The Youngest Member of the Martial Alliance

"Y-Young Master Yi!"

The Second Young Master of the Demonic Cult, Jin Somyeong.

As he stood opposite Cheon Woojin, the martial artists of the Jin family were startled and hurriedly exuded their ki. Nevertheless, unlike the subordinates of the other young masters, there was no one who recklessly stepped forward.

The Second Young Master raised his hand and restrained his subordinates.

His subordinates, with faces full of worry, were unable to do anything.

'How peculiar.'

Cheon Woojin had observed quite a few types of demonic people in this war between the righteous and the demonic.

Most of them had a strong impulsive tendency, perhaps due to the influence of their demonic arts, and their subordinates also had a strong feeling of being subdued by force rather than being truly loyal.

But those demonic people were genuinely worried about the safety of their young master. It was something that could only be possible if a human bond was formed, not just a simple superior-subordinate relationship.

It was also impressive that they did not take a single step when the Second Young Master's order was given, even while worrying so much.

'They are rather similar to the martial artists of the Orthodox Path.'

It was Cheon Woojin's evaluation as he observed the elites of the Jin family.

Of course, the most impressive was their leader, the Second Young Master.

It was not simply because he had a good impression compared to the Demonic Cult members. The intelligence in his two eyes was deeper and clearer than that of the successors of the prestigious families of the Orthodox Path.

There was also no killing intent at all.

It was quite different from the appearance of other demonic people who were possessed by impulse and swung their swords with bloodshot eyes.

He was standing in front of Cheon Woojin with a perfectly rational judgment, excluding emotions.

'Belief.'

It seemed that was the only driving force that moved the Second Young Master.

This was something that was not easy even for the martial artists of the Orthodox Path who lived with the theory of heroism in their hearts for their whole lives.

"Answer me. What is your demonic path?"

"There is no reason to tell a martial artist of the Orthodox Path."

The Second Young Master, who had said so, aimed his sword at Cheon Woojin.

The tip of the sword was trembling slightly.

He was afraid. Since he had witnessed the two young masters, their elites, and the Greedy Demon Sect Leader being torn apart without any resistance.

Cheon Woojin nodded.

It was the right thing to say. There was no need to exchange their beliefs with words before fighting.

Soon, Cheon Woojin's gaze sank.

Although he usually had an indifferent expression, his face was now as if all the emotions that a human should have had been excluded.

The Second Young Master, who faced this, felt a chill run down his spine. In his entire life, he had only felt this way once, when he had met the deceased Cult Leader.

A light footstep sounded.

Without any warning, Cheon Woojin rushed in.

The Second Young Master felt his heart sink in an instant.

The moment he recognized the movement, the opponent had already crossed more than half the distance and was approaching.

The Second Young Master held his sword firmly.

He glared straight at the Emotionless Guest. He tried hard not to take his eyes off him. Despite such efforts, the opponent's figure suddenly became blurry.

'...I lost him.'

At the same time, the Second Young Master swung his sword horizontally. It was a sword strike that relied solely on experience, senses, and instinct.

Even if he couldn't see him, he couldn't just be hit, so the current sword strike was the best method.

The sword, which was fully condensed with demonic ki, unfortunately only cut through the air. A white fan suddenly appeared in front of his eyes, avoiding the trajectory of the sword.

The Second Young Master almost closed his eyes for a moment. It was because the grand elder of the Ma family had been cut in half by that fan before.

Something flashed in front of the Second Young Master's eyes with a metallic sound.

The rushing fan was struck by a red whip and bounced off.

The Second Young Master knew the owner of the whip.

"Lust Demon Sect Leader!"

The Second Young Master shouted in anger.

Unlike the First Young Master, who said that the demonic path was to kill the opponent by any means necessary, the Second Young Master wanted to live with dignity.

Shame was more frightening than death, and his belief was that a pillar built by trickery would easily collapse even in a light wind.

"I was in the middle of a life-and-death duel with the Emotionless Guest. How dare you interfere and make me a man who doesn't even know shame?"

Even at his roar, the Lust Demon Sect Leader drew her characteristic mysterious smile and shrugged her shoulders.

"I have no reason to listen to the Second Young Master's orders, do I? Since you're not the young cult leader yet."

"But...!"

It was the right thing to say.

The young master and the Seven Demon Sect Leaders were equal.

But if she had decided to trust and follow him, she should not have interfered in this duel.

Regardless, the Lust Demon Sect Leader blocked the Second Young Master's path and fixed her gaze on Cheon Woojin.

"You're handsome, really."

"..."

Cheon Woojin had a rare bewildered expression. The woman's voice, the Lust Demon Sect Leader, was so deeply colored with a truly regretful tone.

"Second Young Master, listen carefully."

"..."

The Lust Demon Sect Leader, with her whip hanging down, continued.

"I don't want to fight with such a handsome man either. The same goes for the two beautiful men and women behind him. This is against my beliefs. All beauty in the world is worthy of respect."

It was a statement worthy of the Lust Demon Sect Leader, who had chosen the Second Young Master solely for his appearance.

"But I'm not a person who just watches a friend die because I'm captivated by a face. The one I chose is the Second Young Master, so the Second Young Master should die later than me."

Although her pursued belief was unique, she was also a 'martial artist' who had risen to the position of the top leader of the Demonic Cult.

As a martial artist, she knew well how great a shame it was to let the person she had decided to serve die first.

"Even if I die, I'm first. If you respect me, the Second Young Master should yield this time."

The Lust Demon Sect Leader, who had said so, flicked her whip on the ground.

Her presence, which spread with a cheerful sound, began to subtly dominate the surroundings. Although her words and actions were somewhat light, she was still one of the Seven Demon Sect Leaders.

The overwhelming demonic ki made the surrounding air tremble, and the whip, which was imbued with internal energy, began to squirm like a living snake.

"It won't be boring since it will be over soon."

The Lust Demon Sect Leader said so to the Second Young Master behind her.

She had already perfectly grasped what level of master the opponent was. Not only herself, but even if all the Seven Demon Sect Leaders attacked together, they could not guarantee victory.

Of course, even if the Second Young Master and his subordinates attacked together after she died, there was no chance of victory.

Although she felt quite regretful that she could not protect a handsome man like the Second Young Master...

'Well, it was a death I had always dreamed of.'

Masters usually wished to die in a forest of swords and blades. Since they were serious about martial arts, they wanted to die fighting until the very moment of their death.

The Lust Demon Sect Leader was also similar. She had always wished for a death surrounded by beautiful things.

By her standards, the Emotionless Guest was beautiful. Not only his appearance, but also his martial arts and atmosphere were all the same.

The young masters of the Namgung and Tang families behind him were also beautiful. There was that freshness that could only be had at that age.

There was no need to even mention the Second Young Master behind her. In her long life, he was the only one who had such a beautiful appearance and belief.

"I heard that the child called the White Flower Saber of the Martial Alliance is so beautiful. It's a pity that I can't see her."

The Lust Demon Sect Leader, who had said so, smiled brightly at Cheon Woojin. In an instant, her two pupils were colored with a light pink.

The Bewitching Soul Demonic Art.

As its name, which meant to tempt the opponent's soul, suggested, it was a demonic art that confused the mind, regardless of age or gender.

She performed her unique ultimate technique and looked at Cheon Woojin intently. Since he was a man who rarely showed any change in expression, there was no way to know if it had worked even a little.

'I'll know if I clash with him.'

Soon, the Lust Demon Sect Leader lightly swung her whip.

Although it was a very light movement, due to the characteristics of the whip as a weapon, the strength and destructive power increased exponentially towards the end.

The large ripple that started from her hand became smaller as it went towards the end of the whip, and at the same time, it became faster and stronger.

It rushed in, looking like a splendid flower snake cutting through the wind.

Cheon Woojin swung his Crane Feather Fan and struck it away.

Unexpectedly, a heavier resistance than any of the demonic people's attacks he had faced so far was felt through his wrist.

Although the Lust Demon Sect Leader's physique was very slender, she used a much heavier attack than most large-bodied heavy swordsmen.

It was because her demonic art was profound, and it was also due to the characteristics of the whip.

The whip that had been bounced off began to rush in again like a living snake with a few gestures of the Lust Demon Sect Leader's hand.

This time, it seemed that she had reduced the strength and increased the speed. It was to the point where even with Cheon Woojin's eyes, the movement of the end of the whip looked blurry.

The whip was the fastest of all the weapons that existed in the world.

Even if a person who had not learned martial arts swung it, the end would burst the air and make a cracking sound.

So if a person of the level of the Seven Demon Sect Leaders swung it, even most masters of the peak realm would have a hard time following it with their eyes.

Cheon Woojin relied on his senses and struck away the whip.

Once, twice, three times.

Soon, after striking it away a little more strongly and sending the whip far away.

He suddenly rushed towards the Lust Demon Sect Leader.

It was absolutely advantageous to narrow the distance against a martial artist who used a whip.

The Lust Demon Sect Leader, who was startled by the very sudden and fast movement, took a step back. But Cheon Woojin's movement was faster, and the distance between the two continued to narrow.

The Lust Demon Sect Leader hurriedly shook her whip. The long thing bent from far away and rushed towards Cheon Woojin's back.

The speed was so fast that it ended up wrapping around Cheon Woojin.

A sense of relief appeared on the Lust Demon Sect Leader's face. But it was too early a judgment.

"W-what?"

Cheon Woojin, who was wrapped in the whip, was still narrowing the distance with the Lust Demon Sect Leader. Although the demonic ki contained in the whip was very strong, it did not slow down Cheon Woojin's speed at all.

In the end, Cheon Woojin grabbed the Lust Demon Sect Leader's neck.

She managed to smile with her unique beautiful face. Usually, men would be momentarily dazed when they faced her bright and delicate smile so closely.

However, this time, it was the Lust Demon Sect Leader who was dazed.

Cheon Woojin threw her to the ground.

She fainted in one blow and lost her consciousness.

"..."

A moment of silence fell.

Cheon Woojin looked at the Lust Demon Sect Leader, who was stuck in the ground, for a moment.

Everyone predicted the Lust Demon Sect Leader's death. It was because everyone who had exchanged blows with Cheon Woojin before had died miserably.

The Second Young Master also looked at the Lust Demon Sect Leader with sad eyes and prepared to step forward next.

He had no intention of asking the Emotionless Guest to spare her. It was to protect her pride as a martial artist.

Since he would follow her to the other world soon, they would be able to meet again soon.

Cheon Woojin, who had been looking at this for a moment, did not kill the Lust Demon Sect Leader and just passed by her and headed for the Second Young Master.

"Now, show me. Your demonic path."

Cheon Woojin and the Second Young Master's gazes met in the air.

After that, although there was no conversation, many emotions were exchanged in an instant.

The Second Young Master rushed towards Cheon Woojin. Although his internal energy was demonic ki, it was noble and clear, which was very peculiar.

Cheon Woojin lightly swung his Crane Feather Fan. Although it was a light movement, it contained a considerable amount of internal energy. He had no intention of ignoring the opponent's full power.

Soon, the sword and the fan clashed.

The battle ended with a single explosion.

The result of the match was obvious.

The Second Young Master vomited blood and sat down.

Cheon Woojin, who was looking at this with a dry gaze, raised his Crane Feather Fan.

The elites of the Jin family could not stand it and threw their bodies to protect the Second Young Master.

At the same time, the Second Young Master raised his hand.

"Stand aside. If I have been defeated in a fight of beliefs, it is right to die. That is my demonic path. Surely you don't intend to disgrace my end?"

When the Second Young Master said so, the elites of the Jin family could not recklessly attack, even while glaring at Cheon Woojin with bloodshot eyes. They could not dare to disgrace the young master's demonic path.

"It was an honor to serve you."

The martial artists of the Jin family bowed their heads.

Nevertheless, they fiercely exuded their killing intent towards Cheon Woojin.

It was clear that after Cheon Woojin killed the Second Young Master, they would also attack, disregarding their own lives.

Although they knew well that they would die, it did not matter. In the Demonic Cult, where only the strong and the weak, the superior and the inferior existed, the Second Young Master was the only one who had shown them respect as a human being.

If they saw their master die and ran away or surrendered with their tails between their legs, that would be no different from a beast, not a human.

Cheon Woojin felt a strange feeling.

When he had killed the Third, Fourth, and First Young Masters, he had felt no emotion.

Their demonic paths were difficult to respect, and the demon they held within was close to pure evil.

But since the fight with the Second Young Master had begun.

Somehow, he felt as if he were fighting with a family of the Orthodox Path.

Wasn't it an attitude of risking their lives and attacking?

Suddenly, he recalled what the old owner of the tavern had said when he had snuck into the Demonic Cult before.

- In this Demonic Cult, only the Second Young Master is the only one who looks after the people's livelihood. If he becomes the cult leader, our lives will be much better.

There were many ordinary people in the Demonic Cult. Those who had settled in the outer court and lived were no different from the people of the Central Plains.

Cheon Woojin, who had been thinking for a moment, dropped his Crane Feather Fan.

Those who were watching closed their eyes tightly, as if they could not see the Second Young Master's death.

The Crane Feather Fan landed lightly on the Second Young Master's shoulder.

At that sight, everyone blinked their eyes.

Of course, the most surprised was the Second Young Master. He blinked his unique large eyes and looked up at Cheon Woojin.

Soon, Cheon Woojin said.

"You be the cult leader."

"..."

Everyone was greatly surprised.

Not only Namgung Jin and Tang Soyeon, but especially the Demonic Cult members, had expressions as if they wanted to wash their ears with water.

It was truly an insulting and blasphemous statement against the cult itself.

The cult leader was a being closest to a god.

He was a noble being who would become a god himself if he became a heavenly demon someday.

And a martial artist of the Orthodox Path, who was just over twenty, was talking as if he were deciding such a position.

But soon, no one could open their mouths due to Cheon Woojin's presence, which seemed to crush the whole world.

The demonic people who endured this felt as if they were holding up the entire collapsed sky with their heads and shoulders.

The Second Young Master, who was the closest, was looking at Cheon Woojin with truly complicated eyes. For the first time in his life, he had a blasphemous thought.

It was as if he were seeing the deceased Cult Leader.

It was the highest compliment that the Demonic Cult members could think of. Since it literally meant a god, it was in line with the martial god that the martial artists of the Central Plains called him.

Regardless, Cheon Woojin, who had withdrawn his Crane Feather Fan, asked the Second Young Master. He had already decided in his mind that the next cult leader would be the Second Young Master. If so, there was only one thing left.

"Where is the Fifth Young Master?"

(End of Chapter)