Chapter 354 |
Chapter 354
Record of the Demon Sovereign's Retur
The Demon Cult, which had toppled the Kunlun Sect of Qinghai, advanced southeast and arrived in Sichuan Province.
Sichuan, the strategic stronghold where Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu, had established his base.
In fact, during the Great War between the righteous and the demonic factions forty years ago, the Demon Cult was unable to cross Sichuan Province.
This was partly due to the fierce resistance from the Jeongmumaeng, formed after the fall of the Kunlun Sect. Sichuan itself was a difficult place to conquer.
Geographically challenging, Sichuan also hosted three major sects.
Qingcheng, Emei, and the Sichuan Tang Clan.
While these three sects leveraged their geographical advantages to hold their ground, the Jeongmumaeng rose in power, leading to a protracted tug-of-war during the Great War.
For the Demon Cult, Sichuan had diverse meanings.
"Not even a single ant in sight."
Yet, as the Demon Cultists entered Sichuan, filled with tension and excitement, they felt nothing but emptiness.
It wasn't that there were no people at all.
Rather, there was not a single person who could be called a "martial artist."
Moreover, no one stood in their way.
"Cowards."
Dao Demon, who had hoped to earn merit and make the First Young Master the new Heavenly Demon, clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Beside Dao Demon, the Bright Left Envoy spoke in a detached tone.
"Emei and Qingcheng, having lost the civil war, have sealed their gates, and the Tang Clan has abandoned their stronghold to join the Jeongmumaeng to block the advance of Shinchun."
In other words, Sichuan was virtually ownerless.
Dao Demon smiled sinisterly at the Left Envoy's words.
"Then this is the perfect opportunity to sweep through here. How about we attack Emei and Qingcheng, who have sealed themselves away?"
The Left Envoy shook his head at Dao Demon, who seemed eager for battle.
"There's no need to waste time dealing with small fry."
The immediate goal was to execute the orders of Cheon-ju by attacking the Jeongmumaeng and the Southern Sky Association. There was no time to be wasted in Sichuan.
However, there was no need to reveal such intentions.
"Since the despicable traitors of the Central Plains are gathered in one place, we can deal with the small fry after annihilating them."
At the Left Envoy's words, Dao Demon nodded reluctantly.
"If the Branch Chief and First Young Master are involved, they can earn great merit without needing to face the small fry."
"Hahaha, of course."
Dao Demon laughed heartily, feeling relieved by the Left Envoy's words.nn
The Left Envoy, watching Dao Demon, gave a faint smile and turned his head.
'If only all the others were as foolish as him. Tsk.'
His gaze turned towards the positions of the Yan family's and Sword family's chiefs.
* * *
The main force of the Demon Cult, having passed through Sichuan, arrived in Shaanxi Province.
Shinchun's plan was a do-or-die showdown.
Using the Demon Cult as expendable forces to weaken the main base of the Jeongmumaeng.
Then, Cheon-ju and the main forces of Shinchun would move to finish off the Jeongmumaeng.
Following that, they aimed to swiftly unify Murim by wiping out the remnants of the Jeongmumaeng and the Southern Sky Association.
Thus, the main force of the Demon Cult had no choice but to head towards Outer Xian in Shaanxi Province.
'Despite Sichuan being neutralized, I didn't expect them to open the path so easily.'
As they passed the outskirts of Shaanxi Province.
After nearly six days of continuous marching since the battle at Mount Kunlun, those leading the Demon Cult finally saw a group blocking their path.
The group, wearing uncoordinated uniforms and bearing different flags, was led by the largest flag inscribed with the bold characters of "Jeongmu" (正武).
The Jeongmumaeng had finally appeared to block their advance.
It was expected. Having advanced to Shaanxi, the main base of the Jeongmumaeng was only about two hundred li away.
While it was an extremely long distance for civilians, for martial artists, it was a journey of one or two hours.
'The day of a new sky is not far off!'
The Second Young Master, Sobak, looked ahead with a pounding heart.
Wiping them out would weaken the Demon Cult and allow them to pour their remaining forces into the Jeongmumaeng, bringing forth the day when Cheon-ju opens a new sky.
Imagining a joyful future, the Left Envoy was about to give the order to attack when...
"Bright Left Envoy! New forces are approaching from the south!"
A new group began advancing towards the Demon Cultists.
Initially thinking they were reinforcements from the Jeongmumaeng, the Left Envoy felt a peculiar sensation upon seeing them.
"How dare they!!"
"Using the sacred banner of our cult so brazenly!"
Strangely, the newcomers were using the Heavenly Demon Cult's sacred banner inscribed with the character for "Demon".
Naturally, the Demon Cultists' attention shifted from the Jeongmumaeng to these newcomers.
"Who are you?!"
As Dao Demon shouted with immense internal energy, causing a stir among the newcomers, three men stepped forward.
Even before they spoke, the Demon Cultists recognized them.
"Traitors!!"
nn
"So, you finally sided with those hypocrites!! Cowards!!"
Ouyang Pae, Geum Yang-hwi, and Byeok Ga-wan.
They were well-known figures among the Demon Cultists, instantly recognizable.
In their hostile gazes, Ouyang Pae stepped forward and spoke with internal energy.
"It's been a while, followers of the cult."
Though his voice wasn't deafening, it spread evenly to everyone.
With that simple greeting, they could tell his level of mastery was exceedingly high.
As everyone reacted in shock, Ouyang Pae made a bold declaration.
"I have come here not because of those hypocrites over there! I have come to purify the cult and ascend to the position of Heavenly Demon!"
As the Demon Cultists showed various reactions to his proclamation, the impatient Dao Demon stepped forward and shouted.
"Talking about the Heavenly Demon, you traitor! Have you finally gone mad?!"
Facing Dao Demon, who seemed ready to attack at any moment, Ouyang Pae remained composed.
"I am not a traitor. The true traitors are elsewhere."
"Ha. A man who disobeyed the cult's orders and hid in the southern barbarians dares to speak so boldly."
"The cult's orders? The only one who can give me orders is the Heavenly Demon. But where is the Heavenly Demon? And who are the ones who divided the cult members and made them lose strength by fighting each other in the absence of the Heavenly Demon?"
At Ou-yang Pae's words, some of the demon cultists naturally glanced at the left and right guardians.
Realizing their gaze was disrespectful, they quickly averted their eyes.
"Hahaha."
At that moment, a soft laughter broke the silence.
The source of the laughter was the Bright Left Envoy.
"The Seventh Young Master has changed a lot. You were grateful when you received my help as a child, but now that you're in danger, you betray your benefactor. Do you know the term 'ingratitude'?"
Unlike the other young masters and mistresses, Bright Left Envoy treated Ou-yang Pae kindly, even though his mother was not from the Four Great Demon Families. This was known among some in the cult.
When Bright Left Envoy pointed this out with a smile, Ou-yang Pae also smiled leisurely.
"So, I was deceived. But now that I know the truth, it's different. The traitor is manipulating the cult in the absence of the Heavenly Demon. I left the cult temporarily to gain the strength to punish the traitor."
Before the Left Envoy could respond, a new voice joined the conversation.
"Truth. That's an interesting story."
Ou-yang Pae turned his head towards the voice and saw the Sword Demon standing there with his arms crossed, looking at him.
"Do you mean to say you believe this man's words?"
The Bright Right Envoy, feeling displeased, questioned the Sword Demon, who replied in a blunt tone.
"Whether the Seventh Young Master's words are true or false, is there any reason not to listen? If he's lying, we can kill him after hearing him out. Or are you afraid of the Seventh Young Master?"
"......"
As the Right Envoy was momentarily at a loss for words, the Left Envoy spoke in a relaxed manner.
n
"Alright, let's hear him out."
Naturally, all the demon cultists' eyes turned to Ou-yang Pae.
In front of everyone, Ou-yang Pae calmly revealed the truth.
"The truth is simple. The one above the Left Envoy is actually an agent of 'Shinchun', and the Right Envoy has become a puppet under the influence of the Left Envoy."
While everyone was bewildered by this sudden declaration, the Sword Demon asked Ou-yang Pae.
"What evidence do you have to support that?"
"There is plenty of evidence, but the most significant is from a few months ago. When the First and Second Young Masters came to the southern barbarians to deal with us, there was a formidable master among them who could wield both yin and yang energy simultaneously."
While everyone was puzzled by this sudden information, Ou-yang Pae continued.
"I was also injured by that person's surprise attack but barely survived. Later, when I interrogated the Red Flame King, I found out that this man had infiltrated under the Left Envoy's orders, disguised as a common cultist, and was known as 'So-cheon-ju'. The son of the head of Shinchun, disguised as a cultist under the Left Envoy's orders."
Before the Left and Right Envoys could respond, Ou-yang Pae suddenly turned to the Second Young Master next to the Hwan-ma and shouted.
"And the Second Young Master also witnessed So-cheon-ju's martial arts in the southern barbarians."
Naturally, all eyes turned to the Second Young Master.
At that moment, Ou-yang Pae sent a telepathic message to the Hwan-ma.
- Watching the wickedness of the Left and Right Envoys, wouldn't it be better to side with me rather than letting the Taoists take the Heavenly Demon's place?
Despite the sudden telepathic message, the Hwan-ma did not panic.
- Why should I trust you and join you?
- There's no need to lie. If it looks like I'll fail, you can cut ties with me then, can't you?
After a brief consideration, the Hwan-ma sent a telepathic message to the Second Young Master.
Upon receiving the Hwan-ma's message, the Second Young Master nodded.
"The Seventh Young Master's words are true. I saw a man in our cult's uniform in the southern barbarians, using martial arts unrelated to our cult. As the Seventh Young Master said, it was a technique that used both yin and yang energy. However, I have not heard that he is So-cheon-ju or related to Shinchun."
It was a response that somewhat sided with Ou-yang Pae while maintaining a distance.
As soon as the Second Young Master finished speaking, the Sword Demon's voice resounded again.
"That's not enough evidence."
Acting like an arbitrator, the Sword Demon's hand was already on the hilt of his sword.
"If you have no further evidence, you are just a traitor."
Seeing the Sword Demon ready to draw his sword at any moment, Ou-yang Pae laughed heartily.
"Haha. People believe what they want to believe. All I'm saying is that the Left and Right Envoys could be traitors. And since when did our cult use words to persuade the opponent?"
With that, Ou-yang Pae naturally drew his sword and shouted.
"Therefore! I propose a life-and-death duel to reveal the truth. Left and Right Envoys, come forward. As the Seventh Young Master, I request the Cheon-seong-je."
Cheon-seong-je (Heavenly Saint Ritual).
One of the most special ceremonies in the demon cult, which emphasizes the logic of power, was a ritual to select the Heavenly Demon.
Specifically, it was a ritual to challenge the Heavenly Demon.
In the power-driven demon cult, it was a legitimate right to challenge for the position of the Heavenly Demon by the strongest.n
Of course, it was almost never used.
Those who ascended to the position of the Heavenly Demon mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, a symbol of the Heavenly Demon.
It was almost impossible to defeat the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the greatest martial art within the demon cult.
When the position of the Heavenly Demon was vacant, the challenger had to face both the Left and Right Envoys simultaneously, which was also nearly impossible.
No one in the cult could face both at the same time.
Even the heads of the Four Great Demon Families were at best on par with or slightly inferior to one of the two, so there was no need to mention the other young masters.
The tradition, which everyone thought was nominal, was brought up by the Seventh Young Master Ou-yang Pae, who was considered a traitor.
Perhaps the Sword Demon was pleased with Ou-yang Pae's courage.
The corners of the Sword Demon's mouth slightly curled upwards, showing a rare smile.
"What will you do? Left and Right Envoys."
As soon as the Sword Demon asked, and everyone's attention turned to the Left and Right Envoys,
"A mere traitor dares to mention the Heavenly Saint Ritual! Before the Left and Right Envoys, you must face me first!"
The Dao Demon suddenly yelled, as if having a fit.
If things continued as they were, the next position of the Heavenly Demon would naturally go to the First Young Master.
The Dao Demon could not forgive Ou-yang Pae for suddenly using his right to challenge, ignoring the order.
"Haaa!"
As the Dao Demon suddenly swung his sword, the First Young Master's telepathic message reached his ears.
- Be careful!
Having experienced fighting Ou-yang Pae in the southern barbarians, the First Young Master quickly warned him, but it was a bit late.
The Dao Demon's sword emitted an aura filled with demonic energy.
Boom!
The gray thunder energy wrapped around Ou-yang Pae's sword clashed with the Dao Demon's sword, creating a loud noise.
Boom!
Every time the Dao Demon's sword clashed with Ou-yang Pae's sword, the energy surrounding the sword rapidly weakened.
Boom!
Each time, the Dao Demon hastily gathered energy from his Danjeon to infuse into his sword, but his sword was cut off in less than five strikes.
Swish!
The astonished Dao Demon tried to counter by thrusting his palm, but he couldn't move.
Ou-yang Pae had already used his technique to strike his vital points.
The Dao Demon, a head of the Four Great Demon Families, was subdued in just a few moves.
While everyone watched in shock, their mouths agape, Ou-yang Pae, who had subdued the Dao Demon, raised his sword and pointed it somewhere.
"Left and Right Envoys, come forward."