Chapter 278
Chapter 278
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 278
Chapter Title: Remnants of the Cheonbong Hang Clan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The hand of the Black Night Yaksha trembled faintly.
It was due to the bewilderment overwhelming him.
Even when the Impartial Traveler, the Holy Radiance Rakshasa, and Chwi-ryeon had been struck down, or when Myeol Cheonhwa had been suppressed, it hadn't shaken him this much.
And Cheonhwi, with their hands touching, could feel that tremor all too clearly.
'Looks like it really is.'
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
'But that's strange. They should all be dead.'
For a moment, he recalled his past life.
The time when he had just become the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Back then, Cheonhwi had been a whirlwind stirring up the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
'More precisely, I had a lot of enemies.'
Remembering that time naturally furrowed his brow.
One day, he was suddenly appointed as the Vice Cult Leader, and within less than five years, he ascended to the Cult Leader position. That was Cheonhwi in his past life, Dokgo Goyeun.
Perhaps because he had achieved something unprecedented in the long history of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Within the Cult, many were displeased with him becoming the Cult Leader.
Among them, the one who most openly expressed discontent was one of the Five Great Families, the Cheonbong Hang Clan.
They had made no secret of their dissatisfaction when Dokgo Goyeun took the Cult Leader seat.
And he was not the type to overlook such people leniently.
He had immediately gone to the Cheonbong Hang Clan.
And then...
'I utterly crushed them.'
The Cheonbong Hang Clan vanished that day.
People, land, everything.
It was a warning and an example to those unhappy with his ascension, reduced to complete ruin.
And that choice had been brilliant.
After that day, not a single soul in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult voiced discontent over Dokgo Goyeun becoming Cult Leader.
How could they?
He was the one who single-handedly eradicated one of the Five Great Families, the Cheonbong Hang Clan.
From that day on, within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, he was revered and upheld as the new Heavenly Demon.
'I made sure not even a single blade of grass could grow, yet there's a survivor.'
Cheonhwi gazed at the Black Night Yaksha with sunken eyes.
The bluish glow within the Yaksha's mask flickered as if lost, shaking without direction.
A jumble of emotions swirled chaotically in that gaze.
His mind must be in turmoil.
Then.
Thud!
The Black Night Yaksha retreated backward.
And glared at Cheonhwi.
Who... are you...?
A foggy telepathic message transmitted over.
It came from the Black Night Yaksha.
Me?
Cheonhwi curled the corner of his mouth at the telepathic tone laced with doubt.
Cheonhwi.
In that instant, the Black Night Yaksha's blood-red cloak billowed.
He was enraged, thinking he was being mocked.
At the same time, opaque energy streams extended around him.
Soon, that terrifying energy gathered back at the center around the Black Night Yaksha, distorting the air as it slowly enveloped him.
A bizarre harmony unfolded in an instant.
Eventually, opaque qi draped over the black blood-red cloak, undulating.
As if he were wearing a long robe.
It was the Ghost Soul Demon Battle Armor.
Cheonhwi, who had been steadily watching the sight, sent a telepathic message.
Decided not to hide anymore? Or are you still trying, since you haven't unleashed demonic qi?
There was no reply.
Instead, the Ghost Soul Demon Battle Armor rippled.
At the same time, waves emanated from his feet, which looked as sturdy as roots.
Like ripples spreading across a calm lake, the waves centered on him began to sweep through the entire estate.
Thud!
The Black Night Yaksha stamped the ground with his right foot.
The calm waves instantly surged like fierce tides across the estate.
And then.
Whoosh!
The Black Night Yaksha's form shot forward.
His black silhouette charging in a straight line elongated like a rod.
Soon, he fully extended his right hand.
His sleeve fluttered, and a pitch-black hand formed of inky blackness burst forth like a cannonball, exuding a chilling momentum.
'...This is an unfamiliar technique.'
Cheonhwi's eyes gleamed intensely.
Then he moved his left hand.
It was a motion like a bolt of lightning.
His left hand, moving as if skipping intermediate steps, pierced through the Ghost Soul Demon Battle Armor enveloping the Black Night Yaksha and seized his wrist.
It was a fleeting moment faster than perception.
So that's what it was.
Cheonhwi murmured so softly only the Black Night Yaksha could hear, then yanked the hand gripping his wrist.
...!
The Black Night Yaksha's eyes widened.
He desperately unleashed the Myeongeuncho to resist being pulled, but...
Useless effort.
He was helplessly drawn into Cheonhwi's grasp.
It was an irresistible force.
Then Cheonhwi swiftly raised his right foot and kicked the Black Night Yaksha squarely.
Boom!
A sound like a drum exploding resounded.
At the same time, the Black Night Yaksha's body flew backward like an arrow, passing through the shattered wall.
It looked just like a cannonball streaking away.
Then, belatedly.
Crack!
The sound of splintering wood echoed, followed by smoke rising.
At a glance, about fifty jang away.
Realizing the Black Night Yaksha had been sent flying that far with a single kick, gasps of astonishment escaped from all around.
Meanwhile.
Young Lord!
Young Lord!
Chwi-ryeon, clutching her shoulder, and the internally injured Lady Yeo Yun-yak hurriedly ran off.
That action made Majeoldae flinch.
For a moment, he couldn't decide whether to pursue.
I'll chase them, so Majeoldae, handle the cleanup.
Just then, Cheonhwi's voice came.
Not even glancing at Majeoldae, Cheonhwi stared intently at the distant plume of dust, then lightly stomped his foot.
In that instant.
Whoosh!
His figure vanished.
Like a mirage.
...
At the same time, an even deeper silence fell over the estate.
Even after Cheonhwi and the Black Night Yaksha's group had departed, they remained dazed, as if unable to wake from a dream.
Majeoldae and the Blood Rain Sword Clan's warriors alike.
Having witnessed a clash between masters they'd only heard of in tales, they couldn't collect their wits.
What in the world just happened?
A small whisper from someone echoed through the garden, voicing their collective thoughts.
Thud!
Meanwhile, as Cheonhwi executed the Dark Fragrance Step, he caught Lady Yeo Yun-yak, who was fleeing ahead, by the scruff and flung her aside.
You bastard...!
Lady Yeo Yun-yak's face twisted.
Despite her internal injuries, just as she strained to muster her qi...
You're not needed.
Cheonhwi, now above her, stomped down.
Gah!
Lady Yeo Yun-yak's body slammed into the ground.
Boom!
Cracks spiderwebbed from where she crashed, unleashing a shockwave.
'Such a being...'
Sweat beaded on Chwi-ryeon's forehead.
Having pushed the Four Directions Eagle Claws to its limit, even as she rushed to the Black Night Yaksha, she couldn't tear her eyes from the scene behind.
Terror flickered in her gaze.
Even she, who had encountered countless deaths and masters, found Cheonhwi to be an existence beyond standards.
Then.
You're not going alone.
Startled by the voice in her ear, Chwi-ryeon urgently looked aside.
There stood Cheonhwi.
'When?!'
She hastily swung her single arm.
Her sleeve fluttered along.
Pew!
A sharp hidden weapon shot out.
Seeing the projectile aimed precisely at his eyes, Cheonhwi raised his left hand.
Click.
The hidden weapon caught between two fingers.
...
As Chwi-ryeon recoiled in shock at the casual deflection...
If you're going to throw a hidden weapon, do it like this.
Cheonhwi infused qi into the caught weapon and flicked it in an instant.
Lightning Thunder Dart.
The qi-charged projectile streaked like lightning, striking her acupoint.
Chwi-ryeon's consciousness snapped instantly, and she collapsed face-first onto the dirt while still running.
Glancing down at her briefly.
Well then.
Turning his head somewhere, Cheonhwi immediately unleashed the Dark Fragrance Step to its extreme.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Kuh...
The Black Night Yaksha, who had crashed into a massive boulder, barely pushed himself up, reeling from the impact.
'How did this happen?'
His mind was in chaos.
He knew the Plum Blossom Divine Sword Expert was a master, but the level he faced directly far exceeded his expectations.
And not just that.
He had recognized the Ghost Soul Demon Canon.
The absolute demonic canon that no one in the world knew except himself and his master... no, his grandfather.
'I heard the Plum Blossom Divine Sword Expert was a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect, so how...'
The Black Night Yaksha bit his lower lip.
He bit so hard that a metallic tang of blood filled his mouth.
Then.
Back to your senses?
A low voice sounded.
Kuh.
The startled Black Night Yaksha tried to rise but groaned momentarily from the surging pain.
To think the Demonic Cult has reemerged.
He whispered lowly in a self-mocking tone.
What...?
Cheonhwi's eyes widened round.
'Huh? Calling the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult the Demonic Cult?'
"Demonic Cult" was the derogatory term used in the Central Plains for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Thus, most demonic cultivators would fly into a rage at the word, yet he used it himself.
'So he's not connected to the Divine Cult.'
Cheonhwi gazed steadily at him and replied.
No.
...Even on the brink of death, no need to lie to the end...
What lie?
Cheonhwi cut him off sharply.
You know plenty about me, right? Think I'd have no connection?
As Cheonhwi said, the Black Night Yaksha had gathered and comprehended more than enough information on the Plum Blossom Divine Sword Expert.
Seeing his silence, Cheonhwi smiled faintly and moved his lips.
See? You know well.
...
More importantly, I want an answer to my earlier question.
Cheonhwi slowly half-lidded his eyes.
Faint qi infused his pitch-black pupils, drawing the Black Night Yaksha in.
Avici Prison.
Meeting those eyes, the Black Night Yaksha felt trapped in endless hell, breath catching for a moment.
Then Cheonhwi's lips moved again.
You're from the Cheonbong Hang Clan, aren't you?
...!
The eyes behind the mask wavered.
As if an earthquake had struck.
Seeing that, Cheonhwi confirmed and spoke.
So there was a survivor amid all that chaos.
The Black Night Yaksha couldn't utter a word.
It was as if he knew the past the Yaksha knew.
But it's strange. As far as I know, there's no way to wield the Ghost Soul Demon Canon without demonic qi...
Cheonhwi stroked his chin, scanning the Black Night Yaksha.
The Ghost Soul Demon Canon was a heaven-defying art opposing nature's laws.
Thus, only demonic qi could handle it.
Yet the one before him was different.
He thoroughly concealed his demonic qi, emanating only yin energy, or death qi.
Did you modify the Ghost Soul Demon Canon?
At those words, the Black Night Yaksha's eyes shook.
A very faint tremor.
But Cheonhwi saw it all.
Impressive. Who did it? Judging by your full coverage, it wasn't you who devised it.
Cheonhwi scrutinized the Black Night Yaksha thoroughly.
From his fully covered attire, he could gauge his approximate realm.
'Hasn't fully mastered it yet, hence the state.'
Those who learned the Ghost Soul Demon Canon without reaching the Extreme Demon realm left traces before attainment.
Swollen meridians and blood vessels.
The heaven-defying demonic canon deviated the body under nature's laws, revealing its form.
Once, in the Central Plains, those who practiced it were called Blood-Faced Ghosts and feared.
What did the Evil-Black Alliance Leader do? Or after long years...
A flicker of anticipation lit Cheonhwi's eyes amid his mutterings.
'Perhaps the current Evil-Black Alliance Leader didn't...'
The Ghost Soul Demon Canon was a peerless demonic art.
Modifying it meant reaching the Grandmaster realm.
In other words, a peerless master.
Well, details later. For now...
Cheonhwi drawled slowly.
What to do with you.
His gaze pierced the Black Night Yaksha.
The Yaksha's eyes darkened.
The one before him was the reaper of the underworld.
Playing with his life.
'Is this the end?'
As he resigned to inevitable death, Cheonhwi was pondering.
Normally, killing to eliminate future trouble was best.
'But I feel a bit sorry.'
He recalled his past life.
No matter the need for an example, in hindsight, it had been somewhat excessive.
'Tch, wiping out the entire clan was a bit much.'
Cheonhwi scratched his head.
Though the Cheonbong Hang Clan had shown displeasure at his ascension, it was understandable.
The Cheonbong Hang Clan had long served the Heavenly Demon, with deep history.
A newcomer suddenly appointed Cult Leader would naturally irk them.
'Should I let him live for now?'
Cheonhwi averted his gaze from the Black Night Yaksha.
'Curious how the Cheonbong Hang Clan maintained their line as an unorthodox sect in the Central Plains.'
Cheonhwi found the situation intriguing.
The Cheonbong Hang Clan, said to be exterminated.
Yet their lineage persisted—how could he not be curious?
He sheathed his sword and turned.
Go back and relay this.
Cheonhwi declared like a proclamation.
I'll come find you myself later.