Geom Mugeuk always had one unchanging belief.
If you've worked as hard as I have, then fine, take this victory!
Since he had done his best, he was prepared to accept the outcome.
Of course, that didn't mean he should lose and die, but this mindset had a positive effect on Geom Mugeuk in many ways.
No matter how tough the fight, he could face it with a light heart and overflowing confidence.
As he clashed with the Martial King again, the Martial King could see that Geom Mugeuk's eyes had become even clearer and more full of life.
How could there be such a madman! These wretched Demon Sect bastards! Amidst all his thoughts, his final conclusion was this.
'I must kill him today!'
He was this strong even now, but what if he met this Geom Mugeuk again next year?
What if he met him the year after that? When he turned thirty, forty, fifty?
He would have become a being beyond imagination.
It seemed the King of Darkness in the carriage felt the same way.
Sssss.
The dark energy flowing from the carriage seemed to form a barrier along the Martial King's body before being absorbed into him.
It was clear the King of Darkness had instilled some power into him.
“Young Cult Master, let me see that Great Art of yours.”
Indeed, the Martial King had regained his vitality.
He was as fresh as if he were fighting for the first time.
Riding his momentum, he unleashed his signature martial art.
It was the very same Wind Cloud Fist he had shown when fighting the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
Wind Cloud Fist, Third Form, Flickering Thunder Dance.
Shu-shu-shu-shu-shu-shu-shuk!
Dozens of fists, fast as light, flew toward Geom Mugeuk.
Swish-swish-swish-swish.
As Dark Shadow Step, Underworld King Step, and Flickering Step were used in succession, a path opened up in a space that seemed impossible to escape.
The missed punches overturned the earth, sending debris flying in all directions.
At the end of that final path was the Martial King.
“I was waiting!”
It was a move made in the belief and prediction that Geom Mugeuk would surely dodge.
Geom Mugeuk had emerged exactly where he had anticipated, and he unleashed his hidden ace there.
Wind Cloud Fist, Fourth Form, Red Chain Prohibition.
From the Martial King’s palm, a red force in the shape of a chain was unleashed.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch!
Was it because he was wrapped in chains himself? The Red Chain Prohibition wrapped around Geom Mugeuk even more powerfully.
The moment the Martial King was about to unleash the fifth form of the Wind Cloud Fist, Wind and Cloud Creation, without hesitation!
Geom Mugeuk suddenly asked.
“Are you ready?”
This angle, with only the Martial King and the carriage in front, this very position where he could push them back without a single one of his people getting hurt.
This was the moment Geom Mugeuk had been waiting for amidst the chaotic battle with the Martial King.
It was a move he had unleashed even before being bound by the Red Chain Prohibition.
Sssssssssssss.
The evil spirit that appeared before Geom Mugeuk began to rapidly divide.
The evil spirits finally revealed themselves.
He didn't know what preparations they had made, but it was now time to use the Nine Calamities Demon Art.
Previously, he couldn't use the Great Annihilation Form inside because there were too many of his people around.
But with Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Slaying Branch gone, an opportunity had arisen.
From his current angle, neither Bi Sa-in nor the Faceless Ones were in the way.
The sound of barking dogs was coming from the far-off opposite side.
'I'll sweep away not just the Martial King, but the palanquin as well!'
What countermeasures have you people prepared?
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
The Great Annihilation Form rushed toward them, sweeping everything away.
At that very moment!
Something astonishing happened.
Shwoook!
A black hole simultaneously appeared beneath the Martial King and the palanquin, and they vanished as if sucked down into it.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
The Great Annihilation Form passed right over where they had been.
Even the wall far behind them vanished without a trace.
A black circle formed where everything had been swept away, and the palanquin rose up.
Fortunately, the Red Chain Prohibition had been released, but Geom Mugeuk stared at the palanquin with a surprised face.
Slid.
The palanquin door opened, and a hand wrapped in chains revealed itself through the beaded curtain.
The Martial King walked out from inside the palanquin.
Geom Mugeuk realized one thing.
“You were the one who saved this man before.”
Then, the King of Darkness's reply came from the palanquin.
The Martial King was wearing the same clothes, not to mention the chains on his fists and body.
The King of Darkness was using the Return to Darkness Technique from close by, so it was different from before.
It meant it was working more powerfully.
“Have you no pride, running away in the middle of a fight like a coward?”
Geom Mugeuk provoked the Martial King.
On this point, the Martial King did not assert his pride.
“Your Nine Calamities Demon Art is the cowardly thing.”
Just a moment ago, he had faced the Great Annihilation Form directly.
The momentum of those evil spirits rushing toward him was still vivid.
Could he really have blocked that with his bare body?
“It’s merely at the Seventh Star level of mastery. Wouldn’t it have been worth trying to withstand it once?”
“I refuse.”
He was a man crazy for battle, crazy for victory, and crazy for revenge, but he refused the Nine Calamities Demon Art alone.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk launched a surprise Annihilation Form.
Saaahk.
In an instant, evil spirits appeared on all sides of the Martial King, swinging their swords.
The swords of the four evil spirits from the East, West, South, and North struck down at him.
Shwiiik! Shwik! Shwiiik! Shwik!
But his opponent was also fast.
This time too, a black hole formed on the ground and sucked him in.
Thus, the four evil spirits' swords cut through empty air.
Geom Mugeuk saw the evil spirits' expressions stiffen before they vanished.
He could feel their pride had been wounded.
Instead of feeling sorry for the disappearing evil spirits, he conveyed a different sentiment with his gaze.
'If you live with me, you'll swing at nothing a lot.
It happens.
Don't be ashamed.
Your master doesn't stake his pride on things like this.'
The Martial King walked out of the palanquin again, frowning.
“I told you I refuse.”
“I’m going to keep doing it. If you keep getting out of that carriage, your pride will eventually make you fight back. You’re a true fighter who never backs down, aren’t you? It's only Seventh Star!”
The King of Darkness stepped in to block the taunt.
“Go on, try it. Let’s see whose inner energy runs out first. Oh, but before that, all your friends will be dead.”
At those words, Geom Mugeuk reined in his bravado.
“Don’t get my anxiety going by talking about my friends.”
A low laugh flowed from the palanquin.
She was right.
He couldn't drag this out indefinitely.
He had to finish this as quickly as possible and save everyone.
He clashed with the Martial King again.
Having absorbed the dark energy, he was faster and stronger.
The fight was already evenly matched, and now he had grown stronger.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
In the fight where sparks flew from the meeting of sword and fist, Geom Mugeuk eventually missed a punch.
Wham!
Struck in the chest, Geom Mugeuk flew far away and collapsed on the ground.
The gazes of the Faceless Ones watching from the walls and trees turned to Geom Mugeuk all at once.
They exchanged glances with each other, and then.
The Faceless Ones all jumped down and stood in a circle, blocking the way to Geom Mugeuk.
They, who would never move without an order from the Evil Heart Laughing Demon, made an exception today.
The Martial King looked at them with a scornful gaze and released his killing intent.
“I’ll kill every last one of you!”
But the Faceless Ones did not move a single step.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk’s face appeared between the white masks.
“I’m fine, so go back up to your positions. The Laughing Demon Sovereign will be here soon.”
Then, the soft and enchanting voice of the King of Darkness came from inside the carriage.
“The Evil Heart Laughing Demon will never make it in time.”
As the Faceless Ones watched, Geom Mugeuk showed absolute faith.
“Wanna bet? Whether he comes or not?”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon was in what could only be described as a dogfight.
Swoooosh!
Two hell hounds were swept away and vanished by the Extreme Demon Raging Palm.
But the hell hounds behind them scattered in all directions and dodged.
They were not ordinary dogs.
The creatures moved as if they were martial arts masters.
The dreadful evil energy they emitted while growling stirred an unpleasant sense of fear.
But the Evil Heart Laughing Demon’s eyes as he looked at them were merely indifferent and cold.
Shuk-shuk-shuk!
As a hell hound aimed for the Evil Heart Laughing Demon’s neck, the Blood Calamity Finger was fired in succession.
Shuk-shuk-shuk!
Thud-thud-thud!
Only after three holes were punched in its head did it disappear into black smoke.
Through that smoke, another demon hound charged.
Pow!
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon jumped up as he struck the creature’s jaw with his fist.
The demon hounds that had been aiming for his legs and back cut through the air and flew forward.
More demon hounds charged from all directions.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon grabbed the neck of the one he had knocked into the air and fell to the ground with it.
Crash!
When he slammed it onto the ground with his inner energy, it vanished into smoke.
More demon hounds rushed to that spot.
Whoosh, whoosh.
He twisted his body to avoid a charging demon hound.
He twisted his body the other way to dodge again, and another demon hound brushed past him.
In a situation where dozens of demon hounds were charging from all directions, an ordinary master's hands and feet would have grown clumsy from visual fear alone, but the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's movements were so calm they were elegant.
Whoosh.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon’s figure moved swiftly, aiming for a hound that was isolated on the left.
Shuk! Thud!
If it wasn’t a direct hit to the center of the forehead, it wouldn’t die in one shot.
Only when a successive Blood Calamity Finger pierced its head did it disappear into black smoke.
This wasn't the one either.
The creatures knew no fear.
As they slowly surrounded him, crimson killing intent flowed from their eyes, and the unique black energy of the dark arts shimmered from their bodies.
Taking them out one by one, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon was only thinking of finding the Dog Butcher.
The faster he killed the creature, the more inner energy he could conserve.
But the creature did not easily reveal its identity.
The Dog Butcher is definitely among these demon hounds.
At a glance, they seemed to be moving randomly, but the demon hounds had their own order.
The Dog Butcher was definitely giving commands from within their ranks.
Shwiiik.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon now rushed toward the farthest hound.
The one he judged to be in the safest position in this fight.
At that, demon hounds charged from all directions.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon broke through the demon hounds with his protective energy and pounced on his target.
Boom!
The creature vanished into smoke from the Extreme Demon Raging Palm, but the remaining demon hounds were unchanged.
That one was not the Dog Butcher.
Just then.
Chomp!
A demon hound that charged from behind bit the Evil Heart Laughing Demon’s arm.
But its fangs didn't pierce through.
He had intentionally offered the spot wrapped in Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread.
Shuk! Poof!
When the Blood Calamity Finger struck precisely in the middle of its forehead, the demon hound biting his arm vanished into smoke.
Dodging the demon hounds charging from all directions again, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon threw himself inside the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
Once inside, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon entered a courtesan room on the second floor.
Fighting in an open area was disadvantageous, so he intended to lure them inside to fight.
But the demon hounds did not follow him in.
As if time was on their side, they gathered in front of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion and looked up at the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
Standing by the window, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon looked down at the demon hounds with sunken eyes.
Then, one of the demon hounds let out a long howl like a wolf.
The other demon hounds all began to howl together.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon could tell.
They were using the first howling one to lure him out.
Watching the demon hounds howl, he was suddenly reminded of Geom Mugeuk and the Poison King making dog-barking sounds together in the training grounds.
He needed to go help Geom Mugeuk quickly.
Just then, a thought struck the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon leaped down below.
The demon hounds, surrounding him in a semicircle, growled as if they were about to pounce at any moment.
Swaaaaaaaaaaa.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon began to unleash his Laughing Evil Heart once again.
Laughing Evil Heart was a demonic energy that awakened a being's fundamental violence.
Exposure to Laughing Evil Heart would make one's heart beat faster and fill them with the desire to kill someone.
When he first started the fight, his release of Laughing Evil Heart was more a display of his unique demonic energy before battle than for any special purpose.
The demon hounds had become agitated because of the Laughing Evil Heart, which made the fight a bit more advantageous for him.
But now, there was a clear reason for emitting the Laughing Evil Heart.
Gradually, the demon hounds exposed to the Laughing Evil Heart began to get agitated.
The demon hound closest to him couldn't hold back and charged at the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
Swooooooosh!
Craaash!
After blowing it up in mid-air with his Extreme Demon Raging Palm, he unleashed the Laughing Evil Heart even more strongly.
Under the extreme Laughing Evil Heart, the demon hounds went berserk.
They charged more madly and became more ferocious.
They even started biting the demon hound next to them and fighting each other.
Crash!
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon threw the one that charged at him at the one charging behind it.
Even while doing so, he continued to raise his Laughing Evil Heart, his eyes fixed on the demon hounds.
Swaaaaaaaaaaa.
The reason the Evil Heart Laughing Demon was doing this, even while consuming inner energy, was to find the Dog Butcher.
While thinking of Geom Mugeuk and the Poison King, a thought had suddenly occurred to him.
Like the two of them that day, wasn't the Dog Butcher just a person imitating a dog, even if his form was that of a dog?
What did that mean?
Faced with the extreme Laughing Evil Heart, the creature would surely react differently.
A dog and a human could not be the same.
When the Laughing Evil Heart reached its peak, one creature came into the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's sight.
'That one!'
He felt that its reaction was different.
It was an instinctive choice.
Swoosh.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon rushed toward it.
The demon hounds desperately blocked his path and charged.
Demon hounds charging from all directions descended upon the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
Pouncing and pouncing again, they blocked him desperately.
All the demon hounds charged, to the point where the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's figure was no longer visible.
The eyes of the demon hound that the Evil Heart Laughing Demon had targeted were not the eyes of a dog.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon's premonition was correct.
This demon hound was the Dog Butcher.
'He may be enduring with his protective energy, but he won't be able to handle that many.'
Just as a look of satisfaction crossed the Dog Butcher's eyes, he flinched in surprise.
An arm protruded from between the piled-up demon hounds.
And its finger was pointing at him.
Shuuuuuk!
The Blood Calamity Finger shot toward the Dog Butcher like a beam of light.
The few demon hounds guarding him nearby all threw their bodies in the way.
They were demon hounds prepared for the slightest chance.
'Not a chance!'
Just as a look of triumph flashed in the Dog Butcher's eyes.
Chwaaaaaaaak!
The Blood Calamity Finger split into five strands.
The split strands of the Blood Calamity Finger curved widely around the blocking demon hounds, and then.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
All five struck the face of the Dog Butcher who was behind them.
A moment of silence flowed.
Poof!
The demon hound next to the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's outstretched arm vanished into black smoke.
Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!
Starting with that one, the demon hounds began to explode and disappear one after another.
In the place where the black smoke rose, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's white mask was smiling.
When the smoke completely settled, the Dog Butcher had returned to his original human form.
Beyond the corpse of the Dog Butcher, its face riddled with holes, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon was flying toward the place where Geom Mugeuk was fighting.
'Young Cult Master, I am coming!'