Within the Martial Alliance Headquarters (武林盟)—
a prestigious name, yet not an overwhelming power.
The Martial Alliance Lord (盟主), despite his title, did not wield absolute authority.
He was elected for a 10-year term and could be reappointed,
but even at his peak, he lacked the strength to mobilize an entire sect by himself.
The original purpose of the Martial Alliance
was to unite the righteous sects against the demonic factions.
Thus, its structure ensured that no single individual held excessive power—
lest they become a tyrant themselves.
The Azure Dragon Hall (靑龍室)
This small council chamber was reserved for top-secret meetings.
Unlike the White Tiger Hall (白虎室),
which hosted large-scale assemblies,
the Azure Dragon Hall was only for the highest leaders.
Seated around the rectangular table were:
- The Alliance Lord, Jade Celestial Sword Emperor Ok Cheong-hak (玉靑鶴)
- The Nine Great Clans (九派) and Five Noble Families (五世家) Leaders
- The Five Rising Sects (五新門)—newly powerful forces in the martial world
Though many present were elders,
their appearances suggested they were no older than late twenties to late thirties—
a testament to their immense inner power (內功).
After listening to the detailed report from Abbot Gongji (空知大使) of Shaolin,
the room fell into a heavy silence.
Then, the Alliance Lord finally spoke.
“We knew of the Asura Blood Sect’s activities…
but we never imagined they were building an army of Jiangshi (殭屍).
1,500 completed, with 200 more enhanced versions underway…
What course of action should we take?”
The Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan (諸葛世家),
Tyrant Sword Heavenly Peak Zhuge Gi (諸葛忌),
immediately voiced his stance.
“We must strike first with a surprise assault.
Delay will only strengthen the enemy.”
However, Abbot Gongji shook his head.
“Amitabha…
Even with a surprise attack,
the Asura Blood Sect is fortified with immense defenses—
not to mention 1,500 undead warriors.
Our casualties will be disastrous.”
The North Beggar Sect (北 幇) Chief, Kong Su-geol (孔收乞), agreed.
“Indeed.
Even the mighty Demonic Cult (魔教) suffered 40% losses in their battle with the old Blood Sect.
It took them over 30 years to recover!”
The Mount Dian Cang (點蒼) Sect Leader, Pure Harmony Daoist (淸許子), sighed.
“Alas… but if we do not strike first,
do we simply sit and await our doom?”
At that moment,
the head of the Namgung Family (南宮世家),
Plum Blossom Sword Lee Ok-yeon (李玉然), spoke.
She was a cunning widow
who had led her household after her husband’s death.
“Then… what if we use the Demonic Cult (魔教)?
If we leak intelligence to them,
their hatred for the Asura Blood Sect will surely provoke a bloodbath.”
However, the leader of the Shadowless Sect (無影門),
Jade Flower Martial Emperor Mae Hyang-ok (梅香玉),
quickly countered.
“That won’t work.
The Demonic Cult has already tasted defeat against the Jiangshi.
They know how dangerous this fight would be.
Unlike before, their high-ranking warriors rarely leave their main headquarters.”
Kong Su-geol (孔收乞) nodded.
“Indeed.
The Demonic Cult may be strong,
but they are not foolish enough to enter a war of attrition.”
Mae Hyang-ok,
despite looking no older than twenty,
was actually a grandmother—
one so cunning that even the most hardened warriors whispered behind her back,
calling her the Nine-Tailed Fox (九尾狐).
Her words were never ignored.
Suddenly, Lee Ok-yeon’s eyes lit up.
“Wait!
There is another faction with power equal to the Demonic Cult…
The Imperial Court (皇宮)!”
Her words caused an uproar.
The Mount Dian Cang (點蒼) Sect Leader, Pure Harmony Daoist (淸許子), objected.
“Amitabha…
The Imperial Court has never interfered in martial affairs!”
However, Mae Hyang-ok smirked.
“That may have been true… in the past.
But recently, the Emperor has been recruiting martial artists on a large scale.
Everyone in Jianghu knows about the Imperial Martial Academy (皇宮武庫)
and its efforts to attract warriors.”
Ok Cheong-hak, the Alliance Lord, narrowed his eyes.
“And how do we get them involved?”
Mae Hyang-ok’s smile deepened.
“Simple.
We spread rumors that the Asura Blood Sect is plotting against the Imperial Court.
That they have already produced 5,000 undead warriors
in preparation to annihilate the Imperial Army (十萬黃軍).
With just a little persuasion,
the Emperor will have no choice but to act.”
In the Demonic Cult Leader’s chamber,
three figures sat sipping tea.
At the center sat the Demonic Cult Lord (魔教教主).
Across from him—
his Deputy Cult Lord, the Emerald-Eyed Venom Monarch Neung Bi-gye (碧眼毒君 凌非癸).
On the table between them lay a worn-out book.
靑月劍法 (Azure Moon Sword Technique)
The Cult Lord smiled.
“Excellent work.”
Neung Bi-gye chuckled.
“It was hardly difficult.”
The third man in the room,
Chief Elder Hyeok Mu-sang (赫武相), nodded in admiration.
“Deputy Lord, your acting skills are truly wasted in the martial world.
You could have been a renowned performer instead.”
Neung Bi-gye laughed.
“That foolish boy…
he never suspected a thing.
And when I exuded my killing intent,
he trembled like a newborn kitten.”
Hyeok Mu-sang smirked.
“Your execution was perfect.
Even seasoned warriors would have been deceived
by your poisoned and dying performance.”
The Cult Lord sipped his tea.
“With this,
the Martial Alliance will soon make their move…
and then, a storm of blood will descend upon Jianghu.”
With the Martial Alliance manipulating the Imperial Court,
and the Demonic Cult watching from the shadows…
a massive collision was now inevitable.
Would the Asura Blood Sect survive the storm?
Or was Jianghu destined to be bathed in chaos and bloodshed?