Chapter 95
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Chapter 95
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: 530,000 Geupja of Internal Energy
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My internal energy...
I expanded my qi sense as widely as possible throughout the entire Murim Alliance.
In the hazy fog, I sensed two familiar yet immensely powerful auras. Dokgo and Byeok Cheonwi. It was them.
"Let's go."
I said it briefly, then launched myself without hesitation toward their auras. I also sent a mental command to Paeng Dogak to follow me.
Shuwaaak-!
I moved so goddamn fast that the scenery blurred into streaks. Yet the presence trailing me didn't lag even a little.
I glanced back.
Cheonha Young followed effortlessly, without a drop of sweat, her movements elegant as if out for a stroll. Only her pink hair danced in the wind.
As expected. Cheonha Young had also crossed that transcendent wall.
I'd suspected something was off ever since she grabbed me from behind. Her ability to completely mask her presence and close in was no amateur trick.
When Cheonha Young and Black Elder infiltrated the Healer Immortal Sect, it was damn lucky I hadn't tried rashly planting any hypnotic suggestions. One wrong move, and my head would've rolled.
Our eyes met, and she flashed a charming smile.
I nearly fell for it.
Snap out of it. That woman's a Demonic Cult psycho. Buy into that smile, and there won't even be bones left to pick.
We arrived shortly at where Byeok Cheonwi and Dokgo waited. Jegal Jin stood with them.
"Vice Squad Leader."
Jegal Jin spotted me and murmured low. Then his lips moved faintly, sending a sound transmission meant only for me.
Are you insane...?
His voice brimmed with bewilderment and shock.
I shot back with intent.
Pardon?
Isn't that Black Elder behind you!
Hm? How'd he know? As expected, the Murim Alliance strategist seat isn't for just anybody.
Yes, correct.
Don't you know who Black Elder is? He's a Demonic Cult elder expert. The worst fiend, called Twin Demons alongside Demonic Cult Leader Heavenly Demon!
Urgency bled through Jegal Jin's transmission.
I sneaked a glance at Black Elder. He stared back, face impassive. Then he spoke casually.
"Over two hundred."
He'd eavesdropped on the transmission.
What the hell is this old man's deal?
As if for all to hear, I said it aloud, staring straight at Jegal Jin.
"That's what it is."
Jegal Jin's face drained white in an instant. But he schooled his features and, without a second's hesitation, deeply cupped his fists at Black Elder.
"I failed to recognize a great senior of the martial world."
As expected of the man who clawed the Murim Alliance strategist post through lies and manipulation. His survival instincts were razor-sharp. He'd never dreamed his transmission could be read. Lol. Not that I had either... Wait, hadn't I mentioned Black Elder to Jegal Seo? Or nah?
As Jegal Jin saluted, Byeok Cheonwi and Dokgo followed suit without delay.
Seeing battle fiend Byeok Cheonwi bow first instead of picking a fight, this old codger was seriously stacked. Maybe switch sides now?
Such thoughts crossed my mind as I scanned the area. Two corpses sprawled in the corner caught my eye.
"Kuhahaha! Fresh kills, Vice Leader!"
Byeok Cheonwi boomed with laughter.
Dokgo added flatly.
"Five Thousand and Three Thousand."
So that's where they'd gone—tangling with Nine Heavens Castle goons again. I'd figured they were just sowing chaos in the orthodox faction, but this looked like a full assault to raze the Murim Alliance root and stem.
But hold up. Five Thousand and Three Thousand outclassed even Left and Right Elders in Nine Heavens Castle, and these two took them down solo?
As if reading my mind, Jegal Jin coughed and interjected.
"I was here."
Byeok Cheonwi slapped his back—hard—and jabbed at the sky.
"You see it, Vice Leader? That blood-red sky! Our strategist's formation made it epic! Those bastards thrashed helplessly inside, power sapped, till we lopped their heads off! Kuhaha!"
Jegal Jin hacked from the uncontrolled pat but clung to his dignity.
"Heh heh... Quite so."
The blood-soaked sky. Jegal Jin's handiwork?
Descendants of Demon King Jegal Ryang were cut from different cloth, alright.
I instinctively checked my mental power. The near-empty reserves had partially recovered.
Glance.
I eyed Dokgo and Byeok Cheonwi in turn. Send intent asking if they'd help take down Black Elder together?
I shook my head. Pass.
Unclear if he'd only caught Jegal Jin's transmission or peeked into my intent too. If the latter, any funny ideas would end with my head airborne. Way too dicey a gamble.
That was when it happened.
Jegal Jin's blood-dyeing formation faded, unveiling a clear sky. Blue peeked through—then dark clouds swarmed from every direction in seconds.
Plip... plip...
Cold raindrops stung my cheek.
Kwarurung-!
A sky-splitting roar echoed as blue lightning twisted like a grotesque serpent through the black clouds.
What the—?
Before I could parse it, something streaked from the clouds like lightning toward the ground.
"Dodge!"
Someone's yell hit, and we scattered on reflex.
Kwaaaaaang—!
A huge crater scarred the spot I'd vacated. Shockwaves blasted outward, dust erupting in a thick cloud.
As the haze thinned, a hulking form emerged within.
...A dragon?
The stuff of legends. Jet-black scales sheathed its body. Its serpentine frame, long and supple, loomed mountain-sized. Bizarre, coral-like horns sprouted from its head.
No time to process: Lightning hammered down around the black dragon in a frenzy.
Kwakwakwakwang!
We dodged desperately, each on our own. Craters pocked the earth where bolts struck—each packing peak-expert full-force power.
Amid the hellstorm, one figure stood stock-still.
Black Elder.
Pajijijik-!
He didn't evade the bolt spearing him. Black haze wreathed his raised hand as he swatted it aside casually. The sky-rending strike dissolved like cotton candy.
Sensing my stare, he turned.
"Need assistance?"
"Sure."
Cheonha Young stepped from behind him, smiling seductively.
"Then promise you'll be mine forever? I'll slap a binding seal on you so no bolting. Ah, not like I distrust you completely~?"
I ignored her, eyes back on the dragon. Better charcoal-grilled by dragon breath than that lunatic's deal.
Dodging endless bolts, I pondered. These clowns ever heading home? Alliance Leader, Squad Leaders—fine wandering the battlefield?
I yelled at Jegal Jin, whose inferior arts forced hair-raising dodges.
"Can't you just retreat?!"
Answer came from left field.
"Kuhahaha! Miss a prime dragon-slaying shot, Vice Leader?!"
Byeok Cheonwi. Battle-mad gleam lit his eyes. Docile before Black Elder, but dragon? Fair game. Where'd that cockiness spawn from?
"Murim Alliance HQ's wide open!"
Back to Jegal Jin. Six Nine Heavens Castle kills down, sure—but one of the last three hits base, it's toast in no time.
"White Tiger Squad Leader's holding it."
Jegal Jin hollered, drenched in sweat.
"Plus my formation's up!"
Right, White Tiger Squad Leader Kang Cheol was MIA. But he's weaker than Byeok Cheonwi. What fueled their bravado? Mind control? Jegal Seo's headcase vibes hereditary?
Then Dokgo and Byeok Cheonwi surged as one. Flashy footwork evaded bolts as they unleashed signatures at the coiled, statue-still black dragon.
"Heaven Sunder!"
"Booming Thunder Jade Collapse Slash."
Dokgo's invisible formless sword qi and Byeok Cheonwi's massive greatsword gang slammed home. A dull thud answered. The dragon's monstrous protective aura flicked both ultimates away like nothing. Zero damage. Paeng Dogak hammered away silently with his staff nearby—same story.
Shit.
Quick peek at Black Elder. Cheonha Young smirked from behind his mini black-hole warp, utterly chill.
But what was this black dragon's game? No chit-chat, just instant barrage. Gotta be one of Four Thousand, One Thousand, whatever...
The rabbit popped into mind.
...Can't talk like that bunny?
Nothing ventured: I fired intent at the dragon.
Hey, how much internal energy you packing?
Moments later, a voice thundered in my skull. Majestic, colossal—it rattled my bones.
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