Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 204

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 204

It was a low, subdued voice.

However, the tremendous presence backing those words made the Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists flinch and freeze in place.

One step, one step.

Dan Chuyeong’s aura slowly passing through the forest pressed down on all directions.

“Be, Beast Palace Lord….”

The face of Elder Ju Okmon, who was leading the Ghostly Poison Sect’s capture formation, contorted.

One of the martial artists known to be the strongest in Yunnan.

Why was he here….

Considering his status, there was no reason for him to participate in the Wild Spirit Festival, nor in the spirit beast capture battle.

But even if they were intimidated by his aura, this wasn’t a situation where they could easily clear the path.

“It’s been a while, Elder Ju.”

“…I greet the Beast Palace Lord.”

“Let’s save the greetings for later. Right now I need to save my family.”

Dan Chuyeong glanced at Saja Plain and immediately tried to pass by them.

Woo Yong, who had come under attack from the tiger.

The spirit beast Baek-a had quickly rushed over and barely managed to protect him, but the difference in size and strength was clear.

It was like a cat charging at a tiger.

If he didn’t hurry to save them, he could lose not only Woo Yong but Baek-a as well.

“That cannot be allowed.”

“…Cannot be allowed?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

At the sight of Ju Okmon blocking his path, one corner of Dan Chuyeong’s eye twitched.

“Already over a hundred martial artists from our sect have lost their lives. The spirit beast belongs to us….”

“Ju Okmon.”

“….”

“Does it seem like I’m asking you for a favor right now?”

A cruel smile appeared on his lips.

And the aura that suddenly burst forth became strong enough to crush Ju Okmon’s body.

It was an aura so suffocating it was hard to breathe and so heavy it could buckle one’s knees.

‘Why on earth? Does he not care about going to war with the Ghostly Poison Sect?’

Ju Okmon, gritting his teeth and enduring, couldn’t understand Dan Chuyeong’s actions.

He understood that the spirit beast of Saja Plain was remarkable.

For the Beast Palace that commanded beasts, it would be more desirable than anything else.

But what would he do after capturing it?

Though he hadn’t learned beast taming, he could tell well enough that the spirit beast of Saja Plain was an untameable type.

An untamed beast.

It might even harm its owner.

In the end, like themselves, he would have to covet the spirit beast’s inner core and other secondary benefits.

But preparing for war with the Ghostly Poison Sect just for that was madness.

No one would think of mutual destruction just to obtain one spirit beast or save one family member.

And wasn’t he the Palace Lord responsible for the Beast Palace?

“I won’t say it again. Ju Okmon, step aside. Unless you all want to die.”

Dan Chuyeong’s aura grew even stronger.

The energy waves rising from his body were turning into a whirlwind that threatened to sweep everything away.

Hissss!

The heat blooming from Dan Chuyeong’s feet heated the ground intensely, causing white steam to rise.

The materialization of killing intent.

The whirlwind, already transformed like a beast’s claws, tore through Ju Okmon’s robes.

As the situation escalated, nearby Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists flanked Ju Okmon and joined the standoff.

“These bastards….”

The corners of Dan Chuyeong’s bloodshot eyes flared up, and the swirling whirlwind was instantly sucked into his hands and condensed into Gang Qi.

Ju Okmon realized he was serious.

A single strike.

The moment Dan Chuyeong’s hand swept out, not only himself but the other martial artists nearby would be torn to shreds.

That’s when it happened.

“Elder Ju!”

“…?”

“The Palace Lord didn’t come here for the spirit beast!”

“What?”

“I’ll explain the situation. First, saving Bongung’s martial artist is the priority, so please clear the path!”

At Jeong Haeryong’s shout as he blocked the Beast Palace Lord’s path, Ju Okmon’s brow furrowed.

This was insubordination toward the Palace Lord.

No matter how urgent the situation, blocking his path and stepping forward without permission was something that even an elder couldn’t escape severe punishment for.

But thanks to that, the Ghostly Poison Sect had gained justification not to fight.

A battle with the Beast Palace Lord?

Of course they couldn’t stop him.

Just as the structure of most Murim factions was similar, not all masters possessed similar levels of skill.

Though divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers, those in the upper tier were incomparable to martial artists in the middle and lower tiers.

Only a few represented each level, and their power was equivalent to entire factions.

This was true for both the Ghostly Poison Sect and the Beast Palace.

Especially since both the Ghostly Poison Sect Master and the Beast Palace Lord had already reached the absolute level of Gang Qi, what more needed to be said?

The fight would probably end in an instant.

But just then, Jeong Haeryong had stepped forward and created an opportunity to retreat, so Ju Okmon had to quickly seize that chance.

“You’re saying the spirit beast isn’t your objective?”

“Just step aside for now. Didn’t I say I’d explain?”

He didn’t trust Jeong Haeryong, but he trusted the Palace Lord.

He represented the Beast Palace.

His words were the Beast Palace’s true intentions, so he wouldn’t use underhanded tactics.

“Palace Lord, please tell me just one thing.”

“…I have no interest in the spirit beast.”

“…!”

That was enough.

His words were a weighty promise that represented his pride.

“Everyone, clear the path!”

“Yes!”

As Ju Okmon urgently shouted, the Ghostly Poison Sect martial artists immediately stepped aside to the left and right.

Even before the path to Saja Plain was fully cleared, Dan Chuyeong had already launched his body at high speed and flown near Woo Yong.

“Whew…. I really thought a war was about to break out.”

Jeong Haeryong, stroking his chest in relief, glanced toward Ju Okmon.

Him fighting and the Palace Lord stepping forward were completely different matters.

When elders fought, it could be resolved later through negotiations with compensation payments, but if the Palace Lord killed a Ghostly Poison Sect elder, war would begin from that moment.

Because it would be the Palace Lord’s will.

He would never bow his head to the Ghostly Poison Sect to apologize for his mistakes.

That was something not just the Palace Lord, but no one from the Beast Palace would tolerate.

“Elder Jeong, what exactly is the Palace Lord’s purpose? He didn’t come because of the Wild Spirit Festival, and it doesn’t seem like he came personally just to catch spirit beasts.”

“It’s because of Bongung’s benefactor.”

“Benefactor?”

“That’s what happened. It seems I fell off the cliff while fighting that tiger.”

“Ah….”

“Anyway, know that you owe your life to me. The Palace Lord truly intended to kill you.”

“Hmm.”

Ju Okmon swallowed his saliva and gently touched his neck that was still attached.

Though he had endured by backing himself with the name of the Monstrous Poison Gate, his liver had been shrinking for quite some time.

“But, there… you’re really not interested in the spiritual beast, right?”

“This fellow is now….”

“How desperate must I be to ask? As I said, over a hundred warriors from our main sect have died. If we fail to capture the spiritual beast, the Sect Master won’t remain idle….”

Ju Okmon’s words made irritation rise.

Who told their own people to step forward and get themselves killed?

But soon he could only let out a sigh.

There’s a saying that a widow’s heart is understood by a widower.

Both he and himself were subordinates.

Being in a position where they moved under the Goedeokmunju’s orders, what was the point of blaming?

“Didn’t the Palace Lord say so just a moment ago.”

“Hmm?”

“…You said you had no interest in the spiritual beast.”

“I heard that, but that spiritual beast is truly a rare creature that would be hard to see even in a lifetime….”

“Are you now making light of the Palace Lord’s words?”

“H-how could that be? I was just confirming once more.”

When Jeong Haeryong’s eyes turned fierce, Ju Okmon frantically waved his hands in denial.

Such a temper….

“The Monstrous Poison Gate can handle the spiritual beast themselves. Since it has already been stated, even if he handles it personally, he won’t be interested in byproducts and such.”

“Ah….”

This was actually good news.

In a situation where damage was only increasing because the spiritual beast was originally strong, if the Heavenly Demon stepped forward personally, wouldn’t it be like blowing one’s nose without using hands?

“Still, we should help.”

“Help?”

“Though the Palace Lord is strong, the spiritual beast’s power is not to be taken lightly.”

Jeong Haeryong knew.

Zhuge Munhyeon.

He was already a warrior approaching Dan Chuyeong’s level.

The fact that such a person was nowhere to be seen meant the spiritual beast’s power exceeded Zhuge Munhyeon’s abilities.

Perhaps even the Palace Lord could be in danger.

“Anyway, now that we’re cooperating, I plan to call all of Bongung’s main forces here.”

“The warriors of Beast Palace?”

“That’s right.”

“…A-alright then. What the hell, since it’s come to this, let’s establish a united front.”

Ju Okmon had no reason to refuse.

Though he hadn’t asked the Sect Master for permission, in a situation where they had agreed to hand over the spiritual beast to them and even help.

An unprecedented spiritual beast capture operation began with the two forces united.

* * *

Krrroooong!

Baek-a, who leaped in with a resounding roar, looked like a white flash.

Charging in at tremendous speed, it blocked the flow of attacks aimed at Woo Yong and turned the creature’s gaze toward itself.

Several times after that.

It clawed with sharp talons and bit with pointed fangs, but all was in vain.

Thwack!

Just one swing.

Baek-a, struck by the heavy kick, was slammed into the ground and rolled.

It looked like a fight between a warrior who had already reached a certain level and a child who had just begun learning at a military academy.

Just playing around?

That expression would probably be accurate.

But when a murderous energy suddenly pierced through, the tiger turned its gaze away from Baek-a and turned its head.

The owner of that energy was Dan Chuyeong, flying rapidly toward Saja Plain.

With both hands seemingly ablaze with blue flames, he immediately joined their fight.

Craaack!

His fist, which had penetrated while avoiding the swinging paw, struck the side forcefully, pushing the tiger’s body back considerably.

“A mere beast dares….”

Dan Chuyeong, who had separated the tiger from Baek-a and Woo Yong, muttered with a fierce expression.

But his mind was uncomfortable.

The spiritual beast’s body was tougher than expected.

Since it was a fist imbued with Gang Qi, it should have been enough to tear through that hide, but the creature only got pushed back and seemed completely fine.

Rather, his own wrist was aching.

“…Are you alright?”

Of course, Woo Yong came first for now.

Though Baek-a had blocked in time preventing further external injuries, blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth.

His insides were damaged.

“How did the Palace Lord…?”

“I’ll hear the answer later, but for now, get away. The beast is more troublesome than expected.”

“…Yes.”

The answer was obedient.

Because he knew he was only getting in the way rather than helping.

Also, he could flee without any worry.

The one who came to save him was none other than the Heavenly Demon.

While Woo Yong staggered back toward the forest, Dan Chuyeong turned his head toward the tiger.

‘That creature….’

Detestable.

He had thought it would immediately pounce after allowing his attack, but it was standing still and watching.

As if giving time to escape.

‘This won’t be an easy fight.’

His heart grew heavy.

The creature was confident.

Well, having a body tough enough to withstand Gang Qi….

Hence the worry.

Zhuge Munhyeon.

What had become of that fellow?

If he had fought a spiritual beast with this level of power, he surely couldn’t be in perfect condition.

The wide-open Saja Plain probably wasn’t the spiritual beast’s dwelling, but likely the fierce battle ground with Zhuge Munhyeon.

If he had fallen off the cliff without being devoured… would he be alive?

Having fallen into that place no different from Manjangdan-ae with an injured body.

“Whatever the case, it means I need to make you behave first.”

Worry before a fight is not good.

To give one’s absolute best, one must think only of the opponent before their eyes.

“Baek-a.”

When he called out quietly while keeping his gaze fixed on the spiritual beast, Baek-a, having already shaken off the shock from being hit, approached from the side and lowered its upper body.

It was a charging stance for attack.

“It’s been quite a while.”

Grrrr….

At Dan Chuyeong’s smile, Baek-a let out a low growl.

Since reaching the realm of Gang Qi, he had never used the Human-Beast Combined Attack Technique.

There had been no need for it.

But now, the strongest of the Beast Palace brought out his ultimate technique to use all the power he possessed.

Dan Chuyeong’s eyes turned yellow like those of a beast.

Their hearts resonated, and the soul of a spirit beast dwelled within a human body.

It was the manifestation of the Tiger King.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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