Chapter 140
**
I grip the sword.
Breathing onto the sword I’ve grasped tightly.
My eyes meet those of the opponents. Countless hands rush toward me, filling the air.
“Kill him!”
Amidst the cries erupting all around, I move my sword.
“Remember this, Jeok-un.”
I follow the teachings of Ilma, echoing in my mind.
“Yemyeolsa is a rising martial art that wields powerful energy. Weaving together countless drops of blood, it swings an unbearable weight. The pinnacle of the heavy sword.”
I stomp forcefully on the ground.
Drawing up all the inner energy within me.
Heavy, ever so heavy.
I launch myself into the world.
“Rage like a beast. Blood is the essence of life. Revealing your inner beast truly is…”
I bare my teeth.
“It is the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword.”
Like a beast…!
—BOOM!!!
The surging energy envelops my entire body. Within it, various energies intertwine.
A beast baring its fangs. A blood-red shadow.
—
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique
Third Form
Overlord Demon Technique
An unstoppable force. A raging beast.
It can devour even the moonlight…
The weight of extremes.
—
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique
Sixth Form
Blood Dyer
I swing it. A world made of blood.
Under the skin of a beast, covered entirely by it, with four eyes staring back.
…
“…Hooh?”
Ak-bi’s eyes, hidden in the shadows, narrowed. Words he unconsciously uttered scattered all around.
What is… this?
The hidden sword of the Heavenly Demon.
Jeok-un was exactly the kind of person Ak-bi had envisioned.
Even after the events at Eungmin, he tried to dig up information about Jeok-un but found nothing, as if someone had intentionally manipulated the information, making it hard to follow up.
Yet, he continued to trace the clues.
Once he learned of the connection to the Heavenly Demon, he could no longer contain his impatience.
And at last, he discovered it. The name Jeok-un.
A spy dispatched from the Martial Alliance. A record pointing to a third-rate warrior.
He plans to kidnap the spy to exploit their weaknesses as a double agent.
That’s not an uncommon feat; anyone could do it if they set their mind to it.
However, Jeok-un’s activities during his time in the Martial Alliance were shockingly meager.
To think a mere third-rate warrior could attract the attention of the Heavenly Demon and sharpen him with a blade…
Who would believe that?
But Ak-bi did not give up. He bit and clawed all the more.
And he eventually grasped the truth. The doorman Jeok-un and the Jeok-un from Eungmin were indeed the same person.
After peering into all the truths alone, an uncontrollable joy shook his body.
Consider this.
It’s a third-rate warrior turned into a master amidst blood and carnage!
Unless there was an extraordinary affection, this would be impossible.
And so, Ak-bi resolved. If he could extract him, if he could make him stand on the same side…
He could twist that perfect woman’s face once again.
Jeok-un’s abilities were not so great. While he could be praised for blocking the blood storm at Eungmin, when broken down into specifics, it wasn’t all that impressive.
The inexperienced kid stepping into Hyun-kyung was close to a rampage, and there were powerful masters from Huaxing all around. Suppressing him would have been easy, and even if they failed to do so, he likely would have self-destructed.
The junior leader of the Blood Sect, Guqcheong, was nothing more than a simple warning.
Neither more nor less than that.
Moreover, they say it took three Huaxing masters to capture that one rampaging kid. Though he lacked strength, facing three seasoned warriors doesn’t usually lead to suppression.
He hadn’t witnessed it firsthand. But even without seeing it, he knew.
What Jeok-un accomplished was merely placing a spoon on fully prepared rice.
He was not exactly a person worth recruiting.
A statement merely to once again torment the Heavenly Demon. That was all his value amounted to.
However…
I was mistaken.
“Heh heh…!”
I was terribly mistaken!
The Four Great Vajras are moving. The heart of Shaolin. Masters, excluding the abbot, burst forth, breaking the air as they advance.
I take the heavy sword blows with my body. A body trained to its limits blends both outer and inner energy, absorbing everything with martial arts.
Unbreakable Vajra.
Even if I’ve not reached that point, the Four Great Vajras have certainly approached its fringes.
It’s no exaggeration to say they are the most solid in the Martial Realm. The martial arts they wield follow the properties of ‘earth,’ in every respect.
Their essence is solid. An unyielding steel wall, and even when swept away, a rock that rises again.
But…
Such things…
—BOOM!!!
Are all devoured by the surging red energy.
“Guh!?!”
“W-what…?!”
The formation of the Four Great Vajras collapses. Amidst the pouring blood energy, Ak-bi laughed.
He’s truly learned! Really, truly learned!
How did they refine a mere third-rate warrior to this extent? This is… this is literally…
A being born amidst countless deaths, isn’t it monstrous!
“D-don’t back down!!”
“Hold on! Hold on! Lord! Right now… AAAAAAAAH!!!!”
Limbs that once resembled a rock are shredded. The bodies of the Four Great Vajras that roared of unbreakable steel are completely torn apart.
In the center, the man’s movements are not graceful. Instead, they are clumsy.
The smell of steel wafts past my nose.
The unyielding blood fog merely devours everything around.
Yet, that clumsiness holds a weight that makes it abnormal. Simplicity does not just end in simplicity anymore.
One step.
And then another.
Each step stretches out like the ocean. The descending sword is so heavy that even a simple swing causes the very ground to crack.
Earthquakes. Blood. Flesh. Bones. Shattering into pieces.
An absurd strike that blends various words into one.
And so it continues. Unbroken. Again and again.
The highest master of Shaolin spits blood. He extends the Divine Eight Trigrams, only to find his moves scattered before reaching their target.
The highest master of Shaolin raises both arms. The blood-red mist engulfs the sword, completely grinding those arms into dust.
The highest master of Shaolin unleashes the Eight Trigrams of Exorcism. The recipient twists their body to redirect the shock into the ground.
The highest master of Shaolin takes flight. At that exact moment, while Jeok-un withstands all incoming attacks, he stands tall atop this maelstrom.
Blood.
Blood.
And again, blood!
The ground trembles. As the overflowing blood energy crawls back to him, Ak-bi can’t help but laugh.
“Ahahahaha!!!”
What a crazy guy! Isn’t he really insane!
Look at those unyielding eyes! Look at those fingertips carrying a raging beast on his back!
The sword transforms! What happens after it changes?!
The sword shape transforms! What was heavy now sways gracefully, becoming unfathomably fast!
Rising flames! A chilling cold that freezes the surroundings!
Even the Eighteen Arhats, known to be unbreakable, collapse before him…!
“You…! You’re a true beast…! The blood hound nurtured directly under the Heavenly Demon…!”
How much effort did it take to raise such a being?
How much love has he received?
So… to that extent…!
“I can’t allow this! You must die here! Killing you will twist the face of the Heavenly Demon more than dragging you in! The pain of loss always runs deeper than the pain of betrayal! Heh heh!”
Ak-bi drooled. Trembling, he spat out the ecstasy flowing down his spine.
Kill them all…
And once again, taste the sweetness of betrayal. I will make the Heavenly Demon regret not capturing me back then.
To the Heavenly Demon. To that overwhelming woman. To that perfect woman…
I will gift an unforgettable memory once more!
Now. Let’s remember. And let’s examine everything thoroughly.
His gestures. His movements. His essence.
After confirming the peak of that blooming flower amidst battle…
Let’s press down ourselves.
To give him, to give her…
An unforgettable memory to keep.
—
“I, Ak-bi of Reverse Heaven! If you want this neck, then climb up…! Overcome the decayed Shaolin and come before me!”
…
I feel the energy flowing along the sword tip. The scattered swords pierce into the ground.
Three swords.
Blood Sword.
Ear Sword Black Pearl.
Ear Sword Bai Ya.
Using what I’ve repeated countless times in the conceptual world, I bring it to reality. Gritting my teeth, I dodge the approaching strikes of the Eighteen Arhats’ Divine Eight Trigrams while picking up Bai Ya.
—
Ice White Blood Demon Sword
Fourth Form
Flash Dispersal
What’s crucial is the rhythm. When something is always heavy, the opponent naturally becomes accustomed to it.
So, bring about change. Don’t underestimate your enemy.
Listen to the beat of the heart. Keep the coldness frozen in your fingertips.
Extend your leg lightly.
To split apart the entire realm…
—CRACK!!!
In a moment, engorging a single line engulfs two opponents. Amidst the burst of blood, ice shards are mixed in.
But that’s not all. I accelerate further. Lightening the weight at my tips, I glide forward.
Bai Ya spits out a shriek. That movement, which is so much joy it’s unbearable, supports me.
Shedding weight for even more overwhelming speed.
—
Ice White Blood Demon Sword
Fourth Form
Flash Dispersal – Nine-headed Dragon Kill
The divided blade with nine colors engulfs Master Jang Gyeong.
Energy and energy. A battle of absolute masters.
Compressed cold air envelops the atmosphere. Master Jang Gyeong, overwhelmed by the pressure, spits blood.
“What the…?!”
He spins around, welcoming the approaching Divine Eight Trigrams of Exorcism.
“I’m not gonna let this slide!!!”
I sense what’s embedded in that raging energy. A targeting strike aimed precisely at my sword.
I don’t resist. Instead, I relax. Bai Ya soars to the heavens, as my weapon state is unfurled in but a moment.
Na Han, who unleashed the Divine Eight Trigrams, stands right before me. I see the intent concealed within that blazing power.
Two arms burst forth from my back. The very energy has a clear purpose in aiming for me.
A distinctly visible Yi-hyeong Ki.
Four techniques collectively strike me in an instant.
—CRUNCH!!!
Blood bursts. Flesh is crushed. But I don’t back down.
I mix the techniques. Holding firm to stop him. Countering an overwhelming force with overwhelming force.
—
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique
Fifth Form
I shed the years from within this fury.
I guide the raging energy forward.
Stronger still.
More brilliantly.
—
Bloody Shadow Dual Flowers – Wanzhuan.
**I bloom everything…!**
—BOOM!!!
I rupture the two attacking Yi-hyeong Kis head-on. Swinging my accelerated arm to pierce through the heart.
Within the explosion, Na Han’s eyes shake. His protective energy shields him, but cannot withstand the momentary bloom of the technique.
“Guhhhh!? What is…?!”
I don’t respond. Instead, I move with all my might the grasped flower of blood.
I launch it upwards, momentarily creating an opening. As this happens, the remaining Four Great Vajras and Eighteen Arhats surge towards me at once.
The voice of my Master whispers in my ear.
“When living, there are times you must face multiple foes alone.”
It’s a face I wish to see. Those gestures.
I draw what I’ve learned to the tips of my fingers.
“And when that happens, the first thing you must do is…”
Step back.
Hand forward.
With feet that move in pain, I lift the sword buried in the ground.
“Broaden your perspective.”
Conceive a single plan in my mind.
Drawing the trajectory as though tracing a diagram.
Analyzing my opponent thoroughly and riding that flow is the basics of facing multiple enemies.
The Ear Sword that was embedded in the ground flies up. I catch it as it spins around and reaches before me.
Flames erupt from the sword’s tip. The Ear Sword Black Pearl, which I had never truly used except in the conceptual world.
Master Jang Gyeong strikes the ground. Na Han flips in mid-air.
The remaining warriors all converge on me, applying pressure.
“How dare you crawl back up! I shall break that sprout here!”
“The Martial Realm today faces extinction if one doesn’t advance! This is the natural order and the reality of the present! Beast! You alone cannot stand against all of this!”
In an instant, the shadows crowd in, blocking even the moonlight. Amongst the clamor, the martial arts of the fallen monks go berserk.
The Eighteen Arhats’ Divine Eight Trigrams attempts to strike my body. The Exorcism Technique aims to smash my face.
The Na Han’s technique seeks to break my legs. The White Lotus Technique grabs my shoulders to topple me.
More than ten martial arts erupt at once, all focusing on me.
…But
I do not back down.
Instead, I tighten my focus even further.
Whispering amidst the blazing flames. Compared to Bai Ya, I’m already at home here. Their bodies were solid, and mere speed couldn’t break through.
Yet, I used the Ear Sword Bai Ya to draw in the enemy all at once.
I look up into the countless shadows. I chase the faintest trace of the moon with the tip of my gaze.
I just move forward. Amidst the thick killing intent and the encroaching fallen monks, darkness rolls in but…
I can still see.
No matter how the shadows crowd in, the moonlight must remain above.
**”If that is what the world is…”**
Burn it. The blood-red fire.
Grasp what lies beyond death.
Even as the shadows close in, move forward. Even if the world is about to crumble upon me, resist it.
Stand firm. Writhing and burning.
The heat.
—
The heart!
—
Fire Wheel Blood Demon Sword
Sixth Form
Blood Dyer – Taebak
The scenery that streaked past supports my sword.
“Please, please, dear master! Find my daughter! I beg you…! I’ll do anything!”
“D-daddy… P-please find dad…”
“My wife has vanished. No matter how much I search, she doesn’t appear. Please… please…”
The beast’s hide cries out. I cry out louder than that.
I tear apart the shadows…
**”I shall bite into everything…! That so-called world!”**
To seize the moonlight lurking beyond it all.
