Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Unleashing the Fury (2)
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Kwaaaang!
The rippling shockwaves shattered like scattered grains, heating the air around them. Neither backed down as they unleashed their surging power. The match hung in perfect balance.
Ta-aaang!
Every time the shin guards and forearm wraps—reinforced with iron and leather—clashed against the sword, sparks flew. Had they not reached the realm of Qi Convergence, those limbs would have been sliced clean off.
Huuuu!
Their unyielding resolve fueled every attack and defense. Yet it wasn't mindless brute force. They seized openings at just the right moments, striving to claim the targets they'd set their sights on. The fierce, biting struggle only intensified as time wore on.
"You've really gotten strong. I trained relentlessly back home without a single day off."
"I trained even harder than you. This time, I won't lose like last time!"
"I can't lose either!"
"Who says?!"
Iron Blood Lion Fist: Unrivaled Single Point Strike!
Pine Tiger Five Swords: Pine Tiger Conquers the World!
Even as they unleashed their core fist and sword arts, they seamlessly transitioned into ultimate techniques whenever an opportunity arose. At their age, most would rely heavily on finishers to clinch victory, but these two stayed true to the fundamentals. They valued basics even above ultimate moves. In terms of judging fights, they possessed a seasoned savvy far beyond their years—no mere children here.
'These kids aren't kids at all!'
'I can't say I'd win for sure anymore.'
Narung and Yukchil couldn't tear their eyes from the boys' duel. Even with their talent, potential, and monstrous master, it was astonishing they'd grown this strong at such a young age.
'Stepped on one monster after another.'
'This little one's a monster in her own way.'
While her brother fought tooth and nail right beside her, she played calmly with the cat. Normally, she'd worry about him, but her bright, innocent smile sent chills down Narung and Yukchil's spines.
'Damn, she's cute as hell!'
'When can I give her another gift?!'
There was a reason she left them so deflated. They knew her fox-like tricks all too well, yet they still got duped right in front of their eyes. It made them itch to share everything they had. They'd even handed over a hidden treasure meant for later use.
"Uncle!"
The pair flinched.
Don't come closer!
Have you ever seen beggars or thieves hand over their stuff without hesitation? If not, don't speak.
"Our So understands perfectly. Go on, hop."
Boing!
Gone? Where?
Up there!
Gasp?
She'd just hopped lightly from her seat, yet she was on the eaves. With that piglet-like body, it beggared belief. At this point, that cat had to be some kind of spirit beast too.
'Well, considering how that man dotes on his daughter.'
Yukchil theorized So wasn't just a cat—maybe a millennium-old White Tiger. Narung had some prior exposure before leaving, so he had a bit more resistance than Yukchil.
"Uncle, I want to spar too."
"Oh dear, my stomach hurts. Here, Uncle Narung will take good care of you."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Narung scowled, but Yukchil clutched his belly and bolted for the outhouse in a flash. In times like these, quick wits were essential. After all, Mijoo was no ordinary child.
"Let's go."
"...Come on, then."
If you'd imagined cute punches from a darling girl, you'd be dead wrong. The power behind those slender fingers was no joke. He couldn't just dodge endlessly—blocking felt like striking iron.
What kind of energy is this?!
It was hard to believe those fists belonged to a girl not yet ten. Plus, she synced perfectly with that bizarre spirit beast. Even holding back, her occasional killing intent sent shivers down his spine.
It was the Human-Cat Unity technique.
"()"
⟨ Human-Cat Unity ⟩
"How's our combo?"
"...Impressive!"
"You said you'd give me a gift if I did well?"
"When did I?"
"You won't? But Mijoo tried so hard."
"...Fine, I'll give you one."
That rhetoric was pure witchcraft—you couldn't refuse. Even steeling your resolve, you'd end up robbed like you'd been possessed.
...Damn it, the master key!
A specially crafted key that could open any lock. As a master thief, he didn't strictly need it, but it was one of the treasures his master had left behind.
He had to ask for it back.
"Can I brag to Daddy about the key Uncle gave me?"
"As much as you want."
When Mijoo mentioned her father, Narung shut his mouth. Taking back a gift might cost him the Heavenly Warrior Art all over again.
He knew what mattered most.
"Ahh, feels refreshing."
Yukchil's return from his business was infuriating. Narung was pissed but could only sigh instead of snapping.
"Got robbed again! I told you no."
"Could you do it?"
"Nope. That's why I ran."
"Just watch."
"Act like a thief for once."
Thieves or beggars, same difference.
Mijoo left with So, having fleeced them down to their flea livers.
The forlorn Narung and Yukchil focused on the winding-down match between Cheolho and Taejin. They no longer dismissed the youngsters as greenhorns. Bitter as it was, there were lessons to learn.
Chwak!
Taejin and Cheolho had grown unrecognizably since the Little Dragon Tournament. Their progress outpaced any young prodigies scattered across the jianghu.
Yet the fight ended in a draw.
"I caught up!"
"I'm done for!"
Joy and despair crossed paths.
Taejin sulked over the inconclusive bout, while Cheolho grinned fiercely at his gains. Both had advanced, but the path didn't matter—only results did.
"My boy tied."
"...Father!"
Taejin startled.
He hadn't hoped his father was absent. With his monstrously keen senses, there was no way he'd miss the duel. Everything at home lay within his palm.
So he appeared the instant it ended.
"You've been slacking, my boy."
"Father, it's not that I slacked—Cheolho hyung got way stronger!"
"Will excuses get you anywhere, my boy? Is that what I taught you?"
Could "my boy" sound so terrifying?
Not just Taejin—Cheolho, Yukchil, and Narung all swallowed hard. They'd witnessed his brutal parenting firsthand.
"Father! I'll redouble my training!"
"That's a given. Rewards and punishments must be clear. Intensive training begins."
"Please, anything but that... Hngh!"
Mujin dragged his son off to the mountain.
Drag drag drag!
Taejin struggled desperately not to be hauled away, but it was futile flailing.
Gasp!
Cheolho, Narung, and Yukchil couldn't just enjoy the show. If he was merciless even to blood kin, what about them? Falling short of expectations might mean not surviving.
'He's out of his mind!'
'Seen saints and demons!'
'Master, I'll do better!'
Screams already seemed to echo from the mountain. They returned to their posts, spurring their own training harder.
Seeing Taejin's state that evening fueled their efforts even more. It was a frenzy to survive.
Seok, paang, tuang!
A sequence of slashing, striking, and smashing—like wielding the fist art against a living foe. Watching it, Mujin found it intriguing. How should it be wielded?
Unlike his deliberations, the outcome unfolded differently from expected.
He examined the Mythical Demon Spirit Armor fused into his flesh. But Mujin wasn't wearing or manifesting it himself.
The Mythical Demon Spirit Armor moved on its own.
Shushuk!
It could transform into eighteen weapons, spear and sword chief among them. Sword when needed, gauntlets at a whim—the shifts were fluid. With a thought for the desired form, it adapted perfectly for any situation.
'What do you think?'
-Impossible.
'Heavenly Warrior did it.'
-This was designed for him to infuse his soul. Plus, I'm too fused with you.
'Shame.'
The Demon King could operate the Mythical Demon Spirit Armor. Mujin had hoped he could seize another body by infusing his soul, just like Heavenly Warrior.
But the key material, Divine Essence, rejected other souls after its initial imprint.
Heavenly Warrior had only planned soul infusion after discovering the Divine Essence.
'Are you just reluctant to leave me? Lusting after my body?'
-I'd have absorbed you already if so.
'True, you're not one to sit idle.'
-Still, I can utilize it within range.
There was a way to control it independently: Demon King boarding it directly. But range-limited, and Mujin had to remain as the main body.
Without Mujin nearby, control failed. Demon King stayed soul-bound, but damage was inevitable.
'Gotta keep supplying you inner energy.'
-Exactly.
The armor could reshape freely. By threading it into a thin silk-like tether, it could maintain form at a distance. Thus, dual operation.
'Max range?'
-Beyond five hundred jang, it'd shrink kid-sized. Too thin, and it snaps.
The biggest issue was form. Even silk-thin, limits existed. If foes sensed the energy flow and targeted the thread, mobility suffered. Best used in pitch darkness.
'Can't seize bodies, but maybe suppress for a bit?'
-Can't say without testing.
'What's this, pro to pro?'
-Mix in Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye, maybe.
But no live human tests yet. Fine against villains, but botching it on innocents spelled trouble.
No stray villains around when needed.
'Fancy a round?'
-Let's.
To test the armor, Mujin handed control to Demon King. Separating, it reverted to original form for inspection. Non-human shape, but inner energy flowed similarly. Gang Qi generation and emission differed, though—separate from shapeshifting, emission impossible.
Thus, bare-knuckle brawl.
They'd sparred countless times mentally, but this was their first real bout since his return. How much had he changed? Excitement built.
Demon King, rooted in Demon Battle Aura, charged with blazing will. Speed defied imagination, beyond visual tracking as it closed on Mujin.
Kwaaaang, jjeojeojeok!
Not split evenly, but the shockwave blanketed the mountain. One ridge crumbled into the valley in a single clash.