Chapter 489: Objective Accomplished
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Asura Tribulation Heaven Art.
A demonic art symbolizing the long history and tradition of the Asura Demon Cult.
The terrifying blade energy Sal Ma-ha had just unleashed was the Asura Heaven-Breaking Revolving Flow Blade… One of the three supreme techniques within the Asura Tribulation Heaven Art.
At that moment.
Hwiriri… !
Along with a swift wind sound, a figure charged toward Sal Ma-ha’s rear.
It was instantaneous.
Rushing in at rapid speed literally like a flash of lightning.
A tremendously fierce speed that an ordinary martial artist would have difficulty even reacting to.
The figure’s iron sword extended toward his back, releasing blue sword energy.
Kabang!
Following the noisy explosion sound.
Shukaaak… !
A blade cut through the air.
It was the Skull Demon Blade that Sal Ma-ha had swung.
While defending against the sword energy that had attacked his rear, he had simultaneously pivoted and executed a swift blade technique.
Pit…
The opponent’s movement was also swift.
Thus, the blade of the Skull Demon Blade slashed empty air.
By a hair’s breadth.
If the enemy’s reaction had been just a bit slower, part of their body would have been severed.
“Not bad.”
When Sal Ma-ha smiled as he spoke, the opponent tilted their sword and flashed their eyes.
“Those are my words. Is that the power of the Skull Demon Blade?”
The identity of the figure who had executed the surprise sword technique was the Third Great General… One of the highest-ranking executives of the Western Heaven Division.
What the coldly thrown question just now referred to was the energy net.
Pure white pearl-like currents were covering Sal Ma-ha’s entire body.
That had neutralized the sword energy the Third Great General had shot out earlier.
Looking closely at each of those pearl-shaped forms gave a terrifying impression.
Why?
Because they were shaped like skulls of the dead… That is, bare bones.
It was a kind of powerful protective energy art, the unique power of the Skull Demon Blade, one of the Four Great Demonic Weapons.
Instantly responding to the owner’s will and radiating outward…
Its defensive strength increased according to internal power level… A demonic energy called the Skull Demon Soul Spirit Mantle.
Sal Ma-ha answered with a relaxed expression.
“That’s right. The Skull Demon Soul Spirit Mantle.”
The Third Great General twitched one eyebrow and spoke in an even colder voice.
“Do you know where this place is?”
“Of course. The Western Heaven Division headquarters under the Heaven Emperor Society.”
“…”
“Ha, surprised?”
In an instant, the Third Great General’s eyes exploded with dense killing light.
“Bastard… You know what you shouldn’t know. Fine, let’s settle this. Today will be the last day you hold that blade.”
Thereupon, Sal Ma-ha parried while operating ascending internal power.
“I don’t think so. That rear attack was disappointingly weak.”
A taunt asking how he dared to act arrogant with such skill.
While the two confronted each other thus, a chaotic melee unfolded around them.
Clang clang clang… Ching ching ching… Pop pop pop… Boom boom boom…!
At a glance, it was clear the Demonic Path camp was seizing the advantage from the very start.
Having quickly assessed the battle situation, the Third Great General raised the internal power within his body to the maximum.
‘Urk! If it comes to it, I’ll have to activate the gu poison! But how did they find out about this place?’
But at that moment, a huge gray demonic energy in the form of an Asura shot up above Sal Ma-ha’s head!
It was the Asura Tribulation Heaven Art’s unique demonic energy that manifested when operating maximum power.
Drrrr, drrrr… Crack crack, crack crack…!
As the splitting, cracking ground screamed.
Sal Ma-ha pointed his blade tip toward the Third Great General, jerked his chin, and spoke.
“Activate your gu poison. Otherwise… You won’t even last ten strokes.”
At the same time, the Third Great General roared and rushed out ferociously.
“Arrogant bastard!”
* * *
The allied forces led by the Illusion Demon Cult also destroyed the eastern gate of the fortress according to the original plan and entered the adjacent plaza.
The vanguard was led by Grand Elder Illusion Visage Demon Overseer Chi Ah-cha and his direct combat unit, the Illusion Spirit Four Demon Squad.
And through the entry route, personnel from the Illusion Demon Cult, Bewitching Illusion Demon Cult, Iron Demon Fortress, and Flying Cloud Demon Squad all rushed in together.
A fierce charge by the cloaked Deaf-Mutes followed.
Pa pa pa pa pa, pa pa pa pa pa…
It was an offensive that was literally a sea of people.
As a chaotic melee unfolded like that, even the Western Heaven Division’s executive staff for defending the west joined the fight.
Grand Elder Chi Ah-cha was impressed by the martial prowess of the mid-rank cloaked figures.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t win one-on-one, but it was much better than expected.
The dozens of Illusion Spirit Four Demon Squad members under him felt the same.
In truth, the skill of even the minor-rank ones was quite remarkable, but from mid-rank and up, the weight class was entirely different.
It felt like facing the leadership of the Nine Great Sects or Seven Great Clans representing the Orthodox Jianghu.
Even if they weren’t quite at the sect leader or clan head level…
Moreover, the commander-rank couldn’t even be handled unless one was a renowned powerhouse within the cult.
Having realized that, the Seven Great Instructors of the Illusion Demon Cult faced off against the mid-rank personnel.
And.
“Ha.”
Illusion Demon Cult Patriarch Yak Pa, having let out a low laugh, stood locking eyes with the Fourth Great General of the Western Heaven Division.
“The Demon Midst Illusion Emperor?”
At the Fourth Great General’s cold question, Yak Pa’s gaze deepened.
“You know me?”
“Of course. How could I not know the famous Illusion Demon Cult Patriarch’s description?”
“Is that so? Then… You must also know this. That all of you will die here.”
“Kukuk! Just because you have a mouth…”
Just as the Fourth Great General was sneering like that.
Flutter flutter, flutter flutter…
Two Young General-ranks rushed in toward Yak Pa’s left and right.
Befitting executive staff, the speed at which they compressed the distance from both sides was excellent.
However, Yak Pa had no reaction.
Ssweng… Swweng… !
When the two Young General-ranks swiftly swung their iron swords.
Chuhak, chuhaaak…!
Yak Pa’s form was mercilessly sliced apart.
And then.
Swish.
It suddenly vanished like smoke.
Did it soar to the sky or sink into the ground?
When the two Young General-ranks were flustered.
“Below!”
The moment the Fourth Great General shouted, countless sword energies like thorns were released from the ground.
Thud thud thud thud thud, thud thud thud thud thud…!
Thus, the two minor-ranks died with holes pierced all over their bodies like honeycombs, causing an explosion.
Kwahang… Hwaleuk…!
The moment the green ghost flames generated by the gu poison spread rapidly in all directions, Yak Pa appeared through a transparent door to the side.
It was the Demonic Path Wondrous Illusion Art that the Illusion Demon Cult was proud of.
The Fourth Great General turned his gaze in that direction and spoke in a low voice while emitting violent fighting spirit.
“Living up to your name. To have arranged a time-delayed demonic sword formation on the ground without anyone noticing…”
“Ha, why do you think this honorable one is called the Demon Midst Illusion Emperor?”
“Fine, let’s have some real fun.”
The Fourth Great General immediately operated maximum power and charged toward Yak Pa.
Boom… !
* * *
North.
The Blood Demon Cult was also dominating the initiative and performing brilliantly.
Already, here and there, many of the Western Heaven Division’s executive staff were triggering gu poison explosions connected to their deaths.
Boom boom boom, boom boom boom, boom boom boom… Whoosh whoosh, whoosh whoosh, whoosh whoosh…!
Huge green flames burst out ceaselessly, heating the surrounding air.
Amidst that, one Blood Demon Cult demonic man was rampaging ferociously, displaying tremendous might and creating a sea of blood.
Great Dharma Protector Blood Demon Saint Je Ak.
Before his techniques, several Young General-ranks had already died.
Eventually, three Middle General-ranks targeted him with a combined attack.
But astonishingly, Je Ak was not pushed back.
On the contrary, they were evenly matched.
No.
He was gradually overwhelming them.
Despite it being a three-against-one battle against middle General-ranks.
It was truly an admirable martial display.
However, there was someone here even more remarkable.
The very person who had released the Thousand-Li Telepathic Voice following Gun Mu-ak.
Gi Cheon-geuk, the Blood Rain Demon Lord… The current Blood Demon Cult Patriarch.
At his appearance, whose presence alone overwhelmed ten thousand, the Blood Demon Cult’s morale soared.
He had received Cheol Ryu-heun’s plan through White Peak Sword Sect guests such as Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon.
So he had flown to the Western Heaven Division on the Heaven-Piercing Divine Eagle to join them in accordance with the schedule.
From the Demonic Path coalition’s standpoint, it was like the arrival of a million troops.
Before Gi Cheon-geuk’s terrifying Blood Stream Divine Demon Art, three minor-ranks died.
Puhaak…!
Following that, three middle General-ranks also departed this world at once.
Leaving behind only the great flames that burst forth.
As a result, the tide of battle shifted rapidly.
The Blood Demon Cult’s victory became certain.
Of course, it was partly because most of the Western Heaven Division’s total forces were concentrated in the south.
Still, with the addition of Gi Cheon-geuk, who rivaled Gun Mu-ak, the Blood Demon Cult accelerated the time toward victory.
Because they had subdued the enemy base faster than the Asura Demon Cult or Illusion Demon Cult.
The Second Great General of the Western Heaven Division, who had been here, had just slipped away and fled.
Thinking it would be safer to join the south.
From the Second Great General’s standpoint, it was a natural choice and judgment.
Soon, the Blood Demon Cult personnel who had finished the fight gathered in one place.
Then, at the very front, Gi Cheon-geuk gave orders with a stern expression.
“Now we go south to help the Heavenly Demon Cult.”
At the same time, all Blood Demon Cult members shouted in unison.
“As you command!”
* * *
About one watch later.
The Western Heaven Division was heading toward the pit of crushing defeat.
The total assault of the Demonic Path Jianghu coalition was truly powerful.
The exploits of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s elite forces were remarkable.
Above all, those led by the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings were so.
The combined attack of the Three-Eyed Blood Clan, Blue Specter Bloodline, Orangutan Monster Bloodline, and Ice Vein White Clan was at a truly terrifying level.
And Demon Eye Dragon King Na Ya-geol, Blue Shelter Demon King Gil Gyeon, Demon Saber Orangutan King Tal Ryeon, and Ice Demon Queen Buk Ri-sara dominated the battlefield with special martial prowess harmonized with supernatural abilities.
The other leadership… The Dharma Protectors and Six Archbishops… Were the same.
Demon Heaven Left Attendant Little-Face Bell Demoness Eun Yi-bi, Demon Heaven Right Attendant Delusional Seductive Demoness Ya Baek-ji, First Archbishop Cleaving Head Great Demon Elder Bal Hyung-cheom, Second Archbishop Mad Demon Fighter Mang Ro-jangdeok, Third Archbishop Residual Soul Sword Warrior Hwoe-uk, Fourth Archbishop Village Pipa Demon Princess On So, Fifth Archbishop Demon Heaven Twin Sabre Lad Si Eul-ryang, Sixth Archbishop Dark Sword Demon Spirit On Gwan…
All of them displayed outstanding martial prowess befitting their name value and scattered blood.
And was that all?
After breaking through the north, west, and east gates, the Blood Demon Cult, Asura Demon Cult, Illusion Demon Cult, and others who had joined the Heavenly Demon Cult camp were all performing brilliantly together.
Thus it was a battle rushing toward its end.
Most of the casualties on the battlefield were enemies.
That told the outcome of this bloody battle.
As the noise diminished, Gun Mu-ak walked step by step.
Toward the Western Heaven Division’s Highest-Ranking Grand General, whose internal power level had sharply risen after activating isolated poison at the cost of his life force.
“Come, attack me! Since I’m going to die anyway, I’ll fight to the end!”
The Grand General cried out desperately and took his stance.
But… He already looked extremely exhausted.
His body wasn’t whole either.
Due to facing none other than Gun Mu-ak, he had suffered severe internal injuries.
Moreover.
The external injuries alone, with flesh torn here and there, numbered more than ten.
Gun Mu-ak stopped at a distance of ten paces.
Immediately after.
Hum… !
The moment the Demon God Sword vibrated, a curtain of darkness was generated.
Shwa shwa shwa shwa, shwa shwa shwa shwa…
It blocked off the area around where Gun Mu-ak and the Grand General stood.
Rumble rumble, rumble rumble…
As the surrounding darkness emitted terrifying pressure.
“This is the Heavenly Demon Black Soul Coffin. The space where your funeral will be held.”
Enraged by Gun Mu-ak’s words, the Grand General kicked off the ground and advanced.
Thus, the blades of the two clashed fiercely, sparking.
But even that didn’t go past ten exchanges.
Bubuk… Chuchut!
Because the Demon God Sword had mercilessly severed the Grand General’s left arm.
“Guh…!”
The Grand General barely pulled his body back and stood using his sword as a cane.
At that moment, Gun Mu-ak’s apathetic voice reached across the distance.
“Perish.”
At the same time, entrances of darkness opened around the Grand General’s form.
Shwoo shwoo shwoo shwoo, shwoo shwoo shwoo shwoo, shwoo shwoo shwoo shwoo, shwoo shwoo shwoo shwoo…
Four in total.
It was the Heavenly Demon Gravity Stars.
Drawn by that terrifying power, the Grand General’s body began to be torn apart.
“Aaaaaaah!”
A scream of agony echoing inside the Heavenly Demon Black Soul Coffin.
With that as the end, the Grand General’s body was completely separated and swallowed into the Heavenly Demon Gravity Stars on all four sides.
It was the destruction of the Western Heaven Division under the Heaven Emperor Society.
* * *
“Hmm, it should be wrapping up about now.”
Cheol Ryu-heun, muttering thus while suspended in the air, looked down.
There, a grand castle deep in the mountains could be seen.
The Central Heaven Tower.
That was the place.
Brushing back his forelock, he spoke.
“Shall we have some fun turning this place upside down?”
The moment those words ended, Divine Wind exploded with white radiance and dropped toward the ground like lightning.
Swooooooooosh… !