Chapter 104

Chapter 104
Chapter 104

The Tang siblings and Blood Lord Gu-ak caught up with Adu and Chui-dal, who had already managed to clear the passage.

“There are no other viable escape routes. It appears our only options are the primary tunnel and that initial opening we stumbled upon.”

“That is hardly encouraging news.”

Now that the Blood Cult had revealed themselves, having a greater number of escape routes was vital for ensuring the safety of as many individuals as possible. Mathematically speaking, dispersing in different directions would only maximize their chances of survival.

“What is our next course of action? Even Brother is not here with us.”

Gu-ak crossed his arms, wrestling with the same difficult dilemma.

The Tang siblings offered a response to Chui-dal’s inquiry.

“We came here driven by greed, but innocent lives are perishing and suffering right now.”

“I believe we ought to do whatever lies within our power to save them.”

Both Gu-ak and Chui-dal belonged to the Baek Clan, an organization that valued righteousness. While they might not possess saintly hearts driven by pure chivalry, they could not simply turn a blind eye to dying people right in front of them just to secure their own safety.

“I hear hurt people. If people are hurt, we gotta help.”

Adu’s simple declaration sealed the matter.

“Even the monk says so.”

“Let us take action, but let us proceed with the utmost caution.”

Collapsed martial artists littered the ground in every direction. Leaving aside the actual corpses, those hovering on the very brink of death were scattered everywhere.

“At least it is fortunate that the first and second gates both relied on poison.”

“Indeed. Because of that, we can save a greater number of them.”

The group immediately set to work administering emergency treatments. Although the majority were succumbing to lethal toxins, the combined expertise of the two Tang specialists allowed them to rapidly stabilize the fallen martial artists.

“Th-thank you… Huh?”

A man who had been writhing in agonizing pain, unable even to open his eyelids, suddenly recovered his senses and voiced his gratitude—before freezing in utter astonishment.

He was a martial artist affiliated with the Namgung Clan.

“T-Tang Young Clan Leader…”

“I have done what I can for the present. Focus on resting. I must move on.”

Dang Gun did not linger to listen to any further remarks. Staying would alter nothing.

Yet one troubling thought continued to nag at him.

Where had their own Young Clan Leader vanished to?

If the man had perished, that would be one matter—but he had merely been poisoned and immobilized. Why would a Young Clan Leader abandon his own subordinate in such a manner?

‘Surely not… did he actually ditch him? No, that cannot be.’

Regardless of any underlying animosity or bad blood, the man was still a member of the Namgung Clan.

Dang Gun found his answer when they finally reached the third gate, having successfully traversed the second gate’s poison trap.

“Tang Young Clan Leader. It is the people from Namgung and Wudang, alongside a multitude of Black Dao fighters.”

The majority of those who had fled ahead had congregated in this area. Upon spotting Dang Gun and his companions, Namgung Cheon-hu narrowed his eyes, while the Wudang Sweeper Elder waved cheerfully from his side.

“Oh, Tang Young Clan Leader! We were wondering where you had wandered off to! Come over here quickly! There are so many poisoned individuals here—we require your medical assistance!”

Dang Gun cast a brief glance at the Sweeper Elder, who beckoned as though it were the most natural thing in the world, and then slowly surveyed the gathered White Dao martial artists.

“The numbers for Wudang and Namgung have been cut in half.”

It was an expected outcome. They had encountered countless fallen bodies along the journey. And not merely corpses, but living souls as well.

“I have one question. There are still numerous injured individuals back there. Will you not come and help rescue them?”

The Elder’s bright countenance hardened instantly.

“You witnessed them with your own eyes, did you not? They are not corpses—they are the injured?”

Dang Gun felt a sharp flicker of bewilderment. It was difficult to fathom that such words could originate from an elder of Wudang.

“There are plenty who remain breathing. I administered first aid along the way, but they require substantial assistance.”

He directed his gaze toward Namgung Cheon-hu, who stood in heavy silence.

“We discovered more than four members of the Heavenly Sword Squad hanging on to life. We need to go back and rescue them.”

He immediately noticed the subtle stirring among the Heavenly Sword Squad members, as well as Namgung Cheon-hu’s expression growing progressively stiffer by the moment.

“Impossible.”

Dang Gun was taken aback. While he had half-anticipated such a response, hearing it still stung.

“Impossible? Our fellow disciples are dying, yet you declare it impossible?”

“A true leader cannot allow himself to be shackled by sentimentality and miss the crucial moment.”

“Think on a grander scale, Tang Young Clan Leader, rather than focusing on trivial matters. We have an abundance of injured people right here as well.”

Namgung Cheon-hu and the Sweeper Elder appeared entirely resolved in their stance. They rationalized abandoning the stragglers by steeling their resolve for the sake of the greater good.

“Tang Young Clan Leader, hurry over here. The condition of the poisoned is deteriorating!”

“Tang Young Clan Leader!”

He glanced toward his sister, Dang Yeon. She nodded in silent affirmation, prepared to follow whatever decision he made.

“I cannot do that.”

“What?!”

“Tang Young Clan Leader! Get over here immediately—that is an order from the Tang Clan!”

“You will cross paths with those demonic bastards on your way back! Are you actively trying to get yourself killed?!”

Dang Gun clenched his jaw tightly. Without offering another word, he turned his back and walked away, ignoring their protests entirely. Dang Yeon, Gu-ak, Chui-dal, and Adu fell in step behind him.

“A sound choice, Young Clan Leader.”

“Heh heh, let us go rescue the suffering folk!”

Chui-dal suddenly muttered a complaint beside him.

“If those individuals happened to be the Green Forest Ten Heroes, I could understand. Speaking of which, where have all the bandits vanished to?”

“Dead, most likely. The demons targeted the Black Dao first—particularly the bandits—when they initially appeared.”

“Ah, I see.”

“……And to be fair, they were not entirely incorrect in their logic.”

Dang Gun’s expression remained stern as he pressed forward.

“If we head back now, we will inevitably cross paths with those demons before long.”

While the demons were not actively pursuing them at this moment, occupied as they were with slaughtering and consuming the stragglers, they would eventually swarm for a full-scale massacre.

“Gu Swordmaster. Take Chui-dal and Monk Adu through the opening.”

“Hm? What are you implying, Young Clan Leader?”

“You do not belong to the Baek Clan. You assumed a great risk by coming this far, but you are under no obligation to bind your fate to ours.”

Gu-ak let out a sharp snort.

“And suffer a tongue-lashing from Little Brother later on? Do not be absurd. If the situation grows too perilous, we can always retreat through the hole.”

They quickly divided their responsibilities. The Tang siblings focused on administering first aid, while Chui-dal, Gu-ak, and Adu transported the stabilized individuals toward the third gate.

“Monk Adu is pulling an immense amount of weight.”

“Indeed. Given his sheer size and physical strength, he carries five or six people at once.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Chui-dal wiped the sweat from his brow after hauling nearly twenty people, casting a sidelong glance toward the groups from Namgung and Wudang. The more injured individuals they brought in, the heavier the weight of guilt that crept onto the faces of those waiting at the third gate. While Cheon-hu and the Elder maintained rigid expressions, their subordinates could not entirely conceal their discomfort.

“Why are those individuals refusing to move? Are they simply waiting around?”

“It is likely due to the mechanisms.”

“Mechanisms?”

“I observed a corpse in the hall earlier, completely riddled with holes. They are attempting to figure out how to disarm them and pass safely.”

“Stalling in such a manner—if those blood-crazed monsters arrive, won’t everyone end up dead?”

Gu-ak shrugged in response to the question—

Chill-!

Sudden goosebumps broke out across their skin as a monstrous, overwhelming aura surged from behind.

“Chui-dal! Get behind me!”

“T-Tang Young Clan Leader…!”

“Just do as I say!”

Gu-ak threw himself in front of Chui-dal, pressing his back against the wall. A violent wind reeking of blood rushed past them. It carried a savage, sinister, and explosive pressure—unquestionably belonging to the leader of the demons.

‘Damn it…!’

Gu-ak steadied his trembling hands, preparing to strike.

However, Blood-Eye Ra swept past them as though living beings held no more significance than dust, vanishing swiftly down the corridor.

‘He did not kill us… he simply passed by?’

This could only mean there was something far more urgent ahead than mere slaughter. Gu-ak felt a profound sense of puzzlement—and a growing unease.

“Little Brother…!”

His instincts screamed a warning: that demon was hurtling directly toward Yang-hui.

At that exact instant—

“I must go!”

There was no time to restrain her—Adu launched himself forward with a burst of speed that even Gu-ak struggled to match.

“Amitabha! I shall guide you…!”

A foul wind of blood trailed closely behind a fierce, devout golden light.

Gu-ak and Chui-dal quickly regrouped with the Tang siblings, who were still tending to the injured scattered between the first and second gates.

“Gu Swordmaster!”

“Tang Young Clan Leader! Did you witness it?”

“Yes. That demon did not even spare us a glance—he merely rushed past.”

“He is undoubtedly heading toward the far end of the pagoda, where Little Brother is stationed.”

“Where is Monk Adu?”

“He gave chase to the demon. Realizing we could not catch up to their speed, we turned back to find you first.”

Dang Gun ground his teeth in frustration as he looked upon the injured people still littering the ground.

“To Brother Hui!”

Righteousness held its importance. But protecting the people he cherished mattered far more.

“Thank you for the call, Tang Young Clan Leader.”

“It is only right.”

The group surged forward, utilizing their lightness skills to the utmost. Guilt gnawed at the edges of Dang Gun’s mind, yet his stride held absolute resolve.

They reached the third gate in a matter of moments.

“Exercise caution. The mechanisms were set… Ah. That demon smashed through every single one of them.”

The walls of the wide hall had been torn apart, exposing the mechanical guts of the traps in a hideous display. They passed through unhindered toward the fourth gate, where yet more fallen martial artists lay ahead.

“It appears the demons passed through here as well.”

“They destroyed the mechanisms, allowing them to force their way through.”

Coming to a halt meant they had reached the fourth gate. A strange, warped energy twisted and flowed through the air.

“A formation array. Is this the Sword King Pagoda? An ancient, supreme formation.”

“The demon has already entered… Gasp!”

A wave of crimson blood qi rebounded violently, tumbling backward before the barrier of the formation.

“Gaaargh! You dare! You dare challenge me! A fool’s relic!”

A chilling, murderous aura flooded the entire space. The group—along with everyone waiting anxiously in the hall—tensed instantly, drawing their weapons.

Yet Blood-Eye Ra’s focus remained entirely fixed upon the formation.

“I will shatter you! Every last piece of it!”

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

As the fierce storm of blood-claw qi shredded the air around him, someone murmured in disbelief.

“What has become of Monk Adu…?”

“Did he manage to pass through the formation? Before that monster?”

Even as doubt flickered in their minds, Blood-Eye Ra flung himself against the formation once more.

The crimson silhouette slipped through the barrier. Shortly after, bursts of intense blood qi erupted from various points deep within.

“He is forcing his way through purely with brute force, violently distorting the flow of qi.”

There were alternative methods that required time—but choosing this path revealed a madness and obsession that transcended sanity.

“Attempting to break it in such a manner drains an immense amount of both qi and mental stamina.”

As Gu-ak finished speaking, the rippling energy of the formation finally settled. The blood qi vanished, leaving behind an eerie calm.

The demon had broken through.

—

Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!

Yang-hui tapped systematically against every section of the massive iron door, even sliding the edge of his sword into its narrowest cracks. With every single attempt, the realization solidified within him.

This door would not open through ordinary means. It required a specific key or a unique condition to be met.

Which meant coming this far had yielded nothing.

Thump!

His sword core continued to tug insistently toward whatever lay hidden beyond the barrier. Yet what good was that if he lacked the means to open the door? There was genuinely no apparent answer.

“I must have overlooked something. What could it be?”

He flopped down onto the stone floor, resting his chin in his hand as he fell into deep contemplation, mentally replaying Jin Ga’s sword manual, Yeo Hyeok’s original techniques, and every scrap of lore related to the Sword King.

“Sigh. I have forgotten nothing. What is it that I missed?”

He had instructed the others to clear the paths—knowing full well that survivors and cultists would soon swarm the area. The righteousness-testing formation would buy them time, but it would not hold forever. If he operated under the assumption of endless time, a single oversight would doom everyone.

He needed to open this heavy door rapidly. But how?

Wait—if his sword core had guided him directly to this spot, shouldn’t infusing pure qi cause it to swing open neatly? Much like the tales told in romantic folktales—smooth and effortless.

“Damn it. Life is never quite that accommodating… Hm?”

While he muttered to himself, a sudden burst of golden light erupted from behind him.

Could that be Adu’s aura?

“Yang-hui!”

“Is it truly you?”

“I came!”

“Yes, you certainly did. Where is everyone else? Are you entirely by yourself?”

“Came to guide you.”

“Where is the demon you were supposed to guide?”

“Huh?”

Adu stared blankly, looking entirely bewildered.

“He ran ahead of us, that is for certain. Where on earth did he go?”

The demon leader had trapped himself within the formation, while Adu had managed to pass through first. It made a strange sort of sense—though Adu lacked intellectual cunning, his heart possessed the purity of a true monk.

“Your timing is impeccable. Do you see this iron door? We need to smash it open—lend me some of your muscle.”

“Understood!”

Adu summoned his Prajna Might.

Waves of golden flames cloaked his massive frame, converging tightly around his fist and blazing with increasing intensity.

“Hundred-Pace Divine Fist!”

Kuuuung!

The heavy door emitted a massive, resounding boom. Yet it bore nothing more than a shallow dent—there was no sign of buckling or shattering.

“Ugh. Hundred-Pace Divine Fist!”

Kuuuung!

“Hundred-Pace Divine Fist!”

Kuuuung!

“Hundred-Pace…”

“Cease. It will do no good.”

“Hng… My fist hurts…”

Naturally it hurt; he had been repeatedly bludgeoning solid wrought iron.

Even as that thought crossed his mind—

Yang-hui and Adu whipped around simultaneously, their expressions turning grim.

Crackling waves of blood qi surged into the space.

Blood-Eye Ra materialized before them.

“Haa… Finally.”

Unlike their initial encounter, his face wore the gray pallor of a corpse, and his physical form radiated exhaustion.

Shaaaak!

The Blood-Eye Ghost’s strike moved with a swiftness that made defense nearly impossible.

‘Damn it!’

Pouring every ounce of his energy into the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art, Yang-hui channeled it directly into his sword and thrust it outward.

‘Hold fast, I implore you!’

Kwaaaang!

The sword held firm—it did not snap—but the sheer impact flung his body backward, crashing violently against the iron door.

“Cough!”

The blow shook his internal organs, bringing up a mouthful of dark blood.

“Mara! I shall guide you!”

Adu charged forward amid a blazing golden aura—only to be sent hurtling backward toward the door by a single, devastating blow.

“Guhk, that hurts…!”

Ignoring both of them entirely, Blood-Eye Ra fixed his gaze upon Yang-hui with an expression of intense fascination.

“Ho. The monk remains conscious… but how on earth did you manage to block that?”

“Kuh… You fool, do you still not understand? You are weak—that is the reason.”

Yang-hui forced a smirk onto his face, though the stark truth was that he had no idea how he had survived the blow either. The power behind the claw qi was no laughing matter. A blade merely stuffed with qi should never have been able to withstand it.

“Hah. I see. So that is how it is.”

An expression of sudden enlightenment washed over Blood-Eye Ra’s features.

“Uhaha! Uhahahaha! Great One! You have blessed this lowly servant with such exquisite amusement! Uhahahaha!”

Laughing maniacally toward the high ceiling, his eyes locked once more onto Yang-hui.

“It is you—the prophesied adversary!”

…What manner of utter nonsense was this?