Chapter 47 – Honey Belly Sword (6)
At the time when Mu myung was engaged in a bloody battle with the masters of the Evil sect. The situation on the cliff top was also gradually being resolved. In particular, Seolhwa’s performance unexpectedly surpassed Sua’s imagination.
As if to prove the results of the training she had accumulated under Mu myung until now. The weight of Seolhwa’s sword, faithful to the basics, was not something that mere third-class warriors could withstand.
Seolhwa’s rough but powerful martial arts came as a fresh shock even to Namgung-yeon, who had seen and experienced the martial arts of young geniuses at the Sunmoo Academy with his own eyes. The origin was merely the Three Disasters Sword Technique. Nothing more, nothing less.
Yet, how on earth?
“How is such a skill possible…?”
The more powerful a martial art, the harder it is to learn, but in return, it boasts that much more power. That was the common sense of Namgung-yeon, or rather, of all warriors who honed their martial arts in the current martial world.
Of course, that’s not to say they disregard the efficiency of the Three Disasters Sword Technique. But no matter how much one polishes the Three Disasters Sword Technique, it couldn’t possibly become stronger than the Imperial Sword Form, the secret technique of the Namgung family, could it?
However, the martial art that Seolhwa was displaying now was not at all inferior compared to the prodigies who boasted outstanding talents even at the Sunmoo Academy. So it was only natural that it was hard to comprehend.
“The answer is simple. It’s faith.”
“Faith? In what exactly?”
“Faith that the martial arts taught by our master are the strongest.”
“Your devotion to your master is admirable… But the world is not so lenient that you can achieve such things with just mindset alone.”
He thought it was just the impulsive words of a naive child thinking about their master. Although Seolhwa wasn’t much different in age from himself, her mind was that of a seven-year-old child.
However, the moment he met the red eyes that gleamed eerily through the white hair, Namgung-yeon had no choice but to withdraw the assessment he had just made in his mind. Blood sprayed through the air like rain. The blood of those foolish enough to oppose their master. But Seolhwa, covered in blood and flesh, had a smile on her lips, while the red eyes looking at him were coldly subdued.
“Senior sister… No, should I say junior sister instead? I’m still confused.”
“…”
“May I make one request? Don’t judge my feelings for our master as you please. When I hear someone who knows nothing making arbitrary judgments…”
I sincerely want to kill them.
Just as personalities differ from person to person. Killing intent also differs from person to person. However, Seolhwa’s killing intent was closer to that of a beast rather than a human.
Thanks to this, Namgung-yeon couldn’t say anything and could only nod his head. Then Seolhwa returned to her usual innocent expression. At the same time, all the killing intent disappeared.
‘What kind of experiences has she gone through…’
He had already grasped to some extent that Seolhwa had gone through something unusual. But he never expected that she would be hiding such killing intent. He couldn’t tell if she was human or beast.
For now, it seemed necessary to focus on finishing up with the remaining assassins.
While the assassins disguised as attendants were being eliminated due to Seolhwa’s unexpectedly outstanding performance. Ironically, those who became more anxious were the Hundred Great masters who chose to directly participate in the evil sect.
They had directly taken on the biggest variable, the Sword Demon, from the evil sect, and apart from that, they had numerical superiority. But who would have thought that things would get so complicated due to the betrayal of just one person? Does this make any sense?
No, to begin with.
Why am I only able to use one arm?
And losing to that insufferably arrogant fellow?
At first, he was confident. Baek Sanha himself was merely inferior to Go Gyeom, but he was still firmly established as one of the Hundred Great Masters. And on top of that, he had embraced evil arts.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that he had become several times stronger than in the past. Moreover, Go Gyeom had just been stabbed in the shoulder by a surprise attack and couldn’t use one of his arms. In other words, it was a situation where he couldn’t lose even if he wanted to.
But something unbelievable happened. In this optimal situation where he absolutely couldn’t lose even if he wanted to, against Go Gyeom who couldn’t use one arm. Amazingly, he was being thoroughly pushed back.
“This bastard…!!”
“Swoosh! Boom!!”
“Ugh!!!”
With an eerie sound cutting through the air, the invisible Iron Dragon Silk struck Baek Sanha’s sword. No matter how he tried to use techniques to escape, the other side moved one step faster to block him.
As a result, Baek Sanha couldn’t even properly use his techniques and was gradually being driven into a corner. But if he were to rush in mindlessly… It was obvious that he would be caught by the Iron Dragon Silk and have his neck severed in an instant.
However, if he continued to be dragged along like this, it was clear that he would eventually be exhausted and defeated. To break through this situation, he had to do something now while he was still relatively intact.
‘The situation is irreversible anyway. I probably won’t be able to leave this place alive.’
Although he had been driven to this predicament, Baek Sanha was also a young master who had made a name for himself among the Hundred Great Masters. Of course, he knew that gaining the upper hand in the current situation was almost impossible.
Even if he was lucky enough to save his life, the days ahead would not be hopeful. Then what was the best move he could make right now? No, he already knew.
The expression of Baek Sanha, who had shed his hesitation, was flowing with resolute determination. Seeing this, Go Gyeom realized that this was Baek Sanha’s last move. Silence fell for a very brief moment.
“Hup!”
The one who broke the silence and made the first move was none other than Baek Sanha. If another Hundred Great master was overwhelmed and defeated and joined them here, he wouldn’t even be able to make this last move.
“How foolish. So that’s truly your trump card.”
“Don’t underestimate my determination, Go Gyeom.”
“…?!”
The biggest challenge in breaking through the Iron Dragon Silk lies in its speed. The Iron Dragon Silk wielded so quickly that it’s hard to follow with the eyes, is literally like assassins who approach without making a sound.
But Baek Sanha had countless duels with Go Gyeom over the years. That means he could make some predictions. Thanks to this, Baek Sanha was able to avoid the Iron Dragon Silk.
At least by sacrificing one arm. The blade of the Iron Dragon Silk instantly severed one of Baek Sanha’s arms. However, in that brief gap, Baek Sanha’s body lunged forward.
Completely giving up on the thought of survival.
Literally a determination to die together.
The sword tip imbued with a desperate obsession headed towards Go Gyeom’s chest.
And, finally. The sound of flesh being pierced rang out.
Baek Sanha blankly looked down at his own chest. There was Go Gyeom’s sleeve needle, which had perfectly pierced his heart. Had he predicted even this far and prepared in advance?
“…I see, you tied it to the arm that couldn’t use the Iron Dragon Silk and controlled it.”
“In a life-and-death battle, a slight deception can bring about a major variable. But unfortunately, you were much stronger before than you are now.”
“Are you belittling me until the very end?”
“It’s not belittlement but sincerity. Your actions, captivated by evil arts, were so simple that it wasn’t difficult to read them. Even the move of mutual destruction you displayed at the end.”
“So in the end, it’s my defeat for getting drunk on power and forgetting the essence.”
With those words, Baek Sanha’s body felt drained of strength. Go Gyeom quietly pulled out his sleeve needle and laid Baek Sanha’s body down. His eyes remained open, as if in resentment.
“…Farewell.”
Go Gyeom closed Baek Sanha’s eyes with a bitter heart. Although he had committed a terrible betrayal, it was still quite difficult to shake off the affection they had shared as friends until now.
◇
The flow of events is strange.
According to the original plan, the fight should have been over by now and they should have captured the Sword Demon’s disciples as prisoners. But even after half an incense stick’s time had passed, for some reason, there was no news.
The moment they recognized this fact in their minds, hesitation arose in the attacks of the two masters. It was almost instinctive. The only reason the Sword Demon had not killed them until now was simple.
Because he didn’t know exactly about the safety of his disciples. However, once the thought that things were going strangely dominated their minds, whether they liked it or not, that concern had to be reflected in their attacks.
And Mu myung was not stupid enough to not notice this fact. Mu myung stood proudly before them with a blood-soaked body. He had allowed minor and major attacks, resulting in quite a few wounds.
Strangely, he felt no problem moving his body. The masked woman was shocked by this fact. She had definitely applied poison to her nails, so why was he still so unaffected?
‘Could it be… He has reached the legendary state of immunity to all poisons?! Well, if it’s the Sword Demon, it’s not surprising…!!’
“It seems things aren’t going according to plan?”
“…Don’t make arbitrary assumptions. Your disciples are as good as captured already.”
“I see, then that means they haven’t been captured yet.”
“Ugh!!!”
“That one fact is enough.”
Mu myung grasped his sword with both hands. Despite having lost a lot of blood and being in a dazed state, somehow, the moment he held the sword with both hands, his blurry vision regained clarity.
At that moment, the choice taken by the evil sect masters was very swift and clear. The man with the huge build rushed towards the Sword Demon, exploding all his internal energy. Destruction that shattered everything.
Just by releasing his internal energy, he broke the ground and its fragments burst out. However, even in the face of such pinnacle of destruction, Mu myung’s action was simply to swing his sword.
A vertical slash?
No, that’s not it.
He felt like he could reach an even higher place now.
Driven to the extreme limit, with his life in peril, the current situation ironically drew out a desperate determination to live. Eventually, the ultimate form of the Three Disasters Sword Technique was swung once more.
“Tai Shan Ya Ding“ the absolute pressure, as if Mount Tai itself were descending upon one’s head.
It’s not a slash. Under the tremendous pressure that could even press down on Mount Tai, the body of the master who was among the upper ranks in the evil sect was greatly crushed. The impact caused the cliff to crack and begin to collapse.
“…Has the other one fled?”
I see, so the other one chose to escape while this one was buying time? Mu myung, who belatedly read this intention, clicked his tongue. As much as he wanted to chase after and kill that person.
His physical condition wasn’t good right now.
Above all, the cliff was collapsing.
Leaving this place immediately was the priority.
