Hwanwang looked at Geom Mugeuk with an expression of utter disbelief.
‘He passed through all those gates?’
The Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke to Hwanwang.
“Didn't I tell you? It's because you don't know this man.”
Ma Bul's gate had been difficult as well, but he had been certain that the gate blocking Geom Mugeuk was absolutely impassable. Especially when he thought of the gate with the Blood Poison Great Net.
“One cannot pass through without being immune to all poisons.”
He had thought Geom Mugeuk wouldn't even attempt it because of the poison. That was why he had judged he could keep the Little Cult Leader tied up without killing him.
Geom Mugeuk stood side by side next to the Pungcheon Cult Leader and spoke.
“I'm close with the Poison King.”
Ma Bul also stood side by side next to the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“I'm also close with the Poison King.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader felt an exhilaration he had never experienced in his life as he looked at the two people standing solidly at his left and right. Just moments ago, he had been prepared to die. How could he possibly express this overwhelming emotion in words, when the ones who had rushed to save him from that desperate situation were Geom Mugeuk and Ma Bul?
The emotion that washed over him after the storm of joy was this:
‘The Little Cult Leader has come!’
He had a feeling that if it was Geom Mugeuk, he might somehow be able to rescue So Baekta. Wasn't it precisely because he was that kind of person that they had tangled together singing, “Second Young Master, Second Young Master, Little Cult Leader, Little Cult Leader”?
‘Little Cult Leader, I beg you.’
As if to show that his joy and faith were by no means misplaced, Geom Mugeuk's next action swept the Pungcheon Cult Leader up in even greater passion.
Geom Mugeuk secretly placed his hand on the small of his back and sent a stream of inner force to begin treating his internal injuries.
‘You truly…!’
The Pungcheon Cult Leader could tell for certain. This man, Geom Mugeuk, was a different breed of person entirely. The consideration of worrying about his internal injuries at a time like this, and the boldness of channeling inner energy while standing—it was something an ordinary person couldn't even think of in this situation.
Thanks to this, the Pungcheon Cult Leader's internals grew comfortable and his complexion improved.
Finally, Geom Mugeuk's telepathic message flew to him.
—Even if we let him escape, do not overexert yourself no matter what.
To Geom Mugeuk, capturing Hwanwang was important, and rescuing So Baekta was important, but the Pungcheon Cult Leader's safety was the most important of all.
Hwanwang had completely hidden his body behind So Baekta. So Baekta was still a hostage, but his expression was incomparably bright.
‘With those two here, Master will be safe.’
His heart was as heavy as it was joyful. If the three of them attacked together, how could Hwanwang endure? The problem was himself.
Geom Mugeuk comforted him as his face reddened with shame.
“Our cult's Soul-Devouring Demon Lord fell victim, and even the Martial Alliance Leader's grandson was taken. There is no need to be ashamed at all. It is because they approached with such meticulous care.”
Hwanwang brought his fingers to So Baekta's neck and threatened them.
“Leave at once. Unless you want your disciple to die.”
His fingers looked as though they would pierce So Baekta's throat at any moment.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“We have disciples in our cult as well, so wouldn't we be fine without one or two?”
Before the Pungcheon Cult Leader could answer, Hwanwang spoke first.
“Bluffs won't work. I already know how much the Cult Leader cherishes his disciple.”
Hwanwang was growing impatient. The three people standing side by side before him were individuals he couldn't afford to let his guard down against even in one-on-one combat.
What little fortune he had was that the Pungcheon Cult Leader had suffered internal injuries, and the other two had likely expended much internal energy as well. They had rushed here in haste, so they wouldn't have had time to recover their internal energy.
But even so, facing three people alone was no easy task. Even if the sum of their internal energy was less than his, how could that possibly be a favorable situation for him? His opponents were absolute masters from whom anything could emerge even with just a handful of inner force.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader showed an unexpected reaction to Hwanwang's threat.
“Given who our opponent is, let us say our farewells in advance. I'm sorry I couldn't save you.”
Geom Mugeuk and Ma Bul looked at the Pungcheon Cult Leader. They could feel it was not some scheme to save his disciple. He was truly bidding farewell to his disciple.
So Baekta felt his master's heart in the gaze directed at him. These words were enough for him.
“If I am reborn, I will live a life where I will surely become Master's disciple again.”
With the two of them acting this way, Hwanwang's expression instinctively stiffened.
The less value So Baekta had as a hostage, the higher the probability that he himself would die.
If the Pungcheon Cult Leader weren't here, he might be able to escape using illusion arts. But because the Pungcheon Cult Leader was here, even that was no easy feat. In such a situation, he must not rashly leave this space. His martial arts could demonstrate far greater power in this space than fighting outside. What he trusted was the legacy of the Blood Cult—namely, this very place.
“Will you cowardly rush me three against one?”
The one who responded to Hwanwang's words was So Baekta.
“You coward! Hiding behind my back and that's what you say? Kill me and then kill yourself too. Pathetic lives, both of us, let's die together!”
Ignoring his words, Hwanwang looked at Geom Mugeuk. At the look that said the decision was his anyway, Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
“Don't look at me. Honestly, the person you hold hostage is not important to me. If I were going to take a hostage, I would have taken one of these two here…….”
He turned his head toward the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
Right when Hwanwang's gaze naturally turned toward him as well—
Geom Mugeuk's figure flashed as he charged toward Hwanwang.
*Swoooooosh.*
That very moment when it seemed he wouldn't attack was a calculated surprise attack. It was an attack that showed he didn't care if So Baekta died.
Because he hadn't expected an attack at this moment, Hwanwang was caught off guard.
Instinctively, he tried to kill So Baekta but gave up. Geom Mugeuk's movement was too fast—so fast that he felt at least one of his own arms would be severed. If his instincts had worked properly, he should have used So Baekta to block rather than dodging.
The moment Hwanwang vanished.
Geom Mugeuk embraced So Baekta and charged backward.
*Shh-shh-shhk!*
He thrust his sword toward the direction he was descending. It was because he considered the possibility that Hwanwang had concealed himself there.
Then the Pungcheon Cult Leader shouted.
“Danger!”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader unleashed a palm strike. The target of his palm force was So Baekta's shadow.
Hwanwang, who had been hiding within So Baekta's shadow, had been about to rise and launch a surprise attack on Geom Mugeuk.
*Bang!*
The shadow vanished, and So Baekta's shadow returned to normal.
Geom Mugeuk quickly undid So Baekta's sealed internal energy. Only then was he able to use his internal energy. It was thanks to Geom Mugeuk's bold decision that they succeeded in rescuing So Baekta.
But there was no leisure to share the joy of rescuing him.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader sent a signal to everyone that Hwanwang was concealed in this space.
Hwanwang's concealment technique was demonstrating truly peak-level skill. The Bloodwind Shadow Concealment Technique he used was a martial art at the pinnacle of Blood Cult concealment techniques. Judging by concealment skill alone, he was a match for Hwi-ui, his father's bodyguard.
Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to Ma Bul.
—I request light!
Ma Bul quickly formed hand seals.
“Dharma Light Manifestation!”
Light erupted from Ma Bul's body and illuminated the space. In that fleeting instant, Geom Mugeuk unleashed the Divine Eye Technique. And he saw. That there was a place where light reflected differently from elsewhere.
*Shhhhhhriek.*
*Thwack!*
Blood sprayed from midair as Hwanwang revealed himself.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader charged in to drag him down, but he hid again by a hair's breadth. However, the Pungcheon Cult Leader thrust his hand into the air once more and pulled him out.
*Pow-pow-pow-bang!*
The revealed Hwanwang and the Pungcheon Cult Leader exchanged palm techniques in midair.
Hwanwang was not pushed back by the Pungcheon Cult Leader at all. Rather, because the Pungcheon Cult Leader was in a state of internal injury, he was at a disadvantage in terms of inner force.
Therefore, Geom Mugeuk flew to his aid. Ma Bul came before So Baekta and protected him. Because Hwanwang might target him again.
Hwanwang mustered all his strength and unleashed twin palm strikes.
*Kwaaang! Kwaaaang!*
Hwanwang, who had pushed Geom Mugeuk and the Pungcheon Cult Leader back, unleashed a hidden trump card. If he held back his secret technique, he would die without ever getting to use it.
*Whooooooosh.*
Red mist like blood seemed to envelop Hwanwang's body, and when the mist disappeared, his form had changed as well.
His skin had transformed to resemble red steel. His eyes had also turned bright red, emitting a ferocious blood aura.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader recognized the martial art Hwanwang unleashed and shouted a warning.
“Be careful! It's the Ironblood Heaven-Shattering Art!”
The Blood Cult's demonic arts had many factions and branches. The demonic art Hwanwang inherited was of the Blood Spirit Technique lineage, and the Ironblood Heaven-Shattering Art was the final secret technique of the Blood Spirit Technique that pulled up all the inner force and blood aura in the body to make it like steel for a set duration while simultaneously unleashing several times one's usual strength. Moreover, because it was being unleashed in this space, its power was even greater.
*Swoooosh!*
Hwanwang charged at Geom Mugeuk without hesitation.
*Pa-pa-pa-pa-pang!*
Hwanwang rushed forward, throwing two fists in succession. He was so fast and powerful that there was no leisure to use a sword. Raising his protective gang qi, Geom Mugeuk faced him with fist techniques.
As it was Hwanwang's final secret technique, the shockwaves that flooded his entire body each time the fists clashed were tremendous.
Geom Mugeuk unleashed the Vajra Asura, the defensive form of the Thunderclap Asura Fist, and even the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. He was hard-pressed just to defend, let alone attack.
An invisible weapon flying from the Pungcheon Cult Leader's hand embedded itself precisely in Hwanwang's back.
But though Hwanwang staggered once, he did not stop his attack. He poured everything out at Geom Mugeuk.
*Boom-boom-boom-boom!*
Ma Bul was not idle either.
“Killing Wheel Seal!”
Gang qi whirled. Just before being struck, Hwanwang dodged to the side.
Then the gang qi flew directly toward Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk also dodged in the opposite direction.
*Kwa-kwa-kwang!*
The place where they had been standing was swept away and sent flying.
Hwanwang immediately flew at Geom Mugeuk once more. Hwanwang, using the Ironblood Heaven-Shattering Art, was keeping up with the movements of the Wind God Steps.
Hwanwang was targeting only Geom Mugeuk. He knew. That among these four, Geom Mugeuk was the most threatening.
If the Nine Transformations Demonic Art unfolded, it absolutely could not be blocked by Blood Cult demonic arts. That was why he was trying to kill Geom Mugeuk first by any means.
So Baekta also watched for an opportunity to attack, but because Geom Mugeuk and Hwanwang were tangled in close combat, he could not recklessly launch an attack.
Ma Bul looked at the Pungcheon Cult Leader. His intent could be seen in his gaze.
The moment the Pungcheon Cult Leader began chanting an incantation!
Hwanwang tried to sink down somewhere but sprang up. A black hole had formed beneath his feet. It was not a trap to make him fall. Its purpose was to make him halt his attack for a very brief moment.
That fleeting instant was sufficient.
The very moment Geom Mugeuk leaped backward to create distance!
Ma Bul's hand seal was completed.
“Demonic Palm of Annihilation!”
A massive palm descended upon Hwanwang.
*Kwa-aaaang!*
But Hwanwang raised both hands and blocked it. Both Ma Bul and Hwanwang pulled up their inner force. Just when the side pressing down and the side resisting were tautly matched! The situation Hwanwang feared most unfolded.
Having bought himself distance and time, Geom Mugeuk unleashed the First Form of the Nine Transformations Demonic Art: Annihilation Form.
*Srrrk! Srrrk! Srrrk! Srrrk!*
Four demonic ghosts appearing from the four cardinal directions—east, west, south, and north—sliced through Hwanwang.
*Craaaaack!*
A sound like shattering ice rang out, and the red skin on his body became broken pieces of metal and began to crumble down with a clatter.
The one who revealed himself from within was Hwanwang. Standing with a pale face, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
The combined attack of Geom Mugeuk, the Pungcheon Cult Leader, and Ma Bul moments ago had been perfect, as if they had practiced it countless times, yet it was a combined attack performed through instantaneous resourcefulness. With opponents like Geom Mugeuk, Ma Bul, and the Pungcheon Cult Leader, the fight could never proceed according to his will.
*Srrsst!*
Despite his severe injuries, he vanished suddenly, and three doors formed in that spot.
His illusion art skill had truly reached the pinnacle—it was admirable even as one watched with one's own eyes.
Geom Mugeuk spoke seriously as he looked at the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“This time, you must not go alone.”
“I wouldn't go even if you pushed me from behind.”
“Which door must we take?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader fell into thought for a moment, then pointed at the third door.
“That one.”
The four people leaped side by side toward that door.
Once they disappeared, something astonishing happened.
*Srrrsst.*
Hwanwang revealed himself there once more. Hwanwang quickly dispelled all three doors he had summoned.
Only then did he vomit a bowlful of blood. He had suffered severe internal injuries when the Ironblood Heaven-Shattering Art was broken.
But on Hwanwang’s face was a smile of triumph.
“No matter which door you enter, you’ll end up at the final remaining gate of this place. It will take at least one shichen to get out.”
It was Hwanwang’s deception. Earlier, they had entered through three doors. He might not have fled through those doors at all, but he had dazzled them with the possibility by presenting three.
First, he would get out of this place and flee far away, to somewhere they could never find him. Next time, I will have my revenge!
Just as he was about to recite the incantation and leave this place—
Puuuuuk!
A single sword pierced his heart.
When Hwanwang lifted his head, Geom Mugeuk was standing before him. Beside him were the Pungcheon Cult Leader, Mabul, and So Baekta.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader said to Hwanwang,
“I saw through your trick.”
While pretending to enter the door, the Pungcheon Cult Leader had taken the three of them into the Space-Time Transposition Art. Just as Geom Mugeuk had deceived So Baekta with the Space-Time Transposition Art before, the Pungcheon Cult Leader had deceived Hwanwang.
Just then, as Hwanwang’s lips twitched as if he meant to say something, Geom Mugeuk’s unwavering attitude toward villains was no different even for Hwanwang. There was no need to listen to some curse a villain left behind before dying.
Shiiiiik!
Slice!
Without hesitation, Geom Mugeuk pulled out the sword lodged in his heart and struck off his head. Hwanwang’s head, eyes wide open, rolled across the floor. At last, Hwanwang had been eliminated.
“First, let us leave this place.”
When the Pungcheon Cult Leader recited the incantation, the four of them were standing before the painting.
At the thought that they had finally escaped from that wretched painting, everyone let out a light sigh.
So Baekta prostrated himself before the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“Master.”
All kinds of emotions surged through him. He truly had not thought he would survive. He was deeply grateful to his master, who had risked his life to come save him. He was grateful to Geom Mugeuk and Mabul as well. After conveying his thanks to everyone, he spoke his true feelings to his master.
“Inside the illusion art, I vowed countless times. If I survived, I would live for you, Master. Just say the word, whatever it may be. For the rest of my life, I will live according to your will.”
At that, the Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke in a gentle gaze and calm tone.
“Do you think that is what I want? If I were that sort of person, would I have abandoned the position of cult leader and left?”
“……Master.”
“You must live for yourself. If you live as the Pungcheon Cult Leader, then you live for the you who became cult leader. If you run away as I did, then you live for the you who fled.”
This was the last thing the Pungcheon Cult Leader would say to him. It was also something he said to himself.
“Even if you run away, live with all your might before you do.”
So Baekta could not lift his head.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader helped his disciple to his feet.
Watching the two of them, Geom Mugeuk crumpled Hwanwang’s painting and placed it on his palm.
Fwoooosh.
Looking up at the ashes that burned in the Samadhi True Fire and rose into the air, Geom Mugeuk said,
“No longer believe in the secret society working for the revival of the Blood Cult. From today on, it is a conspiracy theory and a rumor.”