Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Plunged into Confusion
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Do-ol and Gung-gi were both plunged into confusion.
Mingwol-do had previously conveyed that he was the one inheriting the legacy of the Four Emperors Hall.
But what was this now?
The martial arts of the Four Emperors Hall were emitting demonic qi, of all things.
And it wasn't ordinary demonic qi by any means!
"So the successor to the Four Emperors Hall was a demonic arts cultivator after all."
Do-ol said, furrowing his brows.
In contrast, Gung-gi spoke in a low voice, her expression subtly stiffening.
"There aren't many in the current martial world who possess such intense demonic qi... No way!"
In that instant, one place came to her mind.
The holy land of the Demonic Path and its absolute pinnacle.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—a single force unmatched across history!
"...Have they come to the Central Plains?"
Do-ol's narrowed eyes widened as the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult crossed his mind as well.
"Who would've thought I'd run into a demonic cultivator practicing demonic arts in a place like this."
He let out a chilling laugh.
Encountering a demonic cultivator in the Central Plains was rarer than plucking stars from the sky.
Demonic cultivators were the enemies of the Central Plains martial world, after all.
Yet to meet a master radiating such demonic qi—it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Gung-gi jumped in alarm at the sight of Do-ol burning with fighting spirit and stepped in to block him.
"W-Wait a moment. If he's from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, it'll be trouble..."
"Out of my way!"
Do-ol shoved her aside.
"When do you think I'll get another opportunity like this?"
"...Are you out of your mind right now?"
Irritated at being pushed, Gung-gi's voice rose sharper than ever.
"If the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has appeared in the Central Plains, it's no trivial matter. Especially since he displayed not only demonic arts but also the Four Emperors Hall's techniques—that means the Demonic Cult's claws have..."
"Worry about that yourself."
But Do-ol ignored her completely.
Having encountered such a rare master, Gung-gi's words fell on deaf ears.
Right now, all his senses were locked solely on the foe ahead.
On Cheonhwi alone.
"I hope you can entertain me well."
As he whispered, his aura surged.
The already taut killing intent and fighting spirit erupted like an explosion.
Boom!
He stomped the ground ferociously.
So much internal energy rode the strike that the dirt flipped up, sending soil billowing.
Within the murky dust cloud.
Scree!
His sword thrust forward sharply.
The narrow blade ripped through the air, screeching piercingly.
'Pretty fast, huh?'
Cheonhwi's eyes flashed as the sword tip closed in on his chest in a blink.
A form launched like a divine projectile.
And the swift sword unleashed atop that speed allowed no rivals.
A considerable level of swift swordplay.
Even a pinnacle realm master would risk at least a fatal wound—or death—if they let their guard down even slightly.
But he'd picked the wrong opponent.
'Still slower than the Soul-Chasing Sword, though.'
Cheonhwi lightly deflected his blade.
"...!"
Do-ol was stunned to see Cheonhwi brush it aside as effortlessly as flowing water.
Thud!
But he executed Thousand Catty Drop and halted dead.
For a brief moment.
"Try dodging this!"
He advanced with footwork, thrusting relentlessly.
Dozens of sword shadows bloomed, targeting every inch of Cheonhwi's body.
Head, eyes, nose, mouth, throat, heart.
And more.
A swift sword that offered no time to evade!
It was the sword art that had pulled him through countless life-or-death struggles in the past and earned him the moniker Fighting Ghost: Evil Shadow Sword Art.
Cheonhwi eyed the sword shadows.
'Not as impressive as I'd hoped.'
As Cheonhwi slowly tightened his grip on the demonic sword's hilt while casually surveying the dozens of shadows.
Whoosh!
In response, demonic qi detonated.
Then, the demonic qi naturally yielded to Cheonhwi, submitting without resistance.
A matter of course.
For it to defy him—the Supreme Lord of Ten Thousand Demons—was impossible.
'Demonic qi really is the most comfortable, after all.'
It handled smoothly and familiarly.
No matter that he was now a Mount Hua Sect Taoist cultivating Plum Blossom Divine Art—he had spent his previous life immersed in demonic arts.
Soon, he lifted his sword.
In that instant, pitch-black dark thunder raged fiercely from his pupils.
Swoosh—
Simultaneously, demonic qi stirred under his will, sublimating into a lone flame.
"...!"
Do-ol gulped.
'For such a thing to exist in this world...'
An unbelievable sight.
The pitch-black flame blooming from the opponent's sword clashed utterly with the world around it.
So profoundly alien, it seemed detached from reality itself.
As if it defied the natural order.
Do-ol scowled.
He realized he'd been unconsciously entranced, surrendering everything to it.
'...At this rate, it'll devour me!'
To jolt his fading mind, Do-ol bit his lip viciously.
Drip—
The metallic tang of blood sharpened his senses.
Then, he summoned every last wisp of Fighting Spirit Qi from his lower dantian.
'Only One Shadow Sword...!'
His sword shifted as he invoked the final ultimate technique of the Evil Shadow Sword Art.
The blade's path converged into a single line, its contained aura honing razor-sharp.
The realm of Man-Sword Unity!
Hand and sword became one, zeroing in on Cheonhwi's heart.
'One strike! I'll end it in one!'
His form shattered.
Or appeared to, from the extreme velocity propelling him forward.
An astonishing hyper-speed that might fool the eye into illusion!
Only after the sword arced.
Screeeee!
Even the sound lagged behind.
Yet against that phenomenal swift sword, Cheonhwi swung his ink-flame-clad blade without a flicker of expression.
Not a named technique—just a plain sweep.
But the instant it met the ink flame.
Roar!
The whole world ignited in ink flame.
"Urk! What the—!"
Gung-gi gulped and fell back.
'What in the world is that ink flame...?'
Her eyelashes quivered.
Was this the scorching hell?
Even ten zhang distant, the blistering heat crashed over her.
'Such a vicious demonic art...'
She replayed the moment.
Pitch-black ink flame erupted from the sword, engulfing the onrushing Do-ol.
It didn't stop—the blaze intensified, consuming all.
As if to burn the world away.
'...Who is he?'
Her thoughts tangled.
Why wield Four Emperors Hall techniques alongside such demonic arts?
And that wasn't all.
A demonic cultivator who struck at the Sun-Moon Sect—yet aided the Flying Heaven Society's younger experts.
'What's his aim?'
Mysteries everywhere.
'Is the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult reaching into the Central Plains again? Stirring conflict between the Flying Heaven Society and Evil-Black Alliance on purpose? Then why spare Shaolin?'
As questions multiplied and fever mounted in her skull.
Sizzle—
The ink flame parted, a voice emerging.
"Been a while, so control's off."
Cheonhwi shook his head casually and eyed Do-ol sprawled big-lettered on the ground.
"Cough!"
Do-ol's chest heaved; pallid lips vomited blood.
Blackened, necrotic blood trickled out, staining his white beard.
His head lolled.
His vision filled with charred trees, upheaved earth.
And Cheonhwi at the center.
'The Evil Shadow Sword Art shattered so pathetically...?'
Unbelievable, even now.
That strike was an ultimate technique—enough to gravely wound any pinnacle realm master.
Yet he'd been the victim.
The youth ahead muttered then.
"Way weaker than back in the day."
Do-ol stared blankly at him.
'...That fearsome sword is weak?'
His eyes quaked.
His body shuddered at the mere memory—yet the man was dissatisfied.
"Grrrk—"
Do-ol tried to speak, but only blood bubbled out; no words.
At the sound, Cheonhwi turned.
"Hm? Still kicking?"
Glancing down at Do-ol, Cheonhwi hoisted his sword and plunged it.
Stab!
The blade rent flesh, skewering the heart.
"Kaaaaak!"
Do-ol's scream stabbed Cheonhwi's ears needle-sharp. Crimson blood jetted up from below, drenching his robes; fishy reek teased his nose.
Whoo—
The blood-sated demonic sword trilled softly.
Relishing fresh blood after ages, it oozed thick demonic qi.
"Enjoying it, huh?"
As the sword quivered assent.
"I'll feed you proper today."
Cheonhwi chuckled wryly and raised his left foot.
Whoosh—
His form blinked away, bridging twenty zhang instantly.
Cheonhwi addressed Gung-gi, frozen stiff at his arrival.
"At least you didn't bolt."
"That distance..."
Gung-gi bit her lip.
To mask its involuntary quiver.
'No winning head-on.'
Her mind raced.
Do-ol and she were evenly matched. This guy?
Do-ol butchered in one exchange, piteously.
'But if it's that...'
Her eyes gleamed slyly.
She had an ace.
At once, viscous energy seeped from her whole body, spreading insidiously.
Unlike Do-ol, she wielded a man's kryptonite.
Innate seductive qi.
Boosted by Enchanting Heart Binding, her gaze intensified.
'He can't shake this seductive qi.'
Clinging seductive qi coiled around Cheonhwi.
Fused with Enchanting Heart Binding—even pinnacle realm men struggled free.
'Not without Sun-Moon Sect Leader caliber.'
One-shotting Do-ol didn't mean that tier, surely.
Her stare pinned Cheonhwi.
Ramping Enchanting Heart Binding, she unleashed Bewitching Soul Captivation Art.
'Nailed it.'
Seductive qi infiltrated deep beyond mere wrapping; her crimson lips curled.
"You from the Divine Cult?"
"No."
Gung-gi's brows knit.
'Not Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?'
She'd assumed as much instinctively.
Who with that demonic qi and prowess wouldn't hail from there?
Frowning at the miss, she pressed Cheonhwi.
"Then solo? Or another outfit?"
She bored into his lips, awaiting reply.
Momentarily, his mouth parted; toneless words spilled.
"What good's knowing?"
"...!"
Gung-gi blanched, reeling back.
"H-How... despite my seductive qi sinking in..."
Cheonhwi sneered.
Her seductive qi hadn't dented his Immovable Heart—let alone cracked it.
Others might succumb, but his upper dantian was unlocked via Absolute Dominion Art.
Enchant him with this tripe?
Not even a snort.
"Think this bargain-basement seductive qi controls me?"
"..."
Gung-gi's eyes slitted fox-narrow.
Half-lidded sharply, she pierced Cheonhwi.
"Then behold true seductive qi."
Gung-gi said coolly.
Identity unclear, but key intel secured.
Not Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!
No holds barred.
Smirk—
Cheonhwi's lips split wide.
Demonic qi synced with his grin, morphing to his past favorite: a soul-rending demonic art.
Soul-Seizing Demonic Smile!
"...?!"
Gung-gi's body jolted.
'...What?!'
Something off.
Her lifelong seductive qi... vanished.
No—dissolving.
"W-What did you do?!"
"What?"
Cheonhwi's grin thickened.
"Same as you."
"Nonsense... Urk!"
Creases spidered her face.
Laugh lines dug deep; she aged at warp speed.
Her body balance—propped by Enchanting Heart Binding against demonic qi—crumbled.
"Uuugh!"
Wailing fury, she clapped hands over her face, glowering through fingers at Cheonhwi.
"Ashamed of the real you?"
Cheonhwi jeered.
"You dare...!"
Her head snapped up.
Hands darted to waist, snatching the妖 belt.
Lightning-quick.
Whip!
Internal energy surged into it.
Enchanting Heart Binding's sword art: Snake Tail Sword!
True to form, it lashed snake-tail sinuous at Cheonhwi.
"Die!"
Cheonhwi eyed the belt blankly, then up-slashed his demonic sword from low.
Slash!
The belt halved.
Gung-gi gaped vacantly, clutching the stump, glaring at Cheonhwi.
Then vision crimsoned; world cleaved asunder.
'Should've fled sooner...'
Thought unfinished, consciousness dimmed.
A long bloodline etched vertically from her forehead.
Thud—
She pitched face-first to earth.
Cheonhwi regarded Gung-gi's corpse and sheathed.
"Demonic arts cut cleanest, yeah."
He looked away, hefting the demonic sword.
"Satisfied now?"
The sword hummed faint.
Sheathing as demonic qi cloaked swift, he wheeled.
"Off to Cheonghae, then."
Cheonhwi strode westward.
Leaving two bodies, lingering demonic qi.
An hour passed.
"What the—?!"
A man appeared.
Byeokunchang, the Azure Cloud Spear—rising star of the Divine Spear Yang Clan.
Out hunting his vanished guest, he gulped at the vista.
Landslide chaos all around.
And nearby, two slumped forms—faces from days prior.
"Do-ol and Gung-gi...? What happened?"
He gulped, scanning the bodies.
Wretched.
Do-ol heart-skewered; Gung-gi stone-cold dead.
"That guy, no way...?"
The youth-guest he sought—he shook head fierce.
"Nah. Impossible. Even the patriarch's odds against those two fiends are fifty-fifty. Then who...?"
Eyes deepening.
"Hold up..."
Cold sweat iced his spine sudden.
"Fiends ain't the issue."
Situation knotted.
Do-ol, Gung-gi had hit the Divine Spear Yang Clan days back.
Now frigid corpses—if Sun-Moon Sect learned...
'They'll pin it on us...'
Back slicked sweat.
If leaked, catastrophe...
He spun urgent.
No pondering the culprit now.
"Gotta tell the patriarch—fast!"