Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Dark Clouds (3)
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‘He’s dangerous.’
Gyo Gang-cheon instinctively realized that Jeok Sa-goeng had taken a step forward.
Seamless Garment, or the Narrow Path to Heaven's Edge.
The terms changed with the era, but the meaning always remained the same.
An ascension from the human realm, blossoming into a new domain.
As he sensed Jeok Sa-goeng approaching that state, an alarm bell rang in Gyo Gang-cheon's mind. His entire body tensed, a chill running down his spine.
And yet, for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration.
He even felt a sense of relief.
‘If that one-legged cripple or the one-armed fool had come, they would've surely lost.’
Neither the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon nor the Heaven-Bearing Asura could ever defeat the Jeok Sa-goeng of this moment.
The Incinerator or the Crow, with their bodies intact, could put up a decent fight.
‘As for me, or that bastard Yama… we could win.’
Hadn't even Lü Dongbin failed to reach the state of Seamless Garment, ascending to immortality only with the help of a deity?
Gyo Gang-cheon gauged Jeok Sa-goeng's martial prowess and slowly pressed his attack.
He didn't know what kind of enlightenment Jeok Sa-goeng had attained, but Gyo Gang-cheon decided he had to eliminate him here and now.
He was certain that letting him go would mean unleashing a warrior capable of confronting the Eight Evils.
The look in Gyo Gang-cheon's eyes changed entirely. The shift was so pronounced that even Jeok Sa-goeng, lost in his trance-like state, could feel it.
If it had been mere play until now, from this point on, it would be a dance of death, each move meant to kill.
Gyo Gang-cheon straightened his bent knees and charged.
*CRACK!*
The ground crumbled as a dozen trees came crashing down. Borne by that speed, his sword swung mercilessly toward the crown of Jeok Sa-goeng's head.
But Jeok Sa-goeng did not lose his composure. No, he became even faster.
*CLANG-CLANG-CLANG…!*
The tip of the Ink-Stained Spear struck Gyo Gang-cheon's sword from a different angle every second, faster than before.
The thrusts were so piercingly sharp that had Gyo Gang-cheon not been cloaked in sword energy, his blade would have shattered in a single exchange.
As their concentration reached its peak, Jeok Sa-goeng's left foot twisted in a peculiar direction.
“…!”
*POW!*
Using his spear as a brace, Jeok Sa-goeng vaulted two, three steps in an instant and slammed a kick, heavy with immense internal energy, into Gyo Gang-cheon's chest.
At the same moment, Gyo Gang-cheon's sword sliced through empty air.
“Kuh.”
Blood trickled from between Gyo Gang-cheon's lips. But Jeok Sa-goeng's own external injuries were severe.
“…Ugh!”
Even though the sword had cut through nothing but air, the blade energy and sharp aura surrounding it had shredded the skin on Jeok Sa-goeng's fingers.
The pain was so intense that even a slight breeze made him clench his teeth.
Yet, an ecstasy that burned away even that pain was searing through Jeok Sa-goeng's mind.
‘Just a little more.’
‘Just a little faster!’
A realm higher than any he had aimed for his entire life was right before his eyes, almost within reach.
If he could just extend his spear a little further, he could touch it.
A realm that would put him on par with the Gyo Gang-cheon he had admired as a child!
Though his muscles screamed, Jeok Sa-goeng did not stop his spear.
It was only natural that one of his arms swelled to a purple hue, the tissue beginning to die.
But the continuous stream of thoughts and epiphanies was enough to dilute the pain.
“You're having the time of your life, aren't you!”
Gyo Gang-cheon pulled his right shoulder back, retrieving his sword. The Ink-Stained Spear had struck the edge and body of the sword so many times that the engraved characters, 'Never Forget,' were gradually wearing away.
It must be a ploy to shatter his sword and subdue him.
Gyo Gang-cheon thought Jeok Sa-goeng was being quite arrogant. Perhaps it was a natural arrogance born from pioneering a new realm.
The realm Jeok Sa-goeng was ascending to was that of a War God among immortals. It was a state worthy of being called a god of battle.
If only he had time to contemplate his enlightenment, he would be reborn as an absolute master.
But that was not what Gyo Gang-cheon wanted. He was the type who preferred to snap a budding sprout rather than protect it.
“How unlucky for you.”
“…?”
“If anyone else had come instead of me, you might have survived.”
With those words, Gyo Gang-cheon erased the smile he had been wearing. He stopped seeing Jeok Sa-goeng as the little kid he had met long ago.
That was then, and this is now.
A bitter smile formed beneath the mask Gyo Gang-cheon wore.
“It's time for you to go.”
At his words, Jeok Sa-goeng tensed his entire body. But it was already too late.
“Die.”
*Shlick!*
Gyo Gang-cheon's sword sliced through the Ink-Stained Spear and, in an instant, pierced through his right hand.
The concentration that had been so heightened shattered in a moment, and Jeok Sa-goeng was consumed by regret.
To have come so close to an untrodden realm, only to die the moment he saw hope!
The attachment to his martial arts and his bitter disappointment mingled as Jeok Sa-goeng screamed inwardly.
It was then.
A man in blood-soaked robes arrived.
* * *
*BOOM! RUMBLE!*
Hearing the thunderous roars from the distance, Ouyang Jue frowned.
“Don't tell me.”
Was Jeok Sa-goeng already fighting someone?
Having already cut down over a hundred robed figures, Ouyang Jue's stamina was gradually draining.
If he fought his way there, he would surely be exhausted.
With that thought, Ouyang Jue pushed aside the robed figures and unleashed his movement technique at full power.
His skin was occasionally torn by branches, but he paid it no mind. There was simply not enough time.
After about a quarter of an hour had passed, just as he felt he was getting close…
Someone blocked Ouyang Jue's path.
“Demonic Doctor…!”
“You know me?”
The Demonic Doctor's lips curled into a mocking smile.
“We've never met face-to-face. How strange.”
“…”
At those words, Ouyang Jue realized his mistake.
But the Demonic Doctor's reaction was unusual.
“If you want to pass, answer a few questions.”
“And why should I?”
“I don't mean to brag, but I'm confident I can hold you here for more than a quarter-hour. Care to try?”
It was a flat, dry voice, devoid of confidence or bravado, but the Demonic Doctor was more than capable of it.
He might even call the other members of the Eight Evils and make things more troublesome.
Thinking this, Ouyang Jue clicked his tongue and asked.
“What do you want to ask!”
“What is Liu Zhangming's current level?”
“…”
“And just so you know, if I sense the slightest hint that you're about to lie, I'll retract my offer.”
“He's about the same as me.”
A strange smile appeared on the Demonic Doctor's face.
“Is that so. Then one more question.”
“Hurry up and ask!”
“Your martial arts… did you receive help from Liu Zhangming?”
“A little.”
He had mastered most of it through his own training, but he had also gained considerable insight from sparring with Liu Zhangming.
More importantly… Ouyang Jue inwardly scoffed at the Demonic Doctor.
‘I didn't lie. Let's see you stew on that for a while.’
“I thought as much.”
Mumbling to himself, the Demonic Doctor turned and cleared the path.
“You may go.”
“…Really?”
“A sorcerer's words carry power. To lie is akin to self-harm. Do you think I would take such a risk just to deceive you?”
Ouyang Jue felt a flash of anger at the Demonic Doctor's somewhat condescending tone.
But he couldn't afford to waste time here.
As Ouyang Jue hurriedly used his movement technique and vanished, the Demonic Doctor, left alone, wore a chilling expression.
* * *
At Ouyang Jue's sudden appearance, the tip of Gyo Gang-cheon's sword paused for a moment.
A moment shorter than an instant.
Jeok Sa-goeng instinctively executed the Descending Dragon Thrust and retreated.
Although blood was pouring from his right hand, it wasn't a situation from which he couldn't escape.
Watching him, Gyo Gang-cheon burst out laughing.
“Even with your beloved weapon and arm cut up, your will to live is as strong as ever. I envy you.”
“…Grrr.”
While Jeok Sa-goeng pressed his acupoints to stop the bleeding, Gyo Gang-cheon's gaze turned to Ouyang Jue.
“Who are you, kid?”
“You have a long tongue for someone who dares trespass on Mount Hua.”
Gyo Gang-cheon looked dumbfounded at the remark.
“In the old days, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua would have rushed over, kowtowed, and apologized. Times have certainly changed.”
“Who are you to speak the Sect Leader's name so lightly?”
As they spoke, Ouyang Jue infused internal energy into his Diamond Fist-Seal Armor.
But he couldn't sense a trace of demonic energy from Gyo Gang-cheon. Instead, a clear energy, similar to the internal energy of the Taoist arts, veiled his entire body.
In terms of internal energy alone, he was about twenty percent of the other members of the Eight Evils; he could be considered the weakest among them.
‘But why…’
Ouyang Jue felt that Gyo Gang-cheon was far more dangerous than the Black Dragon or the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon.
A sharp aura, keener than the Severing Manifestation, seemed ready to slice his neck at any moment, constricting his entire body.
Seeing this, Gyo Gang-cheon gave a small nod of approval.
“You may be young, but you're quite wise.”
“…?”
“If you had moved, I would have killed you.”
The usual Ouyang Jue would have sneered, "You kill people with your mouth?"
But this time was different.
He had keenly realized from Gyo Gang-cheon's presence that he was a master fully capable of doing so.
Ouyang Jue's lips parted slightly.
“Are you also one of the Eight Evils?”
“I am Gyo Gang-cheon, the Sword Demon.”
It was a title he had never heard before, so Ouyang Jue could glean no information from it.
However, he did notice the man's immense confidence.
He was the first of the Eight Evils to reveal his name without being asked or exposed.
Ouyang Jue's gaze shifted to the sword Gyo Gang-cheon held.
‘Never Forget…?’
Judging by the characters alone, it was a very human phrase.
To never forget one's partner, wasn't that something a man who had lost his wife would engrave on his sword!
As Ouyang Jue was cautiously observing him, Gyo Gang-cheon let out a big yawn.
“So, what's your plan?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you're going to fight, then fight. Just make up your mind.”
Ouyang Jue pondered for a moment.
He wasn't afraid of fighting Gyo Gang-cheon. A quick glance showed that Gyo Gang-cheon's sword was also heavily damaged.
If he were to fight, now was the opportune moment. But he would have to half-give up on saving Jeok Sa-goeng's life.
‘I don't like that.’
Just because he fought the Eight Evils didn't mean he had to become like them.
So, what was the way out of this situation?
Having made his decision, Ouyang Jue said something unexpected.
“Run while I'm giving you the chance.”
“…What?”
Gyo Gang-cheon was beyond baffled; he felt a surge of emptiness.
Daring to tell him to run? What was that supposed to mean?
As Gyo Gang-cheon's eyes grew menacing, Ouyang Jue said nonchalantly.
“I said, run.”
“You think I will?”
“…Hah!”
Ouyang Jue continued with a shameless expression.
“Do you know who I am?”
With that, Ouyang Jue released all the internal energy he had accumulated.
It was the Purple Mist Aura, which had surpassed a full sixty-year cycle of cultivation after he consumed the Small Purple Spirit Elixir, various other fortuitous elixirs, and the spirit pills from the Sword Immortal's Cave.
How common could a warrior with such profound internal energy be?
Ouyang Jue placed his hands on his hips and put on a haughty expression. Then, he used someone else's name.
“I am Jin Mu-wol.”
-What are you talking about?!
Jeok Sa-goeng's telepathic message, filled with extreme panic, pierced his ears. But Ouyang Jue didn't stop.
“I knew you had entered Mount Hua long ago. Soon, all the forces of the Mount Hua Sect will be upon you.”
If he knew Jin Mu-wol, he would be wary. If he didn't, he would be confused by the appearance of a master he hadn't known about.
Either way, he thought it would restrain Gyo Gang-cheon's actions.
“No matter how great a Sword Demon you are, do you think you can defeat me and the entire Mount Hua Sect?”
But Gyo Gang-cheon, who had been listening silently, gave a strange smile.
“You don't know my name, but you know the name Jin Mu-wol?”
Rather than answering directly, Ouyang Jue played dumb, giving away no information.
“Hmph! If I and the warriors of the Mount Hua Sect attack together, not even you will escape unscathed!”
“To think Jin Mu-wol is still alive… surprising.”
Gyo Gang-cheon's gaze flickered back to Jeok Sa-goeng.
Then, a mischievous voice escaped his lips.
“That one won't be able to live as a warrior anymore. Perhaps I should just crush the Mount Hua Sect while I'm at it?”
“You bastard!”
As Gyo Gang-cheon seemed ready to fight, Ouyang Jue couldn't hide his anxiety and roared.
Seeing that, Gyo Gang-cheon chuckled.
The attempt to drive him away with such a clumsy deception was almost cute, and the fact that this Jin Mu-wol was alive created a sense of unease.
In terms of danger, he would be at least above Jeok Sa-goeng.
If he were alive and had never stopped training, he would have reached a level of martial prowess nearly equal to the Eight Evils.
Then, Gyo Gang-cheon looked at the rising sun, realized it was time to return to the cave, and clicked his tongue once.
“Alright, alright. I don't want to see that Crow bastard succeed anyway, so I'll just leave.”
Gyo Gang-cheon turned his back and sheathed his sword.
“If you want to challenge me, come find me in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.”
“…”
“But next time, I won't let you get away with tricks like this.”
Ouyang Jue remained vigilant until Gyo Gang-cheon disappeared, then hoisted Jeok Sa-goeng onto his back and headed for the Mount Hua Sect.