Chapter 236: That Is Why This Fight Is Difficult.
Chapter 236: That Is Why This Fight Is Difficult.
Clatter.
A dish fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master stared down at the porcelain shards in a heavy silence.
“Are you alright?”
Seo Dae-ryong, who had been carrying ingredients into the kitchen, asked in surprise.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
As she reached down to pick up the shards, Seo Dae-ryong stepped forward to stop her.
“Leave it be. I’ll clean it up.”
This was a safe house belonging to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. They were temporarily housing the owners of the entertainment houses who had been rescued from Yeo Bul-gae. Thanks to the diligent care of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master, the women had regained much of their stability.
The Pavilion Master had been a beacon of cheer throughout their stay, but today, her expression was uncharacteristically dark.
“Is something the matter?”
After a brief pause, she answered softly.
“I had a bad dream.”
Seo Dae-ryong knew from Geom Mu-geuk that she was no ordinary woman. He knew her dreams couldn't be dismissed as mere nonsense, yet he spoke to her as if he were oblivious.
“Don’t they say dreams are the opposite of reality?”
“They do, don’t they?”
She forced a smile, but her expression remained clouded. Perhaps those ominous dreams of hers had always been right.
Then, Seo Dae-ryong spoke up abruptly.
“It won’t work.”
“Pardon?”
“I know from the Pavilion Master that you are no ordinary person. I also know it might be rude of me to say this, but I must. That bad dream... it won’t work on our Pavilion Master. And if it doesn’t work on him, it won’t work on Lord Smiling Demon either.”
Seo Dae-ryong crouched down and began to clear away the broken porcelain.
“Before I met the Second Young Master, my life was like this broken dish. I had a hideous appearance and a dark, twisted personality.”
His face was reflected in a shard he picked up. Seo Dae-ryong felt that the distorted image, where only his silhouette was vaguely visible, was a perfect reflection of his past self.
“No one considered me important, and I thought of myself as worthless. But after meeting the Pavilion Master, my life changed. I might still be nothing more than a broken dish in someone else’s eyes, but I believe I am a vessel that is surely useful somewhere.”
Seo Dae-ryong gathered the rest of the shards and stood up.
“Actually, I’m being humble; I think I’m more than that. The Second Young Master mended this broken dish and turned me into a piece of fine porcelain.”
He had become the disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and might even become the next Huangquan Pavilion Master.
“He is someone who can take a life like mine and make it like this. That is why bad dreams won’t work on the Second Young Master.”
A smile finally touched the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master’s face.
“Yes. They won’t work.”
Seo Dae-ryong carried the broken pieces outside. The Poison King was digging in a corner of the yard. Seeing him working around a uniquely shaped flower, it seemed some kind of venomous snake or insect lived near it.
Dae-ryong usually avoided speaking to him out of fear, but today he approached.
“The Pavilion Master said she had a bad dream. Her dreams are usually quite accurate.”
Without looking up, the Poison King replied.
“I’ll drive the carriage when we return to the Cult, so you can go and help them if you want.”
“Ah, well... dreams aren't always right.”
One thing still puzzled Seo Dae-ryong. Why hadn't Geom Mu-geuk asked the Poison King to go with him in the first place?
Was it to protect the Pavilion Master and the rescued women? That was important, but the fight against Ya Yul-han was a matter of life and death.
Right then, as if he had read Seo Dae-ryong’s mind, the Poison King spoke.
“You’re curious, aren’t you? Why the Second Young Master didn’t ask for my help?”
“Yes, honestly, I am.”
The Poison King answered while intently observing a bug in the dirt.
“Because killing Ya Yul-han isn't his only objective.”
Seo Dae-ryong looked surprised. “Is there another goal?”
The Poison King looked at him. Seo Dae-ryong didn't dare meet those clear eyes that looked much younger than his own.
“Aren't you his right hand? Then you should know.”
“I’m a right-hand man who isn't particularly bright when it comes to these things.”
“I heard you entered the Huangquan Pavilion at the top of your class?”
Seo Dae-ryong was startled. “The Pavilion Master told you even that?”
“Your Pavilion Master has quite a lot to say.”
Seo Dae-ryong felt a surge of pride and happiness for no reason.
“So? What do you think?”
After a short silence, Seo Dae-ryong spoke.
“I’m always just surprised by what the Pavilion Master does, so how could I know his inner thoughts? However, looking at him, I sometimes wonder... why does he go this far? Why does he try to become so strong?”
Seo Dae-ryong continued, staring at the Poison King who was still digging for something.
“Is he looking at something beyond just becoming the successor? I get that feeling sometimes. Just where is the Pavilion Master looking?”
The Poison King turned to him and asked, “Why are you asking me that?”
“Ah! You’re right. My apologies.”
Seo Dae-ryong bowed politely and hurried away.
“I’ll go help the Pavilion Master prepare the meal.”
He ran back into the building. The Poison King seemed lost in thought for a moment before he began digging in the dirt again.
*
Ya Yul-han was confused.
When he first saw the corpse of the Five Thunders Divine Sword, he thought he had been killed by an assassin sent by the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader. Surprisingly, it was the work of the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon, accompanied by a young master of unknown identity.
The Alliance Leader joined hands with the Demonic Cult?
He couldn't understand it. The Alliance Leader he knew was not the type of person to join hands with the Demonic Cult, even if it was to get rid of him.
Then that means the Demonic Cult intervened on their own, regardless of the Alliance Leader. But why?
In the course of doing business in the Murim, there could be conflicts with the Demonic Cult. However, there had never been a conflict serious enough to warrant a life-and-death struggle like this.
Ya Yul-han’s gaze turned toward Geom Mu-geuk. The movements the opponent had shown while dealing with the Three Evils earlier were truly a display of magnificent divine power. He’s so young, yet his movements are better than the Smiling Demon’s? How is that possible?
“I have never heard of someone like you being in the Demonic Cult.”
Ya Yul-han failed to realize Geom Mu-geuk’s true identity. As the second-in-command of the Unorthodox Path Alliance, he naturally received various reports from spies. Those reports certainly included the fact that the Second Young Master of the Demonic Cult had recently begun to distinguish himself.
However, at this moment, it didn't occur to him that the young man before him was the Second Young Master. First of all, his martial arts were too superior for his age, and the son of the Heavenly Demon would never personally undertake such a dangerous task.
He assumed the youth was a secret weapon raised by the Cult, or perhaps a master who had achieved Rejuvenation.
“I told you, we’re not from the Demonic Cult. We are grim reapers specially sent by King Yama.”
At Mu-geuk’s mockery, an aura like a swirling blizzard erupted from Ya Yul-han’s body.
This was Ya Yul-han’s pressure. It was a chill that froze the marrow; when fear was added to this aura, the opponent would die without even being able to lift a finger.
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk did not stop provoking him.
“With this much cold, I suppose it’ll feel a bit less hot when you step into the fires of hell?”
Continuing to provoke even in this urgent situation meant he acknowledged his opponent’s strength. One could tell Ya Yul-han’s skill just by his aura. The battle would be decided by a single choice, a single mistake.
Ya Yul-han spoke.
“I’ll have to take you with me. If I have someone as annoying as you around, I feel like I could even extinguish the fires of hell.”
Cha Hwan, who had retreated to the back because his martial arts were relatively weak, was shocked.
It was his first time seeing Ya Yul-han say such things to an opponent. He knew the young brat was strong from what he’d seen, but he hadn't realized he was this strong. If it was such a close fight...
I must play a major role.
His heart pounded. The desire to achieve merit by any means possessed him. He would jump in when he saw an opening—at the decisive moment!
This time, the Blood Wheel Calamity chuckled and spoke to the Smiling Demon.
“I never thought the Blood Wheel would get to taste the blood of the Smiling Demon.”
The Smiling Demon showed no reaction. This total disregard made the Blood Wheel Calamity feel somewhat embarrassed.
“Arrogant Demonic Cult bastards, the lot of you.”
He was confident he could defeat the Smiling Demon. He had noticed that the wound the Smiling Demon received from Ya Yul-han’s surprise attack earlier was deep. Normally, he was a step below a Demon Lord, but in this situation, he had a good chance of winning.
Furthermore, the Smiling Demon’s internal energy consumption was higher. He had used his energy while dealing with the Five Thunders Divine Sword and his disciple earlier.
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted to the Smiling Demon’s blood-soaked arm. The fact that blood was still seeping out despite him pressing his pressure points to stop the bleeding meant the wound was deep.
I have to end this fight as quickly as possible.
However, fighting recklessly would only lead to death at Ya Yul-han’s hands. He had to be urgent but not show it; he had to give it his all but finish it as fast as possible. That was why this fight was difficult.
“By the way, your Alliance Leader won’t be happy if you mess with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Will you be alright?”
Mu-geuk threw out words to shake his enemies' hearts.
Ya Yul-han asked, “I thought you said you weren't from the Cult?”
“We’re not. But who else but us would try to get rid of you?”
“Why is the Demonic Cult trying to kill me?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re dying.”
“You’ll be the one dying first. So tell me now.”
“I don’t want to.”
For the first time in a very long while, Ya Yul-han felt the emotion of irritation. No one in his life had dared to annoy him. Even if they had, they would already be lying as corpses.
But Ya Yul-han soon mastered his emotions.
“Fine. I’ll hear it when you die.”
Seeing those calm eyes, Geom Mu-geuk also steadied his heart. A provocation stratagem wouldn't work on Ya Yul-han at all. He had to kill him with pure skill.
Whirrrrrrrr!
The Blood Wheel sliced through the air, and the battle between the Smiling Demon and the Blood Wheel Calamity began.
The Smiling Demon lightly dodged the Blood Wheel as it flew rapidly through the void. Simultaneously, the Smiling Demon lunged toward the Blood Wheel Calamity.
Swish!
Whoosh!
At that moment, two streaks of sword qi tore through the air at the same time.
It was Ya Yul-han’s sword qi trying to block the Smiling Demon’s approach, and Geom Mu-geuk’s sword qi trying to neutralize it.
Boom!
The moment the sword qi collided in mid-air!
Ping!
The Smiling Demon’s finger wind was unleashed, and the returning Blood Wheel tried to strike the back of the Smiling Demon’s head.
The Smiling Demon twisted his body to dodge the Blood Wheel, and the Blood Wheel Calamity also threw himself aside to avoid the Blood Calamity Finger.
After the tense first exchange ended, a heavy silence fell over the area. It was a neck-and-neck battle where the outcome was uncertain.
Geom Mu-geuk made a judgment.
This kind of fight is disadvantageous.
Because Ya Yul-han could discard the Blood Wheel Calamity at any time, but he could never discard the Smiling Demon.
The moment he reached that conclusion, Mu-geuk flew toward Ya Yul-han.
He decided not to worry about the Smiling Demon’s injury. Worrying about him was wrong to begin with. He had to trust him.
And if he truly cared for the Smiling Demon, he had to focus on his own fight and kill Ya Yul-han as quickly as possible instead of offering half-hearted concern. He would make sure Ya Yul-han never dared to fire sword qi at the Smiling Demon again.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sword light created by Mu-geuk and Ya Yul-han flashed in the air so fast it was invisible to the eye.
The two were incredibly fast. One moment they were clashing on the left, and the next they were exchanging blows on the right. Their movements were as if they were teleporting through space at will.
Mu-geuk’s pure white sword light and Ya Yul-han’s azure sword light collided countless times.
Clash! Clash! Clash!
The two soared into the air, their swords clashing. The flashing sword light in the sky looked like fireworks celebrating this incredible battle.
They leaped down from the air and fought while running across the rooftops. Even while running, their swords clashed endlessly. The sword light continued to flash until they dropped from the roof onto the top of a wall.
The duel between the Flying Heaven Sword Technique at Twelve-Star Great Achievement and the Primordial Spectral Sword Art at Twelve-Star Great Achievement was truly a battle between a dragon and a tiger.
As the fierce battle continued, Mu-geuk momentarily injected more internal energy into the Black Demonic Sword.
Blood sprayed from Ya Yul-han’s mouth at the unexpected surge of power. But before those droplets of blood could hit the ground, a sword flew through them.
Slash!
Blood splattered from Mu-geuk’s side.
Injecting more internal energy in the midst of such a rapid battle had been a strain, and reckless attacks always came with a price. Ya Yul-han’s skill was indeed worthy of the second-in-command of the Unorthodox Path Alliance.
They were neither surprised by nor impressed with each other. They focused only on the fight. They knew from the exchange just now that the moment their attention wavered, they would die.
The moment the distance between the two widened slightly!
Ya Yul-han unleashed his first secret technique.
Shshshshsh!
Ya Yul-han’s form split into ten, surrounding Geom Mu-geuk. This clone technique was the Ten Illusion Soul-Splitting Technique, one of the essences of the Primordial Spectral Sword Art.
Shuaaaaaa.
At the same time, thirty-six sword-shaped constructs of sword qi surrounded Mu-geuk.
It was the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, Seventh Form: Flowing Heaven Form. It wasn't the usual Flowing Heaven Form. Instead of splitting in front of his chest, the blades now formed a circle around his body.
A martial art that had reached Twelve-Star Great Achievement was maturing further, revealing a new realm.
The moment the illusions lunged all at once, ten of the floating sword qi blades flew out in all directions.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sword qi and illusions collided and vanished, and the real Ya Yul-han swung his sword to neutralize the sword qi flying toward him.
Twenty-six sword qi blades remained after the illusions were destroyed!
Like hidden weapons fired from a mechanical trap, the sword qi blades shot toward Ya Yul-han all at once.
Whish! Whish! Whish!
Cha Hwan, who was watching, stood with his mouth agape. He had never seen or heard of such divine power in his life.
And what met that divine power was yet another display of it.
Boom! Boom! Crash!
The incoming sword qi blades were blocked by something and collided.
It was a sword wall. But not just any sword wall. It was a wall of sword qi as cold as a wall of ice—the Azure Cold Ice Wall, another essence of the Primordial Spectral Sword Art.
Ssssh.
As the wall of sword qi vanished like melting snow, Ya Yul-han appeared behind it. His eyes were glowing blue like a demon’s, and he was exuding a terrible killing intent.
The Black Demonic Sword began to let out a long wail at his momentum, signaling that the real fight was beginning.
Wooooooo!
Geom Mu-geuk gripped the Black Demonic Sword tightly and walked toward that horrific killing intent.
Friend, let’s hold on just a little longer!
It was a message meant for both of his friends.