Chapter 245 -. Mount Hua is Submerged in Blood, and Demon Fist Walks the Blood Path (2)

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When people think of Mount Hua Sect, they think of the Upper Palace on Lotus Peak. And they believed everything about Mount Hua Sect was in the Upper Palace. This was because most of the famous major sects in the Central Plains, like Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect, gathered in large compounds with magnificent palace complexes. But Mount Hua Sect was different.

 

The treacherous Mount Hua didn’t have enough flat ground for such large palace complexes. Therefore, Mount Hua Sect’s main organizations were scattered throughout the mountain.

 

The True Warrior Palace, symbol of Mount Hua Sect’s martial might, was located at the peak of Cloud Terrace Peak, while the Golden Heaven Palace, Precious Mystery Palace, and Spirit Treasure Palace were situated in places hidden from outside view.

 

The most widely known places to the world were just the Jade Spring Temple at the mountain’s entrance and the Great Peace Palace halfway up. Even for ordinary people, access was limited to Jade Spring Temple.

 

Jade Spring Temple was the gateway to Mount Hua. Therefore, numerous masters were always stationed at Jade Spring Temple. Befitting their role as guardians of Mount Hua Sect’s entrance, the masters at Jade Spring Temple were among the elite within the sect.

 

In particular, the current Jade Spring Temple master, Sage Hyeon-woo, was a master of considerable caliber even within Mount Hua Sect. Naturally, his martial arts had to be formidable.

 

Except for Sage Hyeon-geom, who could be called the symbol of Mount Hua Sect’s martial might, there weren’t many warriors within the sect who could match him.

 

Now this Sage Hyeon-woo was sprawled on the cold ground. His body was brutally slashed, and his wide-open eyes had long lost their vitality. The blood flowing from his body was staining the blue stone floor red.

 

“Temple Master!”

 

“Hick!”

 

Cries of Mount Hua Sect disciples burst out everywhere.

 

Their condition was no less tragic than Sage Hyeon-woo’s. They were rolling on the ground, barely clinging to life.

 

The Demonic Cult warriors passed over them.

 

Crack!

 

Their cries were silenced under the Demonic Cult warriors’ feet.

 

The Demonic Cult warriors were like a massive tsunami. Appearing without any warning, they swept through Jade Spring Temple in an instant.

 

The Huayin County area was Mount Hua Sect’s territory. Everyone living here was connected to Mount Hua Sect either directly or indirectly. Therefore, when strangers appeared, it was immediately reported to Mount Hua Sect.

 

The eyes and ears of everyone living in and around Huayin County were Mount Hua Sect’s proud intelligence network. Yet the Demonic Cult warriors had completely deceived these eyes and ears of Mount Hua Sect, launching a surprise attack that annihilated Jade Spring Temple.

 

At the center of this was Sang Han-cheon.

 

Though it appeared to be an indiscriminate attack on the surface, Sang Han-cheon had done quite a lot of preparatory work for this day.

 

First, he steadily sent Demonic Cult warriors in groups of three or four into the Huayin County area, using them to manipulate information.

 

Fortunately, with warriors fleeing from Shaozhou and nearby areas steadily flowing in, no one noticed the Demonic Cult’s infiltration.

 

The first step was difficult, but everything after that wasn’t so hard. Once they had blinded Mount Hua Sect’s eyes and ears, they secretly positioned secondary forces around Jade Spring Temple.

 

After all forces were in position, they led the Demonic Cult’s elite in a lightning raid. Attacking from both inside and outside, the Jade Spring Temple warriors had no chance to resist.

 

Sang Han-cheon suddenly looked back. He saw an old man with bones like a whirlwind. Sang Han-cheon bowed his head respectfully to the old man.

 

“Master! The cleanup is complete. Shall we ascend Mount Hua?”

 

“Well! It doesn’t seem over yet.”

 

The old man who slightly shook his head was none other than Cheon Oh-kyung.

 

A look of doubt appeared on Sang Han-cheon’s face.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Can’t you feel it?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Well! It might be too much for you yet. There’s an extraordinary master on Mount Hua.”

 

Cheon Oh-kyung’s gaze turned toward Mount Hua.

 

In the distance, Lotus Peak was visible. A powerful energy wave felt from there was stimulating his senses. The opponent contained such powerful energy that it could be felt even from this far away.

 

“Is he coming?”

 

Just as he had sensed the other, the other had sensed him and was moving.

 

Sang Han-cheon looked back.

 

He saw a giant of enormous size, easily two heads taller than ordinary people.

 

The giant’s name was Hwang Yeol. He was the hall master leading the Mad Demon Hall, one of the Demonic Cult’s inner organizations.

 

The Mad Demon Hall was literally a place gathering demons obsessed with fighting. Gathering naturally fierce people obsessed with fighting in one place meant endless incidents.

 

Therefore, the Mad Demon Hall was the most troublesome and problematic organization even within the Demonic Cult. Hwang Yeol was a fighter who had perfectly controlled such a Mad Demon Hall.

 

The two thousand demons behind Hwang Yeol were visible. They were the culprits who had annihilated Jade Spring Temple.

 

The Mad Demon Hall’s demons were emanating an ominous aura, waiting for orders to fall.

 

It wasn’t just the Mad Demon Hall. Dan Ho-sang, the Invincible Spear and one of the Seven Great Demon Masters, along with numerous other masters had joined the battle.

 

Above all, this was a war that Sang Han-cheon himself participated in. It was a force that couldn’t possibly lose even if they tried.

 

Cheon Oh-kyung suddenly clicked his tongue at the madness felt from behind.

 

‘Tsk! Even demons should have their way…’

 

They had none of that.

 

Because of such people, his beloved Divine Cult was called the Demonic Cult.

 

Though this fact was regrettable, he had no right to blame them. After all, he too had joined this bloody battlefield for personal vengeance.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Stop!”

 

Along with a lion’s roar, numerous warriors poured down from the mountain. They were Mount Hua Sect warriors.

 

“They’re here.”

 

Cheon Oh-kyung put aside his thoughts and looked at the Mount Hua Sect warriors.

 

He was there.

 

Sage Hyeon-geom, a middle-aged warrior reminiscent of a perfected divine sword.

 

Behind him were Mount Hua Sect’s masters and disciples, including Sage Hyeon-cheon. They were enraged at the tragedy of Jade Spring Temple.

 

Sage Hyeon-cheon stepped forward and raised his voice.

 

“How dare Demonic Cultists trample the sacred ground of the Taoist sects.”

 

His voice echoed throughout Jade Spring Temple like a lion’s roar.

 

“Was Mount Hua Sect anything special? We trampled it before too.”

 

Hwang Yeol sneered.

 

His voice was loud and resonant like a bronze bell, clearly reaching everyone’s ears.

 

At that moment, flames shot up in Sage Hyeon-cheon’s eyes.

 

Hwang Yeol’s words stirred up the sense of defeat that Sage Hyeon-cheon had harbored for a long time.

 

How could he forget that day?

 

The memory of Mount Hua’s fall.

 

His master, uncles, and numerous martial brothers lost their lives that day, leaving an indelible scar on his heart. That scar still pained his heart.

 

Sage Hyeon-cheon ground his teeth.

 

“We will never lose again.”

 

He had been training with bitter determination since that day.

 

He pushed his disciples to the extreme to make them stronger. In the process, people like Dam-ho were pushed away and distanced, but he didn’t regret that decision.

 

‘Even if I went back to that time, I would make the same decision.’

 

Sage Hyeon-cheon shouted.

 

“This is thousand-year-old Mount Hua. Will we let Demonic Cultists’ feet trample this sacred place where our ancestors’ spirits dwell again?”

 

“No!”

 

Mount Hua Sect’s disciples responded with powerful shouts. Their cries echoed through every valley of Mount Hua.

 

“We are proud disciples of Mount Hua Sect. Today we will drive out the Demonic Cult and uphold the righteousness of the murim. We will become part of murim history.”

 

“Waaah!”

 

Sage Hyeon-cheon’s cry moved the hearts of Mount Hua Sect’s disciples. Their roars made all of Mount Hua burn with passion.

 

Mount Hua Sect disciples took up their weapons.

 

In their sight were the fallen warriors of Jade Spring Temple. They were Mount Hua Sect disciples who had studied together. Naturally, they knew their Taoist names and faces.

 

‘These vicious Demonic Cultists! Today we’ll settle this life and death matter.’

 

‘I’ll avenge them even if it costs my life.’

 

Their anger pierced the heavens. In contrast, the Demonic Cult warriors’ atmosphere was calm. But this didn’t mean they were intimidated.

 

They were suppressing their anger and madness, about to burst at any moment. They were calmly waiting for Sang Han-cheon’s orders to fall.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Cheon Oh-kyung, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. As if they had been waiting, Sage Hyeon-geom also came forward from the Mount Hua side.

 

They were the greatest masters among those gathered here. Knowing this fact, no one from either side dared speak carelessly.

 

Cheon Oh-kyung spoke first.

 

“This old one is Cheon Oh-kyung of the Divine Cult. May I know your Taoist name?”

 

“Hyeon-geom… that is my Taoist name.”

 

“So it is indeed Sage Hyeon-geom. I’ve heard much about how remarkable Mount Hua’s Sage Hyeon-geom is.”

 

“You flatter me, Master.”

 

Sage Hyeon-geom answered respectfully. Though usually extremely arrogant, he wasn’t so now.

 

His skin tingled. His body was reacting on its own since the moment he faced Cheon Oh-kyung.

 

While others might not know, Sage Hyeon-geom could feel Cheon Oh-kyung’s strength. His strength made Sage Hyeon-geom unable to move carelessly.

 

Cheon Oh-kyung was carefully observing Sage Hyeon-geom.

 

“Yet it seems the rumors don’t even capture half the truth. It seems you’ve had remarkable achievements recently.”

 

“I recently had an enlightening experience.”

 

“Enlightenment, is it. How envious. I wonder what kind of enlightenment led to such an increase in martial power.”

 

“What other enlightenment could a warrior have? One gains insights through battle.”

 

“I’m curious who you fought to gain such insights. Could you tell me?”

 

To outsiders, their atmosphere might have seemed as friendly as close acquaintances chatting. But intense tension flowed between them.

 

Sage Hyeon-geom said:

 

“If you’re truly curious, defeat me. Then you’ll naturally know.”

 

“Mount Hua… truly an extraordinary place. After the great master Hyeon-so, to produce a divine sword like you.”

 

“You know Brother Hyeon-so?”

 

Sage Hyeon-geom showed a puzzled expression. Cheon Oh-kyung gave a gentle smile.

 

“I met him once before. I’ve never seen anyone with such high Taoist power.”

 

“Indeed, Brother Hyeon-so’s Taoist power is profound. Though embarrassing, I too only realized this fact recently.”

 

“I truly feel sorry towards Brother Hyeon-so. Mount Hua is a place he truly loves, yet here I am attacking it with my sword.”

 

The thing that troubled him most when coming to Mount Hua was Sage Hyeon-so. Though they spent just one night together, they formed a deeper bond than with any other acquaintance.

 

He felt ashamed to point his sword at the land Sage Hyeon-so loved. But vengeance for his disciple had blinded him, ultimately bringing him here.

 

Sage Hyeon-geom spoke as if understanding Cheon Oh-kyung:

 

“Isn’t that what the murim is?”

 

“Yes! That’s the murim. That’s why it’s more frightening. Once entangled in grudges, they can never be undone.”

 

Cheon Oh-kyung let out a deep sigh.

 

“Considering the connection with Brother Hyeon-so, couldn’t you withdraw?”

 

“In my heart, I wish I could. But I cannot. By chance, is the young sect leader of the Hundred Battles Sect staying here?”

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

“There’s only one reason to seek someone in the murim.”

 

“Grudges and debts.”

 

“Correct! That child killed my disciple.”

 

“Hmm!”

 

Sage Hyeon-geom let out a contemplative sound.

 

In the murim, grudges were like shackles impossible to escape. Once entangled, it was nearly impossible to break free by oneself.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“I am Cho Yeon-woon, young sect leader of the Hundred Battles Sect.”

 

Cho Yeon-woon’s voice rang out powerfully across the grounds.

 

In his hand was the massive Banner of Hundred Battles, having come down Mount Hua belatedly. Upon seeing the banner, flames shot up in the Demonic Cult warriors’ eyes.

 

The Banner of Hundred Battles was a symbol of shame to the Demonic Cult. Their shoulders trembled with shame.

 

Cheon Oh-kyung’s gaze turned to Cho Yeon-woon holding the Banner of Hundred Battles.

 

“Cho Yeon-woon… I see. So you are Cho Yeon-woon.”

 

“Who are you, elder, to seek me out like this?”

 

“I am a foolish master enraged at losing my disciple to you.”

 

“I don’t know who your disciple was, but I won’t apologize for that. Battles in the murim inevitably bring grudges.”

 

“I understand. If you had, I would have been disappointed.”

 

Despite Cho Yeon-woon’s bold answer, Cheon Oh-kyung smiled calmly. He hardly looked like someone facing his disciple’s killer.

 

But Cho Yeon-woon could feel it. The killing intent in Cheon Oh-kyung’s eyes. The deep sorrow. In his appearance, Cho Yeon-woon overlapped someone else’s face.

 

“Jo Ja-kyung… You’re his master.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“He was stronger than any warrior I’ve ever fought. I have no shame as I defeated him in fair combat.”

 

“You have nothing to be ashamed of. But I am ashamed. Blinded by revenge for my disciple, I killed your master.”

 

“What did you just say?”

 

“I wanted you to feel the pain of losing a master like I lost my disciple. So I killed your master. How does it feel? Will you feel the same pain as me?”

 

“What nonsense? My master is dead?”

 

“That is the revenge I can take on you. You too shall live in the same pain as me for the rest of your life.”

 

“Ahhhhh!”

 

Cho Yeon-woon’s scream echoed across Mount Hua. The thread of reason in his mind snapped.

 

He charged at Cheon Oh-kyung.

 

That became the starting point of the war. Mount Hua Sect and the Demonic Cult clashed.