Chapter 327: You Have Already Saved Me

TL: FoodieMonster007

Corpses formed a mountain.

It was no metaphor. Demon corpses truly filled the space. At the very peak, the Demonic Buddha sat with closed eyes, chanting a sutra.

PWAK PWAK PWAK PWAK PWAK PWAK PWAK!

The demons vanished one by one into black smoke. He had dealt with them all at once, so they disappeared together.

Once all the demons were gone, a door became visible beyond them.

The Demonic Buddha hurried toward the door.

I never thought I'd feel this kind of worry. He was genuinely concerned for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

Aren't we friends? In the past, their closeness was just words and hearty laughter. He never would have taken such a risk to save him then, but lately, he had come to understand him. When he first heard the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had quit, he had thought, What kind of foolishness is this? Now, he understood.

Is that why? He did not want the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to die here.

He opened the door and entered a wasteland.

WHOOOOSH!

A sandstorm immediately blew in and engulfed the Demonic Buddha.

"Dammit."

This damn illusion, this damn sandstorm… it's all so tiresome.

How am I supposed to get out of this endless wasteland?

Just then, something caught the Demonic Buddha's eye.

A flower bloomed in a crack between the rocks. The Demonic Buddha stood before it for a long while, looking down at the flower.

WHOOOOOSH.

He thought he heard an unusual sound from behind. Suddenly, the surroundings darkened as a shadow fell over him.

When the Demonic Buddha turned, a massive demon of incredible size looked down at him. It was a demon formed from clumps of sand.

The Slaughter Scripture Regret Stamp!

Golden enhanced qi swirled from the Demonic Buddha's palms.

SHWAAAAK! PWAK!

The enhanced qi struck the demon's chest.

The next moment.

SHWIRL.

The surrounding sand swirled and instantly filled the hole.

SHWAAAAK! PWANG!

A second blast of enhanced qi blew a hole in the demon's face, but the result was the same. The sand instantly filled the gap.

SHWIIING!

The demon extended its hand, and sand poured out with a RUSH.

It was not just sand. A sharp enhanced qi, capable of tearing a body to shreds, swirled within it.

The Demonic Buddha threw himself aside to dodge the attack.

KWAKWANG!

The ground where the Demonic Buddha had been standing was deeply gouged as dust kicked up.

As the Demonic Buddha stepped back, the giant demon slowly advanced to stomp on him.

The Demonic Buddha quickly formed a hand seal.

The Demonic Palm Destruction Stamp!

A shadow then formed around the demon.

The demon turned its head to look back.

Above its head, the palm of a giant Buddha statue, far larger than the demon itself, struck down at it. A golden radiance emanated from the hand.

KWAAAAANG!

"KUEEEEEEEEEK!"

The demon shrieked and disintegrated into sand.

As the Demonic Buddha put his palms together in prayer, the golden hand became a halo of light and vanished into the sandstorm.

Only a giant handprint remained deeply imprinted on the ground where the demon had been.

A door appeared where the giant demon had vanished.

As the Demonic Buddha started walking toward the door, he saw the flower from before lying on the ground.

The Demonic Buddha picked up the flower. He looked at it for a moment before tucking it into his belt.

Then, he strode into the next room.

As the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader gathered blue energy in both hands, the Illusion King hid behind Jo Baekta.

"I'm not your opponent," the Illusion King said.

CLANK, CLANK.

The iron doors to the left and right of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader opened. An illusion expert emerged from each.

The Illusion King introduced them. "These are the Bloodhand Warriors who protect the Blood Cult."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader replied, "They're just imitations made to mimic the Bloodhand Warriors. Hey, don't forget. The Blood Cult is an organization that has already vanished."

Finishing his words, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader extended his hand.

SHWIRL!

With the sound of a fierce wind, one of the Bloodhand Warriors was sucked into the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's grasp.

It was the same technique the Illusion King had used to pull Jo Baekta earlier. The two men's techniques were similar, yet different.

The man's body twisted in the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's grip, unable to resist.

"Keeeeuk."

Demonic energy flowed from the Bloodhand Warrior's eyes. It was not human energy.

KWADEDEUK.

His body twisted like a wrung-out cloth, and he died.

"How long did it take to create this place?" the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader could tell this space within the painting was not created by the Illusion King's ability alone.

It was a setup prepared over hundreds of years by those dreaming of the Blood Cult's revival, a culmination of the Blood Cult's illusion arts.

"It has existed since I first joined this organization."

"So you abandoned that long history to chase your own dream."

"You know it too, don't you? That sometimes in life, the wind blows in unexpected directions."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader nodded. As he was about to reply, the other Bloodhand Warrior charged at him in a surprise attack.

The warrior rushed in, aiming for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's vital points.

SHWIIK! PUUK!

A sharp whistle sounded as something invisible pierced his torso. The charging Bloodhand Warrior collapsed.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader mimed pulling something from the body. His actions made the invisible weapon seem like a long spear.

"How about it? I'd like to test it against your formless qi."

Using invisible enhanced qi like a weapon was a technique that existed in both the Blood Cult and the Heavenly Wind Cult.

Naturally, the Illusion King refused. If he were the type to accept such an offer, he would not have taken Jo Baekta hostage in the first place.

"That would be rude to those waiting for you."

CLANK, CLANK.

The iron doors on both sides opened again. This time, two Bloodhand Warriors emerged from each.

"How many of you Bloodhand Warriors were there again? I read about it a long time ago, so I can't remember."

The Illusion King's relaxed smile made it clear he had many more prepared. Having them appear in waves was a tactic to drain his opponent's inner arts.

"Isn't it a waste to throw them away like this?"

"This organization was created for that very purpose."

The cold-hearted Illusion King was not concerned about expending the Bloodhand Warriors.

The Bloodhand Warriors also charged forward without fear.

SHWAAAAENG!

Invisible formless qi flew from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's hand.

PWAK!

The Bloodhand Warrior charging at the front was pinned to the wall. Since the spear was invisible, he looked as if he were dead and floating in mid-air.

The remaining three Bloodhand Warriors rushed in, striking with their palms simultaneously. A palm technique filled with demonic energy flew toward the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

The spot where the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had been standing shattered, but he was already gone.

The Bloodhand Warrior in front had his back broken. The one on the left took a palm strike to the chest. The last one had his neck pierced.

The iron doors opened again. This time, four Bloodhand Warriors walked out from each side. They knew no fear. Within this illusion, the Bloodhand Warriors were just killing machines that only followed orders.

"I take back what I said before. I take back that the old Blood Cult was more bloodthirsty and rampant than this. You're worse."

At the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's mockery, only a cold sneer formed on the Illusion King's lips.

The eight Bloodhand Warriors who emerged this time had a different attack style. They scattered and began chanting an incantation in unison.

Red threads shot from their fingertips, creating a red spiderweb in all directions.

The threads pressed in like an inescapable net, tightening around the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"It's dangerous, Master!" a startled Jo Baekta shouted, but there was nowhere to escape.

SEOGEOK.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader split into a dozen pieces and vanished.

He reappeared behind the Bloodhand Warrior attacking from the east.

HWIRIRIK.

SEOGEOK.

The blue energy in the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's hands became a long thread and sliced off the Bloodhand Warrior's head.

Before he could fall, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's blue thread cut through the air again.

PWAK!

The Bloodhand Warrior in front collapsed, his forehead pierced.

HWIRIRIRIRIK.

Red and blue threads tangled in mid-air.

But the red threads could not keep up. The blue thread slipped through the intricately twisting lines.

Each time the blue thread pulled taut, a Bloodhand Warrior's body was sliced apart. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's movements, using threads of enhanced qi, were a display of the pinnacle of illusionary martial arts.

The Illusion King remained composed even as the Bloodhand Warriors died, since he had expected him to withstand this level of attack.

He knew better than anyone how much inner arts each technique the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader used consumed. No matter how profound the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's inner arts were, he could not face all the Bloodhand Warriors.

The iron doors opened again. This time, eight men walked out from each side.

FLUTTER, FLUTTER.

A blue butterfly landed on a Bloodhand Warrior's shoulder.

SEUREUREUK.

The Bloodhand Warrior slumped over and died.

The butterfly that had defeated the last Bloodhand Warrior popped and vanished in mid-air.

The last of the thirty-two Bloodhand Warriors who had emerged from both doors was defeated.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader still stood with his hands behind his back, looking relaxed and noble.

But Jo Baekta could hear his master's breathing, which had been silent before. His Master was getting tired.

His Master was indeed fighting a difficult battle. The Bloodhand Warriors were threatening, but the real problem was the Illusion King. He would launch surprise attacks and harass his master mid-fight, posing a constant threat. Whenever his master tried to sweep them all away with a grand illusion, he would invariably interfere.

…Master.

If it weren't for me, my Master would have tried to kill the Illusion King first, no matter what.

Now, thirty-two Bloodhand Warriors emerged from each room. A total of sixty-four.

A fierce battle erupted between the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and them. They swarmed him like bees, and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader used every martial art and illusion he possessed to face them.

The Bloodhand Warriors were sent flying, beaten to a bloody pulp by the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's palm technique.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader dodged their attacks with illusions. Each time he unleashed a martial art, the Bloodhand Warriors fell as corpses, but his inner arts were continuously consumed.

KWANG! KWAANG!

As the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was pushed back while blocking a barrage of palm strikes with his protective enhanced qi, the Bloodhand Warriors' attacks rained down on him. On top of that, the cowardly Illusion King's attacks were added to the mix.

Enduring the impact, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader swung both his palms. Blue enhanced qi swept through the space, crushing several more Bloodhand Warriors.

In the midst of the urgent battle, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's telepathy reached Jo Baekta.

'Three, two…'

He only counted the numbers, without another word.

But he knew what his master wanted.

"……"

Jo Baekta tried to slam the back of his head mercilessly into the Illusion King standing behind him.

Because the Illusion King was focusing all his attention on the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's fight, the headbutt nearly struck him in the face.

The moment he stepped back to dodge it.

SHWAAAAAAAK!

Jo Baekta ducked, and the enhanced qi blast fired by the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader swept over the spot.

KWAAAAANG!

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader rushed toward that spot.

It was a reckless attack, so he allowed the Bloodhand Warriors to land consecutive blows. However, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader endured them with his protective enhanced qi and flew toward Jo Baekta.

Just as the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was about to escape with Jo Baekta into the Spacetime Manipulation Technique.

HWIRIRIRIRIK.

An invisible thread pulled Jo Baekta back a step ahead of him.

The Illusion King, who had retreated, had snatched him first.

The rescue attempt failed. The Bloodhand Warriors' attacks poured down on the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

KWANG! KWAANG! KWANG!

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader focused on the fight with them once more.

When he had finished off all the remaining Bloodhand Warriors, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's breathing was ragged. Blood trickled from his mouth. He had suffered internal injuries from recklessly using his qi.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had a premonition that he might die in this place. In front of Geom Mugeuk, he had boasted that this was his world, but everyone has their limits.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader wiped the blood from his mouth and looked at Jo Baekta. He remembered when the boy was a child, the kid who used to look up at him with bright, intelligent eyes.

"Strangely, I took a liking to you. You stood out among all those disciples. Baekta. Even if I could go back, I would still make you my successor."

Tears that Jo Baekta had held back streamed down his face. An unknown sorrow welled up inside him. I can do well now. If only I can live, I can really do well now.

Just then, the Illusion King whispered to Jo Baekta.

"You were right. It's time to focus on the fight."

The Illusion King felt that the time had come for him to step in for real.

When the final doors opened, sixty-four Bloodhand Warriors would emerge from each room. If he attacked with them, it would be the end for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"Watch closely. Watch how your Master dies. After that, I'll destroy your qi center, sever the tendons in your limbs, cut out your tongue, and throw you in prison. I'll make you live the rest of your life remembering today."

Jo Baekta despaired. He did not mind his own suffering. What was not okay was his master dying because of him. I'm sorry, Master. I'm truly sorry.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader said to his disciple, "Where is there a Heavenly Wind Cult Leader who sheds tears inside an illusion? Wipe your tears."

Jo Baekta wiped his tears.

"And what did I tell you to say when you meet a guy like that?"

Jo Baekta turned to the Illusion King and said, "You cowardly bastard! Won't you get lost?"

Jo Baekta saw the apology in his master's eyes. His Master was sorry for not being able to save him. How could I ever repay such a great debt of gratitude?

"Master, you have already saved me."

Because you saved my soul, which is more precious than life itself.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader gestured for the Illusion King to come forward.

The Illusion King took a few slow steps forward and stopped.

"Still, you've waited the longest. Shouldn't I let you get some air?"

He was not one to take risks until the very end. With sixty-four Bloodhand Warriors waiting behind each iron door, there was no need for him to step forward first.

The very moment he was looking at the iron doors with a satisfied smile!

A faint sound came from beyond the iron doors, something crashing and vibrating.

The sound grew louder and louder.

KUNG! KWOONG! KUNG! KWAJIK! KWADEUK!

Screams seemed to mix with the sound of wind, and then the noise subsided again.

And then, silence fell.

"……"

The door opened, and light streamed out.

The person who walked out, glowing with a golden radiance, was the Demonic Buddha. Behind the Demonic Buddha, the corpses of the Bloodhand Warriors who had been waiting there were scattered about.

At his appearance, the expressions of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and Jo Baekta brightened. In contrast, the Illusion King's face hardened coldly.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's gaze fell on the flower tucked into the Demonic Buddha's belt. Yes, saying 'thank you' was not enough. No amount of gratitude would be enough. So, he grumbled.

"You had time to pick a flower? While your friend was struggling for his life."

The word 'friend' came out naturally, and it was accepted just as naturally.

"Still, I think I got here earlier than the Young Cult Leader, don't you?"

"The Young Cult Leader is always late. He only rushes over like the wind when he needs something, demanding this and that, making a person's blood boil."

It was right at that moment, as the Demonic Buddha was nodding in agreement.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG!

A sweeping sound echoed.

KWAAAANG!

The door opposite the Demonic Buddha shattered, and something shot out.

They were the six demons of the Great Annihilation Stance.

Not even a corpse remained in the corridor the six demons had cleared.

Everyone held their breath at the sight of the demons. They were divisions of the most terrifying-looking demon among the four cardinal demons, so the sight of these six demons standing side by side was truly overwhelming.

The Demonic Buddha put his palms together and bowed his head toward them. It was a sign of respect for the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

As the six demons slowly faded, Geom Mugeuk walked out, the Black Demon Sword dangling from his hand and dripping with blood. He was covered in blood, his clothes were torn, and he was covered in wounds. His state showed how difficult the previous gate had been and how desperately he had broken through.

Geom Mugeuk's and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's intense gazes met in mid-air. What words were needed?

"Anyway, it seems our Cult Leader only badmouths me when I'm not around."