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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The few remaining tendons connecting the severed halves of Namgung So-yeon’s body snapped, and the gruesome cross-section was exposed.
-Gurgle
-Cough
-Crack
Grotesque, irregular sounds emanated from the mangled flesh that could barely be called Namgung So-yeon anymore.
“Wow… you’re pretty amazing.”
Fist Demon clapped and approached Shadow Demon with an outstretched hand.
Shadow Demon, exhausted from the fight, took his hand, her breath ragged.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
She said, rising to her feet with his help, and then bowed respectfully to Sword Demon.
The Three Demons walked past Namgung So-yeon’s remains towards In-ho.
Fist Demon and Shadow Demon’s hearts sank as they saw the Young Cult Leader’s pale, gaunt face.
“Young Cult Leader…”
According to the Cult Leader, his dantian had been destroyed, rendering him unable to cultivate internal energy.
The fact that an ordinary man, with only physical training, had managed to travel from the Black Heaven Cult to Anhui in such a short time spoke volumes about the ordeal he had endured.
“Shadow Demon…?”
“Yes, Young Cult Leader. I’m here.”
Shadow Demon burst into tears as In-ho, his consciousness fading, whispered her name.
She felt responsible for his condition.
Sword Demon stepped forward, kneeling on one knee.
“Young Cult Leader, I am Sword Demon. I will be your escort from now on.”
He gently lifted In-ho, his touch as delicate as if handling a fragile glass sculpture.
In-ho’s legs trembled like a newborn lamb as he stood.
“The Cult Leader is not far from here.”
Shadow Demon, regaining her composure, led the way.
Sword Demon supported In-ho, and Fist Demon brought up the rear, scanning their surroundings for any sign of the Martial Alliance forces.
But the Alliance members remained motionless, seemingly stunned by Lightning Sword’s transformation and swift demise.
As In-ho slowly passed Namgung So-yeon’s remains…
-Whoosh
“Huh?”
A faint sound reached Fist Demon’s ears, and he felt a sudden heaviness in his body.
A sharp sting in his left hand drew his attention.
A wriggling, crimson tendril had pierced his palm.
More faint sounds followed, and more tendrils embedded themselves in his flesh.
-Whoosh
-Whoosh
-Whoosh
“Everyone, scatter!”
He shouted, throwing himself forward, anticipating that the attack wasn’t meant for him alone.
His companions turned at his frantic warning.
They saw Fist Demon, his body riddled with crimson tendrils.
“Fist Demon!”
“Haha… I’m not dead yet!”
Fist Demon said through gritted teeth and blood trickled down his arm.
He tried to pull the tendrils out, but they were rooted firmly in his flesh, like ancient trees.
And they were slowly draining his life force.
“Gah!”
He groaned as he felt his energy being sucked away.
“Fist Demon!”
“Don’t come closer! Look around!”
He stopped Shadow Demon from rushing to his aid.
She looked around and gasped.
Every member of both the Martial Alliance and the Black Heaven Cult forces had a crimson tendril embedded in their necks.
Only Sword Demon, Shadow Demon, and In-ho remained unaffected.
The victims could only moan and whimper as their life force was drained.
The weaker ones collapsed almost instantly, while the stronger ones lasted a few minutes longer, but their fate was the same.
Fist Demon’s face turned pale, and he finally fell to his knees.
Sword Demon looked at him with pity.
The stolen life force flowed through the tendrils, converging on the mangled remains of Namgung So-yeon.
With each influx of crimson energy, the severed flesh began to knit itself back together.
“Damn… I could really use a drink right now.”
Fist Demon muttered, a wry smile on his face, before losing consciousness.
Namgung So-yeon, her body fully regenerated, stood before them.
“Young Master… where are you going without me?”
Her eyes were fixated on In-ho, completely ignoring Sword Demon and Shadow Demon.
-Clang!
She lunged for In-ho with explosive speed and outstretched her hand.
Sword Demon intercepted her attack, his greatsword colliding with her arm.
His one-handed grip on the massive blade made his stance unsteady.
“Shadow Demon! Take the Young Cult Leader to the Cult Leader! Now!”
“We can all escape together!”
Shadow Demon argued, taking In-ho from Sword Demon’s arms.
But Sword Demon was adamant.
“No, it’s impossible. I’ll buy you some time.”
“But…”
“You’re the fastest among us. You have to get the Young Cult Leader to safety.”
Watching Shadow Demon plead with himself in a voice that was nearly a desperate whisper, Sword Demon gave a faint smile.
“…”
“Everything…”
To the silent Shadow Demon, standing like a mute who’d swallowed honey, Sword Demon spoke.
“…is according to the Heavenly Demon’s will.”
Shadow Demon finished his sentence, a solemn understanding passing between them.
She carefully lifted In-ho and ran, not looking back.
Her earlier injuries slowed her down, but she was still incredibly fast.
“I’ll hold out as long as I can.”
Sword Demon muttered, watching her disappear, and then raised his greatsword.
Namgung So-yeon, seeing In-ho being carried away, tried to follow.
“Your opponent is me.”
Sword Demon grabbed her ankle as she leaped, slamming her back down to the ground.
“An… obstacle?”
Namgung So-yeon, finally acknowledging his presence, turned on him, her aura flaring with renewed intensity.
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Shadow Demon ran, In-ho on her back, her mind racing.
She cursed her legs for not moving faster.
‘If I can just reach the Cult Leader…!’
She pushed herself harder, fueled by the belief that the Heavenly Demon would know what to do.
A chilling gust of wind swept past her, grazing her calf.
Blood sprayed from the wound, and she stumbled, losing her balance.
In-ho tumbled from her back, rolling across the dirt.
“Young Cult Leader!”
She scrambled to her feet, her concern for In-ho overriding her own pain.
But her legs wouldn’t cooperate.
The deep gash in her calf had weakened her.
Namgung So-yeon with her hair disheveled appeared behind her, Sword Demon’s greatsword clutched in her hand.
“Give him back! Give him back! Give me back my Young Master!”
She shrieked, her voice filled with madness, raising the greatsword high above her head.
Shadow Demon closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable.
-Bang!
A loud explosion rocked the air.
She cautiously opened her eyes.
A familiar figure stood before her, her back to Shadow Demon.
“Who are you?!”
Namgung So-yeon, who had been knocked aside by the blast, lunged at the newcomer.
The Heavenly Demon responded with a swift punch to the gut.
“Ugh!”
Namgung So-yeon doubled over, a pathetic whimper escaping her lips, and then flew backwards.
“Don’t overreach, you crazy bitch.”
The Heavenly Demon dusted off her hand, and black flames erupted from her body, swirling around her like a storm.
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