Return of Mount Hua Sect

Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1047

Daepung Pavilion

This pavilion in the center of Hangzhou, which must have been splendid enough to be described as brilliant, was now half collapsed, exposing its grotesque skeletal frame.

Just a week ago, it buzzed with the laughter of courtesans, the sound of music, and the boastful voices of drunken patrons, but now it was filled only with a sinister silence.

Perched by the window on the highest floor of the tower, which had miraculously not yet collapsed, sat a man.

Jjoreureuk.

A transparent liquid with a faint red glow poured into the glass. The scent spread fragrantly in all directions.

Tak.

Dan Jagang put down the bottle and looked down at the pure white glass filled with alcohol. He stared like that for a while, then reached out and lifted the glass.

The alcohol smoothly flowed into his mouth. He closed his eyes, savoring the faint scent of liquor. He could clearly feel the alcohol flowing down his throat. Dan Jagang gently set the glass down.

“Huu….”

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A sigh escaped him. Was the alcohol not to his liking? No, it was quite the opposite.

It feels like the fragrance enveloped not just his nose but his whole being. Anyone who has tried this alcohol will painfully realize that alcohol is not just for drinking and getting drunk, but for enjoying its true flavor and scent.

Right. Anyone who tasted this drink.

“…For us….”

Dan Jagang slowly looked up at the sky. A half-lit moon is visible beyond the broken ceiling.

“We never had the chance.”

That realization left Dan Jagang feeling empty.

What really made him feel frustrated wasn’t the fact that the cult couldn’t enjoy this kind of alcohol. It was that they lived their lives without even knowing that such alcohol exists in the world.

The lack of something isn’t lamented if it’s unknown. Longing only really strikes when something known is lost. The believers, who do not even know what was not given to them, were not even allowed the freedom to be sad.

Even now, countless cultists consider a cheap substitute for liquor, hardly worthy of the name, as their only option. They covet and yearn for just one bottle of that poor quality.

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What would they think if they tasted this liquor here? What on earth would they think when they see so many high-end luxury feasts crammed into those walls and warehouses?

“Haha….”

Perhaps they would hate the unbelievers of Jungwon even more, who have indulged in all they cannot enjoy without a second thought.

“Hahahaha.”

Maybe they would even resent the cult’s leadership for not informing them of these facts.

“Haha…. Hahaha….”

And perhaps…

Dan Jagang paused for a moment and slowly shook his head. Blasphemous thoughts kept intruding into his mind.

With an indifferent gesture, he refilled his glass. And then he picked up his glass and drank it all down.

Dan Jagang repeated the same action several times and looked out the window with blank eyes. When he first arrived here, this city shone brilliantly with people and lights.

But now, all that remained was darkness and desolation.

Much like the world they lived in.

Now…. Right, now the people who live here and the believers have become equal. but….

But if sharing a miserable condition is what constitutes equality, what does that leave the believers with?

A sense of relief that many others are suffering the same? Or a low pleasure from dragging those living higher lives down to their level?

“Hahaha.”

It’s just laughable.

Perhaps the whole world will soon be like this place. The bright lights will disappear, the fertile soil will be stained with blood, and the streets that used to overflow with people’s laughter will be filled with only death and silence.

And what remains is just…

“Second Coming of Heavenly Demon, Myriad Demon’s Advance….”

Dan Jagang closed his eyes.

Right. What remains is not the cult, but simply the teachings. Heavenly Demon returns and all the demons in the world obey him.

“Second Coming of Heavenly Demon, Myriad Demon’s Advance.”

Their mantra, their everything. The only truth they must uphold.

But Dan Jagang wanted to ask. He had never had this question before, but now he couldn’t bear it any longer, this painful doubt continually stinging him.

“O Heavenly Demon…”

Has his faith faded? No, it has not.

Even though he painfully realized all these contradictions, his faith in Heavenly Demon did not waver in the slightest. In fact, that’s why he can’t help but ask this question.

“This lowly one dares to ask Heavenly Demon…”

Second Coming of Heavenly Demon, Myriad Demon’s Advance. Second Coming of Heavenly Demon, Myriad Demon’s Advance.

“This filthy world will be purified as you wish, O Heavenly Demon. And soon, the glorious era of demons will come.”

This is a grand ceremony (성전(盛典)) for Him. Also, it is a holy war (성전(聖戰)) for Him.

But he wanted to ask.

What comes after all is achieved? What lies beyond?

After welcoming the return of Heavenly Demon, purifying this world, and opening the era of demons, what kind of life should the believers live?

No one talks about what happens next. No one discusses the world that follows. No one has ever wondered. Because they were unable to even fulfill the first command given by Heavenly Demon, they had no right to think about what followed.

Dan Jagang leaned back in his chair and tilted his head. There was an emptiness in his eyes.

“…What is there, Heavenly Demon? What….”

What have we endured all this time for? And for what should we continue to fight?

Even if all this glory is solely for the Demon Lord, we would gladly walk this path with smiles. But… why does your mercy not extend even slightly to us?

“Haha….”

It’s funny, all of this. It’s just laughable.

Tak, tak, tak, tak.

At that time, somewhat urgent footsteps were heard from the stairs leading to the lower floor. Dan Jagang didn’t bother to turn his head as he greeted the visitor.

“Bishop.”

As soon as Jong Nil (적일(赤一)) came up the stairs and saw Dan Jagang, he prostrated himself on the spot.

“An army of unbelievers has invaded the outskirts and battle is taking place.”

As he was reporting, he swallowed dry saliva and continued speaking.

“The number exceeds five hundred.”

Dan Jagang did not show any particular reaction. Usually, he would have shivered with rage merely by acknowledging the presence of these filthy unbelievers.

“Five hundred…”

Instead, he spoke in a relaxed tone.

“Are they after my head?”

“It is most disrespectful, but it seems so.”

“Right.”

Dan Jagang’s gaze turned beyond the window.

No matter how far it was from the outskirts of Hangzhou to this place, the fact that he did not recognize that many people were approaching probably meant that his mind was so distracted right now.

“My head…”

As he gazed at the moon, an intense emptiness hung over his eyes like fog. Normally, he would have sprung into action upon hearing this news, ready to punish them. But for some reason, he didn’t feel like it now.

“What should be done?”

Jong Nil immediately opened his mouth to that question.

“Currently, they are engaged in a fight with ordinary believers patrolling the outskirts. The devout forces of the cult are already moving to punish them, so there is no need for Bishop to personally intervene.”

“Is that so…”

Dan Jagang grabbed the bottle again. And then he started pouring alcohol into the glass again.

Jjoreureuk.

It was filled with red liquor.

Jong Nil’s face hardened at that relaxed touch. This is because even though he finished reporting on those who opposed the cult, Dan Jagang did not react much.

But at that very moment.

“…How dare they.”

The world began to tremble. A sinister aura emanated from Dan Jagang, shaking not only the air but also the building itself.

Jong Nil, who was suddenly out of breath due to the momentum, quickly prostrated himself on the floor.

“Bi- Bishop. Please withdraw your anger…”

“Jong Nil.”

“Yes! Bishop.”

A murderous voice leaked from Dan Jagang’s mouth.

“These are people who dare to oppose Heavenly Demon. Chew their flesh and grind their bones for their sins. Let this wicked world clearly know what price to pay for unbelief.”

“Second Coming of Heavenly Demon, Myriad Demon’s Advance!”

Kung!

Jong Nil smashed his head on the floor. Then he carefully got up and flew down the stairs like the wind.

As his presence moved away, Dan Jagang’s eyes darkened.

* * *

“Amitabha!”

A solemn chant rang out, and a golden glow spread across the front.

Kuuuuuung!

A dull explosion erupted. The charging cultists were unable to overcome the power contained in the force and were blown away. But no sooner than their backs hit the ground, they jumped up and ran again with a fierce cry.

“Keuk!”

A restrained groan escaped Hye Yeon’s lips for the first time.

“Keep going!”

But there was no time to stop and think. Because Chung Myung’s voice continuously spurred them on.

Chung Myung and Mount Hua elite he led.

Jang Ilso and Red Dogs who follow him.

When Chung Myung and Jang Ilso first announced that they would leave the battlefield to the Black Ghost Fortress and enter Hangzhou, most people did not understand why they had to make such a choice.

But now everyone understood the meaning.

‘Damn it!’

Baek Cheon clenched his teeth. There was no end in sight to the charging cultists. The ones they encountered on the outskirts of Hangzhou were very few, and those were mere scouts.

As they entered, they were greeted by cultists who radiated stronger demonic energy. The energy was so thick it made it hard to breathe.

Paaaat!

Baek Cheon kicked off the ground with all his might and unleashed his sword with full force toward the cultists rushing at him from the front.

The burst of red sword energy created dozens of afterimages as it scattered, mercilessly slaughtering the cultists.

“Kuaaaah!”

The cultists, whose bodies were full of holes, screamed in agony. Yet, even in their suffering, they ferociously swung their elongated claws.

“Euaaaat!”

Just as Jo-Gol, who was supporting Baek Cheon, hurriedly jumped in to block the attack

Paaaaang!

A meteor-like golden light flew in with an ear-piercing sound and instantly destroyed the heads of the cultists in front of Baek Cheon.

“You should be careful, boy.”

A tender voice resonated deeply. Baek Cheon twisted his face and turned around.

“Jang Ilso!”

“Being too excited is not good, don’t lose your energy prematurely. You still have much to do.”

“Tsk!”

Baek Cheon bites his lip. The fact that he received help from Jang Ilso made him feel even more humiliated.

That moment.

Paaaaat!

The sword of Chung Myung flew in quickly and instantly cut off the head of the cultist who was charging at Jang Ilso.

“Don’t slack off, stupid!”

“…Always so kind.”

Jang Ilso smiled crookedly. Even during this all, Chung Myung’s eyes were quickly scanning all directions.

‘Where is it?’

His senses stretched out in all directions.

It is impossible to predict how a bishop will behave. Because each one is so distinct. Thus, guessing where he might be in the vast expanse of Hangzhou is virtually impossible.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

All he has to do is find the place where the thickest demonic energy flows out of this suffocating demonic energy. With his senses now several times sharper than before, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

Shortly after, Chung Myung’s head sharply turned upward.

Hangzhou, where all the towering pavilions collapsed. On the land that has been flattened and revealed the horizon, there is only one pavilion that stands out!

“This…”

Chung Myung grinned, baring his teeth.

“Seems I’m not the only kind one around here?”

A ferocious spirit flowed from Chung Myung’s eyes.