Chapter 638: My Dear Apostles

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Baek Suryong said, "Shame on you!"

“I’m a mongrel...? And my martial art is a half-assed sham...?”

Having heard something he never imagined, the Night Emperor stared blankly at the First Apostle with his crimson eyes.

However, his astonishment lasted only a moment. His face slowly contorted as he struggled to stifle his laughter.

“Pfft... Kuhuhu...”

Namgung Su shook his head in disdain. The ones who are seeing this have disappointed him.

The corners of his mouth twitched, and his shoulders trembled. Unable to hold it in any longer, the Night Emperor threw his head back and roared with laughter.

“Kahahahahaha! Are you seriously making such a pathetic excuse now? Aren’t you embarrassed to hear yourself say that? Or do you just not want to admit the truth?”

You should be at . If you are not, you will be smacked.

The Blood Cultists who had followed the Night Emperor here blanched at the formidable power in his voice, which made the air visibly warp and the ground tremble. Recalling the slaughter and madness he had displayed along the way, they shuddered in dread.

“I am the Blood Demon of this era!”

The being who struck fear into the hearts of the world’s villains declared himself the Blood Demon, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

RUMBLE!

The red mist engulfing the area swelled like a raging tide. The Blood Cultists who worshiped their leader dropped to one knee in unison.

“You want us to retreat when we’re on the verge of world domination? I cannot accept that!”

The First Apostle snorted derisively. Looking down on the Night Emperor and his followers with contempt, he released a sharp aura to confront the Night Emperor’s formidable energy. “How laughable. To think you would dare call yourself the Supreme Lord just because you learned some half-assed version of His divine art.”

BOOM!

A shockwave exploded from a stomp of his foot, creating a blast of wind that sent the Night Emperor’s crimson hair whipping back.

The First Apostle turned toward the Blood Cultists. “As the regent of the Blood Demon, our Supreme Lord, I command you! Our Cult’s current strength is insufficient to conquer the murim, so all forces will retreat. The Fifth Elder, the Night Emperor, will be punished for plotting rebellion once we return.”

For a brief moment, his presence overpowered that of the Night Emperor. He was, after all, the man who had reigned as the Blood Demon’s regent for decades. His command carried an authority that made even the elders and patriarchs flinch despite their infatuation with the Heaven-Defying Black Night Demonic Art. Furthermore, standing beside him were the other Apostles, whose presence added to his unassailable authority.

Only Sagon’s eyes betrayed a different sentiment, but he carefully hid it beneath his deeply bowed head. Fortunately, the Blood Demon did not see it.

Can someone the Apostles refuse to acknowledge truly become the Blood Demon?

The same question flashed through the minds of the cultists present.

This was the flaw inherent in the Heaven-Defying Black Night Demonic Art, which the Night Emperor had created. If he had mastered the pure Heaven-Defying Divine Art, the Blood Cultists would have obeyed their new Supreme Lord without question. Instead, he had recklessly blended his own martial arts with the Heaven-Defying Divine Art, losing some of the Divine Art’s original characteristics in exchange for immense power.

And the First Apostle had seen through his farce at a glance.

“Fifth Elder,” the First Apostle mocked. “All you do is suppress the cultists with overwhelming strength and intimidation. This is what makes you a mere mongrel.”

He had definitely stabbed his opponent’s vitals, yet he had not killed him.

“...Well, now that I hear it, you’re not wrong. Though I doubt that’s the only reason you refuse to acknowledge me. Kekeke!”

The Night Emperor was more than just a deranged martial artist. While he seemed consumed by madness, he was in fact extremely cunning and sharp-witted.

Snickering, he glanced past the Apostles.

“The way you’re grasping at straws for any excuse not to acknowledge me... Is there some reason I shouldn’t go over there?”

Recalling the slaughter and madness he had displayed along the way, they shuddered in dread.

He stared at the city where the entire orthodox murim had gathered to celebrate with burning crimson eyes. As a symbol of the orthodox murim’s dominion and peace, naturally, all Blood Cultists loathed it. The Apostles were no exception.

And yet, they’re are blocking our way? Even though this is the perfect chance to wipe out the murim in one fell swoop? Is it really because I’m unfit to be the Blood Demon...?

The Night Emperor smiled bitterly, but he didn’t bother trying to win over the Blood Cultists with a long-winded speech.

You should be at . If you are not, you will be smacked.

“I’ll give everyone a chance to choose. Will you follow me and trample the world underfoot? Or will you tuck your tails between your legs and run away like these ghosts of a bygone era tell you to?”

The patriarchs of the Eight Clans, the Blood Cultists who harbored the deepest hatred for the orthodox murim, were the first to make their decision. They rose to their feet.

Ju Ilcheon, the peerless master representing the patriarchs, said firmly, “Apostle, your era is over. Accept the new Supreme Lord.”

The other patriarchs nodded in agreement.

The First Apostle was unmoved. “Ju Ilcheon, you lowly mutt,” he scolded. “You didn’t even dare open your mouth while the Head Elder was alive because you were too busy watching his every mood. Have you gained courage now you have decided to cozy up to that mongrel?”

Ju Ilcheon’s face turned beet red at the unbridled abuse. At the same time, his eyes flashed with killing intent, turning the characteristic dark purple of the Purple Lightning Demonic Art. “Watch your tongue, especially while we are still showing you respect.”

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Nevertheless, not everyone agreed with the patriarchs. Some of the remaining elders and captains of the martial squads suggested, albeit cautiously, that they follow the Apostles’ counsel.

“The First Apostle is correct about our chances of success. For now, we should pull back, regroup our forces, and then...”

“You want us to retreat when we’re on the verge of world domination? I cannot accept that!”

The First Apostle was unmoved. “Ju Ilcheon, you lowly mutt,” he scolded. “You didn’t even dare open your mouth while the Head Elder was alive because you were too busy watching his every mood. Have you gained courage now you have decided to cozy up to that mongrel?”

“Those hateful orthodox bastards are right before our eyes, yet you want us to back off now?”

“Are you saying we should wage a civil war right here?”

The First Apostle was unmoved. “Ju Ilcheon, you lowly mutt,” he scolded. “You didn’t even dare open your mouth while the Head Elder was alive because you were too busy watching his every mood. Have you gained courage now you have decided to cozy up to that mongrel?”

The Night Emperor’s loyalists had the upper hand, but many still wished to follow the Apostles, who had rebuilt the shattered Blood Cult and ruled it for decades.

Standing amidst the chaos, the Night Emperor and the First Apostle spoke simultaneously.

“What’s there to think about? The Blood Cult has our own way of resolving disputes, don’t we?”

“Everyone, stand back. The Fifth Elder and I will settle this between us.”

Everyone except the two men backed away, clearing a wide space.

“You want us to retreat when we’re on the verge of world domination? I cannot accept that!”

Red mist roiled ominously as two absolute masters faced each other and gathered their power.

“Let’s settle this with blood.”

“We will decide this with blood.”

KRAKAKAKAKOOM!

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The energies of the Heaven-Defying Black Night Demonic Art and the Unlimited Sword shot out, clawing savagely at each other. The actual battle had not yet begun, yet the air shrieked and deep gashes were carved into the earth.

Number One...