Chapter 333
Chapter 333
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 333
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon (4)
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The sword, infused with unprecedented might, sliced through space as it charged forward.
Blocking its path was a sword-red scale.
Kagak! Chwaak—!
Immediately after, a deafening friction like metal grinding against metal rang out, and fresh blood sprayed into the air.
The armor-like scale tore away in an instant, mangling the arm and severing several fingers that floated into the air.
"Kuhahaha! Now that's hot-blooded!"
It was an injury severe enough to send an ordinary person into shock death instantly, but Harley didn't even blink at his own blood. Instead, he burst into mad laughter and plunged even deeper into the fray.
As if consumed by madness and stripped of all reason, he refused to yield no matter the damage, displaying a feral tenacity.
Yet every motion revealed a profound martial principle, proving he wielded his power far more efficiently than before.
Kuwaang!
The fingertip, wrapped in sword-red energy and ripping through space like it would shred the heavens, clashed head-on once more with the demonic sword that seemed to embody all the darkness of the world.
Amid the atmosphere shrieking from the impact and the surrounding landscape shattering in the aftermath...
The two locked eyes and twisted their faces in savage fury.
"Grgh! By now, it should be about time I land a hit. You're one tenacious bastard!"
"That's my line, you monster... Even a yokai has its limits. What the hell are you? The rightful heir of the Dragon God or something?"
"Kahaha! Who knows? Maybe it's all the good stuff I've been eating?"
"A yokai of your caliber wouldn't be acting alone. This must be the will of the entire Geum-o Island, right? You should've stayed hidden like you always have, but now you're begging for death, you monsters."
The Heavenly Demon growled low as he parried the incoming claws with his demonic sword.
Harley's lips twitched slightly at the confident words, sensing some hidden intel.
'Geum-o Island?'
His eyes sharpened.
From the way he spoke, it seemed he was convinced Harley was part of that faction...
'Of course. There had to be a separate organization of yokai.'
And one large enough to encompass most of them, no less?
This was information he hadn't uncovered despite spending considerable time in the Kanghwan Realm.
He had even gathered data from Earth while receiving detailed investigations into local factions from the prestigious Jeon-gal family!
'No, maybe the Jeon-gal family knew. From what he said, Geum-o Island hasn't surfaced in ages.'
Come to think of it, the intel he'd requested focused on the powers dominating each region.
With so many factions vying for control in this vast land, scrutinizing every single one was impossible.
'Good, now I've got something new to look into. Geum-o Island...'
How to use it could come later—what he needed to say now was already decided.
"Kuhahaha! You thought we'd just sit back and watch forever? We won't let your schemes slide!"
"Foolish dreams. No matter how you struggle now, it's too late. Our plan is proceeding smoothly."
He'd just strung together whatever fit the moment, yet gleaned another piece of info.
Whether from confidence that it was irreversible now, or assuming they already knew, he couldn't say.
'...So, the Demonic Cult's plot isn't limited to this raid?'
It seemed their scheme against the Kanghwan Realm went beyond ripping out the Dragon Heart to cripple the ley lines.
As he pieced together the unfolding situation, unease crept in that handling things so leisurely might lead to disaster.
'...I need to invest more resources here.'
Having resolved inwardly to adjust his path and act more aggressively...
"Amitabha—Heavenly Demon, don't forget this monk is here too."
Mujin, the Shaolin monk who had briefly withdrawn to recover, rejoined the fray, intensifying the battle.
Kururung—
A heavy, pure Buddhist aura emanated from the high monk, who had tied his robe to secure one arm, clashing against the Heavenly Demon's demonic energy that had engulfed the area.
Though his vitality was drained and part of his body lost, reducing his combat power, Harley's relentless clinging—even as his own body was sliced—allowed Mujin to focus his attacks more freely.
"Every last one of you... such a nuisance."
The Heavenly Demon's brow furrowed deeper as the situation dragged on.
In truth, it shouldn't have come to this per the original plan.
But ever since that yokai popped up out of nowhere, everything had gone awry.
He slashed across Harley's chest again before glancing back to survey the battlefield.
They had hit an unexpected snag too.
"Kraaak—! Come on, you filthy Demonic Cult bastards! This body is the Mad Demon... or was... Urgh, aaak! You dog! Die! Dieee!"
"Kuh, block him!"
Kwaduk—Kwaaang—!
At the center, a madman rampaged through the cultists like he was venting rage.
It was suicidal folly that would normally end with his head rolling, but the problem was that this lunatic stood at the pinnacle of the Harmony Realm.
In this place, only the Heavenly Demon at the Divine Realm or the Ghost Sword Demon Lord could handle him.
Of course, the cult had Harmony Realm experts too, and with curse arts to disrupt inner energy, he wouldn't last long...
"Now's our chance! Push them!"
The orthodox warriors weren't about to let that opening slip.
They weren't pampered greenhouse flowers without real combat; these were elites forged in endless strife and conflict.
'This is bad.'
Calming his mind, the Heavenly Demon assessed coldly.
This was Shaolin Temple, the heart of Buddhism.
Naturally, it brimmed with formations and spells centered on the Buddha's Way.
Until now, the surprise attack and preparations had neutralized them somewhat, but lingering in a place antithetical to demonic arts brought no good.
["Lord, we've secured the dragon's child."]
As his resolve tipped one way, a subordinate's transmission sealed it.
["The transport unit is shaking off the Diamond Buddha and withdrawing from the battlefield to begin delivery."]
Their primary objective here was achieved.
He nodded slowly at the report and scanned the surroundings again.
Mujin the divine monk blocking and assaulting him relentlessly, and the mysterious yokai who had disrupted the plan.
Beyond them, his gaze fixed on one amid the chaotic Shaolin grounds.
A youth, elevated to greater heights, battling multiple cultists and throwing a wrench in their works.
An otherworlder from beyond this dimension.
"Hoo."
A small sigh escaped his lips.
This was the Faith Cult's first major action after long silence.
He had planned to wipe out the orthodox prodigies in one fell swoop while securing the dragon's child.
'Not everything goes as planned. It's regrettable, but unavoidable.'
Though derailed by surprises, this was merely a side operation.
Dealing with this freakishly resilient yokai would take time, during which cult losses would snowball.
Not ideal for the grand scheme ahead.
"Fine. We'll call it here for today, regrettable as it is."
His decision boomed with immense pressure across the field.
And right after.
The cultists, who had charged heedless of life, halted in unison, then withdrew in perfect formation like a measured retreat.
"Don't pursue! Hold formation!"
"Maintain vigilance and tend the wounded!"
Confused orthodox warriors raised weapons warily, suspecting a trick, but the retreating cultists ignored them entirely.
A cold tension hung over the suddenly lulled battlefield.
"Think of this as a greeting. You put up more fight than expected. Even rotten fish have their merits—worthy of the Murim Alliance's name."
The Heavenly Demon's voice reverberated, shaking the grounds, even as he severed one of Harley's arms clinging persistently.
"Without the interloper, it might've ended there... but chalk it up to luck. How long that lasts is another question."
His gaze shifted to Harley, who was reattaching his severed forearm—creepy as ever.
"Hmph—Revel in your survival for now. How long it'll last remains to be seen. Heh."
Leaving those ominous, meaningful words, the Heavenly Demon glanced at Hugo one last time before ascending higher.
In sync, the cult's combat unit ebbed away like the tide.
"...Haa."
"Hoo, hoo..."
Yet those left behind couldn't pursue, watching the retreat.
In the heat of battle, adrenaline had driven wild swings, but now with breathing room, they took stock.
"Kugh..."
"Sa... save..."
"......"
The groaning wounded spilling blood, exhausted comrades unable even to groan, and...
The cold, lifeless bodies of fallen comrades.
They had survived and repelled the enemy, but no one called it victory here.
"Move, quick!"
"Healers?!"
As the cult fully withdrew, survivors hurried to tend casualties and assess damage.
Not one participant emerged unscathed.
At best minor wounds; injuries abounded.
...Still better than death.
Yet amid the casualties—no minor wounds, injuries, or deaths—one stood out.
Amid stir among Shaolin's high ranks, a few rushed into motion.
Joo Kang-in, the imperial bloodline entrusted to Shaolin.
The sole missing person from the raid.
And not missing, but vanished shortly after the fight: another.
"What the—no, where'd that punk go?!"
Mok In-gwang, the former Mad Demon, shouted hollowly amid strangers, awkwardly alone.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A rugged mountain far from Shaolin Temple.
"Ptoo."
Atop it, the Heavenly Demon spat blood-mixed saliva.
He hadn't taken a single solid hit, but the price of forcibly wielding this world's nonexistent 'holy power'.
Trivial compared to its effect, though.
"So, chasing me this far. You want to end it, eh?"
Rubbing his nape, he turned slowly.
There stood the yokai who had irked him moments ago, arms crossed, staring calmly.
"Puhahat! You bet! I hate leaving a fight half-finished all sloppy like that!"
"Hah, think I retreated from weakness?"
The Heavenly Demon scoffed at the nonchalant reply.
Had the fight not been inside Shaolin, had he not cared for subordinates' losses, he wouldn't have withdrawn.
He'd have beheaded that nagging monk too.
"Coming to your grave. Fine, if you crave death that much, I'll oblige."
He drew his demonic sword again.
In truth, he'd come here knowing the yokai followed—couldn't let it waste his sacrifice of men.
"Kahat! Hold up, friend! I'm not dumb enough to charge in half-broken like this!"
The Heavenly Demon paused at the casual words as he moved to strike.
True—no matter how brainless the foe seemed, it wouldn't rush alone.
But whoever it brought, none in this world could match him...
Ossak—
Suddenly.
Something stirred his instincts.
A familiar yet alien aura.
'...Demonic energy?'
His rigid face turned slowly aside.
Then he faced it head-on.
A middle-aged man with black hair, black eyes, short black beard, twisted sneer, and ruthless demeanor.
"Keh—So you're the Heavenly Demon."
"...Who are you?"
The monster's mere presence froze the space around them.
The Heavenly Demon's lips twitched spasmodically.
The demonic energy was familiar...
'No, different. Completely...'
Instinctive alarm raised every hair on his body.
Unfelt since ascending and claiming the title—except once.
Yes, this was—
'...Fear? Me, fearing?'
Gnashing teeth, he glared at the monster.
Then denied the thought.
Just tension from the sudden foe.
Perfectly normal to be wary of the extraordinary.
"Who I am... Hm, guess introductions are in order. Kekeke."
Unfazed by his reaction, the monster chuckled alone.
Eerie laughter echoed in the tense silence.
It continued as the Heavenly Demon's patience neared its limit.
"I am the lord who commands ten thousand demons—"
Unknowingly, strength gripped his sword hilt.
"The despair that spreads terror upon the earth—"
His gaze was fixed unblinkingly.
"The knell proclaiming the world's end—"
In frozen time and space, the monster's eyes curved, lips twisting upward.
A smile laced with dissonance.
"—I am the Demon King."
That day, before one who claimed the demon of heaven, the king of demons descended.