Chapter 191: The Altar of Flames (1)

(TLN: We got DMCA nuked So all korean novels will be removed this week If you want to get updated on What might happen join the discord or Kofi If you can )

## Chapter 48: The Altar of Flames (1)

“Achoo!”

As Cho Un-hwi spat out, he muttered, “Is someone talking about me?”

“There are plenty of people here who would talk about you,” Namgung Il-jun remarked.

“Who would be the villain to badmouth someone as kind and handsome as me?”

Mo Yong-ju, drenched in sweat as if he had fallen into water, shouted, “Aren’t you tired? Why are we moving again in the middle of the night?”

“Because something feels off.”

“Is that the only reason you’re making these old men work without rest?”

Baek Ri Seon-ho, who was also exhausted, added, “We might die of exhaustion before we even fight the enemy. Is there really something out here?”

“It’s more of a feeling that there might be something.”

“This is driving me crazy.”

Hearing his answer, the group ground their teeth in frustration.

At some point, they had left the main road and were moving through an uninhabited area without rest.

Now, they were wading through waist-high grass and rugged terrain for such a flimsy reason.

‘Is he trying to make fools of us?’

It was to the point where they wondered.

Having run non-stop for two days, even a person made of iron would have collapsed from exhaustion.

‘Except for that monstrous guy.’

Finally, Namgung Il-jun, disregarding his dignity, intervened.

“Are you sure the traces lead here?”

“I’m telling you, it feels like they do.”

“Not even wild animals would traverse such rugged paths.”

He tried to grasp at any chance to rest, but it wasn’t easy.

“Oh? This looks like…”

The only person still energetic had already darted ahead.

“Wait up!”

“Doesn’t the temporary instructor ever get tired?”

“We can’t even complain openly as high-level masters.”

As they trudged along like waterlogged sponges, they soon found Cho Un-hwi kneeling on one knee.

“Here you are.”

Seeing what he picked up, the group was astonished.

Between his fingers was a torn piece of clothing. Recognizing the familiar color, they realized it was from a disciple’s uniform.

‘My goodness.’

What shocked them even more was his ability to find such a small trace in this vast, rugged terrain.

‘Is he a bloodhound or something?’

‘Even if he’s an expert in tracking, finding such tiny traces is impossible.’

‘I don’t understand how this is possible.’

Amid their astonished gazes, Cho Un-hwi touched the soil and revealed an even more horrifying fact.

“There are more traces than just this.”

At least twenty, no.

“There are at least thirty people.”

Pointing with his finger, Cho Un-hwi added.

“If we pass that, we’ll encounter them soon.”

Seeing the towering rocky mountain ahead, the group’s faces turned grim.

***

Having crossed the rocky mountain, the group discovered a small, cleverly hidden encampment deep in the cliffs.

There, they found the disciples they had been searching for.

The problem was that it wasn’t just the missing disciples there.

Quickly descending the mountain, they informed the senior instructors who had joined them.

“I can’t fathom why they would detain the children.”

“It’s fortunate that the disciples are unharmed, but rescuing them won’t be easy with the enemy’s defenses.”

The Heavenly Destruction Society’s encampment was anything but ordinary.

They had set up wooden barricades and even built watchtowers in the secluded area.

It looked more like a small fortress than a martial artist’s dwelling.

“They’ve built three altars, and atop them, there’s a golden sculpture resembling the sun.”

“It seems they’re planning something.”

The answer to their question came from Wang Woo, who had been listening quietly.

“It seems everyone has forgotten. Recall where Chui Geol-gae found the Blood Tear Stone.”

“Could it be… human sacrifice?”

“Are you saying they intend to sacrifice the disciples?”

Wang Woo nodded at Baek Ri Seon-ho’s question.

“That’s what I think.”

“…Such wicked people.”

Everyone there was aware of the Blood Tear Stone.

However, some of the masters from the Inspection Department who had followed raised questions.

“Elder Wang Woo, what is the Blood Tear Stone?”

“Ah, you wouldn’t know.”

Looking at the masters led by So yang, Wang Woo briefly explained the Blood Tear Stone.

“Such a grotesque thing…”

Everyone was at a loss for words.

“The problem is what to do next. We know their wickedness, but I can’t think of a way to deal with them.”

There were well over a hundred enemies.

In contrast, their group barely numbered a dozen.

Aside from Namgung Il-jun, two members of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad, Mo Yong-ju, and Baek Ri Seon-ho, they couldn’t guarantee overwhelming superiority.

“The enemies use a strange martial art called Solar Yang Palm.”

“Moreover, they have the advantage in numbers and terrain.”

“A direct confrontation is hopeless.”

“One hand can’t handle ten.”

Listening to this, Namgung Il-jun was anxious. Knowing that Namgung Yong-ho was inside, he couldn’t just stand by.

“How about sending a message for reinforcements?”

“That’s the only option. But…”

Even if they managed to secure equal strength, the enemies had hostages.

In the worst-case scenario, if the enemies used the disciples as shields, their forces would be rendered useless.

In any situation, it was like throwing eggs at a rock.

“This is hopeless…”

As everyone despaired.

“Let’s think differently.”

Cho Un-hwi spoke up.

Mo Yong-ju, swallowing his expectations, asked eagerly.

“What do you mean?”

“Imagine there’s an instructor with a poor performance record.”

“…I know your performance record is always dismal, but is this the time to bring it up?”

Ignoring Jang Cheol-sim’s scolding, Cho Un-hwi laughed playfully.

“It’s just an example for everyone to understand.”

With a cheeky grin, he wrote ‘Worst Performance Record’ on the ground.

“Wanting a promotion but having a terrible performance record.”

“Are you talking about yourself?”

“It’s just an example.”

Next, he wrote ‘Bonus Points Galore’ on the ground and continued.

“While feeling down, he stops to buy snacks for his pretty wife, only to realize he has no money.”

“That’s not about you. You don’t have money, and you don’t have a wife.”

“The important part is ‘Bonus Points Galore.'”

Ignoring the jabs, Cho Un-hwi asked.

“Their situation is exactly like this.”

Mo Yong-ju, feeling like he was on the verge of understanding, pounded his chest.

“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”

“They want sacrifices. Enough to risk attacking the Namgung Clan and the disciples.”

“That’s right. It was quite dangerous because of that.”

“But they failed, didn’t they?”

Huh?

Everyone looked at each other, suddenly realizing.

“Indeed. Most of the disciples managed to escape.”

“We warned the other instructors to avoid combat as much as possible.”

“Right. If they wanted a large-scale human sacrifice, this must be a bitter situation for them.”

With a surprising turn of events, they had managed to rescue the disciples and avoid major injuries.

It was clear that things hadn’t gone as the enemies had planned.

“But it’s just speculation, isn’t it?”

“If they were ready to cause a bloodbath, hiding in such a place means something went wrong.”

“That makes sense.”

*Snap.*

Breaking a twig, Cho Un-hwi asked.

“Even if it’s not true, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is how they react to bonus points.”

Bonus points?

As murmurs spread among the Inspection Department masters.

Cho Un-hwi wrote ‘Disciples = Bonus Points’ on the ground with the broken twig.

“Are you out of your mind? Use the disciples as bait?”

“Not bait, but tools.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“It’s different.”

Bait is just consumed.

“But tools, when used well, become sharp weapons.”

“Ah!”

Finally, people gasped in realization.

“Indeed. We only thought about rescuing the disciples, not fighting with them.”

“We still saw them as just kids.”

“If the plan works, they could be a great help.”

The atmosphere gradually shifted towards agreement.

People’s gazes were starting to show signs of acknowledgment.

‘He has a knack for strategy too?’

‘Who would believe someone like this came from a country sect?’

‘He’s not someone to be underestimated, even with the nickname Lucky Sword.’

Finally, with everyone showing interest, the decision didn’t take long.

“Alright. We’ll follow your lead.”

“It’s risky, but if it works, we can deal significant damage.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this excited…”

With everyone in agreement, Wang Woo brought some good news.

“Haha. It seems luck is on our side.”

Having briefly left, he returned holding a carrier pigeon.

“My disciple is coming here with Ma Gil-sang, the Chief Instructor.”

“The Light Of flame!”

“With the One-Eyed Sword God, it’s a fight we can’t lose.”

With the news sealing the decision, Jang Cheol-sim quickly responded.

“I’ll quickly request reinforcements from the nearby instructors and disciples.”

It was time for revenge.

***

The operation began at dawn the next day.

As everyone prepared for the battle, Wang Woo moved first.

“I’ll prepare ahead.”

“We’ll also help hold them off.”

As Wang Woo and the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad moved.

“…Fighting with kids is quite difficult. Doesn’t the Namgung Clan have any tricks?”

“…How did you know?”

“I found some interesting traces near the White Sword Squad member’s body yesterday.”

“…I can’t hide anything from you.”

Namgung Il-jun raised his hands in surrender.

“You’re right. In the worst case, we have a way to deal with the enemy.”

After hesitating briefly, he pulled out a black cylinder.

“This is the Explosive Rain Needle made by the Sichuan Tang Clan. Pull the string, and it explodes, sending a hundred needles to kill the enemy.”

“You managed to get something like this.”

“It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible for an elder of the Namgung Clan.”

Cho Un-hwi’s gaze turned to the other two.

Eventually, Mo Yong-ju and Baek Ri Seon-ho also handed over their items.

“Ugh. Even my underwear is being taken.”

“If you weren’t an instructor, you’d be a famous con artist.”

They too had to hand over their secret explosives and hidden weapons.

“Don’t complain. I’ll also bring out my secret weapon.”

Skillfully organizing the situation, Cho Un-hwi took out a small vial.

“What is this?”

“It’s a drug that causes severe stomach pain, enough to make someone lose consciousness.”

“Poison? Where did you get something like this?”

“Unlike some people, I have a tight budget.”

“I made it on the way.”

“Made it on the way?”

“A country sect member can be useful too, right?”

Despite the exhausting journey, he had gathered poisonous plants and made the poison.

His foresight was impressive, but his resourcefulness was even more extraordinary.

“They’ll have to put out the fire in their rear before they can start any other fires.”

Seeing his sly smile, Namgung Il-jun thought.

‘I must never become his enemy.’