The Demon Cult Retreats to Its Final Line of Defense
Driven back by the relentless assault of the Murim Alliance, the Demon Cult was preparing its final resistance to defend its stronghold.
Under Jin Ha-yeong's command, the main Murim forces had finally reached the gates of the Demon Cult's stronghold.
"The end of the Demon Cult is near!""This is the final battle!"
Everyone thought so.But—
That assumption was a trap.
The Demon Cult was not simply retreating.They were drawing the Murim Alliance into a deeper, deadlier snare.
A Battle in Hell
The warriors of the Demon Cult had all resolved to die.None fled.They threw away their lives to drag the Murim Alliance down with them.
"There is no retreat!""If we fall back, it's over!"
Jin Ha-yeong drew his sword.It cleaved through the air, cutting down enemies one after another.
Swish!Slash!
With every stroke of his blade, a cultist fell.But as soon as one was cut down, another rushed in to take their place.
This was not war.This was slaughter.
A blood-soaked abyss where death reigned.
And in that chaos, Seung-chan began to move.
"There's no way out of this place.""If I want to survive—I have to fight."
His sword flashed like lightning.He cast aside emotion.
"To survive, I must cut them down."
Entering a state of pure clarity, he began striking down his foes with ruthless efficiency.
Only Thirty Survive
One hundred warriors entered this battle.By the time it ended, only thirty remained.
"Even that is a miracle.""If Jin Ha-yeong and Seung-chan hadn't been here, fewer than ten would have made it out alive."
It was hell.
Surviving at all was a feat worthy of awe.
"So this is the resistance of the Demon Cult.""It's far deeper… and far more desperate than we imagined."
Jin Ha-yeong and Seung-chan both understood—this battle was not the end.
The Demon Cult still had strength left.
And deeper within...something far more terrifying was waiting for them.
Chapter 53: The Final Showdown — The Demon Cult's Last Champions53장: 최후의 결전, 마교의 마지막 강자들
A Battlefield Soaked in Blood — The Final Warriors Emerge
The war between the Murim Alliance and the Demon Cult had already claimed countless lives.Only one final step remained.
The battle seemed over—But then—
A powerful surge of energy erupted from the Demon Cult's inner sanctum.
"They're coming!""The last warriors of the Demon Cult are making their appearance!"
The surviving Murim warriors tensed.Only those who had endured the blood-soaked battleground could now face the true elites.
And finally, they revealed themselves.
The Demon Cult's Strongest
The Demon Cult Leader – Blood Heaven Demon Emperor (혈천마황)
The supreme ruler of the Demon Cult.
A legendary warrior who once bathed the Gangho in blood.
He vanished after the former Alliance Leader was replaced—but now he has returned, ready to reclaim dominance.
His martial art is the ultimate culmination of the Demon Cult's deadly legacy.
Two of the Four Pillars of the Demon Cult
Masters known only through whispers in the Gangho.
Each wields a singular, overwhelming martial art.
Their mere presence struck fear into the hearts of seasoned Murim warriors.
And… "That Man"
The shadowy expert Seung-chan had faced twice before.
A figure who moved unseen through the undercurrents of the Gangho.
Now, his true name and martial art would finally be revealed.
"So he was the Demon Cult's hidden blade all along.""Everything is coming to light."
Seung-chan thought silently as he watched.Now he understood why the man had stayed hidden.
He was a sword reserved for the final moment—The Demon Cult's true final trump card.
The Demon Cult Leader's Proposal: A Final Duel
The Demon Emperor surveyed the battlefield with calm eyes.His gaze was unshaken.
He no longer desired a war of attrition.He sent a message to the Murim Alliance.
"Isn't this enough bloodshed?""Both sides have suffered great loss.""Let us end this—with our finest warriors."
This was no gamble.This was the way of the Gangho.
Now, only one thing remained:A final duel among the strongest.
"The victor will rule the Gangho."
The Murim Alliance's Decision
Debate erupted within the Murim ranks.The proposal was unexpected—but undeniably rational.
"If we continue this fight, both sides will fall.""Maybe it's better to settle this among the strongest."
Voices rose in discussion.And then—
"I'll step forward."
Jin Ha-yeong spoke, his eyes unwavering.
"I will end this war."
The final duel was about to begin.
Chapter 54: The Chosen One — Seung-chan54장: 선택된 자, 승찬
The Murim Alliance Gathers Its Elite
The Murim Alliance stood on the verge of the ultimate battle with the Demon Cult.This wasn't just another clash.
"The victor will control the Gangho."
Such was the law of this world.The strong must be stronger.The strong must win.
"We must gather only the strongest."
Elite fighters were swiftly chosen.The top masters of every sect were summoned.They were the champions of the Gangho.
"If we lose, the Murim will fall.""Bring every last ounce of strength to the front."
Each chosen warrior was a name carved into the history of the Gangho.Undisputed elites.
But—
"The final spot—Jin Ha-yeong will decide."
A debate broke out over who would fill the last seat.That final spot was critical.The keystone of the elite strike team.
It was Jin Ha-yeong's decision to make.
Jin Ha-yeong Chooses Seung-chan
Jin Ha-yeong deliberated deeply.He needed power.And one name surfaced in his mind.
"I choose Seung-chan."
Murmurs swept through the alliance.
"Seung-chan? From the lower divisions?""He's not even a renowned figure in the Murim, nor a verified master!""Even if he played a key role before… for something this important?"
This was no small choice.This would shape the fate of the alliance.And yet—Jin Ha-yeong chose Seung-chan.
The elders protested.
"This is reckless, Alliance Leader.""This battle decides the fate of the entire Gangho.""We can't bring in a nameless swordsman."
But—
"No.""We need Seung-chan."
Jin Ha-yeong did not budge.
He had tested Seung-chan.He knew his true strength.
"He must be in the final squad.""I chose him—personally."
And so, the Murim Alliance accepted his decision.
Seung-chan Joins the Elite Strike Team
Seung-chan's Thoughts: Fate?
Seung-chan heard the news quietly.He hadn't expected it.
"Jin Ha-yeong chose me?"
He was no longer a shadow.Now, he stood among the elite of the Murim Alliance.
"The strong must be strong.""But why me?"
He couldn't understand it.
That Jin Ha-yeong saw him as one of the strong.He had tried to remain outside the tides of the Murim—But fate was pulling him back in.
"Am I the chosen one?""Is this all part of a preordained path?"
He found himself recalling the rules of the Gangho once more.
"How far can I go within this current?"
And then—He silently gripped his sword.
He was now one step closer to the summit of the Gangho.