Chapter 124: A Strange Bloody Battle (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 124: A Strange Bloody Battle (1)
Mok Yi-gun’s strategy proved effective.
The tactic of lulling the Small Demonic Cult into a false sense of security with a fake banquet before striking from behind was perfectly executed. Caught off guard, the cultists were ambushed and failed to mount any meaningful defense.
Though the Small Demonic Cult’s first-rate experts fought desperately for their lives, they were ultimately overwhelmed and cut down by the Blood Wind Squad and the Sword Palace Squad.
The Blood Wind Squad, in particular, performed brilliantly. Even enemies of equal or slightly lower caliber were helpless against the squad’s practical and ruthless martial arts.
While the Sword Palace Squad suffered a fair number of casualties in the process of eliminating the cult’s experts, the Blood Wind Squad remained unscathed. Whenever the Sword Palace Squad found themselves at a disadvantage, the Blood Wind Squad would launch a coordinated pincer attack, picking off the cult’s masters one by one.
In an instant, the air was filled with the screams of the Small Demonic Cult’s disciples and warriors.
I expected the Blood Witch to make her move once the tide of battle turned so decisively. However, two figures suddenly appeared out of nowhere and began slaughtering the Sword Palace Squad’s experts.
“You bastards!”
The Five Dragons of Sword Palace charged at them in a rage, but before long, one of them was wounded and forced to retreat.
Looking closely, their martial forms seemed strangely familiar.
My eyes met Jeok Yeong’s. We couldn't possibly forget those techniques. They were still flickering vividly in our minds—how could we forget?
They were the very same forms that had killed two of the Sichuan Seven Heroes.
“What are the Divine Light Sect bastards doing here?”
“Aargh!”
Another member of the Five Dragons of Sword Palace was struck by a bizarre sword technique from the Divine Light Sect and died instantly.
The Blood Wind Squad also recognized the Divine Light Sect and threw themselves into the fray with desperate resolve. If this continued, we were bound to suffer heavy losses.
Has the Small Demonic Cult also fallen under the control of the Divine Light Sect?
Seeing the enemy’s formidable momentum, Fairy Doyeon leaped into the battlefield before I could even say a word.
“Brother, the others won't be enough. I have to go help.”
I was lost in thought, so I replied to Jeok Yeong out of habit.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
At that, Jeok Yeong charged into the battle without looking back, unleashing the Golden Immortal Demonic Secret.
Wait, what? Where are you going? How can you just leave me here?
I was about to shout for him to come back, but Jeok Yeong was already swinging his sword toward the Divine Light Sect experts. As golden light flashed, the Divine Light Sect warriors realized they couldn't take him lightly and began to respond with caution.
As the fight progressed, Jeok Yeong’s execution of the Golden Immortal Demonic Secret became increasingly refined. It meant he was successfully merging the First Three Forms with the Latter Three Forms.
With Jeok Yeong joining in, the balance is finally being restored.
Just as I was feeling a sense of relief, I spotted a figure leaping from a dark corner of the Small Demonic Cult’s compound toward the mountains in the back.
What was that?
I instinctively started to give chase before freezing in my tracks.
Wait, what if that’s the Blood Witch?
A sudden chill of fear ran through me. Looking closer, I saw that the figure was carrying someone tucked under their arm.
There’s a high chance that’s Mok Seon-hwa. I should follow the Blood Witch to find out where she’s being held, then rescue her secretly when the Witch isn't looking.
I didn't have the confidence to face her alone, so that was my plan. I wasn't crazy enough to try and fight a legendary master like the Blood Witch head-on.
I immediately activated my Rain-Step and pursued the figure disappearing into the mountains. My Rain-Step was proving quite useful; the fact that I could keep up with a master of the Blood Witch’s caliber without losing her meant my lightness skill had improved significantly.
Suddenly, the figure carrying the person vanished. They disappeared in the brief moment I blinked.
Did they notice I was tailing them?
As I looked around, warriors leaped down from the surrounding trees.
“Who goes there!”
There were about six of them in total, each wielding a massive broadsword. Looking at them, their appearance matched descriptions I had heard before.
It’s certain. If these guys are guarding this place, there must be something here.
These six were known as the Six Blades of Shaanxi, blade masters who carried themselves with quite a bit of arrogance in the Shaanxi region. They were all first-rate experts who leaned toward the Black Path.
The fact that they had been recruited suggested the Small Demonic Cult had put a lot of effort into this battle—or perhaps they were acting as lackeys for the Divine Light Sect.
“Don’t block my path. If you do, you die.”
When entering a fight, you must never let your spirit waver. Even if you might die, if your momentum breaks, you lose all hope of survival.
“What an arrogant brat. Do you have any idea who we are?”
“Aren't you the Six Blades of Shaanxi?”
When I spoke as if their identity didn't matter, the men fell silent for a moment. I took the initiative to state my name.
“I am Eo Ja-seo. I’ll say it one more time: step aside, or die.”
“What?”
The men were momentarily stunned and stared at my face. Since they had never seen me before, it was only natural for them to be skeptical. Regardless, the fact that they didn't attack immediately suggested they were quite wary after hearing the rumors about me.
As they hesitated and glanced at one another, I tossed my Ghost Sword into the air. As the sword began to rotate slowly in the void, the Six Blades of Shaanxi flinched and stepped back in surprise.
“I assume you’ve heard that the New Dragon of Sichuan can manipulate his sword with Qi?”
The Six Blades of Shaanxi stood there, speechless. I soon retrieved the Ghost Sword and continued.
“There is no one else here. Even if you were to disappear, no one would be the wiser. And as far as I’m concerned, I never saw you.”
I sensed one of them moving behind me, preparing to attack. I spun around and glared at him.
“The only reason I’m bothering to talk is because too much blood has been spilled already. If you attack me despite this warning, I will show no more mercy. What will it be? Will you vanish? Or will you die?”
My words completely suppressed their momentum, and their fighting spirit withered.
“Leave this place this instant. If we ever meet again, the Six Blades of Shaanxi will cease to exist in the Murim.”
When I added that slight threat, they exchanged glances and fled.
“Phew.”
In any case, defeating an enemy without fighting is the highest form of strategy, isn't it? To be honest, I had been considering whether to test out the third form of the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword, Galaxy Star Collapse, if they had attacked. I had talked big only because I believed that Galaxy Star Collapse could wipe them out in a single blow.
I scanned the surroundings again. The fact that the Blood Witch had suddenly vanished and the Six Blades of Shaanxi were standing guard meant there was a hideout nearby.
After searching for about fifteen minutes, I discovered a small cave hidden behind some thick brush. Though the entrance was narrow, the interior opened up into a surprisingly vast space.
Venturing deeper, I saw the glow of a campfire. I carefully climbed up a cliff face and peered down at the source of the light.
It really is Mok Seon-hwa.
Mok Seon-hwa lay unconscious, while a woman who appeared to be the Blood Witch sat in a meditative posture, perhaps regulating her breath. Then, the Blood Witch opened her eyes and placed her hand on Mok Seon-hwa’s dantian.
Wait, what? That looks dangerous.
As the Blood Witch touched her and began to mutter something, Mok Seon-hwa’s back arched like a bow.
She’s draining the innate energy from Mok Seon-hwa’s dantian!
Mok Seon-hwa’s internal energy was likely negligible, so the Blood Witch wouldn't gain much from absorbing it. Her goal had to be the innate energy.
Seeing the situation, I didn't stop to think. I leaped out immediately. If Mok Seon-hwa’s innate energy was completely drained, her very life would be at risk.
I threw the Ghost Sword, aiming for the back of the Blood Witch’s head. However, in that split second, the Blood Witch pulled her hand away from Mok Seon-hwa’s dantian and swatted the Ghost Sword aside with her bare hand.
Clang!
The sound of her hand striking the blade was like metal hitting metal. As expected of someone who had mastered the Small Hand Skill; her hands were harder than steel. I had thought I could take her down with a sneak attack while she was preoccupied with absorbing the energy, but I had miscalculated.
“Who goes there!”
The Blood Witch stood up and faced me.
“Where are the Six Blades of Shaanxi? I didn't even hear the sound of a struggle.”
“They vanished without a sound.”
“If you dealt with the Six Blades of Shaanxi so quietly that I didn't even sense it, you’re no mere nobody. Who are you? Wait… if you’ve been tailing me and took out those six without a peep, there can only be one person. Are you Eo Ja-seo?”
The fact that the Blood Witch knew my name meant I had built quite a reputation in the Murim.
“I am.”
“No matter how much of a high-flying New Dragon of Sichuan you may be, in my presence, you are nothing more than a firefly. You’ve come here to die.”
As expected of someone in the Extreme Intent Realm, her confidence was immense. However, I had my own pride to uphold. I believed that with Galaxy Star Collapse, I could defeat this witch.
Having seen the power of the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash and the Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven, I wasn't afraid, even of the transcendent Blood Witch.
Looking closely, the Blood Witch maintained the beauty of a woman in her mid-twenties. She was actually quite stunning. No wonder so many men had fallen for her.
“Hand over Mok Seon-hwa, and I’ll leave quietly.”
When I took a step back and offered a compromise, the Blood Witch scoffed.
“It just so happens that Mok Seon-hwa has the exact constitution I’ve been looking for, and I was just about to absorb her innate energy. Now you’ve come to offer me your own internal power on a silver platter. The New Dragon of Sichuan must have a considerable amount of energy. You’ll be the one to help me complete my divine art.”
I took a step back as the Blood Witch’s momentum suddenly surged.
What is this? This energy…
My skin pricked under the pressure of her aura. Seeing my surprise, the Blood Witch spoke boastfully.
“What? Surprised? If you combine all my energy, including the unrefined portions, it exceeds four jiazi.”
No wonder I felt such pressure even from nearly thirty feet away; she had over two hundred and forty years' worth of internal power.
That’s not inferior to the Chamber Leaders of the Nine Demons. Just how many people’s energy has she sucked dry to reach that level?
Normally, when using the Yang-Stealing Yin-Supplementing Art, one could only absorb about a third of the target’s energy, even if they had a full jiazi. Furthermore, after refining that energy into one’s own, only about half of that would remain.
Since every person’s energy and mental cultivation methods were different, a significant loss of power was inevitable during the conversion process. Just how many people had she preyed upon to maintain the appearance of a twenty-year-old when she was well past sixty?
At this point, I couldn't help but regret interfering.
To face this witch, I only have Galaxy Star Collapse and the Ghost Heaven Soul Formation.
I planned to distract her with Galaxy Star Collapse and then immediately deploy the Ghost Heaven Soul Formation, so I increased the distance between us.
“Why? Are you trying to run?”
“If I run, will you let me go?”
I spoke with a smirk, and the Blood Witch burst into laughter.
“Look at this! You’re quite an amusing fellow! I heard the New Dragon of Sichuan was a righteous hero and expected a stiff-necked, stubborn brat, but you’re actually quite fun.”
“I’m not joking. If I run, will you let me go?”
I was speaking from the bottom of my heart.
“Hohoho. I’ve heard that you use such tactics to lower your opponents' guard before crushing them. The Red Robed White-Eyed Demon and the experts of the Demonic Cult League all fell for it. But those cheap tricks won't work on me. A righteous hero abandoning a hostage to run away? Do you really think I’d believe that?”
I had already gathered my internal energy and was waiting for an opening.
“Then I suppose I have no choice.”
I charged forward using my Rain-Step and unleashed the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash like a bolt of lightning.
“Hohoho, what a truly delightful child. Usually, those orthodox brats are so obsessed with etiquette that they’d never attack like this. I like you.”
I pressed Chu Bong-hwa with the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash, but she evaded the technique with a bizarre footwork. As expected, a master of the Extreme Intent Realm was on a different level.
If my internal power were just two jiazi, the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash would have been invisible to the naked eye. But at one jiazi, it’s useless against a master of her caliber.
I couldn't help but feel the gap in our realms. However, I still had my final trump card, the Elastic Path energy, so I held onto hope.
After distracting Chu Bong-hwa with the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash, I stepped forward and threw my sword toward her face. Even the Blood Witch seemed startled that I would throw my weapon, and she swatted the sword away with her Small Hand Skill.
Tch-ching!
I quickly retrieved the Ghost Sword and transitioned into the Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven. Even though she had swatted away a sword imbued with Elastic Path energy, the Blood Witch’s hand was only bleeding slightly; there was no fatal injury.
The Elastic Path energy even broke through Yu Hong’s Asura Body Protection Art, yet it can't even pierce a woman’s hand.
I poured my internal energy into the Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven.
“Hohohoho! You’re the first person to ever wound my Small Hand Skill. You truly are the New Dragon of Sichuan. It almost feels like I’ve lost my virginity. I’ll be sure to handle you with great care.”
Excited, the Blood Witch actually took the full force of the Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven with her body.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound, like dozens of ice walls shattering, echoed repeatedly before I finally stepped back. I gathered my energy to unleash Galaxy Star Collapse, hoping that the Elastic Path energy in every strike would be more than she could handle.
Gasp!
However, I didn't have enough internal energy left to perform Galaxy Star Collapse. It seemed I would need to meditate for at least fifteen minutes to gather enough true Qi to execute the technique.
“This can't be!”
For the first time, I felt like I had hit a wall. She was the first person to ever block the Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven as if it were nothing. Even Mun Gang, a peak expert of the Divine Light Sect, had coughed up blood and collapsed after failing to block it.
“Impressive.”
The Blood Witch, Chu Bong-hwa, held up her hands. She had blocked every strike of my Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven with her bare hands. Her skin was torn, and the wounds were deep enough to reveal white bone.
“If your internal power had been just a bit higher, I would have lost my hands. Remarkable. Truly remarkable. It’s been a long time since I, Chu Bong-hwa, have met an opponent I could admire. But you have only your lack of power to blame!”
Dammit, I felt like I could win if I could just use Galaxy Star Collapse. It was frustrating that I couldn't execute it because I had failed to manage my energy properly.
If I can just stall for fifteen minutes somehow…
“Do you really think anything will change if you stall for time?”
I flinched inwardly as the Blood Witch spoke as if she were reading my mind.
“The Small Hand Skill is one of the absolute martial arts that is completely impervious to blades. To have wounded such hands means your sword technique is undoubtedly extraordinary. But to perform such a technique requires a massive amount of internal power. Your legs are probably shaking right now from the lack of energy.”
As she spoke, the Blood Witch began to walk toward me.
In truth, she was right. Although my energy was slowly recovering, it wasn't even enough to properly execute the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash. Now, all I had left was the Ghost Heaven Soul Formation.
I used my Rain-Step to pull back and reached into my robes. All I had to do was scatter the Soul Spirit Beads. But I realized only after being cornered just how difficult that simple task could be.
“Urgh!”
Before I knew it, the Blood Witch had closed the gap. She grabbed me by the throat and slammed me into the ground. I tried to soften the impact as much as possible, but falling to the floor without any internal energy to protect me caused a pain so intense it felt like every bone in my body was being displaced.
I realized then, with agonizing clarity, that I had finally met a true match. Until now, I had somehow managed to scrape by with my martial arts and energy, but I was no match for a witch like Chu Bong-hwa, who possessed four jiazi of power and had mastered the Small Hand Skill.
Dammit, I should have just left Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress the moment I heard about the Blood Witch.
Regret, no matter how early it comes, is always too late. How was I to know her power would be this high thanks to the Yang-Stealing Yin-Supplementing Art? If her energy hadn't been so overwhelming, I could have easily taken her down with the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash and the Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven.
Luck never seems to stay on my side for long.
I let out a sigh as the Blood Witch dragged me away. Now, I truly had to prepare for death.