Chapter 23: Leaving the Bamboo Forest (1)

As Lee Cheon-sang entered the Banma Pavilion, the surrounding scenery transformed into a desolate cliff edge.

The weather was gloomy. It wasn't raining, but the sun wasn't shining either. The sky, filled with dark clouds, was moving at a considerable speed.

Lee Cheon-sang, sitting in the desolate pavilion and sipping Fenjiu, suddenly had a gleam in his eyes.

Flash! Boom!

Blue lightning struck from various parts of the dark clouds.

Click.

He put down his glass and looked up at the sky.

How would the absolute ruler of the Divine Sect see this terrifying sky?

"Shilang (Wolf Jackal)?"

What Lee Cheon-sang saw was not the sky.

Beyond the sky, he pierced through this maddeningly realistic illusion to feel the sky of the Gochuk Forest, one of the three secret domains of the Divine Sect.

A deep interest appeared on Lee Cheon-sang's face.

"Has the Master of Gochuk Forest abandoned the sacred land?"

In the history of the Divine Sect, the number of times Shilang has left the sacred land can be counted on one hand.

Shilang was not supposed to leave the outside world. This was because the spiritual energy of Shilang was necessary to maintain the Gochuk Forest.

Conversely, although it has happened a few times, the Gochuk Forest has maintained its lineage to this day. Therefore, it is an unexpected event, but not a major problem.

What is curious is this.

'Why?'

Lee Cheon-sang closed his eyes.

After a moment.

'I can't figure out the reason.'

Among the three secret domains, only Banma Pavilion was under his control.

The same was true for the previous sect leaders. If they hadn't reached the realm known as Heavenly Demon, they wouldn't have been able to glimpse the situation in the Gochuk Forest.

Of course, even if they had reached such a realm, it would be absurd to know what was happening in a place so far away.

The reason he, and the previous Heavenly Demons, could glimpse the other two secret domains besides Banma Pavilion.

Thump, thump.

Lee Cheon-sang placed his hand on his chest.

The Eujindo pattern embedded in his heart, which beats strongly, changed the formation of Banma Pavilion at his will.

'No matter how many times I see it, it's mysterious.'

The formation spread in Banma Pavilion and the other secret domain was a fake based on the formation that formed the Gochuk Forest. Therefore, he could only glimpse the gaps, not the whole.

He put down his hand from his chest and picked up the wine bottle again.

Drip, drip, drip.

The glass slowly filled.

Lee Cheon-sang's face became indifferent again.

"The third one?"

The third.

Officially the third, unofficially the fourth disciple he obtained, full of vitality.

He thought it was a dragon, but it degenerated into a snake worse than a viper, tainted by corrupt power.

However, after falling into demonic possession and miraculously surviving, the disciple's eyes changed.

More precisely...

'It seems like a different person.'

The same disciple, but not the same.

To understand a person, there's no need for rumors or testimonies. Just look into their eyes.

'Calling the third one to Banma Pavilion was a good decision.'

The reason for calling the third one to Banma Pavilion was one. He hoped his eyes were wrong.

The third one reminded him of his past in his youth.

The disciple was so similar to his younger self. Not just in behavior, but in ideology, desires, and problem-solving methods—astonishingly similar.

The reason he was particularly disappointed by the third one's degeneration was because of this. The degeneration of the disciple who most resembled him implied that it could be one of his many possible futures. He couldn't accept that.

So he hoped. That his eyes were wrong.

And the third one, in a surprising way, fulfilled his modest wish.

Precisely, he fulfilled half of it. The disappointing disciple he saw was not the same, nor was it the past disciple who resembled him.

'Death...'

Lee Cheon-sang drained his glass.

'Has he visited the underworld?'

He showed a somewhat cowardly side and spewed out surprisingly affectionate words, but ultimately, this was his essence.

Death.

He harbored an explosive killing intent deep in his heart, capable of killing anyone in the world if he wished.

It had been eight months since he sent the disciple to the Gochuk Forest.

The disciple was still alive and had not learned the demonic arts he taught.

Even Shilang left the sacred land. The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.

'Has Shilang seen something in the third one?'

Drip, drip, drip.

The glass filled again.

On Lee Cheon-sang's face, looking down at the glass, was an incredibly deep smile.

A smile of pure joy. But within that smile, there was thick blood, thorough destruction, and incomprehensible death lurking.

"I hope this is a good omen."

Shilang (Wolf Jackal).

Unlike the strange creatures created by someone in ancient times to bring their imagination to reality, Shilang is a real spiritual creature that repeatedly dies and comes back to life.

When it sheds its old body and returns as a cub, it absorbs all the life force around it. As a result, it has also earned the infamous reputation of being one of the top demons in the world.

However, the real reason Shilang is pointed at as a demon is different.

When Shilang appears, war breaks out in the country.

The legend that it causes the curse of life absorption and war is the reason Shilang is treated as the worst disaster on earth.

"Indeed, what will happen to our sect?"

* * *

"Huff! Huff!"

Madong Pil, who had reached the entrance of the Gochuk Forest, panted heavily and looked back.

"Master!"

Swoosh!

A thick stream of blood painted the air.

Crack!

Even while running forward, Seuryang's sword cuts were so artistic that they sliced through all the flying creatures in the sky.

Crash!

With one kick, he shattered a bamboo and caught the falling bamboo with his hand.

Crack!

By sheer grip strength, the thick bamboo split into dozens of pieces.

Seuryang took a large step forward.

Boom!

With a burst of energy, the bamboo pieces shot into the sky.

Pierce, pierce, pierce!

None of the bamboo pieces missed, piercing the bodies of the creatures.

Madong Pil's eyes widened as he saw the creatures scream and fall to the ground.

'An incredible hidden skill!'

It was like seeing the peak of hidden skills, Jeyeopbihwa (Plucking Leaves and Flying Flowers). He couldn't believe how all the bamboo pieces hit their targets without a single miss.

That's not all.

"Damn it!"

Crack!

The head of a creature burst open.

A spinning kick that whipped around like a whip. It was a kicking technique that even well-trained ordinary people could perform, but it was perfectly timed and powerful.

Seuryang took a piece of paper with tea leaves from his pocket and tore off the end.

Whistle!

A tea leaf flew to the left like a hidden weapon.

The heavy scent stimulated the noses of the creatures in front.

The creatures, confused and hesitant.

Behind them, the green centipedes and centipedes swarmed in.

Crack!

The bodies of over ten creatures burst open. They couldn't withstand the weight of the centipedes and the kicks of the green centipedes.

Seuryang cursed.

"You bastards! Have you lost your sense of smell?!"

Crash!

He threw the corpse of a creature at the green centipedes to stop their movement, but they burst it with a powerful front kick.

Seeing the green centipedes perform acts that even the legendary Heavenly Horses couldn't, Seuryang was amazed.

"What a cruel bastard! What makes you a spiritual creature?!"

Ah, I call you strange creatures.

"Do you know? You are all creatures I have once tasted and enjoyed!"

Swoosh!

Suddenly, a manticore rushed between the green centipedes. Its fangs, which reached down to its chin, and its sharp claws looked strong enough to tear through steel.

Seuryang's eyes wavered.

You can't be caught and eaten.

Crack!

He flew back three yards with a single front kick.

His joints felt like they were creaking. His thigh muscles ached as if they were tearing, and his vision slightly wobbled. His chest was torn, and blood seeped through.

Seuryang was bewildered.

'What is so strong?'

If he hadn't instinctively raised his sword to block, his upper body would have been torn off by this attack.

The manticore's front paw, cut by the sword, only bled a little. Even though it was a sword imbued with demonic energy, the wound was minimal.

"What a big cat!"

Huff!

Madong Pil's face showed shock.

In a situation where he should have been putting distance, the master rushed into the manticore's embrace. He was amazed by the master's seemingly endless stamina and then startled by the sudden turn of events.

"Master!"

Swoosh!

The manticore's claws left a trail of blood on Seuryang's back.

Seuryang's eyes sparked with anger. It was enough that his bones were not damaged.

'Enough!'

Boom!

With a burst of energy, his left hand struck the manticore's chest.

Crash!

The manticore flew backward and fell, colliding with the green centipedes.

It was a powerful martial technique. The sight of a huge leopard, weighing at least two hundred kilograms, flying through the air and falling was a spectacular sight.

However, Seuryang's expression was grim.

"That, that crazy bastard!"

Rumble!

The manticore, as if it was no problem at all, tore through the green centipedes and stood up.

Blood flowed from its nose and mouth, and its appearance was truly terrifying. The murderous intent in its eyes reminded one of a daughter's hatred for her father's killer.

Seuryang bit his lip.

'So he's fine even after a Burst Mountain Technique?'

Burst Mountain Technique is a type of inner family heavy hand technique that maximizes the power of hidden energy, making it a top-notch hand technique.

Unless one has reached the realm of protecting internal organs with energy, it is a one-hit kill technique.

Even strange creatures don't have the ability to protect their internal organs. The green centipedes he had previously mutilated died from a single Burst Mountain Technique, their vital points bursting.

Seuryang suddenly realized the reason.

'Damn, it's because of the Lingzhu.'

He had hastily consumed the energy of the Lingzhu and hadn't yet converted it into demonic energy. The unconverted pure energy reduced the intensity and concentration of the demonic energy.

'I can't do anything about it right now. I need to find another way.'

The sword doesn't work, and the inner family heavy hand technique doesn't work. Naturally, a slap won't make him faint.

Then?

"Ah! This is a damn cheat!"

Crash!

Seuryang ran towards Madong Pil.

"Madong Pil! Run!"

"Yes, yes!"

Madong Pil started running. In that brief moment, he seemed to have regained his breath and was using a powerful movement technique.

Rumble!

The ground shook.

Led by the manticore, the remaining green centipede and dozens of centipedes rushed out. From the distant sky, more creatures flew down.

"Huff, huff!"

Seuryang's breathing also became slightly rough.

He had been spewing explosive killing moves, mixed with countless curses. Thanks to the energy, he had been incredibly trained, but this was not something he could endure with just eight months of training.

Judging from his current state, running alongside Madong Pil, his physical strength and movement technique were arguably the best of his generation.

Seuryang's eyes gleamed.

"We're almost there!"

The entrance to the Gochuk Forest.

The concentration of energy noticeably weakened in this area. The creatures would be powerless just a step away from the forest.

At that moment.

Swoosh!

Seuryang's eyes wavered.

The bamboo on either side of the entrance was withered and twisted. The bamboo, drained of moisture, swayed precariously, about to break.

'Damn!'

He placed his hand on Madong Pil's back.

Madong Pil's eyes showed confusion.

'Master?'

Seuryang took a short breath.

"Suck!"

Crash!

Madong Pil's speed doubled. Seuryang had thrown him directly, lacking the inner energy to create a powerful wind.

Madong Pil instantly passed through the entrance.

At the same time, several snakes from either side leaped at Seuryang.

Swoosh!

Although their movement speed was slow, their hunting speed was three times faster than the manticore's.

"Master!"

"This is it!!"

At the moment of life and death, when the fangs of the creatures were about to sink into his body.

Swoosh!

Seuryang's body spun, creating a crimson whirlwind.