Chapter 171
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: There Is No Such Thing as an Unsolvable Problem (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Whoosh.
The low, creeping presence was truly impressive. The dense, heavy demonic energy that made his skin crawl was almost on par with his own.
Seo Ryang smiled.
‘Quite the specimen.’
He himself had the advantage of a past life’s achievements, but his opponent had no such thing. To reach the Pinnacle of the Demonic Realm in one’s mid-to-late thirties was more than enough to be called the next Greatest Under the Heavens.
Seo Ryang couldn’t help but be impressed.
However, Jin Gwanyong’s surprise was even greater than Seo Ryang’s.
“Incredible. I thought I’d gone through my fair share of hardship, but what kind of battlefield did you endure to have already reached the Pinnacle of the Demonic Realm?”
A battlefield.
He didn't ask how much effort he had put in, or if he had the talent for it. Jin Gwanyong knew well that this was a realm unattainable through talent and effort alone.
“It just happened.”
Seo Ryang’s reply was short and blunt.
Jin Gwanyong nodded.
“I suppose so. I know it’s a realm beyond description, but my astonishment doesn’t fade so easily.”
Though he said this, not a hint of agitation could be seen. Like Seo Ryang, Jin Gwanyong had also reached a supreme state, so he was not easily stirred by trivial matters.
“In any case, that’s enough. It’s been a while, let’s have some tea, just us brothers.”
“Make it four.”
“Hm?”
Seo Ryang gestured with his chin towards the people behind Jin Gwanyong.
“I said, make it four.”
“Must you truly make this situation uncomfortable?”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but this is as far as it goes. This is no place for a nosy meddler to interfere.”
“……”
“Go on, mind your own business.”
Jin Gwanyong’s eyebrow twitched.
It was surprising that the third brother had reached the Pinnacle of the Demonic Realm, but his words were just as shocking. The third brother he remembered was a boy who could barely meet his gaze.
‘Is this confidence?’
Even if it were arrogance rather than confidence, it was an understandable state to be in.
Just as Jin Gwanyong was about to speak again, Seo Ryang gestured to Gwan Pyeong with his finger.
“The flow was broken, so it’s a bit awkward to stick to you. Let’s continue what we were doing. What’s it going to be?”
The corner of Gwan Pyeong’s eye twitched faintly.
Being alone with him was one thing, but having their brothers watch was another.
If it were only his younger siblings, he might have been able to let it slide smoothly. But here was his eldest brother, who had just emerged from three years of seclusion.
The one candidate he was most conscious of.
He might be surprised if his younger siblings grew stronger than him, but it wouldn’t bother him much.
But he didn’t want to show weakness, at least not in front of his eldest brother, Jin Gwanyong.
Gwan Pyeong’s expression instantly turned frigid.
“Are you threatening me to give up my claim to the throne?”
A sudden change in his response.
Everyone except Jin Gwanyong was startled. They knew the atmosphere was tense, but they hadn't realized such words had been spoken so openly.
Seo Ryang nodded.
“That’s right.”
“I’m sorry, but there’s only one way to make me give up my claim.”
Wooooong.
A murderous glint appeared in Gwan Pyeong’s eyes.
“You have to kill me.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. Even if my limbs are torn off and I lose my martial arts, I will covet the throne until my very last breath. That is my destiny, and the destiny of all us brothers.”
Gwan Pyeong looked at Jin Gwanyong.
His gaze towards Jin Gwanyong was exceedingly hostile.
“Therefore, there is no need for sentimental acts like brothers chatting amicably.”
During the last Grand Conference, it was Gwan Pyeong who had suggested they all gather for tea. Just a short while ago, it was Gwan Pyeong who had spoken kindly to Ju Seoyun.
Now, that same Gwan Pyeong was showing a completely different side of himself. It was a clear sign of how much he was conscious of Jin Gwanyong.
Seo Ryang grinned.
“I like how straightforward you are. Unlike before.”
“If you want a fight to the death, fine. I didn't want to fight you, but once a fight starts, I’m not the kind of man to go easy. At least one of your limbs will be torn off.”
Harsh. It was unlike his usual self.
Seo Ryang’s reply was a masterpiece.
“If you so much as touch one of my fingernails, I’ll shed a single tear at your coffin.”
Shaaaaa!
An alien energy flowed from Gwan Pyeong’s body.
It was an aura far more dangerous than the demonic energy he had exuded before.
As if to say, *this is my true self*, Gwan Pyeong revealed himself without restraint.
A look of interest appeared on Seo Ryang’s face, and Jin Gwanyong’s eyes flickered slightly.
“The kids shouldn’t get swept up in this.”
Crack.
A lethal killing intent imbued Seo Ryang’s lightly flexing fingers.
A look of tension crossed Gwan Pyeong’s face.
The moment Seo Ryang’s toes kicked off the ground.
Paaaaaang!
Gwan Pyeong’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Before the thought *he’s coming* could even finish, Seo Ryang was already right in front of him.
His outstretched hand was nearly at his throat.
It was a strike as fast as lightning.
‘I have to dodge…’
Even with the reaction speed of a Supreme Master, he couldn’t keep up. Evasion and defense were both impossible. He was about to be struck down with his eyes wide open.
Was this how fast a master at the Pinnacle of the Demonic Realm could be when they got serious? But this was too fast, wasn’t it?
It was then.
Paaak!
Jin Gwanyong, who had appeared next to Gwan Pyeong at some point, grabbed Seo Ryang’s wrist.
“Stop.”
Seo Ryang smiled.
“Fast.”
“I’d like to think so. But you’re faster.”
“There’s almost no difference.”
“The slightest difference can determine life and death. Truly, I can’t help but marvel at your growth.”
“So, why the interference again?”
“The kids are watching. Refrain from lethal strikes.”
Seo Ryang didn’t look at Ju Seoyun, Jong Riyeong, or Chae Yeomin. His gaze was fixed solely on Jin Gwanyong.
Whoooooosh!!
A fierce gust of wind followed, making the clothes of Seo Ryang, Jin Gwanyong, and Gwan Pyeong flap wildly.
Jin Gwanyong’s eyes narrowed.
Wooooong!
From his powerful-looking hand, an ink-black demonic energy shimmered.
Fwoosh!
From Seo Ryang’s arm, a demonic energy as thick as blood arose.
Rumble!
The guest hall shook violently.
It was a tremor on a completely different level from when Seo Ryang had clashed auras with Gwan Pyeong. The contest of strength between two absolute masters, similar in build and achievement, was shaking not just the building but the very ground.
Krrrrrumble!
The wall with the hole in it collapsed with a crash.
The faces of the disciples, including Gwan Pyeong, filled with astonishment.
The power of the two demon kings, unleashed with intent, far surpassed their common sense.
A vein bulged on Jin Gwanyong’s forehead.
“Do you truly intend to see this to the end, right here?”
“That was the plan. It was, but…”
Seo Ryang’s eyes sparkled.
‘Look at this.’
What had he realized, seeing Gwan Pyeong’s shocked face and the quiet fury in Jin Gwanyong’s eyes?
“You’re right. The kids are watching. We shouldn’t make any more of a scene.”
Fwoooom.
The absolute demonic energy that had shaken the area vanished as if washed away.
Unleashing such immense demonic energy in an instant was astonishing, but to retract such a formidable aura in a split second was also a tremendous feat. It was a display of energy control that Gwan Pyeong, a Supreme Master, could not hope to imitate.
Seo Ryang rotated his wrist.
“Nice grip.”
Jin Gwanyong looked down at his own hand. His large hand was slightly swollen.
“Your method of channeling demonic energy is beyond imagination. I nearly lost the use of an arm.”
Seo Ryang chuckled and looked at Gwan Pyeong.
Gwan Pyeong’s face was pale.
He had thought he could at least take an arm from a master of a different caliber, but he had just realized he couldn’t even exchange a single blow.
The shock was immense. In that moment, all his efforts and the wicked deeds he had committed, sacrificing countless people to reach this level, lost their meaning.
“This place has gotten a bit messy. Consider yourself lucky.”
It was an uncharacteristic thing for Seo Ryang to say. He was someone who wouldn’t give a damn about the circumstances if it meant achieving his goals.
Seo Ryang turned his back.
He walked away, and upon seeing Ju Seoyun, he licked his lips.
“I was going to pull you out by the roots, but not right now, kid.”
Ju Seoyun was silent. Only her trembling eyes, as if an earthquake had struck, betrayed her state of mind.
Seo Ryang’s gaze fell on Jong Riyeong.
Despite his youthful face, not yet an adult, he had a very sturdy build.
“Blood really doesn’t lie.”
It was hard to understand what he meant. Jong Riyeong was simply dumbfounded after witnessing a level of martial prowess beyond his comprehension.
And then, Chae Yeomin.
“Brother.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Are you okay?”
Was she naive, or just oblivious?
She paid no mind to the stares of those around her. Chae Yeomin, who held a favorable view of Seo Ryang, was only concerned about his well-being.
Seo Ryang patted Chae Yeomin’s head.
“My apologies. I should have visited you when I arrived, but we ended up meeting like this.”
“It’s alright, Brother.”
“I’ll come see you soon. Have a good chat with your older brother and sister.”
“…Yes.”
Seo Ryang headed for the main gate.
Before opening it, he turned around and spoke.
“Gwan Pyeong.”
Fwoooosh!
A terrifying demonic energy erupted from Seo Ryang’s body.
“Getting strong ‘that way’ won’t let you seize the throne.”
“…!”
“I’m saying this not for your sake, but for the cultists who will be sacrificed because of you. It would be best if you stopped.”
With those words, Seo Ryang left through the gate.
***
“Ugh, that hurts.”
After leaving Gwan Pyeong’s residence, Seo Ryang continuously massaged his wrist.
“That bastard, he’s strong as an ox. And here I thought I was pretty strong myself.”
In truth, there was almost no difference in their physical strength.
The only difference was that while Seo Ryang had achieved a balance between physical strength and energy distribution, Jin Gwanyong had focused solely on intensely cultivating his energy.
Perhaps that was the true Pinnacle of the Demonic Realm achieved through orthodox demonic arts. After all, Seo Ryang had reached his state not by purely understanding demonic arts, but by breaking down their boundaries and analyzing and incorporating various martial principles from multiple angles.
“Still, that guy’s amazing. Reaching the Pinnacle of the Demonic Realm already. And he even kept up with my speed?”
In reality, reaching the Pinnacle of the Demonic Realm didn’t create a huge gap in reaction speed compared to a Supreme Master.
The reason Gwan Pyeong couldn’t even react to Seo Ryang’s attack was that Seo Ryang’s demonic energy had mercilessly overwhelmed his senses.
It was like a fight between a predator and a large herbivore. A predator could be harmed if a herbivore charged with determination, but a herbivore whose senses were disoriented by the predator’s killing intent and roar wouldn’t even think of fighting back.
Who could wield a greater amount of energy more delicately? How creatively could one wield it? And how much more perfectly could one control it?
The level of one’s martial arts was determined by how deeply one delved into the essence of energy itself.
‘That’s what’s so surprising.’
It was natural that Gwan Pyeong couldn’t react. That wasn’t surprising.
But it was quite surprising that Jin Gwanyong had matched his speed. He wouldn’t have been able to move like that unless he had seen through how Seo Ryang’s demonic energy was suppressing Gwan Pyeong.
“Jin Gwanyong, the First Young Master of the Divine Cult…”
Seo Ryang scratched his head.
“It’s going to take some effort to put him down.”
Although he hadn’t achieved his intended goal, it was, all in all, a sufficiently satisfying visit.
‘Well, I’ve pretty much finished what I needed to do, so I should start getting ready.’
Returning to his residence, Seo Ryang called for Ma Dongpil.
“Dongpil, get ready.”
“Sir?”
Seo Ryang tilted his head from side to side. With each cracking sound, his expression grew more refreshed.
“Let’s get this over with quickly, then come back and tidy things up around here.”