Chapter 200
Chapter 200
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: Who Would've Thought This Would Actually Work
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Namgung Gilyeong stood at the edge of the forest near the Central Plains Mountain with the Dark Palace Squad under his command.
“Looking forward to this.”
His body thrummed with excitement at the thought of soon meeting Namgung Seong.
Wasn’t he always the one acting all lofty and righteous, flaunting his authority like he owned the place?
So, for him to bow his head on his own accord? How could that not be amusing?
That’s what he was thinking when death loomed right in front of him.
“Coming?”
Whoosh!
A figure landed silently in front of Namgung Gilyeong.
A face he hadn’t seen in a while.
It was Bi Cheonho Ri.
“I greet the Dark Palace Captain.”
“You came alone?”
“That’s right.”
“Where’s the Dark Soul Captain?”
“He said he was too ashamed to face you directly and asked forgiveness for sending his subordinates from afar as a discourtesy.”
No sooner had Gong Honbeom finished speaking than five more figures dropped down.
All wore the masks symbolizing the Dark Soul Squad and kept their heads bowed low, making it hard to recognize their faces.
At that moment, the man at the front stepped forward slowly and offered something with utmost courtesy.
A sword gleaming like finely carved crystal. It was the Northern冥 Sword.
In an instant, a glint flashed in Namgung Gilyeong’s eyes.
No need for further appraisal.
Just as the rumors said, it exuded a terrifying demonic energy intertwined with bone-chilling cold.
It felt like touching it would freeze his body in an instant.
One might think the word “demonic beast” was invented just for this thing.
“To bring such a treasure and yet be too ashamed to show your face? I can’t read the Dark Soul Captain’s mind.”
Contrary to his words, Namgung Gilyeong found Namgung Seong’s intentions as clear as day, which only made it all the more ridiculous.
He figured Namgung Seong was wary of him.
Wasn’t he a man on the brink of death?
Even after offering the Northern冥 Sword of his own accord, if it seemed like he wouldn’t let him off, he’d probably bolt right away, leaving these squad members as bait.
‘Always preaching about cherishing your subordinates, never treating them like tools. In the end, you’re no different, Seong.’
Seeing through to the bottom of that bastard made him feel this delighted.
“I’ve confirmed the Northern冥 Sword. Where’s the Hell Technique?”
“We’ve secured the manual.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Bring it.”
“Before handing over the manual, the Dark Soul Captain said he had a message for the Vice Vanguard Leader.”
“A message for me?”
“Yes. No matter what happened before, he said he overreached, that he feels he wronged the Vice Vanguard Leader terribly, and begs for your mercy.”
The smile at the corner of Namgung Gilyeong’s mouth grew wider.
Wasn’t this practically waving the white flag?
His arrogance swelled.
“That answer depends on whether you’ve brought the goods properly. Show me.”
“Here it is.”
The squad member holding the Northern冥 Sword hesitated for a moment, his expression like he was hoping for something.
When Namgung Gilyeong’s eyebrow twitched, Bi Cheonho Ri swiftly berated him harshly.
“What are you doing? Hand over the manual now! Truth be told, the Vice Vanguard Leader is now your highest superior. Don’t you know which side to stand on?”
“……”
“Hurry up!”
In the end, the squad member bowed his head deeply and pulled a booklet from his bosom, offering it quietly.
The title was written on the cover in bold, dragon-snake-like script.
Crimson Lotus Hell Technique.
Namgung Gilyeong’s chest swelled with emotion.
Bi Cheonho Ri quickly bowed his head and said,
“My loyalty belongs solely to you, Vice Vanguard Leader. Please recognize this humble one’s heart.”
Namgung Gilyeong didn’t miss the implication hidden in Bi Cheonho Ri’s words.
Not “our” but “my.”
Even if he abandoned Namgung Seong, please don’t abandon me.
He was saying he’d be useful in the future, so please take him in.
Namgung Gilyeong barely suppressed a burst of laughter.
What a cunning fox.
He knew foxes were quick at calculating their interests.
But to read the conflict between him and Namgung Seong in that short time and swiftly pick a side? Impressive.
This guy probably wanted to escape his tiresome spy life and come out into the light too.
Even though Namgung Gilyeong had no intention of granting Bi Cheonho Ri’s wish, he nodded, recalling how much help he’d been in procuring the Northern冥 Sword and Hell Technique.
“You live up to calling yourself a fox. Quick on the uptake. But it seems the one you should be loyal to isn’t me.”
“Then I offer this sincerity to the Vanguard Leader. Please accept me.”
Bi Cheonho Ri now prostrated himself flat on the ground. The other Dark Soul Squad members bowed even deeper.
“I’ll make sure to inform the Vanguard Leader of your merits. But even I, his right-hand man, can’t know his intentions. Tools have no need or reason to know their master’s mind.”
“Wise words! For this humble one, just being able to glimpse the Vanguard Leader from afar would be glory for three lifetimes!”
As Namgung Gilyeong took the manual and slowly examined its contents—checking for any flaws before presenting it to the Three Vanguards Leader—he thought Bi Cheonho Ri’s flattery was pretty skilled.
‘The winds from the north carry frost, the world buries itself in snowfields and vanishes, all things freezing in the kalpa of ice… Yes, it’s the Crimson Lotus Hell Technique.’
As a member of the righteous South Palace Clan, Namgung Gilyeong had no way of knowing its exact contents, but he could gauge its profundity from the incantations alone, enough to recognize what an extraordinary technique it was.
Above all, Namgung Gilyeong felt a twinge of greed here.
A secret art passed down for nearly a millennium from the North Sea to the Heavenly Mountains.
Just skimming its depths would offer him great insights.
Perhaps the path to the pinnacle he’d only dreamed of would open.
‘Circulating yin cold qi not in the lower dantian but the middle? Reversal means defying heaven, so yin must thrive. So different from Central Plains martial arts common sense. Is this why it’s a demonic art?’
Namgung Gilyeong’s gaze deepened.
A sinister energy swirled in his pupils.
‘What ignorant fools. Sacrificing innate qi like this. But that’s why there’s so much to take. If I adapt it to myself—’
As Namgung Gilyeong’s thoughts deepened, a Dark Palace Squad member beside him cautiously spoke up.
The atmosphere around Namgung Gilyeong felt off.
It was like gloomy air was flowing.
“Captain?”
“…What is it?”
Fortunately, Namgung Gilyeong quickly regained his senses and turned to his subordinate.
The subordinate hurriedly bowed.
“Ah, nothing. You were lost deep in thought—”
“Do I seem like something’s wrong with me?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Ha! Do you think a mere demonic art could sway me? No need to worry. The South Palace Thunder Justice Qi shatters all evil in the world with its demon-breaking flames. I won’t be swayed by trash like this.”
“I was out of line.”
Namgung Gilyeong scoffed lightly and summoned his thunder qi.
Black Thunder Heavenbreaker Art.
Black lightning, his signature, crackled wildly over his skin.
Crackle, crackle, crackle!!
“Rather, a power like this could open new horizons for me—”
Suddenly, Namgung Gilyeong stopped mid-sentence.
It was as if time itself had frozen just for him.
“…Captain?”
The moment his subordinate’s eyes widened in shock, Gong Honbeom moved.
Crackle-crackle-crackle!!
His hands blazed hot.
Left hand: Six Threads. Right hand: Chasing Thunder.
The Six Threads Chasing Thunder Art, alongside Wall Mountain Palm, slammed into Namgung Gilyeong’s chest.
BOOOOM!
With a deafening roar shaking the forest like a cannon blast, Namgung Gilyeong’s upper body exploded entirely.
The absurd death of the Dark Thunder Division’s Third Vanguard Vice Leader and Dark Palace Captain.
“The Captain’s down! Dark Palace Squad, block them all—”
His subordinate’s words didn’t last long.
Unhwi had already swapped the Northern冥 Sword for the Northern冥 Tablet and pierced his forehead.
Then, the Forgotten Thought Rope’s threads unfurled like a net, shredding the surrounding Dark Palace Squad members into dozens of pieces.
Swoooosh!
Flash—
Moreover, the Three Straight Assassins drew their swords from their waists in unison, unleashing sword qi.
The Dark Palace Squad members had no chance to react before their heads exploded one after another.
“…Who would’ve thought this would actually work. I was so skeptical. Ha!”
For Gong Honbeom, it was exasperating.
When Unhwi first suggested using the fake Crimson Lotus Hell Technique to easily take out the Dark Palace Captain, he’d scoffed inwardly.
Having briefly been part of the Corpse Demon Phantom Sect himself, he knew well.
Demonic arts were demonic precisely because tampering with their incantations was so difficult.
They hid tricks and phrasing impossible for the righteous to fathom.
Let alone a thousand-year-old lineage secret art?
That’s why Gong Honbeom opposed Unhwi’s plan.
What if they realized it was fake and turned on them?
But Unhwi boldly shouted,
‘What if it works?’
‘No, common sense says that’s impossible—’
‘That’s why I’m asking, what if it works?’
‘……’
‘Wanna bet, Heavenly Messenger Vice?’
‘Don’t talk nonsense! You want me to bet my entire fortune on this crap?’
‘Scaredy-cat.’
‘No, that’s one thing, this is—’
‘Scared.’
‘……’
‘Ah, whatever. What’s the point talking to a chicken—’
‘Fine! Let’s do it! But if we fail, you owe me something too!’
‘I’ll give you the real Crimson Lotus Hell Technique. Deal?’
‘Deal!! Let’s go!’
‘Heh heh heh.’
Cold sweat trickled down Gong Honbeom’s back.
Right then, his eyes met Unhwi’s.
“Come on over, Heavenly Messenger Vice.”
“……”
Gong Honbeom tried to brush it off as a joke, but Unhwi, seeing through it, sneered and dashed off elsewhere first.
Flash—
“Damn iiiit!!”
Gong Honbeom spat curses while ramping his thunder qi to the max.
Somehow, even he—who always kept a cool head—got swept up whenever Unhwi was involved.
Cursing his past foolishness, he unleashed Wall Mountain Palm.
The battle had begun.
Dealing with the Heavenly Messenger Vice could wait.
First priority: wipe out the Dark Palace Squad and charge straight into the Dark Thunder Division base.
“Die, you bastards!!”
Rumble!
Thunder Barrier Strike exploded.
* * *
Unhwi and his group swiftly eliminated the Dark Palace Squad and raced along the forest edge.
“Here!!”
“This is really the spot, right, Brewmaster?”
“Just follow me!”
Unhwi led without hesitation, as if he knew exactly where the Dark Thunder Division was.
And sure enough, martial artists presumed to be from the Dark Thunder Division were there.
They fell helplessly to the assault of no fewer than six absolute peak experts.
Kieeeek!
In the sky, demon horses shrieked while circling.
The wail signaling the start of war.
Reincarnation Demon God Chronicles