Chapter 91
**
I didn’t completely fail to anticipate a conflict.
It’s just that I never thought it would involve the leader of the Wima Sect, Nine Heavens Jade Woman Geum Seoryeon.
“…They’re elite. The numbers are also considerable. Should I assist?”
“It’s fine.”
“Haha! You’re all dead! Think about what you’ll do in hell…!”
“Shut up.”
—Whack!
Shim Yu’s head drooped after the hit. Black Danhwa inquired.
“Are you truly okay on your own?”
“To be honest, I’m not so sure. But…”
The real foes to tackle are the organization that defeated the Blood Sea Members.
If I can’t even get past this, can I save her?
…No, that can’t be the case.
I need to confirm. My actual experience since arriving here barely counts on my fingers.
Blood Sect. Whatever they do, it’s undeniable they’ve been lurking for a long time.
They must have undergone special training.
They’re likely more refined than the masters in front of me.
So, let’s see for myself where I stand now.
“I’ll give it a shot for now.”
“Got it.”
Black Danhwa stepped back. Eight men, referred to as the members of Wima, bared their teeth.
“You punk! How dare you commit dirty deeds in the territory of the Manma Sect!”
“Surrender quietly! Otherwise, we’ll kill you!”
“Sorry, but I can’t do that.”
I casually loosened my wrist.
For now, let’s aim for complete suppression.
Hoisting Baikya with its sheath over my shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
“You bastard!”
The fact that I hadn’t even drawn my sword drove them into a frenzy.
Three are in the air. Five are running on the ground.
I can see the powerful sword energy emanating from the drawn swords. Even the motions of their swings look heavy.
But…
I see it all.
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.
Third Brother.
Overlord Demon Technique.
The crimson blood radiance flowing through my body. I ignored Baikya’s chilling wraith howl.
The Ice White Blood Demon Technique can wait. For now, I’ll only engage with the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.
Heavy.
Something I’ve practiced many times.
I take a step toward the first sword lunging at me. My weight finds the gap.
I narrowly dodged the tangled swords. I examined the sword of the first one to charge at me.
The distance between his sword and my body.
I naturally lean back from my forward-leaning position.
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.
Second Brother.
Dan Hoon Choo – Overwhelming Grave.
—Smash!!
With a rough sound, the opponent’s jaw literally flew off. His body soared into the air and tumbled down to the ground.
It wouldn’t be unscathed. I infused my energy into it. Yet, he didn’t die.
Let’s try going with this feeling.
“A master!”
“Don’t let your guard down!”
“Form the success formation!”
The remaining Wima members changed their attitude. The swords that were tangled became aligned instantly, pressing against me.
A success formation, huh? They’re filling in each other’s weaknesses through a special formation.
“You bastard!”
Their fierce swords threatened my face. Their strong intent filled their bodies, threatening me.
Using strong intent will inevitably delay the next move. Martial arts are rhythm. You can’t wage a battle solely with strong intent every moment.
If there’s an inhale, there’s an exhale. How one connects that is the essence of intent.
But before I could catch my breath, two members filled the gap they left.
One after another, they unleashed their strongest intent, enough to press a master one level above.
—Clang!
The two that were repelled slid across the ground. But another took their place in an instant.
Swords intertwine. The tangled swords continued charging to spill blood.
I ride that flow. I bent my body and stepped back, gauging my level of martial arts.
It’s amazing.
Each of them is not out of the realm of talent.
They must have all been praised as geniuses the moment they picked up a sword. Instinctively, they pierced efficient paths to target me.
The power embedded in their swords is immense. The sharp tips threaten my neck in real-time.
But it’s not enough.
The exchange of blows that took place in an instant lasted over 30 seconds.
I dodged a charging sword. I gripped my sword’s hilt tightly.
I shifted from defense to offense.
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.
Second Brother.
Dan Hoon Choo – Friction.
Understanding the overall flow is simple.
I predicted the trajectory of the incoming sword and gathered strength in my arm. Suddenly determining the point where my inner energy would condense…
I struck down hard.
—Crack!
“Wha—?!”
I kicked the flustered Wima member’s jaw while holding the broken sword. Throwing the sword upwards lightly, I reached out toward the members of Wima next to me.
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.
First Brother.
Ilma – White Serpent, Seven Piercings.
—Crack!
One jaw flew off as I elbowed.
Another wrapped around me like a snake, trapping my body.
“Gahhh!”
“You punk!”
I twisted my body. Holding the captured Wima member, I grasped the falling sword.
Next, a simple strike to the back of the neck. I tossed the limp Wima member aside.
In the blink of an eye, I had reduced their numbers to three. The expression on the faces of the remaining Wima members turned stern.
“What in the world…?!”
“How is there such a difference…?!”
“I thought the realm itself was just a level above…?!”
Indeed, some masters are present. That much is certain.
They are truly rare individuals, and they have a right to feel pride in being part of the Wima Sect.
But feeling satisfied with what they had led to their neglect, which showed throughout their bodies.
Intent.
The movements of wielding swords.
The weight contained at the tips of their feet.
Everything became their poison. It had been a long while since they had engaged in proper training.
I gave my shoulder a light pat with the sheath.
“…Hoo.”
I had doubts before, but now I’m certain.
I can do it. As I am now, there’s no need to hold back.
So…
Let’s smash it all.
“Be careful not to die.”
“What…?!”
I stepped forward.
The blood energy of Overlord Demon Technique blazed around me.
Next, it’s simple.
—Boom!
The bones of the four Wima members who soared into the air broke simultaneously.
“Gahhh!!”
“Ugh?!”
With strong inner energy. The body I had trained rigorously. The swords I had swung countless times.
From within, I could confirm the power of what I had built up.
“…Hah.”
I was not wrong.
The teachings of Ilma. My path. Someday…
I will surely surpass the Heavenly Demon.
…
Fire Heaven Explosive Fist.
White Hundred Shots Death.
—Boom!!!
The wall crumbles. Dust pours from all directions, filling the air with a choking smell.
Whether stone or mud, everything is burned and exploded. That’s what the Fire Heaven Explosive Fist does—turning everything it touches to ash.
However, this opponent wasn’t so easily turned to ash. Instead, within the flames, he glimmered with ominous eyes.
“Now it’s my turn.”
—Roar!!!
The terrifying scream of the sword echoed towards the upper body of the Fire Heaven Demon. At the tip, blazing with a sharp sword energy, the Fire Heaven Demon hurriedly raised his hands.
Fist and sword.
The two, encased in strong energy, clashed in mid-air.
—Crack!!!
Energy collided with energy. The monsters that appeared to have reached the peak of martial arts mixed together.
The surroundings split apart. The earth twisted and crumbled, becoming dust.
The place where they met was a rift in space. Speed surpassed speed, shattering each other’s attacks.
One was placed on top of another.
In a breathtaking exchange, Fire Heaven Demon couldn’t help but smile. This power. Yes, the Nine Heavens Jade Woman is not just an empty title.
It’s exhilarating!
This is how a warrior should engage!
“There was a reason for your arrogance! Then I too shall face you with all my might!”
He instantly raised the power of explosive energy to the ninth level. The blazing foot left imprints on the ground.
A blood duel. In the end, it was only the enemy that I desperately wished to turn to ash.
The blazing red energy spread out immediately. The Nine Heavens Jade Woman also raised a fierce smile at the corners of her mouth.
“I’ll tear you apart.”
The jade energy hanging from the sword roared. Within it, the Fire Heaven Demon smelled death.
The enemy’s swordplay was the peak of distraction. Just as I thought I had caught it, the sword slipped away.
It was like trying to catch a butterfly that wouldn’t be caught. The martial arts that Nine Heavens Jade Woman practiced seemed to resemble a dream of a butterfly.
The inviting demeanor concealed a certainty. A certainty that she would show the dream of a sword that could devour me in an instant.
“Hehehe!”
At my age, still a challenger, are you saying you’re willing to give me a chance?
How arrogant!
“I’ll crush it all! With this one punch of mine!”
“Come on. Fire Heaven Demon. I won’t forget your end.”
—Whirring, whirring.
Within the gathered energy, the Fire Heaven Demon raised his hands. The tips blazed with fiery redness, like a small sun.
The Nine Heavens Jade Woman also held her sword. The energy imbued at the tip overflowed, cascading like mist in all directions.
The accumulation of strikes. The time for resolution.
The two prepared their stances before simultaneously taking a step forward. But at that very moment, Nine Heavens Jade Woman Geum Seoryeon turned her head.
The Fire Heaven Demon, who was about to unleash his ultimate move, hesitated.
“Are you mocking me?!”
“Stop with the mockery and open your ears. First, look at that over there.”
Nine Heavens Jade Woman casually pointed aside. The Fire Heaven Demon turned his head in the direction she indicated.
There stood a man—a warrior. Mu Myung. A peculiar fellow using a blatant pseudonym.
He was wielding his sword. The sword he swung was either confidence or arrogance; it was hard to tell.
But the next moment, it became clear which it was.
The four members of Wima soared into the air simultaneously.
“……!”
The Fire Heaven Demon couldn’t help but be amazed. Look at that foundational skill.
Whoever taught him, they taught well. Truly exceptional. That kind of skill is impossible without a solid foundation.
Remarkable. Although his movements were straightforward, that straightforwardness had overwhelming physical strength pushing it forward!
“Is he your disciple?”
“That will be the plan.”
“Hmm… If that’s the plan, then he isn’t one yet.”
The Fire Heaven Demon saw.
The greed reflected in the eyes of Nine Heavens Jade Woman.
He immediately changed his words.
“Though you say that, he’s practically my disciple already! Don’t get involved; focus on the match!”
“He’s already someone I want to finish off, but now it seems I can’t.”
“What?”
“I told you to open your ears.”
“I am… one of the Blood Sect’s spies…”
The Fire Heaven Demon, focusing on the match, belatedly heard the voice he had missed.
Shim Yu, mesmerized, was spilling the details. Nine Heavens Jade Woman inserted her sword back into its sheath.
“You all. What are you really pursuing?”
“We’re searching for the Blood Sea Members.”
“The Blood Sea Members? Are you talking about the Blood Sea Member Wolhyang who vanished alongside Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan?”
“That’s correct.”
“…Then, this story involving Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan also intertwines with theirs.”
Nine Heavens Jade Woman examined the fallen subordinates.
“Have you subdued all of them?”
“Yes. There’s no reason to kill them.”
Nine Heavens Jade Woman turned her head. She looked up at Mu Myung.
“Impressive. Your sword’s tip is seasoned. Which sect are you from?”
“There is none.”
“Really? What’s your affiliation?”
“That’s also technically nothing for now.”
“Your voice is firm. Your physique is excellent. You have a decent face as well. Come closer.”
The Fire Heaven Demon blocked the way.
“I told you not to lay your eyes on him!”
“He’s still not your disciple, is he? Stop screeching in my ear.”
“He is my disciple!”
“No, he isn’t.”
“I can teach him the Fire Heaven Explosive Sword!”
“Fire Heaven Demon. Isn’t that the least important thing?”
Black Danhwa smacked Shim Yu lightly.
“Let’s get the information first. Let’s not stray into strange territories. Leader of the Wima, can we take it that you’ll cooperate for now?”
“The idea that a Blood Sect spy is hiding in the Manma Sect is unacceptable.”
Nine Heavens Jade Woman clicked her tongue.
“Continue the interrogation. An unnamed woman. I’ll oversee it myself.”
