Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Black Dragon's Fang
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Ringing Demonic Rain
From Ma Tae-pyeong's sword, which soared into the sky, dozens of streams of sword energy shot down like a sudden shower.
It was surely a ploy to corner me by scattering his sword energy wildly, then deliver a decisive blow.
“First King. Severing Sword King.”
*Swish*
Just as I thought. The terrifying strike that had bisected the sparring arena came flying.
But I didn't dodge.
No, I observed it carefully.
And then…
“Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon, Dark Rock Sword.”
I swung my sword to meet Ma Tae-pyeong's attack.
The black energy flowing from the tip of my sword resembled the black dragon swimming in my dantian. The black dragon soon scattered a deep darkness from the sword's tip.
Following the arc drawn by the Sun and Moon Sword, the air absorbed light as if black ink were spreading through it. It was as if someone had flicked black ink into the air with a brush.
A barrier of darkness where one couldn't see an inch ahead. Ma Tae-pyeong's Severing Sword King passed over this curtain, like a black rock.
*Clang!*
A sneer on his face, Ma Tae-pyeong landed and surveyed the situation.
‘There was no time to dodge. He must be dead or critically injured.’
But all he could see was the black rock. When the dust settled and the rock vanished, Mu-heun was standing there, unbelievably unharmed.
“Th-this can't be…”
I let out a smirk and said.
“You've been using killing techniques since the beginning…”
The black dragon breathing in my dantian roared, and a sinister demonic energy erupted from my entire body.
I, too, unleashed a murderous intent along with the sinister demonic energy and spoke.
“I told you, you're going to get yourself killed.”
*Flinch!*
They were the same words as before, but a crushing pressure overwhelmed the entire sparring arena, forcing Ma Tae-pyeong to freeze for a moment.
The atmosphere of the arena shifted, and cold sweat trickled down Ma Tae-pyeong's back.
‘What was that killing intent just now…? Is this really the same person I was just fighting?’
Sinister demonic energy.
And a killing intent that seemed to pierce the lungs.
Ma Tae-pyeong realized something was wrong.
‘Don't tell me he hasn't been using his full strength until now!’
“So… so what? I will kill you with my own hands.”
“You just said you'd kill me? This is a duel, you know?”
Supreme in all of heaven and earth.
Raised under the First Elder, Ma Tae-pyeong had always been self-centered. Though he didn't show it, he looked down on everyone but himself, confident that his talent was enough to inherit the First Elder's position and, with more effort, even reach the rank of Cult Leader.
But…
To feel fear from someone who appeared out of nowhere? And from someone who had been learning martial arts for less than a year? It was absurd. He didn't know what tricks the man had used to hide his abilities until now.
But even considering all that, this was nonsensical.
“This… This shouldn't be happening!”
Ma Tae-pyeong unleashed all the internal energy he possessed.
“Sword Demon Arts, Bloodlight Flying Demon Sword!”
*Shwaaa!*
As Ma Tae-pyeong swung his sword, red sword energy scattered like fresh blood. Dozens of blood-like streams, mixed with demonic energy, flew forward, glowing red.
I decided to break through the red light rather than dodge it.
With a *crack*, I stomped on the arena floor, channeling internal energy into my legs.
‘Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon.’
*Boom!*
The first step, filled with internal energy. A tremendous roar tore through the air, stopping the approaching blood-light swords.
‘Second step.’
*Boom!*
The halted blasts of light scattered into nothing.
It was then.
“Sword Demon Arts, Three Kings. First King, Severing Sword King!”
*Crack!*
“Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon. Dark Rock Sword.”
*Clang!*
Ma Tae-pyeong launched himself forward, unleashing sword energy, and in response, Mu-heun's massive dark rock blocked the Severing Sword King.
Ma Tae-pyeong flew into the air and called upon the second of the Three Kings.
“Sword Demon Arts, Second King. Linked Sword Heavenly King.”
A supreme technique among supreme techniques.
A vicious linked sword attack that unleashes the Severing Sword King multiple times.
Linked Sword Heavenly King.
The severing sword that had split the massive arena in two came flying in succession. Mu-heun had no choice but to summon the black dragon from his dantian.
‘Should I show him a little…?’
The tip of the Sun and Moon Sword trembled. The air shimmered, becoming extremely unstable. Riding the quiver of the sword's tip, a sinister demonic energy exploded forth.
What should have been dozens of lines of demonic energy emerged as a living, breathing black dragon.
‘Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon.’
Mu-heun raised his sword and rotated it in a circle above his head.
‘Black Dragon's Ascension.’
With a massive roar, a sinister black dragon tore through the air as it ascended. It was clearly a living, breathing energy, and the spectators couldn't hide their astonishment.
The Linked Sword Heavenly King, flying with ferocious momentum, was torn to shreds by the sky-rending black dragon.
The black dragon, soaring as it tore apart each Linked Sword Heavenly King, was like a nightmare. As the abyssal demonic energy devoured all other demonic arts and ascended, the maw of the black dragon was finally reflected in Ma Tae-pyeong's eyes.
“Hiek!”
Ma Tae-pyeong was momentarily terrified. Thinking he would be devoured by the black dragon and die, he poured out his final supreme technique.
“Sword Demon Arts! Third King! Final Sword Star King!”
The supreme technique of the Sword Demon Family, Severing Sword King.
The linked version of Severing Sword King, Linked Sword Heavenly King.
The combination of Linked Sword Heavenly King, Final Sword Star King.
The strongest supreme technique of the Sword Demon Arts shot down toward the black dragon.
It was a sword strike capable of splitting not just the arena, but the lake itself. But Mu-heun paid it no mind, instead causing his demonic energy to explode and amplify.
‘Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon, Black Dragon's Second Form!’
‘Twin Dragons' Ascension.’
Two black dragons ascended to counter Ma Tae-pyeong's Final Sword Star King. The black dragon, meticulously cultivated in his dantian, emerged from the tip of the Sun and Moon Sword and duplicated itself in the air.
The sound of the air splitting above Heaven and Earth Lake echoed throughout the Heavenly Mountains.
The spectators who came to watch the duel were so tense they couldn't be sure if they were even breathing.
A clash of supreme techniques.
The collision of the two.
The result…
The twin dragons tore apart all of Ma Tae-pyeong's sword energy with their savage teeth, then proceeded to swallow him with their ferocious fangs.
“Kuaaak!”
The massive black dragon tore through his strongest technique, the Final Sword Star King, and approached. This colossal dragon opened its menacing maw to swallow him.
Ma Tae-pyeong couldn't tell if the ferocious black dragon reflected in his eyes was real or if he was dreaming.
But…
*Crack!*
…the pain of bones shattering throughout his body. This was not a dream. And then, he exploded in mid-air.
*KABOOOM!*
After the explosion, Ma Tae-pyeong fell limply, a ragged mess.
The arena on the lake was so thick with dust that one couldn't see an inch ahead.
*Thud!*
A tremor shook one side of the arena floor. Ma Tae-pyeong, who had fallen to the ground, was barely clinging to consciousness.
“Th-this… is… impossible…”
‘Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon.’
*CRACK!*
I focused my internal energy into my right foot and stomped on Ma Tae-pyeong's shoulder. In the thick dust, hidden from everyone's sight, only the two of us looked at each other.
A horribly crushed shoulder. He would no longer be able to properly practice the Sword Demon Arts. Just as he had done to the portrait in the beginning.
“Guaaaaaaaah!”
In Ma Tae-pyeong's eyes, Mu-heun's eyes were like the abyss of hell. Those violet pupils felt like the incarnation of death itself.
“S-save me…”
“I told you you'd die.”
‘Eight Demons Explosive Art.’
I threw a fist at the face of Ma Tae-pyeong, who was begging for his life.
*KABOOM!*
Ma Tae-pyeong's face was half-crushed as he passed out.
In the end,
the black dragon had shattered the Sword King.
As the thick dust cleared…
*Clap, clap clap clap.*
*Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!*
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
A thunderous roar and applause filled the arena. Everyone in the audience burst into cheers, while everyone in the VIP section was stunned.
Ma Tae-pyeong's supreme technique, Final Sword Star King. It had certainly shown the pinnacle of what a transcendent master could achieve. But the two black dragons that emerged from Mu-heun's sword had torn even the Final Sword Star King to shreds.
The audience, the VIPs, the participants of the Divine Dragon Assembly—
all were utterly astonished.
*Dong!*
The drum sounded, and Gu Yeom stepped onto the unrecognizable arena and spoke.
“The winner is Baek Mu-heun of the Heavenly Dance Family!”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”
Mu-heun listened to the cheers and said.
“I didn't kill him, since it was a duel.”
Soon, the unconscious Ma Tae-pyeong was carried away on a stretcher.
The Red Demon Pavilion Lord, who had watched the entire scene, turned pale, and the First Elder, Ma Yeon, thought.
‘The Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family is too dangerous.’
Mu-heun's victory brought a new tension to the VIP section.
“Haha, he is… he is truly worthy of being the Cult Leader's disciple.”
“Y-yes, indeed. I never expected… This is beyond imagination.”
The conversation didn't last long.
Everyone was too busy scheming in their heads.
Thus, the semi-finals ended, and a day of rest was given. The final match was finally Baek Mu-heun versus Seol Ha-ryeong.
That night.
The Cult Leader's fourth disciple, Ice Demon Yeon A-ryeong, and fifth disciple, Flame Demon Cho Yeom-wi, summoned the Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung, for a secret meeting.
At the same time, Mu-heun gave Cheon-hyang her first mission.
* * *
-Flame Demon Palace
The day before the Divine Dragon Assembly finals. The moon was nearing its full shape, and in the palace where the Cult Leader's fifth disciple, the Flame Demon, resided, Flame Demon Cho Yeom-wi and his retainers were gathered.
In the estate with a large pond, there were many warriors of the Division Leader and Grand Division Leader ranks, as well as officials in charge of administrative affairs.
As about a hundred retainers were cautiously watching the Flame Demon in the estate, an owl flew into the sky above.
*Fwoosh*
Flame Demon Cho Yeom-wi, sitting cross-legged on a pavilion over the pond, created a flame at his fingertip and spoke.
“Hah~! One little mudfish is muddying the waters! Isn't that right?”
His face was smiling, but a sinister fiery demonic energy enveloped the entire garden. The retainers, knowing that his smile was one of rage, felt cold sweat trickle down the backs of their necks.
Spiky, long red hair.
Dark red robes.
The Flame Demon might seem playful and speak lightly, but he was known to be as cunning as a century-old fox.
“…”
Fearing what might happen if they misspoke in front of him, everyone held their breath.
*Step, step, step*
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached.
Long, flowing white hair and skin as white as snow.
Blue lips and eyes filled with a chilling cold.
The foremost expert of Yin Arts in the cult. The Ice Demon, Yeon A-ryeong, who was said to be unrivaled in Yin Arts except for Mi-wol of the Sacred Fire Palace, had appeared.
*Shwaaaa*
With a wave of her hand, a blizzard instantly arose, clashing with the hot, fiery energy.
*Rumble*
On one side, it was as if lava were boiling, and on the other, glaciers were falling like hail. The officials didn't know what to do.
It was then.
“That is enough.”
*Fwoooosh*
An intangible sword made of pure energy flew in. There were hundreds of these massive swords cleaving the air. They raged violently, driving the cold and heat from the estate.
The First Elder, Ma Yeon.
A supreme master, counted among the top five in the cult besides the Cult Leader himself, walked in, followed by other famous experts whose names everyone knew.
Soon, the owl landed on the edge of the eaves overlooking the estate.
First Elder, Ma Yeon, head of the Sword Demon Family.
Seventh Elder, Cheong Geum-hak, head of the Sound Demon Family.
Eighth Elder, Jin Baek-yeon, head of the Ice Demon Family.
Red Demon Pavilion Lord, Hwang Cheol-ung.
Seeing their faces, both the Flame Demon and the Ice Demon withdrew their energy and showed friendly smiles.
“Haha, oh? First Elder, I thought you supported my senior brother, the Sword Demon? What brings you here?”
The Flame Demon chuckled, probing Ma Yeon's intentions.
“Hoho, what does it matter who supports whom? All things follow the principle of 'all streams return to one'. It will all be revealed in five years, so is there any need to argue about it now?”
“Of course. But that's not why we've gathered here today, is it?”
Ice Demon Yeon A-ryeong once again questioned Ma Yeon's true intentions.
“Only when the streams are pure can they merge into one, wouldn't you agree? As the Flame Demon said, if there is a mudfish trying to muddle the waters, it must naturally be removed.”
“…”
In the end, he was saying they would remove the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family from the succession race.
As the secret meeting progressed, the owl sitting on the edge of the eaves simply tilted its head.