Chapter 72. Closing the Door Without Knowing a Demon Had Appeared (2)

Jung Il-yong chuckled.

"If they're allies, we shake hands; if they're enemies, we crush them? That's a truly refreshing statement."

"......"

"Listen, Oh Gangju."

Oh Kyung-hwa's eyes were still wide open. His face, stained with distrust, no longer showed any goodwill towards the other.

Jung Il-yong's smile deepened.

"Before we can shake hands or fight, we need to properly identify who is an ally and who is an enemy. If you rush in blindly like you did, you'll end up losing your head to someone like this."

He waved his hand casually.

Thud! Thud-thud.

Oh Kyung-hwa's head rolled around and stopped at Yullang's feet.

"Are you going to feed that to the children?"

"It's fine. I'll pick and choose."

"Hehe, that's right."

Thud!

Oh Kyung-hwa's head flew and hit a distant rock.

Jung Il-yong turned his head.

"Huh, the wolves you brought are really formidable."

"Everything they eat becomes nutrients through the Beast King Great Technique (獸王大法)."

"Is it almost complete?"

"Yes."

"Wow! Beasts that can surpass martial artists, truly remarkable."

The place they were looking at was a sea of blood. The blood was from the fifty Iron Guard members Oh Kyung-hwa had brought. Almost all the corpses were severely mutilated, as if they had been torn apart by beasts.

Among the gruesome corpses, thirty wolves were lying down, licking each other's fur.

When Oh Kyung-hwa mentioned beasts, he wasn't speaking metaphorically; the force Yullang brought from the Beast Palace was real wolves.

But they weren't ordinary wolves.

Each one was the size of a calf. Their fur was as red as blood, not just because it was stained with blood, but because it was naturally that color.

They weren't naturally grown wolves. The presence each one exuded was as formidable as that of any peak martial artist.

Jung Il-yong shook his head.

"I've heard that there are many strange and evil techniques in the world, and indeed, this is one of them."

"The Beast King Great Technique is not just a strange and evil technique. It's like making beasts cultivate inner energy through a cultivation method, similar to how humans cultivate inner energy through a cultivation method."

"Can you control them well?"

"Of course."

Yullang gestured to one of the wolves. It was the smallest among the red wolves, but it was still the size of a tiger.

Swoosh.

The wolf got up and approached Yullang, rubbing its head against his thigh.

Jung Il-yong was impressed.

"Can they understand just a gesture?"

"Yes. They are connected through the Upper Dan (上丹), so even subtle commands are possible."

"......I was skeptical about using beasts as a force, but this is impressive enough to make me envious."

No matter how strong a beast, the reason it's hard to use them as a force is that they can't be controlled.

Even if they could be controlled, they wouldn't have the rationality of humans to understand complex tactics or jump into battle at the right moment.

But these wolves can.

These beasts, as strong as peak martial artists, with skin and teeth harder than steel, could wipe out a small to medium-sized sect in less than half an hour.

"Min's blood?"

"I've made them drink enough."

"Was it effective?"

"I don't know yet. There are no Min nearby. But if there are Min within ten miles, they will definitely sense them."

Jung Il-yong nodded.

"In many ways, they are better than humans. I'm envious."

"......"

"Also, I want to thank you for joining hands with me, who is not from the Iron Blood City."

Yullang smiled faintly. The smile on his face, devoid of beard and eyebrows, was somehow eerie.

"It's natural to join hands with those who treat us well. They have always seen us as mere beasts."

"Hehe."

"But......"

Yullang glanced to the side.

Far away, a middle-aged man was panting heavily in front of a broken tree trunk. He was covered in blood but seemed to have survived.

He was Guo Si, the deputy leader of the Iron Guard.

"Why did you leave him alive?"

"I plan to take him with me."

"Do you know him?"

"No. But he stood out among the Iron Guard members who resisted. His sword skills were clumsy. When I asked, he said he was recently released from the Iron Blood City's prison and became deputy leader."

"Would that be a problem to kill him?"

"It wouldn't be a problem, but aren't you curious? How did a prisoner in the prison become deputy leader?"

"......"

"Hehe, there are reasons for that. After rolling around in politics for so long, you can tell at a glance. I can assure you, he knows something about the Iron Blood City."

Yullang nodded. At the same time, another question seemed to arise, and he tilted his head.

"What about the gold pouch he gave you?"

"Hmm? Oh, the Huashen Bao Yu?"

"Yes."

"You don't need to know. Just remember this: it's a treasure that will be useful for our great cause."

Instantly, a bright light appeared in Yullang's eyes.

"Is it for the leader of the Righteous Heaven Alliance?"

Jung Il-yong chuckled and put his finger to his lips.

Yullang nodded. Even though they were alone in the wild mountain, it was a reminder to be cautious in case their words were overheard.

"What about the palace master?"

"Fortunately, he is improving. He will likely get up and move soon."

"That's a relief."

"The medicine you brought...... Hmm?"

Yullang's ears twitched.

"What is it?"

"Wait a moment."

He looked to the southwest.

At the same time, the wolves, which had been lying down and licking their fur, all got up, their eyes glowing fiercely. When they were lying down, they looked somewhat gentle, but when they stood up and exuded killing intent, they were truly terrifying.

Swoosh.

The smallest wolf, the leader of the Blood Wolf Squad, raised its head to the sky.

Howl! Howl! Howl!

As the leader of the Blood Wolf Squad howled, the other twenty-nine wolves howled in response.

The howls of the calf-sized wolves, rising from the blood-soaked ground, evoked a hellish scene.

The howls grew louder as the wind from all directions seemed to stimulate their ferocity.

Yullang raised his hand.

At the same time, all the wolves, led by the leader of the Blood Wolf Squad, stopped howling.

"They are Min."

"Min?"

"Yes. I don't know the exact number, but it seems to be slightly less than a hundred."

"Hmm. It seems you have tasted the blood of Min."

"No. The leader of the Blood Wolf Squad told me."

A wicked smile spread across Jung Il-yong's face.

"Truly a remarkable ability. So, what is their level? Compared to the fifty Iron Guard members."

"Numbers are one thing, but there are some formidable ones among them."

"How do they compare to the wolves?"

Yullang turned to Jung Il-yong. His blue eyes were filled with strong confidence.

Jung Il-yong folded his arms.

"Can you show me a proper demonstration? This time, neither of us will participate."

"Is the time okay?"

"It's fine even if it goes past tonight."

Yullang turned his body again.

Swoosh.

A powerful aura flowed from his body.

"It will be over before sunset."

* * *

Madong Pil's eyes flickered.

'Impressive.'

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The movement technique of Zhu Hua was remarkable.

It wasn't about speed. She had only recovered a third of her strength.

What was truly impressive was her recovery rate.

'She said she had just escaped from the demonic possession of Zhu Hua. Yet, her movements are......'

Among the people he had seen, the one who used the highest-level movement technique was the Law Master Mudan, and the one who showed the most unconventional movement technique was Xuliang.

Zhu Hua's movement technique was completely different from theirs. While it was at a high level, it couldn't compare to the Law Master, and while it was skillful, it was clearly different from what Xuliang had shown.

But it was beautiful.

The delicate and perfect movements created by her advancing steps were dazzling.

Moving slowly and steadily, but surely, her movements were a model of a movement technique.

It wasn't just about the high level of martial arts.

The traces of her diligent practice, without ever taking shortcuts, were evident.

She must have practiced while spitting blood. Even Madong Pil, who had learned orthodox demonic arts, couldn't show such clean movements.

Crack!

Madong Pil followed beside Zhu Hua.

Sweat beads formed on Zhu Hua's forehead.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Your skills seem to be recovering rapidly. But if you push yourself further, it could be dangerous at a critical moment."

"I'm fine."

"I won't suggest resting in the carriage. How about riding a horse?"

"I'm really fine. I'll rest if I get tired."

She could have a conversation while using her movement technique. This meant that although she was tired, she was really fine.

However, that was Madong Pil's misunderstanding.

Zhu Hua wasn't just fine. As her movement technique became more beautiful over time, she was regaining her previous martial arts skills at a terrifying speed.

Crack! Crack!

Her movements became powerful. Zhu Hua's speed increased, and she was now leading the three groups of Law Masters, who were riding famous horses.

'This is it.'

A faint joy appeared in Zhu Hua's eyes.

'This is how it's done.'

The speed at which she was regaining her martial arts skills was truly terrifying.

This was partly due to her talent being well-suited to the Moon Shadow Demon Art, and it also testified to her extraordinary efforts.

But the recovery rate was still inexplicable.

The true reason she could recover so quickly was something else.

'The Marquis's demonic energy.'

The concentrated demonic energy of Xuliang contained the essence of the Dark Shadow True Demon Art.

The Dark Shadow True Demon Art is a demonic art that burns and destroys, constantly advancing. It focuses on movement rather than stillness, as it seeks change at every moment.

If she was too exhausted to move, it would be a different story, but if she could move, it was better to do so. Naturally, the Moon Shadow Demon Art also aligned with this, showing a fiery recovery rate.

Swoosh.

The sweat on her forehead froze white and shattered. The Moon Shadow Demon Energy naturally rose, trying to remove even the slightest impurities.

'It's working.'

From a third to half.

'It's working!'

From half to two-thirds.

It was a miraculous recovery she gained while covering fifty miles. Both the demonic energy in her dantian and its utilization had recovered to more than seventy percent.

Zhu Hua's face was flushed.

'At this rate, soon......!'

At that moment.

Howl! Howl! Howl!

Zhu Hua and Madong Pil's eyes flashed.

"Everyone, stop!"

They were moving so fast on horseback and on foot. The group gradually slowed down and stopped after moving about five hundred feet.

Madong Pil approached Zhu Hua.

"Did you sense it?"

"Yes. It's not demonic energy."

"That's right, it's not demonic energy, but......"

"It's very ferocious."

Swoosh.

They raised their heads.

Far away, on a hill, a huge man was looking down at them.

The man, Yullang, said.

"Devour them."

Crack!

As soon as he finished speaking, huge shadows rushed from both sides.

Madong Pil shouted.

"Scatter!"

Clang!

The Law Masters of the three groups, drawing their weapons, attacked the shadows.

* * *

"......!"

Xuliang's face stiffened.

"What is this?"

The top of the wild mountain, now a sea of blood.

Heavily mutilated corpses were scattered everywhere. It was hard to tell what kind of beasts had torn them apart; more than half the flesh was gone, and only chewed bones remained.

Even the boiling demonic energy seemed to cool down. While demonic energy usually becomes more frenzied with the smell of blood, his strong rationality was suppressing it.

But soon, he read a trace that could align his rationality and emotions.

"It hasn't been long. Probably just before the second watch...... Hmm?"

Swoosh!

Demonic energy and killing intent rose in competition.

Swoosh.

Sweeping away a low rock, he read the trace of divine energy.

Like the great master of the Nine Palaces, Biyowang, who read the traces of the Nine Palaces martial arts from his Dark Shadow Energy.

Like I Chon-sang, who had reached the pinnacle of demonic arts, who detected the traces of the Unparalleled Martial Arts from his demonic arts.

Xuliang could also read it. In the fading traces, he saw the unique true energy of the orthodox martial arts.

The traces of the great master, Zheng Yilong, known as the Immortal Sword of Beauty and praised by all.

Crack!

As the day slowly turned to dusk, red lightning, like blood, unleashed ruthless killing intent under the red sky.

Swoosh.

His body hair stood on end. The cold demonic energy that had cooled down now surged more violently than before.

It was as if someone was whispering in his ear.

"Kill."

Boom!

A huge red lightning bolt rushed down the wild mountain at a terrifying speed.

Crack!

A secret golden light followed behind it.