Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Conclusion (2)
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Dark Chaotic Void Strike.
KWWWWWAAAAANG!
A deafening roar that shook the entire Chongqing plains spread through the mountain range along the Yangtze River.
The monster, the river, the ground, the rocks, the trees, the sand—everything vanished without a trace. The deeply carved riverbed was once again filled with the waters of the Yangtze.
Mu-heun's divine sword technique had essentially created a large lake in the landscape next to the village.
All who witnessed Mu-heun dispatch the monster were left speechless. However, not everyone shared the same thoughts.
Some felt conviction and reverence, others terror and a sense of crisis, and still others questioned the current situation.
Seol Ha-ryeong was utterly astonished by Mu-heun's power.
‘Is this really the Dragon Demon I knew? I knew he was strong, but to this extent?! And what in the world are these monsters?’
It was understandable. Seol Ha-ryeong had faced Mu-heun in the finals of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Divine Dragon Assembly. At that time, Mu-heun’s martial prowess had not been this overwhelming. Even if he had been hiding his true strength, it was significantly lower than what he had just displayed.
If that was the case, it meant he had grown stronger while carrying out missions in the Central Plains with them after the Divine Dragon Assembly ended…
Seol Ha-ryeong found it hard to believe that Mu-heun had become this powerful at a speed her mind could barely comprehend.
Of course, she had seen him defeat Dang Baek-ho with her own eyes. But at that time, she had witnessed Mu-heun making all sorts of thorough preparations, so she had assumed there was something more to it.
But what was this display of power she had just witnessed?
Even the top ten practitioners of the main cult might not be a match for Mu-heun.
‘To grow this much in just a few months since our duel…’
Seol Ha-ryeong was certain. The most likely candidate in the upcoming selection for the next Cult Leader in three years was Baek Mu-heun, the fourth young master of the Heavenly Dance Family and the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord.
The Sacred Fire Palace Lord's decision to support Baek Mu-heun was by no means a mistake. She also realized just how tremendous the results of that choice would be.
‘He isn’t just an inflection point for the cult. He is destined to become the cult itself, the one who will lead it forward.’
Moreover, these monsters completely defied the common sense of the martial world. This was no ordinary phenomenon…
‘I don’t know what will happen to the world from now on.’
At that moment.
Seol Ha-ryeong’s judgment also influenced the other self bound by the Soul-Stealing technique.
Dang So-so was equally astounded.
‘Impossible.’
From Dang So-so's perspective, Mu-heun was much younger than her. She understood that he was strong, as he had revealed himself to be the disciple of the Demonic Cult Leader, one of the five great masters of the world.
A man born with a Heavenly Martial Body who also possessed a genius for martial arts, and his master was the Demonic Cult Leader?
If so, she could understand. His martial prowess, abnormally strong for his age, could be the product of innate talent and effort. He must have undergone grueling training since birth.
However… even so!
‘This is too strong.’
And what were those monsters?!
This could not be left as it was.
If such a person were to grow and become the leader of the Demonic Cult… the entire Central Plains would be in danger. Of course, for now, his character seemed decent, and he appeared to have a sense of justice.
‘He might be fine now, but what if he ages and becomes corrupted by the evils of the world?’
Most of the younger generation belonging to the Orthodox Sects also lived with their own sense of justice and dreams. At least, until they reached the age of thirty.
It was as they grew and saw the world that they realized. There were many problems in the world that could not be solved by justice alone. That without securing practical benefits and profits, neither justice nor the Orthodox Sects could be maintained.
The world was entangled in interests, a place overflowing with lust, greed, and debauchery. Many young martial artists who failed to control their hearts at that point ended up walking the path of corruption.
Of course, it seemed highly likely that this man, Baek Mu-heun, would follow the right path…
But the risk if he didn't was far too great.
‘This…! I must do something as soon as possible. The upcoming visit to the Martial Alliance might be the perfect opportunity.’
Although Dang So-so felt gratitude toward the hero who had saved her family, she couldn't risk the entire Central Plains for it.
‘My own pride and feelings are not what’s important. I must prepare…’
At the same time.
The elders and first-generation disciples of Kunlun were utterly shocked. Given the circumstances, they had cooperated. They fought with all their might to push back the monster and did their utmost to rescue the villagers.
Then, while Mu-heun, the disciple of the Divine Doctor and a member of the Demonic Cult, gathered his power, they even used the Eight Great Forms of the Cloud Dragon to attack the monster and buy time.
The result was a success.
But now, an explanation was needed.
What in the world had just happened?
Why was the Divine Doctor’s disciple so powerful, what was wrong with the villagers, and what were these monsters?
The first-generation disciples of Kunlun approached the elders and asked.
“Elder. I… I don’t understand what is happening. We did our best to save the villagers, but I’m not even sure if what I’ve just seen with my own eyes is real.”
The elders exchanged glances and replied.
“I feel the same. We will speak with Senior Brother Pae-seon and the Divine Doctor’s disciple to assess the situation. For now, you all gather the villagers in one place. Although their seizures have stopped since the monster died, they still don’t look to be in good condition.”
“But how should we gather them?”
“It will be easier for a physician to see them that way, won’t it? As it happens, we have a physician here who seems like the second coming of the Divine Doctor. Although he is certainly an inscrutable man, his medical skills are undoubtedly genuine.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Under the elders' command, the first-generation disciples of Kunlun gathered the villagers in the largest open space in the village.
Meanwhile, the elders went to find Pae-seon, who was gazing at the newly formed lake from a pavilion roof.
“Senior Brother!”
“Ah, yes. I was wondering when you’d show up.”
“We cannot let this go this time. We believe an explanation is in order.”
“I don’t know either.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, I don’t know either.”
“But… didn’t you know, Senior Brother? If you don’t know, what are we to do?”
“Hmph! You rascals! Do you expect me to follow that fellow around for the rest of my life, asking what he’s thinking?!”
“No, that’s not what we meant, but…”
“Then! Stop your chatter and follow me. I’m going to get an explanation from him myself. This time, he’d better give us an explanation that all of us can accept.”
“Ah, understood.”
Pae-seon, along with the three elders, went to find Mu-heun, who was standing and gazing at the lake.
***
I had defeated the monster. I failed to get any information about their mastermind from the monsters, but it was alright. Thanks to the efforts of Seol Ha-ryeong, Dang So-so, and the heroes of Kunlun, I was able to defeat the monster before it was too late.
I expanded my senses to get an overall grasp of the village's situation.
After reaching the peak of the Extreme Demonic state, my senses had become unbelievably vast, allowing me to perceive most of the situation.
Fortunately, the seizures among the villagers seemed to have stopped, and I confirmed that the first-generation disciples of Kunlun were gathering them in one place.
They were likely gathering them to make it easier for me to treat them.
‘As expected… of disciples from a prestigious sect.’
This time, I had made a significant discovery.
A forgotten memory had resurfaced.
‘Monster, Ghost Spirit, Evil God…’
They were from the *Three Books on the Advent of the Chaotic Heavens' Inhuman Beings*.
I couldn’t remember everything clearly, but I was certain that such things existed. I had already seen and experienced a monster with my own two eyes.
Now, what remained were the Ghost Spirits and Evil Gods…
I was certain.
The Arhats had clearly ascended to the heavens with Master Heavenly Demon, and before their ascension, they had warned me that the Central Plains was in danger.
In other words, the final Evil God from the *Three Books* that the Arhats warned of, and the Transcendent Beings that Master Heavenly Demon said the entire Central Plains might not be able to defeat even if they joined forces, were one and the same.
I could surmise the following.
300 years ago.
During the time when Master Heavenly Demon existed, the Evil Gods led Ghost Spirits and monsters to invade the Central Plains.
At that time, Master Heavenly Demon had mastered the Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon and had become the strongest under the heavens, but given the nature of the enemy, he must have judged that he couldn't handle it alone.
Thus, he united all the forces of the Central Plains, gathering every renowned and hidden master he could find. Then, they waged war against the Transcendent Beings and achieved a victory.
However.
They did not die. They were still alive, gathering their subordinates and preparing for the next invasion.
This horrific act committed by the monsters in Okhwa Village was likely part of an experiment for their invasion of the Central Plains.
‘If all the hypotheses I’ve constructed so far are correct…’
This was no ordinary matter.
I had to enlighten the martial artists of the world as quickly as possible and unite our forces.
Right now, the martial artists were like rusted swords. They needed to be sharpened.
Until they were sharp enough to pierce the necks of the Evil Gods!
Just then, Pae-seon and the other Kunlun elders approached me. I cupped my fist to them and expressed my gratitude.
“I thank the elders of Kunlun. If it weren’t for you, we would not have been able to protect the people of Okhwa Village, and I myself don’t know what would have become of me. I will never forget the debt I owe you for this.”
The Kunlun elders looked at Mu-heun's demeanor and returned the salute.
“Not at all. You know how great a debt Kunlun owes you, Sir Mu-heun. It is only natural for us to save the people and fight against such a malevolent being. However…”
The Kunlun elder hesitated for a moment. But Pae-seon did not hesitate.
“What in the world was that monster? What happened to the villagers? And you, you were supposed to be observing the Martial Alliance’s Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, so why are you here? Explain how this situation came to be, and what you plan to do from now on.”
The elders were grateful that Pae-seon was bluntly asking all the questions they were curious about.
“And what was that power you used earlier? It’s impossible for someone of your age to have achieved such a level. Explain everything, without leaving anything out, you rascal. If you dragged us into this, you’d better be able to convince us all.”
In response to Pae-seon’s interrogation, I smiled faintly and said.
“Of course. I will explain everything, down to the last detail. But…”
“But?”
“First, would you allow me to treat the villagers? I’ve expanded my senses to check on them, and some are in critical condition. The explanation can wait, but treating the sick is something that must be done now.”
“Ah, ahem!”
As Pae-seon cleared his throat, another elder continued.
“Please do. We will take turns standing guard over the village, so please treat the villagers first.”
Mu-heun looked at Pae-seon, smiled faintly again, and said.
“I am grateful for the elders’ consideration.”