Chapter 385: Variables Within the Conspiracy
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Gun Mu-ak’s Secret Sound Transmission carrying powerful demonic force.
Its majestic and weighty resonance became the signal for the start of battle.
DEUDEUDEUDEU, DEUDEUDEUDEU… !
The ground that had been shaking burst apart even more violently.
By the heavy Formless Energy that Danmok Cheon, whose competitive spirit and rage had peaked, emitted.
Did he operate Maximum Cultivation from the start?
It felt as if combative flames invisible to the eye were actually bursting from Danmok Cheon’s entire body.
A fierce and violent momentum befitting the prestige of the sobriquet Great Sword Tyrant Lord.
UUUUUUUWOONG… !
The great sword infused with massive True Energy roared as if representing its master’s fury.
Danmok Cheon corrected his posture and spat killing light from his two eyes.
“Keukut, yes… today I’ll have to use this Collapse Great Sword as dog’s teeth.”
Collapse Great Sword.
A giant weapon made from Top Vermillion Iron, the finest rare mineral, gifted by the Heaven Emperor Society Lord several years ago.
Following that, the Detached Three Army Corps and Eastern Heaven Division personnel also assumed full combat readiness.
CHACHACHACAT, CHACHACHACAT…
Not to be outdone, the giants of the Northern Unorthodox Jianghu, Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol, also widened their spacing to the left and right.
The two each maximally drew out the unique cultivation of Iron Star Steel Soul Technique and Solar Divine Art, which symbolized their martial fame.
At that, it felt as if a great iron wall and a storm of solar flame energy were generated in this space.
Waves of suffocating tremendous flame energy spread outward in all directions, pressing down on the forest.
It was a tremendous momentum.
To the degree that even a first-rate martial artist would suffocate instantly if caught in this place.
At the moment of imminent explosion, a woman came to the forefront.
White and smooth forehead, thick and slender eyebrows, doe-like two eyes, and a pert nose like a goring tip and cherry blossom-like lips.
Demon Heaven Left Attendant Little-Face Bell Demoness Eun Yi-bi.
Although she exuded nobility and purity like a celestial fairy’s bearing, she was unmistakably a demoness belonging to the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Yet the formless Aura/Aura/bearing Eun Yi-bi was radiating now was different from before.
It was an atmosphere where dark and thick shadows of a fallen demon god wrapped her entire body.
The tendrils rising strand by strand like black tree trunks from her beautiful body, wrapping around it.
It was a darkness energy reminiscent of solar and lunar eclipses.
And.
DALANG, DALANG, DALANG…
The Demonic energy began to play bell sounds as it gently swayed.
It was proof that she was maximally operating the Bell and Clapper Demon Art, a unique demonic study harmonized with the Sun Moon Great Demonic Heaven Art, the true transmission of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s first Protector, Sun Moon Great Demon.
That’s right.
For the first time, she was exerting Maximum Cultivation.
With the intention of annihilating all enemies.
It was the same for Heavenly Demon Right Attendant Delusional Seductive Demoness Ya Baek-ji behind.
She was wildly emitting murky and heavy power, quite different from what she’d shown until now.
It felt as if a Demon Princess Army worshipping a demon god of darkness was performing a group dance.
That was the power of the Obscene Dance Bewitching Demon Technique, the true transmission of Phantasmal Pleasure Demon Flower, who was appointed as the first Protector of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
An existence recorded as a legend of the demonic Jianghu, having stirred up tremendous chaos a thousand years ago as the Heavenly Demon’s subordinate…
Thus Ya Baek-ji flaunted her dignity as Protector, the highest rank within the Cult, arming her entire body with bewitching yet chaotic Demonic energy.
In an instant.
Eun Yi-bi, gripping Demon Resonance Bells in both hands, spoke coldly.
“Didn’t you hear what was said? If you won’t come, we will.”
Simultaneously, the two iron bells, each larger than an average person’s head, rapidly crossed.
JJARARARARARARARANG… !
Demonic energy was added as sound power exploded.
SSWAAAAAAAAAAANG… !
That giant Demonic energy that shot out rapidly covered everything visible in the forward view.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG, KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG…!
* * *
KWAKWANG, KWAKWAKWANG… !
Explosions shaking the atmosphere.
HWAREOK, HWARUREUK… !
Flames scorching the earth.
Agonizing screams burst out from here and there.
“Aaak!”
“Keoheouk!”
“Kkeuk!”
It was precisely Zhejiang Son Family personnel being injured by the chain explosions.
The cause was a raid by about forty Eastern Heaven Division forces.
Numerically, the Zhejiang Son Family had the advantage.
However.
The Eastern Heaven Division group’s power was strong.
Moreover, they possessed mystical applications that worked as lethal variables.
Self-destruction.
They hadn’t known.
That they possessed exploding gu poison in their bodies…
Not knowing about gu poison, they were struck from the beginning.
The green flames that one subordinate soldier exploded covered over ten Zhejiang Son Family martial artists.
The explosion radius was that large.
Thus, the number of casualties increased in a short time.
Already ten were dead, and those with body injuries numbered about thirty.
At that time, Son Ja-ryong, who was wielding the Dragon Throne Sword, released a thunderous Secret Sound Transmission.
– The enemy explodes with their death! Everyone, fight mindful of this! There must be no more casualties from now on!
In the midst of that, the Dragon Throne Sword containing heavy cultivation cleanly bisected a subordinate blood-robed figure as it swiftly cut through the air.
CHYUHAAK… KKWAANG!
Sure enough, vast green flame fire spread widely.
PAK… !
Having kicked the ground, Son Ja-ryong’s body pivoted while retreating like lightning, evading the flames.
PPADEUDUK!
Son Ja-ryong, having retreated far away, gritted his teeth while radiating murderous eye-light.
‘When they tested us earlier, they sent this group separately? They’re looking down on us too much!’
Son Ja-ryong recalled a certain person he had faced earlier.
– What a pity. Is it because it’s daytime that you can’t handle my power?
– Night can dwell anywhere. If you want to obtain the Divine Martial Sword, you must overcome it, right? Hohohohoho!
A mysterious bizarre woman who had summoned night through some kind of formation.
At that moment, a blood-robed figure flew toward Son Ja-ryong’s rear.
Stealthily and speedily.
It was a martial artist at the Young General level within the Eastern Heaven Division.
However, Son Ja-ryong’s excellent energy sense didn’t miss the Aura of the enemy assaulting from behind.
‘Where do you think you’re going!’
SYUKAAAAK… KKWAHAAANG!
When the Dragon Throne Sword’s terrifying sword power, accompanied by its master’s killing intent, bisected the squad leader, the gu poison immediately exploded.
KWAKWANG… HWARUREUK!
In that brief moment, Son Ja-ryong protected his body with dragon scale energy and broke through the green flame storm.
KUNG!
The stride that was taken released a weighty resonance.
SYUSYUSYUSYUSYUT… KWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG!
The pressure of powerful energy spewing from the sole of his foot swept the subordinate soldiers down.
Thus, five or six of them collapsed while coughing up fresh blood.
They had all suffered heavy internal injuries.
By an unexpected powerful stomp.
Thus, the Zhejiang Son Family party also regained stability thanks to Son Ja-ryong’s outstanding martial prowess.
From that point, they launched fierce attacks centered on the Tyrant Heaven Sword Assembly led by Son Jung-chaek.
Mindful of the explosive power as Son Ja-ryong advised.
The prowess of the Zhejiang Son Family elite was truly strong.
Before that power, the subordinate blood-robed gang died one by one.
At that time, someone’s shout was heard.
“It’s done! Everyone, this way!”
It was Zhuge Bi, who possessed the Heart-Stealing Spirit-Commanding Body.
At that, all the Zhejiang Son Family martial artists swiftly pulled back from the enemies.
The remaining dozen or so Eastern Heaven Division subordinate blood-robed figures immediately pursued.
But.
UDEUK.
Suddenly, they all stopped in their tracks.
The reason was one: because of the illusion formation.
Zhuge Bi had manipulated this area’s formation to change its mystical application.
Son Ja-ryong gazed at the enemy, now trapped in the illusory space and frozen in movement, and commanded.
“Everyone, catch your breath. Disposing of them is only a matter of time.”
Meanwhile, Zhuge Bi spoke quietly.
“It seems they’re testing us. Still, we won’t give up.”
“Of course, if you and I combine our strength, we’ll be able to repel even stronger adversaries that appear.”
The two exchanged glances and wore slight smiles.
Meanwhile.
Two people were watching that scene while hiding in the dark green thicket.
Lust-Blood Seductive Ghost Hu-ra of the Three Spirits of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan and Water Direction Master of the Heretic Cult’s Five Elements Direction Masters
“Huhut, quite impressive the more I look.”
At Hu-ra’s words, the Water Direction Master nodded his head.
“As you can see, that fellow even manipulates the existing formations. If we use his mysterious body, we’ll be able to shorten the timing of completely opening the gate to the other world. It’s literally a big catch.”
“Right. And the one called Son Ja-ryong is tempting too… with those two, we could substitute for hundreds of spirit energies, right?”
“Yes. My thoughts are the same.”
At that time, a figure quietly appeared behind them.
It was a martial artist belonging to the Heretic Cult.
“What is it?”
At the Water Direction Master’s question, the Heretic Cult member quickly answered.
“Urgent report, sir. Some unknown change has been detected at the highest forbidden area.”
“The highest forbidden area, meaning… the secluded valley where the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation is located?”
“That’s right. Just now, the talisman detecting the forbidden area burned up. It’s a signal of change.”
“Hmm…”
“Shall we report to the Cult Master first?”
The Water Direction Master, having nodded his head, opened his mouth.
“Yes, we mustn’t approach carelessly. The Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation is a mystical area beyond our power.”
“Yes, but…”
“Speak.”
“There’s personnel already heading toward that vicinity, so what should we do?”
“What?”
“It’s the Detached Three Army Corps Battalion Commander’s party. Some Eastern Heaven Division cadres have joined them too. Actually, they were in pursuit of the Hebei Peng Family gang…”
“…!”
The Water Direction Master seemed quite troubled.
At that time, Hu-ra interjected.
“I’ll go take a look.”
“Ah, would you do that?”
“A sudden change at the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation… I have a feeling something interesting will happen. Uhuhut.”
* * *
Red Wall Gate of the Hubei region.
An Orthodox martial sect established at the location where the so-called ‘Battle of Red Cliffs’ occurred when the monarchs of the ancient Three Kingdoms contested for hegemony to unify the land.
The current Gate Master of Red Wall Gate was a famous Swordsman.
Not just sword study alone, but his martial prowess level itself was a super-first-class martial artist.
The Gate Master’s name was Yeon San-bak, thirty-five years old this year, with the Jianghu sobriquet Scaling Wall Sword Peak.
A famous warrior newly included in the Six Extremes of Hubei in place of Sword Seal Sect Master Severing Finger Sword Venerable So Cheon-ak.
He too had set foot in the Shiwan Mountains.
Accompanied by subordinate personnel…
There was a person who tried to dissuade that.
Jade Qilin Yeo Yong-jeo, one of the Six Extremes of Hubei and the Master of Orthodox Golden Spear Fortress.
– Sect Master Cheol cautioned not to enter the Shiwan Mountains carelessly, saying enemy traps lurk there.
Yeon San-bak had been close enough with Yeo Yong-jeo to call each other sworn brothers from before.
Yet he hadn’t heeded those words and came here.
There was no choice.
Wasn’t it the Divine Martial Sword, said to be the foremost of the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons?
Any sword-wielding martial artist couldn’t help but covet it…
However, he realized only after setting foot here.
That he had been foolish.
That choice ultimately brought about an urgent crisis.
Because great damage occurred from fighting the mysterious enemy for several days.
He deeply regretted it.
Fortunately, he had brought only the minimum personnel.
Otherwise, the casualties would have increased further.
Currently, the subordinate martial artists accompanying him numbered about ten.
Already half of them had died.
Survivors totaled six.
To make matters worse, the various formations deployed within the Shiwan Mountains even hindered their escape.
When he had fallen into such deep despair.
URUREUNG…
The mysterious formation that had been hindering escape suddenly changed, completely blocking the pursuing enemies.
No.
It not only blockaded but also exerted weighty Formless Energy, even inflicting internal injuries on the twenty or so enemies.
All of them were now trapped in a strange illusion formation, unable to see the Red Wall Gate party.
At that sight, Yeon San-bak had a bewildered expression.
‘What on earth…?’
He had no idea.
That this was a path Cheol Ryu-heun had passed through not long ago, and that at that time, he had changed part of the illusion formation’s attributes.
Right at that moment, the eyes of the Red Wall Gate party went wide.
“Eh!”
“What?”
The appearance of Chrysanthemum Fragrance Sword Mother Byeok Song-ha, Hall Master of Chrysanthemum Martial Hall and one of Guizhou’s Three Seats.
She who wore a faint smile spoke quietly.
“Everyone, you can relax. This formation is on our side.”
At that, Yeon San-bak asked with a bewildered expression.
“How, how did…?”
“It’s White Peak Sword Sect’s Sect Master Cheol’s mystical arrangement, using Taoist energy techniques to turn the enemy’s formation against them.”
“Ah…!”
“Come, shall we go together? To the place where Sect Master Cheol is.”
* * *
“Huu.”
A quietly exhaled breath.
Following that… Cheol Ryu-heun finally opened his eyes.
Then he quietly murmured inwardly.
‘Finally found it. My old name…’