Chapter 750: Yeah, You’ve Got a Temper Too, Don’t You?
Chapter 750: Yeah, You’ve Got a Temper Too, Don’t You?
The One Flower Sword Venerable reached out with her snow-white hand.
Sssst.
The cloth that had fallen to the ground flew into her palm. It was the fabric that had been wrapped around the Heaven Extermination Great Blade. She folded it neatly and tucked it into her robes.
“Since you lost the bet, please grant my wish.”
She did not refuse the concession the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had made. She believed that accepting it was the proper way to show him respect.
“Very well.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon pulled the Heaven Extermination Great Blade from the ground and unleashed his demonic energy. Throughout their entire journey, he had kept his power suppressed. Now, he let it roar.
Craaaaack!
The demonic energy tore through the air as it surged forward. At first, the ice on the ground seemed to splinter slowly, but the destruction rapidly accelerated. Soon, a sound like a titan waking from a deep slumber echoed through the air.
Swish!
The demonic energy shredded through space with terrifying momentum, hurtling toward where the Blade King stood. It was the opening salvo—the signal that the battle had begun.
Faced with the threatening surge, the Dark Blood Four Blades pulled their wind-avoiding cloaks tight and raised their Body Protection Qi.
Boom!
The impact of the demonic energy forced them to skid backward. Such was the raw power of the blast.
Whoosh.
The Blade King took the demonic energy head-on, standing his ground. His hair whipped in the wind, and his robes fluttered violently. Even amidst this overwhelming display, his gaze remained fixed past the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, glaring at Geom Mu-geuk with pure hostility.
“Coward.”
It was a mockery, implying that Mu-geuk was hiding behind the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s back. On the surface, it looked like he was provoking Geom Mu-geuk, but in reality, he was insulting the Blood Heaven Blade Demon as well by ignoring the man who had actually launched the attack.
It was a provocation that either man could have reacted to, but unfortunately for the Blade King, his opponent was Geom Mu-geuk.
From behind the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Geom Mu-geuk asked, “Do you have one?”
The Blade King frowned, confused.
“I’m asking if you have someone who makes you look like a ‘coward’ like this. You don’t, do you?”
The Blade King’s face twitched. He had tried to bait his opponent, only to be snared by a counter-provocation.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s back and said, “I only trust our Left Protector.”
To the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, those words carried a hidden message: Don’t get angry.
It wasn’t a plea for him to keep his cool; Mu-geuk trusted that he wouldn’t be swayed by something so trivial. That was the nature of provocations—even when you knew exactly what the enemy was doing and refused to fall for it, the words still grated on the nerves.
Geom Mu-geuk hadn’t even allowed for that much. Since his Young Cult Leader was being so considerate, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon felt he should show a matching level of composure.
“You’re certain the Left Protector is higher, right?”
At his habitual confirmation, Geom Mu-geuk laughed and answered energetically.
“Of course! After the Cult Leader, it’s the Left Protector!”
Listening to their conversation, the Blade King glanced at the silent Sword King standing beside him. The emotion in his eyes was clear: I cannot understand how you can be involved with that Young Cult Leader.
The Sword King stood with his arms crossed, offering no reaction. Neither the Blade King nor the Demon Lords could truly understand his relationship with Geom Mu-geuk.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stepped forward.
Geom Mu-geuk did not intervene. No matter what their goal was or what they had prepared, this was a fight that could not be stopped now that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had stepped up personally.
There were times when one simply had to fight. Masters like himself and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon grew the most when they faced powerful enemies in life-or-death combat.
The opponent was formidable, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was no longer the man he used to be.
Since Mu-geuk’s regression, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s skills had improved through constant training. Furthermore, during this excursion, he had consumed legendary elixirs like the Stalactite Immortal Moss and the Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit.
But what Geom Mu-geuk trusted most was the image of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sitting by a window, reading a book. It was a peaceful daily life that had nothing to do with martial arts, but Mu-geuk believed that the clarity gained from that peace would protect the man now.
Of course, it wasn't a fight where he could afford to relax. His opponent was the Blade King, a man who had once rivaled the Sword King’s skill.
Geom Mu-geuk threw one last provocation at the Blade King.
“Don’t worry. There’s a spot for you among those dolls over there.”
The Blade King’s angular face grew even sharper. It was impossible to imagine a pleasant expression on such a man.
The Sword King watched Geom Mu-geuk in silence. Geom Mu-geuk often said he liked being free, but every time the Sword King saw him like this, a thought occurred to him. Mu-geuk complained about being tied down by worries and human relationships, but he was far freer than anyone else.
True freedom wasn't found in isolation; it was found when one was properly connected to those around them. Just as a bird needs two wings to fly.
The Blade King slowly drew his blade.
“I’ve wanted to clash with you at least once.”
However, the Blade King only drew the red blade from his pair. His eyes overflowed with the confidence and superiority of a man who believed he could kill his opponent with a single sword.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not let that arrogance slide.
“Don’t you need two chopsticks to eat?”
He had been peaceful lately, but his temper had never been ordinary.
Swish!
The two men charged.
Clang!
The Heaven Extermination Great Blade and the Red Blade collided in mid-air. It was a simple clash of steel, but an immense pressure erupted from the impact.
“Old Demon Lord, isn’t that blade getting heavy for you?”
“If it gets too heavy to handle, I’ll just switch to dual blades like you.”
Whoosh!
The Heaven Extermination Great Blade pushed back and sliced through the air.
Clang!
The Red Blade blocked the massive, powerful great blade. The smaller sword held its ground against the giant weapon.
Clash! Clash! Clang!
Sparks flew as the blades met in a blur. It was distinctly different from a sword fight; they lunged at each other with the intent to pulverize anything they hit. A single doubt naturally arose in the minds of those watching: How are those blades not breaking under that kind of power?
With every exchange, the spectators felt a sense of breathless tension.
Swish! Slash!
The Red Blade struck at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in rapid succession. The attacks were blindingly fast, and the trajectories the Red Blade found were always inches away from death—strikes designed to split the opponent’s torso open.
But at the very last moment, the path to death was always cut short.
Clang!
The Heaven Extermination Great Blade was there. It seemed impossible for such a heavy weapon to keep up with that speed, yet the great blade was parrying every single strike.
Clang! Clang! Cra-clang!
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was using his blade like a shield. Utilizing the advantages of a great blade to the fullest, he blocked the opponent’s attacks with minimal movement.
The Blade King’s speed increased. Dozens of blade paths created by the two weapons embroidered the air. Blinding flashes erupted with every collision, and sparks flew like fireworks. They weren't using secret techniques to manifest Gang Qi; they were engaged in a pure battle of momentum, pitting raw strength and speed against each other.
I can kill you with this alone.
It was a battle of pride between two men of the blade.
The blades grazed past their faces. They narrowly dodged strikes that could have taken their heads off. They had to dodge like this to be in a position to block the next attack—an exchange where a single unnecessary movement meant death.
An ordinary master fights their opponent. But a master at the pinnacle of their realm fights their own fear.
The One Flower Sword Venerable, who was watching the fight, turned her head at the quiet heat she felt beside her. Geom Mu-geuk was staring at the battle as if he wanted to pierce through it. With his entire focus concentrated, he was already fighting alongside them in his mind.
She could tell. If a truly dangerous moment came, Geom Mu-geuk would intervene. Even if he were to be scolded by the Blood Heaven Blade Demon later, he would definitely step in. She could feel his burning determination never to let the Blood Heaven Blade Demon die.
And at the same time, Mu-geuk was hoping that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would grow even further through this fight.
Her gaze returned to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He was smiling as he fought.
‘He’s enjoying this.’
The thrill of fighting a truly powerful enemy reached her. It made her want to jump in and fight as well.
‘Brother, we don’t need to miss our youth anymore. Because right now, we are living through a time even more passionate than back then.’
Just as the fierce battle continued, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon launched an unexpected attack. The Blade King couldn't believe his eyes.
‘A thrust with a great blade?’
An unreasonable move always demanded a price. It was an opportunity to deflect the blade and slide along its length to cut the man down in one go! Just as the Blade King was about to move on instinct—
WhirRRRRRR!
The incoming Heaven Extermination Great Blade began to spin. It was rotating at a speed that seemed impossible for such a massive weapon to achieve so suddenly. It tore through the surrounding air as it flew toward his chest.
‘I can’t dodge it!’
In that split second, countless thoughts flashed through the Blade King’s mind. If he simply dodged, he would surely be wounded by the rotation. If he tried to deflect it at an angle, his own blade would be sent flying. It was too late to retreat. A half-hearted evasion would only lead to a greater disaster!
BOOM!
An explosion-like sound erupted. The Heaven Extermination Great Blade stopped in mid-air. The rotation ceased.
Even though his attack had been stopped, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was smiling. It wasn't just the Red Blade that had stopped the great blade. The Blade King’s other hand was now holding the Black Blade. He had been forced to draw it, crossing the two blades to halt the rotation.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon grinned.
“So, you’re using two now?”
Fire seemed to ignite in the Blade King’s eyes. His aura grew even more intense. Sensing that things were about to escalate unpredictably, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to everyone.
“Alright, everyone, let’s move further back.”
Geom Mu-geuk ushered Ji Han, Tae-su, Dan So-jin, and the Unorthodox Path Alliance warrior backward. As he did, he pulled Dan So-jin and the warrior closer to his side. The two men followed Mu-geuk’s lead without protest.
While everyone’s attention was focused on the duel, Dan So-jin discreetly handed something to Geom Mu-geuk. It was a single medicinal pill.
—It is the antidote for the poison you were hit with earlier.
—How can I trust that?
—The man I know is someone who can see the truth. I trust you will make a wise judgment.
Geom Mu-geuk stared at him in silence. It didn't matter if the medicine was actually poison.
—I’ll trust you.
Geom Mu-geuk swallowed the pill. It wasn't poison; it was the genuine antidote.
—I trust you, but do you trust me?
At Mu-geuk’s question—asking if he was truly on their side—Dan So-jin replied.
—If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn't have come here in the first place.
With that final transmission, he said no more.
Why had those people sought this man out? Why was he helping them? And there was one more question: Why had they been told to leave that Unorthodox Path Alliance warrior alive?
The Iron Mask warrior had said so earlier—that he had been ordered to keep him alive. Based on the tone, the one who gave that order wasn't the Sword King, nor was it this Blade King.
‘There is an enemy here who hasn't shown themselves yet.’
Geom Mu-geuk was certain of it. Calling upon both the Sword King and the Blade King meant they were putting everything on the line. There were still enemies remaining. Mu-geuk did not let his guard down. For now, he intended to protect Dan So-jin and the warrior sent by the Alliance Leader as much as possible.
The Blade King spoke coldly.
“Old Demon Lord, you are worthy of facing my dual blades.”
“Yeah, well, acting all high and mighty is for when you’re in your prime. When you get old, it’s too much of a chore.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon never lost a war of words. Geom Mu-geuk attributed this to all the books he had been reading lately.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Blade King charged at each other again.
Clang!
The dual blades blocked the Heaven Extermination Great Blade. The Blade King struck down rapidly with both weapons. The two blades crossed and lunged at terrifying speeds. Two blades beat one—if he didn't believe that, he wouldn't have chosen dual blades in the first place. He was certain he could suppress his opponent.
Yet, the Heaven Extermination Great Blade did not yield.
At the moment their fierce exchange reached its peak—when two forces at full power collided—it wasn't an explosion that erupted, but silence. After a fleeting moment where sound seemed to swallow sound—
KABOOM!
An ear-splitting explosion followed.
Slide.
The one pushed back several steps was the Blade King. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had overwhelmed him with internal energy.
“You were... this strong?”
Surprise colored the Blade King’s dry voice.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had indeed become stronger. He felt an overflowing vitality within his body. It wasn't just a matter of having more internal energy; the energy flowing through him felt young. When the power of vivid youth combined with the seasoned experience of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the effect was staggering. His mind worked faster, and his True Qi moved more fluidly.
‘Right, this is how it felt back then.’
The feeling that he could fight all day without getting tired.
Whooooooo.
The moon engraved on the Red Blade and the sun on the Black Blade in the Blade King’s hands began to glow. He began to unleash an even more powerful aura, the immense energy distorting the surrounding space.
Sssssss.
Tae-su and Ji Han trembled violently. It was the first time they had ever felt such a terrifying aura, one that felt like it would tear their bodies apart. Geom Mu-geuk released his own internal power to protect the four people standing behind him. Without it, they would have suffered internal injuries from the pressure alone.
But the Blood Heaven Blade Demon remained completely unfazed within the swirling storm. Through this aura, he could tell what kind of person the Blade King was: cold, heartless, callous, and cruel. There wasn't a hint of warmth to be found.
“Yeah, you’ve got a temper too, don’t you?”
Demonic energy erupted from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s body. It was a powerful force that couldn't be compared to the energy he had released at the start.
Rumble.
It was a wild, violent demonic energy that neither Geom Mu-geuk nor the One Flower Sword Venerable had ever seen from him. It was the power he had kept hidden from everyone for a long time.
As the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s energy tangled with the Blade King’s aura, the area felt as if it had been transported to the middle of hell.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon rested the massive Heaven Extermination Great Blade on his shoulder and spoke.
“I’m the one who waded through all that filth to get here.”