The Storm Before the Storm
The wind screamed through the mountains, bending ancient trees until their branches cracked like whips. At the heart of the tempest stood the *Nine Pillars Pavilion*, its obsidian columns etched with runes of forgotten oaths. Inside, beneath lanterns flickering like trapped spirits, nine figures cloaked in power convened—leaders of the Murim world, their auras clashing like unsheathed blades.
"You dare repeat this?!" Mu Whon of the Sky Sword Sect slammed his fist onto the stone table, splitting it with a thunderous crack. "Daeng County burns, and the Demon Fire Sect slithers from its den once more!"
Chen Tiamo, her voice as sharp as the legion of swords at her back, confirmed: "The Snow Dance Sect is no more. Not a single disciple survived."
A weighted silence followed. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Lu Zhou of the Thunder Wind Sect broke the quiet, his tone deceptively calm: "A mid-tier sect, annihilated. This was no skirmish—it was a message." He traced the rim of his teacup, the porcelain trembling. "The Demon Fire Sect's Generals have awakened."
Mo Tian, elder of the Tianyin Holy Pavilion, stroked his beard. "Heaven-ranked warriors answer only to the Heavenly Demon. This reeks of a General's work—perhaps even an Emperor."
Da Zhong of the Water Star Sect scoffed. "A single General could reduce a town to cinders. The Snow Dance Sect stood no chance."
Cheon Ji, Supreme Leader of the Alliance, steepled his fingers. "Then we answer in kind." His gaze swept the room. "Who do we send?"
Pen Aiyu of the Rolling Tiger Sect smirked. "Du Chen. My disciple dances on the edge of Head-level strength. Let the Demon Fire Sect taste his fangs."
So Lin He of the Flower Mountain Sect nodded. "Hyeon Li will accompany him. The boy moves like a shadow—and strikes like lightning."
Murmurs of approval rippled through the pavilion. Kim Jheon Mo of the Azure Hawk leaned forward, his hawk-pommeled sword humming. "Do we vote?"
"No need." Cheon Ji rose, his robes swirling like storm clouds. "Dispatch them at once. Daeng County's cries will not go unanswered."
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The Warriors' Resolve
As the decree echoed, two figures knelt outside the pavilion—their destinies sealed.
- Du Chen, his tiger-striped gauntlets gleaming, cracked his neck. "Finally. A fight worth my time."
- Hyeon Li adjusted the twin daggers at his hips, his eyes narrowed toward the smoke-darkened horizon. "Something's wrong… The Demon Fire Sect doesn't leave witnesses. Why did rumors escape?"
The wind howled again, carrying the stench of charred flesh. The two leapt toward the chaos, unaware that the annihilation of the Snow Dance Sect was merely the first move in a game of gods and demons.
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This novel is an AI-generated translation from the original Indonesian-language version.
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