Chapter 445: The Overturned Heavens (6)
“Khuhh…!”
Jin Gun-ak, unlike his usual self, kept glancing at me with a wary eye.
Even on our way here, I had been subtly questioned by Jin Gun-ak.
In the end, I had confirmed what kind of level I had reached, but even the great Jin Gun-ak could not have expected this situation.
Personally, I had a burning desire to see Jin Gun-ak kneel… but…
I waved my hand, lifting the two people up.
Immediately, their bodies floated in the air as if they were in a weightless state.
“...!”
In particular, Ma Seonghwan seemed quite startled when the barrier of sword intent wrapped around his body was neutralized with a single gesture from me.
“I haven’t officially ascended yet, so that was a bit much.”
“…In that case…”
“…It can’t be helped.”
The two of them shot a blatantly regretful look at Jin Gun-ak.
“……”
Jin Gun-ak, however, did not retaliate to their gaze and abruptly turned his head away.
“Is there anything else unusual?”
“The problem lies with the forces of the Cheon family that turned on us.”
Ma Seonghwan, who had still been staring intently at Jin Gun-ak, stroked his beard and made a troubled expression.
“Cheon Jumyeong tried to join forces with the last remaining of the Seven Elders of the Seventh Elder to strike at the enemy’s leader. But when things went awry, the top-level masters of the Cheon family, including the Seventh Elder, entered the Soaring Demon Peak…”
“And then, contact was lost.”
So Munyak’s words were tinged with the voice of a sword demon, filled with dread.
“…Hmm.”
“I heard that only a very few people in the Cheon family know about that plan. Because of that, after the contact was lost, there was a disruption in the command structure of the Cheon family.”
“That means the distinction between friend and foe has disappeared.”
“Correct. Although on the surface, most of them opposed us, who were considered enemies…”
Currently, the forces of the Cheon family were scattered throughout the vast area of Ten Thousand Great Mountain, continuing to resist.
The problem was that many of them were top-level martial artists, surpassing even the elite of the Six Great Clan.
“If this continues, the entire Divine Cult will suffer greatly.”
“It seems so.”
Ma Seonghwan replied indifferently.
For others, as long as the core forces of the family were intact, it wouldn’t matter much if other people died. But for me, who had to take care of everyone, the situation was different.
“As I just said, I haven’t officially ascended yet…”
I pulled the Heavenly Demon Seal out from my robe.
Then, I infused the essence of the Heavenly Demonic Divine Art into the Heavenly Demon Seal.
Whoooom!
A strange resonance began to emanate from the Heavenly Demon Seal.
This resonance didn’t just remain within the Soaring Demon Peak; it spread across hundreds of li, reaching the entire Ten Thousand Great Mountain.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Ancient pictographs etched into the Heavenly Demon Seal began to glow.
The moment everyone’s gaze fixed upon the Heavenly Demon Seal, I spoke.
“I will issue a command to all the cult members gathered here, as well as to all the members of the Divine Cult present in Ten Thousand Great Mountain, through the Heavenly Demon Seal.”
“Obey!”
Boom!
Boom!
In an instant, hundreds of martial artists unknowingly kneeled and prostrated themselves.
At least those who had reached the extreme levels of martial arts could resist the influence of the Heavenly Demon Seal to some degree. However, even they obediently kneeled on one knee and lowered their heads.
I silently observed the now quiet space.
Those who had mastered demonic arts, specifically those who had cultivated the demonic arts derived from the Heavenly Demonic Divine Art, could not refuse the orders of the Heavenly Demon Seal.
And nearly the overwhelming majority of those who had learned the demonic arts within the Heavenly Demon Cult had started from the Six Great Demonic Beasts, who had cultivated the demonic arts derived from the Heavenly Demonic Divine Art.
In essence, if the Heavenly Demon Seal could be used, it could dominate all the demonic practitioners of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
“From now on, all disputes within the Divine Cult are prohibited. All martial artists who have mastered martial arts must protect the cult members and do their best to evacuate them as far as possible from the Soaring Demon Peak.”
Do your best… do your best… do your best…
The language and sword intent resonated with the power contained within the Heavenly Demon Seal.
Thus, a massive invisible net spread across Ten Thousand Great Mountain, resembling a spider’s web.
My command would be absolutely etched into the souls of all demonic practitioners that the net touched, forcibly executed.
‘If they are in the main area like the Thousand Day Pass, the Heavenly Demon Seal won’t reach them… but this should be enough to put out the most urgent fires.’
The previous Cult Leader did not use the Heavenly Demon Seal in this way.
His authority was so firmly established that even if he merely activated the Heavenly Demon Seal with words, all the cult members would naturally obey.
‘But my position now is quite different.’
Those who were experiencing the force of the Heavenly Demon Seal for the first time were likely in chaos by now.
Even the martial artists in front of me seemed dazed, their bodies and minds feeling disconnected.
Ma Seonghwan muttered, furrowing his brows.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced the force of the Heavenly Demon Seal…”.
Nonetheless, Ma Seonghwan seemed to be different from others in that he was not particularly subjected to coercion.
"Has the previous Cult Leader ever activated the Heavenly Demon Seal?"
"Only once before. It wasn't a pleasant experience."
With the power of the Heavenly Demon Seal forcibly shaken off by his will, he asked me.
"By the way, are you planning to climb the Soaring Demon Peak alone?"
"Yes."
"I don't know about those two, but I think I could offer some help."
"What?"
"Is this swordsman crazy?"
In an instant, Murder Demon and Jin Gun-ak wore fierce expressions, exuding killing intent.
However, I somewhat agreed with his words.
Reaching the stage of complete Transcendent Demon Realm, Ma Seonghwan would undoubtedly be a great force.
However.
"It's fine. Please leave the handling of the remaining Ten Heavenly Lords to the Clan Head."
Although the situation was nearly stabilized, I knew that some of the Ten Heavenly Lords, who had dared to crawl to the Elder Council, were still around.
Ma Seonghwan's expression visibly turned gloomy.
"Mm… I will follow your orders."
I smiled faintly as I passed by Ma Seonghwan.
He must have wanted to face that Chaos person with his full strength, but instinctively, I felt that I was the one who needed to confront that Chaos guy, the one who had defeated Yura.
It was a simple, gut feeling, without any real basis, but I trusted that intuition, which came rarely but strongly.
Just as I was about to pass the entrance to Soaring Demon Peak,
Ssssshh!
In front of me appeared Hwan Jeong, the Clan Head of the Cheon Clan, accompanied by the Elders of his clan.
The Clan Heads who recognized Hwan Jeong immediately furrowed their brows.
"That guy... he's definitely... the son of Hwan Pyeong!"
"The ones behind him are the Elders of the Cheon Clan. Many familiar faces."
Ignoring the murmurs from further away, Hwan Jeong and the Elders respectfully knelt before me.
"We greet the Heavenly Demon."
Their attitude was so humble it almost seemed servile.
"What's the situation?"
"As you can see. About half a shichen ago, the Grand Heavenly Lord began some sort of ritual. With the help of the Cheon Clan's forces, we successfully prevented the aftermath from spreading too far."
From his words, I realized that Hwan Jeong had accomplished more than I had expected.
Had it not been for the magic of the Cheon Clan, the black energy gathered at the peak of Soaring Demon Peak would have erupted like a flood, likely staining the entire Ten Thousand Great Mountain.
Had that happened, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would have suffered catastrophic damage.
Acknowledging Hwan Jeong's achievement, I patted his shoulder.
"Well done, Hwan Jeong, Clan Head of the Hwan Clan."
"Th-thank you!"
"Any other notable matters?"
"It was just a brief moment I observed, but..."
Hwan Jeong continued in a slightly nervous voice.
"I discovered the presence of the Cult Leader at the peak of Soaring Demon Peak."
"...!"
"And one more thing."
"What is it?"
"For some reason, the state of the Grand Heavenly Lord didn't seem to be very good."
"His state isn't good?"
"Ah, it was just a brief moment, so I'm not certain. But from my limited perspective, it seemed highly likely."
"..."
Although he was being humble in front of me, I knew Hwan Jeong couldn't have been mistaken.
‘Did we succeed?’
The host, or the original body, of the Grand Heavenly Lord.
I had been almost certain that such an existence would be somewhere in this world.
Cheon Jumyeong had conveyed to me that he planned to eliminate all such host candidates through Ma Seonghwan, and if the plan had gone according to schedule, it should have been about time for results to appear.
"Seeing his state, it certainly seems like he's Hwan Pyeong's son."
"It looks like the Hwan Clan is returning to the Six Great Clan..."
As the Clan Heads whispered amongst themselves after seeing Hwan Jeong's appearance.
"We'll find out when we reach the peak."
I gazed up at the peak of Soaring Demon Peak, still sensing the presence of someone resonating with the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Up there.
Yura was waiting for me.
I climbed Soaring Demon Peak alone.
Normally, Gu Chil or someone else would have been sneaking along, but it had been quite a while since I had walked without any escort.
Originally, demonic beasts would have suddenly popped up to ambush me, but now, I didn't see a single one.
The demonic beasts must instinctively know.
If one wandered around carelessly in this area, they would instantly lose all their strength and vitality and die.
‘In this place, Yura and I received the blessings of countless cult members…’
The scene was as vivid as if it had happened just yesterday.
But now, this path felt completely different from that time. It was as if it were a forbidden place, where I couldn't sense any life at all.
Following the mountain path of Soaring Demon Peak, I crossed over the middle section.
And then, I encountered it.
In the middle of the path to the peak, quietly blocking the way.
The existence of the Four Atrocities, Chaos.
“......”
“......”
There were no facial features, as if it was wearing a pure white mask.
But still.
The moment I saw the opponent, I knew its identity, even without seeing the sword it was holding.
“Master.”
“......”
“…Damn it.”
Crack!
Anger, despair, and all sorts of negative emotions surged within me.
Former leader of the Heaven-Defying Society's Second Heavenly Lord, Old Han Yoo Seunggwak.
Somehow, he had become one of the Four Atrocities, harmed Cheon Yura, and now stood in my way.
‘Certainly… if it's Master...’
No matter how talented Yura was with her innate ability as the Divine Demonic Physique, if the opponent was Master… and in the form of one of the Four Atrocities, this outcome was understandable.
However.
I muttered with resentment at my Master.
"What the hell happened to you, being defeated like a fool?"
“......”
Master did not answer.
He had no mouth, so responding with words was impossible.
Instead, Master drew his sword and pointed it at me.
From the blade, I could feel the aura of the Heavenly Thunder Divine Art, containing the unique water qi.
But what was different from before was that, in addition to the aura of the Heavenly Thunder Divine Art, there was something else—a divine, yet filthy, otherworldly aura.
It felt like the opposing forces of two magnets being forced together, causing a dissonance.
One thing was certain, though: even if it was dissonant, the sheer power of the energy could not be underestimated, and it was a level that even I could not take lightly.
“Master.”
I glared at my Master, filled with regret.
There was a will in Master's sword, but no killing intent.
That meant one thing.
Even though he was being controlled, Master was still clearly aware of my presence.
And from the will that flowed through his body, there was a clear intention to fight.
I slowly gripped the handle of the Cheonrok Sword and spoke.
"You don’t look in great condition, but if you get beaten by your disciple, will you even have a place to complain?"
On the outside, he seemed fine, but I could tell that there were significant cracks within Master.
His will might have been his, but it was clearly a result of the intense battle with Cheon Yura.
But Master didn’t care.
Click!
He lightly shook his sword, signaling me to come at him.
"...Fine."
This battle could not be avoided.
And no one else but me would end it.
"Today, I think it's time to show you what 'a disciple surpassing their master' really means."
No more words were needed.
The Four Atrocities, Chaos, and I.
The two beings took their positions.
Boom!
Immediately, one corner of Soaring Demon Peak exploded.