Chapter 194: Five Wheel Five Elements Cult (2)

The first thing Im Gwan-hwa brought up was why the Five Elements Cult was referred to as a cult and not a sect.

“Do you know why we’re called the Five Elements Cult?”

Jang Woo-hyun shook his head. He had never really cared or thought about it before.

“We have the name ‘Five Elements Cult,’ but we’re not a religious organization. There’s no doctrine or anything like that.”

“Then why do you call yourselves a cult?”

“Because we have a god.”

“A god… are you talking about beings from the Upper Realm?”

Beings possessing divine-like power.

In the Murim Realm, unlike the Cultivation Realm, those who ascended to the Upper Realm were referred to as Martial Gods.

“They’re different. Do you know what a Qi Spirit is?”

Qi Spirit—Jang Woo-hyun was familiar with the term.

The Wind-Passing Great Sage, whom he had summoned on the Dawn Continent, had once explained it. At that time, Kim Min-soo had also helped make the explanation easier to understand.

—Just think of it like a spirit. The Four Great Spirits. Elemental Spirits and such.

“I’ve never seen one in person, but I do know what it is.”

“Normally, Qi Spirits are born when the Qi of Heaven and Earth gathers in one place. They slowly develop a bit of will as they form. But what exists in the Five Elements Cult is different from the usual Qi Spirits.”

Im Gwan-hwa pressed her chest with her hand.

“Unlike ordinary martial artists, we gather the Qi of the Five Elements in our Middle Dantian.”

It was a method different from storing Qi in the Lower Dantian.

Having learned the Five Elements Qi on the Dawn Continent, Jang Woo-hyun understood well.

“A long time ago, when the Five Elements Cult’s position was weak, the elders of the sect sacrificed themselves to create Qi Spirits modeled after the Five Elements.”

Qi Spirits not born naturally but artificially created.

They were weak at first, but over time, as more people poured their power into them, they gradually grew stronger.

“And eventually, they became one.”

The Five Wheel Guardian Deity.

An artificial god formed by the convergence of the Five Elements Qi.

A being that protected the Five Elements Cult and was worshipped by its followers.

Because of that Guardian Deity, the group came to be called a cult rather than a sect.

“But there was a small problem with the Guardian Deity.”

Since it was made by merging five different types of Qi, it had to be harmonized every few decades to prevent the Qi Spirits from separating.

“It wasn’t a difficult task. It just required someone to periodically replenish the lacking energy or siphon off any excess. But this time, a major problem occurred.”

For some unknown reason, the Five Wheel Guardian Deity suddenly became unstable and could no longer be controlled. As a result, the Cult Leader and the Elders prepared a grand ritual.

“It was such an important matter that only a few within the cult even knew about it.”

Naturally, since it was about repairing the Cult’s Guardian Deity.

The Cult Leader, the Left and Right Dharma Protectors, and a few Elders were the only ones aware of the schedule.

As he listened to Im Gwan-hwa, Jang Woo-hyun began to piece together what had happened.

“The problem was that Ha Do-gwang was the Left Dharma Protector, right?”

“Exactly. During the ritual, everyone would be defenseless. And that’s when Ha Do-gwang targeted the Cult Leader.”

The day Ha Do-gwang betrayed them.

Somehow, he unleashed a power stronger than usual and launched an attack on the Cult Leader and the Elders.

It happened so suddenly that the Cult Leader couldn’t properly react. Even after being struck, the Guardian Deity might rampage if provoked further, making it impossible to stop Ha Do-gwang.

In the end, the Left Dharma Protector Ha Do-gwang stole the Five Wheel Illusion Diagram, the Divine Relic of the Five Elements Cult, and fled.

“The Cult Leader was injured, and one Elder who participated in the ritual that day still hasn’t recovered.”

On top of that, one of the Five Elements Envoys turned out to be Ha Do-gwang’s subordinate.

Because of that traitor’s rampage, another Five Elements Envoy who was guarding the Cult suffered critical injuries and was still undergoing treatment.

“Currently, the Cult’s Guardian Deity is unstable. It could go berserk at any moment. Right now, the wounded Cult Leader is overexerting himself to keep it under control. And one Elder is staying behind to guard that place.”

‘So that’s why there was no one available.’

The Cult Leader and Elders couldn’t move, and two of the Five Elements Envoys were down.

In truth, only three of the Five Elements Envoys were still active, and with Im Gwan-hwa—the Right Dharma Protector—there were just four high-level experts who could still move.

Even though only Ha Do-gwang and one Envoy had betrayed them, their effective strength had been halved due to injuries and the unstable Guardian Deity.

‘This is serious.’

Now he understood why the Demon Gathering Hall had been able to invade so easily.

“What would happen if the Cult Leader failed to calm the Qi Spirits?”

“The Main Division would be annihilated by the rampaging five Qi Spirits.”

“Can no one else help?”

Im Gwan-hwa shook her head.

“The Five Wheel Guardian Deity was created by combining five Qi Spirits. Under normal circumstances, their balance is maintained, so even one of the Five Elements Envoys could assist. But right now, it’s too unstable. All five Qi types are going berserk. Anyone who doesn’t possess all five will die upon contact.”

Some exceptional martial artists in the Five Elements Cult could handle two or three Qi types, but most could only handle one. There were even rare cases like Im Gwan-hwa, who controlled Wind Qi, but being unique didn’t mean they could handle all five.

In short, only the Cult Leader could interact with the Qi Spirits.

WAAAAAAAAAH!

Just then, a thunderous cheer erupted from all directions.

While the two had been talking, a Martial Duel between the Annihilation Squad and the Five Elements Cult had taken place—and this round was a victory for the Cult. The Cult’s martial artists roared in celebration.

Surrounded by martial artists, Jang Woo-hyun and Im Gwan-hwa continued their conversation.

“Is there no other way to stabilize the Qi Spirits?”

“None, at least for now. If we could heal the Cult Leader, the situation might improve. But he’s the only one who can currently calm the rampaging Qi Spirits, so he can’t leave for even a moment.”

“Then he’s been restraining those five Qi Spirits alone ever since the attack?”

Im Gwan-hwa nodded grimly.

“That’s why we need your strength.”

“I’ll try to think of something.”

Jang Woo-hyun asked a few more questions to see if a solution came to mind, but nothing concrete surfaced.

Just then, the Wind-Passing Great Sage, who had been watching the duel, let out a yawn and wandered over to stand beside Jang Woo-hyun.

“Just take Jang Woo-hyun.”

Even though the conversation had been sealed with a Dharma Treasure, the Wind-Passing Great Sage had heard it all.

“What are you talking about?”

“What do you mean, what? Didn’t you hear everything?”

“It wasn’t hard.”

Scoffing, the Wind-Passing Great Sage looked at Im Gwan-hwa.

“You seemed decent in skill, but I guess your perception isn’t that great.”

He jerked his chin toward Jang Woo-hyun.

“Jang Woo-hyun’s also learning that Five Elements Qi stuff. All five types.”

“…What?”

“Oh, right. I learned Five Elements Qi too.”

He hadn’t really used it much after learning it, and after ascending to the Central Heavens, the Five Elements Qi had restructured his body, so Jang Woo-hyun himself had completely forgotten.

“He’s basically no different from a Qi Spirit now. He might even be better than your Cult Leader. Just take this guy and have him stabilize that Five Wheel Guardian Deity of yours for a while. Heal your Cult Leader in the meantime and wrap things up.”

“…Is… is this really true?”

Im Gwan-hwa was so shocked she stammered.

“Y-Yes, I learned it in the Lower Realm. I don’t really use it, though. But Monkey, I think my Five Elements Qi has already merged with the Qi in my Lower Dantian—so I probably can’t use it anymore, right? I only learned it but never really used it.”

“We’ll figure something out once we get there. If you said you’d help, you gotta do something.”

What should have been an outrageous topic to anyone else was being discussed casually by the Wind-Passing Great Sage and Jang Woo-hyun.

“H-How… how are you even learning it?”

“I learned it in the Lower Realm, with Senior Kim’s help. It was a setup he had prepared in advance.”

“Ah…”

The severe crisis facing the Five Elements Cult was about to be resolved easily thanks to Jang Woo-hyun.

Unlike her usual composed demeanor, Im Gwan-hwa faltered in confusion and fell into deep thought, unsure of what to do.

Meanwhile, the Martial Duel between the Five Elements Cult and the Annihilation Squad continued.

Eventually, Seo Ryeom emerged as the final victor, and the duel came to an end.

“Wahahaha! I am the right wing of the Fighting Ghost Unit—no, of the Annihilation Squad! Seo Ryeom!”

“You’re the left wing, idiot.”

Mak Ya-wol corrected him, but Seo Ryeom, lost in self-admiration, paid him no mind.

Out of five rounds, the Annihilation Squad won three to two.

After a round of dueling, the Annihilation Squad and the Five Elements Cult’s martial artists grew quite friendly.

‘Unbelievable.’

Watching a sight that would have been impossible before, Maeng Ye-ju clicked her tongue inwardly.

“Woo-hyun really is something.”

“Huh? What brought that up?”

“He turned these lunatics into people.”

Maeng Ye-ju, who knew the former state of the Baekmu Society’s Fighting Ghost Unit, couldn’t quite adjust to what she was seeing.

They used to be unsocialized madmen, but ever since Jang Woo-hyun told them, “Then get off,” they’d been thoroughly educated and were now more human-like.

The Fighting Ghost Unit was not the kind to be satisfied with simple duels. Yet now, they happily followed Jang Woo-hyun around, even during the duel with the Five Elements Cult, without any complaints.

At this point, all thirty-two of them said they preferred being part of the Annihilation Squad rather than the Fighting Ghost Unit.

‘Given the circumstances, I guess I can understand.’

The Twin-Winged Lotus, the Demon Gathering Hall, and now even the Five Elements Cult—though they hadn’t been together long, they had fought numerous battles. Even the next enemy had already been decided.

It was as if Jang Woo-hyun had been born to fight. Naturally, the martial artists of the Fighting Ghost Unit couldn’t help but like him, and now they followed him with genuine devotion.

‘Maybe I should leave my kids with him too?’

Watching how the members of the Fighting Ghost Unit had changed so much they could be said to have turned over a new leaf, Maeng Ye-ju thought of the Beastkin of the Beast King Sect. Even those rowdy ones might calm down if left in Jang Woo-hyun’s care.

“But noona, is it really okay for you to be here like this?”

“Me? Why?”

“You already smashed the Twin-Winged Lotus. Don’t you need to do something beneficial to the Beast King Sect if you want to become its Young Mistress?”

“Oh, that. I don’t really have any interest in becoming the Young Mistress. I’m happy enough just living alongside Woo-hyun. And I’m learning a lot here, too. Plus…”

Maeng Ye-ju laughed refreshingly and continued.

“For some reason, I feel like if I keep training with the Annihilation Squad, I’ll be able to beat everyone when I go back.”

It was baseless confidence—but Maeng Ye-ju genuinely believed it. She could feel herself growing rapidly stronger.

Jin Ha-un also sensed her growth. Having once barely brushed the Realm of Immeasurability, she was now clearly stronger. A little more progress, and she would fully step into that realm.

Watching her development, Jin Ha-un thought of something.

‘She’s being influenced by Hyung-nim.’

Those who traveled with Jang Woo-hyun tended to grow quickly. They broke past their limits.

Just like himself, Hwang An, and Yang Hyo-myung—Maeng Ye-ju was also being influenced by Jang Woo-hyun. That’s probably why her growth was so explosive.

He didn’t know the reason. Nor did he know the exact condition for the effect to manifest.

So far, no one else among the Baekmu Society members in the Annihilation Squad had shown such a change. In Jin Ha-un’s eyes, only Maeng Ye-ju seemed to be benefiting from Jang Woo-hyun’s presence.

“What are you brooding over all by yourself? If you’re curious, just ask.”

“It’s just… um…”

“What is it?”

It was difficult to explain what he knew, so Jin Ha-un chose not to speak. There was no point, and it would only make things more confusing.

So instead, he changed the subject.

“By the way, where did Hyung-nim go?”

“Hmm. I think he left earlier with the Wind-Passing Great Sage and the Right Dharma Protector.”

His redirection worked. Maeng Ye-ju didn’t press further and instead looked in the direction Jang Woo-hyun had disappeared.

Jang Woo-hyun and the Wind-Passing Great Sage followed Im Gwan-hwa toward the heart of the Five Elements Cult.

A towering mountain stood at the center of the Floating Continent.

They arrived there and entered deep into a massive cave.

‘I said I’d help, but isn’t she trusting me a little too easily?’

Though he had no intention of attacking or betraying them, Jang Woo-hyun suddenly had that thought.

But that doubt vanished the moment he entered the place she guided them to.

Inside the cave was a vast chamber.

There, an old man sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Only then did Jang Woo-hyun understand why Im Gwan-hwa had brought them so calmly. She had the confidence to handle them even if they turned out to be enemies.

‘An Elder of the Five Elements Cult?’

Out of habit, Jang Woo-hyun tried to gauge the old man’s strength. But it didn’t come easily.

He released his Qi and slowly stepped forward, focusing his mind to measure the elder’s power.

‘Earth Qi . And…’

The old man was connected to this entire space.

Jang Woo-hyun didn’t stop there—he expanded his Qi perception further.

And then he realized that his earlier assessment had been wrong.

‘It’s not just here.’

Not only this chamber—but the massive mountain pierced by the cave, and even the ground beneath his feet—were all connected to the old man.

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