C167
Yunnan.
Although it had a smaller population than its neighbor Sichuan, the size of its walls and the area it covered were comparable to those of Sichuan.
This is because it borders Nanman.
Cale took a look at the walls, which appeared sturdy even from this distance.
In fact, the walls were not even visible at this moment.
"Array Formation?"
Two people responded to his comment as if he were talking to himself.
"Yes! Outside the city walls, and within the city walls, there are different Formations!"
"It seems to be true, Young Master."
Inside the city walls.
Inside the walls, from the mountaintop, nothing of Yunnan's interior could be seen. Everything was hidden by dense fog.
"Definitely, Formations are different from Magic."
Raon muttered quietly.
"If Magic is the process of creating what you desire using mana, then the Central Plains Formations seem to artificially change natural energy to alter the surrounding environment."
He then nodded seriously.
"Undoubtedly, if used correctly, Formations can have a tremendous effect."
"That's right, Raon-nim."
Chief Eunuch Wi continued.
"It is said that a Great Array Formation is a world in itself... And those who create these Formations could be considered Gods of that world."
"Gods?"
He smiled at the young Dragon's fixed gaze.
"Isn't that so? If you can control and dominate both space and time in that space, wouldn't you be a God?"
"Space and time..."
Raon got lost in his thoughts or seemed deeply concentrated on them, with an expression reminiscent of a wrinkled dumpling. Cale looked at him and asked a question.
"Are there Formations outside the walls as well?"
"Yes, I believe so. Although I'm not sure what's out there."
Chief Eunuch Wi clarified Raon's response.
To the north and south of Yunnan, which had mountains to the east and west, vast plains stretched out. Although there were some scattered houses among the extensive rice fields, no one could be seen. This was understandable, as there was no way the Blood Cult followers would let people living outside the walls live in peace.
"It's a Array Formation!"
Raon responded with determination.
"Without a doubt, there is a Array Formation surrounding the walls. It has a radius of about 1 km."
A Formation of around 1 km surrounding the castle.
"Because the mana is twisted there! That's not possible here unless it's a Array Formation!"
Wow.
A small exclamation escaped Cale's mouth.
"So, what you're saying is that what appears to be an ordinary view of a rice field under a sunset might actually be an illusion?"
"Yes!"
Raon's brow furrowed, like an even more wrinkled dumpling.
"The Array Formations both inside and outside the fortress are a Array Formation that is difficult for me to understand at once. It seems to be a high-level Array Formation. It's one of the best Array Formations I've seen since I came to this world!"
The corner of Cale's lips lifted slightly.
"Definitely, it seems that the Blood Cult has more abilities than the Black Blood Family."
The clan of hunters he first encountered on the Shaolin planet.
The Black Blood Family, the Huayans Family, was the first Hunter Family Cale met on the Xiaolen planet. Although they were quite strong, the Blood Cult seemed more capable and had more secrets.
"Probably, both the Living Jiangshis and the Jiangshis are not all they have."
It might just be a part of their true power.
"Raon?"
Cale asked quietly.
"Is it impossible to fully understand the Array Formation?"
"No! I'm a great Dragon! If I study it, I'll understand enough! I can understand everything if I study enough!"
Raon pushed his chubby belly forward and tapped it as if he wanted Cale to trust him.
"So, would it be easier to study the Array Formation if we get a bit closer?"
"Yes!"
Cale looked around after hearing Raon's response. Only he, Choi Han, Chief Eunuch Wi, Choi Jung Soo, and Beacrox had come here through teleportation.
"For now, we'll spend the night nearby and observe Yunnan."
"Yes, Young Master. Then I will create a place for us to stay."
As soon as Chief Eunuch Wi responded, Choi Jung Soo gently interjected.
"Anyway, we will have to study the Array Formation, right? How about that place?"
He pointed to one of the houses amidst the vast plains. It was a house right next to the mountain west of where Cale was and was out of the reach of the Array Formation.
"Won't we be discovered?"
When Chief Eunuch Wi worried about the enemy's gaze.
"Don't worry!"
Raon intervened.
"Now I know a bit about the Array Formation! I will hide us!"
Wow~
Cale admired Raon.
"Did you just learn that?"
Raon's cheeks puffed up, and the corners of his lips lifted.
"I'm smart!"
"Yes, you're amazing."
"It's true, I'm very amazing."
Cale's eyes turned to the walls.
"It seems that those Array Formations are somehow strange."
Whether it's a tsunami or a wave. Even if he wanted to use water to sweep them away, it wouldn't hurt to examine and judge what kind of Array Formations they are before acting. Because some strange things were preventing Cale from moving recklessly at this moment.
"Yes."
Choi Jung Soo agreed. The faces of the people present in this place had become serious.
Riding on the wind generated by Raon, the group stealthily traveled down the mountain. Choi Jung Soo opened his mouth.
"I haven't seen anyone on the walls."
The boundary of the array formation was the wall. As such, it was clearly visible, but there wasn't a single person on the walls.
In other words, there was no one keeping watch. Could it be possible that those now in the position to defend the place couldn't do anything? Cale added a word in response to Choi Jung Soo's words.
"And we haven't seen any of the Jiangshis either."
The Blood Cult used Jiangshis. But not a single one of them could be seen on the wall. The number of Jiangshis was at least a thousand. That figure was now hidden, so not even a speck of dust could be seen.
"...I feel uneasy. It's too quiet everywhere."
No one refuted Choi Jung Soo's words. They all continued to move quickly to their destination, keeping their mouths shut.
Then it happened.
"..."
Cale could see Choi Han, who had halted his steps. Choi Han's head turned in a certain direction.
The sun was already almost behind the horizon, so darkness was slowly spreading. However, as always, night arrived faster in the mountains and forests. Choi Han's gaze was already directed at the dark forest that seemed to be filled with trees.
-Human, there's someone there!
As soon as Raon's words echoed in Cale's mind, Choi Han extended his hand. Cale nodded in response to the signal that Choi Han would go. Carefully, Choi Han headed towards the direction from which the sound had been heard.
"Is it an enemy?"
Cale waited nervously and then widened his eyes upon seeing Choi Han return.
"Eh?"
There was a person slung over Choi Han's back.
"Ugh, ugh."
The individual, covered in blood and on the verge of losing consciousness, looked at Cale.
"Young Master..."
Cale recognized the person.
"...Dokgo Daehyeop."
When they left the Imperial Palace for Mount Huang, the first person they encountered was Dokgo Chang from the Dokgo Family, a skilled martial artist of the Murim.
But now, he was covered in blood and barely breathing.
The Dokgo Family was in Yunnan.
"Hurry."
Cale's group moved faster to their destination.
Of course, Cale also gave Dokgo Chang a potion he had obtained from the Death God's Bishop in Roan.
He couldn't be sure if a potion from Roan would work in the Central Plains, but he hoped it would.
Fortunately, the potion worked to some extent.
"The emergency situation has been averted."
Cale felt relieved hearing Chief Eunuch Wi's words as he checked Dokgo Chang's pulse.
He picked up a chair from an empty room and sat down.
Dokgo Chang had lost consciousness for a moment, but his breathing was stable.
Fortunately, the house at the foot of the mountain was empty.
Of course, the house was a mess, as if a great storm had swept through it.
There were many signs that people had been dragged out.
Perhaps a Blood Cultist had passed through here and dragged people inside the walls.
At least there were no signs of anyone dead, no blood.
"He was probably fleeing from the walls of Yunnan."
Cale nodded as Choi Jung Soo approached his side.
"Probably, yes."
There were quite a few martial artists and sects in Yunnan.
The Dokgo Family was one of them, and they were quite powerful in Yunnan.
As such, they would have tried to escape the city and get external support somehow.
Dokgo Chang would have been the man for the job, as he was the brains within the Dokgo Family, and his steadfast and loyal personality would have made him the right man for the job.
"Human, there's no influence of a Array Formation around here! Let's create our own formation!"
Cale sharply nodded at Raon's words.
"Can I use the necessary materials on my own?"
He was probably asking about Magic Stones, so Cale responded casually.
"Yes, do as you please."
Then, Cale turned his gaze to Choi Jung Soo.
Choi Jung Soo took a map out of his coat and spread it out on the table. It showed the east, west, south, and north with the Province of Yunnan at the center.
Choi Jung Soo looked at the map and spoke.
"Tomorrow at dawn, you said the Heavenly Demon would arrive first, right?"
"Yes."
The Heavenly Demon would arrive here first, accompanied by the Thunder Demon and the Demon Law Battalion.
After that, the Demon Cult's troops would come near Yunnan one by one.
"And after that, the Namgung Family, right?"
"That's right."
A messenger was sent to the Sword Saint, who was on his way to Sichuan, to come directly to Yunnan. Since the Sword Saint was said to be almost near Sichuan, he would arrive here soon.
"People from Sichuan will also come with the Team Leader. Then, in the Evil Alliance and the Murim Alliance-"
Cale, who was organizing his thoughts while listening to Choi Jung Soo, stopped when he heard a sound.
"It's Beacrox! Jungwon is acting strange!"
Eh?
Cale's gaze moved.
In Raon's hand was a bronze statue of a Buddhist monk.
"......"
Perhaps feeling Cale's gaze, Raon returned the look and smiled satisfactorily.
"Human! The power of the formation becomes stronger if there's a key element! Of all the things we have in the Central Plains, this rock is the strongest, so we will form a formation centered around Jungwon! Then this house will never be discovered by the enemy!"
Chief Eunuch Wi and Choi Jung Soo stared at Raon, not understanding.
At that moment...
"Wow."
Cale exclaimed.
"It's a good idea."
Who did he resemble to be so intelligent?
Cale was once again impressed by the young Dragon's intelligence.
'Yes, just a heavy rock. But it hasn't been put to good use so far.'
After obtaining the new version of the crown, Cale tried to contact Jungwon, but received no response. The same happened when he contacted the Death God. Especially, the response he got from the Death God after contacting him was disappointing.
<In the midst of an emergency situation due to a sudden outbreak>
<Cause of emergency: outbreak of a strike due to a revolt>
He wasn't sure how things were going.
<Jungwon did something>
<That brat is a sly fox after all>
When he saw the message left by the Death God, he shut his mind off. He thought things would resolve themselves. Of course, if things didn't resolve well, it could affect Cale.
'But right now, I have to do what I must.'
That was the answer. Especially at this moment, when he confirmed that there were no restrictions or seals on the power of his companions, it was the perfect opportunity to deal with the Blood Cult once and for all.
Choi Jung Soo raised his voice.
"The Imperial Palace has said they will take care of the rest, so it's best for us to start with Yunnan."
Cale's gaze on the map turned cold.
Now that the Imperial Family had offered to protect the entire Central Plains, the key members of the Three Factions were gathering in Yunnan.
As he contemplated the tasks ahead of him, Cale was interrupted by a voice calling out to him.
"Haeil-nim."
Choi Han approached with Raon.
"We have finished setting up the Array Formation. Now we can go inspect the Formations on the Wall."
It was at that moment.
"Uh, uh-"
Dokgo Chang's groan could be heard. His half-closed eyelids began to move, indicating he was about to regain consciousness.
Tock.
Choi Jung Soo got up from his chair and looked at Cale.
"We should have an idea of what we'll do before the Heavenly Demon arrives, right?"
Cale nodded.
Then, Choi Jung Soo continued:
"You stay here and talk to Dokgo Daehyup, and I'll go with Raon and with m-my uncle... I mean, m-my aunt... I m-mean."
"Alright. Take your uncle and Raon with you."
"Y-Yes!"
Cale averted his gaze from the nervous Choi Jung Soo and spoke to Choi Han, who was happily looking at Choi Jung Soo. Of course, to Raon as well.
"Don't do anything dangerous and keep an eye on the outer perimeter without being discovered. If you think it's dangerous, move away from there. And don't make the first move, because the goal is to gather information."
"Understood."
"Understood, Human!"
"Understood!"
Moving away from the three who had moved to investigate the situation outside the walls, Cale went to Dokgo Chang's side.
"Young Master..."
He had already opened his eyes and was looking at Cale.
Cale knew that sometimes it was more important to give people like him a message before asking how they felt physically.
"I've come to save Yunnan."
A light flickered in Dokgo Chang's eyes, and his body relaxed.
"Young Master..."
As he struggled to speak, tears formed in Dokgo Chang's eyes. A single tear fell from Dokgo Chang's stubborn and heavy eyes.
These were not tears shed when one came to save Yunnan.
They were tears of bitterness and urgency.
They were tears of despair, of no longer being able to control one's emotions...
"There... are people... who have been taken..."
"To the Blood Cult?"
Dokgo Chang barely nodded.
"They want to turn them... into Jiangshis... and make them fight-"
Dokgo Chang was not someone the Dokgo Family would have sent for external help.
"They were all captured... and I... was the only one who escaped."
He was the only one fortunate enough to escape.
"Please... Young Master... please... save them."
Within the dense fog, the Blood Cult was turning villagers into Jiangshis.
"Dokgo Daehyup, stay calm."
Dokgo Chang's emotions surged, then he stopped. Young Master Kim's figure had a colder atmosphere than usual. Then, he regained his composure. It wasn't the time to break down emotionally. He had to say everything he knew.
"Please, tell me everything you know. It's the only way to save them."
Dokgo Chang looked at Young Master Kim with a resolute gaze that wouldn't waver for anything and began to speak with effort, word by word.
Moments passed.
The door burst open.
"Human!"
Raon burst in, deactivating his invisibility.
Choi Han and Choi Jung Soo followed him with grim expressions.
"Human, while we were investigating the formation, we noticed some weaknesses and were able to open a hole to take a look inside."
Raon's face showed astonishment.
"They were all Jiangshis! Every single one!"
Choi Han added.
"The inner courtyard outside the city walls... it looked like a field, but it was actually densely packed with Jiangshis."
Choi Jung Soo said, frowning.
"...It wasn't just a thousand."
It was much more than that.
"Understood."
The three of them turned their gazes to Cale upon hearing his calm voice. Cale looked back at Dokgo Chang, who had once again lost consciousness.
"At least ten thousand."
The number of Jiangshis Dokgo Chang had detected was at least ten thousand. It started with around a thousand at the beginning, and the Jiangshis kept coming endlessly.
"And there may be more."
His gaze rested on the open door. He turned toward the path, which seemed to be nothing more than plains.
"The Blood Cult intends to turn everyone inside Yunnan into Jiangshis."
Furthermore, Dokgo Chang had said, 'Today, after they finish organizing, they plan to turn them into Jiangshis during the night...'
Then, he provided additional information.
'And here are the candidates for the Blood Demon Successor.'
Two of the Blood Demon Successor candidates were here.
A twisted smile formed at the corners of Cale's mouth.
-Cale.
Come on, let's use our power, the Sky Eating Water urged.
Zzup~
And in those moments, Cale heard the sound of water in his ears, as if it were suddenly pouring rain, or a giant tide approaching from afar, or a storm getting closer and closer.
At any moment, the water swirled and eagerly awaited Cale's command to unleash it.
-
