Chapter 215
Chapter 215
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon's Arrival
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When the three elders stepped forward, the warriors of the Orthodox Faction who had been chasing Neung Un-bi stopped at a considerable distance, watching them.
The warriors of the Waning Moon Squad, unable to approach due to Neung Un-bi's orders, also watched the confrontation with tense expressions.
How could they not be?
Neung Un-bi had already suffered severe internal injuries from his fight with the Sword Emperor.
Moreover, he was exhausted from the long and arduous escape, making it an unfair fight even if he were to face Hwangbo Mun-cheon alone.
But what could they say?
How could they interfere and disrupt their fight?
Everyone from both the Demonic Cult and the Orthodox Faction was watching.
Their interference would only tarnish Neung Un-bi's honor, so all they could do was watch the impending battle.
It was the same for Hyang-i.
Though she wanted to step in and help immediately, the situation was different now.
Very few within the Demonic Cult knew her true identity.
The Cult Leader, Yang Seon, a portion of the Shadow Guard, and the Waning Moon Squad.
Her identity could not be revealed to anyone else. If she were to reveal her power to help Neung Un-bi, this would be her last day in the Demonic Cult.
*Grit.*
Hyang-i gritted her teeth and watched the two men facing each other.
Neung Un-bi and Hwangbo Mun-cheon.
Their appearances were starkly different.
Hwangbo Mun-cheon was overflowing with confidence, while Neung Un-bi was growling low, looking for an opening.
“What are you hesitating for?”
“…”
“Hurry up and come at me.”
“Hmph, if you don't want to wait, you can come first.”
At Neung Un-bi's snarled reply to his urging, Hwangbo Mun-cheon let out a chuckle.
Truly a beast-like fellow.
His eyes, constantly searching for an opening, and his steps, treading the ground in silence, proved it.
But while he had a deadly agility, there was no weight to it. And what was with this disappointing form, riddled with openings?
“I thought you'd be a tiger cub, but were you just a petty wildcat?”
“…”
“If you're planning to hide your strength to make me careless, you're mistaken. I am not like the Sword Emperor.”
Hwangbo Mun-cheon sneered at him as if he could see right through Neung Un-bi's thoughts.
*What a joke.*
*He knows my intentions? He's not careless?*
*If that were true, he wouldn't be posturing like this, holding his power in check.*
The bastard wasn't making the first move because of his prestige and reputation. And if he wasn't being careless, he wouldn't have even mentioned giving me a chance in the first place.
A carelessness he himself is unaware of.
That was the opportunity I had to seize.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy.
Fist Emperor Hwangbo Mun-cheon, another sky.
To face such strength now, the power I had left was woefully insufficient.
But unlike the battles I've fought until now, I couldn't ask for help from others.
Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, the rest of the Waning Moon Squad, and Hyang-i.
Without them, I wouldn't have overcome the numerous obstacles, but this moment, I had to face alone. Otherwise, even if I succeeded in escaping, they would never forgive the damage I caused the Demonic Cult.
I don't believe in things like an honorable death, but right now, I had to make a stand.
That way, even if I died fighting, no harm would come to those left behind, or to the Cult Leader who tried to protect me against the opposing factions.
Neung Un-bi's gaze grew heavier.
There would be only one chance.
The chance to plunge my sword into his vital point.
But such a decisive opportunity wouldn't come easily.
No, Hwangbo Mun-cheon would never give such an opportunity away.
*Then… I'll have to force one!*
“Hoo…”
Neung Un-bi's breathing became low and shallow as he watched the Fist Emperor.
His slowly shifting eyes briefly rested on Hwangbo Mun-cheon's solar plexus.
A glance feigning concealment, just brief enough for Hwangbo Mun-cheon to barely notice.
Then, Neung Un-bi gripped the half-broken Flying Swallow Sword tightly. His pacing steps stopped, and he unleashed the Three Nothings Footwork.
The first move was light. The sword, concise.
*Pak!*
The unannounced attack aimed for Hwangbo Mun-cheon's solar plexus.
It was fast, but not so fast that Hwangbo Mun-cheon couldn't dodge, and a counterattack immediately flew back.
But it was all within my calculations.
Neung Un-bi retreated the moment he attacked.
*Twang!*
The energy from Hwangbo Mun-cheon's fist violently erupted in the air, echoing thunderously.
*Damn it…*
*He truly deserves to be called a sky. Just the brush of it was enough to make my insides churn.*
The wind pressure from a single light punch was like a fierce storm.
However, Hwangbo Mun-cheon's expression wasn't bright either. Neung Un-bi's figure was already far out of his range.
“This brat…”
A faint anger flickered in the eyes of Hwangbo Mun-cheon, who had swung at empty air.
But this was the Three Nothings Footwork, which they had struggled to catch even in the past.
On top of that, his training with Hyang-i, the transcendence of his senses, and the incomplete Tyrant's Asura Art had been added to the mix.
How could he possibly keep up with the Three Nothings Footwork, intentionally executed at a level several stages higher?
And the real play had yet to begin.
Neung Un-bi observed Hwangbo Mun-cheon once more.
*Flicker.*
His slowly shifting eyes stopped on Hwangbo Mun-cheon's philtrum.
Then his feet moved, and his sword shot straight out.
But this time, the sword was a feint; the real attack was a spinning heel kick.
Hwangbo Mun-cheon quickly bent his waist, then stomped the ground with his raised foot as if striking it.
*Kuuuuung!*
The powerful stomp caused the ground in a ten-zhang radius to sink before exploding, raising a thick cloud of dust.
When the dust settled, Neung Un-bi's figure, now revealed, was even farther away than before.
“You brat, what the hell are you doing?”
Neung Un-bi didn't answer Hwangbo Mun-cheon, simply continuing to repeat the same actions.
He'd look at his target, then charge. The moment his attack finished, he'd retreat before the counterattack could even begin.
At Neung Un-bi's actions, literally repeating hit-and-run tactics, Hwangbo Mun-cheon gritted his teeth, his anger showing.
But Hwangbo Mun-cheon still didn't attack first.
A fight watched by both the Orthodox Faction and the Demonic Cult.
He was still concerned with his reputation and prestige.
That's why Neung Un-bi was certain.
These seemingly meaningless attacks were working perfectly.
It was a futile repetition that couldn't inflict any fatal wounds on his opponent, but it would slowly be imprinted on Hwangbo Mun-cheon's mind.
Even if he knew that I was intentionally showing openings while looking for a decisive chance.
*Flicker.*
How many times had the simple attacks been repeated?
When Neung Un-bi's eyes stopped once more, a small smile appeared on Hwangbo Mun-cheon's lips.
*Pak!*
With a step forward, the tip of Neung Un-bi's sword shot out straight.
The solar plexus again.
But Hwangbo Mun-cheon's reaction was different from before. As if he had expected it, he charged toward Neung Un-bi, twisting his body.
“Brat! Did you think I wouldn't know you were aiming for my solar plexus! Did you think I would go easy on you forever!”
Hwangbo Mun-cheon dodged Neung Un-bi's sword, which was aimed at his solar plexus, and launched a counterattack.
His fist carried an immense fighting spirit, as if to incapacitate his opponent in a single blow.
In that desperate moment, a cold smile flickered on Neung Un-bi's lips.
*It has finally come.*
*The decisive opportunity I was waiting for.*
However, the price was his life.
The moment Hwangbo Mun-cheon's fist struck his body, Neung Un-bi squeezed out every last bit of his strength and shoved the Flying Swallow Sword into his body.
*Jjeo-eo-eong!*
“Keok!”
The pain was like being struck by a giant boulder. Neung Un-bi's body was thrown like a kite with its string cut, crashing to the ground.
“My lord!”
“Third Young Master!”
Hyang-i and the Waning Moon Squad simultaneously rushed towards Neung Un-bi.
“Knghhh…”
A single blow.
It felt as if every single bone in his body had been shattered.
The world seemed to spin.
He tried to get up, but his body wouldn't obey.
But, he had felt the sword connect.
Neung Un-bi searched for Hwangbo Mun-cheon with eyes that had lost their focus.
There he stood, tall and far away. The sword protruded from his chest, not fully embedded.
“Damn it… was it… too shallow?”
It was a shame, a terrible shame.
*It was the decisive chance… the last chance…*
In the end, that was his limit.
“My lord!”
Through his slowly closing eyelids, he saw Wang Cheon calling out to him.
“You can't stay here… run… hurry.”
Neung Un-bi muttered with a voice he barely managed to force out with his last strength.
“…Damn it, I apologize. I will accept punishment for this insubordination later.”
“…?”
“Maid, please take care of our lord.”
Wang Cheon entrusted Neung Un-bi to Hyang-i and turned around. Beside him, Ju Seung and the Waning Moon Squad formed a long line, creating a formation.
They intended to block Hwangbo Mun-cheon.
But it was futile. His attack had failed, and Hwangbo Mun-cheon's rage would surely pierce the heavens…
“Was this all you were aiming for?”
“…?”
Hwangbo Mun-cheon, who had been standing tall, pulled the Flying Swallow Sword from his chest with a vicious expression.
*Puhak!*
Ignoring the gushing blood, he watched Neung Un-bi, who was being helped up by Hyang-i.
“It was a trivial attack, but I'll admit you managed to anger me. However, there will be no second chance.”
Tossing the Flying Swallow Sword in his hand aside carelessly, Hwangbo Mun-cheon stepped toward Neung Un-bi's group.
Each step was heavy, and his presence was distinctly different from before. It was as if the entire world was pressing down on them at once.
“Maid! Go! Hurry!”
Wang Cheon shouted urgently, though he was thoroughly intimidated by the approaching presence.
Neung Un-bi, watching him, also tried to shout desperately.
*Run.*
*Save yourselves, at least.*
But something seemed to be blocking his throat, and no sound came out. His body wouldn't move either, due to the shock from Hwangbo Mun-cheon's fist.
“…I'm sorry.”
After hesitating, Hyang-i gritted her teeth so hard it made a sound and turned around.
“Do you think I'll let you escape!”
*Kuuuung!*
The earth shook with the single step Hwangbo Mun-cheon took.
Hwangbo Mun-cheon's figure, which had soared high into the air, descended upon them like an eagle diving for its prey.
“Waning Moon Squad, protect our lord!”
Wang Cheon's cry rang in Neung Un-bi's ears. In his blurring vision, he could see the members of the Waning Moon Squad, gritting their teeth and thrusting their swords forward despite being crushed by the immense fighting spirit.
This would be the end.
Against Hwangbo Mun-cheon, who had revealed his full power, Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Waning Moon Squad would be crushed helplessly.
Even though I swore revenge, even though I resolved to protect them.
In the end, I hated myself for being unable to protect anyone.
*If only I had been a little stronger…*
Though the accumulated despair burst forth as tears, further blurring his vision, Neung Un-bi forced his eyes open and watched the Waning Moon Squad.
To remember their final moments.
That was all he could do.
“You demonic kin who know no honor! I'll kill you all!”
*Kwakwakwa!*
Hwangbo Mun-cheon fell to the ground with his immense fighting spirit.
And in that fleeting moment.
A streak of light pierced through the space between Hwangbo Mun-cheon's fighting spirit and the swords extended by Wang Cheon and the others.
*Swiiish! Kwwaaaang!*
The intense shockwave created by the three energies shook the heavens and the earth.
Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the warriors of the Waning Moon Squad couldn't withstand the aftermath of the force and were sent flying in all directions.
“Keuk!”
Hwangbo Mun-cheon also clutched his fist and retreated a good distance.
And at the center of that clash stood a man, his blood-red robe fluttering in the wind, his sword held low—the Great Protector, Yang Seon.
“You are!?”
“It's been a while, Hwangbo Mun-cheon.”
Yang Seon gave a slight nod to Hwangbo Mun-cheon, who was glaring at him with a distorted expression, and then shouted powerfully.
“Heavenly Demon Spirit Squad, hear me! Protect the Third Young Master and those who have returned to the Demonic Cult!”
“Yes, sir!”
At Yang Seon's shout, the warriors of the Heavenly Demon Spirit Squad, who had appeared at some point, began to move busily.
“What is the meaning of this! You can't be unaware of what that brat did in the Orthodox Faction, yet you interfere! Are you bastards truly trying to start a war!”
Hwangbo Mun-cheon let out an enraged roar, releasing his fighting spirit, and the Orthodox Faction warriors also closed the distance as if in protest, but Yang Seon didn't answer. He simply sheathed his sword and stepped aside.
And in his place.
“War? If it's necessary, then we'll have one.”
With the fluttering Sun and Moon flag in the background, the ruler of the Demonic Cult appeared, uttering those indifferent words.
Along with the warriors of the Demonic Cult, who dyed the horizon black.