Chapter 483: Uniting for One Cause

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The hall suddenly stirred.

It was surprising enough that the Great Dharma Protector of the Blood Demon Cult appeared here, but the words he spoke were also quite shocking.

More than anyone, Illusion Demon Cult Patriarch Yak Pa’s feelings were particularly so.

‘He’ll actively participate if it’s Sect Master Cheol’s will? Ha, for even that old man to say such words…!’

Indeed, who was Je Ak?

He was a pinnacle-level powerhouse who boasted formidable strength rivaling the foremost of the Demonic Path… So much so that even Blood Rain Demon Lord Gi Cheon-geuk, the Blood Demon Cult’s Patriarch who was on par with the Heavenly Demon Cult, had had tremendous difficulty making him his subordinate.

No wonder he had acquired the sobriquet meaning “Saint of the Blood-Colored Demonic Path.”

Since olden times, only the strong could qualify to hold the position of Blood Demon Cult Patriarch.

Of course, other places weren’t much different.

However, the Blood Demon Cult had one iron rule.

That the final decision would be made through sparring matches between patriarch candidates that were like life-or-death duels…

Because of that, the bout between Gi Cheon-geuk and Je Ak had taken place in the past.

The process was fierce.

It was a fight between two equally matched tigers.

Literally, both had fought throughout, exchanging blood and sweat with a stance that didn’t even fear death.

Thus, they had fought each other for a full half-day.

The final victor was Gi Cheon-geuk, but he actually praised the defeated Je Ak.

-Excluding myself, Je Ak’s martial prowess is no different from being the strongest in this cult. No, even in the entire current Demonic Path Jianghu, he is undeniably among the ranks of the unparalleled strong.

He was the first opponent Gi Cheon-geuk had ever highly regarded in his life.

As a result, Je Ak’s fame rose even higher.

Although he was the cult’s second-in-command, he held status equivalent to a hegemon or absolute ruler whom countless demons looked up to and bowed before.

To the point where he was considered to be on par with Patriarch Gi Cheon-geuk.

The name value and weight he carried were so great and heavy.

Of course, now there existed a fairly large gap between the two.

Because Gi Cheon-geuk’s true martial level was evaluated as being equal to Gun Mu-ak’s.

Although they had never tested their strength against each other.

In any case, Je Ak was a demonic man possessing tremendous martial prowess that, excluding Gi Cheon-geuk, would never easily bow his head to anyone under this heaven.

Moreover, what about his appearance?

His outward appearance itself was the epitome of a dignified powerhouse.

A crimson long robe over a sturdy physique, with distinguished features…

A sword hanging loosely at his left waist added style to such an appearance.

There was an old saying about a dragon among men.

Je Ak’s bearing was truly a “Blood Dragon Among Demons.”

His form did not at all look like someone who would be under anybody.

In fact, Je Ak showed respect only to Patriarch Gi Cheon-geuk.

Meaning that was the only person above him.

But.

Such a person had revealed an attitude of genuinely respecting Cheol Ryu-heun, the White Peak Sword Sect Master of the Orthodox faction… The polar opposite of the Blood Demon Cult and the Demonic Path.

For Yak Pa, it was an astonishing situation.

‘Truly, if you live long enough, you see everything. First the Heavenly Demon Cult, and now even the Blood Demon Cult… Is Cheol Ryu-heun’s ability that exceptional?’

While glancing sideways at the next seat, Asura Demon Cult Patriarch Sal Ma-ha gave a soundless smile.

See, wasn’t I right?

It seemed like a smile containing that meaning.

Yak Pa quietly recalled the Sound Transmission Sal Ma-ha had sent earlier.

-Perhaps we… Have boarded the same ship as the strongest hegemon who will write an unprecedented history of martial achievement. When you hear the full story through Great Prelate Gun, it will make sense.

‘That’s right, so that’s it!’

Yak Pa quickly asked via lip-to-lip Sound Transmission.

Sal Ma-ha nodded and immediately replied.

Sal Ma-ha quietly smiled as he recalled that time.

Back then, Cheol Ryu-heun had brought the mysterious demonic arts manual… The only one among the first Asura Demon Cult Patriarch’s terrifying ultimate arts that had been lost.

-It’s the genuine article. Satisfied?

-So you’re saying… This is the price for cooperation…?

-That’s right.

-But how did you get this…?

-That’s none of your concern.

-…You know well that if I obtain this, I’ll become stronger?

-Whether you get stronger or weaker, I don’t care.

-What you’re saying is…

-Just don’t covet our territory from now on. That’s enough.

-Ha. Right. Now I understand clearly. The mission to cut off reinforcement from the Sun and Moon Demon Cult’s main force is a kind of test, isn’t it? To see whether we have the will to follow mutual non-aggression or not.

-You know well. Whether you swallow or devour the Sun and Moon Demon Cult headquarters, do as you please… But make sure they can’t take a single step toward our side. If you fail, I intend to burn the remaining book.

-…!

-Looking at you, it seems you didn’t know. The Asura Divine Martial Scripture consists of two volumes in total. The other volume is kept by the Kunlun Divine Palace.

-Hmm…

-Don’t waste time testing the waters and decide right here.

Those series of words and actions, so apathetic and resolute for someone his age, left an impressive memory in many ways.

Sal Ma-ha then spoke again via lip-to-lip Sound Transmission.

The pupils visible through the two holes of Yak Pa’s demon-shaped wooden mask expanded.

At Yak Pa’s question, Sal Ma-ha chuckled.

A bitter laugh.

It was because he remembered when Gold Gate Dharma Protector Hu Su-ryeo came to report that.

-Cheol Ryu-heun… Apparently gifted the Kunlun Divine Palace Master with Void-Star Stone Oil as compensation for their services.

-…!

-If they consume that, they will certainly become stronger.

-How many drops?

-Um, it wasn’t a matter of drops… He just gave them the whole bottle… About the size of an ordinary wine bottle.

-Son of a bitch!

Having soon put away his silent bitter laugh, he spoke again via lip-to-lip Sound Transmission.

At that moment, Gun Mu-ak addressed the gathering in an indifferent voice.

“You must all have many questions. I had previously summarized and told Patriarch Sal the contents of the matter… But I shall use this occasion to explain the incidents related to the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan, betrayal of the cult, and the Heaven Emperor Society one by one. After hearing everything, it will help you solidify your resolve.”

The explanation of the series of events that began thus was completely concluded about twenty minutes later.

The atmosphere in the hall became solemn.

The story Gun Mu-ak told was literally one shocking revelation after another.

The secret agreement between the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan that betrayed the Heavenly Demon Cult and the Heretic Cult within the Shiwan Mountains, the trap and scheme connected to the Divine Martial Sword rumors, the united forces of powerhouses from various circles centered around Cheol Ryu-heun, the fortuitous encounter within the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation, the threatening rampage of the otherworldly Demon God’s soul body, the appearance of Black Tortoise Divine General Wang-ryu, the mastermind lurking in the background called the Heaven Emperor Society…

Having heard all of it, Sal Ma-ha clicked his tongue and muttered as if talking to himself.

“Remarkable. Though I heard the summary earlier… I had no idea so many things were intertwined.”

The reactions of others were the same.

Each pair of eyes, large and small, shook with astonished light.

In particular, Innocence Demon Maiden In Ae-yeon and Shadow Flash Demon Elder Hak Hyeon-hoe clearly showed signs of nervousness.

It couldn’t be helped.

When they had been invited to participate in the Demonic Path integration gathering through Sal Ma-ha’s recommendation, they had only been swelling with anticipation thinking it was an opportunity to make connections, but they had no idea such a large and dangerous game awaited them.

A feeling that perhaps this wasn’t a place one could carelessly join…

This was because even the Asura Demon Cult and Illusion Demon Cult alone were so powerful, and now that even the Blood Demon Cult had expressed its willingness to cooperate, they felt comparatively shabby.

The sects of In Ae-yeon and Hak Hyeon-hoe… The Demon Wind Sect and Shadow Demon Academy… Could not be called small in scale either, but they were nothing compared to the foremost forces of the Demonic Path gathered here.

As if reading the feelings of those two.

Gun Mu-ak quietly turned his gaze and called out in a low voice.

“Demon Wind Sect Master, Shadow Demon Academy Master.”

In Ae-yeon and Hak Hyeon-hoe politely answered “Yes” and quickly assumed a listening posture.

Gun Mu-ak’s voice then continued.

“If you consider your own vessel small, it’s no different from being defeated before even properly fighting the enemy.”

Having hit the mark, In Ae-yeon and Hak Hyeon-hoe flinched and answered.

“G-Great Prelate, we apologize.”

“Please forgive our inadequacy.”

Hearing those words, Gun Mu-ak slightly shook his head.

“This isn’t something to apologize to me for. I mean you should have confidence from now on. Since we will always be standing by your side, try to distinguish yourselves in the battle to come. I declare… We will achieve an overwhelming victory. Just like the White Peak Sword Sect group…”

At that, everyone in the hall, including In Ae-yeon and Hak Hyeon-hoe, ignited the fighting spirit in their hearts, their eyes flashing with murderous light.

Amidst that, Gun Mu-ak opened his mouth again.

“The reason I urgently gathered you this late at night is because I wanted to prepare and strike the enemy base under the Heaven Emperor Society as soon as possible. Cheol Ryu-heun entrusted this to me. He said the true battle starts now, so I should organize an integrated Demonic Path Jianghu force under my leadership and move out…”

Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji standing beside him added their words.

“Yes, those are wise words.”

“The faster, the better.”

At that moment, Buk Ri-sara, the Ice Demon Queen… Palace Master of Ice Heaven Divine Palace and one of the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings… Who had been listening silently, dimmed her gaze meaningfully and asked in a low voice.

“While we move, is it really possible for Sect Master Cheol to strike another enemy base alone?”

Her meaning was that no matter how strong he was, wasn’t attacking alone essentially recklessness?

Gun Mu-ak turned his gaze to Buk Ri-sara’s beautiful face and recalled the words he had exchanged with Cheol Ryu-heun.

-You said this once before. That your goal is beyond the sky. What exactly was your type of enlightenment?

-I went up there.

-To hea…ven?

-No, even higher than that.

-…!

-If you think carefully about what “beyond the sky” means, you’ll have your answer.

-Wait, then…!

-Do you get the picture now?

-The Great Universe…

-Yes, that’s exactly the place.

‘Ha…’

Having laughed briefly inwardly, Gun Mu-ak tossed out an indifferent remark.

“Don’t worry. Unless it’s the Heaven Emperor Society Lord himself, any enemies who face him, no matter how numerous, will be unable to escape the fate of annihilation.”

* * *

Hisss, hisss, hisss…

The bright light disappeared along with a faint sound.

“Inhale… Exhale…”

Cheol Ryu-heun quietly regulated his breathing and opened his eyes wide.

Gan Jiang, standing nearby, wore a gentle smile.

“It seems to have transferred successfully.”

Thereupon, Cheol Ryu-heun met his gaze and nodded as he spoke.

“Yes. I have received everything from you, Elder. The Heaven Emperor Society Lord will have no idea what I know. Now… I will use the knowledge in my head to eliminate all enemies.”