Chapter 709: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (17)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 709: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (17)
Back when Tang Soyeol could still count the number of times she had died...
The Dark King spoke to her while she was drenched in a cold sweat.
“Do you know what you fear most?”
The Ruler of the Night. The King of Assassins.
At the question from the man who stood closest to death, Tang Soyeol raised her head.
What did she fear most?
“…Is it death?”
Death. The end of life.
She offered it as a guess, but the Dark King, maintaining his characteristic impassiveness, replied.
“Wrong.”
The penalty for an incorrect answer was severe.
Slice—!
The Dark King’s dagger carved through Tang Soyeol’s neck.
Thud!
The moment her severed head hit the ground—
“Gasp…!”
She jerked awake again, as if it had all been a nightmare.
“Gasp… Hah. Sob…!”
Watching Tang Soyeol weep in terror, the Dark King spoke.
“Still not enough.”
“Wai—!”
Starting with those words, she died a hundred more times.
Eventually, Tang Soyeol’s expression vanished. She no longer sobbed in fear.
However.
“I will ask again. What do you think you fear most?”
She still didn’t know the answer.
She no longer feared death. That meant death was not the answer. Then what on earth could it be?
Even then, Tang Soyeol could not answer.
“Not yet.”
The Dark King nodded.
Slice—.
And death repeated itself once more.
How many more times did she die? Eventually, she lost count. She had kept count until five hundred; after that, she stopped. It was just a mindless repetition of question and answer.
“Do you know?”
She answered that she didn't. She experienced death again.
“Do you know?”
She felt she had a vague idea. But because it wasn't a complete understanding, she continued to meet her end.
“Do you know?”
She didn’t know the answer to his question, but she had learned many other things. She learned where a person had to be stabbed to die instantly. Conversely, she learned where to strike so they wouldn't die, but only feel agonizing pain.
She hadn’t studied it. Through endless repetition, she had memorized it all.
But still, she could not answer the Dark King’s question.
The number of deaths became uncountable. By the time she had grown numb to the end and it no longer fazed her—
“A pity.”
The Dark King’s voice returned to its normal tone as he spoke different words to Tang Soyeol.
“You are slower than I expected.”
“...”
Did he mean she was slow in finding the answer?
With lifeless eyes, Tang Soyeol stared at the Dark King. His face was expressionless, but for some reason, she could feel a sense of disappointment radiating from him.
“Will you give up?”
“…No… I won’t…. I… can do it….”
The Dark King often urged Tang Soyeol to give up. Each time, she replied that she could do it. She couldn't give up on this. This was the only chance she had left. If she lost this as well, it would be better to truly die.
“Hmm.”
Hearing her answer, the Dark King seemed to ponder for a moment.
“Very well.”
He gave a slight nod.
“From now on, you have exactly ten chances. If you cannot find the answer within them...”
The Dark King’s dagger plunged into Tang Soyeol’s heart. Pain no longer meant anything to her, and Tang Soyeol slowly began to let go of her consciousness.
“I will kill Gu Yangcheon, the one you hold so dear.”
“…!”
The voice piercing her ears in that moment made Tang Soyeol cling to her consciousness with everything she had.
“Gurgle….”
Blood flowed. In the throes of death, her eyes shot open.
“What… did you just….”
“You’d best find the answer. You don’t have many chances left.”
The Dark King’s expression was resolute, showing no intention of listening to her pleas.
And so, hell began.
“Do you know?”
She had already tried every possible answer long ago. What else could be left? In a situation like this, there were few things Tang Soyeol could do.
“Young Master Gu has nothing to do with this…! Why?!”
“That is not the answer.”
A dagger pierced her head, and she met her death.
“Please… please…. Don’t touch him. I—I’ll find the answer somehow…. N-no, I’ll do anything. Please…!”
She tried persuasion; she even grabbed his legs and begged. Each time, his response was the same.
“I’ll kill you…! If you touch him, I swear I’ll kill you!”
She even charged at the Dark King, brandishing a dagger with all her might. As expected, the result was the same.
“I’m telling you I’m right! I’m telling you, this is what I fear—!!”
Nothing worked. Just like that, she used up eight of her chances.
And so, the ninth.
“…Sob… Haaa….”
She desperately tried to think of the answer. It wasn’t death, nor was it despair. It wasn’t poverty, nor was it sacrifice.
Then what was it? Panic set in. She didn’t care if she died dozens or hundreds of times. But not him. He couldn’t be involved in this.
Squeeze!
Blood dripped from Tang Soyeol’s clenched fist. She had squeezed it so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
‘Please, please, please… please!’
She felt no pain. Her eyes bloodshot, Tang Soyeol stared at the Dark King. She had to find the answer. What was the answer? What answer would satisfy the Dark King?
What on earth was it that she feared most?
Tang Soyeol repeated the question to herself endlessly. Even so, the Dark King slowly approached her. He knelt on one knee and met her gaze.
“Do you know?”
A question she had heard thousands of times. Tang Soyeol’s pupils trembled uncontrollably. This time, too, she failed to answer. It felt as if no matter what she said, it wouldn't reach him.
“I see. It seems you do not know.”
The Dark King once again began to move his dagger slowly. Watching the blade extend toward her, Tang Soyeol thought: What am I afraid of right now?
It wasn’t death or pain. Was she afraid of losing Gu Yangcheon? Yes. She was terrified.
If so, was what she feared losing someone precious? Or perhaps…
‘Am I afraid of myself, who can do nothing while I lose him?’
Of herself, unable to offer any help as he faded away. Of herself, unable to do anything at all while she lost him.
Could that be what she feared?
The moment that thought crossed her mind—
Halt.
The Dark King’s dagger, which had been about to slice her neck, stopped.
“I will ask again.”
The question came. Her body trembling, Tang Soyeol looked at him.
“Do you know?”
“...”
The same voice, the same question. The fear of loss. Crushed by it, Tang Soyeol heard the question and, without realizing it, uttered the word.
“Powerlessness….”
The powerlessness of being unable to do anything.
As she spoke, a tear fell from the one eye that had not yet turned green. Yes, what she feared was powerlessness. Not death, not pain. Just the wretched feeling festering inside her. That was all it was.
“Hmm.”
Hearing that, the Dark King withdrew his dagger.
“Is that your fear?”
At his words, Tang Soyeol’s eyes widened.
“Is… is this the right answer?”
The situation made no sense. She had already said ‘powerlessness’ back when she was dying thousands of times. She must have said it countless times. She had tried similar words, and she had said that exact word before.
But back then, the Dark King had killed her, saying it wasn't the answer. Why was he backing down now?
To her question, the Dark King replied.
“There is a difference between saying a word and truly understanding it.”
To have recognized it versus not. What difference did that make? The Tang Soyeol of that time did not know. By the time she understood the Dark King’s words, both her eyes had turned green.
Only then did the Dark King finally permit Tang Soyeol to complete her training.
“What… What is that?”
“What is that thing?”
The crowd murmured, reacting to the event unfolding on the arena stage. Only a few seconds had passed since the Poison Phoenix of the Tang Clan and the Oil Bullet Sword had begun their duel.
Everyone was bewildered by the black barrier that had suddenly enveloped the space above. Was it a martial art? Because its nature was unknown, even the judge outside the stage debated whether to intervene.
Just then—
Swoosh!
The black barrier, which had persisted for over a minute, vanished. The figures of the two people inside were revealed once more.
“Huh.”
“Hmm?”
Those who saw them reacted with surprise. The two on the stage were just as they had been. Surprisingly, neither of them had a single scratch. Had they not fought at all?
As that question arose—
“Gack—!”
Suddenly, the Oil Bullet Sword coughed up blood and fell to his knees.
“What the—?!”
“The Oil Bullet Sword collapsed?”
“What in the…?”
Everyone was shocked. It was an unexpected situation. Everyone had predicted the Poison Phoenix would lose, but instead, she stood there calmly, simply watching the Oil Bullet Sword.
“Keuh… Cough…. Cough!”
The Oil Bullet Sword spat up blood repeatedly. There were no external wounds, yet he grimaced as if in great pain.
Tang Soyeol opened her mouth and spoke to him.
“Only four times.”
“…!”
At her words, a look of terror spread across the Oil Bullet Sword’s face.
“At best, you could only endure it four times.”
“You… you bitch!”
“Don’t be such a baby. You were clinging to me and begging, so I even took pity on you and let you go, didn’t I?”
“What kind of witchcraft did you use?!”
“Who knows.”
At the Oil Bullet Sword’s cry, a smirk touched Tang Soyeol’s lips. Seeing that smile, his body froze.
What had he just experienced? As he tried to recall, his body began to tremble uncontrollably. It should have happened just moments ago, but his memory was strangely hazy. All that remained was a tingling fear. The Oil Bullet Sword couldn’t properly grasp his own condition.
In that situation—
“Get a grip, Senior.”
Tang Soyeol spoke to him.
“It’s no fun if it ends just like that. And I wouldn’t have been able to show you anything, so I went easy on you. You should be a little more on edge.”
Her smile was beautiful, but the Oil Bullet Sword no longer found her pretty. His guard shot up. Fear, rather than fighting spirit, began to envelop his body.
“…You monstrous… bitch.”
The curse slipped out unconsciously. But it seemed to have no effect on Tang Soyeol.
“Thank you for the compliment. So, are you not going to fight anymore?”
Grind!
At her mocking words, the Oil Bullet Sword shrouded his blade in Qi. An unknown fear had momentarily seized his mind, but he was still a martial artist of the Fusion Realm. He could suppress such emotions.
Barely collecting himself, he said to her, “I don’t know what trick you pulled, but if it didn’t work, then you’re finished, bitch.”
If it had worked, she should have finished him on the spot. Since she hadn’t, that wench had no hope. Thinking so, the Oil Bullet Sword unleashed a powerful aura.
“Hoo-wook!”
A clear, refreshing Sword Qi permeated his blade. He swung it at Tang Soyeol.
Fwoooosh—!!!
Ricocheting Shadow Slash.
A beautiful stream of internal energy formed from his aura flew rapidly toward Tang Soyeol. It was the technique that had earned him the title of Oil Bullet Sword. Contrary to its beautiful appearance—like a crescent moon soaring through the sky—the destructive power it contained was on another level.
Kwagagagak!
The slash swept across the arena. Seeing this, Tang Soyeol tilted her head. It was a gesture reminiscent of someone.
And then—
Fwoosh!
“…!”
Before the slash could reach her, Tang Soyeol’s movement technique vanished from the Oil Bullet Sword’s sight.
‘What…?’
Where in the world did she disappear to in this wide-open space? The Oil Bullet Sword hurriedly tried to locate her presence.
“Really.”
Tang Soyeol’s soft voice came from right in front of him. No, a little lower than his front. Near his lower body.
The Oil Bullet Sword immediately looked down and tried to move his sword again, but—
“The next people have to use this stage, too. What are they going to do if you mess it up like this?”
Tang Soyeol was faster. As she spoke, she swung her arm and slammed her fist into his side.
Kooong!
“Guhp?!”
Even with his protective aura, the attack struck deep into his waist.
Paaang!
Unable to block the full impact, the shockwave exploded, sending the Oil Bullet Sword’s body flying.
Kwaang!
With a tremendous sound, he tumbled across the ground.
Thump! Thump!
His stance was broken. Forgetting the pain, the Oil Bullet Sword tried to right himself, but a small foot was already flying toward his face.
Craack!
With a sharp pain, the Oil Bullet Sword’s head snapped back.
“Keoheok!”
His protective aura shattered along with his teeth. The force was too strong to have come from such a delicate body. His vision swam. Through the haze, he could see Tang Soyeol’s movements.
Thud! Thud-thud! Thud-thud!
Small fists rained down on his body. Fast, nimble movements. Her fists were imbued with Combat Qi, and a series of tremendous sounds echoed out.
When he tried to move his legs to escape, she struck his thigh to stop him. When he tried to swing his sword, she hit his shoulder to seal his movement. She wasn't predicting his path and striking in advance. Tang Soyeol was clearly moving after he did.
But how was this possible?
‘This… this is….’
As he understood the reason, the Oil Bullet Sword’s world collapsed. The principle was simple. Tang Soyeol was simply faster than him. Much faster. There was no need to predict his movements; she just had to react faster.
Because of that, the Oil Bullet Sword was beaten like a training dummy, his entire body pummeled.
Thud-thud-thud! Thud-thud!
What was more terrifying was that Tang Soyeol was controlling her Combat Qi perfectly.
“Kuhuk!”
She was using just enough force to keep him from collapsing easily. Just enough so he couldn't even pass out. To onlookers, it looked as if she were toying with him.
The Oil Bullet Sword, one of the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains, was being used like a toy by a mere young prodigy. At the sight, no one in the audience could react properly.
“…The Poison Phoenix… how….”
“I can’t believe it…. What in the world is happening?”
It was a dreamlike scene. And if it was a dream, it was surely a nightmare.
After some time had passed, the Oil Bullet Sword’s ceaseless screams and the sound of his body being battered finally stopped.
Silence descended.
On the stage, the Oil Bullet Sword—now a bloody pulp—was being held up by Tang Soyeol, who had him by the hair.
“Guuh… Haaah….”
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Blood flowing from him stained the arena floor. Tang Soyeol watched it silently for a moment before letting go of his hair.
Thud!
The Oil Bullet Sword’s body collapsed to the ground. Then, she stomped on his face.
“…You got blood all over me. How filthy.”
Blood had splattered on the back of her hand. Tang Soyeol nonchalantly took a cloth from her sleeve and wiped it clean.
“Haa… Gurgle… Haaah….”
The Oil Bullet Sword groaned beneath her foot. Seeing this, Tang Soyeol smirked.
“This suits you much better.”
The sight of him groveling on the floor was particularly fitting. She had disliked his face from the start, but now it was a bit more tolerable.
He was exhausted, barely breathing. Tang Soyeol removed her foot from his face and lowered her stance. She squatted down, closing the distance, and whispered in his ear.
“From now on… just live according to your station. Don’t covet things that are out of your league. Got it?”
As she spoke, her white fingertips gently caressed his face. At her touch, the Oil Bullet Sword’s body shuddered as if having a seizure.
“...”
“...”
The duel was clearly over. But no cheers could be heard. The only sound was the faint, ragged breathing of the Oil Bullet Sword.
As Tang Soyeol finally stepped away from him and walked off, the judge flinched and finally reacted.
“Uh… uhh.”
Seeing that, Tang Soyeol didn’t even wait to hear the result. Right now, she had somewhere else to be.
A young man was standing near the entrance, watching her. She turned toward him and waved enthusiastically.
“Young Masteeeer! I won!! Praise me! Hehehe!”
In contrast to the cruel figure who had just beaten her opponent senseless, her smile was pure and bright.