872 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Episode 872: The Jealous Friend of the Supreme Being Those despicable Orthodox sect members. Il Cheonggeom definitely was shouting that. Moreover, everyone understood the meaning behind his words in this place. "Azure Dragon Lord! Please, snap out of it!" "What is this...?!" "Stop whining." Ignoring the desperate pleas of the Azure Dragon Division members, Il Cheonggeom sneered. His expression was starkly different from the usually serious and grave demeanor he typically wore. "If only they had held out a little longer. It's such a pity they couldn't endure that little bit." Thunk. As Il Cheonggeom tried to move, a spear suddenly pierced through his thigh. Fwoosh-! "Don't move recklessly." "Urgh!" Il Cheonggeom grimaced in pain, but his words didn't cease. "Hehehe... If only... If only a little longer... I could have dealt with all those disgusting Orthodox sect members..." His words, full of regret, began to break the spirits of the Azure Dragon Division members. They were starting to realize the gravity of the situation. "The Lord... Why... why did you deceive us!" "Why? Why did you lie?!" "Why? You ask why?" Il Cheonggeom spoke with an dazed look. "Because you all had no future, while he did." "...What...!" "The Master will save the world. I was merely a stepping stone for that. But..." Crack--!!! Despite his pierced thigh, Il Cheonggeom attempted to rise. "You dared ruin my plan...!" His eyes seemed unhinged. "If things had gone as planned, I would have already beheaded the Star King... These revolting people." Khkhkhkh.... His face twisted into a grin, drooling, starkly different from any expression they'd ever seen on Il Cheonggeom. It felt odd and unsettling. "These maggot-like fools dare go against the Master’s grand will... How can they be so ignorant? You know nothing." "Ah… Ahh…" Overwhelmed, the Azure Dragon Division members were left speechless. What on earth was this? The Il Cheonggeom they respected was nowhere to be found. He seemed like a fanatic, overtaken by madness and corruption. "I cannot forgive... I cannot." Il Cheonggeom moved, his violet eyes alight. He didn't seem to care about his injuries at all. "Hmm…." The person who had jammed the spear into his thigh softly sighed. "We might have to kill him. Sister, should we?" Whoosh! Before Tang Sohyeol could even give permission, the spear was pulled out. Watching silently, Tang Sohyeol spoke with eyes as cold as ice. "Kill him." "Okay!" Swoosh-! With the command, the spear swiftly moved. As it was about to cleave through Il Cheonggeom's neck in a burst of energy... [Tsk.] A short click of a tongue was heard from somewhere. Bang--!!! "...!!" "What...!!!" "What is this!" Just as it was about to cut through, something prevented the spear from severing Il Cheonggeom's neck. Something—or someone—had appeared to block the attack. "Huh?" Pi Yeonyeon's eyes widened, assessing the situation. What blocked her spear was merely a finger—a pointer finger. The spear's energy had been strong enough that everyone present recognized its potency, yet who could have blocked it with a single finger? Moreover... "...When...?" When had they appeared? No one noticed. They were not originally there. They had suddenly appeared to stop Pi Yeonyeon's attack, remaining unnoticed until the very moment. [Really... such a disappointment.] A deep voice resonated in the air. Those who heard it felt chills run down their spines. [He claimed he'd demonstrate his worth, so I merely observed... but he's far more incompetent than anticipated.] "Ugh..." "In.. formidable." Each word seemed to crush the air. The Star Dragon Division gritted their teeth, breaking into cold sweat. "Argh…" The Azure Dragon Division couldn't endure, frequently vomiting. Who was this presence that appeared out of nowhere? Everyone was momentarily bewildered, but it didn’t last long. His appearance stood out so starkly. His conspicuous presence was recognizable even to the Orthodox sectarians. "Heavenly Demon...!" "It's the Heavenly Demon!" Heavenly Demon (天魔). Currently the most significant enemy to the Murim Alliance. The leader of the sect known merely as the "Cult Leader," hailed as a figure akin to the heavens. He previously appeared in Hanam, striking alongside the descendants of the Jegal clan and inflicting massive damage. He was the very culprit behind the founding of the Star Dragon Division. And now he was here. Sring-! Rumbles erupted as sounds of swords being drawn filled the space, accompanied by waves of murderous intent. An enemy to capture and kill. Their thoughts focused on charging forward when suddenly— [Kneel.] "...!!" Rumble---!!! At the words of the Heavenly Demon, those around fell to their knees. A mere utterance carried such weight. Though they didn’t grasp why they knelt, no one understood it. When suddenly. Buzz—!! Amidst the many kneeling, a lone woman remained standing. It was Tang Sohyeol. She now gripped her dagger, rushing toward the Heavenly Demon. Yet, her noticeably slowed movements signaled she too was under his influence. The Heavenly Demon glanced at her dismissively, casually waving a hand. Thud-! "Ugh!" Tang Sohyeol, struck in the torso, was flung backward, rolling across the ground several times. "Khaak..." She heaved violently as nausea overtook her. [Behave. I am not in a pleasant mood right now.] The Heavenly Demon, who had been looking at Tang Sohyeol, shifted his gaze around. [So many insects... enough to make one nauseous.] At his words, everyone shuddered. For reasons unknown, they felt an instinctive terror toward him. The pressure he emitted, the atmosphere he carried—was it a distinction in existence itself? Just staring at him made one feel on the edge of madness. Facing the Heavenly Demon, Il Cheonggeom reacted. "Master...!" His eyes were filled with overflowing reverence and admiration. "Oh... O Great One of the Heavens...! This humble devotee pays respect to the Heaven of our Sect…!" Thud--!! Il Cheonggeom spoke as he repeatedly bashed his head against the ground. Thud-! Thud-!! To the point of bleeding from his head, his loyalty was evident. Such was the devotion displayed by Il Cheonggeom. [Hmm.] Watching Il Cheonggeom, the Heavenly Demon spoke calmly. [Il Cheonggeom.] "Yes... Yes, O Heaven..." [Your actions differ greatly from your grand words.] “…!” [You promised to offer me their heads as a gift, yet what have you to show now?] "That… that was…! I am sorry…!" [No, it’s not that I need an apology. You did your best.] "Oh... Master, thank you…." The Heavenly Demon's hand moved. Crack--!! "Gah!" Without hesitation, the Heavenly Demon tore Il Cheonggeom's neck. Unable to utter a single word, Il Cheonggeom succumbed to death. [It’s just that you didn’t quite meet my standards.] Thud. He tossed away Il Cheonggeom’s head, letting it roll to the ground. Blood dripped from the Heavenly Demon's hand. [I have no need for incompetent fools.] Whirrrrr---!!! The Heavenly Demon's dark robe began to flutter in the wind. Was he about to do something? As everyone watched him with anxious eyes. [And you all are no different from that.] The Heavenly Demon declared as he clasped his hands together. An indescribable dread filled the air. [Hence, though I intended to take not just yours but also the Star King's head today.] Tsk tsk. There was laughter in his voice. [Due to the exceptional spirit of the woman.] Referring to Tang Sohyeol, who was wobbling on her feet. [In consideration of how you thwarted this trash's plan so thoroughly, I shall extend my leniency.] What did he mean? Everyone gazed with tension at the Heavenly Demon. Still, they couldn’t utter a word. Frozen, their bodies remained immobile, and the pressure intensified to a suffocating level. What sort of being was he, to emanate such an aura? How could any living entity induce such fear? Pant... pant. Their breaths were shallow and strained. Everyone was drenched in sweat. The Heavenly Demon, having clasped his hands, slowly released them. At that moment. Whirrrrrrrr----!!!!!! "Huh…!" "Gah…!!!" No one could respond adequately to the unfolding situation. It was profoundly shocking. Gradually, the air began to crack. Like stars adorning the night sky, fissures tore through reality, forming eyes. They were countless. What were they? Despite their questions, deep down, everyone understood. They simply couldn’t believe it. Someone, staring at the forming eyes with a trembling body, spoke up. "The… Devil's Gate…? Why is the Devil's Gate…!!" "How could a human open the Devil's Gate…?" The eyes were the Devil's Gate. Enough to fill the sky above them. Watching them, everyone was struck with shock and awe. The reaction seemed to amuse the Heavenly Demon, for his voice held a richer mirth. [Pathetic creatures.] Rumble---!!! The Devil's Gate emitted a vibrating energy. Rrrrrr---!! Rrrr---!! From inside, the roar of beasts began to echo forth. The cries and the insatiable bloodlust whipped the inner space into chaos. [This is a gift I’ve prepared for you.] The Heavenly Demon’s words roared through the sky. [Enjoy it to your heart's content.] Rooooaar---!!! That moment marked the release of the ferocious calamities descending from the sky.