Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Lee Gwang first looked at Jin So-cheong.
"You go first."
"Yes."
Jin So-cheong stepped forward with a spear in hand, without raising any objections. A vague expression that could hardly be called fighting spirit appeared on his face, but I knew it stemmed from him suppressing his emotions to the utmost.
The Embroidered Guard Chief responded by drawing his signature weapon, a ring, only to put it away again. Then, in a haughty voice, he said,
"Since it's just a spar, we don't need weapons."
I took it in stride, but Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong reacted differently. Lee Gwang looked incredulous, while Jin So-cheong seemed genuinely surprised, as if to say, "Really?" Just as the spar seemed about to begin, Lee Gwang interjected.
"Hey."
"What?"
"I know you're proud, White Tiger, but how about picking up your weapon now?"
The Embroidered Guard Chief bellowed.
"You want me to go all out against a brat like that? You're underestimating me, Azure Dragon."
"If that's how you see it, no helping it..."
Lee Gwang trailed off and returned to the viewing stand. I, sitting there, asked him as he came back.
"Isn't the White Tiger one of the former Imperial Palace's Four Divine Guards? Wasn't that a valid point?"
"Haha..."
Lee Gwang gave a wry smile.
"Just watch. If things go wrong today, we'll have a corpse to clean up."
I couldn't grasp what he meant.
Embroidered Guard Chief!
A member of the Four Divine Guards, the White Tiger, from the previous generation of Imperial Palace elites!
He was unmistakably a transcendent expert on par with—or surpassing—the leaders of the Nine Great Sects. I knew he was an extraordinarily powerful master, which was why I yearned to accumulate strength through reincarnations and training. That's why Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong's reactions baffled me now.
That was when it happened.
Exactly three seconds into the spar.
Boom!
"Uwaaack...!!"
An explosion rang out with a scream. The Embroidered Guard Chief's left arm was drenched in blood as he was driven to the edge of the arena. Trembling and distraught, he was clearly on the absolute defensive.
"......?!"
I was stunned.
In those three seconds, the first exchange was a clash between Jin So-cheong's Bar thrust and the Chief's jade-like palm strike. As Jin So-cheong's spear twisted its trajectory and changed directions multiple times, the Chief hastily halted his palm technique and deployed footwork to defend himself.
In the second second, Jin So-cheong unleashed Bar again. Strangely, the Chief couldn't evade the attack's path and flailed about in the wrong places. It was as if Jin So-cheong stood still while the Chief spun in circles like a dog chasing its tail.
On the third second, as Jin So-cheong thrust Bar once more, the Chief's left arm ended up bloodied amid an explosion.
'What the hell?!'
It made no sense.
Jin So-cheong hadn't used any special techniques or secret arts from the Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear Art; he'd simply executed the basic spear technique Bar three times. Yet the Chief reacted inexplicably and was pushed to the brink of death.
Jin So-cheong, standing on the arena, said quietly,
"Shall I kill him?"
Lee Gwang, below the arena, replied,
"Why not? He brought it on himself."
"......"
Crash!
Enraged, the Embroidered Guard Chief drew his ring. The ring was a large circular blade that could be wielded single-handed, excelling in close combat and throws. As immense energy infused it, a faint aura leaked from its edge, emanating a murderous, ominous presence.
The Embroidered Guard Chief said,
"Azure Dragon... You've been raising a tiger cub."
"I warned you. Pick up your weapon."
"I've taken three exchanges at a loss, so I'll return the favor threefold on your disciple!"
Whoosh!
True to his bold words, the Chief hurled both rings forward. Blades called crescent moons adorned them, soon spewing pitch-black energy that filled the space with slaughter.
Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh!
The rings multiplied into horrifying phantom images, making it hard to breathe. Their trajectories, overwhelming heaven and earth, were impossible to track.
'A killing move!'
I instantly realized the Chief was a transcendent expert of considerable realm, unleashing his signature deadly technique. With no room for probing, he was going all-in. I thought that if I were in Jin So-cheong's position, I'd have no choice but to use Thunderclap and flee.
But Jin So-cheong didn't deploy any ultimate technique. Instead, he assumed a stance and used the Seize method.
Jin So-cheong's spear tip drew in the rings' trajectories. In an instant, his body merged fluidly with the spear, spinning on the spot. As he pivoted five full rotations on his left foot, the slaughterous space was sucked into the spear tip, turning the tables on the Chief who had unleashed the rings.
Clang!
The Chief didn't give up, seemingly redirecting the rebounding rings with qi control. Like they were strung on invisible threads, they dove under the arena floor. Burrowing like into tofu, no one knew when they'd emerge. I shuddered, realizing each of his moves was a horrific killing technique.
Jin So-cheong seemed to smile faintly. He positioned himself in the Seven Stars formation and leisurely executed Thunder Shadow Step: Heaven's Killing. On the fourth star position, a ring burst from the ground, aiming for Jin So-cheong's brain and heart.
Clang!
In that brief moment, Jin So-cheong seemed to execute Flash five times. His speed was so blinding I momentarily lost track. By the time I caught his movement, he had charged right to the Chief's face, swinging the spear tip impaled with the ring.
Boom!
"Urk..."
The Chief's stance crumbled. As Jin So-cheong closed in for close quarters, he delivered a knee strike, which the Chief barely dodged by jerking his head back. But Jin So-cheong's follow-up, a half-turning straight punch per the Thunder God Fist's mudra, slammed into his solar plexus.
Even that elegant footwork evaded the punch, but he couldn't escape the final horizontal swing of Jin So-cheong's iron spear shaft.
Thwack!
"Kehek!!"
The Chief flew sideways, vomiting blood, clutching his mangled left arm and spewing more blood. He seemed to have sustained internal injuries from the last attack.
He gasped for breath.
"Th... this damned... fucking..."
Clink.
Jin So-cheong tossed the ring back to the Chief as if granting mercy. Until now, the Chief's rings—with their crescents caught on the spear tip—had been under Jin So-cheong's control.
Lee Gwang, watching from the stand, sneered.
"Looks like you haven't trained much lately. Not even gauging your opponent's strength."
"Kraaaah!!"
Swoosh.
The Chief lunged in a frenzy, powering up, but Jin So-cheong extended his spear, instantly neutralizing his killing intent. Gazing at the Chief's ashen face—like cold water had been dumped on him—Jin So-cheong said,
"Calm down. One more step, and I'll kill you."
"......"
Believing it no bluff, the Chief picked up the ring and cautiously stood. Grinding his teeth, he said,
"I lost..."
"Good match."
Witnessing the spar end in a flash atop the arena left me reeling.
My common sense and benchmarks for combat strength had flipped in an instant.
'No way...'
Even surrounded by Embroidered Guards back then, I'd been helpless against the Chief despite peak realm arts. To me, he was an insurmountable mountain. Facing him properly with his signature weapon and arts would be impossible for me now without Thunderclap.
Yet Jin So-cheong dismantled him in ten seconds without Thunder God Style secrets, Thunderclap, or even a flashy ultimate—not a single one.
Chills ran down my spine.
'I... had no idea of Jin So-cheong's true power.'
I'd always sensed his talent and strength as a massive wall, but without knowing the extent, I'd dismissed him as just "impressive." Only today did I learn he'd broken through to transcendent in his mid-twenties—and strong enough to crush the former Four Divine Guard White Tiger.
No wonder the Jin So-cheong a decade from now wouldn't fear the Eight Demonic Lords. How strong had he been then?
Lee Gwang didn't stop there.
"There, my prized disciple's lesson is done."
"What?"
"Now, time to instruct my new disciple."
The Chief atop the arena was seething. Having lost to a twenty-something upstart was humiliating enough; now he had to face a kid like me. Eyes brimming with murderous intent, he replied,
"Fine... Send up the brat."
Clearly referring to me. As I looked at Lee Gwang in shock, he transmitted,
[Listen well. Cripple that bastard.]
Was this how you treated a former comrade in the Four Divine Guards?
[The mad fool waltzed into enemy territory—perfectly legal to crush him.]
I realized anew how terrifying Lee Gwang was.
Better to die than make an enemy of him.
Indifferent and uncaring toward others normally, but once an enemy, the iron-blooded monster Azure Dragon Lee Gwang would crush and eradicate them by any means.
Of course, I had no intention of refusing this chance. Gripping my sword, I slowly ascended the arena.
The Chief regulated his breathing, seemingly recovering his injuries and stamina. Having seen his main attacks earlier, I pondered how to counter. I figured showing off like Jin So-cheong could spell disaster.
As we faced off in silence, Lee Gwang below offered advice.
"Listen up, Baek Woong. His signature art is Treasure Light Exhausting Heaven Divine Art, weapon's the ring. He favors Ghost Soldier Eight Steps for illusory swaps to exploit gaps, excels at mid-range ring harassment. Close in, and you'll gain the edge."
Our eyes snapped to him. The Chief exploded in fury at Lee Gwang.
"Azure Dragon bastard!! When did you learn my art's origin?!"
"Haha, think you're the only one who investigates? I did my share. Gotta give the young kid some edge against you."
"Urk...!!"
Absurd as the farce was, Lee Gwang's tip was invaluable. No more hesitation—I charged the Chief.
Using Thunder Shadow Step: Heaven's Killing for rapid approach, I unleashed a single slash. Simple, but my fastest, strongest sword strike. The Chief narrowly dodged but took a cut to the shoulder.
Puk!
'Got him!'
Denying recovery, I erupted sword flames from my blade and executed Ten Thousand Swords Conclusion. He illusory-swapped out of range, but unlike before, I could now track the flow. Rushing in with strikes, he could only defend desperately with his rings.
Clang!
Clang-clang!
Over about twenty seconds of close exchanges, I realized his defensive techniques were exquisitely superb. Despite his injured left arm, battered by Jin So-cheong's shaft and internal damage, he blocked effortlessly. Crushed by Jin So-cheong earlier, he was undeniably a top transcendent expert.
But injuries were injuries. Pressing with overwhelming internal energy strikes, at some point the Chief vomited blood. Failing to deflect the force, his ring finger snapped.
I seized the momentary gap and struck his thigh.
Pukwak!
"Kraaaack!!"
He screamed. My sword flames had severed below the thigh, ragged and gruesome. No pity stirred; excitement surged instead.
'Kill him!'
Dismantling this guy ends the Evil Demon Hall nearly!
As I swung for his head—
Whoosh.
Lee Gwang had caught my sword tip with his fingers. Intervening in a flash to block. Sneering at the writhing, legless Chief, he said,
"Oh dear... My inexperienced young disciple did this to you... Truly regrettable."
"Grk... Urk... Azure Dragon...!!"
Too furious and wronged, the Chief kept vomiting blood. Enjoying it, Lee Gwang grinned.
"I'll give you emergency aid—rest easy."
"No... need...!!"
Grimacing, the Chief stanched his leg's bleeding. Then, with one leg, he executed lightness skill, leaping onto the roof and roaring,
[I'll never forget today's—]
Whoosh—something flew to the Chief. Grimacing at the "gift," Lee Gwang laughed heartily.
"Take your leg."
[Damn you!!!]
Roaring, the Chief hurled the leg onto the arena.
Whoosh.
Then fled. As he vanished like a streak of light from Azure Dragon Martial Hall, Embroidered Guards—hidden who-knows-where—surged out after him. Dozens strong, the sight sent chills through me.
As the commotion ended, Lee Gwang called me and Jin So-cheong to Crouching Dragon Hall. He said,
"Something's off. Didn't you sense it while fighting?"
Jin So-cheong answered.
"Yes. It was strange."
"How so?"
"He was trying 'something' during the fight. But with you watching, Master, he couldn't."
I'd felt it too. Even vomiting blood, the Chief's eyes glinted, seeking a chance for "something." Lee Gwang said,
"Figured. He had an ace up his sleeve. But not a martial art."
"Is he... half-demon?"
"The palace barriers aren't ordinary; no yokai could sneak in. And over years as comrades, I confirmed he's human."
Lee Gwang cracked his knuckles.
"Could've killed him, but didn't. First, fear of repercussions. Second, it'd be high treason. Third, that weird energy. Felt like it'd trigger if I inflicted a fatal wound."
"......"
"Now we prepare to counter the Embroidered Guards."
That was when—
Screams erupted outside.
"Aaack!!"
"Wh... what is that?!"
We three bolted out.
An unbelievable sight unfolded.
The leg!!
The one I'd severed from the Chief was mutating wildly. Thrashing madly, spewing bluish blood, then sprouting purple tentacles everywhere like an octopus.
The rapidly grown leg became a monstrous thing like an eight-tentacled fish. A bald, glossy head with black eyeball-like orbs. Horrified disciples watched as the tentacles targeted them.
Sizzle.
Clang!
A tentacle lunged for a disciple's heart, but I dashed in and slashed it away. Simultaneously, Jin So-cheong and Lee Gwang charged the tentacled leg, attacking.
Boom-boom-boom!!
A vortex of potent qi shredded the tentacles to bits. A fist-sized chunk remained, wriggling to regrow them. Lee Gwang stared in disgust and stomped it.
Crunch...
"My friend's gone seafood now."
I had no energy to reply.
The scene pieced together memories into deduction.
'So that's it...'
The Chief's sudden unification of the organization, rising as the top expert suppressing rivals.
Not from his martial arts reaching unimaginable heights.
He'd taken a demon from another race into his body.
Likely implanted by some otherworldly being summoned to the palace.
He'd held back here against Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong to avoid death-risking manifestation, but if unleashed, catastrophe would ensue.
After incinerating the remains with Samadhi Truefire, Lee Gwang said,
"No choice but to head to Luoyang now."
"Luoyang? That's enemy HQ..."
"Exactly why. When he's this weakened is our golden chance."
Lee Gwang declared firmly.
"We break through the Great Thunder Prison and rescue Grand General Hwang Yeon."
============================ Author's Note ============================
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