Chapter 486: That Day Arrives
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Cheol Ryu-heun gripped the reins and spoke as if whispering.
“Well, we have many places to stop by, so let’s move quickly.”
Thereupon, Divine Wind’s two ears twitched and he immediately emitted pure white haze from his entire body.
Swoosh swoosh, swoosh swoosh…
It was momentum as if he would fly to wherever they needed to go in one burst.
Amidst that, Cheol Ryu-heun looked at Mun-bin and Gongse Dan-yeong to his side and said.
“You two also hurry back and handle the tasks I assigned first. No matter what anyone says, the Dark Hall and Heavenly Flower Tower will establish themselves as the main pillars of the Unorthodox faction camp going forward.”
At those words, the two showed delighted expressions and spoke in unison.
“Yes! Sect Master Cheol!”
Immediately after, Cheol Ryu-heun turned his gaze to Song-san and Bo-hwoe beside him.
“The Heaven Emperor Society has certainly researched other medicines as well. But they’ll know nothing about the Transcendent Revival Pills I’ve refined. When the appropriate time comes in the future, I plan to distribute them to each camp, so please take care in managing them. I trust you both.”
Song-san and Bo-hwoe nodded and opened their mouths.
“Don’t worry at all. We will be especially mindful in storing and safeguarding them. Moreover, isn’t this secret land difficult to enter just like the Ten Directions Ghost Road Lost Soul Formation of the Shiwan Mountains? Unless one knows the secret to crossing the boundary line…”
“Yes, as my elder sister says. It’s truly a secret and safe nest. But we won’t let our guard down because of that. Go and finish things well, then return. In the meantime, we’ll wait while carrying out the tasks you separately entrusted to us yesterday.”
Following that, the two showed extremely respectful bows.
Setting aside Cheol Ryu-heun’s supreme rank in the Jianghu, it was an expression of respect for his heroic deeds.
The Four Strange Ladies Jiangxi were no different.
Starting with Na Rae-hyang, Si Yu-min, Jeung Ji-rim, and Wang Su-ah all at once assumed a half-prostrate posture and performed the fist and palm salute.
Cheol Ryu-heun gave a quiet nod and withdrew his gaze as he spoke.
“That path over there.”
The moment those words ended, Divine Wind’s large body cut through the wind.
Swooooooosh… !
An amazing lightness technique shooting forward like a beam of light while floating just barely above the ground.
Thus, the rider and horse of white energy disappeared beyond the boundary of the secret land in an instant.
Bo-hwoe gazed blankly at the direction he had vanished and thought.
‘A divine being, a divine being… Isn’t such a martial artist the first in history? Yes, Hunan’s Foremost Martial God is not fitting. It would be appropriate to posthumously honor him as the indisputable supreme Martial God of the Orthodox and Unorthodox martial worlds.’
Song-san beside him felt the same.
In the past, Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon, who had been active in the same era as himself, also had truly supreme talent, but the current generation’s Cheol Ryu-heun was outstanding to a degree that defied comparison.
The unprecedented genius and hegemon combining the Heavenly Demon, Sword Emperor, Evil Emperor, Martial Immortal, and Blood God.
He was already walking on that path.
It was something to deeply realize.
That the downfall of the Sword Seal Sect and Sun and Moon Demon Cult was merely the starting point of a great new history in the Jianghu…
Just then, Ximen Yue and Ye Woon-rang offered their farewells.
“We too shall return to our sect now.”
“I hope you fully obtain the remaining opportunities as well.”
Not to be outdone, Mun-bin and Gongse Dan-yeong’s parting words followed.
“There will be an opportunity to meet again soon. In any case, please stay healthy until then.”
“Thank you for treating us kindly. Though it was a short time, it was a meaningful meeting.”
“Yes, see you again later.”
The moment Bo-hwoe replied with a gentle smile, Song-san approached them and handed over a small bundle.
“Take this with you. I prepared some food in advance, knowing this would happen.”
Ximen Yue, receiving it on behalf of everyone, expressed his thanks courteously and then looked toward the Four Great Ladies.
No, to be precise, his gaze was directed at one of them.
It was Wang Su-ah, the youngest of the Four Great Courtesans.
“I like older women too.”
At Ximen Yue’s low voice, Wang Su-ah’s eyes went wide.
“Wh… What?”
“After the great battle that’s coming concludes, I will formally ask Miss Wang to be in a relationship, so could you please wait until then?”
At the unexpected confession, Wang Su-ah’s fair face immediately flushed.
Thereupon, Jeung Ji-rim, who had been standing right beside her, poked her side with an elbow.
“My, what are you doing? Aren’t you going to answer? You can’t let such a fine man slip away.”
Wang Su-ah flinched, then nodded eagerly with a beaming expression.
“Yes, that’s good! I can wait! But…”
“Yes, what is it? Please speak.”
“It would be troublesome if you died before that.”
“Ah.”
“The great battle facing us will be unlike anything before.”
“I promise. Not only will I be victorious, but I will survive until the end.”
“In one healthy piece, understood?”
“Yes!”
Quiet smiles bloomed on the faces of those two.
At that moment, Ye Woon-rang looked at Si Yu-min nearby.
“I like women my own age.”
“I don’t.”
A resolute answer came back.
“…”
“I said I don’t like it?”
“…”
“I really don’t.”
“Urk! But you didn’t have to say it three times…”
“I really hate looking prematurely aged. Oh my, my true feelings slipped out unconsciously.”
At those words, Ye Woon-rang bristled and shouted.
“Gah, unconsciously my foot!”
“Oh my, oh my! Looking prematurely aged and even vulgar… I don’t like it, I don’t!”
Amidst a burst of laughter at the sight of the two bickering like that.
“Little Brother.”
When Song-san called out softly, Bo-hwoe turned his head.
“Yes, Elder Sister.”
“Your heart must be heavy but… You need to shake it off. From now on, we must only look forward and go. Above all, it’s not your fault. So don’t blame yourself.”
“Hmm… Yes, I should. But I can only carry this weight in my heart. Only when all battles with that group are over… Will my heart finally grow lighter.”
Having said that, Bo-hwoe’s gaze sank deep as if settling.
Part of the conversation content that he, Cheol Ryu-heun, Ximen Yue, and Song-san had exchanged yesterday came to mind.
-It was as I expected. The main culprit who stole the isolated poison research data in the past has been confirmed to be the Heaven Emperor Society. I also found that out by digging through Wang-ryu’s memories.
-As expected… So his doing was behind that day too?
-The task at that time was handled by one of the other Four Divine Generals. It was someone called White Tiger Divine General Yeol Gwal. In hindsight, I think it’s fortunate now. If you had faced him back then, you could not have survived like this.
-Hmm… Those are not wrong words. I also think so. Moreover, Sect Master Cheol has personally faced one of them…
-Yes, I now know well the power of that group. Wang-ryu’s martial level was formidable.
-Exactly how strong was it?
-At a level that would be difficult to handle, excluding me.
-Then you mean he looks down even upon the Extreme Heaven Demon Emperor, the youngest Great Prelate in Heavenly Demon Cult history…?
-Yes.
‘For him to be stronger than even that Great Prelate of the Heavenly Demon Cult…’
The guilt harboring in Bo-hwoe’s heart.
It was because he speculated that his research data had been used in the creation of the Four Divine Generals with their terrifying martial might.
That was what Song-san had pointed out.
That all responsibility lay solely with the enemy who stole it.
Still, Bo-hwoe’s heart was not at ease.
‘Heaven Emperor Society…’
Having muttered inwardly, he soon clenched his molars tightly.
‘So you stole others’ research data and used it as a tool for your vile ambitions! Just watch! We will surely make you pay the price!’
* * *
Three days later.
A massive fortress could be seen inside a nameless gorge.
It was so vast that it would take a full half-watch just to circle the perimeter once.
The interior was also grand.
The number of buildings… Large and small pavilions and halls… Easily exceeded fifty.
The total length of the covered walkways within the compound even reached nine thousand Zhang.
The view of the outer walls was spectacular.
High, thick gray ramparts thrusting up toward the sky…
The scenery looked as if an ancient castle from a painting had been transplanted here.
Moreover, the mackerel clouds spread across the sunset sky seemed to add even more beauty.
However, war clouds were approaching to engulf the beautiful scenery.
A forest, about a hundred Zhang away from where the fortress was located.
There, a group was gathered, looking like a dark cloud condensed together.
One figure among them gazed at the distant front.
“There it is. The enemy base that will be washed away in blood and vanish today…”
His two eyes flashed as he spoke softly.
What filled his vision was none other than that fortress.
But there was one more eye in the center of his forehead, flashing with light.
The fearsome owner of three eyes.
That’s right.
He was Na Ya-geol, the Demon Eye Dragon King… Representative of the Three-Eyed Blood Clan and one of the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Watching his form made one’s breath catch.
He was just standing still, yet it felt as if blades made of thick darkness were shooting out haphazardly from his entire body.
His intangible presence was at that fearsome a level.
Like the second coming of the Three-Eye Demon King… The first owner of the Demon-Devouring Sword, who was called the Heavenly Demon’s right arm a thousand years ago…
The one beside him also gave off a terrifying feeling.
An old demonic man whose entire body was a dark blue color with a horn-like protuberance on his head.
It was Gil Gyeon… The pinnacle demonic man from the Blue Specter Bloodline and one of the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings.
He stroked his long spear and wore a smile full of killing intent.
“Hoho… Let’s have a bet today to see who kills more.”
Right behind him stood a middle-aged monstrous saber wielder covered in thick fur, boasting a massive body.
His bizarre appearance looked as if a giant monkey were wearing clothes.
But no one laughed at that sight.
Why?
Because the identity of the monstrous saber wielder was Tal Ryeon, the Demon Saber Orangutan King… One of the current Four Dharma-Protecting Kings and clan Leader of the Orangutan Monster Bloodline.
Beside him stood a young, beautiful woman gripping a sword that looked like an ice blade.
A beauty with ivory skin and white robes, truly possessing the beauty of flowers and moonlight.
She was Buk Ri-sara, the Ice Demon Queen… The Ice Vein White Clan’s Protector King, notable for her spirit reminiscent of the bitter cold of deep winter.
Including those four, about two hundred elite Heavenly Demon Cult forces had gathered here.
Having been carefully selected for today’s battle, each person’s eyes looked anything but ordinary.
Every one of them was armed with a domineering atmosphere of intense demonic energy and demonic hearts.
Just then, from beyond the brush nearby.
Whoosh…
Cleaving Head Great Demon Elder Bal Hyung-cheom, first among the Six Archbishops, appeared with ghost-like movements.
The moment he appeared, the Heavenly Demon Cult personnel parted to both sides.
Step, step, step, step…
Through that gap, Great Prelate Extreme Heaven Demon Emperor Gun Mu-ak walked out, exuding an overwhelmingly dominant spirit.
“Is everything ready?”
At his indifferent question, Bal Hyung-cheom answered softly.
“Yes, the deployment is complete. Now the Asura Demon Cult will take the west, the Illusion Demon Cult will take the east, and the Blood Cult will take the north.”
Thereupon, Gun Mu-ak gave a slight nod and took the lead, speaking in a cold voice.
“Let’s go. From here, this cult will break through the south gate directly in front… And annihilate the Western Heaven Division under the Heaven Emperor Society.”