## Chapter 113 – 113. The Pursuit Squad (3)
#113. The Pursuit Squad (3)
A lightning bolt from the sky scorched the earth. A massive crater formed, and thick sparks flew everywhere.
Someone struggled to rise from the center of it all.
“I-Impossible… Are you some kind of god…?”
The mask had burned away, revealing a face in utter ruin. Hideously twisted, it barely resembled a human face. It was as if multiple faces had been sewn together like a patchwork doll. The voice was the same.
Horror was etched on his face. I could feel the fear and dread in his eyes as he looked at me.
“I’m a mage.”
*Thwack.* A light swing of my sword severed his head. Black blood, like sewage water, flowed out instead of normal blood.
‘He doesn’t seem like a normal demon…’
I quickly lost interest. There was no point in agonizing over something I couldn’t figure out.
I tried to return to Chun Yeo-hwa. However, *thud*, my legs gave out without warning. I sprawled inelegantly on the ground and checked my condition.
My mana was depleted, and steam was rising from my body due to the overheated mana circuits. Moreover, my energy channels seemed to be damaged in places, as blood had been constantly flowing from the corner of my mouth.
It was no wonder my body was a mess, considering I had used both Burn Flare and Thunder Breaker, two large 4th circle spells, in quick succession, and had severely strained my mana circuits.
“Hyun-woo…!”
Chun Yeo-hwa walked over with difficulty. She was limping, indicating her condition wasn’t good either. I wanted to help her somehow, but my body wouldn’t listen.
Chun Yeo-hwa reached my side and sat down on the dirt floor. She carefully placed my head on her lap and examined my body.
“You should be resting.”
“Are you one to talk! Why, why did you have to go this far…!”
Tears fell onto my face.
It wasn’t easy to choose my words, as I wasn’t good with them. Instead, I reached out with difficulty and stroked her cheek. It was covered in dirt, but still soft.
Chun Yeo-hwa grabbed my hand with both of hers and rubbed her face against it. With her help, I drank holy water and potions, and after resting for a while, I was finally able to move.
I sat cross-legged and meditated, circulating my energy. As expected, my mana recovery was slower than usual due to the internal injuries.
Still, I decided to leave this place, even if it meant pushing myself, as the ones who attacked Chun Yeo-hwa might still be around.
I considered asking the investigation team for help, but the process of examining the corpses here could lead them to suspect Chun Yeo-hwa’s identity. If they tried to restrain us, I wouldn’t be able to resist or even escape in my current state.
‘…In the worst case, they might think we killed the Third Disciple.’
Even though there were survivors, I didn’t think they would have recovered enough to give a proper testimony.
No matter how much holy water they drank, it was impossible to heal severe injuries like protruding intestines and near-fatal blood loss in such a short time. It would probably take another day or two for them to regain their senses.
‘For now, let’s rest in a suitable hiding place until then, and then join them later.’
If the truth is properly revealed, I could become a benefactor who not only saved a disciple from near death but also avenged her. It wouldn’t be too late to ask for help then.
What I’m more worried about now is the Shaolin. If they find out I’ve learned the Unparalleled Vajra Art, I don’t know how they’ll react.
But Chun Yeo-hwa reassured me, making such worries seem pointless.
“You don’t have to worry about that. Unless they take your pulse, it’s nearly impossible to know what martial arts someone has learned. However, if they find out you’ve learned Buddhist martial arts, they might accept you more readily.”
“…I don’t think being readily accepted by monks is a good thing.”
“Hehe, but to think you’d actually obtain the Vajra Divine Monk’s martial arts. You always surpass my imagination. If that bitch saw you, she would have drooled all over you, wanting you for herself.”
“That bitch?”
“It’s nothing.”
Even while being supported by me, Chun Yeo-hwa kept giggling, unusually careless. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter as well. My whole body was aching, and blood seemed ready to flow from my mouth at any moment, but strangely, I couldn’t stop laughing.
One was covered in dirt with a pale complexion, and the other had streaks of blood clinging to her mouth. Yet, their gazes remained fixed on each other.
‘We’re really smitten with each other.’
I felt happy just being by her side, even without grand dates. Leaning on each other, we struggled through the undergrowth.
How wonderful would it be if we could stay together like this forever?
“…Yeo-hwa?”
Chun Yeo-hwa stopped walking. Her gaze, which had been fixed on me, turned forward. Cold sweat trickled down her face, which was now filled with astonishment.
“Hyun-woo, run.”
“What are you…”
At that moment, an indescribable pressure weighed down on my entire body. Even breathing was difficult. I felt like I would collapse to the ground if I relaxed even for a moment.
I could hear someone approaching.
Snow-white hair, wrinkles all over his face, and a scar across his face.
“Have you been well, Princess?”
“…Third Elder.”
“Haha, I’m glad to see you unharmed. But… you’ve changed a lot since I last saw you.”
The old man’s gaze turned to me, and I felt like my breath was being taken away. Goosebumps erupted all over my body, and a primal alarm rang in my head. A murderous aura, as if I was about to be torn to shreds, washed over me.
He was not even comparable to the leader of the assassins I had faced earlier.
-Shura Demon Lord Ma Pae-seon, one of the elders of the new cult, is an absolute master who has reached the pinnacle of evil.
The pinnacle of evil, equivalent to the Transformation Realm in orthodox terms. Why would such a monster appear here?
‘…This is the worst.’
If that bastard tries to kill Chun Yeo-hwa, can I stop him?
Impossible.
He’s an opponent I can’t gain the upper hand on even in perfect condition. There’s no way I can win against him in my current battered state. Even if I summon Noel to fight alongside me, it will only increase the number of people who die.
“How strange. I can clearly sense the energy of those detestable monks, yet I also feel a faint demonic energy. Boy, what exactly are you?”
Ma Pae-seon reached out towards me. In response, Chun Yeo-hwa hurriedly stepped in front of me, blocking him.
“Third Elder, why are you here?”
“A foolish question.”
“Answer me!”
In the increasingly tense atmosphere, Chun Yeo-hwa was the first to raise her energy. I tried to stop her, but she was stubborn.
Fortunately, Ma Pae-seon was the first to surrender. He withdrew the energy that had been pressuring us, or rather, me specifically.
“I know what you’re worried about, Princess. You’re wary that I might have come to dispose of you on the orders of the First Young Master. Let me state this clearly: even if he is a Young Master, he cannot give me any orders unless he ascends to the position of Vice Leader.”
“…The Leader, then.”
“I see you know. Yes, the Leader has ordered it. I will relay his message.”
The Second Princess, Chun Yeo-hwa, who lost the Vice Leader candidacy, is to return to the main cult immediately.
Chun Yeo-hwa’s expression instantly crumpled upon hearing Ma Pae-seon’s words.
“You’ve suffered greatly, Princess. From now on, I will escort you, so please return to the main cult as soon as possible. I have dealt with all the impudent ones who were surrounding this area, so you will not encounter any inconveniences on your way back.”
“…Even for you, you shouldn’t have the authority to deal with the First Young Master’s forces.”
“Normally, that would be the case.”
Ma Pae-seon took something out from his pocket. It was a small metal plaque.
“The Leader’s Seal…”
“I have the authority over the life and death of all demons. Of course, that does not include your life, Princess, so you don’t have to worry. I heard that you are suffering from the Heavenly Heart Extreme Yang Poisonous Lotus. Once you return to the main cult, the Lord of the Thousand Poisons will personally help you detoxify. So, please return with this old man.”
“…Don’t spout such nonsense. As you said, I lost the Vice Leader competition. But now you’re escorting me back to the main cult? Ha! Since when has the Leader been so benevolent? Isn’t he the type to mercilessly discard his children if they’re deemed useless?!”
“Alas, as someone who also has a granddaughter, I can only feel sorry for your reaction, Princess.”
“Are you the one to say that, the one who killed that granddaughter’s parents with his own hands?”
“It was necessary for the sake of the cult.”
Unlike Chun Yeo-hwa, who was exuding a murderous aura, Ma Pae-seon maintained a calm expression throughout.
Amidst the strange atmosphere, I tried my best to recover my mana circuits. But it was impossible. I wasn’t in a condition to recover in such a short time.
“It just so happens that this Elder’s third son is at the perfect age for marriage. Once you return to the main cult, you can immediately begin preparing for the wedding.”
Mana surged. Uncontrollable emotional changes were affecting my mana circuits.
“You’re going to sell me off for political gain?”
“The expression ‘sell off’ is unpleasant to hear. Please think of it as a political marriage. It’s a common occurrence, is it not?”
“I refuse.”
“There is no option to refuse the Leader’s orders. Our cult members simply follow what he desires. I hope you will not resist. You’re already injured, and it would be troublesome in many ways if you were to strain yourself and worsen your injuries.”
Mana coursed through my overloaded mana circuits. An unbearable fighting spirit surged within me. The Vajra energy also reacted to his demonic energy, revealing itself.
“Who are you trying to take away right now?”
“Hyun-woo!”
Chun Yeo-hwa embraced me, blocking him.
-That man is on a different level from the assassins you faced earlier!
I know. But if I back down here, Chun Yeo-hwa will be dragged away by that old man and forced to marry another man.
In exchange, I would survive.
I’d rather bite my tongue and die here than live such a pathetic life.
“Tsk, tsk, you’re acting recklessly. It’s not too late. If you quietly step aside for the sake of the Princess, I, Shura Demon Lord Ma Pae-seon, swear in my name that I will spare your life.”
“Fuck off.”
[The energy of exorcism fiercely erupts as you face great evil.]
Guillienium resonated with the Vajra energy, emitting an even stronger aura.
“Hoo, not only do you possess both Buddhist and demonic energy, but now you’re even using a western sword? The more I see you, the more fascinating you become. I’d love to unravel your secrets, but… unfortunately, I’m too busy to do so.”
“I wonder if you’ll still be able to say that when your old neck is severed.”
Unparalleled Vajra Art, Unparalleled Lightning Body.
I charged towards him.
