Chapter 271: Asura Demon Lord (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 271: Asura Demon Lord (2)
Even if a reservoir is overflowing, the river will run dry if the dam isn't opened.
I possessed a tremendous amount of demonic energy, but I couldn't wield it because I didn't know any demonic martial arts.
But now, I think I understand.
Ma Paeseon's Sura Sky-Shattering Palm, which had struck my side, not only shattered my protective aura but also nearly crushed my organs and took my life.
Its power was more than worthy of being called an ultimate technique.
But ironically, thanks to that brief contact, I was able to feel the circulation of demonic energy.
The structure of the demonic art, which operated on a completely different track from the Formless Vajra Art, came as a fresh shock to me.
It must be Ma Paeseon's unique martial art.
I accepted its flow without hesitation, something an orthodox martial artist would never have done.
I never intended to get stronger by picking and choosing the 'proper' way, anyway.
Thump—
In that moment, the demonic energy that had been inert until now began to flow through my qi and blood. At the same time, I understood why demonic arts were called demonic.
Unlike the calmly flowing Vajra Qi, the demonic energy coursing through me was like a river swollen by a torrential downpour.
Its momentum, threatening to swallow everything around it, seemed to warn me: Let your guard down, and you'll be swept away too.
Ting—
[The Primordial Body (混原肢體) is responding.]
The Vajra Qi, which embraces and harmonizes with all of creation, and the demonic energy, which greedily seeks to devour everything, found balance under my will.
This led to the establishment of my inner world.
It was a strange sensation, as if the Astral Plane and my inner world, which I had always kept separate, were merging into one.
My ink-black aura darkened.
It was a mass of demonic energy that should have felt ominous, yet it also felt familiar.
That was only natural.
After all, it was my own energy.
My body suddenly felt much lighter, as if I had thrown off a restraint that had been holding me down.
I squeezed out every last bit of my magic power to layer on all my support spells.
At some point, the sword in my hand was no longer Gilenium, but the Mad Demon Sword.
[Refined demonic energy detected. '???' has been unlocked.]
[Black Killing Mad Demon Sword (黑殺狂魔劍)
Grade: Epic
Greatly increases the power of swordsmanship.
Greatly increases cutting power.
Amplifies demonic energy.
Continuously erodes the user's mind.]
[Devour (貪) - New!]
[Devour (貪)
Absorbs the target's energy.]
Without a moment's hesitation, I charged toward Ma Paeseon.
The Asura Energy still blazed fiercely around him.
It was the same armor of demonic energy I couldn't cut through before.
But now, I was certain I could.
Shhhk!
My certainty became reality.
*
“Keoheok?!”
Thud.
Ma Paeseon collapsed to the ground. Blood streamed from a sword wound that ran from his shoulder to his side.
It wasn't a deep wound, but circulating any more internal energy would put his life at risk.
In that moment, Ma Paeseon had no choice but to admit defeat.
To think that he, an elder of the Great Heavenly Demonic Cult who had slaughtered countless martial artists for decades, had been defeated by a rising star who had just come of age.
If the hypocrites of the Orthodox Faction and the demonic leaders of the Evil Faction who had died by his hand could see this, they would surely burst out laughing.
“Kill me.”
Ma Paeseon offered his neck, his head bowed.
There was no pathetic begging for his life.
Kang Hyun-woo felt the firm resolve in his voice. He sensed that no words would get through to him now.
'Is it pride?'
Staring at Ma Paeseon, Kang Hyun-woo abandoned his plan to trade the man's life for information. The man before him would never accept such a deal.
In that case, there was no reason to let him live.
“Any last words?”
“None.”
Was he trying to look cool until the end, or was this just how he was?
Kang Hyun-woo nodded and raised his sword. The black blade glinted in the sunlight.
The moment the Mad Demon Sword cut through the air, swinging toward Ma Paeseon—
“Wait a moment!”
Cheon Yeo-hwa's urgent voice echoed through the forest.
The blade stopped mid-air.
“...Yeo-hwa?”
*
I turned my head to look at Cheon Yeo-hwa.
She must have run a long way, as she was drenched in sweat. Of course, even the scent of her sweat felt fragrant to me.
I wanted to pull her into an embrace right away, but I was in an even worse state. My shirt was half torn off, and my entire body was covered in blood.
“What's wrong?”
I met her eyes as she knelt on one knee, panting for breath. Her pupils were trembling faintly.
It was obvious she was watching my reaction.
“You can say whatever you want. I don't mind.”
I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her lips.
I didn't know what she was about to say, but I was prepared to grant almost any request. That was why I had returned in the first place.
After hesitating for a moment, Cheon Yeo-hwa finally spoke, her words coming with difficulty.
“...Could you spare his life?”
“Okay.”
“I know it's a lot to ask. But please, for my sake... huh?”
Tap, tap, tap.
I pressed Ma Paeseon's acupoints to stop his bleeding.
He stared at me, completely bewildered, but I wasn't interested in the old man's gaze and simply ignored him.
“Hyun-woo...?”
“You don't have to walk on eggshells around me for something like that.”
I took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her brow.
Feeling her warmth through the thin fabric, I finally felt the reality of our reunion.
“It's been a while.”
To Cheon Yeo-hwa, it might have felt like less than a second had passed, but not for me.
The sight of her, alive and breathing before me, was more joyous than anything.
Perhaps because I was staring so intently, Cheon Yeo-hwa blushed. But she didn't look away.
That alone was enough.
The distance between us closed, and just as our lips were about to touch—
“You bastard!!”
A roar infused with internal energy erupted. Ma Paeseon's face was contorted with rage.
Tsk, what a clueless old man.
“What do you think you're doing to the princess of the Great Heavenly Demonic Cult?!”
I was dumbfounded by his words. The audacity.
“Who was the crazy matchmaker who just tried to kidnap her for an arranged marriage?”
“You must have a death wish! Who kidnapped whom?!”
“Has this old man gone senile?”
Some time may have passed, but I still clearly remember him trying to push an arranged marriage, saying Elder Lee's third son was of marrying age.
If I had my way, I'd cut off his head for spouting such nonsense, but I'm holding back for Yeo-hwa's sake.
“What do you know to be spouting such nonsense! The only way for the princess to survive is through an arranged marriage! She may have to give up the Cheon name, but it's the only way for her to cure the Heavenly Heart Extreme Yang Flower Poison Lotus and live the rest of her life in peace! Do you have any idea what that means?!”
“That's just the limit of your imagination.”
Seeing Ma Paeseon screaming in fury, I felt he was no longer worth my time.
Instead, I yielded the floor to Cheon Yeo-hwa, who looked like she had much to say.
“...Elder Yuk.”
“Princess, it's not too late! If you return to the Cult with me, the Cult Leader will ensure your safety—”
“I'm sorry.”
Cheon Yeo-hwa cut him off and wrapped her arms around me.
The soft feeling of her body and her fragrant scent brushed past my nose. It felt like a reward for the battle I'd just fought.
Cheon Yeo-hwa looked at me and gave a captivating smile.
“My body is now one that cannot live without him.”
At her words, the corners of my mouth twitched uncontrollably. I felt my shoulders straighten a bit, too.
Ma Paeseon's reaction, however, was the complete opposite. His eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck, and his face was so pale he looked like he might collapse at any moment.
“Wh-what does that...”
“I have decided. I will devote my entire life to serving him as my husband.”
“Cough!”
The moment Cheon Yeo-hwa finished speaking, Ma Paeseon coughed up dark red blood.
He got internal injuries just from that?
My mood suddenly soured.
“Remember that you are alive today thanks to my husband. As an elder of the Cult, you should engrave this debt of gratitude in your heart for the rest of your life.”
“...I don't think he's listening.”
Ma Paeseon was muttering something with his head pressed to the ground. It was mostly death threats directed at me.
'...Should I just kill him?' It seems he's more likely to see me as an enemy than a benefactor.
Just then, Ma Paeseon lifted his head and shouted.
“Then what will you do about the Heavenly Heart Extreme Yang Flower Poison Lotus! Unless you have the Heavenly Poison Pavilion Lord, it's impossible to cure it in time, even with the help of the Shadow Emperor and the Divine Doctor!”
He had a point.
The Heavenly Heart Extreme Yang Flower Poison Lotus was still eating away at Cheon Yeo-hwa's life. Without a pre-made antidote, her chances of survival were, logically, nonexistent.
Despite that, not a trace of fear could be found in Cheon Yeo-hwa's eyes.
“That is not for you to worry about.”
Her words were firm, filled with unwavering conviction.
Turning to look at me, a bright smile graced her lips.
“My life belongs to my husband. What is there to fear?”
“Suddenly, my shoulders feel heavy.”
“You can't take it back now, even if you wanted to, so you'll just have to bear it.”
Cheon Yeo-hwa hugged my arm tightly, as if she had no intention of letting me escape.
Seeing that, a faint laugh escaped my lips.
“I came back fully intending to take responsibility.”
I took the antidote from my inventory and handed it to her.
Cheon Yeo-hwa looked back and forth between me and the antidote for a moment before drinking it with a faint smile.
Not long after, a pure white aura bloomed around her hands.
“I-impossible...”
Ma Paeseon, unable to believe what he was seeing, forced himself to his feet and approached Cheon Yeo-hwa.
I didn't bother stopping him.
After all, the current Cheon Yeo-hwa could easily handle an internally injured Ma Paeseon.
Ma Paeseon checked Cheon Yeo-hwa's pulse. Then, he stared at me, his eyes filled with astonishment.
“...Are you truly a Great Luo Immortal?”
I just shrugged without a word.
Ma Paeseon, who had been speechless for a while, suddenly knelt before me as if he had made a decision.
Just as I was wondering if the old man had been afflicted by a Heart Demon—
“...Please, take good care of the princess.”
His polite tone and posture made me feel strangely uncomfortable. I didn't want to face an opponent I'd just fought a life-or-death battle with like this.
Especially not an old man who looked at least three times my age.
But it didn't feel all that bad.
The memory of that day when I had to retreat helplessly seemed to fade a little.
“Tell the Cult Leader and the 1st Young Master.”
I don't care if my opponent is the leader of the Heavenly Demonic Cult or the strongest person under heaven.
If it's the way to protect my woman, I'm prepared to become as strong as I need to be.
“Tell them if they send someone else after her, I'll come for them myself.”