The Shadow of the Yin God (7)
So Bang's face froze solid.
Half-breed. It was the word she hated most in the world.
It wasn't just her. Every divine seed with tainted blood flowing through their veins despised that word. No—despised wasn't strong enough. They loathed it.
But So Bang couldn't lash out. This bastard... The term half-breed. And the way he'd dismantled her Blood Yin Palm patterns before she could even unleash them. Does he know who I am?
Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.
"Why? Surprised?"
"......"
"You."
"You've mastered the Blood Yin Demonic Qi. Or not quite mastered it yet? Either way, you've taken it to a frightening level."
"How do you know about the Blood Yin Demonic Qi...?"
"Since you've elevated the Blood Yin Demonic Qi to such heights, I assume you'll be receiving the Yin Wasteland Arts soon? Hmm. That would be unfortunate."
"......!!"
So Bang's face drained of all color.
"H-how could you possibly know that?"
A forbidden art passed only through the bloodline of the Saum Sect Leader. Its power grows with the user's hatred, but the price is a slow erosion of the soul.
The Blood Yin Demonic Qi was considered a highly unique martial art even within the Saum Sect.
Not because of its destructive power or difficulty. It was the circumstances of its creation and its peculiar history that made it special.
The Blood Yin Demonic Qi had branched off from the protective divine art that successive Saum Sect Leaders had cultivated for generations.
It was not an improved version. If anything, it was a degraded one, naturally weaker and less complex than the original protective divine art.
What was truly astonishing was that no ordinary person could learn it. Those who first attempted to cultivate the Blood Yin Demonic Qi would suffer qi deviation midway through, either dying on the spot or descending into madness.
As a result, only a tiny number of people had ever survived learning it. And shockingly, every single one of those survivors had been blood relatives of the sect leader.
It was a martial art that valued bloodline over talent. While countless martial arts existed across the world, those tied to bloodline were extremely rare.
The Blood Yin Demonic Qi was exactly that kind of art. Only those carrying the blood of the Saum Sect Leader could cultivate it.
In the current Saum Sect, exactly ten people had successfully cultivated the Blood Yin Demonic Qi.
And every one of them was an illegitimate child of the sect leader, not a legitimate heir.
"In any case, you've come at the perfect time. Since things have come to this, I'll make sure to capture you properly right here."
Clink, clink, clink!
Yeon Hojeong instantly connected the Flood Dragon Chain wrapped around his torso to the Mad Dragon Axe and began spinning the massive weapon above his head.
Whoosh! Whoooosh! Whooooooosh!
It was a terrifying sight.
The Mad Dragon Axe, linked to the Flood Dragon Chain, spun at incredible speed above Yeon Hojeong's head. More impressive than the chain's strength and elasticity that endured such weight was the casual ease with which Yeon Hojeong wielded it.
Yet even this shocking display failed to stir the slightest emotion in So Bang.
She exploded.
"I asked you how the hell you know so much about our sect!"
Yeon Hojeong laughed again, colder than before.
"You can hear the answer in the afterlife, half-breed."
"......"
"You son of a bitch!"
So Bang's palm strike erupted with explosive blood-red energy, tearing through the air like a vengeful spirit.
Booooom!
So Bang charged forward at terrifying speed.
She had completely forgotten that her opponent saw through every pattern of her Blood Yin Palm. The violent rage that followed the initial shock had stripped away her reason entirely.
"Die!"
So Bang thrust out her palm.
The moment the Blood Yin Palm erupted, a single iron arrow obliterated it.
It was Muk Bi's Nine Dragon Archery, fired with every ounce of her strength. Her full-powered strike carried enough force to completely neutralize a single Blood Yin Palm.
And in that instant, Yeon Hojeong swung the Mad Dragon Axe.
The eighty-catty axe howled through the air, aimed with surgical precision at So Bang's waist. Its trajectory was perfect—neither too strong nor too fast, but impossibly accurate.
Whoooooooong!!
The Mad Dragon Axe tore through the air, aimed directly at So Bang's midsection.
Even while controlling it through the Flood Dragon Chain, Yeon Hojeong could plant the axe blade exactly where he wanted. His skill in the delicate manipulation of weapons was beyond compare.
So Bang attacking, Muk Bi shattering the palm force, and Yeon Hojeong's strike aimed at the opening—all of it happened in the space of a single breath.
Whoosh!
The Mad Dragon Axe sliced through empty air. So Bang had dodged it.
Despite charging in a straight line at that speed, she twisted her body with incredible finesse to avoid the blow. It was a display worthy of her confidence in her own martial arts.
Twisting horizontally in midair, So Bang thrust her Blood Yin Palm toward the crown of Yeon Hojeong's head.
Boooom!
The palm force grazed his shoulder and exploded against the ground.
In the same instant, So Bang's feet scattered into more than a dozen afterimages, all targeting his upper body.
Clinkclinkclinkclinkclink!
If So Bang's movements had reached the divine, Yeon Hojeong's ability to respond was equally monstrous.
Using the Mad Dragon Axe's weight as an anchor while pulling the Flood Dragon Chain taut, he blocked the storm of kicks, deflecting each one with terrifying precision.
His reflexes were inhuman. Whether with bare fists, long weapons, or heavy ones, Yeon Hojeong's close combat prowess stood at the absolute peak of the Central Plains.
Thud!
But even Yeon Hojeong couldn't remain completely unscathed against the relentless barrage of kicks. Though he matched their speed and patterns perfectly, he was inevitably overpowered by the superior depth of her internal energy.
Then something astonishing happened.
Bang!
Yeon Hojeong's body, which had been sent flying backward, stopped dead. The Mad Dragon Axe had embedded itself into the ground, acting as a counterweight.
So Bang's eyes trembled.
She had already drawn her left hand back, preparing to unleash the Blood Trace Guiding Pond. He's not retreating? Was this his intention?!
The Blood Trace Guiding Pond required a certain distance from the opponent to display its true power. It was difficult to use in close quarters, but once space opened up, it could be deployed with unmatched speed and sharpness. Masters of the Blood Yin Palm favored it for that reason.
Yet Yeon Hojeong had halted his backward momentum. The resulting distance was awkwardly ambiguous.
So Bang hesitated for a split second.
In that moment, Muk Bi drew the string of her Crimson Lotus Bow.
Piiiiing!
The iron arrow screamed forward at terrifying speed, flying straight for So Bang's heart.
So Bang, who had been about to attack Yeon Hojeong, redirected her palm toward the incoming arrow.
Boom!
The arrow's trajectory bent, flying into the forest with a thunderous explosion. At the same time, Yeon Hojeong's Crimson Flame Six Killing Hands swept toward So Bang.
A ruthless strike timed to exploit the opening created by Muk Bi's arrow. The flames of the Vermilion Bird burned within the axe as it howled toward its target.
The timing was too perfect to evade. So Bang's eyes changed. Damn it!
She couldn't be certain whether it would truly break her Blood Yin Palm. But regardless, the opponent's ability to read her openings and attack was terrifyingly effective. What kind of insane monster is this?!
He was completely dominating the fight.
This wasn't something achievable through talent alone. It required hammering the insights gained from countless life-or-death battles into one's very bones.
And that was naturally impossible.
Being born with such talent was difficult enough, but even with the talent, surviving enough real battles for those reactions to become instinctive was like plucking stars from the heavens. After all, defeating the weak was easy, but surviving battles against the strong was incredibly difficult.
Had this bastard—this madman with the axe—survived all those battles and claimed such ability?
Booooooom!
The fiery power of the Crimson Flame Six Killing Hands sent So Bang flying back three jang.
'......!!'
So Bang's expression changed once again. Why is it delayed?!
The response from her Blood Yin Demonic Qi felt one beat slower than usual. It hadn't been like this at first, but the more she circulated her energy, the more sluggish it became.
Her offensive and defensive techniques refused to manifest at the proper rhythm. This was completely new to her.
Rustle!
So Bang, who had landed on the ground, quickly examined her internal state. There's no problem?
She hadn't suffered internal injuries, nor was her true qi in disarray. Everything felt normal.
Then why? Why did her reactions keep slowing down?
"Where are you looking?"
Baaaaang!
Two sharp sword energies grazed So Bang's collar.
They came from behind—Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk.
Normally she would have snorted and either blocked or dodged such attacks, but her collar had been sliced open. Part of it was because she couldn't focus, but her true qi response continued to slow even now.
When So Bang twisted her face in rage and prepared to attack Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk—
Whoosh!
Yeon Hojeong appeared in the air, Flood Dragon Chain in one hand and Mad Dragon Axe raised high in the other.
Kwaaaaaang! Crrrrrrack!
The Mad Dragon Axe split the earth.
It was a merciless strike infused with Vermilion Bird fire qi. So Bang, who had dodged with everything she had, glared at Yeon Hojeong.
"You...!"
Clinkclinkclink!
The Flood Dragon Chain writhed like a living serpent, trying to coil around her upper body.
'Damn it!'
Boom! Boom!
As So Bang retreated while detonating Blood Yin Palms, she suddenly felt heat against her back. She had been pushed all the way into the burning forest.
Whoosh!
Then, along with the scorching air, a stream of cool air entered her nose. In a space that should have been nothing but heat, the sudden chill was startling.
In that moment, So Bang realized. A formation?!
Yes. It was a formation. The slowing of her true qi response and the gradual drain on her stamina—it was all because of this formation.
The reason she could smell the cool air was that Yeon Hojeong's previous strike had disturbed the formation's illusion, allowing outside air to leak in for a brief moment.
But So Bang couldn't believe it. Impossible!
Had he predicted she would come to this exact spot and set up a formation in advance? No matter how brilliant a strategist, that was impossible.
Which meant these four visible people had set up the formation. But where in the world existed a formation like this?
Then Yeon Hojeong's cool voice reached her.
"The bastard was right. He said that if you panic, your thoughts multiply and your responses become easier to read."
"W-what?"
Yeon Hojeong smiled. It was a wicked smile.
"You won't be leaving this place."
Booooooom!
So Bang's body was sent flying sideways.
While Yeon Hojeong drew her attention, Muk Bi had unleashed a formless arrow strike. It was fortunate she had defended at the last moment. Otherwise her head would have been blown off.
And it didn't end there.
Saaaaaaaak!
A festival of sword energy closing in like a net. Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk had joined the battle in earnest.
So Bang's hands moved in a frantic blur.
Papapapapapak!
Spiderweb-like sword cuts appeared on both her forearms. Her sleeves were naturally shredded to pieces.
Yeon Hojeong's foot split the air.
Thud!
"Kugh!"
It was her first scream.
She had crossed both arms to block, but the impact of the kick shook her internal organs. Blood burst from So Bang's nose and mouth.
"Let's finish this."
Whooooong! Bang!
So Bang moved like a woman possessed.
Her stamina was dropping at a terrifying rate. The internal injuries were taking their toll. On top of that, her true qi response was visibly slowing.
Boom! Boom! Crack!
"Kyaaaak!"
Yeon Hojeong's close combat showed no mercy.
Her right arm was shattered by the swung axe handle. If she hadn't blocked, every bone in her right upper body would have been pulverized.
Blood rushed into So Bang's eyes.
With both internal injuries and a broken right arm, her pride finally yielded to survival instinct. I have to retreat!
She could no longer focus on the fight. Her body's condition was rapidly deteriorating.
At that moment, Yeon Hojeong shouted.
"This bitch is trying to run! Catch her no matter—Ugh!"
Suddenly Yeon Hojeong raised his left shoulder and dropped to one knee.
So Bang, puzzled by the strange behavior, felt a surge of triumph. Blood Yin Palm!
The Blood Yin Palm that had grazed his shoulder during the chaos.
She had thought it failed, but apparently not. The dark energy that had infiltrated his body was only now showing its effect.
A small hole had appeared in the giant net. There was nothing holding her back now.
Baaaaaaaang!
So Bang charged forward with terrifying speed, breaking through Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk by sheer force. She sustained more sword wounds in the process, but that no longer mattered.
Papapapang!
So desperate was her flight that So Bang's figure vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
Srrrk.
Yeon Hojeong rose to his feet with a calm expression.
"Don't follow her. Let her go."