Chapter 191
An hour after leaving the mountain, Baek Mu-Gun reached the Sun God Palaces campsite. Peng Mu-Wei and Huangfu Chong seemed to have not made a move yet since it was still quiet. Hence, Mu-Gun decided to take the initiative. Using the Dark Specter Stealth Art, he infiltrated the campsite.
The vigilance around it was tighter than before. They did not just increase the number of personnel on lookout duty but also stationed martial arts masters above the Upper Peak Realm at key locations. However, they still could not detect him at all.
Mu-Gun could assassinate the masters, but doing so risked revealing his presence. Although they would find him as soon as he began the fight he came here to pick anyway, causing as much damage as he could before being found would yield the best long-term results. That was why he planned to use the Infinite Thunder Sword again to wipe out the enemys martial arts masters.
However, the Tyrant Cult and the Sun God Palace had already prepared countermeasures against his plan. Instead of erecting their tents in the center, they were scattered throughout the whole campsite, allowing them to minimize the damage if Mu-Gun attacked them.
The realization made Mu-Gun frown. Now that it was difficult for him to kill a large number of their martial arts masters at once, he was forced to choose just one of the tents scattered throughout the campsite. Having picked a target, he pointed his sword at it.
Executing the Ten Thunderous Tornado Strikes, the third technique of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Art, ten Thunderbolt Swords materialized from his sword and shot forth like a ray of light, encircling and instantly tearing the tent apart. The golden lightning waves they released then flew toward the martial arts master inside.
Mu-Gun thought the golden waves would devour the master, but he was proven wrong.
As if on cue, the master in the tent unleashed his vajra qi and blocked the thunderstorm, causing a deafening roar. The golden Thunderbolt Swords greatly wavered, but instead of shattering, they spun more violently and fired heaps of golden lightning at him.
Flustered, the martial arts master tried to use his vajra qi again, but the waves of golden lightning were faster, instantly enveloping and piercing him. Blood trickled from the holes as he fell forward, his death informing the other martial artists of Mu-Guns infiltration. In response, they rushed at him like bees from every direction.
Mu-Gun pointed his sword at the sky and released a golden lightning wave, which then spread all over the area and darted toward the Sun God Palaces martial artists. Struck by the wave, they trembled and fell to the ground, seemingly electrified.
Mu-Gun then blocked the incoming attacks and threw the Flying Golden Shield forward. It flew quickly but suddenly stopped in midair. Violently rotating, it fired golden lightning waves in every direction, neutralizing martial artists in droves.
After quickly retrieving the Flying Golden Shield, Mu-Gun turned around and thrust his sword, executing the Celestial Moonlight Sword. Golden moonlight qi spread out like a fan, sweeping through and killing the dozens of martial artists charging at him from behind. They fell forward with their necks and chests pierced by the golden moonlight qi.
Mu-Guns attacks were relentless. Each time the Flying Golden Shield cut through the air and his sword released golden moonlight qi, he obliterated a large number of the Sun God Palaces martial artists.
Meanwhile, Peng Mu-Hwe and Huangfu Chong, who were hiding in a thicket near the campsite, confirmed that Mu-Gun had taken action through the explosions they could faintly hear.
Shall we get started as well?
Lets go.
Mu-Hwe and Huangfu Chong stepped out of the thicket and charged straight into the Sun God Palaces campsite.
Enemy incoming! Those assigned to patrol the perimeter shouted as loud as they could upon finding the two making their way to the campsite.
The guards assigned to the perimeter flocked together, but before they even realized it, Mu-Hwe had closed in on them and swung his saber at them, the large saber qi he unleashed cutting them in half. After wiping out the guards with just one attack, Mu-Hwe and Huangfu Chong entered the campsite and split up.
Already aware of their invasion, the Sun God Palaces martial artists tried to stop them, but they were no match for the two masters. Each swing of Mu-Hwes saber and each punch Huangfu Chong threw took down multiple Sun God Palace martial artists, easily sweeping through their opponents.
However, they did not come all the way here just to slaughter these ordinary warriors. Their main target was the Tyrant Divine Demon and the demonic monarchs. Assuming those people would be in the innermost part of the campsite, the two swiftly made their way deeper into enemy territory.
* * *
At the headquarters located in the center of the Sun God Palaces campsite, Tyrant Divine Demon Gu Pae-Cheon and Blood-Crazed Divine Demon Hyeok Ryeon-Pae sat across from each other.
After confirming that Mu-Gun was in the area, Pae-Cheon worried about the possibility of an attack from him and the two Saints, who were believed to be at the Northern Sky Branch. Considering those three were Supreme-Realm masters, it would be difficult for the Tyrant Cult and Sun God Palace to stop them by themselves. They needed at least one more master of equal caliber.
Hence, after much consideration, Pae-Cheon asked Hyeok Ryeon-Pae for support. However, he only told Ryeon-Pae about the two Saints, hiding the fact that the Thunder Gods successor was also present. Otherwise, Ryeon-Pae would prioritize his own safety and refuse to help.
Upon receiving the request, Ryeon-Pae took three demonic monarchs with him and joined the Sun God Palace, judging that they would have a good chance of winning against the two Saints. Only when he arrived and checked the enemy forces himself did he learn that they would be fighting Mu-Gun as well. Deceived, he was understandably pissed.
What do you think youre doing? Ryeon-Pae asked.
I apologize for not telling you, but I had no choice. If you found out that the Thunder Gods successor was around, you would not have come this far, Pae-Cheon reasoned.
Do you want us to die together because the thought of dying alone mortifies you?
Who said anything about dying? Now that you are here, we have a good chance of winning.
This is the Thunder Gods successor we are talking about. Not even all of the Seven Divine Demons together can guarantee victory against him. Considering we are the only ones here, I cant help but wonder where youre getting your confidence from.
Arent you too afraid of the Thunder Gods successor? Pae-Cheon asked, displeased.
Dont forget that the previous Divine Demons were brought to their knees every single time they fought him.
The current Thunder Gods successor is only twenty-five years old, and it has been less than three years since he inherited the Thunder Gods martial legacy, Pae-Cheon rationalized. Although it is surprising that he reached the Supreme Realm in such a short period, he is bound to lack in many aspects since he rushed his advancement. Right now, we should be enough to defeat him.
His age or the length of time hes been practicing the Thunder Gods martial arts does not matter. What matters is that he has risen to the Supreme Realm. Unlike the Absolute Realm, without the necessary level of enlightenment, advancing into the Supreme Realm is impossible.
Further refuting Pae-Cheons arguments, Ryeon-Pae continued, Now that the deaths of the Asura Divine Demon and the Spindle Divine Demon have already confirmed that he has reached it, confronting him with just the two of us will be extremely dangerous. To make things worse, well find ourselves in an even more disadvantageous position if the two Saints join the fray as well.
How long do we have to fear and avoid the Thunder Gods successor, then? If only you Central Plains folks properly dealt with him early on, we would not have found ourselves in such a difficult situation. You focused on yourselves so much that you missed the opportunity to kill him, and now all you can do is run away. I wonder if you lot are still even qualified to be a Divine Demon.
Pae-Cheons sharp words rendered Ryeon-Pae speechless. A Divine Demon should not be afraid of anyone. They should be the one instilling fear in others, not the other way around. That was the purpose of their existence. However, somewhere along the way, the Divine Demons began to fear the Thunder Gods successor. If they had risked their lives to kill him early on, they could have defeated him. Unfortunately, their fear and tendency to prioritize their own safety prevented them from taking such bold measures. Taking advantage of their cowardice, the Thunder Gods successor ceaselessly strengthened himself, allowing him to kill two Divine Demons.
Youre right. If the Six Divine Demons in the Central Plains joined forces to attack the Thunder Gods successor, we could have eliminated him long ago. Ryeon-Pae dejectedly admitted.
It is still not too late. We are also Supreme-Realm masters like him. If we fight him to the death, we may be able to defeat him. Pae-Cheon firmly said.
But he is not just a Supreme-Realm master. He has the ultimate technique in his arsenal, the ability to manifest and call forth the Thunder Gods power. That was how he defeated the former Divine Demons, Ryeon-Pae reminded Pae-Cheon.
I know, but even he cannot recklessly manifest the Thunder God.
How can you be so sure of that?
A price has to be paid for a human to manifest a god. Usually, the price is soul restriction.
What exactly does that mean?
I dont know the details either. I just know that their soul would be bound to the god, forcing them to live according to the gods will. The Thunder Gods successor should also be well aware of that. To avoid the consequences, he will think twice before using the technique. Even if that isnt the case, he can only keep the Thunder Gods Descent active for a short while, after which he will fall into a vulnerable state. We can defeat him for as long as we can hold out until then. It naturally wont be easy, but if we use the Sun God Palaces forces, it will not be impossible either.
Pae-Cheons remarks made it clear to Ryeon-Pae that he had conducted a lot of investigation on the Thunder Gods successor. He could also tell that Pae-Cheons claims were not groundless. In fact, he would have already been convinced if the Thunder Gods successor was alone. However, the two Saints would likely join him. Hence, their fight wouldnt end by just stopping him.
I would have agreed if the Thunder Gods successor didnt bring anyone with him, but the outcome will change as soon as the Saints join. How do you plan to stop those two? Ryeon-Pae asked.
The Tyrant Cults demonic monarchs and the Sun God Palace Patriarch and Generals should be able to hold their ground against Supreme-Realm masters. With the help of the demonic monarchs and Higher Demons you brought with you, dealing with the two Saints will be icing on the cake, Pae-Cheon replied.
While you may be right, we cannot rule out the possibility that other Absolute-Realm masters will be joining them as well, though, can we?
Of course. Nevertheless, we are not the only ones targeting the Northern Sky Branch. The Underworld Sect has also set their eyes on them. The Northern Sky Branch cannot mobilize too many of its forces for as long as its under the Underworld Sects threat. They do not know that you are here either, so they will likely assume that the two Saints will be enough to defeat us. Anyway, might I remind you that we will lose our chance if we keep nit-picking over every little detail out there? When the time comes, we have to fight boldly.
Ryeon-Pae momentarily lost himself in his thoughts. Fortunately, instead of rushing him, Pae-Cheon gave him time to think. However, the situation outside did not. A sudden explosion resonated deep within the campsite, likely caused by a martial art technique.
The Thunder Gods successor and the two Saints have probably made their move, Pae-Cheon said over the noise.
Ryeon-Pae smiled bitterly. There was no use crying over spilled milk anyway. Now that he was here, he could no longer retreat, so he had no choice but to fight alongside Pae-Cheon.
I will fight alongside you.
Youve made the right choice.
More explosions echoed from two different areas as they conversed.
They seem to be trying to pincer us, Ryeon-Pae commented.
Even better, then. After all, that would mean the Thunder Gods successor and the two Saints are not together. We can just concentrate all our forces to take out one of them, then proceed to do the same to the other. This will make it much easier to defeat them than confronting them all at once.
Which side should we clear out first?
Wouldnt it be easier to aim for the two Saints first? Pae-Cheon suggested.
As you wish. Ryeon-Pae nodded.
Lets find out where they are, then.
As if Tyrant Sword Monarch Huh Geuk-Sang of the Ten Tyrant Monarchs was listening to their discussion, he suddenly entered the headquarters before they could even move.
I greet the two esteemed Divine Demons.
Enough with the greetings. How is the situation out there? Pae-Cheon asked.
The Thunder Gods successor is wreaking havoc at the north side of the campsite, and two elderly people who appear to be among the Saints have started attacking us from the south. They have us pincered.
Where are the Ten Monarchs, the Sun God Monarch, and the Twelve Sun Generals?
They are standing by outside now,
Great. Tell everyone that we will attack the two old men to our south first, Pae-Cheon ordered.
What about the Thunder Gods successor?
Focus on capturing the two old men for now.
Understood. Geuk-Sang left the headquarters and relayed Pae-Cheons commands to the martial arts masters standing by outside. As ordered, they headed to the south side of the campsite with Pae-Cheon and Ryeon-Pae following behind them.
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