Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Qi Master's Martial Art
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“Then that martial art is the Heavenly Qi Master's permission, right?”
Moon Shadow nodded vigorously.
“Exactly. Whether it's the Blood Shadow Sword or the Thousand Flash, to peel back even one layer of their secrets, you need the Heavenly Qi Master's martial art. And not just any level—you have to master it to perfection.”
“The Heavenly Qi Master's martial art?”
Blood Shadow wore a troubled expression. Aside from the hundred secret weapons raised by the Heavenly Qi Master himself, no one else would know his arts.
“This is tricky.”
“Once you use it to peel back that first layer, the rest isn't so bad. Anyone can handle it after that. Just like the current Thousand Flash.”
Blood Shadow's eyes gleamed at Moon Shadow's words. He had heard that the Sword King's granddaughter now possessed the current Thousand Flash.
“So, does that mean anyone can use the Thousand Flash now?”
“That's right. It was his will. But what about the Blood Shadow Sword? Even for the unrivaled Blood Shadow, taking him on might be a bit much, don't you think?”
Blood Shadow knew exactly who Moon Shadow meant by “him”—Dan Hyeong-u. He was aware that Dan Hyeong-u was a highly dangerous individual, but he judged him as nothing more than someone to be cautious of.
“Is he really that impressive? It feels like you're underestimating me.”
A subtle aura rose from Blood Shadow's body. But Moon Shadow didn't even blink. The room they were in was Moon Shadow's domain—a place where even someone as formidable as Blood Shadow couldn't harm him.
“Hmm. No matter how I look at it, I can't believe you could kill one of the Ten Great Masters in a single move.”
Moon Shadow's words caused Blood Shadow's aura to vanish completely. He was right. No matter how exceptional Blood Shadow was, he couldn't slay one of the Ten Great Masters with a single strike. He hadn't witnessed it himself, but rumor had it that the Azure Dragon Sword had split a man in two with just a glance. That was a realm beyond human capability.
“It's just a rumor. You don't actually believe those exaggerated tales, do you?”
“Sure, just a rumor.”
Moon Shadow nodded, but deep down, he didn't fully agree. Having met Dan Hyeong-u in person, Moon Shadow vaguely sensed that his abilities were beyond imagination.
Noticing Moon Shadow's thoughts, Blood Shadow added,
“I could take on two of the Ten Great Masters at once. Blocking the True Heavenly Thunder is the same.”
“Of course. You're the genius among geniuses chosen by the Leader.”
Blood Shadow's face darkened.
“Mocking me? That's not like you.”
“Ah, don't misunderstand. I've never mocked you. That's my honest opinion. I know well that the only ones the Leader truly values are you, Shadow Night, and Thousand Shadow.”
“You should include yourself. You're the only one he's ever truly admired.”
Moon Shadow nodded readily.
“Maybe so. Anyway, I think I've told you everything I can. The rest is up to you.”
“Ugh. The Heavenly Qi Master's martial art... Not just some half-baked version practiced by random people, I assume?”
“Obviously. It has to be the one he arranged for those hundred to learn. Probably...”
Moon Shadow paused for a moment before continuing.
“...the Leader knows about it.”
Blood Shadow's eyes widened slightly.
“The Leader knows?”
“You know he created the arts he passed to the Blood Demon Corps targeting the Heavenly Qi Master's martial art, right?”
Blood Shadow was genuinely shocked. He knew the Blood Demon had crafted everything with the Heavenly Qi Master's arts in mind, but he never imagined he knew them inside and out.
“How does the Leader know the Heavenly Qi Master's martial art?”
Moon Shadow smiled faintly at the question.
“Who knows.”
Though Moon Shadow's reply was brief, it carried deep implications, but Blood Shadow didn't press further. At least now there was another path to obtaining the Blood Shadow Sword. But it was a long and arduous one.
Blood Shadow sighed and shook his head.
“Anyway, how do we confirm if the Blood Shadow Sword has awakened?”
Moon Shadow replied nonchalantly.
“They say when the Blood Shadow Sword awakens, the world drowns in blood.”
It was a chilling statement. Blood Shadow nodded, thinking it fitting for the name.
“I'll drop by again soon.”
With that, Blood Shadow left Moon Shadow's abode. Once outside, his body dissolved into mist like fog.
Moon Shadow watched him go, waving his hand a few times.
Scraaaape.
A faint sound like stone being scratched echoed softly. When it stopped, Moon Shadow's smile deepened.
“He probably won't be back anytime soon.”
Murmuring to himself, Moon Shadow drew the Moonfall Bow from his bosom.
“Heavenly Qi Master... Truly an extraordinary man. A genius so far beyond someone like me that I can't even touch his toes.”
The Moonfall Bow began to vibrate subtly, emitting a soft glow. The light seeped into Moon Shadow's dantian.
“Blood Shadow's overconfidence is his flaw. To think I'd be clueless. I was only repaying the Leader's grace for raising me all these years.”
The light from the Moonfall Bow faded. Moon Shadow tucked it away and muttered,
“But now, even that's lost its meaning.”
With a meaningful smile, Moon Shadow picked up the book on the table—the Heavenly Qi Formation Chart. It contained everything Moon Shadow desired.
In the Martial Alliance Leader's office, all the elders and key figures gathered around Dugun Un. They watched his lips with tense faces.
Dugun Un scanned the room before speaking quietly.
“Why don't we hear the plans you've prepared?”
The elders bowed their heads. They had no special strategies. The only option was to fight the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to the death, but in their current state, that was impossible.
With no one speaking, Dugun Un scanned the room again. His expression grave, he said,
“I've decided to reveal the Golden Demon Art.”
The room fell into stunned silence. The Golden Demon Art was what had made Dugun Un who he was. Publicizing it was akin to giving away everything he had. No one could do such a thing.
The elders and others were speechless in shock for a while. But soon, they couldn't help admiring the Leader's resolve.
“I-Is that true? You're really going to reveal the Golden Demon Art...?”
“What's there to hesitate about? I kept it secret before out of fear that if it fell into demonic hands, they'd unravel it and render it useless. But now, we have no such luxury.”
The room grew solemn at Dugun Un's words. While they fretted over personal gains and losses, the Leader was willing to stake everything to save the martial world from demonic clutches. As fellow martial artists—as leaders of the Alliance—it was shameful.
But shame aside, sect interests were sect interests. They couldn't unilaterally decide matters affecting their sects' survival.
“But if the Heavenly Demon has found a way to overcome the Golden Demon Art, won't revealing it be pointless?”
One elder asked cautiously, and Jegal Jung-cheon stepped forward. Dugun Un's role ended here; the rest was up to the strategist.
“The Golden Demon Art isn't something easily overcome. And even if there's a way, it won't work on all demons.”
The elders' eyes lit up.
“Then...”
“The force binding the demons together is their fear of the Golden Demon Art. Even if they overcome it, would they still cling to the Heavenly Demon?”
Everyone nodded. It made sense. Even without the Golden Demon Art's restraint, demons wouldn't unite. They'd just be harder to deal with individually.
“The Heavenly Demon created the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to brainwash them. So even after breaking free of the Golden Demon Art, they'll remain loyal.”
The elders' faces darkened as Jegal Jung-cheon continued. Stronger demons meant peril for all sects.
“But that won't happen overnight. It requires considerable time. Some demons may overcome it sooner, but they'll be few. The Heavenly Demon isn't foolish enough to mass-produce uncontrollable demons.”
Jegal Jung-cheon eyed the elders intently. Now came the real pitch.
“So, for now, release the Golden Demon Art to avert the immediate crisis. Then build our strength gradually, so we can triumph even if the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult unites all demons later.”
Heads nodded vigorously. After hearing this, the future seemed secure. Maintaining the martial world appeared feasible.
Jegal Jung-cheon glanced at them and continued,
“Ultimately, the Martial Alliance must grow stronger. For that, we desperately need each elder's support.”
The elders couldn't disagree. A stronger Alliance was concerning, but if their sect produced the Leader, it changed things. For now, they had to view it positively to deal with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“We'll do it. Mount Hua Sect will offer full support to the Martial Alliance henceforth.”
A Mount Hua elder spoke first, and the others quickly agreed.
Jegal Jung-cheon added,
“We need the Alliance Leader's Command Token.”
The elders' faces stiffened at “Alliance Leader's Command Token.” Recognizing it would vastly expand the Alliance's authority. But it allowed swift action in emergencies—a benefit impossible to ignore against a behemoth like the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Abusing the token would doom the Alliance.”
As one elder objected, Jegal Jung-cheon quickly added a condition.
“Limited to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
No one could oppose that.
The Alliance Leader's Command Token demanded absolute obedience once issued. A coalition of sects like the Martial Alliance had never accepted it before. But times had changed. It was essential now—at least against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Thus began a great reformation of the Martial Alliance.
After meeting Moon Shadow, Blood Shadow's worries deepened. As he had said, to harness the Blood Shadow Sword's power, he needed the Heavenly Qi Master's final creation—and mastered to perfection. Obtaining it now was nearly impossible.
“To perfection, no less...”
Even perfecting his current arts would take immense time. Without the Blood Demon discovering and raising him from childhood, it would be impossible.
Of course, Blood Shadow acknowledged that the Blood Demon's arts far surpassed the Heavenly Qi Master's. But the latter clearly held something unique.
“Ask the Leader, and he'd know?”
Blood Shadow was well aware the Blood Demon knew several of the Heavenly Qi Master's arts. But he needed the last one. It didn't make sense that the Blood Demon would know it.
“Yet Moon Shadow's words ring strangely true.”
Blood Shadow racked his brain but soon gave up with a shake of his head. More pressing issues loomed.
“Even if the Leader knows it, it won't help. No time to learn it. So, I need to entrust the sword to someone who has mastered it...”
There was only one such person now. Originally a hundred, but all gone except one—for reasons unknown. And that one was an immense powerhouse.
“Strong enough that even I can't guarantee victory? Hard to believe.”
Blood Shadow had received the Blood Demon's full backing: endless real combat, spirit pills like daily meals. That's how he became who he was. Plus, formations allowed faster growth than the Heavenly Qi Master's methods, though inferior.
“Right now, I could take on the entire Martial Alliance.”
Yet he lacked confidence against Dan Hyeong-u. That spoke to the man's strength. Still, Blood Shadow didn't think he'd lose.
“Sigh. Only one way left? But it'll require the Leader's permission.”
Blood Shadow shook his head gloomily. The Leader would approve. The issue was the method's difficulty. It absolutely required Shadow Night's power.
“Hate begging Shadow Night, but no choice.”