Chapter 201
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: The Three-Demon Battle - Part 11
-The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Heavenly Dance Family-
Baek Gun-hak, the Family Head of the Heavenly Dance Family, dropped the book he was holding at the shocking news delivered by the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden, Mi-wol.
He had been in the middle of preparing a celebration for the great victory his son had achieved in the distant land of Sichuan when he was struck by what felt like a bolt from the blue.
“Is… is that true? You’re saying my Mu-heun might be engaged in battle with the Cult Leader’s other disciples right now?”
“…Yes. That is what was written in the missive I received. Furthermore, based on the circumstances, it seems almost certain that the three of them have clashed.”
“How could this…!!”
Baek Gun-hak could not hide his bewilderment.
The Ice Demon, Yeon A-ryeong, and the Flame Demon, Cho Yeom-wi. They were supreme masters who represented the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Of course, he knew that his son, Baek Mu-heun, would one day have to fight such masters.
After all, his son had become the Cult Leader’s sixth disciple. Regardless of the outcome, he could not avoid participating in the contest to become the next Cult Leader.
However, that was supposed to be at least two years from now.
‘No matter how terrifying Mu-heun’s growth is, the Ice Demon and the Flame Demon are masters who have reached the pinnacle of demon arts!’
He had heard that Mu-heun, too, had reached the pinnacle. But there were levels even within that realm. Moreover, what if two demons who had achieved that state long ago attacked him simultaneously? There was no chance of victory.
‘Dammit. Are they saying they won’t wait for the tiger to fully grow…!’
He knew this was the way of the cult.
But for it to happen to his own son…
He could taste blood in his mouth.
“Does the Cult Leader know of this?”
“He does. After first receiving the letter from the Dragon Demon, I sought out the Commander of the Radiant Heavenly Demon Unit. Then, I immediately went to the Cult Leader and informed him.”
“And then you came to me…”
“Yes…”
Baek Gun-hak understood the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden’s position.
It was the proper procedure.
If he were in her shoes, he would have done the same.
However…
He could not simply stand by.
“I must go as well.”
“Family Head, I understand how you feel, but Commander Jin Mu of the Radiant Heavenly Demon Unit has already left with an elite force. A chaotic battle will not break out.”
“But my son could be fighting a losing battle against the Ice Demon and the Flame Demon. How can a father stand idly by when his child might die?”
“But there is nothing you can do. The fact that Commander Jin Mu has gone means the situation is being brought under control… The Dragon Demon will engage in a life-or-death duel. And that is a fight no one can or should interfere in.”
“I must still go. I will go and watch.”
“…If that is your will, Family Head, I cannot stop you. However, let me be clear. You must not let your emotions get the better of you and interfere in the selection of the next Cult Leader. Do you understand? You must absolutely not interfere.”
“…Of course. Then, I shall take my leave.”
Baek Gun-hak cupped his fist to Mi-wol, then began to move with the key members of his family.
Just then.
“Family Head! Please take us with you!”
“Please! We beg you!”
It was the commanders and members of the Azure Dragon Unit, who had been incorporated into the Dragon Demon Pavilion.
They were a flock that had lost its shepherd.
“Alright, all of you may come. However, we cannot slow down. Find your own way, but travel in groups.”
“Yes! Understood!”
And upon hearing the news, Pavilion Lord Bul-wi of the Mong’o Pavilion and the Blade Leaf Demon of Blade Leaf Valley also began to move.
Pavilion Lord Bul-wi moved with the Moon Spirit Unit for the sake of his son, who had always been a thorn in his side.
‘Pa-sun. What in the world happened? You brat… you’re safe, aren’t you…? Please… please be alive.’
Commander Geum-ryeong of the Moon Spirit Unit also followed Bul-wi, her face pale.
The Blade Leaf Demon, too, rushed toward the Xidatan Basin.
‘Un-gak…! The Wind Leaf Unit! Are you all alive…!’
Un-gak was his greatest disciple, whom he loved as if he were his own son. The Blade Leaf Demon urged his legs on, clutching his chest, which felt like it was melting away.
* * *
-A city near the Xidatan Basin in Qinghai Province. Golmud.-
The Heavenly Demonic Corpse, Hyeok, dashed forward, carrying Pa-sun, Un-pyo, Cheon Ga-rak, and Un-gak. Just as Mu-heun had instructed, he headed for the Haomun branch in Golmud.
Just then.
“Did you think we’d let you escape!”
The Flame Demon’s assassination unit, the Shadowsoul Assassination Squad, appeared. Leading them was Jeok-in, a transcendent master.
To the Heavenly Demonic Corpse, who had already reached the peak of the transcendent demon realm, they were a laughable foe. However, the people he was carrying would die instantly from even a glancing blow.
“Grr… how… do I.”
Hyeok was conflicted. His instincts screamed at him to annihilate the enemies before him, while the will embedded in his Soul Origin Bead told him to prioritize the hostages’ safety.
But his hesitation was brief.
He knew how much Mu-heun cared for these hostages, so he could not abandon them.
Ignoring what his master held dear was unthinkable from the start.
Just as Hyeok was about to use his own body as a shield to protect the hostages, another voice rang out.
“Strike down this evil! Let none of them escape alive!”
Elegant lightfoot techniques. Refined robes. They rarely involved themselves in worldly affairs, preferring seclusion, making them a rare sight. Yet, it was said that an encounter with them was a sign of good fortune.
They were the Buddhist nuns of Mount Emei.
Just as Mount Hua had its Plum Blossom Sword Masters and Shaolin had its Arhat Monks, Emei had its warrior unit, the Tiger-Subduing Nuns.
Every one of them was a martial artist at or above the transcendent level. In terms of sheer power, they were all considered to be at the Elder level.
Naturally, the Shadowsoul Assassination Squad, whose only transcendent master was their commander, Jeok-in, was no match for them.
They were all being dealt with, leaving no need for the Heavenly Demonic Corpse Hyeok to intervene.
“Take the hostages and go! We will follow shortly!”
The one who shouted to Hyeok with a commanding voice was a nun. It was Ha Na-rin, who wielded profound ice arts that belied her age.
Hyeok left the battle between the Tiger-Subduing Nuns of Emei and the Shadowsoul Assassination Squad behind and headed straight for the Haomun branch.
*Swoosh!*
An incredible speed. Seol Ha-ryeong, who was waiting at the entrance of the Haomun branch, greeted Hyeok and took the hostages to a sickroom.
Just then, Hyeok spoke to Seol Ha-ryeong.
“I… can… heal… them. Master… ordered… it.”
“…!? Is that really true?”
“It… is.”
“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and treat them!”
Seol Ha-ryeong exclaimed, and Hyeok began to treat Pa-sun, Un-pyo, Cheon Ga-rak, and Un-gak. The treatment method came from Mu-heun, who had devised it after quickly examining them with heightened inner vision when he first found them in the Valley of the Wicked.
While fighting in the valley, Mu-heun had telepathically transmitted the treatment method to the Heavenly Demonic Corpse Hyeok.
This was made easier by the fact that Hyeok, back when he was the Golden Fang Poison Claw, had been an expert in medicine and poison.
Hyeok then took out the scent pouch Mu-heun had given him at the end. It was a pouch temporarily filled to manifest the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation.
This was the moment Hyeok, who as the Golden Fang Poison Claw had once stood in the way of all this, inherited everything.
* * *
-The Salt Lake of Xidatan Basin-
“Dark Soul Void Strike.”
Mu-heun’s attack sent a shockwave through those surrounding the salt lake. However, the ones most shocked were the Ice Demon and the Flame Demon, who had directly clashed with him.
The Flame Demon was sent flying by Mu-heun’s attack, tumbling across the frozen surface of the salt lake.
*Crash! Crash! Crash! Crash! Screeeech!*
After bouncing off the ground several times, he finally skidded to a stop on the ice.
*Cough!*
“Kugh!”
The Flame Demon spat out blood and let out a guttural scream. A faint crack had appeared on his Infernal Hell Blade.
Yeon A-ryeong stared at the scene in disbelief.
“Th-this is impossible. We, who have reached the state of Transcendent Demon, unleashed our ultimate attacks. You deflected them both and struck the Flame Demon? You fiend! What trickery is this!”
But Mu-heun still wore a faint smile.
“Foolish ones, you still haven't grasped the situation… Elder Sister, instead of asking me that, why don't you ponder how you might get out of this alive?”
“What did you say…!?”
Just then.
“Kuaaaaaaaah!”
Cho Yeom-wi let out a monstrous roar. Even while wreathed in crimson flames, he stepped forward with an expression as cold as the ice sheet.
“Enough.”
“…?”
“That’s enough, Elder Sister. Now is not the time for idle chatter.”
Mu-heun spoke, as if mocking the Flame Demon’s hardened expression.
“Oh… Elder Brother. Where did your usual ‘Hahat!’ go? You look quite serious right now.”
The Flame Demon, Cho Yeom-wi. He was a man who always acted playfully, but was in fact a cunning old fox. But now, there was no trace of playfulness or jest on his face.
“Silence. The Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon you wield is clearly close to the origin.”
“…”
Mu-heun was momentarily taken aback. Cho Yeom-wi had already suffered internal injuries from him. He had expected him to start taking the fight seriously. But to know about the origin of the Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon?
A dark shadow was cast over Cho Yeom-wi’s face. His unconcealed killing intent was something new even to Yeon A-ryeong. He spoke in a calm but loud voice.
“Because of the raging, frozen storm, it must have been difficult for you to see, Elder Sister.”
“What is it I didn’t see?”
“That man is using both of our attacks.”
“…!?”
Cho Yeom-wi calmly explained. The moment the Ice Demon unleashed her Ice Soul-Stealing Demon technique, Mu-heun had used the storm to his advantage.
“He wrapped the frozen storm you created around his body to offset my attack. Of course, since my attack had a different scope, regardless of its power, he couldn't block it completely.”
“…”
“However, the problem came after that. I attacked with the full intent to kill him. I fired a condensed blast of crimson flame, like the sun itself. And yet, that bastard took no damage. The reason… seems to be that sword and his clothes.”
“…”
This was a setback for Mu-heun. In terms of individual martial prowess, the Ice Demon and the Flame Demon were supreme masters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, capable of overwhelming any other power.
But that was precisely why Mu-heun had thought his chances of victory were high. The stronger a martial artist’s power, which they had honed their entire life, the more they tended to overestimate it.
If they just kept pushing forward, trusting in their own strength… he had intended to use their arrogance to cut their throats.
But an unexpected variable had emerged. Cho Yeom-wi was not overconfident in his own power; he was analyzing his opponent.
“It must be a divine weapon, something close to a sacred artifact. Moreover, I get a strange feeling from this entire salt lake. It seems a formation that benefits him has been spread throughout the area.”
“…”
Hearing Cho Yeom-wi’s words, Yeon A-ryeong scanned the atmosphere.
‘Ice Soul Demon Eye.’
A demonic eye capable of perceiving even the moisture or faint scents in the air. Yeon A-ryeong soon discovered the formation Mu-heun had spread across the entire salt lake.
“That brat… Flame Demon, you’re right. He’s laid out a formation using a faint scent across the entire lake. It seems to be a form of the Cosmic Shift.”
“The Cosmic Shift… So that’s what it was. I should have known when he said he would face us both at once. As I thought, he had an ace up his sleeve.”
“Yes… truly a cunning one.”
“Elder Sister. We must first dispel the formation.”
“Agreed.”
Yeon A-ryeong and Cho Yeom-wi raised their energy to its absolute peak, and soon began to fire their sharpened auras across the entire salt lake.
“Did you think we would let you have your way forever!”
““Formation!””
““Art!””
““Dispel!””