Chapter 1391

<Chapter 1391> 1391. Spirit’s Atlantis

Heavenly Horse Returns.

I stepped into Zone 5,146, the Scorpion Desert.

An endless golden desert greeted me.

I looked ahead. The glittering metropolis at the center of Zone 5,146, the Scorpion Desert was in sight. Reltia possessed an oasis.

That oasis is Reltia’s growth engine. In this arid desert, Reltia is a place where water can be reliably obtained.

As I walked forward, I glanced back at Hillgot. Kasha, Amar, Princess Yonggil, Okjeong, and Ersia were following behind me.

Each had different expressions and vibes.

Kasha wore a chilling smile, her curved lips exuding murderous intent.

Amar’s face was stiff with guilt for not properly managing the desert during my absence.

Princess Yonggil’s face was full of irritation. I had forcibly brought her out from being cooped up inside the pyramid.

Okjeong was tense. She’s smart; she anticipates what’s coming next.

Ersia’s eyes sparkled. Ersia rarely left the pyramid. Even when she did, she only wandered safe places with Kasha. This metropolis is new to her.

“Kasha. Didn’t you say the Heavenly Horse Cult was on the verge of falling into the hands of the rebels?”

“This is Reltia. Not the Heavenly Horse Cult.”

“….”

She has a point; there’s nothing to say. The Heavenly Horse Cult isn’t a city name but the name of an organization.

“Most of the rebels are outside Reltia, avoiding our gaze while gathering strength. In fact, until two months ago, we had no idea what they were doing.”

“I apologize, Master Heavenly Horse. It’s due to my inadequacy.”

“Ahh, Big Brother. There’s nothing that could’ve been done. No matter how capable we are, it’s impossible to monitor this ridiculously vast desert entirely.”

“…There were signs beforehand. If I had paid more attention, I might’ve suppressed it earlier.”

“I’ll say it again: it’s not your fault, Big Brother. That bastard Karok was just too meticulous!”

I interjected between the siblings.

“Stop bickering and explain the situation in Reltia. Who knows it better?”

“I mainly patrolled outside Reltia, tracking Karok. Right now, Kasha knows the internal situation of Reltia best.”

Kasha glared at Reltia for a moment before speaking.

“It’s chaos. Ever since he disappeared and Karok betrayed you and started a rebellion, all sorts of bastards have been running rampant. Especially the wealthy elites. They’re scheming to get their hands on the oasis.”

“What kind of schemes?”

“They incited the citizens. ‘The Heavenly Horse abandoned Reltia.’ ‘The Heavenly Horse is dead.’ ‘The Heavenly Horse won’t return.’ ‘Reltia needs a new leader.’ ‘This person fits the role of leader…’ Those rumors circulated around Reltia. The rebels used that incitement as well.”

“The incitement seems successful. Still, Reltia looks intact for something like that.”


“The military might of the Cheonma faith is still pretty solid. We’ve managed to hold onto the palace and the oasis at least. We’ve been calming the citizens by distributing water from the oasis, but even that has its limits. The wealthy elites who once joined hands have now fractured. The infighting among tribes and the greed of the elites have tripped up the rebels. Lucky for us.”

“What’s the current internal situation?”

“Critical. It’s like a bomb about to explode. If armed rebels attack, we’ll fall immediately. Well, I mean when I’m not around.”

He nodded.

I don’t really understand what he’s saying, but my mission remains unchanged: kill any bastards who dare to defy me.

As I approached the entrance of Reltia, I narrowed my eyes.

“Kasha, what are those guys?”

At the entrance stood four men with swords on their waists. Soldiers.

As far as I know, all Reltia soldiers belong to the Cheonma faith. But these soldiers don’t look like they’re part of it. After all, Cheonma followers typically wear black.

Kasha grimaced.

“They’re vigilantes.”

“Vigilantes? Where did the faithful go, and why are these guys guarding the entrance?”

“Many believers perished during the last rebellion. That left us short on combat troops. Plus, some forces are busy tracking down Karok. With insufficient manpower to protect Reltia, the citizens formed this vigilante group.”

“So, it’s not exactly voluntary, huh? There must be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

“I suspect the rebels and the wealthy elites are involved.”

“Suspect?”

“We haven’t gathered enough evidence yet. More accurately, we lack the manpower to do so.”

“Why didn’t you just wipe them out?”

“They picked up swords voluntarily to fight the rebels and protect the city. We don’t have a valid reason to stop them.”

“Hmph, valid reason, huh.”

“Calm down. If you mess with the vigilantes, the citizens will rise up. No need to fan the flames of unrest.”

“Kasha, I am the Cheonma.”

“Eh, yeah. You’re the Cheonma.”

“And the Cheonma doesn’t care about such excuses.”

I moved toward the entrance. A vigilante soldier stepped forward. They were shocked upon seeing me.

“T-t-the Cheonma!”

Their hands instinctively moved toward the swords on their hips but didn’t draw them. Instead, they parted to make way.

“Y-you’ve returned, Lord Cheonma! We welcome your return… Gack?!”

I grabbed the throat of the soldier who spoke without permission. Panicked, he reflexively drew his sword.

Cheonma Divine Art (天魔神功) – Cheonma Flying Claw (天魔飛爪).

A dark energy blade emerged from my nails and severed the soldier’s limbs. Blood gushed out.

“I am the Cheonma. When you see me, you should kneel and press your head into the ground. Don’t chatter like a pig. Don’t look into my eyes. Don’t step on my shadow.”

I loosened my grip on his neck, and his body collapsed, twitching.

“Spare me, please spare me, Lord Cheonma!”

“Did you not learn? I just told you to stop chattering.”

I planted my foot on the screaming bastard’s face.

“Worship me in death.”

Crunch.

His skull exploded, scattering fragments of bone and brain matter everywhere.

I turned my gaze to the side. The vigilante soldiers had gone pale, kneeling with their foreheads pressed against the ground.

I summoned the Cheonma Qi, forming a dark aura at the tips of my nails.

“I never authorized any vigilantes.”

Cheonma Divine Art (天魔神功) – Cheonma Flying Claw (天魔飛爪).

The dark energy shot forth, slicing through the prostrate vigilante soldiers. A sudden gust of wind spread the metallic stench of blood.

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!”

Screams erupted from deeper inside the entrance.

I directed my gaze inward. Dozens of people, panicked and terrified, screamed as they scrambled to flee.


“Your posture in welcoming your master upon his return is completely unacceptable.”

I spread my arms wide. Black energy coalesced around my ten fingernails.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art: Heavenly Demon Flying Claws.

The sword qi swept through the area, slicing through humans. As people fell one by one, the surroundings gradually grew quiet. I focused on killing those who screamed and those who fled. Around seventy died, it seems. Not a single soul cried out after that. The smarter ones prostrated themselves on the ground. I closed my mouth and left those who had prostrated alone.

“…”

And then silence reigned.

The survivors all lay facedown on the ground, their mouths sealed. Even the children were no exception. It was the moment when fear overpowered instinct.

Lifting my head, I stared straight ahead. A grand road stretched toward the palace at the city center. No one dared to move along this road. On either side of it, people lay prostrate, hoping for me to pass by.

“My beloved citizens.”

With bloody hands, I addressed them. It would be a shame to just pass by as the ruler of this city, wouldn’t it?

“I have returned.”

It was silent.

Not even the sound of sand moving could be heard.

I chuckled darkly and strode down the grand road. Behind me, my companions followed with stern expressions. Sneaking a glance, I checked on Ersia’s condition. Ersia seemed shocked, swaying as she walked behind Ok Jung. Her eyes were vacant.

‘This might’ve been a bit too stimulating.’

No consideration for Ersia.

This Atlantis isn’t peaceful. The weak die or get exploited.

Walking down the silent grand road, armed soldiers rushed from up ahead. They were vigilantes. It seemed they had gathered every nearby vigilante; there were over two hundred of them.

“Heavenly Demon! We are the vigilantes of Letia! We shall serve the Heavenly Demon!”

Not worth thinking about.

Clutching my fist, I gathered Heavenly Demon Energy.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art: Dragon Fist.

The Heavenly Demon Energy surged forward, transforming into a dragon that swept through the vigilante soldiers. Blood, guts, chunks of flesh, and bones were pulverized and scattered everywhere. The once clean road was now stained with blood. The citizens lying nearby wet themselves and trembled violently. Mothers desperately covered their children’s mouths with their hands.

While walking down the blood-stained road, a prostrate citizen caught my eye. He was twice the size of others, dressed in splendid clothing, and adorned with jewels around his neck and arms.

“One of my citizens who incited rebellion, eh? Come forward, pig.”

The pig stood up. He couldn’t refuse my command. His body was drenched in cold sweat.

“Heavenly Demon sir. There must be some misunderstanding. I did not incite anyone. I’ve paid my taxes diligently. From now on, I will actively support the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

“Kasha, am I misunderstanding something?”

“That guy was spreading rumors that the Heavenly Demon was dead.”

“Ahh, no! Heavenly Demon sir! Don’t believe Kasha! I didn’t say anything like that! This is a frame-up! There’s no evidence!”

Kasha sighed.

“…Unfortunately, there is no evidence.”

“I trust my woman’s words.”

“AAAAAAHHHHH!”

Swinging my hand imbued with Heavenly Demon Energy horizontally, a blade of energy flew out, cutting the pig’s waist in half. His body fell to the ground, spilling blood and entrails. I pressed an acupuncture point on the pig’s body.

“You’re an example. So, survive for at least ten minutes.”

Grabbing the pig by his hair, I started walking down the grand road. The pig didn’t last ten minutes before dying.

And then I arrived at the plaza in front of the palace.

In the plaza, over 5,000 citizens were shouting loudly toward the palace.