Chapter 113: The Pursuit Team (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 113: The Pursuit Team (3)
The earth was scorched by a lightning bolt that fell from the sky. A massive crater had formed, and thick sparks flew from all around it.
At its center, a figure struggled to his feet.
“I-Impossible… Are you a sage, or something…?”
The man’s mask had been burned away, revealing a face that was a wretched sight. It was so grotesquely twisted that it hardly looked human, as if the faces of several people had been stitched together like a rag doll. His voice was a similar discordant mess.
A look of pure shock was plastered on his face. The gaze he fixed on me was filled with terror and fear.
“A mage.”
Swish.
A light swing of my sword sent his head flying. Instead of the blood of an ordinary person, a black fluid like putrid sewer water gushed from his neck.
‘He doesn’t seem like an ordinary demonic human…’
I soon lost interest. There was nothing I could figure out just by thinking about it.
I tried to head back to Cheon Yeo-hwa. However… Thud. The strength drained from my legs without warning. I collapsed disgracefully to the ground and checked my condition.
My magic power was depleted, and steam was rising from my body due to my overheated magic circuits. On top of that, my qi and blood vessels must have been damaged in several places, as blood had been trickling from the corner of my mouth for a while now.
It was no surprise I was a wreck. Not only had I consecutively cast Burn Flare and Thunder Breaker, two large-scale 4th Circle spells, but I had also pushed my magic circuits to their absolute limit.
“Hyun-woo…!”
Cheon Yeo-hwa walked over with difficulty, limping on one leg. She was clearly not in good shape either. I wanted to help her somehow, but my body wouldn’t listen.
Reaching my side, Cheon Yeo-hwa sank to the dirt floor. She carefully rested my head on her lap and began to examine my body.
“I told you to rest.”
“How can you say that! Why, why did you let yourself get into this state…?!”
Tears fell onto my face.
I was never good with words, so finding the right thing to say was difficult. Instead, I struggled to raise a hand and caress her cheek. It was covered in dirt, but it was still soft.
Cheon Yeo-hwa grabbed my hand with both of hers and rubbed her face against it. With her help, I drank some holy water and a potion, and after resting for a while, I was finally able to move.
I sat in the lotus position, meditating and performing the Qi Circulation Practice simultaneously. As expected, my internal injuries made my magic power recover slower than usual.
Still, the ones who had attacked Cheon Yeo-hwa might still be around, so I decided we had to push ourselves to get out of here.
I considered asking the investigation team for help, but they might grow suspicious of Cheon Yeo-hwa’s identity while examining the bodies here. If they tried to take us into custody, in my current state, I wouldn’t be able to resist, let alone escape.
‘…Worst case, they might think we were the ones who killed the 3rd Generation Disciple.’
Even if there were survivors, I doubted their condition had improved enough for them to give a proper testimony yet.
No amount of holy water could instantly heal a mortal wound with guts spilling out and near-fatal blood loss. It would probably take another day or two for them to regain their senses.
‘For now, let’s rest in a suitable hiding place and join them later.’
Once the truth was properly revealed, I would be seen as a benefactor who not only saved a disciple from the brink of death but also avenged him. It wouldn’t be too late to ask for help then.
What worried me more right now was Shaolin. If they found out I had learned the Formless Vajra Art, there was no telling how they would react.
But my worries proved to be unfounded as Cheon Yeo-hwa reassured me.
“You need not worry about that. Unless they perform a pulse diagnosis, it is nearly impossible to know what martial arts another has learned. However, if your opponent has learned Buddhist martial arts, they may feel a sense of familiarity from you.”
“…I don’t think having monks feel a sense of familiarity with me is a good thing.”
“Huhu, but to think you truly obtained Vajra Divine Monk’s martial art. Truly, you always manage to lightly exceed my imagination. If that woman saw you, she would surely be drooling with greed.”
“That woman?”
“It is nothing.”
Even while leaning on me for support, Cheon Yeo-hwa kept letting out a clumsy laugh, so unlike her usual self. Seeing her, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing too. My whole body ached, and it felt like I could cough up blood at any moment, but for some reason, I couldn’t stop laughing.
One of us was covered in dirt with a pale complexion, the other a patient with a clear, sticky smear of blood by his mouth. And yet, our eyes remained locked on each other.
‘We’re really head over heels, aren’t we.’
We didn’t need a grand date; just being by each other’s side made me happy. We pushed through the undergrowth, leaning on one another for support.
How wonderful it would be if we could stay together like this forever.
“…Yeo-hwa?”
Cheon Yeo-hwa’s steps came to a halt. Her gaze, which had been fixed on me the entire time, now stared straight ahead. Cold sweat trickled down her stunned face.
“Hyun-woo, run.”
“What are you talking…”
In that instant, an indescribable pressure crushed my entire body. Even breathing was difficult. I felt like if I relaxed for even a moment, I would collapse right where I stood.
I could sense someone’s presence.
Pure white hair, wrinkles crisscrossing a face, and a scar that ran across it.
“Have you been well, my lady?”
“…Elder Yuk.”
“Hoho, I am relieved to see you are unharmed. However… you seem to have changed a great deal since I last saw you.”
When the old man’s gaze turned to me, I felt my breath catch in my throat. Goosebumps erupted all over my body, and an instinctual alarm bell blared in my mind. A killing intent so potent it felt like it could tear me to shreds washed over me.
He was on a completely different level from the leader of the assassins I had just fought.
—Asura Demon Lord, Ma Paeseon. One of the elders of the Demonic Cult and an absolute master who has reached the state of Extreme Demon.
Extreme Demon. In the terms of the Orthodox Faction, it was equivalent to the Flower Realm. Why would a monster like that appear here?
‘…This is the worst.’
If he tried to kill Cheon Yeo-hwa, could I stop him?
Impossible.
He was an opponent I couldn’t guarantee victory against even at my peak. Charging at him now, battered as I was, I stood no chance. Even if I summoned Noel to fight with me, it would only add another person to the body count.
“How curious. I clearly sense the aura of those detestable depraved monks, yet I also feel a faint demonic energy. Boy, what is your identity?”
Ma Paeseon reached a hand toward me. Cheon Yeo-hwa quickly stepped in front of me to block his path.
“Elder Yuk, why are you here?”
“A foolish question.”
“Answer me!”
As the atmosphere grew tense, Cheon Yeo-hwa was the first to flare her energy. I wanted to stop her immediately, but she was stubborn.
Fortunately, it was Ma Paeseon who backed down first. He withdrew the oppressive aura that had been bearing down on us—or more accurately, on me.
“I know what you are concerned about, my lady. You must be wary that I have come on the 1st Young Master’s orders to dispose of you. Allow me to take this opportunity to clarify. No matter who the Young Master is, as long as he has not ascended to the position of Young Cult Leader, he cannot give me any orders.”
“…The Cult Leader, then.”
“So you are aware. Yes, the Cult Leader has given the order. I shall relay his message.”
Cheon Yeo-hwa, the Second Young Lady who was defeated in the contest for Young Cult Leader, is to return to the main cult at once.
Hearing Ma Paeseon’s words, Cheon Yeo-hwa’s expression instantly soured.
“You have suffered much, my lady. From now on, I will escort you, so let us return to the main cult promptly. I have already dealt with the insolent fools who were surrounding this area, so your journey back will be a comfortable one.”
“…Even you shouldn’t have the authority to dispose of the 1st Young Master’s troops.”
“Under normal circumstances, that would be true.”
Ma Paeseon took something out from his robes. It was a small metal token.
“The Cult Leader’s Token…”
“The authority over the life and death of every demonic human is mine. Of course, your life is not included, so you need not worry. I heard you have been poisoned by the Heavenly Heart Extreme Yang Flower Poison Lotus. When you return to the main cult, the Heavenly Poison Pavilion Lord will personally help with the antidote. So please, return with this old man.”
“…Don’t be absurd. As you said, I lost the contest for Young Cult Leader. So why escort me back to the main cult now? Ha! Since when has the Cult Leader been so benevolent? Is he not a man who would cast aside his own children without a second thought if he deemed them useless?!”
“My, as an old man with a granddaughter of my own, your reaction pains my heart.”
“Are those the words of a man who killed that granddaughter’s father and mother with his own hands?”
“It was necessary for the good of the main cult.”
Unlike Cheon Yeo-hwa, who was radiating killing intent, Ma Paeseon’s expression remained placid throughout.
As the strange atmosphere continued, I desperately tried to restore my magic circuits. But it was impossible. I wasn’t in a state that could be recovered in a short time.
“As it happens, I hear this elder’s third son is of marrying age. Once you return to the main cult, you can begin preparations for the wedding.”
My magic power surged. The uncontrollable shift in my emotions was affecting my mana circles.
“So you’re going to sell me off like that?”
“The expression ‘sell off’ is rather unpleasant to hear. I would prefer if you thought of it as a political marriage. Is it not a common occurrence?”
“I refuse.”
“Refusal is not an option when it comes to the Cult Leader’s command. When he wishes for something, we, the members of the cult, simply obey. I hope you will not resist. Your body is already injured, and it would be troublesome for everyone if you were to overexert yourself and reopen your wounds.”
Magic power raced through my overloaded circuits. An uncontrollable fighting spirit boiled up within me. The Vajra Qi also reacted to the old man’s demonic energy, revealing itself.
“Who did you say you’re taking?”
“Hyun-woo!”
Cheon Yeo-hwa threw her arms around me, holding me back.
—He is on a completely different level from the assassins you fought earlier!
I knew that. But if I backed down here, Cheon Yeo-hwa would be dragged away by that old man without a choice and forced to marry another man.
And in return, I would survive.
I’d rather bite my tongue and die here than survive so pathetically.
“Tsk, tsk, such reckless bravado. It is not too late. Out of respect for the lady, if you quietly step aside, I will promise on my name, Ma Paeseon, the Asura Demon Lord, that I will spare your life.”
“Fuck off.”
[Facing a great evil, your demon-breaking energy surges violently.]
Gilenium resonated with my Vajra Qi, emitting an even stronger aura.
“Hoh, not only do you possess both Buddhist and demonic energy, but you now wield a sword from the Western Regions? The more I see, the more curious a fellow you are. I would love to uncover your true identity, but… unfortunately, I am in a hurry and do not have the time.”
“I wonder if you’ll still be saying that after your old neck is severed.”
Formless Vajra Art. Formless Electric Body.
I charged toward him.