Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Repayment (1)
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Hye-won panicked.
"Are you asking me to hand it over knowing what the Blood Ring Sword is?"
"It enhances the power of its possessor and allows the use of sword energy."
"But the more you use it, the more it strips away your reason and turns you into a blood-craving demon."
In the martial world, such blades were called demonic swords.
"Do you know about this?"
"Yes."
"And you still want it?"
"That's right."
"What do you plan to do with something so horrific...?"
"Destroy it."
Hye-won grew even more flustered at Dang Yu-wol's calm declaration.
"...The Blood Ring Sword may be a demonic sword, but it's one countless people desire."
"I know."
"There are many warriors in the world."
Hye-won let out a small sigh.
She too was a martial artist who had lived over a century.
Thus, she knew.
"How many of them would dream just of manifesting sword energy once?"
"Yes. For such people, the Blood Ring Sword fulfills their dearest wish."
"Do you crave that power too, Young Master Dang?"
-Crave it? You'd have subordinates whose life's goal is just to use sword energy once.
'Nonsense.'
He had seen countless people in the Blood Cult ruined by sinister martial arts and artifacts.
There was no need to let his own men walk that path.
"I can already use sword energy."
"The Blood Ring Sword's power isn't just about wielding sword energy."
Hye-won sighed deeply once more.
"Possessing the Blood Ring Sword strengthens the body as well."
"I know."
"Your current level, Young Master... is that of a first-rate expert."
"Yes."
"With the Blood Ring Sword, you could wield power akin to a peak master."
Even then, he felt no temptation.
Dang Yu-wol shook his head at Hye-won's question.
"Isn't it just borrowing the sword's power? I have no interest in such things."
"Then why do you want it, if not to use it?"
"As I said, to destroy it."
A mere external object like a sword destroying human reason and intellect.
Not only did it generate sword energy on its own, but it also amplified physical strength.
'It's clearly an artifact harboring heaven-defying power, contrary to nature and reason.'
That was precisely why he wanted it.
'Left alone, it would only sow chaos.'
Better to destroy such a thing and use it as fuel for growth.
Hye-won was at a loss for words at Dang Yu-wol's composed reply.
'Can I believe him...?'
Countless challengers had come to destroy the Blood Ring Sword before.
But was it called a demonic sword for nothing?
"Those who behold the Blood Ring Sword instinctively crave it."
All of them had revealed their greed upon seeing it.
Even in the Emei Sect.
Even high monks who had tempered their minds through long cultivation had nearly been ensnared by it.
"And... I was no different."
Hye-won looked slightly embarrassed.
In the past, she had faced the Blood Ring Sword on her master's orders.
And she had nearly lost her heart to it.
"To dispel that bewitchment, I underwent three years of secluded meditation. That is the nature of such an evil object."
"I see."
"You, Young Master, have already stained your hands with much blood for revenge."
"Yes."
"Do you think someone like you can overcome the Blood Ring Sword's temptation?"
"Yes."
His confidence was so absolute it left her speechless.
After a moment's thought, Hye-won nodded.
"If you succumb to the Blood Ring Sword, I shall prepare a spot for you in the Emei Sect's Repentance Cave."
"An honor. Then until tomorrow..."
"Go now."
"Pardon?"
This time, even Dang Yu-wol was surprised.
According to his plan, obtaining the Blood Ring Sword was to be an equivalent exchange.
"I have no intention of taking it for free."
"You said you would destroy that wicked artifact."
"That's correct."
"For a Buddhist, is there any greater deed than destroying an object that brings chaos to the world?"
"Hm..."
-Haha. Not what you expected. A Buddhist is a Buddhist, after all.
She hadn't even asked what the Emei Sect had lost.
Even though greed might arise, Hye-won showed no interest in it.
"Very well."
It wasn't a bad deal.
Dang Yu-wol rose to follow Hye-won.
"Sect Leader, that man..."
As they ventured deep into the Emei Sect, several martial nuns sensed Dang Yu-wol's presence.
The aura of a killer.
One to be wary of in the Buddhist world.
"Treat him as a guest."
"Pardon? But..."
"It's fine. If trouble arises, I shall handle it myself."
What could the disciples say when a transcendent realm master spoke so?
In the end, the martial nuns silently followed Hye-won and Dang Yu-wol.
"The Blood Ring Sword is kept here, shrouded in the energy of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva."
They arrived before a building with a plaque reading "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Hall."
Stopping there, she calmly pointed inside.
"The Blood Ring Sword lies before the Avalokitesvara statue."
At the mention of the Blood Ring Sword, the martial nuns were startled.
Regardless, Dang Yu-wol entered under Hye-won's guidance.
-There it is.
As Ye-ui said.
In this sacred Buddhist sanctum sat an ominous sword that didn't belong.
'Shall we begin?'
Dang Yu-wol calmly grasped the Blood Ring Sword.
In that instant, killing intent surged.
Resentment toward the Blood Cult.
It accelerated the driving force that moved him.
'Pathetic.'
His hatred and grudge against the Blood Cult already overflowed.
Adding a bucket of water to the sea—would it even show?
-Holding your mind steady?
'Of course.'
Ye-ui burst into laughter at Dang Yu-wol's cool composure.
-As expected, you're no ordinary man.
Though the two conversed leisurely, Hye-won watching from behind was different.
She was ready to draw her sword at any moment.
Then her eyes widened.
"...Namo Amitabha...!!"
The Blood Ring Sword began to corrode.
Its once razor-sharp blade dulled.
Rust spread across the blood-red body in spots.
"Is this even possible...!!"
It was a sword that retained its edge without maintenance.
How could it...
"Gasp!"
The astonishment didn't end there.
Dang Yu-wol, gripping the Blood Ring Sword, was changing.
'What in the world...!'
He was growing.
A warrior trapped in a cocoon was breaking free.
Had he gained enlightenment the moment he touched the Blood Ring Sword?
'If something goes wrong, I must help him.'
When attaining a breakthrough through sudden enlightenment, a warrior entered a defenseless state.
Even a moment's interruption could turn them into a cripple.
'The Tang Clan and Emei have no ties.'
Even so, if she could help, she should.
Thus, she personally stood guard over him.
-Don't lose focus.
'I know.'
This heaven-defying energy was incomparable to the blood poison pearl.
Controlling it, Dang Yu-wol circulated the Three Yang Return to Origin Art.
-You're doing well.
His internal energy raged like he'd swallowed a spirit elixir.
Suppressing and guiding it, he expanded his meridians and grew his dantian.
"Huuu..."
When it all finished, Dang Yu-wol's eyes had deepened further.
He had reached the peak realm.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough."
"Thank you."
Drenched in sweat, Dang Yu-wol looked at Hye-won.
Having noticed she had stood guard, he bowed calmly.
"How in the world did you do it?"
"The Tang Clan's Three Yang Return to Origin Art is a heaven-defying technique. It can harness the power of heaven-defying artifacts."
"I see... Namo Amitabha. Truly a fortunate event."
Joy filled Hye-won's voice.
Not just because the Blood Ring Sword was destroyed.
Because Dang Yu-wol had fully controlled his killing intent.
"I can only hope this power does not stray toward evil."
"The Emei Sect has my debt. I shall repay it without fail."
"It was mere fateful connection; no debt is owed."
From the Emei Sect's perspective, a headache-inducing demonic sword was gone.
No debt at all.
-She says so. Gonna just leave?
'No. Needless debts are unnecessary.'
Dang Yu-wol clasped his hands toward Hye-won before calmly departing the Emei Sect.
-Heading to your original destination?
'Yes.'
His footsteps led to a nameless mountain not far from Emei County.
'This seems to be the place...'
-Certainly a spot no one would visit.
Mount Emei, a famous peak, loomed right beside it, with no villages nearby.
Thus, even herbalists avoided it; not even a small trail existed.
Dang Yu-wol ascended silently.
-We're nearing it.
'Yeah. Ah, there it is.'
At the mountainside, faint mist began veiling his view.
A formation repelling the uninvited.
-Impressive formation. Rivals the Blood Cult's, even.
Even Ye-ui was impressed as Dang Yu-wol calmly stepped into the fog.
Not a hint of hesitation in his stride.
-The mist is vicious.
Indeed.
It was so thick visibility was zero.
-Can you find the life gate? Won't be easy. Need help?
But it was merely a formation to deter humans.
No issue for Ye-ui.
'Don't worry. I can handle it alone.'
Dang Yu-wol walked steadily.
Through the misty path, he reached a sheer cliff.
A single plank bridge spanned it.
-Here we go. Steel yourself.
One misstep meant plummeting into an abyss.
Dang Yu-wol stepped onto the bridge nonchalantly.
"You bastard...!!"
A voice rang out as he ascended the fog-shrouded bridge.
It was the first of his revenge targets—a Blood Cult warrior.
Covered in blood, one eye missing, tongue lolling out.
His voice brimmed with hatred.
"How dare you...!!"
Starting with him, countless Blood Cultists appeared.
Ghastly enough to freeze anyone in place.
"You killed me! Because of your pathetic revenge!!"
"Who are you to kill us!! Who are you!!"
"We killed your Tang Clan folk, and you killed us. Think your end will be good?"
Voices filled with hatred and grudge.
Bloody figures blocked the path.
Dang Yu-wol merely sneered at them.
"If it bothered you, you should've killed me first."
They had failed, and he had succeeded.
That was all.