Chapter 18: Displaying Divine Might - 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18: Displaying Divine Might - 2
Seeing Sun-woo’s chilling smile, Beon Han-man and Ha Im-su felt a primal fear slithering deep within their hearts.
Only six months ago, Jang Sam had been no different from them. Now, he had grown strong enough to slaughter two Peak Martial Artists in the blink of an eye.
"Why aren't you coming in? You chicken?"
"........."
"........."
"Hey, Ha Im-su. You should be avenging your sister, shouldn't you?"
Sun-woo taunted them with a smirk, as if reading their minds, but they remained silent.
"If you won't come to me, I'll come to you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Sun-woo concentrated his internal energy into his lower body and let it explode.
Bang!
Explosive acceleration enveloped his body, and he reached them in an instant.
Startled by Sun-woo’s sudden appearance, they swung their sword and blade frantically.
But Sun-woo was one step faster.
With a single outward sweep of his sword, he parried both their attacks simultaneously.
As his sword was knocked aside, Ha Im-su used footwork to scramble backward and create distance.
However, Beon Han-man wasn't fast enough. Sun-woo’s fist slammed directly into his jaw.
Thwack!
Beon Han-man was sent flying, crashing into the wall with a heavy thud.
Crash!
"Damn it! Squad Leader Beon!"
Ha Im-su screamed toward Beon Han-man, but the man didn't wake up. He had lost consciousness from that single blow.
Ha Im-su had escaped disaster by retreating immediately after his sword was parried, but Beon Han-man hadn't been so lucky.
"You bastard, Jang Sam! How dare you kill my comrades!"
"Are you crazy? You expect me to just stand here while people try to kill me?"
"You're a monster! Do you not fear the Heavens?"
Ha Im-su shrieked in desperation. No matter how he looked at it, the gap between him and Jang Sam was too wide, and despair began to set in.
"Why should I fear the Heavens? I've done nothing wrong. If anything, the Heavens are the ones who wronged me."
By dropping me into a world like this, Sun-woo thought, swallowing the words. He began to walk slowly toward Ha Im-su.
"Stay back, you demon!"
"Seriously, why do you guys always call anyone stronger than you a 'demon'?"
"You were barely at the start of the Peak Realm! The only way you could have reached this level of cultivation in just six months is through demonic arts!"
"Bullshit. It's that kind of thinking that keeps you from improving, you old-fashioned prick. Tsk, tsk."
Sun-woo clicked his tongue at the man's pathetic logic.
It seemed to be a trait of the Orthodox Faction—if someone was stronger than them, they immediately branded it as demonic. Then, if they found out the person was a disciple of a hidden sage or had learned some legendary divine art, they’d suddenly act all understanding. They were lunatics.
Ha Im-su was no different. He was a young "kkondae" who believed only his experiences were right and everything else was wrong, spewing one-sided slander.
Step. Step.
Sun-woo continued his slow approach.
Ha Im-su retreated further, trying to keep his distance.
Thud.
But soon, the cold touch of the wall against his back brought him to the brink of despair. There was nowhere left to run.
"Let's make this quick. You can ask your sister for the truth when you see her in hell."
Just as Sun-woo was about to swing his sword—
He felt the airflow behind him shift abruptly.
Sensing danger, Sun-woo instinctively rolled to the side.
Slaaaaash!
A Blade Wind tore through the space where Sun-woo had just been standing, slicing right through Ha Im-su instead.
"Aaaaaagh!"
Ha Im-su’s scream echoed through the cavern.
"...Vice... Hall Master... why...?"
Having taken the Blade Wind head-on, Ha Im-su gasped out the words with his dying breath.
"Useless fools! You couldn't even serve as decent bait."
The one who had unleashed the Blade Wind, Vice Hall Master Ju Gwang, scoffed at the bleeding Ha Im-su.
"Ple...ase... save... me..."
Ha Im-su coughed up a mouthful of blood. The wound from the Blade Wind was so deep that the massive blood loss was already making his vision fade.
"It's too late. You've lost too much blood. I'll avenge you, so die without lingering attachments."
"Fuck... you..."
Thud.
With a final curse, Ha Im-su collapsed. He died with his eyes wide open, filled with rage and a sense of injustice.
"Wow, you really betray people like it's nothing, don't you, Ju Gwang?"
"How insolent. I was once your martial arts instructor, yet you show no respect for your senior."
"I cried all that respect away earlier. From now on, I'm treating you as just another martial artist, Ju Gwang."
Sun-woo glared at Ju Gwang with sharp, focused eyes.
"A decent look in your eyes. Do you honestly think that because you beat those low-lifes, you can defeat me?"
"Who knows? Maybe you'll end up a cold corpse just like them."
"The brat who did nothing but cry like a child has certainly grown arrogant!"
"I was just letting out my feelings for you and my master. I won't be crying anymore."
Sun-woo raised his sword.
"A martial artist should speak with his blade. Why are you talking so much?"
"Fine! I'll show you that there is always a heaven above the heavens!"
Ju Gwang gripped his prized Ghost Head Blade and charged at Sun-woo. He swung the heavy blade horizontally, aiming for Sun-woo’s torso.
Whoosh!
Sun-woo brought his raised sword down, rotating it to parry the incoming strike.
Clang!
However, the force behind the Ghost Head Blade was immense. Sun-woo was sent flying back, smashing into the wall.
Boom!
The wall crumbled, and a cloud of dust rose around Sun-woo.
"Hahaha! You dared to challenge me with such pathetic skill?"
Ju Gwang began to mock Sun-woo’s unsightly state.
Brush, brush.
As the dust cleared, Sun-woo stood up and brushed himself off.
"Damn, he's strong. For real."
Sun-woo was genuinely impressed.
Ju Gwang had reached the Super-Peak Realm ten years ago and was now on the verge of the Transcendent Realm. His blade carried an incredible, overwhelming strength.
Honestly, Sun-woo thought he could hold his ground, which is why he chose to clash directly rather than dodge. But that had been a mistake. Taking the hit head-on had sent him flying into the wall.
It was the result of overconfidence.
In the original story, Ju Gwang was a character close to a MacGuffin, much like Jang Sam. During the period of power inflation, he was described as someone who would become a great help later after a power-up, only to be written out of the story entirely. He never appeared again until the ending.
But this character, who lacked screen time and description, had grown strong enough to be ranked among the elite, even if he didn't fit into the main plot.
Sun-woo reflected on his carelessness. This man, Ju Gwang, had a terrible personality, but his skill was the real deal.
Sun-woo lowered his sword slightly. Then, he began to circulate the Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art.
In an instant, a massive, explosive aura erupted from Sun-woo’s body.
"What!?"
Ju Gwang was momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in Sun-woo’s pressure. The green, novice-like aura from moments ago was gone.
Seeing Sun-woo radiating the aura of a true master, Ju Gwang adjusted his grip on the Ghost Head Blade. He realized he would have to give this his all.
Flash!
This time, Sun-woo lunged first.
Using the instantaneous explosive power of the Wind-Dust Step, he blurred toward Ju Gwang at incredible speed. He thrust his sword straight for the throat.
Ju Gwang was startled by the sheer speed of the thrust. However, he regained his composure, tilted his Ghost Head Blade, and held the flat of the blade vertically. He braced the tip of the blade with his other hand, preparing for the impact.
It was a split-second decision made because Sun-woo was already too fast to dodge.
Clang!
The collision between the sword and the flat of the Ghost Head Blade rang out with a bone-chilling screech, sending sparks flying.
But Sun-woo wasn't finished.
Realizing Ju Gwang’s chest was exposed since he was using both hands to brace his blade, Sun-woo channeled internal energy into his left palm and struck out.
Thump!
"Urgh!"
Ju Gwang managed to manifest his Protective Qi just in time to avoid a fatal wound, but he still suffered significant internal injuries.
Bam!
Ju Gwang immediately lashed out with a kick, knocking Sun-woo back.
As he was sent flying, Sun-woo plunged his sword into the ground. Using the embedded blade as an anchor, he managed to land safely.
"You son of a bitch...!"
Ju Gwang, clutching his chest from the internal injury, was livid.
"All that talk, and this is all you've got? Or is it because you're a former rogue that your martial arts lack foundation? They're as unrefined as you are."
Sun-woo continued to provoke Ju Gwang, wagging his tongue.
Being a former rogue was Ju Gwang’s greatest insecurity. Most of Lee Jae-won’s confidants had become Hall Masters, yet Ju Gwang remained a Vice Hall Master. While Lee Jae-won likely made the appointments without much thought, Ju Gwang harbored a deep-seated inferiority complex, believing his background was the reason he was held back.
Thanks to Jang Sam’s memories, Sun-woo knew exactly which buttons to push.
"Shut up!"
Ju Gwang gripped his Ghost Head Blade and charged again. In his rage, a vivid red Blade Aura erupted from his weapon.
Sun-woo also pushed his Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art to the limit, and a blue Sword Astral began to shimmer from his blade.
Clang! Clang!
The two different types of Astral Qi clashed, beginning a fierce struggle.
Soon, Ju Gwang’s Blade Aura gained momentum, beginning to overwhelm Sun-woo.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Is this all you have, Jang Sam!?"
"Don't you know that people who talk too much usually die first, Ju Gwang!?"
"Weak! Too weak!"
Thud.
Sun-woo was pushed back until his heels hit the wall.
"I'll end this now!"
A massive Blade Aura swept down toward Sun-woo’s neck in a wide arc.
This is dangerous.
Sun-woo ducked quickly, narrowly avoiding the blade.
Rumble!
The spot where Ju Gwang’s blade struck the wall crumbled, leaving a massive gouge.
I might actually lose at this rate.
A slight sense of unease crept into Sun-woo’s mind.
Though he had reached a mature level of the Super-Peak Realm, he was still a step behind Ju Gwang, who had reached the pinnacle of that realm. Furthermore, the cramped environment of the cavern favored Ju Gwang’s tyrannical blade over Sun-woo’s sword.
I need to change locations!
Having made his decision, Sun-woo turned and used the Wind-Dust Step to dash into the tunnel leading to the armory.
"You bastard, Jang Sam! Where do you think you're going!?"
An enraged Ju Gwang chased after him into the armory.
As soon as Ju Gwang entered, he was hit by the pungent smell of cold iron and oil. Grimacing at the foul odor, he looked around for Sun-woo.
Sun-woo was standing in the center of the armory, waving his hand at Ju Gwang.
"Ju Gwang, it's time for round two."
"What kind of nonsense is that!?"
"It means you're dead!"
Sun-woo grabbed a sword from a rack behind him and hurled it at Ju Gwang.
Whiz!
Clang!
Ju Gwang raised his Ghost Head Blade to block the flying sword, but the internal energy infused into it was significant enough to make his wrist sting.
Whiz!
Clang!
Before he could even breathe a sigh of relief, Ju Gwang had to deflect another sword flying his way.
"Resorting to such petty tricks! You call yourself a martial artist!?"
"This is how I survive!"
Sun-woo began grabbing any weapon within reach—regardless of what it was—and hurled them one after another, infused with plenty of internal energy.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The weapons flew relentlessly, and Ju Gwang’s internal energy began to drain. The projectiles were too fast to dodge, and whenever he tried to close the distance, Sun-woo would move like a ghost and throw more weapons to push him back. Ju Gwang couldn't find an opening.
"Jang Sam! You cowardly bastard! Fight me fair and square!"
"You motherfucker, was stabbing me in the back 'fair and square'?"
Ju Gwang’s face turned beet red. He couldn't argue with that logic.
I'll lose if this keeps up.
Ju Gwang pushed his internal energy to the maximum and manifested his Blade Aura.
Slash! Slice!
He began cutting down all the weapons Sun-woo threw so they couldn't be reused.
Clang! Snap!
"Huff... huff... It's over now, Jang Sam."
After a period of intense confrontation, most of the weapons in the armory lay broken on the floor. Ju Gwang, his eyes bloodshot, caught his breath as he glared at Sun-woo.
Sun-woo wasn't in great shape either. Throwing so many weapons had nearly exhausted his internal energy. Moreover, the sheer volume of throws had strained his shoulders and wrists, causing immense pain.
Seeing this, Ju Gwang flashed a victor's smile. He raised his Ghost Head Blade and began to approach.
"Let's end this, Jang Sam."
At those words, Sun-woo smirked.
"I was thinking the exact same thing."
Sun-woo reached into his robe and pulled out a porcelain bottle containing Stalactite Fluid. He downed the entire contents in one go.
A massive aura began to swirl around Sun-woo. Sensing the potent energy of the Stalactite Fluid, the Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art began to circulate automatically. He felt his internal energy reserves being refilled to the brim.
Sun-woo began to unleash this energy. First, he used the Wind-Dust Step to put a significant distance between himself and Ju Gwang.
Boom!
Sensing the ominous aura, Ju Gwang rushed forward to take Sun-woo’s head, but Sun-woo had already widened the gap.
"Hey, Ju Gwang."
Sun-woo tucked his hands into his sleeves and addressed Ju Gwang.
"Have you ever heard of the Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers?"
A chilling smile spread across his face.
Sun-woo’s movements were a blur. From his sleeves, countless weapon fragments erupted, swarming toward Ju Gwang all at once.
"Dammit!"
With his internal energy nearly depleted, Ju Gwang could neither block nor dodge. The sharp fragments, pouring down at explosive speeds, began to embed themselves all over his body.
His arms, legs, chest, stomach, face, ears, nose, mouth, and eyes.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Blood sprayed from every point of impact. Ju Gwang writhed in agony.
"AAAAAAAAGH!"
The armory was filled with nothing but Ju Gwang’s screams.