Episode 426: Return of the Demon Sect Leader
As the shouts from outside began to echo through the room,
“They’ve brought in the Justice Alliance!”
A man with a white mask burst through the door, shouting urgently.
The man with the golden mask narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself.
“We were aiming for the big fish, but now the minnows have swarmed in too.”
“Their momentum is formidable.”
“Hmm. To catch the big fish, we mustn’t skimp on the bait. Release the Fire Spirit Demon.”
“Understood.”
The white-masked man replied and quickly left the room.
The golden-masked man, his eyes cold and calculating, murmured to himself.
“Sabi Kang. Finally, we’ll meet.”
He rose from his seat, dark energy swirling around him.
It was then.
“Who’s there!”
The golden-masked man suddenly leaped towards the ceiling, drawing his sword and unleashing a powerful aura.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic sound, sparks flew.
“Ugh!”
A masked figure, hidden in the ceiling, let out a groan as they fell.
Swish! Slash!
The golden-masked man swiftly swung his sword, and with the sound of flesh tearing, the masked figure collapsed to the floor, blood spraying.
“Argh!”
As the masked figure struggled to rise,
Thud!
The golden-masked man’s sword pierced through the back of the figure’s neck, emerging from their mouth.
“Gah…!”
The mask tore open, revealing a gaping mouth.
The masked figure, blood pouring from their mouth, died instantly.
The golden-masked man frowned as he noticed the character for “kill” carved into the back of the fallen figure.
“An assassin from the Kill Squad…?”
Why would the Kill Squad appear here?
Technically, the Kill Squad could be considered part of the dark sects.
But more accurately, they were a neutral organization, taking contracts from both the righteous and the wicked.
So why were they targeting the main sect alongside the Justice Alliance?
The Justice Alliance and the Kill Squad were an unlikely combination.
“I can’t understand it.”
Could it be that Sabi Kang has even recruited the Kill Squad?
“Just who is this guy?”
If the Kill Squad was involved, it made sense that the Justice Alliance arrived so quickly.
If the Kill Squad was deployed in such a large-scale battle…
“He’s not someone to be underestimated.”
As the golden-masked man flicked the blood off his sword, a voice came from the shadows.
“My apologies. I failed to notice.”
It was Guihun, the ghostly protector who shadowed the golden-masked man day and night. Yet even he hadn’t detected the assassin’s presence this time.
The golden-masked man understood. If a top-tier assassin from the Kill Squad had infiltrated with intent, even Guihun would have struggled to notice.
Of course, if they had engaged in a direct fight, Guihun would have prevailed.
But in stealth and assassination, the Kill Squad’s skills were unparalleled.
In those moments, they could eliminate targets far beyond their martial prowess.
“They picked the wrong prey this time.”
The golden-masked man’s eyes turned icy.
“Make sure everyone knows about the Kill Squad’s involvement. Warn them to stay alert.”
“Understood!”
With that, Guihun’s presence vanished.
**
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Slash!
Thud, thud…
Two demonic warriors fell where they stood, turning into cold corpses.
Warriors with the “kill” character on their chests exchanged glances and moved on.
The valley, which could have been mistaken for a small village, was in chaos.
Shouts and screams echoed everywhere, and the metallic scent of blood hung thick in the air.
Amidst the chaos, the Kill Squad moved like phantoms, striking down the leaders of the demonic sect.
Caught between fighting enemies and commanding their subordinates, the leaders were easy prey for the assassins.
As a result, the demonic sect plunged into disarray.
Even when the Kill Squad’s involvement was revealed, many in the sect remained skeptical.
The Justice Alliance working with the Kill Squad? Why? How? It seemed too absurd to believe, even in the face of life and death.
But as the leaders of the demonic sect lay dying, they had no choice but to accept it.
They clearly saw the “kill” character on the clothes of their killers.
Over the bodies of the fallen leaders, two figures appeared.
“This is madness.”
Churyang panted, his body covered in wounds and blood.
He had dealt with every enemy they encountered on their way here.
Thanks to his experience in the Great War of the Sects, he was still holding on.
“You’re done here.”
“What? But Master…”
“I have a meeting with the one who sent the invitation.”
Sabi Kang’s gaze turned to the pavilion on the hill in the center of the valley.
He had felt it all along.
The presence calling him was there.
One way or another, it would all be decided there.
**
Neung Unpa led the Justice Alliance warriors, cutting through the enemy lines with unstoppable force.
The morale of the warriors following him soared to the heavens.
With a single strike, Neung Unpa demolished a hut, and with a single palm, he sent the demonic sect members flying like autumn leaves.
Among the warriors he led, the elite Seung Ryong Squad, directly under the command of the Alliance Leader, consisted of twelve top-tier masters.
Wherever they passed, only the bodies of the demonic sect members remained.
Watching the Justice Alliance’s onslaught from a distance were…
“If this continues, the Alliance Leader will push through the northwest route.”
The first squad leader of the White Horse Brigade squinted and spoke.
The second squad leader standing next to him nodded.
“We should set an ambush on the northwest route.”
“That seems wise.”
The other squad leaders agreed.
Dressed in pristine white, they were the ten squad leaders of the White Horse Brigade.
The brigade, consisting of two hundred members, had the task of luring the Alliance Leader into a trap.
The ten leaders turned to their subordinates and signaled.
In unison, the two hundred members moved like a white wave along the narrow path.
Their role was to hinder the Alliance Leader and the Seung Ryong Squad.
“Let’s move!”
With that, the first squad leader dashed across the rooftops.
As the ten leaders displayed their agility, they tore off their white robes, revealing black armor underneath.
Upon reaching the entrance of the northwest route, they split into two groups of five, taking positions on the rooftops.
Their prediction was spot on.
The Justice Alliance, executing a one-sided massacre, was steadily advancing towards the northwest route.
[Everyone knows the plan, right?]
The first squad leader’s words were met with nods from the other nine leaders.
[Don’t worry. We’re as sharp as you, brother.]
The youngest, the tenth squad leader, grinned.
They held their breath, waiting for the right moment.
Finally, as Neung Unpa led his group into the entrance of the northwest route,
[Now!]
The first squad leader’s signal sent them flying into the air.
Thud, thud, thud!
Dark shadows soared into the sky above the northwest route.
“Hmm?”
“An ambush!”
The Alliance Leader looked up as the Seung Ryong Squad leader shouted, taking a defensive stance.
Simultaneously,
“Fireball!”
The ten squad leaders chanted in unison, extending their hands.
Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh!
Blazing fireballs formed in their palms and rained down mercilessly on Neung Unpa.
Boom, boom, boom!
With a deafening roar, a pillar of red flames erupted around Neung Unpa.
The squad leaders chanted again.
“Explosive Heat!”
Boom, boom, boom!
Another pillar of fire shot up.
“Alliance Leader!”
“You scoundrels!”
The Seung Ryong Squad members, shocked by the unfamiliar attack, charged at the White Horse Brigade leaders.
Clang! Clang!
But after a brief clash, the White Horse Brigade leaders swiftly retreated, keeping their distance.
As the smoke cleared, Neung Unpa’s condition gradually became visible.
“Did it work?”
The first squad leader watched with a glimmer of hope, only to be disappointed.
Fwoosh…!
As the smoke dissipated, Neung Unpa stood unharmed, his upper garment completely torn away.
Though his torso bore some soot marks, his muscular physique looked as formidable as ever.
“Tch! He blocked it with his protective aura!”
They had expected it, but not this perfectly.
They thought he might at least suffer a few burns.
Neung Unpa’s eyes turned cold.
“Did you really think you could take me down with such petty tricks?”
Rumble…!
An overwhelming killing intent emanated from Neung Unpa’s entire being as he assumed a fighting stance.
The first squad leader took a step back, speaking cautiously.
“Retreat, retreat!”
“Fall back!”
The sound of rapid footsteps echoed as ten warriors turned on their heels, their feet pounding the ground.
“You rats!”
A thunderous shout erupted from Neung Un-pa as he swung his sword horizontally.
A massive wave of energy surged forward, sweeping through the narrow passage.
The force was so immense that it left scars on the walls of the buildings lining the street.
“Gah!”
“Damn it!”
The ten warriors spun around, raising their swords to block the oncoming energy.
But not all of them succeeded.
The youngest, the Tenth Leader, let out a scream and collapsed.
“Tenth Leader!”
The First Leader, who had been thrown back, scrambled to his feet and shouted, but the Tenth Leader, his neck nearly severed, could not respond.
“Damn it! Keep running!”
At the First Leader’s command, the warriors fled.
The prowess of the Alliance Leader was truly unmatched.
“You scoundrels! Stop right there!”
The Alliance Leader and the Seung Ryong Squad pursued them with terrifying speed.
As they reached the end of the street,
[Now!]
The First Leader sent a mental signal to his hidden subordinates. In an instant,
“Charge!”
A swarm of white-clad warriors descended from the rooftops.
“Pathetic!”
The Alliance Leader scoffed, launching himself into the air like a whirlwind, his sword flashing.
Sparks flew, blood sprayed, and screams filled the air.
The Seung Ryong Squad followed, their blades cutting through the enemy like waves.
“Leave none alive!”
With the command, the squad’s energy attacks soared into the sky.
Blood and flesh scattered everywhere.
The white wave was soon stained crimson.
Neung Un-pa and the Seung Ryong Squad emerged from the chaos, chasing the nine remaining leaders.
At every turn and fork in the road, more white-clad warriors appeared, only to be swept away by the relentless attacks of Neung Un-pa and the Seung Ryong Squad.
It was a massacre, pure and simple.
Neung Un-pa proved that his title as the “Righteous Alliance Leader” was no mere facade.
The fleeing leaders hadn’t anticipated such overwhelming power and could only marvel in disbelief.
“So this is the true strength of the one who holds dominion over the martial world?”
As they ran, the nine leaders found themselves in a circular plaza surrounded by buildings.
Skidding to a halt, they exchanged glances.
Time for a counterattack!
Just as Neung Un-pa entered the plaza,
“Now!”
“Die!”
“Attack!”
The nine leaders shouted in unison, unleashing their sword energy.
“Foolish!”
Neung Un-pa sneered, slashing his sword in a cross pattern.
Two streams of energy crossed and flew towards the nine leaders.
“Impossible!”
The leaders, panicking, raised their swords to block.
Some dropped their swords and fell, while others were cut in half, still clutching their weapons.
The sheer difference in power was terrifying.
The First Leader, his palm torn, coughed up blood and fell to his knees.
“Damn… internal injuries…”
He had known the opponent was formidable, but not to this extent.
Was it all over so easily?
Well, at least…
Neung Un-pa approached, roughly grabbing his hair.
“Ugh…”
“If you wish to face me, your master must come.”
The First Leader twisted his lips into a grin.
Blood seeped between his teeth.
“No need to wait for someone far away. Heh. The one who will kill you, the Fire Spirit Demon, is coming. Our mission ends here.”