Chapter 486

Chapter 486 – The Era of Heroes Arrives (2)

"Immeasurable Buddha!"

Taoist Hyeon-so's eyes were trembling as he watched the horrific battlefield. Taoist Hyeon-so had spent his entire life in Mount Hua Sect, a Taoist sect. He had never seen such a horrific battlefield before.

During the First Orthodox-Demon War, he couldn't leave Mount Hua Sect because he had the status of a student Taoist, and after the Second Orthodox-Demon War broke out, he devoted his efforts only to cultivating junior disciples at Mount Hua Sect.

Especially until coming here, what he'd devoted most care to was transmitting knowledge to his newly accepted disciple Nam Seo-il.

Nam Seo-il was still a young sprout. He needed to be cared for attentively. But the martial world's situation was changing too urgently to only care for Nam Seo-il.

The great battle staking the martial world's fate was taking place in Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua Sect was located. He had an obligation to participate in the great battle whether he liked it or not.

"Grand Master Uncle, please stay only here. You absolutely must not move."

Woon Kyung, Mount Hua Sect's sect leader, earnestly entreated Taoist Hyeon-so. Still not feeling reassured, he issued orders to several first-generation disciples too.

"You must protect Grand Master Uncle. Even if you must throw away your lives."

"Yes! Sect Leader."

"Don't worry."

The designated first-generation disciples answered vigorously.

Only then could Woon Kyung feel reassured and jump into battle with other disciples.

Until now, he couldn't fight directly because he was operating Mount Hua Sect and cultivating disciples. But over the past year, he had perfectly reorganized Mount Hua Sect and raised future pillars to some degree. On top of that, there was Taoist Hyeon-so. As long as he remained strong, even if he died in this battle, Mount Hua Sect would never break and could revive again.

"Let's show them that Mount Hua Sect is alive. Let's drive the Demon Cult from Central Plains."

"Waaa!"

At Woon Kyung's shout, Mount Hua Sect's martial artists roared and jumped into battle.

The performance of Mount Hua Sect disciples was truly dazzling.

Each time they swung their swords, the Demon Cult's martial artists spilled blood and collapsed. They were Mount Hua Sect's martial artists who had gritted their teeth and cultivated poison energy over the past several years.

They had already had their main temple trampled and lost the previous sect leader and elders, as well as countless fellow disciples, several years ago. They had never forgotten even a single day of that humiliation and resentment.

Swish!

They truly deployed sword techniques with all their might.

"Kraak!"

"Stop the Taoists."

Disruption appeared in the Five Elements Heaven Killing Formation that had been turning like gears with Mount Hua Sect's intervention.

When Woon Kyung and Myeong-gyeong led Mount Hua Sect's martial artists ravaging the east, in the west Zhongnan Sect led by Go Il-won was running wild.

Zhongnan Sect also had an unforgivable grudge against the Demon Cult like Mount Hua Sect. Knowing that if they missed this opportunity, the chance to take revenge on the Demon Cult would never come again, they truly fought with their utmost.

With Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect's intervention, Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists could catch their breath.

Cho Yeon-woon shouted.

"Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect are with us. We can win."

"Uwaaaa!"

"We can win."

Fighting spirit that had been dying out like a candle in the wind revived. Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists gathered strength again and fought against the Demon Cult.

"Kuurk!"

"Damn it!"

When things turned out this way, it was rather the Demon Cult's martial artists who were flustered. They thought they'd grasped victory, but when the situation reversed like this, their confusion doubled.

The momentum of Blue Sky Alliance martial artists tenaciously holding on as if they were mortal enemies crushed the Demon Cult martial artists' spirit.

When things turned out this way, it was the Demon Cult's leadership who were flustered. Most of the Demon Cult's absolute masters were fighting opponents matching their level.

There were insufficient martial artists to check Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect. Especially masters who could face masters like Mount Hua Sect's Myeong-gyeong.

Myeong-gyeong was truly running wild like a madman. Countless Demon Cult masters were falling like autumn leaves before his cruel techniques that couldn't be considered those of a Mount Hua Sect Taoist.

His techniques were so cruel that even the Demon Cult's masters were terrified and reluctant to approach.

"Military Strategist! If we continue like this, the sacrifices are too great. We must pull the forces back temporarily."

"That's right. Too many casualties are occurring."

Several martial artists presented their opinions to Sang Han-cheon. But the answer came from Cheok Gwan-hyeol's mouth, not Sang Han-cheon's.

"There is no retreat."

"Cult Leader?"

"Sacrifice for the Divine Cult is rather glorious. If they can become fertilizer for the Divine Cult's revival even in death, they too will be glad."

Everyone trembled at his mad words.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol looked at the battlefield with violent eyes and continued.

"It doesn't matter how many die. No matter how many casualties occur, I will definitely end this tedious war today. Military Strategist."

"Yes! Cult Leader."

"You said preparations were made?"

"That's correct."

"Then proceed."

"As you command!"

Sang Han-cheon lifted a small black flag with a vigorous answer. Then the martial artist behind him powerfully waved a large black banner.

"We've waited long."

"It's finally our turn."

At that moment, a group of martial artists appeared from the battlefield's outskirts. The Demon Cult's martial artists who recognized their identity shouted.

"It's the Cult Protection Division!"

"Martial artists from the Thirteen Branches are there too."

"Waaa!"

As they said, those who appeared were elders of the Cult Protection Division led by Wi Gang-hwi and some martial artists from the Thirteen Branches who rarely revealed themselves.

As soon as they revealed themselves, they rushed toward Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect's martial artists.

"Myeong-gyeong, you're my portion."

Ghost Demon Emperor Wi Gang-hwi rushed targeting Myeong-gyeong.

Myeong-gyeong bit his lips hard and shouted.

"I've been waiting."

He already guessed the opponent was an unfathomable master. But that didn't mean he would lose courage in advance and retreat.

Over the past year, he had truly undergone training harsh enough to make him want to die. On top of that was added the tempering he received from Dam Ho.

Though the opponent was a master of the previous generation, he too had grown stronger through harsh training. If he lost courage and retreated, Mount Hua Sect's sacrifices would increase that much more.

"Chaaaat!"

Myeong-gyeong clashed with Wi Gang-hwi with all his might.

Kwaang!

A roar burst forth and the area was devastated.

Such battles were unfolding throughout the battlefield.

The participation of the Cult Protection Division's old masters and the Thirteen Branches made the battle situation that had been tilting toward Blue Sky Alliance temporarily favorable to the Demon Cult again.

It was truly a chaotic battle where one couldn't see even an inch ahead. But one thing was certain: with this, both Blue Sky Alliance and the Demon Cult had drawn out all their hidden cards.

Everything was proceeding according to Sang Han-cheon's intention.

"If there are no more hidden cards, the stronger side wins."

The corners of Sang Han-cheon's mouth curled up. He was confident of victory.

With Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect's participation, they had consumed all their hidden cards. It was the same for this side, but fundamentally their power was far superior. No ingenious schemes could fill such a difference in power.

Sang Han-cheon glanced at Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

Even though the Demon Cult was grasping victory, Cheok Gwan-hyeol was twitching his cheek as if his mood was displeased.

That's when it happened.

"Cult Leader!"

Suddenly a white shadow appeared.

The person dressed entirely in white from head to toe was precisely White Wing Annihilation King No Gun-sang. Next to him was a familiar woman. She was precisely Demon Hag Dan Un-hyang.

No Gun-sang prostrated himself and said.

"I found and brought back the Demon Hag."

Instantly Cheok Gwan-hyeol's eyes rippled even more violently.

"Un-hyang!"

"Cult Leader!"

"Why did you do that? Why did you disappear after holding the ceremony?"

"That… I don't know either."

"Don't know?"

Cheok Gwan-hyeol's eyes rippled even more fiercely. Then Dan Un-hyang bowed her head deeply and said.

"I truly don't know. After finishing the ceremony, I seemed not in my right mind. When I came to my senses, Annihilation King appeared before me."

"You can't remember? Not even about Blood Elder."

"I'm sorry, Cult Leader. I truly don't know what happened."

Tears were already glistening in Dan Un-hyang's eyes. The woman who showed such ruthless aspects when facing enemies was at a loss before Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

She seemed truly confused. Watching her face, Cheok Gwan-hyeol's heart softened a little.

"I will interrogate about that matter after today's great battle ends. Until then, stay quietly here."

"I under… stand."

Dan Un-hyang answered in a shrinking voice.

After watching her appearance for a moment, Cheok Gwan-hyeol soon cast his gaze back to the battlefield.

The battlefield was chaos itself.

It was a battle where both sides' full strength was deployed. Naturally it was bound to be fiercer than ever.

As time passed, damage increased exponentially for both sides. Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists died miserably, but the Demon Cult's damage was also considerable.

The blood scent so strongly stimulated their sense of smell from how many died. Even martial artists with much experience frowned at the foul fishy smell.

Even Sang Han-cheon, who was commanding the war, felt like vomiting everything inside from disgust. Still, he held it in firmly.

He was a military strategist. The one commanding this war.

If he wavered, the entire Divine Cult wavered.

It pained his heart that the Divine Cult's martial artists were dying, but he thought it unavoidable sacrifice for the Divine Cult's rule over all under Heaven.

'If we achieve victory in today's battle, no one will be able to call the Divine Cult the Demon Cult anymore. Divine Cult, yes! Today will be a meaningful day officially launching as the Divine Cult.'

He was opening that glorious door of history with his own hands.

Sang Han-cheon believed in victory without doubt.

In reality, the Demon Cult was overwhelming Blue Sky Alliance.

Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect, who had jumped into battle vigorously, also couldn't exert more strength under the Cult Protection Division and Thirteen Branches' attacks.

Even Cho Yeon-woon, who'd displayed such ferocity, had become covered in blood, and Hae So-wol, who'd slaughtered the Demon Cult's martial artists with ghostly sword techniques, had also received many wounds and her movements had noticeably dulled. Other martial artists were the same.

So Cheon had practically become a blood person, and Cheong-un and the Seventeen-Member Suicide Squad were also panting while bearing large and small wounds.

They had clashed with the Demon Cult six times including today. No matter how profound their internal energy was, they couldn't prevent their stamina from being depleted.

"Huff! Huff!"

"Haaah!"

They tried to regulate their breath and control their disrupted inner energy. But the Demon Cult's martial artists didn't give them time and attacked.

"Kraak!"

Eventually one member of the Seventeen-Member Suicide Squad lost his life.

Starting with his death, the suicide squad began dying. The blood they shed stained the earth red.

"No!"

Cho Yeon-woon, who saw that from afar, showed a sorrowful expression. They had been together since escaping Yueyang, so special affection had accumulated more than with anyone. The fact that he couldn't prevent their deaths even while watching made Cho Yeon-woon feel grief-stricken.

Cho Yeon-woon wanted to rush to them immediately. But five masters of the Demon Cult were holding his ankles. All of them were formidable, so he couldn't shake them off easily.

Cho Yeon-woon thought of Geom Yul-cheon.

'Why isn't he moving yet?'

He had definitely said he would move at the optimal time. He hadn't completely trusted him, but still thought he would move by now. But contrary to Cho Yeon-woon's expectation, he showed no movement at all.

'Was I deceived?'

That thought suddenly occurred to him. But Cho Yeon-woon soon shook his head to dismiss the doubt.

Once he started doubting, there was no end. Now was a time to believe rather than doubt.

But contrary to his heart, the battle situation was too unfavorable. Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists were pushed back and back until driven to below the walls again.

Clash!

"Khup!"

"Aak!"

Countless people screamed and died. Blood that spurted from their bodies stained the walls red.

Everyone in Blue Sky Alliance thought of the word "despair."

It was when they thought there was no more hole to emerge from.

Thump thump thump!

Suddenly the earth shook.

It wasn't just Cho Yeon-woon who felt that way. Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists and the Demon Cult's martial artists fiercely pressing them also felt intense tremors rising through their feet.

"Wh-what? Is it the Demon Cult's reinforcements?"

"Are there more joining?"

The complexions of Blue Sky Alliance martial artists who were already desperate turned black, and color appeared on the Demon Cult martial artists' faces.

Because such tremors were possible only if a tremendous scale of large forces moved.

That's when it happened.

"We have arrived."

"Sweep away all the Demon Cult bastards."

Along with loud shouts, men wearing green clothes suddenly revealed themselves from behind the Demon Cult. They were tremendous in number, enough to color the entire wide plain green.

At their forefront was a woman.

A tawny-skinned woman wearing an upper garment made of tiger skin. Behind her stood a giant who seemed two heads taller than ordinary people, holding a large ax in both hands.

When everyone was questioning their identity, a loud voice burst from Blue Sky Alliance.

"Sister Hye-ryeong, Brother Il-gwang."

The voice's owner was precisely Bang Jin-bo.

Bang Jin-bo recognized their identity at a glance. He couldn't help it. Because they were precisely Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang.

Hwang Hye-ryeong, Dam Ho's younger sister, had appeared here with Muk Il-gwang leading the Green Forest bandits.

The number of Green Forest bandits the two brought exceeded five thousand. Though each individual's martial prowess couldn't compare to Blue Sky Alliance or the Demon Cult's martial artists, their numbers were overwhelming and then some.

"This is bad!"

Sang Han-cheon, who belatedly noticed the Green Forest bandits' appearance, hardened stiffly. Because the Green Forest's appearance didn't exist anywhere in his plan.

He thought the Green Forest had dissolved with the death of chief leader Hwang Gyeong-mun. Considering the Green Forest bandits' cohesion like grains of sand, he had judged it difficult for them to unite again.

Unless there was a focal point as powerful as Hwang Gyeong-mun.

"Just who became the focal point? That man? Or the woman?"

Then Hwang Hye-ryeong opened her mouth.

"We will avenge the chief leader and our brothers with our own hands. Everyone attack."

"Waaa!"

"Let's avenge our brothers."

The Green Forest bandits rushed at the Demon Cult's martial artists all at once. The sight of over five thousand large forces rushing was truly spectacular. The earth shook and dust scattered high into the sky.

"Kraak!"

"Aaak!"

The Demon Cult's martial artists who had been so fiercely pressing Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists were attacked from front and back and collapsed helplessly.

Hwang Hye-ryeong watched that with cold eyes.

After the chief stronghold was trampled by the Demon Cult, she fled with Muk Il-gwang leading survivors to Jangheung Stronghold in Zhejiang Province.

Green Forest bandits who heard rumors that she and Muk Il-gwang were at Jangheung Stronghold came seeking them out one by one. At first, only a few joined Jangheung Stronghold. But as time passed, their numbers increased exponentially.

All had lost brothers to the Demon Cult. Because they had an unforgivable grudge against the Demon Cult, they could unite tightly around Hwang Hye-ryeong.

The previous chief leader's daughter, and Muk Il-gwang who had grown into the Green Forest's strongest martial artist were together. No focal point stronger than them existed.

Obtaining information that the Demon Cult was launching a general offensive toward Blue Sky Alliance, Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang led their forces here that very day. Though the distance was too far so they only arrived today.

The situation reversed with the Green Forest's joining.

Cho Yeon-woon raised his voice and shouted.

"We must not miss this opportunity. Let's gather strength and attack too."

"Waaaa!"

Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists roared and squeezed out their last strength.

The Green Forest bandits truly clung to the Demon Cult's martial artists like demons. Though their martial arts were incomparable, their poison energy surpassed the Demon Cult's martial artists and then some.

Three or four Green Forest bandits clung to one Demon Cult martial artist. With Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists joining in too, there was no way to withstand it.

"N-no!"

"Uwaa!"

Eventually martial artists fleeing appeared, unable to endure.

At first there were only a few, but the emotion called despair spread throughout the area at terrifying speed. Though orders weren't issued from above, martial artists fleeing appeared successively. The military command system that should be strictly maintained had collapsed.

"No!"

Sang Han-cheon, who saw that, screamed. Once the military command system collapsed, re-establishing it strictly was an arduous task. Though Sang Han-cheon waved flags and issued orders, nothing took effect.

It was when Sang Han-cheon's face was turning ashen.

"As expected, nothing works without going out directly."

Along with a bleak voice, violent energy crushed the area. Looking back, he saw black energy stretching out like tentacles from Cheok Gwan-hyeol's body.

"C-Cult Leader?"

"I'm disappointed in you, Military Strategist!"

"I'm sorry. Please kill me, Cult Leader."

"I will hold you accountable for this sin after the war ends. After killing all those ants."

Kuuuu!

The atmosphere screamed and convulsed madly.

The man standing at the Demon Cult's pinnacle jumped into battle whipping up a black storm.

Kwaaa!

"Uwaaak!"

"Kek!"

Everything swept up in the storm shattered.