Chapter 327: The Heretic Cult Leader's Ability
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Do Woo-pung was startled upon hearing the words “Heretic Cult Leader” while busily moving his legs.
“What do you mean…!”
“I also found it hard to readily believe at first.”
Danli Hyeok’s grave gaze proved it wasn’t nonsense.
Having read that, Do Woo-pung looked at the back of the gray-robed man running ahead.
“Are you really…”
The gray-robed man’s voice flew in and cut off his trailing words.
“That’s right. My name is Shin So-sul. To be precise, I’m the former cult leader who was expelled by internal rebels.”
“…!”
At yet another surprising fact, Do Woo-pung’s eyes grew wide.
‘My word, expelled by an internal rebellion…’
Without a doubt, there must be some kind of connection to the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.
At that moment, Danli Hyeok beside him added again.
“I and many others escaped with his help. We’re currently heading to that place.”
“What, there are others too…?”
“Yes, my younger sibling is also there.”
“Ah, is that so? Are there any injuries?”
“There were minor external injuries, but it’s not a level to be greatly concerned about.”
Hearing those words, Do Woo-pung nodded slightly.
“That’s a huge relief. Hmm, many things seem to have happened while we were separated.”
A gaze sinking as deeply as his soft voice.
Shin So-sul, who was advancing while carrying Do Jwa-baek on his back, spoke rapidly.
“We must reach the shelter in haste. Darkness-Craving Blood Clan slaves are lurking throughout the forest.”
“If time drags on here, he’ll come tracking.”
“Correct. Heuk Ma-yung is a difficult opponent to face with force. Especially one-on-one…”
Do Woo-pung also agreed with those words.
Hadn’t he seen it earlier?
Heuk Ma-yung, who had been perfectly fine even after taking Shin So-sul’s heavy palm force…
“Understood. I’ll hear the full story later, and for now concentrate on fleeing.”
Simultaneously with Do Woo-pung’s reply.
KKUMTEUL-KKUMTEUL, KKUMTEUL-KKUMTEUL…
Something moving was sensed from beyond the darkness ahead.
Do Woo-pung and Danli Hyeok’s expressions hardened upon sensing it.
They immediately discerned.
That a large number of Darkness-Craving Blood Clan minions were lurking in that darkness.
Having sent that Sound Transmission, Shin So-sul quickly took out a talisman.
PAPAT-
It was a much larger talisman than the one he’d used on Heuk Ma-yung.
As if suggesting it was a superior incantation.
The color was also different.
It was a red talisman, not black.
As if soaked in blood.
Its surface was full of mystical black characters.
When they had gotten fairly close to the wriggling group in the darkness.
“Kihak!”
“Kiaaak, kiak!”
“Kkaek, kkyahak!”
Savage screams struck the group’s eardrums.
It was a sound reminiscent of a pack of starving beasts’ clamor.
Suddenly.
-So you were the one who’s been secretly spiriting away our prey these past few days! Shin So-sul!
Someone’s Six-Directional Sound Transmission rang out.
For some reason, it was a spine-chilling sound.
At that, Do Woo-pung and Danli Hyeok instinctively realized.
That the person who had released the resounding Six-Directional Sound Transmission was a formidable enemy.
However, Shin So-sul showed no sign of panic.
It seemed he had anticipated that the mysterious opponent would appear and block their path.
Shin So-sul chanted a short incantation and sent Sound Transmission.
It was a terrifying title that felt combative.
Again, Blood-Holding Fighting Ghost Tae-pa’s Six-Directional Sound Transmission rang.
-You managed to escape from that place alive, but… for those who defy Bat Demon Great King’s will, only death awaits… hehehe.
Bat Demon Great King referred to Heuk Ma-yung, the Clan Leader of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.
Immediately after.
PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPA-
Those with sharp fangs and fingernails burst out wildly from the darkness ahead.
“Kkaek!”
“Kihaak!”
“Kkyakkaek!”
It was like watching a pack of beasts hunting prey.
The distance was narrowed in an instant.
At that moment, Shin So-sul quickly threw the talisman forward.
HWAREURUEK- FLASH!
When the talisman ignited along with blue flames and emitted dazzling light.
KUKUKUKUKUKUNG-!
Suddenly the ground where the enemies had gathered shook violently.
And then.
KKWADEUK- KKWADEUDEUK-!
Something huge broke through the ground and rose up.
Along with it, screams shaking the area in all directions.
“Woeoeoeoeoeoeok!”
It created whirlwinds as if with fearsome sonic power.
A giant being summoned right in the middle of the enemy formation ahead.
It was a goblin with a height exceeding fully ten feet.
Armored from head to toe with a helmet and iron armor decorated with a terrifying demon face, gripping a one-thousand-geun gold iron hammer in one hand and a silver iron club in the other…
Seeing that, Do Woo-pung’s dark brown pupils shook like transparent waves.
‘Heavens, is that the legendary Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon?!’
He was certain.
That this was clearly the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon summoning incantation famous as a supreme art unique to the Heretic Cult.
Because the goblin’s physical characteristics matched the ancient records.
Thus, at the appearance of the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon, several dozen enemies hesitated in their movements.
“Geureu…”
“Geureureuk…”
Each let out low cries while baring their fangs.
Reactions born of alarm.
It was the effect of sensing murderous intent and fighting spirit that seemed to overwhelm their own violent force.
“Rampage!”
At Shin So-sul’s command, the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon let out a thunderous roar.
“Woeoeoeoeoeoeok!”
The ground and atmosphere trembled due to the tremendous sonic power.
URURURURUNG, JJEOJEOJEOJEOJEOK…!
Feeling threatened, the enemies each roared and rushed in all at once.
“Kahk!”
“Kihaak!”
“Kiak, kiak!”
“Kkaek, kkyakkaek!”
“Kihak!”
It was an all-out offensive driven by the instincts of survival and struggle.
That if they didn’t kill and eliminate it, they would all be killed in reverse…
“Woeoeok!”
The Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon let out another great scream and struck the ground with its gold iron hammer.
KKWANG!
Simultaneously, a giant wave of energy was released and destroyed the ground in a straight line.
KKWAGWAGWAGWAGWAGWANG-!
A dozen or so enemies in that direction were ruthlessly ruptured and killed mid-charge.
Following that.
HOOWOOOK- KWAKKWANG!
When the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon struck the ground with the silver iron club in its left hand.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA- PEOPEOPEOPEOPEONG!
Energy like a tidal wave burst out and swept away the enemies.
PUHAK, PUHAAK, PUHAK…!
Vast amounts of fresh blood gathered together and transformed into a flood.
From that point, the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon swung the weapons in both hands indiscriminately like a berserker warrior.
KWAKKWANG- KKWANG- KWAKKWANG-!
Each time the gold iron hammer and silver iron club raised heavy winds, fountains of blood scattered in all directions.
PUHAK, PUHAK, PUHAK…!
A battlefield of exploding blood with screams and shrieks mingling noisily.
KKWANG, PEOPEONG- TUHAK, PEOGEOEOEK!
Amid the chilling sounds continuing, enemies had their entire bodies torn off or were crushed to death.
Thus in an instant, a third of the enemies were annihilated.
The Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon’s martial force was truly overwhelming.
Was this the majesty of a War God who ruled the earth?
Danli Hyeok watched that sight and was greatly impressed.
‘Wow, that’s amazing!’
Do Woo-pung beside him was the same.
The Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon, befitting a spiritual summon, displayed superhuman strength incomparable to that of the mortal world.
In an instant.
HOOWOOOOOWOONG!
A sound of wind as if to collapse heaven and earth struck his ears hard.
KKWAWOOOOOWOONG!
The Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon had simultaneously swung the gold iron hammer and silver iron club to annihilate the enemies ahead in a straight line.
Shin So-sul rapidly flew his body and sent Sound Transmission.
In the art of summoning, the more powerful the summoned entity’s authority, the shorter its duration.
That’s what his words meant.
The Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon was certainly a highest-tier summon.
Therefore, before its power ran out, they had to hurry and escape.
Do Woo-pung and Danli Hyeok, eyes flashing, immediately deployed lightness arts using peak power and followed behind.
Right at that moment.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Along with the shout, one figure appeared like a ghost and blocked the three’s path.
Someone with nearly the same height as Heuk Ma-yung and pale white skin.
Draped in a black long robe, his features were terrifying.
Especially the grayish-white pupils identical to Heuk Ma-yung’s…
Moreover, fierce murderous and fighting spirit flowed from his entire body.
One could tell at a glance.
That he was a being with a combative temperament.
His identity was none other than Tae-pa, called Blood-Holding Fighting Ghost – one of the Three Spirits under Heuk Ma-yung’s command.
Suddenly.
PEONG!
Whitish smoke arose between Shin So-sul and Tae-pa.
It wasn’t actual smoke screen but a phantasm sorcery that briefly concealed one’s appearance.
But it didn’t just confuse the eyes.
Billowing Smoke Ghost Path Secret Technique – a technique that temporarily disrupted not only the opponent’s field of vision but also their energy sense.
Indeed, befitting a former Heretic Cult Leader, Shin So-sul’s sorcery application was at a truly exalted level.
Tae-pa, trapped in the smoke screen, wore a gruesome smile.
“Kikik. Such trifles…!”
Suddenly a large shadow parted the whitish smoke and appeared, engulfing him.
HUNG, HOOHUNG-!
A giant charging while exploding heavy sounds of wind.
It was the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon.
Enemies were hanging in clusters all over its large body.
The gold iron hammer, silver iron club, and Tae-pa’s hands collided.
JJEOEOEOEONG- KKWAWOOOWOONG…!
Transparent heat haze spread like waves.
KKWAJIK, KKWAJIJIK, KKWAJIK-!
Pushed back by the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon’s superhuman strength, Tae-pa’s form went flying to one side, breaking a row of old trees wildly.
In the meantime, Shin So-sul’s group fled swiftly and widened the distance.
But suddenly.
“Cough!”
Shin So-sul coughed up blood with a short cough while running.
Seeing that, Do Woo-pung and Danli Hyeok flinched in surprise.
“Oh!”
“Are you alright?”
Shin So-sul immediately nodded and replied.
“I’m fine. It’s the effect of forcibly using superior incantations. So don’t worry. I’ll just need to rest when we get there…”
As he spoke, he gestured with his hand.
It meant not to stop running no matter what happened.
Until everyone was safe.
In the meantime, Shin So-sul muttered inwardly.
‘Hoo… if only I could cure this meridian disease…’
Having bitten his lower lip tightly, he suppressed the churning in his chest and rapidly moved his legs.
Meanwhile.
In that forest, the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon and Tae-pa waged a fierce battle.
JJEONG, JJEOJJEONG, JJEONG- KKWANG, KWAKKWANG, KKWANG-!
An evenly matched contest.
Tae-pa was exerting superior power, but the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon, befitting the name of highest-tier summon, displayed exceptional martial force.
“Hmph, a mere goblin…!”
Tae-pa finally began using peak power.
KWACHAHAHANG!
The energy loaded in Tae-pa’s left hand struck the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon’s torso.
JJEOJEOK…!
Fine cracks appeared in the iron armor.
The follow-up offensive of his right hand smashed the side of the helmet.
KKWAJAJAK-!
At that, the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon burst out a scream.
“Woeoeok!”
Simultaneously its superhuman strength increased further.
HOOWOOOWOONG-!
The gold iron hammer and silver iron club rushed in both directions.
KKWAWOONG!
Tae-pa, having taken that offensive head-on, retreated rapidly.
JIIIIIIK, JIIIIIIIIK-
His body being pushed back as his feet dug up the ground.
However, he had only been pushed back by force; no aftermath of injury could be found.
As if his external martial arts had reached an extreme.
The combative Tae-pa’s fighting spirit exploded to the maximum.
“Let’s finish this!”
But at that moment, the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon’s entire body became hazily blurred like fog.
SEUSEUSEUEU, SEUSEUSEUEU…
And then it scattered and disappeared without a trace.
Its duration had finally ended.
Tae-pa’s eyes blazed fiercely as he surveyed the surroundings.
“Damn it! To be blocked this way…!”
It was because his subordinates had been annihilated by the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon’s earlier rampage.
At that moment, Heuk Ma-yung appeared nearby.
SEUK.
Seeing him, Tae-pa immediately paid respects and spoke.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Has he already fled?”
“Yes, in that direction… my apologies. Because that bastard summoned the Iron-Armored Earth-Governing Demon…”
“Hoot, his skills haven’t rusted yet.”
“I’ll search immediately.”
“No need.”
“But just leaving him alone feels unsettling…”
“It’s fine. He’ll appear before us again anyway. Due to the existing prohibition, escaping the formations is impossible. You go to the west side of the Shiwan Mountains.”
“Pardon? Why there…”
“There’s a report of suspicious activity being discovered. They say the poisonous creatures there have been disappearing one by one.”
“…!”
“So go and check it out. Before long, the Demon God of the Other World will descend upon this world. We must naturally be thoroughly prepared.”
“Ah… has the Heretic Cult finally approached completion?”
“Two-thirds of the process has rapidly progressed recently. Due to the martial souls of strong Jianghu masters… ho ho. Now when the gate is completed, we will achieve a true demonic path realm. Through the absolute majesty of the Holy Demon God…”