Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: The Black Dragon Soars
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"...Ragtag bunch?"
Hondon's eyes sharpened.
"No wonder you're so arrogant and insolent, being a disciple of the White Lion God."
Cheonhwi let out a scoff at those words.
The Nine Heavens Thunderclap he'd unleashed to sow confusion among them had been more successful than expected.
"I'm not that kind of guy's disciple."
Hondon's brow furrowed.
"Then you must be from the same sect."
"No. You're way off base."
"So you're saying there's no connection?"
"If there is, there is. If there isn't, there isn't."
At Cheonhwi's following words, Hondon finally grasped the intent.
"...You have no intention of even answering."
"Took you long enough?"
The corner of Cheonhwi's mouth curved up.
He could clearly see what was going through his head right now.
A tangled mess of confusion.
"..."
Hondon's eyes sank coldly.
Even in the still sweltering weather, the air seemed to freeze under his chilling gaze.
"They say a puppy doesn't know to fear a tiger... and you fit the bill perfectly."
"That's what I'm saying."
Cheonhwi's smile deepened.
"Whoever raised this pup, it doesn't fear the tiger—it thinks it's the tiger."
"Are you calling this lord the puppy?"
"Who else could it be?"
"...Interesting."
Hondon's voice dropped slightly.
He gripped his crescent blade and in one swift motion, drew it and raised it toward the sky.
The tip of the crescent blade pointed at the sun.
"I'll make you remember who the tiger is."
It swung down in a wide arc.
Fierce wind pressure swept through the space.
Cheonhwi lightly twisted his body.
His robes and hair billowed from the cold gust slicing through the air.
Sss—
At the same time, chilling killing intent shot forth.
"Slippery as a rat."
The moment the chilling voice struck his ears, the hilt bent languidly.
Whoooong—
With that, the crescent blade traced a large semicircle toward Cheonhwi's neck.
Kaang!
Sparks flew, and the crescent blade rebounded.
Cheonhwi, who had blocked it with his sword in an instant, gazed indifferently at Hondon.
As if nothing had happened.
"Already done? You even drew your crescent blade—might as well show some proper martial arts while you're at it."
As Cheonhwi spoke calmly,
"...Impressive."
Hondon felt chills run down his spine.
To block that so easily.
It had been a full-force killing strike meant to end him, yet the opponent had deflected it effortlessly.
"Not a puppy after all."
He'd noticed it since the Heaven's Net formation, but his internal energy, martial arts, and skill were all lacking nothing as an opponent.
"A shame to kill you, but..."
Hondon circulated his internal energy.
The pitch-black aura of the Ink Dragon Art began to ripple along his crescent blade.
No, it extended beyond, linking to the sky.
And the later-generation disciples who witnessed that aura felt their hearts sink.
"Th-that intense internal energy?"
"Blade Gang?!"
Paeng Cheolwi's face paled.
Despair seeped into his eyes as he beheld the blade gang enveloping the crescent blade.
To manifest such pristine gang energy was the pinnacle realm usable only by the upper echelons among Realm of No Extremes masters—those on the cusp of the Heavenly Martial Realm.
"Young Master Paeng. You're saying someone emitting gang energy like that is over there right now?"
Jegal Seung-ho asked in horror.
With his eyesight, he couldn't tell how the situation was unfolding.
"...Yes."
As Paeng Cheolwi replied with a groan,
"Impossible..."
Jegal Seung-ho squeezed his eyes shut.
Even for the Sun-Moon Sect, the number of masters who could manifest gang energy could be counted on one hand.
The Sect Leader, the Four Protectors, the Four Evils.
Only them.
Which meant...
"N-no way, one of the Four Evils?!"
Everyone gasped at Jegal Seung-ho's words.
The Four Evils were each at least Realm of No Extremes masters; not a single one would look out of place as a sect leader.
At that moment, Moyong Sang flinched.
Mention of the Four Evils drew his eyes to the black aura surging into the sky.
This aura...
It matched the one his uncle had warned him to flee from at all costs if encountered in the martial world.
"Hondon!"
As his shout burst forth,
"Not bad, at least."
Cheonhwi gazed at the pitch-black aura linking to the heavens and drew his sword.
A white sword contrasting the black aura.
The straight blade of the White Lotus Sword aimed at the pitch-black Hondon and his crescent blade.
Cheonhwi smiled brightly and said,
"Curious what martial art it is."
"If you're so curious, I'll show you."
A smile spread across Hondon's face as well.
A chilling smile laced with genuine intent, unlike before.
"As a gift on your way to the Yellow Springs!"
Thud.
Hondon charged at Cheonhwi.
Pouring all his internal energy!
Against such a master, a half-hearted attack might backfire.
Whoooong!
The pitch-black blade gang left trails like ink in the air, slashing toward Cheonhwi.
Can you dodge this?
Hondon was certain his Black Moon Blade Style would cleave the opponent.
Just like the countless others he'd bisected in the past.
The black trail of death reached Cheonhwi's chest in an instant.
Yet Cheonhwi neither dodged nor retreated.
Instead, he stepped forward.
And brought his sword down vertically.
Swoosh—
A simple drop from above to below.
No technique, no momentum—just a pure, clean sword path.
What is he thinking?
Hondon's eyes narrowed.
The slash coming at him was far too slow, and there was still no sword aura.
Compared to the martial arts and momentum he'd shown moments ago, it was utterly insignificant.
Weak enough to shatter upon clashing with this Black Moon Blade Style.
But the moment they collided...
Thud!
What?!
Hondon's expression filled with shock.
The crescent blade, which he'd thought struck the sword, bent away in an unexpected direction.
And that wasn't all.
Swoosh—
The pristine white blade of the White Lotus Sword suddenly surged forth like an illusion.
"Tch!"
Hondon kicked off the ground with all his might.
As he swung the crescent blade, he retreated, glaring at Cheonhwi.
"What was that just now..."
Hondon's voice trembled.
He'd anticipated something from the change in momentum, so he'd clearly witnessed the astonishing scene.
Thus, he couldn't believe it.
The instant the Black Moon Blade Style clashed with the sword, the crescent blade was drawn in as if led by his opponent's blade.
Not just the blade.
Even the blade gang and the internal energy of the Ink Dragon Art were slyly swept into his flow.
The hairs on his body stood on end.
"What the hell did you do?"
"Can't you tell? I redirected it."
"Redirected? The Black Moon Blade Style?"
An earthquake shook Hondon's pupils.
"You used Flower Redirecting Palm?"
"Something like that."
Hondon's face twisted.
"You're talking nonsense. Even Wudang's Taiji Sword can't perform Flower Redirecting Palm like that."
His voice rose higher.
Did that even make sense?
Redirect the momentum of Black Moon Blade Style with mere Flower Redirecting Palm?
Impossible unless you were an elder of the Wudang Sect.
He's mocking me!
Killing intent exploded from Hondon's body.
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi couldn't comprehend Hondon's rage.
He hadn't even used anything impressive.
Just redirected the energy with Flower Redirecting Palm.
Yet he was shocked by this.
Cheonhwi shook his head.
What a letdown in skill.
"If you're that curious, want me to show you again?"
"You can do it again?"
"If you want."
Hondon ground his teeth.
So hard that it sounded like they might shatter.
"Try redirecting this one too!"
Hondon raised his crescent blade high.
The blade gang laced with killing intent rippled as it fell toward Cheonhwi once more.
Cheonhwi lightly raised his sword.
And along the path of the swinging crescent blade, he gently deflected it.
"...!"
Cheonhwi smirked as Hondon gaped in shock.
"How's that? See?"
Hondon unwittingly staggered back three or four steps.
"I-impossible..."
It wasn't a sword art or sword style.
Just reading the opponent's technique and altering its path simply.
Hondon bit his lip.
Hard enough to draw blood.
"You bastard!"
He spat a blood-mingled shout.
And swung desperately.
Whooong! Whooong!
The black blade gang erupted like a storm, sweeping toward Cheonhwi.
Fiercely enough to pulverize Cheonhwi and everything around him.
But.
Flick—
Cheonhwi dodged every attack with light footwork.
Hondon glared at the slippery eel-like Cheonhwi and unleashed a furious blade style.
"Hah!"
His blade gang shot out in all directions, poised to tear Cheonhwi and his surroundings to shreds.
But.
It halted midway.
Cheonhwi, who had blocked the crescent blade with his sword, raised his left hand and thrust it straight into Hondon's midsection.
Kwachik!
The palm that shattered the hilt slammed precisely into Hondon's abdomen.
His belly caved in instantly.
Bam!
The back of his robes tore to shreds.
"Kuhuk!"
Hondon spewed blood and staggered.
"Ku... kuhk."
Even as his eyes lost focus from the shock, he clutched the halved crescent blade with both hands, barely staying upright.
"Cough! Cough!"
Eventually, he dropped to one knee.
Meanwhile, the later-generation disciples watching from afar couldn't tear their eyes from the decisive clash.
"...H-how is this possible."
"A gang-emitting master getting crushed like that."
They were stunned by the contrast: Hondon kneeling in defeat and Cheonhwi standing before him unscathed.
Especially Paeng Cheolwi, who had witnessed Cheonhwi's final technique, clenched his fists.
Even from afar, where Cheonhwi looked like a mere dot, to Paeng Cheolwi's eyes, he loomed like an unclimbable mountain.
Meanwhile, Jegal Seung-ho inwardly cheered.
Yes!
The moment he realized it was Hondon, he'd despaired.
The Sun-Moon Sect sending Hondon here meant they intended to settle things decisively.
But now the tables had turned.
With Hondon defeated, the Sun-Moon Sect won't act rashly.
His mind raced.
Sending Hondon must have required immense resolve from the Sun-Moon Sect.
Yet the undefeatable Hondon had lost?
They'd surely be thrown into chaos.
Chaos and more.
Jegal Seung-ho's eyes gleamed.
The Sun-Moon Sect would now hesitate to commit more forces.
Which meant one thing.
Now we have a chance to escape.
His gaze turned west.
Precisely toward the Shinchang Yang Clan in Lanzhou, Gansu Province.
As Paeng Cheolwi drowned in despair and Jegal Seung-ho schemed, the remaining three later-generation disciples were silent.
Moyong Sang gaped in disbelief beside them, Hwangbo Sohyeon was speechless,
And Yang Se-ryeong quietly stared at Cheonhwi.
Just who is he...
She knew he was a master, but this was on another level entirely.
As her eyes wavered,
Step—
Cheonhwi, brushing off his hands, stepped forward.
The moment he raised his sword over the blood-vomiting Hondon,
"Protect Lord Protector Hondon!"
Sun-Moon Sect disciples poured in from all sides.
Cheonhwi glanced at them.
Flash!
In an instant, he erupted his internal energy.
Grrrrrind!
The ground within ten zhang of the clearing sank an inch.
"Kuhuk!"
"Ngh!"
The charging Sun-Moon Sect disciples hunched over, unable to advance under the pressure.
As they prostrated, unable to even breathe under the intensifying pressure,
"Who said you could move?"
Cheonhwi grinned at them.
The Sun-Moon Sect disciples shuddered at his icy smile.
Then.
"...I'll kill you."
A chilling voice rang out.
At the same time, Hondon, kneeling with head bowed, snapped his head up.
His eyes blazed like flames.
His entire body surged with Ink Dragon Art internal energy toward the sky, distorting and vibrating the surrounding air.
He slowly rose.
Clutching the half-crescent blade, he flung the shattered hilt away with flashing eyes.
Whish!
Cheonhwi casually tilted his head, dodging the flying hilt.
"Still got some fight left?"
"..."
Hondon held the halved crescent blade upright.
But its momentum was more chilling than when whole.
Fierce aura extended from the clearing, dominating the area.
In that moment, an ink dragon bloomed from his crescent blade and soared upward.
The final technique of the Black Moon Blade Style.
Ink Dragon Ascends to Heaven.
Whoooong!
Cheonhwi's hair whipped in the raging wind pressure, his robes flapping wildly.
He leisurely brushed back his disheveled hair.
"This one's decent."
With those words, Cheonhwi unleashed fierce eyes and thrust his sword at Hondon charging with the ink dragon-infused blade.
Where?!
Hondon exploded with killing intent.
A slow, straightforward thrust.
Twisting his lips at the seemingly dodgable slow sword, Hondon swept his crescent blade horizontally.
The ink dragon gaped wide.
And swallowed the thrusting sword and Cheonhwi in one gulp.
I won...!
As he tried to form a victorious smile,
Crack!
Fissures spread through the ink dragon.
It shattered into pieces, and from between them, a sharp sword tip shot forth chillingly.
"...!"
Hondon quickly released the crescent blade.
With Ink Dragon Ascends to Heaven broken, holding it was useless.
His priority now was dodging that sword.
Fortunately, the approaching sword was slow.
And on a straight path.
A simple sidestep or footwork would do.
He hurriedly tensed his toes.
The instant he tried to move—
"Hup!"
He gasped in vain.
His feet felt rooted like a tree.
Consternation filled Hondon's face.
Why...?
Meanwhile, the sword three bo away reached him in a flash.
The time was incredibly short.
Shorter than a blink—an instant.
But to Hondon, it felt eternal.
Like eons.
And only as the sword drew near did he realize.
He could never have dodged it from the start.
Puk!
The sword pierced his abdomen.
Boom!
The shockwave from the shattering Ink Dragon Ascends to Heaven belatedly raged like an aftershock.
Dust billowed, obscuring vision.
Whish—
Moments later, a light breeze blew.
It swept the dust over Cheonhwi and Hondon.
"...Strong."
Hondon, with Cheonhwi's sword in his gut, let thin blood trail from his mouth.
But only for a moment.
"Kuh... kuheheh."
Suddenly, Hondon began to laugh.
Like a madman.
After laughing briefly while bleeding, he stared straight at Cheonhwi and said,
"But pitiful."
"Pitiful?"
"To mess with our sect, of all things."
Hondon's focus blurred.
Forcing his half-closed eyes open, he met Cheonhwi's gaze.
"Had you not touched our sect, you could have made a name for yourself."
"Still haven't come to your senses. You're the ones who messed with the wrong person, not me."
Hondon's body shook at Cheonhwi's words. Then he burst into laughter.
"Kuh... kuahaha! Just like me back then. When I feared nothing in the martial world!"
Hondon twisted his lips.
"But you'll learn the reality too. This dogshit martial world isn't a place you can survive alone."
Cheonhwi grinned at his words.
Surviving alone? Impossible.
"That's just an excuse for weaklings like you."
"Fine, we'll see..."
"You sure talk a lot."
Cheonhwi pulled the sword from Hondon's abdomen without listening further.
Blood gushed out.
"Kuhuk!"
From the massive blood loss, his eyes rapidly lost vitality, his body tilting.
Thud!
Cheonhwi shook the blood from his sword.
As he went to sheathe it,
Hm?
Cheonhwi's gaze turned toward the ridge line.
The aura of one approaching at tremendous speed from afar was astonishing.
"This one's pretty strong."
And moments later.
"...Ryeong-ah!"
A middle-aged man in pristine white robes arrived with an agonized shout.
The large-framed, rugged-faced man scanned around as if searching, then his expression hardened coldly.
"Was it you?"
The middle-aged man's calm hair began to rise wildly.
At the same time, his head turned.
Impressive.
Cheonhwi gripped his sword, meeting the man's chilling gaze.
A tingling aura coursed through his body.
The instantaneous burst of internal energy was no ordinary level.
Not even comparable to Hondon.
Not just Hondon.
Among the masters Cheonhwi had seen in this life, this man's aura was top-tier.
Then his mouth slowly opened.
"Did you cause this mess?"
The aura emanating from him shook the air like a storm, but Cheonhwi wasn't swayed.
"Yeah..."
As Cheonhwi opened his mouth,
"St-stop!"
A woman's urgent voice rang out.
It was Yang Se-ryeong.
The middle-aged man saw her rushing over and immediately kicked off the ground.
Kwabang!
Dust exploded everywhere.
Yang Se-ryeong cried out tearfully to the man charging through the dust.
"Father!"