Chapter 91

The red-masked Yao Guang's swordsmanship was as impressive as their archery. They were a master who had surpassed the realm of sword energy manifestation and could freely manipulate sword energy.

However, even they could only desperately defend against Dang Ran-yeong.

Magnificent Eighteen Whip Variations. The whip's movement had suddenly changed from a dragon to dozens of red snakes. The illusion of snakes constantly writhing in all directions bewildered Yao Guang's vision. When they deflected with their sword to prevent the venomous fangs from piercing their flesh, the next moment it would crash over their back like a red wave.

Even if they barely withstood that onslaught, Dang Ran-yeong's other hand didn't miss the opportunity.

"Argh!"

Fingertips full of poison energy dug into and clawed at their side. Yao Guang coughed up blood and leapt back, but Dang Ran-yeong pursued relentlessly and persistently. Where his sharp nails grazed and tore the clothes, the long scratches on the skin beneath were already turning blue. Yao Guang pressed an acupoint to temporarily block the poison energy.

This action created a big opening for Dang Ran-yeong. Soon, a tearing pain spread across their back. The whip tip had slashed their back as if cutting it open. Even for Yao Guang, who had undergone harsh training, the pain of flesh being torn by the whip and internal organs being dissolved by poison was unbearable.

"Aaaagh!"

"Is that all? Scream more. Didn't I tell you not to be boring?"

A smile slowly spread across his cold, rebuking expression.

The red snake's tongue meticulously tore, struck, and swept across Yao Guang's entire body. It didn't take long for Yao Guang's white clothes to become soaked with red blood.

However, none of these strikes were fatal. The poison energy that had clawed their side was the type that caused prolonged pain rather than instant death, and as it had only struck the skin, the amount of blood flowing was too little to cause death.

Yao Guang staggered but stubbornly endured. In response, Dang Ran-yeong's attacks became even more cruel. The skin was torn deeper and longer, and bones cracked. Muscles ruptured, and soon, sharp flying daggers replaced the whip, tearing apart everything they touched. Blood sprayed in all directions with the violent movements.

When Cheong-ra looked at Dang Ran-yeong after dealing with all the Blood Cult members, he was smiling brightly, soaked in blood.

"Ah..."

Suddenly, Dang Ran-yeong let out a sound of admiration. His eyes curved into long arcs as he sweetly enjoyed the pain-filled screams of his opponent's body being torn and broken. His darkened eyes sparkled with ecstasy, and his lips curled up, revealing white teeth.

Cheong-ra stared at him, frozen. Why did his ally not feel like an ally?

The boredom that always surrounded Dang Ran-yeong was nowhere to be seen. The merciless and cruel nature that had been hidden beneath silk clothes and ornate accessories was fully revealed. Even Yao Guang's eyes, which had been stubbornly enduring until now, were filled with deep fear.

"Gu, guh...! De-demon, you're a demon!"

Yao Guang, having completely lost their will to fight, cried out for their master, overcome by pain and fear. Blood and screams splattered onto Dang Ran-yeong's face. The corners of his mouth trembled with uncontrollable excitement. Though it wasn't happening to him, Cheong-ra unconsciously took a step back.

It was completely different from when he had attacked Nam Gang-ryong at the Hengshan Sect or when he dealt with the river bandits. This time, Cheong-ra didn't even think of trying to stop him. Just as he was shuddering, instinctively knowing that Dang Ran-yeong would only stop after Yao Guang was brutally killed...

A piercing killing intent shot through Cheong-ra's body. Before he could react, a cold sensation brushed past him.

Slash.

A sharp, keen blade cut diagonally from his chest to his abdomen as if stabbing upwards. It was an attack of a level that Cheong-ra could neither block nor react to. Red life fluid burst from the split wound. A sharp breath escaped between his parted lips.

It was death...!

Such a sudden, unexpected death...

At that moment, with a "thwack" sound, a sharp pain shot through his forehead. A pained "Ah!" involuntarily escaped his mouth. Tears welled up, and his skull seemed to ring. But thanks to this, he came to his senses and could see properly in front of him.

'I'm not dead.'

His blocked breath escaped. Just now, he hadn't met death but had experienced it through the cold, blade-like killing intent.

As proof, there were black silk robes in front of him. Fresh blood dripped from beneath them. The hand that had torn Yao Guang apart was completely soaked in dark red blood. Beyond the silk robes, a white mask seemed to flicker, but in the next moment, there was no trace or presence left.

The trace of death he had just experienced made Cheong-ra's heart race. Cold sweat poured from his body like rain, and his hands trembled. He was afraid of both the killing intent from before and Dang Ran-yeong, but after taking a few deep breaths, he looked up at the other. Dang Ran-yeong, who had been looking into the distance where the enemy had disappeared, sensed his gaze and turned his head.

Both Yao Guang, whom Dang Ran-yeong had been about to kill, and the master who had exuded terrible killing intent towards Cheong-ra, predicting his death, had vanished. Only corpses of those killed by poison remained fallen.

"...I'm sorry. I got in your way."

Cheong-ra apologized sincerely. Perhaps Dang Ran-yeong could have left Cheong-ra to die just now. Whether it was because he had some affection for Cheong-ra or because he was his business partner, he had willingly given up his fight to save Cheong-ra. He had saved his life twice today alone.

Hearing the apology, Dang Ran-yeong silently stared at Cheong-ra. Covered in blood from head to toe, he looked like a rakshasa. His eyes, still not cooled from the excitement, were flushed red. However, his gaze towards Cheong-ra was far from accusatory.

It was a gaze as if looking at something strange and unfamiliar.

Cheong-ra was confused, unable to understand why he was looking at him like this now when he had shown such displeasure earlier.

"How long are you going to sit there?"

As if he had never looked at him with that strange gaze, Dang Ran-yeong grabbed Cheong-ra's arm and pulled him up.

Coming to his senses, Cheong-ra stood up and first checked his appearance. He patted off the dirt clinging to him and neatly arranged his disheveled hair and collar. As he was doing this, Dang Ran-yeong reached out his hand. Still tense as neither of them had cooled down from the battle, Cheong-ra watched as Dang Ran-yeong wiped his forehead with the hem of his clothes.

Only then did Cheong-ra realize that there was a bloodstain on his forehead. It wasn't that he had been hit hard enough to bleed, but that the blood on Dang Ran-yeong's hand had smeared on him when he struck his forehead. His forehead, which was starting to bruise, throbbed painfully.

'This won't leave a mark, will it...?'

Cheong-ra worriedly and carefully rubbed the bruised area. Still not reassured, he took out the small mirror he always carried and peeked into it. Watching this action, Dang Ran-yeong smiled incredulously.

"Is this the time to worry about such things?"

"If there's a bloodstain left on my face, it'll look dirty."

Cheong-ra pretended not to know and put the mirror away.

Anyway, it seemed they had successfully eradicated the Blood Cult members in the mountain fortress. The fox spirit beast should be much safer now. However, instead of relief, what he felt was anxiety.

Though Yao Guang had been strong, they were no comparison to the white-masked Blood Cult member. They were a master far beyond Cheong-ra's ability to face.

And the way Dang Ran-yeong had looked at him...

Cheong-ra tried to think that Dang Ran-yeong's displeasure had been directed at the suddenly appearing Blood Cult member and not at him, but he couldn't easily forget it. With complicated feelings, he stared at the man who was examining the Blood Cult members' corpses.

Dang Ran-yeong, what exactly are you thinking when you deal with me?

***

"I wonder if this can be used again."

The white-masked stranger tilted his head, covering his mouth with his sleeve. Where his red gaze was directed, Yao Guang, whom he had just retrieved, lay.

In that short time, Yao Guang's body, which had been dealt with by Dang Ran-yeong, was nothing more than a rag. One arm and one leg had been torn off, and their entire body was torn and punctured, bleeding profusely. It was a wonder they weren't dead.

"I'm... sorry..."

Yao Guang staggered to their feet and knocked their head on the ground. Blood dripped, wetting the floor. They pleaded desperately in a cracked voice.

"But if you would use me as a sacrifice... this worthless life... Cult Leader..."

"Yes, yes. Even with limbs torn off, Yao Guang is still a good sacrifice."

As he patted their head, Yao Guang panted and bowed several times, expressing gratitude. Neither Yao Guang nor the stranger showed any sign of the bizarreness of begging to be used as a sacrifice rather than saving their dying life. The Blood Cult members around them were the same.

"Thanks to Yao Guang, we were able to find out something important, so you've truly accomplished a great feat."

When the stranger praised them, Yao Guang bowed their head in deep emotion. Only then did the stranger give permission to treat them. The Blood Cult members began to stop Yao Guang's bleeding. The rest of the cultists collected the dead bodies.

The white mask walked silently among the dead cultists. Where his feet stopped was ground heavily stained with blood. He knelt down and ecstatically stroked the bloodstains. His fingertips were thickly coated with still-wet red earth.

"Ah, indeed, the Star of Heavenly Killing, and the Purple Subtlety Star..."

What a splendid composition. What precious sacrifices.

The Cult Leader felt that after enduring for so many years, the day to see the Heavenly Demon Horse was drawing very near. When that day came, the human world would become a paradise on earth, and he would be able to enjoy eternal glory. The white mask, his hand full of blood-soaked earth, burst into laughter.