Chapter 490

Chapter 490 – Personal Desires Defy Heaven's Laws (3)

Zzzzzt!

The hand gripping the axe handle tingled. Like an earthquake had occurred, the trembling didn't easily subside. Such intense shock was penetrating his entire body.

If it had been an ordinary martial artist, even just this much shock would have made their mind fly away. But Oh Geuk wasn't an ordinary martial artist.

As if proving he'd been a martial artist who dominated an era, Oh Geuk discarded the broken axe handle and instantly drew out a whip.

Chwachachak!

The black whip instantly formed a membrane in front of Oh Geuk, blocking Dam Ho's approach. Oh Geuk wasn't reassured with just that much and drew out even the sword hanging at his waist.

With his left hand he swung the whip to restrain Dam Ho, with his right hand he attacked using the sword. His appearance handling two types of weapons with completely opposite methods of operation and principles simultaneously and freely didn't shame the nickname Heavenly Soldier King.

Pwaang!

The whip that had only been defending suddenly extended like a viper in an instant and struck Dam Ho. It was a whip made by twisting iron core and dragon tendon. On the surface, countless fine protrusions like hooks protruded. It was a strange weapon that would peel off skin and tear out muscle with just a light graze.

Despite being struck by such a whip, Dam Ho's form only swayed slightly and received no injuries. Because at the moment he was struck by the whip, he deployed Shield and let it flow away.

Oh Geuk knew that fact. Because a heavy feeling wasn't transmitted from the hand holding the whip. But he had anticipated this to some degree.

The opponent was Fist Demon.

He was a master standing at the pinnacle of the current martial world.

He wasn't a flower raised under the care of a sect or family. He was precisely the greatest of great trees who'd grown by carving through blood paths with his own power.

Having fought more life-and-death battles than anyone, Oh Geuk didn't think he would suffer damage from merely this much when his practical combat sense was at its peak.

Oh Geuk wasn't flustered and deployed the next move he'd prepared. After instantly retrieving the sword held in his right hand to its scabbard, he lightly waved his arm as if playing.

"…"

Instantly Dam Ho's complexion turned even colder. Because he perceived the air flow had changed subtly.

Wooong!

Dam Ho deployed a shield without hesitation. Then 'titik' sounds rang out repeatedly around his body.

It was the sound of some invisible fine things blocked by the shield and falling. The owners of the sounds were fine needles difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

They were hidden weapons called Yama King Needles.

As one of Oh Geuk's trump cards, since they moved riding the texture of air, even absolute masters found it difficult to defend. But Dam Ho detected and defended too easily. No matter how strong Oh Geuk's willpower was, his composure couldn't help but shake.

Oh Geuk's fluster was only momentary, but Dam Ho didn't miss that opening.

Zzaeaek!

Dam Ho charged in at terrifying speed as if to destroy a fortress wall. Oh Geuk swung his usual whip to protect his entire body while drawing out his sword.

Kwaang!

"Kuurk!"

Instantly a frustrated groan burst from Oh Geuk's mouth. Such was his face, deathly pale with fright.

Before his eyes, the whip made by twisting iron core and dragon tendon was bursting apart and scattering into pieces. Oh Geuk's common sense was shattering to pieces.

The whip was superior in elasticity and flexibility to any other weapon. Though it could be cut, breaking or bursting was impossible. But before his eyes, that impossible thing had happened.

What burst his whip was none other than Dam Ho's fist. Dam Ho's fist was gathered pointedly like an awl. The force and destructive power that had been dispersed were likewise concentrated on a single point. That's why he could destroy the whip.

Weeing!

When the whip that had protected Oh Geuk like iron disappeared, Dam Ho's full-scale offensive followed. An eerie sound like saw blades meshing and turning rang through the air, then an explosive sound burst out.

Kwaang!

It was Shattering Star Punch.

Oh Geuk's body jerked and was pushed backward. But he wasn't injured. Because by a hair's breadth, he'd drawn up protective qi to protect his entire body.

"Bastard!"

Oh Geuk shouted angrily. The rage and bewilderment he felt was fully contained in his shout.

It was rage toward himself for having the initiative seized by Dam Ho, and bewilderment toward Dam Ho's martial prowess exceeding his expectations.

Since the Four Divine Emperors, Dam Ho was the first to make him feel such emotions. At least the Four Divine Emperors had lived in the same era as him, but he really hadn't expected Dam Ho, born far after him, would display this level of martial power.

The reason Oh Geuk followed Ho Cheon-myeong was because he was impressed by him, but decisively because he'd been subdued by his martial power. But the monster called the martial world, transcending eras, had again produced an outstanding martial artist named Dam Ho blocking his way.

Oh Geuk was enraged at such a martial world.

"Stop blocking my way any longer, martial world!"

Chwareureuk!

Instantly all the weapons hanging on his back floated into the air.

Thousand Weapons Heaven Slaughter Strike.

It was his unique ultimate technique that would tear apart even Heaven with a thousand weapons. All his enlightenment from comprehending his entire life was melted into this one move.

Though he didn't actually use a thousand weapons, the dozens of weapons he was equipped with swirled around Oh Geuk's entire body like living creatures.

Oh Geuk wielded dozens of weapons like escorts and rushed toward Dam Ho. Dam Ho likewise didn't retreat and charged forward.

Anyone could tell at a glance. That the techniques Oh Geuk deployed were truly dangerous. But avoiding them didn't match Dam Ho's personality.

The martial art called Solitary Path he'd created maximized destructive power when advancing. And Dam Ho believed in Solitary Path and advanced.

Kuwaa!

Explosive force swirled around Dam Ho. He'd deployed Violent Demon Energy. In that state as is, Dam Ho clashed with the dozens of weapons flying toward him.

Kwaaaaang!

An explosion that shook Heaven and Earth occurred.

A tremendous storm swept in all directions and the earth was overturned. And fragments of shattered weapons became deadly weapons destroying everything around.

Coin-sized holes were punctured through huge boulders, and armspan-thick trees were cut down. The entire area was scorched as if a meteor had fallen from the sky.

In the center of it, Dam Ho and Oh Geuk stood facing each other.

Dam Ho's appearance was truly miserable.

Fragments of weapons shattered to pieces were stuck throughout his entire body, making him resemble a hedgehog. Blood flowed like streams from the wounds where fragments were stuck.

Dam Ho's body with closed eyes was swaying precariously like a candle before wind. In contrast, Oh Geuk was composed.

He looked at the precariously swaying Dam Ho with narrowed eyes.

"Heuheuh!"

Oh Geuk suddenly burst into laughter. Then Dam Ho opened his eyes.

His eyes had all their blood vessels burst and were dyed completely red. He looked as if bloody tears would flow any moment.

Watching that appearance, Oh Geuk continued speaking.

"Heuheuh! Amazing, truly amazing. Though the front waves of Yangtze River being pushed by back waves is the principle of the world, to send a monster like you into the world. Heaven has gone mad."

"Where is… Ho Cheon-myeong?"

"Even in that body's condition, you're looking for him?"

Oh Geuk shook his head with a truly disgusted expression.

The injuries Dam Ho suffered were clearly serious wounds at a glance. It was a miracle he maintained breathing and stood.

The Thousand Weapons Heaven Slaughter Strike Oh Geuk deployed had truly earth-shattering power. It was the first time Oh Geuk deployed Thousand Weapons Heaven Slaughter Strike with full power like this.

To reveal such killing intent even after being hit by Thousand Weapons Heaven Slaughter Strike.

Oh Geuk saw the limits of how tenacious humans could become through the existence called Dam Ho. That's why he was disgusted. Such a tenacious yet strong human was a first in Oh Geuk's entire life.

Dam Ho spoke again.

"Speak! Where Ho Cheon-myeong is."

His killing intent was vividly transmitted riding the air.

Oh Geuk's expression twisted miserably. But thinking of something, he soon smiled and said.

"Fine! It wouldn't matter to tell you. Anyway, with those wounds, reaching that place on time is impossible. The Cult Leader is at Mount Zhongnan."

"Mount Zhongnan?"

"That's right. It's a place where the Demon Cult and Blue Sky Alliance are fighting fiercely at Sunyang Plains is right nearby. He'll open a new world there. Heuheuheu!"

Oh Geuk was bursting into loud laughter toward Heaven when he suddenly swayed. Then immediately vomited dark red blood.

"Krheurk!"

Mixed abundantly in the blood pouring like a waterfall were finely crushed internal organ pieces. Only the outside was intact, but inside was already crushed to pieces.

Thud!

Oh Geuk knelt and looked up at Dam Ho.

"Heuheuh! Though I couldn't kill you completely, still, I seem to have done my part so I have no regrets. With those wounds, you absolutely can't stop the Cult Leader even if you die and wake. Heuheuh! Cult Leader, please achieve what you desire. If I have a soul, I'll follow to where you go."

Though he couldn't kill Dam Ho, at least mutual destruction was achieved. In Dam Ho's current body condition, he couldn't go to Mount Zhongnan even if he died and woke. Even if he somehow went, he absolutely couldn't interfere with Ho Cheon-myeong.

Just that made Oh Geuk greatly satisfied.

Just the fact that he'd grabbed the ankle of that terrifying young martial artist meant he'd brilliantly burned the last of his life.

Oh Geuk smiled with satisfaction but it didn't last long.

Kkkkeuk!

The numerous fragments stuck in Dam Ho's body were being pushed out on their own. As if Dam Ho's flesh was rejecting the fragments.

Tutuk!

The numerous fragments stuck in Dam Ho's body fell to the ground.

"What?"

A look of shock appeared on Oh Geuk's face that had been smiling triumphantly. But it was still early for him to be surprised.

Because the wounds where fragments had been pushed out and red flesh revealed contracted, and the areas that had been bleeding stopped bleeding on their own.

It wasn't a miracle or coincidence or anything like that. Dam Ho's body, trained to the extreme beyond human limits, was reacting to protect itself against external stimuli.

It was a phenomenon absolutely incomprehensible by Oh Geuk's common sense, but it was natural for Dam Ho.

What Dam Ho focused on most during the past year holed up in Lesser Mount Hua was precisely healing techniques. The biggest problem with Solitary Path that threw the whole body into fighting was precisely receiving many wounds.

Ordinary wounds or whatnot could be ignored, but occasionally wounds so severe it was hard to move were the problem. Since Dam Ho acted almost alone, he had to find ways to survive on his own. What he created was precisely controlling muscles like involuntary muscles that absolutely can't be moved by human will, with will, to seal wounds.

Oh Geuk's pupils shook as he witnessed a miracle impossible by his common sense. To such him, Dam Ho said indifferently.

"Watch after you die. Whether I go to Mount Zhongnan or not."

"N-no!"

Oh Geuk reached out trying to grab Dam Ho's ankle. At that moment, Dam Ho struck down on Oh Geuk's head with his large hand.

Kwajik!

Oh Geuk's head shattered to pieces like a pumpkin, and red blood and gray brain matter splattered in all directions.

That was the shabby last of Oh Geuk who'd dominated an era.

Dam Ho didn't look at Oh Geuk anymore. His face was deathly pale without a hint of color. Because he'd bled too much instantaneously.

Though he'd stopped the bleeding by controlling muscles, that alone wasn't enough. Controlling involuntary muscles couldn't heal internal injuries.

Dam Ho searched his clothes. A small wooden box caught in his hand. When he took out and opened the wooden box, a black pill wrapped beautifully in mulberry paper was visible.

It had no name. It was an elixir Jong Ri-yeon made only for him. She'd guaranteed. No matter how amazing Shaolin Temple's Great Return Pill was as an elixir, it couldn't compare to the elixir she made.

In this one pill was contained everything she'd accumulated until now.

Dam Ho entered meditation without hesitation after pouring the elixir into his mouth.

Tssssss!

Hot steam rose from his pores.

***

"So that's how it was."

Ho Cheon-myeong nodded contentedly with a satisfied smile.

Before him, Gi San-wol stood with a blank expression. He looked as if his soul had left. Actually, Gi San-wol was in extreme confusion.

It was as if someone had stirred the inside of his head with a ladle. His head was chaotic on top of his chest churning, making vomit rise. In the end, Gi San-wol couldn't endure and bent over on the ground, vomiting everything inside.

"Uweek!"

Ho Cheon-myeong didn't even glance at such Gi San-wol and muttered.

"You're a lucky child. To have halfway experienced a place someone couldn't go even racing a lifetime, regardless of your own will."

He'd worked his entire life solely for that one goal. In that process, countless people close to him died. They were people who wouldn't have had to die if he hadn't harbored ambition. If only they hadn't gotten involved with him, they would have enjoyed fame and luxury as great heroes of the martial world.

Only after paying the sacrifice of so many people could he barely come this far. But Gi San-wol before him had experienced that place first regardless of his own will. Though it was only half.

Ho Cheon-myeong raised his hand. Then Gi San-wol's body lying on the ground floated up into the air. Only then did Gi San-wol somewhat collect himself.

Instantly Ho Cheon-myeong waved his hand again. Then Gi San-wol's body flew like an arrow and crashed into a huge boulder.

"Krhuk!"

At the tremendous shock, Gi San-wol vomited blood. The blood he vomited dyed his chest red. Watching such him, Ho Cheon-myeong said.

"You're a truly lucky child. Because you gained the honor of seeing that place you luckily went to once more. Watch from here. The gate opening here."

Kwadeuk!

As soon as Ho Cheon-myeong finished speaking, rock fragments twisted like rope and bound Gi San-wol's both arms. Having both hands bound suddenly, Gi San-wol couldn't budge.

Gi San-wol raised his head and looked at Ho Cheon-myeong.

"That place, are you trying to open the gate to Six Paths? Cult Leader."

"That's right. It's my lifelong wish."

"Crazy!"

Gi San-wol spat out a curse.

He glared at Ho Cheon-myeong with fearsome eyes. But Ho Cheon-myeong smiled without blinking an eye.

"If Six Paths opens, this world will turn to hell. Is that still fine?"

"What's the big deal?"

"What?"

"It's just a difference in perspective, child. From your perspective this place might be quite decent, but from my eyes it's an endlessly boring hell-like place."

"Such sophistry… Why try to go there so desperately while turning this place to hell?"

"Because Six Paths is there, I'm trying to go, and because there are many cumbersome things on the path, I'm merely clearing them."

"Crazy!"

Gi San-wol trembled.

Ho Cheon-myeong had a way of thinking incomprehensible to an ordinary person's mind. Ordinary human standards or values didn't work on him. Perhaps all people in the world looked like ants to him.

No human existed who moved their steps being mindful of ants passing underfoot. To the human called Ho Cheon-myeong, human value was precisely only that much.

Understanding that fact, uncontrollable chills spread.

Ho Cheon-myeong tried not to mind Gi San-wol anymore.

Where his gaze turned was precisely the huge altar being built at the site where Zhongnan Sect had been.

His final wish was contained there.

The moment to achieve his lifelong dream wasn't far off.

Everything was proceeding exactly according to his plan.

That's when it happened.

"It absolutely won't be achieved as you wish."

It was Gi San-wol's voice.

Ho Cheon-myeong looked at Gi San-wol with slightly furrowed brows. Then Gi San-wol continued speaking with difficulty.

"My lord will stop you."

"You mean Fist Demon?"

"That's right! My lord will come soon."

"Is that so? Then I hope he's not too late. I don't want to see that magnificent scenery alone."

A smile appeared on Ho Cheon-myeong's lips.

The signal that the altar was completed appeared.

Since the altar for holding the ritual was complete, now he had to wait for the sacrifice to come.