Chapter 410: The Contest of Darkness and Light

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JEOBUKJEOBUK.

Simultaneously with Cheol Ryu-heun advancing.

DUNGSIL.

Shin So-sul, who had been lying on the ground, lightly floated up like fluff and moved.

The group that rose along with him followed behind, each clicking their tongues.

The reverence swirling in their gazes as they looked at Cheol Ryu-heun’s back.

To think he would bring down all the enemies in only two shichen….

Considering the total numbers of the Heaven Emperor Society’s subordinate forces, the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, and the Heretic Cult, it was truly an arrogant statement.

Yet no one harbored doubts.

Because they knew well that it would be so.

Because Cheol Ryu-heun was someone who somehow made what he said come true.

Indeed, he had been so until now, and he would be so going forward.

Even Gun Mu-ak, following at the very end, had the eye-light of one accepting those words.

‘Cheol Ryu-heun… He’s certainly a remarkable figure of this era. Have I ever met someone showing such unhesitating progress?’

The presence of Cheol Ryu-heun struck him anew as something grand.

That wasn’t all.

The guest retainers of White Peak Sword Sect also each had a special presence.

Namgung Sang-rin, the legitimate heir and last hope of the destroyed Namgung Family, Hae Su-yeon whose potential as owner of the Bewitching Flower Sword had fully bloomed, Cui Lan who had attained a deadly sword comparable to Head-Severing Yama Seop-pyo, Seol Pan-gyo and Mae Yak-bang who had awakened as true successors of Azure Heaven Sword Sect and Flying Swallow Sword Sect through repentance….

It was no different for Ximen Yue of the Ximen Family, who wasn’t here.

All the youths who had formed connections with White Peak Sword Sect had been reborn as outstanding martial artists standing head and shoulders above by achieving dazzling martial cultivation.

In addition, even Mun-bin, who had obtained fortune through his encounter with Cheol Ryu-heun… though not a guest retainer… and leaped to the top….

‘Regrettably, our Cult’s great work will be delayed. Due to White Peak Sword Sect, reborn through that Cheol Ryu-heun.’

Gun Mu-ak thus acknowledged inwardly.

That White Peak Sword Sect’s force composition that Cheol Ryu-heun had led was comparable to Heavenly Demon Cult’s total force.

As of today, his own plans for hegemony over the realm’s Jianghu had been completely revised.

It was quite regrettable.

When he had first set foot on this land, he had thought he could achieve that dream before long.

What could be done?

Heavenly Demon Cult would have to aim for the future.

Still, he would not give up that dream.

Why.

Because he had already lived setting his life’s goal on the full prime of the first Cult Master, Heavenly Demon.

Even if he collided and was broken, he would not bend that will himself.

Anyway, there was only one goal to concentrate on now.

The punishment of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan gang that had betrayed Heavenly Demon Cult and its leader, Bat Demon Great King Heuk Ma-yung….

Going further, it was to crush the Heaven Emperor Society, the secret organization that would threaten not only the Orthodox and Unorthodox paths but even the demonic path.

They were practically the greatest nemesis.

To defeat them, he had no choice but to cooperate with Cheol Ryu-heun’s party.

Especially since the Heaven Emperor Society Lord was confirmed to be a formidable existence surpassing even Gun Mu-ak’s own martial power.

At that time, a conversation he had exchanged with Cheol Ryu-heun at the inn came to mind.

-This being the case, I’m quite curious where the end of the path you walk lies.

-I’m curious about that too.

Cheol Ryu-heun, who had answered while shrugging his shoulders with an indifferent attitude.

He was genuinely curious.

More than the end of the path he himself was walking, the finale of Cheol Ryu-heun’s path.

‘Yes, I’ll walk along following your lead. Because I also want to know where that end lies. It somehow seems like it’ll be fun. Though I might well die while walking together…’

* * *

The front yard of an old building.

Amid many martial artists gathering, one saber wielder quietly let out admiration.

“Heoeo, this can’t be…”

It was the figure representing the Northern Orthodox path, precisely Hebei Peng Family’s Family Lord Northern Heavens Saber Venerable Peng Cheon-jin.

He had been briefly examining someone’s pulse and then removed his hand in astonishment.

That counterpart was also a person flaunting an equal martial renown.

A pinnacle warrior representing the Northern Unorthodox path, Iron Blood Martial Alliance Leader Sword Wheel Crown Prince Gwi Je-shin.

It was an unfamiliar sight.

It couldn’t be helped, since a warrior of Unorthodox origin had defenselessly offered up his pulse points to a warrior of Orthodox origin.

Gwi Je-shin looked at Peng Cheon-jin, who was clicking his tongue, and laughed.

“Hut, how was taking my pulse?”

“Hmm, truly surprising. Without needing to say anything else, it’s simply astonishing.”

It was exactly so.

Originally, the cultivation Gwi Je-shin had possessed was on par with his own, but currently, it had risen to an incomprehensible degree.

Because of this, even the last bit of doubt about Cheol Ryu-heun had cleanly vanished.

For that matter, it wasn’t only Gwi Je-shin.

With Cheol Ryu-heun’s arrangement, the martial prowess of all the assembled famous Orthodox and Unorthodox masters here had risen steeply.

Peng Cheon-jin, having already conversed with several people, had faith coiled in his chest.

That our side would definitely win in the battle to come.

Looking sideways around him, he admired again.

‘Not only Heavenly Demon Cult’s joining but even Southern Forest’s South Embrace Poison Palace…’

It was an unprecedented united force that transcended faction logic.

Who under heaven could display such skill?

‘Sect Master Cheol’s insight and ability are just…’

The scene he had seen earlier flashed through his mind.

That warrior called Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan of the previous era’s demonic path Jianghu.

He had boasted tremendous internal power levels surpassing even his own extreme saber prowess amplified by divine energy.

But it hadn’t worked against Cheol Ryu-heun.

Rather, he had been pushed back and pushed back until his head was cut off and he died.

In a short time, no less….

Right after, what he had said then came to mind.

-The work to do tomorrow is all-out war.

-…!

-Because of what happened earlier, the enemy will launch a full-force battle.

-I’m nervous. Hmm….

-That nervousness belongs to the enemy. Because what the enemy will experience tomorrow is the formidable potential of our side. Especially the guest retainers of our Sect… If they underestimate that power, the enemy will all end up in trouble.

Now he understood clearly.

That those words were not something to be dismissed as mere bravado.

‘Yes, the power gathered here is enough to split heaven and earth. Though it’s a small elite, it’s armed with the greatest force, overwhelmingly surpassing large organizations.’

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun appeared in the area, levitating Shin So-sul with vacuum object manipulation.

Those who saw him quickly gathered together.

Cheol Ryu-heun, hands clasped behind his back, opened his mouth.

“Everyone, how are you feeling?”

Simultaneously, the assembly answered in unison.

“Yes!”

Following that, Gun Mu-ak, Namgung Sang-rin, and others also entered the area.

In that state, Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice continued.

“From now on, I will relay the detailed matters.”

At that time, one person quietly raised his hand and asked.

“Are we moving as soon as dawn breaks?”

“Yes. But not everyone will go out and fight. I plan to bring only the upper-tier masters among the rescued personnel. It’s not that I disregard your strength. It’s a choice to reduce unnecessary sacrifice.”

Then someone else’s voice was heard.

“Yes, I understand what you mean. Still, I can’t help but feel heavy-hearted at being left behind.”

“Swift conclusion is the core of this operation. Please don’t be too concerned. And…”

Cheol Ryu-heun’s gaze like that lingered in the air.

“I predict tomorrow’s sun will extinguish before long.”

At those words, everyone murmured.

Eye-lights as if asking what that suddenly meant.

Having withdrawn his gaze, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke again with an expressionless face.

“I expect the entire Shiwan Mountains will likely transform into darkness. In other words, our real battle will be in the dark. But don’t worry. If we need light, we can just create it anew.”

* * *

SSWAESSWAENG!

A piercing sound bursting out sharply, and simultaneously a middle-aged martial artist’s form moved like wind to the right.

Movements skillfully and continuously dodging surprise sword strikes.

Just looking at that showed he was someone possessing outstanding martial prowess.

The middle-aged martial artist was precisely Thousand White Sword Castle Lord Yan Po-Wook.

Having evaded a Eastern Heaven Division Middle General’s sword strike, he fiercely swept his sword horizontally with his right hand.

CHYUHAAAK!

Along with the sound of a neck being cleanly split, blue flames burst out in a large explosion.

It was the explosion of in-body gu poison.

Yan Po-Wook had already retreated to the rear before anyone knew it.

“Huuu, Huuu…”

Yan Po-Wook, leaning his back against a tree, caught his breath while flashing his eyes.

‘Is this the end?’

Crater-like things were visible here and there on the ground.

It was no fewer than over twenty spots.

It was clearly the traces of Eastern Heaven Division partial forces being exterminated.

Having confirmed there were no presences around, Yan Po-Wook laughed.

“Keukuk…”

And with his left hand, he quietly looked at the sword he held.

The Divine Martial Sword.

The foremost of the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons, the artifact that had finally come into his hands.

But there was no one to share that joy with.

Because he was currently alone.

Earlier, while fleeing and fighting confusingly, he had become separated.

Yet his face showed no worry whatsoever.

No.

The safety of his subordinate group was already out of his mind.

For him, only the fact that he had secured the Divine Martial Sword and the elation mattered.

Suddenly.

-Are you happy that you obtained that sword?

Someone’s Sound Transmission knocking at his ears.

Startled, Yan Po-Wook quickly rolled his eyeballs.

‘When did he…!’

But no presences could be detected.

He could no longer fight.

Having killed numerous enemies on the way here, he was exhausted.

Then there was only one choice.

PAPAAK!

He kicked the ground and dashed off, seeking an escape route.

But.

UUTTEOK.

His rapidly advancing form soon stopped.

Because of the pitch-black shadowy figure that suddenly appeared ahead.

A mysterious figure boasting enormous stature.

It was truly an intimidating appearance.

Moreover, not a trace of human vitality could be found.

Yan Po-Wook intuited the moment he saw him.

‘Darkness-Craving Blood Clan…!’

Along with his judgment, a cold voice leaked out.

“One of the leadership of the filthy demonic blood clan?”

To that, the one blocking his path threw a voice in return.

“I am the Patriarch.”

The mysterious figure’s identity was Bat Demon Great King Heuk Ma-yung.

Having advanced a few steps, he spoke again.

“Your underlings have already been dragged to our den. Now you follow them too.”

“Shut up! As if I’d easily let the Divine Martial Sword be snatched here!”

As Yan Po-Wook sharply burst out his shout, Heuk Ma-yung curled the corners of his mouth mockingly.

“Hut. Open your eyes to the truth and look at the sword again.”

“What?”

At that moment, Yan Po-Wook’s complexion turned deathly pale.

‘What is this…!’

He couldn’t believe it.

The Divine Martial Sword in his left hand had at some point changed into a wooden staff.

Moreover, colorful talismans were stuck all over its long surface.

‘KEK! This is what I was tricked by…!’

He must have been struck by the Heretic Cult’s deviant sorcery.

At that moment.

SYUK…

Heuk Ma-yung rapidly compressed the gap.

JJEOEOEOEOEOEONG… !

A tremendous impact striking his sword.

‘Kek!’

At that amazing brute strength, Yan Po-Wook was flung backward.

Heuk Ma-yung’s technique just now was just a motion of swinging his arm.

But the power emitting from it was like a boulder.

He even struck with bare hands.

Yet not a single small wound was visible.

“No matter how much you’re a warrior representing the Jiangnan Unorthodox path, you cannot handle this seat, who has attained the clan’s unique abilities.”

When Yan Po-Wook, barely having stopped by scraping the ground, heard that voice, Heuk Ma-yung’s form had disappeared.

‘Aputssa!’

The moment Yan Po-Wook’s heart dropped and he turned his head.

KWAKWAKWAK, KWAKWAKWAKWAK… !

Ten long objects dug deeply into his left and right ribs.

Those were Heuk Ma-yung’s fingernails.

“Kkeo… kkeok…!”

The moment Yan Po-Wook released a pained groan, Heuk Ma-yung smiled wickedly and pulled him close.

Like that, he plunged his fangs into his neck and gulped down blood.

Not long after.

TEOLPEODEOK.

Heuk Ma-yung flung Yan Po-Wook aside and released a quiet voice.

“What is it?”

Then a Heretic Cult sorcerer revealed himself nearby.

“Yes, I report urgently. The Detached Three Army Corps Grand General has been killed in battle.”

Upon hearing those words, a smile formed on Heuk Ma-yung’s lips.

“Huhuhu… Is that so? What welcome news to hear.”