Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: The Last Technique of the Heavenly Qi Master
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“So, what do you plan to do?”
The Blood Demon set aside his thoughts and asked Blood Shadow. Blood Shadow fell silent for a moment before cautiously opening his mouth.
“By any chance, do you know the final martial art left behind by the Heavenly Qi Master?”
At Blood Shadow's question, a thin smile crept across the Blood Demon's lips.
“Wasn't it something you already knew I knew?”
Blood Shadow's eyes widened slightly at the Blood Demon's words. Knowing the Heavenly Qi Master's final martial art was certainly astonishing. But upon reflection, it wasn't all that surprising.
The martial art the Blood Demon had passed down to the Blood Demon Legion was created specifically to counter the Heavenly Qi Master's final technique. In other words, the Blood Demon had long known about that final martial art and the person who would master it and emerge.
“You want to learn it?”
Blood Shadow closed his mouth at the Blood Demon's question. Of course, he was curious. It was the very art mastered by Dan Hyeong-u, who had recently crushed the Ten Great Masters. But he had no intention of learning it.
“I just want to know what it is. I know full well that the art I've mastered is far superior.”
The Blood Demon chuckled at Blood Shadow's response.
“If you want, I can tell you. It's not difficult. But if you're thinking of learning it, I'd advise against it. It takes far more time than you might expect.”
“I know.”
No matter how exceptional Blood Shadow's talent was, he didn't delude himself into thinking he could easily master the Heavenly Qi Master's culminating essence.
The Blood Demon gazed at him and pulled a thin booklet from his bosom.
“Read it and burn it.”
Blood Shadow carefully accepted the booklet. The cover bore the words “Three Talents Art” in bold gold lettering. He steadied his trembling heart and tucked it into his bosom.
'But why does the Lord possess this?'
In truth, it made sense for the Blood Demon to have the Heavenly Qi Master's martial art. Only then could he create something that surpassed it. But how he had obtained it was utterly beyond guesswork.
The Heavenly Qi Master was no ordinary figure. He wouldn't handle his own creation so carelessly. If he'd left it as a booklet, he would have guarded it far more preciously.
'If it were me, I'd have kept it in my head.'
No matter how he pondered, he couldn't figure it out.
“Stop wracking your brain over it. I created that booklet myself. There's no reason the Heavenly Qi Master would leave something like that behind.”
Blood Shadow plunged into even greater confusion at the Blood Demon's words. That made it even stranger. How could the Blood Demon know a martial art the Heavenly Qi Master hadn't even recorded in writing—and detailed enough to compile into a book?
Blood Shadow shook his head in the end. He had no need to delve into such profound secrets. What he needed now was the Heavenly Qi Master's martial art and the awakening of the Blood Shadow Sword.
“I have one more request.”
“Speak.”
Blood Shadow hesitated before speaking with difficulty.
“I need Sa-yeong.”
“Sa-yeong?”
The Blood Demon's eyes sharpened. Sa-yeong was his true shadow. The Blood Demon's bodyguard who protected him from the darkness.
“What's the reason?”
“To awaken the Blood Shadow Sword.”
From those words, the Blood Demon could somewhat read Blood Shadow's intentions. But to relinquish Sa-yeong, he needed firmer confirmation.
“Explain in detail.”
“I plan to entrust the Blood Shadow Sword's awakening to Dan Hyeong-u. He's the only one who can do it right now. The problem comes afterward. To retrieve the Blood Shadow Sword again, I need someone who can move with utmost secrecy.”
The Blood Demon nodded at Blood Shadow's explanation.
“True. When it comes to stealth, no one surpasses Sa-yeong.”
The Blood Demon fell into thought. Was Sa-yeong truly necessary just to infiltrate a mere Henan Escort Bureau? It housed the Sword Demon and Sword King, plus Dan Hyeong-u, heir to the Heavenly Qi Master.
“The issue is Dan Hyeong-u. What do you make of him, Blood Shadow?”
“I have confidence I won't lose.”
A glint appeared in the Blood Demon's eyes. Blood Shadow's answer differed from expectations. Normally, he would have boldly declared victory. His restraint meant he held Dan Hyeong-u in high regard.
The Blood Demon knew Dan Hyeong-u was formidable. He even vaguely suspected Blood Shadow might not prevail. But he never imagined the gap would erode Blood Shadow's confidence so thoroughly.
“Is he that impressive? That Dan Hyeong-u, the Heavenly Qi Master's scraps?”
Blood Shadow fell silent for a moment at the Blood Demon's words. But facts were facts.
“Judging by results alone, he's no ordinary man. Especially that sorcery that transported him from Soju to Heochang in an instant—still unexplained. Too much remains hidden to predict rashly.”
“Ho. Is that so? That means there's a vast difference from what I know.”
The Blood Demon muttered and sank into contemplation. He'd intended to ignore Dan Hyeong-u for the time being. But now, with him holding the key to awakening the Blood Shadow Sword, a thorough investigation was essential.
“Tch. Already short-handed with the Bird-Rat Party... No helping it. I'll order the Bird-Rat Party to investigate him down to the last detail. No need for his past—just his current abilities in full.”
Blood Shadow bowed his head at the Blood Demon's command.
“Understood.”
“And...”
The Blood Demon paused. He'd decided, but issuing the order made him hesitate. Sa-yeong was the shadow ever at his side.
“No choice. Sa-yeong.”
As the Blood Demon called, a black shadow seeped out between him and Blood Shadow.
A man in ink-black robes—Sa-yeong. An aura of death emanated from his body. Only Blood Shadow could sense it.
A chill ran down Blood Shadow's spine. This was his third encounter with Sa-yeong, but the sensation grew stronger each time. He could never grow accustomed to this atmosphere.
“Aid Blood Shadow.”
At the Blood Demon's words, Sa-yeong lightly bowed and vanished. His ghostly lightness skill and stealth were beyond Blood Shadow's detection.
“Thank you for permitting it.”
Blood Shadow bowed deeply in gratitude, but the Blood Demon shook his head.
“Enough. The Blood Shadow Sword's power is essential now, so no choice. Don't move unless you're absolutely certain. Understood?”
“Understood.”
Blood Shadow answered and withdrew.
As Blood Shadow departed, the Blood Demon felt an odd emptiness. Sa-yeong, his constant guardian shadow, was gone. An inexplicable unease dampened his chest.
“Tch. Ridiculous imagination.”
Sa-yeong falling? An absurd notion. In direct combat, perhaps—but in stealth, no one in the world could best him.
“That's why he's the world's greatest.”
That was the Blood Demon's assessment of Sa-yeong.
Dan Hyeong-u's senses were always open. It was an ingrained habit he couldn't shake. Having lived under constant threat for so long, he could never fully relax them.
And that habit hadn't changed even in this far more peaceful place than his past haunts.
Dan Hyeong-u's senses focused most intensely on the Henan Escort Bureau's interior—the place he deemed most vital.
Less sharply but still distinctly, they spread across all of Heochang. Beyond the bureau, several places tied to him existed there, naturally.
In short, most events in Heochang couldn't escape his senses—if he cared to notice.
Deep into the night, Dan Hyeong-u stood motionless in his room, eyes closed. Unable to sleep lying down, he dozed standing. Though his body rested, his senses vigilantly monitored every corner of the bureau.
Late as it was, Jong Chil was still practicing his lightness skill. A few others chatted sleeplessly. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Dan Hyeong-u maintained his senses as he drifted toward sleep. Any anomaly would snap his eyes open instantly.
How much time passed? He detected people at Heochang's outskirts, hesitating to enter.
Normally, none of his concern. But the demonic energy they harbored demanded attention. They were demons.
Dan Hyeong-u opened his eyes. He glanced their way briefly before stepping out.
Blood Wanderer and Demon Bow fidgeted at Heochang's edge. They knew all too well how terrifying the man living here—Dan Hyeong-u—truly was. They'd experienced it firsthand. He was a figure even the Heavenly Demon, whom they most feared and revered, couldn't handle.
Blood Wanderer glanced back at the eight demons behind him with troubled eyes. They'd traveled in utmost secrecy, but reaching here was a life-risking gamble.
Five hailed from Heavenly Demon Citadel; three were unaffiliated. But all shared membership in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Damn it, that bastard Demon Illusion... what the hell does he expect me to do...?”
Blood Wanderer muttered irritably. Entering Heochang was forbidden. It was the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's law. Heochang was their holiest site. Only those who knew Dan Hyeong-u understood why.
Blood Wanderer and Demon Bow comprehended because of their knowledge of him, but the eight trailing demons still didn't.
'A god lives in Heochang? Ridiculous.'
All eight thought alike. They'd come precisely to receive power from that 'god' to escape the Golden Demon Art's curse. Yet none believed it.
“How long do we wait here? Shouldn't we enter Heochang and meet this god or whatever first?”
One demon finally spoke up. Blood Wanderer glared murderously.
“You plan to defy the cult's doctrine?”
“E-Elder! That's not—!”
Blood Wanderer was now an elder of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. These eight were handpicked by Demon Illusion. Though nominally cult members amid the tide, they didn't truly believe escape from the Golden Demon Art was possible.
They'd risked their lives here to prove it false.
A god existed in the world, dwelling in Heochang, granting immense power to free them from the Golden Demon Art? Absurd. And how to meet Heochang's resident without entering?
'Damn. Wait until he comes out? Who knows when?'
As the demons stewed in such thoughts, Dan Hyeong-u appeared before them.
“Gasp!”
The first to speak startled, sucking in a sharp breath at the sudden figure. But he was a demon. He thrust out a palm strike. Or tried to.
Crack!
“Guh!”
Blood Wanderer smashed the back of his head, nullifying the strike.
Blood Wanderer hurriedly hauled the lunging demon up, passed him back, and plastered a smile on his face.
Dan Hyeong-u nodded upon recognizing Blood Wanderer. He understood why Demon Illusion sent them—these were familiar faces, needing no verification.
Blood Wanderer bowed deeply to Dan Hyeong-u with utmost respect. Regardless of past events, Dan Hyeong-u was now the cult's god. The Demon God all demons must revere.
As Blood Wanderer bowed, Demon Bow hastily followed suit beside him. He sent a transmission to the gawking demons behind: Bow now!
The demons awkwardly bowed at last.
Demon Bow sighed inwardly and drew a round medallion from his bosom, intricately engraved with Asura's image. He split it in half and offered one to Dan Hyeong-u.
“We'll use this for proof from now on.”
Dan Hyeong-u nodded and accepted it.
“All ten of you here?”
Blood Wanderer nodded without losing his smile.
“Yes. Those to receive the divine grace this time.”
Dan Hyeong-u flicked his hand lightly.
“Cough!”
“Urk!”
In an instant, the ten demons' demonic arts shattered. Excluding Blood Wanderer and Demon Bow, the others gaped in horror, vomiting blood as they stared at Dan Hyeong-u. Impossible. Even the Golden Demon Art couldn't be so effortlessly demolished.
Only then did Blood Wanderer's words of exaltation ring true.
Dan Hyeong-u flicked his hand once more.
“Hah!”
With that simple gesture, pure demonic energy swelled within them. The demons trembled in uncontrollable ecstasy.
Pristine demonic qi. The purity they'd never achieve no matter their efforts now filled their dantians. And they finally grasped what escaping the Golden Demon Art truly meant.