Chapter 108

Chapter 108
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**Chapter 108: Demise of the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa**

Roughly half a gak before the Namgung Clan and Wudang Sect burst onto the scene, chaos already reigned—pure, unbridled carnage.

“Kill every last one of these fiends!”
“Fall back! Retreat now!”
“You heretics! Clear the way at once!”

Pulled off to one side, the Tang siblings stood with Blood Lord Gu-ak and Chui-dal, all their faces etched with urgency.

“Damnation. These cursed Blood Cult dogs.”
“At this rate, they’ll break through our lines.”
“So many of our wounded can barely move as it is…”

The sub-commander of the Seventh Church District and the half-human jiangshi were shouting as they charged forward, straining to close the gap left by the vanished Blood-Eyed Rakshasa. With poisons and traps rendered entirely useless against their foe, they had no choice but to meet the rampaging horde head-on, pitting flesh and steel against unyielding fury.

“All of you—stand together and hold them back! We perish if we don’t!”
“I beg of you all! Just this once, fight as one!”

The stalemate held only because of the Tang siblings. They had tended to every injured warrior, even those elders who had coldly weighed costs and benefits before acting. They had given precedence to the orthodox sects, yet a great many unorthodox fighters—all but those truly evil—had also received their life-saving aid.

“Our paths may differ, but we will not abandon those who gave us back our lives!”
“We follow your lead!”
“Let old grudges rest for now, at least here!”

The orthodox and unorthodox could never truly unite, their lives too far apart in purpose and belief. Yet they could at least turn their backs on one another no longer, not when a common foe from the demonic path stood before them. And the Tang siblings’ kindness had given them the perfect excuse—no one need bear the shame of making the first move. That alone was why the forces of light and shadow stood together against the demons.

“At this rate, we might even push them back and wipe them out entirely.”
“Hahaha. Who would have thought the young clan leader’s kindness would come back to serve us so well? Truly, it pays to live with grace.”
“Elder Baek Ik speaks the truth.”

Tang Gun swelled with quiet pride at the praise from Gu-ak and Chui-dal, then cast a glance over his shoulder. He was counting on the Namgung Clan and Wudang Sect—gathered at the rear, working to breach the barrier—to join the fight.

In that instant, his face twisted in horror.

“Young Lord Namgung! Elder Cheon-so! What are you doing?!”

If they all stood together, every last demon before them could be cut down. The tide had turned decisively—if only the Namgung Clan and Wudang Sect would join the fray.

“Young Lord Tang. The rear is in your hands.”
“We go to strike down the demonic leader.”

The words drained the strength from Tang Gun’s limbs. Strike down the leader?

“Do not speak such folly! You are not fools—you know the proper order of battle! How can you decide this now?!”

It was only sense to crush the swarming minions first, then hunt down the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa. They could not claim to be rescuing Yang-hui, for none of them even knew where he had gone. Which meant—

“No one knows what lies at the heart of Sword King’s Tomb.”
“What if some spirit medicine waits there to make the demon stronger still when he returns?”
“You hold the rear. We take the vanguard.”

Greed had blinded them. With the immediate pressure easing, the treasures said to lie within the tomb had begun to call to them. And better still—the others were already holding the demons at bay!

“You will not pass that barrier. You cannot go.”

Sneers curled the lips of Namgung Cheon-hu and Elder Cheon-so.

“That creature did leave one useful thing behind.”
“Whether we cross or not is our concern. Do not trouble yourself.”

Dozens of warriors from the Namgung Clan and Wudang Sect vanished beyond the barrier. Tang Gun could not hold back the curse.

“Damnation take you all…!”

What met them as they hurried to claim the treasures for themselves was yet another hell.

“Others besides the demons?”
“That person…!”

Before Namgung Cheon-hu and Elder Cheon-so could even take stock of their surroundings, the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa struck.

“Fools!” Baek Yang-hui roared the moment they appeared, launching himself forward.

It was not enough to block the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa, who drew near in a heartbeat.

**CRITICAL STRIKE!** Piercing through five hearts!

Crimson energy stretched from the five remaining claws—one arm had already been lost—searing through the chests of the five warriors who had rushed in.

“Kwaak!”
“Ugh…!”

Blood surged along the talons and into the Rakshasa, writhing as it fed. The five warriors’ bodies withered instantly, drained dry.

“Curse it!”
“Heon-ah! Myung-ah! Nooo!”
“Save Hyun-sang and Hyun-ho!”
“Elder—our swords do nothing!”

Two super peak experts stood among the newcomers. Namgung Cheon-hu and Elder Cheon-so unleashed surging sword qi to crush their foe, yet it fell short.

*Kwang! Kwang!*

Even masters of their realm were not slain with a single blow to the heart, yet both were hurled hard against the cavern walls, blood spilling from their lips.

“Hehehe. To think I would ever feel gratitude toward heretics.”

New life and vitality flooded back into the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa’s blackened face. Yang-hui’s heart raced.

“A-du! Kill him before he recovers fully!”
“Understood! Haaap!”

**SKILL ACTIVATED**
**Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, Fifth Form: Eagle Feathers Flying Scatter!** Five strikes twisted through the air like lightning, striking from every direction to block all approach.

He would force his way through, even if it cost him his own flesh…

**SKILL ACTIVATED**
**Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, Forty-Seventh Form: White Feather Pressing the Ding — Variant: Heavenly Wing Pressing the Peak**

Eagle Feathers Flying Scatter filled the space with slashing blows, each strike carrying the weight of super peak cultivation. They met the Rakshasa’s claws first, sending shockwaves tearing through the air.

*Kwa-boom!*

A-du burst through the gap like a wild beast.

“Die, demon!”

Her fist, as large as a grown woman’s head, blazed with qi ten times its size.

**SKILL ACTIVATED**
**Hundred Steps Divine Fist: Arhat Carved Mandala!** A-du did not waste the opening, driving her fist straight and true into the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa’s solar plexus.

*Crash!*

“A-du, well struck!”

No gaps. No pauses. No chances to recover. She would not repeat the arrogance that had nearly undone their enemy. If she could watch and learn, then make it her own—she would be no true genius if she did not!

She poured every drop of Harmonious Heaven True Qi into **Eagle Tail Bright Advance**, disrupting the flow of the Rakshasa’s internal energy to its very core. At the same time, she drew upon every last reserve of her power to unleash the ultimate technique.

Illusions of vast wings descending from the heavens to crush lofty peaks filled the cavern. *Heavenly Wing Pressing the Peak*—a new form of the Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, blending the profound depth of the Heavenly Dull Sword’s Heaven Press with the finest principles of true qi manipulation.

“Fall now!”

*Whoosh-clang!*

Wings spread across the sky; thousands of grinding feathers emitted a keening, cutting sound. A terrible weight bore down upon the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa.

“Ugh… aaah!”

Crimson energy flared in defiance. His remaining hand tore at the feathers of the great wings, yet—

“Die!”

She poured every last drop of true qi from her dantian into the blade. The technique empowered every feather at the wing’s edge, striking with crushing force.

Then—

“Yang-hui! I come to aid!”

**Prajna Great Ability, Hundred Steps Divine Fist: Union.**
**Essence: Formless Enlightenment Single Swing.**
*Formless Enlightenment.*

The sword qi of Prajna Great Ability merged with the empty-air fist of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist. Stance firm, he drew earth qi up through the acupoint in his foot; one hand raised, he drew heaven qi down through the center of his palm. Between heaven and earth stood man—stillness within motion, the very essence of life in a single blow.

*Thunder-clap!*

White light and blood-red flame met; golden fire slipped through the gap. For an instant, the cavern blazed.

“Foolish insects!”

The Rakshasa strained against the sword strike, and a second fist of qi flew straight for the opening he had made. As he reached out with his remaining arm to tear it apart—

His other arm was gone.

Humans possessed reason and intellect, yet remained creatures ruled by instinct and habit. The Blood-Eyed Rakshasa, who had lived more than a century with two arms, saw his fatal mistake in the final moment. His left arm had long since been severed. Nothing stood between him and the blow.

*Crash-boom!*

The fist struck true, shattering bone and tearing flesh. He summoned what remained of his blood qi to resist, yet it was too late.

*Rending roar!*

Thousands upon thousands of feathers descended. The full weight of the heavenly wings pressed down upon him.

It cannot end this way. He had walked a path no human should walk, driven by despair over gifts he could never attain. He had yielded his will, served as a slave, all to rise higher. To fall so far, to be struck down by whelps who possessed everything he lacked—this cannot be!

The light faded. Silence settled over the void. The Blood-Eyed Rakshasa stood, a ragged hole torn through his chest. For a long moment, his remaining arm fell to the stone with a heavy thud. His body was broken beyond recognition, a mass of wounds and torn flesh.

“It cannot… end… like this…”

A fine crack split his throat. The red fire in his eyes guttered and died.

“Great Blood God… grant me… one… more…”

His head rolled, and his final breath escaped.

So fell the great demon—born human, yet devouring hundreds to seize power beyond all mortal bounds.

Yang-hui let out a long, shuddering breath. Thank the heavens. If the Blood Soul Escape Technique had fallen into the hands of those curs from the Namgung Clan and Wudang Sect… he would have perished. There would have been no hope. With the Blood-Eyed Rakshasa restored, and two super peak masters plus dozens of elite warriors at his side, defeat would have been certain.

“Fools!”

His shout rang through the cavern, stinging the ears of every warrior present. Those still struggling to grasp what had happened stared in bewilderment. The faces of Namgung Cheon-hu and Elder Cheon-so told a different story.

“Are you speaking to us?”

“Who else?! We would all have died because of your greed!” He broke into a fit of coughing, a mouthful of blood spilling to the ground. His entire body shook like a leaf. He had pushed himself far beyond his limits to channel the subtle arts of Heaven Press.

He was not alone in his weakness—A-du’s condition was worsening fast, drained by the effort of the final blow.

“Curse you. If you had not come…”

Then—

“Baek Yang-hui.” Namgung Cheon-hu stepped forward, eyes like shards of ice. “What are you doing here? Explain yourself.”

This man’s arrogance was beyond bearing.

“Explain? Why are *you* here? For the same reason as me, I would think. Should I not be asking you?”

“You dare speak to me so casually?”

“Do you want to fight? Is that what you want?”

Namgung Cheon-hu’s gaze swept past him, taking in the golden coffin at the far end, the broken iron rings scattered across the floor, and finally the blood-sword in Yang-hui’s hand.

“Elder Cheon-so.”
“I hear you, young lord.”
“Look at the blade he carries.”

“I have watched it from the start. Clearly a sword of the demonic path.”

“He was nothing before me, yet now he speaks with such boldness…”

Elder Cheon-so understood his meaning. They had braved every peril of Sword King’s Tomb, lost nearly half their disciples—they could not return empty-handed, or face shame and censure. Worse, they would fail their own pride.

“Young hero. I will not ask how you came to be here. But lay down that demonic sword. We must examine it closely, lest it carry hidden peril.”

Yang-hui bit back a scoff, his gaze cold and sharp. So that is how it will be. Their thoughts were as clear as water in a mountain stream. They would show no gratitude—only shameless greed. How could they be so blind?

“Set the blade down now. We will judge its nature using our sect’s ghost arts, and decide what is to be done with you.”

Enough. These people were rousing a darkness within him. He looked from the sword in his hand to Namgung Cheon-hu, then to the rest. The Namgung Clan and Wudang Sect would stand in the way of all the Baek Clan hoped to build. Worse—with Tang Gun as witness, none of this could be hidden. All had seen what had happened. Conflict was inevitable. Perhaps even open war. The Baek Clan and Tang Clan could not yet stand against them.

He would need to be clever.

Namgung Cheon-hu… and Namgung Cheon-yeong, the heir who would one day take his place. Would Cheon-hu step aside willingly? Unlikely. Factional strife already ran deep. If he could undermine Cheon-hu’s standing, he would set their house against itself. And Wudang—one of the Nine Great Sects, standing for one hundred and fifty years—had one weakness. Their greatest sword, Hyun-hyun. If the truth of the Child-Slaying Incident came to light… there would be blood. Their blood. Drawn by their own endless hunger.

“I will give you the sword. But first, hear me speak.”
“What is it?”
“This blade seeks to master whoever holds it.”
“Then how is it you remain uncorrupted?”
“My mind is my own. My will does not break.”

Namgung Cheon-hu and Elder Cheon-so smirked in unison. Even Hyun-hyun, standing behind them, curled his lip in scorn.

“Wudang stands for the true way. Our arts subdue all evil. Lay down the sword.”

“Then give me back my own blade first. I will not disarm without some pledge of good faith.”

Their sneers turned to outrage.

“Young hero—I am an elder of Wudang! Do you doubt my word? Do you think we would strike you down?”
“Believe what you will. Give me my sword, and I will do as you ask.”

Elder Cheon-so stepped forward, kicking Yang-hui’s lost weapon toward him. *One more mark against Wudang.* Yang-hui caught his blade with a twisted smile, then tossed the Blood Cult divine sword across the stone. *Clang.*

“Examine it as you please. But I warn you—none but those of super peak realm should touch it.”

“…Noted.”

Namgung Cheon-hu and Elder Cheon-so exchanged a look.

“Young lord, upon our return…”
“I will take it.”

Before Elder Cheon-so could speak further, Namgung Cheon-hu sprang forward. He caught up the divine sword in his hands—

And then—

“What is this… ugh… aaah!”

Crimson fire erupted from the blade, engulfing him. He drove it through the heart of a nearby retainer, then turned his bloodshot gaze upon the next.

“Young lord! What madness is this?!”

*Roar!*

“Young lord—! Wudang disciples, form ranks! Hold the line!”

Chaos and slaughter broke out anew. Yang-hui watched it all with cold, steady eyes. They had called this calamity down upon themselves.
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