Chapter 329: Murim Alliance Meeting (3) |
Three Gorges region, over two hundred kilometers from the Shaolin Temple. A lone hut in a deserted mountain valley.
“It should be starting soon.”
An old man with a sage-like appearance stroked his long, white beard and muttered softly.
Beyond the small window he was looking through, there was nothing but an ordinary forest, but his gaze seemed to encompass a much wider world, far beyond the confines of his small hut.
“Are the preparations complete? This is an operation led by the Cult Leader himself. There can be no mistakes.”
“Yes, Strategist. We’ve checked and verified everything multiple times. The Cult Leader himself has approved the plan.”
“I see. That’s good. Our efforts have finally paid off.”
The old man nodded slowly, closing his eyes and reminiscing.
It had been a long time coming.
The “Golden Island Sect” had been a constant thorn in their side, delaying their plans… but thanks to that, their preparations were even more thorough.
The destruction of the Kunlun Sect, the vanguard of the Central Plains Murim, was part of their plan.
And the timing coincided perfectly with this opportune event…
“How foolish. To talk about friendship and cooperation in these times.”
The old man chuckled, shaking his head, and the masked figure kneeling before him bowed his head silently.
The meeting, held in the name of the Murim Alliance, which had long since been fragmented and dissolved.
Of course, it wasn't a bad idea in itself, if the situation remained stable and the current power balance was maintained.
“Hahaha, they’ve enjoyed peace for far too long.”
There hadn’t been a single day without bloodshed, but to the old man, it was just a petty complaint.
How could they seek stability after such a short period of chaos?
In these turbulent times, strength was the only justice.
Peace and stability could only be achieved through overwhelming power.
And they were wasting their time on meaningless socializing? How foolish.
‘It would be more logical to avoid the meeting…’
But the Cult Leader didn't want a half-hearted approach.
He desired absolute dominance, achieved through overwhelming power and violence.
And for that, he had to crush the remnants of the Murim Alliance, those clinging to the past.
‘With the Cult Leader’s personal guards and our elite forces, it shouldn’t be a problem.’
Today would be the day the Murim Alliance was completely eradicated.
So, his priority wasn’t the Shaolin Temple, but the other parts of their plan.
“There’s no need to hesitate any longer. Inform all branches. It’s time to begin.”
“As you command! The Heavenly Demon descends, all shall submit!”
The masked figure vanished like smoke, and…
“Hahaha, it’s almost time.”
…the old man, Yalu Huan, the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strategist and Heavenly Riding Demon, chuckled softly, closing his eyes.
The long-awaited moment was finally at hand.
____________________
The situation escalated rapidly.
“Form the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation!”
“Eliminate all who defy the Cult’s will!”
“How dare you defile this sacred ground!”
“The Heavenly Demon descends, all shall submit!”
“You demonic scum!”
The hall, which had been a place of friendly exchange just moments ago, was now a scene of chaos and carnage.
Screams and shouts, curses and threats, filled the air.
Kaboom—!
The deafening roars from the outer gates, where the Shaolin Temple’s main entrance was located, suggested that this wouldn’t end easily.
The clash of overwhelming auras, the turbulent storms of Ki… the intensity was terrifying.
“Ugh, how did the Demonic Cult reach the Shaolin Temple…?”
It was a sign of their enemy’s resurgence, a declaration of war.
And it was the worst possible scenario.
“Ugh!”
“Don’t push yourself! Just focus on surviving!”
“These bastards… What kind of sorcery is this…!”
Those who were attending the meeting for the first time were still confident in their abilities.
They weren't the strongest in their respective factions, but they were elites, capable of overcoming the numerous obstacles and dangers they had faced on their journey here.
And yet, they were being pushed back, overwhelmed by the sudden attack.
They fought back fiercely, their spirits blazing…
…and then they realized something was wrong.
“Don’t clash weapons with them! Their energy disrupts the flow of our internal energy… Gah!”
“S-Senior brother! These… these bastards—!”
It was strange.
This was the Shaolin Temple, the stronghold of the strongest righteous faction, the protectors of Henan Province.
Even the Demonic Cult, the strongest and most ruthless evil faction, shouldn't be able to attack them so brazenly.
And it wasn't just the Shaolin forces here.
Clang—
Namgung So-ran, her sword clashing with a masked Demonic Cult warrior, gritted her teeth.
‘Ugh, what is this? Mountain Poison? Absorption Technique? No, it’s not that. It’s… something more fundamental…’
Her internal energy, cultivated through years of training and enhanced by countless elixirs, was faltering and sputtering.
The steady flow of Ki, which had always been her strength and support, was now disrupted and unstable. She struggled to maintain it, her mental and physical energy rapidly depleting.
That was why even the Shaolin Temple, a powerful and prestigious sect, was being pushed back.
‘If this continues…’
Internal energy was essential in battles between master-level experts. If only one side was affected, it was an insurmountable disadvantage.
“Haa!”
Clang—
Namgung So-ran took a deep breath, forcibly gathering her internal energy, and took a large step forward.
It consumed a massive amount of energy, but it restored the flow of her Ki, even if only momentarily.
‘Great Swallowing Flight!’
Swish—!
A surge of dark blue energy, sharp and piercing, sliced through the air, cutting down her persistent opponent.
“Huu, haa…”
But she couldn’t celebrate.
The enemy she had just defeated was just a low-ranking minion.
‘…This is dangerous. If this continues…’
She couldn’t rely on her grandfather, Sword Saint Namgung Woo.
Kaboom—!
She could sense his aura, mixed with the turbulent energy emanating from the outer gates, a sign that he was also engaged in a fierce battle.
It was probably much more intense than the fight here.
‘Even Grandfather, a Mysterious Realm expert, is struggling… That means…!’
But she didn't have time to think.
“There! The Sword Saint’s granddaughter! Capture her!”
“Ugh!”
Three more opponents, their levels similar to the one she had just defeated, were closing in.
She looked around desperately, her heart sinking.
‘…I made a mistake. I got too carried away and separated from the others.’
She had struggled against a single opponent… and now she had to face three?
It was a hopeless situation.
Her sword was knocked from her grasp as her internal energy was depleted.
“So-ran!”
She heard her brother’s voice, calling out to her, but she couldn’t face him.
She had been a burden, not an asset.
She had insisted on coming, wanting to see the wider world… and now she was about to die here?
She glared at the approaching weapons, her eyes burning with defiance.
‘…I should have just asked him directly.’
If only she had known about Ha Seung-hoon’s abilities… the otherworlder she had been observing…
It didn't matter now, but she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, a sense of unfinished business.
Swish—!
And as her thoughts raced, a sharp blade grazed her skin, splattering blood.
“Always be mindful of your surroundings in battle, Young Miss Namgung. And coordinate with your allies. Reckless actions like that will get you killed.”
“…Young Master Ha? How…?”
“The Southern Palace Clan warriors are approaching. Let’s join them.”
She stared at him, her savior, the one she had just been thinking about, her mind blank.
His back, as he turned and walked away, seemed impossibly broad and reassuring.
____________________
Even after rescuing the young miss of the Southern Palace Clan, Hugo continued to move, his body a blur.
He hadn’t intended to get this involved, but he couldn't help it.
‘They said their internal energy is disrupted when facing Demonic Cult warriors?’
He observed the battlefield.
A peak Master Realm expert on their side was struggling against a few low-ranking Demonic Cult minions. Now he understood why they were being pushed back so easily.
But…
Swish— Clang!
Slash!
His sword flashed, deflecting an enemy’s attack and then cleanly severing his head.
A swift and decisive move.
‘Why am I unaffected?’
Unlike his allies, who were struggling and faltering as if poisoned, he felt no adverse effects while fighting the Demonic Cult warriors.
His opponents, expecting him to be weakened, would often let their guard down, only to be swiftly eliminated.
‘This is something to consider.’
The biggest difference between him and the others…
…was the fact that he was an otherworlder, an awakened individual.
If he was immune to whatever method the Demonic Cult was using…
‘Huu, I’ll think about it later.’
His priority was helping his allies, and making a good impression in the process.
“Ugh… Thank you for your assistance, Young Hero.”
“Huu— You saved my life. I’ll repay you someday.”
“Impressive. Such skill in this chaotic situation. I’ll have to keep an eye on you. Ha Seung-hoon of the Zhuge Clan…”
His actions were more than enough to enhance his reputation.
He was calmly and efficiently eliminating enemies while everyone else was struggling, so those he saved couldn't help but be impressed.
‘Of course, I can’t do much against the truly powerful opponents, but this is enough to boost morale.’
But as he was trying to stabilize the situation,
An unexpected change occurred.
Swish—
Kaboom—!
A figure, moving at incredible speed, crashed into a nearby building, creating a deafening roar.
Even Hugo’s enhanced senses hadn’t been able to react in time.
Everyone’s gaze turned towards the source of the commotion.
And then,
“Is this all you’ve got, Wu Jin? The Shaolin Temple’s reputation is just a memory now.”
…A cold voice echoed through the temple grounds.
It took a moment for them to process the words, as the speaker had already been there, unnoticed by anyone.
A figure, cloaked in black, his long, dark hair swaying in the wind.
“Is that… Could it be…?”
“Master Wu Jin…?”
No one here recognized his face, but they instinctively knew who he was.
His presence was overwhelming, demanding their attention.
An arrogant aura, as if he looked down on the entire world.
The master of darkness, the embodiment of evil.
A demon descended from the heavens.
They called him—.
“…Heavenly Demon.”
Everyone froze, their bodies stiffening, as the world’s most infamous villain made his appearance.
____________________
And at the same time,
“Oh! We’re finally here! This is… exciting! Khahaha!”
“…What the—?! What’s going on here?! What is that… monstrosity?!”
Two massive figures entered the Shaolin Temple.
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