Chapter 53: Poison Demon, Jegal-hwi-8
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: Poison Demon, Jegal-hwi-8
The building was collapsing. The sanctuary Jegal-hwi had built was vanishing.
It was a foregone conclusion that Jegal-hwi would be overwhelmed in his fight against Namgung So-yeon. The gap in their realms was so vast that it wouldn't have been strange for the battle to end in a single breath.
Yet, Jegal-hwi stubbornly dragged out the time, and his persistence began to grate on Namgung So-yeon’s nerves.
"You're quite good at scurrying away like a little rat, aren't you?"
Though she was smiling, a thick vein pulsed prominently on her forehead.
Normally, Jegal-hwi might have offered a sarcastic retort, but now he was desperately weaving between pillars to evade her onslaught. He retreated into the building, triggering the hidden traps within.
These were defenses he had installed throughout the structure to repel invaders should the Black Sky Cult ever face the threat of occupation. Traps he had thought would never see the light of day were being unveiled one after another.
A trap that poured boiling oil when specific floor tiles were stepped on in sequence.
A trap that fired needles coated in lethal poison.
A trap that swung massive logs.
A variety of lethal weapons lunged at Namgung So-yeon from every conceivable angle. Some struck her directly, but she showed no reaction other than a slight furrow of her brow. If anything, she increased her speed, closing the distance to Jegal-hwi.
That was close.
Barely dodging her blade as it grazed his nose, Jegal-hwi yanked a hidden cord. A support pillar gave way, bringing the ceiling down upon Namgung So-yeon, burying her beneath the wreckage.
Dust and debris billowed from the collapsing structure.
"Huff... huff..."
Having narrowly escaped, Jegal-hwi gasped for air.
Cough, cough!
A sudden fit of coughing seized him, and blood stained his hands.
"I suppose... I pushed myself too hard."
The method for controlling Poison Qi that the Heavenly Demon had taught him was only effective when he wasn't actively using his Poison Arts. The more he drew upon his techniques, the more the poison eroded his own body.
—If you wish to live a long life, it would be best if you didn't use those Poison Arts.
The Heavenly Demon’s warning echoed in his mind. But did it matter anymore? Everything he had sought to protect was already crumbling.
"I know you're perfectly fine, Thunder Sword."
As he spoke toward the ruins, the debris suddenly erupted into the air with a thunderous roar.
"Was it that obvious?"
Namgung So-yeon replied nonchalantly, brushing the dust off her clothes. She was completely unharmed.
The only building left standing was the Palace of Sacrifice. While it also contained various traps, he couldn't lure the Thunder Sword there.
Namgung So-yeon was searching for the Young Sect Leader. Judging by her behavior, he didn't think she intended to kill him, but her motives seemed sinister.
I've used every trick in the book. What do I do now?
Defeat was certain even at full strength. Trying to stall the Thunder Sword any longer—with one arm gone and his body being consumed by poison—was nothing short of pure greed.
"You seem much stronger than what I heard from the Spirit Demon a few days ago... Have you achieved some new breakthrough?"
"Should I call it a shift in perspective?"
The Thunder Sword replied, resting a finger against her chin. Jegal-hwi narrowed his eyes at the ominous energy swirling around her body.
"Did you... use Qi Absorption?"
"Everyone seems to know a lot about Qi Absorption. Yes, that's right."
"For a member of the Orthodox Sect, who struts around claiming to uphold justice, to use Qi Absorption... how hypocritical."
"They were the lives of social dregs anyway. Isn't it more meaningful to use them like this?"
"The very fact that you are the one deciding that is the hypocrisy."
"Yes, yes. Talk all you want. Now, shall we go again?"
The Thunder Sword grinned as she took her stance.
"As long as Young Master Kang can be by my side, I am willing to sacrifice every living soul under heaven."
Gripping her sword, she prepared to strike. It was clear she intended to end him with a single, merciless blow.
Jegal-hwi also took his stance, summoning the last of his strength. Blood welled from his open wounds, and his limbs trembled uncontrollably.
"I will never... let you have the Young Sect Leader."
He, too, flashed a faint grin. It was the first time Jegal-hwi had smiled since facing Namgung So-yeon.
"To think you dared to intimidate Young Master Kang and install him as the Young Sect Leader of such a filthy place... I truly cannot forgive you!"
Flash!
Namgung So-yeon kicked off the ground, lunging at him like a bolt of lightning.
Jegal-hwi lost sight of her for a split second, but as her blade reached his chest, he shifted his weight and took the blow with his shoulder.
Stab.
The sword pierced through his body. Ignoring the agonizing pain radiating through him, Jegal-hwi grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.
Crunch, squelch.
The sword embedded in his shoulder dug even deeper.
"Ugh...!"
Jegal-hwi continued to pull her arm, slowly closing the distance between himself and Namgung So-yeon.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Perhaps disgusted by his actions, Namgung So-yeon asked with a deep scowl. Jegal-hwi screamed, burning away the very last of his life force.
"Poison Wave!"
A burst of grey smoke erupted from deep within Jegal-hwi's body.
*
The vibrations overhead stopped.
When the tremors that had lasted for hours finally ceased, Yeonhwa, who had been cowering in fear, looked around.
"Young Sect Leader, I think it's over."
I knew our Black Sky Cult was amazing!
Watching Yeonhwa hop around in excitement, I felt some of my own tension melt away.
"Everyone will be here soon, so let's wait just a little longer!"
Having fully regained her courage, Yeonhwa beamed at me.
"Yes, I'm glad it ended safely."
It was unlikely they had repelled the invaders without any casualties. Once I got out of here, I planned to hold a memorial for the cult members who died protecting the sect. I would build them proper graves and offer a moment of silence.
I was busy thinking about what to do after leaving the shelter.
Thud!
The sound echoed again. It was the sound of the secret door opening.
Rumble...
The door to the shelter slid open, revealing a dark corridor.
A figure that looked like a woman stood in the hallway. Her face was obscured by shadows. Yeonhwa ran toward the corridor in delight, but a strange sense of unease washed over me, and I tried to stop her.
"Yeonhwa... wait..."
Thump.
Yeonhwa’s head fell to the floor.
Her body, which had been running forward, collapsed limply.
"Yeonhwa?"
I couldn't even think of moving closer to check on her; I could only stammer her name.
"Ah... Young Master Kang."
The person standing in the corridor moved. She reached out, picked up Yeonhwa’s head, and held it high.
Drip... drip...
Blood fell from the severed neck.
As if craving falling fruit juice, she opened her mouth and let the droplets fall inside.
After a few minutes, she tossed Yeonhwa’s head against the wall as if it were now useless. The head shattered into pieces upon impact with the stone.
The strength left my legs, and I slumped to the floor.
A pair of eerily glowing golden eyes glared at me as she approached.
"I barely managed to find you, thanks to the sound of you calling for me so desperately. Hehe..."
The monster took my hand and rubbed it against her face. Her name was...
"Good So-yeon is here."
It was Namgung So-yeon.