Chapter 161: Chapter 161

Beeeeeep!

The sound of a whistle drifted over.

To those who were running, it was the sound of hell, and in those giving chase, urgency could be seen.

An escapee had emerged from the dungeon of the Demonic Cult, a place that had never allowed a single runaway until now.

They had to resolve this situation at all costs.

If they failed, there was no telling how many heads would roll.

An emergency was declared throughout Tianshan, and countless cultists mobilized for the pursuit.

The situation was truly on the verge of exploding, and the tension was pulled as taut as could be.

“Damn it! If we keep going like this, I feel like my head will be cut off.”

Ma Janggang, carrying the limply sagging Dongfang Gu on his back, panted and looked back. It did not seem like the pursuers had caught up close yet, but if they kept going at this slow pace, they might get caught soon.

They had not even escaped Tianshan yet.

If they had at least gotten out of this mountain, fleeing would have been somewhat easier, but even that was difficult, making their frustration indescribable.

The three of them, unable to find a path, were simply moving forward.

Contrary to their thoughts that they would easily escape if they just ran east, the mountain paths of Tianshan were so complex and rugged that they would get lost if they turned even slightly.

Jang Sam-tae fell deep into thought.

Since they did not know the path at all right now, they could not afford to just walk aimlessly.

It was also exhausting to erase the traces left behind with every step they took.

Should they force their way through?

No, if they did that, everyone would die.

As the tension mounted, a cold sweat broke out without him realizing it.

‘What should I do? What do I do?’

He glanced back at Ma Janggang, but the man was not in a state to think about anything.

Moving while searching for a path, combined with carrying Dongfang Gu, left him with even less leeway than Jang Sam-tae.

‘I have to find a breakthrough.’

Let’s think about what can be done in this current situation.

Rustle!

It was at that very moment that a sound was heard.

Startled, Ma Janggang and Jang Sam-tae held their breath and lowered their postures.

Though they thought they had erased their traces as they came, they could not afford to underestimate the tracking ability of the Demonic Cult.

As they turned their heads toward the sound with all their senses on edge, a beast passed by.

“Whew…”

“Damn it! To think I couldn’t even distinguish between a beast and a human…”

Ma Janggang spat out a harsh curse and frowned.

Normally, he would not have been surprised by such a thing, but because the situation was what it was, he had kept his senses sharp and was startled by any sound, whether it came from a beast or a human.

“Well, isn’t that unavoidable? More importantly, if we keep going like this, I really think we’ll all die…”

“Should we leave him behind and go?”

“That is one way, but… we haven’t heard enough.”

Anyone could see that a strange event had occurred in the Demonic Cult.

However, they had not obtained any of the most crucial information, such as exactly why that was, or why the Chancellor, Dongfang Gu, was locked in the dungeon.

Thus, they could not abandon Dongfang Gu, who would be well aware of the internal affairs.

“It doesn’t seem like he’ll last long anyway…”

Ma Janggang frowned.

Dongfang Gu’s condition was not very good. It was so severe that one would worry whether he could survive even if he went to a physician and received treatment right away.

They could not let the remaining two of them die just to save such a person.

But Jang Sam-tae’s words were not wrong either.

In any case, they had to carry out Dan Woo-hyun’s command.

“Put… put me down.”

“Have you regained consciousness?”

“Cough, cough! Hurry!”

Dongfang Gu knew his physical condition well.

Perhaps sensing that he did not have much life left, urgency was laced in his voice.

Perhaps because of that scolding, Ma Janggang hurriedly set Dongfang Gu down.

“Cough…! Li… listen carefully.”

“Just say the word.”

“Go to the Cult Leader and tell him never to return to the Demonic Cult.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“Just listen!”

The fleeting recovery before death.

His dying eyes grew clear, and his voice became much clearer as well.

Although he looked somewhat strained, it was certain that he had squeezed out his remaining strength to clear his mind.

Jang Sam-tae quickly approached and grabbed his hand.

“The Demonic Cult is currently… controlled by a man named the Supreme Demon of the Black Wind. He has cut off all of the Cult Leader’s limbs, and all cultists serve him now.”

“Does that make any sense?”

Dongfang Gu wore a bitter smile.

He himself could not believe this fact either.

However, looking back at the long history of the Demonic Cult, it was not a very strange thing.

The Demonic Cult was originally a place ruled by the law of the survival of the fittest.

If the one who seized the seat while the Cult Leader was away was far stronger than others, many would follow that strength rather than loyalty.

This was also the reason why most of those who had held out solely on loyalty to Sa Do-hak died without even being able to resist properly.

Dongfang Gu could not tolerate the fact that those he once trusted had succumbed to power and bowed their heads, but knowing all too well that it was the law of the Demonic Cult, he could only swallow his bitterness.

“Just how strong is this Supreme Demon of the Black Wind that you are telling Elder Sa not to return?”

Ma Janggang could not understand it.

Sa Do-hak was one of the Five Emperors.

He had fought on equal terms with the Sword Emperor Namgung Cheon, which meant he was an absolute expert who ranked among the top two in the Central Plains.

For such a Sa Do-hak to face an opponent he could not defeat?

However, Dongfang Gu did not answer that question and merely smiled bitterly.

For him, it was impossible to explain the strength of the Supreme Demon of the Black Wind.

And there was no time left to answer that.

“Go quickly! Tell him of the Demonic Cult’s betrayal, and help the Cult Leader!”

“…Will you be alright?”

“It is a life bound to die anyway… I will buy time here, so go quickly!”

A sigh escaped Jang Sam-tae’s mouth.

Buying time, indeed.

He was a man without even the strength to hold a sword. However, conversely, he was an important figure to the Demonic Cult bastards, so it might take them some time to secure Dongfang Gu.

“It is a bit awkward to say this now, but… I will make sure to avenge you.”

“Hahaha… I leave it to you.”

Looking at Jang Sam-tae, Dongfang Gu wore a bitter smile.

The Supreme Demon of the Black Wind was a human of a completely different level from the martial artists he had seen so far.

While the words of avenging him against such a person sounded laughable, he felt strangely reassured.

“If you keep running northeast, you will be able to escape Tianshan.”

Jang Sam-tae and Ma Janggang did not hesitate any longer.

Dongfang Gu had already resolved to risk his life.

They had no confidence in persuading him, nor could they bring disgrace upon a man prepared for death.

If so, they had to accept his sacrifice and only run forward.

That was the best the two of them could do.

* * *

In the Demonic Cult, there were many who were skilled in tracking techniques.

If asked who the best among them was, everyone would point to the Hidden Shadow Group.

They had never once missed their target, and for that reason, they were the most trusted by the Demonic Cult.

Moon Juhak, the leader of the Hidden Shadow Group, quietly looked at the person in front of him.

Not saying a word, he almost seemed like a mute. However, his eyes were as sharp as a blade, giving the illusion of being cut the moment one looked at them.

“Haha… So you finally stepped forward…”

Dongfang Gu, who was sitting slumped, harbored a bitter smile.

The Hidden Shadow Group was an organization that Sa Do-hak had poured his heart and soul into creating. Therefore, the reason they were alive today was also thanks to Sa Do-hak.

Yet, those very people had betrayed him and turned their backs.

From Dongfang Gu’s perspective, it was not easy to accept.

“Doesn’t the Chancellor know as well? In the Demonic Cult, only the strong survive.”

“I know. Indeed… I know it well.”

Dongfang Gu nodded to Moon Juhak, who had finally opened his mouth.

However, no matter how much the law of the strong ruled, to instantly discard the master they had dedicated their lives to protect?

Was the power of the Supreme Demon of the Black Wind truly that great?

Or were they greedy for the power he offered?

It was something that could not be known.

“The Supreme Demon of the Black Wind… Is he greater than the Cult Leader?”

“His strength is not something a mere person like me can even speak of, and his benevolence toward subordinates cannot even be compared to the former Cult Leader.”

“Hahaha, the former Cult Leader…”

The time it took for the Supreme Demon of the Black Wind to take control of the Demonic Cult was barely half a day.

Since he had slaughtered the elders and powerholders with overwhelming martial arts, who could call his martial prowess a lie?

Even Dongfang Gu, who was captured first and had no choice but to watch that situation, could not believe it.

Even the carrot he offered was sweet.

He released the secret manuals of the deceased elders, group leaders, and squad leaders free of charge.

If there was someone who wanted to rise to a higher position, and as long as their skill backed it up, he allowed anyone to read those secret manuals.

Even though it might end up raising someone who would plunge a dagger into his back, he did not even care.

That was truly the majesty of a ruler, and a power to which they could not help but bow.

The current Moon Juhak was also like that.

The audacity of the Supreme Demon of the Black Wind to execute without hesitation actions that Sa Do-hak had avoided to maintain the order of the Demonic Cult, and his power that made a hundred thousand demonic practitioners kneel at once, had completely captivated Moon Juhak’s heart.

“I will ask you for the last time. Where is the former Cult Leader now?”

“Hahaha.”

Dongfang Gu laughed hollowly.

He thought it was truly fortunate that when Sa Do-hak left the Cult, he did not inform anyone of his location.

If he had, that place might have become ruins by now.

‘Supreme Demon of the Black Wind, Supreme Demon of the Black Wind…’

Dongfang Gu closed his eyes tightly and pictured him.

Although he feared the figure of the Supreme Demon of the Black Wind flickering before his eyes, he was confident that his master, Sa Do-hak, would surely succeed.

Although he himself would depart like this.

Although he would not be able to witness that glorious sight.

Nevertheless, his smile did not fade.

Because he knew that the smiles on the betrayers’ lips would fade one day.

Because he knew that his master had the capability to do so.

He raised his head and looked at the sky.

The moonlight in the night sky was exceptionally bright.

Slowly, the color began to fade, and before he knew it, his eyes grew dim.

“Cut off… my head…”

With those words, Dongfang Gu collapsed.

As if his breath had stopped, the sound of breathing was no longer heard, and his pupils could be seen slowly dilating.

Finally, the moment his body was about to touch the cold ground.

Slice!

Crimson blood splattered, and his head rolled on the ground.

“Damn it…”

Moon Juhak frowned and spat out a curse.

He had cut off the head because he did not want to let him go peacefully, but the uncomfortable feeling did not disappear.

What was more, they had not even achieved their goal.

“Pursue the bastards who escaped with this man. They surely know the whereabouts of Sa Do-hak.”

“Understood!”

However, too much time had been delayed.

They had wasted too much time dealing with Dongfang Gu.

‘This too must have been his scheme…’

He blamed his own foolishness for only realizing it now.

At the very least, he should have sent his subordinates ahead first.

No, to begin with, it was the fault of the bastards who tortured him.

Dongfang Gu was someone who absolutely must not die, yet they had performed all kinds of torture on him and left him neglected without even proper treatment, leading to such a futile death.

Grit!

Moon Juhak ground his teeth unconsciously and flew forward.

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