensed Heukcheon Amgui turned in surprise.
"What! How are you here? How did you get into headquarters?"
The flustered Heukcheon Amgui’s lips moved as he studied Namgung Jin’s face.
Namgung Jin approached with a smile and naturally guided him aside.
"Since I came in together with the Administrator, I have not been chased out yet. But it seems I will have to leave headquarters soon, so I hoped to exchange a few words with you, Supreme Elder."
Namgung Jin acted familiar with the Heukcheon Amgui as though very pleased, but they were not on such terms.
Precisely because of that, the Heukcheon Amgui did not push him away, believing there must be some scheme.
As expected, a letter slipped into his embrace.
Turning his back to Sagye Hall, the Heukcheon Amgui unfolded the paper Namgung Jin had handed him.
Characters written in Sohwa’s handwriting were neatly arranged.
[ I will go to the Tang Clan quarters. Please wait in the pavilion. ]
