Chapter 143

The inside of the cliff was a natural environment not much different from the outside.

However, the moment one steps in, anyone with martial prowess would immediately realize.

This place has undoubtedly become a separate space distinct from the outside.

“The Ghost Gate seems to be open.”

“The demonic energy is so thick. Why on earth did the Wind Chasing Unit come into a place like this…?”

“It’s not that they came in, but rather they had no choice but to enter.”

With Namgung Woo at the forefront, they advance in a formation divided into groups.

With as many as three individuals capable of sensing danger and Yi Ho-yeong, a Supreme Peak Master with heightened energy perception, the risk of being ambushed is almost nonexistent. However, the Ghost Gate has always defied human expectations.

Especially now, with such an overwhelming amount of evil energy filling the space.

Namgung Woo had felt this sensation before.

The Ghost Realm of the Black Ghost Gate that had enveloped Manse Mountain. It was similar to that.

In other words, the Ghost Gate open here was at least of the black level.

“It’s weaker compared to Manse Mountain. Gwak Dan said that Ghost Gate was almost white. This isn’t at that level. Is this the standard for a typical black-level gate?”

As Namgung Woo roughly analyzed the Ghost Gate, Paeng Ha-ryeong asked,

“Did they open the Ghost Gate inside like this and block the outflow of evil energy to keep the Wudang Sect in check?”

“That could be part of it.”

It takes time for a Ghost Gate to form and open.

The stronger the gate, the longer it takes, and at the black level, the evil energy is so thick that it’s usually discovered before it can fully open.

But by blocking the evil energy like this, wouldn’t it be possible to safely open the entire gate?

“You should be adjusted by now. From here on, we’ll run while deploying Lightness Techniques. We don’t have the luxury to hesitate any longer.”

The reason they didn’t start running immediately was to give everyone the minimum time needed to adapt to the atmosphere of the Ghost Realm.

Inside the Ghost Realm, the flow of energy is twisted in an alien way. Martial arts that rely on internal energy can still be used, albeit with a slight stiffness, but techniques that borrow external energy are practically useless.

Of course, that doesn’t apply to top-tier spellcasters who can modify their spells to account for such conditions, but unfortunately, such spellcasters are even rarer than Supreme Peak Masters.

The sprint began.

Various Lightness Techniques competed to showcase their excellence as they raced forward. Though everyone must have been accumulating fatigue, they displayed astonishing speed, as if refusing to fall behind the person next to them.

“There they are!”

Without Namgung Woo needing to say anything.

Each person spotted and engaged the approaching demons.

On the left, the mercenary Sangmyung rushed out and severed a demon’s leg with a sickle-like weapon, while on the right, the swordsman Ungae annihilated three demons in an instant with the Ten Thousand Waves Sword Technique, reminiscent of a surging sea.

These two were just the beginning.

The shapes of the pouring demons were as diverse as the martial arts of the warriors opposing them.

It was a scene that defied the common knowledge that one type of demon emerges from a single Ghost Gate.

“Shape-shifting demons!”

Demons that could change their forms.

Their essence was the same, but their appearances were all different. They even changed forms while fighting the warriors.

“Ha!”

“Die!!”

“Don’t stop! If you can’t hold on, at least shout!”

The energy waves emitted by the warriors pushed back the demonic energy. As the oppressive weight of the demonic energy lessened, the warriors’ movements gradually accelerated.

So Un-pyeong scattered hidden blades, while Jeon Gil, the Righteous Wood Sword Hero, unleashed sharp sword winds that made one doubt if it was really a wooden sword.

But the standout was undoubtedly Byung Chan-ju, who charged into the densest area of demons without hesitation, wielding the Unyielding Thunder Fist.

One punch, one kill. Every time his fist struck, a demon’s head was crushed.

True to his title, he didn’t neglect defense. Blocking with one hand and smashing with the other, the Unyielding Thunder Fist steadily reduced the number of demons, if not with flair, then with reliability.

“I can’t fall behind!”

Geumshin leapt into action.

Using the Hundred Directions Footwork Technique, he kicked four demons into pulp in an instant.

Following him was the Phoenix Pine Staff Technique. The iron-cored wooden staff spun, grinding demons into dust.

“Someone’s fired up.”

“That’s just how he is.”

“Stop talking and get out there!”

“Alright. Watch this. Spellcasters should just watch the warriors fight…!”

Before Yang Kwae could finish teasing Myorin, she drew her sword and swiftly climbed a demon’s knee-back-shoulder, cleanly severing its neck with a single, light stroke.

Her movements were fluid, and her concise sword technique was refreshingly smooth.

“What did you say?”

She then lightly pushed the demon’s head with her toe, sending it tumbling, and moved on to the next target.

Even without spells, Myorin was originally a Peak Master.

In fact, she had reached the peak much earlier than Yang Kwae or Yang Jeong, making her a fully matured master.

After all, except for one, all the spells granted by the Four Spirits Tattoo were auxiliary.

“Tsk…”

“Don’t just stand there! They’re coming!”

Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong also joined the fray, emitting Thunder Qi.

The internal energy of the Thunderous Step Technique burned in the form of the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords, incinerating the demonic energy.

But there was no end.

The black-level Ghost Gate, which had been open for who knows how long, had already seen the weaker demons that could be easily destroyed by a Peak Master’s strike disappear, leaving only the real threats that required multiple techniques to defeat. Yet, their numbers were still beyond estimation.

Just as it seemed they might be swallowed by the wave of demons.

A golden dragon rose.

Kugugugung-!

The reverberation of the released internal energy enveloped the battlefield. Hwang Ryong-ho’s Yellow Dragon Shaking Heaven Technique once again turned the air of the battlefield upside down.

Charrrruk-! Clank! Clank!

The pieces hanging on Hwang Ryong-ho’s back moved as if alive, aligning themselves in a row.

They then connected to form a massive pole, and a blade extended from the dragon’s mouth, taking the shape of a halberd.

This was Hwang Ryong-ho’s divine weapon, the Nine-Sectioned Dragon-Slaying Halberd. Unlike Namgung Woo’s Bonding, it didn’t possess a massive energy within the weapon itself, but its ability to change form in response to internal energy made it worthy of being called a divine weapon.

The halberd was wrapped in a golden dragon. The divine energy of the Yellow Dragon Shaking Heaven Technique revealed the true power that had allowed Hwang Ryong-ho to remain an independent powerhouse without joining any faction.

Hwirurururu-Kururrung-!!

The rotating energy waves. The golden dragon, enveloping not just the halberd but Hwang Ryong-ho’s entire body, raised its scales and let out a roar.

If a dragon in the sky roared before a thunderbolt struck, it would surely sound like this.

And the moment Hwang Ryong-ho thrust the halberd, the dragon roared and charged.

Yellow Dragon Divine Halberd, First Move: Yellow Dragon Emerges.

Originally a light strike, this technique, combined with Hwang Ryong-ho’s immense internal energy and destructive aura, transformed into a world-shaking, earth-shattering move.

In the straight line where the golden dragon of aura energy surged.

Everything was erased.

Flesh, blood—all gone, leaving only a smooth path. The ground itself was carved away, leaving only the dragon’s trail.

The chill that had risen from Namgung Woo’s earlier display of divine power once again covered everyone’s skin.

“How’s that? Not bad, right?”

Hwang Ryong-ho spoke as if showing off such divine power was no big deal. He, too, was no ordinary person.

Namgung Woo replied,

“Not bad at all.”

Even after unleashing such a powerful technique, Hwang Ryong-ho’s breathing remained calm.

In terms of sheer power per strike, he was on par with Hallyong Mado, a Supreme Peak Master known for his destructive force. However, unlike Hallyong Mado, who compressed his power into a small area, Hwang Ryong-ho could freely expand his power, making his internal energy control seem a step above.

“Still no thoughts of joining Changcheon Pavilion?”

“Sorry, I have an incurable disease that kills me if I join any faction.”

“That’s a shame.”

Genuinely so.

If Hwang Ryong-ho joined, Namgung Woo would seriously consider heading to the Southern Directly Administered Region right then and there.

“Instead, take that guy with you.”

Resting the halberd on his shoulder, Hwang Ryong-ho pointed with his thumb to one side.

It was the direction of the Unyielding Thunder Fist.

Byung Chan-ju, who was still tirelessly smashing demon skulls. Unlike the other warriors, who were gradually needing more strikes as the demons grew stronger, Byung Chan-ju’s fists still only needed one hit.

When he first showed his skills, it was impressive enough to earn praise as one of Hwang Ryong-ho’s chosen four. But after seeing Hwang Ryong-ho’s display, Byung Chan-ju’s performance felt somewhat plain. Even now, he stood out among Peak Masters, but it was hard not to feel underwhelmed.

However, for Namgung Woo, that plainness was actually a plus.

Because the martial art Byung Chan-ju was using wasn’t supposed to be performed so quietly and without fanfare.

‘The Nine Walls Divine Fist. And the Thunderous Step, huh?’

A martial art that unleashed destructive power alongside Thunder Qi.

It was a martial art of the Namgung family.