Chapter 383

Chapter 383 – The Earth Burns and People Shed Tears (2)

The moment he heard that voice, Muk Il-gwang felt the blood in his entire body turn cold. ​

His fingertips holding the axe felt itchy. As if countless ants were biting at his fingertips. ​

Muk Il-gwang slowly turned his head. Then he saw a man of average build. ​

A middle-aged man with an ordinary face that could be seen anywhere had been watching him with arms crossed at some point. But the aura flowing from his body was truly formidable. ​

The moment Hwang Hye-ryeong saw him, she was reminded of a massive mountain range. His presence was that overwhelming. ​

"Ah!" ​

Enough to make Hwang Hye-ryeong unconsciously let out a sigh. ​

Muk Il-gwang bit his lips hard. ​

Setting aside the opponent's mountain-like aura, the fact that he hadn't noticed until the man approached close was bewildering. ​

If the middle-aged man had harbored malicious intent, Hwang Hye-ryeong would already not be of this world. For Muk Il-gwang, who proclaimed himself Hwang Hye-ryeong's bodyguard, it was a chilling moment. ​

Muk Il-gwang asked while gripping his axe tightly. ​

"Who are you?" ​

"The master of the guys you killed." ​

The middle-aged man answered indifferently while looking at the traces of his subordinates who had turned into pieces of meat. A cold light was rising in his eyes. ​

"Those guys were trash. They attacked and annihilated Daegeum Military Post without my orders. So I was going to kill them with my own hands. But that's no longer necessary. Since you killed them. It's as if you did what I should have done." ​

"Then you should thank me." ​

"However, they were my subordinates. Even if they had to die, they should have died by my hand, not by someone else's. I can never tolerate that." ​

"……" ​

Muk Il-gwang's eyes trembled. ​

The killing intent in the middle-aged man's voice made the air in the area turn cold. ​

Strength entered Muk Il-gwang's hand gripping the axe. His body was reacting first to the opponent's terrifying killing intent. ​

Muk Il-gwang straightened his back. ​

If possible, he wanted to escape Anhui Province without clashing with the Demon Cult. But with the situation having come to this, it seemed unavoidable that blood would be spilled. ​

He said to Hwang Hye-ryeong. ​

"Miss, if it seems like I'm going to be pushed back, please flee without looking back." ​

"I can't do that." ​

"Miss! You must do so. Please promise me." ​

Muk Il-gwang's voice was resolute. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong bit her lips hard. ​

Muk Il-gwang looked like he was truly facing a life-or-death enemy, not just a simple opponent. She had never seen Muk Il-gwang this tense before. His desperation was conveyed directly through his expression. ​

"I promise! If Il-gwang seems to be at a disadvantage, I'll run away." ​

"You promise?" ​

"I promise." ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded without hesitation. ​

Only then did relief appear on Muk Il-gwang's face. Now he felt he could give his best without regrets. ​

Muk Il-gwang cupped his fists to the middle-aged man. ​

"I am Muk Il-gwang of the Green Forest." ​

"My name is Nam Hyeon-so. I am the Divine Fire Hall Master of the Divine Cult." ​

"As expected, you're from the Demon Cult." ​

"It's the Divine Cult." ​

Nam Hyeon-so corrected Muk Il-gwang's words. Muk Il-gwang silently nodded. He didn't have the luxury to argue about such trivial matters now. ​

His opponent was a super master of the Demon Cult. ​

Though he too had grown much over the past three years, this was an opponent he couldn't dare be confident of victory against. ​

Muk Il-gwang glanced at Hwang Hye-ryeong's face. It might be the last time he saw her. So he etched it deep in his heart. ​

He asked while drawing up his inner power. ​

"What brings the Divine Cult to Anhui Province?" ​

"Aren't you already guessing?" ​

"It must be because of the Namgung Family." ​

"That's right. With Namgung Chang dead by the Fist Demon's hand, now is the perfect opportunity. We will annex the Namgung Family." ​

For a moment, Muk Il-gwang's eyes wavered. It was his first time hearing the news that Dam Ho had killed Namgung Chang, the strategist of the Martial Alliance. ​

It was news with the destructive power to shake the martial world. But Muk Il-gwang tried to hide his agitation and asked. ​

"After the Namgung Family, it would be Overlord's Fortress on Mount Huang." ​

"How did you know that?" ​

Interest appeared in Nam Hyeon-so's eyes. ​

Because that was indeed their plan. ​

The leader of Anhui Province was undoubtedly the Namgung Family. Once they dealt with the Namgung Family, other sects would surely lose their focal point and fall into disarray. ​

Then what remained would only be Overlord's Fortress on Mount Huang. ​

Overlord's Fortress was a stronghold existing at the apex of tens of thousands of Green Forest outlaws. Once they dealt with Overlord's Fortress too, the Green Forest outlaws who lost their focal point would instantly fall to mere bandits. ​

Muk Il-gwang bit his lips hard. Flesh tore and blood flowed, but he couldn't even feel the pain. ​

One more reason not to retreat had arisen. Even if he lost his life here. ​

Hiss! ​

Crimson haze rose from Muk Il-gwang's entire body. It was a phenomenon that appeared only in those who had mastered the Blood Heaven Axe Technique to perfection. ​

"My name is Muk Il-gwang. I'm from Overlord's Fortress that you're planning to attack." ​

"Is that so? There's sufficient reason to fight." ​

Nam Hyeon-so nodded. ​

He uncrossed his arms. ​

Muk Il-gwang's fighting spirit was transmitted through the air. It had been truly long since he'd encountered a young martial artist who radiated this level of fighting spirit. That's why he was pleased. ​

"What more words are needed? Come at me! Young hero of the Green Forest." ​

"Hyaat!" ​

As soon as Nam Hyeon-so's words ended, Muk Il-gwang burst forth with a battle cry. ​

Whoosh! ​

Two axes exploded with terrifying crimson axe energy. It was an attack containing tremendous power enough to shatter even large rocks. ​

Muk Il-gwang's axe fell toward Nam Hyeon-so's crown. At that moment, Nam Hyeon-so raised his hand. ​

Clack! ​

Instantly, Muk Il-gwang's axe stopped in mid-air. ​

"Guk!" ​

Disbelief appeared in Muk Il-gwang's eyes. ​

Nam Hyeon-so had stopped the axe imbued with axe energy with his bare hand. But he couldn't just be amazed. Because Nam Hyeon-so attacked his chest with his other hand. ​

Instead of dodging, Muk Il-gwang blocked the attack with his remaining axe. ​

Crash! ​

At that moment, Nam Hyeon-so's fist exploded on the axe's surface. The axe that had been imbued with crimson axe energy shattered and scattered like glass. ​

"Gaah!" ​

Subsequently, an intense shock struck Muk Il-gwang's entire body. Though his breath was momentarily cut off, Muk Il-gwang endured the pain with superhuman patience. ​

"Your body is quite sturdy." ​

A cold smile appeared at Nam Hyeon-so's lips. ​

Muk Il-gwang swung his axe widely to shake off Nam Hyeon-so's hand. Then he poured all his inner power into the axe. ​

Hiss! ​

The faintly spread crimson axe energy gathered and soon formed a distinct axe shape. ​

Strong energy created with an axe – this was axe force. ​

When strong energy was created with a sword, it was called sword force, and when it could be formed with a blade, it was called blade force. ​

Generally, creating axe force was much more arduous and consumed inner power extremely severely compared to creating sword force or blade force. It was more a matter of inner power than enlightenment. ​

Axes were much larger and had wider surface area than swords or blades. Naturally, to encompass the entire wide surface, much more inner power had to be consumed. ​

Instead, because the tremendous weight and size could be converted directly into destructive power, the might was superior to blade force or sword force. ​

Muk Il-gwang fully utilized such advantages of the axe and deployed his technique. ​

Blood Moon Piercing Kill. ​

The technique with the greatest destructive power of the Blood Heaven Axe Technique was unleashed toward Nam Hyeon-so. ​

Whoosh! ​

The massive axe flew toward Nam Hyeon-so, cutting through the air. ​

Though the axe flying while heating the air in the area red-hot was fearsome, there was no change in Nam Hyeon-so's expression. ​

Instead, Nam Hyeon-so threw his body into the trajectory of the axe imbued with axe force. The axe force barely grazed past his head. ​

Even in a situation where flesh trembled and hearts pounded, Nam Hyeon-so's eyes shone coldly. Conversely, Muk Il-gwang was shocked enough to stop his heart. ​

Nam Hyeon-so's cold gaze pierced his chest. Subsequently, his palm adhered to Muk Il-gwang's chest. ​

Boom! ​

A thunderous sound erupted and Muk Il-gwang's body was flung like a cannonball. On his chest remained Nam Hyeon-so's palm print clearly. ​

Universe Shattering Palm. ​

It was Nam Hyeon-so's signature technique. ​

Universe Shattering Palm was a palm technique that used penetrating force to destroy the opponent's interior rather than exterior. It was such an advanced martial art that even within the Demon Cult, few could block Universe Shattering Palm. ​

With this one move, Muk Il-gwang's interior was ruined. ​

His energy and blood were shaken, and his internal organs were thoroughly mixed up. ​

Muk Il-gwang's massive body swayed precariously like a candle about to go out. ​

"It's over." ​

Nam Hyeon-so threw a palm strike toward such Muk Il-gwang. He was trying to finish it. ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Hyaat!" ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong threw a palm strike at Nam Hyeon-so with a battle cry. At this, Muk Il-gwang coughed up blood and shouted. ​

"N-no!" ​

He wasn't an opponent she could handle. ​

At that moment, Nam Hyeon-so's palm force changed direction and struck Hwang Hye-ryeong. ​

Bang! ​

"Hueuk!" ​

With an intense striking sound, Hwang Hye-ryeong tumbled on the ground. Muk Il-gwang hurriedly embraced her. ​

"Miss!" ​

"I-Il-gwang!" ​

"Didn't you promise to flee?" ​

"I'm… sorry! I won't keep the promise." ​

"Miss!" ​

"How could I abandon Il-gwang?" ​

"Grrr!" ​

"I'd rather die together if we must die. I can't do that." ​

Embraced in Muk Il-gwang's arms, Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled sadly. At such an appearance of Hwang Hye-ryeong, Muk Il-gwang choked up. ​

"Miss!" ​

"I'd rather die together than be separated. Absolutely! So don't tell me to run away alone." ​

"I understand." ​

Muk Il-gwang embraced Hwang Hye-ryeong's delicate body tightly. ​

Her warmth filled his embrace. ​

It was a situation where their lives were in danger, but strangely his heart felt at peace. ​

Nam Hyeon-so clicked his tongue looking at the two people. ​

"Tsk! I can't bear to watch." ​

He raised his hand to deploy Universe Shattering Palm again. Now if he brought down his hand, Muk Il-gwang and Hwang Hye-ryeong's lives would be over. But Nam Hyeon-so couldn't bring down his hand. ​

Because of a woman standing behind Muk Il-gwang and Hwang Hye-ryeong at some point. ​

She was like a ghost. ​

She had appeared without sound or presence and was standing silently behind the two people. Muk Il-gwang and Hwang Hye-ryeong hadn't noticed her existence at all. Her appearance was that secretive and eerily quiet. ​

Nam Hyeon-so's eyes changed. ​

He dispersed the inner power he had gathered in his hand and opened his mouth. ​

"General Yo." ​

"It's been a while, Hall Master Nam." ​

The woman opening her mouth with a smile was precisely Yo Sa-ran. Her appearance was unexpected even for Nam Hyeon-so. ​

"Why are you here?" ​

"Because they're children I have a connection with." ​

"Did you know they belonged to the Green Forest?" ​

"No, I didn't know that. I just happened to meet them and formed a friendship." ​

At Yo Sa-ran's answer, Nam Hyeon-so frowned deeply. ​

Blood Wheel Witch Yo Sa-ran was a member of the Four Great Generals, an existence of higher rank than him within the Demon Cult hierarchy. Though she had such an innocent face, no one knew exactly how old she was, having lived for such a long time. Her martial arts were correspondingly formidable. ​

She hadn't become a member of the Four Great Generals for nothing. The fact that no one who had fought Yo Sa-ran and lived to tell about it existed proved her martial prowess. ​

"What should I do? General Yo." ​

"Spare them just once." ​

"That's…" ​

"Think of it as owing me a debt." ​

"I understand." ​

Nam Hyeon-so readily nodded. ​

If he could make Yo Sa-ran owe him a debt in exchange for the lives of two youngsters, it would be profitable for him. Yo Sa-ran was a martial artist with that much presence and value. ​

Only then did Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang, who noticed Yo Sa-ran's appearance, look up at her. ​

"S-sister?" ​

"Somehow I couldn't feel at ease even after sending you off." ​

"Were you also a Demon Cult member, sister?" ​

"Yes! I'm the Blood Wheel Witch, one of the Four Great Generals of the Divine Cult. I didn't want to let you know such a fact." ​

"Ah!" ​

At Hwang Hye-ryeong's reaction, Yo Sa-ran's face slightly grimaced. ​

It was a reaction she had expected to some degree, but it still bothered her slightly. However, she soon made a calm expression. ​

"Leave Anhui Province immediately. Little sister." ​

"Sister?" ​

"Hell will unfold in Anhui Province." ​

Yo Sa-ran looked down at her own white hands. ​

These hands would open the gates of hell in this Anhui Province. ​