Chapter 146
Translator: uly
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Void Painting Martial Art
“ Is that you? ”
Dok Gunpae glared at Ak Muyoo as he asked.
“ If that old man hadn’t been injured, I might have lost to him. ”
“ So you’re saying you did this to my father. ”
A thick killing intent flowed from Dok Gunpae’s body.
“ I did cut off his last breath, so yes, I killed him. ”
Ak Muyoo nodded.
He had encountered Dok Go Yong just a moment ago.
While passing through this area, he spotted the man fighting Western Xia Alliance disciples. The resemblance to Dok Gunpae was striking, so he immediately recognized him as the patriarch of the Myriad Demon Poison Clan.
Despite his severe wounds, Dok Go Yong was still far stronger than the Western Xia Alliance disciples could handle. But thirst and hunger had turned him into a wounded beast. He had eliminated all the disciples, but he himself was not unscathed. Leaning against a tree to rest, Ak Muyoo finished him off in one strike.
“ You bastard to kill! ”
Dok Gunpae ground his teeth.
“ Now you know how I feel. I do too. I’m going mad. I fought for the country for ten years, and now I’m a traitor. ”
“ Watch your words. You fought not for the country, but for money. ”
“ That’s why I’m even angrier. If we’d at least gotten paid, it wouldn’t feel so unfair... That bastard Joo Jeong-cheol and your lot are complete villains. ”
“ Didn’t you know the world of men is far crueler than a forest of beasts? ”
It was strange. With his younger brother and father dead, and his clan falling apart, his mind felt clearer instead. As they talked, Dok Gunpae sized up Ak Muyoo.
The Ak Muyoo he knew hadn’t learned martial arts. It hadn’t been long since the war ended, so nothing had changed, but he needed to confirm.
Fortunately, there were no signs of martial arts training yet. Even if he had started, becoming an expert in such a short time was impossible. Only then did Dok Gunpae relax.
“ I know that well, but there are so many good people that I keep forgetting. Then I meet real villains like you, and it reminds me the world is a filthy, harsh place. ”
“ You need to realize you were on the death list from the start. The moment the war began, you were already dead men. ”
“ ...I knew that. But I’m curious—if I make it to the capital, will the emperor believe us? ”
“ Heh. ”
Dok Gunpae let out a smirk.
“ So he won’t believe us? ”
“ It’s not just that. You won’t even get to meet the emperor. ”
“ That’s a problem... What about through the East Depot Commanders? ”
“ East Depot Commanders...? ”
Dok Gunpae’s face stiffened.
For a moment, he wondered if Ak Muyoo’s group had already met the East Depot faction.
“ Maybe that could work. Got it. ”
Ak Muyoo smiled brightly.
“ No matter who it is, you’ll just be used. They’ll listen when you’re useful, but discard you like trash once you’re not. That’s politics. If I were you, even if I reached the capital, I’d never beg the power brokers. Not that you’ll ever make it there. ”
“ I’d like to think that way, but a drowning man grabs at straws. If anyone offers help, I have to take it—even if it’s poison. More importantly, if you die here, who comes next? ”
“ No one. Because this will be your grave. ”
Flash!
Dok Gunpae shot toward Ak Muyoo.
“ Hah! ”
With a shout, he raised his sword high. Sword energy surged from the tip.
It was the first form, Heavenly Pivot, of the Myriad Domination World Sword, the patriarchal art of the Myriad Demon Poison Clan.
Even if the sword energy wasn’t long, generating it required at least three years’ worth of internal energy.
Dok Gunpae was certain this one strike would end it.
The sword, cloaked in sword energy, multiplied into over a dozen blades, raining down to shred Ak Muyoo.
That was when Ak Muyoo swung his right arm.
Clang!
A dull sound erupted as the Dreadfiend clashed with Dok Gunpae’s sword.
“ Urk! ”
Dok Gunpae’s eyes widened.
Incredibly, it was Ak Muyoo’s weapon that had struck aside his sword energy-clad blade.
“ Y-You... learned martial arts? ”
He cried out in shock.
It was impossible for someone without martial arts to deflect a sword generating sword energy. A sword with energy was harder than iron. Clashing with a weapon swung by an untrained person would shatter that weapon, and the sword would continue to cleave the body.
Yet Ak Muyoo’s weapon wasn’t just intact—it had repelled his sword with such force he nearly lost his grip.
“ That... I’m not sure myself. You judge. ”
Ak Muyoo’s left arm sliced through the air, and the Dreadfiend flew toward Dok Gunpae’s neck. Dok Gunpae swung his sword to the right to block it.
Kwang!
“ Euk! ”
Dok Gunpae’s eyes widened again.
He had poured all his energy into that strike. Yet his sword had been pushed back. He, who possessed four years’ worth of power.
‘ Impossible. That guy has no martial arts. ’
He gathered his full energy again. A three-foot blade of sword energy erupted from his sword tip. He unleashed the second form, Full Sword.
Full Sword created dozens of afterimages. Of course, only one was real. But the opponent couldn’t distinguish them.
Countless swords manifested, thrusting toward Ak Muyoo’s heart.
“ I can see it. ”
Ak Muyoo swung his right arm short and fast.
Swoosh!
The Dreadfiend flew at terrifying speed.
Clang!
It struck the real blade precisely.
Boom! Boom!
Dok Gunpae staggered back two steps.
‘ How is this possible... ’
He launched himself at Ak Muyoo, unleashing the third form, All Under Heaven. Up to the second form, it mixed feints and reality, but from the third, only the real strike remained.
The single blade of energy was over twice as strong as those from the first or second forms.
‘ This time... ’
Dok Gunpae gripped his sword tightly and slashed diagonally from upper right. His sword cleaved space itself as it hurtled toward Ak Muyoo.
In that instant, Ak Muyoo raised his right arm.
Swoosh!
The Dreadfiend shot forward at immense speed.
Clang!
A dull thud rang out, and Dok Gunpae’s arm snapped back as if yanked from behind.
He stumbled back three steps.
Before him, three footprints two inches deep were gouged into the ground. Ak Muyoo advanced, swinging his left arm toward Dok Gunpae.
Dok Gunpae immediately raised his sword.
Klang!
His arm flung back again. But this time, he didn’t retreat.
‘ I still have my final form... ’
Swoosh!
Before he could fully assume his stance, the Dreadfiend flew from the right. Defense took priority over attack. He swung his sword to block.
Boom!
The sound was different this time.
Before, it had been a sharp, clear clash of metal. Now, it resembled two iron clubs smashing at high speed.
Tremble!
Dok Gunpae’s hands shook violently.
He nearly dropped his sword from the force. He gripped the hilt desperately.
Right then, the Dreadfiend shot from the left, targeting his waist.
Flash!
Dok Gunpae shifted right. As he moved, another Dreadfiend flew at his head. It was too fast to dodge, so he raised his sword to block.
Boom!
Another dull thud.
“ Ngh! ”
Dok Gunpae groaned.
Numbness shot through his arm, followed by excruciating pain like torn muscles. But Ak Muyoo’s assault was just beginning.
Without giving him a moment to breathe, he alternated swings of the Dreadfiend. Each strike targeted Dok Gunpae’s vital points precisely. Dok Gunpae flailed his sword like he was dancing solo to fend them off.
Bang! Bang! Bang-bang-bang-bang!
The clashes grew faster, like drums building to a crescendo in an orchestra.
“ Ngh! Urk! Keuk! ”
Groans spilled from Dok Gunpae’s lips nonstop.
He was stunned.
Ak Muyoo clearly had no internal energy. He’d swear to it. No glow emanated from his weapon, nor was it wrapped in sword aura or energy.
The weapon’s state was the same from the first swing as now. Yet it overwhelmed his four years’ worth of power.
‘ What in the world... ’
What drove him madder was the relentless Dreadfiend assaults. No room to exhale, they stormed like a gale. Despite frantically moving both arms, the clash points crept closer to his body.
Initially a foot and a half away, now half a foot. His blocking speed was lagging.
‘ No. ’
Dok Gunpae surged his energy. Pain stabbed from his dantian, but he had no choice.
Bang! Bang-bang-bang! Bang-bang!
“ Kraaaah! ”
With a groan, Dok Gunpae backpedaled.
He didn’t know retreating before Mad Thousand Blood Steps invited disaster.
As he fell back, Ak Muyoo’s Dreadfiend accelerated. Residual images in the air connected into vivid trails, like painting with a weapon.
“ V-Void Painting Martial Art! ”
Dok Gunpae cried out, his face ashen.
Void Painting Martial Art described the realm of etching images into empty air with martial forms. It required blinding speed and power to dominate space. Rumor held the minimum energy needed was six years’ worth.
At the very least.
“ But you have no internal energy! ”
Dok Gunpae bellowed. Shock and fury cracked his guard.
The Dreadfiend slipped through the gap.
Slash!
Its tip gashed Dok Gunpae’s left upper arm. The flesh split wide, blood gushing in clumps.
“ Kraaaah! ”
Dok Gunpae groaned and retreated.
Swoosh!
As he fell back, the Dreadfiend pursued.
Slash!
Now his right upper arm split open.
Over an inch deep, yet he didn’t drop his sword. He couldn’t. Another bloodthirsty Dreadfiend flew from the left. He thrust his sword out. Before it arrived, the Dreadfiend grazed his left arm.
The same spot as before.
“ Kraaaak! ”
A scream tore out as he lost balance. His left arm floated up, and the Dreadfiend pierced toward his right armpit.
His right arm rose into the air.
Then another Dreadfiend dove into the exposed armpit from his severed limb.
As it burrowed, Ak Muyoo released the force from his left arm. The Dreadfiend halted midway.
“ Kraaaak! ”
A wretched scream burst from Dok Gunpae’s mouth. He collapsed to his knees.
“ How could a bastard like you... ”
Dok Gunpae couldn’t believe it.
He, with four years’ energy, defeated by one without any. This could only be a dream.
“ Yeah. ”
Ak Muyoo stared silently, then seized the Dreadfiend.
Slash!
It ripped free, slicing Dok Gunpae’s heart.
“ Khek! ”
Dok Gunpae pitched forward.
His trembling ceased. Ak Muyoo gazed at the lifeless body, then turned away. Moments later, he arrived before a tree. He examined it carefully.
At one-and-a-half zhang from the ground, a faint trace remained. Left by a Wind Squad member.
“ Now... just Jam Sa and Hoe Ong left? ”
Ak Muyoo resumed walking.