Chapter 120
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: I Realize Myself (4)
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Explosive Mountain Force is a type of internal heavy art, a single-strike killing blow of hidden energy that maximizes power.
Just because it's called hidden energy doesn't mean the force it emits is subtle. In fact, it's at risk of being even more conspicuous because it requires far more delicate control of true energy than ordinary energy projection.
Explosive Mountain Force was the art of suppressing the presence of that hidden energy to its absolute limit while adding explosive power. It was a technique he had used several times in dire situations, but in reality, it wasn't something even a supreme master could easily execute.
Seo Ryang added one more element to it.
On top of the Explosive Mountain Force that ruptured the inside, he imbued the energy of River Crushing Palm, which destroyed from the outside in. And on the surface of the River Crushing Palm, he layered another Explosive Mountain Force.
Does the overlapping hidden energy increase the explosive power? Not exactly.
But what if one were struck by a dual layer of Explosive Mountain Force with consistent power? What if it exploded in a single, overlapping strike, without any of the openings seen in the linked forms of the Calamity Saber Art?
What if there wasn't even a moment to rebuild the barrier of true energy that had been disrupted by the first impact?
Boom! Cra-crack! KABOOM!
Hong Wi-mun was sent flying by the explosion of condensed hidden energy, tumbling across the ground.
Blood poured from his seven orifices—his eyes, nose, mouth, and both ears. His face completely covered in crimson blood, Hong Wi-mun couldn't regain consciousness.
“Uweeegh!”
Seo Ryang wasn't unscathed either. A single blow might have been different, but having detonated two overlapping ones at point-blank range, the shock was bound to affect him as well.
Fwoosh!
Seo Ryang dashed forward, continuously coughing up blood.
Quickly retrieving his Meteor Twin Sabers, which were stuck in the ground nearby, he instantly sealed Hong Wi-mun's demonic pressure points.
Seo Ryang shouted.
“Everyone, halt!!”
Booooom!
Despite his severe internal injuries, his voice spread out, laden with immense demonic energy.
The forces of the Red Snake House, who had taken antidotes and were about to enter the compound, flinched.
That wasn't all. Ma Dongpil, Wi Hongryeon, the Berserk Demon Unit, and everyone else watching froze.
“Hah! Hah!”
Seo Ryang gasped for breath. A hole had been pierced in his abdomen, and he had suffered extreme internal injuries, but his eyes were still sharp.
“Don't move. Before I start mincing people.”
It was a statement more chilling than a simple threat to kill. Moreover, even with his injured body, he was still exuding a powerful demonic aura, so no one thought he was bluffing.
Of course, few were closely observing Seo Ryang's condition. Most of the people here were on the verge of panicking from shock.
Hong Wi-mun had been defeated.
In the demonic martial world, he was renowned as one of the most powerful warriors, second only to the Nine Great Demonic Lords. The same was true for all the Lords of the Seven Houses.
Such a supreme master had been taken down by a junior warrior not yet thirty. Even considering his opponent was the Cult Leader's disciple, the situation was incomprehensible.
Scanning his surroundings with sharp eyes, Seo Ryang felt a sense of relief inwardly.
*'It was worth the risk.'*
This wasn't a battle to be concluded slowly and carefully. It was a fight that had to end as quickly as possible, even if it meant getting a little—no, severely—injured.
If it hadn't been for Hong Wi-mun's characteristic tendency to look down on the young, he wouldn't have even been able to attempt such a provocative strategy.
*'As long as no follow-up battle breaks out.'*
Seo Ryang gritted his teeth against the pain rising from his right arm.
Simply overlapping the Explosive Mountain Force was a dangerous attempt, but wrapping it in River Crushing Palm in between had worsened his internal injuries significantly.
Thanks to that, his entire right arm bone was now fractured. He could only move it because he had hardened it with the Nine Hells Demonic Energy.
*'If I hadn't used the River Crushing Palm to absorb the shock, I would have ended up in the same state.'*
Whether it was Hong Wi-mun, who hadn't died after taking such a technique head-on, or Seo Ryang, who had unleashed such a reckless attack, both were equally tenacious.
“Dongpil.”
“Yes, yes!”
Seo Ryang glared at Bang Ryeong.
Bang Ryeong's face was pale with terror.
“Get her.”
Fwoosh!
Ma Dongpil moved swiftly. Since the winds of Hell Gale and the heat of the Infinite Saber had already blown away most of the poison, there were no restrictions on his movements.
“Eek!”
Bang Ryeong's eyes turned pitch black again. She was about to use the worst of her evil arts, the Spirit Manifesting Ghost Eye Technique, which she had intended to use on Seo Ryang.
However.
Shhhlick!
“Kyaaaah!”
Bang Ryeong staggered backward. A diagonal sword wound was carved into her torso.
It was a powerful sword strike, almost deep enough to reach the bone. The enraged Ma Dongpil's sword was that decisive.
“You!”
She hadn't expected the Spirit Manifesting Ghost Eye Technique to fail. She aimed for Ma Dongpil's neck with her sharpened fingernails.
The Silent King Sword moved coldly.
Slice!
Four of her fingers, excluding the thumb, went flying.
Thwack!
Struck in the abdomen, Bang Ryeong went limp. Ma Dongpil quickly sealed her demonic pressure points, stopped the bleeding, and slung her over his shoulder.
Even as she lost consciousness, Bang Ryeong was bewildered.
Why? Why didn't the Spirit Manifesting Ghost Eye Technique work?
Seo Ryang had the same question. Bang Ryeong's evil eye was a high-level dark art, enough to make even him flinch for a moment. But Ma Dongpil seemed completely unaffected by it.
Carrying Bang Ryeong, Ma Dongpil approached Seo Ryang.
“Young Master, are you alright?”
“I'm fine. And you?”
“I am alright.”
Ma Dongpil looked quite somber. He had played his part in this fight, but it was also true that he had failed to properly protect Seo Ryang.
Seo Ryang shook his head.
“I started this fight recklessly. You did more than your share. Don't be discouraged.”
“Yes.”
“But still, how come that wench's dark arts didn't affect you...?”
Just then, Hong Sang-ho stepped forward.
“What do you think you're doing!”
Everyone's gaze turned to him.
“How dare you attack the House Lord in his own home and cause this chaos?! Do you think you can be forgiven just because you're the Cult Leader's disciple?!”
Killing intent flared in Seo Ryang's eyes.
“Won't you shut your mouth?”
“You shut up! Release the House Lord immediately and kneel! If you do, I'll show you a minimum of mercy...”
In that instant, a streak of sword energy flew toward Hong Sang-ho.
Claaaang!
Hong Sang-ho stumbled back. Even though it was a surprise attack, the sword energy was so strong it made his hand tingle.
Shhk!
Wi Hongryeon, who had suddenly appeared in front of Seo Ryang, unleashed a terrifying glare.
“You are in the presence of the Third Young Master of the Divine Cult and a current Special Inspector. You should be the one to watch your words.”
“You damn wench!”
“This is your only warning. If you ignore it, this Berserk Demon Unit will upgrade the Red Snake House from a yellow-level target to a red-level enemy, and our mission will change to the complete annihilation of said enemy.”
“...!”
“We may die, but you should be prepared to lose an arm. And that fact will be reported back to the Main Cult.”
Shhh.
Wi Hongryeon aimed her Tyrant's Sword at Hong Sang-ho.
“In the end, your house will be annihilated no matter what.”
Shudder!
The demons of the Red Snake House felt a chill run down their spines.
These were the words proclaimed by the commander of the Berserk Demon Unit, the Divine Cult's most notorious squad. They didn't sound like a bluff.
Wi Hongryeon didn't give them any time to think.
“Berserk Demon Unit, all members, form the Raging Dragon Special Formation!”
Shhh-clack!
Masked demons, with only their eyes visible, instantly surrounded Seo Ryang.
Beyond their perfect guard, they radiated a fiery killing intent. It was a special formation of the Berserk Demon Unit, specialized for protecting key figures while also allowing for an immediate response to enemy attacks.
Shwaaaaa!
The entire Berserk Demon Unit unleashed their killing intent.
Total members, two hundred. Current members, one hundred. It was only half their full strength, yet the aura emanating from that half dominated the area.
Seo Ryang and Ma Dongpil couldn't help but be impressed.
Knowing about it vaguely and seeing it in person were completely different. The spirit of the Berserk Demon Unit when deployed on an actual mission was truly overwhelming. It was enough to make them think that if the first squad had also come, they might have actually stood a chance.
“You... You!”
Hong Sang-ho trembled with rage.
Seo Ryang took a step forward.
“Quietly clear the way.”
“... .”
“I just need to escort this woman away. Taking the Red Snake House Lord is useless to me anyway.”
Grit.
Killing intent flashed in Hong Sang-ho's eyes.
He didn't like his brother, but he couldn't stand hearing his name being tossed around so carelessly by a brat like that. The Red Snake House Lord was not a name to be taken lightly by others. To speak of the head of a house in such a manner... he felt like he was about to explode.
Jang U-hwi, standing next to Hong Sang-ho, spoke up.
“We understand your position, Inspector, but please understand that we have no choice either.”
“What are you talking about?”
“At this point, it's meaningless to argue who attacked first. However, we wish to resolve this matter peacefully.”
“And?”
“Please release our House Lord quietly and give a passing grade on the inspection results. If you do, we will let you leave.”
Wi Hongryeon's eyebrow twitched.
Seo Ryang scoffed.
“You'll let us leave?”
“That is correct. It's not that we aren't anxious, but we will trust you on that matter, Inspector.”
Jang U-hwi's eyes glinted.
“However, if you insist on resisting, we will have no choice but to resort to drastic measures.”
“Before that, I have a question.”
“Please, ask away.”
“Are you the acting House Lord?”
“...?”
“As I understand it, when the House Lord is absent, full authority of the house is delegated to the Second Lord. Am I wrong?”
“That is correct.”
“Then stop being presumptuous and step back, you.”
“...What did you say?”
“You've been chattering away from the back for a while now. I am a Special Inspector of the Divine Cult. I have no desire to waste my time playing word games with someone who isn't even qualified.”
Jang U-hwi's face flushed red. His pride had been thoroughly crushed in front of the house's demons.
“It seems you've forgotten, but you are currently...”
Just then, Hong Sang-ho cut him off.
“I am the Second Lord. You will speak with me.”
Jang U-hwi's eyes wavered.
“Second Lord.”
“Chief Steward Jang, step back. I will not tolerate any more interference.”
Jang U-hwi cursed inwardly.
*'This prideful...!'*
Sometimes, pride is more important than practical gain.
But now was a time to prioritize practical gain above all else. Their House Lord, of all people, was in the enemy's hands. Hong Sang-ho, who had little experience in such matters, should have stepped back.
“Second Lord, we must first secure the House Lord's safety.”
“Do not worry.”
“Do not provoke them under any circumstances. One wrong move, and the Divine Cult's...”
Hong Sang-ho shouted.
“That's enough! Shut up and step back! If you overstep your bounds one more time, I will punish you under the authority of the acting House Lord!”
Jang U-hwi's cheek twitched.
Hong Sang-ho, who had been looking down at Seo Ryang's group from the wall of the rear garden, moved boldly.
Fwip!
In a single leap, Hong Sang-ho landed five zhang in front of the group.
Shhh.
As two members of the Berserk Demon Unit parted to the sides, Seo Ryang walked forward.
Hong Sang-ho smiled slyly.
“You don't look so well.”
“The House Lord was strong.”
“It's not just the internal injuries, is it? Is the poisoning severe?”
Indeed, the whites of Seo Ryang's eyes had turned yellow. He had contained the poison in one spot with his true energy, but it was so potent that it kept leaking out.
“That's what happens when you're afflicted by the poison of a fully-matured Black Bone Serpent Spirit. It seems you're holding on thanks to your profound internal energy, but if left alone, you won't last three days.”
Ma Dongpil's eyes wavered. Wi Hongryeon continued to glare at Hong Sang-ho, but a flicker of worry crossed her face.
“I'll give you the antidote. So, hand over the House Lord quietly.”
“Shut up and clear the way.”
“Are you that eager to die?”
Drip.
Blood trickled from Seo Ryang's nose. The surging poison had begun to damage his blood vessels.
Wooooong.
His demonic energy flared uncontrollably. His body was reacting on its own to the dangerous situation.
Seo Ryang gave a faint smile.
“Hong Wi-mun was far stronger than this damn poison. A House Lord is a House Lord, after all.”
Hong Sang-ho's face became expressionless.
The glint in his eyes looked extremely dangerous.
“Do you know?”
“What?”
“A body with severe internal injuries, and poisoned on top of that.”
“... .”
“With that body, you're standing too close to me.”
“So? Are you planning to ambush me and take me hostage in return?”
Wooooong!
Hong Sang-ho grinned.
“Exactly!”
Fwoooooosh!
Jang U-hwi's eyes widened.
His opponent was the Cult Leader's disciple and a Special Inspector. To try something like that in this already dire situation?!
“No!!”
Ma Dongpil and Wi Hongryeon both moved in alarm. They hadn't expected their opponent to resort to such an extreme measure.
But the distance was too great.
*'Arrogant brat! I'll capture you and make sure to... huh?'*
Hong Sang-ho reached out with a smile.
In that brief moment, he felt a sense of confusion.
*'He's smiling?'*
Seo Ryang, who hadn't lifted a finger, was also smiling. It was a look that said, 'I knew you would do that.'
*'Why?!'*
Just then, the world was dyed in a golden radiance.
And that world, filled with golden light, turned upside down.
What's this? Why is the world upside down?
*'Strange...'*
CRUUUUNCH!!
A massive beast mauled Hong Sang-ho's neck. His outstretched hand never even touched the hem of Seo Ryang's clothes.
Seo Ryang looked at Jang U-hwi with a mocking smile.
“Yes, now it's your turn to speak.”
Grrrrrr.
Next to the blood-soaked Seo Ryang.
A giant beast with fur that glowed with a golden aura stood majestically, Hong Sang-ho's neck clamped in its jaws.
“What was that you were going to do to us?”