Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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The Zhongnan Sect elders showed clear signs of panic upon witnessing my victory.
"No way...!!"
"That's not human internal energy...!!"
They seemed gripped by shock at the unfathomable level of my internal force. The slashing wounds etched everywhere looked like the savage aftermath of a demon's rampage. It was only natural, given how I had ravaged the place to the point where the building teetered on collapse.
Once the commotion among the regular disciples died down and the situation calmed, one of the Zhongnan Sect's Ten Great Elders stepped forward. It was the same elder who had spoken with Senior Brother Jin So-cheong earlier.
"Elder Jin Su's skills rank at the top among us. We had hoped he might secure a win, or at least drain Jin So-cheong's stamina... but this junior of yours has outdone him."
A subtle undercurrent of fear laced his voice. I also noticed he no longer treated me like a child.
"He's just unconscious."
"Give us a moment. It takes time to select our next fighter among ourselves."
It seemed he had stepped forward specifically to make that request. I smirked and pointed at him with my finger.
"Why not have the one speaking step up? You don't look any weaker than Elder Jin Su."
"Ha ha. Of course, I'm not weaker than Jin Su, but that's a different matter from claiming victory. If you lot have come to our headquarters, surely you'd grant us this much for our strategy?"
"......"
He was smooth-talking.
He was so glib it was exasperating, and he didn't fall for my taunt easily either. It was clear he was one of the top strategists on the Zhongnan Sect side. As I fell silent, Jin So-cheong spoke up.
"Do as you like. But we can't wait more than one incense stick's time."
"It won't take that long."
The elders then carried away the unconscious Elder Jin Su and huddled in a secret spot, apparently discussing something. I had no choice but to stand idly in the arena, when Senior Brother's transmission reached me.
[Junior Brother. Come down now. Something feels off.]
[What do you mean? No matter who they send, I'm confident I won't lose in a one-on-one.]
I could do it. I had grown stronger.
I even wanted to take down the other elders while I was at it and crush their spirits. I was still riled up from the earlier provocations. Then another transmission came.
[Didn't you see that elder's attitude just now? They're desperate to win by any means, harboring murderous intent. It wouldn't do you or the Azure Dragon Martial Hall any good to fall victim to their dirty tricks needlessly.]
It was Jin So-cheong's gentle persuasion. I calmed the boiling fighting spirit in my mind and reflected. Based on my life experiences so far, I did seem to be in a dangerous spot.
"...Understood, Senior Brother."
I stopped being stubborn and nodded. If the opponent resorted to any foul play, responding to every trick would be foolish. Jin So-cheong seemed confident he could handle their schemes if he stepped up instead. I quelled my surging bloodlust and returned to my seat.
"You made the right call."
"Who's next?"
"They won't come alone. It'll be a combined assault formation for sure."
"No way."
I doubted it. This was supposed to be a martial contest—would one of the Nine Great Righteous Sects really deploy a group assault formation? It seemed too disgraceful, so I dismissed it, but soon learned Jin So-cheong was right.
"We'll meet their Six Harmonies Moon-Chasing Formation with this."
As he spoke, six burly elders stepped out simultaneously. They swiftly formed their formation according to the Six Harmonies positions.
"......"
"......"
I gaped, and even Jin So-cheong's jaw dropped. We hadn't expected them to be this brazen. I was so stunned my ears rang.
'What kind of bastards are these?'
A supposed Nine Great Righteous Sect resorting to a gang-up by six Peak Experts! Moreover, the six leading elders showed not a shred of shame on their faces. One of the elders forming the array shouted energetically.
"You lot can combine your strength too, as you wished. If you have more allies, that is!"
I protested vehemently.
"Is there any rule allowing this?"
"We never said it'd be one-on-one."
"......"
"And the Six Harmonies Moon-Chasing Formation is a proper Zhongnan Sect technique. What's wrong with us using our own martial arts?"
Their brazen nonsense left me speechless. Martial contests conventionally pitted one against one to test skills, with formal formations reserved for sect wars. Even a two-person combined assault could pass as a martial art, but six people was against all reason.
'Crazy bastards... Is this what the Nine Great Righteous Sects are?'
I was glad I'd listened to Jin So-cheong. If I'd been up there, I'd have been too flustered to react and forced into a 1-vs-6 before I knew it. Even as I was now, I couldn't beat six Peak Experts in a formation. Senior Brother rose calmly from his seat.
"Then we'll send two as well."
"Do as you please. Heh heh heh."
Triumph and killing intent gleamed in the elders' eyes simultaneously. I'd seen that look before, so I could guess their intent.
These guys have no intention of losing, no matter the means!
They even seemed eager to claim an arm or leg here.
Realizing I'd nearly fallen into their trap, I sent a transmission to Senior Brother.
[Let's stop, Senior Brother. This is insane. The martial world won't blame us for refusing this farce.]
[Probably not. But I don't feel like we'll lose.]
[What?]
[Come out. Do exactly as I say, and we won't lose.]
"......"
I had no choice but to follow Jin So-cheong out.
'Tch, do or die.'
Jin So-cheong's insight into martial arts far surpassed mine. Besides, I'd come here prepared to die while training my skills. I couldn't show more fear than my senior brother. With things as they were, I had to trust him and see it through.
Murmurs rose.
The Zhongnan Sect disciples looked shocked, not expecting us to challenge the Six Harmonies Moon-Chasing Formation. They must have thought we'd cower, concede, or flee. The elders seemed surprised too, their eyes lighting up.
The lead elder spoke.
"You think you can win? The moment our formation activates, we'll wield the power of ten Peak Experts."
It wasn't bravado or empty words. Formations didn't just add 1+1=2. A two-person combo could yield four men's power; four could exceed six. A Six Harmonies Moon-Chasing Formation by six Zhongnan Peak Expert elders in perfect sync was terrifying to imagine.
Jin So-cheong grinned.
"We'll see about that. Mind if I ask one thing?"
"What?"
"Even so, it's 6 against 2—too disadvantageous in numbers. We'd like the first move yielded to us."
The Zhongnan elders exchanged transmissions, glancing at each other. After a moment, they nodded in unison.
"Fine!"
They were confident they wouldn't lose even yielding first strike. That was the rational assumption.
Positions were set. Senior Brother and I stood side by side, facing the six Zhongnan elders three zhang away, arrayed with swords drawn. Each took a unique stance, likely symbolizing the formation's directional flags. From those, they'd weave hundreds of flows into an invincible Six Harmonies Moon-Chasing Formation against foes.
'How do we attack?'
As I pondered, Senior Brother's transmission came.
[Those fools are idiots. And your coming along is my fortune.]
[What do you mean?]
[Junior Brother. Fully unleash your Heavenly Thunder Blade to maximum. If they interrupt midway, I'll block them. Ramp it up to the limit without worry.]
I instantly grasped his intent. Grinning at the fun prospect, I replied.
[Sure. Time to make them taste bitterness.]
Wuuuu—
"Haaa..."
Holding an upper guard, I focused my mind. Lightning blades coated my sword tip, and the internal energy radiating from my body intensified.
Ziiing!
My arms tingled. Vast thunder qi surged wildly.
Unlike before, the Zhongnan elders in their Six Harmonies Moon-Chasing Formation seemed unaffected by my internal energy. Their energies likely complemented and amplified each other.
Rumble—
The air quaked violently. Winds swirled, gathering at my sword tip, forming a vortex around me. The ground trembled beneath my feet as immense energy stormed the hall like a tempest. Far grander than against Elder Jin Su, it visibly shook the formation elders.
"What are these bastards trying...?"
One bellowed and lunged, but Jin So-cheong had already drawn his spear like lightning, thoroughly blocking the elder. Seizing the initiative, Senior Brother said coldly.
"I said first strike is ours. Can't even honor a promise made moments ago—is that the Zhongnan way?"
"Urk...!!"
As they hesitated, I focused on channeling every ounce of potential into the Heavenly Thunder Blade. In real combat, such charging time wouldn't be granted, but since they yielded first strike, I had plenty. Merging internal energy and focus, I poured everything into the Heavenly Thunder Blade.
Rumble—
Crackle!
The lightning blade now wildly sprayed thunderbolts unrefined. Starting at three chi, it grew to a full zhang-long lightning blade—and kept expanding.
Crackle!!
Over half my internal energy in, anomalies arose. My sword's iron suddenly melted, replaced by what seemed a light-sword. Only the hilt remained, but a vivid blade hovered at the tip. The thunder qi had grown too potent.
Soon, the blade exceeded two zhang, its width surpassing an adult man's height. A giant cleaver for slaying dragons—the Heavenly Thunder Blade left onlookers aghast.
"Aaahhh...!!"
I infused more power, gathering strength. Into the ever-growing Heavenly Thunder Blade, I poured even more.
Rumble.
It grew to pierce the arena ceiling, losing blade shape to become a blunt thunder club. Yet no being struck by this lightning club would survive intact.
The Zhongnan elders' faces had paled. They could gauge its might.
'This is the limit.'
I'd poured in seventy percent of my internal energy. I could add more, but risked losing control, so I stopped. Jin So-cheong, checking the elders, chuckled.
"Junior Brother, give 'em a good one."
Of course.
Answering inwardly, I swung down the Heavenly Thunder Blade. The Zhongnan elders' scream-like cries erupted.
"Staaahp!!"
BOOM
KABOOM
Explosions rang continuously. Like the world's collapse.
Rumble...
Thunderstorm raged, smoke billowing after.
In that instant, sixty percent of the Zhongnan building vanished, a hillside ridge crumbled, triggering a massive landslide. Rolling boulders echoed even here.
"Keheuk..."
"Uwaaak..."
Elders fell from the sky.
Crash.
Miraculously alive, the target elders lay paralyzed by the thunderbolt shockwave. Especially the glib frontman earlier—eyes rolled back white, unconscious.
Zhongnan disciples stared at their ruined headquarters, like a meteor crater, faces ashen.
"......."
Even I, having unleashed it, blinked in disbelief at the Heavenly Thunder Blade's power. Over thirty breaths charged, seventy percent energy—but this was swordsmanship's might?
Far larger than against Elder Jin Su. At least tenfold—a natural disaster.
"Huff... Hah..."
Delayed backlash hit. Breathing labored, head throbbed. Dizziness from expending so much at once. But regulating breath restored me; Jin So-cheong, now beside me, patted my back.
"Well done, Junior Brother. Wiping them out in one go—splendid."
I wiped sweat from my brow.
"First time using the Heavenly Thunder Blade like this."
"If you hit the battlefield, you'd win wars alone. Be proud."
His praise rang true. Unleashing this at an enemy base could kill hundreds. The elders surviving was near-miraculous. Realizing my inhuman internal energy realm, I clenched my fist.
'Not far now.'
Master this fully, raise my martial realm higher, and I'd surely topple the Imperial Guard Commander!
As I steeled myself—
"Impressive display of qi-overwhelming technique. Disciples of the Azure Dragon."
A deep voice brushed my ear. His figure passed me at blinding speed.
Whoosh.
"Then allow me a move as well."
Silently, a white-robed man appeared in the hall. Standing before the fallen elders, astonishingly, I hadn't seen his arrival.
But Jin So-cheong spotted him instantly, glaring fiercely—far more vigilant than against the elders. Meaning this white-robe was that dangerous. Spear aimed, Senior Brother said.
"Sect Leader Yeon Jeong-hong. The match is decided."
The middle-aged white-robe tilted his head, surprised.
"Decided?"
"Best of three, first to two wins! Junior Brother took one, and we just claimed another 2-vs-6. No more chances for you."
Unexpectedly, Senior Brother used polite semi-formal speech toward Yeon Jeong-hong, unlike his curt tone with other Zhongnan members.
"Hmm..."
Yeon Jeong-hong eyed the sprawled elders displeased, then sighed.
"Our sect's elders are the problem. They insist on handling things themselves to spare my face, only to suffer this humiliating defeat. How foolish."
"Quite right."
Uncharacteristically, sweat beaded on Jin So-cheong's neck—proof of his tension.
"Had you stepped up from the start, we'd have truly staked our lives."
Seeing Yeon Jeong-hong, I tensed too.
'If he attacks now... I've used nearly all my energy—how to win?'
Zhongnan's First Sword, Yeon Jeong-hong!
Current Zhongnan Sect Leader!
Recognized as one of the world's rare Transcendent Peak Experts, his swordsmanship was hailed a masterwork across the Central Plains. I'd learned this investigating the Luoyang Twin Temples while in Luoyang. Despite disciples lagging behind Huashan Sect, Zhongnan matched them solely due to this First Sword. I'd wondered then if one man could carry such weight.
'This... is bad...'
Now facing him, I understood.
Despair like facing the Imperial Guard Commander.
Peak to Transcendent—one step, yet vast power gulf. Against the formation, I'd thought grim resolve might win; but before this transcendent expert, no such luck.
Swoosh.
Yeon Jeong-hong raised a hand slightly; Senior Brother and I unleashed fierce auras. Murderous intent to fight to the death—but he brushed it like a breeze, yawning boredly.
"The elders dragged this out on their own, making me late. Our sect suffers great humiliation... My own negligence, I suppose."
"What will you do?"
"Take the plaque. We'll seal our gates for five years. Must strictly train our disciples to prevent this recurrence."
Casually declaring a Nine Great Righteous Sect's seclusion, Yeon Jeong-hong turned.
"And tell the Azure Dragon I'll drop by for drinks soon, Jin So-cheong."
"Understood."
They seemed acquaintances. Jin So-cheong knew his power well. Surprisingly, he'd demolished Zhongnan without hesitation—perhaps Senior Brother's own bravado, confidence to end it before the leader appeared.
"Farewell then."
"Wait!"
I halted Yeon Jeong-hong. He turned; I asked.
"My master's title is Triple Excellence—why keep calling him Azure Dragon?"
Zhongnan elders and even the sect leader called Lee Gwang "Azure Dragon" over "Triple Excellence." There had to be a reason.
"......"
Yeon Jeong-hong glanced surprised at Jin So-cheong, who smiled awkwardly.
"Junior Brother's new; he doesn't know the past well."
"I see. That makes sense."
He fixed deep eyes on me.
"Ask your master directly. Few can objectively bare their past, after all."
"......?"
"I saw your skills well. Next time, under better circumstances."
Yeon Jeong-hong began tending the unconscious elders. Realizing his dismissal, Senior Brother and I left Zhongnan Sect.
We didn't forget to tear down and carry their plaque as agreed. Running with it over my shoulder, I asked Senior Brother.
"Did I ask something wrong?"
Swoosh.
Jin So-cheong, running beside, gave a wry smile.
"Not at all. If anything, your question just rekindled terror in the Peak Experts of Guanzhong and Shaanxi. Others hearing it might've trembled in madness or vanished in fear."
"Huh?!"
"But to a Transcendent Peak Expert like Yeon Jeong-hong, it's just old history. Ask Master when we return; he'll answer properly."
"Yes."
"Oh, and we'll trade off carrying the plaque. Too heavy alone."
His consideration aside, lugging it sparked a odd thought.
"But what do we use this for? Selling it seems off."
"Hmm..."
Jin So-cheong pondered the plaque's utility long before replying.
"Nail it in the warehouse; it'll come in handy someday."
"......"
I swallowed a retort of "When?"
Anyway, today we succeeded in smashing Zhongnan's dojo—I just wanted a good meal and rest.