Chapter 333: Heavenly Demon (4) |
A sword, imbued with an unprecedented force, tore through the air.
Dark red scales, like armor, met the attack.
Screech! Slash—!
A jarring metallic clang, a shower of blood.
The scales, tough as steel, were torn apart, the arm mangled and shredded, several fingers severed, flying through the air.
“Khahaha! This is getting interesting!”
It was a grievous injury, enough to instantly kill an ordinary person, but Harley didn’t even flinch. He laughed, his voice filled with a manic glee, and pressed his attack, his body surging forward.
Like a beast consumed by madness, he showed no signs of pain or hesitation, his movements bestial and instinctual.
But each movement, each attack, was imbued with a subtle refinement, a newfound efficiency in his use of power.
His fist, wreathed in a dark red aura, tore through the air, colliding head-on with the demonic sword, a weapon that seemed to embody all the darkness in the world.
The air screamed in protest, the surrounding landscape shattering from the impact.
Their gazes locked, their faces twisted in savage grins.
“Ugh! I thought I’d have reached you by now. You’re a tough one!”
“I should be saying that, you monster… Even for a demon, this is excessive. What are you? A Dragon God’s champion?”
“Khaha! Who knows? Maybe I just eat a lot of good food.”
“A demon of your level wouldn't operate alone. Is this the Golden Island Sect’s will? You should have stayed hidden, you fools. You’re just asking for trouble.”
The Heavenly Demon, deflecting Harley’s claw-like attack with his demonic sword, growled menacingly.
Harley’s lips twitched slightly at the information contained within his confident words.
‘Golden Island Sect?’
His eyes narrowed.
It seemed like his opponent had mistaken him for a member of that faction…
‘So there was a demon organization after all.’
And it seemed to be quite a large and influential one, encompassing most of the demons in this world.
It was information he hadn’t encountered before.
He had spent considerable time in Ganghwange, and he had even conducted a thorough investigation of the local factions with the help of the Zhuge Clan, a prestigious and well-connected family…
‘No, wait. Maybe the Zhuge Clan knew. Judging by his words, the Golden Island Sect has been keeping a low profile.’
Come to think of it, he had only requested information about the major factions controlling each region.
There were simply too many smaller sects and clans to keep track of.
‘Good. More things to investigate. The Golden Island Sect…’
He would have to look into that later. But for now, he had a role to play.
“Khahaha! Did you really think we would just sit back and watch?! We will not tolerate your schemes!”
“You’re dreaming. It’s too late. Our plan is already in motion.”
He had simply made up a random response, but it had yielded another piece of information.
Perhaps due to his confidence, or perhaps because he assumed Harley already knew…
‘…So, this attack isn’t their only plan?’
It seemed the Master of Heaven’s Turn Society’s scheme for Ganghwange wasn’t limited to stealing the Dragon Heart and disrupting the flow of Ki.
A sense of unease began to creep into Harley’s mind as he assessed the situation.
If he continued to be complacent, things might not go as planned.
‘…I should increase the resources allocated to Ganghwange.’
As he was making that decision, mentally adjusting his plans and preparing for a more proactive approach,
“Amitabha— Heavenly Demon, you seem to have forgotten about this old monk.”
…Master Wu Jin, who had briefly left the battlefield to recover, rejoined the fray, and the battle intensified.
Rumble—
A pure and righteous Buddhist energy, emanating from the one-armed monk, clashed with the Heavenly Demon’s demonic aura.
His strength had waned, and his missing arm was a significant disadvantage… but thanks to Harley, who was relentlessly attacking the Heavenly Demon, taking the brunt of his attacks despite his injuries, Master Wu Jin was able to focus on his offense.
“How… annoying.”
The Heavenly Demon’s brow furrowed even deeper as the situation turned against him.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
That demon’s sudden appearance had disrupted everything.
He severed Harley’s arm again, his sword flashing, and then glanced at the battlefield, assessing the situation.
Things weren’t going well for his side either.
“Kyaaa—! Come at me, you Demonic Cult bastards! I am Mad Demon… was… Ugh! You bastards! Die! Die!”
“Block him!”
Crack—! Boom—!
A madman, seemingly consumed by rage, was rampaging through the Demonic Cult’s ranks.
It was a reckless and dangerous act, practically begging to be decapitated… but the problem was that the madman was a peak Master Realm expert.
He was practically invincible in this battlefield, excluding the Heavenly Demon and Demon Sword Master, who were both Mysterious Realm experts.
Of course, the Demonic Cult also had Master Realm experts, and they had secret techniques that disrupted the flow of internal energy… so it wouldn’t last long…
“Now’s our chance! Push forward!”
…But the righteous warriors weren’t going to miss this opportunity.
They were seasoned veterans, their skills honed through countless battles, not some sheltered flowers who had never seen real combat.
‘This is bad.’
The Heavenly Demon, calming his mind, assessed the situation.
This was the Shaolin Temple, a fortress of Buddhism.
Naturally, it was filled with formations and spells designed to counter demonic energy.
He had managed to mitigate their effects with his preparations and the element of surprise, but he couldn’t stay here for long.
[“Cult Leader, we have secured the Dragon’s Child.”]
And as he was contemplating his next move, a message from his subordinate arrived, a timely confirmation of their success.
[“The transport team has evaded the Golden Buddha and is on its way.”]
Their main objective had been achieved.
He nodded slowly, then looked around the battlefield.
Master Wu Jin, blocking his path and unleashing a barrage of attacks, and the mysterious demon who had disrupted his plans.
His gaze shifted past them, towards the chaotic melee in the temple grounds, and then settled on a single figure.
A young man, fighting against multiple demonic warriors, his skill and power disrupting their formation.
An otherworlder, an outsider.
“Huu…”
He sighed softly.
This was the Demonic Cult’s first major operation after a long period of silence.
He had planned to eliminate the leaders of the righteous factions while securing the Dragon’s Child…
‘Things don’t always go as planned. It can’t be helped.’
His plans had been disrupted, but it wasn't a major setback.
Eliminating that demon with its unnatural resilience would take time, and the Cult’s losses would continue to mount.
It wasn’t a good option, considering their upcoming operation.
“Very well. I’ll end this here for today.”
His voice, imbued with an overwhelming aura, boomed through the battlefield.
And then,
The Demonic Cult warriors, who had been fighting relentlessly, suddenly stopped and, as if on cue, began to retreat in an orderly fashion.
“Don’t pursue them! Maintain formation!”
“Stay alert and tend to the wounded!”
The righteous warriors, confused by their sudden retreat, raised their weapons, their vigilance heightened… but the Demonic Cult ignored them, their movements swift and efficient.
A chilling tension filled the air as the battleground fell silent.
“Consider this a… greeting. You were stronger than I expected. As expected of those who claim the name of the Murim Alliance.”
The Heavenly Demon’s voice, echoing through the temple grounds, continued.
He casually severed Harley’s arm again as he spoke.
“Of course, if it weren’t for the… interruption… this would have been the end. But perhaps that’s also fate. I wonder how long your luck will last. Heh—”
He glanced at Harley, who was reattaching his severed arm, a sinister glint in his eyes.
That monster was truly… unsettling.
“Regardless, you should be grateful that you’re still alive. We’ll see how long that lasts. Hehehe.”
With those final, ominous words, the Heavenly Demon, his gaze lingering on Hugo for a moment, ascended into the sky.
And as if following his lead, the Demonic Cult’s forces began to retreat, like a receding tide.
“…Haa…”
“Huu, haa…”
But the remaining warriors couldn’t pursue them.
They had been fighting fiercely, fueled by adrenaline… but now that the battle was over, the reality of the situation began to sink in.
“Ugh…”
“H-help…”
“…”
The wounded groaned in pain, those who had exhausted their energy collapsed, and…
…the bodies of their fallen comrades lay scattered around them, their life force extinguished, their bodies growing cold.
They had survived, they had repelled the enemy… but no one considered it a victory.
“Quickly! Move!”
“Where are the healers?!”
As soon as the Demonic Cult retreated, they began tending to the wounded and assessing the damage.
No one was unscathed. Everyone had at least minor injuries, and there were numerous serious casualties.
…Though it was still better than being dead.
But among the casualties, there was one who wasn’t injured, dead, or even present.
A brief commotion among the Shaolin Temple’s elders, and then several figures began to move.
Zhu Gang-in, the imperial descendant who had been entrusted to their care.
The only one missing.
And there was another who had vanished shortly after the battle…
“Where did that bastard go?!”
The former Mad Demon, Mok In-gwang, shouted, his voice filled with frustration and confusion as he found himself alone among strangers.
____________________
On a mountain peak, far from the Shaolin Temple,
“Tsk.”
The Heavenly Demon spat out a mouthful of blood.
He hadn’t taken a single hit during the battle, but he had pushed his limits, using the foreign holy power, and this was the price.
It was a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits he had gained.
“So, you followed me here. You want to finish this, huh?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, then turned around.
The demon who had been a thorn in his side was standing there, his arms crossed, a calm expression on his face.
“Hahaha! That’s right! I don’t like leaving things unfinished!”
“You think I retreated because I was weak?”
The Heavenly Demon chuckled, amused by his opponent’s brazenness.
He wouldn’t have retreated if the battle hadn’t taken place within the Shaolin Temple, if he hadn’t been concerned about his subordinates’ casualties.
He would have eliminated that annoying monk and that resilient demon as well.
“You’ve come to your own grave. Very well. I’ll grant your wish. I’ll eliminate you here and now.”
He drew his demonic sword.
He had deliberately led his opponent here.
He couldn't let that demon’s interference go unpunished.
“Haha! Wait a minute, friend! I’m not stupid enough to challenge you alone after being beaten like that!”
The Heavenly Demon paused, surprised by his casual response.
Even a mindless brute wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge him alone.
But no matter who he brought, no one in this world could defeat him…
A chill ran down his spine.
He sensed something.
A familiar yet unfamiliar aura.
‘…Demonic energy?’
His head turned slowly, his face stiffening.
And then he saw him.
A middle-aged man with black hair, black eyes, and a short, neatly trimmed beard, his face cold and impassive, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
“Kuhut— So you’re the Heavenly Demon.”
“…Who are you?”
The man’s mere presence seemed to freeze the surrounding air.
The Heavenly Demon’s lips twitched involuntarily.
The demonic energy emanating from him was familiar…
‘No, wait. It’s different. That’s…’
…but at the same time, completely alien.
His instincts screamed, his hair standing on end.
He had never experienced this before… or rather, he had experienced it once.
‘…Fear? I’m… afraid?’
He gritted his teeth, glaring at the figure before him.
He immediately dismissed the thought.
It was just… a momentary lapse in his composure, a natural reaction to facing an unexpected and powerful opponent.
“Who am I, you ask? Hmm, I suppose introductions are in order. Kkuk kuk.”
But the stranger, seemingly oblivious to his reaction, chuckled softly.
A chilling laughter that echoed through the tense silence.
And then, as the Heavenly Demon’s patience wore thin, he finally spoke.
“I am the ruler of all demons—”
The Heavenly Demon’s grip on his sword tightened unconsciously.
“—The despair that spreads fear across the land—”
His gaze was fixed on his opponent, unable to look away.
“—The harbinger of the end, the bringer of destruction—”
And then, the stranger’s lips curled into a sinister smile, his eyes gleaming with a strange, unsettling light.
“…I am the Demon King.”
That day, a King of Demons descended upon the one who called himself the Heavenly Demon.
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