Chapter 049. Difference in Status
"Hmm."
As Dam Jeok-san helped Baek Ri-gwan up, he felt goosebumps rise on his neck.
A sense of repulsion rising from the realm of instinct.
Something that should not exist exists. Something that must be caught and killed is roaming the world.
Kill, must surely kill.
A monster harboring demonic energy that defies the heavens exists in here.
Dam Jeok-san was certain of that fact.
Fierce anger burned in his mind.
This is…….
'Is this a side effect of accepting Seo Woo-joo's ego as part of myself……?'
No, it cannot be called just a side effect.
Instinctive killing intent and hostility towards monsters arise, but it is sufficiently controllable, and the advantage was clear.
Just looking at now, for instance.
Thanks to awakening the Predator's senses, he could catch the extremely faint fluctuation of demonic energy.
A chilling light settled in Dam Jeok-san's eyes for an instant.
He first pulled Baek Ri-gwan sharply. To a position where he could immediately protect him if something happened. It would be troublesome if Baek, who suffered internal injuries, became the target of an attack.
And he slowly raised his internal energy.
Secretly enough to deceive even the gaze observing him while emitting demonic energy right now.
The time it took was truly only a split second.
He unleashed his sword immediately upon turning his head toward the place where the demonic energy was felt.
An action without a shred of hesitation despite the crowd being packed.
Swoosh!!
Following that trajectory, a thin ray of sword qi stretches out like a flash of lightning.
The target was a martial artist of the Righteous Heaven Alliance wielding pitch-black demonic energy in his eyes.
* * *
"……!"
Dam Jeok-san's sudden attack.
A bewildered light settled in Wi Cheon-rak's eyes.
What is it, did he go mad?
To unleash sword qi right into the middle of the crowd abruptly.
Even if he is the Castle Lord's disciple, this is not something that can be easily overlooked.
Did he go crazy after dabbling in demonic arts to restore his dantian?
Such thoughts came naturally. It was quite a laughable thought for Wi Cheon-rak, the master of Unorthodox arts and sorcery and a Cardinal of the Yin God Cult, to have.
That was how much Dam Jeok-san's action was outside common sense.
However, the moment he met Dam Jeok-san's coldly settled eyes, he could clearly know that he was not crazy.
He detected the demonic energy Wi Cheon-rak himself emitted.
Unless it was that, the hostility permeating those coldly settled eyes could not be explained.
It was secretive enough to deceive even the masters of the Entering Transformation Realm in the VIP seats, so why was it exposed?
Although the means were unknown, his extraordinary brain quickly adjusted Dam Jeok-san's danger level upward.
When Murong Gang, his cherished toy, died, he let it pass thinking it was the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable's intervention. Since the manifestation of an Entering Transformation Realm master is like a natural disaster.
But seeing Dam Jeok-san now, the thought occurred that maybe it was this guy who dealt with Murong Gang.
It was reasonable because Wi Cheon-rak noticed the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable's intervention and spared no effort to stop her.
Even though he failed to hold her back and guessed that the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable had achieved some kind of accomplishment or hid a secret plan. Perhaps he might have to correct the premise itself.
That Dam Jeok-san might have plotted against Murong Gang leading his two subordinates and the Young Family Head of the Namgung Clan.
'Certainly a target I must not lower my guard against.'
In a few decades, the Yin God Cult might face another Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle.
At that time, they would truly have to worry about the survival of the Cult. If possible, it would be desirable to eliminate him before that happens.
Apart from such inner thoughts, not a trace of bewilderment appeared on Wi Cheon-rak's face.
After all, this body is a possessed vessel.
Even if Dam Jeok-san felt the demonic energy, if the owner of this body dies, there is no way to prove it anywhere.
'Now is the time to retreat a step.'
Wi Cheon-rak decided so upon seeing the sword qi rushing precisely towards him digging through the gaps in the crowd.
Stage an unfair death. Then Dam Jeok-san will be helplessly framed for killing a member of the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
Wi Cheon-rak spread his arms with an insidious smile―
Thin sword qi rushed towards his chest, and he spread his arms pretending to be flustered.
However, the moment he faced that sword qi.
'……!'
Wi Cheon-rak gathered his spread arms and instinctively formed a hand seal.
Because that thin sword qi felt like the maw of a giant monster trying to swallow him.
His body reacted before he could even harbor a shred of doubt.
WOOWOO!!
Dark red light flashed strongly and a thick curtain of demonic energy formed, wrapping around Wi Cheon-rak.
BOOOOM―!
Dam Jeok-san's sword qi, which didn't contain that much power, scattered with a loud explosion the moment it collided with the curtain.
"Ha……!"
A hollow laugh burst from Wi Cheon-rak's mouth.
'Cunning brat!'
Dam Jeok-san must have planned all this from the moment he fired the sword qi at him.
If such a person is given transcendent martial power, the war situation of the Demonic Realm itself might change.
However, Wi Cheon-rak was not given time to think about such things.
Clatter.
Because those sitting in the VIP seats kicked their seats and stood up.
Wi Cheon-rak faced three rays of light stretching toward him. The presence of Entering Transformation Realm masters approaching completion.
"Kuhahahaha!"
Wi Cheon-rak burst into laughter as if enjoying that pressure.
"Dam Jeok-san."
A horribly cracked voice flowed from the mouth of the Righteous Heaven Alliance martial artist he was controlling.
A voice containing hatred, anger, and the curse resulting from them.
That voice, like the muttering of an evil spirit risen from hell, was enough to make an ordinary person faint just by hearing it.
"You will die by our hands."
Wi Cheon-rak declared in a low voice.
It was a kind of Kotodama.
At this moment, Dam Jeok-san's fate became deeply entangled with the Yin God Cult.
Every move of the Cult will become a stepping stone and process to kill Dam Jeok-san.
Regardless of whether intended or not. It will inevitably be so.
All coincidences and inevitable events will make Dam Jeok-san face the power of the Yin God Cult.
And eventually, make him face death.
This is different from a crude curse cast by the will of a mere individual.
Unorthodox art that twists even Heaven's Mandate by changing the complex causality of the world.
Wi Cheon-rak's unique art, skilled in causality manipulation using Unorthodox arts even among the Cardinals of the Yin God Cult.
Unless one obtained the status of a Half-Immortal and became free from fate and causality……. It is a high-level technique that even a master of the Entering Transformation Realm cannot completely escape.
If he had manifested in his original body, he would have killed him directly, but this is the best he can do in his current possessed state.
'Rather, it turned out well.'
No matter how high his martial arts are, with this body, he cannot escape unscathed against those three: the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable, Sword Addict, and Blood Death Lord.
He prepared to abandon the possessed vessel and escape with a satisfied look.
If caught by the Entering Transformation Realm masters, it would become quite troublesome, so he intended to sever his heart meridians and commit suicide in advance.
However―
The Kotodama declared to Dam Jeok-san bounced back as it was.
RUMBLE!!
At the same time, pitch-black lightning fell on Wi Cheon-rak's head.
It was a scene as if divine punishment was falling on one who touched something that should not be touched.
* * *
―You will die by our hands.
The Righteous Heaven Alliance martial artist, no, the massive existence dwelling in him, chattered towards Dam Jeok-san.
Presumably, a Cardinal of the Yin God Cult or a monster comparable to one.
It was certain that the guy's identity was a monster who reached the Entering Transformation Realm through sorcery.
He thought he could draw out the demonic energy using sword qi containing the ability of Predation.
Up to there was good.
To think he would bind him with such a bizarre and unfathomable method.
Dam Jeok-san admitted his arrogance. He misjudged the ability of an Entering Transformation Realm sorcerer. Even knowing well what kind of extraordinary things they are capable of.
Dam Jeok-san quickly raised the genuine qi of the Extreme Heaven Strange Sovereign Technique. A struggle to escape the aftermath of something like that curse even a little.
Dam Jeok-san clenched his back teeth, expecting the pain of his soul being torn to shreds.
But.
Before the demonic energy touched his body, it bounced off an intangible barrier and returned to the opponent.
"Hmm?"
Just as Dam Jeok-san tilted his head with a bewildered expression.
RUMBLE!
The bounced demonic energy turned into pitch-black lightning and struck the crown of the Righteous Heaven Alliance martial artist's head.
Lightning striking only the spirit body, not the physical body. A type closer to divine punishment than sorcery. He received back exactly what he had done.
Why did this happen?
This must also be the effect of awakening his past life.
Predator Seo Woo-joo. If it is that existence Dam Jeok-san briefly faced in the mental world…….
Unorthodox arts distorting Heaven's Mandate would feel like petty pranks.
Since Dam Jeok-san also inherited his status very faintly by awakening his past life.
'The guy was foolish.'
If it was a sorcery acting directly on the physical body instead of that kind of Unorthodox art, it would have worked sufficiently.
"Gahhh……!"
A groan full of pain flowed from the Righteous Heaven Alliance martial artist's mouth.
At the same time, three Entering Transformation Realm masters slammed him onto the floor as he was.
Wi Cheon-rak, having suffered great damage to his spirit body, collapsed without being able to offer any resistance.
"Yin God Cult, and a Cardinal level at that."
The one who opened his mouth first was none other than the Blood Death Lord.
Having lived a life of nearly 100 years and faced countless enemies, he deduced Wi Cheon-rak's identity just by seeing the temporarily manifested demonic energy.
"……."
The Sword Addict standing beside him couldn't hide his bitter expression.
As the Fake Heaven Sword Corps Commander of the Righteous Heaven Alliance, he knew the martial artist possessed by the Cardinal well.
However, who he originally was no longer held any meaning.
'The soul has been completely annihilated.'
Whether he converted to the Yin God Cult by his own will.
Or whether he was subdued by Wi Cheon-rak and had the imprint of a possessed vessel engraved.
There is no way to know now.
Tsk, the Sword Addict clicked his tongue containing complicated emotions.
"I prevented the suicide, but…… it seems meaningless."
Northern Heaven Sword Venerable Un Wol-hyang continued speaking with a blunt expression.
But intense heat was blazing in her eyes.
Because that damn Cardinal dared to try to touch Dam Jeok-san.
It was fortunate that the demonic energy bounced off due to some unknown harmony, otherwise, it might have been really dangerous.
Even she felt the omen of a powerful Unorthodox art being activated to the point of getting goosebumps.
'Martial Nephew is just…….'
At first, when his dantian was recovered, she thought the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle had stepped in.
But now she doesn't know.
No matter if it is the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle, can one change a person to that extent?
'……Still, it is certain he is the same person.'
Intuition felt through her upper dantian.
But at the same time, she also felt certain that Dam Jeok-san was hiding many things even from her.
However, Un Wol-hyang decided not to dig into it specifically.
Because she believes in Dam Jeok-san.
That he did not become strong through dishonest methods, and that he can control the power he possesses.
Gathering her thoughts, she dragged the Righteous Heaven Alliance martial artist.
"The original soul was already annihilated, and the possessing soul is also disappearing."
"Did he prepare for part of his soul to be lost? He's vicious."
The Blood Death Lord clicked his tongue and responded to Un Wol-hyang.
No matter if he is a sorcerer who can split his soul into several pieces to possess bodies.
If the soul itself disappears, he has no choice but to bear severe damage. But he judged to pull out from here even bearing that.
No, perhaps.
"It might be that his soul was damaged beyond recovery due to what just happened."
The Blood Death Lord said, twisting the corners of his wrinkled mouth askew.
"Hey, Sword Dragon."
The old man looked back at Dam Jeok-san and continued speaking.
"I think some explanation is needed in this old man's opinion?"
"Well, what do you think?"
Dam Jeok-san shrugged upon hearing that question.
Meanwhile, Baek Ri-gwan, who had now become the former Squad Leader of the Monster Repelling Squad, was still being held in Dam Jeok-san's grasp with a bewildered expression.
In fact, his bewildered expression represented the feelings of most people in the arena.
Those who understood the series of urgently unfolded situations were only the three Entering Transformation Realm masters sitting in the VIP seats and Dam Jeok-san.
Is that why.
All eyes were focused on Dam Jeok-san and the Blood Death Lord.
An instant that felt like an eon passed.
"Answer, Sword Dragon."
As the Blood Death Lord opened his mouth, gray shockwaves began to surge in both his hands.
Will to not hesitate to attack if he doesn't answer straight.
However, Dam Jeok-san also did not back down and strode forward.
Dragging Baek Ri-gwan held in his grasp.
"……Excuse me, Squad Leader?"
Baek Ri-gwan called Dam Jeok-san, but he didn't mind at all and looked at the Blood Death Lord.
As sharp momentum arose from Dam Jeok-san's body, the blade of the Red Cloud Sword flashed blue.
"The only one who can ask me that is one person."
Dam Jeok-san's gaze was directed toward Northern Heaven Sword Venerable Un Wol-hyang.