Chapter 296: The Greatest Demonic Martial Artist in History (2)

"Blood Demon Ruler's Step!"

The words shouted by Eon Gwangwoon, head of Jinju Eon Clan, spread like a wave in an instant.

Seeing the hundreds collapsed on the ground, confusion gripped them.

Who would have imagined that so many people would fall with a single step?

"It... it was true?"

"The one who crushed the Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation was…"

Hoho.

It seemed Cho Sungwon had done his job properly.

The fact that such rumors had reached their ears proved it.

Even Cho Cheongwoon, the supposedly unshakable First Sword of Hyeongsan, looked visibly flustered.

He must have realized that numerical superiority was meaningless here.

– Truly useful, this Illusory Ring of Spiritual Pressure.

Exactly.

There's no better technique for overwhelming the enemy.

But knocking out hundreds like this consumes a massive amount of innate energy.

Since it's not efficient to use repeatedly, I had to seize the moment and press the advantage while the enemies were still in chaos.

With inner power in my voice, I shouted,

"This is your last chance. I have no interest in meaningless bloodshed. If you leave now, I will spare your lives."

This proposal had a much stronger effect than before.

While the leaders of clans and sects didn't visibly react, the ordinary warriors clearly began to waver.

As the lower ranks shook, the impact naturally reached the top.

"Do not be deceived! It's a cunning ploy to shake the alliance!"

"Bluster! He's still human. No matter how much inner power he possesses, he can't take down this many…"

– Boom!

Before that sentence could even finish, I stepped again.

– Thud! Thud!

Once again, hundreds of Murim Alliance warriors collapsed, eyes rolled back, unconscious.

I chuckled and said,

"So what?"

"…Unbelievable."

Those witnessing this must be at their wits' end.

To think hundreds would drop helplessly from just a single step…

– Aren't you overdoing it?

I need to make it clear.

Nearly half of my innate energy was spent, but I had to show this much.

Just look at their reactions.

Nearly a thousand had fainted from two steps. Even the officers who tried to rally the alliance were now speechless.

Even Cho Cheongwoon, so proud and stiff, looked hesitant and serious, unsure what to do next.

– Heh. Must be a tough spot. If they could just swarm and kill me, they would. But if they fail, it'll be a pointless sacrifice.

Just as Sodam Sword said.

Even if sacrifice is needed, there must be results to justify it.

They were stuck in a classic dilemma.

Retreating now would reduce unnecessary casualties, but it would also mean the alliance's force of 8,000 had been defeated by a single Blood Demon.

What will they choose?

Cho Cheongwoon gritted his teeth and shouted,

"How can we trust your word?"

With that, his choice was clear.

He was setting aside his rigid pride and choosing to minimize sacrifice.

"Do you think the one holding the sword has anything to fear?"

At my arrogant response, Cho Cheongwoon glared at me, eyes sharp.

But soon, he sighed and said,

"I trust you'll keep your word, worthy of your reputation."

"Leader Cho!"

"Surely you don't mean to follow the words of a Blood Demon?"

"That mustn't be allowed!"

Naturally, the officers fiercely objected.

They likely feared the consequences of retreat—more than the loss of life, they feared damage to their honor.

How foolish, choosing pride over countless lives.

To them, Cho Cheongwoon said bitterly,

"…Why do you think he came alone? Beyond his overwhelming skill, he must have something more. We must retreat now."

That wasn't intentional on my part, but he seemed to think I had some hidden plan.

Well, whatever gets them to withdraw works for me.

"Leader Cho, this is a matter of the alliance's honor."

Even Eon Gwangwoon of Jinju Eon Clan stepped up to oppose the retreat.

"Exactly. We cannot retreat."

"If we do, we will lose the trust of the martial artists who follow our alliance."

Under the strong pushback, Cho Cheongwoon scolded them,

"And sacrificing half our force just to be defeated—is that the right thing?"

"…"

His words silenced the officers.

He made them see that losing everyone here would be more damaging than retreating.

It was Cho Cheongwoon who judged the situation most calmly.

But then, from the rear of the alliance, someone approached on horseback.

A messenger?

Indeed, it was a real Murim Alliance messenger.

Cho Cheongwoon and the others looked puzzled by his appearance.

The messenger, having passed the main force, saw the mass of fallen warriors and me, clearly shocked.

"Huh!"

Soon, he found someone—likely searching for the Alliance Leader.

But that man was already dead.

Perhaps receiving a voice transmission, the messenger rushed over to Cho Cheongwoon and whispered urgently.

"What?"

Cho Cheongwoon frowned in confusion, then whispered to each officer in turn.

The officers, just moments ago arguing, now looked serious and exchanged glances.

Now I'm curious.

– Just make him say it out loud.

Good idea.

I snapped my fingers lightly.

– Snap!

Then suddenly, one of the officers blurted out,

"Why is Musang Fortress heading toward the alliance…"

"Lord Gwa!"

"Gasp!"

Startled, the others tried to silence him, but it was too late.

I already heard it.

Because of the Illusory Ring, Lord Gwa had unknowingly leaked classified information.

Though now treated as a traitor by his peers, I didn't care.

– Your father is on the move?

If Musang Fortress was moving, it could only mean my father, Jin Seongbaek the Unmoving Wind God.

Ha!

He must have acted to support me.

Though I had already handled things, unaware of the full situation, he probably moved after hearing that the Blood Cult was in danger.

To the Murim Alliance, it was a thunderbolt out of the blue.

With half their force down, now a neutral power like Musang Fortress was marching south.

I smiled and said,

"The current Murim Alliance has many enemies, I see."

"Guh!"

My provocation made the alliance officers groan in frustration.

They were already bitter about retreating—and now, they had to hurry to deal with Musang Fortress as well.

Cho Cheongwoon quickly raised his hand and ordered the warriors,

"Return to the Alliance immediately!"

"Yes, sir!!!"

As soon as his command was given, the warriors began collecting their unconscious comrades and retreating.

"Wait."

"...?"

"Take this."

As they prepared to retreat, I floated something through the air toward the alliance officers using object-manipulation.

It was none other than the head of the Alliance Leader, Jeongcheon.

The officers were shocked.

"This is…"

The head of an enemy general was typically a war trophy.

And since they had attacked first, they had no right to complain.

Even so, I returned the head without comment.

"Though he was an enemy, I cannot disgrace a hero of the orthodox world. Return it to his family and conduct a proper funeral on behalf of the alliance."

At my words, the officers sighed.

They had vilified the Blood Cult's leader as demonic, yet here I was, showing dignity and respect.

It must have shamed them.

Perhaps feeling the same, Cho Cheongwoon shook his head and muttered,

"…What a disgrace to the orthodox martial world."

Southernmost part of Shaanxi Province.

Near Pingli County, which borders Hubei Province, a force of ten thousand from Musang Fortress was facing off against the regional forces of the Murim Alliance from Sichuan and Henan provinces.

Although the hastily gathered Murim Alliance force amounted to only about three thousand, making it entirely possible to break through, Musang Fortress had maintained a standoff for five days.

From the perspective of the Murim Alliance branches, it was an excruciatingly tense and frustrating situation.

At the front lines of Musang Fortress stood a man with his hands behind his back, observing the battlefield. It was none other than Jin Seong-baek, the master of Pungyeong Eight Streams Sect and the Windless God.

Standing beside Jin Seong-baek was Ha Seong-un, the master of the Biwol Spirit Sect and his father-in-law, who said:

"Will this standoff alone really help that child?"

"At the very least, it will prevent the Murim Alliance from committing all their forces to the Blood Cult."

"Then we can only hope that Un-hwi has safely arrived at the Blood Cult by then."

Though stationed in Musang Fortress, they were closely monitoring the movements of Jin Un-hwi, their son and grandson.

Then suddenly, Jin Un-hwi disappeared.

For seven months, they had no contact and were left in great unease.

They even visited So Yeong-yeong, Un-hwi's younger sister, to ask about his whereabouts, but she didn't know either.

The only information they could gather was that the current leader of the Blood Cult had left the position temporarily, and the vice-leader — acting in his place — was Un-hwi.

Then came intelligence that the Murim Alliance was planning a massive campaign to subjugate the Blood Cult. Jin Seong-baek fell into deep thought, debating whether to remain idle.

But then news arrived that the Blood Demon had appeared at Shaolin Temple.

Without hesitation, Jin Seong-baek led Musang Fortress's forces southward.

He did it to buy time for his son to return to the Blood Cult.

With a heavy sigh, Ha Seong-un spoke.

"This makes me uneasy."

"I feel the same."

"Isn't Musangdo Jeong Cheon someone who's crossed the realm of superhumans — an absolute master?"

That was their greatest concern.

Jin Seong-baek shared Ha Seong-un's sentiments.

It was said that Dan Wi-gang, the top master of the Blood Cult known as the Blood-Splitting Sword Emperor, had been killed by a surprise attack from Sa-hyeong Jeolsim.

Even if his son Un-hwi arrived in time, he would have to face an opponent whose power was so overwhelming, even Jin Seong-baek couldn't guarantee victory.

"Musangdo…"

No matter how talented his son Un-hwi was, this opponent was on an entirely different level.

In truth, he wanted to go to the Blood Cult himself and help.

But it was impossible due to distance, and the best course of action was to keep the Murim Alliance occupied.

"If… something happens to Un-hwi, that day will mark the end for both the Murim Alliance and this fortress."

Understanding his son-in-law's mindset, Ha Seong-un nodded in agreement.

They had already sacrificed too much because of the Murim Alliance.

They would never forgive them.

At that moment—

"Lord of the Fortress!"

Someone came running toward Jin Seong-baek, addressing him as the lord.

It had been seven months since Jin Un-hwi had disappeared.

During that time, Jin Seong-baek had joined hands with the Sea King Sect and subdued all the sects, becoming the Grand Lord in the Union of Sects.

With that title, he now had command over all forces in Musang Fortress.

The person running to him was Seomun Geuk, the sect leader of the Munhyeong Chang Stream.

"What is it?"

Noticing his urgency, Ha Seong-un, feeling a sense of dread, asked the question before Jin Seong-baek could.

Seomun Geuk responded:

"The main force of the Murim Alliance has been defeated by the Blood Cult and is retreating!"

"Ahhh!"

Ha Seong-un involuntarily let out a shout, momentarily forgetting his dignity.

It was the news they had long waited for.

"Ahem."

But seeing Seomun Geuk's puzzled face, he quickly composed himself.

To this day, only Ha Seong-un and Jin Seong-baek knew that Jin Un-hwi had become the leader of the Blood Cult.

Jin Seong-baek was also pleased by the news but asked calmly:

"What about the Blood Demon, the leader of the Blood Cult?"

The most important thing was his son's fate.

Even if the Murim Alliance had retreated, it meant nothing if something had happened to Un-hwi.

"Prepare yourselves — all of Murim is in an uproar right now."

"What do you mean?"

"The current Alliance Leader, Musangdo Jeong Cheon, was defeated by the Blood Demon and is being brought back as a severed head."

"!!!"

At Seomun Geuk's words, the two men were left speechless.

It was shocking enough that Musangdo Jeong Cheon, a martial artist who had surpassed even the limits of superhuman prowess, was defeated — but to hear that he died at the hands of their son and grandson Jin Un-hwi?

"Son-in-law… Did this old man hear that right?"

"...You heard correctly."

Even Ha Seong-un couldn't believe his ears, and neither could Jin Seong-baek.

Who was Musangdo Jeong Cheon?

He was hailed as the greatest martial swordsman of the righteous Murim, undefeated in battle.

And now he had been killed — not by just anyone, but by Jin Un-hwi.

—Crack!

Jin Seong-baek's fist clenched tightly without him realizing.

"That boy…"

He was his son, but even so, he was a truly terrifying monster.

Jin Seong-baek couldn't help but wonder what on earth had happened during those seven months.

As the stunned father-in-law and son-in-law stood in awe, Seomun Geuk added, looking concerned:

"Some are already calling the Blood Demon the greatest demon of all time — perhaps rather than worrying about the Murim Alliance, we should worry about the Blood Cult growing too powerful."

At his words, Jin Seong-baek and Ha Seong-un exchanged a silent, mysterious smile.

Seomun Geuk had no idea why they were smiling.