Chapter 454 – They Live According to Their Desires (1)

"Arrogant thing. How dare she humiliate her master."

Dan Un-hyang ground her white teeth.

After returning from Dongting Lake, her heart was filled with rage. She needed to vent the anger accumulated in her chest somewhere, but unable to find such a place, her fury only grew.

She wanted to visit her lover and the Divine Cult's leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol, but she couldn't. Cheok Gwan-hyeol was on the verge of completing his great cultivation. If Dan Un-hyang visited at such an important time, the great cultivation would be delayed or completely ruined. So she had no choice but to quell her anger alone.

"Yu-kyung, that insolent thing. She took the sacred object's martial arts?"

Clearly Eum Yu-kyung said she'd only taken part of the sacred object's martial arts. Yet she'd displayed martial prowess equal to her own. Proof the sacred object's martial arts were far superior to her estimation.

No matter the phrase "the student surpasses the master," she had not a speck of intention to be surpassed by a former disciple. So she couldn't easily quell the rage surging in her heart.

If she'd had leisure to think calmly, she could have noticed something was strange, but right now Dan Un-hyang had no such coolness or reason.

That was when.

"May I come in briefly?"

A familiar voice came from outside. Instantly delight appeared on Dan Un-hyang's face.

"Come in."

When her permission fell, a shabby-looking old man entered. The moment she saw his face, a smile appeared at Dan Un-hyang's lips. Because the old man was Blood Elder, the only being she trusted and relied on.

"Perfect timing. I couldn't bear my depressed heart."

"Oh dear? May I hear the reason?"

"I recently met a wicked disciple who abandoned our cult at Dongting Lake."

Dan Un-hyang told the story of meeting and clashing with Eum Yu-kyung. Then Blood Elder's eyes changed ominously, but Dan Un-hyang didn't notice that fact.

Finally after hearing all of Dan Un-hyang's story, Blood Elder opened his mouth.

"Then they found the sacred object and even learned the martial arts inside."

"Certainly."

"Then they'll be a great threat."

"Right. We can't leave it like this. We must move forces immediately to capture and kill that woman. I should mobilize Middle Heaven right now."

"I'll handle that matter."

"Blood Elder personally?"

"That's right."

"It's fine. I'll do it myself."

"Demon Mother need not concern herself with such trivial matters. Demon Mother should handle more important work."

"Important work?"

"Yes!"

Instantly Dan Un-hyang's eyes gleamed.

When Blood Elder spoke like this, it was only when something truly important existed. Following his words always brought good results, so she had to concentrate.

"What is it?"

"Erecting an altar."

"Altar?"

"Yes! A great altar to enshrine the Venerable One. Erecting a great altar that all people under heaven will look up to and regard as holy ground, proclaiming the Divine Cult's majesty to the world."

Instantly Dan Un-hyang's eyes grew hazy.

"Where will you erect the altar? Here at Yueyang?"

"Originally headquarters and altars aren't erected in one place. That way there's no point in erecting an altar. It must be erected where the energy under heaven is best."

"Where energy is best?"

"That's right. A place where once erected, an altar lasts a thousand years. Under heaven there's only one such place."

"Where?"

"Mount Song!"

"Surely you don't mean that place where Shaolin Temple is?"

Dan Un-hyang's pupils shook.

The five great mountains encompassing the world, among them the sacred mountain where Shaolin Temple was located was precisely Central Peak Mount Song.

Blood Elder continued speaking without blinking.

"Shaolin Temple could continue its thousand-year history because it established itself on Mount Song. Do you think the reason was simply that Shaolin Temple's martial arts were powerful?"

"Isn't it?"

"Bodhidharma saw. The pure yet massive energy gathering at Mount Song. That energy sustained Shaolin's glory for a thousand years."

"Glory continuing a thousand years."

"Our cult can be the same. Like Shaolin Temple, our cult too can continue a thousand years of glory. If only we erect an altar on Mount Song. Erect our cult's altar atop the monks' corpses. Place the heads of Martial Alliance warriors there and hold rites, then our cult's glory will continue eternally, and all people under heaven will worship the Cult Leader and Demon Mother."

Blood Elder's voice was very rough and ominous. But to Dan Un-hyang's ears it sounded sweeter than any honey.

Dan Un-hyang had devoted her life to the Divine Cult's revival. When the position of Holy Maiden felt restrictive with many constraints on reviving the Divine Cult, her nature was aggressive enough to abandon it without hesitation.

"Erecting an altar on Mount Song. An altar symbolizing the Divine Cult?"

"And holding a great rite that will remain long in the Divine Cult's history. Naturally the officiator will be Demon Mother."

"Ah!"

"Imagine all people under heaven witnessing that scene. It will be recounted forever from mouth to mouth. And the Divine Cult will be deeply imprinted in their minds. And they will believe in the Divine Cult."

Dan Un-hyang fell into Blood Elder's whispers. And imagined.

The great altar to be erected atop Mount Song.

Herself and the Divine Cult's masters holding rites there. And finally the Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol ascending the altar to provide the grand finale.

A smile unknowingly appeared at Dan Un-hyang's lips as she imagined with closed eyes. And Blood Elder smiled strangely watching such Dan Un-hyang.

What Blood Elder did was merely clear a path so the desire inherent in Dan Un-hyang's heart could naturally raise its head. That alone was sufficient.

As always until now, everything would flow naturally. Anything is difficult to start, but once you break through the blockage, it flows on its own to gather at the sea. That was Blood Elder's philosophy.

"I'll handle Eum Yu-kyung, so Demon Mother should rush to Mount Song right now."

"I should. I must erect the most splendid altar under heaven on Mount Song."

"The Cult Leader will be pleased too when he emerges."

"Ah!"

Dan Un-hyang unconsciously let out an exclamation. Her face was full of undisguisable desire.

Blood Elder watched such Dan Un-hyang briefly then quietly went outside.

"Is all work here now finished?"

Blood Elder made a relieved expression.

He prided himself on possessing the world's strongest patience. But even to him, the past decades had been years of endurance.

He'd spent the past decades with a farmer's heart raising crops. Enduring, caring, nurturing, preparing, he moved without resting a single moment. And soon he'd receive compensation for his efforts.

Blood Elder glanced at Dan Un-hyang's quarters.

Already he could feel her moving diligently. Middle Heaven's cultists would help her. No more work existed for him here.

Blood Elder walked outside with hands clasped behind his back.

He had no luggage to take.

He came empty-handed, so naturally leaving empty-handed was proper.

He passed through the headquarters' main gate outside.

He walked without looking back. Though seeming to walk leisurely, he'd already passed through Yueyang city arriving near Dongting Lake. Truly ghostly footwork.

Blood Elder briefly stopped to gaze at Dongting Lake's picture-like scenery.

The vast lake reminiscent of the sea, numerous boats floating atop it, and people enjoying water play.

Mount Song was in chaos from battles between the Martial Alliance and Demon Cult, yet this place seemed a completely different world. Courtesans sold laughter from midday, and idlers bought them with money. The sight of so-called poets leisurely reciting poetry seemed like living in another world.

"Peaceful. Too peaceful!"

Blood Elder slightly frowned like someone displeased. Then the wrinkles filling his face wriggled like earthworms.

That was when.

"Seems you don't like peace."

Suddenly a heavy bass voice came. Though surprising, Blood Elder smiled as if he'd anticipated it and turned around.

A huge man entered view. He didn't feel huge just from size alone. The atmosphere and gaze the man possessed made him appear like a giant.

Under heaven only one man possessed such a unique yet domineering atmosphere.

Geom Yul-cheon, he had appeared at Dongting Lake's shore.

Blood Elder wasn't surprised by Geom Yul-cheon's appearance. He looked at Geom Yul-cheon with a benign smile as if he'd known beforehand.

Behind Geom Yul-cheon, Shin Mu-wol and Eum Yu-kyung were visible. They looked at Blood Elder with eyes full of tension.

Though they'd known of Blood Elder's existence, this was their first time seeing him directly. They who'd designated Blood Elder as the mastermind tried to obtain information about him through various channels. But surprisingly, they couldn't obtain any information.

They couldn't find past records, nor did records about him exist. He seemed to have dropped from the sky. Like someone who never existed originally, everything about him was hidden behind thick curtains.

Not knowing the bottom, not knowing what his true appearance hidden behind that smiling face was made them tense.

Blood Elder's gaze first swept past Eum Yu-kyung and Shin Mu-wol. The moment they received his gaze, both unknowingly trembled.

It was a gaze showing no hostility whatsoever. Rather it felt filled with goodwill. Yet it was chilling.

Wrinkles formed in Blood Elder's eyes. He was smiling.

"Holy Maiden, Ghost Sword Duke, and Geom Yul-cheon. I've heard much but this is my first time seeing you directly. Pleased to meet you."

"Seems you know us all."

Geom Yul-cheon opened his mouth representing everyone.

"How could I not? Even someone with the dullest nerves would look back if someone chased sniffing like a dog."

"Seems we sniffed correctly. Since you're not denying it."

"Tsk! You were born wrong. If you'd been born as hunting dogs instead, you'd have been much loved by your master."

At Blood Elder's words, Geom Yul-cheon and the others' expressions hardened. Though speaking softly, he was implicitly comparing them to dogs. But they too were veteran warriors who'd experienced everything, so they quickly composed their expressions.

Geom Yul-cheon approached Blood Elder and asked.

"Are you the Heavenly Evil Cult's leader?"

"Correct! I created the Heavenly Evil Cult."

Unexpectedly, Blood Elder answered honestly. Then Geom Yul-cheon, Eum Yu-kyung and others were more surprised. Because they'd thought Blood Elder would deny it. But contrary to their expectations, Blood Elder readily revealed his identity.

Crack!

Momentarily white light flickered around Geom Yul-cheon's body.

A storm was swirling in his pupils.

Finally he'd found the man existing at the terminus of all this situation. To find this man, he'd devoted all his youth. Naturally he couldn't help being agitated. But he forcibly suppressed his excitement.

He knew nothing about his opponent. What purpose he had for reviving the Heavenly Evil Cult in this era, or why he was instigating conflict between the Martial Alliance and Demon Cult.

Geom Yul-cheon asked.

"Who are you?"

"Well! Who am I? I'm curious too."

"Iron-Blooded Martial God Lee Gwan! Isn't it?"

"Ho! You approached that far?"

"Is it correct?"

"I am Blood Elder. And also Nameless One. I have countless other names besides. I can't guarantee none of them are connected to Lee Gwan."

It was ambiguous speech like grasping clouds.

Geom Yul-cheon's eyes narrowed.

From his entire body flowed domineering momentum as if crushing the world. Geom Yul-cheon's momentum was overwhelming enough to create the illusion of a huge mountain before one's eyes. But Blood Elder showed no intimidation whatsoever, rather looking at Geom Yul-cheon with interested eyes.

"As expected, you've learned Heavenly Demon Divine Art."

"That's right!"

"Though you haven't learned it long, to already achieve that degree. Your martial talent is truly worthy of being called foremost under heaven. Not many have surprised me this much. You may think yourself commendable."

"I have no intention of hearing your wordplay."

"Is that so? Unfortunate! I'm speaking sincerely yet you think it's wordplay."

"What is your true purpose? What do you gain by instigating chaos?"

"Think of me as a kind of farmer and you'll be comfortable."

"Farmer?"

"That's right! To obtain autumn fruit, I prepared land in winter and diligently sowed seeds in spring, so what else can I be called but a farmer."

"Is the conflict between the Divine Cult and Martial Alliance your sown seeds?"

"It's certainly the biggest seed I sowed."

That moment, Shin Mu-wol who'd been quietly listening stepped forward.

"Elder brother, no need to listen to this crazy old man's talk anymore."

His face was flushed bright red as if about to explode any moment. He felt terrible hostility and rage toward Blood Elder who spoke as if transcendent.

Blood Elder smiled looking at such Shin Mu-wol.

"To achieve greatness, you must first fix that impatient temper. Otherwise you'll find it hard to leap over walls."

Snap!

Instantly the thread of reason Shin Mu-wol barely held in his mind broke.

"Iyaaat!"

He drew two swords and rushed toward Blood Elder.

The followers who didn’t raise their heads pressed their foreheads to the ground and trembled.

Thud thud thud…

Human fragments continued falling above them.

The amount of fragments gradually decreased.

That meant the number of followers raising their heads was decreasing.

Before long, Jin Ja-gang could pass by the followers without even swinging Asura Scripture.

Just like Yelu Huan walking through the prostrated followers, he could walk without any resistance.

Two people walking through prostrated people, it was quite a strange sight.

Yelu Huan’s plan to have hundreds of followers block the path had completely fallen through.

Anyone in the martial world would feel psychological burden if told to kill hundreds, but Jin Ja-gang did not.

Moreover, because he turned those who rushed at him into poison or fragments, they couldn’t even physically block or cling to delay him.

Yelu Huan’s face hardened severely. However, he didn’t stop and kept walking. Now, no matter who looked, it clearly seemed like he was avoiding Jin Ja-gang.

Midway, Yelu Huan changed direction. Leaving the flat road, he entered a narrow mountain path. Jin Ja-gang also followed behind Yelu Huan.

The followers, frightened, couldn’t even look back and simply remained prostrated like that.

***

Yelu Huan continued climbing the mountain until a suitable clearing appeared.

Jin Ja-gang, who had been following while gasping for breath, said.

“This seems enough, so please stop going. It’s hard to follow too.”

Only then did Yelu Huan stop walking and turn around.

Jin Ja-gang knew he had climbed the mountain to avoid the followers’ attention.

“Should I thank you for following even though you knew?”

“You don’t need to ask that. If you’re grateful, just say thank you.”

“Thank you.”

“Understood.”

Yelu Huan looked at Jin Ja-gang for a long while.

“You’re truly remarkable. If we hadn’t met as enemies, we could have had a good relationship.”

Jin Ja-gang answered while touching his throbbing ribs and pierced side.

“Even now, we don’t have to be enemies.”

“Well. For that, one of two things must be possible.”

“Speak.”

“First, you must join the Zoroastrian Cult.”

“That won’t work.”

“Do you also think our Zoroastrian Cult is an evil cult? Though our influence in the Central Plains has greatly diminished, we are the origin and root of all religions.”

“I don’t know that much. It’s just that I plan to retire after my revenge, so I have no intention of being bound.”

“Retire?”

Yelu Huan made a slightly absurd expression, then shook his head.

“Then there’s no need to hear the second option.”

“What’s the second?”

“You become the Cult Leader of our religion.”

“So that’s what you meant by no need to hear it. Not only do I know nothing about the Zoroastrian Cult, I can’t take responsibility for the peaceful rest of all those dead people.”

Yelu Huan smiled very faintly.

“Do you think you can avoid it?”

“What do you mean?”

Yelu Huan spoke with deep eyes.

“A storm is coming. A massive storm sweeping through the martial world. Then inevitably, those who lose their way will emerge. Now, where will those shipwrecked and drifted go?”

Jin Ja-gang just listened impassively.

Yelu Huan continued.

“If our Zoroastrian Cult had become Sichuan’s breakwater, you wouldn’t have had to worry at all. But by not doing so, you and the Tang Family will face the storm head-on.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“Hiding behind others, or borrowing others’ strength to achieve my goals… I’ve known for a while how futile that is. Unless you build your own strength and fight even if it’s difficult, you’ll eventually just become someone else’s prey.”

“Sometimes compromise is advantageous.”

“I won’t deny that either. However, I try not to compromise for my own benefit.”

“It will become very troublesome.”

“That troublesome moment might be the only opportunity left to me. If so, being troubled is better than dying without trying anything.”

Yelu Huan asked with a different attitude than before.

“I respect your thoughts. Then what’s the way to not be enemies, as you say?”

“I’ll take back my words about never letting anyone live who said they’d settle things later. Return.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“Return without wanting anything from me or the Tang Family. Don’t try to exploit the chaos in the martial world, and don’t instigate chaos either. Isn’t that degree possible if you abandon greed?”

“Impossible.”

“Why?”

“I inherited the position of Cult Leader because there was the fervor of followers who desire the expansion of our influence in the Central Plains. We must save more people and pray for the descent of the good god. So that countless people can receive eternal life and enjoy great blessings in that world.”

“Then isn’t the method wrong?”

“The eyes that view methods differ between those standing at the forefront of standards and those standing on the opposite side.”

“In the end, the conclusion is…”

“Mutual impossibility.”

“Then one of us must die here.”

Jin Ja-gang drew poison up from his dantian. He clasped both hands together and raised heat with Scorching Twin Phosphor Palm. A faint heat haze rose from Jin Ja-gang’s body.

The color of blood flowing from Jin Ja-gang’s body deepened, and hazy blood mist began forming.

He had created poison mist.

In response, Yelu Huan also raised his internal energy and lifted the Persian Ancient Sword.

He couldn’t face Jin Ja-gang wrapped in poison mist barehanded. The more he attacked, the more Yelu Huan would be harmed by the poison mist instead.

Soon the inscriptions engraved on the Persian Ancient Sword glittered and clear sword energy emerged. The sword energy gradually thickened then thinned, becoming extremely condensed into a finger-thick sword force.

“Forgive me. I myself cannot keep my word and am speaking from both sides of my mouth.”

Using sword force meant Yelu Huan would no longer look back. Kill Jin Ja-gang before using up all his internal energy, or exhaust all internal energy and be defeated by Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I forgive you.”

Objectively, his martial prowess was much higher, and looking at the damage sustained, Yelu Huan was in an absolutely advantageous situation. However, Yelu Huan showed a humble attitude as if facing a master stronger than himself.

Yelu Huan confronted Jin Ja-gang, circling around.

Click.

The moment Asura Scripture was released from Jin Ja-gang’s wrist, Yelu Huan flicked his finger.

Pierce!

Lightning Thunder Extreme Point’s finger wind pierced a hole in Jin Ja-gang’s right shoulder. Jin Ja-gang didn’t dodge. He widened his eyes and watched Yelu Huan’s actions closely.

The moment Yelu Huan shot Lightning Thunder Extreme Point, he rotated his upper body greatly and swung the Persian Ancient Sword. Jin Ja-gang rather leaned to the right where he was hit. The sword force Yelu Huan released instantly lengthened several times and grazed Jin Ja-gang’s left side.

Boom! Space was cut at tremendous speed. With complete spatial severance, even sound didn’t reach Jin Ja-gang’s side. However, on the opposite side, the forest trembled from the sound of splitting air.

Even the trees behind were cut together and fell.

Thud, crash.

Heaven-Shocking Single Energy Technique.

It happened in less than a blink of an eye. Yelu Huan had put tremendous effort into that single strike just now. If he had tried to dodge Lightning Thunder Extreme Point, some part would have been cut off.

Belatedly, the severance was restored and thunder rang out.

Rumble!

Jin Ja-gang shot Asura Scripture at the ground. Asura Scripture, which had burrowed into the ground, emerged from beneath Yelu Huan’s feet. Yelu Huan swung the Persian Ancient Sword downward. The ground in front of his feet was gouged out and Asura Scripture was caught in the Persian Ancient Sword’s energy and dragged out.

Jin Ja-gang supported his right arm, which couldn’t move because his shoulder was penetrated, with his left arm and drew up internal energy.

Asura World-Destroying Soul!

Asura Scripture whipped about wildly.

Crackle! Asura Scripture caught in the sword energy carried Jin Ja-gang’s internal energy and clashed violently. That created vibrations that were transmitted to both Yelu Huan and Jin Ja-gang.

Yelu Huan gripped the Persian Ancient Sword with both hands and endured. Jin Ja-gang’s arms trembled violently. Yelu Huan rotated the Persian Ancient Sword with his wrist and knocked away the whipping Asura Scripture.

Clang clang! Clang!

Then at some point, the Asura Scripture strands began snapping one by one.

Gulp. Jin Ja-gang vomited blood. The internal energy connected to Asura Scripture was shocked and his internal injuries worsened. Jin Ja-gang nearly fell but barely maintained his balance and extended his left hand to the sky.

Asura Scripture wrapped around a tree, spun around, and poured down onto Yelu Huan from above. Yelu Huan’s arms multiplied into dozens. The multiplied arms moved in round circles.

Zoroastrian Cult Secret Transmission, Four Heavens Mandala!

He swung the Persian Ancient Sword at tremendous speed and knocked away all the Asura Scripture pouring down like dots.

The deflected Asura Scripture lost strength and fluttered in midair.

Yelu Huan slashed at Jin Ja-gang with sword energy. Jin Ja-gang again created a wall of Asura Scripture in front with Asura World-Destroying Soul. The Persian Ancient Sword’s energy was drawn as if to cut both Asura Scripture and Jin Ja-gang simultaneously, but it only deflected Asura Scripture and didn’t reach Jin Ja-gang.

Asura Scripture was becoming Jin Ja-gang’s defensive barrier.

Yelu Huan leaped into the air to deal with the cumbersome Asura Scripture first. The deflected Asura Scripture had briefly lost strength and was fluttering. Yelu Huan cut Asura Scripture with sword energy. Even Asura Scripture that had endured once couldn’t withstand sword energy in its weakened state and was cut.

Yelu Huan leaped again, turned his head downward from the sky, and plunged toward Jin Ja-gang while thrusting sword energy downward.

Jin Ja-gang took a deep breath and gathered poison energy in his right palm center. Internal energy and poison mixed in the dike of his right palm center, swirling as if about to burst. He supported his right arm with his left arm and prepared to shoot a poison palm.

Yelu Huan’s falling speed accelerated further. The sword energy lengthened and penetrated Jin Ja-gang’s crown.

Squelch! The sword energy burrowed straight into the ground.

The afterimage of Jin Ja-gang pierced by sword energy faded.

Reverse Afterimage Soul Body Technique.

Jin Ja-gang appeared behind Yelu Huan and extended his right arm downward. Yelu Huan turned his body and met Jin Ja-gang’s right palm with his left palm.

Thwack!

Blood spray arose and poison mist spread. In exchange, Jin Ja-gang’s right arm dislocated again.

Yelu Huan stopped breathing and swung his right arm to slash Jin Ja-gang’s neck with the Persian Ancient Sword. Jin Ja-gang released energy from his left fingertips and pressed on Yelu Huan’s right elbow.

Thud!

The elbow swelled up then bent in the opposite direction with a crack. The Persian Ancient Sword spun away. Jin Ja-gang headbutted Yelu Huan’s face.

The blood flowing from wounds on Jin Ja-gang’s face… the poison… splattered onto Yelu Huan’s face. Yelu Huan’s neck tilted back. Even in the midst of that, Yelu Huan grabbed Jin Ja-gang’s left shoulder with his left hand that had met Jin Ja-gang’s palm.

Jin Ja-gang pressed Yelu Huan’s chest with his left hand.

The energy release from Jin Ja-gang’s hand and Jin Ja-gang’s shoulder bone crushing occurred almost simultaneously.

Crunch!

Jin Ja-gang’s left shoulder bone was crushed, and Yelu Huan fell with his chest bone shattered.

Crash!

Yelu Huan crashed into the ground and vomited blood, and Jin Ja-gang also fell and rolled on the ground.

Jin Ja-gang knelt and vomited blood again.

A hole in his right shoulder with the arm dislocated, and his left shoulder bone shattered. He couldn’t raise either arm.

Yelu Huan’s right elbow was broken so he couldn’t use his hand, and his left palm was poisoned from meeting the poison palm, with skin peeling and pus flowing. His chest was dented and he gasped for breath. Most of all, poison blood had splattered on his face when Jin Ja-gang headbutted him, swelling one eye and obscuring his vision so he could barely see.

Completely battered.

Truly, both were completely battered.