〈 Murim League Meeting (3) 〉
A pearl located in a deserted mountain valley of the Sammun Gorge, located more than two hundred kilometers away from the Shaolin Temple.
“It must have started slowly.”
Inside, an old man with the appearance of a immortal muttered softly while stroking his white beard.
Beyond the small window he looked out from, there was only an ordinary forest scene, but his deep gaze encompassed a wider world rather than just a few pyeong of land.
“There will be no mistakes in preparation, right? This is something that the religious leader himself does. “There shouldn’t be even an inch of deviation.”
“Yes military. It has already been checked and verified several times. The leader was satisfied and ordered us to proceed.”
“I am so glad. “It’s been worth the effort.”
The old man nodded slowly, closed his eyes, and recalled the past.
It was a really long time.
22 years have passed since the Imperial Palace incident that twisted the fate of this world.
Due to persistent interference from the ‘Geumodo’ guys, we were finally able to move in earnest, but thanks to the more detailed preparations in advance, it wasn’t that bad.
Part of this was the defeat of the Kunlun faction, which could be said to be the vanguard of the martial arts in the central region.
Moreover, an appropriate event was held at exactly the right time…
“Isn’t that really stupid? “Now it’s a friendship.”
As the old man shook his head with a laugh, the masked man kneeling in front of him quietly lowered his head.
A meeting to carry on the name of the Murim Alliance, which has now disintegrated into pieces and disappeared.
Of course, that method wasn’t a bad choice in the long run.
Assuming that the situation in Moorim does not worsen any further and the power structure can also be maintained as is.
“Hehehe, the peace lasted too long.”
In peacetime, there was not a day when blood did not flow, but by the old man’s standards, it was nothing more than a complaint about being full.
It has been so long since the world changed that we are already trying to pursue stability. How facile is this?
In a world as chaotic as today, only strength is justice.
Peace and stability can only be dreamed of under absolute force.
But how can it be said that it is not foolish to be preoccupied with meaningless friendships?
‘Actually, considering the purpose of this side, it would be reasonable to avoid the meeting date…’
However, the religious leader did not want such a lukewarm method.
What he wants is absolute rule established through overwhelming power and violence.
In order to do that, it was necessary to completely destroy the ghosts of the past that were still tied to the name of the Murim Alliance.
‘Since our church’s laws and elites are following the leader, there should be no major problems.’
Today will be the day when the remnants of the Murim Alliance completely disappear.
So what he needed to worry about now was making sure that plans other than Shaolin Temple proceeded without a hitch.
“There is no need to hesitate any longer. Immediately convey this to all branches. “Now the time has come, it’s time to start planning.”
“Jonmyeong! “The Second Coming of the Heavenly Demon, Manmaangbok!”
Immediately after the masked person who received the order disappeared like smoke.
“Hehehe, it’s just around the corner.”
Ya Yul-hwan, an old man of the Heavenly Demon Church, a Cheonma Seon, quietly closed his eyes and let out a low laugh.
Thinking that there is not much time left until the long wait comes true.
***
The situation progressed quickly.
“Unfold the hundred and eight armies!”
“These are people who go against the will of the church. “Let’s kill them all!”
“How dare you do such a vicious thing on sacred grounds!”
“The Second Coming of the Heavenly Demon, Manmaangbok!”
“You dirty demonic bastards!”
The place that had been a place for exchanges to get to know each other just moments ago had now become a place of chaos.
A space filled with shouting, screaming, and cursing each other.
Kwaaaaang—!
Meanwhile, the loud explosions that continued to be heard from the outskirts of Shaolin Temple, where the mountain gate was located, made it clear that the current situation would not end easily.
That’s why the overwhelming force of the collision that came from there and the resulting energy storm were so fierce that they were terrifying.
“Wow, how did the Demonic Cult reach the Shaolin Temple in Songshan…!”
It was a signal signaling the full-scale movement of the enemy, who had been quiet until now.
And it was in a worse form than expected.
“Ugh!”
“Don’t overdo it! “Just think about holding on!”
“These guys… what kind of magic are they using…!”
Those who participated in the meeting for the first time had their own confidence even in the face of this sudden situation.
Although the people here could not be said to be the best in each faction, they were elite enough to have overcome numerous hardships along a difficult path to reach this place.
But without fear, they attack the venue where all of them are gathered together!
They fought with fierce fighting spirit against the demonic cultists who appeared from all directions.
Soon I realized something was wrong.
“Never cross arms with them! “Their energy will disturb the flow of internal energy… Wow!”
“Death penalty! These… these guys who are going to kill you—!”
Actually, I had some doubts.
This is the Taesan North Head of Wulin and the home of the Shaolin Temple, the leader of Henan Province.
Even if the Demonic Cult was the strongest and worst as a single force, attacking such a place head-on was a burden.
Moreover, isn’t it true that the power of the Shaolin Temple is present here now?
Chaeng—
In the midst of such a commotion, Nangung Soran, who crossed swords with a masked demonic cultist, gritted his teeth.
‘What the hell is this? Mountain poison? Absorbing energy? No no. That’s not the problem. This seems to be shaking from a more fundamental point…’
The energy that had been built up through growing up in a famous family, consistently taking elixirs, and using excellent internal energy and mind techniques was disappearing.
Trying to forcefully connect the abnormal phenomenon of my inner energy, which had always flowed steadily and provided me with strength, drained me of excessive strength and energy.
No matter how much of a surprise attack there was, this must have been the reason why the Daemun Sect, which was as big as the Shaolin Temple, was pushed back so helplessly.
‘If this situation continues for everyone…’
The use of internal energy is essential in a duel between those who have reached the highest level, but if only one side is unilaterally restricted, it is natural that a normal fight cannot be established.
Rather, I should consider it amazing that he endured this much even in such a situation.
“Hmph!”
Kaga Gak—
Nangong Soran took a deep breath while holding his swords together, forced his internal energy up, and took a big step forward.
As a result, her energy was consumed several times more than usual, but thanks to this, she was able to regain the smooth flow of her energy for a while.
‘Great emergency!’
Sigh—!
The dark blue sword energy that rose up instantly cut through the air and cut down the enemy that had been clinging tenaciously.
“Whoa whoa.”
But even after barely defeating the enemy, she couldn’t be happy.
The enemy I defeated with such difficulty was only the lowest of the demonic cultists who attacked this time.
‘…Dangerous. If it goes on like this, really…’
He couldn’t hope for help from his guardian, Sword Saint Namgung-woo.
Kwaaaaang—!
Even now, the grandfather’s energy mixed with the enormous energy flowing from the outskirts showed that he was continuing his difficult fight.
It was clear that there was going to be a fight so intense that it could not even be compared to here.
‘Grandpa Hyeon Gyeong-in is an opponent who will have a hard time, that’s…!’
But she wasn’t even given time to calmly organize her thoughts.
“There’s the sword saint’s granddaughter! Catch it!”
“Tsk!”
Before she knew it, three opponents of a similar level to the one she had faced just now were flocking towards her.
She looked around hastily and bit her lip.
‘…I made a mistake. I was so distracted by the battle that I became too distant from my companions.’
Although Nangong Soran put up a desperate resistance, he had such a hard time dealing with one person, but with three opponents, the ending was as if it had already been decided.
In the end, the sword flew out of her grasp after she had used up all her strength after fighting.
“Soran!”
She heard her brother’s voice desperately trying to approach her from the other side, but she couldn’t bear to look at him.
In the end, didn’t you follow me here and become a hindrance rather than a help?
I never would have thought that the place I forced myself to leave because I wanted to see the wide world would become my own grave.
Her eyes widened as she glared at the emotionless weapons aimed at her.
‘Ah… If I had known this would happen, I would have just asked outright.’
At the very least, it would be nice if I could at least know the abilities of Ha Seung-hoon, the other world person I’ve been keeping an eye on recently.
Even though that’s not what’s important right now, I somehow felt it was a pity that I was leaving without knowing that until the end.
Sigh—!
Was it because of that?
A fleeting moment passed with all kinds of thoughts floating around in her mind, and when blood splattered on her body along with the bloody sound of a sword cutting her.
“When fighting, always look at your surroundings and keep pace with your allies, Namgung Sojeo. “If you move arbitrarily like this, you’ll be in big trouble.”
“…Ha Confucius? How did you just…”
“Samurai from the Namgung family are coming this way. “For now, let’s join them over there.”
Without even thinking about wiping away the other person’s blood that had splattered on her, she stared blankly at the person she had been thinking about with regret just moments before.
While facing the man’s back, which somehow felt infinitely wide.
***
Even after rescuing the young lady of the Namgung family, Hugo was busy moving around.
Originally, I didn’t intend to do it this way, but as I fought in this melee, it had no choice but to happen naturally.
‘Did you say that your inner strength will be disrupted if you face a demonic cultist?’
He looked at the situation again.
Seeing our team’s peak expert struggling against a few top-level magicians, I was able to understand why they were pushed back so much.
but.
Hiss—Chain!
Sigh!
The sword he swung lightly bounced off the enemy’s sword and cut off his head.
With clean movements, without any unnecessary details.
‘Why am I okay?’
Unlike his allies, who were unable to properly resist and were struggling as if they had eaten rat poison, he did not feel any problems while dealing with the demon cultists.
Rather, his enemies often let down their guard thinking that there would be loopholes and ended up dying in vain.
‘We might need to consider this too.’
The biggest difference between yourself and others.
The first thing that came to mind was the fact that he was an awakened person from another world.
If it was thanks to that that we were able to avoid some of the methods used by the demonic cultists…
‘Whew, let’s think about the details later.’
The first priority was to take advantage of this opportunity and help the people here.
It would be better if you make some eye contact in the process.
“Thank you for your help, Sohyeop.”
“Phew—I’m wearing a life jacket. “I’ll make sure to repay you later.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. Such inaction in this harsh situation. It’s worth keeping an eye on. Ha Seung-hun of the Jegal family….”
And that was enough to increase the reputation of Hugo, who was just starting to get busy.
Even though everyone was struggling, he came over to me without any hesitation, gave me some help, and then walked away, so it was inevitable that the person who received the help would remember it more clearly.
‘Of course, there may not be much we can do against a truly powerful enemy, but this is enough to raise overall morale.’
But when he was trying so hard to control the atmosphere.
Suddenly, a change came that he couldn’t do anything about.
Hiss—
kwaaaang—!
A human spirit flew at incredible speed and crashed into a nearby Buddhist temple with a loud noise.
It happened so quickly that even Hugo’s senses couldn’t react properly.
Naturally, everyone’s wary eyes turned towards that direction.
And right after that.
“Is Shinseung Mujin barely this good? Shaolin’s reputation is now a thing of the past.”
A man’s cold voice echoed throughout the grounds.
The people in the hall could only properly recognize him after the sound had completely spread.
He was already there without anyone noticing.
A being wearing a black long robe, with long black hair blowing in the wind.
“He is… no way…”
“Ambassador Mujin…?”
No one here knew his face, but they were able to naturally realize who he was just by looking at him.
That’s because the presence he gave off was so overwhelming that it was impossible to associate him with anyone else.
An arrogant spirit that seems to look down on the world just by existing.
The lord of evil who embraces all the darkness of the world.
The devil itself, who came down from the sky and embraced the earth.
The world says—.
“Heavenly Demon…”
Everyone’s bodies stiffened at the appearance of the worst villain representing this world.
***
And at the same time.
“oh! We’ve finally arrived! Hey, it’s so hot, isn’t it? Kahahaha!”
“…Kek! What is there? “It’s not even a fuss, is it? What kind of nonsense is that?”
Two large men finally entered Seongsan Mountain.