Chapter 871: Execution.

After one round of storm swept through.

The atmosphere of the branch, which had already become a shambles, had coldly settled down.

Naturally, it couldn’t be helped.

So much blood had flowed on the ground that the scent of blood was still noticeable; others, with somewhat grim expressions, were busy clearing away the dead bodies.

In the sky where the moon had risen, the background was somewhat hazy from the aura the warriors had exuded.

“Lock up those who were bound. Gather the corpses and burn them.”

“Don’t you need separate orders from the branch?”

“It’s the Great Master’s order. Since he declared he would take responsibility if any problems arise, we follow the order.”

“Loyalty.”

The Seongryong Corps, perhaps having already heard the instructions, moved without hesitation.

The reason they looked so stable, even though the battle had ended, was one thing.

“Their levels of mastery are different.”

“…To think they’d be this strong.”

Most of those who transferred in from the outside possessed very high levels of mastery.

Seeing them directly, their level was incredibly high. Each and every one was practically at the level of a unit commander.

Since they were individuals who had been active in other families or sects for a long time, they seemed unfazed by this kind of work.

However, this was literally only referring to those selected from the outside.

For some reason, most of those selected from the Alliance were nowhere to be seen.

The reason was simple.

“Why…!?”

“W-what crime did we commit to deserve this!?”

This was because those being thrown into jail included not only members of the Cheongryong Corps but also those drafted from the Alliance who had come to the Seongryong Corps.

“Let go…! Aren’t we comrades!”

Many shouted that it was unfair, but the warriors simply took them away and locked them up without changing their expressions.

Proper resistance was impossible. The difference in mastery was that significant.

They weren’t putting everyone in jail; they were selecting individuals as they captured them.

“…What on earth is happening?”

“Damn it… How did it come to this?”

It was a situation they couldn’t understand at all. The Cheongryong Corps warriors watching it could only swallow their groans.

Why their comrades were being killed and imprisoned, labeled as criminals.

Furthermore, why the members of the Seongryong Corps were suffering such a fate.

They couldn’t understand any of it.

Moreover.

“Those remaining are associated with the criminals and are scheduled to be interrogated upon returning to the main Alliance, so be aware.”

Even those judged innocent for the moment and left untouched were now being bound and prepared for interrogation.

“Damn it all… Why me…”

They had lived believing in righteousness and chivalry, without committing any wrongdoing, yet they were treated like this out of the blue. The Cheongryong Corps warriors had to keep biting their trembling lips.

The situation was bad enough. But the bigger problem was…

“…Could the Great Master possibly, really be involved with the Demonic Cult?”

“That’s ridiculous!”

“Who our Great Master is…! This is clearly a frame-up. It’s obvious the Saint King did this with something in mind.”

“That’s right… Even if they claim to have evidence, they haven’t shown it. This is clearly a frame-up.”

They spoke with apparent conviction. The Seongryong Corps members glanced at the sound, but didn’t pay it much mind.

Though their tone was confident, a faint tremor could be felt in their voices.

“Our Great Master… the Great Master could never have done anything with the Demonic Cult.”

“That’s right… let alone the Demonic Cult, even the unorthodox sects wouldn’t be involved with them.”

“Looking at the current situation, they’ve merely stepped away temporarily… they must be looking for a way.”

They spoke of faith while suppressing their anxiety.

They tried hard to ignore the emotions reflected in their eyes, just as they were barely holding onto their anxiety.

“They’ve returned…!”

A loud voice was heard from one side. At the sound, the warriors immediately moved.

The Cheongryong Corps members also turned their heads at the unusual reaction.

“…Huh…!”

“Oh, my…!!”

Everyone straightened up at the sight before their eyes. Although they were lightly restrained, which was uncomfortable, it wasn’t impossible since their acupoints weren’t sealed.

“G-Great Master–!!”

All the members rushed out. Understandably, the one who appeared was Ilcheonggeom.

He was a bloody mess, his body looking badly damaged. His neat martial attire was covered in dust and blood.

And what about his composed face? It was already swollen beyond recognition.

It was hard to tell if he was conscious, his gaze seemed somewhat dazed.

At the sight, so far from being intact, the members startled and moved.

“G-Great Master—!! Are you alright!”

“You bastards…! How dare you…!”

“Stop.”

Kwagagagagak—-!!

Those approaching Ilcheonggeom stopped in their tracks from the sudden impact that swept through.

As if something had passed, a deep line was etched into the floor.

“If they come, I’ll kill them?”

Everyone froze at the bright voice. The one who had delivered the blow was a woman.

Her face and body were smeared in blood, and she seemed just as injured as Ilcheonggeom.

“Cross that line, and I’ll put a hole in your face.”

“W-we need to save our Great Master…”

“Put a hole in it?”

“…!!”

As one warrior tried to approach, the woman grabbed her spear and emitted killing intent.

It was considerable energy.

Only after seeing that did the thought ‘what if’ flash through their minds.

‘Could it be that woman who did this to the Great Master?’

‘…N-no way….’

They couldn’t believe it. No matter how injured the Great Master was, it was impossible that he was defeated by that woman.

“Member Pi.”

The Seongryong Corps members seemed to feel the same, approaching her with somewhat surprised expressions.

“…Did you, Member Pi, do this to the Cheongryong Corps Leader?”

“Huh? Yeah. That’s right!”

The woman answered with a bright smile. Bleeding profusely while smiling like that made it even scarier.

Despite their reactions, the woman was simply busy laughing as if excited.

The members couldn’t even approach, only able to examine their own Great Master.

“H-hey, come to your senses.”

“How much blood has he lost? We need to stop the bleeding…!”

“Stop it.”

Swish-

The Seongryong Corps drew their swords, blocking them.

“Member Pi’s words may have been harsh, but our intentions are the same. Do not approach the criminal carelessly.”

“What? Criminal!?”

The man shouted, his face flushing red.

“To call him a criminal after framing him—! That’s blasphemy!”

“How dare you… what do you guys even know…!”

“Ah, this is noisy, can I just kill them?”

Just as Pi Yeonyeon was about to move while picking her ear.

Seong-yul blocked her path.

“…Calm down.”

“Why? Why should I calm down?”

Her attitude of genuinely not knowing the reason was chilling.

“You must have heard that excessive killing is forbidden. Restrain yourself.”

“…No… I mean. Who are you to stop me?”

Seemingly displeased with Seong-yul stopping her, Pi Yeonyeon frowned instantly.

At the same time, hostility radiated from her.

“…”

Seong-yul’s expression crumpled at the sudden hostility.

“Miss Pi. Are you going to act like this?”

“You, I didn’t like you from the start.”

“Haa….”

Seong-yul’s already pale complexion became even paler.

The way he gripped his sword was quite intense.

The atmosphere changed abruptly. Everyone around was flustered by the sudden tension, as if conflict was about to erupt.

“You two. Stop it.”

“…”

“…Ack….”

Seong-yul and Pi Yeonyeon stiffened at the intervening voice.

The one who ended their power struggle was a much smaller, light green-haired woman.

“Have you forgotten what you’re doing right now?”

“…”

“Ah, no, that’s…”

“Don’t talk back.”

Pi Yeonyeon, unusually, watched her expression.

The light green-haired woman, Tang Soyeol, glared at the two with cold eyes and continued speaking.

“Focus on the mission. Save your childish squabbles for after it’s over. Don’t you understand?”

“…Sorry.”

“Sorry….”

They were immediately suppressed by Tang Soyeol’s aura.

Seeing that, the members quickly turned away.

The Cheongryong Corps members had to swallow dryly.

The pressure emanating from her small frame felt like that of a ghost.

“Tsk….”

Tang Soyeol clicked her tongue briefly and looked at Pi Yeonyeon, asking.

“Where is the Great Master?”

Her tone had risen again, but Pi Yeonyeon was watching her expression carefully due to what had just happened.

“The… Ah, no. The Great Master said they found something and would check it, telling us to go on ahead…”

“Found something?”

“…Yes, yes.”

Did they follow something they found? Pi Yeonyeon’s considerably slurred speech was concerning, but Tang Soyeol decided to let it slide for now.

Though Gu Yangcheon’s condition was also a serious concern, Tang Soyeol had her own position to maintain for now.

“…Stop the bleeding and proceed with binding him.”

Tang Soyeol looked at Ilcheonggeom and gave the order. Hearing that, the members behind her approached.

At that moment.

“Don’t touch… me–!!”

The previously still Ilcheonggeom shouted, eyes wide open.

The hostility in his voice made the surroundings buzz.

Swish- By that energy, the situation immediately changed.

Everyone raised their aura, becoming wary of Ilcheonggeom.

No matter how battered and bruised, and almost subdued, he was still a monster just one step away from becoming one of the top ten masters.

They absolutely couldn’t let their guard down.

“Great Master…!”

“Are you alright…!”

The Cheongryong Corps members, perhaps thinking that was fortunate, called out to Ilcheonggeom with shining eyes, but Ilcheonggeom, hearing them, shouted again.

“…Shut up, you trash–.”

“…What?”

A moment of silence ensued at the words that flowed from Ilcheonggeom’s mouth.

“Who are you trying to touch with those filthy hands? Get away.”

Ilcheonggeom’s swollen eyes gradually turned purplish.

“You orthodox bastards, it wouldn’t be enough even if torn to shreds…. Gg… Hehehe… Soon, the Cult Leader will execute you all!”

At Ilcheonggeom’s words, spoken as if drenched in madness.

“…Ah…. Ahhh….”

The Cheongryong Corps members’ expressions instantly soured.

It was the moment their suspicion became reality.