“Heavenly Demon Soul!”
Geom Mugeuk recognized the other’s existence at once.
‘The Heavenly Demon Soul that was absorbed that day was here together with these souls?’
Three hundred years ago, on that day, the Heavenly Demon Soul had been the first to be absorbed into the Secret Ark. Hyeok Docheon had struggled desperately not to have the Heavenly Demon Soul taken from him, but in the end, it was sucked into the Secret Ark.
The remaining people had been absorbed into the Secret Ark afterward.
Geom Mugeuk had naturally assumed that the Heavenly Demon Soul had vanished. And yet that Heavenly Demon Soul had been together with these souls!
Geom Mugeuk was someone who did not become startled or flustered under any circumstances, but in this moment, he was shaken.
The appearance of the Heavenly Demon Soul struck not only Geom Mugeuk but everyone watching with shock.
Who would have thought that the Heavenly Demon Soul they had only heard of in stories would reveal itself like this, by borrowing a human body?
Even the Cult Leader Pungcheon, who had been spouting nonsense only moments before, froze solid.
The Fist Demon’s expression hardened. Any other enemy might have been one thing, but the Heavenly Demon Soul would never be easy to face.
Moreover, the Heavenly Demon Soul before them now was one that thought and even spoke on its own.
‘An enemy more dangerous than the Heavenly Killing Star we faced before.’
The Fist Demon looked at Geom Ujin standing beside him. Tension could be felt in the cult leader’s stiff expression.
It could not be helped. No demonic art would be able to shock the Heavenly Demon Soul, and even the Nine Hells Demonic Art of the cult leader or the young cult leader might not work on it.
A being that no demonic practitioner should ever make an enemy of had appeared.
Geom Mugeuk spoke calmly to Hwa Mugi—no, to the Heavenly Demon Soul.
“If I had known you were here, I would have tried to talk to you first.”
The Heavenly Demon Soul, borrowing Hwa Mugi’s body, asked in a voice that shook the soul.
“Why?”
It was a sound coming from a human, but it was not a human voice.
“Because speaking with the Heavenly Demon Soul was my dream.”
Of course, that dream had been to speak with his own Heavenly Demon Soul.
He recalled something his father had once told him.
—There are records saying there was once a Heavenly Demon who conversed with the Heavenly Demon Soul. It was a very long time ago.
So when he had said he wanted to converse with the Heavenly Demon Soul, his father had also said this.
—The Heavenly Demon Soul is a dangerous existence. If it happens to run rampant, it cannot be stopped. Do you still want to chat with it?
He must have been speaking of a situation exactly like this.
Before his eyes stood the Heavenly Demon Soul, on the verge of running rampant—or perhaps already having begun to run rampant.
“You certainly are different.”
The other souls had not been able to control Hwa Mugi’s body. They had merely borrowed his mouth to speak.
But the Heavenly Demon Soul had completely taken over Hwa Mugi’s body.
“I saw you being absorbed that day, but I didn’t know you were here with these people like this.”
Naturally, he had thought the Heavenly Demon Soul had been destroyed. Since Hwa Mugi had learned the Nine Hells Demonic Art, perhaps it would newly emerge from the Nine Hells Demonic Art he used, or perhaps it had become a Nine Hells Demonic Art without the Heavenly Demon Soul to begin with.
“Since we’ve met now, let’s talk to our hearts’ content. Do you know how to drink? Let’s go inside and have a cup while—”
At that moment, the Heavenly Demon Soul’s low words rang out.
“Kneel.”
Silence fell over the place in an instant.
Geom Mugeuk showed not the slightest sign of displeasure.
“I can kneel as much as you like. You’re not just anyone, but the Heavenly Demon Soul from three hundred years ago. If we’re family, then we’re family, aren’t we? I could even kneel and call you Grandfather Heavenly Demon Soul.”
Of course, Geom Mugeuk was not someone who would meekly kneel.
“However, I’ll need permission.”
The Heavenly Demon Soul’s gaze turned toward Geom Ujin.
“No permission is needed. I intend to make the Demon Cult Leader kneel as well.”
Even at those rude words, Geom Ujin showed no reaction. This family quarrel was, to the very end, his son’s fight.
Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected.
“I wasn’t saying I’d get my father’s permission.”
The Heavenly Demon Soul looked at Geom Mugeuk with puzzled eyes. Those watching also looked at Geom Mugeuk, wondering whose permission he meant to get, then.
The one Geom Mugeuk named was truly someone no one had expected.
“I have to get permission from my Heavenly Demon Soul.”
“!”
The Heavenly Demon Soul’s face creased slightly.
“As for me, if I had to kneel, I’m the kind of person who could even kneel to a tavern owner. But I still don’t know what kind of personality my Heavenly Demon Soul has.”
No one had expected Geom Mugeuk to mention his own Heavenly Demon Soul.
“You heard earlier, didn’t you? I care tremendously about how others see me. And this is the Heavenly Demon Soul dwelling in my body, so how much more would I care? Right now, my head is filled only with thoughts of looking impressive to my Heavenly Demon Soul.”
At that moment, an immense demonic energy poured from the Heavenly Demon Soul’s body.
At demonic energy that surpassed all limits, those who had not cultivated demonic arts all drew up their internal energy at once and resisted it.
Amid the raging demonic energy, the Heavenly Demon Soul’s deep voice flowed out.
“Now that I have descended, your Heavenly Demon Souls will never emerge into the world.”
The Heavenly Demon Soul was the soul of Hyeok Docheon, who had been cruel and arrogant three hundred years ago. It was certain that it could overwhelm not only Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul but even Geom Ujin’s.
Geom Mugeuk had experienced something similar before. His own Heavenly Demon Soul had not appeared in front of his father.
Was it because his father’s Heavenly Demon Soul was stronger than his? Or was it showing respect to the Heavenly Demon Soul of the previous generation?
Geom Mugeuk summoned his own Heavenly Demon Soul.
But just as the Heavenly Demon Soul had said, his Heavenly Demon Soul did not manifest.
“If I kneel, that means my Heavenly Demon Soul kneels as well. Are you truly so great an existence as that?”
It was not something he said to his opponent, but to his own Heavenly Demon Soul.
‘Hey, friend. Do we really have to kneel to a bastard like this?’
His Heavenly Demon Soul gave no response, and the Heavenly Demon Soul dwelling in Hwa Mugi’s body responded with rage.
Shhhhhhh!
The Heavenly Demon Soul rushed toward Geom Mugeuk. As it had shown before, its speed was explosively fast.
If its speed had become faster, would its attacks remain the same?
Every time the Heavenly Demon Soul’s sword flew in, a tearing sound rang out as if space itself were being ripped apart.
Kakakakang!
The attacks were so fast that there was no room for conscious thought such as, Block this way, counterattack that way.
Only instinct and the reactions of a body trained through cultivation could withstand those terrifying attacks.
After the initial impact of the swords clashing, a new shock surged in as a wave. Within that wave was a dark energy he had never experienced even once in his life.
If this energy could have such a negative effect even on him, who had mastered the Nine Hells Demonic Art, he did not need to look to know what it would be like for the others.
The depth of the fight was different from before. The Heavenly Demon Soul’s sword was not a sword meant to cut people. It was a sword that cut the heavens and cut the world.
Those watching held their breath as they observed the fight.
Everyone was shocked by Geom Mugeuk’s skill. In particular, Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang had to acknowledge one fact.
‘The young cult leader is above us.’
It was not simply that he had more internal energy. His skill was clearly a level higher as well. Because they would not be able to block that Heavenly Demon Soul’s attacks like that.
Swing.
The Heavenly Demon Soul’s missed sword energy passed by, cutting through the building behind.
Saaak!
It cut through the building behind that as well, and then cut down all the trees beyond it. Buildings and trees were sliced apart like paper.
Geom Mugeuk was gradually being pushed back by the Heavenly Demon Soul’s attacks. Unable to counterattack, he was fully occupied with defense.
All those watching looked at Geom Ujin. Their eyes were filled with worry, asking whether he would let the young cult leader continue fighting like this.
This was an opponent the young cult leader could hardly handle. An enemy no one here could easily handle.
Then, before it was too late, everyone should have rushed in.
But Geom Ujin silently watched the fight. As if he would not step forward until his son shouted for help.
Geom Mugeuk, having desperately put distance between himself and the Heavenly Demon Soul, unleashed the Nine Hells Demonic Art.
Before Geom Mugeuk, an evil spirit appeared. The most terrifying evil spirit among east, west, south, and north.
Charrarararak.
That evil spirit began to split apart.
How did he intend to block it? The Heavenly Demon Soul simply watched as the evil spirit divided.
Kwakakakakakakakakakwang!
Geom Mugeuk’s Great Annihilation Form was unleashed upon the Heavenly Demon Soul.
The evil spirits rushed toward the Heavenly Demon Soul.
Geom Mugeuk saw it.
The other evil spirits around them swept through everything and passed by, but the evil spirit attacking the Heavenly Demon Soul destroyed itself and vanished.
Even at that shocking sight, Geom Mugeuk was not surprised. He had merely confirmed what he had already expected.
The Nine Hells Demonic Art did not work on the Heavenly Demon Soul.
Because the Heavenly Demon Soul was a being born from the pinnacle of the Nine Hells Demonic Art.
“The Nine Hells Demonic Art is of no use against me.”
He felt joy from the Heavenly Demon Soul, and also a sense of superiority. Was the Heavenly Demon Soul originally such an existence? Or was that Heavenly Demon Soul special?
Even in this situation, Geom Mugeuk was not cowed in the slightest.
“I’ll win without using the Nine Hells Demonic Art.”
The Heavenly Demon Soul’s pitch-black eyes smiled.
“Then die by the Nine Hells Demonic Art!”
The instant the Heavenly Demon Soul thrust out its sword.
Sword energy poured down from the sky like lightning.
It was the Fifth Form of the Nine Hells Demonic Art, Soul-Severing Demonic Strike.
Shukshukshukshukshukshukshukshukshukshuk!
Each and every strand of sword energy was a powerful attack capable of piercing through the crown of an absolute master.
Geom Mugeuk used the Wind God Four Steps. It was the moment when Geom Mugeuk, reborn through the shedding of his mortal frame, displayed the Wind God Four Steps that had reached the ultimate realm.
The Shadow Step Geom Mugeuk unfolded was on a different level from what he had used before.
To the eyes of those watching, it seemed as if several forms of Geom Mugeuk appeared at the same time.
Geom Mugeuk’s figure flashed as he escaped through the rain of sword energy. Amazingly, not a single drop of rain struck him.
That was not the end. The moment he escaped the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike, Geom Mugeuk unleashed the Dark King Step and rushed toward the Heavenly Demon Soul.
In the Wind God Four Steps manual, this was written about the Dark King Step.
It can nullify any defense or evasion.
The person who had written those words in the secret manual would have cried out in admiration upon seeing the Dark King Step Geom Mugeuk was displaying now. Exactly like that!
Swaaaaaak!
Geom Mugeuk’s sword grazed the Heavenly Killing Star’s chest. The Heavenly Killing Star twisted his body sideways to evade it, and his sword flew toward Geom Mugeuk.
Shwik.
Geom Mugeuk also dodged the Heavenly Killing Star’s counterattack.
The two passed each other and exchanged places.
The Heavenly Killing Star looked at Geom Mugeuk with startled eyes.
“I did not think you would avoid the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike with a mere footwork technique.”
Geom Mugeuk was just as surprised. His opponent had dodged the decisive blow he had attacked with using the Dark King Step. Even though it had been faster and more precise than any Dark King Step he had ever executed.
The one who wrote the Wind God Four Steps manual would have to add one sentence.
It can nullify any ‘human’ defense or evasion.
As their positions changed, Geom Mugeuk, while watching, met his father’s eyes.
—In this fight, please trust me to the end.
At his son’s sound transmission, Geom Ujin understood. His son was not running wild out of a desire to win, so he must have something in mind. But it was a fight too perilous to watch.
Geom Ujin silently sent back one sentence.
—Be careful.
Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Demon Soul clashed again.
Geom Mugeuk fought as if he were truly in a state of selflessness. It was a battle that surpassed human limits.
It was a fight in which he had to block attacks that stabbed seven times at the vital acupoints of his chest in the blink of an eye. It was also a fight in which he blocked all those attacks and counterattacked on the final, eighth strike.
Those watching could tell.
Through this fight, the young cult leader’s skill is increasing! No, it has already increased.’
Even though the Heavenly Demon Soul’s attacks had grown faster than at first, Geom Mugeuk was blocking them all.
Perhaps he himself was not aware that his realm of martial learning had risen. He did not even have the leisure for that right now.
No matter what achievement Geom Mugeuk had gained, the hearts of those watching were filled with anxiety. Geom Mugeuk was barely blocking the attacks. It would not be strange at all if he died at any moment.
Paak!
Blood sprayed from Geom Mugeuk’s shoulder. This time, the stab was fairly deep, scattering blood into the air.
Geom Mugeuk’s breathing was rough, and his heart felt as if it might burst at any moment.
This time, blood sprayed from his side. He had truly dodged by the barest margin.
Thinking that someone had to step in, Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang, and everyone else looked at Geom Ujin.
The Fist Demon sent the sound transmission he had been holding back to Geom Ujin. He absolutely did not want to say such a thing, but—
—We must help Mugeuk.
He thought that because he was his son, he might be unable to make an even colder judgment. Because he was his son, he might rush in sooner, but because he was his son, he might also miss the timing.
—Wait.
Geom Ujin waited. Because the Fist Demon knew better than anyone what state of mind the cult leader was in when he said those words, he could say no more.
‘…Cult Leader.’
Bang!
In the meantime, Geom Mugeuk was sent flying again and slammed into a wall.
Wiping away the blood flowing from his mouth, Geom Mugeuk instead provoked the Heavenly Demon Soul.
“If you had been my father’s Heavenly Demon Soul, I would never have been able to win. But you are not.”
At the displeased gaze asking why, Geom Mugeuk looked straight at him and answered.
“Because you are one who has lost the honor and pride of the Heavenly Demon Soul.”
Geom Mugeuk scraped at the Heavenly Demon Soul’s temper.
“A being that ought to protect the Divine Cult dares to point its sword at the young cult leader of the Divine Cult!”
Geom Mugeuk shouted in a stern voice.
“The one who should kneel is you!”
From the Heavenly Demon Soul’s black eyes, intense demonic energy erupted. The demonic energy now was not something a human emitted.
Hwaaaaaaang!
Geom Mugeuk’s clothes flapped violently, and not only those who had not cultivated demonic arts, but everyone other than Geom Ujin also retreated.
The Fist Demon, watching the battle, could not understand. If the opponent had been some half-baked fool, perhaps, but in a fight this unfavorable—
—Why on earth is Mugeuk provoking the Heavenly Demon Soul like that?
He had asked because he wondered whether the cult leader knew something he did not.
And indeed, the cult leader knew.
—He is not provoking that Heavenly Demon Soul.
At first, the Fist Demon did not understand what he meant. As he chewed over those words again, a thought occurred to him.
‘No way?’
At the Heavenly Demon Soul’s strike, Geom Mugeuk rolled across the ground.
Geom Mugeuk sprang to his feet and vomited blood. He had suffered internal injuries from that blow.
At the sight of Geom Mugeuk covered entirely in blood, Geom Ujin could endure no longer and was about to step forward when his eyes met his son’s.
‘Father! Please trust me to the end!’
While he hesitated, the Heavenly Demon Soul’s sword flew toward Geom Mugeuk.
“This is the end!”
Swaaaaaak.
Everyone moved toward Geom Mugeuk, but only Geom Ujin stood there watching.
One step before those who were trying to help could reach him, just as the Heavenly Demon Soul’s sword was about to pierce Geom Mugeuk’s chest—
Chaaaang!
Someone struck away the Heavenly Demon Soul’s sword.
At that powerful restraint, the Heavenly Demon Soul was forced back, surprise blooming across his face.
Those who had thrown themselves forward to help Geom Mugeuk also all looked at one place with startled expressions.
A being stood before Geom Mugeuk.
This was the reason he had endured with his life on the line until now. It was also the true target Geom Mugeuk had been provoking.
“I believed.”
Geom Mugeuk’s eyes trembled as he looked at that back.
“That you would come out for me without fail.”
Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul had descended in human size.