Chapter 328 : Live Earnestly, Then Run

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis

Murim Term Consultant: Kopke

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Chapter 328: Live Earnestly, Then Run

Hwan Wang stared at Geom Mugeuk with an utterly incredulous expression.

‘He made it through all those barriers?’

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader said to the Illusion King,

“I told you, didn’t I? You only think that way because you don’t know yet what kind of person he is.”

While the Demonic Buddha’s gate had been difficult, the gate Geom Mugeuk broke through was one he had believed impossible to pass—especially when considering the barrier that held the Blood Poison Great Python.

“No one could pass unless they were immune to all poisons.”

He had assumed no one would even attempt it due to the poison. That was why he thought it safe to restrain the Young Cult Leader without killing him. 1

Standing beside Jeong Dae, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

“I’m close with the Poison King.”

Ma Bul also stepped forward to stand beside his friend.

“I’m pretty close with the Poison King myself.”

Seeing the two of them standing firmly at his sides, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader felt a thrill he had never experienced in his life. Moments ago, he had been prepared to die. But to have Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha charge in to save him from that hopeless situation—how could he even put that overwhelming feeling into words?

After the wave of joy passed, the next emotion surged in.

‘The Young Cult Leader is here!’

He felt a strange conviction that if it was Geom Mugeuk, then perhaps So Baekta could be rescued too. That’s why he had been crying out “Young Master, Young Master, Young Cult Leader, Young Cult Leader,” tangled in a desperate chant. 2

‘Please, Young Cult Leader, I’m counting on you.’

As if determined to prove that his joy and trust were not misplaced, Geom Mugeuk’s next action overwhelmed Jeong Dae with even deeper emotion.

Geom Mugeuk subtly placed a hand on his back and began transferring a flow of inner energy to treat his internal injuries.

‘You really are…!’

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader could clearly tell—this man, Geom Mugeuk, was truly different. To be this considerate of another’s wounds even now, to channel inner energy while standing firm—it wasn’t something an ordinary person could even imagine in this situation.

Thanks to him, Jeong Dae’s insides felt stabilized, and color returned to his face.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk’s whispered transmission arrived:

—It’s fine to let him escape. Do not overexert yourself under any circumstances.

To Geom Mugeuk, pursuing Hwan Wang and rescuing So Baekta were both important—but the safety of his master came first.

Hwan Wang was now hiding entirely behind So Baekta. Although still a hostage, So Baekta’s expression was radiantly bright.

‘With those two here, Master will be safe.’

The joy also came with a heavy heart. If the three joined forces, how could Hwan Wang possibly stand a chance? The problem was himself.

As shame flushed his cheeks red, Geom Mugeuk offered comfort.

“In our cult, even the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme was deceived. So was the Murim Alliance Leader’s grandson. There’s absolutely no need to feel ashamed. They approached with meticulous precision.”

Hwan Wang pressed his fingers against So Baekta’s neck in a clear threat.

“Leave now. Unless you want me to kill him.”

It looked as if his fingers might pierce through So Baekta’s throat at any moment.

Geom Mugeuk turned to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and said,

“There are other disciples in your cult. Losing one shouldn’t be such a big deal, should it?”

Before Jeong Dae could reply, Hwan Wang spoke first.

“Don’t bother bluffing. I already know how much you care for your disciple.”

Hwan Wang was growing desperate. The three people standing in front of him—each one couldn’t be taken lightly, even in a one-on-one fight.

If there was one thing in his favor, it was that the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had internal injuries, and the other two had likely consumed a good deal of their inner energy. They had rushed here, so they probably hadn’t had time to recover it.

But even with that in mind, facing all three alone was no easy feat. Even if the combined inner power of the three was less than his own, how could that be considered an advantage? These were top-tier martial artists—each one capable of something terrifying even with a sliver of energy.

Yet, to Hwan Wang’s threat, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader responded with an unexpected calm.

“Considering who we’re dealing with, I suppose I should say my goodbyes now. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”

Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha looked toward Jeong Dae. They could tell—this wasn’t part of some scheme to save his disciple. He truly was saying farewell.

From his master’s gaze, So Baekta felt his heart.

That alone was enough.

“I would still choose to be your disciple, even if I were to live my life again.”

With both master and disciple speaking like this, Hwan Wang’s expression naturally hardened.

The more worthless So Baekta became as a hostage, the higher the Illusion King’s own chances of dying grew.

If it weren’t for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, he might have escaped using Illusion Arts. But with him here, even that was not an easy task. In this situation, he couldn’t afford to leave this space recklessly. His martial arts could exert far greater power here than outside.

What he believed in now was the legacy of the Blood Cult—this very place.

“You’re really going to gang up on me? Three against one?”

But it was So Baekta who answered that.

“You cowardly bastard! Hiding behind me and saying that? Kill me and take your own life while you’re at it! You and I, we’re both pathetic—so let’s die together like crippled dogs!” 3

Ignoring him, Hwan Wang turned to look at Geom Mugeuk, his eyes clearly saying: In the end, aren’t you the one who decides?

Geom Mugeuk shook his head.

“Don’t look at me. To be honest, the person you’re holding hostage doesn’t matter much to me. If you’d wanted a real hostage, you should’ve taken one of these two…”

He turned his gaze toward Jeong Dae. At that moment, Hwan Wang’s eyes naturally followed—

Geom Mugeuk’s figure flashed and surged toward the Illusion King.

Swaeeeeeeek—!

It was a surprise assault, timed precisely for the moment no one expected an attack. A strike that didn’t care if So Baekta died in the process.

Because no one anticipated Geom Mugeuk would strike at this very moment, Hwan Wang was caught completely off guard.

Instinctively, he tried to kill So Baekta—then gave up. Geom Mugeuk’s movement was far too fast. Even if he succeeded in killing the hostage, he was certain to lose at least an arm in return. His instincts worked well enough to abandon the attack—when they should’ve told him to use So Baekta as a human shield.

At the moment Hwan Wang vanished—

Geom Mugeuk swept backward, holding So Baekta in his arms.

Swish, swish, swish!

He slashed his sword toward the descending direction. It was where Hwan Wang might’ve concealed himself.

At that moment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader shouted,

“Danger!”

Jeong Dae struck with a powerful palm. His force was directed at So Baekta’s shadow.

Hwan Wang, who had been hiding within the shadow, had just begun to rise—ready to ambush Geom Mugeuk.

Bang!

The shadow vanished, and So Baekta’s shadow returned to normal.

Geom Mugeuk quickly released the seal on So Baekta’s inner energy. Only then could he use his strength again. Thanks to Geom Mugeuk’s bold decision, the rescue was a success.

But there was no time to share in the joy of the rescue.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader signaled to everyone—Hwan Wang was still hiding within this space.

The Illusion King’s concealment arts were now operating at the peak of mastery. What he used was Blood Wind Shadow Concealment Technique—the pinnacle of the Blood Cult’s stealth martial arts. When it came to invisibility alone, even Hui, his father’s bodyguard, wouldn’t surpass him.

Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to the Demonic Buddha.

—Light, please!

Ma Bul swiftly formed a seal with his hands.

Transforming Law Light Seal!

Radiant light burst forth from the Demonic Buddha’s body, illuminating the entire space. In that fleeting moment, Geom Mugeuk focused on his New Eye Technique. And he saw it. A spot where the light reflected just a little differently than the rest.

Shiiiiik.

Slash!

Blood splattered in midair, and Hwan Wang’s form appeared.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader dashed in, attempting to drag him out—but Hwan Wang vanished again in the blink of an eye. However, Jeong Dae immediately reached into the air and yanked him back out.

Papapapang!

The Illusion King and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader started exchanging fierce palm strikes midair.

Even so, Hwan Wang was not being overwhelmed. Because of Jeong Dae’s internal injuries, he was actually at a disadvantage in terms of energy.

That was why Geom Mugeuk launched himself to support him. Meanwhile, the Demonic Buddha stepped in front of So Baekta, shielding him—knowing Hwan Wang might target him again.

Hwan Wang threw his twin palms with every ounce of his strength.

Kwaaang! Bang!

The shockwave blasted Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader backward. Then Hwan Wang unveiled his hidden trump card. He had no time left to hold back—if he didn’t use it now, he’d die without ever getting the chance.

Hwiryuryuryuryuryu—!

A blood-red mist began to swirl around Hwan Wang's body—then, as it vanished, so did his original appearance.

His skin had transformed into something like crimson steel, and his eyes turned a searing, bloodshot red, emanating a terrifying aura of blood energy.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, recognizing the martial art, shouted out a warning.

“Be careful! That’s the Iron Blood Heaven-Breaking Art!”

The Blood Cult’s demonic arts had many branches and lineages. The one Hwan Wang inherited belonged to the Blood Spirits school, and Iron Blood Heaven-Breaking Art was the ultimate secret technique of that branch. It forcibly drew out all of one’s inner energy and blood energy, turning the body into something like steel for a limited time—while amplifying physical power by several times. *

And used here, in this domain? Its power was even more devastating.

Swaeeeeek!

Without hesitation, Hwan Wang charged at Geom Mugeuk.

Papapapapang!

He lunged forward, unleashing a rapid barrage of punches. They came so fast and hard that Geom Mugeuk didn’t have the luxury of wielding his sword. He responded with Protective Energy and fought back using the Thunderous Asura Fist.

Each strike from Hwan Wang’s final technique sent overwhelming shockwaves through his entire body.

Geom Mugeuk activated the Diamond Asura, the defensive form of the Thunderous Asura Fist, along with the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Technique. He couldn’t even counter—he was barely managing to block the onslaught.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader hurled Formless Qi from his palm, striking Hwan Wang squarely in the back.

The Illusion King staggered for a moment but didn’t stop. He poured everything he had into his assault on Geom Mugeuk.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

But the Demonic Buddha didn’t remain idle.

Killer Formation Being!

A whirlwind of force erupted from him. Hwan Wang evaded at the last moment, dodging to the side.

The wave of force instead surged toward Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk twisted his body in the opposite direction to dodge.

Kwakwakwa-kwang!

The place where they had been standing exploded into chaos.

Hwan Wang immediately dove at Geom Mugeuk again. Empowered by Iron Blood Heaven-Breaking Art, he was moving fast enough to keep pace with the Wind God’s Four Steps.

He focused solely on Geom Mugeuk. Because he knew—among the four of them, Geom Mugeuk was the greatest threat.

If Nine Calamities Demon Art were to be unleashed, there was no way the Blood Cult’s martial arts could withstand it. That was why he had to kill Geom Mugeuk first, no matter what.

So Baekta looked for an opening to strike, but the melee between Hwan Wang and Geom Mugeuk was much too chaotic—he couldn't risk intervening.

Ma Bul glanced at Jeong Dae. With a single look, his intent was understood.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader began reciting an incantation.

At that moment, Hwan Wang abruptly began to sink—as if into the earth—then leapt back up. A black hole had opened beneath his feet. It wasn’t meant to trap him, but to momentarily disrupt his attack.

And that fleeting instant was enough.

Just as Geom Mugeuk flung himself backward to create distance—

The Demonic Buddha’s hand seal was completed.

Demon-Palm Annihilation Seal!

A massive palm came crashing down upon Hwan Wang.

KWA-AAAAAANG!

Yet Hwan Wang raised both hands and blocked the descending palm. Both he and the Demonic Buddha drew upon their full reserves of inner energy. As the crushing force pressed down and the resistance pushed back—locked in a perfect balance—the very thing Hwan Wang had feared the most came to pass.

With the distance and time bought, Geom Mugeuk unleashed the First Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art—Human Annihilation Form.

Sseogeok! Sseogeok! Sseogeok! Sseogeok!

From all four directions—east, west, south, and north—the Four Demonic Fiends emerged and slashed at Hwan Wang.

Jjjeooong!

A sound like shattering ice rang out, and the crimson-steel carapace covering Hwan Wang’s body cracked apart into shards of metal, collapsing to the ground with a clatter.

From within, Hwan Wang emerged—face pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

The combined assault by Geom Mugeuk, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, and the Demonic Buddha had been flawless, as though they had practiced it countless times. But in truth, it was a spontaneous combination attack, born of instinct and timing. Still, with opponents like Geom Mugeuk, Ma Bul, and Jeong Dae, there was no way the battle would proceed on Hwan Wang’s terms.

Ssss—!

Despite the severe injury, the Illusion King vanished without a trace. In his place, three doors appeared.

Even witnessing it with their own eyes, the perfection of his illusion arts—pushed to the extreme—was truly astonishing.

Geom Mugeuk turned to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and spoke with solemn urgency.

“This time, you can’t go alone.”

“Even if you pushed me through the door, I wouldn’t go alone.”

“Which door do we take?”

Jeong Dae fell silent in thought, then pointed to the third door.

“That one.”

The four of them—Geom Mugeuk, the Demonic Buddha, So Baekta, and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader—launched themselves through the door as one.

And the moment they vanished—something startling happened.

Ssssss—

Hwan Wang reappeared at that very spot.

He swiftly erased all three summoned doors.

Only then did he vomit a bowlful of blood. The shattering of the Iron Blood Heaven-Breaking Art had inflicted heavy internal injuries.

Yet despite this, a victorious smile curled across his lips.

“No matter which door they went through… it’ll lead them to the last remaining gate of this place. Escaping will take them at least two hours.”

It had been a trap. They had entered through three doors earlier. Hwan Wang might not have escaped through one of those—but he used the possibility to deceive them with the three fake doors.

For now, he would leave this place—flee as far as he could to somewhere they couldn’t follow. And later… he would have his revenge.

Just as he began reciting the incantation to exit—

Puuuuk!

A sword pierced straight through his heart.

When Hwan Wang looked up, Geom Mugeuk stood before him. Beside him were the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, the Demonic Buddha, and So Baekta.

Jeong Dae said simply to Hwan Wang,

“I saw through your little trick.”

Pretending to enter through the door, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader instead led the three of them into the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique—Time-Space Illusion Shift. Just as Geom Mugeuk had once deceived So Baekta using the same method, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had now turned the tables and deceived Hwan Wang.

“Now that I finally have your attention, I have a message from your sister. She wanted you to know that she didn’t betray you.”

Just as Hwan Wang tried to open his mouth to say something in response, Geom Mugeuk’s unwavering stance toward evildoers applied just the same—there was no need to hear the curses and last words of a villain before death. 4

Shiiiik!

Sseogeok!

Without hesitation, Geom Mugeuk yanked the sword from Hwan Wang’s heart and cleaved his neck. His eyes wide open, Hwan Wang’s head tumbled across the ground.

At last—they had eliminated the Illusion King.

“First, let’s get out of this place.”

As Jeong Dae recited an incantation, the four of them stood before a painting.

They all exhaled softly, thinking: We’re finally out of that cursed illusion.

So Baekta fell to his knees and bowed deeply before the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

“Master…”

Emotions flooded through him. He hadn’t expected to survive. His master had risked his life to come rescue him. He was deeply grateful—to his master, to Geom Mugeuk, to the Demonic Buddha. After thanking each of them, he poured out his heart to his master.

“Inside that illusion, I swore to myself over and over—if I survived, I’d live for you, Master. Just say the word. I’ll spend the rest of my life living as you wish.”

Jeong Dae responded with gentle eyes and a calm voice.

“You really think that’s what I want? If I were that kind of person, do you think I’d have walked away from the position of Cult Leader?”

“…Master.”

“You should live for yourself. If you decide to live on as the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, then that life is for the sake of the cult leader you’ve become. But if you choose to run, like I did, then live for the one who chose to run.”

And finally, he gave the words he truly wanted to say—words that were just as much for himself.

“Even if you run—live earnestly first, and then run.”

So Baekta couldn’t lift his head.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader gently helped his disciple back to his feet.

Watching the two of them, Geom Mugeuk picked up Hwan Wang’s painting, crumpled it, and set it on his palm.

Fwoooosh—

As the ashes from the Samadhi True Fire soared into the air, Geom Mugeuk spoke while gazing up at them. 5

“From today on, don’t believe in any more secret societies trying to revive the Blood Cult. From now on, it’s nothing more than conspiracy and rumor.”

1 : Nah, like in Undertale, seeing the gigantic python full of death poison… it fills you with DETERMINATION ^^

2 : Amithaba, revised version XDXDXD

3 : Goog good, he don’t need prompts anymore ^^

4 : Yeah, he only listened to Hwan Yeo because he couldn’t kill her at the time. No need to listen to him.

5 : On one hand, it’s a good thing to prevent that trap from lingering around and risk falling it into nefarious hands again, on the other…. My completionist hoarder loot goblin OCD is weeping….

* : Although it’s a last stance move here, saturating the body with blood and qi is actually a common move in Murim novels.

Martial arts can be categorized roughly in 2 categories, external (who send qi outside the body) and internal (who, well, stay inside the body). Muscles reinforcement, Iron Skin etc, is just actually using qi to boost the power and durability of said body parts.

Furthemore, blood always contains a certain amount of iron, so condensing and heating it up with qi can theoretically create steel. With enough mastery, you can even create armors and weapons from such material.

The reason it’s a last stand move here is that it uses all the blood energy, which can be linked to blood regeneration and vital energy, so using it all means dying or at least crippling yourself, most of the time permanently.

Body Reformation/Metamorphosis is not part of the Internal category although it offers most of its benefits fall under it because the metamorphosis/reformation depends on enlightenment and is more a passive elevation of the body rather than a ‘real’ martial art you can learn.

*End of the rant*