Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: The Divine Demon (4)
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“You possess quite an interesting energy… I was sure I'd smashed your head in.”
As if savoring the lingering sensation, the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon clenched and unclenched his fist.
Seeing this, Nameless's face twisted horribly, but he didn't charge forward, consumed by rage.
The single exchange moments ago had made him realize his own abilities were lacking compared to the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon.
Besides, he wasn't alone, was he?
Seeing Wi Jin-cheon's complexion ease slightly, Nameless clicked his tongue.
“Some of us are fighting our asses off, but that disciple of his...”
At those words, Ouyang Jue's expression hardened.
When he had dispelled the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's technique, he thought Nameless had it easy, but now he could hear a slight tremor in his voice.
This wasn't good. If the Fist Star, who had made a name for himself in the martial world, was defeated in an instant, morale would plummet.
Ouyang Jue's lips twitched.
-Is he strong?
-Yeah.
Was it because he was forced to recall the dizziness he had been trying so hard to push away?
Nameless's shoulder trembled slightly.
-Beyond imagination. Damn it, I was secretly looking down on those Shaolin monks, but how could they...!
-The martial artists here are formidable as well.
-Hmph.
Nameless snorted in response.
-I'd rather face the combined attack of the subjugation squad than fight that bastard. I've never met someone so hopeless to deal with.
As he spoke, Nameless recalled the Omniscient One's words.
That the Heavenly Escape Mind-Heart Arts were created to fight the Eight Evils, and that they had been confined to Heavenly Martial Peak to keep them hidden from the martial world.
‘Damn it... if only some idiot hadn't broken the rules.’
The internal energy of the Heavenly Escape Mind-Heart Arts lost back then was equivalent to over a hundred years' worth, wasn't it?
Nameless looked at the triumphant Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon, feeling a pang of regret.
If he had that internal energy, he could have had a good fight even against a monster like that.
‘If only that were possible.’
As the brief thought crossed his mind, heat seeped into Nameless's breaths.
The battle against a powerful foe he had always dreamed of was right before his eyes.
Even if it was a demon impossible for a human to face, it was still the kind of formidable opponent Nameless had dreamed of.
No, that's precisely what made it worthwhile.
For martial arts only truly shine when there is someone worthy to receive them.
A clear aura of power began to gather around Nameless's fist.
Ruuuumble...
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon frowned at the internal energy of the Heavenly Escape Mind-Heart Arts, which was purer than the energy of nature itself. But below his frown, a faint smile played on his lips.
“What fine energy.”
Even as Peng Tianyu and the subjugation squad closed in on him, the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon kept his eyes fixed on Nameless.
Amidst it all, Ouyang Jue was in an ambiguous position.
He had no experience coordinating attacks with the subjugation squad, nor did he have any intention of fighting the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon in close combat like Nameless.
Hadn't his Sect Leader, Bai Duanxian, told him?
Don't get hurt.
Don't forget you are a Taoist of the Mount Hua Sect.
‘...Difficult words to follow.’
Ouyang Jue closed his eyes for a moment, thinking.
Not getting hurt while facing the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon was practically impossible, and as a Taoist of the Mount Hua Sect, he could not retreat from a demon.
A strange smile appeared on Ouyang Jue's face.
He had struggled desperately to defeat the strong many times in his past life, and he had won as a result.
If he had made even a single mistake, he would have died as a nameless grunt, let alone a master.
Through that process, Ouyang Jue had realized what his greatest strength was.
It was his ability to fight dirty.
And the audacity to execute the plans he endlessly devised.
When Ouyang Jue's eyes opened again, a pebble the size of two finger joints was already in his hand.
‘That leg.’
Ouyang Jue's gaze shifted to one of the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's legs.
‘He said he would collect a debt from me.’
It didn't look particularly unusual on the outside, but the inside might be a different story.
Otherwise, there was no reason for him to use a perfectly fine leg to play mind games.
Even if that wasn't the case, it would still be an annoying distraction for the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon.
Watching for an opening, Ouyang Jue took a breath.
“Hoo...”
Unseen by anyone, he threw the pebble in his right hand with all his might.
Pang!
The pebble, imbued with Purple Mist True Energy, shattered the air, tearing it to shreds. The terrifying force created a shockwave as it flew toward the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon.
“...Tch!”
Clicking his tongue, the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon swung his left palm forcefully.
It was a completely unexpected move, but his intention was to use it to deal with Nameless in front of him and the formation that was gradually closing in.
But Nameless's reaction was faster.
“Where do you think you're going!”
Thud!
As the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon seemed to falter back for a moment, Nameless executed a kicking art and pressed forward.
At the same time, his left foot stomped down hard. It shattered the ground beneath the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon, trying to throw him off balance.
‘Cheap tricks.’
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon mouthed the words silently.
Every single one of them is at the peak. No, beyond it.
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's eyes narrowed.
‘These trash-like bastards...!’
He still had a long way to go to kill the crow, so why were these insects trying to stop him?
If he explained the situation and asked them to step aside, they might easily comply.
It was a sweet temptation they would have no reason to refuse, as it was a good opportunity to uncover the identities of the other Eight Evils and weaken each other's power.
But the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon clenched his jaw. His pride and self-respect would not allow it.
“Come at me!”
Grrrroooowl-!
The demonic energy released by the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon took shape, letting out the roar of a tiger.
“...Kgh.”
Even the subjugation squad, standing at a distance, let out groans; one could only imagine how it was for Nameless, who stood directly in front of him.
But surprisingly, Nameless's expression was perfectly calm.
Shhhk.
He was pushed back by the tyrannical shockwave, but that was all.
Nameless grinned and extended his right fist forward.
“When all else fails, you resort to barking now?”
“...You bastard!”
Kwaang!
The fist Nameless thrust out shattered the air and vanished for an instant.
He had once called it a punch that had reached the pinnacle of its art. Ouyang Jue fidgeted with the pebble in his right hand, watching the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon.
The subjugation squad, realizing it was time to tighten their pincer formation, stealthily advanced.
To ensure a perfectly coordinated attack, Peng Tianyu used hand signals to time their approach.
Just then, the sky rumbled.
Ruuuumble...!
“...Hoo.”
Feet light as if gliding over the ground, fists heavier than Mount Tai.
Nameless exhaled sharply and glared at the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's face.
A mix of weariness and irritation, anger directed at someone other than himself.
Nameless sensed that the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon had business elsewhere.
“Are you in a hurry?”
“Foolish words.”
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon muttered in a low voice, fidgeting with his fingers.
Some might think he was preparing a technique's opening stance, but...
Nameless's gaze went to the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's bulging muscles. The intricately woven veins throbbed.
In the instant he blinked, the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's extended ring finger shot toward Nameless's vital points.
...Ping!
Like an arrow released from a bowstring, the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's single strike unfolded at a speed never seen before.
A move he proudly called the Soul-Stealing Finger.
It was an ultimate technique that didn't use demonic energy, a strike impossible to avoid for anyone trapped by the preconception that he was one of the Eight Evils.
Nameless's expression hardened.
“You bastard!”
Nameless roared and circulated the Heavenly Escape Mind-Heart Arts. He didn't know what that attack was, but it was already too late to dodge. He had to block it with a protective aura formed from his immense internal energy.
But for some reason.
Craaack!
Like porcelain shattering on the floor, the protective aura Nameless had created broke apart without any resistance.
Peng Tianyu, who had held a subtle trust in Nameless, watched with his mouth agape.
“Fist Star!”
As if that word were a signal, the subjugation squad charged at the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon, maintaining their pincer formation.
In that instant, Ouyang Jue's right hand swung.
Shwaaa... Pang!
The pebble, imbued with Purple Mist True Energy, flew in a straight line toward the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's temple.
“You're annoying in every way!”
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon gave up on piercing Nameless's neck and struck the pebble instead.
Psssssh-
The pebble disintegrated into dust. In that brief moment, Nameless took half a step back and calmed his breathing.
In that touch-and-go situation, was Ouyang Jue the wisest of them all?
‘After this is over... I'm going to be teased.’
Seeing Ouyang Jue's smiling eyes, Nameless flicked his wrist.
If he focused his mind and fought from now on, he wouldn't allow such a futile exchange again.
Besides, hadn't he always dreamed of a situation like this?
For an instant, Nameless's figure seemed to melt into his surroundings and disappeared.
“...!”
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon, expecting a surprise attack from Nameless, moved his eyes sharply.
But the situation had changed now.
Shnk!
Peng Tianyu, who had been conserving his strength and observing the situation, realized the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's might and had ordered the subjugation squad forward.
Because of this, the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's movements became more frequent and complicated. At times, he had to waste demonic energy to block a stray blade.
There were a few who were particularly annoying.
Pang!
The moment they saw an opening, they would throw a pebble to harass him, and even if there wasn't one, they would relentlessly throw them at his feet.
If the angles had been clumsy, he could have used it against them, but both Ouyang Jue and Liu Zhangming were repeating the act over and over from atop the giant trees.
“Cowards!”
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's fury erupted, forming a spear of demonic energy that shot out. But Ouyang Jue simply drew Severing Manifestation, parried it easily, and went to pick up another pebble.
What truly turned the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's stomach were the words that followed.
-I am merely a selfish person, but you Eight Evils seek to disrupt the very foundation of the Central Plains.
-Annoying... Will you not shut up!
-Well, I can't say I'm justice.
Ouyang Jue smiled thinly.
-Let's say you are the Great Evil, and I am a Lesser Evil. Wouldn't it be better for the latter to win?
Ouyang Jue's right hand swung lightly.
It wasn't meant to harass the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon; it was just a simple throw.
However, the target was in extremely poor taste.
-Oh, my. It seems demons don't have those.
-Are you... trying to insult me right now?!
Liu Zhangming, completely unaware of this conversation, saw the pebble fall between the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's legs and let out a snort of laughter.
Crack.
It was the sound of a crack forming on the prosthetic leg hidden beneath his clothes.
It was also the signal that the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's patience had completely shattered.
“I will kill you all, no matter what! I swear it on my name as a Divine Demon!”
Grrrrumble...
Ignoring even his fight with the crow, the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon began to unleash his full power, his divine presence akin to that of an asura.
A black light flared in the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon's eyes.
“All of you, get lost!”
KWAAANG!!
The demonic energy that spread out as the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon stomped his foot was enough to bind all the surrounding martial artists at once.
The Soul-Chasing Demonic Shadow, a variation of the Soul-Chasing Demonic Wall and a large-scale binding spell.
Did this one move consume about twenty percent of his demonic energy?
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon decided to postpone dealing with the crow.
“If you don't come down right now, I will kill you all!”
“...So impatient.”
Ouyang Jue descended from the giant tree with a relaxed smile.
Liu Zhangming also drew his Dragon's Tear Sword and pointed its tip at the Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon.