Chapter 545: If You Stay With Me, You’ll End Up Swinging at Air Too
Chapter 545: If You Stay With Me, You’ll End Up Swinging at Air Too
Geom Mu-geuk lived by a single, unwavering conviction.
If you’ve worked as hard as I have, then fine—take the win!
Because he always gave his absolute best, he was prepared to accept whatever result followed. Of course, that didn't mean he intended to lose and die, but this mindset provided him with a positive edge in many ways. No matter how grueling the fight, he could face it with a light heart and overflowing confidence.
As they clashed again, the Combat King saw that Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes were growing even clearer, burning with a vibrant light.
How can such a lunatic exist? These damn Demonic Cult bastards!
Amidst his chaotic thoughts, the Combat King reached one final conclusion: I must kill him today!
The boy was already this strong; what if they met again next year? Or the year after? What would he become in his thirties, forties, or fifties? He would become an existence beyond imagination.
It seemed the Dark King, hidden inside the carriage, felt the same way.
Ssssss.
A black energy seeped out from the carriage, forming a film over the Combat King’s body before being absorbed into him. It was clear the Dark King had infused him with a surge of power.
“Young Cult Leader, why don't you show me that great law of yours?”
Sure enough, the Combat King regained his vitality. He looked as fresh as if the fight had only just begun. Capitalizing on his momentum, he unleashed his unique martial art—the same Chain Wind and Cloud Fist he had used against the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader.
Chain Wind and Cloud Fist, Third Form: Lightning Dance.
Swish-swish-swish-swish!
Dozens of fists, fast as light, flew toward Geom Mu-geuk.
Sss-sss-sss.
By weaving Dark Shadow Step, King Yama’s Step, and Blink Step in rapid succession, Mu-geuk found a path of survival in a space that seemed impossible to escape. The missed punches tore up the earth, sending debris flying in every direction.
At the end of that final path stood the Combat King.
“I was waiting for you!”
It was a move he had predicted, believing Mu-geuk would inevitably dodge in that direction. Geom Mu-geuk emerged exactly where he expected, and the Combat King unleashed his trump card.
Chain Wind and Cloud Fist, Fourth Form: Red Chain Prohibition.
Red Gang Qi in the shape of iron chains erupted from the Combat King’s palms.
Clang-clatter-clatter!
Perhaps because he was already draped in physical chains, the Red Chain Prohibition coiled around Geom Mu-geuk with even greater force. Just as the Combat King was about to launch the Fifth Form, Wind and Cloud Creation, without hesitation—!
Geom Mu-geuk suddenly asked, “Are you ready?”
At this angle, with only the Combat King and the carriage in front of him, he could blow everything away without harming a single one of his own people. This was the moment Geom Mu-geuk had been waiting for throughout the melee. He had already activated his move before being bound by the Red Chain Prohibition.
Ssssssss.
The evil ghosts appearing before Geom Mu-geuk began to multiply rapidly. The ghosts finally revealed their true forms. He didn't know what preparations the enemy had made, but it was time to use the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Earlier, he couldn't use the Great Annihilation Form because there were too many allies on the field. But with Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination Squad gone, an opportunity had arisen. From his current angle, Bi Sa-in and the Faceless Guests were nowhere to be seen. The sound of dogs barking could be heard far off in the opposite direction.
I’ll sweep away the Combat King and the carriage all at once! Let’s see what countermeasures you’ve prepared.
Rumble-boom-boom-boom!
The Great Annihilation Form charged forward, intent on erasing everything in its path. At that exact moment, something incredible happened.
Whoosh!
Black holes appeared simultaneously beneath the Combat King and the carriage, and they vanished as if sucked into the ground.
Rumble-boom-boom!
The Great Annihilation Form passed right over the spot where they had been. It tore through everything until even the distant back wall vanished without a trace. In the middle of the devastation, a black circle appeared, and the carriage rose from it.
Fortunately, the Red Chain Prohibition had been dispelled, but Geom Mu-geuk stared at the carriage with a look of surprise.
Slide.
The carriage door opened, and a hand wrapped in chains emerged from behind the beaded curtain. The Combat King stepped out.
Geom Mu-geuk realized one thing. “It was you who rescued this man before.”
The Dark King’s voice drifted from the carriage. “That’s right. The Dark Path Return Art is my unique secret technique.”
When the Combat King had first stepped out of the carriage earlier, she had mentioned the Dark Path Return Art. At the time, he hadn't realized it was her own martial art.
When the Great Annihilation Form is unleashed, the target is usually pinned down by demonic energy, making escape impossible. However, at the seventh stage of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, he couldn't stop the Dark Path Return Art from extracting its target.
In the past, the Combat King had vanished while leaving behind everything he was wearing, but today, he still had his chains, his clothes, and his gear. Since the Dark King was performing the technique from a close distance, it was functioning with even greater power.
“Don't you have any pride? Running away like a coward in the middle of a fight?” Geom Mu-geuk tried to provoke him.
But for once, the Combat King didn't let his pride get the better of him. “Your Nine Calamities Demonic Art is what’s truly cowardly.”
He had just faced the Great Annihilation Form head-on. The momentum of those evil ghosts rushing toward him was still vivid in his mind. Could he have truly blocked that with his bare body?
“It’s only at the seventh stage. Surely it was worth trying to endure?”
“I’ll pass.”
He was a man mad for battle, mad for victory, and mad for revenge—but he wanted no part of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Right then, Geom Mu-geuk launched a surprise Annihilation Form.
Swish.
In an instant, evil ghosts appeared all around the Combat King, brandishing their blades. The swords of the four ghosts from the north, south, east, and west swung down toward him.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
But the opponent was also fast. Once again, a black hole opened in the ground and sucked him in. The four ghosts’ blades sliced through nothing but air.
Geom Mu-geuk saw it. He saw the expressions of the evil ghosts stiffen before they vanished. He could feel their wounded pride. Instead of an apology, he sent a different thought to the vanishing ghosts through his gaze.
If you stay with me from now on, you’ll end up swinging at air quite a bit. It happens. Don't be ashamed. Your master doesn't stake his pride on things like this.
The Combat King stepped out of the carriage again, scowling. “I told you, I’ll pass.”
“I’m going to keep doing it. If you keep having to get back out of that carriage, your pride will eventually force you to face me. You’re a gambler who never avoids a fight, aren't you? And it’s only the seventh stage!”
The Dark King stepped in to block his provocation. “Go ahead and try. Let’s see whose internal energy runs out first. Oh, but before that happens, all your friends will be dead.”
At those words, Geom Mu-geuk reined in his bravado. “Don't trigger my anxiety by talking about my friends.”
A low chuckle drifted from the carriage. She was right. He couldn't just drag this out indefinitely. He had to eliminate them as quickly as possible and save everyone.
He clashed with the Combat King once more. Having absorbed the black energy, the man had become even faster and stronger. The fight had been neck-and-neck before, but now the scales were tipping.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In the midst of the sparks flying between sword and fist, Geom Mu-geuk eventually missed a punch.
Thwack!
Struck squarely in the chest, Geom Mu-geuk was sent flying, crashing into the ground. The eyes of the Faceless Guests watching from the walls and trees all turned toward him at once. They exchanged glances and signals.
The Faceless Guests leaped down simultaneously, surrounding Geom Mu-geuk to protect him. Normally, they never moved without the Smiling Demon’s orders, but today was an exception.
The Combat King looked at them with a contemptuous gaze, radiating killing intent. “I’ll kill every last one of you!”
But the Faceless Guests didn't budge an inch. Just then, Geom Mu-geuk’s face appeared from among the white masks.
“I’m fine, so go back to your positions. Lord Smiling Demon will be here soon.”
The Dark King’s soft, seductive voice echoed from the carriage. “The Smiling Demon will never make it here in time.”
Under the watchful eyes of the Faceless Guests, Geom Mu-geuk showed absolute faith. “Want to bet? On whether he comes or not?”
*
The Smiling Demon was, quite literally, in a dogfight.
Whoosh!
Two hellhounds were swept away and vanished under his Demon Extreme Wild Rage Palm. However, the hellhounds behind them scattered in all directions to dodge. They weren't just dogs; they moved like martial arts experts. The foul malice they emitted while growling stirred an unpleasant sense of dread.
But the Smiling Demon’s gaze was merely indifferent and cold.
Swish, swish, swish!
He fired a succession of Blood Calamity Fingers at the hellhounds lunging for his throat.
Puck! Puck! Puck!
Only after three holes were punched into their heads did they vanish into black smoke. Another demon dog lunged through the smoke.
Thud!
The Smiling Demon leaped into the air, striking the beast’s jaw with an uppercut. The demon dogs that had aimed for his legs and back flew forward, hitting nothing but air. More demon dogs rushed him from all sides. The Smiling Demon grabbed the scruff of one that had jumped into the air and slammed it into the ground.
Boom!
As he slammed it down with internal energy, the creature vanished into smoke. More demon dogs rushed the spot immediately.
Whish, whish.
He twisted his body to dodge a lunging dog. As he twisted back the other way, another demon dog grazed past him. With dozens of demon dogs attacking from all sides, an ordinary expert would have been flustered by the sheer visual terror, but the Smiling Demon’s movements were calmly elegant.
Swish.
The Smiling Demon’s figure blurred as he lunged toward one dog that was standing apart on the left.
Zip! Thud!
If he missed the center of the forehead even slightly, they didn't die in one hit. Only after consecutive Blood Calamity Fingers pierced its skull did it finally turn into black smoke. This one wasn't it either.
The creatures knew no fear. As they slowly closed their encirclement, blood-red killing intent flowed from their eyes, and the black energy characteristic of dark sorcery flickered around their bodies.
As he took them down one by one, the Smiling Demon’s only thought was to find the Dog Seller. The faster he killed the man, the more internal energy he could conserve. But the man did not reveal himself easily.
The Dog Seller was definitely among these demon dogs. At a glance, they seemed to move randomly, but there was a certain order to them. The Dog Seller was undoubtedly giving orders from within the pack.
Whoosh.
This time, the Smiling Demon charged toward the dog furthest away—the one he judged to be in the safest position. Immediately, demon dogs lunged from all directions. The Smiling Demon broke through them with his Body Protection Qi and pounced on his target.
Bang!
The creature vanished into smoke under the Demon Extreme Wild Rage Palm, but the remaining demon dogs remained unchanged. This one wasn't the Dog Seller either.
Right then—Snap!
A demon dog lunging from behind bit the Smiling Demon’s arm. However, its fangs didn't sink in. He had intentionally offered the part of his arm wrapped in Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread.
Zip! Bang!
A Blood Calamity Finger struck the dog exactly in the center of its forehead, and it vanished into smoke.
Dodging the dogs rushing from all sides again, the Smiling Demon leaped into the Heavenly Flower Pavilion. Once inside, he entered a guest room on the second floor. Since fighting in an open area was disadvantageous, he intended to lure them inside.
But the demon dogs didn't follow him in. As if time were on their side, they gathered in front of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion and looked up at him. Standing by the window, the Smiling Demon looked down at the demon dogs with sunken eyes.
Then, one of the demon dogs let out a long, wolf-like howl. Immediately, all the other dogs began to howl in unison. The Smiling Demon could tell—they were trying to use the first howler to lure him out.
Watching the dogs howl, he was suddenly reminded of Geom Mu-geuk, who had once imitated a dog’s bark alongside the Poison King at the training ground. He had to go help Mu-geuk quickly.
At that moment, a thought flashed through his mind. The Smiling Demon leaped down. The demon dogs, surrounding him in a semicircle, growled as if they were about to pounce at any second.
Sssssssss.
The Smiling Demon began to release his Laughing Evil Heart.
Originally, the Laughing Evil Heart was a demonic energy that awakened the fundamental violence of a being. Exposure to it made one’s heart race and instilled a desire to kill. When the fight first began, he had released it more as a display of his unique energy than for a specific purpose. The Laughing Evil Heart had made the demon dogs excited, which had actually made the fight slightly easier.
But now, there was a clear reason for emitting it.
Gradually, the demon dogs exposed to the Laughing Evil Heart began to grow frantic. The nearest dog couldn't contain itself and lunged at him.
Whoosh! Boom!
After blasting it out of the air with the Demon Extreme Wild Rage Palm, he released the Laughing Evil Heart even more intensely. Driven by the extreme influence of the energy, the demon dogs went wild. They became more frenzied, more vicious. Eventually, they even began to bite and fight each other.
Boom!
The Smiling Demon threw one dog that lunged at him into another following behind. Even amidst the chaos, he continued to ramp up the Laughing Evil Heart, his eyes fixed on the pack.
The reason he was doing this despite the heavy consumption of internal energy was to find the Dog Seller. Thinking of Geom Mu-geuk and the Poison King had given him an idea. Just like those two on that day, wasn't the Dog Seller ultimately just a human imitating a dog, even if he had the form of one?
Which meant? Faced with the extreme Laughing Evil Heart, the man would surely react differently. A dog and a human could never be the same.
When the Laughing Evil Heart reached its peak, one dog caught the Smiling Demon’s eye.
That’s the one!
He felt its reaction was different. It was an instinctive choice.
Whoosh.
The Smiling Demon charged toward it. The demon dogs desperately blocked his path, lunging at him. They swarmed him from all sides, piling on top of one another in a desperate attempt to stop him. So many dogs piled on that the Smiling Demon was completely hidden from view.
The eyes of the demon dog he had targeted were not the eyes of a dog. The Smiling Demon’s hunch had been correct. This demon dog was the Dog Seller.
He’s likely holding out with Body Protection Qi, but he won't be able to handle that many of them.
Just as a look of satisfaction crossed the Dog Seller’s face, he flinched in shock. An arm had poked out from between the pile of demon dogs. And a finger was pointing directly at him.
Whoosh!
A Blood Calamity Finger shot toward the Dog Seller like a bolt of light. Several demon dogs guarding him threw themselves into its path. They were dogs kept in reserve for just such an emergency.
Useless!
Just as a flash of triumph crossed the Dog Seller’s eyes—Rip!
The Blood Calamity Finger split into five branches. The divided energy curved sharply to bypass the intervening dogs and—
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
All five struck the Dog Seller squarely in the face. A brief silence followed.
Pop!
The demon dog next to the Smiling Demon’s outstretched arm vanished into black smoke.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Starting with that one, the demon dogs began to explode and vanish one after another. In the midst of the rising black smoke, the Smiling Demon’s white mask was smiling. When the smoke finally settled, the Dog Seller had returned to his human form.
Over the corpse of the Dog Seller, whose face was riddled with holes, the Smiling Demon was already flying toward the place where Geom Mu-geuk was fighting.
Young Cult Leader, I’m coming!