Scholar Demon Venerable

Cheongun's head quickly turned to the place where the sound had come from.

The ones who were blocking the front split to the left and right, and a man walked forward. He was a man wearing a dragon robe with a good harmony of black and white.

He was the master of the Zirong Palace, the Tangma Great Hero, Ou Huliang.

Cheongun also realized that the person who had appeared was Ou Huliang. Since he had already read about Ou Huliang's portrait and appearance in the documents he had received from the Jinyiwei, he could immediately recall it.

'This is unexpected. To think that the master of the Zirong Palace would step forward himself.'

But Ou Huliang looked at Cheongun with an arrogant face and asked.

"Were you a guy related to the Blood Demon Heavenly Cult?"

"...Blood Demon Heavenly Cult?"

Cheongun tilted his head and looked at the Blood Emperor next to him.

The Blood Emperor was looking at Ou Huliang with a calm expression without saying anything.

Ou Huliang asked again.

"Aren't you going to ask? Are you related to the Blood Demon Heavenly Cult?"

"I don't know about the Blood Demon Heavenly Cult, but I'm curious whether the Zirong Palace is related to the Heavenly Cult or not."

"Hahaha. This is a guy whose liver has come out of his stomach. To come to the righteous path Zirong Palace and ask if it's related to a vicious place like the Blood Demon Heavenly Cult."

Ou Huliang laughed heartily. His laughing eyes were still coldly glittering.

Cheongun asked such an Ou Huliang directly.

"I know you guys use the martial arts of the Heavenly Cult. Are you still going to deny it?"

"You've been talking about the Heavenly Cult, Heavenly Cult since a while ago, and it seems you're talking about the Blood Demon Heavenly Cult. But what do you mean by the martial arts of the Heavenly Cult?"

"You should know well. Let's leave everything else aside, and you're not going to say you don't know the formation you guys unfolded a few days ago, are you?"

"A formation? Ah! So it was you. Hahaha, the guy who broke through the Xuanxuan Mili Annihilation Formation and went in and out of the Zirong Palace as if it were his own home."

A killing intent began to appear in Ou Huliang's voice. The culprit of all this was in front of him. He sprayed a strong hostility with killing intent.

Although the killing intent was shot like a waterfall, Cheongun calmly deflected it and answered.

"It seems you call that formation the Xuanxuan Mili Annihilation Formation. They say it's called the Blood Demon Ten Thousand Demon Annihilation Formation in the Heavenly Cult."

"Nonsense! Your intention to associate the Zirong Palace with the Blood Demon Heavenly Cult is impure."

Cheongun looked at Ou Huliang's reaction. He couldn't feel anything particularly strange.

Did they really not know that the formation they had unfolded was a formation of the Heavenly Cult? Don't tell me the Blood Emperor was wrong?

But he couldn't jump to a conclusion on either side.

Cheongun pointed to the blue steel stone pillar and said.

"The martial arts written on that pillar are the unique martial arts of the Heavenly Cult. How will you explain this?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? How can those martial arts be the martial arts of the Blood Demon Heavenly Cult?"

Although he strongly denied it, to Cheongun's ears, it sounded like an affirmative answer, not a denial.

It meant that they were related to the Heavenly Cult in some way.

Cheongun had one last thing to confirm.

"Then let me ask you one thing, and since it's a very important matter, answer well. Because your lives depend on it."

"Lives? You're the one who should reveal your backer if you want to get out of this place alive."

Ou Huliang raised one hand at the same time as he spoke.

Geugeugeung.

Kung!

The ceiling of the entrance to the stairs where Cheongun had come in collapsed. A large stone block made of blue steel stone blocked the entrance.

He had completely blocked the entrance, worrying that Cheongun would escape.

But Cheongun didn't care. He had something to find out right away. Since the entrance was blocked, Ou Huliang would not be able to get out right away either. It wasn't a bad thing.

"Are you guys the descendants of the Heavenly Cult? Or are you the ones who destroyed the Heavenly Cult?"

At Cheongun's words, Ou Huliang's eyes became fierce.

"Stop talking nonsense! Everyone, kill that guy!"

As Ou Huliang's order fell, the ones who were surrounding him began to attack.

Seureureureuk.

Cheongun also slid forward and counterattacked.

He flew his body and continuously cut down the ones who were approaching from the front.

Tukang. Tadadang!

Since they were people with quite a bit of skill, they blocked the sword energy that Cheongun had shot. But they could not completely block its power and were pushed back.

Since there were many people in a narrow space, their movements were restricted. Cheongun had also aimed for that point and had pushed with force from the beginning.

The warriors of the Zirong Palace also did not retreat and rushed forward even more strongly.

The combined attack unfolded by about twenty masters who were at or above the peak realm was different from its momentum.

Shushushuk.

Shwaeeek.

It was a power that would not even leave a bone if one faced it simply.

Cheongun quickly unfolded his lightness skill and went against the current of the attack.

'If I make a mistake, I'll be the one to get hit.'

Hadn't he been in a predicament a few days ago because he had dealt with it carelessly?

Cheongun decided not to hold back.

He shot a strong blow at the ones who were trying to attack again from the front. Then, as a slight gap opened, he jumped into it.

Cheongun took out the best sword art among the martial arts he had learned. Now, when the opponent was looking down on him, was the best time to attack.

Starting with the first move of the Universe Nine Swords, Universe Flash, he poured out three moves in a row up to the third move, Universe Collapse.

Kwa-kwa-kwang!

The whirlwind of sword energy that had shot out without mercy crushed the surroundings miserably.

Hoodoo-dook.

A hazy stone powder covered his vision and fell. The underground space shook violently as if it were about to collapse.

Cheongun did not stop there.

He unfolded the Flying Heaven Shadowless Divine Step to the extreme and began to stir up the inside of the stone chamber.

The extremely fast lightness skill, the narrow interior, and the hazy vision created the most ideal environment for Cheongun to face the enemy.

In any case, all the breathing people in this room were enemies. He unfolded an indiscriminate attack without distinguishing between friend and foe.

On the contrary, the masters of the Zirong Palace could not swing their weapons to their heart's content. If they were not careful, their own attacks could harm their comrades.

That brief hesitation decided the victory and defeat.

By the time about twenty moves of attack and defense had passed.

"Cough, cough."

Someone let out a dry cough, as if they had drunk stone powder.

The shape of an arm swinging was faintly seen through the hazy smoke.

Cheongun swung his right hand from left to right.

Hoo-ung.

The hazy dust that was filling the stone chamber was pushed to one side at once. Thanks to that, his vision was cleared again.

In the revealed space, only one person was standing tall.

It was Ou Huliang, who was wearing a dragon robe.

"W-well..."

His face, which had looked around, was filled with astonishment.

There were a total of twenty-eight people who had attacked the enemy. Among them, there were as many as five elders who were peak masters.

He had thought that with them, he could kill anyone in the world. But now, no one was moving. They had all become guests of the underworld in a short time.

It was an absurd situation he had not even dreamed of.

Ou Huliang stared at Cheongun with astonished eyes. It was a result he could not believe even after seeing it with his own eyes.

Cheongun said with a cold expression.

"I told you you'd regret it, didn't I?"

"C-crazy..."

Deoldeoldeol.

Ou Huliang's body trembled like an aspen tree in extreme anger.

Cheongun took a step forward and asked again.

"I'll ask again. What is your relationship with the Heavenly Cult?"

Cheongun's sunken voice echoed like a ghost's cry from the netherworld.

"If you want to live, speak. There won't be a second time..."

At Cheongun's cold gaze, Ou Huliang gritted his teeth.

He gripped the sword he was holding tightly and brought up his internal energy to its full power.

Uuuuung!

"Arrogant bastard! It's not over yet!"

He, who had somehow regained his senses, immediately unfolded the unique martial art that had given him the nickname of the Tangma Great Hero.

Tangma Death-Inducing Sword.

The sixteen-move death-inducing sword art contained the subtlety of a single-blow kill rather than complexity.

Shwaeeek.

Cheongun did not retreat from the storm of sword energy that was rushing straight for his neck and faced it head-on.

Chaeng.

Ou Huliang retrieved his sword and at the same time shot a fast chain of attacks.

Cha-jaeng.

It was an expected attack.

Cheongun swung his sword from side to side and blocked Ou Huliang's fast sword.

The hidden move of the Tangma Death-Inducing Sword Art was a fast attack that came after a strong blow. So people classified the Tangma Death-Inducing Sword as a heavy sword and a fast sword.

Although it was an unfitting combination, it was an undeniable fact that it was the best sword art for killing an opponent.

Ou Huliang frowned as Cheongun lightly received his unique sword art.

Since he was already as angry as he could be, he unfolded his sword art in succession without hesitation.

Shwishwishwik.

Chajajang.

Cheongun focused on defense instead of attacking. He was thinking of capturing Ou Huliang if possible.

But Ou Huliang's sword, which was aiming for his vital points, was fierce. Since he was only focusing on defense without counterattacking, there were also some close calls.

Shwiik.

He twisted his waist and dodged Ou Huliang's sword, but the sword, which was bent at a strange angle, cut through the air again, aiming for his neck.

Cheongun twisted his wrist and barely deflected Ou Huliang's sword.

Chaeng!

A streak of sweat flowed down Cheongun's back.

Chajajajang.

The fast chain of attacks that came after a strong blow still made Cheongun's eyes dizzy.

It was a sword art that was not easy to adapt to. As the moves were repeated, Ou Huliang's sword became faster and heavier.

When twelve moves had passed, Cheongun felt that he could not win with defense alone and counterattacked with the Universe Flash.

Chaeng!

Seogeok.

As Cheongun, who had only been defending, counterattacked, Ou Huliang jumped back.

Ou Huliang, who was three zhang away from Cheongun, looked down at his chest.

He saw the long-cut lapel of his clothes.

Twitch.

One side of Ou Huliang's face twitched.

"Not bad. To cut the dragon robe made of heavenly silkworm silk."

Cheongun was also surprised. He had unfolded the Universe Nine Swords and had cut his chest, but only the lapel of his clothes had been cut.

Cheongun asked the Blood Emperor.

-What is heavenly silkworm silk?

[It's the thread spun by a spiritual beast called the heavenly silkworm. The silk made from that thread has the effect of being impervious to swords.]

-Ah, so it was only slightly cut.

[Although the flesh was not cut, he must have received a considerable shock.]

In any case, it was an amazing thing.

It was a strong blow.

Although he had unfolded it in a hurry, to be fine even after being hit by the Universe Nine Swords head-on.

'If I hadn't known, it would have been a big problem.'

He couldn't face Ou Huliang forever. At some point, he had to settle it. If he hadn't known the effect of the heavenly silkworm silk, he would have been in a big predicament.

'I can't be careless for a moment.'

Cheongun assumed the ready position of the Universe Nine Swords and glared at Ou Huliang.

Ou Huliang also prepared the last three moves of the Tangma Death-Inducing Sword.

"Arrogant bastard! Today next year will be your death anniversary."

The one who moved first was Ou Huliang.

He flew his body like a fierce tiger and extended his sword. Although it was a simple movement, it was by no means simple.

A bundle of sword energy suddenly soared from around his body.

Cheongun was about to unfold the Universe Flash again, but he quickly switched to the second move, Universe Ascending to Heaven.

Chajajajang!

Dozens of sparks flew in the space between the two.

It was an attack and defense that was hard to follow with the eyes.

No one retreated.

Thwack! Seogeok!

Both of them cut each other's bodies.

Ou Huliang's neatly tied hair was let down. His dragon robe made of heavenly silkworm silk was torn and cut here and there and was tattered.

Cheongun was also not safe.

Since he had faced him without retreating, the martial arts uniform on his waist and legs was long cut.

Ou Huliang sprayed a fierce light through his disheveled hair.

He was already seriously injured, and his blood was boiling.

'This is an absurd thing...'

He even thought that he might die here. But if he died with that guy, it wouldn't be a big loss.

He looked at Cheongun's waist and legs, which he had cut, and let out a triumphant laugh.

"Hehehe, you won't be able to get out of this place alive either..."

But it was strange. He couldn't see the blood that should have been flowing from the guy.

The puzzlement was brief, and Cheongun read Ou Huliang's thoughts and sneered.

"Ah! Didn't I tell you?"

He slowly approached Ou Huliang's nose and grinned and said.

"My body is tougher than the heavenly silkworm silk you're wearing."

And then he struck a palm at his abdomen.

(End of Chapter)