Chapter 317
Chapter 317
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 86
>Chapter Title: Half Human, Half Monster (3)
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Three Stars Internal Energy.
The power Mok Kyung-un had used was merely thirty percent of his full strength.
Of course, that was only when using death qi alone. In his current state, wrapped in demonic qi, it could be said to double.
Yi Gwang said with a bewildered expression, struggling to speak.
“You... you bastard... Were you deceiving me?”
At the question, the corners of Mok Kyung-un’s mouth stretched up to his ears.
“You know it.”
A chill ran down Yi Gwang’s spine.
He wasn’t denying it.
Mok Kyung-un hadn’t used only Three Stars Internal Energy against him to conserve power or probe him.
It was simply to repay exactly what had happened in the past.
[To withstand my Three Stars Internal Energy.]
He still remembered those words precisely.
Of course, he would have liked to continue such petty revenge, but once Yi Gwang merged with that black sword brimming with蛟龍 demonic power, it became difficult.
So, without wasting more time, he had unleashed his full power to crush him in one go.
-Splash!
Mok Kyung-un tossed aside his severed arm as if it were a nuisance.
He approached and said,
“It must have been your trump card, but it didn’t work. Shame, huh? Not for me, but for you. With your power surging so suddenly, you must have wanted to shock me.”
-Grit!
Was this bastard mocking him?
He was furious, but the overwhelming power left him speechless.
What the hell was this guy’s true identity?
That strike just now, with all his power concentrated and exploding, was a sword strike that had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, no exaggeration.
Was this really the same guy who, half a year ago, didn’t even know the “wu” in martial arts?
-Twitch twitch!
He wanted to move, but he couldn’t.
All his muscle meridians had been severed, immobilizing him.
‘Strange.’
When he had been touched by the vicious poison qi of Gu Yang-so, the patriarch of the Gu family known as the Eight Venom Master, he had felt his body repelling it and recovering.
Yet this savage, dark energy emanating from the bastard was scattering his internal energy.
Was that why his severed muscle meridians weren’t regenerating?
‘Is this the end?’
With his right arm severed and all muscle meridians cut, unable to move, it was no different from a warrior meeting death.
Yi Gwang felt a sense of emptiness, his mind going blank.
Mok Kyung-un approached him and said,
“Now do you feel like answering my questions?”
At the question, Yi Gwang scoffed and said,
“You’ve crippled me like this and expect something to come out of my mouth? Kill me.”
With his life as a warrior over, he had no lingering attachment to life.
And there was his pride.
That old man Gu Yang-so might have begged for his life because he wanted to live long enough to shit on the wall despite his reputation, but not him.
“You seem to have some backbone.”
“Cut the crap and kill me. Old man Gu Yang-so. You won’t escape that lord’s punishment for long. Look forward to it.”
“......”
Gu Yang-so’s face darkened at Yi Gwang’s warning, spat like a curse.
He had submitted to this monster-like bastard to escape immediate danger, but he couldn’t help fearing the organization’s repercussions.
‘Should I run?’
Gu Yang-so agonized inwardly.
But after witnessing Mok Kyung-un’s terrifying single sword strike just now, he had no confidence in escaping.
This guy was a monster who could kill him whenever he wanted.
As Gu Yang-so’s mind grew tangled, Mok Kyung-un spoke.
“Let me make you a proposal.”
“Shut your nonsense and kill...”
“Regeneration via demonic power won’t work, but if you answer my questions, I’ll dispel the demonic qi for you.”
“What?”
“Your body right now is closer to an evil spirit than a human. If the demonic qi is dispelled, it should recover on its own.”
Yi Gwang’s pupils trembled faintly at Mok Kyung-un’s words.
His body could recover?
He had thought, with all his muscle meridians severed, he’d be nothing more than a vegetable, eyes open but helpless.
To the wavering man, Mok Kyung-un gestured with his eyes to the severed arm and said,
“Your arm might even reattach if you try.”
“My arm can reattach?”
“With your regenerative power, it seems possible. If not, I could do it myself. I’ve done it a few times, so it’s not hard. Of course, the longer you wait, the tougher it gets.”
“......”
Yi Gwang’s mouth went dry at Mok Kyung-un’s words.
If there was a chance to recover his severed arm and muscle meridians, regaining his strength was obvious.
But accepting the offer meant submitting to this bastard, betraying the organization.
That old man Gu Yang-so didn’t realize it.
He didn’t grasp the organization’s power.
If that lord willed it, the Gu family could be wiped out overnight.
Even if Gu Yang-so was a master comparable to Eight Stars, it wouldn’t matter.
-Tremble!
Yi Gwang’s body shook.
After countless thoughts in an instant, he reached a difficult conclusion.
“Kill me.”
He chose to uphold his loyalty.
Better to keep his oath of loyalty to the end than to survive now only to be hunted down by the organization.
Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly and said,
“I see. No matter what I offer, you won’t answer me.”
“Cut the crap and kill me. If you don’t want to repeat my mistake, you’d better sever this neck cleanly.”
“Yes. Of course. But on second thought, it seems I need a bit more flexibility.”
“Whatever nonsense you spew, it’s useless. Kill...”
“How about I join your side?”
“......What?”
Yi Gwang’s expression froze for a moment.
What the hell was this bastard saying?
“I saw you trying to recruit me earlier. Looks like you need manpower.”
“You... Are you serious right now?”
What was his game?
Yi Gwang looked incredulous.
Then, a crisp voice rang in Mok Kyung-un’s ear.
-Mortal. What are you trying to do?
-What do you mean?
-Joining those guys? What’s that supposed to mean?
Mok Kyung-un smiled without answering her question.
He then extended his hand, drawing in Yi Gwang’s severed right arm from the floor with void grasp.
-Thud!
Holding the severed arm, Mok Kyung-un approached Yi Gwang.
Unable to move, all Yi Gwang could do was tense up warily.
Mok Kyung-un pressed the arm against the stump.
“Hmm.”
He placed his palm on the severed section.
The residual demonic qi clinging to the stump was sucked into Mok Kyung-un’s hand.
Immediately, tiny blood vessels writhed wildly at the cut.
-Squelch!
Soon, the cross-sections of the severed arm began to knit together.
Yi Gwang, the one involved, couldn’t hide his astonishment at the miraculous sight.
As the arm reattached, Mok Kyung-un placed his palm on Yi Gwang’s chest.
-Shoooo!
Through his palm, the demonic qi that had burrowed like poison into his mangled upper body began to dissipate and fade.
His breathing eased, and the wounds rapidly healed.
Gu Yang-so watched in utter confusion.
‘What the hell is this?’
From Gu Yang-so’s perspective, it was bewildering.
He had submitted, even betraying the organization, out of fear of losing his arm or his life.
But instead of torturing this guy who upheld his loyalty to extract what he wanted, healing him—what kind of nonsense was this?
‘Sigh.’
He was in real trouble now.
What was he supposed to do, having already submitted?
As he agonized over what to do,
“There. Once I dispel the demonic qi from your lower body, you’ll be fully recovered.”
Yi Gwang eyed him suspiciously and said,
“......Are you dangling a carrot to fool me?”
“No. I told you. I’m being flexible.”
“Flexible?”
“Yes. I’ve talked to your organization’s people several times, but got nothing useful.”
“......”
“I don’t know about you, but they all...”
-Tap tap!
Mok Kyung-un tapped his temple with his finger and said,
“...had restrictions.”
‘Restrictions...’
Yi Gwang’s eyes darkened coldly.
Among the organization’s members, some in the Second Realm didn’t even know the truth, but he, loyal for two generations, knew about the restrictions.
He probably had one too.
If he tried to speak anything important, his head might burst.
“That’s why I couldn’t learn anything beyond marks, First Realm, Second Realm, and such hierarchies. But honestly, I don’t need that info.”
“......What the hell are you after?”
“Nothing much. If you give me what I want, I don’t see a need to clash big with your organization.”
“What you want?”
“Yes. Truth is, I don’t care who your leader is or what they’re planning.”
“You don’t care?”
“Yeah. Whatever they do, it’s fine. Even if your organization slaughters everyone in the Central Plains.”
‘!?’
Yi Gwang’s eyes wavered at Mok Kyung-un’s words.
If hypocrites from the orthodox sects or others said it, it wouldn’t hit hard.
But this guy was no saint.
He was close to pure evil, enough to be called the Sickle Murder Ghost.
‘He might be the kind of talent that lord wants.’
The type who could carry out slaughter without question on orders.
Moreover, this guy’s martial prowess had reached six thousand, grandmaster level.
An enemy to kill without fail, but as an ally, such a monstrous talent would be a huge asset.
-Glance!
Yi Gwang looked at Gu Yang-so.
Meeting his eyes, Gu Yang-so swallowed dryly, tense despite himself.
Yi Gwang scoffed at the sight.
Yeah.
This guy seemed far more valuable than that fox-like old man.
No comparison.
‘Yes. That lord would prefer this monster over the old betrayer who sold out for his life.’
He might even be rewarded more for bringing such remarkable talent.
With his mind somewhat sorted, Yi Gwang spoke in a slightly softened tone.
“Is it certain? If we give you what you want, you’ll join the organization.”
“Yes. I told you. That’s why I’ve been tracking your organization all this time.”
“......I don’t know what you want, but if you’re a talent with such monstrous—no, exceptional—skill, greater than that traitor old man, that lord will want you enough to pay any price.”
Gu Yang-so’s face grew paler by the second at Yi Gwang’s words.
How the hell did things twist like this?