Chapter 55: Merciless Wind God (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 55: Merciless Wind God (4)
In mid-air, Jin Seong-baek, the Merciless Wind God, split into eight afterimages. Simultaneously, he unleashed a barrage of techniques against the fake Tian Wuxing: fist, palm, kick, finger, claw, blade, sword, and spear.
It was as if eight peerless masters were performing an exquisite combined attack.
"Urgh. You bastard!"
Surrounded by the afterimages, Tian Wuxing swept his sword-focus fingers, creating a whirlwind of sharp killing intent to counter the ultimate moves.
Tian Wuxing’s arms moved so fast it looked as if they, too, had split into eight. Even if he was a fake, his skill was nothing short of phenomenal.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
Though both were clashing with concentrated Qi rather than physical weapons, violent sounds of rending air erupted in the sky. Even as they descended, Jin Seong-baek continued to press him relentlessly.
The sight was such a grand spectacle that everyone fighting in front of the Star Tower momentarily paused to watch.
I didn't know either.
The succession of peerless martial forms was so breathtaking I couldn't close my mouth. Looking at the situation now, Jin Seong-baek actually seemed to have the upper hand.
'Did they use some kind of trickery?'
It was possible. After all, the martial world only knew the fact that he was dead.
I wanted to keep watching this duel between masters of the highest order, but I didn't have the time.
Zzzzzzt!
I infused internal power into the Silver Smoke Thread, causing the line to extend. Then, I began to scale down the wall of the Star Tower.
At the Lesser Conversation Sword’s words, I looked up.
I saw the branch leaders of the Flowing Wave Palm emerging from the hole on the top floor, climbing down the tower's structure. It seemed they were descending that way instead of using the stairs to help Jin Seong-baek.
However, they were bound to be slower than me, as I was sliding down the Silver Smoke Thread.
Clang! Clang!
As I neared the ground, the sound of clashing weapons rang in my ears. The forces of both sides, which had been momentarily distracted by the two peerless masters, were clashing violently once again.
Then, a shout erupted.
"It's him! Catch that one-eyed brat!"
One-eyed?
Are they talking about me?
While I was wondering, someone lunged at me just as I was about to touch the ground.
"Die!"
The man was wearing the uniform of the Mucheonjeong Sect.
The moment I saw him, I retracted the Silver Smoke Thread and drew the Namcheon Iron Sword, parrying his strike.
Clang!
Immediately, I snapped a kick into his jaw. With a sharp cry, the man was sent flying backward.
They must have given orders to kill me if I tried to escape.
Even without the Lesser Conversation Sword’s warning, I felt a shimmering light aiming for the blind spot covered by my eyepatch.
'Tch!'
I twisted my body slightly and leaped backward. A bearded middle-aged man was unfolding a sharp sword technique toward me.
'He's strong.'
He seemed to be an expert on the level of a branch leader from the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect. He targeted the vital points on my left side with sword forms far more exquisite than the others.
Since this was a chaotic battlefield anyway...
'Hidden Convergence Void Sword!'
The second move of the True Life Bright Sword Technique: Hidden Convergence Void Sword. It was a technique that countered the opponent's attack with explosive momentum.
With every exchange, I met the tip of his sword using the Principle of Adherence.
"This brat...?"
The man looked quite surprised.
But he shouldn't be surprised yet. The true essence of the Hidden Convergence Void Sword didn't end there.
While the standard version focused on countering the force within the sword form, the True version involved parrying every strike and then forcibly prying open a gap in the opponent's defense.
Thuck!
In rapid succession, I stabbed the man in the chest and collarbone.
"Gah!"
With a scream, he staggered and collapsed. Although he was a branch leader-level expert, I had reached a realm where I could contend with Blood Stars or Venerable Ones once I opened my Middle Dantian.
Unless it was a leader of one of the high-ranking sects within Peerless Fortress, I wouldn't be defeated easily.
'I know.'
I attempted to use my lightness skill to head toward the Mucheonjeong Star Tower. However, Mucheonjeong warriors who spotted me blocked my path.
It seemed I would have to break through all of them to pass. If there were any tall buildings nearby, I could have used the Silver Smoke Thread to travel above, but there were no such structures around the tower.
'Whew.'
Nothing else for it. I’d have to make active use of the Golden Eye.
I slightly lifted the eyepatch covering my eye. As the area previously covered was now only veiled by my eyelid, the flow of energy became even more vivid.
The path to breaking through was to target those with the weakest energy.
Swish!
I lunged toward that opening and began attacking the warriors with irresistible force. They rushed in to stop me, but by focusing my breakthrough on the weakest links, I was able to move forward without much trouble.
I tried to refrain from killing whenever possible, but since they were trying to kill me, there was no need for mercy. I aimed for their brows, throats, and hearts.
Slash!
"Agh!"
As I cut through the warriors like an Asura, blood splattered across my body. Perhaps because of that, the enemies stopped recklessly charging at me after a certain point.
I was only grateful for the reprieve. It was while I was halfway through the breakthrough.
Flinch!
I felt a massive surge of energy that stimulated my Qi sense. Looking in that direction, I saw a half-white-haired old man whose internal circulation paths were shimmering with intense light—not quite at the level of the Eight Great Masters, but close. He was flying toward me.
The old man swung his sword with enough force to cleave my torso in two.
Clang!
I hurriedly blocked his blade. The moment our swords collided, we were both pushed back about three steps.
A strange light flickered in the old man's eyes.
"Not bad."
Judging by his attire, he didn't seem to be from the Mucheonjeong Sect. Given that his internal power was similar to mine when my Middle Dantian was open, he was an expert close to the peak of the Supreme Peak Realm.
"Who are you, elder?"
At my question, the old man gave a sickening smirk.
"When my Senior Brother said he wanted you as a disciple, I wondered just how great your martial talent was. To think you've reached such a realm at your age... it is truly surprising."
'Senior Brother?'
Could he be talking about the fake Tian Wuxing?
Just in case, I asked the old man.
"By 'Senior Brother,' do you mean the fake Muchen Sword Emperor?"
At those words, the corners of the old man's mouth curled up. The fact that he reacted that way despite knowing the man was a fake meant he wasn't the Junior Brother of the real Muchen Sword Emperor, but the Junior Brother of the person inside that shell.
"......So you're in league with him too."
"You're quick-witted. I suppose that's how you escaped my Senior Brother's clutches. But your luck ends here."
The old man aimed his sword at me. Sharp killing intent shimmered at the tip of his blade. While he wasn't a master who had 'broken the wall' like the fake Muchen Sword Emperor, he was strong enough to hold his own against a Blood Star or a Venerable One.
'Damn it.'
Dealing with this man might take dozens of exchanges. The longer the fight dragged on, the more Baek Hye-hyang's life would be in danger.
As if reading my mind, the man spoke.
"By now, the fellow I sent to kill the girl should have reached the Star Tower. Hehehe."
He was deliberately trying to make me anxious. He was just as cunning as the fake Muchen Sword Emperor. Rather than continuing to trade words with him, the best answer was to finish him as quickly as possible.
Just as I was about to take a starting stance...
'Huh?'
I heard the familiar ringing of a sword from behind me. Then, a voice followed.
"You're in a hurry, aren't you?"
The owner of the voice was none other than Lee Jeong-gyeom, the joint successor of the Eight Great Masters. It seemed he had also descended from the top floor of the Star Tower.
Stepping up beside me, he said, "All sorts of things are happening just when I was starting to have some fun."
"Brother... Lee."
Lee Jeong-gyeom drew his precious sword from the blue scabbard at his waist.
"Leave this old man to me and go save your sweetheart."
I almost choked on my own spit. I frowned and replied.
"......She is not my sweetheart."
"Ah, is that so? You seemed ready to risk your life to save her, so I misunderstood. Well, what does it matter? The important thing is that you're saving someone."
With those words, Lee Jeong-gyeom leveled his sword at the half-white-haired old man. This guy had no connection to this affair; I couldn't understand why he was suddenly helping me.
When I looked at him questioningly, he gave a playful grin.
"If something happens to Brother Ha, the third exam will end far too boringly."
Was that the only reason? In a situation where we didn't even know if the exam would be held again, he said such things. He must really want to duel me.
Whatever his motives, the situation was too dire to refuse his kindness.
"I will repay this debt later."
"No need to call it a debt."
I bowed my head slightly as a sign of gratitude. Watching us, the old man's face contorted in irritation. He let out a roar and lunged forward.
"Who said I'd let you go!"
He aimed for me, but Lee Jeong-gyeom blocked his path with a swift movement technique. It appeared to be the Wudang Sect's renowned Body Technique Cloud Stepping.
"Your opponent is me, old man."
"You arrogant brat, how dare you!"
The old man unleashed an ultimate move, trying to break through Lee Jeong-gyeom. Lee Jeong-gyeom smirked and drew a circle with his sword, parrying the old man's technique. That swordplay, a perfect harmony of softness and strength, seemed to be the Wudang Sect's Taiji Sword Technique.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
I had been worried because the old man was so strong, but Lee Jeong-gyeom didn't give an inch. It seemed I didn't need to worry about him.
With that, I hurriedly used my lightness skill to head toward the Mucheonjeong Star Tower visible in the distance.
*
The Star Towers of the Four Great Martial Sects within Peerless Fortress.
None of the four towers had the same number of floors or the same shape. In the case of the Mucheonjeong Sect, the Star Tower had seven floors. Except for special circumstances, no one but the Sect Leader was allowed to enter the seventh floor.
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
A man in black martial robes was hurriedly climbing the stairs to the fifth floor of the Mucheonjeong Star Tower. When he reached the sixth floor, two middle-aged men in gray light armor were guarding the stairs leading to the seventh.
"What is it?"
As the man in black approached, they blocked his path and asked. The man in black showed them the Mucheonjeong Sect Leader's medallion and spoke.
"It is his command. Since the first plan failed, he orders the life of the imprisoned girl to be snuffed out."
"So it fell through in the end."
"It did."
"Understood. I'll go handle it."
One of the middle-aged men, who had a scar near his mouth, volunteered.
"You mean you, the Left Guard Commander?"
"Does it matter, as long as she ends up dead?"
Watching him smirk, the other middle-aged man in gray armor clicked his tongue.
"That foul hobby of yours is as persistent as ever. Are you planning to use your lower half before you kill her?"
"She's a bitch who's going to die anyway, so what does it matter?"
"Tsk, tsk."
"Mind your own business. I'll be back down as soon as I'm done."
The man called the Left Guard Commander climbed the stairs in high spirits. Reaching the seventh floor, the summit of the Mucheonjeong Star Tower, he familiarly followed the corridor.
He opened a heavy black iron door. Inside was a cell with black iron bars. Chained to the wall inside were the arms of a woman in black iron shackles.
That woman was Baek Hye-hyang.
Her clothes were bloodstained, and her tied hair had come undone, hanging limply.
"Tough bitch."
The Left Guard Commander shook his head at the sight of her. Blood was trickling from both of Baek Hye-hyang's wrists where they were shackled. It was easy to guess how violently she had struggled to break free.
'Her internal energy is sealed, yet she's as venomous as they come.'
The moment he entered, she glared at him with eyes full of malice. He knew she had undergone quite a bit of torture, including Tendon Severing and Bone Crushing, at the hands of the Muchen Sword Emperor, but the light in her eyes was still very much alive.
'Well, it doesn't matter. She's going to die anyway.'
Ever since she was brought in, he had lusted after her seductive appearance. It was a perfect opportunity, as the Muchen Sword Emperor wasn't around.
Opening the iron bars and stepping inside, he said, "Hey, girl. It's time for your torture."
She snorted in derision. The Left Guard Commander shook his head.
"Let's see how long that arrogant attitude lasts."
"Do your worst."
At Baek Hye-hyang's words, the Left Guard Commander gave a greasy smile.
"This time will be different. You'll be screaming in a very different kind of pain."
The Left Guard Commander began to unbuckle the belt at his waist. Baek Hye-hyang, who had been watching him intently, suddenly wore a strange smile and spoke.
"I suppose that 'different kind of pain' is something you'll provide with your lower half?"
The Left Guard Commander frowned at her reaction, which was entirely different from what he had expected. He had anticipated violent resistance or a similar response. But what was this?
"If you want to hear that 'different kind of scream' from me, you'll have to satisfy me quite a bit."
Baek Hye-hyang slightly spread her legs. At this, the Left Guard Commander’s mouth curled up as he approached her.
"This bitch knows how to impress me."
There was no reason not to be pleased if she wasn't going to resist. Baek Hye-hyang licked her upper lip with her tongue and spoke in a sultry voice.
"I'd like it if you took off my trousers with your own hands."
"Hehehe. Of course, I should take them off for you."
Excited, the Left Guard Commander approached her and reached for the waistband of her trousers.
It was at that exact moment.
Baek Hye-hyang's legs whipped up and coiled around his neck.
"Gack! You—you bitch!"
The Left Guard Commander tried to circulate his internal energy to pry her legs apart. But her legs didn't budge an inch.
"Your—your internal energy...?"
Amazingly, Baek Hye-hyang's internal energy restriction had been broken. As his throat was squeezed tighter and tighter, the Left Guard Commander's face turned pale blue.
"Guh... ack..."
"What, can't breathe?"
She twisted her hips to the side.
Crack!
His neck snapped. The Left Guard Commander died without even being able to scream. Looking down at the dead man, Baek Hye-hyang muttered.
"You shouldn't play around with your lower half so recklessly."