Chapter 172
Hades Demonic Monarch Yeon Do-Guns report surprised Underworld Divine Demon Jong Ja-Ryang, who was at the Underworld Sects secret lair.
The Asura Essence Extraction Art failed and turned the Asura Cults Seob Wi-Mun into a Soulless Being?
Yes. According to reports, he has reduced the area around Hongze Lake in Jiangsu Province to a complete wasteland. Do-Gun continued.
He probably lost his mind while performing the Asura Essence Extraction Art, which has less than ten percent probability of success. Jong Ja-Ryang clicked his tongue at Wi-Muns recklessness.
Why dont we use the Great Underworld Revenant Art to make Seob Wi-Mun our puppet? Do-Gun suggested.
The Great Underworld Revenant Art?
The Great Underworld Revenant Art was a demonic art that suppressed the opponents soul. Anyone affected by it would become the users servant, forced to obey their orders.
If we succeed, we will gain control over a Supreme Demonic Realm master. That would get you closer to becoming the Celestial Demon of the Nine Heavens and conquering murim, esteemed Divine Demon.
Ja-Ryang was tempted, but he soon shook his head. Subduing Seob Wi-Mun with the Great Underworld Revenant Art is practically impossible, considering he has absorbed a hundred souls.
Only Jong Ja-Ryang, the Underworld Sect Patriarch, could perform the Great Underworld Revenant Art. Moreover, it would only succeed if his soul was stronger than the targets. Ja-Ryang could easily overpower Wi-Muns soul, but the latter also had one hundred other souls inside him. Although they clashed with each other, and Wi-Mun was now a Soulless Being, their power itself existed in a state of chaos. Despite how strong Ja-Ryang was, it was almost impossible for him to subdue Wi-Mun and one hundred demonic practitioners souls.
Im sorry. I was too narrow-minded, Do-Gun apologized.
Dont be. The Nine Celestial Demons Sect will still benefit from him even if we leave him alone anyway. The righteous factions of murim will definitely try to prevent Seob Wi-Muns rampage. Considering how strong he is, they are bound to suffer heavy casualties, Ja-Ryang replied.
However, if the Thunder Gods successor takes this matter into his own hands, even the Immortal Asura is bound to be defeated, Do-Gun said.
Hmm, considering he took down the Asura Divine Demon, who had reached the Supreme Demonic Realm, I wont find it strange if he defeats the Immortal Asura as well, Ja-Ryang agreed.
Considering how the Thunder Gods successor handled situations like this before, he will surely take action to prevent the Immortal Asuras rampage. Why dont we take advantage of that? Do-Gun suggested.
How do you plan to do that?
Even the Thunder Gods successor will find it difficult to defeat the Immortal Asura, a Supreme-Demonic-Realm master who possesses the Adamant Vajra Body State, without sustaining any damage. Even if he does come out of their battle unscathed, he would likely be exhausted since he would have to fight with all his might. If we attack him at that moment, we might just be able to kill him.
That would be the case if the Thunder Gods successor comes alone. However, unless hes dumb, he would definitely prepare for the aftermath of his battle against Seob Wi-Mun, Ja-Ryang refuted. Waiting for the right moment to attack him isnt that easy either.
Ah, I apologize. I got too ahead of myself.
Dont worry about it. Im worried about leaving the Thunder Gods successor alone as well, Ja-Ryang anxiously said.
The death of the Asura Divine Demon reduced their chances of killing the Thunder Gods successor. If they lost one or two more Divine Demons, killing him could become impossible. Ja-Ryang regretted not joining forces with the other Divine Demons to defeat the Thunder Gods successor during the last Divine Demons Summit.
How can we do anything about it if the other Divine Demons refuse to unite against him? Under these circumstances, the best we can hope for would be for all the Divine Demons to reach the Supreme Demonic Realm, Do-Gun commented.
Ja-Ryang nodded in agreement. They had no other option. The other Divine Demons would not listen even if he requested them to join forces and defeat the Thunder Gods successor, and they couldnt just make the three Divine Demons currently beyond the borders return immediately either. The best they could do was become as powerful as they could to prepare for future battles.
Unable to make use of Wi-Mun, they decided to watch the situation for now. The Nine Celestial Demons Sects other factions were no different. They, too, sought a way to use Wi-Mun and defeat the Thunder Gods successor but ultimately failed. None of them had any intention to take on the risk alone either. Of course, the Divine Demons could certainly change this outcome if they worked together. They further realized that when the Thunder Gods successor killed the Asura Divine Demon.
Like the Underworld Divine Demon, the other Divine Demons decided to focus on improving their martial prowess for now. They no longer paid any attention to the matter regarding Wi-Mun, but deep within their hearts, they hoped that Seob Wi-Mun and Baek Mu-Gun would find themselves in a situation where neither could win.
* * *
Upon receiving reports about Wi-Muns rampage, the Great Namgung Family, which was geographically closest to Jiangsu Province, had a heated debate about whether they should send their forces to stop him.
Those against it argued that they should not intervene in this matter because they already suffered heavy casualties during the Qingdao Sect, having lost Lightning Sword Saint Namgung Hae and the others. Meanwhile, those for it argued that as one of the righteous factions pillars of support, the Great Namgung Family had to keep innocent people away from this danger. Some of them also said that the Great Namgung Family should demonstrate their power to solidify their control over the southwestern area of Jiangsu Province, centered around Nanjing.
Amid the tense discussion, Great Namgung Family Patriarch Namgung Jo was forced to make a decision. Putting everything else aside, the prestige of the Great Namgung Family had fallen significantly due to the incident in Shandong Province. To make up for that, they had to show just how powerful they were to the masses. The problem was that Seob Wi-Mun was reported to be in the Absolute Realm at the very least. Some even commented that he could be in the Supreme Realm.
Under such circumstances, they could not hastily mobilize their forces. Otherwise, instead of rebuilding the prestige of the Great Namgung Family, they could suffer a bigger disgrace instead. On the other hand, if they turned a blind eye to this, the public would criticize them for trying to save their own hide out of fear of Wi-Mun. After much consideration, Namgung Jo decided to visit his father, the sovereign elder Namgung Byeok.
Considering you sought me out and told me this story, you probably have something you want to ask from me, Namgung Byeok said.
With all due respect, I would like for you to deal with that monster, Father, Namgung Jo pleaded.
Me? Why?
There are speculations that the monster is a Supreme Realm master. Only you can defeat it.
If so, then even I cannot guarantee victory.
I have no doubts that my father can defeat it, Namgung Jo replied, expressing his faith in Namgung Byeok.
A living legend, Namgung Byeok was one of the Seven Saints who saved murim from the Hell-Blood Demon Sect. Namgung Jo was certain that Namgung Byeok could defeat the monster with ease.
His sons firm belief made Namgung Byeok smile bitterly. Hmm, even if we dont do anything, Baek Mu-Gun, that child, will act. Why should we go out of our way to handle this?
Father, as you said, Baek Mu-Gun would probably do whatever it takes to stop that monster. However, if he succeeds, his reputation will grow even further. Countless martial artists are already cheering for him and hoping to join the ranks of the Loyal Heart Alliance. Resolving this incident ourselves will not only prevent him from becoming even more illustrious but also help rebuild the prestige of the Great Namgung Family.
Mu-Gun was Namgung Byeoks grandson-in-law and Namgung Jos son-in-law, yet they talked about him as if he was a stranger. Unless he could be of some use to the Great Namgung Family, that was all he was worth to them. As the central pillar of the Loyal Heart Alliance, Mu-Gun was growing beyond the strongholds known as the Seven Great Families. Hence, the two could not help but see him as a competitor capable of shaking their familys status.
The Loyal Heart Alliances power has certainly grown too much recently, Namgung Byeok agreed.
At the rate theyre improving, they could even exceed the Seven Great Families, Namgung Jo cautiously added.
Fine. Ill put a stop to that monster myself.
Namgung Byeok felt the need to thoroughly confirm to the world that the Great Namgung Family was the central pillar of murim. Even if the Thunder Gods successor was eliminated in the future, it still would not benefit them if the power and reputation of the Loyal Heart Alliance grew too big.
Thank you. To be safe, I will send two of the Great Devas to accompany you.
Okay.
Accompanied by Nine Thunderclaps Sword Saint Namgung San and Great Swarm Sword Saint Namgung Sung, Namgung Byeok left the Great Namgung Familys manor and headed to Jiangsu Province.
* * *
Pandemonium broke out in Gaoyou County, Jiangsu Province, when a monster covered in blood entered it and ripped its people apart at random. Gaoyou Countys martial artists and constables tried to stop the monster, but all it took was one technique from the monster to kill them all.
The civilians tried running away, but the monster was far faster than they could imagine. It chased them down and brutally tore them to pieces as if they were playing a deadly game of tag. Every now and then, it would rip out and eat their hearts while they were still alive. The monster was no different from the devil.
Realizing that they would never be able to escape the monsters clutches even if they tried to escape, the people of Gaoyou County gave up trying to run away and instead prayed desperately for someoneanyoneto show up and slay it.
Was it because their prayers touched the hearts of the heavens? As Seob Wi-Mun, the blood-soaked monster, tore and killed the people of Gaoyou County, Namgung Byeok and two Great Devas arrived. Their expressions hardened the moment they saw what they could only describe as mountains of corpses all over the ground.
Sovereign elder.
Even Namgung San and Namgung Sung, who had gone through hell and high waters before, also looked at Namgung Byeok with a pale face upon seeing the horrendous scene.
The monster seems crazier than we expected. We have to kill that bastard before it harms more innocent people, Namgung Byeok firmly said and flew to where he could hear screams coming from. Using their movement arts, Namgung San and Namgung Sung followed behind him. Eventually, he found a salivating beast-like man with a girl seemingly not even ten years old yet in his hands.
Namgung Byeok immediately drew his sword, imbued it with blue vajra qi, and sent it flying toward the monster using the Sword-Qi Link, the symbol of Supreme-Realm martial arts masters. Moving according to Namgung Byeoks will, the sword instantly crossed a hundred feet and attempted to pierce through Wi-Muns head. However, with one hand, Wi-Mun held out the girl in front of the flying sword, using her as a meat shield.
Namgung Byeoks expression distorted as he swiftly changed the direction of the sword, narrowly flying past the young girl. Drooling in excitement, Wi-Mun thrust his hand into the girls chest, ripped out her small heart, and bit down on it. Blood gushed out and splattered all over his face as his teeth ripped away a large chunk of it, but he didnt seem to care.
Namgung Byeok trembled at the sight. Unable to contain his anger, he controlled his sword as he screamed, You bastard!
A huge wave of blue vajra qi formed around his sword and flew like a ray of light toward Wi-Mun, who in turn fearlessly extended his hand and unleashed blood-colored vajra qi. Wi-Muns attack collided head-on with Namgung Byeoks sword, causing a blast so strong and deafening that it seemed as if space itself was destroyed.
The explosion pushed Wi-Mun back and staggered him. Seemingly offended that he lost ground, his expression began to distort. Meanwhile, Namgung Byeok took advantage of the momentum he gained. He once again sent his sword flying toward Wi-Mun, this time imbued with even more vajra qi than before.
Namgung Byeok unleashed the Great Namgung Familys strongest techniquethe Invincible Emperor Sword. As its name suggested, the Invincible Emperor Sword was the sword of an emperor. Rather than having a set form, it manifested and grew in strength according to the users will.
Namgung Byeoks emperor sword flew toward Wi-Mun with formidable power, and Wi-Mun instinctively sensed the danger it posed. In response, Wi-Mun also unleashed the most powerful martial art technique in his arsenal: the Asura Divine Demon Blade. The space in front of Wi-Mun split in half, revealing a huge blood-colored blade.
The Invincible Emperor Sword and the Asura Divine Demon Blade clashed head-on, causing tremors to engulf the area within a few hundred feet. The heavy pressure their clash formed split the ground and eventually broke the balance of power. When the Invincible Emperor Sword began to crack, the Asura Divine Demon Blade pushed it back and finally shattered it.
Cough.
Namgung Byeok staggered. His soul had taken a blow.
Sovereign elder!
Namgung San and Namgung Sung, who had retreated quite a distance to watch the battle between Namgung Byeok and Seob Wi-Mun, were taken by surprise. They tried to approach Namgung Byeok.
Do not come near me! Namgung Byeok shouted. He then imbued his will into his sword once more.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢