Chapter 255
Chapter 255
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 255
Chapter Title: The Awakening of the Millennium Red Crane
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Namgung Hyeok, who had been blasted backward, used the Thousand Catties Anchor technique to drop his weight and slammed his demonic sword into the ground.
Shwaaaaa!
Fragments of rock sprayed up along the blade of the demonic sword, and a wave of dust billowed forth.
Namgung Hyeok was pushed back a full seven zhang before finally coming to a halt.
"Cough! Cough!"
Namgung Hyeok spat out rough coughs and arduously lifted his head.
How long had it been since he last felt his five viscera and six bowels twisting?
How long since he had danced on the edge of life and death?
When was the last time he had encountered someone stronger than himself?
Namgung Hyeok circulated the Soaring Heavens Bright King Art to its limits, extinguishing the black infernal flames clinging to his body.
Sizzle!
The smell of burning flesh spread across the cliff top.
Namgung Hyeok caught his breath for a moment.
Gulp!
He swallowed the rising blood with a hard gulp and clenched his teeth tight.
His boiling qi and blood finally subsided, and the infernal flames of the Black Flame Demonic Grasp faded away.
Ma Yeong stared fixedly at him, narrowing his brow.
"Does the Namgung family possess an internal art capable of dispelling infernal flames?"
The Black Flame Demonic Grasp embodied the karmic flames of hell.
At the seventh star, its infernal flames could incinerate even sword qi—what chance did human flesh have?
Yet not only had Namgung Hyeok endured those flames, he had extinguished them. A faint surprise flickered in Ma Yeong's eyes.
"The more I see of you, the more I realize you absolutely cannot be allowed to live."
Now he understood why the Four Lords had brought it up.
This bastard was a dragon preparing for ascension.
He had to sever its neck before it ascended and commanded heaven and earth.
Ma Yeong realized this was the path for the Society.
Regardless of Ma Yeong's prattle, Namgung Hyeok regulated his breathing and circulated the Soaring Heavens Bright King Art.
'I'm weak.'
Yes, he admitted it.
Past glories aside, he was currently weaker than Ma Yeong.
But weakness didn't mean certain death.
If the weak always lost, he would have died hundreds of times in his youth.
Among those he had fought, countless had been stronger than him. Yet he was always the one left standing in the end.
Survival was strength.
Namgung Hyeok contracted the muscles in his lower body, then explosively expanded them, shooting forward like an arrow.
Bang!
The air burst, creating a sharp whoosh.
Ma Yeong swept his hand, transforming the Black Flame Demonic Grasp into a blade that flew toward Namgung Hyeok's neck.
Shwaaa!
Namgung Hyeok flattened his body and slid across the ground. The Black Flame Demonic Grasp narrowly grazed overhead.
Sliding forward, Namgung Hyeok sprang up like lightning and swung his demonic sword at Ma Yeong's neck.
Slash!
Ma Yeong easily dodged, poised to counterattack.
In that instant, Namgung Hyeok rolled along the ground and flung rock fragments from the floor.
Thrusting, rolling, kicking up dirt, feinting.
In an instant, Namgung Hyeok turned the battle into a street brawl.
Ma Yeong furrowed his brow.
"Street tricks!"
He whipped the Black Flame Demonic Grasp in all directions, pressing Namgung Hyeok relentlessly.
Startled only briefly by Namgung Hyeok's sudden shift to thug-like fighting, Ma Yeong responded calmly.
Even against Namgung Hyeok's bizarre attacks, Ma Yeong remained unshaken.
The Black Flame Demonic Grasp, which incinerated sword qi, condensed into a single point and pierced toward Namgung Hyeok like a beam of light.
An attack that pierced erratic movements, shattered the flow, and bore in!
Namgung Hyeok twisted his body to barely evade the Black Flame Demonic Grasp, while simultaneously aiming his demonic sword at the foe's shoulder.
Slash!
A scrap of fabric fluttered from the shoulder.
Crimson bloodlust surged in Ma Yeong's eyes, and his Black Flame Demonic Grasp whipped fiercely, striking Namgung Hyeok's chest.
Boom!
"Urk!"
Infernal flames transferred to the blade of the demonic sword, and a groan escaped.
As Namgung Hyeok tumbled across the ground, Ma Yeong lunged in, targeting his vital points.
Namgung Hyeok flung the dirt from his hand—not retreating, but aiming for Ma Yeong's foot.
Ma Yeong kicked out like punting a ball.
Crack!
The kick, powerful enough to shatter a thousand-catty boulder, sent Namgung Hyeok rolling backward.
Ma Yeong seized the opening and circulated the Black Flame Demonic Art to its peak.
Infernal flames gathered in his demonic grasp, firing as a fireball.
It was the Black Flame Orb, the ultimate technique of the Black Flame Demonic Grasp.
Roar!
Wherever the Black Flame Orb passed, pillars of fire erupted from the ground.
Namgung Hyeok bit his lip and unleashed a single strike of the Overlord Soul toward the Black Flame Orb.
Fwoosh!
The infernal flames incinerated the thunderbolt and leaped onto Namgung Hyeok's arm.
The blue gleam in Namgung Hyeok's eyes wavered violently.
And in that moment.
Shattering space, Ma Yeong charged at Namgung Hyeok.
His demonic grasp clawed like an eagle's talons toward the heart.
"Haap!"
Namgung Hyeok hurled the demonic sword in his hand.
Enveloped in thunder, the sword flew like a dagger.
Ma Yeong's eyes widened.
He had never imagined a swordsman would discard his blade.
Clang!
As Ma Yeong deflected the demonic sword and faltered, Namgung Hyeok exploited the gap with Blood Wind Step, unleashing the Soul-Shattering Fist.
Whoooosh!
A vortex erupted from Namgung Hyeok's fist, drilling toward Ma Yeong's skull like an awl.
Ma Yeong twisted his body and thrust out the Black Flame Demonic Grasp.
Boom!
"Cough!"
"Grk!"
The vortex and infernal flames clashed, unleashing a shockwave.
Namgung Hyeok slid back, spraying arrows of blood, while Ma Yeong, struck by the surprise blow, flew into a rage.
Seizing the moment, Namgung Hyeok snatched up his fallen demonic sword and charged.
"You bastard!"
Ma Yeong aimed his hand blade at Namgung Hyeok's neck. Black energy coalesced, sharpening beyond even sword qi.
Namgung Hyeok raised his arm to block the energy.
Clang!
The Thousand Layered Silk he always wore on his arm to protect fragile bones like porcelain fulfilled its purpose.
Renowned for blocking sword qi, the Thousand Layered Silk tore apart in an instant.
Ma Yeong's eyes bulged.
"Thousand Layered Silk?!"
Splurt!
In that instant, blood burst from Namgung Hyeok's wrist, blinding him.
Enduring the pain of torn flesh, Namgung Hyeok thrust his demonic sword.
Layering sword qi upon sword qi, his blade explosively pierced toward the enemy's heart.
Stab!
Namgung Hyeok grimaced.
"Damn it."
Ma Yeong's Black Flame Demonic Grasp had firmly seized his demonic sword. It had fallen just short of the heart by a hair's breadth.
"You—!"
Boom!
Namgung Hyeok took a blow to the jaw and tumbled away.
Ma Yeong yanked out the demonic sword from his chest and ground his teeth.
He had never dreamed he would struggle this much against such a foe.
Frustration twisted Ma Yeong's face into a demonic scowl.
"Just who the hell are you?"
Namgung Hyeok twisted his lips upward and spat blood with wet coughs.
"Fuck off, what does it matter if you know?"
"I asked your identity."
"I'm Namgung Hyeok of the Namgung family, you punk!"
Despite the agony of severed tendons, Namgung Hyeok burst into laughter.
You think I'll tell you?
Ma Yeong's expression grew grave.
'Not Namgung family martial arts. The internal art he cultivates is something else entirely.'
And above all, his experience and mindset were far from those of an orthodox sect's later-generation disciple.
Doubt and confusion mingled.
The shell was clearly a Namgung family junior, but inside lurked a millennium-old sly fox, insidious and cunning.
Namgung Hyeok laughed weakly.
"Ha, back in the day, trash like you wouldn't have lasted a punch. Without this damn Nine Yin Severed Meridians, you'd be dead already."
"I won't let you die easily."
"Won't die, though?"
Namgung Hyeok staggered to his feet.
"Hoo! Damn it, should I draw on my innate qi?"
Against this bastard, drawing innate qi might really send him to the afterlife....
Namgung Hyeok gave a bitter smile and assumed the starting stance of the Overlord Soul Thousand Hands.
'...The one still breathing is the victor.'
As long as he clung to life, somehow.
Even crippled, as long as he lived.
Survival of the fittest.
Law of the jungle.
Such words flashed through Namgung Hyeok's mind.
Resolve ignited in his eyes.
How long had it been?
Memories of past struggles and desperate battles stirred a thrilling tension.
Piercing the mounting tension, Ma Yeong moved.
Irresistible demonic qi billowed from his entire body.
As if everything until now had been mere prelude, his aura was utterly different from the start.
The Black Flame Demonic Grasp sharpened into hooks.
"Die!"
Namgung Hyeok countered with Thousand Hands.
The Overlord Soul Thousand Hands formed 108 hand images, blocking the Black Flame Demonic Grasp.
Boom!
"Cough!"
The Black Flame Demonic Grasp shredded the 108 hand images and bit into Namgung Hyeok's flank.
Namgung Hyeok staggered but desperately held Ma Yeong at bay.
Ma Yeong counterattacked savagely.
Each motion of his hands was murderous, as if ready to rip out a throat at any moment.
'Nothing's working, damn it!'
Each time the Overlord Soul Thousand Hands was futilely torn apart, chunks of Namgung Hyeok's flesh burst off.
In moments, pools of blood formed on the ground.
This wouldn't do.
Nothing worked against this bastard.
Even with countless past experiences and insights, closing the gap with Ma Yeong now was impossibly difficult.
His breath grew ragged, his energy stuttering.
His mind clouded.
His body, moving on instinct, gradually lost strength, reactions slower than a snail's.
'...Just a little more. If I only had a bit more time!'
Helplessness, like sodden cotton, dominated his body.
Had the Black Flame Demonic Grasp always been this strong?
His teeth ground against the pathetically frail body, so unlike his past self.
He hadn't reincarnated just to die to scum like this!
Damn, even lost the demonic sword!
Indignation, frustration, rage intertwined.
Overlord Soul Thousand Hands, Soul-Shattering Fist, Thunder Punishment Fist....
All twisted and blocked by Ma Yeong's Black Flame Demonic Grasp.
"Hap!"
Namgung Hyeok's shoulder tore open under the Black Flame Demonic Grasp.
Boom!
A split-second later, and his skull would have shattered.
Even so, Namgung Hyeok was on the verge of collapse.
Precarious as a candle flame snuffed by a mere breath.
Ma Yeong knew it too.
He approached to drive the Black Flame Demonic Grasp into Namgung Hyeok's throat.
That was when.
Flutter!
The Millennium Red Crane, eyes closed as if asleep, unfurled its massive wings and rose.
Namgung Hyeok's gaze shifted beyond Ma Yeong's shoulder.
"......!"
Ma Yeong's eyes twisted.
His gaze too fixed on the Millennium Red Crane.
"Why now of all times!"
Grinding his teeth, Ma Yeong glared at the Millennium Red Crane.
It beat its wings powerfully, lifting its body into the sky.
Auspicious light exploded from its form, crimson radiance gathering in its red crest.
As Namgung Hyeok stared blankly, a massive roar echoed from below the cliff.
Rumble!
As if an earthquake struck, the Celestial Precipice shook, pale dust clouds rising.
Dang Uicheon, locked in battle with the Five Poisons Sect Leader Cheop Cheongwon below, snapped his head up and shouted.
"Th-the Millennium Red Crane...!"
"Dodge! Get out of thereeee!"
Everyone halted their fights, gazing at the auspicious light-wreathed Millennium Red Crane, then whipped their heads around.
Before questions formed, instinctual alarms rang in their minds, spurring their bodies to move.
The Five Poisons Sect and Sacheon Tang Clan retreated from the Celestial Precipice faster than an ebbing tide.
Screeeeech!
The Millennium Red Crane cried out toward the heavens.
Crimson radiance peaked from its crown, its tiny head and pitch-black feathers beginning to turn whiter than snow.
Sizzle!
The Millennium Red Crane expelled the poison it had harbored for a millennium all at once.
Shwaaaaa!
The ochre cliff blackened in an instant.
Awash in poison, the cliff churned with hot spring-like heat.
The colossal poison made even breathing impossible.
Ma Yeong hastily held his breath and cloaked himself in protective qi.
Shwaaa!
The poison surged over him like a tsunami.
Truly colossal poison.
Ma Yeong glanced at Namgung Hyeok, conflicted, then urgently pulled back.
'Damn!'
Poison virulent enough to melt protective qi.
Anyone caught in it would dissolve into a puddle of toxic sludge in moments!
Even Ma Yeong couldn't guarantee he could endure it.
Namgung Hyeok blankly watched the poison pouring from the Millennium Red Crane, then clenched his teeth.
"Dodgeeee!"
"Run awaaaay!"
"Huek!"
Below, chaos had long reigned.
Dang Uicheon fled dozens of zhang from the melting Celestial Precipice in terror.
"This, this can't be! It's beyond the legends!"
The poison from the Millennium Red Crane was on another level.
Immense poison rivaling the Sacheon Tang Clan's Formless Poison or the Five Poisons Sect's Divine Toxin.
It turned the entire area into a toxic wasteland in moments.
Breaking through this poison was practically impossible.
Thus, the only chance to target the Millennium Red Crane was the instant the poison wave subsided and before it permeated the toxic ground.
Dang Uicheon spotted Namgung Hyeok exposed to the poison and bulged his eyes.
"Dodge! It's poison beyond endurance! Get out, I said!"
He poured internal energy into a throat-tearing shout.
Namgung Hyeok's gaze met Ma Yeong's.
He would surely dodge.
No one could survive exposure to that poison.
Yet.
Smirk.
Namgung Hyeok grinned and suddenly turned toward the Millennium Red Crane.
Ma Yeong was stunned by the abrupt action.
"That mad bastard!"
Namgung Hyeok wrapped his last scrap of internal energy around himself and hurled his body into the pouring poison.
"You bastard!"
Ma Yeong urgently shook off a Black Flame Orb.
It shot arrow-like toward Namgung Hyeok.
Covering fifteen zhang in an instant, the Black Flame Orb smashed into his thigh.
Boom!
Infernal flames enveloped Namgung Hyeok's thigh, blazing.
With bloodshot eyes, Namgung Hyeok leaped on one leg toward the soaring Millennium Red Crane.
In that brief span, his entire body blackened with poison.
Sizzle!
Melting flesh.
The last remnant of Soaring Heavens Bright King Art dissolved into the poison.
Namgung Hyeok seized the neck of the ascending crane.
Demonic qi flickered in Ma Yeong's eyes.
He hurled the demonic sword in his grasp with all his might toward Namgung Hyeok.
Whiiiiiish!
Boom!
With a piercing whoosh, the sword pierced Namgung Hyeok's back.
Splurt!
Blood rained down from the sky like precipitation, and Namgung Hyeok along with the flapping Millennium Red Crane plummeted below the Celestial Precipice.