Chapter 491

Chapter 491 – Everything Converges to One (1)

Kwaang!

With a roar, Cho Yeon-woon was smashed into a boulder. The house-sized boulder shattered to pieces and Cho Yeon-woon knelt and vomited blood. Fresh blood dyed his chest red.

"Krrgh!"

Cho Yeon-woon wiped the blood flowing from his mouth with his sleeve and raised his head.

Kwarrrr!

Lightning flashed within the ominous black energy that covered the sky completely black, and thunder sounds echoed. The earth cracked with 'zzzeok' sounds, and fierce storms swept through.

It seemed like the world's end had come.

People lost their words at the sight where they couldn't even imagine humans fighting humans.

Both Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists and the Demon Cult's martial artists just stared at the battlefield with fearful eyes, mouths agape.

That place was a battlefield of gods.

It was a mad fight waged by those who'd far transcended human limits.

Though countless martial artists were here, no one dared to interject into their fight.

"What on earth…"

"My goodness!"

Among those shocked was Yo Sa-ran, one of the Demon Cult's Four Great Commanders. She'd never met a match-like opponent even once except for Dam Ho. She possessed such earth-shattering martial prowess, but even she couldn't dare intervene in the gods' battle unfolding before her eyes.

Kwarrrrung!

Heaven collapsed, and the earth let out painful screams.

Though Yo Sa-ran had experienced more fights than anyone, she swore this was her first time seeing such a scene.

"This is…"

When she trembled, Cho Yeon-woon, who'd caught his breath, suddenly stood up.

Though he'd become covered in blood and his entire body was miserably ruined, not a hint of fear existed on his face.

"Chyaaat!"

He threw his body into the battlefield again without a hint of hesitation. Geom Yul-cheon, who'd been fighting Cheok Gwan-hyeol, glanced at him with a side look.

"You're late!"

"Sorry! I was catching my breath for a moment."

At Cho Yeon-woon's answer, Geom Yul-cheon nodded wordlessly. Though he seemed calm at a glance, the fact he was gritting his teeth showed he too had nearly reached his limit. In that brief moment Cho Yeon-woon was absent, tremendous burden had been placed on his entire body.

When Cho Yeon-woon joined, he could catch his breath for a moment. But that didn't mean the crisis had ended.

Uuuuung!

Even in that moment, Cheok Gwan-hyeol's demonic energy was showing its might. The surroundings were being devoured by his demonic energy and shaking.

Not only spatial sense but even distance sense was invaded by demonic energy and inaccurate. This place seemed like a separate space disconnected from the world.

At the center of it was Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol wrapped in demonic energy could no longer be seen as the same human. He was a demon god itself.

"Die!"

Chyuhwahak!

With a gloomy voice, fragments of demonic energy flew toward them.

"Chyaaat!"

Cho Yeon-woon deployed Eight Desolations Divine Fist's ultimate technique with a powerful spirit shout.

Though his entire body was covered in wounds and his blood and energy were boiling, Cho Yeon-woon didn't care and exerted full power.

'I must stop him and end this chaotic era.'

Only that one thought filled his mind.

He didn't think about what future would unfold after this fight. Because he knew too well that if they couldn't defeat Cheok Gwan-hyeol, no future would exist.

It was the same for Geom Yul-cheon.

Though he'd created the Divine Demon Order, he had greater affection for the Demon Cult than anyone. If the Demon Cult had been going down the right path he thought, he wouldn't have risen in rebellion like this.

Eum Yu-gyeong, Sin Mu-wol, Myeong-cheon, and many people's expectations hung on his shoulders.

'I must stop the Cult Leader's rampage. If I can't, no future will exist for the Divine Cult.'

For the cult's survival, for the cult members' future, he had to eliminate Cheok Gwan-hyeol. His existence being used by Heavenly Evil Cult was harmful not only to Central Plains but to the Demon Cult.

'Cult Leader!'

He'd once been someone Geom Yul-cheon respected more than anyone.

That the Demon Cult, which had been in tatters after the First Orthodox-Demon War, could achieve today's prosperity was entirely thanks to him. But his existence no longer helped the Demon Cult. Because of his existence, the Demon Cult was rushing toward irreversible catastrophe.

Someone had to stop his rampage. And the protagonist had to be himself. Only then could he smoothly lead the Demon Cult.

Geom Yul-cheon's eyes were looking at a farther place.

Kwaaa!

He deployed Thunder Striking Art with all his might. Each time, lightning flickered throughout his entire body.

It was Thunder Striking Art whose might had doubled from learning Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the Cult Protecting Divine Art. Yet it wasn't inflicting particular damage on Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol was a massive wall.

He was a stronger existence than any opponent Geom Yul-cheon had faced until now. His intense presence weighed heavily on Geom Yul-cheon's shoulders.

Though he didn't want to admit it, he couldn't defeat Cheok Gwan-hyeol alone. It was the conclusion he'd reached after Cho Yeon-woon was flung away and he faced Cheok Gwan-hyeol alone.

Geom Yul-cheon's gaze turned toward Cho Yeon-woon. As if by coincidence, Cho Yeon-woon's gaze was also toward him.

The moment they saw each other's eyes, they could know each other's intentions.

At this moment alone, their hearts communicated wordlessly.

'Join forces.'

'Coordinated attack.'

From then on, their movements changed organically.

When Geom Yul-cheon shook Cheok Gwan-hyeol's vision, Cho Yeon-woon delivered a strike, and in the opposite case, Geom Yul-cheon attacked.

When the two's movements changed organically, Cheok Gwan-hyeol was also briefly confused. If he'd maintained his usual reason, he could have responded much more efficiently, but right now he was wrapped in madness and couldn't think calmly.

Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon's coordinated attack amplified Cheok Gwan-hyeol's madness.

"I'll kill you all."

Kwaaa!

The black demonic energy that had covered the sky like spreading a large cloth seemed to be absorbed into Cheok Gwan-hyeol's body, then fluttered only around his body. At a glance it seemed the might had weakened, but Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon weren't deceived by the appearance.

It was a phenomenon appearing because the demonic energy condensed. Rather, when it covered the sky until just now was easier to deal with. The condensed demonic energy not only doubled in might but also doubled in efficiency.

Chyuhwahak!

The demonic energy extended like a black whip and attacked Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon.

Kwakwang!

"Krrgh!"

"Mm!"

The two people struck hard by the whip made from demonic energy let out stifled groans and retreated. Because even though they hurriedly drew up protective qi, the shock shook their internal organs. But that was only momentary, and the two soon charged toward Cheok Gwan-hyeol again at frightening speed.

Kwakwakwang!

Explosions burst forth continuously.

Demonic energy surged, lightning flickered. And Eight Desolations Divine Fist's mighty force made the air ripple.

Blood splattered, and flesh was torn.

Cho Yeon-woon was miserably ruined to the point his features couldn't be recognized, and Geom Yul-cheon's appearance was not much different. But only their eyes were shining more brightly than ever.

At such two people's appearance, Cheok Gwan-hyeol became even more enraged.

"These vermin-like things…"

Swishswishswish!

Instantly the darkness covering his body became blades and flew toward the two. He'd clustered demonic energy and made it like energy projection.

Demon Spinning Wheel Energy, the technique boasting the most explosive might in Heaven Encompassing Demonic Art, was deployed.

Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon's eyes widened. They too recognized the extreme vicious might contained in Demon Spinning Wheel Energy.

The energy projection blades thin as a cicada's wings were trembling precariously. As if they would burst any moment if touched lightly.

"Damn it!"

"Krrgh!"

Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon both without question drew up protective qi to protect their entire bodies.

Kuwaaaang!

At that moment, the energy blades launched with Demon Spinning Wheel Energy exploded.

"Kheuk!"

"Krhup!"

The two caught in the explosion were blown away like falling leaves.

"Alliance Leader!"

"Order Master!"

The martial artists of both forces who saw that sight let out alarmed cries. But not one person dared step forward to help them. Because Cheok Gwan-hyeol flew his body ahead of them.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol was rushing in with momentum to cut their throats in one stroke. Demonic energy swirled like a storm around his entire body. He became a sandstorm of the desert that devours everything. And swallowed Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon.

Krrrrr!

The black storm howled.

Within it, pure white lightning flickered and unprecedented mighty force extended. Those swept up by it instantly became ash and disappeared.

"Krrp!"

"Step back!"

Both Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists and the Demon Cult's martial artists hastily retreated. Their faces were filled with fear.

It was a fight that far transcended what they could imagine. Because they'd never imagined such a fight even in dreams, the fear they felt was even greater.

As the situation became like this, they wished for Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon's victory. Because they could clearly predict what result would come the moment Cheok Gwan-hyeol won.

If Cheok Gwan-hyeol won, hell would surely unfold at this place. It would definitely be so.

Tremble!

Their bodies trembled on their own. They felt chills as if catching a cold. It was a phenomenon everyone commonly felt at this moment.

Zzzejeok!

The earth they were standing on cracked like spider webs then burst open.

"Uncle Master! Please be careful."

Myeong-gyeong stood before Taoist Hyeon-so. He swung his sword to protect Taoist Hyeon-so from the explosion.

Taoist Hyeon-so looked at the battlefield where three people were tangled fighting without blinking an eye. Though he couldn't confirm the three people's forms because they were covered by the sandstorm, he could vividly feel their fierce energy waves.

The demonic energy extending from Cheok Gwan-hyeol was overwhelming Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon. The two were fighting well but were insufficient against Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol's martial prowess was close to unprecedented.

He felt wondering what martial artist under Heaven could handle him.

'Ho-ya!'

Suddenly he missed his disciple.

Because he felt that if it were Dam Ho, he could ably face Cheok Gwan-hyeol. But he soon shook his head.

As master, he couldn't always just rely on his disciple. Dam Ho had his own fight. The fight here had to be ended by those here.

'I must help.'

Suddenly Taoist Hyeon-so's eyes sank deeply and a mysterious light rippled. And a stream of voice flowed from between his lips.

"Though the demonic path may be prosperous, it cannot pierce Heaven's net, for this means evil cannot defeat righteousness. Heaven's way is truly mysterious, reaching everywhere without exception. If it is not the path, do not walk it, and evil paths that are not righteous have nowhere to set foot. This is Heaven's will, so all wicked things shall lose their power and fade away."

His voice was quiet but strangely clearly penetrated people's ears. The moment people heard Taoist Hyeon-so's voice, they felt their hearts becoming strangely calm.

His voice penetrated the demonic energy and reached Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon too. The sacred words containing Taoist Hyeon-so's spiritual power didn't greatly affect the two. But conversely, it greatly affected Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

"Krrgh!"

Cheok Gwan-hyeol let out a groan as if beaten by an iron hammer. Because Taoist Hyeon-so's voice actually affected him.

Focus momentarily returned to his two eyes filled with madness.

Taoist Hyeon-so's voice filled with spiritual power momentarily shook the evil energy invading his mind. So Cheok Gwan-hyeol could momentarily regain reason, but conversely his movements became dull.

Geom Yul-cheon, who'd been cornered, didn't miss that opening.

"Chyaaaaat!"

He squeezed out his last strength and flew his body toward Cheok Gwan-hyeol, and Cho Yeon-woon followed behind.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol sensed their movements even while his spirit was shaken.

"You bastards!"

Kwaaa!

When he spread both hands wide, unprecedented mighty force burst forth. But because his spirit was shaken, it wasn't as perfect as before.

Geom Yul-cheon deployed Thunder Armor, Thunder Striking Art's fourth technique. Then lightning wove like armor and protected his entire body.

Ppazijik!

With sounds like roasting beans, demonic energy burst on Thunder Armor.

Following that, One Punishment, Hundred Warnings, Thunder Striking Art's strongest technique, was deployed. Instantly the black sky covered with demonic energy was dyed white.

"Krrp!"

At the intense might incomparable to before, Cheok Gwan-hyeol was shocked and his body briefly stiffened. In that time, Cho Yeon-woon flew his body becoming a dragon.

Geom Yul-cheon's attack opened a path for Cho Yeon-woon. In Cho Yeon-woon's eyes, the path Geom Yul-cheon opened was clearly visible. Cho Yeon-woon rushed there.

Pssss!

His clothes became powder and scattered in the wind, revealing bare skin. And the black prosthetic leg that had been thoroughly hidden until now showed itself.

The lightning energy Geom Yul-cheon emitted dwelt in the steel prosthetic leg. At the pain of electric current flowing through his whole body, Cho Yeon-woon gritted his teeth. But he didn't stop moving.

Cho Yeon-woon instinctively knew this was the last chance given to them. He couldn't miss that chance.

Cho Yeon-woon poured everything he had into this one strike. All the internal energy he'd accumulated until now and all the essence of Eight Desolations Divine Fist.

Zzzeeeeng!

His prosthetic leg struck Cheok Gwan-hyeol's temple hard. From the recoil, the steel prosthetic leg shattered like dust and Cho Yeon-woon's body was flung backward.

"Kheheok!"

Cheok Gwan-hyeol vomited blood.

Because the energy and lightning dwelling in Cho Yeon-woon's prosthetic leg flowed into his head.

Momentarily Cheok Gwan-hyeol's mind flew far away. But unlike his head, his body instinctively reacted. Even while his mind flew away, he deployed protective qi to protect himself.

Kwaaa!

Demonic energy swirled around Cheok Gwan-hyeol's body. But unlike until now, it was extremely incomplete. However, Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon, who'd already exhausted all their strength, couldn't attack him.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol stood blankly and blinked his eyes.

His mind had always been cloudy as if fog had settled since receiving Pungwolhoe Dan Gong-wol's ambush. But the lightning-infused strike from Cho Yeon-woon was clearing the fog filling his mind.

Madness disappeared and reason returned. Following that, the memories that had been hazy vividly revived.

The fragment of memory he'd forgotten.

The memory he might have tried to bury, or might have been sealed.

"Do you want to live?"

Ho Cheon-myeong asked, and Cheok Gwan-hyeol nodded.

And Ho Cheon-myeong planted the seed of a heart demon in his mind. The secretly planted seed grew Cheok Gwan-hyeol's madness, and bloomed at Dan Gong-wol's ambush.

That was the truth.

Kkadeuk!

Cheok Gwan-hyeol, who finally learned all the truth, gritted his teeth.

"Ho Cheon-myeong!"

He suddenly raised his head and burst into a lion's roar.

"Krrreugh!"

"Heok!"

At his lion's roar, the assembled heroes swayed.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol's gaze suddenly turned west. Precisely that place where Mount Zhongnan was.

"Is it that place?"

It was a distance far too far to sense with human senses, but Cheok Gwan-hyeol could know. Because he felt him calling.

I am here.

He, Ho Cheon-myeong, was saying so. And answered Cheok Gwan-hyeol's call.

"I'll kill you."

Cheok Gwan-hyeol flew his body.

Instantly Taoist Hyeon-so's face turned deathly pale. Because a terrible premonition assaulted him. He hoped it was merely a delusion, but the premonition felt by a Daoist priest with such high spiritual power was close to clairvoyance sensing future events.

"N-no! We must stop him. If we can't stop him from going, something terrible will happen. Myeong-gyeong, carry me on your back. We must follow him."

"Yes! Uncle Master!"

Myeong-gyeong carried Taoist Hyeon-so on his back without knowing why. And flew his body following Cheok Gwan-hyeol. Seeing that, several people followed behind.

Cho Yeon-woon followed supported by Bang Jin-bo, and Geom Yul-cheon also received help from Eum Yu-kyung. Jong Ri-yeon also flew her body protected by Mount Hua Sect's martial artists.

Silence came to the place they'd left.

When the leaders disappeared in an instant, the remaining people didn't know what to do. But soon the Thirteen Streams' martial artists persuaded the Demon Cult's martial artists and began withdrawing. Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists blankly watched them withdraw.

They instinctively realized. That their war had now ended.

Far beyond their reach, the war of those who'd transcended human limits continued. They couldn't dare predict how the result would turn out.

Finally all the Demon Cult's martial artists withdrew, and the humans' war was drawing to a close.