Suddenly, during the Annual Assembly (定期集會)—a gathering held once a year where all elders and higher-ranked members of the Demonic Sect (魔敎) convened—the sect leader proposed an unusual agenda.
The current leader, Black Demon Emperor (黑魔大帝) Han Jung-gil (韓中吉), was a supreme martial artist who had reached the pinnacle of Extreme Demon (極魔). Although he could fully suppress his Demonic Aura (魔氣), he deliberately allowed it to radiate subtly, as if relishing the presence of his overwhelming might. Due to his mastery of Violet Lightning Demon Art (紫電魔功), his entire body emitted a faint violet hue, adding an eerie presence to his already formidable figure.
“Our sect stands as the greatest among all Demonic Sects (邪派), boasting nearly twenty thousand martial artists. However, excluding the subordinates stationed across our various strongholds, we have fewer than ten thousand truly capable warriors. If we were to further refine this number to select only the elite, we would be left with barely five thousand. Compared to the wretched righteous sects, we are constantly at a numerical disadvantage. Does anyone have a solution to this predicament?”
At these words, Three-Faced Demon (三面人魔) Xiao Wumian (簫無面), one of the elders, raised an objection. As his moniker suggested, he was known for exhibiting three distinct personas: in battle, he displayed a maniacal grin, ruthless techniques, and a bloodthirsty ferocity; among common folk, he presented the demeanor of a benevolent living Buddha (活佛); and within the sect, he maintained a strict yet considerate and meticulous leadership. His complex nature made him immensely popular among the sect’s disciples.
“Our current strength is more than enough to crush those righteous mongrels. Why do you lament the lack of warriors, my lord?”
To this, Red-Browed Killing Smile (赤眉殺笑) Hyuk Musang (赫武相), another elder, responded. Ranked third among the elders, his mastery of Crimson Blood Asura Art (赤血修羅魔功) had tinged the tips of his long eyebrows red. His sinister, deathly smile struck terror into his enemies. Not only was he a formidable warrior, but he was also an astute strategist, earning the sect leader’s unwavering trust. He currently oversaw the Three Secrets Division (三秘隊), the sect’s intelligence network.
“Hmph. Allow me to explain. Though their movements are still subtle, we have detected signs of activity from the Asura Blood Sect (阿修血敎).”
At the unfamiliar name, Heavenly Blade King (天刀王) Ye Ji-go (黎志高), the sect’s chief elder, inquired with a frown.
“What is this Asura Blood Sect?”
“They are none other than the reborn Blood Sect (血敎), operating under a different name.”
A hushed groan escaped the gathered elders as they recalled the brutal war fought against the Blood Sect eighty years ago.
“Hmm…”
Seeing their reactions, Hyuk Musang continued.
“The righteous sects pose no significant threat. However, if the Asura Blood Sect interferes, the situation changes. Have you forgotten our past confrontation with their predecessor, the Blood Sect? That battle cost us forty percent of our total forces, and it took us fifty years to recover from the losses. Furthermore, we must also be wary of the Dark Demon Sect (暗黑魔敎). While there is no clear evidence of their current activity, it would be prudent to remain cautious.”
The Blood Sect was infamous for creating Jiangshi (殭屍, reanimated corpses) and Soul-bound Puppets (失魂人) to compensate for their lack of martial prowess. The first to detect their resurgence was a spy network within the righteous sects. However, ordinary martial artists lacked the means to counter the immense power of these creatures and the sinister arcane techniques wielded by the Blood Sect.
To combat the Jiangshi, a martial artist required at least sixty years of Internal Energy (內功). To resist their bewitching sorcery, one needed immense vitality and a fortified mind. Knowing this, the righteous sects devised a scheme. Since no single sect possessed enough Supreme Experts (絕頂高手) to face the Blood Sect head-on, they cunningly manipulated events to lure the Demonic Sect into conflict with the Blood Sect first. While they pretended to lend assistance, their true aim was to weaken both factions.
This event marked the only time in history that the righteous and demonic sects had formed a temporary alliance. Of course, the righteous sects deployed only their absolute top-tier martial artists, ensuring minimal risk to their forces. After the battle, the righteous sects imposed a gag order (緘口令), forbidding their warriors from speaking of the incident, while the Demonic Sect similarly refrained from revealing their cooperation. Had the righteous sects not intervened, the Demonic Sect’s losses would have been catastrophic.
Adding to their troubles was the Dark Demon Sect, a splinter faction of the Demonic Sect itself. Following the war with the Blood Sect, some members within the Demonic Sect proposed adopting similar dark sorcery (邪法) to strengthen their ranks. Their leader, Vice-Sect Leader Zhang In-geol (張仁傑), was dismissed by the sect leader for his radical views. Enraged, he defected with his followers, taking with them many forbidden texts seized from the Blood Sect. He later re-emerged as Black-Killing Demon Emperor (黑殺魔帝), the founder of the Dark Demon Sect. Unlike their predecessors, this sect combined Demonic Sect martial arts with Blood Sect sorcery, creating a unique and formidable faction.
Then, Underworld Flute (閻王笛子) Han Jung-pyeong (寒重平) spoke cautiously.
“Would it not be wise to cultivate a new generation of elite warriors?”
The sect leader’s eyes glinted with interest.
“We do need more warriors. What do you suggest?”
“We should contact our regional strongholds and abduct talented children under the age of ten, raising them as warriors. However, to avoid drawing too much attention from the government or righteous sects, we should limit the number to three thousand.”
At this, Three-Faced Demon Xiao Wumian objected.
“We already abduct and train around three hundred children annually, in addition to those born within our sect. You are suggesting a tenfold increase. How do you plan to manage and train such a large number?”
Hyuk Musang interjected.
“That is a simple matter. Even if we abduct three thousand children, at least one thousand will perish during the initial internal energy training. After further trials, only five hundred will prove to be truly exceptional. Thus, we do not need a massive training ground—only temporary accommodations for the weaker candidates, while the stronger ones progress to advanced training.”
The sect leader nodded approvingly.
“Your reasoning is sound. Outer Commandant (外總管), how long will it take to acquire the children?”
“Selecting promising candidates will take about five months. The abductions themselves are not difficult, but smuggling them here unnoticed will require caution.”
“Handle it as you see fit.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Thus, preparations began for a sinister plan that would shape the future of the martial world. In the shadows, plots and counterplots wove an intricate web, for in a realm where no singular power could reign supreme, intrigue and deception ruled above all. The dream of a unified martial world (武林一統) was nothing more than an illusion, as no faction could afford to allow another to gain absolute dominance. To train an army of supreme experts (超絶高手) was an arduous task, for once such a force emerged, their enemies would inevitably conspire to destroy them before they could rise to power.