Chapter 234: If Even One Is Missed
Chapter 234: If Even One Is Missed
“Master, I wish you a happy birthday.”
The man bowing respectfully was Sa Hyo, the disciple of the Five Thunders Divine Sword. He was the same man Geom Mu-geuk had spotted the previous day.
The Five Thunders Divine Sword sat before him.
One’s first impression of the Five Thunders Divine Sword would be that he was utterly grotesque. Unfitting for a man of ninety, the skin on his face was as taut as a youth’s. However, his arms and hands were covered in deep, crinkling wrinkles. This imbalance was profoundly eerie.
“This is your birthday present.”
Sa Hyo took a small box from his robes and offered it with both hands.
“This time, it is a special Rejuvenation Pill, crafted by extracting the essence of girls no older than fifteen.”
At the mention of the Rejuvenation Pill, the Five Thunders Divine Sword’s expression brightened instantly.
“How many were used?”
“Ninety.”
Despite the fact that ninety precious lives were contained within that single small pill, a radiant joy spread across the Five Thunders Divine Sword’s face. As he smiled, his skin pulled even tighter, making him look even more bizarre.
“That couldn’t have been easy.”
Collecting the essence of ninety people would have taken years. It was a truly rare and precious medicine.
“It is your ninetieth birthday, Master. As your disciple, this is the least I could do to show my devotion.”
The Five Thunders Divine Sword laughed contentedly. As he aged, he had become obsessed with youth. The deeper that obsession grew, the more blood stained Sa Hyo’s hands.
“For your efforts, I shall grant you the next set of oral formulas. This time, I will give you three verses.”
Sa Hyo prostrated himself immediately.
“Thank you, Master.”
However, with his head bowed, his expression turned stiff.
You damn old man, only three verses!
He received portions of the martial art every time he displayed such loyalty. He was now on the verge of learning the final fifth form of the Five Thunders Sword Technique, but the process of obtaining that last stage was proving arduous.
Sa Hyo was a man born with a natural talent for martial arts. He was particularly gifted in light body techniques and possessed extraordinary senses—not just the five senses, but a keen sixth sense as well. Furthermore, his memory was so sharp that he never forgot anything he saw or heard.
The only problem in his life was that his master was the Five Thunders Divine Sword. Though twenty years had passed since he became a disciple, he still hadn't been fully initiated into the technique.
This is truly too much. Do you have any idea how much blood I’ve spilled for you?
The Five Thunders Divine Sword looked down at him with an exceptionally cold gaze.
Do you think I don’t know what you’re plotting?
He knew his disciple possessed a wicked heart; the moment the technique was fully transferred, Sa Hyo would likely try to kill him. From that point on, he wouldn't even be able to eat a Rejuvenation Pill in peace for fear of poison.
I will tell you the final formula only when I am on my deathbed!
By the time Sa Hyo raised his head, both of their expressions had returned to a mask of normalcy.
“I shall consume the Rejuvenation Pill now. Leave me.”
“Yes, Master.”
Once Sa Hyo exited, the Five Thunders Divine Sword swallowed the pill with a satisfied look. He quietly closed his eyes and began to circulate his qi.
*
Geom Mu-geuk silently leaped over the manor wall.
His first destination was the outbuilding where the servants slept. He entered each room and pressed their sleep acupoints. By the time they woke up, everything would be over.
Leaving the outbuilding, Geom Mu-geuk moved cautiously toward the main house.
Right then—
Shink!
Someone leveled a sword at Geom Mu-geuk’s throat.
“Move and you die.”
The person holding the sword from behind was Sa Hyo. He had spotted Geom Mu-geuk just as he was leaving his master’s room.
“It was you yesterday, wasn't it?”
Geom Mu-geuk replied without turning around.
“Yes, it was me.”
“If you’re going to be this fearless, you should at least have the skill to back it up. Turn around slowly.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned toward him. Despite being caught infiltrating, his expression showed no sign of tension.
“Who sent you?”
“Does that matter, Sa Hyo?”
Sa Hyo was momentarily stunned. He believed no one knew his name except for his master.
What he didn't know was that the top-secret documents Bi Sa-in had provided on the Five Thunders Divine Sword mentioned that he had taken a disciple named Sa Hyo twenty years ago.
“How do you know my name?!”
In that moment, his composure shattered.
Zip!
A Blood Calamity Finger shot toward him from behind.
Sa Hyo was indeed a natural expert. He twisted his body to dodge the finger wind while simultaneously trying to slash the Geom Mu-geuk in front of him.
However, in that split second of twisting his body, Geom Mu-geuk’s fist slammed into his chest.
Thud!
His figure was pushed back several steps. If he hadn't reflexively raised his Body Protection Qi, the blow would have ruptured his internal organs and killed him instantly.
“God dammit!”
He wasn't in a position to be wasting breath on curses.
Zip! Zip!
Two more streaks of Blood Calamity Finger shot toward him in succession.
Realizing he couldn't dodge or block them effectively, Sa Hyo spun around and swung his sword. He emitted sword qi, neutralizing the incoming finger winds.
In that instant, Geom Mu-geuk’s sword descended from behind, aimed at his head. It was too late to block. He managed to twist away at the last second, but blood sprayed from his shoulder.
It had been so long since Sa Hyo had been cut by a blade that he was deeply shocked, but he had no time to inspect the wound.
Zip!
Another finger wind tore through his flank. Again, if he hadn't dodged at the last moment, his abdomen would have been pierced through.
The attacks came from front and back, giving him no room to breathe, let alone think. Seeing Geom Mu-geuk’s prowess, Sa Hyo realized the truth.
He let himself be caught on purpose!
They had set a trap from both sides and lured him in. He couldn't keep up with the frantic pincer attack.
“Master! Save me!”
Finally, he screamed out in desperation. Even as he shouted that single plea, more blood sprayed from his body.
“Master! You son of a bitch!”
Despite his frantic cries, his master did not emerge. Sa Hyo realized why. His master considered absorbing the Rejuvenation Pill more important. If he stopped his qi circulation now, he would only gain a fraction of the medicine’s benefits. But to let him die? After he had sacrificed himself like a dog for his master’s sake?
“Aaaaaaaah!”
He unleashed a flurry of enraged attacks.
With his body tattered, he unleashed the first, second, and third forms of the Five Thunders Sword Technique in succession. Sword qi poured out in all directions. However, the desperate struggles of a wounded beast only struck empty air and dissipated.
No matter how naturally gifted he was, he was incomplete. He could not withstand the combined attack of Geom Mu-geuk and the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.
Slash!
Just as the Black Demonic Sword carved a massive diagonal gash across his back—
Thwack!
A final finger wind pierced through his forehead.
As he collapsed in death, Sa Hyo saw his life flash before his eyes for a brief moment. It wasn't his own life he saw, but the faces of the young girls he had murdered to create the Rejuvenation Pills passing by in a blur.
Thud.
Geom Mu-geuk and the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon looked at each other and nodded.
Since they already knew from Bi Sa-in’s data that Sa Hyo was a man who committed all sorts of atrocities for his master, Geom Mu-geuk hadn't hesitated for a second to eliminate him. Bi Sa-in’s information was proving to be incredibly useful.
Right then—
Swoooooosh!
The two men spun away as a streak of sword qi tore through the space between them. It was an incredibly powerful and fast strike.
The one who had fired the sword qi was the Five Thunders Divine Sword.
He had heard his disciple’s plea for help. But he couldn't stop the process of refining the medicine.
“You little shits, I’ll tear you apart!”
Because he had been distracted by the fight outside, he hadn't been able to absorb the full effects of the Rejuvenation Pill. He was more furious about that than the death of his disciple. He was enraged that he wouldn't be able to obtain another Rejuvenation Pill for a while. His desire for youth took precedence over everything else.
He had heard that Ya Yul-han was currently in a sharp conflict with the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader. And yet, someone had dared to raid his residence like this?
How did he handle things for it to come to this!
The target of his anger was Ya Yul-han.
Even in this situation, he showed no sign of fear or intimidation. He was a man who had once dominated the Unorthodox Path.
The Five Thunders Divine Sword’s gaze shifted toward the two men.
One is a green youth, and the other is wearing a mask?
Sa Hyo fell to these two? Just as doubt began to creep in, his gaze locked onto the Smiling Demon.
“Could it be?”
How could a ninety-year-old man not know of the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon’s white mask? If Sa Hyo hadn't died, he might have dismissed him as a mere copycat, but if he had killed Sa Hyo in such a short time, it only made sense if he was a Demon Lord of the Demonic Cult.
“Why are the lackeys of the Cult targeting me?”
The Smiling Demon’s eyes crinkled in a cold smile.
Geom Mu-geuk answered instead.
“What a truly monstrous face. To think you killed so many children just to become such a freak!”
Bi Sa-in’s secret documents had also contained information regarding the Rejuvenation Pills.
“After you die, even the maggots that crawl over your corpse will spit on you and turn away in disgust!”
One might think a man who had spent ninety years in the Unorthodox Path wouldn't fall for such a provocation, but he did.
Flash!
The Five Thunders Divine Sword’s blade was drawn.
Boom!
Sword qi slammed into the spot where Geom Mu-geuk had been standing. It was as fast as a lightning bolt.
Geom Mu-geuk had already dodged a step to the side.
“You ugly, hideous old man! You filthy, disgusting, evil freak!”
Boom! Crash!
Two more streaks of sword qi struck down, but he evaded them using the Blink Step.
The Five Thunders Divine Sword was enraged by the insults, the likes of which he hadn't heard in ages. Especially coming from such a young man. Moreover, it was the first time in his ninety years of life he had been told that maggots would spit on him.
“I’ll rip that mouth of yours...!”
Just as he was about to speak in his agitated state—
Geom Mu-geuk lunged, cutting off his breath. This moment, where he was both agitated and speaking, was when his qi and blood were at their most disordered.
Diving in with the Underworld King Step, he unleashed the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, First Form: Balanced Heaven Form.
Swish!
Just as a line of sword light was about to bisect him horizontally—
Clang!
The Five Thunders Divine Sword blocked the Black Demonic Sword with his own blade. He was horrified by Geom Mu-geuk’s attack speed. This wasn't a mouth he could easily rip apart.
Zip!
The Smiling Demon’s Blood Calamity Finger shot toward the Five Thunders Divine Sword. From start to finish, this fight was meant to be a combined effort. Since the opponent was someone who had committed deeds deserving of death, they dispensed with any martial etiquette.
The Five Thunders Divine Sword grew flustered by the continuous pincer attack.
The Smiling Demon’s Blood Calamity Finger targeted his most vulnerable spots, forcing him to block, while Geom Mu-geuk was an opponent he could not afford to leave at his back.
After a few exchanges, when a finger wind grazed his left shoulder, the Five Thunders Divine Sword unleashed his secret technique without hesitation. It was the judgment of an expert who realized he could never win if he let the fight drag on.
Crack! Boom! Crack!
His sword qi curved and struck down like falling lightning. The sword qi of the Five Thunders Sword Technique was designed to strike the crown of the head; anyone unfamiliar with such an attack would be killed in a single blow.
Sa Hyo had died before he could properly display his swordsmanship, but the Five Thunders Sword Technique was a supreme martial art modeled after lightning, rivaling the techniques practiced by the Demon Lords.
Zzap! Zzap! Crack!
The sword qi grew even stronger, accompanied by eerie sounds.
The second form was stronger than the lightning of the first, and the third form displayed terrifying power.
Excited to have met strong opponents after so long, the Five Thunders Divine Sword poured out his secret techniques. He laughed like a madman as he unleashed sword form after sword form.
Geom Mu-geuk and the Smiling Demon evaded the downpour of sword qi using their footwork.
The two moved apart and then crossed paths, yielding positions to one another. Having fought together many times, they understood each other’s intentions with just a glance.
The Five Thunders Divine Sword poured his final fifth form toward the Smiling Demon. He had realized from the way they dodged his attacks that Geom Mu-geuk’s footwork was superior. He decided to kill the relatively weaker Smiling Demon first before dealing with Geom Mu-geuk.
Just as the most powerful technique was about to be unleashed—
Geom Mu-geuk and the Smiling Demon’s eyes met. They spoke simultaneously with their gazes.
Now!
Geom Mu-geuk and the Smiling Demon also staked everything on this move.
Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
Violent sword qi poured down like rain toward the Smiling Demon. Even though it was an enemy’s technique, it was a spectacle worthy of admiration.
However, instead of blocking the sword qi falling from the sky, the Smiling Demon unleashed the Demon Extreme Wild Rage Palm toward the Five Thunders Divine Sword.
Rumble!
The Five Thunders Divine Sword’s eyes widened. It was a reaction he hadn't expected at all.
Mutual destruction!
But it wasn't mutual destruction. Thirty-six streaks of sword qi flew toward the attacks aimed at the Smiling Demon.
It was the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, Seventh Form: Flowing Heaven Form, its number of sword qi strands increased by his improved internal energy. Geom Mu-geuk unleashed the maximum number of sword qi strands he could manage.
Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
Swish-swish-swish-swish-swish!
If even one was missed, the Smiling Demon could die!
The Smiling Demon had unleashed his Demon Extreme Wild Rage Palm believing that Geom Mu-geuk would absolutely block the attacks flying toward him.
Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!
Above the Smiling Demon’s head, all the sword qi from the Five Thunders Sword Technique’s fifth form were neutralized and vanished by the Flowing Heaven Form.
The Flowing Heaven Form, executed with his heart and soul, did not miss a single streak of sword qi.
The moment the sword qi were neutralized—
KABOOM!
The Demon Extreme Wild Rage Palm struck the Five Thunders Divine Sword’s body. He couldn't dodge because he had poured everything into his fifth form, so he pushed his Body Protection Qi to its limit.
Caught in the blast of the palm strike, he was sent flying into a stone wall.
Whoosh!
The rising dust began to settle.
Leaning against the wall, the Five Thunders Divine Sword expressed his fury.
I’ll tear you both to pieces!
But he couldn't hear his own words. He felt a sense of confusion. Had his ears been damaged?
Furthermore, in this urgent situation, Geom Mu-geuk and the Smiling Demon were looking at each other.
Why aren't they looking at me? The fight isn't over yet!
The Five Thunders Divine Sword’s gaze instinctively drifted downward.
“!”
Everything below his chest was gone.
The moment he saw it, his torso slid down the wall. The last thing he saw was his own grotesque face reflected in the pool of blood on the ground.
Geom Mu-geuk and the Smiling Demon looked at each other and smiled.
No words were needed. In this moment, the Smiling Demon had become a true "Smiling Demon," his smile incredibly charming.
Geom Mu-geuk found fighting alongside him immensely enjoyable. With him, he felt he could fight on and on until his heart burst.
The final move, in particular, was an attack they could never have attempted without absolute trust in one another. As they continued to fight together, their mutual trust was deepening.
“Let’s recover our internal energy first.”
However, they didn't get the chance.
Crumble!
The wall where the Five Thunders Divine Sword had died collapsed.
“Ah! No!”
Geom Mu-geuk shouted in frustration. If the wall was down, the others would come in, and his plan to kill them one by one would be ruined.
But he didn't need to worry.
As the dust settled, people appeared beyond the collapsed wall. People who shouldn't have arrived yet appeared all at once. They were Ya Yul-han, the Three Evils, the Blood Wheel Calamity, and Cha Hwan.
Ya Yul-han, standing in the center, stepped over the broken wall.
He looked down silently at the bisected corpse of the Five Thunders Divine Sword. A cold aura that could freeze the heart flowed from his body, but his indifferent eyes and expression held no emotion whatsoever.
“Cha Hwan, it seems the gift is no longer necessary, just as you wished.”