Chapter 279: Return to the Demonic Sect
Maesellan surveyed her surroundings with a twisted expression. Sweat poured down her face like rain, mingling with blood to create a metallic scent in the air.
“How did it come to this…?”
She bit her lip hard. The Heavenly Destruction Squad was utterly exhausted, while the masked attackers seemed to have endless reinforcements, maintaining their relentless momentum.
Behind Maesellan, the squad members stood on high alert, their sharp gazes revealing their intent to fight. Yet, it was clear to anyone that they were on the brink of collapse.
Danrijung sent a telepathic message.
[Leader, it seems Eunshi Jidanju has betrayed us.]
Maesellan furrowed her brow, choosing not to respond. She never imagined Eunshi Jidan would go to such lengths.
“I should have suspected from the start!”
But it was too late for regrets. She had led the squad to this place, Eryang Village, based on information from Sabigang. The intel suggested that a suspicious cult was emerging here, linked to a series of kidnappings across the region.
With this in mind, she had visited Eunshi Jidan, near Eryang Village, with the squad. Eunshi Jidanju, Oh Jaesang, seemed dismissive of the Heavenly God Cult. He was aware of some skirmishes with the Blood Demon Sect but saw them as beneficial.
“They’re pressuring the Eungcheon branch for us, so we have less to do, don’t we? Hahaha.”
Oh Jaesang believed it was best to let the two factions destroy each other before intervening. It seemed a reasonable stance for a branch leader. However, he appeared unaware of the cult’s involvement in the kidnappings.
When Maesellan informed him, he was visibly shocked.
“Are you saying all the kidnappings in the region are linked to the Heavenly God Cult?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m planning to lead the squad to the manor in Eryang Village tonight.”
“But if that’s true, isn’t it dangerous?”
“If I were afraid of danger, I wouldn’t have come this far.”
“Please be careful. If you need anything, the branch will support you.”
“No, having more people will only make us easier to spot. The squad is enough.”
“Understood.”
At that time, Maesellan didn’t particularly doubt Oh Jaesang. But now…
“If that damned branch leader didn’t leak information, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Everything had seemed smooth until they approached the manor. But it was all a trap. They fought fiercely in an unexpected battle, and when they finally came to their senses, the exhausted squad was completely surrounded by masked figures.
Maesellan scrutinized the masked attackers and asked, “Who are you?”
“If we were going to reveal that, we wouldn’t be wearing masks,” one of them replied nonchalantly.
Maesellan pressed on, “Are you with the Heavenly God Cult?”
“Well… you could say that, or not.”
“Do you realize this is the territory of the Righteous Alliance?”
“Hahaha! Who decided that? The heavens? The earth? Or just you?”
Maesellan’s expression hardened. She knew this conversation was pointless, but she hoped to provoke a mistake or find an opening. The squad was too drained to continue fighting.
Yet, the masked attackers remained vigilant, watching the squad closely. Maesellan sent a telepathic command to Danrijung.
[A frontal assault is too risky. When I give the signal, break through. Leave the escape route to the leader.]
[Understood.]
Danrijung replied with a determined expression. To make the right decision, one must fully grasp the situation. In this darkness, Danrijung was the only one who could accurately see the enemy’s positions and strength.
Maesellan then turned to Jomuntak.
[Danri will clear the path. Release the swarm immediately.]
[Got it!]
Through rigorous training, Jomuntak had reached a level where he could use the black hive twice a day. Having already used it once, he needed to be cautious with the second.
With her orders given, Maesellan addressed the masked leader again.
“What do you plan to do with the kidnapped women and children?”
“We’re laying the foundation for a great cause.”
“And what is this great cause?”
“Heh, be patient. You’ll find out soon enough…!”
In a flash, Maesellan’s figure shot forward like a streak of light. The masked leader was caught off guard by her speed.
“You insolent…!”
He swung his sword down hastily.
Clang!
A sharp metallic sound rang out as sparks flew. In that instant,
“Now!”
Maesellan shouted. Simultaneously,
Thwack!
Three arrows flew towards the northeast. The action of drawing, aiming, and releasing the arrows was as swift as the wind.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Ugh!”
As three masked figures fell, the others panicked, drawing their weapons. They hadn’t expected the squad to have this much strength left.
“You fools don’t understand the situation!”
“Die!”
The masked attackers charged at the squad. At that moment,
“Haaah!”
Jomuntak let out a battle cry, and
Whirr!
The numerous spikes embedded in his belt shot into the air, scattering in all directions.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Bang!
The masked figures stung by the black swarm began to fall helplessly.
That was it. Now it was time to escape.
“Run!”
At Danrijung’s command, the squad sprinted towards the direction where the arrows had flown.
Maesellan quickly struck the masked leader and turned away.
Thud!
“Catch those scoundrels!”
The leader, pushed by Maesellan, shouted furiously.
The masked attackers began to chase after Maesellan and the squad.
Danrijung led them towards Eryang Gorge. The gorge was a narrow path between steep cliffs, with many maze-like forks, making it ideal for evading a larger force.
However, the masked attackers were more skilled than anticipated. Despite Jomuntak’s use of the black hive, more survived than expected.
“Could it be that they used…?”
When Jomuntak unleashed the black hive, most of the nearby enemies perished. But those further back managed to block it.
It was a protective technique. But now, it seemed more like a shield.
A shield similar to the one Sabigang had learned in the demonic realm. But how could they know how to use it?
“Did I see it wrong?”
As these thoughts raced through her mind, the distance between them and their pursuers began to close.
“Jaryang! Can you hit them?”
Maesellan shouted, and Yeom Jaryang quickly fell back, responding.
“I’ve been waiting, Leader!”
Yeom Jaryang was also at his limit, ready to collapse at any moment. But he gritted his teeth, refusing to show it.
He reversed his black blade and leaped into the air, striking the ground towards the enemies.
“Ground Wave!”
As he cast the spell, the ground surged like a wave, crashing towards the enemies.
Boom!
The earth rolled forward like a tidal wave, exploding upon reaching the enemies like waves against rocks.
Crash!
“Ugh!”
“Aaah!”
Having halted the enemy’s pursuit, Yeom Jaryang gasped for breath and turned to run.
After running a bit further, they finally reached Eryang Gorge. At the first fork,
Screech!
Maesellan slid to a stop. The squad hesitated and turned back, and Maesellan drew her sword, shouting.
“Go on ahead!”
“What about you, Leader?”
Mok Danhwa pressed urgently.
“I’ll hold them off here.”
“But it’s dangerous alone!”
This time, it was Yeon Woo-gyeong.
Maesellan inwardly smiled wryly. She wondered if they would act this way if Sabigang were here.
She tried not to, but she often compared herself to Sabigang while leading the Inspection Bureau. But now wasn’t the time for comparisons; it was time for decisions.
“That’s an order. I’ll catch up. Go.”
“But…!”
“No time! Go!”
The squad members bit their lips in frustration. As they hesitated, Danrijung stepped in.
“You must return. No matter what!”
“I promise.”
“We’ll wait at the shrine beyond the gorge!”
Maesellan nodded silently.
Danrijung bit his lip and led the squad down the narrow path.
Once they disappeared, Maesellan turned with a steely expression.
In the distance, she could sense the approaching presence.
“Persistent bastards.”
What on earth is the Celestial Sect, and how do they have so many skilled fighters?
It’s clear they’re not just some insignificant new cult.
The Celestial Annihilation Squad is a group of elite warriors, rare even in the martial world.
Yet, to think they could be pushed to such a corner.
Sure, they fell into a trap and were overwhelmed by sheer numbers, but this was the worst situation since Sabigang left.
“I’ll have to block the entrance completely.”
There are many paths in this canyon, but at this distance, they could easily track us by our traces.
“Sss… Hooo…”
Maesolran gripped her sword and took a deep breath.
She would have to pour almost all her energy into this strike.
She raised her head and carefully scanned the rocky cliffs on either side.
Enhancing her vision with her inner power, she searched for a weak point.
A spot where a powerful strike could bring down the cliff.
After a while, she found a recessed area on one side of the cliff.
“Perfect, if I hit there…!”
With luck, she could bring down a significant portion of the cliff in one blow.
Just as she finished her assessment, the enemies began entering the canyon.
The leader spotted Maesolran and shouted.
“There she is!”
“Over there!”
Maesolran smirked and leaped into the air.
“Hmph! You would’ve been better off not finding me!”
With a burst of agility, she ran up the cliff, focusing all her energy as she unleashed a flurry of sword strikes.
Swoosh!
Boom! Crash!
“What the—? Aaaah!”
“Get out of the way!”
The pursuers scattered in panic.
Crash! Rumble!
Her judgment was spot on.
The area she targeted was the most vulnerable part of the rocky cliff.
As the massive boulders collapsed, they began to fill the canyon with a deafening roar.
Landing on the ground, Maesolran clutched her knees, gasping for breath.
“Hah, hah, hah…!”
The immediate danger was averted, but she had no idea how much time this would buy her.
She needed to escape quickly.
Just as she turned to leave,
“Maekukju! What on earth happened here?”
A familiar voice rang out as Oh Jaesang appeared, leading a group of warriors.
‘That sly fox…!’
But Maesolran kept her expression neutral as she replied.
“We were discovered by the enemy.”
“How could that happen…!”
‘You must have leaked the information!’
Maesolran swallowed her thoughts and continued to breathe heavily. Oh Jaesang glanced around and asked,
“But where is the Celestial Annihilation Squad?”
Fortunately, it seemed they had taken a different path.
Feigning ignorance, Maesolran said, “We had to scatter in a hurry.”
“I see. But still…”
Oh Jaesang scanned the area again before approaching Maesolran.
“A leader abandoning her team… This is why women can’t be trusted.”
”…?”
“Don’t take it too personally.”
Thud!
Oh Jaesang suddenly thrust his sword into Maesolran’s chest.
Having exhausted her inner power, she had no time to defend herself.
But it was Oh Jaesang who was shocked.
His eyes widened as he looked at his sword.
Instead of piercing her heart, the blade had stopped against her left chest, unable to move.
Thanks to the dragon-scale armor Sabigang had given her, Oh Jaesang was left bewildered.
Maesolran muttered coldly,
“Where do you think you’re stabbing, you pervert?”
In an instant,
Shing!
She summoned the last of her inner power and unleashed a sword strike.
Slash!
Oh Jaesang tried to retreat, but he was too close. His neck was half-severed.
“Gah! Gurgle! Gah!”
Clutching his throat, he staggered for a moment before collapsing, never to move again.
With their leader suddenly dead, the warriors who had come with him raised their weapons in alarm.
At that moment,
Boom!
A loud explosion erupted, and the boulders filling the canyon burst apart.
‘What incredible energy!’
Through the cloud of dust, a figure emerged, walking steadily.
Though she couldn’t see clearly, Maesolran sensed the immense power of the approaching figure.
‘So strong…!’
As the dust settled, the figure’s face became visible.
An old man with a face painted entirely in blue.
The blue-faced elder looked at Maesolran and spoke in a bored tone.
“That woman is such a nuisance.”