Rebirth of the Thunder God

-Busurukbusuruk.

As soon as Namgung Hui felt the presence, he immediately threw a dagger at that spot.

-Swaeaek!

The dagger, imbued with the mysteries of the Flying Thunder Sword, cut through the wind and flew like an arrow.

A dagger that flew faster than sound.

It was far beyond the realm of perception.

-Peok!

A heavy bursting sound was heard, as if the dagger had hit its mark properly.

At that sound, the Mad Dragon, who was watching from the side, nodded as if he were slightly surprised.

'As expected, it was a good thing I didn't fight. Has he become more of a monster in the time I haven't seen him? I'll have to report this as well.'

Namgung Hui walked to the spot where the dagger was stuck to confirm the identity of the presence.

A pile of bushes overgrown between the trees.

When he pushed aside the dense bushes, the dagger revealed itself.

But unlike Namgung Hui's expectation, there was another living creature where the dagger was stuck, not a person.

"A rat? The ki I felt was clearly a human presence."

Would Namgung Hui have mistaken it?

Still, just in case, he looked back at the Mad Dragon and asked.

"Mad Dragon. You also felt a presence a while ago, right?"

"I don't know. Because you threw the dagger so fast, I couldn't even properly feel what was there. Weren't you just overreacting?"

Since there was a clear difference in realm between the Mad Dragon and Namgung Hui, his words were not particularly wrong.

Namgung Hui nodded and continued to examine the dead rat.

'Hmm. There doesn't seem to be anything special about it...'

It didn't make sense for a rat to imitate a human presence.

And it made even less sense for a rat to act according to a human's words.

If so, perhaps Namgung Hui had overreacted as the Mad Dragon had said.

Namgung Hui returned to the Mad Dragon and asked the previous question again.

"So where is the faction that extended a hand to the Demonic Heaven? Is it the moderate faction? Or the radical faction?"

"Oho. If you know that much, there's no need to explain at length. To put it simply, it's the radical faction. The elder who was with me just now is the third elder of the radical faction, Bukgung Seongjin."

"Wait. Isn't the Bukgung family part of the moderate faction? Don't tell me you're lying, thinking I wouldn't know this..."

"It's not a lie! Look. Did all the orthodox factions side with the Martial Alliance? Just as some sided with our Hoicheon Association, there are bound to be people in the Bukgung family who side with the radical faction. If you really don't believe me, go back and check."

Since the Mad Dragon was so confident, it was difficult to question him further.

As Beak Seolhwa had said before, the fact that the Demonic Physician, an elder, had remained in the Blood Cult was probably a similar story.

"Alright. Then did the Young Cult Leader's faction call you and ask for anything?"

"It was just a matter of future exchanges, not a big request. As you said, since the emotional rift is quite deep, it will be difficult to unite as one again, and it will be difficult to trust each other. In fact, if you think about it, I'm no different from a hostage."

"A hostage. Does that mean the successor of the Mad Demon has that much value?"

"That's right. The Mad Demon was on the strong side even within the Divine Cult. If it's such a successor, his martial arts are martial arts, and his symbolism cannot be ignored. As far as I know, there are not many people in the current Blood Cult who have inherited the title of 'Demonic'."

"The title of Demonic, you mean like Demonic Sword, Demonic Saber, Demonic Fist?"

"Yes."

The true demons who had received the title of Demonic.

Starting with the Heavenly Demon, the Demonic Empress, the Demonic Sword, the Demonic Saber, the Demonic Fist, the Demonic Illusion, etc.

Countless demonic heads came to mind.

Among them, of course, the Heavenly Demon was the strongest, and after him, starting with the Vice Cult Leader, the Demonic Empress, the Great Duke, the Absorbing Demon, the Radiant Right Emissary, the Demonic Sword, the Radiant Left Emissary, the Demonic Saber, the Great Elder, the Demonic Fist, etc.

There were many absolute masters comparable to the Ten Great Masters of the White Path of that time.

Of course, it wasn't that there were no such absolute masters now.

The demonic heads who had been granted the title of Demonic had not yet been properly identified.

"How many Blood Cult members who have inherited the title of Demonic do you know?"

"As far as I know, the Vice Cult Leader of the moderate faction would have inherited the title of Demonic Fist. The Young Cult Leader of the radical faction would have inherited the title of Demonic Sword. Besides that, it seems there are also the Demonic Saber and the Demonic Illusion, but I haven't been able to confirm it for sure yet."

"Are there also demonic heads in the Demonic Heaven?"

"That's difficult to answer. Because there's a restriction called a 'geumje'."

"They even put a restriction on the successor of the Mad Demon?"

The Mad Dragon shrugged and said.

"Our Association is that kind of place, so there's no need to be surprised, is there?"

Was it only the Hoicheon Association? The Blood Cult also used restrictions to shut mouths.

They might think that they could just raise a new successor for the Mad Demon.

In the first place, if they hadn't thought so, they wouldn't have sent him as a hostage like this.

'And for a successor of the Mad Demon, he feels a bit weak.'

Since the Demonic Heaven was still shrouded in mystery, he needed to find out more in the future.

Since the Mad Dragon had a restriction on him, it seemed he would have to find out separately.

As Namgung Hui was organizing his thoughts, the Mad Dragon asked.

"By the way, why did you infiltrate the Blood Cult? You should have held a feast and enjoyed yourself after the martial arts tournament ended. The matchmakers flying to you now would be a cartload. Tsk. Looking at it like this, I'm quite envious."

"Me? Of course, I came here because I have something to investigate in the Blood Cult. On top of that, the enemies of my family are also here, so is a feast the problem?"

"Indeed, considering what the Dugu family did at your house, it would be ridiculous to just stay still. But how did you manage to infiltrate this far?"

"That's difficult to answer."

"No. I think I know without you telling me. The one who assassinated the Heretic Alliance Lord's disciple recently was a martial artist from the moderate faction. The time he disappeared and the time the martial arts tournament ended overlap perfectly, so he must have guided you. The incident that happened at the Golden Merchant Guild recently must also be your doing."

Namgung Hui seriously considered whether to deal with the Mad Dragon in front of him now.

But if he dealt with the Mad Dragon, who had disappeared with him, he would immediately enter a head-on confrontation with the radical faction.

'Even if I let this guy go, won't it be a problem anyway? Alright. Let's deal with this guy now.'

As they say, it's better to get the beating over with.

Even if he sent the Mad Dragon back like this, the probability of facing the radical faction head-on was high.

It would be more advantageous to eliminate the Transcendent master who would act as a variable.

After all, because of the restriction, there was nothing more to find out now.

Namgung Hui, who had finished his calculations, slowly nodded and said to the Mad Dragon.

"Your head works quite well. How much does the Association know about me?"

"That you're the successor of the Thunder Sect and that you're hiding your skills? And they'll also know that you learned the art of disguise from the Hao Faction Leader and are using it like this. On top of that, they've roughly figured out that you have a special... no, more than that, relationship with the Young Palace Mistress of the Moon Maiden Palace. In the future, if it's difficult to attack you, they'll take her as a hostage... Hmph!"

The Mad Dragon swallowed a hollow breath and threw his body back.

Because Namgung Hui had suddenly thrown his sword.

"To suddenly launch a surprise attack. What is this! Hidden Dragon!"

"My hand slipped. But you dodged it better than I thought. Your movement technique seems to have improved."

"This is all because of you! You attacked me as if you were angry then too. Just like now."

He had been a little angry then too because of Beak Seolhwa.

To be precise, it was because he had misunderstood the relationship between Beak Seolhwa and Muchi.

It was true that he was angry now too because of Beak Seolhwa, but the direction of this anger was the Hoicheon Association.

'How dare they take my friend as a hostage? I can't just stand by.'

Namgung Hui, who had no intention of standing by in the first place, had just fanned the flames of his motivation by trying to take a hostage like this.

Namgung Hui boasted of the Flash Lightning Thirteen Thunders he had newly developed to the Mad Dragon.

Flash Lightning Thirteen Thunders. The 6th technique, Falling Thunder.

A thunderbolt fell as if delivering heavenly punishment from the sky.

The Mad Dragon, at the sudden appearance of the thunder, hurriedly performed the Form-Shifting and Position-Switching.

But since it was not just a thunderbolt falling from the sky, the thunderbolt followed Namgung Hui's sword tip and rushed at the Mad Dragon.

Ureureung! Kwaang!

A destructive power so strong that the earth shook, and the entire Silver Moon Forest trembled.

The leaves fell, and a ghostly cry echoed in the Silver Moon Forest.

Huuung...

"Keuk! This guy is becoming not a monster, but a demon with each passing day. In a way, the character 'demonic' might suit you."

"To be able to talk so much, you must still have some leeway. Then it should be fine to show you the next technique."

"W-wait. Let's talk..."

Namgung Hui swung his sword without even listening to the Mad Dragon's words.

This time, it was the 7th technique of the Flash Lightning Thirteen Thunders, Flash Thunder.

A light flashed as if heaven and earth were being overturned.

The Mad Dragon, although his eyes were blinded, knew that if he closed his eyes, it would lead directly to death, so he hurriedly performed a movement technique.

He had used the Form-Shifting and Position-Switching before, so his loss of internal energy was great.

On top of that, since the Form-Shifting and Position-Switching put a huge burden on the blood vessels, it was a skill that could not be performed in succession.

The Mad Dragon's legs, which were hurriedly moving, got tangled.

Because the overload on his legs was not small.

Now, the gap in realm between Namgung Hui and the Mad Dragon was vast.

There was no way he could block Namgung Hui's technique, which he had performed with determination.

And so, the Mad Dragon, sensing his death, closed his eyes tightly.

But.

-Kaang!

Another light flashed in front of his eyes and blocked Namgung Hui's Flash Thunder.

And following that, a cold voice echoed nobly in the Silver Moon Forest.

"Child. Is it okay to persecute a friend like that?"

Namgung Hui looked at the woman who had suddenly appeared in front of him.

Her age was roughly somewhere between thirty and forty.

Because she had so much powder on her face, it was difficult to guess her exact age.

Her lips were also painted with something, so they were red like blood.

Despite that sinister atmosphere, the woman was beautiful.

"Who are you to interfere with the friendship between friends?"

"Hohoho! Just because I called you a friend, are you trying to gloss it over by pretending to be a friend? You're so shameless, you've got a steel plate on your face. As expected of a hypocrite of the orthodox faction."

Perhaps because she had overheard the conversation between Namgung Hui and the Mad Dragon, she had realized that Namgung Hui was from the orthodox faction.

Seeing her firm tone, it would be useless to deny it here.

'Rather, at times like this, I have to go with a stratagem of provocation.'

"If I have a steel plate on my face, did you put a drawing paper on your face, Aunty? No. Since you've painted on your face as if it were a drawing, your face itself must be a drawing paper. Hahaha!"

"What!? Aunty?! This thing, since I've been so lenient, you've got no fear in your eyes! How dare you speak such nonsense, knowing who I am..."

"Aunty."

-Swaeaek!

The woman, unable to control her anger, threw her aura at Namgung Hui.

Although Namgung Hui had provoked her, to be able to use her aura so freely, she was no ordinary master.

Even a decent Transcendent master would take some time to draw out their aura.

To be able to draw out her aura so spontaneously.

'She's a Transformation master...!'

Her hand, as white as her face, was coated with aura.

Although it was quite different from the Sosu Demonic Art, it seemed to have a power no less than it.

On top of that, the feast of variations that moved brilliantly was enough to remind one of the Plum Blossom Sword Art, the pinnacle of change.

To be able to show such a brilliant movement with a hand technique, even Namgung Hui, who had been a fist artist, was just amazed.

-Kagagang! Kang! Kang!

As much as its brilliance, her techniques were fast.

He had no choice but to be busy defending, to the point of being flustered.

Still, as Namgung Hui did not allow any blow, the woman, who had calmed her anger, opened her mouth softly.

"To think that you look to be the same age as the child of the Demonic Heaven. You've blocked all my attacks. Don't tell me you're also a Transformation master? I thought you were just a pervert who enjoyed cross-dressing, but your achievement is considerable."

"Do you think I'm an Aunty? To enjoy cross-dressing. By the way, who are you, Aunty? I didn't know there was such a master in the Blood Cult."

"Do you think the result will change just because you know my identity? You'll just be frustrated."

Namgung Hui had no reason to be scared unless it was the Cult Leader.

Moreover, the Cult Leader was still vacant, and the master the Blood Qilin had told him to be careful of was not leaving Gwangcheon Peak.

If so, the woman in front of him was a person Namgung Hui didn't have to be so careful about.

Since he hadn't even performed a proper ultimate technique yet, he would have to see how long and short it would be.

"Still, it would be better to tell me. If you don't want to be called an Aunty. If you're the Cult Leader, I might even serve you."

The woman narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth.

"A man's word."

"Is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"Good. Then I will tell you my position. This woman is the current Vice Cult Leader of the Heavenly Blood Divine Cult, the Demonic Fist."

(End of Chapter)