By Zephyria 
There were several holes drilled into Demon Subjugation Valley to scout the exterior. Hidden by the shadows of the rocky cliffs and winding precipices, they were places that could not be easily discovered from the outside.
Facing a fierce wind, Peng Yuan-jin looked down upon the dense forest at the bottom of the dizzying valley. Between the leaves draped in the red glow of the sunset, a wave of shadows, flickering like the wind, was gradually drawing closer.
“They’ve arrived.”
Peng Yuan-jin narrowed his eyes. The number of enemies was greater than initially reported. Not only the Habeok Peng Clan, but other forces had joined them.
Enhancing his vision, Peng Yuan-jin quickly recognized the identities of the people with fluttering white robes and frowned.
“……The Zegal Clan?”
He could not understand why the Zegal Clan had turned away from heading north to come here instead. But it didn’t matter.
“Whether it is the Habeok Peng Clan or the Zegal Clan…… it is earlier than expected, but in the end, this is something that must be done once to strip away the old grime and redefine the order of the martial world.”
“…….”
“No matter how great a vitality an old tree once boasted, spreading its branches and casting a wide shadow, it is bound to reach the end of its life eventually. By the time a single rotten root is discovered one day, it is already too late. Once the other roots rot as well, it can no longer absorb nutrients and will simply wither and die.”
“…….”
“The Habeok Peng Clan enjoyed glory for a long time as one of the roots of the martial world, but at some point, its growth stopped, and it was pushed to the sidelines by other families and Sects. No one respected the Peng Clan anymore.”
Peng Do-hwan stood behind Peng Yuan-jin, guarding him. No answer came from the expressionless Peng Do-hwan, but Peng Yuan-jin continued regardless.
“Thinking about it, it’s only natural. The Habeok Peng Clan had already rotted deeply. The Family Head always desired the revival of the clan. But when his own insufficient strength wasn’t enough, he gradually went mad and eventually committed an act that should never have been done. And what is the result? Has anything changed?”
Clear loathing surfaced in Peng Yuan-jin’s eyes.
“Look, Do-hwan. Today, in this place, the Habeok Peng Clan dies and is reborn. By our own hands, yours and mine.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“And we shall enjoy a new glory in a new martial world.”
“Yes, Brother.”
At the monotone response, a bitter smile flickered briefly on Peng Yuan-jin’s lips. Quickly erasing the expression, Peng Yuan-jin signaled to the subordinates waiting on standby.
“Prepare to welcome them.”
“Yes!”
The Zegal Clan, stiff to a fault, never bowed regardless of the time or place, so they were a group that had to be dealt with eventually. The timing had simply been moved up. Since he could deal with the Family Head and the Young Family Head at once, it was actually for the better.
It might be noisy for a while, but once the Divine Demon Sect seized the Main Palace and further achieved the Demonic Cult’s Reign, the world would remember today’s events differently.
* * *
As soon as the enemies appeared, Demon Subjugation Valley began pouring out attacks as if they had been waiting.
Having fully expected that the enemies would possess information about this place, the rescue party approached Demon Subjugation Valley without panic, dodging the raining clumps of filth and hidden weapons.
The so-called ‘Demon Subjugation Valley Hostage Rescue Team’ was an unheard-of, rootless combination consisting of the Habeok Peng Clan, the Zegal Clan, and the Demonic Cult’s Black Shadow Unit. Even the gossip-loving socialites feared mentioning such a thing, lest they be beaten for spreading lies.
The Peng Clan, who loved brute force; the Zegal Clan, who prioritized strategy; and the Demonic Cult, who handled the evil of the martial world.
Because they shared the same goal for the time being, they moved together in a vague alliance, but the rescue team clashed from the very beginning. It started with the planning of the strategy.
In truth, it could hardly be called a strategy. It was merely a rough discussion held while the three groups, having encountered each other in front of the city gates, raced toward Demon Subjugation Valley as if competing.
The strategy, whipped up in a flash, was as follows:
First, push through with firepower.
When Baek Ryeo-il attempted to infiltrate, he was alone, so the enemy’s attacks were inevitably concentrated on him. But this time was different. If dozens of people attacked at once, gaps would inevitably open regardless of how much firepower the enemy mobilized to block them.
What they were aiming for was that small gap.
Up to this point, it was no different from the Peng Clan’s existing strategy. The Zegal Clan added the next part.
Second, once a gap opens, a small group of three pre-selected personnel will enter and rescue the hostages.
The enemy planned to blow up the mine tunnels to bury them alive once they entered. And a collapsed cave cannot be restored. Therefore, the enemy would make a cautious decision to eliminate as many foes as possible in one go.
In such a situation, what if only three enemies infiltrated? It would not be easy to make the decision to collapse the tunnels. If they took advantage of the enemy’s confusion, they could enter the interior with ease. This strategy was possible thanks to intelligence obtained in advance.
And third, exit safely with the hostages.
Fourth, deal with the remnants. (Optional)
……What does ‘optional’ even mean?
Gang Woong was appalled. It seemed fair to assume they intended to bolt as soon as they rescued the hostages of their own respective clans.
It was embarrassing to even call it a strategy, but there was no choice. They lacked both the time and resources to devise a proper scheme.
There were further problems.
“The Peng Clan, step back!”
Jegal Yeom-gang shouted.
“The Zegal Clan is the one that should step back! The Peng Clan takes priority!”
Paeng Oe-cheol shot back.
“…….”
The highest elders of the two families screamed at each other, the veins in their necks bulging.
They wanted to fill the slots for those entering Demon Subjugation Valley with members of their own clans. It was because they did not trust one another.
Stepping into enemy territory meant a series of unexpected contingencies. In a perilous situation where a split-second judgment determined life or death, would anyone risk their life to look after another clan’s child? It was obvious that the moment things became dangerous, they would be abandoned ruthlessly like a dog at a funeral!
Yet, if they increased the number of personnel, the enemy would collapse the cave without hesitation, so that wasn’t an option either.
“Hey! You filthy Demonic Cult bastards! Where do you think you’re sneaking off to!”
Meanwhile, the Black Shadow Unit was caught trying to slip away from the formation whenever they found a chance. While the Peng and Zegal clans were fighting, they had tried to sneak into Demon Subjugation Valley and were caught red-handed.
‘……Is this alliance really going to be okay?’
No one wanted to remain on the outside. No one wanted the grueling task of hammering at a cold stone mountain while dodging poison-tipped arrows, massive boulders, and hot oil that flew frequently.
Everyone wanted to personally step into the most dangerous battlefield, recover their precious family, and become a hero.
Being bait to draw attention wasn’t glamorous. Moreover, if they were unlucky enough to be hit squarely by a falling rock and die, their names wouldn’t even remain in history.
“T-then, I will……”
“You brat! Do you think you can speak as an equal just because you’ve aged a bit! You piece of trash with no manners!”
“Ah, we’re aging together, are you still going to act so childish?!”
Gang Woong courageously raised his hand, but his voice was quietly buried by the sound of the old men fighting.
“I want to go……”
Gang Woong gloomily lowered his hand again.
As the only member of the Hwasan Sect in the rescue team, Gang Woong lost his right to speak and was pushed to the rear simply because he was a minority and young.
Furthermore, his spirit was already completely crushed. Having failed in his mission to tie up the Peng Clan and buy time, and having been severely scolded, his confidence had shriveled infinitely.
The rescue team wasted time with meaningless arguments. Meanwhile, the attacks from Demon Subjugation Valley continued.
“Fine! Then let’s select one person per clan! One from the Peng Clan, one from the Zegal Clan, and one from… your side! Three people in total. No one has any complaints, right?”
Jegal Yeom-gang shouted.
“Tsk……”
Paeng Oe-cheol grumbled, but did not refute. However, neither the Black Shadow Unit nor Jegal Yeom-gang, who had proposed it, looked satisfied.
“The Hwasan Sect is also here……”
Gang Woong muttered, but because his voice was smaller than a mosquito’s, no one heard him.
Now that an agreement had finally been reached, it was time to attack Demon Subjugation Valley with all their might.
Just then, an ominous movement was felt overhead. Dozens of Demonic humans revealed themselves between the canyons. The enemies, unable to wait any longer, had changed their plan.
“Hmph! A few Demonic Cult bastards are a piece of cake for our Habeok Peng Clan……”
The voice of Paeng Oe-cheol, who was letting out an arrogant sneer, suddenly cut off. His face lit up as he looked up.
“Do-hwan! You’re safe!”
He had finally confirmed the presence of the nephew he had been searching for so desperately.
“Come here! Your uncle has come to get you!”
“…….”
But something was strange.
On the handsome face of Peng Do-hwan, cast in a black shadow, there was no expression. As if feeling no emotion, he simply looked down at his uncle with empty eyes.
“……Do-hwan?”