Chapter 835: There Are Too Many Heavenly Demon Souls

TL: FoodieMonster007

This was the first time Geom Mugeuk had seen his father's Heavenly Demon Soul.

"It's magnificent!" he exclaimed.

That was his honest impression. He wanted to tell his own Heavenly Demon Soul, 'You have to grow up to be that cool too!'

KIIIIING!

The swords of the two colossal Heavenly Demon Souls pushed against each other, creating a metallic roar. Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul emanated an aura mixed with killing intent and demonic qi, while his father's Heavenly Demon Soul radiated pure demonic qi. A bloody battle could break out at any moment.

"Wait!" Geom Mugeuk shouted to Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul. "Just a moment before you fight! This is a moment that will never happen again in the history of murim, so just a moment!"

Of course, he was speaking to Hwa Mugi, who was inside the body. Hwa Mugi was the only one who could command that Heavenly Demon Soul.

Bewildered, Hwa Mugi accepted Geom Mugeuk's request. The two Heavenly Demon Souls stood still, their swords locked.

Geom Mugeuk looked at his father's Heavenly Demon Soul again. So you're the completed form!

A thought naturally came to him. He wondered how his own Heavenly Demon Soul's appearance would change once he achieved twelfth star mastery.

Jin Paecheon sent a telepathic message to Baek Jagang. [It seems Cult Leader Geom has achieved twelfth star mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.]

He could confirm it by the Heavenly Demon Soul's different appearance.

Baek Jagang's gaze, which had been on the Heavenly Demon Soul, turned to Jin Paecheon. [We should probably go stand next to the Celestial Killer Star.]

Baek Jagang's joke didn't sound like a mere joke to Jin Paecheon. Still, he thought it was a good thing he came this time. Although his life had been in danger and he had felt powerless, he had learned exactly what kind of skill Geom Woojin possessed.

In fact, Jin Paecheon was so concerned about Geom Woojin that he almost forgot the greater danger standing before him.

Geom Mugeuk's gaze now turned to Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul. That one was no ordinary Heavenly Demon Soul either. He could declare that its killing intent, mixed with demonic qi, was incomparable to any he had ever experienced.

If an ordinary master were exposed to that killing intent, they would try to kill whoever was nearby. If there was no one to kill, it was powerful enough to make them harm themselves.

Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul asked in disbelief, "How did another Heavenly Demon Soul descend?"

It was perfectly possible for Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul to descend while he was present. He was borrowing the body of the Celestial Killer Star, and the two Heavenly Demon Souls were manifesting from a single body.

He even understood the descent of Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul. The human named Geom Mugeuk was just that special.

After all, like master, like Heavenly Demon Soul. Let's just say there could be one Heavenly Demon Soul in this world that would emerge prepared to be annihilated.

His gaze turned to the final Heavenly Demon Soul, which he could not comprehend at all.

It was Geom Mugeuk who solved the mystery. "I know the main character always appears last, but if you could've summoned it like this, you should've done it sooner."

"Isn't this your fight?" Geom Woojin retorted. Well, that was one reason, but he had another. "I tried to summon it earlier as well."

"What?"

Not only Geom Mugeuk but everyone there was surprised.

Geom Woojin revealed the shocking truth, "But my Heavenly Demon Soul refused to descend."

He had tried during the earlier fight against Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul, but he'd failed.

Geom Mugeuk couldn't understand. His father's Heavenly Demon Soul wouldn't have been scared of Hyeok Docheon's. Nor would it have shown courtesy to a predecessor from three hundred years ago. Not his father's Heavenly Demon Soul.

"Maybe it didn't consider its opponent a true Heavenly Demon Soul?" he asked.

Perhaps it considered it a half-baked Heavenly Demon Soul dwelling in a human body?

Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul was clearly not a normal one, and technically, the same was true for Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul. Hwa Mugi hadn't learned the martial art normally, but rather absorbed the Nine Calamities Demonic Art as the Celestial Killer Star.

However, Geom Woojin thought differently. "I don't think that was the reason for the refusal."

"Then what was it?"

"……" Geom Woojin's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul.

Geom Mugeuk flinched in surprise. "Huh? Because of my Heavenly Demon Soul?"

It can't be because my Heavenly Demon Soul is stronger, so why?

Geom Woojin replied, "He didn't come out of respect for your Heavenly Demon Soul."

"!" Geom Mugeuk's eyes widened.

By nature, a Heavenly Demon Soul was not a being that received help from others. It was a matter of pride.

Or perhaps his own Heavenly Demon Soul had conveyed its will, asking to be entrusted with the fight. He didn't know if that was possible.

"Then why did it come out now?" he asked.

"Because I asked it to."

Geom Mugeuk was truly taken aback. His father hadn't commanded the Heavenly Demon Soul. He had asked it.

"It was the first time I've ever asked for something since becoming the Cult Leader," Geom Woojin added.

Geom Mugeuk was at a loss for words. That might have been the first request his father had ever made in his life. He was not one to ask anyone for favors.

And yet, the Heavenly Demon Soul had accepted his father's first request.

Father said he never spoke with his Heavenly Demon Soul, but it must have watched over him for a long, long time. So it must have known better than anyone what his request meant!

"I can't quite imagine you asking the Heavenly Demon Soul for a favor, Father."

In fact, it wasn't just that his father had made a request that moved Geom Mugeuk. The important thing was that he had told him about it.

He was finally putting into practice what Geom Mugeuk had repeatedly said, that you don't know unless you're told. He had even done it in front of all these people.

Geom Mugeuk bowed politely. "Thank you, Father." His gaze turned to the opposing Heavenly Demon Souls. "You know, there are too many Heavenly Demon Souls here!"

At those words, the four Heavenly Demon Souls moved simultaneously.

The one that charged forward fastest was Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul.

CLAAANG! CLANG!

Just as it had in the previous fight, his Heavenly Demon Soul overwhelmed Hyeok Docheon's from the very first move. It pushed forward, overwhelming its opponent in strength, demonic qi, and speed.

Watching it press the attack, Geom Mugeuk felt a strange sense of unease.

"Wait! Retreat!" he yelled, calling back his Heavenly Demon Soul.

Despite the advantageous situation, it retreated as commanded.

"I know how much you want to fight, but something is strange." Geom Mugeuk looked at Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul, which had been pushed back during the initial exchange. "It definitely lost to you before, so why is it trying to fight again?"

There's no way Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul would willingly be annihilated and have its power absorbed.

Of course, Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul could be insisting out of pride, but Hwa Mugi was in that body. He wouldn't give up Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul so easily.

He was definitely plotting something.

Geom Mugeuk came to that conclusion.

Carelessness always comes when fear diminishes, just like now, when Father's Heavenly Demon Soul has appeared. I must not forget. The master of that body is Hwa Mugi, a man born with the fate of the Celestial Killer Star. It wouldn't be strange for him to kill every person in the world.

In the meantime, the other two Heavenly Demon Souls were also clashing. As mountains pushed against each other, the earth screamed.

KRAAACK!

As the two Heavenly Demon Souls exerted their strength, the ground they stood on shattered and caved in. They proved that the idea of them being slow just because they were large was a mistaken prejudice.

SWOOOSH!

One twisted its body to dodge a rapidly thrusting sword. While dodging, it simultaneously launched a counterattack.

The fight between these two was different from the previous fight between the other two Heavenly Demon Souls. If the fight between Geom Mugeuk's and Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul was a battle of brute force and demonic qi, the current fight was much more delicate.

The Heavenly Demon Soul of the Celestial Killer Star fought the Heavenly Demon Soul of twelfth star mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. They fought like humans, their swords fast and precise as they aimed for each other's vital points.

The onlookers were even more surprised to see the massive figures display such movements.

Even Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul watched their fight without missing a single moment.

Geom Mugeuk could tell this fight was influencing his own Heavenly Demon Soul.

It's learning how to fight.

BAM! BAAM!

The sounds and sparks created as the giant swords clashed were like fireworks exploding in the sky.

This fight has to be decided quickly.

Summoning a Heavenly Demon Soul required no inner qi, but fighting consumed a massive amount. Even now, his father and Hwa Mugi were expending an enormous amount of inner qi.

CLAAANG!

After meeting a few attacks head-on, Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul deflected the next one at an angle. This created a small opening.

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul did not miss it.

SWOOOOSH!

It struck the opponent's chest with its shoulder, which was as large as a castle wall.

THUUUD!

The collision of shoulder and chest sounded like a low, deep bell.

Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul staggered but did not fall.

Seizing the opportunity, Geom Woojin's sword flew in and slashed its side.

SHRRRIP!

Instead of blood, black demonic qi flowed from the sword wound.

It was the first time Geom Mugeuk had seen a Heavenly Demon Soul bleed demonic qi like blood when cut.

Just as it charged in, not missing the opportunity, Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul turned around as fast as lightning.

SHUK SHUK SHUK SHUK SHUK!

Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul unleashed the Seventh Technique, Demonic Soul Realm Creation, which was unfolding behind its back.

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul didn't parry the dozens of enhanced qi swords pouring in from behind. Doing so would have left it open to an attack from Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul. It was a clever move, using itself as a shield to aim for the back.

WHOOSH!

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul continued its turn, rotating once more and moving sideways. Since it had moved with intent, it got into position without delay.

BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAM!

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul swung its sword, deflecting the pouring enhanced qi.

There was no attack from behind. Because it had moved to the side, Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul also had to block its own attacks.

The moment they parried the attacks, they sent their swords flying at each other once more. The two Heavenly Demon Souls clashed again amidst swirling demonic qi and killing intent.

Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul had unleashed a threatening move, but its opponent was Geom Woojin's Soul. No matter how great Hwa Mugi was, he couldn't possibly match Geom Woojin's deep understanding of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. It was a gap that couldn't be closed even with his profound inner qi and immense killing intent.

SHRRRIP!

Again, the thigh of Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul was slashed. Demonic qi flowed from the cut.

THWACK!

This time, a fist struck its face.

Hwa Mugi would never have imagined that Geom Woojin had achieved twelfth star mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. Not only had the Demonic Cult Leader Hyeok Docheon failed to reach it three hundred years ago, but the number of Demonic Cult Leaders who had reached the twelfth star could be counted on one hand in the entire history of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Of course, that didn't mean Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul was just taking a beating.

THWUMP!

Just as it was pushed back and the distance between them widened, the eyes of Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul turned pure white.

The Nine Calamities Demonic Art's Ninth Technique, Supreme Demonic Soul.

In a flash, light shot out from its eyes. This wasn't meant to kill Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul. Hwa Mugi expected that it would be blocked by another Ninth Technique, leading the fight into a battle of inner qi.

However, Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul responded in an unexpected way.

SWOOOOSH!

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul ran, dodging the enhanced qi of light.

But no matter how fast it was, how could it possibly dodge the Supreme Demonic Soul?

VMMMMMM!

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul ran, dodging the light that followed it and cut through the world. Surprisingly, it used the Nine Calamities Demonic Art's Eighth Technique, Berserk Demon Soul.

Normally, it wouldn't have been able to shake off that gaze, but the Berserk Demon Soul, having reached the twelfth star, narrowly dodged the tenth star Supreme Demonic Soul.

SWOOOOSH!

It seemed to circle around Hwa Mugi once. Then, as if to say, 'Here!', it reached a certain spot and its large body soared into the air.

The light extending from the two eyes split the sky.

As if expecting this, Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul twisted its body in mid-air to dodge, then fell and struck down with its sword. The move was perfectly designed from start to finish.

SWOOOSH! SHRRRRRIP!

The sword of Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul sliced through the opponent's shoulder and all the way down to its chest. Demonic qi gushed from the split wound like a waterfall, and a thick, desperate scream erupted from the depths of hell.

SHLIIICK!

The sword that had cut down the shoulder reached the Heavenly Demon Soul symbol engraved on its heart.

Just as it was about to cut the symbol and end the fight, though, the Heavenly Demon Soul's sword stopped.

At first, he thought Hwa Mugi had used some trick, but that wasn't it. Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul had stopped on its own.

SHHHNK!

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul pulled out the embedded sword.

GUSSSSH!

Demonic qi gushed out like blood, but it wasn't enough to cause annihilation.

Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul returned its sword to its sheath.

CLANK!

The onlookers could tell that Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul wasn't trying to completely annihilate its opponent and absorb its power.

The moment he saw that, Geom Mugeuk saw his father's image overlapping with the Heavenly Demon Soul.

Father's Heavenly Demon Soul is just like Father.

Geom Woojin was not one to become stronger by absorbing his opponent's power. It was a moment that clearly confirmed that a Heavenly Demon Soul is born from the disposition of its master.

Then what about my Heavenly Demon Soul? All it needs is a first taste!

A change occurred in Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul.

FSHHHHH…

The killing intent in its eyes, once entangled with demonic qi, began to disappear, leaving only pure demonic qi. Surprisingly, those demonic qi-filled eyes held gratitude.

Geom Mugeuk learned something new about the Heavenly Demon Soul. When Hwa Mugi died, the Heavenly Demon Soul would also disappear, but that death was different from being annihilated and having its power stolen. It was the difference between disappearing forever and not.

The two Heavenly Demon Souls looked at each other with indifferent eyes, as if they had never fought so fiercely. One was defeated, but it was not ashamed or angry.

After a moment's blunt gaze, Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul disappeared without a sound. At least one thing was certain. It would never descend again in front of Geom Woojin.

As it vanished, Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul glanced once at the master it served. Then, as if its role was also finished, it disappeared as well.

For whatever reason, Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul just watched silently throughout the whole fight, and Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul did the same.

"……" Geom Mugeuk finally nudged his Heavenly Demon Soul's side with his elbow, saying, "You can't get emotional over that."

The Heavenly Demon Soul slightly turned its head toward Geom Mugeuk.

"If we're in the same situation, you must absorb its power. Coolness is fleeting, but strength is eternal! You know, right? That your master is the incarnation of greed." Geom Mugeuk nodded to himself with a look that made it unclear whether he was joking or serious. "We still have a long way to go to get stronger."