Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Blood-Capped Blade King Seong Ilchung
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Now, the Six Gate Immortal's legs were trembling ever so slightly.
The poison of Blood Rain Justice had already seeped into his marrow, and the blood of the mountain leech was mingling with his own, dissolving his inner energy.
On top of that, he had unleashed the Great Azure Dragon Form Sword twice in this state, so he had long since reached his limit.
The man who had landed in front of the Six Gate Immortal was no one to take lightly.
Even though his inner energy was compromised, the fact that he had struck down the Six Gate Immortal's full-force Fierce Dragon Flame Assembly strike from a distance proved that this opponent was no inferior.
"How long do you plan to hold out like that? Why not call it quits and join me for a drink?"
The man in the red cowl spoke in a calm voice.
"Who the hell are you? Who—"
At that, the red cowl lifted up.
A middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard smiled.
"I've never had the honor, but your name as the Kunlun Sword Immortal has rung in my ears endlessly. I am the Blood-Capped Blade King, Seong Ilchung."
The Six Gate Immortal let out a sigh.
"So you're one of the Six Kings, the Blood-Capped Blade King. I should be glad to finally meet you face-to-face, but the circumstances don't allow for it."
"My apologies. My subordinates had no choice but to use some underhanded tricks to escort a figure like you. Do you know how hard it is to invite one of the Five Divinities? In any case, the tide has turned, so please come with me. I promise to guarantee your safety."
"Hmph. All talk and no substance. Since when did the Demon Cult's lackeys get so glib?"
At his words, the excited Six Gate Immortal bellowed, and Seong Ilchung raised his voice in turn.
"Demon Cult? Shut your mouth. If not for the revered Leader's command, my blade would have left you in pieces."
"Keh heh heh... I once thought you Demon Cult rabble had a certain bold charm, but after today, I see the name fits perfectly."
"Enough bluster. You seem to want to die by my blade here, but that won't happen. Nor will you perish from poison on the way. Just follow me and meet the Leader."
Indeed, the Six Gate Immortal had been provoking Seong Ilchung in hopes of dying right there.
But as Seong Ilchung began his patient persuasion, the Six Gate Immortal burst into loud laughter and replied in a gentle tone.
"Listen here. I'm already over a hundred years old. Not entirely because of me, but my Kunlun Sect has closed its doors on my account, and countless fellow disciples have passed away. If you were in my shoes, would you cling to this one worthless life and entrust it to the enemy's hands?"
Seong Ilchung pressed again.
"I've heard that you and the Leader shared a deep bond long ago. Now he wishes to meet you personally and speak. Why not think of it as reuniting with an old friend?"
"Oh, what a disaster! If I'd known he was free and coming back to Kunlun, I would have waited there and died at his hands. That would have been the right way."
As the Six Gate Immortal cried out in a voice raw with anguish, clutching at his chest, Seong Ilchung nodded silently.
"That might have been the best outcome. But you know well that the world's affairs don't always go as we wish. Who knows? Perhaps this incident will open another path of karma. As far as this Seong is concerned, I only hope you don't undervalue yourself here."
But the Six Gate Immortal seemed to steel his resolve at Seong Ilchung's words. Gripping his Black Dragon Mark tighter, he shouted.
"No more words. Draw your blade. A warrior's business isn't settled by talk alone."
The Six Gate Immortal's spirit was truly that of a hero of his generation.
Seong Ilchung nodded and raised his bizarre saber once more.
"Understood. I too am a warrior who prizes honor above all. I won't shame you further. I'll strike you down and beg forgiveness from the Leader. But with your inner energy depleted and poison in your marrow, I'll end it in one stroke."
Only then did the Six Gate Immortal's face brighten.
"Keh heh... Good. A real man knows when and where to die. I've decided to meet my end here today, so don't hold back."
With that, the Six Gate Immortal began channeling his final burst of qi into the Black Dragon Mark.
Soon, the blade began to hum a mournful tone.
"Don't weep. After nearly a century together, how could I have regrets?"
As the Six Gate Immortal caressed the blade's edge with his left hand, his right still gripping it, bidding farewell with evident reluctance, Seong Ilchung simply watched the scene impassively.
But the farewell rite was not to be completed.
"No matter the day, it won't be today—and certainly not here."
Suddenly, a gray figure soared over the wall beside the alley and landed.
Seong Ilchung and even the Six Gate Immortal were startled by the arrival.
Seong Ilchung spoke first.
"Master, what brings you here?"
The elderly man in gray clerical robes returned a light bow.
"After some forty years, shouldn't you be a bit happier to see me? As for that one... still as stubborn as ever."
The old man was none other than Jeon Sogi, the Supreme Elder of the Great Cloud Bright Religion and Abbot of Gwanghwa Temple.
"Brother Jeon. How long has it been? So you've managed to stay alive all this time?"
The Six Gate Immortal greeted him with a complicated expression.
A strange mix of joy, sorrow, guilt, and shame.
"I figured you were thriving, but what a sight. You alright?"
Though Jeon Sogi asked casually after his well-being, he instantly discerned the Six Gate Immortal's dire condition.
"Heh heh... I'm a mess, that's for sure. Looks like I held on just long enough for one last goodbye with you, brother. Now I... kuhk."
Forcing a smile as he spoke, the Six Gate Immortal suddenly vomited blood.
It was black, reeking of rotting entrails.
Seeing this, Jeon Sogi turned to Seong Ilchung.
"I don't know the details, but hand over the antidote, quick."
Seong Ilchung's face twisted in extreme reluctance as he barely replied.
"I can't do that. I'm carrying out the Leader's great command. Even if it's your order, Master, I cannot obey."
"Heh heh... You brat. Think I'm asking for myself? Hand it over."
"I'll serve you three dong of wine in your honor instead. Why would you want that measly antidote?"
"Oh? Three dong of wine? You've gotten bold, kid. Ha ha ha..."
As Jeon Sogi bantered with Seong Ilchung, he circled behind the Six Gate Immortal and tapped several acupoints.
"Keurk!"
Black blood erupted from the Six Gate Immortal's mouth again.
But this time, it had a faint reddish tint, and the stench was slightly lessened.
"You fool. What kind of poison is this? How many times did I nag you back then? 'Poisons are fearsome—study poison arts a bit!'"
His words scolded harshly, but Jeon Sogi's hands never stopped massaging, stroking, and tapping the Six Gate Immortal's body, relentlessly purging the toxin through acupoint manipulation.
"Keh keh... Your junior's underlings are far too capable for this little brother to handle."
"Hmm... Joking around means you can breathe easier now? How's it feel?"
But even as he spoke, the Six Gate Immortal's complexion darkened by the moment.
Then Seong Ilchung stepped forward.
"Master, to report: The poison administered to the Sword Immortal is the Blood Rain Justice, newly developed by the cult. It's a mixture of the Heavenly Mountain Poison Leech's blood with various toxins. Even with your internal and external care, it likely won't help much."
"So I said, hand over the antidote!"
"Of course, I'd love to give it to you right away. You have no idea how much I pleaded before you arrived."
At Seong Ilchung's words, Jeon Sogi's face hardened slightly.
"What the hell does that bastard want that you're refusing the antidote?"
When Jeon Sogi asked, the Six Gate Immortal gave a faint smile and answered.
"He wants to drag me before Leader Woo. Heh heh..."
At the name "Leader Woo" from the Six Gate Immortal's lips, Jeon Sogi's expression grew even sterner.
"Heh heh... Leader Woo, eh. Now I get it. It's his command?"
"Precisely. And now that you've come, Master, why not join me? If you examine the Sword Immortal en route, imagine how pleased the Leader will be."
"Hmph. You've gotten awfully sly, you rascal. Time has flown, hasn't it."
"Why such harsh words? Don't you know the countless cultists have longed for your return for decades?"
"Enough, brat. I don't have time to bicker with you. Will you hand it over nicely, or do I have to beat it out of you?"
Jeon Sogi helped the Six Gate Immortal sit on the ground, then rolled up his sleeves and advanced on Seong Ilchung.
But Seong Ilchung laughed heartily and approached Jeon Sogi.
"Master, how have you grown even more irascible? But how could I resist you? Here, the antidote."
He drew a small porcelain vial from his bosom and handed it to Jeon Sogi.
Jeon Sogi immediately uncorked it, sniffed, and asked.
"You're not trying to deceive me, are you?"
"Ha ha... For someone who knows Seong Ilchung, such words are truly embarrassing. If I die by your hand here, so be it—I'd never pull such a cheap trick."
Jeon Sogi stared sharply at Seong Ilchung, nodded, and took out one pill from the vial.
"Right. The Seong Ilchung I know wouldn't stoop that low. The scent is refreshingly pure—definitely the antidote. Hold on a moment."
Jeon Sogi placed the pill in the Six Gate Immortal's mouth and massaged his chest.
Sure enough, color returned to the Six Gate Immortal's face, his complexion rapidly normalizing.
"But you see."
As Seong Ilchung watched and spoke up, Jeon Sogi shot back.
"But what?"
"Please count the pills in the vial carefully. There should be twenty-nine now."
Jeon Sogi shot to his feet and glared at Seong Ilchung.
"So this isn't the full antidote."
Seong Ilchung replied gravely.
"That pill merely suppresses the symptoms—one per day. If the proper antidote isn't taken for a full month starting today, even a transcendent immortal couldn't survive."
Jeon Sogi let out a heavy sigh for the first time.
"So the real antidote is only with Leader Woo."
"Exactly. Only the Leader can provide the antidote for Blood Rain Justice. Thus, in the end, both of you must come with me..."
"Tch! You brat, that again. Didn't I say I have urgent business?"
"Brother Jeon. Let's go now. What's the point of wrangling with this fellow anymore? I'll head back to Kunlun Mountain and reflect on my beginner's mind."