Chapter 572: Side Story 72
Chapter side_72
The pinnacle of the Demonic Cult.
From the moment Sa Do-hak ascended to the position of Heavenly Demon until he stepped down, he had ruled the Demonic Cult with the majesty of an absolute monarch.
However, he had not severely punished his subordinates even if they committed errors, because he knew that those who possessed power would only be satisfied if they wielded it in some way.
In truth, had Sa Do-hak himself not often wielded the power of the Demonic Cult as he pleased?
Since that was the inevitable reality even for the most upright and pure individuals, he had a strong tendency to overlook things as long as they were not severe.
However, there were also things that could never be tolerated.
Betraying the Demonic Cult.
In a single mass like the Mount Tian Demonic Cult, if one piece fell off, other crumbs were bound to fall from the broken spot.
That was akin to collapsing the entire mass.
Therefore, no matter what happened, he would not tolerate betrayal of the Demonic Cult.
The Mahyeong Squad.
It was a place where those with special talents were gathered and taught from childhood, and only those who showed the highest talent and strength could join.
It was created by Sa Do-hak, and thus a place where he could take pride.
But he could absolutely not tolerate them betraying the Demonic Cult from such a place, providing a pretext for war to cause damage, and even trying to transfer to another place.
This was the most shameful event in the history of the Demonic Cult and something that could not be accepted.
Therefore, Sa Do-hak glared at the Potala Palace that was trying to block him. His sharp eyes were like those of a wild beast looking at its prey, and the momentum radiating from him felt as if a great mountain were pressing down.
“I didn’t hear you clearly… Say it once more.”
“…I said it is the business of the Potala Palace, so do not interfere.”
“Did I not tell you? This is the business of the Demonic Cult.”
“They insulted the Potala Palace and stole an important item. How could this not be the business of the Potala Palace?”
The Golden Heaven Water King also showed no sign of backing down easily.
If they left the matter to Sa Do-hak like this, the Potala Palace would not even be able to lay a finger on the Mahyeong Squad.
They had insulted the Potala Palace and brought indelible disgrace upon it. To resolve this, it was only right to reclaim all the stolen items along with their heads.
Therefore, he could not leave it to Sa Do-hak.
Furthermore, now that the scriptures of the Martial God had been mentioned, what guarantee was there that Sa Do-hak would hand them over quietly?
Thus, he could not just fold his hands and watch.
“So, you will try to block me?”
“Hahaha. Rather than blocking, I would prefer if you stepped aside… If not, must this old man also inevitably… make a move?”
“Puha!”
Dumbfounded, Sa Do-hak burst into an absurd laugh.
The Golden Heaven Water King was certainly strong.
If one combined the Western Regions and Xinjiang, he would surely be a strongman within the top five. However, Sa Do-hak was one of the top two in the entire Central Plains, and that was already ten years ago.
Since ten years had passed and he had been by the side of an absurd monster like Dan Woo-hyun, he was in a position where he could not help but grow.
The fact that he still maintained the appearance of a man in his mid-fifties, and that the momentum of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art flowing through his body had become even stronger, was also for that reason.
No matter what, there would be no defeat for Sa Do-hak here.
“Ugh?!”
However, Gu Jagok, caught between them, was thinking differently. Potala Palace alone was overwhelming enough, but Sa Do-hak had suddenly appeared.
Why at a time like this?
When had he abandoned the Mount Tian Demonic Cult to leave, only to show up now and interfere? Even if Gu Jagok had once followed him like a fanatic, ten years had already passed, and he served someone else now.
Therefore, he had to escape this place.
Boom!
In an instant, he pulled something from his chest and slammed it onto the ground.
With a tremendous sound, a smoke screen exploded, blocking their vision in an instant. This seemed to be designed for the purpose of obscuring the opponent’s view, a device mostly used when fleeing from a strong opponent.
However.
Whoosh!
With a simple wave of Sa Do-hak’s hand, the smoke screen cleared. At the very moment Gu Jagok, who was about to leap away, widened his eyes.
Slash!
Suddenly, the heads of his subordinates flew high into the sky.
“Trying to flee… in front of me?”
Sa Do-hak’s displeased voice heard.
It was a statement containing a firm resolve that no matter where or how one fled, they would inevitably be caught. In the first place, was it even possible to flee when the Demonic Emperor was right before them?
But Gu Jagok’s determination remained unchanged.
He ground his teeth and moved his feet.
At that moment, Sa Do-hak slightly raised his sword.
But he stopped, unable to swing it, as Sa Do-hak’s gaze turned toward the staff that had reached right in front of his neck.
At the end of the staff, the Golden Heaven Water King was seen breaking into a cold sweat.
“Leave this place… to this old man and pursue them. They must not escape.”
“…Understood.”
At the Golden Heaven Water King’s resolute words, the Lama monks could no longer say anything. They just replied that they understood, instinctively realizing that chasing the disappearing Gu Jagok was what they needed to do now.
“Sigh… you frustrating old man. Do you think you can catch the Mahyeong Squad with mere Lama monks?”
“Hahaha. You must not look down on the Potala Palace, Cult Leader. For they are several times stronger than you think.”
Sa Do-hak let out a chuckle.
Since he had never fought against the Potala Palace, he had no idea how formidable they were. In the first place, the strength of the Potala Palace was never revealed to the outside.
But wasn’t there?
The strength that the Potala Palace had shown.
“Then what about you?”
“…”
“Are you strong?”
Sa Do-hak smirked and swung his sword.
Boom!
* * *
Gu Jagok began to run like mad.
Unfolding his ultimate lightness art to advance, he could not think of anything else. Although the Lama monks were pursuing him, it was more because of the massive existence of Sa Do-hak.
“This is crazy! Why on earth is this happening!”
Cult Leader Yuk Cheol-wan’s plan had been perfect.
Even before stealing the item, he had created tension between the Potala Palace and the Mount Tian Demonic Cult, drawing all attention to the two.
It was only natural that the security inside the palace would slacken, and thanks to that, he had easily obtained what he wanted. Afterward, he only needed to pin everything on the Demonic Cult and slip away leisurely; it was a simple matter.
At first, he thought it had gone well, but unexpected variables began to arise.
Why had the war between the two places stopped?
Also, why did the Golden Heaven Water King chase after him?
Why was Sa Do-hak here at this moment?
As absurd things happened one after another, his mind became tangled in confusion. This was also why the anxiety would not easily fade even as he performed his ultimate lightness art to escape.
“The lightness art of the Lama monks is extraordinary. What should we do?”
Just then, the Vice Leader glanced back and asked.
Although the Mahyeong Squad took pride in their lightness art, the Lama monks were no less formidable. The speed of their pursuit was very fast, and their momentum was also not to be underestimated.
If they were to stop fleeing and draw their swords, the damage on this side would also be considerable.
The problem was that if Sa Do-hak caught up while they were fighting them, they would not be able to escape any further. Therefore, Gu Jagok could not stop his feet under any circumstances.
‘I must… deliver this to the Cult Leader!’
Gu Jagok vowed firmly, his eyes flashing.
The moment he thought of Yuk Cheol-wan, his gaze turned somewhat vacant, but there was no one present to notice that brief change.
“Run while releasing smoke screens in all directions. We will surely escape this place and reach the Central Plains.”
“…Yes!”
At Gu Jagok’s resolute command, the Vice Leader nodded. Soon, as he gave orders to the subordinates via sound transmission, the sounds of popping smoke screens began to be heard from various places.
A smoke screen could be easily avoided if it were just one. But if there were many and they kept exploding, it would be a very troublesome situation for the pursuers.
But this was not the end.
Gu Jagok ground his teeth and looked at the Vice Leader.
Soon, having exchanged silent sound transmissions, they exchanged glances and nodded. Shortly after, even they were enveloped in the smoke screen and hid their figures.
But just then.
“See, didn’t I tell you they would come if we waited here?”
“It… it’s true.”
A voice heard from somewhere.
Gu Jagok, who had hidden himself in the smoke, widened his eyes. Although they could not be seen clearly, he saw a man and a woman standing blankly in front of him.
Soon, the man lightly raised his sword and swung it.
Whoosh!
It was nothing more than a light swing, but the pouring sword wind easily blew away the thick smoke. The figures of the Mahyeong Squad, who had been hiding in it, were revealed one after another.
“There sure are many of them.”
“There are Lama monks too. In the end, it seems the Potala Palace won’t give up until the very end.”
“Probably so.”
Looking at those who had revealed themselves, Gu Jagok could not help but be filled with wonder. A young man and a woman, who did not look that strong to anyone, possessed enough power to blow away the smoke screen spread in all directions?
No matter how much he thought about it, he could not understand.
“Are you Gu Jagok?”
“…?!”
At the man’s words that followed, Gu Jagok frowned.
Without a doubt, they were clearly targeting him.
Although he could not know their identities at all, he guessed they were no ordinary foes, and bit his lips as he gripped his sword. He realized that this was not a situation he could avoid.
“I’m sorry, but… you must leave what is in your chest pocket behind.”
“Nonsense.”
“…Leave it behind.”
The words spoken were a command.
It was by no means a request, but a command to leave it behind. The moment he heard it, Gu Jagok, filled with stubbornness, twitched his lips and gripped his sword.
“I’ve seen all kinds of crazy bastards!”
The situation was urgent.
Behind him were the Lama monks, and further away, Sa Do-hak might pursue at any moment. If they dragged out time in a place like this, a more troublesome situation would arise.
They had to prevent that at all costs.
Therefore, Gu Jagok raised his internal energy to the limit.
Knowing that the opponent before him was by no means weak.
He had to subdue him in a single blow.
His sword hummed as it let out a low cry, and he packed a momentum that seemed ready to explode into the blade. The momentum was so fierce that the coercion could be felt just by looking at it.
“Get out of the way!”
“…”
Gu Jagok then shouted roughly and swung his sword.
The power gathered in the sword exploded in an instant and surged forward.
Boom!
Enjoyed the chapter?
If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!
Support on Ko-fi