Chapter 328: Live to the Fullest, Then Flee

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Illusion King stared at Geom Mugeuk in utter disbelief.

You broke through all those gates?

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader told the Illusion King, "Didn't I tell you? It's because you don't know this man."

The Demonic Buddha's gate had been difficult, but the Illusion King felt certain that Geom Mugeuk's gate was impassable, especially the one with the Blood Poison Python.

"It's impossible to pass without Myriad Poison Immunity."

He had assumed the poison would stop Geom Mugeuk from even trying. This was why he judged he could trap the Young Cult Leader without killing him.

Geom Mugeuk stood beside the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and remarked, "Because I'm close with the Poison King."

The Demonic Buddha also moved to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's other side. "I'm close with the Poison King too."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader felt a joy he had never known as the two men stood reliably by his side. Just a moment ago, he had prepared for death. Words could not describe his overwhelming emotion. Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha had rushed to save him from that desperate situation.

After the joy, another emotion washed over him.

The Young Cult Leader is here!

For some reason, he believed Geom Mugeuk could rescue Jo Baekta. It was because of who Geom Mugeuk was that they had all become so entangled, always chanting 'Second Young Lord' or 'Young Cult Leader'.

Young Cult Leader, I'm counting on you.

Geom Mugeuk's next action proved that this joy and faith were not misplaced, sweeping the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader into an even greater storm of emotion.

Geom Mugeuk secretly placed a hand on his back and began infusing a stream of qi to treat his internal injuries.

You really are…!

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader knew for certain that Geom Mugeuk was fundamentally different. His consideration for the internal injuries and his boldness to infuse inner arts while standing were both remarkable. An ordinary person would never even think of such a thing in this situation.

The treatment eased the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's insides and improved his complexion.

Then, Geom Mugeuk's telepathy arrived.

[It's alright if we lose him, so please don't overexert yourself.]

To Geom Mugeuk, chasing the Illusion King and rescuing Jo Baekta were important, but the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's safety was paramount.

The Illusion King hid completely behind Jo Baekta.

Though still a hostage, Jo Baekta's expression was brighter than ever.

Now that those two are here, Master will be safe.

Despite his happiness, his heart felt heavy. How could the Illusion King handle a joint attack from three people? He was the problem.

Seeing his face redden with shame, Geom Mugeuk comforted him. "In our Cult, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was caught, and so was the Murim Alliance Chairman's grandson. There's no need to be ashamed. They just approached so meticulously."

The Illusion King brought a finger to Jo Baekta's neck. "Leave now, if you don't want your disciple to die." The finger looked ready to pierce Jo Baekta's neck at any moment.

Geom Mugeuk said to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, "We have disciples in our Cult too, so wouldn't it be fine to lose one?"

Before the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader could answer, the Illusion King spoke first. "Your bluff won't work. I already know how much the Cult Leader cherishes his disciple."

The Illusion King grew impatient. He could not afford carelessness against any of these three, even one-on-one.

His only silver lining was that the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was injured, and the other two must have used much of their inner arts. They would not have had time to recover after rushing here.

Even so, facing three people alone was not easy. Even if the sum of their inner arts was less than his own, the situation was hardly advantageous. His opponents were absolute masters who could produce the unexpected with even a handful of qi.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader reacted unexpectedly to the Illusion King's threat. "Since our opponent is who he is, let's say our goodbyes now. I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha looked at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. They sensed this was no ploy. He was truly saying a final farewell to his disciple.

Jo Baekta felt his master's heart in that gaze. The words were enough for him. "Even if I could go back, I would definitely live my life as Master's disciple again."

As they spoke, the Illusion King's expression hardened. The more Jo Baekta's value as a hostage diminished, the higher the probability of his own death became.

If the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was not here, he might escape with illusion arts, but with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader present, even that was difficult. He could not rashly leave this space, where his martial arts were far more powerful than outside. He trusted in this place, the legacy of the Blood Cult.

"Are you going to cowardly attack me three against one?"

Jo Baekta responded to the Illusion King's words. "You cowardly bastard! Hiding behind me, is that something you should say? Kill me and then kill yourself. You and I, both pathetic lives, let's die together!"

The Illusion King ignored him and looked at Geom Mugeuk, as if to say, 'You're the one who decides anyway.'

Geom Mugeuk shook his head. "Don't look at me. Frankly, the person you're holding hostage isn't important to me. If you wanted to take a hostage, you should have taken one of these two here…."

He turned his head toward the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. The Illusion King's gaze naturally followed.

Geom Mugeuk's figure flashed as he surged toward the Illusion King.

SWOOOOOSH.

He launched a surprise attack at the very moment he seemed least likely to move. The attack showed he did not care if Jo Baekta died.

The Illusion King was caught completely off guard.

He instinctively tried to kill Jo Baekta but stopped. Geom Mugeuk moved so fast that the Illusion King felt he would lose an arm. Proper instinct would have been to block with Jo Baekta instead of dodging.

The moment the Illusion King vanished, Geom Mugeuk grabbed Jo Baekta and surged backward.

SHWISH!

Geom Mugeuk thrust his sword toward his landing spot, anticipating the Illusion King might be hiding there.

Just then, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader shouted, "Dangerous!"

He thrust out a palm, aiming his technique at Jo Baekta's shadow.

The Illusion King had been hiding in Jo Baekta's shadow, about to launch a surprise attack on Geom Mugeuk.

"……"

The false shadow disappeared, and Jo Baekta's real shadow returned.

Geom Mugeuk quickly unsealed Jo Baekta's inner arts, allowing him to use his power again. They had rescued Jo Baekta thanks to Geom Mugeuk's bold decision.

There was no time to celebrate the rescue.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader signaled that the Illusion King was still concealed in the space.

The Illusion King's concealment art was at its peak. He used the Blood Wind Shadow Art, a pinnacle technique of the Blood Cult. In concealment alone, his skill was not inferior to his father's bodyguard, Hwi.

Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to the Demonic Buddha.

[I need light!]

The Demonic Buddha quickly formed a hand seal.

The Turning Scripture Light Stamp!

Light erupted from the Demonic Buddha's body and illuminated the space. In that fleeting moment, Geom Mugeuk activated the Divine Eye Technique and saw it, a spot where light reflected differently.

SHWIIIIK.

PWAK!

Blood splattered in mid-air as the Illusion King appeared.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader surged forward to drag him out, but he hid again by a hair's breadth.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader plunged his hand into the empty air and pulled him out once more.

PAPAPAPANG!

The revealed Illusion King and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader exchanged palm strikes in mid-air.

The Illusion King was not pushed back at all. Because of his internal injuries, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was actually at a disadvantage in inner arts.

Geom Mugeuk threw himself forward to help. The Demonic Buddha moved to protect Jo Baekta, in case the Illusion King targeted him again.

The Illusion King thrust out both palms with all his might.

KWAAANG! KWANG!

He pushed back Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, then unleashed his trump card. If he saved his secret technique now, he would die without ever using it.

HWIRURURURURU.

A blood-red mist enveloped the Illusion King's body. When the mist disappeared, his appearance had changed.

His skin looked like red steel. His eyes turned crimson and emitted a vicious bloodlust.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader recognized the technique and shouted a warning. "Be careful! It's the Iron Blood Heaven Destroying Art!"

The Blood Cult's demonic art had various schools. The Illusion King inherited the Hyeolryeong school's art. The Iron Blood Heaven Destroying Art was its final secret technique. It drew out all the body's qi and blood energy, turning the body to steel for a time while unleashing several times one's original power. Its power was even greater because he used it in this space.

SWOOOOOSH!

The Illusion King surged toward Geom Mugeuk without hesitation.

PAPAPAPAPANG!

He rushed forward, throwing a continuous barrage of punches. The assault was too fast and powerful for a sword. Geom Mugeuk raised his protective enhanced qi and met him with fist techniques.

The impact of the Illusion King's final secret technique surged through his body with each clash.

Geom Mugeuk unleashed the Vajra Asura, the defensive stance of the Thunder Arhat Fist, and activated the Heavenly Demon Defense Art. He was hard-pressed just to block.

Formless qi from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's hand struck the Illusion King's back.

The Illusion King only staggered once before continuing his attack, pouring everything into Geom Mugeuk.

KWANGKWANGKWANGKWANG!

The Demonic Buddha did not stand by.

The Slaughter Scripture Regret Stamp!

Raging enhanced qi flew toward the Illusion King, who dodged just before impact.

The attack then flew straight toward Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk dodged in the opposite direction.

KWAKWAKWAKWANG!

The spot where they had been was obliterated.

The Illusion King immediately flew at Geom Mugeuk again. Using the Iron Blood Heaven Destroying Art, he kept up with the movements of the treasured armor.

The Illusion King aimed only for Geom Mugeuk. He knew that among the four of them, Geom Mugeuk was the most threatening.

The Blood Cult's demonic art could never block the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. That was why he had to kill Geom Mugeuk first.

Jo Baekta looked for an opportunity, but he could not attack recklessly while Geom Mugeuk and the Illusion King were entangled.

The Demonic Buddha looked at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who understood his intention from the gaze.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader chanted an incantation.

The Illusion King tried to sink away but shot back up as a black hole appeared beneath his feet. It was not a trap to make him fall, but to stop his attack for a brief moment.

That moment was enough.

Geom Mugeuk threw himself backward to create distance.

The Demonic Buddha's hand seal was complete.

The Demonic Palm Destruction Stamp!

A giant palm slammed down on the Illusion King.

KWAAAAANG!

The Illusion King raised both hands and blocked the attack. Both he and the Demonic Buddha raised their qi, locked in a tense struggle.

Then, the situation the Illusion King feared most unfolded.

Geom Mugeuk, having bought time and distance, unleashed the Nine Calamities Demonic Art's First Technique, the Human Destroying Stance.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Four demons appeared from the cardinal directions and slashed the Illusion King.

"……"

A sound like shattering ice echoed as the red skin on his body crumbled away like broken metal.

The Illusion King stood revealed, blood trickling from his mouth, his face pale.

The joint attack by Geom Mugeuk, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, and the Demonic Buddha was as perfect as if practiced countless times, yet it was executed with momentary wit. Against opponents like them, there was no way the fight would proceed as he wished.

FADE…

Despite his severe injuries, he vanished. Three doors appeared in his place.

The pinnacle of illusion arts was truly admirable.

Geom Mugeuk looked at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and said seriously, "You can't go alone this time."

"I wouldn't go even if you pushed me."

"Which door should we take?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader thought for a moment, then pointed to the third door. "That one."

The four of them threw themselves toward the door together.

After they disappeared, something surprising happened.

FADE…

The Illusion King reappeared in the same spot and made the three doors vanish.

He then coughed up a bowlful of blood. The breaking of the Iron Blood Heaven Destroying Art had caused a great internal injury.

Still, a smile of accomplishment crossed his face. "Whichever door they enter, they'll be directed to the last gate. It'll take them at least two hours to get out."

It was the Illusion King's trick. He had not fled through the doors but had deceived them with the possibility.

First, I will escape this place and run far away to a place they cannot find. Next time, I will definitely get my revenge!

Just as he was about to chant an incantation to leave,

"……"

a sword pierced his heart.

The Illusion King raised his head and saw Geom Mugeuk standing before him. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, the Demonic Buddha, and Jo Baekta were beside him.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader told the Illusion King, "I saw through your trick."

While pretending to enter the door, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had taken the other three into the Spacetime Manipulation Technique, deceiving the Illusion King just as Geom Mugeuk had once deceived Jo Baekta.

The Illusion King's lips moved to speak, but Geom Mugeuk's attitude toward villains was consistent. He had no need to hear a villain's final, curse-like words.

SHWIIIIIIK!

"……"

Geom Mugeuk pulled the sword from the Illusion King's heart and struck off his head without hesitation. The Illusion King's head rolled across the floor, eyes wide open. The Illusion King was finally eliminated.

"First, let's get out of here."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader chanted the incantation, and the four of them were standing before the painting again.

Everyone sighed lightly, relieved to finally escape the dreadful painting.

Jo Baekta prostrated himself before the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. "Master."

A wave of emotions washed over him. He truly did not think he would live. He was grateful to his master for risking his life to save him, and also to Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha. After thanking everyone, he spoke his heart to his master.

"I vowed several times within the illusion that if I survived, I would live for Master. Please, just say the word. I'll live the rest of my life according to Master's will."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader spoke with a gentle gaze and a calm tone. "Do you think that's what I want? If I were that kind of person, would I have abandoned the position of Cult Leader and left?"

"…Master."

"You must live for yourself. If you live as the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, you live for the you who became the Cult Leader. If you run away like me, you live for the you who ran away."

This was the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's final lesson, one he was also telling himself.

"Even if you run away, live to the fullest, then run away."

Jo Baekta could not raise his head.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader helped his disciple to his feet.

Geom Mugeuk watched the two, then crumpled the Illusion King's painting in his palm.

FWOOSH.

He ignited it with the True Samadhi Fire and watched the ashes fly up.

"Don't believe in the secret society for the revival of the Blood Cult anymore," Geom Mugeuk said. "From today on, it's a conspiracy theory and a rumor."