It was not always foggy throughout the day in the season of cloud sea.

Sometimes the fog was very dense, lightened a bit by noon, and at night the visibility improved significantly.

The third unit of the Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad ultimately failed to capture White Monkey Demonic Hand.

It was especially frustrating considering they were close to capturing him.

The leader of the third unit of the Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad felt the weight on his back anew. The heads of two subordinates were in his bag, both having been counter-attacked while chasing White Monkey Demonic Hand.

This unit had killed several demonic martial artists who had reached the Supreme Demon realm.

The significant losses were due to the peculiarities of their adversary. He possessed the ability to see through the fog and modulate his voice.

“Let’s establish a new password and move in pairs of two. He is mad, but a vicious one. Make sure not to lower your guard.”

White Monkey Demonic Hand was a powerful figure of the True Demon Palace faction.

Having ascended to the Supreme Demon realm, he delved into demonic arts and succumbed to Qi deviation. He escaped the cult, and a death warrant was issued.

It had been a long time since such a significant figure was assigned to the third unit.

They were prepared for sacrifices, but no further losses were desired.

“His destination is obvious anyway. He’s going in circles but clearly heading towards Heaven-Slaying Demon Valley.”

Even before he went mad, White Monkey Demonic Hand was obsessed with Heaven-Slaying Demon Valley.

To the experienced leader of the third unit, his purpose was crystal clear.

“We’ll head south in advance.”

Following his command, the members of the Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad began running south.

Their advance was extremely fast and secretive.

While maintaining distance for the pursuit and scanning a broad area, they discovered unique traces.

Beep—!

The leader of the third unit reached the place where the horn sounded.

There were traces of someone having been there with signs of a campfire and camping.

“It’s not White Monkey Demonic Hand…”

White Monkey Demonic Hand would have chewed raw meat. There were remnants of food scraps at the campfire.

“Three people… One of them is a woman. Not villagers from this area. Judging by the shallow footprints, they must be martial artists, likely from the Central Plains.”

The leader quickly identified the brief visitors’ identities. Clearly, they were from the orthodox faction.

It was unclear why they had come this far. Perhaps it was related to the declaration of war issued by their cult.

“It hasn’t been long. They might still be nearby.”

The remaining firewood was still warm. The leader of the third unit stood up.

Now, that wasn’t the important thing.

“White Monkey Demonic Hand might target them.”

Any demonic martial artist entering Heaven-Slaying Demon Valley without qualification would surely die.

White Monkey Demonic Hand must have known this, and by now he would be looking for sacrifices for the blood ritual.

In that case, he might target them.

From the perspective of the third unit, this could be an opportunity to gain an unexpected advantage.

“Move even more stealthily. Even if you spot White Monkey Demonic Hand, restrain from using the horn.”

Following the leader of the third unit’s order, the members of the Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad moved again.Neung Ji-pyeong and his group moved in a single file.

Neung Ji-pyeong, the most experienced, led at the front.

In the middle was Tang Eun-seol, positioned well to use hidden weapons and poison, and at the rear was Peng Gu-in.

“Such sudden thick fog… Let’s wait until the fog clears,” Neung Ji-pyeong spoke as if troubled.

The fog had been thick for several days. They tried to climb to higher ground to determine their direction, but the fog obscured everything.

“It seems we’ve strayed from the path to the Kunlun Sect.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Eun-seol’s observation was correct.

Although Neung Ji-pyeong had experienced many battles, he had never been this deep into the Kunlun Mountains.

They had come this far with a compass and a map, but the season of cloud sea was unexpected.

“I thought the fog would clear when the sun rose.”

Peng Gu-in scratched the back of his head.

From the highlands, the view of the Kunlun Mountains was magnificent.

It seemed like a sea of clouds had appeared. The peaks rising through the fog looked like islands of heaven.

However, for those who needed to head towards the Kunlun Sect from here, it was nothing but frustrating.

“Let’s go down for now.”

It was fortunate to have a compass to find the direction.

They hadn’t strayed far from the path, so heading southwest would bring them closer to the Kunlun Sect.

Following Neung Ji-pyeong, who took the lead again, they resumed their journey.

Navigating through the fog on the mountain was not easy. Sharp rocks were like blades, and a fall could cause serious injuries.

But there was no one clumsy enough to slip and fall here.

The group walked silently through the fog.

The distance wasn’t that much, yet sometimes they lost sight of the person in front.

It required a certain level of concentration to follow.

“Wow, it must be tough for the Kunlun Sect Taoists. That’s why they don’t come to the Dragon-Phoenix Conference,” Peng Gu-in murmured from behind.

It was meant to strike up a conversation during the monotonous journey.

Being a familiar situation, Tang Eun-seol responded casually, “That’s right. Yunnan would be better.”

“Speaking of which, you said you trained at the Five Poison Sect in Yunnan.”

They chatted briefly about various things.

Since Tang Eun-seol didn’t want to delve into the details of her training at the Five Poison Sect, she quickly changed the subject.The conversation faded, and silence ensued again.

Peng Gu-in initiated another conversation.

This time, his voice was even lower.

“Miss, there’s a bug on your back.”

“What?”

“A big bug. Ugh, it’s disgusting.”

Ordinary people might have been startled, but a descendant of the Tang Clan wouldn’t be scared by a mere bug.

Tang Eun-seol stopped and brushed her back.

There was no bug.

“There’s nothing…?”

Then she paused and stiffened.

Peng Gu-in was not behind her.

Even if he had been there, how could he have seen a bug through the fog?

“Hehehe.”

Amidst the fog, Peng Gu-in’s laughter was heard, and then a figure suddenly emerged.

A monstrous figure with abnormally long arms, it was White Monkey Demonic Hand.

Whirr!

Tang Eun-seol reflexively scattered hidden weapons from her bosom.

The iron needles, coated with lethal poison for combat, dispersed.

A single hit would be incapacitating.

“Hahaha!”

But the monster simply swirled his arms rapidly.

As his sleeves fluttered, the Qi-infused needles were effortlessly deflected.

Tang Eun-seol was horrified.

‘Cloth armoring!’

A martial art technique that infused Qi into clothes or sleeves to make them rigid. Infusing Qi into fluttering fabric was no easy feat. The opponent was clearly a master.

Tang Eun-seol gritted her teeth and prepared her next move, but the distance had already closed too much.

At that moment, Peng Gu-in emerged through the fog.

“This crazy guy!”

With a thunderous shout, he charged at White Monkey Demonic Hand with his hefty build.

A loud noise as if rocks were colliding rang out, and White Monkey Demonic Hand was sent flying.

However, White Monkey Demonic Hand did not roll on the ground but landed smoothly and hid himself in the fog.

Peng Gu-in regretted not drawing his blade and placed his hand on the blade handle.

Then he furrowed his brows.

His left arm stung. It was the moment of impact on his shoulder when he had actually been counterattacked.

He shouted towards the direction where White Monkey Demonic Hand had disappeared.

“I don’t know who you are, but reveal yourself!”Tang Eun-seol and Peng Gu-in heightened their senses and surveyed the surroundings.

It was impossible to tell where the monster might be beyond the fog.

They needed to regroup with their comrades first.

“Hehehe!”

Just then, the monster’s laughter was heard from one side.

The moment they instinctively drew their blade or aiming and preparing to scatter hidden weapons—

“What’s going on!”

—Neung Ji-pyeong came running from the opposite side.

No, it was just a momentary misconception by Peng Gu-in.

“Wait!”

Thankfully, Tang Eun-seol scattered a bright blue powder.

The powder drifted in the wind towards that direction.

“What…!”

“Sir Neung was not in that direction.”

Realizing the situation, Peng Gu-in’s face turned pale.

If so, the monster was quick enough to change its position instantly. Or perhaps it used some bizarre sound technique.

As proof, the real Neung Ji-pyeong appeared.

He was quietly holding his sword in a drawn position, extremely calm.

Tang Eun-seol immediately reported the situation.

“I scattered Illusionary Sky Powder.”

The Illusionary Sky Powder was one of the lethal poisons Tang Eun-seol carried.

“Was it successful?”

“I’m not sure. If he inhaled even a little, he would have been poisoned.”

As much as the surprise attack mimicking Neung Ji-pyeong’s voice had hit the mark, Tang Eun-seol’s counterattack was sharp.

However, despite this, Tang Eun-seol was not confident about the success of the poisoning.

“Quite lively ones, aren’t you? Ehehehe.”

The monster’s voice echoed through the fog.

Tang Eun-seol grimaced. The opponent had either not been affected by the poison, or the effect had been minimal.

“My name is White Monkey Demonic Hand. Ehe, to think I’d meet young lads like you just before a big event.”

The monster’s original voice was so unpleasant it sent shivers down the spine.

“I needed a sacrifice for the blood ritual, and it seems I’ll have to take one of you here.”

There were three Peak masters present. Yet, the monster spoke as if he was about to catch a single pig.Neung Ji-pyeong quietly sent a psychic message.

-He’s definitely a demonic martial artist. Let’s communicate through transmission from now on.

Having never encountered a demonic martial artist before, Tang Eun-seol and Peng Gu-in were tense.

-His voice is coming from all directions. If it’s a technique similar to Six Harmonies Full Star, we must assume he’s at the Supreme Peak, or Supreme Demon realm.

“Which one shall I pick!”

The calm transmission from Neung Ji-pyeong contrasted with the maniacal voice of White Monkey Demonic Hand.

Neung Ji-pyeong calmly explained the plan.

-…There are three of us; there’s nothing we can’t handle. Does Miss Tang have that item?

Tang Eun-seol nodded.

There was nothing among the Tang Clan’s possessions that wasn’t precious, but this was no time to be frugal.

“Let’s use it.”

Neung Ji-pyeong stood next to Tang Eun-seol, sword in hand.

Being a master approaching the Supreme Peak level with the swordsmanship of the Shadowless Sword Pavilion, he could prevent the opponent from approaching.

Trusting Neung Ji-pyeong, Tang Eun-seol took out an item from her bosom.

“Hehehe!”

At the moment when chaotic laughter echoed from all directions, Tang Eun-seol quickly threw something.

A porcelain bottle the size of a chestnut flew in all directions, hitting trees, rocks, and the ground, and shattered.

From where it broke, a dark red liquid spread out, and flames burst forth.

It was virtually indistinguishable from gunpowder.

Whooosh!

The flames spread rapidly, and the fog cleared in an instant.

Visibility was restored momentarily, and White Monkey Demonic Hand, now exposed, quickly took action.

He charged at Tang Eun-seol.

Neung Ji-pyeong swiftly swung his sword.

Swoosh—

However, the tip of Neung Ji-pyeong’s sword just missed the nose of White Monkey Demonic Hand.

White Monkey Demonic Hand was not actually targeting Tang Eun-seol.

From the beginning, his target was Peng Gu-in.

As White Monkey Demonic Hand turned his direction towards him, Peng Gu-in also hardened his expression.

His Five Tiger Breaking Gate Blade had already reached Peak prowess.

As the blade’s energy swirled like mist and he was about to execute a perfect move to slice through White Monkey Demonic Hand’s torso—

“Puhuh—!”

A black liquid-like substance sprayed from White Monkey Demonic Hand’s mouth.

Peng Gu-in, horrified, swung his blade.

He ducked at the same time, but he inevitably inhaled the finely sprayed poison.

The pain was as if his throat was burning, and White Monkey Demonic Hand’s arms pounded on various parts of Peng Gu-in’s body.

Thump thump thump—

Peng Gu-in became immobilized, struck by the paralysis point, and turned a log.

White Monkey Demonic Hand then hoisted the larger-bodied Peng Gu-in onto his shoulders.

And at that moment, he burst forth.

Neung Ji-pyeong’s sword and Tang Eun-seol’s hidden weapons flew at him.

Screech—

Paba-pak—!

This time, White Monkey Demonic Hand could not avoid it.

Although he blocked Neung Ji-pyeong’s sword with his left hand, three fingers and half of his palm were sheared off.

Two of the ten hidden weapons also embedded themselves in that arm.

“Hehehe!”

Yet, this did not stop White Monkey Demonic Hand.

Seemingly oblivious to pain, he leapt forward with Peng Gu-in on his back, heading straight for the area where Tang Eun-seol had started the fire.

Both saw that Peng Gu-in’s hair had caught fire.

Neung Ji-pyeong and Tang Eun-seol hurriedly followed.

But perhaps due to a slight delay in avoiding the flames, they quickly lost track of White Monkey Demonic Hand.

Neung Ji-pyeong immediately began following the trail of blood on the ground.

However, even that had its limits.

“…The blood trail ends here.”

“His light footwork was incredible.”

White Monkey Demonic Hand had even shaken off the Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad. Had he chosen to fight, Neung Ji-pyeong and Tang Eun-seol might have been the ones defeated.

But the two, unaware of this fact, were merely disheartened.

If not for the dense fog, they might not have lost him, but Neung Ji-pyeong’s expression darkened.

They had not expected Peng Gu-in to be abducted here.

However, instead of feeling sad or angry, Tang Eun-seol merely took a deep breath.

“Miss is composed.”

“Hmm, huu.”

But contrary to Neung Ji-pyeong’s belief, Tang Eun-seol was not taking deep breaths to stay calm.

She was smelling the air.

“Let’s go that way.”

“…Can you tell the direction?”“The burning oil I used earlier has a strong odor. It’s inevitable that the smell would cling to him after he ran through the flames.”

The trained sense of smell of the Tang Clan was beyond that of a trained dog.

Neung Ji-pyeong’s face brightened.

“Let’s follow.”

They began to pursue White Monkey Demonic Hand.