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Chapter 419: Tua Mu Quan

Boom—! With a heavy thud, the massive body soars into the air.

“Guh!”

Tang Deok lets out a groan, struggling to regain his posture before landing on the ground.

He gazes ahead with a bewildered expression.

As he looks on, his eyes widen in shock. He scans the surroundings, sensing something amiss.

The small and large stars that hung in the sky have vanished.

As the brightly shining stars disappear, a suffocating darkness envelops the forest.

It’s eerily silent.

In an unnoticeable way, every sound from the chirping insects and rustling grass ceases as they hold their breath.

Tang Deok sharpens his senses in the newly arrived silence.

Instinctively, he recognizes how perilous this silence truly is.

‘What is this?’

He could immediately guess it was an artificially created situation.

Yet, he needed to figure out what had actually happened.

First of all.

‘Let’s test the strength.’

Just as Tang Deok gathers his energy to swing his spear with might—

“…!”

He immediately feels an anomaly.

‘It’s heavy.’

His body feels sluggish, and exerting strength has become somewhat cumbersome.

This must be due to the unknown energy that envelops the surroundings.

Crack!

Tang Deok grits his teeth and swings the spear with all his might.

Even if his movements are restricted, his strength remains formidable.

Whooooosh—!

The tip of his spear, filled with momentum, slices through the air fiercely.

The powerful energy bursts forth in sharp waves, scattering in all directions.

Crack! Trees that formed the terrain are cleaved apart mercilessly.

In the midst of all this, Tang Deok’s eyes darted around rapidly.

He needed to find the one who orchestrated this situation.

‘Where are you? Where could you possibly be?’

He tried to focus on searching but, in reality, there was no need for unnecessary effort.

The opponent had no intention of hiding at all.

There it was.

Flame Burst…

Beyond the veils of darkness, black flames flicker ominously, signaling a malicious presence.

‘Ha.’

Tang Deok gazes at the flames, managing a wry smile. Absurd.

‘So the rumors of extraordinary talent were true…’

How could such a foreboding presence emanate from someone who hadn’t even surpassed young adulthood? Gu Yangcheong, casually draped in black flames, observes Tang Deok with a nonchalant demeanor.

Though black flames, they exude a brilliant light, not unlike any other flame.

Yet, despite their splendor, the malice they carry is far from sacred.

Why does it emit such flames?

Simply a flame, and yet, Tang Deok wonders why he instinctively feels fear.

Moreover, there’s an unsettling difference from the first time he laid eyes on it; the black pupils now glimmer with a violet hue.

The whites of his eyes, once pure, have been tainted black.

‘…What are you?’

The strange form, coupled with a presence that sends shivers down one’s spine.

What on earth is that being?

‘Heavenly Demon.’

So Yeomra had casually spouted those words about his identity.

Heavenly Demon—does that mean a demon sent from the heavens?

Not exactly a moniker, yet why did So Yeomra proclaim such things about himself?

Amidst it all, Tang Deok couldn’t help but think how well it suited So Yeomra.

For, at a glance, he resembled nothing short of a demon.

Tang Deok recalls.

For some reason, a certain phrase keeps surfacing in his mind.

The being he desired so desperately.

Heavenly Martial Body.

The youngest Transformation Realm with overwhelming talent. The indomitable aura that instilled fear in his enemies and the oppressive presence that crushed opponents.

What else could be this bizarre talent that Tang Beobeong had yearned for so long?

Clench.

Tang Deok grinds his teeth at such thoughts.

Unbeknownst to him, a thought slips through his mind: ‘If only I were like that guy… would I have been abandoned?’ Such musings arise within him.

The goal was to annihilate the entire Sichuan Tang clan.

Until the Tang name no longer existed in this world. Tang Deok had that very purpose.

Yet still, a surge of regret and remnants lingered.

‘Get a grip.’

Tang Deok steels his gaze, directing the tip of his spear toward the flames.

‘I will destroy them all.’

Whether it’s a demon or a Heavenly Martial Body doesn’t matter.

How he came to know about it is irrelevant.

What’s important is that the only role of that being is as an obstacle in his quest for revenge.

If there’s something in his path, he will smash through it.

That was the strength he had cultivated for this purpose.

Thud—!

The spearhead slices through the air.

Energy envelops the spear as it gradually turns a shade of green.

This light bears no correlation to poison techniques.

It merely marks the remnants of the Tang Clan still lingering in Tang Deok’s body.

The spear infused with such energy creates a beautiful arc as it shoots forth.

Qi Dragon Martial Arts Spear.

The most fundamental spear technique employed by the Martial Alliance.

It is the simplest martial art to learn and find among spear techniques.

This was the only martial art Tang Deok had learned. One he had to master to survive.

With nothing else, he had dedicated himself to perfecting this skill.

Eventually, it brought him all the way to the Transformation Realm.

Reaching this realm with such a cumbersome martial art illustrates how exceptional Tang Deok’s own physique is.

Watching this, Gu Yangcheong finally makes his move.

Thud—!

“…!”

As the incoming spear reaches him, he slaps it aside with his fist, shifting its trajectory.

With no hesitation, he weaves through Tang Deok’s crude motion.

Tang Deok, momentarily staggered, swiftly spun out of range, corrected his stance.

In that brief instant…

Gu Yangcheong doesn’t let the opportunity slip and reaches towards Tang Deok, extending a fist.

Black Flame Taeyarang.

From his fingertips, a wolf-shaped blaze bursts forth toward Tang Deok.

Kwaaaaah—!

A torrential flame surges forward, engulfing a vast area.

In the blink of an eye, the searing flames transform the surroundings into chaos, yet Gu Yangcheong’s gaze remains sideways, not straight ahead.

He spreads his palm.

Instantly, the heat condenses into a small sphere.

The gathered heat gradually morphs into a perfect sphere, reminiscent of the Flame Jade he once used, though now it glows black, denoting a clearer outline with subtle vibrations.

Spin.

Gu Yangcheong recollects the teachings left by his father.

Concentrating on the meaning of rotation indeed makes him feel the martial power surge slightly.

Reflecting on this, Gu Yangcheong scans the front.

Despite being ablaze in black flames, Tang Deok’s figure is nowhere to be seen.

His massive body had moved with remarkable agility to evade.

Where did he go? Gu Yangcheong wasn’t concerned.

If he didn’t know where he was, he would simply destroy every likely hiding spot.

Holding the condensed Flame Jade in his hand, Gu Yangcheong flings it to the ground without hesitation.

Whooooosh—! As the Flame Jade struck the ground, it emitted a short vibration.

Kwahhhhh—!

An overwhelming surge of heat exploded, sweeping through the area.

The black flames erupting along with it twist and spiral violently, creating a ferocious wind.

Nearby trees are uprooted, swept away by the fierce gust.

Soon after, any remnants would be consumed by the merciless flames.

As moments pass after the explosion, and the tempest’s breath comes to a halt.

Gu Yangcheong stands at the very spot from where he unleashed the chaos.

Other than the spot where he stood, everything had been reduced to ashes.

And not far off, a colossal figure holding a spear kneels on one knee, staring at Gu Yangcheong.

“Huff… huff…”

Tang Deok seems to be in a state of defense, so his injuries don’t appear too severe.

However, from his ragged breathing, it’s clear he’s not unscathed.

Gu Yangcheong, upon confirming this, cannot hide his astonishment.

‘As I feared.’

While his realm was indeed lower than the Black Dragon Sword, his resistance to demon energy surpasses that of the Sword.

Gu Yangcheong attributes this to the demonic blood the being possesses, and it seems he is correct.

‘Hmm.’

This is a troubling matter.

If he has a strong resistance to demon energy, it could lead to complications when trying to turn him into a demon later on.

That would be quite problematic.

Moreover, it’s clear Tang Deok’s movements are becoming quicker.

Could it be he’s growing accustomed to this?

‘To my demon energy?’

While thinking this, Gu Yangcheong prods the demon energy within Tang Deok.

Immediately, the demon energy in Tang Deok’s lower dantian begins to writhe and wreak havoc.

Did he catch wind of Gu Yangcheong’s energy? It’s evident Tang Deok is responding to stop it.

Seeing this, it seems Gu Yangcheong’s assumptions were on the mark.

Tang Deok, not the only one feeling disoriented, hastily rises from his knee, patting his stomach.

Heh, slowly beginning to feel more at ease. Tang Deok smirks and says,

“Seems it’s not poison.”

“Why do you think that?”

“If it were poison, I wouldn’t be able to recover this easily.”

Given that Tang Deok had previously shown no resistance to poison, if it had been toxin instead of demon energy, it would have been fatal.

It was unknown that the demonic blood would perform such a role.

“I acknowledge it, So Yeomra.”

“…What?”

“You are strong. It’s quite astounding to have such strength at your age…”

“What’s the point?”

Hearing the question, Tang Deok scoffs.

“From how it looks, it’s more than enough for me to know that you’re still weak. At least weaker than I am.”

“…”

Whooooosh—! A swift slice of the spear releases a gust of pressure that sweeps through.

In that gust, the black flames in the vicinity are dispersed.

He knows well Tang Deok was initially weaker.

Once the resistance to demon energy starts wearing off, it could spell crisis for Gu Yangcheong.

Of course, he could pour out some more demon energy, but that brings its own burdens.

To deal with a martial artist of that level would require a significant output of energy on Gu Yangcheong’s part, but Tang Deok needs to maintain an even greater output, making prolonged combat increasingly strained.

Gu Yangcheong was well aware of this.

“I told you, didn’t I? Don’t get cocky. Blood feast—is it time to beg for mercy now?”

It seems Tang Deok is also cognizant.

Initially startled and fuming, Tang Deok quickly reverted to an assertive stance after grasping the situation.

The tide appears to be shifting in his favor.

Confirming this, Gu Yangcheong releases a slight huff.

It’s certainly a crisis for him, considering it was unexpected.

Yet, oddly, he doesn’t feel particularly anxious nor is his emotions wildly swaying.

Just a hint of disappointment lingers within him.

‘This method isn’t going to work.’

He realizes his fighting style isn’t effective.

So then, what about an alternative approach?

Once that thought crosses his mind, he reduces the size of the Technique of the Flame Wheel.

“Hmm?”

Tang Deok, with a bemused smile, notices the diminishing flames from Gu Yangcheong.

“What? Are you giving up…?”

Just as he’s about to hurl sarcasm, Tang Deok lifts his spear, reigniting his energy.

Something felt different from Gu Yangcheong.

‘What is this?’

The intensity felt just moments ago remains.

The heat is still there, and the overwhelming presence is still tangible.

But now something covers that. Or perhaps, it can be seen as being supported from below?

Uncertain. What’s clear is that something is indeed changing.

Crack.

As Tang Deok assesses the situation, Gu Yangcheong shifts slightly as if loosening up.

‘It hurts.’

He believes he’s feeling slightly better, but the pain remains excruciating.

Gu Yangcheong is currently utilizing a new source of energy.

Channeling demon energy into his heart.

Surrounding himself in the Technique of the Flame Wheel.

And additionally encasing himself with the energy of the Tua Pacheonmu.

The face of the Pejon, who had sternly advised him never to use these in battle, flickers in Gu Yangcheong’s mind, but he chooses to forget it momentarily.

This way, the pain is utterly relentless.

That’s the first impression he carries.

Yet, as these sensations have enveloped him for months now, it brings an odd comfort.

Has he grown accustomed to the pain?

Become familiar with the energy?

Whatever it might be, it feels strangely comforting.

‘Is it possible to use all three without strain?’

The reason he’s cautiously moving now lies here.

He’s used two but never attempted all three together; thus, concerns of overexertion race through his mind.

However, thus far, all appears well.

The only difference he senses is an unidentifiable qi beginning to boil within him.

Gu Yangcheong carefully studies Tang Deok ahead.

The latter, seems to have noticed the qi energy of the Tua Pacheonmu, watching him cautiously.

‘Sharp senses indeed.’

It’s an unseen change, yet he notices it and grows wary, provoking Gu Yangcheong to step forward.

Despite his body feeling heated, his mind cools down.

The energy swirling through his body paints his vision with a startling clarity.

What instigates such a transformation, he wonders.

Could this be yet another effect of Tua Pacheonmu?

Somehow, it doesn’t seem to be.

‘Doesn’t matter.’

Now is not the time to ponder anything outside of confronting his opponent.

Tang Deok stares cautiously at the approaching Gu Yangcheong, fully at the ready.

His movements seem brimming with openings, yet he can’t predict what the next move would be.

To add to it, an inexplicable sense of alienness continues resonating in his instincts.

‘What is it?’

What kind of surprises does that guy have left?

With the bizarre appearance and strange energy, something additional overlaps them.

As he finally gulps down saliva at the incomprehensible change, Gu Yangcheong vanishes from Tang Deok’s sight.

“…!”

Tang Deok immediately moves.

The spear swings.

Though Tang Deok has lost sight of Gu Yangcheong, he hasn’t lost his presence.

The presence is definitely from the side…

Thud—!

“Guh!?”

The presences came from the side, but a sudden punch digs into his abdomen, causing Tang Deok to involuntarily moan.

What is this? A resonance thrums through his body.

Fortunately, it isn’t unbearable. Tang Deok maintains his stance and attempts to retaliate with spear techniques.

Thud—!

However, Gu Yangcheong swiftly reaches out to redirect the spear’s trajectory just inches before the attack was to succeed.

The difference was minuscule, but the result was immense.

Whirl—!

The slight change caused the energy flowing through his body to disperse.

His move was left incomplete, creating an opportunity.

“Impossible!”

Unbelievable…!

Tang Deok gasps in astonishment, trying to distance himself from Gu Yangcheong immediately.

Thud.

Yet, Gu Yangcheong is quicker.

That diminutive fist, contrasting with Tang Deok’s massive form, presses against his chest.

Light.

It merely feels as if a fist was gently placed upon his chest. Yet Tang Deok knows.

Something is happening at the tip of that light fist.

Whoooosh….

Initially, it was but a minor wave.

A small wave of flame intermingling, gently envelops Tang Deok’s body.

Almost as if it would inflict no harm, the waves come tenderly.

Yet that is but a momentary reassurance.

As Tang Deok distances himself from Gu Yangcheong, the wave reveals its true nature.

Ggooooog—! Kwaaaaaaaaaah—!

“Gwaahhh!”

The overwhelming vibration swells rapidly within Tang Deok’s very essence.

Along with an unknown heat that intensifies the agony.

Thud thud thud—!

Within a second, dozens of intense waves erupt, causing him to uncontrollably burst through his body externally.

Kwahhh—!

The energy bursting forth from Tang Deok crashes violently against the wilderness behind him.

The heat and gale together create a chaotic rush. It doesn’t take long before Tang Deok inscribes a wide blast trail in his wake.

As the wave finally reaches its conclusion, followed by a deafening silence.

Thud….

Tang Deok collapses to one knee.

His eyes rolled back, seemingly unconscious.

And then…

As Tang Deok crashes down, spiraling to the ground.

“…Cough.”

It seems Gu Yangcheong had been waiting for this moment, as he spits out blood.

Drip! Blood spills across the ground.

First technique of the Tua Pacheonmu.

The effects of Tua Mu Quan were finally settling in.

His mental state teeters.

The backlash twisting his qi and causing the energy to surge wildly.

‘This won’t do.’

He’s on the brink of collapse.

Although the waning energy will eventually be rectified by the Tua Pacheonmu, losing consciousness now would pose quite a dilemma.

Tang Deok is not dead yet.

Despite his insides upturned, he remains alive.

Should he inadvertently regain consciousness before Gu Yangcheong, he could find himself in a precarious situation.

Thinking accordingly, Gu Yangcheong struggles to concentrate, yet the encroaching agony overwhelms him.

Just as he’s about to drop his guard and collapse.

Thud.

Out of nowhere, someone catches him from falling.

“Hah…”

The one who has him bracingly supported lets out a deep sigh, laced with dissatisfaction, and mutters in lament.

“Taking a disciple only in my later years, just what a crazy kid I’ve gotten… tsk tsk.”

It was the Pejon.

 

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