Chapter 247: The Root of Evil Lies in the Heart (2)
The movement of the group advancing along the path halted simultaneously. They had discovered a pile of bones of bizarre shapes on the right. It was a sight that could not simply be passed by.
Sama Cheol spoke with a look of disbelief.
“What on earth did these bastards do here?”
Judging by the shapes of the bones, it was not difficult to guess.
Yue Fei sighed repeatedly in pity.
“I have heard that countless citizens have gone missing within the Hui Dynasty. How can we comfort these pitiful souls?”
Judging by the size of the tower-like bone pile, at least tens of thousands of people seemed to have been dragged here and killed.
Sensing what had happened, Il-gwang’s veins bulged on his forehead in anger.
“So the Emperor was doing such crazy things in secret? These dog-like bastards…”
Only So-mu maintained his composure. He walked closer, examining the marks left on the bones.
Before long, his expression grew very dark.
“These are marks of martial cultivation. I have seen it before—a terrible demonic art that absorbs human essence to cultivate.”
There were demonic arts whose cultivation methods were so cruel that they were forbidden even within the Demonic Cult.
A prime example was the Vicious Demonic Soul-Slaying Claw cultivated by Grandma Eun-hwa. Had that old monster not absorbed the essence of a thousand people back then to master that horrific art?
The spots left on the bones here were no different from the marks he had seen back then.
Yue Fei looked as if he could not shake off his despair.
“How could they commit such a crime that outrages both heaven and earth…?”
Everyone shared his feelings, but they could not afford to stay here. So-mu took the lead again, guiding the group.
“They will pay the price for their sins soon. Let us go.”
The group continued along the mountain path.
After passing through two caverns and advancing another three hundred zhang, another gateway appeared before them. For some reason, the gate was wide open, as if welcoming them.
Striding inside, the scene that greeted them was spectacular.
In a clearing of about a thousand pyeong stood a two-story hall.
Awaiting them were about a hundred cultists dressed in simple white robes. And at the deepest part of the clearing, on a raised platform, sat a white-haired woman with her legs crossed. Even her eyebrows were white.
Dressed in a seductive outfit that revealed her figure, she clutched a flute in her hands.
“Arriving here already, you’re much faster than I expected.”
Since she was a cunning master in the Extreme Demonic Realm whom So-mu had encountered a few times, he knew her well.
“…Baek Myo-jin, the Heavenly Sword Witch. You will not escape today.”
She did not look tense at all. In fact, she wore a leisurely smile, as if she had something to rely on.
“I should be the one saying that. But where is that vicious wench? I have some debts to settle with her.”
Baek Myo-jin harbored a deep grudge against Yeon Seo-hwa. It was likely because she had been beaten mercilessly in the markets of Chang’an and then dragged to Mount Yangzhou to be tortured.
She did not seem to know that Yeon Seo-hwa was currently fighting alone at the first gateway.
“You don’t need to know. You will die here today.”
“Is that so?”
As Baek Myo-jin blew her flute once, the hundred cultists clutching swords formed their ranks and took their stances.
However, their appearance was highly bizarre. Their skin was as pale as ice, and their pupils were extremely small, barely a tenth of a normal person’s size.
“What did you do to these people?”
“Well. It isn’t time to reveal them to the world yet, but thanks to you all, we get to test them a bit early.”
The Hui Dynasty had captured martial artists and even spirit beasts to conduct all kinds of living experiments. Had the cub of the Mountain Lord not died brutally at their hands? These cultists were undoubtedly the results of those horrific deeds.
“You seem to believe that you can deal with us with only these things.”
“Yes. Quite easily.”
Baek Myo-jin blew her flute once more. At the signal, a cultist clutching a sword strode toward So-mu.
“How troublesome.”
As soon as So-mu spoke, the cultist’s movements suddenly accelerated.
The speed was surprising, exceeding expectations. To think a puppet could move faster than a first-rate martial artist. What was even more baffling was that he showed no fear of So-mu.
In the blink of an eye, the cultist was swinging his sword right before So-mu’s face.
However, So-mu had already moved half a step to the left.
Whoosh!
The blade swung confidently but sliced only empty air.
At that instant, So-mu’s palm struck the cultist’s chest like lightning.
BOOM—!!!
With a dull roar, the cultist’s chest caved in instantly. At the same time, the cultist was sent flying backward even faster than he had approached.
After flying over ten zhang, he crashed against the cliff wall and slid down.
Slump—!
It was a display of immense power fueled by Profound Realm internal energy.
So-mu did not doubt that the man was dead. At least, until now.
“How can this be…”
“Look at that.”
Astonished exclamations came from behind him.
It was a blow that should have instantly killed even a peak master.
Yet, the cultist had not only survived but was hobbling back toward him. Moreover, he showed no change in expression, let alone a groan of pain.
Watching this, So-mu’s brow furrowed.
Clang—!
His sword unsheathed itself, flying into his grasp. At the same time, a milky-white sword qi over half a zhang long erupted, slashing forward.
The crescent-shaped wave of light swept from the cultist’s head to his feet like lightning.
Crash!
The charging cultist tumbled flat on the ground. Yet, he still struggled to get up, refusing to die.
Watching in silence, So-mu’s expression turned grim.
‘Unbelievable. A body that cannot be cut even by sword qi.’
Still, it did not mean there was no way. The shimmering energy on his blade condensed, glowing with a blue light.
Sword force. It was an advanced technique that was difficult to master without reaching the Flower Realm. On the other hand, because it consumed internal energy rapidly, it was rarely used under normal circumstances.
So-mu swung his sword twice at the limping cultist.
Slash!
The shoulder was sliced clean like a cut radish. Yet, the cultist continued to advance, a sight that was truly chilling.
Only when another horizontal slash severed his head did the cultist finally stop.
“Are you starting to feel a bit nervous now?”
Mocking him, Baek Myo-jin kept her smile, finding the situation satisfying.
On the other hand, the five masters, including So-mu, felt frustrated.
“You have all seen it. Aim for their heads with minimal movements.”
That was the only way to conserve their internal energy.
However, aiming precisely for specific body parts on fast-moving cultists was no easy task.
As Baek Myo-jin began to play her flute in earnest, the hundred cultists, who had been motionless, charged simultaneously.
The five commanders facing them also rushed forward, determined not to be outdone.
As the chaotic melee began, the area turned into a scene of carnage. Loud explosions echoed, and the severed limbs of the cultists flew into the air.
Slash! Splat! Slash!
Everyone was tangled together, swinging their weapons frantically. Among them, So-mu’s performance was by far the most striking.
He brought down a cultist with every breath.
Yue Fei, Sama Cheol, and General Jin Gwang also displayed the combat techniques they had forged on the battlefield.
And the most eye-catching was Il-gwang. This was because his weapons were his fists.
Grabbing the neck of a charging cultist, he snapped it with sheer grip strength.
Crack!
His right hand, enveloped in red energy, swung to the right, driving into the stomach of another cultist.
BOOM!
As the cultist’s body bent forward, the edge of Il-gwang’s hand descended like a guillotine.
Slash—!
Its power, which was not inferior to sword force, was exquisite.
As expected, the coalition had the upper hand. The situation was gradually being brought under control, but the problem was that this was not the end of the battle.
A natural-born fighter, Il-gwang kept assessing the situation even while fighting frantically.
“Captain, do something!”
At this rate, they would collapse from exhaustion. It was an inevitable result, as no attacks worked unless they used techniques that consumed significant internal energy.
So-mu, who was weaving through the cultists, was in a better state. He was skilled enough to freely manifest sword force only when necessary.
However, the other commanders were not.
“Hold on a little longer, I will end this quickly!”
Il-gwang grew increasingly frustrated. Just then, a figure caught his eye—the woman who was playing the flute with a mocking smile.
Come to think of it, the cultists’ movements seemed to be synchronized with the sound of the flute.
“I think that white-haired wench is controlling them!”
This meant that if they defeated Baek Myo-jin, the situation might be resolved.
And Il-gwang’s voice was heard by more than just So-mu.
Suddenly, Baek Myo-jin’s face turned pale. Seeing her reaction, So-mu also realized something was off. It was definitely worth a try.
In an instant, a wave of energy rippled out from his body.
BOOM!
Over a dozen cultists surrounding So-mu were pushed back, stumbling.
Seizing that opening, he kicked off the ground and dashed in a straight line toward Baek Myo-jin.
At that moment, the nearby cultists rushed to block him. Although their reaction speed was surprisingly fast, it was impossible for them to keep up with the movements of a Profound Realm master.
A violent gust of wind whipped up where So-mu passed.
Whoosh!
Finding herself targeted, a stunned Baek Myo-jin quickly drew her sword on the platform.
The hesitation in her eyes showed she was trying to think of a trick. But So-mu was not about to be fooled twice.
Altering his stance in midair, So-mu drew his sword back to his waist.
Realizing she had no choice, Baek Myo-jin prepared her strongest stance. The tip of her sword split into eight paths, waving like ripples.
Facing her, So-mu wore a mocking expression.
Talhon Sword Technique, Second Form: Lightning Trace-Seeking. Moving like a diving hawk, his figure flashed past Baek Myo-jin like a bolt of lightning.
BOOM—!
An explosion echoed, followed by a sharp groan.
“Ugh!”
Baek Myo-jin had managed to block the strike, but she stumbled from the impact. Seizing the opening, So-mu’s left hand grabbed her collar.
Clutch!
“Ugh.”
“These cultists are monsters that should not exist in this world. And that includes you.”
As a henchman of the Hui Dynasty, she was an evil person who had harmed the world, comparable to Grandma Eun-hwa. She was unforgivable.
She struggled to escape his grip, but she could not move an inch.
At that moment, a fist filled with deep internal energy struck her left chest.
Crack!
“Puff!”
With her legs giving out, she collapsed to the ground.
Her veins bulged and her eyes turned bloodshot, showing she was in excruciating pain. She could not even speak, only parting her lips silently.
“Enjoy the pain of the people you have killed…”
Having spoken, he turned his back, not needing to look further. With her heart destroyed, she would slowly die in agony.
Before they knew it, the cultists attacking them had stopped moving. There was nothing easier than attacking enemies who did not resist.
As the situation was resolved in an instant, Yue Fei approached, shaking his head. His gaze was fixed on Baek Myo-jin, who was still breathing.
“Defying natural laws always brings a price. How could you expect a good end after turning healthy people into living corpses?”
“…”
She seemed to want to say something, but no sound came from her mouth.
No one was curious about what she wanted to say. Judging by her mouth shape, it was undoubtedly a curse.
Leaving her behind, the five masters took firm steps toward their final target.
A moment later, So-mu warned them with a serious expression.
“If my guess is correct, the Cult Leader and his closest aides will be at the next gateway.”
Il-gwang looked at So-mu, looking pleased.
“Let’s go finish them off, Captain. I’m starving to death.”