Chapter 413: He Comes
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Cheol Ryu-heun had disappeared into the cave even before the Sound Transmission ended.
It was swift movement.
Not to be outdone, the elite personnel led by Gun Mu-ak deployed lightness techniques empowered by ascending internal power.
HWIHWIHWIHWIK… HWIHWIHWIHWIHWIK… HWIHWIHWIK… HWIHWIHWIHWIK… !
It was different from the passages they had used to go in and out of the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation until now.
The interior was surprisingly bright.
That was because of spiraling stalactites that strangely emitted their own light.
It was a different brilliance from the commonly known luminous pearls.
The light on all sides was close to dark green.
A mystical and wondrous sight created by the mysterious divine power of primordial nature.
There were no eerie ghost valley sounds or fearsome illusions produced by the power of the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation.
In all likelihood, it was thanks to the skill of Cheol Ryu-heun, who had achieved new attainment.
Then everyone just needed to run with peace of mind.
‘Heuk Ma-yung, today is the day of judgment.’
Gun Mu-ak repeatedly kicked KWANG! off the ground and increased his speed.
Behind him, Namgung Sang-rin, Hae Su-yeon, and others advanced all at once as if following.
At Namgung Sang-rin’s Sound Transmission as he ran quickly, Hae Su-yeon nodded.
Meanwhile, Cheol Ryu-heun’s back came into view within the field of vision of Gun Mu-ak, who was running ahead.
Like a small dot.
Then soon it rapidly grew more distant.
It was movement operating internal power at a level higher.
It truly looked faster than even a flash of light.
Gun Mu-ak, having inwardly admired him, also advanced more swiftly.
Ahead, at its far end, bright light like sunshine was discovered.
It was the exit.
Cheol Ryu-heun had apparently already gone outside.
At that moment, a thunderous explosive sound was heard crossing the space.
-Kwakwakwakwakwakwakwang… !
An echo invading the cave.
It was precisely Cheol Ryu-heun’s hand technique signaling the start of battle.
* * *
The dense valley outside the eastern side of the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation.
There, an enormous crowd had formed a crescent-shaped formation.
At a glance, it seemed to be about six or seven hundred people.
Martial artists arrayed like multiple layers of folding screens in brown martial uniforms and blood robes.
It was the combined total force of Detached Three Army Corps and Eastern Heaven Division.
Heavy silence flowed in all directions.
Had even nature held its breath because of the fierce killing intent of the densely packed personnel?
Perhaps that was why… it felt as if not even the common breeze was blowing.
Only the sound of a stream flowing through the forest could be heard.
Suddenly, someone’s voice shattered the deep silence.
“Hmm… Hey, do you think that bastard will really appear before us as he boasted? There’s also a possibility that this is some kind of feint tactic, isn’t there?”
Division Commander Unorthodox Saber Master Yu Ma-jong
The question was directed at Great Sword Tyrant Lord Danmok Cheon.
“Nonsense, he’ll definitely appear.”
Danmok Cheon answered in a tone full of certainty.
At that time, the figure standing beside the two stroked his lapels and released a low voice.
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
The owner of the voice was Phantom Spirit Demon Emperor Hap-hwa, the demonic figure of the previous era.
Yu Ma-jong, having nodded his head, spoke again.
“It’s regrettable that we’ve lost combat strength.”
This meant the deaths in battle of Grand General Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan, Division Commander Snake Eye Sword Demon Mo Dok-jae, Commander Raging Saber Monster Uk Uk Bon-sa, and other core masters.
Then Danmok Cheon let out a small laugh while flashing his eyes.
“KEUKUT… But we gained power from that.”
Between smiling lips, sharply protruding fangs.
Their form was reminiscent of a beast’s sharp ones.
Yet.
He wasn’t the only one.
Yu Ma-jong and Hap-hwa also had their fangs changed in the same way.
That’s right.
All Division Commanders had become a new type of Forbidden Soul Ghost Thing.
Last night, through consuming gu poison in coordination with the assistance of Bat Demon Great King Heuk Ma-yung, Snake-Robed Hwa-rang, and Snake-Robed Hwa-nong, they had obtained formidable martial power.
Internal power as well as muscular strength had remarkably improved.
Also.
Even an arrangement that was a sort of secret technique for sublimating the explosive power of gu poison into their personal abilities….
Thus, the three had come to possess terrifying martial prowess surpassing the former Grand General Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan.
Danmok Cheon had even healed the stab wound on his chest.
It had been completely recovered during that process.
Yu Ma-jong, whose complexion had changed at some point, pulled up the corners of his mouth.
“Huu… Yes, with this power, it’s worth a try.”
Just like that leadership, the subordinate forces also had their martial power raised.
Because they had taken a miraculous medicine concocted by the Heretic Cult mixed with the blood of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan.
Within it was contained spiritual energy based on sorcery, so the martial prowess increase was achieved relatively easily.
However, the effective duration was only half a day.
Also, the side effects mentally were great due to severe mental energy consumption.
The reason was simple.
Because that spiritual energy had been infused through supremely strong, supremely wicked curse-type sorcery.
It was only natural.
How could such power be beneficial to a person’s body?
But none of the Detached Three Army Corps cared.
At dawn, everyone had taken it without hesitation.
With the determination to definitely annihilate Cheol Ryu-heun and his party.
The Detached Three Army Corps’ such decision was no different from representing their blind loyalty toward the Heaven Emperor Society Lord.
In an instant, Hap-hwa cast his gaze somewhere and released a cold voice.
“This is a battle for our great Society Lord. Don’t spare your lives. If there’s anyone who does, I’ll first eliminate them here.”
It was a warning directed at Eastern Heaven Division.
The Second Great General, substituting for the dead Great General’s, responded with a determined look.
“Eastern Heaven Division’s loyalty is as solid and immovable as an iron wall. We already entrusted our lives the moment we pledged ourselves to that person. I will prove it as soon as battle begins.”
A tragic resolve was visible, showing that once the fight started, he would use gu poison as a sacrifice unit for victory.
At those words, Hap-hwa showed a satisfied smile.
“Good. That’s an excellent attitude. I don’t miss the late General.”
Indeed, the gu poison of Eastern Heaven Division’s upper ranks was special.
It was not a type that simply exploded, but temporarily amplified internal energy.
That is, the marvelous application of that gu poison combined the innate true energy that served as nourishment with the original strange energy to rapidly elevate martial cultivation level for a set time.
If there was one commonality, it was the fact that it wagered one’s life.
That was a condition that necessarily followed the increase of power.
However.
Division Commanders Danmok Cheon, Yu Ma-jong, and Hap-hwa were exceptions.
They had all consumed the gu poison of Eastern Heaven Division’s mid-level personnel, but even if they triggered it, there would be no harm to their lives.
Why.
It was the influence of the unique abilities from blood absorption and sorcery smoothly fusing with their existing Nature Assimilation Realm.
Danmok Cheon spoke while looking at the cliff far ahead.
“The moment that bastard appears, form combined attack formations by squad.”
“Yes!”
The Second Great General answered with force and then soon turned to look behind.
“Is your memory still unclear?”
The Sixth Great General who received the question opened his mouth with an embarrassed expression.
“I apologize. It seems like he might have briefly mentioned this Society’s name at that time…”
He trailed off and tried to retrace his memory again.
The conversation between Cheol Ryu-heun and Peng Cheon-jin.
-The Young Master is safe.
-Ah…!
-He’s currently moving to a safe place.
The distance was somewhat far, but he could hear it reaching his ears.
At that time, Sang-jan spoke.
-How regrettable. You yourself will not be safe.
When Sang-jan immediately operated ascending internal power like that, majestic pressure wrapped around all sides.
Simultaneously, the atmosphere and ground had trembled while releasing a violent roaring sound.
It was tremendous power.
To the extent that the ground’s surface was peeled up as if planed.
Because of the noise and the tremendous air pressure, the Sixth Great General’s two ears had become muffled.
For that reason, the subsequent conversation wasn’t heard clearly.
-Foolish… should have brought… that audacity… high marks… this body… do you know?
-Nine Springs Demon Dragon… frontier… relic… Heaven Emperor… subordinate…
-HEOEO… questions end here… try swinging your sword… personally… test…
With that as the last, he had lost consciousness due to the terrifying sword force that Cheol Ryu-heun had released.
When he woke again, Sang-jan was dead, and he himself was restrained by void grasping with writing carved into his body.
Then he had lost consciousness again due to an explosion of formless energy.
‘Huu… I don’t know the exact content of the conversation.’
Having inwardly sighed, the Sixth Great General slightly shook his head.
The Second Great General, seeing that, withdrew his gaze and said.
“Forget it. Don’t strain yourself trying to remember. Once the fight breaks out anyway, we’ll learn something.”
In that state, Danmok Cheon suddenly spoke.
“Is it finished?”
“Yes.”
Along with a quiet answer, a shadowy figure appeared nearby.
It was a sorcerer belonging to the Heretic Cult’s cadre.
Having put both hands together, he continued his voice.
“Once battle starts, various formations will activate. If by chance you’re pushed back, go to the hidden valley in the rear. I’ve additionally installed protective death formations there.”
“Understood. By the way, where are the reinforcements from the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan and Heretic Cult standing by? I trust they’re not now trying to spare themselves?”
At that time, a voice was heard from the very rear.
-Don’t worry. When the signal is sent, we plan to bring darkness and come to assist.
Danmok Cheon and all personnel cast their gazes in that direction.
A mysterious figure nine cheok tall, standing with the dense forest as his backdrop.
The one who had sent out the Sound Transmission-like sound was none other than Heuk Ma-yung.
However, it was not his true body.
It was a phantom illusion that had appeared using the Soul-Returning Perfect Form Technique.
Danmok Cheon, looking at him, wore a faint smile.
“Calling darkness again even under a sunny sky… Huu, it seems it will be surprising yet also interesting.”
Heuk Ma-yung smiled back and sent a Sound Transmission.
-I look forward to your distinguished service.
At that moment, the complexions of Danmok Cheon, Yu Ma-jong, and others hardened.
Simultaneously, several people burst out shouts.
“Over there!”
“He’s coming!”
“Everyone, move!”
It was because a cave had suddenly been generated in the cliff ahead.
They intuited it was an anomaly heralding Cheol Ryu-heun’s appearance.
TATATATATATATAK… PAPAPAPAPAPAK… CHEOCHEOCHEOCHEOCHEOCHEOK… !
Eastern Heaven Division and Detached Three Army Corps rapidly dispersed, divided into several groups.
A combined attack formation composed of thirty-six squads of approximately twenty people each.
It was a battle arrangement broadly spread in a crescent shape.
And it formed three layers.
The first front at the very front, the second front positioned in the middle, the third front at the very rear.
“Prepare!”
When Danmok Cheon in the rear shouted, one squad from the first front stepped forward to the very forefront.
In time with that, Cheol Ryu-heun revealed himself.
PAK!
He, having stopped his swift movement, stared forward and.
“A human shield?”
He uttered an indifferent voice toward the squad that had come forward.
In a flash.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG!
That entire squad was erased from the world, exploding in green flame fire.