Chronicles of the Demonic Cult Conversion-Chapter 73 : Chapter 73

Chapter 73. A Dragon is Coming!
‘When would it be?’
Namgung Sin did not specify the exact time.
He only mentioned it was roughly ten-something years ago…….
No one knew if it would be one year from now, or two years from now.
‘Why on earth was the Divine Spirit Tree destroyed?’
That, too, was equally unknown.
Whether it was due to a natural disaster or a third party intentionally damaging the Divine Spirit Tree, Jin Cheon had no way of knowing.
It was highly likely that even Namgung Sin himself didn't know the cause.
However, what was certain was that the destruction of the Divine Spirit Tree must be prevented at all costs.
Otherwise, a great disaster would occur, the military power of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would weaken, and tens of thousands of lives would be lost.
As a member of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and a disciple of the Cult Leader, the Iron-Blooded Demonic God, it was something he could absolutely not stand by and watch.
‘I need to inform the Cult Leader about this.’
The problem was that there was no way to deliver the news in the current situation.
Trapped in the Black Bamboo Forest, unable to come or go, it was impossible to send a message.
It would have been nice to have a carrier pigeon, but even if he had one, it would be unreasonable to expect a pigeon to carry out its mission in this weather.
‘I need to find a way…….’
His mind in a turmoil, Jin Cheon agonized over it for a long time.
But that didn't mean a brilliant solution would immediately appear…….
“My Lord, My Lord.”
“Ah.”
Danmok Cheong's voice awakened Jin Cheon from his deep thought.
“The Fox Immortal of the Sea of Trees has caught a wild boar.”
“She really brought food?”
“Yes.”
“Let's go and see.”
When he went to the outskirts of the Black Bamboo Forest, the Fox Immortal of the Sea of Trees was waiting for Jin Cheon with a house-sized wild boar slung over her shoulder.
Even if it wasn't a thousand catties, it was a creature that easily looked to be over several hundred catties, and to see her carrying it so lightly, she was truly a possessor of monstrous strength.
“How about it, this should last a few days, right? Do you need more?”
“This much should be enough for a few days.”
“If you need more, just say so. I can get you as much food as you want.”
As expected of a strange and powerful being living in the Sea of Trees, it seemed that finding prey was not so difficult for the Fox Immortal, even in such bad weather.
“Thanks to you, we won't starve to death. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. As long as you can erase my name from the Divine Spirit Tree, a little prey like this is nothing.”
“I’ll try to speak well to my superiors. But don't get your hopes up too much. I'm not yet in a position to decide such things.”
Jin Cheon tried not to raise her hopes too high, thinking that the Fox Immortal might be disappointed.
“It doesn’t matter. There’s a big difference between having a glimmer of hope and having none at all.”
“That… is true.”
Jin Cheon was suddenly reminded of his time trapped in the Demonic Prison and deeply sympathized with the Fox Immortal’s words.
He was able to endure with the single-minded determination to one day escape the Demonic Prison and get his revenge; if not for that, he would have long since gone mad or taken his own life.
“Can I ask you something?”
“If it’s something I can answer, I will.”
“Have there been any attempts to destroy the Divine Spirit Tree?”
“There have been countless attempts. Of course, they all failed, which is why I’m still trapped here.”
“What about it being destroyed on its own?”
“What, are you talking about it being struck by lightning or something?”
“Something like that.”
“Because of the sorcery, neither lightning nor forest fires can do anything to the Divine Spirit Tree. Unless there’s a massive earthquake and the Divine Spirit Tree is uprooted entirely.”
“I see.”
“Why do you ask?”
“No, it's nothing.”
Jin Cheon said so and turned away.
“Anyway, thanks to you, we won’t starve to death. Thank you.”
“Don't mention it for something like this.”
The Fox Immortal shrugged and then spoke.
“I’ll prepare for an attack just in case. You and your subordinates go fill your bellies.”
“I’d be grateful if you did.”
“Okay.”
The Fox Immortal disappeared into the blizzard again.
***
Jin Cheon shared the wild boar meat brought by the Fox Immortal of the Sea of Trees with the members of the Divine Demon Squad.
Everyone had been surviving on Grain Avoidance Pills for several days, so their energy was at an all-time low.
Thus, the taste of meat after such a long time was truly exquisite.
The taste of the wild boar meat, seasoned with salt and a few spices and then grilled to a golden brown, was no less than any rare delicacy.
Moreover, when accompanied by the bamboo leaf wine that Danmok Cheong had brewed using the leaves of the Black Bamboo Forest, their stomachs warmed up, and they could easily withstand the fierce cold of the harsh winter.
“My Lord.”
“What is it?”
“Can we trust her?”
“I don't know if she’s a trustworthy person, but what she wants is with us.”
“Ah.”
Danmok Cheong understood the meaning behind Jin Cheon’s words and nodded.
The Fox Immortal’s goal was to have her name erased from the Divine Spirit Tree and escape from this Sea of Trees.
For that to happen, the survival of Jin Cheon's party was essential, so the possibility of her betraying them was extremely low.
“Let’s wait for another day or two, and if the Cult Leader or Senior Brother Wi still doesn’t come by then, let’s ask the Fox Immortal for help. What do you think?”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
Two days later.
With still no news, Jin Cheon asked the Fox Immortal of the Sea of Trees for help.
“You called for me? What is it?”
“Can you help us escape the Sea of Trees?”
“One or two might be possible, but a large group is impossible. Do you think it’s easy to deceive the Ghost King's eyes? And the Ghost King isn't the only dangerous one in the Sea of Trees.”
“Hmm.”
Jin Cheon frowned at the words that it was impossible for them all to escape together.
“It's unfortunate, but for now, we have no choice but to endure. The people you’re waiting for aren’t unable to come for no reason. No matter how much of a winter it is, do you think this weather is normal?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This isn’t just bad weather. The Torch Dragon is causing trouble.”
“Torch Dragon?”
“Ah, you wouldn't know? The Torch Dragon is a red snake with a human head. It wakes up once every few years and manipulates the weather as it pleases.”
“Is it a being that cultivates for ascension like you?”
“No.”
The Fox Immortal shook her head.
“It’s closer to a spiritual beast. If I had to classify it, it’s like a mountain spirit, but that’s a bit ambiguous too. It doesn’t really do much.”
“Hmm.”
“It originally lived on Sky Mountain, so it’s understandable that it would be ill-tempered after being trapped here.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“When that damn Heavenly Demon trapped us here, he trapped the Torch Dragon too.”
“Ah.”
“Anyway, it's best to lay low when the Torch Dragon is on a rampage. If you approach carelessly, you’ll be struck by lightning and die.”
“Is there no way?”
“If you catch a Fire Carp and bring it to him, his mood might improve a little.”
A Fire Carp referred to a red carp that harbored the energy of fire.
Not only was it a spiritual beast, but its inner core was considered a precious treasure that could not be bought even for ten thousand gold.
“Are you talking about the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Carp?”
“Hey, even in the Sea of Trees, there’s no way such a great spiritual beast exists.”
“Is that so?”
“A hundred-year-old Fire Carp might satisfy it.”
“A Hundred-Year Fire Carp…?”
“Is that all it takes? Originally, carp live for a long time. Even a regular hundred-year-old carp is common.”
“Ah?”
“Just wait for now. I might be able to find one or two if I search the ponds. Hey, you there.”
The Fox Immortal pointed at Danmok Cheong.
“Are you referring to me?”
“Yes.”
“Please speak.”
“Follow me.”
Danmok Cheong then looked back at Jin Cheon.
“Go on.”
“As you command.”
Even though the Fox Immortal of the Sea of Trees was by his side, Danmok Cheong did not hesitate despite the perilous mission.
He was a subordinate among subordinates, one who would willingly accept any danger if it was Jin Cheon’s command.
***
While waiting for Danmok Cheong and the Fox Immortal of the Sea of Trees, Jin Cheon remained on high alert, watching outside the Black Bamboo Forest.
However, the area around the Black Bamboo Forest was much quieter than expected, and there didn't seem to be any immediate threats lurking.
‘Seeing that nothing has happened, it seems the White-Scaled Three-Horned Snow Python didn’t die. Perhaps that’s why the being called the Hui Dragon Emperor hasn’t made a move.’
Jin Cheon thought that might be the case.
If the Hui Dragon Emperor didn’t move as the Ghost King had predicted, the formation of the Black Bamboo Forest would likely not be broken.
‘I hope that’s the case.’
Jin Cheon hoped that the Hui Dragon Emperor would not invade and waited for Danmok Cheong and the Fox Immortal of the Sea of Trees.
Did Jin Cheon’s wish come true?
After a day, the fiercely raging blizzard subsided as if it had been a lie, and the biting cold that felt like it would tear through skin also died down.
Then, for the first time in a very long while, almost a month, the weather became sunny with the sun shining brightly.
‘Did they succeed in appeasing the Torch Dragon?’
Jin Cheon’s thought became a reality about half a day later.
“My Lord! Commander Dan is coming with the Third Young Master’s party!”
“……!”
Jin Cheon shot up from his seat and went out of the mountain keep.
And the person who greeted Jin Cheon most enthusiastically was none other than…….
“Youngest Brother—!”
The Blood Qilin, who had said he hated even being near the Sea of Trees, leaped up and pounced on Jin Cheon.
Swoosh. Jin Cheon twisted his body.
Thud!
The Blood Qilin face-planted into the snowfield.
“I, Danmok Cheong, have completed my lord’s command.”
“Good work.”
Jin Cheon nodded at Danmok Cheong, who was kneeling on one knee, and then turned to look at Wi Mu-rin.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Sorry for being late. A lot has happened.”
The appearance of Wi Mu-rin and his party as he said this was truly a sight to behold.
It was hard to tell what kind of hardships they had gone through, but their clothes were tattered and torn here and there, and some were even heavily bandaged, indicating severe injuries.
“Not at all, you’ve truly suffered a lot to come here.”
“Still, it's a relief. I was worried something might have happened, but seeing everyone safe puts my mind at ease.”
As Jin Cheon and Wi Mu-rin were exchanging pleasantries, the Blood Qilin shot up and yelled!
“Hey! You don’t even acknowledge your senior brother whom you haven’t seen in almost three years!”
“What brings you here? The one who said he gritted his teeth at the mere mention of the Sea of Trees?”
“What do you mean, what brings me! I came to help our cute youngest brother from starving to death! Ahem!”
“Is that really true?”
When Jin Cheon asked, Wi Mu-rin shook his head from side to side.
He didn't say anything, but judging by his expression, it seemed he had caused some trouble and was sent to the Sea of Trees as a form of discipline.
“What’s with you two? Why are you looking at me like that? Did you two get close while I was gone?”
The Blood Qilin glared with snake-like eyes and growled.
They say a white dog’s tail remains white even if buried for three years; despite nearly three years having passed, the Blood Qilin was still as immature as ever.
“By the way, I have something urgent to tell Senior Brother Wi.”
“I heard about it on the way, but seeing that nothing has happened, I don’t think we need to worry too much. Am I wrong?”
“It’s not about that issue.”
“Then?”
“It’s about the Divine Spirit Tree.”
“The Divine Spirit Tree.”
Wi Mu-rin’s face hardened.
It was clear from his expression that he had not expected to hear about the Divine Spirit Tree from Jin Cheon.
“Where did you hear that story?”
“I heard it from the Cult Leader.”
“Ah.”
“Can we speak separately?”
“Of course.”
Wi Mu-rin nodded his head.
He may not know about other things, but he instinctively knew that a story about the Divine Spirit Tree was a serious matter.
‘Still, it's a relief. Senior Brother Wi's party arrived before things got out of han—’
Just then.
“Enemies, enemies are swarming in!”
Dae-ho came running from a distance, shouting.
“A, a dragon is also coming!”
“A dragon…?”
“Yes! A dragon, a dragon is coming!”
Dae-ho was so surprised that he couldn't even speak properly.
“Calm down and tell me in detail.”
“The body is human, but the head is not that of a human, but a dragon’s head……”
“……?”
“I, in other words, it’s a dragonman!”
Wi Mu-rin opened his mouth as if he understood what he meant.
“It seems he has come.”
“By ‘he,’ you mean…….”
“The Hui Dragon Emperor.”
Wi Mu-rin answered Jin Cheon’s question.
“In the Sea of Trees, he is the only one with the form of a dragonman.”