bantayden Chapter 267 : Another Step Forward (4)
Chapter 267 : Another Step Forward (4)
Chapter 267: Another Step Forward (4)
For a living being, breathing in the Corpse-Blood Realm was like eating rotten food swarming with every kind of bacteria, and absorbing the surrounding energy was like inhaling poison.
‘But how?’
Yet Jang Woo-hyun had grown stronger in such a place.
Ian already knew that Jang Woo-hyun had created a certain domain with something he possessed. Since that place was rich in vitality, he roughly understood that Jang Woo-hyun could use his strength there just as before.
But setting that aside, the fact that he had actually grown stronger simply made no sense no matter how Ian thought about it.
This was not a matter that could be dismissed as talent or effort.
It was simply impossible.
Something that should never happen.
‘What the hell is this guy?’
His strength and growth were abnormal.
Even when they had first met, Ian had thought he was unusual.
But he had never imagined he would become this strong so quickly.
Ian himself had once been an Ascendant who rose from the Lower Realm, and after living for a very long time, he had experienced many things.
Yet Jang Woo-hyun was a type of person he had never encountered before.
He was far too unusual.
So much so that Ian’s mind went blank for a moment.
“There was a bit of progress.”
Only after Jang Woo-hyun spoke did Ian snap out of his daze.
Ian asked several questions because he found it unbelievable that Jang Woo-hyun had grown stronger in the Corpse-Blood Realm.
But the answers he received were things he simply could not comprehend.
“I trained. And I kept fighting here too.”
“…….”
It sounded like utter nonsense, but no matter how much he asked, the answer did not change.
And the three companions beside Jang Woo-hyun merely nodded as though this was completely normal.
‘At this point, even I don’t know anymore.’
In the end, Ian gave up trying to understand Jang Woo-hyun and changed the subject.
“Will it take long to return to the Central Heavens Realm?”
“We can use the gate Baek Jeong-ak and Hyeonwol created. Since it’s both a gate and a passageway, naturally we can use it in reverse too.”
Ian led Jang Woo-hyun’s group to one side.
Toward the place where the red moon had floated.
Below it, a lake filled with blood had formed.
“That thing is the gate they created. Baek Jeong-ak had hidden it. Once preparations were complete, he probably planned to open it from this side and invade the Central Heavens Realm.”
But while fighting Jang Woo-hyun, Hyeonwol had been cornered and forcibly activated the Blood-Realm Connecting Gate, causing the gate itself to move here.
“It’ll need a bit of adjustment, but using it as a simple passageway shouldn’t be difficult.”
“And if we use it, there won’t be any damage to the Central Heavens Realm?”
At the question, Ian nodded.
“You don’t need to worry about the Corpse-Blood Realm overlapping with the Central Heavens Realm through erosion. The gate that had already stabilized suddenly moved, so its power weakened. And once you all return, I can simply close it. I can at least do that much for you, especially after I owe you yet another debt.”
At the mention of owing a debt, Jang Woo-hyun looked at Ian, not understanding what he meant.
“Because you moved, an opening appeared in Baek Jeong-ak. Ah, though even if we had fought normally, I still would’ve won.”
Hyeonwol had desperately used the Blood-Realm Connecting Gate recklessly, and that became a burden on Baek Jeong-ak, who had been stabilizing the gate.
Naturally, a small opening appeared during the battle, and Ian seized that opportunity to defeat Baek Jeong-ak more easily than expected.
“What debt? If it weren’t for you, we probably wouldn’t even be alive.”
When they first fell into the Corpse-Blood Realm, if they had not received Ian’s help, they might have been captured by cultivators or killed by the realm’s power.
Though Ian had first rescued them and thus led to their cooperation, Jang Woo-hyun was still sincerely grateful.
And this was the normal reaction.
‘It’s those cultivator bastards who are insane.’
The abnormal ones were the cultivators who only thought about exploiting others and constantly looked for opportunities to stab people in the back.
If someone helped you, expressing gratitude and repaying that favor when given the chance was simply what a person ought to do.
Even if worlds and races differed.
“The reason I helped you was because it was a debt I naturally had to repay.”
As he spoke, Ian snapped his fingers.
Skeletons possessing tremendous energy rose from his shadow and circled the blood lake while using magic.
Ian himself also used his mana to examine the lake.
“We might be able to cross faster than expected.”
As he analyzed the energy flowing inside the lake, Ian spoke again.
“Any chance you’d consider staying here?”
“What?”
“I just thought it might be good for you to remain here for a while.”
“What kind of nonsense is that? You know how dangerous the Corpse-Blood Realm is for us.”
To Ian, Jang Woo-hyun was an outstanding companion.
If they stayed together, it somehow felt like conquering the Corpse-Blood Realm would become easy.
So he had casually asked just in case.
“No, forget it. I was only joking.”
Even Ian found his own words absurd and let out a chuckle.
Seo Ryeom and Jin Ha-un stayed glued to Jang Woo-hyun’s side, remaining wary of Ian.
“Captain, are you actually thinking of staying here?”
“Brother, we’re not leaving?”
“Why would we stay? Other people are waiting for us. We need to return quickly.”
Though reassured by Jang Woo-hyun’s answer, the two still did not move away.
Watching Jin Ha-un and Seo Ryeom as though they were ridiculous, Chosu lightly shook his head and stepped toward Ian.
“May I ask one favor?”
“As many as you want.”
“Do you happen to have any remaining Destruction Flowers? Could I get some?”
“Destruction Flowers? Did you use up the ones I gave you before?”
Chosu smiled bitterly and explained that he had failed to properly use the Dharma Treasures he created because of a miscalculation.
“Ah, I see. Since this is the Corpse-Blood Realm, it must’ve behaved differently than usual. My subordinates should still have some, so I can—”
Ian suddenly stopped speaking and turned his head.
His gaze shifted toward the blood-red lake.
After concentrating briefly and examining it, he tilted his head before speaking.
“Who’s on the other side?”
“The other side? You mean the Central Heavens Realm?”
“Yeah. Someone from the other side is pulling at it. They’re trying to open the gate.”
“Ah.”
There were still people remaining in the Central Heavens Realm.
Beginning with Great Sage Tongpung and Makya Wol, as well as Maeng Ye-ju, Seon Tae-gyeong, the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Corps, and even the Five-Wheel Five Elements Cult led by Seo Gyeong-mu and Lim Gwan-hwa.
Since they had been suddenly dragged away during the war, many companions must still remain on the other side.
“Looks like Tae-gyeong is using his strength.”
As Chosu said, while the others might not be much help, perhaps Seon Tae-gyeong, an exceptional spellcaster, could accomplish something.
He had been called a genius in the world of spell arts and had become one of the Ten Thrones of the Radiant Light Sect at the youngest age.
So it was entirely possible.
“Hm.”
Jang Woo-hyun and the others welcomed the fact that their companion was making an effort, but Ian’s expression did not relax easily.
“How strong is that person?”
“He’s a martial world spellcaster. Compared to cultivators, probably around the Nascent Void Realm.”
“The Nascent Void Realm?”
At the answer, Ian’s expression stiffened and he shook his head.
“No. This isn’t at that level.”
“What?”
“Be careful once you cross over. That person isn’t ordinary. Well, considering they built a gate like this, there’s no way the Central Heavens Realm would simply sit still.”
“Are you sure?”
“Leaving aside the magnitude of the power, the feeling coming from it is different. They’re definitely no ordinary expert. The distance is too great to grasp perfectly, but someone at the Nascent Void Realm absolutely shouldn’t feel like this. Is there any chance something happened where you originally were?”
At Ian’s question, Jang Woo-hyun shook his head.
Besides the Demon-Slaying Corps, the Five-Wheel Five Elements Cult was also in the Central Heavens Realm, so no matter who came, things should not collapse easily.
“Nothing serious probably happened.”
“That’s good then. Are you all crossing immediately?”
“Yeah. We can’t just stay buried in this place. There are companions waiting for us in the Central Heavens Realm.”
At the answer, Ian nodded and reached into his robe.
His own tasks were already nearly complete.
Now all that remained was for his subordinates to handle the adjustments.
Ian pulled out a small pouch and handed it over.
“Take this. I packed various things inside.”
Jang Woo-hyun accepted the pouch and handed it to Chosu.
He did not know what was inside, but among them, Chosu was the only one capable of properly utilizing such items.
“And this too.”
This time, Ian handed over the necklace with the red cross that they had received before.
“You’re giving us this again?”
“You might end up coming back here.”
This time as well, Jang Woo-hyun had not come to the Corpse-Blood Realm by choice.
Everything had happened suddenly.
And there was no guarantee such an incident would never happen again.
Ian pulled out four necklaces and distributed them one by one, but when it came to Jang Woo-hyun’s turn, he stopped.
“No. You probably don’t need one.”
For some reason, Ian felt that if Jang Woo-hyun ever returned to the Corpse-Blood Realm again, he would simply walk around freely without needing any help at all.
‘Considering his growth rate, that wouldn’t even be surprising.’
Ian put the necklace meant for Jang Woo-hyun back away.
“If you fall into the Corpse-Blood Realm, this item can summon me. The method is simple. Just break the cross.”
After explaining how to use it to the remaining three, Ian suddenly awkwardly formed a fist salute.
Then he slightly lowered his upper body and spoke in a firm voice.
“I am Ian of the Corpse-Blood Realm. I received help from Jang Woo-hyun and his companions. Someday, I shall repay your kindness.”
Since he had never performed a martial world greeting in his life, the movement looked awkward.
Yet despite the awkwardness, his sincerity was clear.
“…….”
Only then did Seo Ryeom, who had continued to doubt and guard against Ian, finally relax.
Beginning with Seo Ryeom, the rest of the group also returned the fist salute.
“I am Seo Ryeom of the Demon-Slaying Corps, formerly of the White Martial Society’s Battle Fiend Division. I owe a debt to the Skeleton King of the Corpse-Blood Realm. I too shall surely repay this favor.”
“I am Jin Ha-un of the Demon-Slaying Corps. Thank you for helping us.”
“I am Chosu of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels, belonging to the Demon-Slaying Corps. I thank you for your aid.”
Finally, Jang Woo-hyun formed a fist salute and slightly bowed his upper body.
“For a small favor I gave, I received far too great a return.”
All he had done was rescue someone who had been imprisoned.
Yet in return, he had received Divine True Steel and created a new sword, and he and his companions had been saved after falling into the Corpse-Blood Realm.
From Jang Woo-hyun’s perspective, he had received far too much from Ian.
“I am Jang Woo-hyun of the Demon-Slaying Corps of the Central Heavens Martial World. Great Mage Ian, if you ever need help, I will aid you anytime.”
At Jang Woo-hyun’s answer, Ian smiled and spoke.
“Then stay here and work together with me on—”
“Hey!”
“Absolutely not!”
At the sight of the group instantly turning serious, Ian burst into laughter and snapped his fingers.
A gate appeared at the center of the blood-red lake.
“If you pass through there, you’ll return to where you originally came from. Thank you. Jang Woo-hyun, Chosu, Jin Ha-un, Seo Ryeom. Even in death, I shall never forget this debt. Ah, though I’m already dead, so I suppose it’s enough not to forget.”
Leaving behind the frivolous joke, Jang Woo-hyun’s group headed toward the gate.
It was finally time to return to the Central Heavens Realm.
“Everyone’s alright, right?”
“How long have we even been gone? They’re all monsters in their own way, so they’re probably perfectly fine. Ah!”
“What is it?”
“There’s one person who definitely won’t be fine.”
“Huh? Who?”
As Jin Ha-un stepped into the gate made of blood, he widened his eyes and asked.
Since everyone in the Demon-Slaying Corps was extraordinary, he had not been too worried.
But Seo Ryeom’s reaction suddenly made him uneasy.
“Do you think Great Sage Tongpung would stay quiet?”
“Ah…….”
Listening from beside them, Jang Woo-hyun unconsciously let out a small sigh.
Because within the Demon-Slaying Corps, there was one enormous troublemaker who became uncontrollable whenever Jang Woo-hyun was absent.
---
“So exactly how long are you going to keep fiddling around?”
Great Sage Tongpung stood with his arms crossed, berating the old woman standing before him.
“Great Sage…….”
Beside him, Seon Tae-gyeong tried anxiously to stop him, but such things were meaningless against a Monster like him.
“How the hell do you manage your brats to let something like this happen? At this rate, we should just open passages ourselves and travel back and forth to the World of Monsters and Demons instead of struggling with summons.”
Standing before the massive red sphere was an old woman.
Each time her back twitched, Seon Tae-gyeong repeatedly muttered, “Great Sage.”
“What do you mean by managing brats? I’m not even part of the Radiant Light Sect to begin with.”
Unable to endure it any longer, the old woman finally turned around and spoke.
“You old hag are supposed to be the head of the spellcasters, right? Then you should’ve managed your disciples properly. At your age, what exactly have you even been doing? Hah, probably just standing around with your hands behind your back going ‘Ahem, ahem.’”
Crack.
Something inside the old woman snapped as she listened to Great Sage Tongpung’s scolding, and she completely turned around.
“You ill-mannered monkey bastard! I treated you kindly and now you’ve become utterly disrespectful! Why is a lunatic from the World of Monsters and Demons even here in the first place?!”
“What? Wanna go at it? Feeling confident? Old hag, you’re not even in your true body, so you think you can beat me?”
“Oh! Is this a fight? Then may I join as well?”
Makya Wol, who had been standing slightly farther away, quickly approached as the situation escalated.
“Chain, I’m first, so keep the order.”
“I cannot concede this. One does not get to meet a Heavenly Lord so easily.”
“Well, she’s an old woman, so who knows when she’ll die. Still, no means no.”
Great Sage Tongpung and Makya Wol began arguing over who would fight the old woman first.
Thinking it looked entertaining, the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Corps gradually gathered around.
“Who’re you betting on?”
“I’m betting on Great Sage.”
“I’m betting on the Heavenly Lord.”
“Brother, isn’t that too much? You’ve spent all this time together with Great Sage.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty harsh.”
“What nonsense. In gambling, you bet on the one you think will win.”
“Now that you mention it, true.”
The gathered crowd began placing bets.
And watching all of this, Seon Tae-gyeong tightly shut his eyes.
‘Commander, when are you coming back…….’
Without Jang Woo-hyun, the lunatics could no longer be controlled.