Chapter 200
'This is it!'
'The Gansu cult branch of the White Lotus Cult!'
'We've finally arrived!'
There were many twists and turns to get here.
They had overcome many hurdles, and they had also been quite scared...
But now that they had arrived at their destination, the hearts of the people had calmed down.
Today.
At the crossroads of life and death, they would wander on the verge of death.
Some would have their flesh torn by the blades of the heretical cult members and the black hands of the demonic beasts, and some would have their souls ground in the vortex of the strange great art.
But nevertheless, the subjugation force was transcendent.
For the core members, it was a large-scale war that might be the last of their lives.
For the late-stage masters who had just set foot in the martial world, it was a heart-pounding first experience.
The subjugation came to each of them with such a meaning.
'If I can't avoid it, I won't back down!'
'It's a great cause! A battle that guarantees the first great cause of my life is unfolding.'
'With the peace and tranquility of the martial world at stake. I will fight!'
It was not a subjugation force united as apostles of justice.
Some were villains wearing the mask of the Orthodox Path, and some were good people who were in the Black Path.
A subjugation force gathered together, regardless of their origin.
Their goal was only one.
The annihilation of the great evil that was trying to swallow the world.
For that, the Orthodox Path, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Green Forest, the Waterway, and the North Sea Ice Palace had joined hands.
And,
"Let's go-o-o-o-o-o!!!"
Starting with So-ah's Six Harmonies Telepathy that made their souls tremble, the subjugation force crossed the main gate of the Gansu cult branch of the White Lotus Cult.
***
"..."
Silence flowed.
The moment they reached the Gansu cult branch, they had expected a menacing strange trick or a wicked formation to unfold.
But surprisingly, the composition of the White Lotus Cult that greeted the subjugation force was simple.
But...
Just by the majesty of the forces that were simply lined up, the hearts of the people sank.
'It's not even sunset yet... how can the wicked zombies be baring their teeth!'
The nearly 500 zombies and the various kinds of monsters, whose names they did not even know, that were spread out before their eyes.
Seeing that, Baek In-hwa furrowed his brow deeply.
'It's a strange thing!'
It was truly beyond common sense.
No, it was something that could not be.
The zombies that Baek In-hwa knew were demonic beasts that had formed the foundation of the extreme yin.
They could never stand so calmly under the sunlight.
But at the moment, the Ghost Demon Jiangshis and the blood zombies were emitting a menacing killing intent with their poisonous hands exposed, even at this moment when the sun was high in the sky.
It was a distant fear of an unknown existence that even Baek In-hwa could not predict.
'I have dealt with the heavenly ki for my entire life, but I cannot even know my own front today, so ha...'
Baek In-hwa was once again lost in thought.
A monk cannot shave his own head.
Although he was a Taoist who foretold fate, he could not even guess his own life and death an hour ahead.
But,
'Even if I have to sacrifice this old life, I will erase them from the world!!'
His resolve was extraordinary.
Just then, the person he had been waiting for.
But had not wanted to believe.
Appeared before his eyes.
The one who pushed through the ranks was none other than.
The Blood Demon, Tae-ho-gong, whom everyone had thought was dead.
***
"Kekekeke. It's been a long time, world!"
The man, with a huge physique reminiscent of a yaksha and wearing a strange blood robe.
The moment the Blood Demon, Tae-ho-gong, opened his mouth,
'My goodness!'
'Was that person really alive!'
'The Blood Demon who had definitely died at the hands of Great Hero Moyong. How!'
The masters who recognized the Blood Demon, Tae-ho-gong, all trembled with astonished eyes.
The dead do not speak.
But the Blood Demon, despite being a ghost, had reappeared after decades and was emitting a power that was even stronger than when he was alive.
How could such a thing happen?
What on earth had happened to that person to be given a new life?
But the thoughts of the people could not last long.
Because a phenomenon occurred where the thick killing intent that was being emitted from the Blood Demon was cornering all the members of the subjugation force, which numbered over 2,000.
"Hah... it's a deplorable thing! How can you still be alive!!"
The one who first opened his mouth after seeing the Blood Demon was none other than Master Gong-seung of Shaolin.
As he was the person with the highest standing in the current martial world, he had gained fame as a master of the martial world at the time when the Blood Demon was active.
He must have been the one whose heart was most moved by the appearance of the Blood Demon.
"Kekekeke... Gong-seung. That's what I should be saying. The old bald monk who should have fallen asleep in the arms of the Buddha you suck and lick is still alive. Of course, you will die today."
In the Blood Demon's eyes, the masters of the Orthodox Path, including Master Gong-seung, came into view one by one.
In the midst of that, his gaze was fixed on two men.
Young men with the appearance of having just passed their coming-of-age.
But the aura they were emitting was not inferior to anyone.
'It must be them...'
The Blood Demon instinctively recognized the identity of the two young men.
Because the aura of the two was similar to 'them' in their youth.
The ones he had to surpass.
But had never been able to surpass.
The God of War, Moyong Cheon, and the Heavenly Demon, Wi-ji Un.
"You must be the young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. You resemble the young Wi-ji."
The Blood Demon opened his mouth towards Wi-ji Chan.
Although it was a calm tone, the thick killing intent contained in his voice was filled with a demonic aura that was enough to burst the five viscera and the six bowels.
Moreover, since that killing intent was being manifested only towards Wi-ji Chan, Wi-ji Chan would surely feel fear.
No!
...it was inevitable.
At least, that was what the Blood Demon thought.
But,
"Don't put my grandfather's name in that dirty mouth..."
"W-What?!"
Wi-ji Chan did not seem to feel any fear towards the Blood Demon.
An indifferent voice that did not contain any emotion.
Furthermore, a calm gaze like a calm lake was proving it.
"It doesn't matter who you are. The important thing is that you are trash that is useless even if you live. As the young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, I have set out with the goal of annihilating the White Lotus Cult, which is the remnant of the Blood Cult. The one who will die is not me, but you, and the world will remember you as a loser."
'Wow...'
'Look at that spirit...'
'Young Leader Wi-ji is so cool.'
Wi-ji Chan's words became a one sentence that sounded an alarm in the minds of the late-stage masters.
Why?
Not only was the tragic beauty felt from his words like that, but at the moment, all the late-stage masters were submerged in the aura of the Blood Demon, Tae-ho-gong, and could not even breathe properly.
Seeing Wi-ji Chan's appearance, which did not soften his momentum at all against such a Blood Demon, it was only natural that his heart as a martial artist would stir.
But that was only for a moment...
The group of the White Lotus Cult.
The allied forces of the subjugation force.
All the people who had climbed Go-hap-san were engulfed in a shock that was hard to describe with words.
Because,
"Hey! Old man Blood Demon."
A twenty-two-year-old young man.
It was because of So-ah's one sentence.
"Aren't we going to have a good fight?"
"..."
"But what's with all the talk! Tsk-tsk. This is why I hate reclusive masters. It's enough to have a good fight to the death, whether you win or I win. What's with all the posturing? You look like an old man who's nothing special."
'???'
'???'
'???'
Everyone doubted their ears.
Especially, the Blood Demon trembled violently like an old tree struck by lightning.
"Are you... the disciple of the God of War, Moyong Cheon?"
"Why? Do I look like it?"
"Are you perhaps involved in the disappearance of the vice-leader?"
"Yes. I killed him. Why?"
At So-ah's retort, which did not lose a single word, the Blood Demon clenched his fists.
At the same time,
From the base of his body, a black light and a red light exploded together and adorned the sky.
'It's a great momentum!'
'Can a human explode such a tremendous energy!'
'If you think of the past Blood Demon, you'll be in for a surprise. The current Blood Demon might be a master who is on par with the God of War!'
The leadership of the subjugation force felt a sense of vigilance and raised their internal energy.
They had finished their preparations to attack at any time.
On the other hand, the late-stage masters were naturally intimidated in front of the terrifying majesty of the Blood Demon.
Their legs were like a thousand pounds, their bodies were as stiff as a wooden statue, and a terrible fear had seeped into their hearts.
But,
"Again, again! It's always the ones with no skill who show off such strange tricks to package themselves! Hey, old man Blood Demon. Do you think anyone will be scared if you explode something like that? Not a chance, you brat!"
Even at the Blood Demon's light that was ascending to the sky, So-ah did not spare his ridicule.
'He's crazy, so crazy.'
'Because of Brother Jin, the fear is running away, kekekek.'
'That's right! That gentleman has already won a one-sided victory with his mind before his martial arts.'
Funnily enough, So-ah's provocation towards the Blood Demon boosted the morale of his allies.
'Don't be scared, you brats. That brat is also human...'
Of course, as always.
So-ah's provocation was based on a thorough calculation.
"The disciple of the God of War. I will kill you alone in the most painful way in the world."
"No Yeong-myeong said that too. But what happened to that old man now? Quack!"
So-ah made a gesture of slitting his throat with his right hand and stuck out his mouth.
***
"Let's go-o-o-o-o!"
"Let's have a good time, you brats!"
"Die-e-e-e-e-e!"
No more words were needed.
At some point, even the fear they had felt from the Blood Demon had flown away due to the tension that had risen just before the battle...
…and since So-ah had completely suppressed the Blood Demon in mind games and conversation.
The fighting spirit of the subjugation force rose like a fire, and their swords and sabers began to rush towards the demonic beasts and the cult members of the White Lotus Cult.
The attack of the allied forces was shot with the momentum of a bamboo splitting.
The twelve monks of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Hall, who were in the first row, used various magical tools and talismans to block the attacks of the zombies and the demonic beasts, and the warriors of the White Lotus Cult, who had occupied the surroundings and were rushing in, were met by the Orthodox Path, the Green Forest, and the Waterway side, and a fierce battle unfolded.
'I'm not scared!'
'I feel power welling up in my body!'
'What's the worst that can happen?!'
An unknown power had settled in the souls of the subjugation force.
It was thanks to Baek In-hwa, who had offered a prayer of blessing to all of them just before the battle began.
Of course, that was not the important thing.
Even in the midst of the pouring swords and sabers of the White Lotus Cult, the will of the subjugation force did not break.
Moreover, the monks of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Hall, who had recovered their magical power, were displaying exquisite spells and were preventing the enormous number of demonic beasts from advancing on their allies' formation.
The barrier made of a transparent curtain was containing the thunder and was cornering the mobility of the large monsters.
But.
A single blow.
That one blow had instantly tilted the aspect of the battle that had been flowing tightly.
Because the black and red light that had been extending from the Blood Demon's body had turned into a tangible energy and had covered the room.
"Kwa-a-a-a-a-ak!"
"Ugh-euk!"
"Ka-a-a-a-ak!"
It was not a palm art or a fist art.
And there was no sword or saber in the Blood Demon's hand.
But the Blood Demon, with just a single sweep of his hand, had killed dozens of martial artists.
The many young people of the Orthodox Path, who had been touched by the light, fell like rotten old trees and vomited blood.
"Kekekeke! Come on. I'll kill you all!"
The Blood Demon's eyes sparkled with madness.
When his hand was directed at the head of a martial artist of the subjugation force, the captured martial artist had his neck broken in a moment, with his blood and ki sucked out.
'It's a peerless star-sucking great art!'
The star-sucking great art.
It was a martial art that was commonly used by those who had learned demonic arts, but only the Blood Demon could use such a terrible level of the star-sucking great art.
It was impossible to follow with the eyes.
Because by the time you tried to follow with your eyes, the Blood Demon had already run away.
Then could it be blocked?
For example, even if the 18 Vajra Bronze-Men of the Shaolin Arhat Hall were here, they would have no choice but to be hit by the Blood Demon's star-sucking great art.
'I'm going to die...'
'Just by touching that person's hand, I'll lose my life!'
'Damn it!'
In the crowd, the Blood Demon was a predator at this moment.
Even the core masters of the Orthodox Path, who were standing on the opposite side of him, were taking a step back in fear.
'I have to step in. I'm the only one who can stop that person...'
Baek In-hwa looked at the Blood Demon from a distance.
'If I exchange my life for that person's death, that's all...'
No matter how strong the opponent was.
If he risked his life and unfolded a sealing art, he would be able to suppress him...
Baek In-hwa was planning to throw his life away like a piece of straw and to break the dark king star of his time, the Blood Demon.
But,
Baek In-hwa had no choice but to erase his thoughts.
Because,
"You're mine, old man Blood Demon."
So-ah, in an awakened state, with his face dyed the color of a jujube and shooting a blue-green light from his two eyes,
...ran like a flash of light with his lightness skill and grabbed the Blood Demon by the collar, and then,
...he had leaped towards the sky.
'So-ah...!’
(End of Chapter)