Chapter 183 – The Great War Begins (6)

The shockwaves from their attacks alone were enough to inflict grievous wounds on each other. While the Heavenly Demon, an immortal being, quickly healed his injuries, Great Master Gak-won’s body grew progressively weaker.

‘Is this humble monk truly not enough?’

The Nameless Fist was a technique born from the concentration of demon-subduing and evil-purging energy. Had any other demonic being been struck by this fist, they would never have been able to regenerate.

But the Heavenly Demon endured it with his body, as if such a light was nothing to him. This ultimately meant that Great Master Gak-won’s Nameless Fist was useless against the Heavenly Demon.

‘I have found hope, and I no longer have any lingering attachments to this life. Therefore, even if I fail…’

With that thought, Great Master Gak-won once again created the barrier of light he had used to subdue Gu Yang-geuk. A barrier of light that weakened those with demonic energy and strengthened those who practiced pure Buddhist internal arts.

Trapped within the barrier, the Heavenly Demon could feel an immense pressure crushing his entire body.

The pressure was not merely a sensation but a physical force acting upon him. As if to prove it, his arm holding Asura was twisting in a grotesque manner.

“Do you wish to send me to my rest even at the cost of your own life, Great Master Gak-won? If so, then I too shall face you with all my might!”

“Amitabha. I offer my body to the flames to vanquish the world’s evil and return to the revered Buddha.”

*Wooooooooong!*

Until now, the light of the Divine Fist had been subtle compared to the light of a qi aura. But at this moment, the light of the Divine Fist shone more brilliantly than any qi aura.

It was already a flame. A flame forged from the caster’s very soul. Watching Great Master Gak-won, the Heavenly Demon unleashed the power of Asura.

“Asura, reveal your power to the heavens and the earth!”

A tremendous vortex formed around the black blade of Asura. From the center of that vortex, black demonic energy erupted, annihilating the Shaolin warrior monks and other living creatures, and destroying the very land itself.

It was truly a destructive attack, said to be capable of ending the world. But Great Master Gak-won knew that Asura’s Dance of World Annihilation had not yet fully manifested.

And he also knew that this moment, before it was fully unleashed, was his last chance.

Once it was complete, even he would have no choice but to perish. Great Master Gak-won unleashed his final fist, pouring everything he had into it.

*Kwaaaaaaaaaaah!*

The flame of light, created from the sacrifice of his entire being, burned away the darkness of Asura. The shadows protecting the Heavenly Demon could not withstand the power of the light and began to dissipate.

Not only that, but the light also began to incinerate the Heavenly Demon’s flesh. The attack inflicted such extreme pain that even the Heavenly Demon had to endure it, but he did not retreat.

Finally, Asura’s Dance of World Annihilation was fully unleashed, and a tsunami of darkness swallowed everything in its path.

***

Realizing that the Heavenly Demon had appeared and that Great Master Gak-won was fighting him, Yu-jin, along with Han So-un and Bukri Eun, moved with great speed.

‘The Nameless Fist cannot defeat the Heavenly Demon. He is no longer just a demonic man, but a demonic god who cannot be killed by light and sacred power alone… I can’t be too late.’

Even if Great Master Gak-won’s power was ineffective against the Heavenly Demon, it was still the natural enemy of the Demonic Cult. That was why Yu-jin was moving to save him.

As they rushed and neared the location where the Heavenly Demon and Great Master Gak-won were, the three could see light and darkness clashing.

Soon after, a shockwave from the world collapsing under the strain of the collision swept over them.

“Damn it!”

Sensing that things had not gone as he had hoped, Yu-jin created a protective aura with his Divine Demonic Qi to shield himself and the two women. When the shockwave had somewhat subsided, Yu-jin dispelled the aura and moved again.

Finally arriving at Great Master Gak-won’s location, Yu-jin gritted his teeth at what he saw. His eyes could only see Great Master Gak-won, standing still with a smile on his face. In truth, there was nothing else there.

“When you fought me, did you not realize that light alone cannot defeat the Heavenly Demon? Why did you so recklessly challenge him?”

Yu-jin muttered in a dry voice as he approached Great Master Gak-won. Then, Yu-jin closed the Great Master’s eyes.

—This humble monk has lived long enough. I have no regrets in death. I pray you will strive for the sake of the martial world.

Great Master Gak-won had already vanished even from the cycle of reincarnation, but to Yu-jin’s ears, it sounded as if the Great Master had spoken those words.

“I have never once worried for the safety of the martial world. I have never thought of myself as so great. But I will kill the Heavenly Demon with my own hands. So please, close your eyes and rest in peace.”

Was it because he was reassured by Yu-jin’s answer? The body of Great Master Gak-won, which had been standing still until now, slowly turned to dust and disappeared. Yu-jin watched the entire scene with a hardened face.

***

The news that Great Master Gak-won had passed away after his battle with the Heavenly Demon spread throughout the Martial Alliance. At first, many martial artists of the Central Plains fell into despair upon hearing the news.

But Yu-jin personally stepped forward to console them. He told them that before fighting the Heavenly Demon, Great Master Gak-won had not only defeated one of the Demonic Cult’s Vice-Lords who had reached the state of Demon Shedding, but had also annihilated countless undead monsters.

Thanks to Yu-jin’s efforts, the martial artists of the Central Plains were able to escape their despair.

The Demonic Cult’s advance had also come to a halt. Due to the actions of Yu-jin and Great Master Gak-won, numerous living zombies had been destroyed. Furthermore, one of the Demonic Cult’s Vice-Lords had been severely wounded.

But in Yu-jin’s opinion, the reason the Demonic Cult’s advance had stopped was because of the Heavenly Demon himself.

“Great Master Gak-won was already a pillar of the martial world when I first made my appearance. To think he would pass away like that. I never knew the Heavenly Demon’s power was so immense…”

At the words of the Sword Empress, Hwa Un-wol, Yu-jin shook his head.

“Great Master Gak-won’s final move was not completely ineffective. His last strike clearly dealt a significant blow to the Heavenly Demon, and it is because of its aftermath that the Heavenly Demon is not moving now.”

While righteousness and the power of light alone could not grant the Heavenly Demon eternal rest, that did not mean they could not inflict any damage at all.

The all-out attack that Great Master Gak-won had delivered by sacrificing his soul was a force so tremendous that even Yu-jin, from a distance, could feel it. Having been struck by such an attack, even the Heavenly Demon, with his immortal body that could not die from any wound, had to have been injured.

That was why the Heavenly Demon had halted his advance and was taking a moment to recover.

“Is it because he knows he can’t defeat you in his injured state, Master?”

When Hwa Un-wol asked, Yu-jin nodded and replied.

“That’s right. His power and mine are now nearly equal. If he were to face me in an injured state, even he would be bound to lose. We are beings who exist to defeat one another. As such, he is surely trying to ensure he is in perfect condition.”

Hwa Un-wol nodded at Yu-jin’s explanation.

“The coming battle will be the last. And it will be decided which of us will survive.”

At Yu-jin’s resolute words, Hwa Un-wol silently nodded and buried herself in his embrace. Yu-jin smiled faintly and took Hwa Un-wol’s hand.

Unlike Yu-jin, who could move freely, she was often unable to move due to her duty to protect the Martial Alliance headquarters. Because of that, she hadn’t been able to embrace him at all.

“I suppose I’ve been too indifferent to you lately, Un-wol.”

Saying so, Yu-jin slipped his hand into Hwa Un-wol’s top. The recent fierce battles had left Yu-jin exhausted in ways he hadn’t even realized.

The best way for him to recover was through intercourse with a woman.

In preparation for the upcoming battle with the Heavenly Demon, Yu-jin decided to embrace Hwa Un-wol and began to knead her ample breasts.

“Haaahng…”

After enjoying Yu-jin’s caress for a moment, Hwa Un-wol moved down and undid his pants.

Before her eyes, a massive member revealed itself. Hwa Un-wol gazed at it for a moment, then stuck out her tongue, glistening with saliva, and took the tip of his member into her mouth.

She let out a soft moan and moved her face and tongue.

“Master…”

Hwa Un-wol’s expression was filled with a seductive allure unbecoming of the pure and noble woman known as the Sword Empress.

Hwa Un-wol worked her tongue desperately. Sticky saliva trailed from the corner of her mouth like a thread.

“This is good… Ugh…”

Yu-jin’s massive member was already at its maximum size, with veins bulging all over. Since he hadn’t yet released, the stimulation from Hwa Un-wol’s tongue felt incredibly good.

Gradually, Hwa Un-wol’s service began to heat up. Yu-jin fumbled with her breasts, which were pressed against his leg, and took off her top. Mounds like white snow were revealed before his eyes.

“As beautiful as ever.”

Yu-jin persistently kneaded her breasts while playfully teasing Hwa Un-wol’s secret part with the tip of his foot.

Hwa Un-wol thrashed her head violently from the breathtaking pleasure, yet at the same time, she moved her slender waist to match the rhythm of Yu-jin’s teasing foot.

“I’m… coming!”

Yu-jin roughly grabbed Hwa Un-wol’s hair and pumped his member up and down frantically. Soon, a massive amount of white fluid erupted from his member, filling Hwa Un-wol’s mouth. Hwa Un-wol swallowed the fluid with a gulp.

“Now, shall we begin properly?”

Yu-jin smiled, lifted Hwa Un-wol, and laid her on the bed. Soon, his room grew noisy with intense moans. Of course, there was no one who could hear them.

***

In the largest tent among the Demonic Cult’s encampment, the Heavenly Demon sat. His indifferent eyes, which seemed to suck in even one’s soul, were fixed on his chest.

A large bruise had formed on his chest, and though it seemed to be healing, it continuously split open, spilling blood. This was a significant improvement; at first, the blood had flowed ceaselessly, terrifying his subordinates.

“The ‘answer’ you found was not entirely wrong, it seems, Great Master.”

The Heavenly Demon muttered, recalling Great Master Gak-won, who had departed from this world by his Asura.

Though Great Master Gak-won was no longer in this world, the Heavenly Demon felt as if he were standing right before his eyes. Was that why? Great Master Gak-won’s words echoed in his mind.

—This is the answer this humble monk found with all his might, Cult Lord. Evil may suppress righteousness, but it can never erase it. That is the way of the world.

At the words “the way of the world,” the Heavenly Demon let out a small laugh.

“The way of the world means nothing to me. I am the one who bears all the contradictions of this world. You must have seen ‘Asura’ as you died, no? That incomprehensible power cannot be defeated by the power of righteousness alone.”

To the Heavenly Demon’s declaration, Great Master Gak-won surprisingly nodded. His reaction seemed to be unexpected even for the Heavenly Demon, who wore a peculiar expression. He hadn’t expected him to concede so easily.

—The ‘answer’ this humble monk found was not the correct one. I must admit that. However, you must also know that we have hope.

“Are you referring to my counterpart?”

The head of the True Dragon Sword Clan, known as the greatest master in the Central Plains, Kang Yu-jin. A smile graced the Heavenly Demon’s face as he mentioned him.

If Great Master Gak-won had not inflicted such a grievous wound on him, he would have fought him right after the Great Master’s death.

But he had no choice but to retreat. To face his counterpart, he had to be in perfect condition.

—He is not your counterpart. In my final moments, I was able to see his true nature. His nature is completely different from yours, which is filled with malice. If you are evil itself, he is chaos itself. He is a being who embraces both righteousness and evil, capable of maintaining the perfect balance between the righteous path and the demonic path. I hope you do not make the mistake of seeing him as the same as you.

At Great Master Gak-won’s words, the Heavenly Demon’s face contorted into a deep frown for the first time. The Great Master’s words had displeased him.

But it was only for a moment. The Heavenly Demon returned to his usual expressionless face.

“But his origin does not escape evil either. Though he was forced to choose righteousness by birth, his chaos is a chaos for destruction. We are beings from the same root. And yet you say we are not counterparts?”

—You will find out in the future. My time is up. I pray that this time, you may finally be freed from your long oppression.

With those words, Great Master Gak-won completely vanished from the Heavenly Demon’s mind as well.

“Kekeke. Whether we are counterparts or not doesn’t matter now. What matters is who lives and who dies. Kang Yu-jin, the time to meet you is not far. Will it be you or I who survives until the end? Let us see on the final battlefield.”

An immense amount of demonic energy billowed from the Heavenly Demon’s entire body. And from within that darkness, Gu Yang-geuk, who had been ruined by Great Master Gak-won, and numerous living zombies walked out. Looking at them, the Heavenly Demon laughed loudly once more.