novelraw Chapter 261 : An Irresistible Advance (1)
Chapter 261 : An Irresistible Advance (1)
Chapter 261: An Irresistible Advance (1)
When the name Overlord of the Heavens Assembly was proclaimed, the expressions of those filling the council chamber flushed all at once.
‘At last……!’
‘Is the Master finally stepping onto the forefront of the martial world!’
This was not merely the announcement of a new faction.
In Tang Sewoon’s gaze, a resolute determination to bring this chaotic age to an end burned fiercely.
That very resolve was stirring everyone’s hearts.
With the order of the martial world already collapsing, martial artists—regardless of orthodox or unorthodox alignment—would inevitably gather beneath the new beacon called the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly.
‘The Overlord of the Heavens Assembly is unlike any other force in the martial world.’
‘Just as the Master said—a sect standing between orthodoxy and unorthodoxy. The only place capable of embracing both forces at once……!’
“Supreme Clan Head, you’ve worked hard. I will preside over the meeting now.”
“Very well. Proceed.”
As Sewoon spoke with courtesy toward Tang Muyeol, Tang Muyeol stepped aside with a faint smile.
Step.
At last, the sight of Sewoon seated upon the grand chair possessed the bearing of an absolute sovereign of the martial world, reminiscent of the late Sword Emperor Yoo Jinhak.
Suaaah!
Chwaaaah!
‘Ah……!’
‘This person truly is……!’
The aura of the Overlord Who Dominates the Heavens surging forth from Sewoon subdued all their anxieties and fears, transforming them instead into an immense hope.
Thus, under Sewoon’s governance, the first meeting of the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly resumed in earnest.
Sewoon’s voice rang out loudly.
“All the preparations we have made thus far, all the strength we have stockpiled, were for this very moment.”
“……!!”
That single sentence shook the air within the chamber, causing every heart present to thunder mightily.
Those gathered swallowed hard, fixing both eyes and ears upon Sewoon.
“As stated earlier, the first banner of the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly shall be the annihilation of the Blood Cult forces running rampant across the Central Plains.”
At Sewoon’s declaration, strange lights rose in everyone’s eyes. Yet it was not fear or dread—it was boiling fighting spirit and fierce killing intent.
At Sewoon’s command, they were filled with the courage and confidence to destroy any enemy.
The reason the atmosphere had reversed so completely was simple.
All their previous anxiety had stemmed solely from concern for Sewoon’s safety.
But now that their Master stood unharmed before them, there was nothing left for them to worry about.
Rather, they trembled at the realization that the time had finally come to unleash their strength—or at the thought of slaughtering the demonic practitioners who defiled the martial world.
Every member of the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly had already witnessed the Blood Demon’s horrific atrocities, and they burned with vengeance and fury.
Sewoon extended his hand and pointed to the map laid upon the table.
“From this moment on, the forces of the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly will advance in three separate directions.”
With a single gesture of his hand, the grand shape of war unfolded.
His gaze first fell upon the center of the Central Plains—Henan.
There, the Hebei Peng Clan and Shaolin Temple were desperately holding back the Blood Cult’s offensive.
“I have heard that those belonging to the White Path Union are requesting aid.”
“Yes… yes. That’s correct…….”
At Sewoon’s words, the face of the Nine Heavens Immortal Maiden, leader of the Shrine Maiden Sect, filled with faint guilt and desperate longing.
She had received earnest pleas for salvation from those of the White Path Union, yet she could not act alone.
Unable to turn away from their suffering, her heart had been in turmoil. But she instinctively knew that Sewoon’s command would resolve everything.
“We will provide additional support to Shaolin first. If Henan falls, the chaos across the entire Central Plains will only intensify. Umun Geol, you will personally lead the troops there.”
“……Chairman.”
“I accept the Chairman’s command!!”
The Nine Heavens Immortal Maiden’s trembling, tearful voice was drowned out by Umun Geol’s roar.
His voice carried absolute loyalty toward his Master.
From Umun Geol’s body—now nearly that of a giant—tremendous power radiated outward.
Over this time, Sewoon had passed on everything he had comprehended from the martial arts of the first Beast Palace Lord, and Umun Geol and his subordinates had risen in realm beyond all comparison with their former selves.
The warriors of the Beast Palace had now become one of the strongest forces in the Central Plains, no longer inferior even to the Blood Cult’s demonic practitioners.
True to their name, the fusion of their bestial instincts with Sewoon’s refined interpretation of martial arts had turned them into not mere soldiers, but living engines of destruction.
“Next, Jin Mubek, Lord of the Ten Thousand Iron Hall, will lead the Dark Flower Unit and, together with the brothers of the Southern Sea Sword Sect, strike Gale Sands, who invaded Gansu. Make them clearly understand the consequences of daring to provoke the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly.”
“I obey!”
“We understand, Chairman!!”
Jin Mubek replied in a firm voice, while Wi Tae-do of the Southern Sea Sword Sect bowed his head beside him.
In Wi Tae-do’s eyes lay deep trust, along with the burning desire for vengeance—the time had come to repay the humiliation inflicted by the Blood Cult upon the Southern Sea.
He had already heard from Sewoon that even the Southern Sea Sun Palace had fallen under the Blood Cult’s control.
The Dark Flower Unit, the Tang Clan’s greatest force, had seen the martial attainments of every member rise to the utmost peak.
This was the result of perfect training tailored to each individual’s traits, designed by their chief instructor, Yeo Seon, and its effectiveness had now reached its absolute zenith.
They were no longer a simple unit, but elite troops capable of exterminating enemies on the battlefield.
The bizarre hidden weapons Sewoon had created, along with Poison Arts that further developed the Immortal’s Cripple, would throw even demonic practitioners into disarray.
Moreover, with Jin Mubek’s Blazing Flame Art and Wi Tae-do’s sword arts leading them, Gale Sands would surely be unable to withstand such might.
“And lastly, Gong Taemun, Leader of the Martial Exalt Union, will rally the martial artists of Guizhou and advance into Shaanxi. Once there, you will find the warriors of the Murim Alliance, led by the newly appointed Murim Alliance Leader. Join forces with them and drive out the Blood Cult. And Shrine Maiden Sect Leader, please accompany them as well.”
“Yes!!”
“Understood!!”
A resolute will surfaced on Gong Taemun’s face.
Behind him, the members of the Martial Exalt Union likewise bowed their heads deeply, following their lord’s command.
With Sewoon’s backing, the Martial Exalt Union had seized control of Guizhou in its entirety and risen as a new powerhouse of the Unorthodox Martial World. What set them apart from other freedom-seeking unorthodox martial artists was their absolute loyalty to Sewoon.
However, there was something else that truly astonished everyone in the council chamber.
It was the fact that the Nine Heavens Immortal Maiden had willingly chosen to follow Sewoon’s command.
As mentioned before, although the Martial Exalt Union belonged to the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly, it was undeniably an unorthodox faction.
This battle would mark the first time she fought in coordination with unorthodox martial artists.
Yet at this moment, that issue was so trivial that it was hardly worth considering.
Her faith in Sewoon was as unbreakable as a fortress of steel.
She believed in the character and will of Tang Sewoon, the one who had set all of this into motion.
The sorcery of the Shrine Maiden Sect, which now stood tall as the greatest sorcery sect in the martial world, would become a tremendous force on the frontlines after Shaanxi.
Thus, Sewoon commanded the vast forces divided into three paths, assigning each person their role.
There was not a single gap in Sewoon’s plans and command.
The strength of the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly surpassed mere numbers. The traditions of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Sewoon’s innovations, and the unique traits of each faction had fused in perfect harmony, giving birth to an unprecedentedly powerful force in the history of the Central Plains.
It was the result Sewoon had forged through endless effort after his Regression.
Compared to the total strength of the resistance that had opposed the Blood Demon before the regression, the difference was immeasurable.
“…Um, Chairman.”
At that moment, Yeo Seon, who had been listening, spoke cautiously.
He was also serving as the Chief Strategist.
A small doubt flickered in his eyes.
“But if that is the case, what do you intend to do about the Demonic Alliance rampaging through Guangxi…?”
Concern tinged Yeo Seon’s voice.
With the Blood Cult plunging the entire Central Plains into chaos, the remnant forces of the Demonic Alliance were exploiting the situation to massacre the commoners of Guangxi.
After the death of Moonlit Night Jin Yeonghwa, they had splintered into factions, tearing at one another in a frenzy to devour each other’s power.
Yet among the three forces of the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly that had been divided by Sewoon’s command, there was no unit assigned to suppress the Demonic Alliance.
Only then did the others also begin waiting for Sewoon’s answer.
Could it be that Guangxi would be abandoned?
If so, the martial artists and commoners there would suffer catastrophic losses.
Their minds were in turmoil.
But Sewoon’s choice overturned every expectation.
“There’s no need to worry about the Demonic Alliance. Orders have already been issued there.”
“…Pardon?”
All of his subordinates were taken aback.
Orders had been issued…?
But to whom?
Everyone belonging to the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly was seated right here.
As confusion spread—
Sewoon smiled faintly.
‘They should be starting their activities about now.’
His gaze was deep and inscrutable, as if he already knew everything that would unfold.
At the same time, Guangxi Province.
“Aaagh!”
“S-save me!”
Children’s cries and women’s screams echoed in despair.
Men tried to protect their families, only to be cut down helplessly and turned into cold corpses.
“Kahaha! Kill them all!”
“Loot everything worth money!!”
The martial artists of the Demonic Alliance, who were creating this horrific scene, laughed wildly amid the pandemonium and ravaged the village with even greater cruelty.
In their eyes, there was only greed and the madness of destruction.
But they were not the only martial artists present.
“Protect the commoners!!”
“Everyone, everyone, come this way!”
“Guhk!”
With the authorities unable to function properly while holding back the Blood Cult, the ones responsible for maintaining order here were the Guangxi Branch of the Overlord of the Heavens Assembly.
However, because the branch had been scattered across the region dismantling the many spell formations set up by the Heaven-Piercing Gang, they were struggling greatly against this sudden calamity.
Gritting their teeth, they fought desperately to shield the commoners from the Demonic Alliance martial artists surging in like raging waves.
The Branch Leader, watching the screams erupt one after another and the branch members collapsing, was at a loss.
‘Without reinforcements from the main headquarters… we can’t hold on any longer.’
Their martial prowess alone was insufficient to handle the Demonic Alliance’s remnants.
Just as despair rose in the Branch Leader’s eyes—
Ssshhh!
Ssshh!
‘…What the—!’
“W-what is that?!”
“Huh?!”
“T-the sky?!”
Every martial artist on the battlefield, including the Branch Leader, stopped swinging their blades and stared blankly up at the sky.
They had no choice.
The blazing sun had vanished, and the sky had suddenly turned black.
For a moment, it seemed as if a god had grown enraged and taken back the sun—but that was not the case.
Thud!
Thud-thud!
Pitch-black shadows were pouring down from the heavens.
Those shadows soon transformed into human forms.
Clad in Blood-Colored Robes, wearing Black Bamboo Hats, and even donning jet-black masks—mysterious figures whose identities were impossible to discern.
“W-who are you people?”
The Branch Leader asked in shock, but they gave no reply.
Just as it seemed a new enemy had arrived—
Ignoring him completely, a figure who appeared to be the Captain of the Masked Intruders stepped forward.
Both of his eyes were wrapped in bandages, yet the chilling coldness and madness emanating from him felt as though they could pierce through everything.
“Wash away all the evil of this place, and illuminate the Master’s new path—!”
With that cry from Baekrin Mayeol Naeng Cheonhwi, an Elder of the Demonic Cult—
The Demonic Cult’s martial artists began sweeping away the Demonic Alliance warriors.