novelones Chapter 246 : Slaughter Ritual
Chapter 246 : Slaughter Ritual
Chapter 246: Slaughter Ritual
Nine deaths, one life.
There was no phrase more fitting than this to describe barely surviving after countless brushes with death.
When I finally shoved aside the massive boulder blocking the passage with a thunderous “Kuuung!”, hope lit up on everyone’s faces—the hope that we might actually live.
“Just how in the world did you know such a place existed?!”
A rope lowered in a dead end. Captain Jang Jin asked with an incredulous expression.
“I just… had a feeling something was off. It looked unnatural, so I thought I’d check just in case…….”
I shrugged as I answered, making it sound like pure luck.
At that moment, I felt the Heaven-Slaying Star fidgeting unhappily at the edge of my vision, as if protesting that it was thanks to it.
But so what if you glare? What can you even do?
“Haha! You’ve got absurd luck, Troubleshooter.”
Jang Jin laughed heartily and thumped my back.
Then, as if he couldn’t stand this hellish place for even another second, he quickly slipped into the entrance of the secret passage.
A man with an exceptional instinct for self-preservation—yet still one who stepped forward in the face of injustice. Truly a human chivalrous hero.
“Thanks to you, it seems Sohye and I will be able to return safely to the Namgung Clan.”
Supported by his younger sister, Namgung Jin stood at the cave entrance and expressed his sincere gratitude.
“I see.”
I replied shortly, staring at him.
He was someone I had felt a strange aura from before. Could he be the remaining Evil Star the Heaven-Slaying Star mentioned?
But then—
“However, I cannot help but ask this. Did you truly find this by chance?”
Amid everyone else cheering at finding a path to survival, only Namgung Jin maintained cold rationality as he stared sharply at me.
“In this vast Demon Cult territory, what are the odds of discovering a secret passage by coincidence? Forgive me, but I cannot help but doubt you.”
He had a point.
There were already suspicions that Demon Cult spies had infiltrated the Murim Alliance. At times like this, even a stone bridge must be tested before crossing.
“It really was just luck. I’ve always had good instincts… The arrangement of the bushes felt unnatural.”
The Heaven-Slaying Star fidgeted again in protest, but there was no way I could explain that.
Namgung Jin let out a sigh, rubbing his face.
“Luck and instinct……”
He murmured quietly, looking at me with complicated eyes.
“I held your sense of chivalry in high regard. Watching you stand firm against any Demonic Practitioner without retreating, I thought you might become an irreplaceable friend…….”
I was slightly taken aback.
‘What’s with him……?’
We’d barely met a few times—why was he acting like we had gone through life-and-death together?
“However, with such an unclear explanation, I cannot remove the stain of suspicion from you for now.”
There was regret in his voice.
‘I get it.’
Even knowing I’d be suspected, I had guided them using the information whispered by the Divine Maiden of the Demon Cult.
No matter what, saving them came first.
“Could it be… you are connected to the Demon Cult spy said to have infiltrated the Murim Alliance—”
“That’s absolutely not true.”
At that moment—
A woman stepped forward between us, her ponytail swaying.
It was my older sister, Murong Cheonghye.
She blocked his suspicion like a shield and spoke firmly.
“I’ve known Young Master Dan since his younger days… back when he was still a wanderer.”
She paused briefly, then continued.
“And as the Vice Captain of the Demon-Slaying Unit who has thoroughly investigated the Demon Cult, I can state this clearly. He has absolutely no connection to them.”
“…Hmm.”
But to Namgung Jin, we were merely acquaintances who had crossed paths a few times while fighting Demonic Practitioners.
“Can you swear on your clan’s name?”
True to being the son of the Murim Alliance Leader, he pressed carefully to the end.
Our eyes met briefly.
In that moment, I saw a resolute determination in her gaze.
“Of course. I will guarantee him with my life and my clan’s honor.”
“……?”
I stared at her blankly.
‘Why go this far for me……?’
Did she realize my identity?
I quickly checked my disguised face beneath the mask—but Ilhong’s human-skin mask was perfectly adhered.
Then why?
The woman before me—
Wasn’t she someone who would shove even her own younger brother off a cliff if necessary?
“Why is everyone hesitating?! Stop wasting time and get moving!”
At that moment, Captain Jeok Unyeop of the Demon-Slaying Unit poked his head back from the tunnel, waving impatiently.
“Sorry, Young Master.”
Namgung Jin sighed.
“I let suspicion cloud my judgment. To doubt someone who risked himself to save us… I am ashamed.”
“Let’s just get moving.”
I gestured toward the tunnel.
One by one, we entered the secret passage leading out of the Demon Cult.
“…It’s a pity we couldn’t recover the bodies of the Beggars’ Union members.”
Murong Cheonghye muttered quietly.
She was mourning the fallen Beggars’ Union heroes whose remains had been displayed as warnings.
“Hey, Dan Mujin.”
Tang Yeo-hye tapped my shoulder.
“…I owe you again. But I don’t have any more Gratitude Tokens left……”
Her voice trailed off.
“Then when are you going to use the Gold, Silver, and Copper Tokens I gave you?”
Her tone carried a subtle expectation.
“I don’t really need anything from the Tang Clan right now.”
“…Can you just sell them back to me for money?”
“…Didn’t I tell you I’d die if you did that?”
“Just kidding.”
“Everyone—once we return safely to the Central Plains, this Free-Spirit Sword Jeok Unyeop will buy everyone a drink!”
Even the usually stingy captain made a rare declaration.
“Alcohol? I’ll pass.”
In my previous life, I drank occasionally—but now? After seeing Hwang Geolgae, I’d rather not.
“Once we survive… I’m going to eat Mujin’s ice dessert until I’m full.”
Jo Harang said, leaning on me.
That sounded dangerously like a death flag.
“And there’s another saying—beyond one mountain lies another.”
“…!”
A cold, unfamiliar voice echoed from behind.
We all froze instantly.
“…Did you truly think you could return safely after cutting down Ming Cult members?”
A voice filled with anger and mockery.
“Nameless Protector, Ma Ryundo.”
A hunched old man in black robes.
The Demonic Qi pouring from him crushed the entire passage.
“Blazing Flame Realm… a master of that level.”
Jo Harang whispered in despair.
Even from afar, the pressure was overwhelming.
And in my vision, the Heaven-Slaying Star was frantically warning me not to engage.
“…Damn it.”
We had just found hope—
Only to fall into despair again.
“I was ordered to bring your heads. Let it be done according to the Cult Leader’s will.”
A Blazing Flame Realm master.
There was no chance.
I handed Jo Harang to Tang Yeo-hye and drew the pitch-black Hell-Piercing Demon-Slaying Staff.
“Run ahead. I’ll follow later.”
“……!”
They all knew.
There was no “later.”
It was just a desperate attempt to buy time with my life.
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
“Then do you want us all to die together?”
Silence.
“…Please. Take everyone and go.”
The captains finally began dragging the others away.
“Mu… Mujin!”
Murong Cheonghye’s desperate cry echoed behind me.
“…I’m sorry, Master.”
Even though you told me never to draw the sword hidden within my staff—
Shrrrng.
The Hell-Piercing Demon-Slaying Sword revealed its brilliant gleam.
“For today, I shall commit a Slaughter Ritual.”
For a brief moment—
I returned as the Heaven-Slaying Star.
Staring at Ma Ryundo, I released a chilling, murderous light.