Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Beginning of Revival (1)
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Thump thump.
His heart began pounding fiercely.
Gurgle gurgle!
Blood vessels throughout his body writhed madly, accelerating circulation.
"Huuu."
A faint haze rose from Murong Bi's body along with his quiet exhale.
Nice.
No backlash from manifesting such intense martial arts.
He hadn't slept, but the excessive nutrition intake had invigorated his entire body.
The Brain Gate Heart Technique amplified his will, empowering the Mixed Origin True Qi to distribute the incoming nutrients evenly throughout his body. In that short time, it had repaired his muscles and built up subcutaneous fat.
His nourished brain accelerated the flow of Brain Gate True Qi, and the accelerated Brain Gate True Qi in turn strengthened the Mixed Origin True Qi.
One part improved, and exhausted areas everywhere began to awaken, elevating the overall level. The enhanced body created a virtuous cycle, reactivating his qi and adding momentum to its circulation.
For the first time since entering this body, it had become a true warrior's physique.
Thanks to the Hemopoiesis Pill.
The decisive factor had been the Hemopoiesis Pill.
Swallowed raw, it became an instant-acting deadly poison, clotting the blood before one could even count to ten and killing the user.
But taken the moment qi was fully activated and the medicinal power dispersed, it could selectively purge only the congealed dead blood and turbid qi from prior wounds.
Poison and medicine were separated by a hair's breadth. Murong Bi possessed the ability to turn even poison into elixir.
With precise internal energy control, the Hemopoiesis Pill's power could hyper-activate qi flow.
Murong Bi had squeezed every last possibility from that poisonous pill.
Good.
Swish.
He took a step forward.
It felt as light as a feather. Far more vigorous than when he first formed the Mixed Origin True Qi.
Perfect.
His whole body felt flushed hot.
The pleasant throb of his heart. His breaths grew shorter and deeper with the rising heat.
Murong Bi kicked off the ground.
Bam!
The elasticity loaded into his toes boosted his speed.
Hwang Gyu matched the suddenly faster movements by accelerating as well.
Bam!
Moving to the right to create distance, Hwang Gyu drew up his White Sword True Qi.
This bastard!
Woooong!
A pale white haze rose faintly from his white sword.
Not a defined form, but sword-like force energy swirled over the blade.
Perfected Force Emission—Sword Force. True qi technique that slashed and destroyed everything within the sword's range.
"Let's see you block this!"
Hwang Gyu's sword moved in a single streak of light.
Fearsome speed, suddenly amplified destructive power.
The Ten Sword Sect's strongest art and Hwang Gyu's signature— the Ten Secret Swords—unfolded.
Shraaa!
The swirling Sword Force mercilessly shredded Murong Bi's sleeve as it passed. His slender forearm was fully exposed.
Hwang Gyu's eyes wavered.
He dodged?!
It was a full-force swing.
He was confident even the Hong Sword Clan's patriarch wouldn't dodge this easily.
Murong Bi's body spun, brushing past Hwang Gyu.
Slash!
A chilling sound.
The sensation of a blunt blade tearing into his side was utterly terrifying.
At least it hadn't cut deep into the muscle.
"Tch!"
Bam bam!
Hwang Gyu's body spun as well.
Crossing his legs in rapid succession, he rotated, pulling back the propelled force to amplify his Ten Secret Sword Force.
Die!
Flash!
The pure white sword light slicing through the air was blindingly beautiful.
But.
Clang!
Hwang Gyu's sword vibrated fiercely and bounced sideways.
F-Force Emission?!
Only Force Emission could block Force Emission.
At least in Hwang Gyu's common sense. But he hadn't even seen Force Emission pouring from Murong Bi's blade.
How!
Whoosh!
Gripping his broadsword with both hands in a diagonal thrust, Murong Bi charged and slashed upward from low left to high right.
No time to resolve his doubts. Hwang Gyu recovered his deflected sword and unleashed the Ten Secret Swords' Secret Veil Sword.
Ching!
Strong!
The defense succeeded, but the shock traveled past the sword to his wrist and elbow—immense.
Could a single diagonal upward stroke, not even a downward chop, carry this much power?
And it didn't end there.
Thud!
Power loaded into his extended leg, Murong Bi gathered his upper body's strength and brought the sword down.
A strike channeling his entire body's power. Having already shown such a mighty blow, to immediately crouch for a follow-up chain attack—this speed was impossible without a tempered body.
Hwang Gyu retreated urgently.
Slash!
"Urk!"
A diagonal gash appeared on his chest.
The blade tip had gouged the skin. Not a clean cut, but forcibly scraped and torn.
It hurts.
Excitement usually dulled pain, but this wound was different.
Unnaturally chilling agony. Like being clawed by a beast's hook-turned talons.
Bam!
The assault continued.
Once momentum was seized, it pressed relentlessly. That was the law of the battlefield.
Murong Bi's blade began to dance.
Clang clang! Clang clang!
Hwang Gyu's swordsmanship blocking the heavy broadsword was no ordinary feat. Simply withstanding Murong Bi's frenzied assault proved his skill amply.
Clang clang! Clang!
As time passed, the resonance of metal clashing amplified.
To ordinary eyes, even discerning attacks and blocks was impossible. Fast, yes—but the sparks exploding from blade collisions dazzled the vision.
An ecstatic clash of life and death.
Life and death coexisted amid bursting flames.
Ecstasy and terror on death's edge screamed. The blades' wail overwhelmed onlookers' souls.
But in this moment, the most overwhelmed was Hwang Gyu.
T-This!
Clang clang! Clang clang!
Swinging madly, yet his mind shrank progressively.
Shoulders tense? Wrists stiff? He couldn't tell. No thoughts of countering gaps or trading flesh for bone.
He could only give his all to block Murong Bi's indiscriminate onslaught.
How is this possible?
When committing to a frontal clash, he'd thought good. Confident in overwhelming with internal energy and stamina.
Yet from blocking that first strike, something felt off.
An indescribable frustration. It crystallized blocking the next, disrupting his mind.
This bastard's messing with my breathing!
Yes.
Power-wise, he still held the edge. Far superior, not just by a move or two.
Yet he couldn't wield it.
The reason was simple and clear. Murong Bi's attacks fragmented the rhythm at the moment of clash.
Impossible!
Reading the opponent's breath to attack?
Easy to say. But no one wielded such attacks as naturally as breathing.
Reading breath meant discerning power, speed, habits—impossible to grasp easily.
Even if discerned, toying with breath so effortlessly was a realm beyond the heavens.
Claaaaang!
"Urgh!"
No cuts, but his whole body sank.
Strength drained terrifyingly fast. Breath failing, body refused commands.
No choice. Even if cut, he had to inhale now.
Or die.
"Hup!"
Slash!
"Kuhk!"
He'd resolved, but the pain was horrific.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed belatedly. Left shoulder muscle chunked off—back of his neck chilled.
You bastard!
One breath restored power throughout.
About to counter, Hwang Gyu glimpsed something long flying at his face.
Murong Bi's leg.
Crack!
A reverse roundhouse to the face, an impromptu Whirlwind Kick variation executed in place.
Meaning he'd spun while slashing the shoulder, preparing the follow-up.
He's real.
Hwang Gyu felt fear.
This guy really read my habits and movements.
Slash!
A vertical swing sliced the inside of Hwang Gyu's thigh.
This strike was truly dangerous. A bit deeper, and the artery would've severed.
His mind snapped alert.
Booom!
Expending all breath, he retreated.
Instinctive. His body knew retreat was survival.
But as if anticipating, Murong Bi was already charging.
Hwang Gyu's eyes bloodshot red.
Don't come.
He swung wildly.
Not Ten Secret Swords, but lifetime sword training made it threatening enough.
Ting ting!
The menacing strikes all blocked by one thick broadsword.
Deflecting by angling the blade mid-charge. Even face-close attacks deflected without a blink.
"Hahk!"
Breath disrupted again.
Hwang Gyu met Murong Bi's eyes.
Seeming flushed red with excitement, yet pupils unwavering, as if entranced.
Bluish, then bloodshot. Like blue and red lightning flickering.
Don't come!
Bam!
An all-in strike.
Aim to pierce the skull in one go, no thought of next, pouring all internal energy and strength.
Whoosh!
The sword pierced Murong Bi's head.
Hwang Gyu's face lit with joy.
Got him!
But why no impact?
Whoosh.
With the wind, Murong Bi's face scattered.
The pierced forehead, flickering blue-red eyes, expressionless face's killing intent—all vanished like smoke.
Left was a single blade coiling snake-like around his wrist.
Swish!
"Kraaa!"
His final breath became a scream.
Thud! Clatter! Chiiing!
Falling on his butt, something hit the ground.
Severed wrist and fingers, plus the sword he'd gripped.
"Hahk! Hak! Hak!"
Only thought: breathe. Not loss or pain.
As Hwang Gyu panted raggedly, darkness surged in his vision.
His fight ended, but Murong Bi's continued.
Crunch!
No scream.
All-out kick smashed central face.
Nose bridge snapped, teeth flew. Right eye socket lower crushed on instep, shock to neck vertebrae.
Thud!
Back of head slamming ground, Hwang Gyu's body convulsed.
Somehow alive, but mind blank from trauma.
Meantime, massive blood poured from severed wrist.
"Uuuuh...."
Groaning, he sent internal energy to the stump. Instinct.
Blood slowed from wrist, but combat ability lost for sure.
Victory decided.
"Huu."
Murong Bi quietly exhaled, slinging his sword over his shoulder.
Unlike Hwang Gyu, breath steady, no severe wounds. Only change: sweat-damp nape.
Total victory.
Undeniable perfect win.
"Shame."
Murong Bi smiled, pointing his sword at Hwang Gyu.
"Wanted to teach my clan's brats a thing or two, but this training dummy's too soft—can't demo more."
"Kuhk!"
"Time to discard a used-up dummy, right?"