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Chapter 114: Wang of the Azure Sky Sword (Wang of the Azure Sky) Nangong Jin. (1)

Dun-dun-dun-dun-!

A storm-like, wild energy began to wreak havoc within my body.

The reckless energy, whose origin was unknown, rushed straight to my Lower Dantian.

Right now, my Lower Dantian felt like a calm lake.

I barely managed to suppress the waves of unrest that had surged during my peak…

It felt like a massive rock just plummeted down.

‘…What the hell is going on?’

I couldn’t open my mouth; it was a situation where even the slightest slip could twist my energy.

Thud—! Thud—!

I was shocked to find myself eating flowers like some crazy person. It was a sudden action that made me question my sanity.

Honestly, eating them wasn’t the issue; I had planned to eat something anyway.

The problem lay in the energy that the flower carried.

‘Is it my energy, or is it Taoist Qi? Or perhaps even Demonic Energy?’

There was just too much energy swirling around. What kind of flower has all these mixed traits?

[You also have a mishmash of energies yourself, don’t you?]

‘…I’m focusing, so please do not tease me.’

I suppose that could be true.

‘If I hadn’t eaten this, it could’ve twisted my Blood Qi and killed me.’

No exaggeration; I couldn’t dare call this flower something as trivial as an ordinary flower.

Demonic Energy is an extreme type of energy for martial artists.

Not only does it drive you insane, but it also cuts off your inherent energy and deteriorates your physical form.

That is why many couldn’t comprehend the blessing the Heavenly Demon had bestowed upon them.

Those touched by the Heavenly Demon’s Demonic Energy may go mad, but they do not rot away or reach the brink of death.

Instead, they receive a stronger body and abilities, reaching a level above the ordinary.

‘How could something like this happen?’

I was left questioning whether the Heavenly Demon was truly human.

Not just because of his strength but also due to these inexplicable phenomena.

Living as a demon, I was certain of one thing.

Demonic Energy cannot coexist with my energy.

That alone made this flower feel profoundly strange to me.

‘What was this flower being cultivated for?’

The flower contained my energy, Demonic Energy, and even Taoist Qi. The Taoist Qi made sense—perhaps it wasn’t that different from my energy.

However, no matter how you looked at it, Demonic Energy cannot coexist with anything else.

Just thinking about it gave me chills.

If the flower was intended for consumption, it would mean the existence of someone in the Black Night Palace who could eat it without issue.

Then, who could that be?

‘…Is it the Gungju?’

The Black Night Princess, one of the top martial artists of the Demonic Faction, I didn’t know much about her. I only heard she was killed after the battle with the Martial Alliance.

But now, I found myself wondering whether she truly had died.

Given the potential connection between the Black Night Palace and the Demonic Sect, I had to suspect everything.

‘If it’s not her…?’

Then could it perhaps be the Heavenly Demon lurking behind it all? A chilling thought indeed.

I truly hoped it wouldn’t turn out that way because if the Heavenly Demon was preparing something right now…

It could mean that all the information I knew could be flipped upside down.

Suuuuuu…

The energy thumping against my body gradually calmed down. The absorption of energy was nearly complete.

As proof of this, Demonic Energy settled within my Dantian, and soon the Technique of the Flame Wheel began its purification.

Meanwhile, the Taoist Qi that had taken hold was growing larger.

[Not bad at all.]

The mixed Plum Blossom Fragrance emitted a distinct presence, and Shin Noya voiced his positive thoughts.

This increase in Taoist Qi would certainly help to manage the wild energy.

My energy was also increasing; before I knew it, I’d surpassed the eighteen-year mark.

‘…It took so long to reach this level last time.’

Eighteen years; how long did it take? I’d probably reached this level when I began to establish my name as a demon.

It was rapid. So much growth had taken place in less than a year.

‘Still, I need to move faster.’

Being satisfied with my position was out of the question.

Before I turned twenty, I needed to at least reach half the realm I had in my previous life.

Heat mixed with my breath.

Fortunately, I managed to absorb most of the energy from the flower.

Chirp! Chirp chirp!

Sunlight poured through the window, and the cheerful chirping of birds echoed. It seemed I’d been so focused that I hadn’t realized morning had arrived.

The most significant change I gained from this opportunity wasn’t the increase in energy.

Flame Burst—!

I emitted flames from my palm. The color intertwined with the Taoist Qi made for a somewhat altered hue.

The previously raging flames were now following a pattern. This meant the flames were getting closer to being under my control.

Clenching my fist tightly, I extinguished the flames. A smile crept onto my lips.

It was a satisfying outcome.

“This actually works out.”

After months of reaching my peak, the Technique of the Flame Wheel had also leveled up.

Even though I hadn’t slept a wink all night, my body felt remarkably refreshed.

I might have felt this way because my spiritual methods had elevated as well.

As I stepped outside the room, I made my way straight to the training grounds.

The training grounds were already filled with flames. Recently, I had been training about the compression Shin Noya had pursued.

It had been ages since I could freely expel flames like this.

‘It definitely feels easier now that my realm has risen.’

The strong will of the flames was diminishing.

Although their intensity had thickened and destructiveness became apparent, they were now easier to control.

I could now burn everything without causing damage to my surroundings.

The ring of flames around my body spun faster.

‘Shall I try compressing it?’

How far could I push it? I thought to experiment, but a sudden presence nearby made me extinguish the flames.

I shook off the heat and said, “I was just about to seek you out, but you’ve come all this way yourself?”

At the entrance of the training grounds stood a towering muscular figure. Despite his immense physique, he had his white hair tied back tightly.

[…What on earth is that huge frame?]

The elder Shin Noya, whose collection of muscles shocked even me, was staring at me with wide eyes.

He had sent me off to the Hwasan Sect, so I was surprised to see his astonished expression now.

“Did you see my training just now?”

“…Has it only been a few months? How did that happen?”

“You’re making me sound like I got severely injured or something,” I replied.

The way he said it made it sound like I had been gravely hurt.

I hoped he wasn’t actually hearing me, as he continued speaking in a trembling voice.

“…A dragon? Yangcheon, you’re a dragon?”

“Why are you embarrassing me by saying that to my face…”

“I knew your talents would bloom eventually, but I never expected it to be to this extent.”

I could understand why he was surprised. If I were sent off to travel only to return as a top-tier martial artist, I would react the same way.

“Did you have some lucky break?”

“Yes, I was just fortunate.”

It wasn’t just one opportunity but several. Some were voluntary, while others were coerced, but ultimately, everything came to me as an opportunity.

‘Thanks to that, I quickly reached the starting line.’

Martial artists start at the peak. That was at least according to my standards.

Noticing his disbelief, Shin Noya remarked.

[Aren’t your standards a bit high? For other martial artists, the peak is like a dream.]

‘To match their standards would be a bit too soon for me.’

In their realm, perhaps so, but I was aiming at the skies…

There was no limit in sight when I only looked around.

“…The clan leader has raised his children well.”

‘…That doesn’t seem quite right.’

While my daughters seemed talented, their personalities were utterly terrible.

‘I’m a bit more normal.’

As a kid, I might have been a bit of a lost cause, but now I’ve got my act together, so isn’t that normal?

[To me, it seems you have plenty of charm, but perhaps your morals are slipping. Not sleeping at night, and now this?]

‘…’

Cough.

Clearing my throat, I approached the elder. He still appeared astonished.

“You might drop your jaw if you keep staring like that.”

I just said that since he had his mouth wide open.

I walked up and showed him the bracelet tied around my arm.

“Maehwa Seon mentioned that you left this with her; what is it exactly?”

“Oh, right. I did send that.”

His reaction was as if he had completely forgotten about it. I had sent it to him, but now he was…?

“It’s nothing special.”

“You previously claimed that the treasures from the Hwasan Sect were ‘nothing special’ as well…”

“That was more of a joke, but this one is genuinely nothing special.”

Given that it was the elder speaking, I found that hard to believe.

As I was giving him a dubious look, the elder smacked my head with his massive fist.

Thud!

“Ow!”

I held my head and rolled on the floor, feeling the sudden jolt of pain.

‘This crazy old man…!’

Even having reached the peak, I couldn’t dodge that slap.

“You brat! I come to see your face after a long time, and you’re doubting my words!”

“And you can’t just fly off the handle like that! What if my head split open…!”

“Split open? Nah, I just tapped it lightly!”

“Lightly, huh…?”

I heard the thud resound off my head; can that really be called light…?

[…It seems the lack of conscience is a genetic trait in your family.]

As the ringing in my head dulled down, Shin Noya’s remark hit me right in the heart.

The elder spoke to me as I rubbed my head.

“Anyway, don’t just go around wearing something that’s really nothing special.”

“If it’s nothing special, then why should I wear it…?”

“Want to get hit again?”

Feeling the threat in his words, I hid my hands obediently. Just you wait…

I don’t understand why they keep wanting to stick burdensome things onto me, like back with Gu Huibi.

Avoiding the gaze that followed me, the elder chuckled softly.

“Though your state has improved, it seems you’re still the same stubborn kid… so now I’m uncertain whether to like or dislike you.”

“…What brings you here so early this morning?”

“I told you, I came to see your face.”

“Well, you could have sent someone then. I was actually planning to visit you today.”

“I came for training; what else?”

It didn’t seem like that was just a cover, as the elder’s strong muscles appeared to be larger than normal.

It seemed he just finished working out.

“Oh, have you heard the news about Gu Yeonseo coming back?”

“Is she my second older sister?”

The last time I saw Gu Yeonseo was at the Gathering of the Nine Dragons, and she just emerged from a closed training session.

Given how poorly we parted, I felt somewhat concerned.

‘There’s no need to visit her anyway.’

If she had business, she would come to me.

“Later…”

“Oh, and it seems someone from the Nangong Clan has arrived as well.”

In a nonchalant tone, the elder dropped the bombshell that made my eyes widen.

“From the Nangong Clan?”

“Yeah, I think it’s about your fiancée.”

Nangong Bi-ah had just reached Mount Shan a day ago. It was too soon for her to arrive with the travel time included.

‘Was she already here?’

It sounded like she had been waiting for the right moment to arrive.

“Between the Tang Clan and the others, why are all these high-profile guests showing up?”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll need to excuse myself for a moment.”

“Hmm? Where are you going…?”

Leaving the elder behind, I hurried off. I meant to walk fast initially, but my energy spiraled around uncontrollably.

My energy moves according to my will. This implies my emotions were at play here.

‘I’m in a hurry.’

Although I realized I was getting anxious, I didn’t know why.

I quickly reached the detached house where Nangong Bi-ah was staying.

As I arrived, I found her outside the detached house.

However, the situation seemed oddly tense.

Nangong Bi-ah looked as if she had just woken from a nap, her delicate arms caught by someone.

Judging by the way her captured arm was straining, it didn’t look like it was a weak grip.

This didn’t seem like a good situation, so I decided I had to step in.

I needed to figure out what was going on before making a judgment.

“Hey, what’s going on here…?”

Clap—!

A sharp sound rang in my ears, causing me to stop in my tracks.

Nangong Bi-ah’s head swung sharply in my direction.

Her cheeks were flushed red, and traces of blood were trailing from her mouth.

Flame Burst.

With a surge of intense heat, flames wrapped around my body.

 

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