Pahan spoke with a serious expression.

“It’s not good. Very bad.”

“Isn’t it said that the Blood Moths themselves aren’t that dangerous? At most, they’re like moths that suck blood. No different from a slightly larger mosquito.”

Yi-gang said this, yet he knew he was downplaying the danger.

A swarm of mosquitoes could easily take a person’s life, being dangerous enough.

They were too small and numerous to be cut with a sword, could not be avoided, and could even spread diseases.

“Their saliva contains a paralytic poison. Around fifty bites can kill a strong man. And getting bitten that much isn’t too difficult.”

However, Pahan was also exaggerating the danger of the Blood Moths. They were at least big enough to be cut with a sword.

Yi-gang could easily guess why he was saying this.

“You said the reason they gather is more important than the Blood Moths themselves.”

“…That’s right.”

The place where Pahan was born and raised was a village a bit more to the west from here.

Demon Cult followers, yokai, Kunlun Sect Taoists.

When one of the three things people here least wanted to encounter on Kunlun Mountains was present, Blood Moths gathered.

“There’s probably no chance that Demon Cult followers are where the Blood Moths gather. This place is too far east for them.”

“That’s right.”

“The likelihood that it’s a place where yokai run rampant is higher. But near where the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Foxes live, the chances of there being another dangerous great yokai are also slim.”

“There’s no such thing as an ordinary yokai. As a disciple of the Azure Forest, you would know well.”

“Yes, as a disciple of the Azure Forest, I am well aware. I am also well versed in how to deal with yokai.”

Pahan closed his mouth. Yi-gang was right.

“Even if we encounter a Kunlun Taoist, it shouldn’t matter. They wouldn’t be hostile to us without reason.”

“…”

“If Sir Pahan does not wish to accompany us, it’s okay.”

When Pahan showed a negative attitude, Yi-gang thus offered.

However, Pahan shook his head.

“I will join you. The Kunlun Mountains is a dangerous place.”

“Thank you.”

Yi-gang expressed his thanks with a fist salute.

Pahan did not ask in detail why the Blood Moths were needed. It was a relief.

The Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox named Heuk-mu approached Yi-gang.

He brought a net of a mysterious color. It seemed to be made of wire, yet it was intricately woven as if with thread, flexibly bending.

“Bring back more than a hundred of them.”

“Wouldn’t they die if we put them in the net?”

“Even if their vitality is tough, about half would die. I’ve taken that into account.”

Yi-gang had heard why fifty Blood Moths were needed.

Namgung Seo-ryeon wanted to be reborn as a Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox.

But, if there’s a spirit, there must also be flesh.

Even though the Nine-Tails was a great yokai, it cannot create a body out of nothing, as it wasn’t an immortal.

Thus, using the Blood Moths to collect the blood of the Nine-Tails and its offspring, they planned to offer a new body through the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon.

That was the gist of the plan.

“I will go immediately.”

Although the delay of her spirit’s demise was prolonged by the Nine-Tails protecting the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, time was not abundant.

Yi-gang intended to depart immediately, but Pahan stopped him.

“The shape of the clouds today is not favorable. Let’s depart at dawn tomorrow.”

Yi-gang had no choice but to nod at that firm attitude.

It was right to follow the advice of Pahan, the expert, at this moment.

Yi-gang forced himself to sleep that night.

Hoping that the accumulated fatigue would be somewhat relieved.

However, the fatigue was not alleviated at all as morning came.“You could capture Blood Moths even without me, right?” Dam Hyun said this with a hint of regret.

He did not join the mission to capture the Blood Moths.

Instead, he became involved in preparing a new body for the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, along with the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox. The Nine-Tails recognized Dam Hyun’s abilities.

Dam Hyun wanted to fulfill the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’s long-cherished wish as much as Yi-gang did, and thus he gave it his all.

“Please take care, Senior Brother.”

“Great yokai are great yokai. They use strange spells that humans can’t. The transformation technique was impressive…”Regardless, Dam Hyun was better than Yi-gang in sorcery and other areas.

Yi-gang thought it was fortunate to meet this senior brother with a terrible personality.

“…”

As Yi-gang was about to leave, he locked eyes with Cheok-yo, who was standing with his arms crossed.

He snorted and turned his head away.

Although he was an insolent one, he seemed to follow the commands of his mother, the Nine-Tails, at least.

Yi-gang turned his back on Dam Hyun and Cheok-yo and headed towards the mountain peak.

Soft voices of conversation could be heard from behind.

It seemed Dam Hyun was speaking to the arrogant Cheok-yo.

“Can’t you go back to being a fox?”

“No. It’s my choice.”

“A fox is a hundred times better than this ugly human form. I really don’t like how you look now.”

“…Bastard, you’re human too.”

Cheok-yo also seemed fed up with Dam Hyun’s antics.

It appeared that Dam Hyun had no reason to feel inferior among the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Foxes.

Yi-gang, Pahan, Ha-jun.

The three had left the dwelling of the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox, located about an hour away from Fox Spirit Village.

Due to the cold and dry climate, the Kunlun Mountain Range had many sharp rocky mountains.

However, the places of mystics were naturally strong in earth energy.

Surprisingly, dense forests covered the mountains, out of place amidst the rugged terrain.

To better survey their surroundings, they climbed to the top of a tall rocky peak.

The group focused their vision to examine the landscape around them. The day was clear and the altitude high, offering an unobstructed view.

The places with Blood Moths were visible even from a distance.

The problem, however, was that their size and location varied.

Sometimes five clusters would be visible within sight, but at other times, days would pass without a single sighting of Blood Moth swarms.

Pahan explained the reason for this.

“Blood Moths are not like ordinary moths. Usually, they sleep underground in the form of pupae. They only hatch when there is blood nearby. After drinking enough blood, they lay eggs and die, just like mayflies.”

“So, that’s why Blood Moths appear where blood flows.”

“The more blood that seeps into the ground, the more Blood Moths gather. The Kunlun Taoists believe that these blood-sucking moths are imbued with mystical powers.”

“The Kunlun Sect?”

“That’s why they often chase after Blood Moths.”

It seemed that Pahan was reluctant to go where Blood Moths gathered for such reasons.The idea of blood-sucking moths could seem creepy and eerie at first glance.

Ha-jun seemed to think the same.

“It doesn’t seem very Taoist-like.”

However, Yi-gang shook his head.

“I understand the thought process.”

Blood symbolized life, and its color was red.

The Kunlun Sect took the path of immortality more seriously than anywhere else in the Central Plains. Perhaps they were seeking a way to become immortals by liberating their flesh through the moths that resurrected from blood.

If there’s a chance to ask, it might be possible to know.

“We should head in that direction for now.”

“…Right.”

Pahan sighed.

Fortunately, the place where the Blood Moths gathered was quickly visible.

It was closer than expected. Using light footwork, they could arrive in less than half a day.

“That scale is not something you see easily…”

However, the problem was its scale.

If the swarm of Blood Moths seen yesterday seemed about the size of a single red plum tree, now it was dozens of times larger.

It appeared as a vast red flowerbed spread across the mountainside.

“We don’t have time. Let’s go.”

A swarm of Blood Moths that close was not something they could easily handle.

Yi-gang and his companions rushed towards the swarm of Blood Moths using the light footwork technique.

The wind swept down the ridge, hitting their faces.

As they got closer, the smell of blood became distinctly noticeable.

Finally, when each Blood Moth flying around became visible.

People blocking Yi-gang and his group appeared.

They showed astonishingly agile movements.

Kicking off tree branches, they leaped up, and in the air, they changed directions instantly as if kicking off walls.Ha-jun widened his eyes in surprise.

That unique movement was the light footwork technique, recognizable by any martial artist without exception.

“Cloud Dragon’s Great Eight Forms…!”

Cloud Dragon’s Great Eight Forms, a movement technique like a dragon frolicking in the clouds.

It was a peerless movement technique that involved changing direction eight times in mid-air.

“Stop!”

They were young martial artists from the Kunlun Sect.

Dressed in dark navy robes and wearing Taoist hats, their expressions were so cold they almost didn’t seem human, more like zombies.

“There is a sect matter of great importance happening ahead, and we cannot allow you to approach.”

Their attitude was stern, leaving no room for objection.

Indeed, the very act of surrounding them like this was far from a moderate stance.

“What is the matter?”

“We cannot say. Please turn back.”

Ha-jun asked, but the response was chilly.

Pahan had already stiffened. It seemed he had some unpleasant memories regarding the Kunlun Sect Taoists.

Surprisingly, Ha-jun spoke with a polite demeanor.

“We need to capture some of those Blood Moths. It’s to save someone’s life, so we would appreciate your understanding.”

Yi-gang looked at his younger brother as if surprised by his approach.

However, the mention of capturing Blood Moths had the opposite effect.

“It’s a matter we cannot easily accept,” said the leader among the Kunlun martial artists, and then four of them simultaneously drew their swords.

Chang—

Four swords were drawn, but the sound could only be heard once.

“I’ll warn you once again, step back.”

The four swordsmen were not outmatched in momentum even by the successors who participated in the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.

Yet, Yi-gang’s expression remained calm.

Dam Hyun had told Yi-gang a lot.

About the Taoist sects of the Central Plains, including the Azure Forest and their relationship with the Kunlun Sect.

‘The Kunlun Taoists are quirky. Among the Taoist sects, such quirky ones are rare. Mount Hua, Wudang, our Azure Forest, all have their heads screwed on right… Why are you looking at me like that?’

Yi-gang asked how exactly they were quirky.

‘Why are you looking at me? …Anyway. It’s because those guys are seriously obsessed with becoming immortals. We also ultimately aim to reach the state of immortality, but they don’t discriminate in their methods.’

There are two methods to practice the path of immortality: external alchemy and internal alchemy.

External alchemy, simply put, was about creating an elixir to become an immortal, while internal alchemy focused on training oneself to become an immortal.

Most martial arts sects focused on internal alchemy training. The Wudang, Azure Forest, and Mount Hua all prioritize their own cultivation.

‘The Kunlun folks eat all sorts of strange things in their quest to become immortals. Some die in the process, and some go mad by reaching out to the demonic path. Still, they are considered part of the orthodox faction because their goal is to become immortals.’

Dam Hyun also explained how to deal with the Kunlun Sect martial artists if they were to confront them.

‘The Kunlun folks have a sense of inferiority. Wudang has that famous Zhang Sanfeng who actually ascended to immortality, right? And in the Azure Forest, there are also people who are said to have ascended. But those guys don’t have anyone who has actually ascended while alive.’

Just reveal your identity as a disciple of the Azure Forest. Then they will make way on their own.

That was Dam Hyun’s advice.

‘I am a disciple of the Azure Forest. Specifically, an honor flower disciple from the Grand Library. Just say it like that.’

‘Will they recognize that?’

‘Just try.’

Yi-gang decided to follow Dam Hyun’s advice.

“It seems there’s a misunderstanding. I am a disciple of the Azure Forest, Baek Yi-gang.”

Upon hearing that, the expressionless Kunlun martial artists stiffened.

The momentum as if they were about to swing their swords at any moment changed.

“You’re a Taoist priest…from the Azure Forest?”

“Yes.”

The one in the lead shifted his gaze swiftly.

Upon noticing the two purple flowers on Yi-gang’s collar, his eyes widened.

“Could it be, an honor flower… disciple?”

“Yes, that’s correct. It seems you are quite familiar with our Azure Forest.”

“…I know it well, very well indeed. Then, could it possibly be your master is.”

As their reactions changed, Yi-gang responded with a proud tone.

“My master is Yu Jeong-shin, the Grand Library Master of Azure Forest.”

And the previously cold expressions of the Kunlun martial artists changed dramatically. They burst into laughter.

However, the words that soon came out were the complete opposite of what Yi-gang had expected.“How dare you come all the way here! Do you even know where you are!”

Yi-gang instinctively drew his sword.

Whoosh—

A thick hostility emanated from the surrounding Kunlun martial artists.

Yi-gang decided that he would have to strictly deal with his senior brother when he returned.