Chapter 158: Invitation from the Demon Lord

A fairly large ship was moored at Soryuho, and at the inn prepared by the Demon Clan, only the cooks were bustling about preparing food, just as they had said.

But who on earth would eat food prepared by the Demon Clan’s servants?

Caught in this bizarre situation, Baek Moo-jin entered the inn with the others.

Dang Guishun stepped forward, searching the ingredients and the cooks’ bodies, moving about for a long time to check for poison. Dang Guishun investigated, saying that no matter how skilled the Demon Clan was with poison, they couldn’t surpass the Dang Clan, but found no trace of poison anywhere.

Nevertheless, the Duke ordered the cooks to leave, proposed procuring separate ingredients, and suggested entrusting the cooking duties to Dang Gwisun.

Goseonwoo and Dang Gwisun personally went to procure the cooking ingredients, while the rest planned to spend the day at the inn.

Dawang had already sent word to the other kings that he would challenge the Demon Clan leader. Time had passed, so they planned to wait at Soryu Lake for about a day. It was clear that any master who received Dawang’s message and joined them would be a significant boost to their full strength.

Thus, Baek Moo-jin’s party spent a day in enemy territory.

It was a strange night.

They worried about a surprise attack, but only an ominous stillness flowed over Soryu Lake. As the sun set, Baek Moo-jin, who had been surveying the surroundings, suddenly looked at Soryu Lake.

A thick fog was rolling in.

Baek Moo-jin instantly recognized it as the fog created by the demonic creatures.

Now he understood why the area around Soryu Lake had been so desolate. The thick fog was so dense that ordinary people couldn’t even go about their daily lives.

As the fog rolled into the inn, the rest of the people came out and gathered around Baek Mujin.

Kwon Wang muttered.

“It’s not fog, but ghostly energy flowing through. How unpleasant.”

Baek Moo-jin silently took Jin So-hye’s hand, then looked toward Soryu Lake. Suddenly, as if unable to remain still, Kwon Wang paced restlessly around him before unleashing a tremendous gust of wind directly into the thick fog.

The whirlwind that shot out from Kwonwang’s fist blew away a layer of the thick fog. However, a chilling, whistling sound suddenly echoed from somewhere, and the fog began to rise again.

The only one free here was the King of Tao. He was breathing deeply as he wandered about.

“Is the fog very thick?”

“Yes.”

“It surged out once, but it’s starting to disperse little by little.”

As the people answered, the King of the Path nodded and replied.

“Don’t worry. In a place like this, I am the king…”

The people smiled at the King of Tao’s bold words. The group watched the thick fog for a moment before returning to the inn at the call of Dang Gwisun, who had brought the food ingredients.

2.

Having spent the day as if camping, the group rose early and stepped outside the inn. The thick fog that had lingered until dawn had now slightly thinned.

Suddenly, Baek Moo-jin turned his gaze toward the opposite shore of the lake. Immediately, Jin So-hye, the Duke of Tao, and the Duke of Gwon all turned to look behind them.

In the distance, someone was walking alone.

The footsteps sounded strange.

The footsteps of martial artists, the higher their skill, make almost no sound. Yet, as the stranger drew nearer, the sound of their footsteps became distinctly audible.

It sounded like someone dragging their feet, uncharacteristic of a martial artist.

The visitor suddenly stopped walking.

Through the thin mist, Baek Moo-jin’s group and the unfamiliar man stood facing each other for a moment. Then, the King of Martial Arts stepped forward first and asked the man’s identity.

“Who are you?”

The stranger replied to Dowang’s words.

“Senior, it’s been a long time.”

At those words, the King of Tao replied with a look of utter bewilderment.

“What brings you here?”

“Is it not okay for me to come?”

“Heh heh heh heh.”

Dawang looked around at Baek Mujin and his group.

“Hmm… An unexpected reinforcement, I see. Allow me to introduce him. This is Lee Neung-so, a member of the Four Kings.”

Why unexpected reinforcements?

Truthfully, even the King of Tao hadn’t anticipated this man’s arrival.

The King of Power was also letting out a low hum.

“Hmm…”

He was speechless at Lee Neung-so’s appearance.

Lee Neung-so was an eccentric.

And strictly speaking, he was a figure of the political arena. But that was merely the world’s assessment; his own claims were different.

He clung to one nickname.

The World’s Most Notorious Villain.

Yet even whether he was truly evil was a matter of debate, making him a peculiar figure. Those who bore no grudge against Lee Neung-so called him the World’s Greatest Oddity. But those who had clashed with him unanimously called him the World’s Greatest Villain. However, Lee Neung-so himself relentlessly hunted down and killed villains, seeking to earn that title of World’s Greatest Villain.

That said, he was far from being a righteous hero either. He was a man who had clashed with countless white-cloaked forces, simply because he didn’t feel like it or because he disliked his opponents.

It was as if a man who stirred up storms had suddenly appeared on the Small Dragon Lake.

Still, as a contemporary master who held one of the Four Kings’ seats in the martial world, he had more than enough qualifications to be here.

Lee Neung-so looked around at the people present and said.

“Who’s here? Let’s introduce ourselves. Should I go first?”

Then, from the back, the Fist King spoke in a somewhat reluctant tone.

“Lee Neung-so, it’s been a while.”

Lee Neung-so smiled and replied.

“Heh heh, Senior Kwonwang was here? It’s been a while. To think two of my seniors are in a place like this… I can hardly believe it. Well, I suppose everyone else here is my junior.”

Baek Moo-jin then introduced himself.

“Baek Moo-jin.”

Lee Neung-so’s laughter flowed out.

“Ah… Finally meeting you. Baek Moo-jin, it’s good to see you. And who is the lady beside you?”

Jin So-hye also responded.

“I am Jin So-hye.”

“The Young Mistress of Seonghwagung. Fine. Who are the other two?”

Go Seon-woo snorted derisively and retorted sharply.

“None of your business. Just some worthless juniors…”

“So you’re Ko Seon-woo. You’ve grown quite a bit. Now you even talk back to me. And the other one? Take your hands off your waist. Unless you want me to dunk your head in the Soryuho first.”

Dang Gwisun then moved his hands behind his back and said.

“My name is Dang Gwisun.”

“I don’t recognize that name. But wait—are you heading to meet the Demon Lord with just this few people?”

As Lee Neung-so approached and waved his hand, the thinly veiled mist dispersed cleanly. Only then could people get a clear look at Lee Neung-so.

His features were intense.

His face appeared to be in his late thirties, though he might actually be older. It was by no means a kind or likable face.

His eyebrows arched upward as if reaching for the sky.

Neungso.

A peculiar name he had chosen for himself.

It meant he was skilled at sneering.

True to his name, the corners of his mouth were turned sharply upward. He was a man whose face and expression were clearly not ordinary at first glance. Surprisingly, he wore a neat, ash-gray robe, but on his back hung a uniquely shaped curved ring blade.

Looking beyond the Soryu Lake, Yang Nengso said to Baek Mujin and his group.

“It seems no one else is coming. Let’s depart.”

Dowaeng clicked his tongue and said.

“What on earth brings you here? Surely you didn’t come to help us?”

Lee Neung-so replied in a tone of utter bewilderment.

“Huh? I came all this way because Senior Dowang, one of the few people in this martial world I respect, called me. You said we were going to kill the Demon King, didn’t you?”

“No, you… Haa, I didn’t expect you to come.”

“Then who should have come? Did you think those old men holed up in their residences would come to a place like this?”

Baek Moo-jin looked at Yi Neung-so and addressed the group.

“Let’s depart.”

Baek Moo-jin scanned the surroundings until everyone boarded the ship. Seo Mun-geuk and Hong Yu-gang were nowhere to be seen, nor were the individuals presumed to be the Heavenly Demons. But the battle had already begun, leaving no room for distractions.

Baek Moo-jin deliberately leapt into the air, then landed lightly on the deck with a graceful movement.

3.

The sailors said nothing. Seeing Baek Moo-jin board, they seemed to think only of getting him where he needed to go. Not a single one even offered a polite greeting.

Then, Lee Neung-so abruptly went to the bow, roughly grabbed a man by the back of the head, and said.

“Ah, go ahead.”

The man opened his mouth, his eyes filled with fear.

Lee Neung-so nodded as if it were nothing.

“You cut out his tongue. The rest will be the same.”

The ship carrying Baek Moo-jin’s party sliced through the water, stretching out before them, gradually picking up speed.

Shortly after, a harbor came into view, where massive flat-bottomed boats were moored in two rows. The boat carrying Baek Moo-jin entered between them and immediately began slowing down.

Baek Moo-jin looked around and saw the forces of the Demon Clan standing silently on the deck, staring at him and his party.

If a battle broke out here, they would be forced into a naval engagement with their retreat completely cut off. However, instead of attacking, someone waved a flag, and the entire Mahonjong force chanted in unison toward Baek Moo-jin.

“We greet the White-robed Demon Lord.”

“We greet the White-Robed Demon Lord.”

Simultaneously, those within the panseon knelt on one knee each time Baek Moo-jin arrived.

Baek Moo-jin shook his head and muttered.

“Damn bastards…”

Seeing things reach this point made him curious about the Demon Lord’s intentions. It seemed clear he had deliberately orchestrated this. As the Demon Lord’s followers chanted, Yi Neung-so chuckled heartily and said.

“Demon Lord… This looks like a crowd welcoming a prodigal son back home.”

As the group looked at Lee Neung-so with uneasy expressions, he suddenly pointed at the Demon Clan and shouted loudly.

“Damn it! You crazy bastards!”

Baek Moo-jin and Jin So-hye exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Moments later, as the last ship docked at the harbor, the gangplank was lowered. However, starting with the King of Fists, the entire group leapt forward, setting foot on the island said to lie at the center of the Soryuho.

As Baek Moo-jin appeared, the waiting figures split into two groups again, guiding the party, while some blew horns from behind.

Bwoooooooooo…

The structure of the building ahead was peculiar, resembling a fortress from the Warring States period. The main gate stood at the center, flanked by tall walls stretching out on either side. Moreover, troops of the Mahon Clan were already lined up in formation atop the walls, watching Baek Moo-jin’s arrival.

As soon as the gate opened and Baek Moo-jin’s party entered, they halted and surveyed their surroundings. A perfectly organized city seemed to stand before them, with orderly buildings and a cleanly swept central avenue stretching out.

While each murmured their impressions, Yi Neung-so cut straight to the heart of the matter.

“These bastards are truly insane. No matter how much I flaunt my power, these fools will prevent me from becoming the world’s greatest madman… Ha ha ha, wouldn’t you agree?”

When Lee Neung-so looked at the King of the Road, the King of the Road replied indifferently.

“Enough noise.”

Baek Moo-jin took the lead and walked down the road. Women emerged from the surrounding area and began scattering small, nameless white flowers along the roadside.

A welcome tinged with mockery.

Glares of hatred mingled within the welcome.

Baek Moo-jin realized he had entered the very heart of the Demon Sect. He also couldn’t help but acknowledge that the spiritual world of the Demon Sect’s leader was truly extraordinary.

He wanted to rush forward and destroy the central building immediately, but because his companions were with him, he had to keep his emotions in check.

But astonishingly, that was not the end.

Where the main road led, the Mahon Sect’s leadership was already densely packed into their seats, and a massive martial arts stage stood prepared at the center. Strangely, soft silk was spread across the stage.

Around it, those permitted to watch the martial arts display sat in rows on chairs, gazing at Baek Moo-jin. They had prepared as if for a martial arts tournament, waiting for Baek Moo-jin.

How could Baek Moo-jin and his group not notice this?

Surveying the scene, they let out a mix of curses and exclamations of awe.

As Baek Moo-jin arrived, the drum sounded three loud beats.

Then, people gathered along the outer edge of the vast martial arts stage and swept the silk covering the stage to the sides.

With a whoosh… sound, the silk was gathered up, revealing the floor of the martial arts stage.

The color of the floor was truly shocking.

The section of the stage where Baek Moo-jin had arrived was painted white, while the northern section was painted black. The staircases leading up to the stage were also located on the white and black sections respectively.

At that moment, masters of the Demon Clan were walking out from the northern direction.

On both sides of the stage, chairs were arranged on slightly elevated platforms. These were spectator seats where participants could sit and watch the stage. Though stunned, Baek Moo-jin and his group ascended and each took a seat.

Baek Moo-jin sat beside Jin So-hye, watching the Mahon Sect’s leadership walk out. A familiar face was among them.

“Blood Demon…”

As Baek Moo-jin murmured, Blood Demon spotted him and waved lightly.

“How have you been?”

Baek Moo-jin didn’t answer, only snorting derisively. The Mahon Sect’s leadership numbered about ten, but aside from Blood Demon, there was no man he recognized.

Once everyone had taken their seats, someone finally spoke in a quiet tone.

“The Sect Leader is coming.”

Invitation of the Demon Cult End