Chapter 119
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Realizing Myself (3)
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“Uweeegh!”
The Commander of the Purple Serpent Unit staggered toward the rear garden, even after vomiting a mouthful of blood.
A horrified look crossed his face.
*How can this be?*
The Berserk Demon Unit had already passed the Purple Serpent Unit and reached the vicinity of the rear garden.
*To think they're that strong!*
They might be the Divine Cult's most vicious unit, but not the strongest. The terrifying thing about the Berserk Demon Unit was their incredible venom and a fierce madness reminiscent of wild beasts.
But in this brief battle, the Commander of the Purple Serpent Unit realized something.
Venom and madness are useless without strength. The reason the Berserk Demon Unit was so feared wasn't just because they were vicious, but because they were both strong and vicious.
*Is this the gap between the Divine Cult and the Seven Houses...?*
The Commander of the Purple Serpent Unit bit his lip.
In terms of raw martial power, the Purple Serpent Unit, representing the Red Snake House, wasn't far behind the Berserk Demon Unit. But small differences can create large gaps.
People call that subtle difference 'class'. The reason a unit as uncontrollable as a bomb could be officially recognized by the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon was because they had that much worth.
*Damn it!*
He may have lost the battle, but he couldn't lose the war. The Commander of the Purple Serpent Unit desperately dragged his weakening legs, forcing his way toward the rear garden.
Just then.
*Woooooong!*
A strange sound came from behind him.
“What now… Huh?!”
*Paaaaang!*
Like the wind, or perhaps lightning.
Just as a faint light seemed to flicker in and out of existence, it formed a long beam and vanished from sight in an instant.
The crystallized light shot toward the rear garden of the House Lord's quarters.
“Wh-what was that?!”
He was sure he'd felt an incredible energy, enough to make his body freeze.
*No, aside from that...*
Was it his imagination, or did he really see it?
“...A fox?”
* * *
*Whoooooosh!!*
“Kugh!”
“Hmph!”
Everyone who set foot in the rear garden squeezed their eyes shut.
*Kooong!*
A few stabbed their weapons into the ground to steady their swaying bodies.
There wasn't a single person gathered here who wasn't a master. And yet, they couldn't even keep their balance in the raging storm.
To be precise, it was because of the unimaginable demonic energy dwelling within that storm.
*Kwarururung!*
For the first time, they learned that the sound of a violent wind could resemble thunder.
Hong Gwan was terrified by the storm of saber wind. The level of the saber art was immense, but the demonic energy and killing intent embedded within it were enough to freeze the body of a supreme master.
*This!*
*Fwoooosh!*
Pushing his Red Flame Wyrm Demonic Art to its absolute limit, he swung both his palms.
*Papapapang!*
Hong Gwan's Black Bone Serpent Shadow Hand was on a different level from Hong Wi-mun's. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a completely different martial art. There were no grotesque changes like thickened fingers or elongated nails as with Hong Wi-mun, but its power was incomparable.
*Paaaak!*
Blood spurted from Seo Ryang's shoulder.
It was a martial art that exquisitely combined palm and claw techniques. He thought he had completely offset it with the heavy saber wind, but an energy that squeezed through the gap had clawed past his shoulder.
But he wasn't flustered in the least.
*Kwaang!*
Stomping on the ground, he once again stirred up a saber wind.
*You think I'll let you!*
Allowing a follow-up attack was something only amateurs did. Hong Gwan unleashed his palm energy at Seo Ryang before the next attack could even begin.
*...?*
For a moment, Hong Gwan felt a chill run down his spine.
In contrast, the surrounding air instantly grew hot. It was so intense that he wondered if he had misjudged.
*A scorching Yang art?!*
Seo Ryang grinned.
“This should warm you up.”
Following the Six-Linked Hell Wind was the manifestation of the second chapter of the Nine Hells Calamity Saber Art: the Ultimate Avici Saber.
*Papapapang!*
Pillars of fire erupted from all directions, transforming into greedy fire dragons that charged toward Hong Gwan.
*Damn it!*
It was truly a terrifying heat. Moreover, the pillars of fire were formed from saber energy that had reached its peak. The saber energy bent flexibly to create the shape of blazing flames.
But even if it wasn't real fire, it was obvious that being swept away would inflict a shock equivalent to being burned.
*Paaaaaaak!*
The downpour of extreme Yang saber energy erased Hong Gwan's presence from everyone's sight.
*Kwarurung!*
The entire area of the once-beautiful rear garden collapsed.
It was a terrifying power. Not to mention the demons of the Red Snake House, even Ma Dongpil, who was already familiar with Seo Ryang's saber art, was left speechless by its might.
But Seo Ryang didn't stop. He couldn't stop.
If you provoked any beast half-heartedly, it would only become more venomous. How much more so when his opponent was the most poisonous of all vipers, one that held a fatal toxin.
*Fwoooosh!*
The hot air soared high into the sky, replaced by a bitter chill that could tear skin and freeze bones.
Following the Ultimate Avici Saber was the saber stance of the Blood-Crying Great Crimson Lotus. A blood-red sword dance unfolded upon a dark, frozen sea, freezing even the air white.
*Jjeojeojeojeok!*
The collapsed and broken ground also froze over in an instant, glistening white as if covered in frost.
A martial art against which no one under heaven could guarantee their life. It was a study that made one suspect it was not a simple martial art, but a divine ability of a sorcerer.
*Kwaang!*
With a single explosive sound, Hong Gwan, who had been buried in the ground, shot up at incredible speed. A look of dismay was evident on his face as he ascended, leaving a tail of white smoke behind him.
Seo Ryang's eyes gleamed.
*As expected.*
The Three Linked Chapters of the Nine Hells Calamity Saber Art exhibit absolute power.
But just as with Jeong Illyong, if one could read the minuscule gap between the chapters, the damage could be minimized. Though it was called the Three Linked Chapters, a slight opening was visible to the eyes of supreme masters.
It was a drawback gained from learning demonic arts. If he had used the same martial art with Shadow Energy, no such opening would have existed.
On the other hand, there was a benefit. The destructive power of the saber art itself had risen to another level.
*Do I have no choice but to bring out the remaining two chapters...?*
Seo Ryang's eyes deepened.
*Not yet.*
Not yet.
The true power of the Nine Hells Calamity Saber Art would emerge when he reached a higher level. In terms of the Demonic Path's martial realm, it could be called the Pinnacle of Demonic Arts.
When that time came, there would be no need to cling to linked forms. Absolute power would emerge from each and every stance.
In other words, there was ultimately no need to bring out the latter two chapters. If he failed, the excessive internal energy consumption would put him at a disadvantage. Besides, this wasn't the time or place for it, unless he was prepared to kill his opponent.
What he wanted now was one thing.
To incapacitate everyone, starting with Hong Gwan, and then capture Bang Ryeong.
Seo Ryang reached behind his back.
*Paaaaang!*
The Seven Nights Saber, drawn to him by Telekinesis, was caught in his left hand.
The Dragon Scale Saber in his right hand, the Seven Nights Saber in his left.
“You bastard!”
Rationality could no longer be found in Hong Gwan's eyes. After being beaten this badly, it was no time to worry about saving face.
*Fwoooosh!*
Even in the dark night, a massive violet current could be clearly seen gathering in both his hands.
*Saaaaaaaaak!*
The violet poison energy slowly fell like large snowflakes.
Seo Ryang shouted.
“Everyone, get out of the combat zone!”
Ma Dongpil's eyes wavered.
He really didn't want to leave the fighting to the Young Master again. He wanted to fulfill his duty as a bodyguard.
But he had no choice. If he didn't leave the combat zone, he would only distract the Young Master.
*There's no other way.*
*Pahk!*
Moving swiftly to the rear, he looked for Bang Ryeong.
Finding her wasn't difficult. Even while watching the Young Master, he had been keeping an eye on her movements.
*...!*
Ma Dongpil's eyes widened for a moment.
*Why?!*
He just needed to capture her the moment she left that position, that area.
But Bang Ryeong didn't leave the combat zone. Instead, she was trying to move deeper into the battlefield where the poison energy rained down.
*What on earth...?*
*Koong!*
Hong Gwan landed on the ground.
And behind him stood Bang Ryeong.
Seo Ryang's face twisted. He had considered killing her if it came down to it, but that was truly a last resort. It would be troublesome if Bang Ryeong collapsed from the poison.
“Those two… Huh?!”
Surprisingly, Bang Ryeong's complexion was calm. No, she was pale with fear, but she didn't seem to be affected by the poison energy Hong Gwan was emitting at all.
*I don't know what's going on, but...*
This is good.
*Kwaaang!*
Seo Ryang charged forward.
He already knew the Flying Demon King's martial arts from experience. If he hadn't been caught in the Heavenly Net and had fought her head-on, he, as the former King of Slaughter, would have had the upper hand.
How much more so for someone who hadn't even reached the realm of a supreme master; she wouldn't be of much help.
Just then.
*Jiiiiiing!*
His hyper-senses warned him of danger.
*Paaak!*
Hong Gwan charged toward him.
Behind him, Bang Ryeong's eyes turned pitch black. From her pupils to the whites, everything was dyed black.
*Woooooooong!!*
Seo Ryang ducked his head without realizing it.
It was instinct. He felt a sense of crisis, as if he shouldn't meet Bang Ryeong's eyes.
At that moment, Hong Gwan's Black Bone Serpent Shadow Hand struck.
*Kwaaaaang!*
Seo Ryang retreated, coughing up blood.
It was only a brief opening, but in a battle between masters, such a minuscule gap could be the move that decides victory or defeat. It was only thanks to Seo Ryang's exceptionally sharp senses and quick reflexes that it ended with just this.
*What was that?!*
His head was ringing. He had inhaled a certain amount of poison energy while breathing in.
That in itself wasn't a big problem. Although it was much more potent than Hong Wi-mun's poison essence, he just had to gather it in a corner of his body and expel it.
However.
*Poooooooong!!*
This time, the blow landed much deeper. He blocked it with the broad side of the Dragon Scale Saber, but the shockwave transmitted through his entire body.
*Damn it.*
He couldn't lift his head. No, he couldn't open his eyes.
*Saaaaaak!*
A dense, sinister energy infiltrated the air already filled with poison.
The rear garden, filled with demonic energy, poison, and sinister energy, was no different from an invisible demonic realm. If an ordinary person were to enter, their heart meridians would burst from the shock and they would die instantly, long before succumbing to the poison.
*An evil art? A wicked spell?*
He didn't know.
Normally, demonic arts were superior to evil arts. Even a master of evil arts would usually be unable to exert their full power before a first-rate demonic practitioner.
But the evil art Bang Ryeong was using was different. Although it was an evil art, it had aspects similar to a demonic art.
*Analysis later!*
*Fwoooong!*
A heavy wind gathered around the Dragon Scale Saber.
The air churned. The poison energy writhed, and the thickly spread sinister energy swayed erratically like smoke.
Hong Gwan's hand moved like lightning.
*Jjeoooong!*
The Seven Nights Saber that Seo Ryang had been holding flew high into the sky. He had anticipated the attack and thrown the saber beforehand to disrupt the flow of palm energy.
Hong Gwan's face twisted.
“That bastard is truly...”
Where on earth did something like him come from? Not only did he anticipate the follow-up attack, but he also threw his saber to the exact spot with his eyes closed to disrupt the technique's path.
A fighting style that effortlessly employed techniques even battle-hardened masters would find difficult to use in a real fight.
*Is he a genius?*
*Bwaaaang!*
The Hell Wind he unleashed into the air caused the poison and sinister energy to swirl into a gust and shoot toward the sky.
*Peok!*
Seo Ryang's body swayed. Just before he could unleash the Ultimate Avici Saber, a hole was pierced in his side. It was Hong Gwan's finger wind, aimed precisely at an opening.
But he didn't stop. It was obvious that if he did, he would die without even putting up a fight.
*I'll have to change my strategy.*
*Hwarurururuk!*
The calamitous flames of Avici Hell covered the entire world.
Seo Ryang roared. Droplets of blood flew from his open mouth, but he seemed completely unaware.
“Hong Gwan!!”
The bridge of Hong Gwan's nose twitched.
Seo Ryang grinned. It was a smile clearly mixed with provocation.
“Couldn't win on your own? Using such a pathetic trick!”
“You bastard!”
*Peoooook!*
“...!”
Seo Ryang ducked his head.
Hong Gwan, who had been attacking leisurely from a distance, had instantly closed the gap and plunged his fingers into Seo Ryang's side.
“Alright, if death is your wish, I'll gladly...”
*Kwaaak!*
“...?”
“First time being this close, isn't it?”
Seo Ryang spoke, his face pale, but his expression more relieved than ever.
Grasping Hong Gwan's wrist tightly, he relaxed his grip on the Dragon Scale Saber.
“This isn't working. Instead of catching that wench, it'll be easier to just catch you and shake this whole stinking house down.”
“...!”
“Welcome, Chief Viper.”
Having gathered the energy of Mountain Breaker to its limit, Seo Ryang unleashed the explosive force right in front of Hong Gwan's nose.
*Kwaaaaang!*