Chapter 257: The Endpoint
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CHYUCHUK!
Clothes were torn in a long line as red blood drops splattered.
“EUUEK!”
The face of the young man whose left forearm was slashed contorted sharply.
A swordsman in his mid-twenties wearing blue martial attire embroidered with a jackal on the left shoulder and a wolf on the right.
He was Violent Wolf Blade Jong Pyeong, a disciple of Jinjo Jeok-je Hungry Wolf Blade Demon, one of the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province.
PAPAK!
The opponent who had inflicted the wound kicked the ground again and rapidly closed in on him.
SHUSYUK, SYUK, SHUSYUK-!
Horizontal sword strokes rapidly moving left and right.
The pressure of sword strikes linked with advancing footwork was truly outstanding.
It was swordsmanship like a dark moon transforming into various trajectories and rushing forth.
Jong Pyeong retreated continuously backward while avoiding the blade amidst the burning pain.
Befitting a blade talent representing the Jackal Wolf Blade Sect, a prominent unorthodox faction in the Hunan region, his movements were nimble.
Amid that, his eyes were searching for an opening.
But the opponent’s sword strikes rushed in all directions without end, absolutely refusing to allow an opportunity for a counterattack.
‘It’s overwhelming!’
Jong Pyeong honestly acknowledged.
His opponent’s formidable martial prowess.
It couldn’t be helped.
Jong Pyeong was merely a famous Rising Star of the region, while his opponent was an executive of a high-ranking elite group within the Sun Moon Demon Cult.
The identity of the demon practitioner boasting fierce sword force was none other than the Vice Leader of the Moon Demon Assembly.
Jong Pyeong found it difficult to reverse this situation where he was on the defensive.
‘At this rate, it will be difficult!’
Shameful as it was, he needed someone’s help.
At that moment.
CHYUK!
Along with a sharp sound, his left thigh was slashed as well.
“UK!”
Just as Jong Pyeong’s body lost balance and tilted to the left.
HEEJUK.
The Moon Demon Assembly Vice Leader, raising his lip corners as if sneering, charged forward and thrust out his right-hand sword straight.
A sword tip cutting through the air.
Heavy sword energy arose.
It felt like dark moonlight wrapped around the blade and was being spewed forth.
It seemed like he intended to pierce through his head just like that.
The moment of death.
KAHAANG- PEOHEOHEONG…!
One person suddenly appeared, strongly deflecting the sword force while shouting loudly.
“Young Master Jong! Stop the bleeding first!”
Jong Pyeong, seeing that back, had a startled look in his eyes.
‘Ah, he saved me…!’
A man shielding him with extraordinary bearing.
He was Beon Sa, the Mountain Shattering Sword of the Broken Mountain Sword Manor.
The Moon Demon Assembly Vice Leader deployed the Moon Demon Sword Style, which symbolized his affiliated organization, and shouted:
“Bastard, have you come to die together!”
Beon Sa, who faced him, also engaged in competition with his sect’s lofty sword learning, the Broken Mountain Great Sword Style.
Amid that, Jong Pyeong was engulfed in shame while stopping his bleeding.
Not long ago, he had intentionally spoken ill about Blue Robe Sword Noble Do Yun, the Manor Master of Broken Mountain Sword Manor and Beon Sa’s master, who had been defeated by Cheol Ryu-heun.
-Hoot. Young Master Beon, is it true? That Manor Master Do suffered a setback? However, I don’t fully believe it. Rumors tend to be exaggerated, after all.
-It is… true.
-My, my, how will he show his face now? It might be different if his reputation were low.
It was a ploy to deliberately embarrass Beon Sa.
But he realized afterward.
That such behavior was rather the shameful thing.
Also.
He realized one more thing.
The fact that Beon Sa’s vessel was larger than his own.
In both character and martial prowess.
Beon Sa, standing guard in front of him, was not being pushed back at all against the Moon Demon Assembly Vice Leader, an expert within the Sun Moon Demon Cult.
They were evenly matched.
Of course, there was also the factor that the Vice Leader was somewhat tired from running around the battlefield, but even so, Beon Sa’s martial prowess was at a tremendous level.
Yes, at minimum it was far superior to himself, who had acted arrogantly claiming to be a famous Rising Star.
Seeing that, a different kind of shame took root.
‘I was merely a frog in a well.’
He had usually thought of Dark Sword Fragrance Mun Bin as a rival.
But he had already reached that high place before he knew it.
And now even Beon Sa was proving the possibility of meteoric growth with his martial prowess.
He understood.
What it felt like to be left behind alone.
It wasn’t anyone else’s fault.
It was a result brought about by his own self, steeped in arrogance and indulgence.
Jong Pyeong stood up resolutely along with that thought.
“Let us perform combined attack!”
Thus the two martial talents executed a unity-minded combined attack.
On top of that, personnel from the Broken Mountain Sword Manor, Jackal Wolf Blade Sect, and Moon Demon Assembly joined in, and a fierce battle broke out.
Meanwhile, Black Silken Sword Sovereign Wei Ta-gong, representing the unorthodox camp, was overwhelming his surroundings with formidable swordsmanship.
The number of Sun Moon Demon Cult members who departed this world by his hand alone exceeded a full one hundred fifty.
Moreover, over half were high-level forces within the cult.
However, Wei Ta-gong’s sword was not satisfied with such achievements.
“KEOK!”
“EUAK!”
Several more cultists met their end before the Black Star Precious Sword, crafted from Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.
The demon practitioners slowly retreated, cowed by Wei Ta-gong’s momentum.
At that moment, over ten elite fanatics who were deeply immersed in the doctrine rushed in, explosively releasing murderous aura.
It was movement as if even death would be defied.
‘If that is truly your wish, I shall grant it!’
Wei Ta-gong, eyes flashing, immediately thrust out his sword.
GOOOOOO-
Space appeared to twist transparently along the blade.
HWAK!
Dark light spread.
Like a great net that seemed about to trap everything that entered the eyes.
It was the execution of the Black Net Sword, one of the ultimate moves of the Black Spiral Sword Technique.
When the over ten fanatics were swept up in it.
KUAAAANG-!
The atmosphere shrieked and violently convulsed.
Thus the over ten fanatics who had fearlessly charged became drenched in blood from the power of the Black Net Sword executing extreme internal power, and breathed their last.
“Huuu.”
Wei Ta-gong’s soft breathing as he wiped his sweat.
He too was tired to some extent.
It was a natural phenomenon.
Since he had continuously exerted massive internal power without rest from the start of battle, seeking to gain the upper hand.
Thanks to the fierce active service of various renowned supreme masters, including Wei Ta-gong, who did not spare their strength, the orthodox-unorthodox camp seized certain victory in less than half a shichen.
SEUK.
The gaze of Wei Ta-gong, who had turned his head, traveled far beyond to the distance across the gap.
‘Truly amazing. Those two young people…’
The objects of his admiration were Hae Su-yeon and Namgung Sang-rin.
Indeed so, for neither of them was showing any sign of fatigue at all.
Rather, they seemed to gain more strength the more they fought.
That couldn’t simply be seen as just youthful vigor.
‘Huh… have they even surpassed my own achievements? It strikes me anew with wonder. Sect Leader Cheol’s capability…’
Around that time, Hae Su-yeon was continuously scattering flower petals with her sword.
CHENG, CHENG, CHENG, CHENG-!
A cheerful metallic sound created by the clash of weapons.
The four Sun Moon Demon Cult members who had surrounded her from all directions all retreated at once, coughing blood.
Each had suffered internal injury from the energy imbued in the sword strikes.
Yet they wore somewhat dazed expressions.
It was the influence of being drawn by enchanting energy.
In other words, it was because the sword energy of her elegant form was displaying the ability of enchantment.
The dance of the Enchanting Flower Sword unfolded again.
HWIRIRIRIK, HWIRIK, HWIRIRIRIK!
Brilliant sword energy spread extensively as if flowers were blooming in full.
It only appeared beautiful, but the power of the series was not so.
PUHAK, PUHAAK, PUHAK…!
Along with chilling sounds, the four Sun Moon Demon Cult members collapsed on the ground.
Instant death.
With large and small holes pierced throughout their bodies.
On the nearby side, Namgung Sang-rin fought while pressing forward into enemy lines like a solid iron wall.
Each time the legendary treasured sword Heaven Reliance Sword, newly obtained from ancient times, displayed the light of the azure sky.
PEPEPEPONG, PEPEPEPONG!
Several demon practitioners were swept up in blue haze and fell like autumn leaves.
The Azure Heaven Great Evolution Sword Art, executed by Namgung Sang-rin who had awakened the Nine Grade Martial Bones, was truly of peerless majesty.
That was not all.
He was even utilizing the Heaven Vault Formless Sword, Imperial Four Arts Sword Technique, Azure Sky Sword Form, Heaven Flow Cloud Wall Sword Technique, and some moves of the Sky Breaking Sword Forms.
By Namgung Sang-rin’s sword strokes that rushed continuously like rapid crossbow bolts, over ten Sun Moon Demon Cult members breathed their last again.
In this place, only the death of demon practitioners continued.
Thus Hae Su-yeon and Namgung Sang-rin, having suppressed the surrounding enemies, briefly gazed north while exchanging words.
“Young Master Namgung! Did you see it earlier? The flames!”
“Yes, I saw them. The same as what we experienced that time…”
The green flames that had soared high into the air and then subsided.
Both of them had seen it while fighting.
Soon, another witness approached and stood beside them.
“That appears to be the power of gu poison.”
It was Gal Jung-heon, gripping the Demon-Devouring Sword.
Immediately after, Namgung Sang-rin expressed a question with heavy eyes.
“The relationship between the group that exterminated my family and the Sun Moon Demon Cult… But weren’t the flames larger than last time?”
Gal Jung-heon nodded slightly in agreement.
“That’s right. Several times more so. Perhaps it’s a different gu poison.”
Hae Su-yeon turned her body and hastened her footsteps.
“I’ll go check what happened. Young Master Namgung! Come with me!”
“Yes, let’s do that. We should also see the result of Sect Leader Cheol’s match over there.”
Just as the two were about to hurriedly move in that direction.
PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPA-!
A group of cultists seized by frenzy blocked the front and charged.
The Fourth Apostle, the sole survivor among the Eight Great Apostles, and the forty-some elite demon practitioners under his command.
It was a charge resolved for mutual destruction as a last resort.
“Step back for a moment.”
At Gal Jung-heon’s brief voice, Hae Su-yeon and Namgung Sang-rin quickly retreated.
Simultaneously.
KKWANG!
The Demon-Devouring Sword, imbued with ashen demonic energy, was deeply thrust into the ground.
SHYUSHYUSHYUSHYU- SHYUSHYUSHYUSHYU-!
Countless hungry ghost shapes poured out like a great army’s procession, charging toward the Fourth Apostle and the enemies at the forefront.
It was a truly terrifying sight.
The enemies swept up by that power screamed while rolling wildly on the ground.
“EUAH, EUAAT!”
“AAAK!”
“KEOK… S-save…”
“KKEUHEUK…!”
SAKGAKSAKGAK, SAKGAKSAKGAK, SAKGAKSAKGAK, SAKGAKSAKGAK…
The chilling sound of each person’s flesh rotting away.
The forty-some people became skeletons in an instant.
Seeing that, Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon both murmured the same thing internally.
‘Good heavens… it’s a huge relief he’s on our side.’
At that moment, Gal Jung-heon suddenly spoke coldly.
“Impressive.”
Not far ahead, the Fourth Apostle’s figure was visible.
He had narrowly survived.
Befitting an Apostle of the Sun Moon Demon Cult.
But he couldn’t avoid internal injury.
The blood currently dripping down from his mouth proved that.
‘Damn it!’
Fourth Apostle didn’t think further and turned his form.
He had finally chosen fleeing.
“All personnel, retreat!”
In the instant he kicked off the ground to advance after letting out that command-like shout.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA-
A figure rushed in like a flash of light, accompanied by tremendous wind sound.
The Fourth Apostle, body flinching, couldn’t even react.
PUHAAAK!
A single streak of terrifying sword power tore his body to shreds.
HUDUDUK, HUDUDUK…
The owner of the fearsome sword force was Cheol Ryu-heun.
Gal Jung-heon and the others all brightened at once.
“Sect Leader!”
At that, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke expressionlessly:
“Let’s clean up quickly and go.”
In an instant, his form vanished.
PIIT-
Immediately after.
KKWANG, KKWAKKWANG, KKWANG!
Before they knew it, Cheol Ryu-heun, who had moved far into the distance, was wildly overturning the chaotic battlefield.
Enemies helplessly spewing blood and falling.
It was an unhesitant display of hand techniques as if he had just begun fighting.
In the midst of that, the Moon Demon Assembly Vice Leader who had been fighting Beon Sa and Jong Pyeong also became a corpse.
Fear is contagious.
It’s maximized when numbers are high.
Currently, the Sun Moon Demon Cult’s camp was in a state of being consumed by that fear.
Without exception, they couldn’t even muster the courage to recklessly oppose.
-You need my permission to even think about fleeing.
As Cheol Ryu-heun, having emitted such a resonant sound transmission, drew a cross with the Gan Jiang.
CHWAAAAAAA- CHWAAAAAAA-!
From that flashing cross-shaped light, countless sword energies poured forth.
An indiscriminate explosion of sword light mixing horizontal and vertical energies.
KKWAGWAGWAGWAGWAGWANG-!
A thunderous roar shaking heaven and earth echoed greatly.
HUDUDUDUDUK, HUDUDUDUDUK, HUDUDUDUDUK…!
Blood drops and flesh rained down together.
Someone mumbled with a dazed face:
“Defying Heaven Explosive Cannon Strike…!”
The primary ultimate technique of Evil Emperor Yul Cheon, the absolute of the martial world six hundred years ago.
The amazement didn’t end.
Cheol Ryu-heun, having stirred up the chaotic battlefield, conspicuously released demonic energy.
KWAAAAAA-
A dark entrance created to the side through the Gan Jang Sword.
The Moon Demon Assembly Leader, the last remaining upper leadership, was sucked into that place.
“EUAAAAAAK!”
KKWADEUK, KKWADUDEUK, KKWADEUK…!
His body, trapped by the dark gravitational force, was compressed.
Being wildly torn and twisted by the endless gravity.
SEUSEUSEUSEU, SEUSEUSEUSEU…
In the blink of an eye, the Moon Demon Assembly Leader became powder and vanished.
Heavenly Demon Gravity Star, the ultimate move within the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Cheol Ryu-heun subsequently stepped using the Heavenly Demon World-Destroying Step.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKKWANG-!
A heavy stomp that explosively released demonic energy.
The dark flames that spewed along his toes once again scattered the enemy’s body like powder.
Before Cheol Ryu-heun’s divine authority, not only the enemy but even the orthodox-unorthodox camp was shocked.
“HUHEOK!”
“Th-that is…!”
“Heavenly Demon Divine Art!”
“Yes, that’s right! It must be!”
Amid that, Cheol Ryu-heun’s sound transmission shook the premises.
-The Cult Leader you serve has already died by my hand. From now on, choose only one. Whether to surrender or resist.
A battlefield suddenly fallen silent.
A space that had entered a lull.
However.
JJEOLGEUREONG-
A metallic sound shattered the silence.
Starting with that, metallic sounds rang out in succession.
JJEOLGEUREONG, JJEOLGEUREONG, JJEOLGEUREONG, JJEOLGEUREONG, JJEOLGEUREONG…
That was precisely the sound of all remaining Sun Moon Demon Cult members completely losing their will to fight and one by one discarding their weapons.
And the orthodox-unorthodox martial artists erupted in cheers of victory in unison.
“WAAAAAAAAAA!”