Chapter 72
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: I Closed the Door, Not Knowing a Demon Was Coming Out (2)
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Jeong Illyong chuckled.
“Join hands with allies, crush enemies? Quite a satisfying turn of phrase.”
“……”
“Listen here, Commander O.”
O Gyeonghwa’s eyes were still wide open.
His face, stained with disbelief, no longer held any trace of goodwill.
Jeong Illyong’s smile deepened.
“Shouldn’t you figure out who’s an ally and who’s an enemy before you decide to join hands or fight? If you run wild without knowing anything, like you did, you’ll end up losing your head to the wrong person, just like this.”
He flicked his hand carelessly.
Thud! Thud, thud.
O Gyeonghwa’s head rolled about before coming to a stop at Yullang’s feet.
“Will you be feeding that to your young ones as well?”
“It’s fine. The young ones are picky eaters.”
“Haha, I suppose they would be.”
Thwack!
O Gyeonghwa’s head flew and smashed against a distant rock.
Jeong Illyong turned his head.
“Whew, the appetites of those wolves you brought are truly something else.”
“Everything they eat becomes nourishment through the Beast King’s Grand Arts.”
“Did you say you’re in the final stages?”
“That’s right.”
“Hah! To think beasts could hold an advantage against the swordsmen of the martial world. Truly incredible.”
The place the two men looked upon had become a sea of blood.
It was the blood shed by the fifty members of the Iron Guard O Gyeonghwa had brought.
Nearly all the corpses were so severely mutilated they looked as if they had been devoured by beasts.
And amidst those gruesome corpses, thirty wolves lay, licking each other’s fur.
The ‘beasts’ O Gyeonghwa had mentioned were not a metaphor, but a reality. The forces Yullang brought from the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace were not men, but actual wolves.
But they were no ordinary wolves.
Each and every one was the size of a calf. It wasn’t just because they were stained with blood; their fur seemed to be naturally crimson, like blood itself.
These were not naturally grown wolves. The presence each one exuded was as formidable as any peak master’s.
Jeong Illyong shook his head.
“They say the world is filled with unheard-of heresies and strange arts, and it seems to be true.”
“The Beast King’s Grand Arts are no mere heresy. It’s akin to how humans cultivate internal energy through meditation techniques; we simply force beasts to do the same.”
“Are they well-controlled?”
“Of course.”
Yullang gestured to one of the wolves.
It was the smallest of the red wolves, though even it was the size of a decent tiger.
Ssk.
The wolf rose from its spot, approached Yullang, and rubbed its head against his thigh.
Jeong Illyong was impressed.
“They understand with just a gesture?”
“Yes. They are connected through the spirit of the upper elixir field, so even intricate commands are possible.”
“...I was skeptical when I heard you used beasts as your main force, but seeing this... I find myself coveting them.”
There is only one reason why even the strongest beast is difficult to use as a military force: they cannot be controlled.
Even if they could be controlled, it’s impossible for them to understand with reason like a human. What beast could comprehend complex tactics or battle formations and charge into the fray at the right moment?
But these wolves could.
As strong as peak masters, with hides and teeth harder than steel, these creatures could annihilate a small or mid-sized clan in less than an hour.
“What about the demon’s blood?”
“I made sure they drank plenty.”
“Was it effective?”
“I don’t know yet. There are no demons nearby. But if someone with demonic energy comes within a ten-li radius, they will surely sense it.”
Jeong Illyong nodded.
“In many ways, they’re better than humans. I’m envious.”
“……”
“And I wanted to thank you. For siding with me instead of the Iron Blood Fortress.”
Yullang gave a faint smile. The smile on his face, which had neither a beard nor eyebrows, was unsettling.
“It’s only natural to side with those who treat you with respect. They have always seen us as mere beasts.”
“Haha.”
“However…”
Yullang glanced to the side.
Far off, in front of a broken tree stump, stood a middle-aged man, gasping for breath. His entire body was covered in blood, but fortunately, he didn't seem to have lost his life.
It was Gwak Sa, the Vice-Commander of the Iron Guard.
“Why did you leave that one alive?”
“I’m thinking of taking him with me.”
“Do you know him?”
“No. But he seemed out of place among the resisting Iron Guard. His swordsmanship was clumsy, too. When I asked, I was told he had been imprisoned in the Iron Blood Fortress’s Thunder Prison before recently becoming the Vice-Commander.”
“Is that a reason not to kill him?”
“Not really, but aren’t you curious? How a felon locked in the Thunder Prison became a Vice-Commander.”
“……”
“Haha, well, there’s that reason, and… when you’ve been rolling around in the political arena as long as I have, you get a feel for these things. I guarantee you, that man definitely knows something about the Iron Blood Fortress.”
Yullang nodded. At the same time, he tilted his head as if another question had occurred to him.
“What was that silk pouch you received from him?”
“Hm? Ah, you mean the Incarnation Jewel?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t need to know. Just understand this: it’s a treasure that will be useful in achieving our grand ambition.”
For a moment, a sharp glint appeared in Yullang’s eyes.
“Do you intend to use it on the Leader of the Righteous Heaven Alliance?”
Jeong Illyong smiled and brought a finger to his lips.
Yullang nodded. It was a signal to be careful, for even on an empty mountain, words could leak.
“How is the Palace Lord?”
“Fortunately, he is showing signs of improvement. It seems he will be back on his feet soon.”
“That’s a great relief.”
“The medicine you brought was effective... Hmm?”
Yullang’s ears twitched.
“What is it?”
“One moment.”
He looked to the southwest.
At the same time, the wolves, which had been lazing about licking their fur, all rose, their eyes glowing fiercely. While lying down, they had seemed somewhat docile, but now that they were standing and radiating killing intent, they were truly menacing.
Ssssk.
The smallest wolf, the Blood Wolf Commander, threw its head back toward the sky.
Awoooooo!!
As the Blood Wolf Commander let out a howl, the other twenty-nine wolves joined in.
The howls of the calf-sized wolves echoing over the blood-soaked ground evoked a scene from hell.
The wind blowing from all directions seemed to stir the wolves’ ferocity, and their cries grew louder.
Yullang raised his hand.
Instantly, all the wolves, led by the Blood Wolf Commander, fell silent.
“Demons.”
“Demons?”
“Yes. I don’t know the exact number, but it seems to be just under a hundred.”
“Oh? It seems you’ve had a taste of demon blood yourself.”
“No. The Blood Wolf Commander told me.”
A wicked smile spread across Jeong Illyong’s face.
“Whatever the case, it’s a truly marvelous ability. So, what is their skill level? Compared to the fifty from the Iron Guard, I mean.”
“Their numbers are one thing... but there are some formidable ones among them.”
“And how do they compare to the strength of your wolves?”
Yullang turned to look at Jeong Illyong. His blue eyes shone with strong confidence.
Jeong Illyong clasped his hands behind his back.
“How about you show me what they can really do? This time, neither you nor I will participate.”
“Will time be an issue?”
“It doesn’t matter if it takes all night.”
Yullang turned back.
Ssssss.
A powerful wave of energy flowed from his body.
“It will be over before the sun sets.”
* * *
Ma Dongpil’s eyes wavered.
*‘Incredible.’*
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Juhwa’s movement technique, as she surged forward, was magnificent.
It wasn’t that her speed was extraordinary. She had still only recovered a third of her strength.
What was truly incredible was the pace of her recovery.
*‘They said she’d just barely recovered from qi deviation. But that movement...’*
The person he had seen use the most sophisticated movement technique was Mu Dam, the Lord of the Hall of Protectors, and the one who had displayed the most fantastical technique was Seo Ryang.
Juhwa’s technique was entirely different from theirs. Of course, it was high-level, but it couldn’t compare to the Lord of the Hall of Protectors, and while her skill was excellent, it was clearly different from what Seo Ryang had shown.
But it was beautiful.
The delicate and perfect movements created by the tips of her feet as she stepped forward were dazzling.
Her movements, covering distance steadily and surely, could be considered a textbook example of a movement technique.
This wasn’t something that could be displayed simply by having a high level of martial arts.
It showed traces of years spent training, of diligently polishing the fundamentals without ever taking a shortcut.
He was certain she must have trained until she coughed up blood. Even Ma Dongpil, who had learned orthodox demonic arts by the book, wasn't confident he could display such clean movements.
Pahk!
Ma Dongpil caught up to Juhwa’s side.
Beads of sweat had formed on Juhwa’s forehead.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“It seems your skills are returning by the moment. But if you push yourself any harder, you might be in danger at a critical moment.”
“I’m fine.”
“I won’t suggest you rest in the carriage. But how about riding a horse?”
“I’m really fine. If I get tired, I’ll rest on my own.”
She conversed leisurely even while using her movement technique. This must mean that while it was strenuous, she was truly fine.
However, that was Ma Dongpil’s misunderstanding.
Juhwa wasn't just fine.
Like her movement technique, which grew more beautiful with time, she was recovering her former martial prowess at a frightening pace.
Fwoooosh! Fwooooosh!
Power was added to her beautiful movements. Juhwa’s speed increased another level, and she now led even the third squad of protectors mounted on fine steeds.
*‘This is it.’*
A subtle joy filled Juhwa’s eyes.
*‘This is how it’s done.’*
The speed at which she was recovering her martial arts was truly terrifying.
It was partly because her talent blended well with the Lunar Yin Demonic Art, and it was also a testament to her immense efforts over the years.
But that alone couldn’t explain her recovery rate.
There was another, true reason she could recover so quickly.
*‘The Third Young Master’s demonic energy.’*
Seo Ryang’s concentrated demonic energy contained the essence of the Shadow True Demonic Arts.
The Shadow True Demonic Arts was a demonic art of burning, destruction, and endless advancement. It sought change at every moment, naturally emphasizing motion over stillness.
Unless she was so exhausted that even jogging was a burden, it was better to be in motion. Naturally, the Lunar Yin Demonic Art synchronized with it, displaying a fiery recovery.
Srrrrk.
The sweat on her forehead froze white, then shattered and blew away. The Lunar Yin demonic energy was naturally rising, attempting to purge even the finest impurities.
*‘It’s working.’*
From one-third to one-half.
*‘It’s working!’*
From one-half to two-thirds.
It was a miraculous recovery, gained while traversing fifty li. Both the demonic energy in her elixir field and her ability to wield it had recovered by more than seventy percent.
Juhwa’s face was flushed with excitement.
*‘At this rate, soon...!’*
It was then.
Awoooooo!!
Juhwa’s and Ma Dongpil’s eyes flashed.
“Everyone, halt!”
Both horses and people had been moving at high speed. The group gradually slowed, coming to a stop only after traveling another hundred and fifty paces.
Ma Dongpil came up beside Juhwa.
“Did you feel that?”
“Yes. It’s not demonic energy.”
“Indeed, it’s not demonic energy, but…”
“It’s incredibly ferocious.”
Ssk.
The two of them looked up.
On a distant hill, a man of immense stature was looking down at them.
The man, Yullang, spoke.
“Tear them apart.”
Fwoooosh!
Before his words had even faded, massive shadows rushed in from the left and right.
Ma Dongpil shouted.
“Scatter!”
Chaaaaang!
The protectors of the third squad drew their weapons and attacked the shadows.
* * *
“……!”
Seo Ryang’s face hardened.
“What is this?”
The mountaintop, now a sea of blood.
Horribly mutilated corpses were scattered everywhere.
More than half the flesh was gone, as if devoured by some beast, leaving only gnawed bones.
Even his boiling demonic energy seemed to cool. The demonic energy urged him to run wild at the scent of blood, but his reason fiercely suppressed it.
But soon, he found a trace that would unite his reason and emotion.
“It hasn’t been long. Probably less than half an hour ago... Huh?”
Shaaaak!
Demonic energy and killing intent erupted, vying for dominance.
Ssk.
He swept his hand over a low rock and detected a trace of divine energy.
Just as the Flying Demon King, a master of her craft, had read the traces of the Nine Great Sects’ martial arts in his shadow energy.
Just as Lee Cheonsang, who had reached the pinnacle of demonic arts, had detected the trace of Buddhist martial arts in his demonic arts.
Seo Ryang, too, could read it. Within the fading trace, he saw the flash of true energy unique to the martial arts of the righteous faction.
The trace of Jeong Illyong, the supreme master praised by all as the Beautiful Beard Sword Immortal.
Crackle! Bzzzt!
As the day slowly came to an end, beneath a sky stained red, a blood-red bolt of lightning spewed forth a merciless desire to kill.
Ssk.
The hair on his entire body stood on end. His demonic energy, which had cooled, now boiled twice as fiercely as before.
It was as if someone were whispering in his ear.
“Kill.”
Kra-kooom!
A massive bolt of red lightning shot down the mountain at a terrifying speed.
Fwoosh!
A subtle golden radiance followed close behind.