Chapter 275: The Celestial Demon Church (1)

A mountain a little way off from the Yunmu Hall.

Jinhyuk was lovingly stroking the adorable Goguma.

“Tweat!”

“Yeah, yeah. Did you enjoy your outing?”

“Tweeeeeat!”

Goguma blinked its eyes and wagged its tail gently.

It seemed to be in a good mood after taking in the fragrant smell of the grass.

Then it happened.

“Beeeeeee…”

Goguma spat out a half-melted pill from its mouth.

“And what’s that?” Chun Yoosung asked, looking incredulous.

“Yunmu Hall has a lot of good pills. They may not be at the level of Shaolin’s Great Shaolin Pill or Wudang’s Zhaoshan Pill, but they’re well-stocked with mid-to-high quality pills to counter the Demon Sect. Thanks to that, our Tweat has been growing splendidly.”

It must have consumed at least 70 pills.

Jinhyuk activated the ‘Eyes of Gluttony.’

[Goguma]

Species: Ancient Species

Age: 1

Level: 156

Strength 105, Agility 138, Stamina 120, Magic 192, Dragon Power 104

Skills: ‘Acidic Spit’ Lv6, ‘Feast Time’ Lv6, ‘Acid Breath’ Lv7, ‘Flight’ Lv11, ‘Fear’ Lv12

Traits: When the Ancient Species engages in combat, its owner’s magic power is also consumed. In regular combat, 5 magic power per minute is needed, and in intense combat, 15 magic power per minute is required.

With the magic stones from KDS and various pills it had recently consumed, the growth was remarkable.

Even considering the fast growth typical of Ancient Species, this was an insane growth rate.

‘Now it’s even started to raise its unique stat, Dragon Power.’

Jinhyuk smiled with satisfaction.

He had also acquired unique manuals, millennium iron, and a precious sword from the treasure vault, so it was a huge jackpot.

“Did you see that? This is how a seasoned player secures a rank card.”

Ahem.

“Wow, I never thought I’d see someone dress up arson and looting like this in my life,” Chun Yoosung said.

“My lord, not even the Celestial Demon Church would do such things.”

“Oh, burning down the house of someone who served you tea and snacks. Why don’t you just rip out their liver and gallbladder and sell them?”

Voices of criticism poured in from all around.

“Arson and looting? Didn’t you see what those guys were doing earlier?”

They preached righteousness and cooperation, but once they failed the test and deemed it useless, their attitude changed without hesitation.

Bully the weak and fear the strong – what kind of warriors are those?

They’re just like gangsters.

“Hmm. The sycophantic behavior was disgusting. I suppose it could be seen as poetic justice,” Chun Yoosung nodded slightly.

Then, as if he remembered something, he asked urgently.

“Wait, but doesn’t this mean the tokens we received are now useless? They’ll soon figure out your relationship with Goguma, won’t they?”

“Well, probably.”

Even if the orthodox sects were slow, they wouldn’t miss something like that.

The information networks of the major factions weren’t that sloppy.

“Then does this mean all our efforts were for nothing?”

No, it wasn’t in vain.

They had obtained valuable treasures from Yunmu Hall.

Besides…

“The rank tokens didn’t matter to me anyway. I never planned on getting one from there in the first place.”

He could get one from his master at the Celestial Demon Church, so why bother with the inflated egos of those guys?

The need for a rank token in the martial world didn’t specify it had to be from an orthodox sect.

The only reason he carried a platinum rank token was because platinum was expensive.

At Jinhyuk’s nonchalant reply, Chun Yoosung’s face crumpled.

“Then what about me? You’re not seriously asking me to go with you to the Celestial Demon Church, are you?”

“Hmm. You can go ask Sister Chuhonsayung for one. I’m sure she’s got a few stashed away.”

“……”

Srrng!

Chun Yoosung silently drew his sword halfway out.

“Wait, hold on. You think I did this all for myself? I’ve got something for you too. Look at this. Isn’t this an amazing sword?”

A long sword engraved with a crane.

It looked anything but ordinary, fitting for something stored by the Kunlun Sect.

“This sword has an attack power of over 4,000. It’s light and mixed with millennium iron, so it can handle as much sword energy as you want to channel. Aren’t you grateful? Come on, say thank you.”

“Wait, that’s not the point…”

“You’re always like this. You never appreciate the effort I put in for you.”

“No. Let’s stay on topic…”

“Oh, now you’re just trying to win the argument by nitpicking. Don’t you know losing is winning sometimes? Just pretend to lose and say thank you. Right or wrong?”

Jinhyuk rattled off rapidly.

“…Yeah. Damn it, thanks.”

Chun Yoosung nodded reluctantly, feeling somehow cheated.

Good. The most troublesome guy was appeased.

‘Now, let’s check out my loot.’

Jinhyuk examined the old book Goguma had brought.

It looked very ancient… the letters on the cover were worn away with time.

He knew the Kunlun Sect mainly stored pills.

Jinhyuk carefully activated ‘Eyes of Gluttony.’

[Due to the low level of ‘Eyes of Gluttony,’ some information is restricted!]

[Book written by someone of extremely high proficiency]

Acquisition difficulty: Unmeasurable

Contents: This is a secret manual written by the 2nd Celestial Demon, Baek Wolcheon, upon entering the realm of Extreme Demonic Mastery. It contains one heart method and two martial techniques of the essence of Celestial Demon Arts, but its intricacy and difficulty make it nearly impossible to comprehend.

This is interesting.

If it’s written by the 2nd Celestial Demon Baek Wolcheon…

No doubt about it.

This is the guy who ravaged Qinghai during the first Great War between the orthodox and the demonic sects.

Come to think of it, I recall reading that the Kunlun Sect had launched a counterattack on the Celestial Demon Church at Ten Thousand Peaks towards the end of the 1st Great War.

‘So they obtained this back then and have kept it hidden until now?’

Even if it’s not the realm of Transcendence, a manual written by Baek Wolcheon upon entering the realm of Extreme Demonic Mastery would be an immensely valuable artifact.

Too valuable to hand over to the Martial Alliance.

Yet, deciphering it would be impossible, given how incomprehensible the first page already was.

So they had no choice but to keep it locked away.

‘They might not even realize it’s written by the 2nd Celestial Demon. They probably just guessed it was written by someone of high proficiency.’

If they knew, they would have guarded it much more tightly.

This is turning out to be quite interesting.

If used well, this manual could be a crucial hidden card when visiting the Celestial Demon Church.

Jinhyuk carefully stored the manual in a corner of his subspace inventory.

At that moment.

Ding!

A red status window appeared before everyone’s eyes.

[A bounty event has been activated!]

[All rank tokens have been nullified!]

[You are now public enemies of the Five Great Clans and the Nine Sacred Houses.]

Dead or alive.

500,000 coins per head, 1,500,000 coins for the main perpetrator.

Duration: Until you leave the martial world (Certain conditions can nullify the bounty).

‘They realized faster than I expected.’

From now on, all regions controlled by the orthodox sects are danger zones.

But it doesn’t matter.

Being a wanted criminal isn’t new.

‘Besides, this is more fun.’

Going easy and smooth isn’t my style.

It has to be stimulating and fresh.

That’s the way the Old-Fashioned Corporation operates.

＊＊＊

Among the top experts of the orthodox sects, only five have broken through the wall of the absolute realm, including the current leader of the Martial Alliance and a few hidden masters.

Even the head of the Mount Hua Sect hasn’t reached the absolute realm.

So, the martial artists of the orthodox sects deliberately belittled the Celestial Demon Church.

To let the other factions in the Tower know that they, not the Celestial Demon Church, were the true rulers of the martial world.

They spread rumors that the Celestial Demon’s martial prowess was exaggerated and that they had long since declined, hiding in Ten Thousand Peaks.

‘But that’s not true.’

The modern Celestial Demon is the disaster of ten thousand demons.

An absolute being that even deities wouldn’t dare to challenge recklessly.

If not for that incident during the third Great War between the orthodox and demonic sects… the orthodox sects might not even exist today.

Jinhyuk looked at the narrow path leading up the mountain.

This is the only way to Ten Thousand Peaks, and at the same time, a deathtrap for outsiders.

Of course, only if you enter without permission.

“My lord. There are quite tricky traps ahead, so let me go first,” Wolyoung adjusted her stride confidently.

“No, it’s fine. I’ve already informed Master that I’d be arriving around this time…”

Jinhyuk trailed off.

He had indeed mentioned to the Celestial Demon Church that he would visit.

‘But would my Master, whom I know well, open the path smoothly just because he heard that?’

Memories from the Tower of Trials flashed through Jinhyuk’s mind.

The answer is obvious.

Of course not.

Rustle.

There was a faint movement around them.

“Hm.”

Alice shifted her weight slightly backward.

Wolyoung realized the change a beat too late.

“Wait! I am from the Black Wind Society…”

“It’s no use, Wolyoung. These guys aren’t human,” Jinhyuk stopped her.

“My lord, what do you mean they aren’t human?”

“They’re zombies. About seven of them, it seems.”

He couldn’t sense their presence, but from the distinctive scent, he guessed they were ‘Murling Zombies’ commonly used by the Celestial Demon Church.

Damn. A master sending zombies as a welcome gesture.

There probably isn’t a more brutal welcome in all of history.

Especially Murling Zombies, which are mid-tier and quite tricky.

“What should I do? Should I smash them all? I can take care of all these corpses,” Alice said, readying her claws.

“It would be easier, but it seems like they’re here for me.”

If someone else intervened, it wouldn’t be acknowledged.

What Master wants is me, not anyone else.

Fine.

If the master wants to test me, it’s the disciple’s duty to respond in kind.

“You guys rest back here. I’ll finish this quickly.”

[Unique ability ‘Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art’ is blooming.]

Fwoosh!

Black energy surged around Jinhyuk’s hands.

＊＊＊

“Grrrr…”

“Screeee!”

The zombies attacked immediately.

Boom!

Bang!

Two Murling Zombies leapt out of the forest.

Their entire bodies dyed black, their grotesque appearance typical of those made with various herbs and poisons to resist blades.

They launched simultaneous attacks aimed at his shoulders and thighs.

But just before the black claws touched Jinhyuk…

Swish…

Jinhyuk’s form disappeared like smoke.

The Black Demonic Emperor’s Step.

A footwork technique he had refined countless times, approaching the realm of transformation.

“These guys are quite valuable, but I won’t be responsible if they’re destroyed.”

Jinhyuk moved his fist, loaded with magic power.

Bang!

One strike.

A huge hole appeared in the Murling Zombie’s body.

Even their bodies, which could repel blades, couldn’t withstand the Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art.

‘One down…’

Next.

Jinhyuk spun counterclockwise, using the rotation to swing his elbow.

Crunch!

“Grrrr!”

This time, the face caved in completely.

In an instant, he incapacitated two zombies.

But he didn’t plan to stop there.

Before the remaining five could leap out, Jinhyuk threw himself into the forest.

A slight breeze passed by.

The destination was behind a rock.

‘As expected, they were using the wind as a cover.’

Jinhyuk smiled as he looked at the five Murling Zombies.

What followed was a massive storm.

As the highly concentrated internal energy exploded, trees were uprooted.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Naturally, the Murling Zombies at the center of the blast were completely vaporized.

“I think that’s enough of a greeting… unless you want more?” Jinhyuk shrugged.

Then, at that moment.

“Hahaha! No, that’s more than enough. As expected, you didn’t disappoint,” a cheerful laugh erupted nearby.