Chapter 1042: Die or Kill (Part 2)

The sight of those approaching across the ground covered with corpses was intensely fierce. Clad entirely in black robes, emitting a gloomy aura, their mere appearance would have instilled fear and awe in any ordinary person. However, the individuals here were far from ordinary.

The Disciples of Mount Hua, Honggyeon [Red Dogs] of Myriad Man Manor, elites of the Black Ghost Castle. With their experience in combat alone, they could confidently claim to be among the best in the world.

Proficient in battle and accustomed to sharp blades flying toward their throats, they were like seasoned master swords in any confrontation.

So, they shouldn't be shaken by such a sight...

But something strange was happening.

The unmistakable reaction of all those who were used to combat was clearly 'hesitation.'

Even the elites of the Black Ghost Castle, who had turned Gangnam's night into a sea of terror, unconsciously stepped back.

Even Honggyeon, who, according to Jang Ilso's command, would rush into the fires of hell without hesitation, was trembling.

Their faces showed a mix of embarrassment and subtle fear.

The Evil Tyrant Alliance, the most hated faction in the world, and among them, carefully selected elites. How was it possible for them to cower in the face of merely a hundred foes?

Someone's lips trembled, and a low whimper escaped.

Even those who wouldn't shed a single tear when a blade was driven into their throats were unable to close their gaping mouths, just from watching someone approaching. It was like an inevitable scream of the soul, unrelated to the level of training.

Even Mount Hua's disciples, who had faced the Demonic Sect before, clutched their sword handles with nauseated expressions.

Baek Cheon unconsciously bit his lower lip.

"Sasuk..."

"Yeah."

Without hearing the rest of what was being said, Baek Cheon responded. It was as if he knew what they were going to say without hearing it.

"...Different..."

It felt as if one had sunk into a deep, unending swamp. The momentum they exuded, the atmosphere they radiated, and their very presence felt like slowly suffocating strangles on their throats.

It was clearly different from before.

Even the Demonic Sect they faced at the frigid lands of the North Sea left Baek Cheon in awe. But the sensation he felt then was nowhere near this. In fact, wasn't Baek Cheon much stronger now?

The feeling they gave... They didn't seem human.

When the gates of hell swung open, and hordes of demons poured out before your eyes, how would you feel? It's not about their strength or power; it's about the mere presence of these beings that sends shivers down your spine.

'This is the true Demonic Sect'

As Baek Cheon thought, his lips tightly pressed together. He now understood why Chung Myung had belittled the Northern Bishop as halfhearted, why he had criticized the disciples who followed the Northern Bishop for being clumsy. These demons were far more dangerous than the ones he had known.

Thud! Thud!

As the approaching demonic practitioners stepped on the scattered corpses, a dreadful sound echoed. The disciples of Mount Hua trembled. The ominous meaning hidden in that noise tinted their eyes red.

The black horde, which was running wildly across the dark red ground with the intent to attack rather than approach, soon began to emit a cloud of black demonic energy.

But at the moment everyone, including Mount Hua's disciples, gritted their teeth, the speed of the running demons suddenly began to noticeably decrease.

Doubt flashed in everyone's eyes. Why did those who had just been charging to attack now stand still over there?

Most of them felt suspicion in this spectacle. However, a few in this place saw something entirely different in this sight.

The sound of rings rubbing against Jang Ilso's hand sounded eerie as he looked at Magyo with interest.

The group he had brought with him was the Hongyeon. They were carefully selected and thoroughly trained from Myriad Man Manor. But even they couldn't move as decisively.

'It's bizarre.'

In Jang Ilso's opinion, this was a sight that went beyond common sense.

Can you imagine massive tigers, ravenous and drooling, lining up and waiting for their prey?

Those consumed by murderous intent could not be controlled. Murderous intent was a realm outside of reason.

Yet, unbelievably, the Demonic Sect practitioners emitted gruesome madness and hatred while still maintaining perfect control. It was difficult to comprehend how such a thing was possible.

'Fanaticism...'

It felt like every bit of that word was embedded in them.

The number of the demon disciples dressed in black robes, their eyes concealed by black masks, was barely a hundred. However, that hundred didn't feel like a small number at all.

At that moment...

Step. Step.

Amidst the group of demonic disciples who all appeared indistinguishable, one person slowly walked forward.

Step. Step

Advancing to the center, he glanced from left to right, examining the wary faces of Mount Hua and the Evil Tyrant Alliance. He then slowly lifted the mask covering his face.

"Filthy unbelievers..."

In his eyes, there was a profound loathing and contempt, as if he were gazing at something vile. Those subdued by his eerie gaze clenched their lips.

"Heavenly Demon doesn't grant the likes of you unbelievers the right to live."

The man's voice resonated firmly.

"However, He is the most merciful. Even to the foolish, His mercy is fair."

His voice was reverent, as if delivering a sacred pronouncement.

"If, even now, you recognize your sins and are ready to devote everything to Heavenly Demon, step forward. He will forgive your sins."

"Hmm?"

The first to react to his words, naturally, was Jang Ilso. His eyebrows furrowed, seemingly quite displeased.

"Forgive our sins?"

"...."

"Who? On what authority?"

Rattle.

Jang Ilso's rings emitted a harsh metallic sound.

"Who dares to forgive my sins? You insignificant lot? Or...?"

Jang Ilso's red lips paused for a moment, and a seductive smile appeared.

"That so-called Heavenly Demon you believe in, the one who died a hundred years ago?"

"This...this!"

The eyes of the demon disciple who had been speaking calmly just a while ago were now filled with an incredible, overwhelming intensity.

"The scoundrel who would not feel refreshed even if we tore him apart and fed him to the dogs! How dare you disrespect Him with your foul words!"

But Jang Ilso remained composed in the face of the immense intensity.

"Oh, of course, my mouth isn't exactly clean either. I won't deny that."

Calmly extending his hand, he soon let out a smirk.

"But at least I'm alive, right? Filthy as I am, I'd still prefer to be the one who survived cleanly rather than the one who met a clean end. That so-called Heavenly Demon you all worship, He might just envy me from hell."

"No-o-o-o-!"

The demon disciples could no longer contain their anger and even shook violently.

"How dare you..."

He once again hid his face behind the mask he had pulled down earlier, as though even breathing the same air as those present here was horrifying.

"These filthy unbelievers, dare they not only come in front of the sect but also insult the Great One?"

The demon's eyes gradually grew crazed. Even the Red Dogs, who had encountered countless fanatics and evildoers within the Evil Sect, felt a chill in the face of this gaze. It was because of the eerie and alien madness, almost difficult to describe as human.

"...I will KILL you!"

The demon roared with his veins pulsating in his neck.

"I will KILL you! I will erase every TRACE of these filthy unbelievers from this world. Tear their flesh, sharpen their bones, pluck their sinews, and sprinkle their blood!"

It was closer to a curse than a resolution, and closer to a prayer than a curse.

After the chilling proclamation, the martial forces behind the demon suddenly raised their spirits with fierce vigor.

"I will not leave a single piece of their flesh, I will make them the food of beasts! How dare these filthy unbelievers insult the Heavenly Demon..."

However, a cold voice interrupted that prayer-like recitation.

"Jeez, this kid sure talks a lot of nonsense."

The demon slowly closed his mouth, turned his head, and stared at the one who had spoken. His energy was surging.

Chung Myung paid no attention to it at all and turned his neck from side to side, continuing to speak.

"I'm not saying I want to agree with the Evil Sect's nonsense, but..."

Chung Myung glanced at Jang Ilso and snickered.

"I mean, it's not entirely wrong. A crazy person with make-up is better than a bastard with his head cut off, right?"

"You..."

"So, yeah."

Sheak.

Chung Myung slowly drew the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword from its sheath. The infinitely sharp tip of the sword was aimed at the demonic disciples.

"Stop your babbling and come at me. I don't know since when demonic cult bastards started fighting with their snouts."

The demonic disciples silently glared at Chung Myung.

A brief silence.

It was nothing more than closing their mouths, but their appearance was eerier than when they had raved with madness, as if they were under a curse.

The demon, who had forcibly restrained his boiling anger, finally opened his mouth. A sibilant voice spread.

"You...Among these, you will die especially painfully death."

Chung Myung smiled crookedly.

"That's something I hear quite often."

"… … ."

"But how long should I wait?"

Kuuuuung!

Before Chung Myung's words had even ended, the demon stomped on the ground menacingly. The solid ground crumpled like mud under his feet.

"...All the unbelievers present here!"

A huge voice burst from his mouth.

"Do not leave a single one alive! Kill them all!"

"The Second Coming of the Heavenly Demon! Manmaangbok!"

The demonic disciples' tremendous cries echoed. The leash of faith that barely restrained them was torn apart, and they advanced, spewing red bloodlust.

"Kraaaaaaah!"

Savage roars rang out, even though they were running a short distance. The demonic disciples, who had been unable to contain their anger, seized their comrades and pulled them forward to advance faster, roaring as if they were about to tear their comrades' throats.

"Sasuk!"

"Yeah, they're coming!"

Baek Cheon, who had been observing the frenzied scene, bared his teeth. Then he took a step forward.

"Come behind me! Never stray from the side of your fellow brothers!"

"Yes!"

Baek Cheon finally spat out the boiling word from within his chest.

"Show those beasts that the enemy of the Demonic Sect is Mount Hua!"

A thunderous cheer erupted from the mouths of Mount Hua's disciples.

It was the moment when the great battle, later known as the Hangzhou Demon Catastrophe, raised its curtains.