Chapter 232
“Hey, what just happened?!”
A body flew to the side of me and the Sword Demon, a member of the Wind Spirit Sect. I concluded it was a corpse since the guy’s head was already missing. It seemed he got caught up in the backflow of the Thunder Cloud Palm attack.
‘Guess I took out at least ten guys in one hit.’ I muttered to myself as I entered the center of the bamboo grove.
The scene was pure chaos—
Jin So-cheong was surrounded by peak experts of the Wind Spirit Sect, who sometimes gathered their internal powers to launch joint attacks. Thanks to the Thunder Cloud Palm from moments ago, a good number of the bad guys seemed to have been wiped out, but the Wind Spirit Sect experts remained undeterred, throwing themselves into the fray.
Crash!
Dozens of peak experts were attacking Jin So-cheong, who valiantly wielded his spear to fend them off. His eyes were unwavering, and sweat flew off his body into the air with every move. For every strike he executed, the Wind Spirit Sect would launch countless assaults, but Jin So-cheong skillfully redirected their attacks and countered.
As soon as the Sword Demon and I appeared, all eyes turned to us. The first to react was a massive figure from the Wind Spirit Sect, charging straight at us.
Swish!
His blade shimmered with intensity. He looked like he was a formidable peak expert, but his luck ran out against the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon merely dodged his strike and yanked him, flinging him into the bamboo grove.
“Guhh!!”
With that scream, chaos erupted in the hall as everyone realized the Sword Demon’s might. A middle-aged guy among the Wind Spirit experts stepped forward, his face serious.
“Who the hell are you?”
“I’m the Sword Demon of the Shadowless Gate.”
“The Sword Demon!!”
The middle-aged man and the other Wind Spirit experts recoiled in shock. Even Jin So-cheong, who had been quietly recovering his strength, looked at him with wide eyes. The Sword Demon smirked at the attention.
“Surprised I showed up, huh?”
The middle-aged guy growled back, “If you’re here, then kill that Jin So-cheong brat.”
“……”
The Sword Demon gazed at him with a mysterious look and replied, “I’d like to do that, but first, I need a word with Jin So-cheong.”
“What? What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Just give me a moment. Then I’ll pitch in.”
With a frown, the middle-aged man retorted, “Do you think my Wind Spirit Sect is easy to boss around?”
“Who said anything about easy? We’re in the same boat, so please grant me this small request.”
“… Do as you wish.”
This guy seemed deflated. Though his pride would tell him the Sword Demon’s request was outrageous, logically, the Sword Demon was an absolute powerhouse in this situation. If the Sword Demon were to leave, the Wind Spirit Sect would face a greater loss. As the Wind Spirit experts parted, the Sword Demon and I approached Jin So-cheong.
Examining Jin So-cheong’s current state, I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. ‘Looks like he’s burned a lot of energy and is exhausted, but he’s got no serious wounds. He’s probably still got about seventy percent of his strength left.’
It might seem weak, but I was struck with awe at Jin So-cheong’s abilities. There were over twenty corpses of the Wind Spirit Sect lying around, and he managed to slay them all without sustaining heavy injuries while conserving his strength. If the Sword Demon hadn’t arrived by now, they might have gone beyond that at this point.
The Sword Demon stood facing Jin So-cheong, leaving a distance of about one palm’s space. He observed Jin So-cheong quietly and said, “I’ve heard a lot about you, but this is the first time seeing you in person.”
Jin So-cheong caught his breath and smiled back. “So, you’re the Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong from the Heretical Sect. You certainly live up to your reputation, even if I felt it was underrated.”
“Ha ha, I appreciate the compliment. But you’re quite the master yourself. I didn’t think you’d handle the peak experts of the Wind Spirit Sect like this.”
At the Sword Demon’s comment, the Wind Spirit experts frowned. The middle-aged guy, who looked important, shouted, “Sword Demon! Enough chit-chat and get fighting! Are you here to play around?”
The Sword Demon coldly replied, “You say that, but what gives you the right to talk to me like that? State your name first.”
“I’m Yong Mu-yang, an elder of the Wind Spirit Sect.”
The Sword Demon feigned surprise. “Really? You’re the elder? Impressive… You look way weaker than I expected.”
“Gahh… you filthy brat!”
Yong Mu-yang exploded, hollering, “That’s enough! Leave at once. Jin So-cheong is ours to deal with!”
Yet, the Sword Demon paid no mind to him, completely ignoring his outburst. Instead, he said to Jin So-cheong, “Is Lee Kwang nearby?”
“……!!”
Upon hearing the Sword Demon, Jin So-cheong’s expression shifted. The question clearly struck a nerve. Jin So-cheong recovered his demeanor and replied, “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“No need to hide it. If I were Lee Kwang, I’d definitely act that way.”
“……”
“It’s a perfect plan. You handle half of the Wind Spirit Sect, and Lee Kwang the other half… with two peerless experts in the mix, even the Wind Spirit Sect wouldn’t know what hit them. The bamboo grove is already in your favor. It’s a prime spot for a joint attack.”
After a moment of contemplation, Jin So-cheong gazed intently at the Sword Demon. “What do you want?”
“Nothing major. Just thought I’d give you a little advice.”
“Advice?”
The Sword Demon briefly parted his lips, as if sending a secret message to Jin So-cheong.
Jin So-cheong, upon receiving that hidden transmission, showed a moment of shock. His typically composed demeanor couldn’t hide the urgency of the Sword Demon’s message. After a pause, he said, “Understood.”
“Heh, see you next time then.”
As soon as the Sword Demon finished speaking, he used his Light Body Technique to disappear in front of Jin So-cheong. I instinctively followed the Sword Demon, and the Wind Spirit experts, including Yong Mu-yang, glared fiercely at us.
“You little… what kind of scheme are you planning?”
“Scheme? I told you I came to talk to Jin So-cheong from the start.”
“Don’t joke around. If you don’t spill the beans right now, I’ll treat you as an ally of the Thunder God Lineage and wipe you out.”
Tension thickened in the air.
The Wind Spirit experts seemed to begin to stir.
Suddenly—
Three members of the Wind Spirit Sect lunged at the Sword Demon, but they dropped dead instantly, unable to handle his Invincible Sword technique.
“This is justifiable defense. If you want to continue, I won’t stop you.”
“……!!”
The Wind Spirit experts radiated immense killing intent. Even with over thirty members left, and the elder Yong Mu-yang being a peak expert, they felt confident in their superiority against us. However, reality soon settled in for Yong Mu-yang, and he raised his hand.
“… Let them pass.”
The strongest presence here belonged to the Wind Spirit Sect, but they had only enough strength to deal with Jin So-cheong and create chaos. If they turned the Sword Demon into an enemy, the potential for annihilation loomed ahead. Until now, Yong Mu-yang had tried to pressure the Sword Demon by mentioning the White Lotus Sect and the Eight Demons of the Demon Path, but since that didn’t work, he seemed to be at his wit’s end.
“Well, you might as well.”
The Sword Demon grinned and stepped away.
With a leap, I followed the Sword Demon and asked, “What did you say to Jin So-cheong?”
The Sword Demon, soaring above the bamboo stumps, replied, “I told him I want to sign a non-aggression pact with the Thunder God Lineage.”
“Huh?”
The Sword Demon kept his eyes fixed ahead, as if something important lay before him.
“Well, this is where the real action starts. I suggest staying on your toes.”
Stay on my toes? What the heck does that mean?
Before I could respond, a wave of ominous foreboding washed over me, and I looked straight ahead.
“Ugh…”
I had no choice but to cease my Light Body Technique and stop in my tracks.
The formidable killing intent radiating before us surely was methodically refined, a formless Qi doing a number on us. Those without understanding intent and low in level would faint or die from just that pressure. And exceptionally few peak experts could wield such formless Qi within the Jianghu.
Yet that presence felt very familiar. Despite facing numerous kill urges before, I could immediately tell who owned this particular killing intent. I gently released my own intent, swallowing the thought that the confrontation was inevitable.
‘Seems like it’s not as oppressive as I feared.’
Strolling out from the bamboo grove was a figure.
The one standing before us was wielding a spear, just like Jin So-cheong. He also had a sword sheathed at his waist. His tranquil demeanor and indifferent gaze had him resembling a calm scholar, but in truth, he was a grandmaster who had honed his world-class martial skills for decades.
As the Sword Demon came face-to-face with him, he positioned himself in a martial stance.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you in this way. Greetings, Lee Kwang.”
“……”
Indeed, the person challenging us was the peak expert, Samjeol Lee Kwang!
The successor of the Thunder God Lineage, master of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, and one of the four great experts of the Imperial Palace who moved through the world with a spear! After a century-long rivalry, Lee Kwang stood before me for the first time in this life.
Lee Kwang took his time, scanning both of us up and down. His sheer indifference reminded me of a calm tiger who never lost its composure. Glassy yet attentive, it was a sure sign he had entered battle mode.
Lee Kwang broke the silence. “I must reassess my judgement of the Shadowless Gate. I didn’t expect you to be this capable.”
It seemed he recognized the Sword Demon’s power immediately. Were the Sword Demon even slightly weaker, we wouldn’t have been exchanging casual banter.
The Sword Demon laughed heartily. “Ha ha… how rude of me. I find myself in awe at Lee Kwang reaching the status of a grandmaster.”
“We didn’t meet here to exchange pleasantries, did we?”
Lee Kwang responded dryly, now looking directly at the Sword Demon. “Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong. I have received information that you’ve sworn allegiance to the White Lotus Sect. Do you plan to continue along the same path with them?”
Lee Kwang’s tone was unexpectedly respectful. It signified his recognition of the Sword Demon as a peer or even his superior. Normally, Lee Kwang would leap headfirst at any weaker foe without a second thought. Upon hearing Lee Kwang’s words, the Sword Demon replied.
“I have my own motives for preserving my sect. But if I genuinely intended to ally with the White Lotus Sect, I wouldn’t just let your disciple roam freely.”
“……”
After a moment of silence, Lee Kwang posed a question. “What do you want?”
The Sword Demon shrugged. “That’s pretty vague. I’d prefer something more detailed.”
“I’m asking what you hope to gain by intervening in our battle with the White Lotus Sect.”
The Sword Demon casually replied, “Quite the opposite. I want nothing to do with your conflict. That’s why I’m here today.”
“What do you mean by that?”
The Sword Demon bluntly continued, “Your disciple, wanting to engage the Eight Demons of the Demon Path, has forced my hand in this matter. Isn’t that a nuisance?”
Lee Kwang, sharp as a tack, seemed to grasp the Sword Demon’s intent immediately. Nodding knowingly, he replied, “I’m sorry. The Shadowless Gate won’t be interfered with from now on.”
Regardless of his desires, the White Lotus Sect’s influence forced them to respond to any external provocations. With Jin So-cheong targeting the Eight Demons, fighting the Sword Demon was inevitable. Lee Kwang seemed to have initially thought this was a given, but recklessly challenging an opponent like the Sword Demon, who was even stronger than him, would only lead to losses. Thus, he promptly shelved his pride to seek peace with the Sword Demon.
The Sword Demon shook his head in refusal. “That’s not enough.”
Lee Kwang frowned. “I don’t have time right now. Can we talk about this later?”
He was pressed for time, needing to assist Jin So-cheong and obliterate the Wind Spirit Sect. Though Jin So-cheong could handle matters on his own, Lee Kwang had to ensure his survival. Lingering any longer here would create serious issues.
“How selfish! But I’ll tell you this: if you don’t listen to my request, I’ll act freely.”
As the Sword Demon pressed, Lee Kwang had no choice but to yield. “What is it you want to hear?”
“It’s not anything too complicated.”
The Sword Demon grinned. “I want you to duel against the White Dharma Protector of our Shadowless Gate. A match against a peak expert will surely serve as excellent motivation.”
“……”
Lee Kwang looked at me in surprise, clearly thrown off. After sizing me up, he murmured, “Hmm… this young man is the White Dharma Protector? Not just the Young Master?”
“That’s correct.”
“…Understood. But today won’t work.”
“Of course. I’ll set a date to visit the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School with the White Dharma Protector.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
As soon as Lee Kwang finished speaking, he used Thunder Shadow Step, darting off in the direction we had come from. He was likely off to eliminate the remaining Wind Spirit experts without delay. I confirmed he had completely vanished from sight before asking the Sword Demon, “Do you think I can defeat Lee Kwang?”
I understood the Sword Demon’s intentions. He was trying to create a chance for me to spar with Lee Kwang, while simultaneously allowing me to gauge his abilities. Yet honestly, I didn’t think I could win.
The Sword Demon responded, “Whether you can or not isn’t important. What matters is seeing how strong Lee Kwang would be seven years from now without your interference.”
“……”
“Have confidence! Battling against Lee Kwang will be a substantial asset for you.”
The Sword Demon glanced back at the bamboo grove. The sounds of screams, swords clashing, and powerful Qi blasts rang through the air, indicating Lee Kwang was wreaking havoc.
“We need to gather the spoils before he self-destructs.”
