Chapter 106: Lord of the Western Sea (3)
The red line drawn on the floor throughout the entire cavity.
Glancing at it, Mok Gyeong-un said to the white-haired middle-aged man,
"By any chance, is the proposal you made earlier still valid?"
"Proposal?"
"Yes. In a way, it's thanks to me that you came out of there, isn't it?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the white-haired middle-aged man twitched his lips and soon let out a vicious laugh.
"Hahaha! You think it's thanks to you that I'm out?"
"Ultimately, yes."
"What a funny kid. How can your intention to satisfy your human greed be considered a favor?"
"After being trapped for thousands of years and finally being released, for someone who has lived that long, can't you let it slide in a good mood?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the white-haired middle-aged man scoffed.
To him, Mok Gyeong-un was at best an insect crawling on the ground.
Just as humans don't have emotions towards insects or pay special attention to them, the white-haired middle-aged man had no particular feelings about what Mok Gyeong-un said.
However, there was something intriguing.
"You're a truly peculiar kid."
"What?"
"Why do you have no fear?"
"Fear?"
That was the white-haired middle-aged man's question.
Even before and now in this isolated situation, Mok Gyeong-un didn't fear him at all.
Despite being in a situation where fear should well up as he could die at any moment.
The white-haired middle-aged man approached with narrowed eyes and said,
"Do you not fear death? Or are you under the delusion that you won't die even in this situation?"
"Well. I can tell you it's not the latter."
"Not the latter?"
"Yes."
"So you're saying you don't fear death?"
"Everything that lives is bound to decline anyway, so what's the point of fearing it?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the white-haired middle-aged man found him peculiar.
Even beings who live eternally like himself fear extinction.
Yet a mortal says he doesn't fear death.
At this, the white-haired middle-aged man extended his hand and said,
"Is that so? Then we can test whether you truly don't fear death."
The white-haired middle-aged man lightly waved his hand.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un's left arm, which was floating in the air in a running posture, bent backward.
His arm was completely bent beyond its range of motion.
Just looking at it was horrifying.
-M-Master!
Gyu Soha shouted at the sight of Mok Gyeong-un's bent left arm.
However, the person in question, Mok Gyeong-un, only let out a slightly rough breath without showing any particular change in expression.
At this, one of the white-haired middle-aged man's eyebrows raised.
'He's enduring this?'
No matter how strong his patience was, he thought he would at least let out a groan.
But it was completely unexpected.
While they were doing so, Elder Yang Mu-won, the keeper of the treasure vault who had been watching this sight, hurriedly tried to run somewhere.
"The mechanism… The mechanism…"
Yang Mu-won muttered.
He was trying to activate the mechanism installed in the treasure vault.
'I need to activate the mechanism and quickly send a signal requesting help from the main sect.'
He couldn't handle a supreme master of that level with his own strength.
However, the mechanism installed in this treasure vault was designed to handle hundreds of intruders and even Transcendent Realm supreme masters.
As he was about to go to the activation device of the mechanism,
"Ugh!"
A chill ran down his spine, and he felt something cold seeping into his body.
As a master close to the pinnacle-stage of the Peak Realm, he had felt a cold and invisible presence around him for a while.
But what was this unpleasant sensation?
"Gah!"
Elder Yang Mu-won's body trembled violently as if having a seizure.
Then his eyes rolled back.
The blood vessels on his face bulged black as Yang Mu-won.
A reddish blood color seeped into his rolled-back eyes, and soon his face returned to normal.
'That was close.'
The one who had taken over his body was none other than Cheong-ryeong.
Upon hearing Yang Mu-won's muttering, she realized the situation and possessed his body.
She was aware of the mechanism installed in the main sect's treasure vault.
So if the mechanism here was the same or superior to the one she knew and was activated carelessly, Mok Gyeong-un, who was currently captured, would be in danger.
"Haa… Haa…"
As Mok Gyeong-un was catching his breath, the white-haired middle-aged man said,
"Seeing that you can easily endure this much, it seems better to tear it off rather than break it. This time, one of your legs…"
"Tearing it off is up to you, but how will you get out once I'm dead?"
"Out?"
"Yes. From what I see, even someone as powerful as you seems unable to cross that red line."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the white-haired middle-aged man silently stared at the red line drawn on the floor.
Then he opened his mouth again.
"You're talking as if you'll open that for me."
"…If we can come to a mutual agreement."
"Agreement? It sounds as if you're saying you'll make that disappear if I spare your life."
"Let's say that's the case."
If he had the upper hand, he would have tried to gain some benefit from the deal, but the opponent was a Spirit Beast-level malevolent spirit who could kill him at any time.
Knowing that provoking it would do no good, Mok Gyeong-un intended to receive the minimum price to save his life.
Then the white-haired middle-aged man smirked and said,
"Why would someone who claims not to fear death want to save his life as a price?"
"…I have something I must do."
"Something you must do?"
"There's someone I need to kill."
"Revenge, is it?"
"…"
There was no answer, but it was clearly an affirmation.
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the white-haired middle-aged man approached him, grabbed his chin, and lightly lifted it up.
"In other words, you want to prolong your life even a little for the sake of revenge."
"Of course, everything depends on your choice. If you want to kill me, I'll die, and if you accept my deal, I'll be able to get out of this cavity."
"Get out of here…"
The white-haired middle-aged man stared intently at Mok Gyeong-un.
In fact, his mood was close to its peak.
That was because he had been sealed inside that scroll for a staggeringly long time of thousands of years.
But now he had come out of it.
He had gained freedom.
If he could break even that red prohibition…
"It's tempting. Is saving your life the only thing you want?"
"…Yes. It doesn't seem like a situation where I can ask for anything else."
"You're quick to understand your place. Good."
The white-haired middle-aged man lightly nodded his head.
Then Mok Gyeong-un's body, which had been floating in the air, fell to the ground.
"Huu… Huu…"
Mok Gyeong-un, who had fallen to the ground, grabbed his left elbow that had been bent backward.
No matter how strong his endurance against pain was, it was impossible not to feel pain when a perfectly fine arm was bent in the opposite direction.
'For now…'
He bent his arm, which had been bent backward, back to its original direction.
His face turned slightly red, but he still didn't show any signs of pain.
'It'll take time to recover.'
As the arm was bent, the bones near the elbow cartilage had cracked and shattered, making it impossible to move properly.
Mok Gyeong-un looked at the line drawn on the floor.
'One chance.'
There was only one chance.
Although he had proposed a deal, he had no intention of actually releasing the being.
If the red line, which seemed to be a barrier, were to be lifted, there was no telling how this vicious Spirit Beast would come out.
Therefore, Mok Gyeong-un inwardly recited the first incantation of the Eight Shattered Techniques.
If he could create even a momentary gap…
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un's arm rose upward on its own.
'!?'
Then his body started moving on its own.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un frowned and said,
"What are you doing?"
"By the way, human. Is there any need for me to make such a deal with you?"
"…"
"I can just move your body like this."
The white-haired middle-aged man waved his hand, and Mok Gyeong-un's body moved on its own as if it had become a puppet.
'This is troublesome.'
Mok Gyeong-un let out a soft sigh.
He himself wasn't the type to trust others easily, but it seemed this Spirit Beast was the same.
Moreover, it didn't give him the slightest opening, as if it hadn't simply lived for thousands of years.
Perhaps this time, he might have to prepare himself.
'Grandfather.'
Perhaps he wouldn't be able to take revenge…
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un saw Cheong-ryeong coming out of Yang Mu-won's body.
Seeing that,
At that instant, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes turned cold.
Why did he think for a moment that he might not be able to take revenge for his grandfather?
Does dying mean he can't take revenge?
There were Cheong-ryeong and Green Spirit Gyu Soha, who would become vengeful spirits to take revenge even after death.
Was his resentment towards the one who killed his grandfather only this much?
"Ha…"
Self-anger and self-mockery.
As it grew, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes came alive as if they were burning.
"Huu."
Mok Gyeong-un drew upon the death energy within his body.
Compared to the vast demonic energy of the white-haired middle-aged man, it was just a drop in the bucket, but what if he concentrated it all in one place?
Like the death energy concentrated in the danjeon.
The energy from the lower danjeon and middle danjeon was concentrated solely in his right hand.
As all the death energy was concentrated in one place,
'What is this kid doing now?'
The white-haired middle-aged man frowned while looking at Mok Gyeong-un's right hand.
That was because Mok Gyeong-un's right hand had somehow turned pitch black.
'More… More…'
The death energy concentrated and materialized into one.
It took on a completely different form and color from aura.
Seeing this, Cheong-ryeong's eyes widened.
'Energy more condensed and concentrated in one place than aura.'
It was none other than true energy.
She couldn't hide her astonishment upon seeing this.
Although he had gained enlightenment about energy in the treasure vault, Mok Gyeong-un was still at the Peak Realm.
But true energy, which was only possible at the supreme Transcendent Realm, had been formed.
What on earth was going on?
'What is that color?'
The peculiar thing was that ordinary true energy had a blue color like the stars of the Big Dipper.
But the energy concentrated in Mok Gyeong-un's hand had a black color as if everything would be sucked into it.
Was it a phenomenon that occurred as the death energy was concentrated?
At that moment, the hand that had been bound by demonic energy was freed.
At the same time, as Mok Gyeong-un struck his blackened hand towards the floor, fragments flew in all directions with a loud noise.
However, those fragments didn't reach the white-haired middle-aged man.
As if an invisible barrier had been created, the fragments were blocked and oxidized on the spot.
Then, in an instant, the white-haired middle-aged man disappeared and appeared at the entrance of the cavity where the red line was drawn.
The white-haired middle-aged man extended his hand forward.
Then, Mok Gyeong-un's body, which had been charging forward like a spear with his black hand extended through the fragment dust, was repelled backward.
"Ugh!"
Mok Gyeong-un, who had been repelled, collided with a bookshelf and knelt on one knee on the floor.
Black blood flowed from the mouth of Mok Gyeong-un, who had suffered internal injuries.
He had concentrated all the death energy in his body into one hand to increase destructive power, but that also meant there was less energy to protect his body.
'I can't close the gap at all.'
Mok Gyeong-un clicked his tongue while looking at the white-haired middle-aged man blocking the entrance.
He thought it might be possible for a moment, but it didn't work.
While they were doing so, the white-haired middle-aged man looked at Mok Gyeong-un with interest and said,
"How truly strange. I didn't realize it before, but how does a living being possess the energy of the dead like that?"
The white-haired middle-aged man hadn't been able to detect this when Mok Gyeong-un was circulating energy only within his body.
However, when the energy was concentrated in his hand and materialized, he realized that it had little to do with the true energy that Taoists and Immortals cultivated through life-nurturing techniques.
"Strange. Strange indeed. I'll have to examine your body."
The white-haired middle-aged man made a pulling gesture towards Mok Gyeong-un.
Then, in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes, he saw the vast demonic energy trying to grasp him in the form of a giant hand.
Right at that moment,
In an instant, the entire room was covered in blood.
Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes trembled.
'The realm of ghostly intent?'
A space made of blood.
This was Cheong-ryeong's realm of ghostly intent, the Blood Realm.
The blood surged up like a geyser and instantly trapped the white-haired middle-aged man.
Behind that whirlpool of blood, Cheong-ryeong was visible.
'Why?'
Mok Gyeong-un looked at her with an uncomprehending expression.
Why did she come in here?
No matter how much she had reached the level of Cheong-ryeong, she absolutely couldn't compare to a malevolent spirit at the level of a Spirit Beast.
But why did she come in?
Then she shouted at Mok Gyeong-un,
"Run!"
Upon hearing this, Mok Gyeong-un threw his body towards the entrance without a moment to think.
He couldn't miss the opportunity she had created for him.
Right at that instant,
The whirlpool of blood scattered in all directions and disappeared as if oxidized.
The white-haired middle-aged man had a contemptuous expression.
"What a foolish act. Catch…"
-Don't underestimate me. Spirit Beast.
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong's entire body was covered in blood, and she transformed into a human form seemingly made of blood.
Then, the spiritual energy emanating from her became incomparably stronger than when she had unfolded the Blood Realm.
It far surpassed Cheong-ryeong's level.
Seeing this, Gyu Soha muttered in a surprised voice,
-Re…sentment?
The blood droplets floating around simultaneously rushed towards the white-haired middle-aged man.
Along with that, Cheong-ryeong, who had transformed into a blood incarnation, hugged the white-haired middle-aged man from behind, holding him in place.
However,
The white-haired middle-aged man lightly moved his hand while still bound by her,
The blood droplets flying in from all directions stopped midway.
Then they lost strength and fell to the ground.
'To this extent…'
Cheong-ryeong's eyes, which were like blood, trembled.
By detonating all her spiritual energy, she was able to exert a power close to the Blue Spirit level for a moment, but even that didn't work against this Spirit Beast.
Then the white-haired middle-aged man spoke as if impressed,
"I thought you were an ordinary evil spirit, but your strength is far greater than most high-ranking malevolent spirits. If I take your energy, it will quench my hunger a bit."
With those words, he took a deep breath.
Then Cheong-ryeong, who had been hugging him, writhed as if in pain.
-Aaagh!
The spiritual energy was being absorbed at a tremendous speed.
Despite the pain, Cheong-ryeong mumbled with her lips,
-G…o…a…way…
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed as he looked at this sight.
'Why?'
No matter how much of a servant spirit she was, why was she trying to sacrifice herself for him?
What was the reason for trying to save him to this extent, even though he didn't move according to her will?
Once she herself was extinguished, everything would be meaningless, so he couldn't understand it.
Did she believe that if he survived, he would take revenge on her behalf until the end?
That couldn't be.
But why was she going this far?
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes met hers as she lost strength and returned to her human form.
Her eyes held complex emotions.
Why did the gaze of someone sacrificing themselves for another make him feel so concerned?
'…How annoying.'
Mok Gyeong-un, who had been smirking with his lips, shouted,
"It seems it would be better for you to remain trapped in here."
With that cry, in an instant, Mok Gyeong-un thrust his hand towards his own chest.
The white-haired middle-aged man couldn't hide his bewilderment at the sight of this.
"You bastard!"
He had never expected Mok Gyeong-un to suddenly perform an act of self-destruction by thrusting his hand into his own chest.
At this,
The white-haired middle-aged man pushed aside Cheong-ryeong, whose spiritual energy had weakened, and ran towards Mok Gyeong-un.
"Kuhk!"
Mok Gyeong-un coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed backward.
"This crazy human bastard!"
This fellow had to stay alive to remove that red line and go outside.
There was no way for the vengeful spirits to remove it.
Therefore, the white-haired middle-aged man couldn't help but become desperate.
He bent his knees, lowered his posture, approached Mok Gyeong-un, and grabbed his right hand to pull out the hand thrust into his chest.
Right at that moment,
"Huh?"
At that instant, the palm he grabbed seemed to stick like suction, and the demonic energy was escaping at a tremendous speed.
Mok Gyeong-un, whose mouth was covered in blood, smiled sardonically and muttered,
"Cough, cough… It's really hard to grab a hand."
108: Chapter 107: Lord of the Western Sea (4)
"Cough, cough… It's really hard to grab a hand."
Mok Gyeong-un, whose mouth was covered in blood, smiled sardonically and muttered.
He had contemplated in an instant how to approach this being called a Spirit Beast.
'How can I approach it?'
The being had seen him absorbing energy.
That's probably why it tried to control him in a detached state through demonic energy and attacked.
In this situation, by what means could he make it approach?
It was a suspicious being, so unless he drew his last breath, it would never come close…
'Ah!'
The method he came up with as a last resort was none other than this.
'Lucky me.'
This method was a kind of gamble with his life on the line.
The being regarded him as an insect while also considering him the key to getting out.
So he was certain that it would try to keep him alive in any way possible.
And that certainty was confirmed.
Demonic energy beyond imagination was being sucked in through the palm by the Ritual of Binding incantation.
It was incomparable to fierce beasts or monstrous beasts.
The concentration and vastness were beyond imagination.
It was hard to believe that this was a weakened state after being sealed for thousands of years.
Then, at its peak, just how powerful would it be?
Cheong-ryeong, whose spiritual energy had been drained and weakened, staggered and looked at Mok Gyeong-un with a haggard face.
She always felt that he was a fellow who surpassed expectations.
Who in the world would risk their life and do such a crazy thing?
'Only that mortal is capable of it.'
It was the result of combining cunning, insight, and the boldness to make it a reality.
That Spirit Beast had to keep Mok Gyeong-un alive no matter what.
Only then could it get out of here.
'This won't do.'
Although she had reached a perilous state by having more than 80% of her spiritual energy drained, helping Mok Gyeong-un now would increase the chances of survival even more.
A bloody light flowed from her near-dead eyes.
Right at that moment,
"Stop it right now!"
The white-haired middle-aged man urged Mok Gyeong-un.
His hair, which had been flowing down alluringly, was standing on end as if his anger had reached its peak.
'These insect-like beings!'
How dare they deceive him and aim for his demonic energy?
He had to detach the fellow's hand somehow.
The white-haired middle-aged man nodded his head to detach Mok Gyeong-un's adhered hand and invoked demonic energy.
However,
'Damn it…'
After adhering to the human fellow, the energy wasn't being controlled properly.
It seemed to be escaping too quickly.
'In that case.'
At this, the white-haired middle-aged man tried to forcefully detach Mok Gyeong-un's adhered wrist with his other hand.
But at that very moment,
The cavity transformed into a space filled with blood.
"This is…"
It was Cheong-ryeong's realm of ghostly intent, the Blood Realm.
The white-haired middle-aged man turned his head and made an absurd expression.
Cheong-ryeong, who was on the verge of death, created a realm of ghostly intent by detonating all her remaining spiritual power.
The blood that had opened the Blood Realm flew in like whips and seized the white-haired middle-aged man's left arm and both legs.
The sticky blood whips turned tough like leather and restrained the being.
"You evil spirit!"
The white-haired middle-aged man, exploding with rage, tried to forcefully shake it off.
The blood whips stretched due to the immense force.
However, Cheong-ryeong's Blood Realm, which was prepared even for extinction, was not to be taken lightly either.
More blood transformed into whips and seized the body of the white-haired middle-aged man, who was trying to shake it off.
"Aargh!"
The white-haired middle-aged man's anger reached its peak.
If he had regained even 30% or 10% of his strength from before being sealed, he could have exterminated such insects with a single gesture.
But now, he couldn't do that.
He didn't know what this insect-like human fellow was doing, but the demonic energy within his body had become unstable and couldn't be properly controlled.
Even in the midst of that, the demonic energy was continuously being drained.
It had already exceeded 30% of what remained.
At this rate, it might become difficult to even maintain his current form.
'Damn insects.'
It was a situation where he was caught between a rock and a hard place.
If his life wasn't in danger, he could have detached his hand first, but if he did that, this weakened human fellow would draw his last breath.
However, if he didn't detach from this fellow, his demonic energy would continue to be drained.
'If only that damn evil spirit wasn't interfering…'
He could stop it by tearing off the energy-absorbing arm with his other hand.
But that evil spirit wasn't budging an inch, as if it was prepared for extinction.
At this, the white-haired middle-aged man decided to take a bit of risk.
"Fine. If so…"
The only part he could move was the hand and arm holding Mok Gyeong-un.
The white-haired middle-aged man lifted Mok Gyeong-un up.
And then he struck down Mok Gyeong-un's head to hit the floor first.
'I'll knock him out.'
He was about to knock Mok Gyeong-un out to stop the absorption of demonic energy.
However,
"This insect…"
Even though he slammed his head hard enough to break the floor and blood was flowing out, Mok Gyeong-un didn't lose consciousness.
"Haa… Haa…"
Instead, he was staring intently at him with rough breathing.
That gaze was extremely irritating.
How dare a being no different from an insect look at him with eyes filled with such malice?
Was he looking down on him?
"Fine. Let's see who wins."
The white-haired middle-aged man lifted Mok Gyeong-un up again and slammed him onto the floor.
This time, he made his entire body collide.
The white-haired middle-aged man slammed him down so hard that cracks appeared and the stone floor caved in.
"Cough… Cough…"
The complexion of Mok Gyeong-un, who had been slammed onto the floor, turned pale.
And blood didn't stop flowing from his mouth.
His internal injuries were already severe, so naturally, his wounds worsened when he was slammed down.
The white-haired middle-aged man repeatedly threw Mok Gyeong-un onto the floor.
Cheong-ryeong tried to stop this by pushing herself even harder to create blood whips to restrain the white-haired middle-aged man's right arm as well, but…
The blood wrapping around the right arm liquefied and melted away, perhaps due to the Ritual of Binding incantation.
Therefore, there was nothing she could do about this.
"Kuhk!"
For the first time, a cry of pain escaped Mok Gyeong-un's mouth.
As he continued to collide with the stone floor in a defenseless state, not only his internal organs but also his bones were breaking, and his body was being torn apart.
At this point, he should have lost consciousness, but…
The white-haired middle-aged man looked at Mok Gyeong-un with absurd eyes.
His gaze didn't die in the slightest.
With a bloody and near-dead face, he was glaring at him intensely, and for a moment, he even felt a chill down his spine.
'A chill down my spine?'
Instantly, the white-haired middle-aged man's expression distorted frighteningly like an evil spirit.
Was that the emotion of fear?
Did he feel such an emotion towards a mere human being no different from a lowly insect?
'Impossible. It can't be.'
Even thousands of years before being sealed, there weren't many things that made him feel fear.
No, rather, those things possessed unimaginable strength.
Didn't even the Immortals of ancient times and those called heroes fear that golden fox and monstrous divinerey?
But compared to those beings, this fellow was an insect, no, a parasite, so how did he make his spine chill?
Had he become so weak after being sealed for thousands of years?
The white-haired middle-aged man ground his teeth forcefully.
The energy the fellow had already sucked in was close to 50%.
Now it was truly perilous.
At this, the white-haired middle-aged man suddenly pulled Mok Gyeong-un, who was glaring at him, towards himself.
"You parasite-like insect. It's all your own doing."
Then he headbutted Mok Gyeong-un with his forehead.
What kind of act was this?
At that moment, something strange was captured in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
Something hazy suddenly flowed out from the white-haired middle-aged man's body.
It was as if…
'A spirit body?'
It had a form similar to a soul.
But that form wasn't like the appearance of humans during their lifetime, but rather like a star with light protruding and jutting out.
Then that spirit body, which was assumed to have suddenly popped out…
It penetrated through Mok Gyeong-un's forehead.
"Huh."
The moment it penetrated, Mok Gyeong-un threw his head back as if his head had been pierced by something sharp.
"Ah, no!"
Cheong-ryeong, who saw this, shouted.
Unfortunately, she saw the moment it penetrated Mok Gyeong-un's head from behind.
It was undoubtedly…
'Out-of-body experience.'
It was the out-of-body experience of the Spirit Beast.
All living beings possess a spirit body, which can be called a soul, in addition to a physical body composed of molecules. After the physical body dies, the will is transferred to the spirit body, whereas in a living state, the will cannot be placed in the spirit body.
However, there are occasionally beings who awaken to this and make it possible.
'Is it trying to possess and control the body?'
It seemed that the Spirit Beast was trying to directly possess Mok Gyeong-un with its spirit body through out-of-body experience and interfere.
'I have to stop it.'
Cheong-ryeong tried to shake and tilt the Spirit Beast's physical body to disrupt this.
However…
The white-haired middle-aged man's body didn't budge at all.
Rather, it was maintaining a tense state by exerting force.
'How can this be?'
How could it simultaneously grant will to both the spirit body and physical body?
It wasn't called a Spirit Beast that had lived for thousands of years for nothing.
While they were doing so, convulsions occurred in Mok Gyeong-un's head.
'Mortal!'
It seemed that the Spirit Beast's spirit body and Mok Gyeong-un's soul had collided.
Her expression darkened.
She wanted to help somehow, but she had consumed so much spiritual energy that her body was becoming hazy, putting her on the verge of extinction.
Holding onto the being was her limit.
'Ahhh.'
Could Mok Gyeong-un really endure this?
No matter how special Mok Gyeong-un's constitution was, the opponent was a Spirit Beast that had lived for thousands of years.
There is also a level to souls.
That being was infinitely close to a god, so its will was on a different dimension from that of a human like Mok Gyeong-un.
Perhaps it would be a futile resistance.
And as if that prediction was precisely fitting…
Black blood vessels bulged on Mok Gyeong-un's skin, and a phenomenon of his body being dominated by possession occurred.
'No.'
This was the worst.
The moment Mok Gyeong-un's body was seized, everything would be over.
His rolled-back eyes were trembling madly, and black blood flowed from his mouth.
Was it indeed impossible for human will to withstand the will of a Spirit Beast that had lived for thousands of years?
At that moment, the blood whips she had been maintaining with all her might were severed one by one.
She couldn't endure any longer as most of her spiritual power was exhausted.
Now there was no hope.
It was a moment so despairing that everything felt futile.
Right at that moment…
The black blood vessels that had been bulging all over Mok Gyeong-un's face began to subside.
'Could it be?'
While she was thinking that…
The rolled-back eyes that had been trembling wildly soon returned to normal.
At that instant…
The spirit body in the form of starlight that had penetrated Mok Gyeong-un's forehead popped out and penetrated back into the white-haired middle-aged man's head.
Then, the white-haired middle-aged man suddenly let out a scream.
"Aaaargh!"
What on earth was happening? While she was puzzled, the white-haired middle-aged man opened his mouth with eyes filled with tension, no, fear, his arrogant expression nowhere to be seen.
"W-What in the world are you?"
"Haa… Haa… What… are you… talking about?"
"That thing inside you…"
Before he could finish his words, the white-haired middle-aged man suddenly made a pained expression.
Then he began to writhe violently.
'!?'
What in the world was happening?
Suddenly, the white-haired middle-aged man's skeleton began to change rapidly.
What was this phenomenon?
As the skeleton rapidly grew, fur even sprouted all over his face, no, his entire body.
The speed was so fast that the fur seemed to tear through his clothes and cover his entire body in an instant.
Even a tail sprouted.
The skeleton and fur that had grown large enough to reach the ceiling of the cavity.
It was becoming a form that could no longer be seen as human.
As if…
'A raccoon dog?'
That's right.
The white-haired middle-aged man transformed into a giant raccoon dog about twice the size of a human.
Was this the true identity of this Spirit Beast?
As the body grew, the hand holding Mok Gyeong-un became much larger and took the form of grasping.
Because of that, the hand unleashing the Ritual of Binding incantation felt like it would break.
"Ugh!"
The white-haired middle-aged man, no, the Spirit Beast that had turned into a monstrous raccoon dog, spoke in an enraged voice,
"You bastard. I will definitely…"
At that moment, the eyes of the Spirit Beast that had turned into a monstrous raccoon dog trembled.
That was because something made of faint light was somehow filling the Spirit Beast's neck, arms, and legs.
The Spirit Beast turned its head with trembling eyes.
There, the scroll it had escaped from was floating in the air, and white string-like things were coming out of it, connected to the light shackles restraining the Spirit Beast's neck, arms, and legs.
Seeing this, the Spirit Beast shouted in a perplexed voice,
"T-This can't be. I clearly broke the seal and came out…"
Before those words could even finish…
In an instant, the white string-like things pulled the Spirit Beast that had turned into a monstrous raccoon dog at a tremendous speed, and its body began to be sucked into the scroll.
"No, nooooo!"
In response, Mok Gyeong-un hurriedly withdrew the Ritual of Binding incantation and kicked the being with his foot.
"You bastaaaaard! Let's go together!"
The Spirit Beast being pulled by the white strings tried to grab Mok Gyeong-un's ankle, but…
At that moment, something grabbed Mok Gyeong-un's wrist and pulled him.
It was none other than Cheong-ryeong.
'!!!!!!'
The eyes of the Spirit Beast, who had lost Mok Gyeong-un in an instant, widened as if they would tear.
However, it was no longer a situation where it could do anything.
"Aaaaaargh!"
With a mad scream, the Spirit Beast was eventually sucked into the scroll.
As the Spirit Beast was completely sucked in, a large raccoon dog that wasn't originally there was now depicted on a cliff in the landscape painting of the scroll, howling.
The scroll that had imprisoned the Spirit Beast fell to the ground as if it had finished its job and rolled up on its own.
Seeing this, the hazy Cheong-ryeong spoke with difficulty,
-The seal… wasn't completely… broken. It seems like… true luck… Mortal?
At that moment, her expression stiffened.
The skin on Mok Gyeong-un's wrist that she was holding onto was crumbling.
When she let go, his arm fell as if it had lost strength.
"You…"
The cracks spread throughout Mok Gyeong-un's collapsed body in an instant.
Like the bare branches of winter, no, like a dying tree, the outer shell shattered and scattered.
And from within that shattering shell,
A new skin filled with luster was rising.
Looking at this, Cheong-ryeong couldn't hide her excitement and muttered,
-Rebirth through transformation.
109: Chapter 108: Fateful Luck (1)
Mok Gyeong-un's collapsed body was crumbling like tree bark.
And from within that shattering shell,
A new skin filled with luster was rising.
Looking at this, Cheong-ryeong couldn't hide her excitement and muttered,
-…Rebirth through transformation.
Rebirth through transformation.
It literally means changing the bones and shedding the womb.
It's a phenomenon where the body undergoes a rapid change in response to enlightenment, and a truly strange thing had occurred.
'It's something that could only happen when one reaches the Transformation Realm.'
Originally, rebirth through transformation is only possible after gaining enlightenment at the wall called the end of the supreme Transcendent Realm and achieving Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown and Five Energies Paying Homage to the Origin.
Through these two enlightenments, when the Conception and Governing Vessels are opened, one becomes able to handle energy incomparable to the supreme transcendent realm, and the body undergoes a rapid reconstruction to withstand it.
'Haa…'
However, Mok Gyeong-un had not crossed the wall.
He had merely absorbed the demonic energy of the raccoon Spirit Beast who called itself the Lord of the Western Sea.
Yet, to think that rebirth through transformation occurred to withstand that energy…
'Strange. Strange indeed.'
How could such a body exist?
He hadn't even crossed the wall, yet his body was reconstructed to withstand that demonic energy…
One couldn't help but click their tongue in amazement.
'…Different.'
The sequence of this fellow's growth process was completely different from that of ordinary martial artists.
Indeed, from the beginning, he had accumulated death energy, which could be called evil energy, in his danjeon, and even controlled it with a reverse energy circulation technique.
Perhaps it was natural for it to be different.
'I might be witnessing the birth of a master with a completely different form from the martial arts world thus far.'
Having this thought, a smirk unknowingly escaped her lips.
She wondered what it would have been like if she had accepted him as a disciple while alive, not after death.
However, if she had been alive until now, she would have been a hunched old granny.
As the dead skin completely peeled off, Mok Gyeong-un raised his body.
Skin dust falling off.
"Ah…"
His entire body felt light.
He sensed that his body's energy was not only full but had surpassed its limits.
Just a moment ago, it had been painful as if his insides were being burned by fire, but there was no more pain.
Even his broken bones had all healed, as there was no abnormality in his movements.
'Was I lucky?'
This time, he had been prepared to die.
But fortunately, contrary to that resolution, a fateful encounter had come, and he had become even stronger.
'Stronger…'
It was truly fascinating.
The Spirit Beast that had been sealed for thousands of years and weakened.
Just by absorbing the power of that Spirit Beast, his energy had increased so explosively.
At this level, even a master who had reached the pinnacle-stage of Peak Realm wouldn't be a problem.
Mok Gyeong-un suddenly recalled the words of Jo Ui-gong, the diviner.
[You heard there was no one?]
[Yes.]
[I don't know who you heard it from, but it's not entirely impossible.]
[It's not impossible?]
[Yes. I, too, didn't believe it at first. But it is real. Among the diviners who have received the title of 'God,' there are two who have subdued Spirit Beasts and made them their servant spirit.]
[Two?]
[Yes. Two of them. It's astonishing. Ah, I'm saying this just in case, but Asura. They are beings from outside the world. To begin with, one of them is a human and a malevolent… No. Anyway, Spirit Beasts have surpassed the realm that humans can handle. They are disasters themselves.]
Jo Ui-gong had said.
He said that among the Six Divine diviners, considered the pinnacle of diviners, two diviners had Spirit Beasts as their servant spirit.
Recalling this, he thought he still had a long way to go.
He couldn't even handle a Spirit Beast that had been sealed for a long time and weakened.
It was fortunate that the power of the seal still remained; otherwise, he would have lost his life here.
'But what did that being mean by those words?'
He remembered the words spoken by the monstrous raccoon Spirit Beast when it came out of his body.
[What in the world is that thing inside you?]
What did it mean by saying there was something inside me?
Mok Gyeong-un was puzzled.
Come to think of it, most of the vengeful spirits that had tried to possess him also seemed to have a shocked reaction after discovering something.
What could be inside him that even a Spirit Beast would say such a thing?
It was puzzling.
At that moment,
-Mortal…
Mok Gyeong-un looked at Cheong-ryeong.
"Ah?"
Mok Gyeong-un frowned at her hazy appearance.
She had become more transparent than when she had grabbed his wrist and pulled him, and she was gradually becoming more so.
"Cheong-ryeong?"
-Rebirth… through transformation… This is quite interesting.
"Hmm?"
-Despite having learned martial arts… for only a short time… You… entered the initial-stage of Transcendent Realm… but reconstructed your body through rebirth…
"…"
-At this rate… You might really… reach Transformation Realm… within 2 years… as you boldly… declared.
"Cheong-ryeong… Your spiritual energy has greatly weakened."
-Trying to save you… I ended up like this.
"…"
-I didn't do it… to hear words… of gratitude… So you don't need to pity me.
She was reciting as if making her last words while struggling to speak.
It was clearly visible to Mok Gyeong-un's eyes as well.
Her spiritual energy, which was like a blazing flame, was gradually diminishing like a dying candle.
To her, Mok Gyeong-un asked in an uncomprehending tone,
"I told you not to come in, so why did you?"
-…If you die… we all die anyway, so what do you expect me to do?
Cheong-ryeong answered as if hesitating for a moment.
At her appearance, Mok Gyeong-un stared intently at her face.
At this, Cheong-ryeong spoke in a burdened tone,
-Why are you… staring at me like that? Surely you're not… feeling sad that I'm being extinguished?
"Being… extinguished?"
"…Yes. There is no more hope for me."
Cheong-ryeong was somewhat aware of it.
Her spiritual energy had already weakened to the point where she couldn't maintain her own spirit body.
She had a vast amount of spiritual energy to live as a vengeful spirit for 100 years, but having lost most of it, how could she remain?
-Mortal… With your personality… You wouldn't grieve over the death of a servant spirit… So just listen to one request.
"…"
-I don't desire anything else… Just the Heaven and Earth Society…
Before Cheong-ryeong could finish her words,
Mok Gyeong-un grabbed her hand.
And he said,
"Let's talk about that after you recover first."
-What?
As soon as that question ended, a majestic energy surged in from Mok Gyeong-un's hand.
It was an energy quite different from her spiritual energy.
'Demonic energy?'
That's right.
It was the demonic energy Mok Gyeong-un had seized from the raccoon Spirit Beast.
Mok Gyeong-un had absorbed enough demonic energy to reconstruct his body, refine it into evil energy in his danjeon, and still have some left over.
As the demonic energy surged in, her eyes trembled.
'What is this?'
A strange thing occurred.
Unlike malevolent spirits that could swallow and devour even vengeful spirits, vengeful spirits couldn't accept or absorb the demonic energy of those higher entities close to them.
But the demonic energy was surging in through Mok Gyeong-un's palm.
And that demonic energy was filling her entire body.
'Ahhh!'
Her spirit body, which had been becoming transparent, gradually became denser.
Then, it quickly returned to its usual appearance.
But it didn't end there.
-Mortal… Wait… You…
"Concentrate."
The amount of demonic energy surging in exceeded the level of spiritual energy she originally possessed.
'This fellow…'
At this, despite being a spirit body, she sat cross-legged.
And as if circulating energy like when she was alive, she focused on making the incoming energy her own.
-How can this be…
Watching this from outside the red line, Green Spirit Gyu Soha's eyes widened.
It was clearly visible to Gyu Soha's ghostly eyes.
Cheong-ryeong's spiritual energy was rapidly increasing, and it was trying to raise her level beyond her original limits.
And eventually, it truly materialized.
A chilling energy that rippled and spread around Cheong-ryeong.
Due to that, the bookshelves around the cavity shook violently.
As her level rose even higher, the spiritual energy flowing from her spirit body greatly influenced even the world with substance.
Cheong-ryeong opened her closed eyes.
A fierce bloody light that gave an even greater sense of pressure to the onlookers.
-Ah…
Even she herself let out an exclamation as if feeling that her level had risen higher than before.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un let go of her hand and said,
"It seems I'm not the only one with good luck."
-…What did you do? It could have been dangerous.
"It turned out well. At least better than being extinguished, right?"
-You, really…
She couldn't finish her words.
She had been prepared for extinction, but her level as a vengeful spirit had risen.
It couldn't be more ironic.
To such Cheong-ryeong, Mok Gyeong-un said,
If my eyes aren't mistaken, it seems your level has risen even higher. Should I call you Indigo Spirit now?"
Indigo Spirit.
The Basic Writings of the School of Yin and Yang states the following:
A vengeful spirit that has existed for more than three hundred years.
Its spiritual power reaches a level where it materializes beyond auditory and visual hallucinations, and it is a being close to a disaster, almost on par with high-ranking malevolent spirits such as demonic beasts.
To subdue it, at least a hundred diviners are required, but even that is uncertain.
'Should this also be called fateful luck?'
Mok Gyeong-un was still connected to Cheong-ryeong through the servant spirit bond.
But the fact that her level had become strong enough to reach that of a Blue Spirit was no different from his power increasing by another level.
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong spoke,
"…Forget it. Just call me Cheong-ryeong."
"Pardon?"
"If you keep changing it back and forth, it'll be confusing, so just call me Cheong-ryeong."
As she spoke bluntly and turned her head away for no reason, Mok Gyeong-un smirked and said,
"Could it be that you like the name Cheong-ryeong?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Cheong-ryeong glanced at Mok Gyeong-un and snorted.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "If you say so."
While they were doing so, someone's voice was heard.
"Master…"
There, Green Spirit Gyu Soha, with both arms missing and half-transparent, was teary-eyed.
Seeing such Gyu Soha, Cheong-ryeong narrowed her eyes and sighed, saying,
"…Do you have any demonic energy left?"
***
"I'll be waiting, so please make sure to come and get me."
Elder Yang Mu-won, the keeper of the treasure vault, spoke to Mok Gyeong-un, who was about to pass through the formation at the entrance, as if earnestly pleading.
As evident from his changed tone, Gyu Soha had possessed his body.
They had to take this measure because Elder Yang Mu-won had witnessed something and couldn't just leave it alone.
However, despite verbally pleading to come and get him, Gyu Soha's expression was quite gleeful.
"She's in high spirits. In high spirits indeed."
"Well, that's understandable."
That's because Gyu Soha, who had absorbed the remaining demonic energy Mok Gyeong-un possessed, had astonishingly risen from a Green Spirit to a Blue Spirit.
She was originally close to a Blue Spirit, but the high-purity demonic energy had properly acted as an uplifting force.
Anyway, after entrusting this place to Gyu Soha, Mok Gyeong-un passed through the formation at the cavity entrance and descended the cliff.
There, Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi was waiting with a bored expression, leaning against the cliff.
Then,
When someone tapped his back, he was startled and tried to take a defensive stance while keeping a distance, but…
"Oh? You?"
"Did you wait long?"
Mok Gyeong-un asked with a bright smile.
At his appearance, Gwak Mun-gi's expression stiffened.
'What in the world…'
Although Mok Gyeong-un had qualified as a provisional elder, the energy he sensed was at best only first-rate, so he had considered him a step below himself.
But what was happening?
'…I can't sense it.'
He could barely sense the energy of Mok Gyeong-un in front of his eyes.
Both his presence and energy were faint.
He was right in front of him, so what was going on?
Could it be that he had gained some enlightenment in the treasure vault?
110: Chapter 109: Fateful Luck (2)
Gyu Soha, who had possessed Elder Yang Mu-won, the keeper of the treasure vault, was diligently carrying rock fragments and cleaning.
She had to erase the traces of what had happened here as much as possible.
Throughout doing these chores, a smile didn't leave Gyu Soha's lips.
That was because not only had her level risen, but she had also gained a body, albeit temporarily, and even had free time.
Moreover, it was in this treasure vault overflowing with vast amounts of secret manuals.
"Hehehe."
Although she had become a vengeful spirit, Gyu Soha was originally a martial artist at her core.
Naturally, before her death, she had aimed for a high realm, so this place filled with secret manuals was no different from paradise.
As Gyu Soha was organizing the small cavity where the red line was drawn, she looked at a bookshelf with only a lone wooden box placed on it, without anything else.
'Hmm. What could it be?'
The wooden box was none other than the one containing the scroll that sealed the Spirit Beast.
That wooden box said to be made from sacred spirit wood.
Strangely, the box that had shattered and turned to ashes had returned to its original state.
'Is it truly the power of Immortals?'
Mok Gyeong-un, Cheong-ryeong, and Gyu Soha had all witnessed the sight of something already broken and decayed returning to its original state.
It had occurred at the moment when Mok Gyeong-un was pondering what to do with the scroll in his hand.
As if time was being rewound, the surrounding dust gathered and formed the shape of the wooden box, returning it to its original state.
'It's truly fascinating.'
Even Gyu Soha, a vengeful spirit, found it peculiar.
Should it be said to have transcended the realm of sorcery?
Thanks to that, Mok Gyeong-un, who had been contemplating what to do with it, ordered Gyu Soha to stay here for a while and guard the wooden box.
[Hmm. I think I'll have to leave it here for a while.]
[You won't eat it?]
[No. It might cause trouble if I eat it.]
[…]
[I'm joking.]
I know it's not a joke.
The master likes to eat these things.
[Anyway, it seems best not to touch this for now. If anyone comes in here and tries to touch or look for the wooden box, please let me know.]
[Yes! Master!]
Mok Gyeong-un was interested in the one who had left the sealed wooden box here.
Why had they left such a dangerous thing in this place?
Perhaps by guarding this place as instructed by the master, she would find out.
Whether that person with three eyes mentioned by the raccoon Spirit Beast would appear or not.
***
It was late at night in the inner city of the Heaven and Earth Society.
In the garden of a large estate located in the southwest of the city, there was a middle-aged man with a sharp impression and a small stature, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the moon.
As he was immersed in appreciating the moon, someone's cough was heard behind him.
"Ahem."
At this, the middle-aged man with a small stature turned around as if he knew.
And he put his hands together and bowed in greeting.
"Ah. I am honored that Thunderbolt Fist King, one of the Five Kings, has come to this humble place."
The middle-aged man with a mustache, who appeared to be in his mid-50s, had no sleeves visible on his arms, and he wore strange iron rings on his muscular arms.
He was Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, one of the Five Kings, the highest-ranking executives of the Heaven and Earth Society.
Won Byeong-hak also bowed with his hands together and spoke to the middle-aged man.
"It's been a while. Shadow Clan Master."
The identity of the middle-aged man with a small stature was the Shadow Clan Master[1].
Although his position was one level below the Five Kings, he was one of the Three Chief Masters, a high-ranking executive of the Heaven and Earth Society.
Unlike other Chief Masters, his name was attached due to confidentiality, so everyone called him by his title, Shadow Clan Master.
"Ohoho. It's been a while since the grand meeting two months ago."
At the Shadow Clan Master's ingratiating voice, the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak subtly frowned as if he wasn't used to it.
That was because this man's way of speaking was never easy to adapt to, no matter how many times he heard it.
It reminded him of the eunuchs in the imperial palace, and because he mixed in a tone that women would use, it sometimes even gave an unpleasant feeling.
'He's truly a peculiar one.'
Even the face he was seeing now wasn't real.
It was a human skin mask.
A human skin mask was a thin mask similar to skin, made using human or pig skin to create a form that was difficult to distinguish from a real human face.
The Shadow Clan Master was the only one in the inner city who was allowed to wear this human skin mask.
'Even if he's in charge of intelligence and secrets…'
Was there a reason for him not to show his real face even to them?
The Shadow Clan Master changed his human skin mask about every three months, so the only one who knew his real face was said to be the Society Leader.
'Huu.'
Anyway, what was important wasn't his real face.
The Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak said,
"Shadow Clan Master. I must first apologize for rudely visiting at such a late hour."
"Not at all. I heard you came and went a couple of times while I was away, so how could it be you who should apologize? I should be the one feeling sorry."
"Thank you for saying that."
"Ohoho. Then, may I ask the reason for your visit at such a late hour?"
"Of course. In fact, since it might be a request more discourteous than visiting late at night, I brought this as a bribe and gift to the Shadow Clan Master."
The Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak held up a white wine bottle in one hand.
At this, the Shadow Clan Master asked in puzzlement,
"What is that?"
"This is Firewood Wine that has been aged for 25 years."
"Oh-ho. Is that true?"
Firewood Wine.
It was one of the famous Shaoxing wines, along with Nu'erhong Wine, and was called a famous liquor.
It was a wine that became deeper in fragrance and stronger in flavor depending on the aging period, and it was also a wine used to celebrate special occasions.
The Shadow Clan Master accepted the wine bottle as if he was grateful and said,
"I don't know if I should receive this."
"Since it's a bribe I brought, of course you can accept it. I drank Nu'erhong Wine at my daughter's engagement ceremony, and I brought this Firewood Wine after much contemplation."
Firewood Wine was a wine that was brewed and buried when a son was born, and then taken out and enjoyed with relatives and friends on the day the son grew up and took the civil service examination, passed as a top scholar, or got married.
However, the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak had no son.
He had buried it along with Nu'erhong Wine 25 years ago before his daughter was born, so he had been wondering when to take it out and drink it. Since the Shadow Clan Master liked aged wine, he brought it here.
"For you to bring such a precious item that you cherished, it would be difficult to refuse the request even before hearing it."
"It may be discourteous, but perhaps it won't be a big request for the Shadow Clan Master."
"Not a big request?"
The Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak bowed with his hands together and politely said,
"I know it's rude, but if there is a trainee from an Esoteric Realm Gate at tomorrow's final ceremony of Corpse Blood Valley, I hope you can yield to me."
"Esoteric Realm Gate?"
"That's right. It's a child I've had my eye on for a long time, so I came late at night, risking rudeness."
The Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak's request was just that.
At the final ceremony tomorrow, the executives participating will have the right to select the trainees who passed the final gate as their subordinates.
Here, Won Byeong-hak had already set his sights on a trainee from an Esoteric Realm Gate.
At this, the Shadow Clan Master said,
"We don't know the results yet, but judging from your words, that trainee seems to be a quite outstanding talent."
"A child with potential."
'Someone with the qualifications to complete the True Source Thunderbolt Fist.'
He already had one disciple.
However, he failed to complete the final stance of the True Source Thunderbolt Fist and ended up with a crippled right arm.
That's how difficult it was to even learn his unique skill.
'So you've been going around asking other executives who will be at Corpse Blood Valley tomorrow.'
In fact, the Shadow Clan Master had predicted his purpose to some extent.
Due to the nature of the Shadow Sect, which dealt with intelligence and secret agents, he was always keeping an eye on the city, so he had guessed that he was going around asking for something related to tomorrow's final ceremony.
And that guess was correct.
'I see. Alright.'
However, he didn't reveal this.
If he found out that his movements were being tracked, it would only upset the Thunderbolt Fist King's mood.
"I know it's a rude request, but…"
"Not at all. After receiving such a precious wine, how could I refuse the Thunderbolt Fist King's request?"
"Oh, so you can do that for me?"
"Of course. Ohoho."
At the Shadow Clan Master's ingratiating laughter, the Thunderbolt Fist King lightly bowed his head to express his gratitude.
That's how much he coveted that talent.
To him, the Shadow Clan Master said,
"By the way, if it's not too rude, may I also make a request to the Thunderbolt Fist King on this occasion?"
"A request?"
"Actually, since there is only one right to choose, it's fine, but I'm telling you in advance in case you change your mind."
"What do you mean?"
"Yes. I also have one talent I covet. So I'm participating in tomorrow's final ceremony to take them as my disciple."
At those words, the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak nodded his head.
He had expected that to be the case.
The Shadow Clan Master had never participated despite having several opportunities.
The fact that he was participating this time meant…
"Could it be that child? From the Demon Fire Hall…"
"Yes. That's right."
"Ah. As expected."
His prediction was correct.
The Demon Fire Hall was once called the Four Great Assassin Groups.
The rumor that a girl with tremendous talent from there was participating in the gates of Corpse Blood Valley had spread even among the executives.
"You don't need to worry about that. I only want a boy with a physique capable of properly utilizing the Thunderbolt Fist."
"Ohoho. Thank you for saying that. It's a relief and I'm grateful."
The Shadow Clan Master clapped his hands like a woman and spoke.
His voice was so androgynous that the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak inwardly wondered if he might be a woman.
Although her talent was outstanding, the fact that he was choosing a girl made it even more so.
But he was contemplating whether he should tell him or not.
That fearsome woman was also coveting the girl from the Demon Fire Hall.
***
Mo Ha-rang of the Demon Fire Hall slightly furrowed her brows.
Suddenly, her right ear felt itchy, and if this wasn't Mok Gyeong-un's room, she would have wanted to stick her finger in and scratch it vigorously.
"Your expression looks like your ear is itchy."
"…"
She inwardly flinched at Mok Gyeong-un's words but tried her best not to show it.
Anyhow, he was remarkably good at reading others' thoughts.
But why did he suddenly call for her?
And at such a late hour.
Could it be because of the final gate tomorrow?
'Unless there's a special variable, there's no way someone monstrous like you would fail to pass the final gate.'
In the end, she asked out of curiosity,
"…But why did you call for me?"
After agreeing to become a faithful 'dog' or 'slave,' she treated Mok Gyeong-un with the utmost respect.
To her question, Mok Gyeong-un replied,
"Ah. It's nothing much. Can you be my light sparring partner?"
"Sparring partner for what…"
She unknowingly swallowed her saliva.
It was slightly suspicious that he had called her alone late at night when he usually didn't.
Could it be that calling her in the middle of the night…
"Can you spar with me?"
"Sp… Spar?"
For a moment, she let out a soft sigh.
Should it be said that she was slightly relieved?
Indeed, if this devilish man had seen her as a woman, he wouldn't have treated her like a faithful dog or slave after poisoning her.
But what's with this sudden talk of sparring?
He had already sparred with her once, so sparring would be largely meaningless…
'Or not?'
Thinking about it, it might not be so meaningless.
Come to think of it, the final gate might be a pure test of martial arts, unlike the previous ones that tested survival skills and potential.
In that case, using sparring to sharpen one's senses beforehand could also be a method.
And,
'…I did want to get my revenge.'
Although she had pledged loyalty due to the poison, she had vowed to break free from it someday.
And with her own righteous skills at that.
Mo Ha-rang's eyes changed as she looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
Her eyes were already moving back and forth, searching for Mok Gyeong-un's weaknesses.
'It's different from back then.'
Back then, she couldn't accurately gauge Mok Gyeong-un's level.
But now, after observing him closely several times, she had an idea of his martial arts level and what he was skilled at.
She was already picturing it in her mind.
To fight against Mok Gyeong-un, she had to avoid directly clashing with him as much as possible.
Usually, when his true energy and trajectory differed, even a slight collision would cause the martial power to scatter.
It was the same for her master.
'If I don't give him an opening.'
A somewhat lethal picture could be drawn.
Back then, she had approached the fight with the intention of not killing Mok Gyeong-un, so she didn't use killing techniques or secret skills.
But if she approached it with the real intention to kill, it might be possible.
"Your eyes are brimming with enthusiasm."
"Ah…"
"Well, if that's the case, you can attack me with the intention of really killing me."
"What?"
"If you subdue me, I'll give you the antidote."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Mo Ha-rang's expression changed significantly.
Just a moment ago, it was merely a hypothetical situation she had envisioned, but if there was a reward at stake, the story would be different.
If the Linked Kill and the secret sword technique of the Killing King, the Flash Shadow Flying Dagger Technique, were combined, she was confident she could kill anyone at her level.
"…Do you really mean that?"
"Yes. I promise. If you can subdue me right now…"
Before Mok Gyeong-un's words could even finish,
Small daggers in the shape of hidden weapons popped out from the sleeves of her right and left arms.
It was a preemptive strike.
She intended to make the first move before Mok Gyeong-un could react and decide the match.
The origin of her martial arts was assassination.
Therefore, the key was to disrupt the opponent's timing rather than openly fighting against them.
However,
Thud!
'!?'
Mo Ha-rang's expression instantly stiffened.
'What… is this…'
What was going on?
She was certain that she had moved first as soon as he finished speaking.
But somehow, Mok Gyeong-un's blade finger was already touching her neck.
'…I didn't see it.'
Back then, she had thought that she was far superior at least in terms of speed.
But now, she couldn't see Mok Gyeong-un's movements at all.
She couldn't even perceive it, yet the tip of his finger was touching her.
"You're slow."
Drip!
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Mo Ha-rang's fair cheek.
It felt like her neck would be pierced with the slightest movement.
111: Chapter 110: The Final Gate (1)
She couldn't even perceive it, yet the tip of his finger was touching her.
"You're slow."
Drip!
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Mo Ha-rang's fair cheek.
It felt like her neck would be pierced with the slightest movement.
Inwardly, she was perplexed.
Although she acknowledged that Mok Gyeong-un possessed a strange power that differed from others, she hadn't considered it as superiority in martial arts.
But what was this?
'…He has changed.'
What on earth had happened overnight?
Even if she excluded judging Mok Gyeong-un's martial arts through energy perception since it was impossible in the first place, what was going on?
The sharp energy transmitted from the tip of his blade finger was almost akin to the feeling one would get from masters who had reached the realm of Ascension.
'This feeling, it's similar to Father's, no…'
It was similar to what she had felt from the Clan Leader of the Demon Fire Hall.
The only supreme master of the Transcendent Realm she could contend with, the Clan Leader of the Demon Fire Hall.
That feeling emanated from Mok Gyeong-un.
'No. It can't be.'
Mo Ha-rang instantly denied it.
No matter how talented one was, reaching the initial-stage Transcendent Realm at a mere seventeen or eighteen years old wasn't a simple feat.
Even if he had gained enlightenment, how could he become so strong overnight…
'Ah!'
Could it be because he ate that?
The Heavenly Earth Pill.
It was an elixir made from the secret recipe of the Heaven and Earth Society, and just eating one pill could grant 10 to 15 years' worth of internal energy.
The gap between 10 and 15 years was absolutely insurmountable.
'…But can such a difference occur just from this?'
Mo Ha-rang continued to be confused.
Seeing her like that, Mok Gyeong-un was inwardly satisfied.
Due to the overlapping fateful encounters in the treasure vault, he had entered the Transcendent Realm, but he still couldn't accurately judge his level.
So he had initiated a sparring match with Mo Ha-rang, whom he had previously fought, to confirm how much he had improved.
'Not bad.'
The gap had definitely widened, as Cheong-ryeong had said.
The saying that Transcendent Realm supreme masters and Peak Realm masters were incomparable realms now made sense to him.
Her every movement was too clearly visible, unlike last time.
"You're still far, mortal."
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong's voice rang in his ears.
"You may have shed your novice shell, but even within the Transcendent Realm, the difference between the early, proficient, and pinnacle stages is distinct. You still have a long way to go."
'…It should be that way.'
Of course, he had no intention of letting his guard down.
The target of his revenge might be a peerless master at the peak of the supreme transcendent realm, close to Enlightenment, so his current level was not yet satisfactory.
However, apart from that, a different emotion arose.
Mok Gyeong-un had considered martial arts and sword techniques as mere tools for revenge.
But upon reaching a higher realm, he developed an interest in this thing called martial arts.
How much stronger could he become through martial arts?
'More… I want to taste more.'
It was a pure emotion he hadn't felt in a long time.
While he was doing so, Mo Ha-rang spoke to Mok Gyeong-un,
"…Did you perhaps consume the Heavenly Earth Pill?"
"Ah. That."
Mok Gyeong-un took out a small pouch from his bosom and showed it to her.
The Heavenly Earth Pill was inside it.
Cheong-ryeong disliked calling it the Heavenly Earth Pill.
So in front of her, he called it the Moonlight Pill.
"I haven't eaten it yet."
"Whattt?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Mo Ha-rang frowned as if surprised and stared at the pouch.
She had naturally assumed that Mok Gyeong-un had consumed it.
But he had become so strong in a short period without even eating it?
'…Is he a monster?'
She had thought she would never be inferior in martial arts, but for some reason, she felt conflicted.
Could she really escape from the clutches of this devil?
***
Around noon the next day.
In the plaza behind the dormitory of Corpse Blood Valley, several chairs were placed around the stage, and guests from the inner city were arriving one by one.
Interest flickered in the eyes of Corpse Blood Valley Leader Lee Ji-yeom, who was standing on the stage.
It was because an unexpected person had appeared.
'The Shadow Clan Master?'
A middle-aged man with a small stature and a sharp impression.
He had been puzzled by the unfamiliar face, but upon hearing his identity, he couldn't help but be surprised.
That was because the Shadow Clan Master had never participated in the final ceremony before.
Considering his position and his extremely secretive nature, as well as the peculiar rumors surrounding him, Lee Ji-yeom had been curious about him.
However,
'…He exceeds expectations.'
He had tried to gauge his level to some extent through energy perception, but it was difficult to accurately discern.
That meant the Shadow Clan Master's martial arts were either almost on par with his own or perhaps even higher.
If this was true, it was quite unexpected.
Lee Ji-yeom had gained enlightenment from the secret technique Mok Gyeong-un had given him in the past few days, further advancing his martial arts.
But if even he couldn't gauge the Shadow Clan Master's level…
Ting!
At that moment, a sound that pierced the eardrums.
At this sound, the gazes of those who had arrived earlier turned towards the entrance of the plaza.
There, a beautiful woman was lying in a seductive pose on a four-person sedan chair.
At first glance, she appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties, but the aura she exuded was extraordinary.
Ting!
As the string sound rang out once more, an executive sitting on a chair shook his head.
That executive was none other than the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak, one of the Five Kings.
'It's starting again.'
She was a truly unpredictable woman.
If it weren't for that self-centered personality of hers, she would have risen to the position of the Fourth Clan Leader, but due to her uncontrollable nature, she couldn't enter the inner city despite receiving the title of Valley Master.
In terms of skill alone, she could have become a Clan Leader or even higher.
Ting!
As the string sound rang out once more, a few of the red-belted warriors nearby frowned.
It was due to the true energy infused into the sound each time she plucked the string.
She, who could infuse internal energy into sound, was the Summoning Sound Valley Master Hang Yeo-ryang.
Corpse Blood Valley Leader Lee Ji-yeom clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Even that woman has come.'
Unlike the Shadow Clan Master, Lee Ji-yeom knew her well.
In the orthodox sects and even in the martial arts world, there were those with unique martial arts lineages, and one of them was sound techniques.
In reality, there were only a handful of people in the Central Plains martial arts world who could properly utilize sound techniques, and the Summoning Sound Valley Master Hang Yeo-ryang was one of them.
Ting!
The Summoning Sound Valley Master Hang Yeo-ryang, lying in a seductive pose on the four-person sedan chair, plucked the string of the lute with her finger.
Then, the ripple that had spread through the sound earlier grew larger.
As a result,
"Ugh."
Some of the red-belted warriors with relatively weaker internal energy couldn't endure it and covered their ears.
'She hasn't changed.'
It was truly a bad habit.
She would often unexpectedly infuse sound techniques into the lute strings, making those around her uncomfortable.
Even the good-natured Vice Clan Leader had strongly warned her about it.
Of course, she must have ignored that warning, as she continued this bad habit.
'Huu.'
Anyway, feeling that he couldn't just leave her be, Lee Ji-yeom cupped his hands and spoke loudly,
"It's been a while, Summoning Sound Valley Master."
"Valley Master~ Valley Master~ Valley Master~"
His voice echoed throughout the entire plaza like a reverberation.
The majestic true energy contained in his voice caused interest to flicker in the eyes of the Summoning Sound Valley Master Hang Yeo-ryang, who had been lying seductively.
No, the executives who had arrived earlier were the same.
With just this greeting, they could infer that Lee Ji-yeom's internal energy had deepened compared to before.
Of course, it was the same for Hang Yeo-ryang.
She spoke as if surprised,
"Corpse Blood Valley Leader's internal energy has deepened since the last time we met."
"How could that be?"
"Your modesty is excessive."
"It's not modesty. Rather, upon hearing the beautiful sound of the lute strings, I feel that the Summoning Sound Valley Master's cultivation is deepening day by day. The power infused in the sound makes even my insides churn."
"Hohoho. Is that so?"
Although he spoke indirectly, his true intention was simple.
The people around could suffer internal injuries, so stop infusing power into the strings and cease it.
That was the meaning.
She also instantly understood this, but…
Ting!
"Then, as an apology to the Valley Master, I should play a proper tune for you."
'This woman, really…'
It was truly a troublesome situation.
As per custom, he had sent an invitation letter asking for her attendance, but naturally, he had assumed she wouldn't come given her personality.
But she suddenly appeared and acted as she pleased according to her unique temperament, making it extremely difficult for him.
At this, Lee Ji-yeom looked at the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak, one of the Five Kings, seeking his help.
He was asking for a higher-ranking executive to intervene.
However,
'!?'
He saw Won Byeong-hak sitting still, turning his head away and feigning ignorance.
No matter how self-centered she was, if he, a superior executive and one of the Five Kings, stepped forward and warned her, it would be difficult for her to ignore it.
But he couldn't understand why he was acting like this.
'I'm sorry, Corpse Blood Valley Leader.'
In fact, Won Byeong-hak had met her beforehand and received a confirmation that she wouldn't touch the child from an Esoteric Realm Gate.
They had things to give and take, so he couldn't bring himself to intervene.
If she, with her self-centered nature, became displeased and targeted the child from the Esoteric Realm Gate that he had his eyes on, it would become troublesome.
Seeing that the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak wasn't intervening, Lee Ji-yeom reluctantly looked at the Shadow Clan Master, one of the Three Chief Masters, a level above him.
But the Shadow Clan Master merely covered his mouth with his hand and laughed like a woman.
He didn't seem to have any intention of intervening.
'No other choice.'
Lee Ji-yeom clicked his tongue inwardly.
Since it had come to this, even if he became uncomfortable with her, it seemed he had no choice but to take a strong stance.
Towards her, who was plucking the lute strings…
"Summoning Sound Valley Master. That's enough."
At that moment, someone's voice was heard.
At this, she, who had been plucking the lute, frowned and turned her head.
The one standing there was none other than…
'The Bright Blade King?'
The Bright Blade King Son Yun, one of the Five Kings, was standing there with a large sword on his shoulder, glaring at her with a grim expression.
His imposing presence, with a larger build than the average person and covered in scars, was unmatched among anyone present.
"The Bright Blade King… has also come."
The Summoning Sound Valley Master Hang Yeo-ryang stopped plucking the lute and bowed with her hands together.
Lee Ji-yeom inwardly welcomed Son Yun's appearance.
Son Yun was renowned for his resolve even among the Five Kings.
He disliked crossing the line and had a clear sense of likes and dislikes. He had clashed with the self-centered Hang Yeo-ryang several times before.
There were even rumors that she had nearly lost her head to the Bright Blade King Son Yun's sword.
In a way, he could be considered her natural enemy.
"Did I come to a place I shouldn't have?"
"No, how could that be?"
"Then, do it in moderation and sit in your seat. Isn't the Corpse Blood Valley Leader unable to proceed with the final gate because of you?"
At his sharp tone, Hang Yeo-ryang's eyes sharpened.
It seemed the rumors about their poor relationship weren't false.
The atmosphere had become quite cold.
It was almost a touch-and-go situation.
At that moment, Corpse Blood Valley Leader Lee Ji-yeom stepped between the two and spoke with his hands cupped,
"It's an honor to have the Bright Blade King also observe."
The heavy atmosphere was temporarily alleviated.
The Bright Blade King Son Yun, who had been intensely staring at Hang Yeo-ryang, turned his head, relaxed his expression, and said,
"Corpse Blood Valley Leader. It's been a while."
"It has been a while. I didn't expect the Bright Blade King to come to the final ceremony."
The reason Corpse Blood Valley Leader Lee Ji-yeom said this was simple.
The Bright Blade King Son Yun already had outstanding disciples.
Especially in the case of his chief disciple Woo Ho-rang, his talent was so exceptional that he was considered one of the top five promising successors within the Heaven and Earth Society.
But for him to participate in the final ceremony was puzzling.
"There's a reason for that."
"A reason?"
At Lee Ji-yeom's words, the Bright Blade King Son Yun turned his head and looked at someone among the six boys standing in the plaza.
That someone was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
[What? He lost to whom?]
Until just the day before, he had no intention of coming here.
However, upon hearing that his youngest disciple Yeop Wi-seon had not only caused a major incident but had also been defeated by someone, his mind changed.
'Haa…'
Not long ago, Mok Gyeong-un was just a Peak Realm master.
Yet he had defeated Yeop Wi-seon, who had reached the Transcendent Realm and had received martial arts instruction from him?
He couldn't help but come here.