Chapter 489

Chapter 489 – Personal Desires Defy Heaven's Laws (2)

That place was somewhere the flow of time was barely felt.

The gray space spread out so vastly the end couldn't be seen, and there, perceiving the flow of time was nearly impossible.

No matter how much one walked, no end appeared, and places to rest didn't exist at all. The bleak scenery where not even a single tree or small stream could be seen was enough to make one let go of even the thread of reason they were barely holding onto.

If it had been an ordinary person, they would have slowly gone mad from the moment they were thrown into that place. No matter how strong someone's mental fortitude was, being alone in such a place for long would naturally result in being invaded by madness.

In fact, such symptoms were starting to appear in the Namgung brothers. Because they were still young and their martial arts were weak, their mental fortitude wasn't strong. Still, the reason they could somehow endure was thanks to Bang Jin-bo, who devotedly cared for them. And Bang Jin-bo was gaining strength from watching Dam Ho's back as he silently carved a path forward.

In the endless vast space, they were no different from specks of dust. Finding a way out of that place was a challenge against the impossible. But Dam Ho didn't despair.

After descending from Mount Hua, everything he'd done was a succession of impossible tasks that others would call madness. He'd come this far by continuously breaking through all the walls of impossibility and prejudice that others said couldn't be done.

Dam Ho knew well that if one challenges, there's at least some possibility, but if one gives up and sits down, even that faint possibility disappears. That's why Dam Ho didn't despair and kept walking.

One step, then another step. He walked like that.

He didn't even perceive how much time had passed. Subjectively, it seemed like a very long time had passed. Yet it felt strange that he wasn't hungry at all. Instead, he felt a strong mental hunger.

Even without eating, he could breathe and live without any problems, but instead, the emptiness of his mind tormented him.

At this point, the Namgung brothers slowly went mad. No matter that they were learning Namgung clan's secret martial arts, they were still young. Being mentally immature, they didn't know how to control themselves. Naturally, they reached their limits early.

The next one to show symptoms was Bang Jin-bo. Though Bang Jin-bo's mental fortitude had become strong from following Dam Ho, as time trapped in the Avici Hell grew longer, his mental strength gradually wore down.

It was probably around that time. Dam Ho's senses became abnormally sharp. Until then, Dam Ho had only been interested in escaping the Avici Hell and hadn't paid attention to the Avici Hell itself. But when his nerves sharpened, he could feel various flows he couldn't see before.

Violent flows, gentle flows, explosive flows, subtle flows. The types were diverse, and the sensations were each different.

Dam Ho classified six types of flows in total. And the six types of flows each headed to different places.

Dam Ho headed toward the destination of the flow that felt closest. He didn't know how long he walked. It could have been days or months. At the place he reached after walking so arduously, he discovered a massive gate.

In fact, he couldn't even be sure it was a gate. He just called it that for convenience since the flow had gathered to form the shape of a gate.

There he found Gi San-wol.

Perhaps because he was in the middle of the flow gate, Gi San-wol's beard and hair had grown bushily even in the space where time's flow couldn't be felt.

Gi San-wol was trapped in the middle of the clustered flow gate, going mad. He was constantly muttering incomprehensible words.

Bang Jin-bo first tried to rescue Gi San-wol. But he was nearly devoured by the flow's strong power and almost got trapped in the gate. Fortunately, Dam Ho rescued Bang Jin-bo without being too late, so he could be safe.

Bang Jin-bo, who'd been briefly devoured by the flow, talked nonsense as if his mind was confused. But after coming to his senses, he'd even forgotten he'd said such things.

To escape this infinite space with no end in sight, they absolutely needed Gi San-wol, who'd been there longer than them. In the end, Dam Ho directly entered the flow gate.

Dam Ho felt fierce pressure and resistance. As if the gate itself had will and fiercely pushed away Dam Ho's existence in denial. Even though he'd raised Dark Soul Cultivation Technique to the extreme, Dam Ho couldn't advance easily and was pushed back. In fact, Bang Jin-bo had advanced further than him.

Only then did Dam Ho realize. The place he'd defined as a gate pushed back with stronger force the stronger one was. The fact that it drove even harder against those with immense power like Dam Ho.

Gi San-wol being trapped in the middle of the gate was because his power was middling. Otherwise, he would have been pushed back already, or completely devoured.

It was as if the space itself denied the existence of those with power like Dam Ho. That's why advancing was even harder. Still, Dam Ho didn't give up.

Dam Ho was pushed back and advanced repeatedly every day. It was a fight that seemed like it would never end. Dam Ho became covered in wounds. But the endless challenges didn't only give Dam Ho injuries. He gradually learned the knack and power of resisting the pressure.

After hundreds of attempts, Dam Ho finally could approach where Gi San-wol was trapped. At that moment, an amazing thing happened.

In the fragments of flow passing by, Dam Ho saw something. It was a completely unrealistic sight, so he could have thought it was a mistake. But it was too vivid to dismiss as merely fantasy or a dream.

Enough to make Dam Ho's heart, which absolutely never wavered at most things, shake greatly.

A new world, an unfamiliar space, and alien existences.

An amazing sight that completely denied the values and knowledge world Dam Ho had built until now was contained in the fragments of flow.

If Dam Ho hadn't learned Dark Soul Cultivation Technique and his mental fortitude wasn't solid, he would have been submerged in the fragments of flow and ended up like Gi San-wol.

Dam Ho ultimately could rescue Gi San-wol.

Gi San-wol wasn't normal. His mind had become tangled from being submerged in the flow fragments. He ran wild madly and was subdued by Dam Ho. And he could regain his sanity.

Even after coming to his senses, Gi San-wol couldn't move for a long time. He was extremely exhausted in body and mind. It took truly a long time for him to regain his vitality.

Even after regaining vitality, Gi San-wol couldn't move easily. Because the memory of being submerged in the flow fragments also affected his mind.

Gi San-wol collected himself under Bang Jin-bo's devoted care. In that process, he could organize his real memories and the false memories he'd experienced while submerged in the flow fragments. And thanks to that, he could escape from that place, the Avici Hell.

That was Dam Ho's memory.

Though he'd recalled it a few times after escaping the Avici Hell, this was the first time it revived so vividly.

Dam Ho knew this phenomenon was by no means natural. Under normal circumstances, that is.

'It's a dream.'

The moment he recognized it was a dream, Dam Ho's eyes snapped open. Then pitch-black night with not even a speck of starlight entered his view.

The place he was at was a nameless wild mountain. He'd spent the night late yesterday and briefly sought sleep leaning against a rock. The sky had definitely been full of stars then.

"Sorcery!"

Dam Ho instantly recognized the reality of the sense of discomfort he felt.

Before he knew it, the wild mountain where he was had become filled with evil energy. It was clear the evil energy had influenced him and dredged up old memories.

Dam Ho rose. Then the evil energy covering the sky rippled.

Suddenly Dam Ho stamped his right foot powerfully. He'd deployed Great Earthquake Step.

Kuwoong!

With a roar, the ground split and bedrock rose like castle walls to surround Dam Ho.

"Krheuk!"

Instantly someone's stifled groan burst from the darkness.

Dam Ho kicked the earth.

Following Charging Step, Shattering Star Punch was deployed.

Kwang!

"Krhuk!"

With a roar, someone's scream burst out.

A heavy feeling was transmitted from his fist. He'd dealt damage to the opponent hiding in the darkness. But Dam Ho wouldn't stop at just that much.

Zzzeeng!

As Single Yang Strike burst forth, the air shook violently.

"Damn it!"

Instantly the unknown existence hiding in the darkness couldn't endure any longer and burst out.

It was a dwarf who only came up to an ordinary person's waist. But his eyes were sharp and his mouth thin, so his impression wasn't ordinarily wicked-looking.

He glared at Dam Ho while bleeding from his mouth.

"You bastard! To escape from the Blood Wheel Dream Illusion Technique so well. Less than a worm… krhuk!"

Kwang!

He couldn't continue his words to the end. Because Dam Ho's Shattering Star Punch burst forth once again. The dwarf, who never expected Dam Ho would attack again, suffered a huge shock and vomited blood.

In an instant, his complexion turned deathly pale.

'Crazy!'

Ordinary people would generally ask about identity or have a conversation in a case like this. But Dam Ho was far removed from the category of ordinary people.

He didn't ask why the dwarf had deployed sorcery on him. He wasn't curious about his identity either.

Whatever the reason, just the fact that he'd touched him was enough to try to kill the opponent. The dwarf was experiencing such an opponent for the first time. That's why he couldn't help but be more flustered.

He was Illusion Demon Envoy, one of Heaven Kill Cult's Four Great Envoys. Being a master of sorcery and illusions, he never had to fight enemies directly, and even less reason to take damage.

Just in case, he deployed sorcery from far away, fearing Dam Ho might notice his presence and wake if he approached close. But Dam Ho immediately sensed and reacted the moment he deployed sorcery. He'd never encountered such an opponent.

Until now, his enemies died in agony without seeing his face even once. He was an observer and controller, never having taken such direct damage even once. That's why he was flustered and afraid.

Dam Ho's eyes flashed in the darkness.

Like a tiger eyeing prey, he was charging terrifyingly. Yet no sound could be heard at all. Not the sound of kicking the earth, nor the sound of cutting through air.

When Illusion Demon Envoy perceived Dam Ho's charge, his fist had already reached right before his nose. Illusion Demon Envoy couldn't even dare dodge and squeezed his eyes shut. Imagining his head shattering like a pumpkin.

Kkaaang!

Instantly a metallic sound burst out and intense wind pressure pierced Illusion Demon Envoy's face like thousands of awls. Because of that, pain was felt, but at least his head didn't shatter to pieces.

A familiar voice reached his tightly closed ears.

"Hurry and step back."

When Illusion Demon Envoy cautiously opened his eyes, a familiar back came into view.

Behind a back solid as a mountain range, countless weapons were visible. Spears, swords, halberds, whips, axes, awls. It was as if all the weapons in the world had been gathered in that one body.

"Ah!"

Delight appeared on Illusion Demon Envoy's face.

The martial artist blocking in front of him was the most powerful martial artist in Heavenly Evil Cult after the Cult Leader.

Already a generation ago, he'd spread his fame as one of the Five Great Heroes, and after entering Heavenly Evil Cult, he'd shown a reliable presence as the eldest of the Five Evils.

Heavenly Soldier King Oh Geuk.

True to his nickname, Oh Geuk was precisely the legendary martial artist who could handle a thousand weapons. He'd appeared fully armed.

Dam Ho's fist was blocked by the staff he'd extended. He'd deflected Shattering Star Punch with a staff. Though the staff made of ten-thousand-year cold iron broke in the middle, it was a cheap price to pay for rescuing Illusion Demon Envoy.

Oh Geuk spoke to Illusion Demon Envoy with his gaze on Dam Ho.

"You step back."

"But…"

"Your sorcery doesn't work on him. Rather step back and help the Cult Leader's great ritual."

"Under… stood."

In the end, Illusion Demon Envoy had no choice but to nod.

He'd been confident his sorcery could sufficiently plunge Dam Ho's mind into confusion, but as seen, the result was a complete failure.

His sorcery didn't work on Dam Ho. Rather, he himself had become intimidated by Dam Ho. He didn't have the confidence to meet Dam Ho's fierce eyes. Just recalling him made chills run through his whole body and cold sweat flow down. He'd been devoured by Dam Ho in terms of presence.

Illusion Demon Envoy ran without looking back. Dam Ho left such an Illusion Demon Envoy alone. It was something that couldn't happen given his usual temperament. But this time he had no choice. Because of the man blocking his way.

The nickname Heavenly Soldier King wasn't something light. Having been the strongest of the previous generation's Five Great Heroes, Oh Geuk's presence was truly tremendously powerful.

His appearance heavily armed with numerous weapons evoked thoughts of a war god. It was an intimidating appearance enough to make even fairly skilled martial artists piss themselves just from seeing his exterior.

Dam Ho silently looked at Oh Geuk. Nowhere in his eyes was there a hint of intimidation. Rather, they were deeply sunken so his inner thoughts couldn't be read at all.

Oh Geuk wasn't surprised by Dam Ho's appearance either.

The opponent was called Fist Demon.

Though from a different generation than himself, he was a man who wouldn't lack even if called the current martial world's strongest. He didn't think such a man would waver, crushed by merely his exterior or presence.

"Hoo!"

Standing before Dam Ho, fighting spirit boiled up.

Until now, he'd refrained from fighting him directly due to the cult's policy, but now that the great undertaking was nearing its end, he too was given a choice. His choice was precisely to clash directly with Dam Ho.

Oh Geuk opened his mouth.

"What a face full of questions. I gave Illusion Demon Envoy time to retreat, so as compensation, I'll answer just one thing. Ask anything."

"You said great ritual?"

"That's right."

"A great ritual for what purpose?"

"A great ritual for the Cult Leader. To be precise, a great ritual to satisfy his desires."

At Oh Geuk's vague way of speaking like grasping clouds, Dam Ho frowned. Then Oh Geuk laughed "hehe" and pulled out a large axe from behind his back. From his entire body, overwhelming presence was rising strongly.

Like a candle emitting its most intense light before the end of life, Oh Geuk too planned to decorate the end of his life brilliantly.

'Cult Leader, I'm sorry. I don't think I can continue your dream any further. This place is the battlefield where I'll burn my last. May you achieve the dream you desire, Cult Leader.'

Oh Geuk smiled and put strength into the hand holding the axe.

Then Dam Ho opened his mouth.

"It seems to be related to the Avici Hell."

"…"

"I see I'm right."

Dam Ho's eyes became even sharper.

Instantly Oh Geuk felt as if his entire body was being cut to pieces by that gaze and couldn't hide his flustered expression.

Dam Ho's gaze turned toward the pitch-black dark night.

"I thought it was strange. Why the Demon Cult held a ritual at Shaolin Temple, whether there was a reason they had to do so. I was curious."

"…"

"My master said so. That people's intense grudges also affect the heavenly energy. Because of that, after great warfare, the heavenly energy always becomes disturbed, and disasters come as the laws maintaining this world are shaken."

"Shut up!"

Oh Geuk shouted loudly.

Instantly Dam Ho could be certain his guess was fact.

He moved his steps toward Oh Geuk.

Stamping the earth with his right foot and dragging his left foot as he approached, his appearance was terrible. Enough to make even an absolute master like Oh Geuk unknowingly swallow dry spit.

"That's what Ho Cheon-myeong wants. For all the laws forming the foundation of the world to be shaken."

"Shut up! You bastard!"

"Were Shaolin and the Murim Alliance not enough?"

"I told you to shut up."

Oh Geuk's veins stood out on his neck and a lion's roar burst forth. The mountains, rivers, and vegetation trembled at his lion's roar. But Dam Ho approached without blinking an eye.

"Did it require a price great enough to annihilate both Blue Sky Alliance and the Demon Cult? For what purpose. To open the gate to the world beyond the Avici Hell?"

Instantly Oh Geuk's body jerked like a fish pierced by a spear.

From his reaction, Dam Ho could be certain.

The place he called the Avici Hell was a gate.

That gate leading to a different place was like a huge net. The mesh was very large, so small fish could escape, but big fish couldn't escape, that kind of net.

Those weaker than Gi San-wol could escape, but those with immense power like Dam Ho couldn't escape the net.

The net was tangled with the laws of cause and effect. To weaken the net, one had to shake the heavenly laws maintaining this world. To do that, countless people's blood and grudges were needed.

Dam Ho finally realized all the truth.

The fact that all the fights that occurred in Central Plains for decades were ultimately because of Ho Cheon-myeong's desire. The truth that a single person's desire caused this terrible tragedy.

"I don't think of myself as a normal human either, but you've completely left the category of human."

"You bastard! Shut up!"

Kwang!

Instantly an explosion burst out and Oh Geuk's form was flung backward. The large axe he'd been holding had already shattered to pieces. Dam Ho's Shattering Star Punch had exploded.

Dam Ho's hair scattered in the wind and his fierce eyes were revealed.

"You shut up!"