Chapter 224
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 224
Chapter Title: The Towering Sky of the Heavenly Demon Cult
The towering sky of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
The Heavenly Demon was the cult leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, commanding a hundred thousand demons, and the absolute sovereign who wielded the Heavenly Demon Aura—the supreme, domineering energy at the pinnacle of the martial world.
Yet there existed an even more potent aura that surpassed the Heavenly Demon Aura itself.
It was the Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura of Sword Demon Yong-un, the very power he had unleashed when slaying the Blade Demon.
'A ferocious beast to control. But if you know precisely how to harness it, no ally or weapon could be more reliable.'
Those words were inscribed in the nameless manual of the Heavenly Brain Master.
And true to those words, it had gifted Yong-un a Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura that eclipsed even the Heavenly Demon Aura.
"Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura..."
An extraordinary energy.
Now viewing them as family and sharing many secrets he had withheld even from the entirety of the Heavenly Demon Cult's subordinates for their growth, Yong-un had passed the Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura solely to his blood brother, Myung-un.
With mastery of supreme martial arts and the wings of the Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura, even Yong-un would be forced to contemplate death if met with a full united assault from all his subordinates.
"This should help Brother out, right?"
His subordinates had collectively shattered their limits, arming themselves with the unparalleled weapon of Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura.
He should have been rejoicing at this moment. So why this gnawing unease?
Was it because there were now so many things he had to protect?
'No, it's that I still can't shake this lingering suspicion.'
The anxiety that those razor-sharp swords of theirs might one day turn toward him.
If they ever turned those blades on his family, could he protect them? That vague dread refused to let Yong-un's heart find peace.
Hwaaaak.
Sword Tiger, cloaked in Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura that manifested not as a black demonic dragon but as a deep crimson, blood-tinged Crimson Heavenly Demon Dragon, appeared before Yong-un in a flash.
Myung-su of the Single Ghost Soul followed, spewing not verdant qi-mingled demonic mist but a blood-red haze of Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura, materializing before Yong-un in the blink of an eye.
Finally, Jin-cheol emerged, having fully transmuted Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura into magic for amplified power, warping the surrounding space with spatial teleportation far beyond its former might.
"Supreme One!"
The leaders of the forces Yong-un had forged stood before him, each several times stronger than before, dropping to both knees.
They bowed their heads low and cried out in resounding voices.
"Grant us your orders, that we may repay your grace!"
It was bewildering.
Since when had this happened?
Since they gained the ability to wield Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura.
"Entrust your back to us!"
But the bewilderment lasted only a moment.
Their heartfelt words pierced straight to Yong-un's core.
"Please..."
Infinite trust beamed toward their Supreme One, who gazed back in shock, as if doubting even himself.
The leaders of each force bowed their heads, their voices trembling as they begged to be put to use.
Trust us.
Give us orders so we can repay the grace you've shown us.
Even if it means death, don't fight this battle in solitude.
The force leaders conveyed their unfeigned hearts to Yong-un in silent obeisance.
"Rise."
"Supreme One..."
The force leaders slowly lifted their heads to gaze up at Yong-un.
His dilated pupils, swollen with shock and unease, had returned to normal.
And in place of the faintly quivering tone came the resolute, unyielding voice of the absolute sovereign Yong-un, booming forth.
"You could die. My commands might drag you into the maw of death."
Swipe.
"Even so, will you follow my orders?"
Yong-un extended his hand to them once more.
Despite his mention of death, not a trace of hesitation clouded the force leaders' faces.
Grab!
All three seized Yong-un's hand in unison.
Clutching it firmly, lest the offered hand slip away.
And they cried out.
Myung-su of Single Ghost Soul Annihilation bowed his head, exhaling the signature crimson-black mist of Empty Fusion Slaughter Art.
"I will follow!"
Sword Tiger, captain of the Demon Dragon Corps, unfurled his Crimson Heavenly Demon Dragon across his back and thumped his chest.
"Did I not tell you before, Supreme One? Even if your command ends in death, I will follow!"
Finally, Jin-cheol—leader of Unwoo Guild and captain of the Phantom Shadow Ghost Assassins—smiled amid crimson magic circles primed with countless memorized skills.
"I've already fulfilled my lifelong wish by meeting you, Supreme One. Death holds no regrets now. Allow me to follow!"
The force leaders looked up at Yong-un with genuine smiles.
"Brother..."
After dismissing his subordinates to their posts, Yong-un called Myung-un aside.
"Your recent silence wasn't just from training, was it?"
"Training, yes. But group training with everyone."
"Do you know why I taught the Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura only to you?"
"Honestly, no... If everyone learned it, wouldn't they all grow stronger?"
Idealistic words.
He'd heard such notions in the real world before.
The reason his old Utopia venture had collapsed.
A perfect world like Utopia could never exist.
Yong-un, seasoned by long years in the martial world, could attest to that.
"Everyone growing stronger is fine. But if you empower them all until their strength eclipses yours, what happens then?"
"Those people would never betray you like that. You know it deep down."
"I'm speaking of what comes after. My current subordinates would never. But when we're all gone and our descendants rise, can you swear it won't happen then?"
"........."
Yong-un had witnessed it countless times.
Clans beginning as untouchable powerhouses no martial faction dared challenge.
Yet over generations, that trust in subordinates tore the clan asunder, until the nurturing founders were extinguished by those very descendants' hands.
The martial world proved it: sharing all your secrets reaps only ruin.
Even the millennium-old Heavenly Demon Cult bore witness.
It transmitted the Heavenly Demon Divine Art exclusively to each successive Heavenly Demon through unique rites.
Only thus could the Heavenly Demon command the hundred thousand demons, fortifying the cult's ancient order.
This was precisely Yong-un's fear.
He resolved never to impart Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura or Supremacy to any but his direct kin.
Just as Heavenly Demon Divine Art passed only to heirs.
'Humans are selfish and ever-changing.'
No assurance descendants would mirror their forebears.
Sometimes, they even defiled ancestral tombs, scorning forefathers' wisdom.
That was humanity's nature.
"So... you're saying it was wrong to teach them Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura?"
As Myung-un bowed his head in turmoil,
"No. You did well."
Myung-un scowled at Yong-un's reply.
Yong-un smiled and tousled his brother's hair.
"Just keep it in mind. In case... I fall. You'd become their next lord."
"Don't say things like that..."
"You did well. You've bought us time. If we lose to the demon realm, there's no future anyway. Ghost Soul Annihilation Corps, Demon Dragon Corps, and Phantom Shadow Ghost Assassins will lead the charge and claim glory in this war."
Silencing Myung-un, Yong-un enveloped him in a quiet embrace.
"Don't grieve. I won't die. Just... preparing for the what-ifs."
"Brother... you seem anxious."
"Anxious? Heh."
Yong-un gradually summoned Supremacy.
Then, he imparted to Myung-un the final ultimate technique and insights from the Heavenly Brain Master's nameless manual.
"This is..."
"Yes, my crowning ultimate, beyond even Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura. Master it. By the time you do, this war will be over."
As Supremacy's core essence finally seeped into Myung-un's dantian, he instinctively attuned to its flow and closed his eyes.
Yong-un gave a faint smile at Myung-un seated in lotus position, utterly absorbed in Supremacy's power.
"Thank you. This unexpected reinforcement... might just turn the tide entirely."
Decades of buried suspicion had blinded him; Yong-un hadn't once factored his subordinates into plans against the demon realm.
Or perhaps solitary warfare had become such ingrained habit.
All his strategies revolved around himself alone, or with Royal Class.
Yet their unforeseen allegiance sparked countless new tactics.
In the end, Myung-un's decision to share Crimson Heavenly Demon Aura proved right.
'We must win this war for any legacy to endure.'
Shring.
Yong-un rose and gripped the Demon-Slaying Sword.
Sensing Sword Tiger, Myung-su, and Jin-cheol waiting outside, he stepped forth.
Upon exiting, a dancer rose from the shadow at his feet.
"I'm sorry..."
Her face etched with guilt.
Yong-un patted her and shook his head.
"No need. Thank you."
"I wanted to help... You looked so tormented, bearing it all alone..."
Tormented, yes.
She'd merely convinced him he wasn't alone.
Squeeze.
As Yong-un moved to leave her behind, the dancer suddenly clung to him tightly.
Thump.
Close enough to feel her heartbeat.
Yong-un's eyes widened.
"If it gets too dangerous, come find me. Anyone else might waver, but I... will always stand by the Supreme One—no, by Yong-un."
Meeting his startled gaze, the dancer flashed a sly smile.
"That look suits you too."
Yong-un stared blankly at the spot where she vanished into shadow.
Meanwhile, as Yong-un parleyed with his force leaders.
The Royal Class had captured GHO Director Odin alive after a brutal clash.
The mayhem drew every GHO hunter in the organization.
Among them were top-ranking American hunters Strike Dragon and Earth Dragon.
Yet they stood frozen before the director's office turned into pandemonium, powerless to act.
"Jesus..."
A near-closed Gate littered the scene, along with countless demon and monster corpses. The sleek, modern beige walls were slathered in what appeared to be their blood.
At the center lay a demon with its face smashed into the floor, its nape gripped in Mercenary King's hand.
"Damn it!"
Charlie emerged, rubbing his neck, thanks to the door Strike Dragon and Earth Dragon had cracked open.
As the highest authority, Charlie's arrival left the idle GHO hunters awaiting command.
Strike Dragon hefted a gun rivaling his own bulk; Earth Dragon donned mana stone knuckles. He asked,
"What now?"
"Royal Class the enemy? Or that demon mimicking the guild leader?"
Strike Dragon glared, finger itching on the trigger.
The battling Royal Class turned to him as one: Ignito and Spello guarding the left and right Gates, Mercenary King pinning Odin.
Despite the arrogance, none stirred.
"No."
Charlie pressed Strike Dragon's barrel downward.
"Looks like a terrorist hit to anyone. Am I seeing wrong?"
"If killing's required, take the guild leader, not Royal Class."
Earth Dragon surged with mana.
"Guild leader being Demon Cry's a shock. How do we drop him quick?"
The captive Odin's face split into laughter at Earth Dragon's bravado.
"Kuhahaha! You? Me? And you're not even Royal Class?"
Crunch.
Odin wrenched free of Mercenary King's grasp, regenerating his hand with demonic monstrosity.
His outstretched palm now loomed over Earth Dragon.
"Dodge!"
Mercenary King bellowed.
But Earth Dragon's hubris deafened him.
"A dying Demon Cry with that hand can—"
Pak!
Earth Dragon's boast died unfinished.
Odin had merely reached out.
Yet empowered to Royal Class level by Sergio, it sufficed to decapitate Earth Dragon.
Blood sprayed as the headless corpse crumpled limply.
Strike Dragon, aghast, leveled his massive gun and fired.
Bang!! Tung!!
But the colossal rounds, worthy of the weapon and infused with mana from a ranking hunter's earnest shot, failed to pulverize Odin's skull.
Instead, they lodged fast between Odin's teeth.
Odin smirked, effortlessly catching the shot as if to illustrate the gulf between ranking hunter and Royal Class.
"Now do you get it? The difference between Royal Class and mere hunters."
Even restrained, Odin had two elite hunters on the ropes.
But those wielding identical power acted differently.
"Shut it."
Boom!
Mercenary King hoisted Odin's nape and smashed him into the floor.
"Gahk!"
The impact shook the building; blood erupted from Odin's cratered cheek.
Demonic regeneration swiftly mended the ravaged flesh.
Cheat-like as it was, Mercenary King regarded Odin impassively.
"Don't delude yourself. You're just a half-baked Royal Class."
"Sergio said as much."
"See the gap now? Between genuine Royal Class bound to the true one... and a pretender like you, hitched to Sergio."
Mercenary King's grip tightened; Odin's bones ground audibly.
Yet Odin, backed by some ace, grinned through impending doom.
"Kekeke. But Sergio gave me one more thing."
Odin beamed, and the bullet clenched in his jaws began to warp.
"What nonsense is..."
Mercenary King clenched harder at the mana surge, slamming Odin down again.
Odin's mana flowed unabated, fully reshaping the jammed bullet.
"Use this if you're about to die."
The massive slug morphed into runes.
The completed runes glowed, absorbing Odin's mana.
"Release?"
Mercenary King, versed enough in runes now, murmured their meaning.
The contract tattoos encasing Odin peeled away, reverting to staff form.
The fractured staff reformed into a singular artifact, dropping before Odin.
Thud!
A golden longsword plunged deep into the floor like tofu.
"Th-this is..."
Indeed. The sole longsword among the artifacts.
Sergio's own artifact plummeted before Odin, radiating blinding light.
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