Chapter 152
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Negligence (2)
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Hu!
I couldn't believe it. No, I didn't want to believe it. How could this be? Unless my successive failures were making me hallucinate. But reality doesn't change just because you try to avoid it.
A coincidence?
I now clearly realized it wasn't anything like that.
It wasn't a coincidence. Good luck? Absolutely not. I couldn't dismiss the guy who single-handedly wiped out the Black Kill Squad as just lucky. He'd stepped beyond the realm achievable by luck alone.
Tremble!
Mukam realized it.
These recent failures were definitely not coincidences. The bastard had disguised himself as the Fortunate One to perfectly deceive the world's eyes. In short, I'd been dancing in the palm of the Fortunate One's hand.
The more he retraced the sequence of events, the more rage boiled up inside him.
"It was you!"
"Acting alone?"
"...?"
Mukam couldn't hide his psychological turmoil. All his plans had failed, and the one he thought was just lucky turned out to be the culprit. In that instant, he lost his cool-headedness. But as the bastard said, it was impossible for him to control this entire situation alone. Unless he came from the future.
There could be forces backing him.
"How about we share each other's secrets?"
"You think I'd fall for that cheap provocation? Even if you're stronger than the rumors say, the outcome won't change!"
"You know nothing. Well, they wouldn't share the sect's secrets with a mere underling like you."
"...What the hell are you?!"
Before the stunned Mukam could regain his composure, Mujin charged. He'd been slowly closing the distance while talking. Reaching the optimal range, he unleashed a fist strike.
Boom!
Suddenly snapping to his senses, Mukam countered with Severing Soul Palm. He figured the soul-severing Severing Soul Palm could handle it.
Crackle!
But he was pushed back.
The triple-layered Severing Soul Palm tore away like paper. If he hadn't deflected Mujin's fist strike with his elbow, it would have been a serious blow.
There was no time to relax.
The real exchange started now. Mujin, aiming for the Curved Pool acupoint, switched targets upon Mukam's response and thrust his fist upward from below toward the Great Bone acupoint. The linkage from elbow to shoulder was swift and precise.
Bam!
Stagger!
Sensing the crisis, Mukam twisted his shoulder and used his internal energy to deflect the fist strike. But it wasn't fully dissipated; he staggered back greatly.
Whoosh!
Knowing retreat was dangerous, Mukam stepped through the air as if on flat ground, unleashing Phantom Steps. He poured his true essence into the rapid, flashy footwork deployed in an instant.
Screech!
At this point, anyone would fall back, but Mujin crossed his arms from left to right, batting away all 108 shadows of the single stance's footwork.
Urk!
A shock hit the Yongquan acupoint on his sole. The fist strike slamming into Yongquan disrupted the flow of true energy in Mukam's Dark Blood Art. After the footwork, planting his foot on the ground sent numbness shooting up.
"No way!"
It was the Phantom Steps, called One to 108 Kicks. He'd seen and struck every single one of the 108 shadows in a split second. Targeting key acupoints on the foot, including Yongquan.
"You've been deceiving the world!"
"You think you're the only ones?"
He'd tried to buy time with conversation, but such petty tricks didn't work on Mujin. He pressed on with close combat while waging psychological warfare.
Fists, palms, fingers, kicks, hands, and claws formed a dazzling barrage. At breathing distance, killing blows targeted each other's vital points.
Mukam drew his hidden ultimate technique, Dark Soul Demon Claw, but he was being overwhelmed in close-quarters brawling. Even as he switched from claw to hand seal and finger strikes to sow confusion, the bastard blocked leisurely.
Paht!
Mujin smacked away the finger strike with his hand's back and burrowed in.
With his limbs pushed to the periphery, Mukam sensed danger.
"You bastard!"
He exploded his latent power, doubling the Dark Blood Art's output. The rapidly circulating protective aura gathered and erupted in one burst.
Boom!
Bursting protective aura consumed massive energy, but Mukam had no choice. Mujin's fist was targeting his solar plexus. If it landed, his survival would be uncertain.
A doubt crossed Mukam's mind.
Even if the bastard knew, how did he know to attack here? Logically, he should have followed the merchant caravan.
"How the hell did you know?"
"You hate me."
"What does that mean?"
"You wouldn't want to see me doing well."
...Gasp!
Envy, jealousy, anger—they oppose reason, logic, and evidence.
Sound judgment requires reason and logic. But human emotions often ignore them.
There are few people who are always thorough and cool-headed.
Especially after repeated failures, not once but every time. Caused by some reckless punk appearing out of nowhere. If that didn't make you angry, you wouldn't be human.
Mujin had pierced right through that psychology.
Chill!
It pierced the mind of Mukam, who prided himself on being cooler than anyone. The sudden shiver was proof. This was far from rational judgment. It relied purely on human psychology.
Kuh!
He'd been had.
Mukam had to admit it. A devastating sense of defeat he'd never felt before. To think there was someone in the Central Plains who could see through him.
'See that?'
-Lucky bastard.
Skill matters, but without luck, nothing works sometimes. Mujin's guess hit the mark perfectly. Seeing the trembling with rage made him crave a shot of strong liquor again.
"It's because of you! If not for you, I wouldn't let you live!"
"Whining now?"
Mukam's eyes changed.
No more holding back. Kill this one, and it was done. For the sect's grand undertaking, he had to die.
Crack!
Mukam's body mutated, his power exploding. He'd activated the Dark Blood Art's secret latent amplification technique. Accelerating blood flow momentarily maximized all physical abilities.
"I'll kill you."
With all senses heightened and internal energy surging, the space shook with every exhale.
Swish!
Mukam pointed his sword finger downward then upward, drawing a cross. Infinite latent power seized space, erecting a pillar to the sky.
Whoosh!
The ground where Mujin stood erupted upward. Inconceivable destructive power. Amid the surge, crushing force pressed down.
Fuss!
At the midpoint where heaven and earth met, it pulverized into dust clouds veiling the darkness and pouring down.
"Not a chance."
Mukam didn't think this would finish Mujin. He'd escaped at unbelievable speed at the last moment. Without heightened senses, he might not have spotted it.
"I see you."
Mujin, who'd swiftly escaped into the air, tried to seize Mukam's rear with extreme-speed footwork surpassing distances. But Mukam turned, gathering latent demonic power in his palm.
They clashed head-on again.
Mujin didn't retreat from the fearsome palm force approaching.
Huhu!
Mukam was controlling his latent power. Waiting for Mujin to charge in carelessly. He reignited it instantly, fusing with innate true energy.
"Die!"
Thinking it was the same as the previous Severing Soul Palm would be fatal arrogance.
Kwaaaaang!
Disaster-summoning palm and fist collided at point-blank range. A world-shattering roar erupted from the center, waves shaking the entire Gyeongjeong Mountain. In an instant, their space cratered from the force, ripples and fissures spreading everywhere.
When the commotion died down, Mukam was confident of victory.
"Acting arrogant before me... Huh?"
"At my level, a little arrogance is fine."
Mukam's certainty flipped to doubt in an instant. He'd poured out everything; his body crumpled, internal energy draining rapidly.
"This can't... Argh!"
Don't lose focus.
Mujin closed in, twisted, and landed consecutive strikes on the jawbone and ribs. His thrust fist carried full power even at close range. Mukam's jaw caved in, ribs shattered. If that ended it, he'd be lucky, but the kick struck internally.
Stagger!
Reeling, Mukam counterattacked. Pride and stubbornness refusing to collapse.
Bam bam bam!
Mujin countered the counter with strikes to the philtrum, solar plexus, and dantian.
Followed by a certain-kill single kick.
Crack!
Hurk!
Not expecting an attack there, Mukam trembled at Mujin's move.
Seeing Mukam's pained face, Mujin almost felt sorry. He'd never had descendants before, and now he never would.
What to do?
But that was just the beginning.
Kraaak!
In the darkness-engulfed space, Mukam went blind. Mujin's fingers gouged out both eyes.
Bam bam bam bam!
He pummeled the flailing, eyeless Mukam all over with fists. Kneading him like well-pounded meat.
Squelch, squelch!
Mujin stayed vigilant to the end, sequentially severing Mukam's limbs. Red blood splashed down, pooling thickly. The fishy metallic scent warmed the night air.
Crunch!
He seized the limbless Mukam's throat.
"Exhausting all your innate true energy weakens your killing techniques a bit."
"Who... the hell are you?"
Blind and limbless, Mukam's first thought over fear was doubt. How did he know the sect's secret arts? No matter how he racked his brain, one answer.
"...A traitor!"
Ho.
If there's a traitor, he might be useful later. Come to think of it, someone devised an effective plan against the Demonic Cult of the Demon God.
Couldn't recall the name.
"Not talking?"
"Nothing to gain from me."
"Then you won't die easy."
"Don't get cocky just because you won. I'm just a byproduct of the sect."
"I know. If it was just your level, I wouldn't have bothered."
The current plan was elaborate and grand, but Mukam's strength was laughably lacking compared to the demons Mujin had faced.
At least Nine Great Sacred Heavens level was expected, so a bit disappointing. Apparently not active at that level yet. Which proved the continent was defenseless.
"...Soon you'll follow me!"
"Admit defeat cleanly."
"...I lost, but the grand plan didn't fail."
"You guys never go quietly."
Loser's curse? Whatever.
Mujin handed him to the Demon King. Unsure how much he'd extract without restrictions, but worth trying.
Aaack!
Mukam was experiencing hell on earth. Knowing killing techniques and executing them were worlds apart.
"...Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye!"
Mukam couldn't hide his shock.
Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye, granted only to the Demon King in the sect. It neutralized all demonic killing arts.
How did this bastard learn it?!
Resistance was meaningless from the start. Mukam's mind and body crumbled instantly, defenseless. The more he writhed in pain, the more he withered like a dried branch.
Kraaaaaak!
Demon King, you cruel bastard!
How do you torture like that?
Mujin shook his head, and the Demon King grumbled.
-Says the one who tore off limbs.
'Mental pain hurts way more.'
Mujin had just casually torn limbs and crushed the dantian. Standard for enemies, right?
In contrast, the Demon King was methodically shattering the mind. Ahu! Horrifying! Anyone could see Mujin was less cruel.
Actually, losing limbs is better than mental destruction. He'd choose the former.
Fuss!
Mukam, unlikely to know much anyway, crumbled like dry twigs without fulfilling his duty.
Demonic Cult of the Demon God's cruelty. At least leave a trace if it's human, not turn to dust.
'Get anything useful?'
-Screwed.
'We won, how screwed?'
-Used self-destruct.
'What?'
-Black poison too.
'Damn it!'
Ah!
Experienced merchants don't panic easily due to numerous caravan trips. But the horror before his eyes was overwhelming.
'What now?'
He knew the risks of this caravan but joined because it was necessary. Still, he hadn't anticipated such a gruesome sight.
When casualties occurred from the raid, the Sword Emperor personally arrived with warriors. A nighttime ambush failing was natural. Raiders were strong, but not against one of the Twenty-One Swords of Shenzhou.
It was a split second.
As they lowered weapons, their bodies suddenly blackened, turning demonic. The Sword Emperor swiftly unleashed fearsome sword arts, but couldn't block all. Escaped demons charged madly, mindless.
As Namgung family warriors, escorts, and ronin tried to stop them, the tragedy unfolded. Cornered demons ignored life, rushed in, and exploded.
Sudden chaos; even prepared, impossible to block all. Sword Emperor and Great Lotus noticed early, minimizing damage.
People bursting like fireworks in a bloody mess shocked even the steadfast. A nightmare never to forget.
"Great hero, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Sorry I couldn't protect you properly."
"Nonsense, sir. Without you, I wouldn't be alive."
"Thanks. Mind cleaning up?"
"Yes, sir."
Bitter scene for the Sword Emperor.
They'd been alerted and guarded. No casualties should have occurred.
Conversation with Mujin resurfaced.
"Save after casualties?"
"Yes."
"I understand your intent, but it's not righteous."
"I don't cling to righteousness. Sacrifices are inevitable."
Namgung family, pinnacle of justice. Mujin's attitude irked him. Ignoring means for ends was demonic.
"I know your heart, elder. But soft-heartedness won't handle it."
"Still, walk the righteous path."
"If everyone was like you, the world view would differ. Shame."
"Change from now on."
But witnessing current reality, Sword Emperor wavered on choice. Hidden forces treated lives as tools. Sticking to righteousness against them—could they win?
No confidence process matters over results. Their world had no benevolence.
'What does heaven want?'
Even as Sword Emperor, no easy answer. Anxiety that these deaths weren't all. If family blood included, could he endure?
Heroes in chaos, but current flow seemed beyond even them.
Thud, thud!
Heavy steps. Namgung Yeonhwa showed utter fatigue.
Sudden black demons cost family warriors. Direct or branch, they bore Namgung blood. She had duty to protect.
"It's fine. No self-blame."
"All that bastard's fault! Should've warned earlier!"
"How can one foresee all? He left his child here. Can you blame him?"
"Sorry. Just angry! So angry!"
Namgung Yeonhwa knew Mujin wasn't at fault. But lost five more warriors. Watching acquaintances die was unbearable.
"Grow strong, like that boy."
"Hate to admit, but amazing father-son!"
Amid carnage, Taejin stayed calm. Especially detecting black demon self-destruction and reflexively shielding with sword energy—astonishing. Without him, worse damage.
Yukchil approached Taejin.
"You okay?"
"What?"
Despite people exploding into fragments, Taejin showed no emotional fluctuation. Maybe subconscious, but unshakable immovable mind felt.
"Haa, amazing. How'd you know?"
"Didn't."
Taejin sensed raiders' change fastest, blocked first. Beside him, Yukchil reacted after. Thought kid weird at first.
"Makes no sense?"
"Honestly, don't know. Just felt it. Became reality."
"Your father's training?"
"Not answering."
Wouldn't want to either.
Yukchil shocked differently. Realized that man's training no joke. Monster ability from teachings.
'Can't escape like this.'
Yukchil wanted to cry.