Chapter 418

Chapter 418

Chapter 418: So? Did Someone Force You to Become the Heavenly Demon?

Wudang Sect Leader’s Hall.

Within this chamber, the primary leaders representing the grand coalition of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had assembled to conduct an emergency council.

“They have vacated Yangyang and are currently advancing on a direct path toward our position.”

The instant the Leg King concluded his update, a violent and predatory aura erupted from the physical frame of Wi Jin-hak.

“Are the hypocrites of Shaolin participating in this march as well?”

In response to the inquiry from Wi Jin-hak, the Leg King provided a somber affirmation.

“They are. Furthermore, the presence of that legendary elder known as the Divine Monk has been verified by our lookouts.”

The confirmation that the elderly monk responsible for the execution of both the Left and Right Guardian Envoys was closing in caused the bloodlust surrounding Wi Jin-hak to intensify to an even more terrifying degree.

Watching this display, the Zhuge Clan Lord, Zhuge Mun, offered his perspective in an unruffled tone.

“Cult Leader, I operate under the assumption that you do not entertain notions of engaging that ancient monster in single combat.”

“What is the underlying meaning of your statement, Zhuge Clan Lord? Are you implying that I, the supreme ruler of the illustrious Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, am incapable of victory without resorting to a numbers advantage?”

The unbridled, aggressive pressure rolling off Wi Jin-hak concentrated its full weight directly onto Zhuge Mun.

Among the individuals assembled for the meeting, Zhuge Mun possessed the least advanced martial foundation, rendering the oppressive aura incredibly difficult to bear, yet he maintained total composure as he offered his reply.

“You are required to master your emotions. He represents an ancient anomaly whom an elite group of four masters from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, a contingent that included the Left and Right Guardian Envoys, failed to subdue even while cooperating against him. Cult Leader, do you honestly credit yourself with the ability to overcome that elderly monk entirely on your own?”

As Wi Jin-hak directed his blood-suffused gaze across the assembly, the Silver Shadow Pavilion Lord, who had remained positioned mutely at the periphery of the room, offered his counsel.

“Cult Leader, I find myself in agreement with their assessment of the situation.”

Seeing that even the Silver Shadow Pavilion Lord, an individual who notoriously avoided inserting himself into discussions, was attempting to moderate his actions, Wi Jin-hak squeezed his eyes shut, pulled in a massive breath, and expelled it in a protracted release.

“Huuuuh.”

In his rational mind, he recognized the truth of their statements. Even though his personal martial boundaries had expanded significantly following his total immersion in the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, he remained insufficient to match the caliber of that ancient monk.

He could likely manage a credible showing against the combined might of the Left and Right Guardian Envoys in his current state, but adding the complications of facing Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang and Yeom Ga-hwi on top of that remained well outside his current capabilities.

And yet that ancient monk had not simply withstood their unified coordination; he had thoroughly dominated them, signaling an undeniable chasm in capability between himself and Wi Jin-hak.

He was simply consumed by indignation.

The supreme authority of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, an individual destined to serve as the living embodiment of wrath, found himself unable to personally execute the killer of two ancient loyalists who had given nearly a century of service to the organization.

Resentment directed toward the elderly monk intermingled with a deep self-loathing regarding his own current limitations.

Ultimately mastering his internal turmoil, Wi Jin-hak unsealed his eyes and spoke.

“I give you my word that I will not attempt to duel that ancient monk in isolation. Given that consensus, what course of action do you propose we implement, Zhuge Clan Lord?”

Observing that the Cult Leader had regained a measure of emotional stability, Zhuge Mun experienced an internal wave of relief and proceeded to outline his ideas without delay.

An array of strategic operations, formulated around the capabilities and numbers of both adversarial and friendly elements observed during the conflict at Yungjung Mountain, flowed seamlessly from his lips.

…

Following the passage of two days.

An army numbering close to ten thousand martial artists converged at the base of Wudang Mountain.

The grand alliance opposing the Cult had incurred significant attrition during the engagement at Yungjung Mountain, yet owing to an influx of fresh recruits arriving from every province of the Central Plains over the preceding days, their total complement remained formidable.

Positioned amidst a sea of warriors projecting an intense aura of bloodlust, Paeng Mu-yeol suddenly unleashed a deafening roar and accelerated toward Wudang Mountain at maximum velocity.

“Butcher every single heretic who chose to align with those desecrated lapdogs of the Demonic Cult the moment they cross your path!!”

The Patriarch of the Paeng Family, Paeng Mu-yeol, who had suffered the liquidation of almost his entire personal retinue due to the ambush at Yungjung Mountain, had crossed the threshold into absolute mania.

Any secret understandings forged with the Eastern Depot or grand illusions of elevating his lineage to the absolute peak of the martial world had completely evaporated from his mind.

“Unfurl the standard of demonic subjugation and the total eradication of corruption!!”

“Charge forward!!”

Perhaps due to the reality that grievances had escalated to an absolute boiling point in the wake of the Yungjung Mountain clash, the engagement commenced with immediate, brutal violence, bypassing any customary demands for capitulation.

The obstacle that materialized to hinder their reckless advance consisted of countless concealed mechanisms distributed across Wudang Mountain over the previous days, coupled with sudden ambuscades launched by the alliance warriors of the Cult who had taken up hidden positions throughout the terrain.

It presented an unusual spectacle.

Rip.

“Gahhh….”

No combatants materialized to contest Paeng Mu-yeol or any of the other peak-tier masters directly.

Surrounded by torrents of blood and agonizing screams echoing from every sector, the pinnacle experts made progress forward without hindrance, as though they were enjoying an evening walk through a local district. Only the occasional hidden mechanism offered any minor interruption.

It was at this juncture that an individual stepped forward to impede the progress of Paeng Mu-yeol, who had been advancing without significant opposition.

“Paeng Clan Lord, your physical countenance appears rather strained. Might I suggest you withdraw to the rear to restore your emotional equilibrium?”

The challenger was none other than the Leg King.

Across different sectors of Wudang Mountain, prominent figures materialized sequentially to intercept the leadership of the advancing coalition.

The premier martial asset of Shaolin, the Unrivaled Buddha, found his path blocked by the Tai Chi Sword Immortal, while a coordinated squad of four peak masters threw themselves at Divine Monk Hyeon-am.

Catching sight of the mature martial artist advancing while brandishing a weapon that radiated an intense manifestation of black energy, a dark smile touched the lips of Divine Monk Hyeon-am.

It carried the physical presentation of a monastic smile, yet it radiated an oppressive, suffocating bloodlust that inspired absolute dread rather than any semblance of holy mercy.

“So you are the one who claims the title of Cult Leader.”

The strike of the elderly monk, which appeared to materialize with deceptive slowness, uniquely intercepted the trajectory of the weapon Wi Jin-hak swung at the exact millisecond required.

An exhibition of martial skill where the transition between action and consequence appeared entirely inverted.

Immediately following the contact, the luminous golden energy insulating Hyeon-am’s hand collided violently with the dark energy projecting from Wi Jin-hak, detonating with a deafening concussion.

In stark contrast to Hyeon-am, whose physical features betrayed absolutely no disturbance, Wi Jin-hak tightened his features in stress.

The dark energy insulating the Heavenly Demon Sword fluctuated wildly as though it might completely fail at any moment, and the residual vibration traveling up the steel caused internal disruptions within his frame.

Was this outcome a testament to the reality that his opponent’s refinement had expanded after his mastery of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art climbed to the level of the Extreme Demon stage?

Even when manipulating an identical volume of internal energy, the elder monk’s qi was vastly more concentrated, unified, and entirely unyielding.

It behaved as though the personal intent of the ancient monk carried greater authority than the natural laws governing existence.

At that exact interval, the elderly monk extended his left palm forward with a completely indifferent demeanor.

Clang!

An unexpected blade materialized from thin air, impacting the left hand of the ancient monk.

This action occurred the exact moment the stealth assault launched by the Silver Shadow Pavilion Lord was neutralized.

“Haah!”

Flanking from both the left and right positions, Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang and Yeom Ga-hwi delivered a synchronized strike utilizing sword and fist techniques respectively, aiming to overwhelm the elderly monk.

The ancient master deflected the hidden strike of the Silver Shadow Pavilion Lord while altering his footing to evade the incoming blade of Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang, simultaneously launching a sweeping kick toward the advancing Yeom Ga-hwi.

Boom!!

Following the thunderous impact, Yeom Ga-hwi, who had desperately crossed his forearms to absorb the velocity of the strike, was propelled backward through the air.

Concurrently, Wi Jin-hak was managing to maintain his position against the right hand and weapon of the ancient monk, and as Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang launched a follow-up strike after his initial attempt proved unsuccessful, the elderly monk let out a soft click of his tongue for the first time and shifted his weight one pace backward.

Within that minor concession of ground, Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang perceived a faint ray of possibility.

‘…It appears the Cult Leader possesses the capacity to endure at least a singular clash against that ancient terror.’

Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang alongside the remaining three masters who had previously ganged up on the elder monk at Yungjung Mountain typically sustained severe internal trauma or found themselves thrown backward with every singular exchange of blows.

Wi Jin-hak was undeniably outclassed by the elderly monk in terms of pure refinement as well, yet he at least possessed the durability to avoid being blown away after a solitary clash.

This endurance could be credited directly to the possession of the legendary weapon known as the Heavenly Demon Sword, in conjunction with the premier martial style of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

However, the ancient monk, having conceded a single pace, immediately reasserted his position forward, driving his right fist directly toward Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang.

Boom!!

As Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang was sent flying through the air by the force of that impact,

“Haah!”

Wi Jin-hak once more brought the Heavenly Demon Sword around, wrapped in a dense shroud of black energy, targeting the elderly monk.

He was not yet reduced to vomiting blood or being instantly thrown clear of the engagement. Nevertheless, with each successive clash of energy, micro-shocks accumulated within his physical frame, and internal injuries were steadily compounding.

He was granted brief windows to recover his breath solely due to the reality that Yeom Ga-hwi and Hyeok-ryeon Cheon-gang were contributing to the engagement at his side, while the Silver Shadow Pavilion Lord kept the enemy distracted by threatening an assault from a distance.

‘My instructor spoke the absolute truth. If we had only been granted an additional decade… If we had simply possessed the necessary time to expand our numbers and allow me to fully master the intricacies of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.’

Each time he was forcibly pushed back by the overwhelming physical output of the elderly monk, variations of these regrets automatically manifested within the consciousness of Wi Jin-hak.

And those thoughts inevitably manifested as absolute fury.

‘How can a warrior who lacks the capacity to execute the primary antagonist standing directly before his eyes consider himself the rightful Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!!!’

At a certain interval, a dark energy began to steadily saturate his vision.

• Surrender the governance of your vessel to me.

The negative side effects associated with the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, which he had previously kept under strict regulation, were gradually displaying their true corruption, capitalizing on his emotional vulnerability.

• I represent the all-consuming inferno destined to reduce existence to ash.

…

Within the defensive perimeters of An-gang.

Il-mok knit his brows, adopting an analytical demeanor.

‘What manner of hidden agenda are those scoundrels orchestrating?’

Following the conclusion of the opening day’s engagement, the adversarial forces had established their camp roughly five li outside the gates of An-gang and initiated a blockade.

Yet it scarcely earned the designation of a genuine siege operation.

Over the course of the preceding days, they had committed to a mere two follow-up incursions.

On both occasions, the execution was identical to the initial day’s attempt.

They merely deployed a screen of several thousand shield-bearing infantrymen to test the lines, only to order a full retreat the moment they failed to crack the barricades.

Il-mok experienced a profound sense of suspicion regarding their tactical choices, as though their primary objective was simply to exhaust the clock.

At that precise moment, the vocalization of Jin Ha-yeon pulled Il-mok away from his internal analysis.

“Left Envoy, a correspondence originating from Wudang has reached our position.”

Il-mok offered his acknowledgment to her voice as she maintained her post outside the entrance of the leadership pavilion.

“Step inside.”

The message did not bring confirmation that the allied units stationed at Wudang had been routed.

Instead, it carried the intelligence that they had somehow managed to hold their ground during the initial massive assault.

Even though the report highlighted that the Cult Leader Wi Jin-hak had successfully forced back the Divine Monk, a more rigorous analysis of the text made it clear that the situation was far from positive.

They had managed a successful holding action, but the price paid in terms of personnel losses was exceptionally high regardless.

Furthermore, the document clarified that the internal trauma sustained by Cult Leader Wi Jin-hak during his duel with the Divine Monk was critical, leaving him confined for emergency medical intervention.

The preservation of the lines had been achieved primarily due to the utilization of regional Hubei government units whom they had covertly integrated into their plans beforehand, deploying them to launch a surprise assault on the rear of the anti-Cult alliance.

‘We foresaw this complication the moment intelligence arrived regarding the deaths of the Left and Right Guardian Envoys, but that ancient monk remains the defining problem.’

Il-mok released a muted breath.

They might possess the capacity to hold their ground for the immediate future, but the defenses at Wudang could dissolve at any given hour.

‘Even if the lines fail to collapse entirely, the conflict will almost certainly culminate in a scenario of mutual annihilation where both factions leave each other ruined.’

As these dark scenarios materialized within Il-mok’s consciousness, a sudden realization struck him, causing him to whisper aloud.

“Mutual annihilation?”

Il-mok’s eyes went wide with sudden clarity, and he issued an urgent directive to Jin Ha-yeon.

“Jin Underling, immediately convene a meeting with the Provincial Military Commander and the Patriarch of the Hwangbo Clan!”

Spurred by the critical tone in Il-mok’s voice, Jin Ha-yeon pivoted and exited the pavilion. The intelligence courier from the Beggar Clan who had delivered the missive followed her out.

Before long, Jin Ha-yeon retraced her steps into the pavilion, escorting Hwangbo Ak alongside the Provincial Military Commander.

“Jin Underling, remain inside to observe this discussion.”

Interacting to stop her as she made a move to resume her guard post outside, Il-mok lowered his voice to a whisper.

“It appears highly probable that the leadership of the Central Army Command is intentionally extending the duration of operations here.”

“The pattern of behavior certainly aligns with that theory, but what benefit do they derive from deliberately wasting time?”

“They could be mobilizing additional reinforcements from neighboring regions to deliver a decisive blow all at once.”

“Or perhaps they are simply waiting for our provisions and stamina to deplete.”

The Provincial Military Commander and Hwangbo Ak alternated speaking, offering their personal deductions on the matter.

In response to their assessments, Il-mok gave a firm shake of his head and clarified the situation.

“Those monsters… They are intentionally stalling to allow the body count on both sides to reach catastrophic levels on the Hubei battlefield!”

Having previously uncovered the imperial regime’s hidden agenda to completely liquidate the entire martial world, the Hwangbo Clan had formed an alliance with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult purely as a measure for self-preservation. When analyzed from that specific framework, the underlying goals of the government forces became transparent.

Il-mok subsequently presented the dispatch from Wudang for the three of them to examine.

“If we permit events to proceed along this current trajectory, the entire conflict will play out precisely as they have orchestrated.”

“Under those circumstances, what strategy do you propose we implement?”

“Should we abandon our fortified positions and launch an offensive to break the containment forces directly ahead of us?”

Il-mok rejected their suggestions with a shake of his head.

“Even if we succeed in routing the Central Army Command forces outside our gates, would that action alter the behavior of the martial factions currently engaged on the Hubei battlefront?”

“That is true, but if we attempt to dispatch relief forces to Wudang, those bastards outside will certainly not remain passive.”

The exact moment any significant portion of their garrison attempted to exit the fortification, the units currently conducting the casual siege would launch an all-out assault like ravenous beasts.

Expressing his agreement with the logical point raised by the Provincial Military Commander, Il-mok offered his solution.

“Therefore, it stands to reason that we must deploy our reinforcements in absolute secrecy, does it not?”

With that statement, Il-mok gestured toward a strategic chart that provided a rudimentary illustration of the territory encompassing An-gang.

He indicated an area completely devoid of established transit routes.

“Are there not several mountain ranges extending from Ga-dong Mountain into the northeastern sectors of An-gang? We will navigate the highly hazardous lower ridges of those peaks, cross over into the territory of Shaanxi, and make our way to Wudang. We will accomplish this completely undetected by their scouts.”

“That specific route presents extreme physical hazards even for elite infantrymen to navigate, and the sheer roughness of the geography guarantees a massive delay. Furthermore, we might successfully conceal the deployment for a day or two, but eventually, the drop in our active garrison numbers will become impossible to hide.”

“You need not concern yourself with that variable. To guarantee we bypass their surveillance and reach Wudang Mountain with maximum speed before they can discern our intentions, I intend to deploy a grand total of exactly two individuals.”

As he delivered his final decision, the focused gaze of Il-mok locked onto the figures of Hwangbo Ak and Jin Ha-yeon.