“Graaaah!”
“Roooar!”
A gloomy wailing sound and a bizarre cry filled the underground chamber with a fragrant scent.
Nurous warriors clad in blood-stained robes gathered, and quite a few people in ceremonial attire were also present.
This was the headquarters of the core unit of the Demonic Cult, known as the Strange Beings Troops, and it served as a prison for binding and managing the Jiangshi.
It was also a place frequently visited by the Demonic Cult’s leader when handling important matters.
Rattle, rattle.
At the center of the prison. Songhwa sat alone, rolling his eyes in fear.
He quickly realized that those confined in the spaces blocked by bars on either side were not re zombies.
They appeared to be high-level jiangshi.
Despite their ferocious cries, they would look down at the floor or simply sit down.
Yet, they did not cause a commotion.
The struggle to surpass one’s limits is reflected in that manner.
It was one of the characteristics possessed by high-level Soulless.
‘No, so many of them…’
Soulless, originally called New Jiangshi, were once human.
Although they differ as they beco mad maniacs unable to control their demonic nature, it was still astonishing to see so many, and at such a high level.
‘They must be the warriors…’
On one side, a small desk resembling a wooden table was placed, and people sat on chairs, talking to each other.
To Songhwa, they were people of such high status that he couldn’t even think of joining their conversation.
“Can that child really possess such abilities?”
Second disciple Demon Lord showed an expression of disbelief.
It was understandable, as it was hard to imagine that such a young one could possess such remarkable abilities.
Across from him stood the leader of the Strange Beings Troops, Yerin, who bowed her head in response.
“Yes. When the Lord commanded us to find a way to eliminate the disciple, we, the leaders, had a ti of deep contemplation. Just then, a suggestion ca through the Third Disciple, and upon hearing the plan, we were convinced of its success.”
“Did samae propose it first?”
As Demon Lord turned his gaze, Ah Ryeong, who was sitting next to him, grinned broadly.
Demon Lord and Ah Ryeong.
These two, on the day Earth Demon declared he would go under the First Disciple.
Without saying who first, they clasped hands.
And today, they were in the process of confirming the solution to the dilemma called Earth Demon.
“Bring them out.”
When Ah Ryeong signaled to the leader, Yerin gestured with her hand.
“Please co out.”
Then, from the shadows, an old man erged.
He was dressed in clothing similar to that worn by the surrounding monks.
Among them, what particularly drew attention was his face. It was his haggard appearance.
“Huh? Elder, you are…”
Just in ti, Demon Lord saw him and stood up in great surprise.
“Aren’t you Mong Hyun, the forr head of the Ghost Valley Sect?”
He was a familiar figure to him.
Though now reclusive and inactive, he was soone who had served as the third head of the Strange Beings Troops even before Demon Lord was born.
“Has it been about twenty years? It’s really been a long ti, Disciple Demon.”
He, too, greeted Demon Lord brightly.
Exactly that amount of ti had passed from the end of his term to the day he ntioned.
“Since you said you would turn your back on the world, we lost contact. How did you co to be here? More importantly, is your health alright?”
“As you can see, I don’t have long to live. That’s why I intended to decline the disciple’s request with conditions… But they brought a child who t those conditions…”
Mong Hyun glanced at Songhwa, trailing off.
Seeing this, Demon Lord looked at Ah Ryeong and asked.
“What conditions did the elder set?”
“They said they needed the help of a special practitioner who could create an intellectual Soulless.”
“What? Are you telling a Soulless can retain the consciousness they had in life?”
“That’s right.”
“Is that possible?”
Demon Lord turned his gaze to Yerin’s weak presence and asked.
“Based on ancient texts, theoretically, it is possible. Of course, it requires soone with special abilities.”
“Then what happens if you use it? To maintain intellectual ability, you ultimately have to overco the Demon, don’t you?”
“Yes. As you said, it becos the Supre Demon. In the state of a Soulless.”
“……Hah!”
Demon Lord’s eyes widened.
A Soulless who reached the Supre Demon.
It was sothing even he, who led the Strange Beings Troops for a long ti, had never heard of.
He knew the limitations of a Soulless better than anyone.
But there was no way the forr leader would lie to him.
Moreover, Mong Hyun was a renowned forr leader of the Strange Beings Troops.
If he agreed, the claim of reaching the Supre Demon must be true.
‘A Soulless who thinks and judges like an ordinary person, and moreover, the Supre Demon……’
It wouldn’t be just an ordinary Supre Demon warrior.
A level higher.
To be precise, they would gain abilities close to transcending demons.
After all, the Soulless itself possesses physical abilities beyond the human realm, doesn’t it?
“Naturally, if there wasn’t anyone with that special ability, I would have given up as well. But it seems sahyung’s subordinates found soone who t the conditions. From the Strange Killing Troops.”
At Ah Ryeong’s words, Demon Lord laughed heartily.
“Ha ha ha! As expected. They say that most of the reclusive warriors residing in Hidden Shadow Hall know each other… This is why connections are important.”
Now, everything made sense.
To beco a Soulless, a living sacrifice is needed.
Mong Hyun would probably take on that role.
The old man wouldn’t want to miss the chance to extend his life and experience the Supre Demonic Arts.
He had reached the level of a first-rate demonic martial artist in his pri, and as a mber of the Strange Beings Troops, he was well-versed in all techniques.
He certainly seed to lack nothing as a sacrifice.
“Samae, you’ve really used your brain.”
This entire plan was made because of the absolute warrior Earth Demon.
It began with the search for soone who could face him without causing power loss to Demon Lord and Ah Ryeong.
A Soulless who had reached Supre Demon was the most suitable.
Since End Demon still couldn’t fully trust Earth Demon, there were no Supre Demon warriors by Earth Demon’s side, creating an opportunity to exploit that gap.
Of course, even if Earth Demon were to fight a Soulless at the Supre Demon level, he would win, but his lifespan would be drastically shortened.
anwhile, if End Demon could properly establish the defense line to strike.
In that case, it could completely shake this ga.
“Then, go ahead. I will watch from a distance.”
“Understood.”
As if waiting, the Strange Beings Troops mbers and Mong Hyun walked towards Songhwa.
The mont of initializing the ceremony to beco Supre Demon was about to begin here.
Songhwa roughly understood how things were unfolding.
To make the spirit stronger with his own demonic qi.
‘They must be planning to use until my qi is depleted.’
One person. No, he might be able to create one sohow, but after that, he would hit a limit.
When that happens, he would need at least a year to recover, but they wouldn’t wait that long.
As he continued to create successful results, he would soon et his death.
‘As expected, this fate. Can’t I escape it……’
His master had tried hard to prevent such a situation, but ultimately failed.
Once they found the answer, he couldn’t deceive the eyes of the seekers of the Strange Beings Troops.
In truth, there was no way to avoid it.
If he refused to use his qi, they would kill his master and find ways to inflict even greater pain on him afterward.
“Now. Use your sorcery. We will help you.”
As the other sorcerers gathered, Songhwa nodded.
There was nowhere to run, and no one to help him.
“First, I need a Soulless. Without a Soulless, the sorcery won’t…”
“Don’t worry about that.”
As expected, the elderly man ntioned earlier sat cross-legged, as if he had been waiting.
“I’m ready.”
“Maximize the demonic qi…”
“I know. I’ve pinpointed the Demonic Blood Point and unleashed all my latent powers. Soon, I will enter a state of madness.”
The elder, already familiar with the thod, required no further explanation.
Thus, the sorcery began.
Songhwa started chanting to invoke the spell. The mbers of the Strange Beings Troops ford a circle to aid the ritual.
“But you know…”
anwhile, watching the scene, Demon Lord asked Yerin.
“When the Soulless becos the Supre Demon, can we control it?”
“Of course. While it’s impossible to subdue it by force, we can control it with our sorcery.”
“Oh, that’s a relief. Well, even if problems arise…”
He glanced sideways, acknowledging a middle-aged man standing silently.
It was the Bloody Troops leader, Yu-pae.
“These people can be trusted.”
Yu-pae only bowed his head silently at Demon Lord’s words, without any particular response.
“Graaa. Graaa!”
As the sorcery began in earnest, a reaction followed imdiately.
The old man’s skin was completely burned away, and soon an aura darker and more unpleasant than demonic qi emanated from his entire body.
Creak, creak.
Then the black smoke flowing from his body beca sticky.
At the phenonon of it dripping like mud appeared, a few among those watching frowned.
“Could it be, rebirth…?”
Ah Ryeong, who was watching, groaned.
A phenonon where a physical transformation occurs upon reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.
Now it seed that even a Soulless was exhibiting such a phenonon.
Of course, unlike that, it felt extrely unpleasant.
Swoosh—
So of the energy emanating from the old man’s body evaporated, while so was absorbed into the cracked, drought-stricken skin like a parched field.
Afterward, skin slowly began to regenerate on the old man’s body.
However, it wasn’t that of an ordinary human, but rather, it took on a dark blue or silvery hue, resembling a fish’s body.
Swish.
The old man, who had been still for a while, rose.
Only the skin color was a bit different.
Mong Hyun appeared much younger than before, and his eyes exuded strength.
“Oh. Did it work?”
The qi flowing from Mong Hyun’s body was also perceptible to Demon Lord.
Although it was sowhat different from ordinary demonic qi, it was undoubtedly a trendous force.
“Check it out. If it’s dangerous, fall back.”
“Yes.”
Swoosh.
As Demon Lord gave a nod, one of the n acknowledged and stepped forward.
He was the Sixth Division Leader of the Bloody Troops, known as Su Gwae-seong, who had ascended to the rank of Peak Demon.
He personally stepped forward to gauge the skill of the Soulless.
Step, step.
The old man did not react as he walked slowly. He rely stood there, repeatedly closing and opening his eyes.
Perhaps that’s why.
Tap, tap.
Su Gwae-seong lightly tapped his shoulder and spoke.
“How is it? How does it feel?”
The opponent did not answer.
He rely continued to slowly close and open his eyes.
Su Gwae-seong glanced back at Demon Lord and after seemingly receiving a signal, he nodded.
Then, slowly, he placed his hand on the sword so the opponent wouldn’t notice.
“Shall we see your skills?”
In an instant, he swung his sword horizontally.
Swoosh!
Like a flash of light, the Sixth Division Leader’s sword technique extended with incredible speed.
But astonishingly, his sword fell to the ground before it could be properly wielded.
“……!”
“……!”
Everyone was shocked by the scene.
Even though the arm of the leader was severed, no one knew exactly what had happened.
Even Demon Lord, who was in a state of heightened alert, couldn’t see it.
“Wow. Wahahahahaha!”
Demon Lord laughed.
It was as strong as he thought, no, even stronger than he imagined.
He hadn’t expected it to be this effective.
“I told you! Things would be different if we joined forces.”
Ah Ryeong, standing next to him, chid in joyfully.
“Of course. It’s definitely different.”
“Sa-Sahyung, are we taking that Soulless to deal with Earth Demon?”
“Yeah. We should.”
In a fleeting mont, Demon Lord’s gaze changed slightly, but Ah Ryeong did not notice.
‘And after getting rid of the disciples, I must kill you first.’
Their intended uses were different from each other.
Now, once Earth Demon is dealt with, they can make a few more like him to use as power.
And the first target was Ah Ryeong. If she is killed, he can absorb the forces under her command as they are.
“But where is that Soulless going?”
Amidst everyone’s watchful eyes, the old man suddenly began walking in one direction.
It was towards a place where no one was, just a wall.
The old man approached and stopped just before the wall, almost touching it.
And then he spoke in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Co out.”
There was no answer.
Neither the direction he was looking nor his actions elicited any response.
“Co out. Co out! Don’t hide, co ouuuuuuuuuut!”
As he scread like a madman, those watching furrowed their brows.
No one looked favorably upon the unknown actions of the Soulless.
“What is he doing?”
“Did he just go crazy?”
Both Demon Lord and Ah Ryeong, as well as everyone watching, had bewildered expressions regarding the Soulless’s incomprehensible behavior.
Of course, they would have continued to think so if they hadn’t heard the following voice.
“Huh, an intriguing fellow. How did a re Jiangshi manage to find ?”
A voice resonated softly within the prison.
It was a wave that reached everyone.
A top-tier voice transmission delivered directly into everyone’s ears through internal qi.
“Nice to et you all. So of you, we’ve t before?”
And then, beside Songhwa, a figure slowly revealed itself.
It was Seol-Hwi’s appearance.
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