Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Blood Wolf Pierce
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Boom! Crash! CRASH!
The sword energy coalescing around the Flying Swallow Sword erupted indiscriminately, laying waste to the surroundings.
“Damn it! Wang Cheon! Ju Seung! Secure the perimeter!”
“…Yes!”
As Hyang-i shot forward with a shout, Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Sakwol Squad fanned out, forming a circle around the battlefield.
It was a battle between a master and an even greater master.
With Neung Un-bi unleashing such a reckless barrage of sword strikes, the surroundings couldn't possibly remain unscathed. The inn had long since collapsed, and the buildings around it were beginning to shatter into pieces.
The problem was the people.
The scattered debris and fragments of broken sword energy were no different from hidden weapons. The onlookers, who had no connection to the martial world, could be injured by the projectiles shooting out in all directions.
Claaang!
“Kugh!”
Wang Cheon grimaced, clenching his jaw as he deflected the flying shards of the buildings.
But he didn't stop his sword.
The people could not be harmed. This fight could easily tarnish the reputation of the Demonic Cult—no, of Neung Un-bi—so they had to prevent any casualties with all their might.
Nearby, Un Hak, who had been blankly watching Neung Un-bi's valiant struggle against Jong Ri-gang, snapped back to his senses.
What was this pathetic display?
The members of the Demonic Cult, whom he had always condemned as wicked, were prioritizing the safety of the people, while he had been completely absorbed in the fight...
“…Limitless life to the Buddha.”
Muttering the Taoist prayer in repentance, Un Hak drew his sword.
Fwoosh!
As the hem of his robe whipped violently, a purple aura spread across his blade.
The essence of the Mount Hua Sect's martial arts, the Purple Mist.
Un Hak had drawn upon the secret art bestowed upon him by his predecessors, not to defeat an enemy, but to protect the people.
“Guard Captain Wang! I'll take this side!”
“...!”
Un Hak took his position and raised his sword high.
The upright sword seemed to split into many, filling the sky with a purple glow.
Then, Un Hak murmured softly and swung his sword down.
“…Descend.”
Krakoooom!
The swords descended in unison, blocking all the fragments flying toward Un Hak's position.
“Grand Steward!”
“…Hmph.”
Takchu's face twisted at Hogak's call.
He was asking what to do.
The Green Forest and the Demonic Cult.
Their approaches to the battle had become starkly different in an instant.
The Demonic Cult was fighting while protecting the people from harm, whereas they had made no move at all.
In the end, all the infamy would fall upon them.
But it was already too late to act. Since the Demonic Cult and the Mount Hua Taoist had moved first, they would merely look like they were following their lead.
Infamy…
What did it matter? It was a label they already wore.
“Hogak's men, hold your positions!”
“Yes!”
After giving the order, Takchu stared at the center of Neung Un-bi's relentless assault.
It was a terrifying display of martial prowess and destructive power.
Worthy of the title of the Demonic Cult Leader's disciple.
But his opponent was one of the few masters of Aura Force and a man known as the King of the Green Forest.
There was no way he could lose…
Boom! Crash! BOOM!
Within the unending storm of attacks.
Takchu's worried eyes caught sight of a small trajectory cutting through the dust.
The trajectory widened, revealing a figure that was deflecting every one of Neung Un-bi's attacks.
“Lord!”
At the sight, Takchu clenched his fists.
Of course. There was no way the King of the Green Forest, his own great brother, would fall to a mere brat's assault.
Clang! Clangclangclang!
The attacker and the defender.
The outcome of the long battle was beginning to show.
Neung Un-bi's attacks slowed at some point, and then stopped.
“Hah, hah… hah…”
Standing on the ground, his body heaving with each breath, Neung Un-bi let his sword hang limply. He looked like an empty husk, having expended everything.
“Hah… damn it… I poured everything into that… So this is what it means to be a master of Aura Force.”
As he let out an empty laugh, his eyes fell on Jong Ri-gang, emerging from the thick dust.
His hair was disheveled and flying wildly, and his muscular torso was visible through his tattered clothes.
But he didn't even stumble.
…I thought it was an opening.
I thought I had a real chance.
Jong Ri-gang looked at Neung Un-bi's dark expression, shouldered his staff—which was covered in nicks from deflecting the attacks—and spoke.
“That was quite impressive.”
“Fuck, praise at a time like this…”
“No, you deserve the praise. My hands are numb from blocking your attacks.”
“…”
Jong Ri-gang spoke to Neung Un-bi with an indifferent expression.
For some reason, his tone was softer than before.
But so what?
He had barely any internal energy left to draw upon. He had overdone it while consumed by the demonic energy.
That damned demonic energy. Once it takes hold, you really stop thinking about the consequences.
“To have such skill at your age… truly remarkable. Your master must cherish you.”
“Cherish? What cherish? He's always raising his fists at me.”
“Tough love, I'm sure.”
“Bullshit.”
Believing he had no way left to fight back, Neung Un-bi resorted to defiant cursing.
If he couldn't win with strength, he might as well win the war of words, right?
“Kid… very well. I acknowledge you.”
“Acknowledge me?”
“Yes. You were a worthy opponent.”
“...?”
At Jong Ri-gang's words, Neung Un-bi's ears perked up with interest.
Don't tell me... are you saying you'll spare me?
Hope began to sprout.
Right, great masters sometimes do that, don't they?
Saying something like, "Your skills are too great to kill," and showing mercy just once…
Ah, King of the Green Forest. Were you that kind of man?
I'm sorry. I misjudged you.
You're truly a magnificent…
Fwip.
“...?”
Just as a wave of emotion was about to wash over him, Jong Ri-gang took the staff from his shoulder and gripped it firmly.
Huh? What are you doing?
You're supposed to spare me… what's with that stance?
As Neung Un-bi blinked his wide eyes, Jong Ri-gang grinned brightly and said.
“You are strong enough to receive my ultimate technique.”
“…”
“I will pour everything I have into this one strike, so that you may die an honorable death.”
Neung Un-bi's mind went blank for a moment.
Of course. I was the fool for expecting mercy from a goddamn bandit.
Jong Ri-gang assumed a horse stance and gripped his staff horizontally.
Vroooom!
The staff began to tremble finely, letting out a low hum.
Soon, the hum grew into a roar like thunder, and a savage smile formed on Jong Ri-gang's lips.
“Blood Wolf Pierce. That is the name of the technique that will kill you.”
“…”
How kind of him. To even explain which technique he'll use to kill me…
Neung Un-bi forced himself to straighten up and looked at Jong Ri-gang.
The hand gripping his sword trembled violently. He could barely hold it, let alone swing it.
“Maid! That, that's…”
“I'll have to stop it. The Third Young Master's death would be… problematic.”
At Wang Cheon's words, Hyang-i gripped daggers in both hands.
She hadn't wanted to interfere for the sake of his honor, but death was not an option.
She had made a promise to the Cult Leader.
As Hyang-i prepared to leap between them, Takchu and Hogak, who had been watching, moved to block her path.
“Who said you could interfere!”
“What?”
“This is the King of the Green Forest's battle. We will not allow any interference!”
“These bastards…”
Seeing them block her path, a deep furrow formed between Hyang-i's brows.
Insignificant trash dare to stop me?
“Then try and stop me.”
“...!”
Swiiish... PAAANG!
Hyang-i's feet lifted lightly before slamming down on the ground, and as her torso, which had leaned back slightly, lunged forward, her figure shot out like a bolt of lightning.
It was the Bow Body Projection, pushed to its absolute limit.
“Hmph! As if I'd let you!”
But Takchu was not just the Grand Steward of the Green Forest; he was one of its eighteen masters.
He hadn't earned his position with his sharp mind alone.
“Hah!”
Takchu's hands seemed to touch his waist before shooting out with incredible speed.
Fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip!
The Coin-Dart Technique, which used coins as hidden weapons.
His signature martial art blocked Hyang-i's path.
“Tch!”
Hyang-i rapidly swung the daggers in both hands, deflecting the countless coins slicing through the air.
Clang! Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Damned bandit scum!
I'll spare you for now. I have to save the Third Young Master first.
But in that moment.
THUD!
Jong Ri-gang kicked off the ground and leaped, powerfully thrusting his staff.
“Damn it all!”
Spitting a curse, Hyang-i increased her speed even further.
Her figure broke through the rain of coins and leaped over Takchu.
But Jong Ri-gang's staff was faster than Hyang-i had anticipated.
She was an inch too slow. It seemed the staff would reach Neung Un-bi before she did.
Krakooooom!
“…”
In that instant, standing directly in the path of the oncoming staff, Neung Un-bi sighed.
The staff had vanished. No, it was moving so fast he couldn't see it.
It had to be thrusting straight toward him, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see it.
It seemed impossible to dodge. He might have been able to avoid it with the Three Nothings Footwork, but he had almost no internal energy left after his rampage fueled by demonic energy.
Fine, if I'm going to die anyway, I might as well die with dignity.
I've already died once. I'll just think of it as having lived a little longer to experience the Demonic Cult.
His resolve finally giving way to resignation, Neung Un-bi's hand dropped.
“Hey, you goddamn bastard! Did you train for nothing? Don't just look with your eyes!”
“...!”
Just as he had given up everything and was about to accept death, Hyang-i's voice rang in his ears.
He could faintly see her form, too.
Seeing her trying to get in front of him, she was clearly trying to block it.
…Should've done that sooner.
But it's too late now.
So you should stop, too. Everything is just a pain now.
Neung Un-bi didn't move a muscle, letting go of everything.
Facing death, everything seemed to slow down.
Hyang-i rushing in, the onlookers…
It seemed to be that time when one's life flashes before their eyes just before death.
But even then, he couldn't see the staff Jong Ri-gang had thrust.
Can a master of Aura Force at full power move faster than the flash of memories before death?
A laugh escaped him, and a sense of detachment filled Neung Un-bi.
But in that moment.
Unbelievably… he heard a sound.
A single sound.
Swiiiiiish!
The sound of something piercing the air grew closer and closer.
Th-this is...?
The moment the question formed in his mind, a hazy shadow began to appear before his eyes.
No, he didn't see it with his eyes.
The shape formed by his hearing was drawn vividly in his mind.
The tip of the staff, approaching his heart like a bright halo.
Swoop.
Neung Un-bi twisted his body instinctively.
It wasn't a conscious action. It was like instinctively cowering upon sensing a threat.
CRACK!
And the staff connected.
Not with his heart, but with his shoulder.
CLAAANG!
And just in time, Hyang-i's dagger intervened, striking Jong Ri-gang's staff away.
Even so, the impact was immense. Along with the feeling of his shoulder shattering, Neung Un-bi's body was sent flying as if struck by a giant's hammer.
Thud, CRASH!
He crashed into a nearby wall and slumped to the ground.
It hurt. His shoulder was hit, but his mind was going blank.
“Damn it all! Wang Cheon! Protect the Third Young Master!”
At Hyang-i's shout, who stood glaring at Jong Ri-gang with her dagger raised to block his path, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung quickly moved toward Neung Un-bi.
Meanwhile, Jong Ri-gang stared blankly at one spot, as if shocked by something.
His astonished gaze was not fixed on Hyang-i, who blocked his path, but on the fallen Neung Un-bi.
He… he dodged it? In that split second?