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“What the…?!”

Thinking about fighting the [Old Ruler] made my heart feel like it was going to burst. I had experienced how ridiculously strong those beings were multiple times now, so I knew just how far beyond my reach they were. But that feeling wasn’t just plain ‘fear.’

The Fire Dragon Incarnate, infused with divine power, raised his divine sword and shouted, [Fire Dragon Summon!]

Starting from the get-go with maximum power, huh?

At that moment, Dragon Spirit coiled around and transformed into a gigantic fire dragon. As soon as the celestial fire dragon was summoned, Yeodong-bin instinctively made my body move and outstretched his hands in quick succession.

[Heavenly Escape Sword Technique]

[Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram]

[Cloud Resolve]

Countless illusory swords rushed in conjunction with the fire dragon towards the massive body of the Sea God. Each divine sword shone with a sacred light, almost as if alive, as they suddenly began launching dozens of sword strikes.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Hundreds of huge fireballs completely covered my vision. Inside the massive storm of flames, the legendary sword energy twirled around endlessly.

Crack!

As the combined attacks of the Great Immortals hit, the Sea God’s body took a small step back. I felt astonished by that sight. The Sea God actually stepped back!

“So… so it’s true! Fire Dragon Incarnate and Yeodong-bin!”

[Hmm.]

But contrary to my shock and joy, at that moment, I sensed Yeodong-bin’s emotions. He seemed to be anxious for some reason, his face tight with bitterness. I quickly asked him.

[What’s the matter? We hit the Sea God…]

“Yeon-ja! Stay alert.”

“Huh?”

“That last attack was meaningless.”

Whoosh…

The moment Yeodong-bin finished speaking, the sky’s fireballs began to dwindle, and the thick, dark smoke that covered the world slowly began to clear. Amidst that smoke, the Sea God’s body was slightly tinged with red on its side but appeared to be unharmed.

Despite our all-out Fire Dragon Summon and Heavenly Escape Sword Technique, he didn’t take any damage?!

“That attack would have surely injured even Daji!”

As I stood aghast at the absurd defensive power of the Sea God, the Fire Dragon Incarnate spoke up, unusually tense.

“As expected of the [Old Ruler], he is defending with divine sorcery.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s similar to subduing an apostle. Divine beings always have protective barriers, and until you break that barrier, you can’t inflict any damage.”

So you’re saying we first need to break through that magical defense?

I wanted to say something, but just then it happened.

Whoooooosh –

The Sea God slowly stretched like a cat, reaching his hand to the heavens. Then, he gracefully swung one arm down toward us.

“Woooah!”

In that instant, he merely swung his arm, yet both Fire Dragon Incarnate and Yeodong-bin had to dodge at maximum power. They withdrew from the attack zone at a speed far quicker than my Soul Removal Technique, seeming to completely disregard defense. As the Sea God’s arm struck the ground, earth split and a massive hole opened up.

Crash!

Simultaneously, deep fissures spread across the ground, tearing apart not just the horizon but even the sea, as if Heaven and Earth were collapsing. The impacts from the sea god’s fist shook the sky violently, causing a colossal earthquake, and the waters surged, revealing dozens of whirlpools.

“This can’t be…!!”

A monster!

I had seen plenty of devastating area attacks until now, but the Sea God’s assault felt like something otherworldly. Until now, those who used area-of-effect abilities relied on strong spirit energy, sorcery, or techniques to exert destructive power. But the Sea God was simply using his physical abilities to inflict damage. That alone showcased a force that could upend the world, conjuring horrifying thoughts in my mind.

What if he started fighting using divine sorcery alongside that physical power?

Suddenly, I felt my body start trembling. Perhaps sensing my unease, Yeodong-bin spoke to me.

“Yeon-ja! Focus your mind. The Sea God’s sorcery would not be simple.”

“…Right.”

“It’s coming.”

Just as Yeodong-bin said, the Sea God slowly bowed his head from the clouds and opened his massive mouth wide. His mouth appeared as a mix between a human and a fish. But as a gigantic beam shot forth from that mouth, there was no time to leisurely admire the view.

Fwoosh!

The horizon split as the heat ray cleanly sliced through the sea in a direct line. Within moments, the entire ocean began to evaporate, the blinding light overwhelming everything. If I hadn’t reinforced my eyes with internal power, my optic nerves would have burned up along with my brain from the intensity of that light.

“Kuhhh!!”

Once again, it felt impossible to block this attack. As such, Fire Dragon Incarnate and Yeodong-bin maximized my potential to dodge in a nick of time. Although the brilliant blaze raced like lightning, Yeodong-bin’s instincts allowed him to move in advance and barely evade. In an instant, the surroundings were drenched in light and explosion while the terrifying heat evaporated the world away.

An attack that dried out the sea!

We were near Tamra Island in Goryeo, and this attack had drained the surrounding sea of its water for hundreds of miles, leaving behind only dark magical residue. This was the first time witnessing an attack capable of disregarding even the very geography of the sea, plunging me into a state of disbelief.

The Sea God seemed sluggish, but in reality, Yeodong-bin was darting around him at incredible speeds with the Sword Flying Technique, searching for an opening. However, Yeodong-bin’s instincts became apparent as he felt the Sea God was tracking his every move.

Every time the Sea God’s gaze pierced through the air, I felt goosebumps cover my entire body. Considering if Yeodong-bin’s moving speed was several times faster than sound, his perception was extraordinary.

As we gathered our forces to strike again, the Fire Dragon Incarnate summoned forth the fire dragon and split it into dozens to launch an attack against the Sea God.

“Haah!”

Boom!

Even after the clash of the fire dragon forces, the Sea God merely wriggled as if it were tickling him. That massive being, a mix of human and fish, possessed absolute defensive power. Growing anxious, I shouted,

“I’ll use my secret move to wipe out that defense!”

“Not yet.”

“Huh?”

Yeodong-bin glanced at the ground as he dodged the Sea God’s arm strikes.

“It’s better to wait and see what he does.”

I followed Yeodong-bin’s gaze to see the Master of the Twelve Joules and the Three Masters summoning a transparent sphere to float above. The Master of the Twelve Joules leaped out of the sphere, threw down the Cosmic Fragment onto the ground, and shouted,

“In the name of Haebak! Freeze!”

Crash!

The moment the Cosmic Fragment pierced the earth, the burning land began to freeze at a terrifying pace, and the chill reached the Sea God’s feet in no time. Not only that, but it even created ice cliffs up to the Sea God’s knees.

“Did they bind his feet?”

“Tch!”

But it seemed the Master of the Twelve Joules thought the attack was underwhelming, hastily retrieving the Cosmic Fragment to teleport alongside the Three Masters. The next moment, a beam attack from the Sea God poured down on where he had just been standing, validating his decision.

Crack!

It felt as if the world was about to end. The Sea God wasn’t targeting us directly, but still, he flailed his face around, carelessly unleashing beams everywhere. Light flooded the skies as life itself seemed to vanish into thin air.

From such a distant place, the Sea God looked like a speck on the horizon. While taking a moment to regroup away from the battlefield, the space opened up. The Master of the Twelve Joules appeared before me using a space transmission technique.

“At this rate, in three days, the Sea God will obliterate Goryeo and Dongyoung. We have no choice but to cause a Seven Luminaries Resonance.”

Yeodong-bin gave him a side-eye. Then he said,

[I disagree.]

“Why?”

[If he’s trying to ambush us, cooperation is impossible.]

Yeodong-bin’s gaze lingered somewhere in the void.

Just then, Miyamoto Musashi appeared in that very spot. It seemed he knew the strength of Yeodong-bin as he didn’t attack recklessly and instead spoke up.

“Yul-joo, it looks like your time to die has arrived.”

To which the Master of the Twelve Joules laughed heartily,

“Hah! Did you forget your duty as the inheritor of the Lunar Kill Technique to slay the gods?”

“……”

“But then again, you are merely a genius and not a true successor.”

As the Master of the Twelve Joules struck a chord, Miyamoto Musashi flinched and then said with a fierce expression,

“Don’t speak without reason. There’s no such thing as a true successor.”

“Really?”

“Indeed.”

Miyamoto Musashi crossed his arms.

“No one can defeat the King of the Sea of Trees.”

What are they even talking about?

Then the Master of the Twelve Joules spoke to Miyamoto Musashi,

“If you’re not going to help, then get lost. I could kill you first.”

The malice surrounding the Master of the Twelve Joules was genuine. With two absolute experts facing each other, the very air felt thick, as if space itself distorted under the weight of their aura. Staring each other down for a while, Miyamoto Musashi finally said,

“Just this once, help us.”

“Oh, how gracious of you.”

We gradually sensed that the Sea God was beginning to divert its gaze our way. Up until now, it seemed like the Sea God had been pretend fighting, but it was clear he was now preparing to finish us off. This meant that up until now, the Sea God had merely been toying around with us.

The Master of the Twelve Joules said,

“Musashi will create an opening, and we must deal a great blow to him through the Seven Luminaries Resonance.”

[That being said, He’s likely weak to mental attacks or summoning techniques.]

Yeodong-bin looked at Musashi worryingly. Just as he said, the Sea God would unleash devastating area attacks upon getting close, along with strong summoning attacks about the vicinity. Just looking at the Sea God would drive an ordinary person insane.

Even experts from the Martial Arts world would die from mental pollution if they got too close. While Yeodong-bin and the Fire Dragon Incarnate actively defended against the summoning attacks, the Master of the Twelve Joules seemed to be receiving help from the Three Masters, but Musashi was all alone with no help whatsoever.

Then the Master of the Twelve Joules said,

“It’s Musashi, so he’ll be fine. Let’s go!”

Vrooom!

In an instant, we devised a plan and charged again at the Sea God. I shouted to Yeodong-bin to make the switch quickly.

“Oh celestial constellations guiding the time of demise! I beseech thee for thy power! Paying my respect to the thousand years to come!”

Command of the Evil Spirit!

Wiping out the Apostle’s protective barriers along with the Ten Heavenly Generals! Normally, I could only use that once, so I had to be cautious, but there was no greater crisis than fighting the [Old Ruler].

As I cast the Command of the Evil Spirit, giant tentacles rose up from the air, suddenly wrapping around the Sea God’s entire body.

Crumble!

Suddenly, the Sea God spoke loudly in my mind.

[Who are you to him? Are you a higher-level subordinate of Le Rue?]

I didn’t respond. Without a hint of fear, I even felt like smirking at him. For some reason, this guy didn’t seem terrifying at all.

Then the Sea God declared,

[If you don’t answer, I will devour you.]

Bang!

“……!!”

It was astounding. As the Sea God expanded his form, the entire Command of the Evil Spirit, which had dealt a huge blow to every foe up to now, burst and vanished! The tentacles that had ensnared the Sea God flailed and turned to ash. But Yeodong-bin then said.

[Well done, Yeon-ja! That guy’s defensive sorcery has weakened considerably.]

So it wasn’t entirely ineffective, huh?

Still, while the incredible sorcery against Daji had had such a tight effect, this had barely ended in a mere weakening—it made the gap between the Apostle and the [Old Ruler] feel painfully apparent. Simultaneously, the Three Masters seemed to be using their techniques again to further break down the Sea God’s barrier, and he stepped back several paces again.

“Take this!”

Miyamoto Musashi leaped up high, striking down with a single slash toward the Sea God’s neck. It looked almost like a transparent crescent moon. As the Sea God met the slash, he flinched and instinctively raised both arms to guard.

Splash!

While the Sea God’s arms were about half severed, they barely stayed attached, and even then, bubbling foam began to rise from the wound, recovering almost immediately. But watching that scene, I felt stunned.

“What was that slash?”

The Sea God, as an [Old Ruler], had relied on his protective sorcery until now without taking any defensive action. However, even in his weakened state, did he just instinctively raise his arms to block a slash aimed at his neck? There had to have been some incredible hidden power behind Miyamoto Musashi’s strike.

“Kugh, it really doesn’t work against true gods…”

Miyamoto Musashi, who was on the receiving end of his own attack, looked frustrated as he crash-landed down to earth, completely worn out. Just then, the Master of the Twelve Joules, rushing forward, waved his hand to conjure clouds, catching Musashi mid-fall, and shouted to me.

“Now!”

[Understood!]

Wiying!

The Fire Dragon Incarnate drew on divine power, significantly fueling both the Fire Spirit and the Fire Dragon Sword techniques, while the Master of the Twelve Joules placed both hands on the ground to stimulate green resonance. It was the work of amplifying the power of the Sacred Altar Tree. Finally, as the two resonances shared waves, the Sea God flinched in surprise.

“[Seven Luminaries Resonance!]”

The Fire Dragon Incarnate shouted loudly as the wave exploded with even greater force. Soon, it sent a massive tidal wave of power crashing toward the Sea God, who initially seemed merely unbothered but began to falter as the energy increased, stepping back further.

The Fire Dragon Incarnate shouted to Yeodong-bin from deep within.

[We can’t inflict damage with just the resonance! We have to receive another wave’s strength and attack!]

Boom!

The real body of the Fire Dragon Incarnate descended onto this plane riding the Fire Dragon Sword. In contrast to previous times, he was completely exposing his real form with the intent of winning this battle. Yeodong-bin also seemed to feel the determination of his master, grasping the Fire Dragon Sword and Fire Spirit, he jumped passionately into the waves of power.

[Aaaaah!]

Yeodong-bin swung the Fire Spirit first, striking the Sea God at the waist with a massive flaming blade. Unlike before, it actually pierced, severing scales and greatly injuring the Sea God’s waist. Yeodong-bin, steadying himself, unleashed his lifetime’s worth of sword energy from the state of no-self in the Sword Saint’s domain.

Crash!

At last, a genuine attack had successfully hit! The fusion of the Fire Dragon Incarnate and Yeodong-bin’s powers materialized a blow that plunged the Fire Dragon Sword deep into the Sea God’s solar plexus. It felt to me, the master of the sword, like the Fire Dragon Sword was continuously spewing flames, burning away at the Sea God’s body.

“Kuhhh…”

For the very first time, the Sea God let out a sound of pain. But it seemed the Fire Dragon Incarnate made a decision.

“This is still not enough. I must…”

Suddenly, as the Sea God was about to grasp the flaming blade of the Fire Dragon Sword from his chest, the sword retaliated, unleashing an even fiercer inferno against the Sea God, rebuffing that hand. Then the voice of the Fire Dragon Incarnate echoed in my mind.

“Don’t come near!!”

Just then, Yeodong-bin, moving away, gritted his teeth.

“The Sea God’s magical power is too strong! If this goes on, Master will be eternally annihilated!”

Eternally annihilated meant the ultimate dissolution of the soul. It was the ultimate existential dread for all spirits and divine beings. The Fire Dragon Incarnate was transferring all his strength into the Fire Dragon Sword, saying,

“You know what I mean. It’s better to seal this guy away and lose myself.”

[…Are you saying to repeat what happened a thousand years ago?]

That wasn’t like Yeodong-bin at all. It’s rare for him to show such sentiment. The Fire Dragon Incarnate chuckled.

“Didn’t you say when you were following Zhongli Quan that even when apart, we’ll protect justice together?”

[……]

Yeodong-bin seemed to have made a resolution. He shoved the Fire Spirit in his remaining hand forward and rushed toward the Sea God.

Boom!

Even with the gigantic blade stabbed into its chest, the Sea God initiated attacks just the same as before. Inside the chaos of swirling storms and beams, Yeodong-bin charged at the Sea God with every ounce of martial prowess he possessed. The Master of the Twelve Joules, observing from the back, shouted in shock.

“Is that… the [Duel of the Immortals]?”

Having reached the Absolute Realm, the Master of the Twelve Joules was astonished by how dramatically Yeodong-bin’s powers had skyrocketed. Against all odds, he was dodging the Sea God’s overwhelming attacks that had once been unavoidable, even shaking off the unseen mystical powers that enveloped him. I could no longer reach out to Yeodong-bin mentally, indicating that he was in an unbreakable focus, unleashing peak forces.

As the Sea God drew near, he unleashed another beam from his mouth at the close distance. In that moment, Yeodong-bin’s face contorted with fury as he poured all his strength into an uppercut aimed at the enemy.

[Heavenly Escape Sword Technique]

[Heart Command Technique]

[Formless Sword]

Was it merely an illusion to my eyes? The formless sword cleaved through the brightness of the Sea God’s beam, lacerating his nose. The strike was so unexpected that the Sea God stood dazed, blood gushing forth from his nostrils.

Fwoosh!

After severing through the burst of light, Yeodong-bin stabbed the Fire Spirit mercilessly beside the Fire Dragon Sword. Together, they pierced through the Sea God’s chest. As the Fire Spirit pierced the [Old Ruler]’s heart, Yeodong-bin gasped for breath and said to me.

[…Yeon-ja…]

[Yeodong-bin.]

Light began emanating from Yeodong-bin. His spirit detached completely from my presence, suddenly merging with the Fire Dragon Sword.

[I will be the seal for the Sea God.]

[……]

[Please return the Master to the Celestial Realm…]

As the unconscious spirit of the Fire Dragon Incarnate absorbed into me, the illusion of the Sword Saint appeared.

[It’s rare to find a human body, and it’s also difficult to illuminate the way.]

He was panting heavily, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth. The Sea God’s magical power had tainted the arms of the Sword Saint in a purplish hue.

[In pursuit of a human heart, one seeks the roots of the Dao.]

Yeodong-bin did not loosen his grip on the sword.

[If I cannot guide this body in this lifetime…]

Crash!

Several curses shot out from the Sea God, embedding themselves into Yeodong-bin’s body, but he did not budge. His body was becoming ragged, but he never once loosened his grasp.

He instead gritted his teeth.

[I will wait for another time to guide this body back!]

Crumble!

Yeodong-bin’s form began to shimmer as he started to oxidize.

Within his final moments, Yeodong-bin chanted the verse of the Sword Saint.

The Sea God seemed to be experiencing unbearable pain, howl accompanying the violent writhing of its massive body. Yeodong-bin had thoroughly penetrated its body.

Once I was caught in my own daze, the Fire Spirit flew back to me on its own.

I caught the Fire Spirit and suddenly felt a rush of realization.

“Yeodong-bin!!”

No answer came. He had sacrificed himself to seal the Sea God.

The resolution of eternal annihilation!

Roarrr!

Perhaps that’s why the Sea God, despite the pain, couldn’t summon up the will to attack us. Even though it was a god, it was still close to a physical entity; after all the hits it had taken, mounted, and now sealed by the Fire Dragon Sword, any attack would be a double-edged sword for the Sea God.

Feeling that Yeodong-bin had vanished, I suddenly felt drained.

“Yeodong-bin… is dead?”

Yeodong-bin, who seemed like the absolute powerhouse that could never perish.

Was he saying he sealed away the god with his own demise?

As I stood in shock, suddenly, the Sea God’s voice reached my ears.

[You… master of the Seven Luminaries…]

I glanced at the Sea God. For the first time, I properly saw its eyes, which were filled with utter disdain and arrogance towards everything terrestrial, including humans. The Sea God spoke to me.

[Now, immediately… remove this seal… or I will destroy everything you hold dear.]

Overwhelming power constricted my body, threatening to burst my brain apart. It was an absolute authority unlike any I had felt from demon sorcerers before. Until now, Yeodong-bin and the Fire Dragon Incarnate had protected me from this pressure, but standing against an [Old Ruler] was something even I had never faced before. I realized if this continued, I’d suffocate before I could even blink.

“Hah… Hah…”

Then, I understood that it wasn’t just an empty threat.

While it was true that the Sea God’s strength was weakened by the seal, he was still combat-ready. As the Master of the Twelve Joules had said, if he rampaged now, Goryeo and Dongyoung might be destroyed within three days, and I’d be captured, tortured for eternity.

With the Master of the Twelve Joules shouting.

“Ahh!”

As he unleashed the power of the Wood Element, momentarily releasing me from the Sea God’s pressure.

Swish!

Boom!!

“Ugh! What…!”

However, in the process, the Sea God redirected its focus towards the Master of the Twelve Joules, who began to run for his life. While the Master of the Twelve Joules and the Three Masters tried to use their techniques to escape, there was no sign of victory to be had.

Calmly observing, I realized that we had fully exhausted all our chances. Thinking of escaping, I pulled out my Confluence Technique but it wouldn’t work as the Sea God had erected barriers to block our escape routes. Left with no choice, I accepted my fate of being trapped and ripped apart in the hands of the Sea God.

“From the start… it was impossible to win…”

I began to feel terribly aggrieved.

“Yeodong-bin… and the Fire Dragon Incarnate… they sincerely were trying to bring forth justice for humans!”

Was I to lose my life to that unforgiving evil (惡) simply because of a disparity in power? Was I to pick death and reincarnate as a mere horse? I felt this overwhelming desire to make them pay and face whatever fate they had in store for me.

The inner turmoil lasted only a moment. I clenched my fists tightly, glaring straight at the Sea God.

Then, I withdrew some spit from my pocket and began casting a secret spell.

It had been a long time since I last used this technique.

“I will initiate the Great Destruction.”

The acupoints burst wide open, and at that moment, a rush of coolness enveloped me, as a powerful force began to circulate throughout my body after so long.

“Yeodong-bin, I’m sorry.”

Even if I would die, I would take one shot at the god!

Whoosh!

The first strike of the Great Destruction headed straight for the Sea God, and as expected, he showed no noticeable reaction. My anger boiled over.

“So, I’m nothing but a bug?”

Let him feel what it’s like to squish a bug!

In an instant, I opened the Four Gates, and I noticed my body had surpassed human limits, even exceeding the maximum achievable with Raijin.

“The Fifth Gate!”

Crumble!

As the Sixth Gate swung open, I realized my potential had skyrocketed beyond double what it had been during my showdown against Yeongbi-cheon. With the current strength I possessed, I could certainly take down the Dharma Guardian. Yet even with my enhanced power, I managed to cause no impact on the Sea God’s already-weakened form, only adding to my anxiety.

“…The Eighth Gate!”

Even for just a moment, I needed to seize that ultimate power!

The final meridian opened, and I charged forth with the Fire Spirit, unleashing the Thunder God Sword Dance. Although there were stronger sword techniques, I felt this instinctively was the right call.

And as I launched the Thunder God Sword Dance toward the Tempestuous Sea God…

“Huh…?”

Time seemed to freeze.

Was this the moment of Heart Command?

No, it wasn’t.

Suddenly finding myself in a blindingly white space, I was moving slowly yet deliberately through it. It was here I understood just how many openings I habitually left exposed whenever showcasing my swordsmanship. It was inexplicable, yet I could see.

As my sword (劍) merged with the thunder god (雷神).

This was the true power of the ceremonial Thunder God Sword Dance.

The genuine secrets of the White Lotus Sect and the Four Great Families that had bequeathed over a thousand years.

A proof of having met someone [someone mysterious].

The true essence of the sword (劍意) that the Thunder Spirit (雷神) was meant to support.

“I’m going…”

With one stroke of the Thunder God Sword Dance, I felt an overwhelming sense of awakening coursing through me as I made my next step forward.

The Sea God’s attacking power lashed out at me, but I felt no fear or worry. In a state of pure composure, I examined the space around me, acknowledging my utter freedom.

I held the powers of Heaven, Earth, and People (天地人) in my hands.

No reason to evade.

And with a soft execution of the Three Treasure Technique, I cut through the area of the Sea God’s attack. While I had left considerable openings in the past even against the Master of the Shadowless Sword, now I could nullify any semblance of vulnerability.

Whoosh!

The Thunder God’s sword energy extended outward, deeply slashing the Sea God’s neck. Having weakened so thoroughly, the Sea God was unable to block now even a degree of impact from my attack. Clearly feeling immense pain for the first time, it twisted and struggled through the agony. In a daze, I followed with my final blow.

[Heavenly Escape Sword Technique]

[One Breath’s Celestial Sword]

The most fitting move from the Heavenly Escape Sword among those that lack breakthrough techniques came together as a single sword and cleanly decapitated the Sea God. His giant head came thundering down as it tried to reform due to its regeneration abilities, but I sliced it again before it could regain its form.

Chomp!

Boom!

I stood upon the severed shoulder of the Sea God, gazing emptily at the faraway sky.

“So it’s finally come to this?”

While I had vanquished the Sea God, I had expended every last bit of my Great Destruction.

The threshold of the Great Destruction meant only one outcome, death.

As I felt death nearing, I slowly closed my eyes.

“I avenged you, so that’ll suffice…”

Just then, I heard a strange noise near me.

[Power activation.]

Kikiri-kiri!

It sounded like something rewinding.

I thought it was an unsettling sound, drawing me in, yet I had no deeper thoughts to ponder as my consciousness blurred.

 

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