A small house standing alone in an uninhabited mountain valley in Sammunhyeop, more than two hundred kilometers away from Shaolin Temple.
“It must be starting soon.”
Inside, an old man with a fresh appearance was stroking his white beard and muttering softly.
Beyond the small window he looked out through, there was only an ordinary forest scenery, but his deep gaze embraced a world wider than this few square meters of narrow land.
“There won’t be any mistakes in the preparations, will there? This is something the leader himself is taking on. There can’t be even a single mistake.”
“Yes, military. We have already completed several checks and verifications. The leader is also satisfied and has ordered us to proceed.”
“I see, that’s really fortunate. The effort I put in was worth it.”
The old man nodded slowly, closed his eyes tightly, and recalled the past.
It’s been a really long time.
22 years after the Imperial Palace Bloodshed that twisted the fate of this world.
Due to the persistent interference of the ‘Geumodo’ guys, we were finally able to move in earnest, but thanks to that, our preparations had become more thorough, so it wasn’t all that bad.
The overthrow of the Kunlun Sect, which could be called the vanguard of the Central Plains martial arts world, was also part of this effort.
Plus, it just so happened that an appropriate event was taking place at just the right time…
“Aren’t you really stupid? You’re talking about friendship now?”
As the old man shook his head with a laugh, the masked man who had been kneeling in front of him quietly bowed his head.
A meeting that carries on the name of the Murim Alliance that has now been dismantled and disappeared into pieces.
Of course, that method wasn’t such a bad choice in the long run.
Assuming that the situation in the martial arts world does not worsen any further and that the power structure can maintain its current state.
“Haha, the peace has been too long.”
There was never a day of peace without blood flowing, but from the old man’s perspective, it was nothing more than a well-fed whining.
How easy is it to seek stability when the world has been transformed so quickly?
In a world as chaotic as today, only power is justice.
Peace and stability can only be dreamed of under absolute force.
But how can it not be foolish to be absorbed in meaningless friendships?
‘Actually, considering the purpose here, it would be reasonable to avoid the meeting date···.’
But the leader did not want such a lukewarm method.
What he wants is absolute dominance built on overwhelming power and violence.
To do that, it was necessary to completely destroy the ghosts of the past that were still tied to the name of the Murim Alliance.
‘Since even the sect’s guardians and elites follow the leader, there shouldn’t be any major problems.’
Today will be the day when the remnants of the Murim Alliance completely disappear.
So what he had to worry about now was making sure that plans other than those related to Shaolin Temple went smoothly.
“There is no need to hesitate any longer. Send word to all branches immediately. The time has come, it is time to start planning.”
“My name is Heavenly Demon Lord! May you be blessed!”
Immediately after the masked man who received the order disappeared like smoke.
“Hahaha, it’s right in front of our noses now.”
The old man, Cheonma Shin-gyo’s military leader Cheon Gi-ma-seon Yal-yul-hwan, closed his eyes tightly and let out a low laugh.
I think it won’t be long before the long wait comes true.
***
The situation was moving rapidly.
“Unfold the Hundred and Eight Arhat Formations!”
“They are those who go against the teachings of the religion. Kill them all!”
“What kind of evil deeds dare you commit in this sacred ground!”
“May the Heavenly Demon Resurrection bring you great fortune!”
“You dirty cult bastards!”
What had been a place for people to get to know each other just a moment ago had now become a battlefield.
A space filled with shouting, screaming, and the sound of people cursing each other.
Kwaaaaang—!
Even so, the loud explosions that continued to be heard from the outskirts of the Shaolin Temple where the temple gate was located suggested that the current situation would not end easily.
The overwhelming momentum of the clash and the resulting storm of energy that was transmitted from there were so intense that it was terrifying.
“Ugh, how did the Demonic Cult get to the Shaolin Temple in Sungsan…!”
It was a signal that the enemy, who had been quiet until then, was about to make full-scale moves.
And it was done in the worst way possible, beyond imagination.
“Ugh!”
“Don’t overdo it! Just think about holding on!”
“These guys… what kind of sorcery are they…!”
Those who first attended the meeting were confident in their own way even when faced with this sudden situation.
Those here may not be the best of their respective factions, but they are elite enough to have overcome the arduous path and the many adversities that awaited them.
But how could they, without fear, attack the meeting place where all these people were gathered at once!
They fought with burning passion against the cultists who appeared from all directions.
Soon I realized something was wrong.
“Never cross weapons with them! Their energy disrupts the flow of internal energy… Keuk!”
“Th, death penalty! These… these bastards who are going to be killed—!”
Actually, I had some doubts.
This is the home of Shaolin Temple, the great mountain of martial arts and the leader of Henan Province.
Even though the Demonic Cult was the strongest and worst force as a single force, it was burdensome to attack such a place head-on.
Moreover, isn’t it true that Shaolin Temple’s power is not the only thing that exists here?
Chae-Ang—
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Amidst the commotion, Namgung Soran gritted his teeth as he crossed swords with the masked cultist.
‘What the heck is this? Mountain poison? Absorption method? No, no. That’s not the problem. This seems to be shaking from a more fundamental level···.’
The energy he had accumulated by growing up in a prestigious family, consistently taking elixirs, and using his excellent internal energy methods was slowly disappearing.
Trying to forcefully attach the abnormal phenomenon of my internal energy, which had always flowed steadily and given me strength, to it resulted in excessive exhaustion of my mental and physical strength.
Even if there was a surprise attack, the fact that a great sect as big as Shaolin Temple was pushed back so easily must be because of this.
‘If this situation continues for everyone···.’
In a duel between those who have reached the realm of power, the use of internal energy is essential, so if only one side is restricted, it is natural that a normal fight cannot be established.
Rather, we should consider it amazing that he has persevered to this extent even in such a situation.
“Ugh!”
Kagakak—
Namgung Soran took a deep breath while holding his sword, forcibly raising his internal energy and taking a big step forward.
Because of that, her energy was consumed several times more than usual, but thanks to that, she was able to briefly regain a smooth flow of internal energy.
‘Emergency!’
Chook—!
A deep blue aura suddenly shot up, cutting through the air and cutting down the enemy who had been tenaciously clinging to him.
“Hoo, hoo.”
But even after barely defeating the enemy, she couldn’t be happy.
Because the enemy that we had worked so hard to defeat was only a lowly one among the cultists that had invaded this time.
‘···It’s dangerous. If we continue like this, really···.’
There was no hope for help from his guardian, Namgung Woo.
Kwaaaaang—!
Even now, the great grandfather’s energy mixed with the tremendous flow of energy bursting out from the outskirts told me that he was continuing a difficult fight.
It was clear that the fighting over there was incomparably more intense than what was happening here.
‘Grandpa Hyun Kyung-in is an opponent that can fight, that’s···!’
But she wasn’t even given time to calmly gather her thoughts.
“There she is, the granddaughter of the Black Sword! Catch her!”
“Ugh!”
Before she knew it, three opponents of similar level to the ones she had just faced were gathering around her.
She bit her lip as she looked around hurriedly.
‘···I made a mistake. I was so focused on the battle that I ended up getting too far away from my companions.’
Namgung Soran began to desperately resist, but if he had such a hard time dealing with just one enemy, then with three enemies, the ending was almost certain.
Eventually, after a fierce fight, the sword was knocked out of her grasp as she exhausted all of her internal energy.
“Noisy!”
She could hear her brother’s voice desperately trying to approach her from the other side, but she couldn’t bear to look at him.
In the end, didn’t you end up being a nuisance rather than helping me by following me all the way here?
Who would have thought that the place I forced myself to come to see the wide world would become my grave?
She glared at the emotionless weapons barreling toward her.
‘Ah… If I had known this would happen, I would have just asked outright.’
At least it would be nice if I could find out the abilities of Ha Seung-hoon, the other world person I’ve been keeping an eye on recently.
Even though that wasn’t what was important right now, I somehow felt it was a shame to leave without knowing it till the end.
Chook—!
Was that the reason?
A moment passed while all sorts of thoughts floated through her mind, and then there was a bloody sound of a sword cutting through her body.
“When fighting, always be aware of your surroundings and coordinate with your allies, Lady Namgung. If you keep moving around like this, you’ll be in big trouble.”
“···Huh, Confucius? Oh, what happened just now···.”
“The warriors of the Namgung family are coming this way. Let’s join them over there for now.”
She didn’t even think about wiping the blood that had been splashed on her, and just stared blankly at the person she had been thinking of with regret just a moment ago.
Facing the man’s back, which somehow felt infinitely wide.
***
Even after rescuing the daughter of the Namgung family, Hugo moved around busily.
I didn’t originally plan on doing this, but as we fought in this chaotic battle, it just happened naturally.
‘You said that if you face a demon cult, your internal energy will be disrupted?’
He looked at the situation again.
Seeing our allies’ best swordsman struggle against a few first-class cultists, I could understand why they were pushed back so much.
but.
Shhh—Chaeng!
Choaack!
The sword he swung lightly deflected the enemy’s sword and cut off his head.
With clean movements without any unnecessary details.
‘Why am I okay?’
Unlike the friendly forces who were struggling and struggling as if they had taken rat poison, he felt no problem while dealing with the cultists.
Rather, he often let his guard down, thinking that the enemies facing him would naturally have vulnerabilities, and ended up dying in vain.
‘This needs to be considered too.’
The biggest difference between yourself and others.
The first thing that came to mind was that he was an Awakened being from another world.
If it was thanks to that that I was able to avoid some sort of method used by the cultists…
‘Phew, let’s think about the details later.’
First of all, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to help those here.
It would be better if you stamp your eyes a bit during the process.
“Thank you for your help, Sohyeop.”
“Whew— I’ve been blessed with a lifesaving gift. I’ll make sure to repay you later.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. In this dire situation, that kind of inaction. He’s worth keeping an eye on. Ha Seung-hoon of the Jegal family···.”
And that was enough to boost Hugo’s already busy reputation.
In the midst of everyone else struggling, he would come up to me nonchalantly, offer help, and then leave repeatedly, so the person receiving the help could not help but remember it more clearly.
‘Of course, there isn’t much you can do against a truly formidable enemy, but this alone is enough to raise the overall morale.’
But while he was trying so hard to lighten the mood.
Suddenly, a change came over him that he could not do anything about.
Shh—
Kwaaang—!
A human figure flew in at incredible speed and crashed into a nearby Buddhist temple with a loud noise.
In the blink of an eye, Hugo’s senses were so weak that he couldn’t even react properly.
Naturally, everyone’s wary gaze turned towards him.
And right after that.
“Shin Seung Mu Jin, is this all there is to it? Shaolin’s reputation is now a thing of the past.”
A man’s cold voice echoed throughout the compound.
The people inside the room were only able to properly recognize him after the sound had fully spread.
Before anyone knew it, he was already there.
A being wearing a black robe, with long black hair fluttering in the wind.
“The author··· surely···.”
“Your Majesty the Great···?”
There was no one there who knew his face, but they could naturally realize who he was just by looking at him.
That would be the case, because the presence he gave off was so overwhelming that it was impossible to associate him with anyone else.
An arrogant attitude that seems to look down on the world just by existing.
The ruler of evil who holds all the darkness of the world in his arms.
The devil himself, who came down from the sky and embraced the earth.
People of the world say—.
“Heavenly Demon···.”
Everyone’s bodies froze at the appearance of the world’s worst villain.
***
And at the same time.
“Oh! We finally got here! Wow, it’s so hot! Hahahaha!”
“···Whoa! What’s that over there? This isn’t chaos. What the hell is that?”
Two large men finally entered Sungsan.
