Chapter 129
**
Have you ever seen a sword shatter like fragments?
At least Gwangyang could confidently say “yes.”
It was the first time he had ever witnessed such a sight.
—Kaaaaaaang!!!!!
“Khrrrk?!!”
Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae.
The infamous warrior slid to the ground, his grasp on the sword gone, reduced to ash and flowing away in all directions.
“Draw your sword.”
Before him stood a warrior with no sign of disorder. His master. Usually kind-hearted, but…
When he drew his sword, the entire atmosphere changed into something unexplainable.
“You… bastard…!”
Ya-yul-pae drew his sword. Waves of energy poured from the blade, rising like a tsunami.
It was nothing like the hazy aura of the Kunlun warrior. No, those were distinct, shining like stars…
A vibrant energy.
A powerful energy.
—Kwah-aaaang!!!!
In this world, everything adheres to logic. Like how rocks can’t break steel, or how fire is extinguished by water.
Yet, those very principles crumbled before that gleaming energy. A presence beyond human comprehension. This was precisely why it was called ‘Transcendental.’
Whether it be fire, steel, or rock…
It overpoweringly shattered everything in its path.
That was the strength of ‘power.’ And witnessing it still sent chills down my spine.
But did such a thing…
—Kwadududuk!!
Break so easily?
“Uweeeek!!!”
With the sword shattered, the Divine Power Overlord now lay on the floor, blood spewing from his mouth as he rolled about.
A fatal injury. He staggered to rise, his legs shaking.
The wounded warriors of Cheongsung began to rise as well.
“W-what in the world…? I don’t even feel his energy on the sword…?”
“Are you saying it endured that immense power with just external force…? How is that even possible?!”
“S-so bizarre, it’s piercing the heavens. Jeok-un…? How can a man like that not be famous…?”
“The Black Sword…?! A power that can even break through energy?!”
Amid the ensuing commotion, Ya-yul-pae laughed, spitting coagulant blood onto the ground.
“I… hid… more than I anticipated…”
“Draw your sword.”
“Fuck! Is this how it’s going to be? I’ll face you with all my power…! I’ll show you why I’m known as the Divine Power Overlord!”
With a crackling sound, Ya-yul-pae’s body grew larger.
His muscles writhed, painted in bulging veins, as a surge of energy erupted from him, shattering the ground beneath.
“I’ll unleash everything! The power of this Divine Power Overlord!”
With a crashing force, an instant of external pressure emerged. The sonic wave of energy rippled into the distance, sweeping across the ground.
“M-Master!”
Gwangyang, who had been shouting, finally confirmed his master’s presence.
A warrior firmly planted in place without a hint of disorder.
Among the rising dust, a drop of blood lingered at the corner of his mouth. But the very next moment, his body moved as effortlessly as before.
—Thud.
A fist crashed into the face of the Divine Power Overlord Ya-yul-pae. His airborne body slammed repeatedly against the ground, rolling around.
“Uweeek!!!”
Jeok-un seized the sword stuck into the ground. He tossed the last remaining sword before him.
“This must be your favorite moment.”
Unchanging from start to finish.
As if to prove the words he had uttered, his tone remained ruthless.
“Smile. Divine Power Overlord. If you don’t laugh… I’ll tear your mouth apart myself.”
…
Ya-yul-pae charged forward. Gripping the last remaining sword, he swept across the ground as he dashed.
All I had to do was absorb that power under my body and overwhelming subdue him.
I ignored the injuries mounting with each clash. After all, they were minuscule beneath my pain threshold and were immediately healed by Cheongeop.
I just smashed everything before me. Everything that had happened to Dang Hwi, I repaid in kind.
I smashed his left arm. Severed it off at the elbow and plucked it out.
“Kuwaaaah!!!!”
Screaming, he swung the last sword wildly. I met it head-on and smashed it. Even though it was energy, it felt crude. The depth must have been shallow; it was easy for the Black Pearl to handle.
Fragments of iron scattered over the dissipating energy. Amidst that chaos, I caught his twisted right arm.
I pulled it out. Ya-yul-pae’s eyes turned wild.
“Khrrk!!!!”
His limbs twisted like Dang Hwi’s.
I moved my hand to return the favor. I wrenched out his left leg and crushed his right.
This was someone who killed for fun.
I knew this, so my hands held no hesitation. Those who abandon humanity only lead to more victims if left alone.
Once all his limbs were torn free, I bent down. Shaking, I gazed into his flipped eyes and shoved my hand into his mouth.
—Kwahzaak!
I ripped it apart. Side to side.
The dripping blood fluttered in all directions. Within it, I hoped to see the eyes of those he’d slain close forever.
“You got your wish. Divine Power Overlord. Remember this moment for eternity.”
Killing is easy.
But he must not die here.
I forced the wounds to clot.
“Warrior.”
“Y-yes…?”
I turned back to the changed words of the Cheongsung warrior. I threw the unconscious Ya-yul-pae before him.
“He’s a witness. Go reveal what the Sacheondang did. And from that, innocent lives lost, including Dang Hwi and others.”
“…….”
“Can I count on you?”
Nodding, the wobbling Cheongsung warrior answered.
“I’ll reveal it, no matter what… Please leave it to me.”
“I trust you.”
This was about Cheongsung. For their own benefit, they’ll surely reveal the truth.
I took a fleeting glance at where Ya-yul-pae had fallen. A small booklet had dropped from his waist.
I brushed off the dust and checked inside. Though smudged, it was still readable.
The Sword of Great Power…
The content inside fit Gwangyang perfectly. Having confirmed Ya-yul-pae’s sword techniques with my own eyes, there would be no difficulty in teaching it.
Moreover, it seemed to propagate the principles of strength.
I had fortuitously acquired what I needed again. I tucked the booklet into my robe.
Yet, my mouth turned bitter.
It didn’t feel like I had gained anything.
Returning to the place where the warrior of Cheongsung had fallen, I personally crafted a coffin from the nearby trees to transport the body.
It wasn’t difficult, having done it once before. Then I attempted to turn back towards Sacheondang, but the warriors of Cheongsung stopped me.
“The great hero may get unnecessarily entangled. Please leave the body transport to us. We will handle it correctly.”
“…….”
“Even if you return with the corpse, it won’t end well. The Sacheondang may attempt to pin the blame on you. Please leave it to us.”
The warriors of Cheongsung took charge of the matter.
“Cheongsung will not forget this incident. Great Hero, please visit Cheongsung later. We will certainly repay you.”
“No need for repayment. However…”
I laid three jugs of blood wine beside Dang Hwi’s corpse.
I closed the lid of the coffin.
“Make the Sacheondang regret what they have done.”
“…We will most definitely do that.”
The warriors of Cheongsung departed. I exhaled a sigh.
My mouth was bitter. Very much so. But there was no helping it.
The destination still lay far ahead, and I needed to keep going.
“Gwangyang.”
“Y-yes… Master…”
He rushed over from where he had been standing distant. I handed him the Sword of Great Power that Divine Power Overlord had trained in.
“This fits you well. I will help you learn it. And Narin.”
“Y-yes…”
“From today onward, both of you will properly learn martial arts. Henceforth, we’ll combine simple training with sparring.”
Having already witnessed the shadowy sides of the Martial Alliance twice.
I would encounter many more ahead. Holding swords, Narin and Gwangyang would surely become entangled in it as well.
At the very least…
I hoped they wouldn’t meet the same fate as Dang Hwi.
“I wish for you both not to die at the hands of those like Divine Power Overlord.”
“…….”
“…….”
“And at the same time…”
I set my steps once more.
“Don’t become like him.”
“…Yes. Master. I absolutely won’t.”
“I will become the kind of person like you!”
Though my heart was heavy, the two who diligently followed made it bearable.
“Let’s go.”
I couldn’t even imagine what fierce challenges awaited us ahead.
