Chapter 425

Chapter 425 – Finding a Path of Life in the Path of Death (4)

The old man blinked his eyes.

Tears formed in his dry eyes, bringing back focus to his previously blurry vision. Then he could see the surrounding scenery again.

A look of surprise appeared on the old man's face.

"You can see me."

Being able to see the opponent while they cannot see you was the Thousand Li Soul Exchange Great Technique.

The Thousand Li Soul Exchange Great Technique required tremendous preparation and time. First, a vessel capable of soul exchange was needed, and enormous time and effort were required to raise that vessel.

Nok Su-bing was a suitable vessel for deploying the Thousand Li Soul Exchange Great Technique. Discovering her near Kunlun Mountain was great fortune. So he devoted his heart and soul to raising her and expanding the vessel. And he had to use it to see Dam Ho directly. He never expected Dam Ho would try to approach his true form through her though.

The Thousand Li Soul Exchange Great Technique was a dark art that placed enormous burden on the soul. Because of this, once deployed, the vessel could never be used again, which was a disadvantage.

Nok Su-bing, whom he had devoted his heart to raising, could never be used again. Still, the old man didn't think it was a waste. Because it was worth it.

"How much did he see?"

The old man muttered indifferently. But he didn't look very concerned. Just glimpsing the outer shell a little couldn't reveal the true essence.

"Was it this much? Fis Demon. Yes, this much would deserve to be called Demon Sage."

He approached the window and opened it wide. Then the blocked air rushed in all at once, bringing in sounds from outside.

"That way!"

"Stop those bastards!"

Through the window, Demon Cult martial artists could be seen running with fierce momentum. And also the young talents of the Martial Alliance being chased by them.

A faint smile appeared on his face covered in wrinkles like old tree bark.

"It's getting more and more interesting."

Boom boom boom!

In the distance, Jang Jin-myeong and Gang Wi could be seen fighting.

The place where he stood was the Demon Cult's main base. And people called the old man Blood Elder.

Blood Elder stood there for quite a while, watching the fight between Jang Jin-myeong and Gang Wi.

In terms of martial arts, Jang Jin-myeong was clearly superior.

No matter how much Gang Wi was one of the Four Great Commanders of the Demon Cult, he was slightly behind Jang Jin-myeong in years of training, martial prowess, and experience. But this was the Demon Cult's main base – no different from Gang Wi's own front yard.

Above all, time was on Gang Wi's side. As time passed, countless troops would support him, and Jang Jin-myeong would inevitably become isolated. Naturally, psychologically Gang Wi was relaxed while Jang Jin-myeong was being pursued.

That small difference made up for the gap between the two.

'Hurry!'

Jang Jin-myeong bit his lips hard.

He had pushed through with an operation that many opposed. Naturally, he had to take all the responsibility for it.

Taking responsibility was fine. He had volunteered to be the suicide squad leader with that resolve. But failing to produce the desired results was problematic.

'Quick victory, I stake everything on this one move.'

Without hesitation, he drew up all his power. Then sword cry burst from the sword in his hand.

Whoooosh!

Along with the sword cry, sword energy swept forth.

Instantly Gang Wi's eyes gleamed with killing intent.

"Good!"

He could feel pressure on his skin that was fierce enough to make flesh tremble and terrifying enough to crush souls. That's why he was even more pleased. He had been looking forward to such a fight for a long time.

A fierce battle where one mistake could cost his life.

Swoosh!

His sword became light and collided with Jang Jin-myeong's sword.

Claaang!

Instantly the space where the two were fighting exploded.

Eun So-cheong suddenly looked back.

The intense energy wave from behind made her hair and clothes flutter.

"What?"

"It's the aftermath of absolute masters clashing. Just focus ahead. You don't have the luxury to worry about that."

The one who answered was Hae So-wol.

With Eun So-cheong in the middle, Hae So-wol and So Cheon were running on the left and right.

Their entire bodies were covered with minor wounds.

No matter how they were masters who stirred the martial world, there were too many enemies. Moreover, this was the middle of enemy territory. It was a land of death that didn't tolerate even an inch of carelessness, so Hae So-wol and So Cheon's nerves were razor sharp.

Behind them, about ten suicide squad martial artists were following. They were ones who usually got along comfortably with So Cheon and Hae So-wol. When the crisis struck, they instinctively followed the two.

Hae So-wol's eyes shone sharply.

"This way!"

She led the group as if she knew the way.

Hae So-wol had completely picked up Eun So-cheong and carried her, while So Cheon protected them. And behind them, about ten more martial artists followed.

"It's the Martial Alliance suicide squad."

"Block them!"

Demon Cult elites blocked their path.

They were emanating fierce killing intent, but their numbers were significantly fewer than elsewhere. Because they had been dispersed to block other suicide squads.

Instantly So Cheon shot forward like an arrow and spread both palms wide. Then powerful palm force shot forward.

It was Great Prajna Palm, a secret technique of Shaolin Temple.

Whoooosh!

Tremendous force swept past in front of So Cheon.

It was Great Prajna Palm that So Cheon deployed with determination. Because he was prepared to break the killing precept, it displayed even more fierce power.

The Demon Cult martial artists caught in Great Prajna Palm flew like autumn leaves in the wind. Among them were martial artists who stood firm on both legs, but there weren't many such people.

"Amitabha! Now!"

At So Cheon's signal, the suicide squad martial artists following behind shot forward. They unleashed deadly techniques on those swept up by Great Prajna Palm.

"Arrgh!"

"Gah!"

As countless people died, the Demon Cult's formation collapsed.

Hae So-wol and the suicide squad charged through that gap. They quickly distanced themselves.

"Stop them!"

"Chase them quickly!"

Those who belatedly came to their senses began pursuit, but the distance between them was gradually increasing.

Hae So-wol bit her lips hard.

"Just a little more to go."

She recalled the conversation she had with Cho Yeon-woon last night.

―In the east of the outer fortress, one of the old Martial Alliance halls called Sacred Heart Hall still maintains its original form. If problems arise, definitely go there.

She still didn't know why Cho Yeon-woon said that. But she trusted Cho Yeon-woon.

He usually enjoyed making frivolous remarks, but that didn't mean he spoke nonsense. And these were words he earnestly entreated. That's why Hae So-wol was acting according to Cho Yeon-woon's words.

It was the Demon Cult's main base built on the ruins of the fallen old Martial Alliance. Many things had changed and countless new halls had been built, but the basic framework hadn't changed.

Because Hae So-wol remembered the old Martial Alliance, she could find the path to Sacred Heart Hall without difficulty. But the path to Sacred Heart Hall was never smooth.

Like ants pouring out of an anthill, countless Demon Cult masters crawled out and blocked their path.

"Aaaah!"

"Gah!"

Not only Demon Cult masters but also suicide squad martial artists following behind Hae So-wol died.

"Amitabha!"

So Cheon struggled desperately to protect them somehow, but he couldn't protect all those many people by himself.

Stab!

"Ugh!"

A young martial artist stabbed in the belly by a spear rolled his eyes.

His name was Jo Si-yul, a promising talent from the Namchang Mok Family. He had particularly strong chivalric spirit, so he applied to the suicide squad without hesitation.

Until he participated in the suicide squad, he harbored dreams of achieving glory by accomplishing great deeds. But the reality that faced him was harsh.

Jo Si-yul's eyes glazed over from the extreme pain starting in his belly.

He could only see the blurry backs of his departing comrades.

'Take me with you too. Please!'

Slash!

At that moment, along with a sharp cutting sound, darkness came to Jo Si-yul.

"These damn bastards!"

A Demon Cult master who belatedly appeared at the scene swung his whip greatly to shake off the blood.

Under his feet rolled Jo Si-yul's headless body. He had blown off Jo Si-yul's head with his whip.

His name was Yoon Gwang.

Heavenly Kill Divine Whip Yoon Gwang.

He was an absolute master belonging to one of the Demon Cult's Seven Great Demons.

When Military Advisor Sang Han-cheon said there would be uninvited guests, he had scoffed. He had suspicious thoughts about what brazen person would dare attack the Demon Cult's main base. But Sang Han-cheon's words became reality, and the Demon Cult's sacred land was being trampled by Martial Alliance scoundrels.

Yoon Gwang could absolutely not tolerate that fact.

How hard had they worked to establish this main base in Central Plains?

How many had sacrificed to occupy this place, and now it was being trampled by the Martial Alliance again?

Yoon Gwang was furious.

He pursued Hae So-wol, So Cheon and others who were distancing themselves, along with his subordinates.

"I'll kill them all."

His killing intent dominated the area.

"Ugh!"

The first to react to Yoon Gwang's killing intent was So Cheon.

His spine tingled and his heart beat violently. So Cheon realized the one pursuing was an absolute master.

"Amitabha!"

Sacred Heart Hall was just a little further. But at this rate, they would definitely be caught by Yoon Gwang before they could even reach Sacred Heart Hall.

So Cheon exchanged glances with Hae So-wol.

"Go ahead first. I'll block him."

"But…"

"Amitabha! I'll follow right behind. You don't need to worry too much."

"If it looks unfavorable, immediately retreat."

"I understand."

So Cheon nodded and fell back.

"You bastard!"

As soon as he fell to the very back, Yoon Gwang's whip flew with terrifying momentum.

Clear sword energy was formed on Yoon Gwang's whip. He had created whip energy.

"Amitabha!"

So Cheon lightly extended his fist toward the whip. It was Hundred Step Divine Fist, one of Shaolin's secret techniques.

Boom!

With a thunderous sound, both So Cheon and Yoon Gwang's bodies shook simultaneously.

Blocked by So Cheon, Yoon Gwang erupted with killing intent and shouted:

"A Shaolin monk."

Crack crack crack!

The whip in his hand danced.

Blood Whip Wild Dance.

The secret technique that made Yoon Gwang called Heavenly Kill Divine Whip was unleashed. So Cheon also unleashed Shaolin's secret techniques to confront him.

Boom boom boom!

The rough energy waves generated by their collision caused walls to collapse and halls to shake.

Meanwhile, the suicide squad led by Hae So-wol arrived in front of Sacred Heart Hall. But the moment they arrived at Sacred Heart Hall, Hae So-wol and others had no choice but to despair. Because countless masters were already positioned in front of Sacred Heart Hall.

At a glance, hundreds of masters were forming a wall. In contrast, the number of young talents led by Hae So-wol was only about ten. Most of them were wounded and exhausted.

The corners of Hae So-wol's eyes trembled. She instinctively thought it was impossible to get past the wall with all these people.

Then a middle-aged martial artist walked out from the Demon Cult side.

At the appearance of the martial artist emanating sharp momentum that seemed to cut skin, Hae So-wol frowned deeply.

'A master. An absolute one at that…'

The martial artist was barehanded. Instead, calluses protruded sharply from both fists, reminiscent of spears. A man whose two fists were like spears – Hae So-wol could easily deduce his identity.

"You must be Swift Wind Divine Fist Yi Seon-chang, great hero."

"Correct!"

The barehanded martial artist nodded. At this, Hae So-wol's expression became even darker.

Swift Wind Divine Fist Yi Seon-chang was one of the Seven Great Demons.

Three years ago, Dam Ho had killed a considerable number of the Seven Great Demons, greatly diminishing their prestige, but the fact that the Seven Great Demons were absolute masters hadn't changed.

"Phew!"

Hae So-wol sighed and put down Eun So-cheong. The only one here who could face Yi Seon-chang was herself. The rest would only face death if they tried.

"Sister?"

"When I break through the path, you run straight to Sacred Heart Hall."

"But…"

"I'll follow right behind. You trust me, right?"

"Yes!"

Eun So-cheong nodded. In her eyes, a hazy moisture had already formed.

She knew too. The fact that Hae So-wol was staying with the resolve to die. And if she stayed, the probability of death was higher than survival.

'What is that stupid brother doing at a time like this?'

She resented Cho Yeon-woon who wasn't there.

Then Yi Seon-chang showed a cold smile.

"Do you think things will go your way?"

When he raised his hand, hundreds of martial artists lined up behind him stepped forward.

Yi Seon-chang had high pride as a martial artist.

If it were up to him, he wanted to confront and subdue Hae So-wol in one-on-one combat. But he also had to give opportunities to the subordinates lined up behind him.

The anger of those whose territory was trampled had to be released in time. Otherwise, it was likely to become a bigger problem later.

Now was the perfect opportunity to let them vent their anger.

"Tch!"

Hae So-wol's expression contorted.

She hadn't expected Yi Seon-chang, one of the Seven Great Demons, to act this way.

"Attack!"

"Waaaah!"

When Yi Seon-chang's order fell, the Demon Cult masters all shouted in unison and charged.

It was when grim expressions appeared on the faces of Hae So-wol and the suicide squad.

Boooom!

An explosion occurred in the middle of Sacred Heart Hall, and blazing red flames swept through the area.

"What!"

Hae So-wol quickly embraced Eun So-cheong and deployed protective energy. The suicide squad masters who saw the scene head-on also quickly drew up their power or hid behind nearby cover to avoid the flames.

Conversely, because the explosion occurred from behind, a considerable number of Demon Cult masters couldn't respond in time and were engulfed in flames.

"Aaaah!"

"Save me!"

Demon Cult martial artists with their bodies on fire rolled on the ground screaming desperately.

"This can't be!"

Yi Seon-chang's face contorted with rage at the sight. At the moment of explosion, he deployed protective energy to avoid the fire, but his subordinates couldn't do the same.

Many casualties occurred, and they were all people Yi Seon-chang cherished. That's why his anger pierced the heavens.

"Who are you?"

He shouted toward the center of the explosion.

Then a man revealed himself breaking through the flames. The moment she saw his faint form, Eun So-cheong shouted:

"Brother!"

"Are you okay? Little one."

His voice pierced Eun So-cheong's ears. Instantly tears welled up in Eun So-cheong's eyes.

A dragon drunk and wandering through clouds descended through the flames. ​