Chapter 321
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 321.
"You will die here."
The old man unleashed a furious onslaught, as if determined to keep his word.
The distance between Yoo Baek-jun and the old man closed, and a fierce sword battle erupted.
Kaaang!
The old man wasn’t just using the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique. He was employing every sword technique ever used by the Sword Saint’s family.
A flash-like swift sword shot forth.
Nine thrusts, accompanied by wind pressure, aimed at Yoo Baek-jun’s vital points.
‘Fast.’
Yoo Baek-jun’s body was pushed back.
The old man charged, swung his sword downward, then forcefully struck the ground.
Dirt and stones surged upward.
Imbued with magical energy, they turned into vicious bullets that rained down on Yoo Baek-jun.
"Kuhk!"
In an instant, the old man closed the distance right in front of Yoo Baek-jun’s nose.
Then came an unrelenting, rapid succession of slashes—so fast there was no time to breathe.
‘He disappeared. Where—?!’
By the time Yoo Baek-jun barely managed to block, the old man’s figure had already vanished.
He reappeared behind Yoo Baek-jun.
The old man raised both arms high and brought them down on Yoo Baek-jun.
Kwaaaang!
The sword, having sliced through flesh, collided with the ground, unleashing a violent shockwave.
"Keuhk!"
Yoo Baek-jun grimaced.
Blood gushed from his shoulder. If he hadn’t dodged at the last moment, his arm would have been severed entirely.
‘He cut through my aura.’
He had planned to reinforce his body with aura to block, but it hadn’t worked.
Yoo Baek-jun retreated, and the old man pursued him with an expressionless face.
‘Is he stronger than me?’
Yoo Baek-jun gauged the timing.
Soon, the old man closed in again, his sword radiating a sinister sword energy.
And the moment his sword moved—
"Huuup!"
Yoo Baek-jun activated the Heavenly Aura and unleashed Heavenly Destruction in a surprise attack.
Kuoong!
The ground shattered under the impact.
His fist shot forward, and a colossal dragon opened its maw, descending upon the old man.
—Kyaaaaah!
—……
The Heavenly Destruction Dragon deflected the sword.
The target was the old man’s abdomen. It was too late to dodge—they were too close.
Yoo Baek-jun believed so, and he wasn’t wrong.
“……!”
Until the old man’s left hand moved.
A palm shrouded in a barrier of magical energy moved in a familiar motion.
The barrier clashed with the Heavenly Destruction.
‘He absorbed it.’
The ferocious dragon was swallowed whole.
A technique far too familiar—one Yoo Baek-jun couldn’t possibly fail to recognize.
‘Counter Return?’
The old man’s left hand shimmered with aura.
He accelerated his body using Flash Step and charged at Yoo Baek-jun.
Then came a mighty fist strike.
Kwaaaaang!
Just as Yoo Baek-jun had done moments ago.
Heavenly Destruction unfolded from the old man’s fingertips. A savage sword-like dragon slammed into Yoo Baek-jun’s abdomen and exploded.
"Kahak!"
Blood spilled from Yoo Baek-jun’s mouth.
The old man threw the sword in his right hand. The blade hovered in midair.
Then, he assumed a stance.
The very stance of the Heavenly Destruction Fist Technique.
‘The Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique is one thing, but now he’s using the Heavenly Destruction Fist Technique?’
The old man executed the fist technique.
Like a streak of lightning crossing the sky, he lunged and struck with his fist.
The swirling aura coiled around his fist was unleashed in that instant.
The aura transformed into countless blades, tearing Yoo Baek-jun’s body apart.
Kadududuk!
Yoo Baek-jun countered, but even this was overpowered by the old man’s superior fist technique.
The implication was simple:
The old man’s mastery of the Heavenly Destruction Fist Technique surpassed Yoo Baek-jun’s.
‘How is that even possible?’
It shouldn’t be.
The technique was created by the Martial God and had long been lost to time.
There should be no one alive who has learned it—let alone reached such a level of proficiency.
Kwaajik!
Yoo Baek-jun’s body crashed through numerous trees, flying far into the distance.
Pinned to the ground, he coughed up blood, desperately piecing together the information.
‘He’s using a fist technique created by the Martial God.’
From afar, the old man soared toward him.
His body was clad in the blue aura of the Heavenly Aura. Both hands simultaneously executed different fist techniques.
‘That bastard… mentioned it before. That the owner of this body and I look alike.’
The distance closed.
Yoo Baek-jun, swaying unsteadily, mustered the Heavenly Aura once more.
Their fists collided.
Amidst the roaring energy of the Heavenly Aura, his eyes widened.
"No way."
The old man’s face became visible.
Having pieced together all the information, Yoo Baek-jun voiced the most plausible conclusion.
"Martial God…!"
Hearing this, the old man smiled.
A grotesque, twisted smile.
—You catch on quickly.
"Kuhaak!"
Yoo Baek-jun’s fist technique was shattered.
The old man immediately adjusted his stance and unleashed a new fist technique. Two different dragons emerged from his hands.
One coiled around Yoo Baek-jun’s entire body, while the other soared into the sky.
—But what’s the point?
The old man swung his hand downward.
The dragon that had ascended high into the heavens twisted its body and dove toward Yoo Baek-jun.
Kwaaaaang!
The descending dragon opened its maw.
Yoo Baek-jun, unable to resist, was swallowed whole.
A whirlwind of immense aura tore his body apart.
“……!”
Agony so intense he couldn’t even scream.
Yoo Baek-jun’s consciousness began to fade.
—The seal is broken.
The old man slowly walked toward him.
Through his blood-red vision, Yoo Baek-jun saw the approaching figure.
Was it his imagination? The old man’s face seemed younger than before.
—After countless repetitions in time, I am finally… free.
"What nonsense… are you saying?"
—You don’t understand?
The old man stared at Yoo Baek-jun. His hand slowly reached for his neck.
—For all your knowledge, you remain ignorant of the most crucial truth.
"The most… crucial truth?"
The old man’s hand gripped Yoo Baek-jun’s throat. His fingers tightened gradually.
Yoo Baek-jun gasped for air.
—Ignorant one. To die without knowing anything…
Crunch! Crack!
The sound of bones breaking echoed.
Yoo Baek-jun grabbed the old man’s wrist, resisting fiercely.
But it was meaningless.
—It’s better this way for you.
His vision darkened.
The suffocating pressure, the pain wracking his body—everything grew distant.
Yoo Baek-jun’s eyes slowly closed.
—……!
Then, at that moment—
A flash of light erupted.
A sharp blade severed the old man’s arm gripping Yoo Baek-jun’s neck.
The old man stared blankly at his severed limb before turning his head.
Toward the source of the blade.
A man stood there.
"You… are…"
Long, snow-white hair.
A muscular frame hidden beneath black martial robes.
A familiar figure to Yoo Baek-jun.
"Yoo Moo-hak?"
It was.
Yoo Moo-hak.
‘What the hell…?’
Yoo Baek-jun was stunned.
How could he not be? This wasn’t someone he expected to meet here—or ever again.
"Won’t you even call me ‘Father’ now? You’ve grown arrogant since we last met."
"Why are you here…?"
Without hesitation, Yoo Moo-hak charged forward, executing the ultimate technique of the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique.
Countless swords, rending the sky, rained down upon the old man.
He followed them, launching a relentless assault.
"I’ll buy you time."
From the direction Yoo Moo-hak had appeared, Yoo Jung-yeon and Yoo Min emerged.
The two supported Yoo Baek-jun.
"Yoo Baek-jun!"
Then, from high above, an airship descended.
The Magic Tower’s airship—Jin Seo-yeon’s.
—Yoo Moo-hak, it’s been a while.
The old man extended his severed arm. The wound regenerated instantly.
He fixed his gaze on Yoo Moo-hak.
—How many times have we met now?
"I don’t know. And I don’t care."
—Will this time be any different?
"We’ll see."
Yoo Moo-hak pressed on with his assault.
The old man countered. The clash of their swords reached unfathomable heights.
"Go. Leave this place and head to the Tower of the Martial God. The door must have opened by now."
Yoo Moo-hak spoke without turning back, still facing the old man.
"And there, you’ll find the truth you’ve been searching for."
He activated an artifact.
One even Yoo Baek-jun didn’t recognize—creating a vast barrier.
"The truth about this world."
Yoo Jung-yeon and Yoo Min lifted Yoo Baek-jun and leaped onto the airship.
In an instant, the distance grew.
Yoo Baek-jun stared at the ground below.
‘The truth about this world?’
Yoo Moo-hak and the old man stood facing each other.
The sound of clashing swords faded. Yoo Baek-jun tried to hold onto consciousness, but even that was slipping away.
"Yoo Baek-jun, are you okay?"
Hearing Jin Seo-yeon’s worried voice, Yoo Baek-jun lost consciousness.
***
Yoo Baek-jun woke up a day later.
His body was battered, his wounds still unhealed. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to sit up.
"…The Floating Island?"
"Yes, Family head."
Han Seong-ah was by his side.
She must have been tending to him until he woke up. Exhaustion was plain on her face.
“…….”
Yoo Baek-jun looked out the window.
The island bore countless scars of battle—traces of enemies who had attacked from outside.
"What’s the situation on the Floating Island?"
"Many were injured, but miraculously, no one died. The World Tree intervened, they say."
The World Tree had used its roots to rescue those in danger.
Thanks to that, there were no casualties.
"That’s a relief."
"Yes. Right now, we’re treating the wounded. The remaining enemies on the surface are being dealt with."
Thanatos, the Evil Dragon, Yamato-no-Orochi.
All three were dead. Only their remnants remained to be cleaned up.
"Lady Yoo Jung-yeon and Lady Yoo Min are temporarily acting as the Family head. No suspicious movements have been detected."
"They’re not the type to scheme for the family’s power now. No need to worry."
"Understood."
Yoo Jung-yeon and Yoo Min had followed Yoo Moo-hak to rescue Yoo Baek-jun.
He’d need to ask how they even met Yoo Moo-hak in the first place.
"What about the Dragon’s Land?"
"…See for yourself."
Instead of explaining, Han Seong-ah showed him a screen.
The Dragon’s Land—its central region.
Where Yoo Baek-jun had encountered the mysterious old man, a massive barrier now stood.
"It’s an enormous barrier. No one can enter or destroy it."
"Did you ask the Magic Tower about it?"
"Yes. Lady Jin Seo-yeon personally checked, but she said she has no idea what it is…"
Han Seong-ah added,
"However, the sound of clashing swords can still be heard from inside."
“…….”
It must be the battle between Yoo Moo-hak and the old man.
Yoo Baek-jun exhaled deeply.
"My head hurts."
"Are you alright? Should I get you medicine…?"
"No, not that kind of headache."
Too many thoughts were swirling in his mind.
He had no idea what was happening. It had been a while since he’d felt this way.
An event like this—one he’d never experienced before—was truly rare.
‘That old man…’
The Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique, the various sword arts, even the Heavenly Destruction Fist Technique—
All of it far surpassed Yoo Baek-jun’s level. Only one person could wield such mastery.
‘The Martial God.’
So, had the Martial God returned?
But even that felt off.
The old man had clearly referred to himself as the ‘owner of this body.’ If he were the Martial God, why phrase it like that?
‘He would’ve called himself a descendant or something.’
Besides, hadn’t Yoo Moo-hak said it?
Go to the Tower of the Martial God.
If that old man were the Martial God himself—the final enemy—Yoo Moo-hak wouldn’t have told him to go there.
"The truth…"
In the end, to uncover that truth, he had to go to the Tower of the Martial God.
Yoo Baek-jun slowly rose to his feet.
"You shouldn’t move yet!"
"I’d love to rest, but this isn’t the time. You know that, right?"
“…….”
Han Seong-ah reluctantly nodded.
As long as that barrier remained, this wasn’t over.
‘A first-time event, huh.’
It had been a while since he’d experienced something like this.
But that didn’t mean he was mentally broken.
‘I need information. Then I’ll decide what to do next.’
Throughout his journey in Heroes Road, he’d faced countless variables.
Even after playing the game endlessly, unexpected events still occurred.
‘But I’ve always overcome them. No matter what.’
"I’ll see this so-called ‘truth’ with my own eyes."
First, he had to go to the Tower of the Martial God.
To learn the truth.