Chapter 135
Just as Muyeon snatched the Heavenly Demon Sword from Cheon Ye-Seo, the Grand Elder was guarding the Pass to prevent the other Murim Alliance Martial Artists from reaching her.
And among those he was blocking…
“Villain of the Demonic Cult, take my Sword - !!”
…was the Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Hwa-Cheon.
As he stood at the Vanguard and unleashed a lightning-fast Sword Strike, the Grand Elder clicked his tongue and blocked the Attack.
CLANG - !!
“…!”
Even if it was a title decided only within the Righteous Faction, he was the Strongest Under Heaven. And Namgung Hwa-Cheon’s Swordsmanship was unmatched, at least within the Murim Alliance.
However…
“Tsk.”
The Grand Elder, having blocked Namgung Hwa-Cheon’s Sword, simply wore an expression as if he were looking at something bothersome.
“Ugh…!”
At this, Namgung Hwa-Cheon’s pride was wounded, and a tremendous competitive spirit flared up within him as a Martial Artist, but he did not commit the foolish act of facing him alone as an opponent.
Before being a Martial Artist, he was the Murim Alliance Leader, and he had a duty to resolve this situation quickly and ensure safety.
“Proud Heroes of the Murim Alliance, Strike Down that Villain - !”
Papat - !
At his single Command, dozens of Martial Artists moved.
This place was Anhui, the location of the Murim Alliance Headquarters.
Therefore, naturally, not only the Murim Alliance’s Executives but also all their core combat personnel were present.
Was that all?
The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is happening right now. Thus, the core personnel of each Sect who had accompanied their participating disciples are also gathered here.
It was safe to say that the forces present here were the backbone of the entire Righteous Faction’s military power.
“Things have gotten troublesome.”
The one who knew this fact best was the Grand Elder, Heukra Yaw-Wang.
It would be a different story if he had brought other Cult members and Elders from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. He could not face such a massive force as an opponent all by himself.
Although many Martial Artists had gone toward the Dharma King, the situation remained unchanged.
The Grand Elder pondered whether he should have brought Salwang as the Dharma King suggested, but soon shook his head.
Salwang and the Martial Artists of the Salmu Pavilion under his Command had to return safely to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains after everything was over.
If so, the only remaining conclusion was that the Grand Elder had to face the forces before him alone.
Of course, it was impossible for the Grand Elder to face them as opponents all by himself, but…
“I should be able to hold out… for about half a quarter of an hour…”
…the Grand Elder judged that it was worth trying to hold out.
Wriggle.
Having made his decision, the Grand Elder immediately circulated his energy.
To be exact, the Black Water Great Luo Divine Art.
Wriggle, RUMBLE - !!
As soon as the Grand Elder utilized that unknown demonic art, pitch-Black Demonic Qi surged from his body.
At the same time…
“RRAAAAAAAARGH - !!”
The Grand Elder’s body grew massive, to the point where the Great Saber that used to cover his entire body now felt petite.
“T-This…!”
The Grand Elder, with his enlarged body spewing Black Demonic Qi all around, looked not like a human, but like a monster.
As the Martial Artists rushing at the Grand Elder momentarily flinched…
CRASH - !!!
…the Grand Elder mercilessly swung his Great Saber, cutting down the Murim Alliance Martial Artists.
“…!”
At that moment, Murim Alliance Leader Namgung Hwa-Cheon saw it.
Not only were the Martial Artists struck by Heukra Yaw-Wang’s massive Great Saber killed, but also several Martial Artists who were crushed to death just by the wind pressure and Demonic Qi it generated.
The current state of Grand Elder Heukra Yaw-Wang wasn’t simply an enlarged body. His Internal Strength, enhanced by his massive size, was enough to make even Namgung Hwa-Cheon’s hands tremble.
Furthermore…
“Divine Cult Undefeated - !! Demonic Heaven Under Heaven - !!”
With the added intimidation of his voice echoing loudly through the Murim Alliance Headquarters, Namgung Hwa-Cheon had no choice but to order:
“…No one makes a rash move - ! Figuring out his level comes first - !”
Thus, hundreds of Murim Alliance Martial Artists were blocked by a single Old Monster, unable to move properly.
* * *
The energy inherent in the Heavenly Demon Sword flowed into me.
Vwoom - .
Hearing the Heavenly Demon Sword’s cry resonating with my energy, I swung the Sword as if possessed.
When I did…
CLANG - !
…even with my collapsing body, I was able to parry Cheon Ye-Seo’s Sword.
“Ugh…!”
As Cheon Ye-Seo let out a short groan and backed away, I spoke to her sarcastically.
“Hey, it seems like… this Sword kind of likes me?”
“No way…”
Cheon Ye-Seo shook her head as if my words were absolutely impossible, but…
Vwoom - .
…as if to refute her words, a pleasant Sword cry rang out from the Heavenly Demon Sword in my hand.
“…”
When Cheon Ye-Seo saw that, her expression completely stiffened.
“…This won’t do. You really have to die.”
Soon, the smile completely vanished from her face, leaving only Killing Intent.
Sss - .
Feeling my skin prickle from just her simple Killing Intent, I gestured with my hand.
“Bring it on, bring it on.”
Paat - !
As if answering my Gesture, Cheon Ye-Seo immediately leaped forward.
It was still a speed that was hard to react to.
However…
CLANG - !
CLANG - !
…having received energy from the Heavenly Demon Sword, I was able to parry her Sword without issue.
Clang, clang - ! Slash - !!
No, I had actually become sturdier.
Even though my injuries weren’t actually healed, my body’s vitality was surging much more than before.
“What is this, really?”
Although I was proficient in almost all weapons, my main weapon was actually the Saber.
Naturally, my true worth showed when I fought with a Saber rather than a Sword.
But what about now?
Clang, clang, clang - !!!
The Sword moved freely and skillfully, as if it had become one with my body.
This natural movement made me feel as if my realm had elevated.
“…Ugh.”
The first to realize this was Cheon Ye-Seo.
She was actually unable To Break Through my defenses.
No, far from breaking through…
Slash - !
“Getting a little scared now?”
“…”
…she was reaching the point where she had to resort to Defense against my counterattacks instead.
Things had turned out this way because of the Heavenly Demon Sword, but a big reason was that her stamina was also slowly starting to run out.
“…Hah.”
In fact, she had just let out a faint gasp.
She seemed not to want me to notice that she was struggling, but she ultimately couldn’t hold it in.
Squeeze.
Seeing that, I gripped the Heavenly Demon Sword even tighter.
“Maybe…”
Maybe I could actually take that bitch down right now.
“Take down… Cheon Ye-Seo…?”
She was the Deputy Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.
Honestly, I had given up on killing Cheon Ye-Seo with my own hands all this time.
However…
“…Hah, huff.”
…right now, my Sworn Enemy was panting and struggling to face me.
Right, this was an opportunity.
Even if it meant I might have to use the Pajeon Divine Art’s Third Stance.
‘I’ll take her down now.’
Squeeze - .
Thinking that, I gripped the Heavenly Demon Sword tightly.
Vwoom - .
As if answering my will, a Sword cry rang out from the Heavenly Demon Sword.
At this, I immediately tried to unleash a Stance and rush at her.
However…
“Leader - !!”
“…!”
I flinched at the sudden voice. The owner of that voice was Dongryong.
“I’m coming to help you right now - !”
Dongryong-i was limping with his injured body, running toward me from the Spectator Stands.
Who is that son of a bitch trying to help?
Because I didn’t want the quick-witted Cheon Ye-Seo to pay attention to Dongryong-i, I deliberately tried not to look at him.
But then…
“Muyeon - !”
…To Make Matters Worse, Somyung broke through the gap and arrived where Cheon Ye-Seo was this time.
“I’m here to help…”
It seemed Somyung-i’s reason for coming was the same as Dongryong-i’s.
At this, I absolutely refused to look at her and just tried to leap at Cheon Ye-Seo, but…
“…You know the Pacheonmun Sect Leader’s real name?”
“Damn it.”
…Cheon Ye-Seo was already paying attention to Somyung-i and Dongryong-i.
“…”
Just like that, Cheon Ye-Seo quickly glanced at my expression and…
Paat - !
…as if she had caught on, she immediately dashed toward Somyung-i, who was closest.
“…!”
CLANG - !!
Without anyone having to say anything, my body reacted first again this time.
As I leaped forward and blocked her Sword aimed at Somyung-i, a smile bloomed on her face once more.
“…Pacheonmun Sect Leader, you…”
“…”
Fuck, should I have just abandoned Somyung-i?
But my body had already reacted first, and it was obvious that once this bitch cut down Somyung-i, she would target Dongryong-i next.
“Damn it…”
If Cheon Ye-Seo took Somyung-i and Dongryong-i as hostages and continued the fight like this, I would be at an even greater disadvantage.
As I clicked my tongue at this, Cheon Ye-Seo whispered to me as if she had grasped my weakness.
However…
“Are you perhaps trying to imitate a Righteous Faction Hero, which doesn’t suit you at all? Trying to save everyone here?”
“…What?”
…the words that came out of Cheon Ye-Seo were a bit unexpected.
And rightfully so…
What? I’m saving everyone here?
What kind of nonsense…
“If so, I’ll play along.”
Paat - !
Before I could resolve my question, Cheon Ye-Seo leaped over me and landed behind me.
I wondered if she was running away, but that wasn’t it; she climbed onto the shoulder of the Grand Elder, whose body had grown massive.
Then…
“Grand Elder, I’m using it here.”
“…Little Heaven. If you do, your body will…”
“It’s fine.”
…from there, she gathered and gathered Black Demonic Qi.
“…!”
And she Reluctantly condensed that gathered Demonic Qi into her Sword.
“…Kuhuk.”
Perhaps the process took a toll on her body, as she coughed up blood, but Cheon Ye-Seo did not stop.
Seeing that, I realized what she was preparing.
“Heavenly Demon Divine Art… Second Stance…”
Ferocious Evil Flowing Sword.
Hundreds of Sword energies, even more ruthless than the Pajeon Divine Art’s Second Stance, Peaceful Death Flowing Sword, which I had shown when I was with the Blood Demon Corpse King, would come flying.
At this, I looked at Somyung-i and Dongryong-i with anxious eyes.
“If it were just me, maybe…”
I couldn’t save those two from the Ferocious Evil Flowing Sword.
“That fucking bitch…”
Just as using the Peaceful Death Flowing Sword grinds away my Innate True Qi, using the Ferocious Evil Flowing Sword also requires a massive amount of Demonic Qi.
Naturally, I thought Cheon Ye-Seo wouldn’t use it since her body wasn’t in good condition, but that was my mistake.
I should have rushed her before she finished preparing, but I failed to do so.
And while I hesitated like that…
Paaa - .
As if the preparations were complete, her Sword shone black.
“Watch closely.”
Taat - !
After leaving those words to me, Cheon Ye-Seo leaped straight into Mid-Air.
Seeing that, I freaked out and shouted toward Dongryong-i and Somyung-i, but then…
“Dongryong - !! Young Lady Yu - !! Duck down right now and…, huh?”
…I momentarily froze.
And rightfully so…
“…Why is she going over there?”
The direction Cheon Ye-Seo leaped toward wasn’t where Somyung-i, Dongryong-i, and I were, but toward the side where the Murim Alliance Martial Artists were gathered in droves.
“…They aren’t on my side, though.”
As I muttered that, momentarily absurd at the situation, Cheon Ye-Seo was already unleashing her Stance.
And soon after…
RUMBLE - !!
…the black blade split into hundreds of pieces and surged toward the Murim Alliance Martial Artists.