Chapter 462: Ancient Covenant (2)
A massive Blade Mountain appeared in the very heart of Xi’an Fortress.
At first, Ma Chulsoo stared in astonishment, but then suddenly frowned.
"Something... feels off."
"What do you mean?"
"That mountain. It doesn’t feel real…."
"Ho…."
I gave a faint smile at Ma Chulsoo’s rather sharp perception.
Because the sight was too surreal?
No.
The deafening rumble echoing endlessly through the surroundings and the blatant changes in terrain were undeniably real.
However, that Blade Mountain itself could be either reality or illusion.
"That’s a type of Thought Domain."
"Thought Domain?"
"Well, for a martial artist, it's a domain that only sorcerers who have surpassed the realm of Transcendent Demon Realm can use."
"……!"
Even Hwan Yul, the former Elder of the Heavenly Hwan Family, couldn't unfold such a domain without borrowing the power of Upgyeong’s ability.
"But… that person isn’t some mere sorcerer."
To dismiss him as just a sorcerer would be an insult to his level.
"Jin Gwang…."
That person was undoubtedly the culprit who had turned this Xi’an into a land of death.
Yet, there was just one thing I couldn’t comprehend.
"Successor? Of whom?"
Just who did he refer to as my predecessor?
My thoughts spiraled endlessly, but there was no time for deep pondering.
Whatever the case, the opponent was challenging me to a duel.
"I’ll ponder it later."
Whether it’s a duel or a quarrel, I never avoid a fight once it comes.
I stepped forward lightly with one foot.
"A mountain of uncountable blades…."
If there was one curious thing, it was that each of those blades was smaller than expected.
To compare, they were more akin to small knives used for peeling fruit.
"No, the size isn’t what matters."
Each blade, soaked in dark red blood, exuded a vicious malice.
Looking at them alongside the black judge’s robe Jin Gwang was wearing, it felt as if he had judged countless sinners and consumed their grudges.
Jin Gwang asked with a faint smile.
"Are you prepared?"
"Of course, come whenever you please."
"Very well. Then, I shall begin."
The moment those words ended—
Whoosh!
Before I realized it, thousands, tens of thousands of blades were already right before my eyes.
"……!"
I wasn’t careless.
I had prepared to react to any swift lethal technique, yet for some reason, the opponent’s strike ignored all of that.
Within the very slowly flowing time, I watched as the blades began lightly pressing against my skin.
"The force isn’t that strong."
Of course, "not strong" was from my perspective—someone like Ma Chulsoo would be reduced to minced meat instantly.
"I could dodge them, but…."
Since it had come to this, why not test it?
Asura God Three Stages
Demonic Sky Body
In an instant, my entire body turned black, and the blades hurled by Jin Gwang failed to pierce my skin and began to be repelled.
"Hmm, unexpected."
Jin Gwang tilted his head slightly at my response.
"I was curious to see what kind of counter you’d use, but I didn’t think you’d foolishly endure it with your body."
"Well, I do come from a family known for physical prowess."
"Your body… Ah, now that you mention it, such a being did exist in the past. So you are his descendant."
Could it be? Does he know Senior Brother Jin Gwanchun?
"Fierce hand-to-hand combat isn’t bad, but due to the pact, I must conserve some strength."
Whoosh!
At some point, a blade of fire burning with a dark violet hue had formed in Jin Gwang’s hand.
"That’s different."
The moment I saw it, instinct warned me.
That was no ordinary blade.
It would definitely reach me.
At the very least, it gave off a presence only comparable to when the three great treasures of the Hwan Family cast off all restraints.
Jin Gwang spoke with evident pride—
"This is the sword of the Flames of Karma. It is a netherworld artifact forged with the fire of Yama in the Black Darkness Hell using the most precious and sturdy blade from Dosan. I guarantee it—blocking it with that alone will be difficult."
"So it seems."
"I shall conclude my greeting with this one slash. Well then, will you continue to block it with your body?"
"……."
To withstand that strike, I had to use the Bright Net Ten Swords.
But for some reason, as I looked at that, one thought crossed my mind.
When I placed both hands on my waist and assumed the demon-horse stance, Jin Gwang slightly furrowed his brow.
"...Foolish. Are you suggesting that this sword is inferior to the True Star Sword?"
"Of course not."
I had experienced the force of the True Star Sword before.
If a divine weapon of that caliber were unleashed from the hands of someone presumed to be far more powerful than someone like Hwan Pyeong, even the Demonic Heaven would not endure.
However—
Even so, there was something I wanted to test.
"Come."
"...Very well."
Jin Gwang extended his arm fully, releasing a slight aura of anger.
"Whether it's arrogance or confidence, the outcome will reveal it."
I could see it.
That was not the concept of a transcendent technique that twisted the laws of the world.
That flame itself was the very law reigning supreme over this world.
"H-Hey. That thing, it’s...dangerous…"
Only then did Ma Chulsoo seem to sense something from the sword, and cold sweat began streaming down his face.
Fwoosh!
Rather slowly, Jin Gwang’s sword drew a vertical line.
At that moment—
Behind Jin Gwang, an illusion appeared as if a colossal being was looking down on the entire world while swinging its sword downward.
‘That’s no illusion!’
It was no different from the very essence of Jin Gwang being manifested into reality.
If I couldn’t block that one sword strike, Xi’an would vanish without a trace and leave a massive scar upon the continent.
‘I’ll block it.’
Asura God’s End Realm
Transcendent Technique
Earth Sage Body
Suddenly, a violent storm of qi erupted and distorted the field of vision.
"……Huk!?"
Unable to withstand the intense storm, Ma Chulsoo was pushed back and for a moment doubted his own eyes.
A giant had risen from the earth and was blocking the blade of another giant.
But that illusion lasted only for a fleeting moment.
Kugugugung!
An immense shockwave struck the vicinity, powerful enough to make one fear that all of Xi’an might be blown away.
And Ma Chulsoo’s prediction was not far off.
The vast interior of Xi’an vanished without a trace due to the collision of the two forces.
Rumble rumble rumble!
Amidst the now completely ruined land, Jeon Gwang spoke without hiding his interest.
"The body of an Earth Sage. Well, I’ve taken a blow."
At some point, the sword in Jeon Gwang’s hand had disappeared.
"It seems you haven’t fully mastered it yet, but... this level is enough to face Heavenly Evil. You pass."
It was the first time since ascending to the Supreme Demon Realm that I felt my entire body ache.
I barely managed to offset it, but as he said, the Earth Sage Body could not yet be called perfected.
I had merely forced it into manifestation through my elevated realm.
Then, Jeon Gwang made an unexpected proposal.
"By chance, once all your duties on the surface are complete, would you consider coming to Hell? You could become an excellent judge."
Hell, he says.
I knew he wasn’t saying it out of malice.
No doubt, it was an offer he made after his own careful deliberation.
"I’m afraid I’ll have to decline."
"Hmm, a pity. It’s truly difficult to find talent like you on the surface…."
"Could you now answer my question?"
"Very well."
Swoosh!
As Jin Gwang lightly waved his hand, the ruined surroundings began to restore as if time were flowing in reverse.
Before long, the area returned to the eerie atmosphere I had seen at the start.
‘As expected.’
The current environment of Xi’an wasn’t reality.
But it could become so at any moment by the will of that man.
"I’ll address the most pressing question first. I… no, ‘we’ are the final arrangements made by your ancestors—Illusion Demon and Death Demon."
"……Are you saying this catastrophe was arranged by the Senior Brothers?"
"That’s correct. You may or may not know them, but from the beginning, they weren’t ones to be particular about means and methods when it came to achieving their goals."
"……."
I had no choice but to acknowledge those words.
No matter how generous the two Senior Brothers were toward the rest of us, they were, at their core, beings called Demonic Gods.
They would not be bound by conventional morality or codes.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Jin Gwang, one of the Ten Kings of Hell."
"…It is an honor to meet a King of Hell. I am Jin Yeomyung, the thirtieth Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"Huhu, to think the one standing atop the human world is so courteous."
…As if you aren’t.
To think that an existence not even human but divine would act so politely—it was a kind of terror in itself.
"As you might have guessed, this place was designed to recover the energies scattered across the world and delay the descent of Heavenly Evil."
"I see."
Since it wasn’t far from my expectations, I nodded without much reaction.
"However, originally, it should not have been possible to manifest during a normal Heavenly Time."
Both my and Ma Chulsoo’s expressions hardened.
A normal Heavenly Time?
"Not a mere awakening of fragments, but when the true body attempts to revive. Illusion Demon made a last resort deal with us Kings of Hell to prepare for that time."
"Then that means… Xi’an isn’t the only place like this?"
King Jeongwang nodded.
"Of course. Across the continent, incarnations of us Kings of Hell have descended. And just like here, they are recovering the overflowing energies and human souls."
"……."
They were by no means benevolent.
Naturally, one who judges in office must not be a virtuous person.
Absolute neutrality.
Which meant that they had either received compensation or had something to gain by making a pact with Senior Brother Hwan Seong.
"What happens if the Heavenly Time passes safely and Heavenly Evil disappears?"
"In that case, we will return to Hell. That was the contract from the beginning."
"And if it doesn’t disappear?"
"……."
King Jeongwang did not respond immediately.
"Huhuhuhu…."
His laugh reminded me of a child who had found a new toy.
"Naturally, once all the celestial and terrestrial energies are fully drained, the true bodies of us Kings of Hell, having amassed sufficient power, will descend upon this world. And they shall face the fully revived Heavenly Evil."
"……."
When that time comes.
Surely, the world would already be destroyed.
"Then we must end it before that happens."
"Huhu, you understand well."
I let out a sigh, unable to hide my bitterness and lament.
Now, the enemies humanity faced were no longer limited to Demonic Beasts.
Even if the environment didn’t worsen any further, as long as they existed on this land, nothing would change.
The resolve of Hwan Seong and So Jeong to eliminate Heavenly Evil was terrifying.
"You need not be too disheartened. Since you are their successor, there are arrangements your ancestors left behind for you."
"Arrangements?"
"Here."
Swoosh!
King Jin Gwang extended his hand.
And then, something familiar began to manifest above his palm.
'…True Star Sword!'
The True Star Sword, which had lost all its divine powers and become a simple iron blade, quietly enshrined in a corner of the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan.
That lightless True Star Sword now began to emit its former brilliance in King Jin Gwang’s hand.
And the True Star Sword slowly floated toward me.
"I shall restore one use to the True Star Sword. With this, it should be a sharp enough dagger to pierce Heavenly Evil’s blind spot."