Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon's Test
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Arrogant words.
There was the Heavenly Person, Mu Yeonjun, here, along with the Sword Dragon of the Dragon-Phoenix generation, Bi Yeon, Sa Hui, and Kwon Gol.
Among the Sa Hui was Baek Ran. Even if she hadn't made it into the Dragon-Phoenix, Yeong Jin—the Sharp Edge Sword of Jeomchang—was called Jeomchang's top late-generation talent, a prodigy. Dang Heeran, Paeng Yeonhwa, and Ha Ji-tae were all top prodigies of their age group.
There was no need to even mention Wi Seongcheon, who had been acknowledged as a Hidden Dragon.
If one exaggerated a bit, the ten students facing the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon right now could be called the future of the righteous martial world.
In truth, it wasn't much of an exaggeration. With every member of the Dragon-Phoenix present except Jin U and Geom Bong's U Ha-yeon.
"Thirty years."
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon sneered.
"Thirty years ago, the righteous martial world was defeated by the Demonic Cult. Can you deny it?"
No one opened their mouth.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon stared straight at Mu Yeonjun's face.
Mu Yeonjun had his lips pressed tightly together.
Everyone knew what the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon meant by 'defeat.'
Thirty years ago, the Heavenly Demon, Hyeok Wol-un, had a duel with the Heavenly Person of that era under the observation of the Martial Alliance, and right there, he killed the Heavenly Person.
Not stopping there, he single-handedly broke through the Martial Alliance's Heaven's Net Earth Net and vanished.
"After that, the Demonic Cult did nothing to your martial world. It was because His Supremacy mercifully waited. Until a new Heavenly Person was born and the era ripened."
Ten years ago, twenty years ago, thirty years ago—there had been those called the Dragon-Phoenix.
But what had become of them now? Ironically, their fame had peaked when they were called late-generation talents, Dragon-Phoenix, studying at Eocheon Academy.
"Now the era has ripened. A new Heavenly Person has been born, and the will of heaven has blessed your generation. That is why His Supremacy desires a test. To see if you are worth waiting for any longer, or not. If you are weaklings not worth the wait... then today, right here, you will die to this seat."
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's eyes gleamed coldly.
Yes, they had waited. Ever since the Heavenly Person of thirty years ago, Ji Mun-hyeok, was killed by the Heavenly Demon. If the Demonic Cult had wanted, they could have risen at any time and trampled the martial world.
Everyone knew it. The martial world had enjoyed a 'relative' peace for thirty years only because the Demonic Cult had done nothing. But lately, the Demonic Cult had begun to move.
Sending a spy to Eocheon Academy felt like child's play compared to the current situation, where one of the Ten Demons, the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon, had personally appeared.
"Why bother?"
Wi Seongcheon said.
"Isn't the Demonic Cult's goal to summon the Demon King and destroy the world?"
It made no sense.
If that truly was the Demonic Cult's intent, there was no reason for such a test. Had their goal changed after a thousand years?
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon burst into laughter at Wi Seongcheon's mutter.
"How could the likes of us comprehend His Supremacy's will?"
Through those words, Wi Seongcheon realized that this series of events stemmed not from the Demonic Cult's will, but from the Heavenly Demon's. Even the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon himself didn't fully endorse the Heavenly Demon's will.
'This seat doesn't want to, but it's His Supremacy's command.'
'But weaklings not worth sparing will die to this seat here. Even His Supremacy has permitted that.'
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon wanted to kill everyone present. That was likely the Demonic Cult's will, but the Heavenly Demon did not desire it.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon could not defy the Heavenly Demon's will.
Wi Seongcheon stared straight at the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon. Deep in his pupils flickered a murky red light.
Seeing that light, Wi Seongcheon felt a chilling unease he had experienced before.
It was different from the demonic qi emanating from the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon. That unease... wasn't the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's. It was the same unease he had felt in the eyes of the spy he encountered on Eocheon Mountain.
'The Heavenly Demon is watching.'
All of this.
Wi Seongcheon sorted his thoughts. At first, he had thought of fleeing. It was a reasonable idea. Wi Seongcheon had no intention of dying here with his spirit unbroken.
'...Is that really true?'
Wi Seongcheon couldn't quite grasp what he truly desired.
When the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon first descended, he had thought they must flee. But when Seo Il charged at the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon and shouted to run, his feet had frozen. And when Seo Il and Seok I-jin fell to the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon, he had nearly rushed in without a second thought.
"You're easy to understand, at least."
Hwangbo Seongu spat out. He glanced at Ha Ji-tae, whose nose was gushing blood, then glared at the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon.
Thud!
Hwangbo Seongu took a heavy step forward.
"You're saying you'll let us live if we fight well? ...You filthy demonic bastard...!"
Roar!
Hwangbo Seongu roared and charged.
'Kill him.'
Not just Hwangbo Seongu—everyone there thought the same.
This crisis could be seen, upon second thought, as a heaven-sent opportunity. Even if the opponent was one of the Demonic Cult's Ten Demons, he was alone.
On this side were all of the Dragon-Phoenix except Geom Bong and Little Buddha, plus experts of comparable skill.
'We can do this.'
Ta Hwiming, Cheong Ubin, and Yeong Jin charged alongside Hwangbo Seongu.
If they could kill the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon here, they could claim a feat no one had achieved since Dugok twenty years ago—killing one of the Ten Demons.
'It would be ideal if we could subdue him...'
Shing!
A white sword aura burst from Ta Hwiming's blade.
If they subdued the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon, they might even extract Demonic Cult information from him. But that was overly optimistic.
No matter their numerical advantage, subduing one of the Ten Demons was far harder than killing him.
"Kekeke!"
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon chuckled at the charging youths. Black qi surged from beneath his feet.
He didn't understand the Heavenly Demon's command. But since it was a command, he had no choice but to obey. If he didn't...
'I don't even want to imagine it.'
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon extended his hand forward. Boom!
Hwangbo Seongu's downward punch was blocked by a single palm strike.
Hwangbo Seongu's fist aura clawed wildly at the ground, but the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's body didn't budge an inch.
"Mongrel."
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon sneered.
Bloodshot veins filled Hwangbo Seongu's eyes. He let out a fierce roar and swung his opposite fist down at the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's head.
Crack!
Shards of shattered earth flew upward. By then, the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon had leaped high, stepping on the debris.
"Fits you perfectly, doesn't it? Neither fully human nor beast—you're a mongrel. Kek! Your father must be impressive too. Mating with a beast just to sire a whelp like you!"
"Roar!"
Hwangbo Seongu's arms became enveloped in qi. He wildly swung both fists, pulverizing all the falling debris.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon sneered as he freely weaved between them.
[Junior, don't get heated.]
[I haven't!]
Responding to Ta Hwiming's urgent transmission, Hwangbo Seongu pressed the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon. In the midst of it, Hwangbo Seongu suddenly ducked his upper body low. Ta Hwiming leaped off his back.
The Wudang Infinite Taiji Sword he had inherited unfolded. His single swing instantly filled the space with slashing strikes aimed at the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's robe billowed greatly.
Boom boom boom!
Black qi erupted from his entire body, canceling Ta Hwiming's sword aura. It didn't end there. A chilling sword light pierced through the qi glow.
Jeomchang's Sa Il Sword Technique, called the pinnacle of swift swordsmanship.
A thrust so pure it had no flaws targeted the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's body.
If he couldn't handle a joint attack from these youths, he had no right to be counted among the Ten Demons.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon spun rapidly and extended his instep.
Clang!
His kick against the flat of the blade altered the thrust's trajectory.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon smirked coldly and extended his left hand sideways.
Boom!
Cheong Ubin's Moon Silver Chaotic Flowers, seizing the opening, was blocked by the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's palm and shattered.
They had never coordinated hands before. But instinctively, they knew how to fight. Alone, the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon was too strong.
More attacks joined. Twin wheels spun ferociously, blocking the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's movements.
It didn't feel threatening.
All the attacks were like that. Impressive from these youths, but not enough to threaten the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon.
"Wait."
Wi Seongcheon grabbed Paeng Yeonhwa, who was about to step forward. At his words, Paeng Yeonhwa whipped her head around and glared at him.
"Are you saying we should run away now too?!"
When the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon first appeared, Wi Seongcheon had dragged Paeng Yeonhwa and Dang Heeran away.
Paeng Yeonhwa hadn't forgotten Wi Seongcheon's whisper then.
'Let's run.'
She understood.
If it was an unwinnable foe... fleeing to fight another day was a valid choice over dying in defiance. But she couldn't help feeling disappointed. Giving up before even challenging!
"No. We can't run."
Wi Seongcheon replied in a low voice.
He pointed a finger toward the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon. Right now, he was fending off five attackers.
Sword lights flashed, qi exploded. Hwangbo Seongu's roars were deafening. Amid it all, the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon laughed merrily.
"Even if you join in there, it won't drastically change things. It would only disrupt the flow."
"...What...?"
"Hwangbo Seongu, Ha Ji-tae, and the seniors know each other's arts. Even without prior joint practice, they match because they know what techniques the others use. But you?"
Paeng Yeonhwa, understanding Wi Seongcheon's point, pressed her lips tight. Her arts weren't widely known.
What Paeng Yeonhwa practiced was the Paeng Clan’s Fierce Tiger Severing Heaven Blade.
She... had hardly used it at Eocheon Academy.
"And that's not the only reason. That joint assault is already saturated with five."
A proper formation could pressure one with more than that.
But they weren't using a formation—just frantically exchanging transmissions to coordinate.
"So wait. Just like that guy is waiting."
Wi Seongcheon nodded toward Mu Yeonjun.
Mu Yeonjun had sat in the lotus position. He glared at the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon with wide eyes, hazy qi surging from his body like shaking smoke.
And Sang Irin stood beside him, waiting for Mu Yeonjun.
"You."
Dang Seona was focused on preparation rather than jumping in. Twin-headed venomous serpents sank their fangs into the backs of her outstretched hands. A stinging pain followed by nausea. But Dang Seona showed no sign and glared at Dang Heeran.
"Don't do anything."
"Sister...!"
"What can you even do?"
Dang Heeran cried out frantically, but Dang Seona had no intention of listening.
If she could, she wanted to seal Dang Heer'san's acupoints to keep her from interfering. But she couldn't. Sealing them would make even fleeing impossible.
'...Fleeing might be impossible anyway.'
Even under the five-way assault, the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon was relaxed.
If they tried to flee, he would instantly break free and charge this way.
Dang Seona's dantian twitched. The Serpent Blood Poison Cluster formed there mixed with her qi.
Pluck.
The twin-headed serpents' fangs pulled free from the back of her hand. Having injected all their venom into Dang Seona, the serpents went limp.
Dang Seona steadied her breath and passed Dang Heeran.
"Me, not you."
Dang Heeran reached out and gripped Dang Seona's wrist.
"You're doing it because... I'm less important than sister. So, instead of me..."
"You'll take my place?"
Dang Seona scoffed and shook off Dang Heer'san's hand.
"Who says? As if a weakling like you could replace me?"
"Sister...!"
"Don't do anything."
Dang Seona's sclera, spreading with black blotches, flashed.
"You'd just get in the way."
Rumble!
The ground shook violently.
It was the sound of Hwangbo Seongu's body slamming into the earth. Properly struck by the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's palm, Hwangbo Seongu twisted and vomited black blood.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's foot kicked Hwangbo Seongu's body. The massive frame, three times his size, flew into the air.
Ha Ji-tae shouted and charged. Despite his nickname Twin Moon Wheels, his wheels were all shattered.
Yet Ha Ji-tae charged bare-handed, blocking the advancing Poison-Blood Ghost Demon from Hwangbo Seongu.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon smirked and thrust his index finger.
Squelch!
His finger pierced Ha Ji-tae's chest.
Ha Ji-tae's body trembled. He somehow raised both hands to grab the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's neck.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon withdrew his finger from Ha Ji-tae's chest. Black blood spurted as Ha Ji-tae staggered backward.
In the end, he knelt to the ground before even grasping the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's neck.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon spun around. Yeong Jin was thrusting his broken sword, blood streaming from his lips.
"Haha!"
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon laughed as he twisted his body.
Yeong Jin, passing the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon, collapsed after a few steps. His sword hadn't pierced the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon, but the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's hand had precisely grazed him.
"The Sword Dragon name carries weight, at least."
Ta Hwiming suppressed his urge to collapse and panted heavily.
Cheong Ubin clutched his side beside him. Cheong Ubin's already pale face was ashen without a trace of blood.
"...Ubin. Fall back."
Cheong Ubin shook his head vigorously.
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon stared silently at Ta Hwiming and Cheong Ubin before turning away. At that, Ta Hwiming's eyes widened.
"You bastard!"
Ta Hwiming shouted. He shook off Cheong Ubin's restraining hand and charged the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's back. The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon glanced back and clicked his tongue.
"You don't know the value of your own life."
Clang!
The sword Ta Hwiming swung shattered before his eyes.
Scattered blade fragments grazed Ta Hwiming's face. The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's hand that slipped under struck Ta Hwiming's chest.
"Urk!"
"I wonder what face that Taiji Sword Lord with the big nose will make when I kill you... Tsk!"
It was regrettable that he couldn't kill him.
Cheong Ubin caught the airborne Ta Hwiming. The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon guffawed at the tumbling pair, then turned his head.
"Sa Hui Dang Seona. Truth be told, this seat was more curious about you than the Heavenly Person."
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon leered at Dang Seona, who had halted her steps.
He glanced at Dang Heeran behind her and the limp twin-headed serpents.
"...Keke! You've clearly inherited the Poison Blood Majestic God of the Poison Witch Queen. But it's not ripe yet... Can't be helped for a young one? You still need your tools, it seems?"
Instead of answering, Dang Seona smiled faintly. That smile reminded the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon of the Poison Witch Queen. He chuckled and advanced toward Dang Seona.
"...Ah...!"
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon and Dang Seona clashed.
Dang Heeran unconsciously covered her mouth. She'd only get in the way, she said. It was true.
Dang Seona wasn't wielding hidden weapons or venom arts as usual. Her qi itself was venomous qi.
That was the pinnacle of the Tang Clan's poison arts she had inherited from the Poison Witch Queen—the Poison Blood Majestic God.
Even if imperfect, Dang Seona was approaching the legendary realm of poison arts, the Qi Blood Venom Human that the Poison Witch Queen had attained.
No one could joint attack with such a Dang Seona.
Until she fully became a Qi Blood Venom Human, Dang Seona's poison didn't distinguish friend from foe.
Anyone else might be fine, but she absolutely couldn't fight alongside Dang Heeran. She might end up killing her beloved little sister.
"Uhahaha!"
The Poison-Blood Ghost Demon burst into booming laughter.
Dang Seona's emitted venomous qi entangled with the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon's.
The scattered venom blackened the ground. The immobile demonic beasts touched by it melted and died without a scream.
Though the methods differed, the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon was also a Qi Blood Venom Human.
The difference was clear.
'She's being pushed back.'
Mu Yeonjun rose to his feet.
Dang Seona's prowess was impressive, but beating the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon was impossible for her. It was true for everyone, but especially unfavorable for her.
If it were another of the Ten Demons, they could hope more on Dang Seona's poison, but her opponent was the Poison-Blood Ghost Demon, said to rival the Poison Witch Queen in poison arts.
"...Wi Seongcheon."
Mu Yeonjun turned his head and said to Wi Seongcheon.
Though Sang Irin had guarded him steadfastly, Mu Yeonjun didn't spare her a glance.
"Don't... fight."
"Why the bullshit again?"
Wi Seongcheon snapped back in exasperation at Mu Yeonjun's words.
Though he knew the reason.