Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: The Black Dragon's Stand
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The second night had fallen.
Once the night passed and morning came, followed by noon when the sun hung highest in the sky, the treasure hunt would end.
Thanks to finding the match for the bloodstone he'd been holding, Wi Seongcheon now possessed nine pairs of paired stones.
With this many, he could afford to take it easy without pulling an all-nighter—he'd get what he wanted by noon tomorrow.
*That made sense, but...*
He had no intention of quietly and inconspicuously biding his time until noon.
Today was the most crucial day out of the three allotted for searching for paired stones.
The first day had been about snatching one half of a pair from the scattered Green Forest bandits in the woods and using it to locate its match.
And tonight, with the auction looming... the real plundering would begin in earnest.
That said, quite a few variables had cropped up before this point. The Black Tyrant Island's Lan Ok Girin and the Mad Dog Go Jeoksa had both taken wounds and left the forest.
Bang Jun had gone out with Ok Girin, and the other students allied with her had lost their paired stones to rival competitors and been driven from the woods.
Go Jeoksa and Yuk Jinil had left the same way.
But the whereabouts of Dang Heeran and Yeongjin, who had joined forces with Go Jeoksa, remained a mystery.
If they'd left the forest, it hadn't been voluntarily—they weren't the type to lose to some unknown competitor.
The two of them weren't pushovers.
*'Fourteen left in the woods.'*
Nine pairs meant he could definitely secure the Supreme Blood Treasure and the Millennium Snow Ginseng.
But if the number of competitors shrank, he'd have a shot at even more treasures.
Wi Seongcheon wasn't the only one thinking that.
Among the students still in the woods, who would want to reduce the number of rivals the most?
Figuring that out wasn't hard.
Thunder Justice Zhuge Ihyeon.
He was moving as a group of four: himself, Namgoong Jiu, Paeng Yeonhwa, and Dang Seona.
Not acting alone meant they were cooperating.
Assuming they didn't turn on each other, Zhuge Ihyeon's side was likely sharing the paired stones they'd collectively gathered.
They might hold the most right now, but in the final auction, no single one of them would have that many.
So what would they do?
Simple. Plunder as a baseline. But don't stop there—eliminate competitors entirely.
If they were the only ones left in this forest at the end, they could divvy up the treasures amicably.
Zhuge Ihyeon wasn't the only one thinking along those lines.
Fighting Ghost Yang Jeon.
He too wasn't operating solo, sticking with Hwangbo Seongu and Woo Heera.
*'The ones not grouping up... me and Sanggwan Hu.'*
Dang Heeran and Yeongjin were probably together, and naturally Tae Heemyung and Cheong Wubin as well.
In a situation like this, loners who didn't form packs became prime targets.
*'They'll go after Sanggwan Hu over me.'*
In the end, Wi Seongcheon was an outsider, not a sacred disciple of the Black Forest.
To the Black Tyrant sacred disciples, he might not be to their liking, but he wasn't an enemy they *had* to crush.
But what about Sanggwan Hu?
He was the Black Forest's sole Seven Star sacred disciple.
Until the Black Heaven Young Master appeared, he'd been recognized as the top later-generation talent among the unorthodox sects.
From the perspective of the Black Tyrants aligned with the unorthodox, Sanggwan Hu was far more grating than Wi Seongcheon could ever be.
It was a golden opportunity.
Sanggwan Hu was alone, and plenty harbored grudges against him.
Normally, no one would dare challenge that Black Dragon, but right now, it seemed feasible enough.
If they could just swallow their pride.
*...Obvious.*
Wi Seongcheon brushed the goosebumps prickling his skin. No wind blew, yet the foliage shivered.
The ferocious killing intent poured out ostentatiously chilled even the air.
Sanggwan Hu was the one emanating the killing intent.
Wi Seongcheon could understand why Sanggwan Hu was acting this way, yet at the same time, he couldn't quite grasp it.
Right now, Sanggwan Hu was using himself as bait to draw in the other Black Tyrants.
Did he have that much confidence in his own skills? It was the height of arrogance.
If he were with Tae Heemyung or Cheong Wubin, it might be different, but alone, he was just inviting enemies...
*'I see.'*
Wi Seongcheon rose to his feet at once.
An alliance between Heavenly Academy students and a Black Forest sacred disciple.
The students shared in the sacred disciple's stars. If the sacred disciple lost their stars, the students lost their benefits too.
Tae Heemyung desperately wanted the Tenfold Gold of the Wudang Sect's practical martial arts.
What if Sanggwan Hu fell before the auction even started?
Unless the Black Demon King showed great leniency, if he strictly checked "qualifications," not even holding paired stones would let them bid.
*'If their allied sacred disciple dies, they can just ally with another.'*
If they formed a new alliance, Tae Heemyung could still bid even if Sanggwan Hu died.
But would Tae Heemyung let Sanggwan Hu die?
Tae Heemyung was righteous to his bones and didn't like the unorthodox. Not as much as the Demonic Cult, but he viewed them as evil.
That was just his values as a righteous sect warrior.
Was Tae Heemyung the type to indifferently watch someone connected to him die, even if he didn't particularly like them?
"No way."
Tae Heemyung's character was genuine. Wi Seongcheon knew he was a truly good person, not matching his Sword Dragon moniker at all.
Tae Heemyung wouldn't like the arrogant Sanggwan Hu one bit, but he wouldn't ignore it if he knew Sanggwan Hu was about to die.
*'Not sure who'll bite the bait that is Sanggwan Hu.'*
If he watched, he'd see who got forced out of the forest. Maybe he'd even pick up some scraps in the process.
* * *
*Come on.*
Sanggwan Hu had chosen a wide-open clearing.
Standing in the center let him sense all directions. No annoying obstacles, and plenty of room to move.
No better spot for a rampage in this dense forest.
His expression wasn't great as he stood with hands clasped behind his back.
Before entering the forest, Sanggwan Hu had expected to dominate solo. Even alone, he was confident he could crush all rivals.
But what was this? Two days in, and he had nothing to show for it.
It had gone wrong from the start. If only he'd caught Wi Seongcheon then. Go Jeoksa, Yang Jeon. If only.
*'Too late now.'*
The night deepened. Plenty of time left until noon tomorrow.
Sanggwan Hu slowly raised his head. He glared at the high canopy of the forest.
He couldn't see it with his eyes, but he was certain the Black Demon King was watching the forest's developments.
How many later-generation unorthodox talents hadn't idolized Black Demon King Baek Ri-mu-won?
To them, Baek Ri-mu-won was a mythical figure.
He'd stirred up storms to build his power, ascended to Black Death Alliance Leader, shattered old traditions, and sparked reforms.
Sanggwan Hu idolized the Black Demon King too. He craved his recognition.
Until the Black Heaven Young Master appeared, Sanggwan Hu had dreamed of becoming the Black Demon King's disciple someday.
But that spot had gone to some no-name Black Heaven Young Master who rolled in out of nowhere.
Still, Sanggwan Hu hadn't given up.
*'I'll show you.'*
His teeth ground together with a crunch.
If he demonstrated overwhelming superiority over the other Black Tyrants, even the Black Demon King might reconsider.
"I knew you'd come."
Sanggwan Hu glared ahead with eyes boiling with enmity. Across from him stood Fighting Ghost Yang Jeon.
He'd taken internal injuries from Sanggwan Hu's attack just yesterday, but they weren't severe—Yang Jeon's complexion was fine.
"You know the Mad Dog left the forest?"
"......"
"Heh! I saw it from afar. Frothing at the mouth in shame, passed out on a Kunlun Sect disciple's back. Both arms broken, no less."
"......You let him go?"
"I thought about killing him, but his pathetic survival was too amusing, so I left him. Lucky for him. If he'd been able to walk on his own two legs, I'd have finished him."
Yang Jeon ignored Sanggwan Hu's mocking laugh.
Sanggwan Hu tilted his head slightly, eyeing Yang Jeon.
"No blood ties, but you and the Mad Dog sure take after each other, like sworn brothers."
"What're you getting at?"
"You both cling to life so pathetically. Maybe the Mad Dog begged for his like you would."
Veins bulged on Yang Jeon's forehead.
"And no pride either. The Mad Dog carried out by a Kunlun Sect Taoist, and you lording it over righteous sect warriors like you're hot stuff. Uncannily similar, no? But not too bright. What you've got propping you up isn't a tiger—it's a bear cub."
"You took Sword Dragon senior, Little Buddha senior, and White Orchid senior with you, yet all you do is talk."
Hwangbo Seongu, who'd been listening quietly, twisted his scarred lips into a grin.
Sanggwan Hu burst into loud laughter at that.
"Not like you, Fighting Ghost, dragging them along 'cause you're lacking. I keep 'em as tools."
"Doesn't look much different from my side. But hey, you can make excuses however you want."
Sanggwan Hu's eyes chilled at Hwangbo Seongu's jab.
"You're getting cocky relying too much on not dying."
"Even without the Black Demon King's protection, I won't die by your hand."
"Ha!"
Sanggwan Hu let out a short bark of laughter.
Woo Heera, who'd been watching warily, took a few steps back.
Seeing she'd put enough distance, Hwangbo Seongu exchanged a quick glance with Yang Jeon.
They hadn't known each other long, but Hwangbo Seongu harbored no ill will toward Yang Jeon. Their goals aligned surprisingly well.
He didn't want to share drinks as close comrades, but at least here, Yang Jeon was reasonable.
*'Better than that know-it-all Black Dragon—someone who knows his limits.'*
Hwangbo Seongu's body swelled. At the same time, Yang Jeon kicked off the ground.
Sanggwan Hu scoffed at Yang Jeon charging with protective aura.
Rumble!
The Roaring Dragon Heaven Decree Divine Art activated, enveloping Sanggwan Hu's body in massive aura.
The clash erupted in a boom.
Yang Jeon went all-out from the start. He couldn't let this prime chance slip.
Sanggwan Hu was alone. No matter how strong the Black Dragon was, they could take him now.
*'Got it.'*
Yang Jeon kept his eyes wide, focus unbroken. Amid Sanggwan Hu's chaining attacks, Yang Jeon's hands gleamed.
*'You're way weaker than the Black Heaven Young Master.'*
Sanggwan Hu was strong. But fighting him didn't bring the helplessness or despair from clashing with the Black Heaven Young Master.
Was it his imagination? Somehow, the Black Dragon Sanggwan Hu didn't feel as formidable as before.
It didn't take long for the sneer to vanish from Sanggwan Hu's face.
He showed no mercy. He didn't want a drawn-out fight; he planned a swift blitz to smash Yang Jeon's skull.
But unexpectedly, Yang Jeon was holding up well. At the level Yang Jeon had shown before, his head should've exploded already.
Yet Sanggwan Hu still hadn't landed a solid hit.
*'Annoying...!'*
Part of it was Yang Jeon's improved skill, but the real reason Sanggwan Hu couldn't press him as expected was Hwangbo Seongu.
Hwangbo Seongu, who'd opened with palms from the start, was honestly more irritating than Yang Jeon. And despite his bulk, he was cautious and tenacious.
His body was naturally tough like a boneless warrior's, no aura needed. Yet Hwangbo Seongu didn't blindly trust that hardness or charge stupidly.
Not just reckless zeal either. Hwangbo Seongu stuck to a thorough support role. A tactic chosen since their teamwork wasn't seamless.
Two mismatched attackers would just hinder each other with wild swings. So Hwangbo Seongu hung back, aiding Yang Jeon.
That wasn't what Sanggwan Hu wanted.
He'd prepared for a joint attack expecting the irreconcilable righteous and unorthodox styles to clash.
Later-generation elites proud as phoenixes and Black Tyrants wouldn't yield or accommodate each other.
Even as allies, their mismatched coordination would create openings to exploit.
*'Doesn't match his looks...!'*
Hwangbo Seongu's unexpected caution had thrown Sanggwan Hu off.
No, that wasn't the only surprise.
Screeeeech!
A grating screech like metal on metal made Sanggwan Hu's hair stand on end.
The piercing sound burrowed into his ears, dizzying his head and disrupting his qi flow.
Woo Heera's sound technique.
From a safe distance, she played eerie tones infused with inner power on her long flute.
To Sanggwan Hu, it was pure agony.
Sound arts were hard to block. Plugging ears did nothing—the power rode the waves in.
Best defense was deep power to shield the mind, but under Yang Jeon and Hwangbo Seongu's assault, Sanggwan Hu couldn't fully counter it.
*'This can't be.'*
No.
He hadn't imagined this. He had confidence to kill whoever came.
To prove why he was the Black Forest's sole Seven Star sacred disciple, the Black Dragon. To declare it to the Black Demon King overlooking this forest.
But what was this?
His qi wavered under the sound. He couldn't target Yang Jeon properly thanks to Hwangbo Seongu.
Being alone hit home.
"Urk!"
Blood sprayed from Sanggwan Hu's mouth. Yang Jeon's fist slipped through and struck his chest.
Thick protective aura kept his ribs intact, but the infiltrating qi caused internal damage.
Sanggwan Hu's launched body sailed toward Hwangbo Seongu. The giant's massive hand seized Sanggwan Hu's leg.
Sanggwan Hu snapped alert, trying to wrench free, but the hitherto cautious Hwangbo Seongu now acted with brutish boldness matching his size.
Ignoring the Roaring Dragon Heaven Decree Divine Art crashing down, he swung Sanggwan Hu like a club and slammed him into the ground.
"Ga... h...!"
The earth shattered.
Sanggwan Hu's protective aura surged wildly. Bones held, but the backlash tore at his organs like shredded rags.
Black dead blood spurted from Sanggwan Hu's nose. But the light in his eyes hadn't died yet.
He tried to erupt his aura in a desperate blast, but Hwangbo Seongu smashed him down faster.
"Die!"
A heaven-sent chance. Yang Jeon roared, his fist aimed at Sanggwan Hu's chest like a piercing staff.
A bit faster, a bit truer, and it would've pierced the heart.
What halted Yang Jeon at the last second was a chilling sharp energy that seemed to shred his entire body. He wasn't the only one who froze.
"Hands."
The unfinished command, but Hwangbo Seongu instinctively released Sanggwan Hu and leaped back.
Thud!
Sanggwan Hu's body hit the ground and rolled.
He could've caught it, but no such loyalty existed.
"The fight's already decided."
The blade half-drawn from its sheath gleamed silver.
"So stop here."
Tae Heemyung, who appeared like the wind, stood quietly before the fallen Sanggwan Hu.