Chapter 169
Cough!
As Asura Divine Demon Seob Go-Won disappeared without a trace, Baek Mu-Gun threw up blood and fell to his knees. The Infinite Thunder Sword did not just require an enormous amount of internal energy to display its unparalleled power, but also put an immense physical burden on the user. Mu-Gun had used a lot of his internal energy and exhausted himself physically during his battle against Go-Won. He had also suffered internal injuries as a result of forcibly unleashing the Infinite Thunder Sword. Nevertheless, it was all worth it since he had managed to kill Go-Won.
Meanwhile, the martial arts masters of the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Asura Cult were rendered speechless upon witnessing Mu-Guns Infinite Thunder Sword. They were so shocked that neither faction could immediately think about what to do.
The Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs came to their senses first. Now that Mu-Gun was suffering from internal injuries, they thought that this was their only chance to escape. They did not even dare think of attacking him. Even with internal injuries, they felt as if they wouldnt be able to do anything to him with their strength. After all, Mu-Guns very presence alone overwhelmed them. Since they could not kill him, they had to run away.
The five Demonic Monarchs and the eight Higher Demons immediately ran away from Mu-Gun.
After them!
In response, the Loyal Heart Alliances martial arts masters finally came to their senses and quickly chased them. However, they did not all chase after the Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs. Thunderous Wind Palm Han Baek and Cho Woo-Kyung stayed behind to protect Mu-Gun. Even without them, Geom Woo-Saeng, Yang Cheol-Gon, and the seven wanderers would have no problem suppressing the Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs anyway.
Are you okay? Han Baek asked.
I am fine. I just overworked myself a little and suffered some internal injuries. You dont have to worry.
After reassuring Han Baek, Mu-Gun consumed a Medicine King Pill, the pill for internal injuries he had received from the Medicine King Family.
The technique that you used at the end was truly amazing. To be able to manifest a golden sword longer than a hundred feet It was like watching a god-like human, Woo-Kyung said in disbelief.
It is certainly a ridiculous technique, Han Baek added.
If you are jealous, just say that.
Why would I be jealous? Having such insanely powerful martial arts meant I would have to take it upon myself to stop the Three Great Demonic Sects. I would much rather live in comfort, Han Baek said.
Well, you dont seem to be living in comfort, Venerable Elder. Havent you taken the lead in fending off the Three Greatest Demonic Sects every time they started rampaging? Mu-Gun replied.
Whose fault do you think that is? If it werent for you, Young Patriarch Baek, I would have left murim already and lived a comfortable life, Han Baek grunted.
Well, I think you would have returned even if I wasnt around. I know that you care about murim more than anyone else, Venerable Elder.
Says who? Han Baek grumbled, seemingly displeased.
Mu-Gun smiled. He knew very well that Han Baek was just acting that way to hide his embarrassment.
Will the people chasing after the Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs be okay? Woo-Kyung asked anxiously. He was worried about everyone, but he seemed particularly worried about his master, Geom Woo-Saeng.
They will probably be fine. Lets follow them just to be safe, though, Mu-Gun said.
You want to go there the way you are? Han Baek asked.
You will protect me anyway, wont you, Venerable Elder? Mu-Gun said.
That is true, but I cant prevent all the dangers out there, so it would probably be better for me to go alone. You two should wait here, Han Baek insisted.
Will you be fine? Mu-Gun asked.
Ill fare better than letting you come with me, Young Patriarch, Han Baek answered with a shrug. He then turned to Woo-Kyung. I leave the Young Patriarch in your care.
Please be careful, Woo-Kyung said.
Han Baek nodded. He then ran after the Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs and the Loyal Heart Alliances masters.
Now that even Han Baek had joined the pursuit, there was nothing to worry about anymore.
Mu-Gun watched Han Baek until he could no longer see him. He then asked Woo-Kyung, Can you please guard me for a while? I have to circulate my qi.
Understood.
Thank you.
Mu-Gun smiled at Woo-Kyung and moved from the devastated ground to a flat area. He sat in the lotus position, then proceeded to circulate his qi. Woo-Kyung stood guard, vigilant of any signs of danger.
Meanwhile, Han Baek found the Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs and the Loyal Heart Alliances masters in the middle of combat. Cheol-Gon and Woo-Saeng were fighting the Asura Sword Monarch and the Asura Saber Monarch respectively. At the same time, the three wanderers who recently rose to the Absolute Realm fought the newly appointed Demonic Monarchs.
The Absolute-Realm masters were so evenly matched that both sides had difficulties gaining the upper hand. However, the Loyal Heart Alliance prevailed in the lower-level fights. The Asura Cult had twelve masters, two more than the Loyal Heart Alliances forces, but the Loyal Heart Alliance had four more wanderers who had recently reached the Absolute Realm. Although they were still half-baked Absolute-Realm masters, they were still superior to two Upper-Peak-Realm masters each. At this rate, the four wanderers would eventually defeat the Asura Cults Higher Demons.
Meanwhile, the Loyal Heart Alliances six delegates also fought the Asura Cults Higher Demons on equal grounds. Nevertheless, although the Loyal Heart Alliance had dominance over the situation, they were not overwhelming the enemy. If any of the Loyal Heart Alliances Absolute-Realm masters lost ground, there was a good chance that the tables could be turned.
However, the intervention of another Absolute-Realm master was all that it would take to break the balance. Hence, after grasping the situation, Han Baek immediately joined the battle between Absolute-Realm masters, specifically the one between Cheol-Gon and the Asura Saber Monarch. He had no specific reason for his decision aside from the fact that he knew Cheol-Gon best.
Having just finished a series of clashes with Cheol-Gon, the Asura Saber Monarch took a few steps back to regain control over his breath. At that moment, Han Baek charged in from the side and used the Thunderous Wind Palm, sending a whirlwind of thunder qi forward. In response, the Asura Saber Monarch swiftly swung his saber to block Han Baeks attack. The collision shattered the whirlwind of thunder qi, scattering streaks of lightning in all directions.
The Asura Saber Monarch was also pushed back, unable to withstand the shockwave. Not missing the opportunity, Cheol-Gon quickly charged toward the Asura Saber Monarch and unleashed tempest-like saber qi through his saber.
The saber qi shot toward the Asura Saber Monarch, who was out of breath and busy blocking Han Baeks attack. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to swing his saber. The blast shoved him away, however, with blood gushing out of his arms, sides, and legs.
Kugh! Cowardly bastards! the Asura Saber Monarch criticized Cheol-Gon and Han Baek, who joined forces against him.
Being cowardly is a small price to pay for eradicating you. Han Baek snorted as he used the Thunderous Wind Palm again. At the same time, Cheol-Gon unleashed saber qi from across Han Baek.
The Asura Saber Monarch clenched his teeth. Mustering all his remaining internal energy, he unleashed the Asura Annihilation, the ultimate technique of the Asura Soul Destroyer Saber Art. Blood-colored Asura qi gushed out from his saber and clashed with Han Baek and Cheol-Gons attacks. Amid the series of explosions caused by the three attacks collision, the Asura Annihilations vajra qi shattered, failing to overcome the two techniques that pincered it.
The two attacks that remained devoured the Asura Saber Monarch. Although they lost most of their power during the earlier clash, they were still more than strong enough to destroy a human body.
Without any strength left in him, the Asura Saber Monarch was left helpless and defenseless as the two qi waves hit him. He soon fell to the ground, his flesh and bones ripped and broken to pieces.
After defeating the Asura Saber Monarch, Han Baek and Cheol-Gon immediately attacked the other Demonic Monarchs. Unable to do anything against the joint offensive of the two Absolute-Realm masters, it did not take long for all Five Demonic Monarchs to be wiped out. The Alliance then eliminated all the Higher Demons, a task far easier than a piece of cake for so many Absolute-Realm masters.
Having killed all the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons, the Alliances masters returned to where Mu-Gun and Woo-Kyung were.
Thank you for all your hard work, Mu-Gun, who had circulated his qi, said in appreciation.
We were only able to defeat them because you killed the Asura Divine Demon, Young Patriarch Baek. Otherwise, the Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs would have been the ones standing here, not us. The victory we achieved this time is all thanks to you, Daybreak Swordmaster Geom Woo-Saeng praised Mu-Gun.
The others agreed with Woo-Saengs remarks.
What does it matter whose contribution is greater? What is important is that we managed to kill the Asura Divine Demon and all the Asura Cults Demonic Monarchs, Mu-Gun humbly replied.
Still, it is only proper that we acknowledge the fact that you killed the Asura Divine Demon, Young Patriarch Baek. If this achievement of yours becomes known, everyone in murim will look up to you, Wind Saber Sect Patriarch Tae Gong-Pyo said.
Anyway, I am glad that you are all safe. Lets rest up until the Loyal Heart Alliances remaining forces arrive.
Were not going to attack the Lee Family? Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch Byeok Cheol-Seong asked.
We should leave the Lee Family to the Loyal Heart Alliances warriors. There is nothing better than actual combat when it comes to helping martial artists grow, Mu-Gun replied.
I see what you mean. Now that we have killed all the Asura Cults masters, they should be more than capable enough to eradicate the Lee Familys forces even without our help, Cheol-Seong said.
The Loyal Heart Alliances martial arts masters surrounded the Lee Familys manor and waited for the arrival of the Loyal Heart Alliances warriors. As soon as they arrived, they immediately attacked the Lee Family. The Lee Family resisted until the very end, but they were ultimately wiped up due to their inferior numbers.
After eradicating the Lee Family, the Loyal Heart Alliance took control of the Lee Familys territory, which was centered on Suzhou and Lake Tai. Meanwhile, Mu-Gun pondered how he should deal with the Taiyun Family, which was likely colluding with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect as well.
The Loyal Heart Alliance had clear evidence that the Lee Family had ties with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. However, they had nothing on the Taiyun Family. Mu-Gun could not attack just based on pure suspicions, so he decided to keep monitoring them through the Heavenly Secret Hall instead and be satisfied with eradicating the Lee Family for now.
* * *
The Asura Cults Young Patriarch, Seob Wi-Mun, jumped out of his seat, having heard unbelievable news.
My father has been killed?
We dont have much information about it yet either, but it seems things went wrong during his fight against the Thunder Gods successor, Heo Woon-Pil, the Asura Cults Vice Patriarch, replied with a mournful expression.
How did Father end up fighting the Thunder Gods successor at the Lee Family? Wi-Mun asked in confusion.
The Loyal Heart Alliance apparently launched a surprise attack when they learned of the Lee Familys true allegiance.
Father was in the Supreme Demonic Realm. If the Thunder Gods successor managed to defeat him, that would mean that he is a Supreme-Realm master at the very least as well. Does that make sense to you?
With all due respect, the Thunder Gods successor has never been bound by common sense. That is why the Nine Celestial Demons Sect is so wary of him.
What the hell are we supposed to do now? Now that Father and all our Demonic Monarchs are dead, I cannot help but worry about the Asura Cults future, Wi-Mun said, his distress evident in his expression.
We still have you, Young Patriarch Seob. As long as we still have you, the Asura Cult can rise again.
To do that, I will have to endure for decades and avoid the eyes of the world again. I dont want to do that, Wi-Mun refuted.
Unfortunately, we cannot do anything about it with our current strength.
What if I use the Asura Essence Extraction Art?
Through the Asura Essence Extraction Art, one could absorb the energy of a hundred Peak-Realm or higher-ranking masters to become the Immortal Asura. It would also grant the user the Adamant Vajra Body State and more than nine hundred years worth of internal energy, allowing him to immediately reach the Supreme Realm. That alone made sacrificing a hundred Peak-Realm demonic practitioners worth it.
However, it came with a fatal risk.
If something were to go wrong, the Asura Essence Extraction Art could turn you into a Soulless Being instead.
As its name suggested, a Soulless Being was someone who had lost their soul. Once the Asura Essence Extraction Art absorbed the souls of one hundred Peak-Realm demonic practitioners, there was a chance that the users soul would collapse due to the hundred souls clashing with one another. There was less than a ten percent chance that one would complete the Asura Essence Extraction Art before their soul broke down. That was why the Asura Cults Patriarchs opted not to use it despite being fully aware of the immense power it could grant them.
Wi-Mun was also well aware of that, but he thought taking that risk was far better than enduring and waiting for decades. After all, if he succeeded, he would be able to become a Supreme-Demonic-Realm master.
For the Asura Cults sake, that risk is nothing. I have already decided to do it, so just prepare accordingly, Wi-Mun firmly said.
Losing you as well would mark the end of the Asura Cult. I recommend thinking this over again, Woon-Pil worriedly said.
Even if things go wrong with me, my brother is still around to continue the Asura Cults legacy. Lets stop wasting time and prepare for the Extraction Art already, Wi-Mun replied, standing his ground.
Understood.
Woon-Pil had no choice but to carry out the order due to Wi-Muns stubbornness.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶