Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 92: The Dangerous Duel Continues (2)

I had expected him to respond with some bravado, but his answer caught me off guard and left me bewildered.

"No. Even if you were weaker than me, I wouldn't give up the first strike."

Huh? What? What a rude bastard.

Then it hit me again—this was the Nine Demons Chamber.

Dammit, common sense doesn't apply here.

Whish!

His hands moved so fast they were a blur.

What is it? What kind of hidden weapon?

I swallowed hard, my eyes wide. Thanks to the Circulating Dantian, my senses had sharpened significantly; I believed I could track the projectiles.

Two objects that looked like awls came flying toward me.

Thank god. I can see them.

Seeing them meant I could dodge, and dodging meant I could counterattack. I quickly used the Rain Step to shift to the left.

As I moved instantaneously with a heavy thud, a glint of surprise appeared in the eyes of the Ghost Rock Dragon, Do Geon. It was a look that said, 'Not bad.'

The moment I shifted left, his hands blurred again. This time, four small flying daggers streaked toward me.

Sssshhh!

A sound like a snake lunging for its prey echoed from all directions. His skill in throwing daggers was inferior to Tang Ja-seong’s. Compared to the wriggling, unpredictable flight of Tang Ja-seong’s blades, these seemed a level lower.

I shifted my body to the right.

However, just as I thought I had evaded them, two of the daggers suddenly curved mid-air and lunged back at me. Startled, I performed the fastest draw I had ever executed, unsheathing the Ghost Sword.

Clang! Clang!

The two daggers spun through the air before clattering to the ground.

"Oh! Isn't that the Swallow Daggers, one of the Sixth Chamber Leader's signature techniques? All four are supposed to change direction, but seeing as only two did, he must not have mastered it yet. Still, to use two Swallow Daggers at that age... he truly is the disciple of the Sixth Chamber Leader."

After exchanging just a few moves, I realized that at my current level, I couldn't even get near him. The future looked bleak.

Fortunately, he didn't follow up with a continuous assault but stood there, staring at me. Only after my heart settled did I realize my right hand was tingling to the point of numbness. It was the pain caused by failing to fully dissipate the internal power imbued in his daggers.

"You ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠really are something. That was just a warm-up. Shall we start for real?"

He released his momentum. The Ghost Sword in my hand began to vibrate and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wail.

What is this? This thick ghostly energy?

A powerful ghostly energy emanated from him. In the Orthodox world, "Demonic Arts" was a name given to look down upon the Unorthodox path. Demonic Arts were simply techniques that specialized in areas the Orthodox Murim ignored; the Orthodox sects just happened to loathe them. Therefore, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even if it was a Demonic Art, it was still a martial art practiced by humans, and it shouldn't overflow with this much spectral aura.

But what on earth had this guy eaten to be emitting such ghostly energy when he wasn't even a ghost? It was almost identical to the feeling I got when Hwang Chu released spirits from his Soul-Soothing Three Spirit Bell.

I didn't have the luxury to dwell on it, though. He was coming at me with lethal intent.

Previously, he had retreated to maintain distance whenever I approached, but now he charged toward me while showering me with hidden weapons. He was trying to narrow my dodging angles because I kept evading him.

As I retreated again, he continued his pursuit. But I couldn't keep backing up forever. The edge of the duel stage was a precipice; there was a limit to how far I could run.

So, I pivoted to the right.

At that, he smirked. "Got you."

Seeing that smile, I knew something was wrong. As I turned right, he threw his hidden weapons toward my path of evasion as if he had anticipated it.

My options for evasion were now set. I couldn't back up further because of the cliff, so I had to move in the opposite direction. But my center of gravity was already shifted to the right, making a sudden change difficult.

Still, I had to do it. If I didn't, I'd be a sitting duck for his daggers. Even if I snapped my right ankle, I had to twist to the left.

I poured as much internal energy as possible into my right foot, stomped the ground, and wrenched my body to the left.

Thud!

"Ugh!"

I swallowed a groan. My right ankle throbbed with bone-breaking pain.

It was then that Do Geon’s eyes turned cold. His hand flipped once more.

Zip! Zip! Zip!

As I twisted left to avoid the first set, he threw more daggers as if he had been ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠waiting for that exact moment. Three projectiles flew toward me, tracing arcs from the left and right.

Thinking I should at least knock one down, I threw the Ghost Sword. I planned to block the one coming straight at me and brace my back to take the other two. It was a better decision than getting hit by all three.

But as I threw the Ghost Sword, the dagger flying straight at me veered off and bypassed the blade.

Gasp!

I tried to move, putting strength into my right foot. But my ankle flared with pain, rendering me immobile.

Is this where I die?

With that thought, I shook the Soul-Soothing Three Spirit Bell to recall the Ghost Sword. I summoned it back, hoping that having a sword in my hand might make him hesitate to attack further.

Sssssshhh!

The daggers were practically at my nose. I was about to collapse pathetically to protect my vitals, but the pride of a master I had enjoyed until now made it difficult.

Still, survival came first. Just as I was about to drop, the returning Ghost Sword moved on its own before it even reached my hand, intercepting the three incoming daggers.

Ting! Ting! Ting!

The Ghost Sword whirled through the air as if dancing, accurately parrying the daggers aimed at my body.

The spectators watching the duel fell silent. And it wasn't just the audience. I, too, stared blankly at the Ghost Sword.

The smile vanished from Do Geon’s face like falling leaves in autumn; he had been certain I would fall, bleeding from his daggers.

"What! Was that Manipulating Sword with Qi?"

"If a sword blocking daggers on its own in mid-air isn't Manipulating Sword with Qi, then what is it?"

The murmurs of the crowd suddenly grew louder. Even though this was the Nine Demons Chamber, teeming with masters, there were very few who could perform Manipulating Sword with Qi. It was only natural that everyone was shocked to see me pull it off so brazenly.

Do Geon quickly whipped his right hand again. Four Willow Leaf Daggers flew toward me, glowing with a white light.

"Ah! It's Master Do Geon’s signature technique, the Six Harmonies Flying Daggers! No one has ever survived that!"

Seeing him resort to a finishing move even in this situation, I realized Do Geon was no ordinary opponent.

Even though I didn't shake the Soul-Soothing Three Spirit Bell, the Ghost Sword moved on its own. It seemed his martial arts utilized ghostly energy, and the Ghost Sword was reacting to it, instinctively striking down the imbued daggers. I didn't know exactly why this was happening, but for me, it was the greatest stroke of luck.

This time, his Willow Leaf Daggers flew with an unpredictable, swaying motion. It was truly a technique worthy of being called a finishing move. Two flew from the sides, one from above, and another from behind. It was impossible for even a master to parry four Willow Leaf Daggers with a single sword strike. You might block one or two, but you were bound to be hit by the others.

Yet, the Ghost Sword moved with dazzling speed in the air, deflecting all four Willow Leaf Daggers that were coming from angles a human body couldn't possibly block.

During that brief window, I circulated my internal energy through the Circulating Dantian and gathered it in my right foot. While the Ghost Sword bought me time, the pain in my ankle subsided significantly.

I have to strike first before he can attack again. I'll end this with the Life Claiming Style.

I channeled my internal power and poured it into the Yongcheon acupoint on my right foot. My sole felt heavy.

Do Geon seemed to sense something as well, as he pulled out two long daggers from his robes. I flicked my right wrist and recalled the Ghost Sword.

"Oh! Oh! It really was Manipulating Sword with Qi!"

Ignoring the short gasps of awe, I kicked off the ground. Do Geon took a stance to throw his daggers. I had to strike before he could release them.

Boom!

The duel stage shook from my stomp. I practically launched my body, leaping toward him.

Then, the draw.

Shring!

Simultaneous with the draw, I brought the sword down toward him. He crossed his two daggers upward to block my Ghost Sword.

I expected him to block this easily. He even looked surprised that I was using such a simple attack. To approach with such impressive lightness skill only to use a basic vertical slash...

Because it was a direct strike devoid of any trickery or flashiness, Do Geon, who had been braced for something complex, fell into a momentary daze. His face betrayed his disbelief that someone capable of Manipulating Sword with Qi would use a mere overhead split.

But winning is what matters, not the complexity of the technique. Didn't the Elder Third Rate once say? Amateurs obsess over forms; masters obsess over victory.

That was exactly what I was aiming for. In that split second while he was dazed, I curled my tongue and executed my Life Claiming Style from the Tongue Flicking Art—one of my Three Ultimate Techniques.

I spat out my internal power like a projectile.

Do Geon, who was only wary of my sword changing its path, didn't see the Life Claiming Style coming. It struck him precisely on the philtrum.

This should be enough to make his head spin.

His strength failed, and the two daggers he was holding slipped from his palms and clattered to the floor.

Clang!

Without losing momentum, I took a large step back, twirled my sword a few times, and sheathed it.

"Was that the Draw Sword Instant Kill technique I've heard about? It looks no different from a basic overhead slash. Regardless, how could the Ghost Rock Dragon fall in a single move?"

"Surely he didn't kill him?"

"What are you talking about! Kill him? Masters can at least control their internal power."

The philtrum is a vital point; even a moderate shock can cause a loss of consciousness. Do Geon stood there with his eyes open but unconscious, looking like a stone statue.

When I playfully stomped my foot, the stage vibrated. At the same time, Do Geon’s body tilted and he collapsed.

Thud!

The area around the stage fell silent for a moment, then cheers erupted from the Blood Wind Squad's ranks—the Seven Heroes, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang, and the members of the Demon Subjugation Group.

"Whoa! He won!"

So Gu-chi was so excited that the usually dignified man shouted to a nearby Blood Wind Squad warrior, "That man is our Demon Subjugation Group leader! Did you see that? Isn't he amazing? Hahaha, that's our leader!"

Poison Wolf Ibu and the Smiling Face Sword hugged each other in joy. They had been worried sick that I would be defeated, so they were ecstatic at the dramatic victory.

When I glanced down, Jeok Yeong was smiling at me with a thumb up. And Deputy Bu looked at me with an expression so moved he seemed on the verge of tears. For the cool and composed Deputy Bu to be moved to tears showed just how much tension had surrounded this duel.

Since my victory or defeat would determine the life or death of Chamber Leader Gu, I could only imagine how anxious he must have been.

Seo Rin patted the White Cat's head and gave me a bright smile. I returned the smile.

Even among the Blood Wind Squad, I saw people cheering for my victory. Since I held the title of Acting Squad Leader, they seemed to feel a sense of camaraderie.

"The title 'New Dragon of Sichuan' is indeed well-deserved!"

Even though Do Geon had lost the duel, Elder Jang spoke to me with a relaxed expression. "Shall we start the next duel immediately?"

But I had no intention of doing so. "Give me just one tea-time. I need a moment to rest."

"That won't do. The rule of this contest is to start immediately without any rest periods."

However, a man standing next to him nudged Elder Jang. After hearing a whisper from the man, Elder Jang spoke again.

"Fine. One tea-time it is."

I stared at the man who had spoken to Elder Jang. For that obnoxious Elder Jang to listen so obediently, I could vaguely guess the man's status and skill. The fact that Elder Jang respected his word meant he was no ordinary person.

However, since the rules of this contest were for those below the rank of Squad Leader, I didn't think that man would step forward. After all, it made no sense for a master above the rank of Squad Leader to participate in a duel meant to verify a Squad Leader-level warrior.

From the Great Hall overlooking the duel stage, the Demon of Chaos Seo Gong spoke to the disciple beside him.

"What a very interesting child. When it comes to bizarre martial arts, no one can surpass the Fourth and Sixth Chamber Leaders, yet he defeated both their disciples. In terms of eccentricity, that boy must be the best."

"Master, in my eyes, it is nothing more than trivial tricks."

At his sturdy disciple's answer, Seo Gong nodded and asked, "That may be so. But what do you think would happen if you were to duel that boy?"

The disciple, Kang Jung, couldn't fathom his master's intention.

"What was the technique he just used?"

Kang Jung answered as he saw it. "It was a small deception. That man, Eo Ja-seo, used Manipulating Sword with Qi to confuse Do Geon’s eyes, then attacked with a simple overhead strike. Do Geon was momentarily flustered when Eo Ja-seo switched from Manipulating Sword with Qi to a basic slash. That was exactly what Eo Ja-seo was aiming for. Flustered by the change, Do Geon hesitated for a split second, and in that moment, Eo Ja-seo channeled internal power into his sword to jar Do Geon’s energy and knock him unconscious."

"Is that so?"

Seo Gong was a man who never gave a definitive answer. He was someone who always spoke in ambiguities, and his blade style was also so elusive that people called it 'Chaos.' There were no clear answers with him; such was his personality and his martial art. Yet, he had become one of the strongest warriors with that very ambiguity, making the title 'Demon of Chaos' suit him perfectly.

"In all my years, I've never seen a child as strange as him. It's amusing. And the fact that he has a connection with the Sword Demon is also interesting. Who do you think will step out next?"

Kang Jung answered his master respectfully. "Eo Ja-seo might have luckily defeated the Ghost Rock Dragon, but the Elder Council will put forward an opponent he cannot possibly beat for the next duel."

Kang Jung’s gaze was fixed on a man standing next to Elder Jang. If that man stepped onto the stage, even Kang Jung couldn't guarantee his own victory. He was a figure vying for the top spot among the rising stars of the Nine Demons Chamber.

The fact that he could see the man's face clearly despite the distance of thirty zhang between the duel stage and the Great Hall was a testament to his incredible vision.