Chapter 121:


    In the previous life, the Demonic Cult army marched east afterpleting the stabilization of Qinghai.


    The reason was simple.


    There are two areas adjacent to Cheonghae.


    It was Gansuk (甘肅) and Sacheon (四川).


    However, the road connecting Cheonghae and Sacheon was narrow and rough, making it difficult forrge-scale troops to move.


    Moreover, there was a Tang family in Sacheon.


    What if the Tang family’s poisoners use the narrow terrain to spray poison at random?


    They could have been exterminated without even being able to properly use the troops they had trained with great difficulty.


    Since an invasion to the south is impossible, the only option for the Demonic Church is to invade the east.


    After a long battle, the Maqiao forces copsed the front line built by Meng and swallowed Gansu, Shaanxi, and Shanxi one by one.


    As Gansu and Shaanxi fell into the hands of Demonicism, the Gongongpa (空洞派) and Hwasanpa (華山派) groups that had their roots in those areas lost their home.


    Survivors from each n flocked to Sacheon, and Sacheon, which amodated them, was equipped with an impregnable defense system.


    At that point, there were a total of four areas adjacent to the Demonic Cult’s sphere of influence.


    Sichuan, Hubei, Henan, Hebei.


    A structure was created that made it burdensome for the Demonic side to prioritize invading Hubuk or Hanam.


    Even if one of the two areas had to be taken over with difficulty, it was surrounded on three sides by the influence of the political faction, the Murim faction, so it had no choice but to be recaptured in the end.


    In the end, there were two options given to the Demonic Church.


    Should we attack Sichuan first or Hebei first?


    The decision made by Lord Ma was thetter.


    Of course, Baekdo Moorim also anticipated this and prepared thoroughly.


    A front line was formed centered around the warriors of the Hebei Peng family and the elites of Meng, and the warriors of Liaoning and Shandong joined to strengthen the defense system.


    The number and quality of the assembled troops were so great that they could not bepared to before, so everyone expected the Demonic Cult to be a struggle.


    However, due to an unexpected variable, Hebei’s front line copsed in vain.


    The Shandong Akga, one of the main axes of the front, betrayed the Baekdo Murim and turned to the side of Demonicism.


    In the process, Taowang (刀王), who overextended himself to buy time for his allies to escape, was seriously injured and was eventually assassinated by Cheonmyeonsal (千面殺).


    The entire Baekdo Murim was shocked.


    The forces of Maqiao, who easily defeated the Allied Forces, gained momentum and engulfed Shandong, and the Wulin forces in Liaoning, who were suddenly isted, chose Fengmun (封門) one after another.


    In this way, the central ins were divided into two factions: the Demonic faction in the north and the Jeong faction in the south.


    * * *


    ‘The decisive cause of the copse of Hebei’s front is none other than Shandong Yue.’


    If I had to summarize the reason why Shandongakga betrayed the martial arts faction in one sentence, it would be as follows.


    The resentment and sadness that had built up over many years of persecution exploded.


    As the name of the school suggests, Shandongakga was a martial arts family with roots in Shandong.


    Since the head of the family was an absolute master who upied the first position of the Ten Heavenly Emperors, it would seem that he would have a great influence on the region, but in reality, this was not the case.


    It was because of the existence of Hwang Bo-sega, who was called the loser of Shandong.


    The Hwangbo family has long been ufortable with the existence of Shandong music.


    As the influence of the evil family grows, the Hwangbo family will suffer losses.


    If Shandong Akga had been a Taoist or Buddhist gate, it would have been possible to pursue a path of coexistence.


    Just like the Zhuge family and the Shaman faction in Hubei.


    Just like Sacheon’s Dangga and Cheongseong Ami.


    However, Shandongakga was a sect, not a sect.


    Two suns cannot rise in the same sky.


    In a way, it could be said that it was natural that the Hwangbo family continued to check and persecute the evil family.


    ‘It is an open secret that the bullying of the Hwangbo family yed arge role in the downfall of the evil family.’


    The Murim League pretended not to notice the unfair persecution suffered by the Akga.


    Initially, the alliance created for the benefit of the Old Daemun faction and the Five Great Families was the Murim Alliance.


    There was no way they would take the side of the evil family.


    If it had not been possible to produce an outstanding talent named Ak Yeo-ryeong, Shandong music would have disappeared into the back of history long ago.


    ‘The Akga’s deep-rooted hatred for the Jungwon martial arts group is not something that can be easily resolved.’


    Master Ma recognized the anger and sadness of the evil family that had umted over a long period of time.


    Therefore, starting with treating the disciples of Ak Yeo-ryeong who were suffering from mental illness, he gradually owed the evil family their debt and eventually seeded in appeasing them.


    The reason why Akga betrayed the martial arts faction was not simply because the Demon Cultist had cured a disciple of Ak Yeo-ryeong who was suffering from a mental illness.


    It was just an opportunity and an excuse.


    ‘If the more fundamental problem is not resolved, there is a high possibility that the evil family will join the devil’s side in this life as well.’


    Therefore, I spoke frankly, prepared to be hated.


    Please swear that you will not betray the right faction, Murim.


    You may ask what meaning a mere oath has, but this was important.


    ‘You can’t fill up on the first drink. This is the first step to attracting evil people to my side.’


    I’ve been thinking a lot about this.


    How to deal with evildoers.


    I also thought that it would be better to achieve an achievement by stopping them at a critical moment.


    It’s good to prevent betrayal, but honestly, I wasn’t confident that I could definitely attract evil people to my side.


    However, when he decided to make Seo Ho-seon his subordinate, a change of heart urred.


    [There is no reason why I could not do what my second brother inw did in my past life.]


    Likewise, there was no reason why I could not do what the religious leader did in my past life.


    I nned to continue interacting with Akga and build friendships in the future.


    I had no intention of being tied down by memories of my past life and opposing them.


    Just as the religious leader put all his effort into conciliating them, I will also spend time and effort to make the evil people on my side.


    ‘I gained the favor of the sound demon, a member of the Ten Heavenly Emperors, and also blocked the ns of the Demonic Cult Lord.’


    If it worked out well, the best results could be achieved.


    On the other hand, if I failed, I would suffer a big loss, but I didn’t want to think about that.


    “…….”


    I hope the time of silence will pass.


    Ak Yeo-ryeong rxed her stern expression and asked with a sigh.


    “Is that the only condition?”


    “yes. “There are no other conditions.”


    “…….”


    “Just say one word. “I will swear.”


    “You could ask for gold and silver treasures, military service, or a reward que.”


    “I don’t know anything else, but I’m a little jealous of the gratuity que. But it is not more important than receiving an oath from the head of the family.”


    “I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with meaningless oaths.”


    “Isn’t it the oath of an evil spirit and no one else? “I don’t think the head of the family, who is famous for being strict with his wishes and promises, would not keep his oath.”


    I naturally ttered her and forced her to answer.


    Ak Yeo-ryeong, who was staring at me with deep eyes, quickly nodded.


    “I swear. “I and the evil family will never betray Baekdo Wulin.”


    “Thank you for responding seriously to my rude request.”


    “I never thought there would be young people like you in this day and age. “It seems that the future of the political faction, Moorim, is not as dark as we thought.”


    The evil girl praised me with a soft smile on her lips.


    I suddenly became curious.


    In the future, when I ascend to the position of elder, will she look at me with the same kind eyes as she does now?


    “My young friend showed concern for the future of Baekdo Moorim, even giving up his own interests. I should also show at least some sincerity.”


    “……?”


    “As soon as my disciple’s health recovers and a few urgent matters are taken care of, I n to hand over the position of head of the family to my son.”


    “Are you saying you will resign from active duty?”


    “no. “After I finish everything, I think I will join my disciple.”


    The guards standing behind them all widened their eyes as if they had made a promise.


    It seemed like he never expected that the words of leaving the family woulde out of the evil girl’s mouth.


    I was equally surprised.


    ‘Are you serious?’


    There was nothing wrong with me if the evil Yeo-ryeongmitted herself to the battle.


    Not only will you have a reliable ally, but you will no longer have to worry about the Shandong Musician’s betrayal.


    There was one thing I couldn’t help but understand.


    The head of the family, an old woman over 70 years old, said she would join the family, leaving behind the family she had worked for her entire life.


    It was not an easy decision to make.


    “Wouldn’t it be better to decide more carefully? “The head of the family would personally join the alliance….”


    “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time. “Thanks to you, I have strengthened my decision.”


    “……?”


    “Did you say that the reason the Demon Cult master put his disciple into a demon was to induce the evil family to betray him?”


    “That’s right.”


    “It seems like he was trying to carry out a trick by taking advantage of the evil rtionship between the main family and the Hwangbo family.”


    “…….”


    “I vaguely knew. If things continue like this, Akga has no future. “The family that was in decline because of me is somehow continuing its existence, but its current prosperity will not continue forever.”


    A bitter smile appeared on the evil woman’s lips.


    It was as she said.


    Human lifespan was not infinite.


    It was as obvious as seeing fire what the Shandong Akga would experience after Ak Yeo-ryeong died.


    “From the perspective of the main family, the Hwangbo family’s warriors are the ones to kill, but from a third party’s perspective, it will only be seen as an ordinary battle of interests. “I and Gasol know that well.”


    “…….”


    “If we don’t want to be left behind, we need to make changes. “Go to the battlefield, make achievements, use those achievements to raise your voice, and take advantage of your heightened speaking power.”


    Ak Yeo-ryeong’s voice gained strength.


    Only then did I understand what she was thinking when she decided to join the family.


    “Murim is a ce where you can’t achieve anything just bymenting over a given situation andining about its absurdity. In the end, the only way to get what you want is to step forward yourself.”


    “You made a difficult decision.”


    “I hope I can maintain a good rtionship with you if possible. “In the future, when I be a monk, I hope we can have a rtionship of helping each other.”


    “What a coincidence. “I had the same thought.”


    * * *


    I entered the separate room with Damun’s guidance and narrowed my eyes.


    A man who was presumed to be Ak Yeo-ryeong’s disciple was lying dead on the bed.


    She had such a beautiful appearance that I almost mistaken her for a woman for a moment.


    ‘It must have been a while since I fell into a state of despair, but my condition seems to be better than I thought.’


    There was a big difference in appearance from Cheon Ga-ryeong, Hwa Dae, and Lee Soo-yeon whom I treated earlier.


    I tilted my head and pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.


    As I felt the patient’s pulse and let my energy flow, I was able to know the subject’s physical condition more clearly.


    I narrowed my eyes and muttered to myself.


    ‘……The condition is more serious than it looks?’