Chapter 316: Seasooooon Twooooo (1)
Chapter 316: Seasooooon Twooooo (1)
BOOM!
“O-oh… Ohhh….”
Persona could not hide her astonishment.
A destructive force, on a completely different level than anything she had ever produced, erupted from her hands.
She had simply moved the energy within her body and swung the saber down with all her might, exactly as Patrick had taught her.
“To think it possessed such destructive power.”
A massive boulder had been shattered into fine dust.
If it was like this in her pure human form, what kind of power would it hold when she was a Draconian?
Just then, Patrick spoke from beside her.
“You’re still a long way off. With your internal energy, a properly executed Raging Tiger’s Fierce Assault should be able to blow away a small mountain.”
“Re… really?”
“Of course.”
Persona gazed at the saber in her hand with an ecstatic smile.
From the moment she first gripped it, she felt a strange sense of belonging, but she hadn't realized it was a weapon that suited her so perfectly.
Even though the shape was only slightly different, it felt completely different from a sword.
‘So this is what Master meant by a difference in aptitude.’
As Persona marveled, Patrick added, “Sophisticated offense and defense can only be achieved through experience. However, if it’s about pouring out a powerful strike with overwhelming power, you can master it in a short time through concentration and practice rather than the profound mysteries of martial arts.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind, Master.”
“Good. Then continue. There is no better way to achieve mastery than repetition.”
“Yes, sir!”
Answering vigorously, Persona once again moved her energy according to the path Patrick had taught her and swung the saber.
She was still very clumsy.
Though she was overflowing with talent and possessed an enormous amount of internal energy, she would need more practice before she could be deployed in actual combat. However…
“…….”
Patrick turned his gaze away and pressed his eyes firmly.
That clumsy saber technique evoked fond memories of the past.
[Oh, Brother! Doing it the way you said definitely increases the power!]
[See? Now, you’re buying the drinks today.]
[Hahaha! I’ll buy as many as you want!]
‘Mu-jong….’
The Five Tigers Single Gate Sword.
It was the primary martial art of the Iron Blood Dragon, Peng Mu-jong, his sworn brother from his previous life.
In truth, as a direct descendant of the Hebe Peng Family’s head, Peng Mu-jong should have learned the Primordial Thunderbolt Saber.
However, because he was the son of a concubine, he faced opposition from the family elders and was unable to learn it.
The Five Tigers Single Gate Sword was the highest-tier martial art the Hebe Peng Family allowed him to learn.
However, the elders of the Hebe Peng Family did not know.
They had no idea just how great the talent of the Iron Blood Dragon, Peng Mu-jong, truly was.
At the regular martial arts tournament held by the family, Peng Mu-jong defeated his brothers who had learned the Primordial Thunderbolt Saber and emerged victorious.
For the Hebe Peng Family, it was an act of insubordination they never desired.
A concubine’s son who learned a lower-tier martial art was not supposed to be superior to the legitimate descendants who learned the family’s secret techniques.
In fact, it was from this point that Peng Mu-jong’s Five Tigers Single Gate Sword began to diverge from the existing martial arts of the Hebe Peng Family.
A natural genius like Peng Mu-jong instinctively began to improve the technique, enhancing its strengths and erasing its weaknesses.
And later, as he spent time with the monster known as the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon, that improvement accelerated even further. Eventually, Peng Mu-jong’s Five Tigers Single Gate Sword became something entirely different from that of the Hebe Peng Family.
At that point, it would have been reasonable to give it a different name and claim it as his own unique martial art, but…
[Ahem, Brother. How can I recklessly change the name of the prestigious Great Hebe Peng Family’s martial art?]
[Hey, you get treated like dirt at home, and you still say ‘Great Hebe Peng Family’?]
[Ahem, what do you mean, treated like dirt?]
[You’re not even treated like an heir, are you?]
[I find that stuff annoying anyway, so I couldn't do it.]
[You have to call your brothers, who are much weaker than you, ‘Young Master,’ don’t you? Is that a family?]
[Hahahaha! A true man doesn’t care about such things.]
[I can’t take this. You’re so frustrating, I need to hit you.]
[What do you mean… Gah! You crazy bastard! Argh!]
He had thought Mu-jong was a hopeless fool.
He thought he was a pushover who was treated with all sorts of contempt at home, yet was prouder of the Hebe Peng Family than anyone else.
He even rushed to the front lines when the family was in danger during the war, meeting his end while fighting. By the time the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon rushed to his side, Peng Mu-jong had already spilled all the blood in his body onto the ground.
[Brother…. It’s… a promise.]
[Don’t talk nonsense, just shut up. You bastard.]
[I… trust… you….]
Until his very last moment, he left a will asking for his martial arts to be passed down to the family, and then he breathed his last in Jincheon’s arms.
And the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon was unable to fulfill that final wish.
When he went to the Hebe Peng Family carrying Mu-jong’s body, not a single person there shed a tear for him.
They did not offer a single word of mourning for the death of Peng Mu-jong, who had fought desperately to save even one more member of the family.
Instead, his half-brothers even smiled secretly.
What did that smile mean?
Were they that happy that a concubine’s son, who was superior to them, had disappeared?
Was it for these vermin that my sworn brother risked his life to fight?
At that moment, any desire Jincheon had to fulfill his brother’s last wish vanished.
He felt like going on a rampage and smashing everything to pieces, but he suppressed it and simply left quickly.
‘It’s over. Hebe Peng Family.’
He spat on the ground as he left and never associated with the Hebe Peng Family again.
Not until the moment he met his end at Nakbongpa.
‘I’m sorry. I… didn’t realize.’
He didn’t know then.
The obvious fact that a dead person can do nothing.
The Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon is dead.
Now, he can neither fulfill his brother’s last wish nor correct what went wrong.
That is what death is.
That is why those standing at the threshold of death entrust their will to the living. But…
“…….”
The Patrick of his previous life had ignored that.
The moment he saw the arrogance of the Hebe Peng Family with his own eyes, his anger flared so much that he couldn't even fulfill his brother’s final wish.
He shouldn't have done that.
‘There’s no way you didn’t know.’
If Patrick, an outsider, knew, how could Peng Mu-jong, who lived his whole life in the Hebe Peng Family, not have known?
He must have fully known how he was treated and what he meant to his brothers.
Even knowing that, Peng Mu-jong did not let go of his devotion to the family.
Knowing everything, he was proud of his family and sought to fulfill his duty as one who bore the name Peng to protect his kin.
Even at the cost of his life.
‘I suppose you were a much greater man than I.’
Patrick couldn't do that.
His best efforts to support his Master were a repayment for the warmth and affection he received from him.
If his Master had been a hopeless jerk who showed him no kindness, the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon would not have existed.
That was why he didn't understand the desperation in his sworn brother’s last wish and simply ignored it.
‘I’m sorry…. I’m truly sorry.’
He only realized how great a mistake this was after experiencing one life and one death.
So, in this life, I will at least ensure your martial arts are not lost.
Even if it’s not someone with the surname Peng, I will make sure your martial arts remain.
Originally, he intended to pass it on to Tutan once he grew more and gained more insight.
But he had found a better candidate here.
Only now could he partially fulfill his promise to his sworn brother.
Even if the world is different and she isn't a Peng, at least this…
[Why are you being so sentimental, unlike yourself, Brother?]
“…….”
[Hey, a person might not be able to keep a promise in life. Isn't that right?]
“…….”
[Don’t worry about it. A gallant man like me doesn’t care about such things. Hahahaha!]
It was a nostalgic laughter.
The world’s most gallant laughter that always rang loudly in his ears as they drank and fought together.
“…Yeah. I’ll do that. You damn bastard.”
* * *
Three months is a time that can be considered long or short.
During that time, Patrick devoted himself to passing on the Five Tigers Single Gate Sword to Persona, and in his remaining time, he focused on his own personal training.
The issue of Divinity or Divine Rank wasn't something Patrick could solve on his own.
The Four Calamities said they would take care of it somehow.
However, once the conditions became equal, what remained was a battle of martial arts against martial arts.
‘The Heavenly Demon….’
No matter what was said about Divinity, it didn't mean the Heavenly Demon was weak as a martial artist.
The four people always mentioned when choosing the greatest of all time:
Bodhidharma, Zhang Sanfeng, the Heavenly Demon, and the Blood Demon.
In the Central Plains where Patrick had been, these four were called the Four Grandmasters.
Was he not challenging one of them?
There could be no negligence in his preparation.
While spending time like that…
Rumble, rumble, rumble….
“Hmm?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, the ground shook with a violent vibration. Patrick and Persona frowned simultaneously.
“Master, what is this?”
“…It seems something has happened.”
It wasn't just an ordinary earthquake.
Because the source of the shaking was toward Pabera. Furthermore…
Rumble… BOOM!
The moment Patrick’s gaze landed there, the crater of the volcano at the summit of Pabera began to erupt with lava.
“Crazy!”
“Master.”
Persona’s body glowed brightly, and in an instant, she transformed into her true form as a massive Black Dragon.
“Get on, Master.”
At Persona’s quick response, Patrick swiftly climbed onto her back. Seeing the familiars of the Four Calamities rushing out of the cave, he shouted, “Evacuate the residents! Now!”
“What? That….”
“But this is….”
As they hesitated, unable to grasp the situation, Patrick roared at them.
“Get a grip!”
At Patrick’s thunderous Six Harmonies Battle Cry, the faces of the four changed as if they had been doused with cold water.
“We’ll figure out the cause later. Handle the urgent matters first. I’m heading into the crater.”
“Yes….”
“Understood.”
After hearing their response, Persona, with Patrick on her back, quickly soared into the sky. She headed straight for the volcano’s entrance, but…
“Master. The entrance has collapsed and is blocked.”
“Go up to the crater. I’ll enter directly.”
“Will you be alright?”
“I’ll be fine, so hurry up!”
“Yes!”
Persona flew high, and Patrick, looking at the summit of the volcano, jumped off her back.
“Stay here.”
Leaving those words, Patrick fell vertically.
Toward the crater where red-hot lava was incessantly overflowing.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Third Form.
Flash Dragon Strike.
A single bolt of light pierced toward the ground.
That light penetrated the magma at a blinding speed and fell beneath the crater.
Arriving at his destination in the fastest way possible, what Patrick saw was…
“Blue Dragon? White Tiger? Vermilion Bird? What happened?”
There, three of the Four Calamities lay collapsed, battered and broken.
From the three, who were completely drained of strength, the suffocating presence and immense power he had felt before were nowhere to be found.
—Patrick… is that you?
Seeing the White Tiger faintly open his mouth, Patrick rushed over and asked, “What happened? What on earth occurred?”
—…We were… defeated.
“By whom? What happened?”
—…The one who did this to us was….
The White Tiger continued in a grief-stricken voice.
—The Living Calamity.
And the White Tiger went on to explain to Patrick what had happened.
* * *
Uniting the Constellations.
It was easy to say, but it was equivalent to the Four Calamities giving up most of the Divinity they possessed.
Originally, during the time they were called the Four Divine Beasts, they each commanded seven Constellations, ruling over a total of Twenty-Eight Mansions.
However, in the war they joined following the Outer God, more than half were consumed, leaving only eleven Constellations.
Though it was less than half of their prime, it was the only asset they could stake on their final gamble.
They had to gather them as intact as possible and deliver them to Patrick.
To do that, one of them had to serve as the vessel to unite the Constellations.
—I’ll do it.
The one who volunteered for that role was the Black Tortoise.
He, who usually stayed in the background and remained silent, had stepped forward.
—Will you be alright?
—Is it not a task someone must do?
—That’s true, but….
Becoming the vessel to unite the Constellations was by no means a simple matter.
The power of the Constellations, reaching a state of saturation beyond the vessel’s limits, was extremely unstable.
If something went wrong, the vessel of the soul itself could shatter.
For those who had reached Divinity, that meant actual death.
The Black Tortoise had volunteered for that difficult and dangerous role.
—Unlike you all, I have no particular lingering regrets. I don’t mind ending it all now.
At the Black Tortoise’s words, the others bowed their heads solemnly. Their goal was to be liberated from Kalaron once Patrick, the Prophesied Human, defeated the Heavenly Demon.
Once liberated from Kalaron, their souls could return to the Central Plains.
After that, they could slowly recover their divine power over a long period and reclaim their original names and positions.
But the Black Tortoise spoke as if he had cleanly abandoned such regrets.
—Are you truly alright?
—I am.
—We will not forget your sacrifice.
Thus, the other Four Symbols began to gather the power of the remaining Constellations, using the Black Tortoise as the vessel.
Though the Black Tortoise said he was prepared for death, they couldn't just shove the power in recklessly.
They gathered the Constellations delicately but surely, never rushing.
Thus, the power of the Constellations gathered in the Black Tortoise.
The two Constellations the Black Tortoise originally held: the Maiden and the Encampment.
To those, the White Tiger’s Stomach, Net, and Orion were added.
Then, the Vermilion Bird’s Ghost and Willow were settled into the Black Tortoise’s vessel one by one.
First, a total of seven Constellations had entered the Black Tortoise.
‘Now it’s my turn.’
The Blue Dragon’s turn was all that remained.
He held a total of four Constellations.
Once these four were gathered into the Black Tortoise’s vessel, the conditions for delivering the Constellations to Patrick would be met.
But just then…
—It’s been a long time. This feeling.
The Black Tortoise suddenly began to act strangely.
—What are you doing?
The White Tiger and Vermilion Bird were horrified to see the Black Tortoise move away from his designated position. But the Black Tortoise did not stop his steps.
—Seven Constellations are full within me. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt the power of my prime.
And he completely left his position.
The Blue Dragon cried out in horror, —Return to your place, Living Calamity! What do you think you’re doing?
—Do you still not grasp the situation? Or are you trying your best to pretend you don’t?
—Living Calamity!
—Do not call me by that name!!!
As the Black Tortoise roared thunderously, a terrifying power swept through heaven and earth.
—Ugh….
The Blue Dragon hurriedly held his ground.
But the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird, who had handed over all their Constellations, couldn't withstand the power the Black Tortoise emitted and looked as if they might die at any moment.
—Kh….
The Blue Dragon hurriedly protected the two.
He himself was in a state where it was difficult to hold on, but these two might die if he didn't protect them immediately.
Toward that Blue Dragon, the Black Tortoise spoke with a voice full of contempt.
—How pathetic.
—What did you say?
—O pitiful being who was once called the Blue Dragon. You are no longer the one I knew.
The Black Tortoise cast a look of disillusionment toward the Vermilion Bird and White Tiger, who were barely breathing behind the Blue Dragon, and said, —Losers. I cannot share my fate with those like you, whose hearts as well as bodies have been broken.
—What on earth do you intend to do?
—I will challenge them once more. I will defeat Kalaron and Yupinel and seize the Divine Rank that serves as the axis of order in this world for myself.
—What?
—Have you lost your mind?
—You crazy bastard….
The other three felt dizzy. Because the Black Tortoise was usually a man of few words, they had no idea what he was thinking.
But they never imagined he would attempt such a crazy stunt.
Now, the Black Tortoise had regained the power of his prime.
He intended to use this power to once again join hands with the Outer God and tear down this world.
—Get a grip! We already committed a folly once and were defeated. Do you intend to repeat the same mistake?
The Blue Dragon tried to earnestly persuade the Black Tortoise. However…
—I don’t want to hear any more of the losers’ grumbling.
As the Black Tortoise opened his mouth, terrifying energy gathered within. And then…
—Die.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
A massive wave of energy engulfed the Blue Dragon and the other two.