Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Danri Hyang Dominates the Arena
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"Ooh!"
"The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad!"
"Pointing straight at the Cult Leader's personal guard? He's got some guts."
"But I have to admit, I'm curious too. It is the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad."
"Their recent feats are unmatched by any other unit, that's for sure."
What was the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad?
The most trusted unit under the current Cult Leader, serving as the Heavenly Demon's direct bodyguard.
Selected personally by the Cult Leader and Captain Ji Wolhon through a unique trial, they were drawing more attention than any other unit in the cult right now.
And they were fully living up to that hype with their performance.
These days, they had even become the aspiration of young demon cultivators—joining the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
Just the mention of their name had the crowd buzzing with excitement. Seok Mae turned to Yeon Gaso and asked,
"Why did you choose to challenge the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad?"
"I was deeply impressed by their feat of subjugating the Akhan Desert. I've stepped onto this arena to test myself against them."
Hyeok Mulin smirked at the smooth, rehearsed response.
He moved fast.
The Martial Demon God Tournament was typically structured around challengers stepping up.
But before it even began, he'd spun a compelling tale for the audience, drawing all eyes to the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and creating an atmosphere where they had to respond.
Seok Mae glanced sideways at where the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad sat.
They seemed utterly unperturbed, arms crossed, watching the arena with dry, impassive gazes.
Relieved by their demeanor, Seok Mae called out to them.
"Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, will you accept the challenge from the Golden Satchel Wanderer?"
"We accept."
Ji Wolhon nodded curtly, and the thrilled crowd erupted.
"Woooaaah!"
"We get to see the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad fight with our own eyes!"
Seok Mae turned back to Ji Wolhon, who had accepted the bout.
"Then who from your side will step up?"
"Anyone's fine."
"Hah, that's the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad for you."
"What confidence."
As the audience marveled at Ji Wolhon's reply, Yeon Gaso spoke up.
"In that case, may I nominate the one I wish to challenge?"
Seok Mae's gaze shifted to Ji Wolhon.
He nodded shortly.
"Do as you like."
"My thanks."
And so the right to choose the opponent fell to Yeon Gaso.
He scanned the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's seating area slowly.
Hyeok Mulin, chin propped on his hand, watched and wondered,
Who will he pick as his opponent?
Ji Wolhon was out of the question.
No ronin—Yeon Gaso included—stood a chance against him.
They operated on a fundamentally different level of martial depth.
He wouldn't be stupid enough to jump into the fire pit willingly.
Not that he'll pick a regular squad member either.
His goal was surely to defeat a powerhouse from the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and boost his own value.
Scraping by with a couple of grunts wouldn't cut it—he knew that much.
So it had to be one of the vice captains...
Hyeok Mulin's eyes swept over them.
Man Hyobom, Danri Hyang, Han Baek.
Their eyes burned with resolve; all three looked ready to go.
Which of these three will he choose?
Hyeok Mulin had a pretty good guess.
Man Hyobom was the first to rule out.
Even as a member of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, his bloodline as a direct descendant of the Man Clan couldn't be ignored.
Plus, he was known outside as the most brutal and powerful among them.
That left Danri Hyang or Han Baek.
"The one I wish to challenge is..."
Yeon Gaso's clear voice rang out across the stands.
"Vice Captain Danri Hyang."
"Danri Hyang...!"
"This won't be an easy fight!"
Just as expected.
Yeon Gaso had chosen Danri Hyang, right on the mark.
Han Baek's mission capabilities were top-tier among the vice captains, and with his grown martial prowess, he appeared flawless to outsiders.
Moreover, Danri Hyang hailed from the Central Plains. Defeating him could instantly win over the audience still harboring grudges against that region.
"I'll be back."
Danri Hyang left those curt words and stepped into the arena.
Man Hyobom watched his back with regret.
"Damn it. Why didn't he pick me?"
"Put that pointless hope aside. Who'd be dumb enough to pick you here?"
Han Baek scolded Man Hyobom, then turned to watch Danri Hyang.
He felt no worry at all about this match.
Excluding the captain, Danri Hyang was likely the strongest in one-on-one combat in the entire Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
Clang.
Yeon Gaso and Danri Hyang faced each other, three zhang apart.
One of Yeon Gaso's eyes, half-hidden by his bamboo hat, gleamed with inscrutable killing intent.
Yet contrary to that chilling gaze, a faint smile played on his lips as he said,
"Allow me to learn a move or two."
Danri Hyang replied by drawing his sword.
Seok Mae glanced left and right, nodded, and stepped back.
"Both sides appear ready."
The moment he signaled the start, Yeon Gaso flicked his wrist.
"...?"
Something shot from his hand toward Danri Hyang's eye.
Only as it drew close did Danri Hyang identify it.
Dirt mixed with hidden blades...?
He instinctively leaned back to dodge the filth. In that instant, Yeon Gaso closed the distance.
Having decided on full force from the outset, Yeon Gaso unleashed a slashing strike aimed to bisect him.
It was his signature technique, sword qi condensed into the One Line Death Meridian Sword.
One Line Death Meridian Sword
Condensed sword qi strike
Danri Hyang faced the incoming sword strike with two options.
Dodge by twisting away, or parry with his own blade.
But he chose a third path entirely.
Attack against attack.
Directing Demon Sword, Second Form: Falling Leaf Sword
Illusory rust-red leaves cascade, slicing on contact
From the tip of his sword, gliding fluidly through the air, sprang an illusion of rust-red leaves drifting down in heaps.
They merely fell from the sky like autumn foliage, yet each one that touched Yeon Gaso carved sharp wounds into his flesh.
"...!"
Yeon Gaso hurriedly withdrew his sword to bat away the falling leaves.
As he failed to hide his fluster, Danri Hyang pressed on calmly.
Directing Demon Sword, Third Form: Twisting Oar Sword
Serpentine blade path collides and redirects inward
A sinuous, curving sword trajectory extended from Danri Hyang's grip.
Yeon Gaso shot it a puzzled glance at first, but his eyes widened moments later.
The blade had arced outward in loops, only for the paths to clash and redirect straight back at him.
"What in the...!"
Flustered by the unpredictable sword motion, he scrambled to defend.
As he blocked the onslaught from front and above simultaneously...
Danri Hyang's sword pierced his heart silently from the side.
In truth, the Falling Leaf Sword and Twisting Oar Sword had been feints to draw his eyes.
Spotting the opening, Danri Hyang ended the duel with a clean thrust into his vulnerability.
Pshk!
Danri Hyang withdrew his blade, and Yeon Gaso stared down in disbelief.
"Th-this can't be real..."
Soon after, his eyes glazed over in death.
The crowd roared in approval at Danri Hyang's flashy yet precise victory.
"Raaargh!"
"The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad lives up to the name!"
"Not a scratch against the Golden Satchel Wanderer—what skill!"
In the heated atmosphere, Seok Mae approached him.
"Congratulations on your victory. What now? Will you continue accepting challenges?"
"We'll accept."
The crowd's fervor surged higher at Danri Hyang's assent.
Several ronin then ascended the arena as if on cue, perfectly timed.
"That's Donggoe Nangyu, the top ronin of Pocheong!"
"And that woman's the heart-eating witch, the Lone Captive Enchantress!"
"Even O Akho, the Shadow Battle Ghost Blade who massacred the Black Rough Gang..."
"Every famous ronin from Shin River is showing up!"
Danri Hyang's battles with the ronin continued, but the outcomes were even more one-sided than expected.
Victory.
Victory.
Victory.
Endless victories.
Danri Hyang claimed triumph in every duel, without a single defeat, no matter how many challengers came.
Even as stronger foes appeared later, nothing changed.
Finally, even Jincheon Nanggun—the infamous ronin who single-handedly toppled several families in northern Shin River—stepped up boldly.
Directing Demon Sword, Fifth Form: Return Flow Sword
Whirling, overwhelming rotational strike
Danri Hyang's spinning, tempestuous sword strike utterly overwhelmed him.
The spectators couldn't hide their awe at Danri Hyang's prowess.
"So this is the true power of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad."
"Even among masters, a move or two makes all the difference."
"The Cult Leader's guard, indeed. Truly divine skill."
The Seven Great Demon Clans watching showed varied reactions.
The Cheon Clan, wary of Hyeok Mulin, eyed him with caution.
The Hyeok Clan, supportive of him, gazed in admiration.
Hyeok Gongun, having watched Danri Hyang's fights, couldn't help but smile.
When I heard he'd handled my clan's Falling Lotus Captain alone before, I figured he had decent skill.
But the martial arts he displayed now far exceeded Hyeok Gongun's expectations.
He chuckled dryly and looked at Hyeok Mulin.
Cult Leader. What kind of monsters have you created?
Hyeok Mulin, catching his gaze, looked pleased as he watched Danri Hyang.
He's fully mastered the Directing Demon Sword.
It suits him perfectly.
"The result is clear."
In the end, Jincheon Nanggun couldn't withstand Danri Hyang's assault.
Before losing his life, he dropped his weapon and conceded.
"I yield!"
Danri Hyang, blade at his throat, sheathed his sword.
Seok Mae bellowed once more,
"The victor is Danri Hyang!"
"Waaaaaah!"
No one in the Martial Demon God Tournament had ever fought and defeated so many opponents single-handedly.
Seok Mae, beaming with satisfaction, asked him,
"No one here doesn't know your name now. What will you do? Stay for more?"
Danri Hyang fixed the stands with a cold stare, blood dripping from his gripped blade. In a low voice, he intoned,
"Any more challengers?"
Standing in the arena, he threw the question back at them.
But now, no response came.
Only profound silence lingered over the tournament grounds.