The two of them were inside the painting.
It was a painting that looked exactly like real people, and the movements were vivid as well.
When the Pungcheon Cult Leader was looking at Sobaekta, I saw Hwanwang.
It was the same Hwanwang I had seen before the regression.
Hwanwang, so you were here at this time.
Inside the painting, Hwanwang took Sobaekta and disappeared through the door.
Mine and Mabul's gazes naturally gathered on the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
The Cult Leader's eyes deepened as he gazed at the painting. He must be feeling the ominous aura beyond that door.
"Impressive."
It was a word acknowledging Hwanwang. Yes, of course. Because it was a world created by Hwanwang. Hwanwang was a greater master than Hwanyeo. That was why he was also the one who ultimately made a name for himself in the world.
"It's dangerous. I'll go alone."
At those words, I spoke with a smile.
"I wondered who the disciple took after."
"What do you mean?"
"If you truly wanted to go alone, you wouldn't have said it was dangerous, would you?"
It meant the same as when Sobaekta shouted not to come while being dragged away earlier. It was a more burdensome plea than begging to be saved. Just like saying 'it's dangerous, so I'll go alone.'
"Even if I said I was leaving you behind, you aren't people who would listen to me anyway, are you?"
"We came together, so we finish it together."
There was no way I would send the Pungcheon Cult Leader into that painting alone.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Mabul nodded along with me.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader recited an incantation before the painting.
Huuuuuuung.
With a deep reverberation, we stood before that door.
We had entered the painting in an instant.
The spectacle of illusion arts performed by a master who had reached the pinnacle was truly art.
Gigantic beasts gathered from all directions, baring their teeth.
But perhaps because the imposing aura radiating from the Cult Leader was frightening, they didn't dare charge.
On the other hand, they acted as if they would pounce on me and Mabul at any moment.
Mabul strode toward them. Though they bared their teeth and growled, they couldn't charge at Mabul either.
Mabul reached out and stroked a beast's head. Surprisingly, the beasts remained still.
It was the moment I confirmed firsthand just how strong Mabul was against illusion arts.
Meanwhile, the Cult Leader stood before the door.
He closed his eyes briefly to compose his mind, then placed his palm against the door.
As the Cult Leader chanted an incantation and slowly pushed, the door began to open with a loud sound.
We entered shoulder to shoulder.
Beyond the door, a long corridor awaited us. It was an endless corridor that felt as though once we passed through it, we would never be able to return.
"When I saw his face, he resembled that woman in the garden too much. They are probably twins or siblings."
As I walked, I informed the two that Hwanwang and Hwanyeo were blood-related.
"Then this place is even more dangerous."
At Mabul's words, the Pungcheon Cult Leader nodded. He must have sensed it too. Since he was the one who killed her, one of the two would not be able to leave alive.
"You don't seem nervous at all."
"With the two of you here, why would I be nervous?"
This time, the Pungcheon Cult Leader asked Mabul.
"Why aren't you nervous?"
"With you two here, you'll figure it out."
This time, I asked.
"What about the Cult Leader?"
"Me? ...Because I'm here. Damn! I feel like I'm the only one getting the short end of the stick!"
I laughed cheerfully at the Pungcheon Cult Leader's joke. But I could feel it. He was definitely more nervous than when he faced Hwanyeo last time. There seemed to be some kind of aura that only masters of illusion arts could feel.
We continued walking down that long corridor like that.
"This illusion art was also refined in the Blood Cult."
"I've felt it before, but the Cult Leader seems to have profound insight into Blood Cult martial arts as well."
"Because we are the Blood Cult."
Because the very origin of the Pungcheon Cult was the Blood Cult.
"Long ago, following defeat in the war against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, all of the Blood Cult's leadership died. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult knew they couldn't annihilate the Blood Cult. Because killing all of those spread throughout the Beyond would require too great a sacrifice. So the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wished for a new Blood Cult."
"That is the Pungcheon Cult."
"Yes. In the early days, it is said that those who wanted to preserve the Blood Cult as it was and those who wanted to discard the name Blood Cult clashed fiercely. But since the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult supported the side that wanted to establish the Pungcheon Cult, it was ultimately reborn as the Pungcheon Cult. For a while, the Pungcheon Cult with a pro-Heavenly Demon tendency continued, but at some point, they broke free from that sphere of influence."
Over that long history, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult also underwent many changes.
"This bastard is someone who has properly inherited Blood Cult demonic arts. There is undoubtedly a force trying to rebuild the Blood Cult."
"You mean a secret society?"
"It won't be a secret now. They've kidnapped the Pungcheon Cult Leader and even drawn in the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
Meanwhile, we arrived at the end of the corridor.
Three doors awaited us.
The three doors emanating a mysterious aura seemed to be saying exactly this: depending on which door you choose, your life or death will be decided.
"Which way shall we go?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader's eyes deepened as he gazed at the three doors.
"It's a trap. If we go together through one, we will be scattered; only if we enter separately will we meet."
"Then let's go separately."
"I'll take the center."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader chose the center door, and Mabul and I each entered the left and right doors.
When we opened the door and entered, there was another corridor.
As I walked down the corridor and looked back, the door I had entered through had vanished. There was no going back now.
When I exited through the door at the end of the corridor like that, neither the Pungcheon Cult Leader nor Mabul were visible.
I realized in an instant. That the Pungcheon Cult Leader had tricked us.
He intended to face Hwanwang alone. Those three doors were a message Hwanwang had left for the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
Come alone, leaving the two behind.
Because this fight was between the Pungcheon Cult Leader and Hwanwang. Because the Pungcheon Cult Leader wanted to protect me and Mabul.
The place I entered was a banquet hall. Dancers were dancing, and musicians were playing cheerful tunes. Young women held bottles of alcohol and beckoned me to come.
Just the atmosphere here lent weight to the earlier speculation.
Stay here and rest.
I looked around for a way out. But the bluish light was not easily visible.
Since this space was also created by illusion arts, there had to be a way to break it somewhere.
Then a man in the banquet hall walked up and spoke to me.
"Please rest comfortably. If there is anything you wish for, simply tell me anything."
"Where is the way out?"
"The door only opens when the time comes. It will not open before then."
Shhhk! Sruk!
I cut the man down with a single slash.
The fallen man vanished with a popping sound, turning into black smoke.
Because of that, the music stopped, and everyone froze in their movements, staring at me. Naturally, they were not people. They were evil spirits formed of demonic energy.
I looked around at them and asked.
"Raise your hand if you know how to get out of here!"
Instead of raising their hands, they charged from all directions.
* * *
In contrast to Geom Mugik, who had entered the banquet hall, the place Mabul entered had a brutal atmosphere.
Pitch-black darkness. It was a place where you couldn't see an inch ahead. Even the usual radiant light emanating from his body couldn't illuminate the surroundings.
Mabul could feel it. That something was here.
He quickly formed a mudra with his fingers.
Revolving Dharma Light Seal!
In an instant, a golden radiance burst from Mabul's body.
At that moment, he could see that place.
Dozens of strange beasts shielding their eyes from the light.
Reacting to the light, they all howled at once. It was a piercing, ear-splitting wail that felt as though it would rupture eardrums.
A new mudra formed in Mabul's hands.
Slaying Dharma Repentance Seal!
The next moment, golden energy surged and erupted from Mabul's palms.
Kwaeeeeeeeeek!
The tremendous energy surged like a wave, sweeping away all the strange beasts there.
Puk! Peok! Puk! Puk! Puk!
The strange beasts vanished, turning into black smoke.
Mabul strode forward and opened the door to the next room.
It was a plaza-like place more than ten times larger than the previous room.
And the evil spirits filling that place all turned to look at Mabul. Red eyes and torn mouths. It was truly a sight that made him want to close the door again.
But Mabul raised one corner of his mouth and entered. Rather, he shut the door tightly, as if to ensure no one could leave.
The evil spirits shrieked and charged at Mabul from all directions. There were so many that they trampled one another.
Amid that chaos, a new golden mudra was forming.
* * *
Hwanwang and Sobaekta entered a spacious main hall.
That place was filled with stone statues and murals on all sides, massive monuments covered in incomprehensible patterns. It was surely Sobaekta's first time there, yet it felt familiar.
"Where is this place?"
Sobaekta faced him calmly. Cursing and acting hostile was not a wise choice. He had to calmly find an opportunity.
"Is this not the place where you are every day?"
"Surely not? The Cult Leader's residence?"
It was different from the current Cult Leader's residence, and different from the Cult Leader's residence in Master's time as well.
"It's the Blood Cult's Cult Leader's residence."
"Yes. This is the true Cult Leader's residence."
Hwanwang's eyes were filled with emotion as he looked around that place. He truly respected and loved this place.
"This is where the true demons of the Beyond lived. Not pitiful ignorant brats like you."
The words 'ignorant brat' stabbed at his heart. But now was not the time to act like an ignorant brat.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"To use you as a hostage."
Sobaekta's heart sank, but he spoke nonchalantly.
"Those are truly nonsensical words."
"Because your master is not someone you can deal with stylishly."
Sobaekta could tell. That Hwanwang truly acknowledged his master. He had cursed so much when he was with Sobaekta. Now that he thought about it, those curses were ultimately curses directed at himself.
"Master will not come."
"He will come."
"He does not cherish me that much."
"If that were not the case, he wouldn't have rushed all the way to the Beyond. The Young Cult Leader came to kill me, but your master came to save you."
Sobaekta, who had been blank for a moment, abruptly spoke.
"Come to think of it, my life seems better than yours."
Hwanwang silently stared at him, who had suddenly changed.
"You're cowardly, have no pride, and are even despicable? You're probably just a faithful dog who only listens to someone's orders."
Sobaekta charged fearlessly.
"You always groveled to me. 'Cult Leader, have you arrived? Did something good happen today? You are surely the one who will lead the new martial world, Cult Leader. Cult Leader.' Licking yesterday, licking today. If I told you to lick, you'd probably have licked the soles of my feet."
When Hwanwang reached out his hand, Sobaekta went flying.
His internal energy already suppressed, Sobaekta was helplessly caught in his grip. The only thing he could fight with was his mouth.
"What are you so scared of that you suppressed my internal energy? Isn't this your hell? You coward! Lick my ass!"
Despite the pouring ridicule, Hwanwang didn't get angry; rather, he smiled as he looked at Sobaekta.
"Unexpected. To think you cherish your master this much."
Hwanwang saw straight through Sobaekta's inner thoughts. He realized Sobaekta was trying to provoke him into killing him.
"If you want to die that badly, dash your head against the horn of that stone statue and kill yourself. Do you truly have the courage for that?"
Hwanwang threw Sobaekta before the stone statue.
Sobaekta looked at the stone statue with trembling eyes. The horn growing from the monster's forehead was as sharp as a spear.
As he gazed at the sharp horn, he felt death approaching.
Then, like a kaleidoscope, memories of being with his master when young came to mind.
Come to think of it, Master particularly cherished him. He acknowledged that Sobaekta was born with talent, and even praised him to his fellow disciples, telling them to learn from Baekta. The day he was praised by Master, he was so happy he couldn't sleep.
On the day of the Blood Spirit Ceremony, when the Yin Thunder Bell was struck, he would call Sobaekta to strike it together.
As he did so, Master would stroke Sobaekta's head and say, "You will inherit my position."
Just because Master failed him once after doing well ten times, he resented and denied Master. You foolish, ignorant fool! If someone does well ten times and fails once, they're still someone who did well nine times.
Sobaekta, reproaching himself, squeezed his eyes shut.
'I cannot be a burden to Master any longer.'
He recklessly hurled his face toward the horn.
Thwack!
He thought he would die like this, but the stone statue's horn crumbled like soft clay.
From afar, Hwanwang clapped and laughed. He had changed the horn with illusion arts.
"This is why I can't kill you. How could I kill such a precious hostage when you think of your master this much?"
Sobaekta hurled his body toward the wall.
But before his head hit the wall, he flew into Hwanwang's grasp.
Hwanwang gripped Sobaekta and looked down at him.
"If your master dies, it will be because of you."
It was a horrifying thought just to imagine. He tried to bite his tongue, but no strength entered his jaw.
"...Please kill me."
At that very moment, someone entered that place and spoke in a clear, ringing voice.
"At times like that, instead of asking someone to kill you, you say this."
The one who strode in was none other than the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"If Master dies, it's because of you. If Master dies, it's because our master's martial arts were weak. Master's death has nothing to do with me. And to bastards like that who toy with people's hearts, you say this: Get the hell out of here, bastard!"
To Sobaekta, who was looking at him with eyes filled with emotion, the Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke calmly.
"I will teach you again, one by one, from now on."