Chapter 156: Coercion (2)
"I shall face this person. Flee to the poison-wielding elder, mortal."
Upon hearing Cheong-ryeong's words, Mok Gyeong-un realized her intent to engage the Society Leader's first disciple, Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, in order to buy time.
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes sharpened at this.
Her judgment was undoubtedly correct.
The gap between himself and Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, who had overcome his wall and ascended to the Transformation Realm, was vast.
At present, fleeing was the only answer.
However, two issues remained.
First,
'My left ankle.'
It seemed Cheong-ryeong had failed to notice in her haste that Na Yul-ryang had swiftly crushed Mok Gyeong-un's left ankle, fracturing the bone.
This was no coincidence.
It was a calculated move to hinder his mobility and prevent his escape.
A person like Na Yul-ryang, so similar to Mok Gyeong-un, would not release him so lightly merely because Cheong-ryeong, or his assumed junior sister, had appeared.
Second,
'The Poison King…'
Baek Sa-ha, the Poison King who had also reached the Transformation Realm, could likely protect Mok Gyeong-un from Na Yul-ryang.
However, Mok Gyeong-un's thoughts did not end there.
His gaze shifted to Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, who was engaged in battle with Cheong-ryeong.
If the person was truly akin to himself, this would not be the end.
'…He will seek to kill me, by any means necessary.'
Even under the Poison King Baek Sa-ha's protection, Na Yul-ryang would undoubtedly attempt to eliminate Mok Gyeong-un through whatever method he could devise.
He had already made up his mind to do so.
It was both instinct and conviction.
'Troublesome.'
Just as he was finding his footing, this was a truly vexing variable.
Failure to overcome it would mean death before vengeance.
As his thoughts reached this point, Mok Gyeong-un began seeking a new solution.
'I need more power.'
Power was necessary to protect himself from Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, not anyone else.
However, this could not be achieved in a short time.
Even in the current martial arts world, only an extremely small number of innately gifted individuals could attain enlightenment, shatter their threshold, and reach the Transformation Realm.
Ascending to such a realm was not a feat that could be accomplished through talent alone.
Yet,
'Could it work?'
A scene flashed through Mok Gyeong-un's mind.
It was the moment when the Poison King Baek Sa-ha attained enlightenment and surpassed his threshold.
Although invisible to others, Mok Gyeong-un, who had opened his Ghost Eye, remembered what had transpired within Baek Sa-ha's body as he broke through his threshold.
Energy had traversed three points, forming the Three Yang of essence, energy, and spirit.
The reason behind this occurrence was unknown.
However, he was confident in his ability to replicate it almost identically from memory.
'Is it possible?'
The act of forcibly inducing the Three Yang without enlightenment.
There was no way to know if this would succeed.
Perhaps it would lead to qi deviation, endangering his life.
'...'
Then, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes fell upon Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, who was fiercely crossing swords with Cheong-ryeong.
For now, it remained a stalemate.
However, as it was daytime, Cheong-ryeong, a vengeful spirit, was at a disadvantage.
It would not be long before the person could repel Cheong-ryeong's sword.
Such was the extent of his extraordinary talent with the blade.
"Haa… Haa…"
Mok Gyeong-un attempted to move his left ankle.
The pain was still immense.
It would likely be difficult to even put weight on his left foot.
'It will be challenging in a short time.'
Even with his exceptional recovery ability, a fractured bone could not heal instantaneously.
Na Yul-ryang was gradually adapting to Cheong-ryeong's swordsmanship.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un made his decision.
'It will be a gamble.'
Regardless, the moment he moved, it was evident that Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang would cease his duel with Cheong-ryeong and change course.
In that case, he had no choice but to take the risk, even if it carried a higher degree of danger.
Fortunately, his energy was composed of deathly qi, making it difficult for others to accurately detect.
Even Na Yul-ryang, who had reached the Transformation Realm, had failed to discern it properly. Thus, even if he were to channel his energy through the Three Yang here, it would be challenging for others to notice.
"Phew."
Mok Gyeong-un, lying down, contemplated the energy within his body.
Then, recalling the Poison King Baek Sa-ha, who had shattered his threshold, he slowly began to circulate his energy, intending to forcibly break through.
'…It must be done in reverse.'
He had nearly made a mistake in that instant.
The energy Mok Gyeong-un wielded was not the energy of life, but the energy of the deceased.
The approach had to be the opposite of the norm.
-Rumble!
With that, Mok Gyeong-un began forcibly piercing through the threshold by circulating his deathly qi through his reverse acupoints, relying on his memory.
The deathly qi gathered and spread throughout his body as it circulated through the reverse acupoints.
He perfectly recreated the phenomenon that had occurred within Baek Sa-ha's body.
'First, the lower danjeon.'
-Rumble!
The concentrated deathly qi passed through the essence of the lower danjeon.
Then, it converged near the chest before spreading throughout the body, forming the yin through the deathly qi in the reverse acupoints of the middle danjeon, the energy.
'The second is also a success.'
If the supreme masters who had surpassed their thresholds were to witness Mok Gyeong-un's current actions, they would have been unable to conceal their astonishment.
This was because it differed from the typical Three Yang Convergence.
Originally, the Three Yang Convergence, also known as the Three Yang Gathering, referred to the convergence of yang within yin, yang within yang, and yang within yin and yang, with the three yang heading towards the inner origin and returning to the heavenly palace.
However, due to the reverse acupoints, Mok Gyeong-un's process was the opposite.
It was literally the Three Yin Convergence.
This was yin within yang, yin within yin, and yin within yin and yang.
In other words, the three yin were heading towards the inner origin, with the heavenly palace inversely returning.
'Ugh.'
Beads of sweat formed on Mok Gyeong-un's forehead, and faint steam escaped from his mouth.
Finally, the energy had to penetrate the top of his head, but this was proving difficult as it was a forceful attempt without enlightenment.
At that moment,
-Whoosh!
Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang launched his figure towards Mok Gyeong-un with lightning speed.
It was to prevent him from accomplishing whatever he was attempting.
Mok Gyeong-un, who was focusing all his attention on piercing through the spirit in order to achieve something, was unable to notice this.
However,
-Swish!
Cheong-ryeong blocked Na Yul-ryang's path.
'As if I would allow anyone to interfere.'
Whether forcibly forming the Three Yang of essence, energy, and spirit without enlightenment was possible or not, if Mok Gyeong-un were to be interrupted here, he would undoubtedly die.
'In any case, that mortal brat…'
It was not audacity but sheer recklessness.
She had told him to flee while she held off this person, yet he was engaging in such a perilous challenge at this very moment.
Regardless, she had to protect that mortal…
"Do not interfere!"
-Swish swish swish swish swish!
At that instant, a dazzling trajectory resembling a meteor shower was drawn from Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang's sword energy.
Cheong-ryeong's gaze turned frigid for a fleeting moment.
This was the Heavenly Sword Meteor, one of the three secret techniques of the Heavenly Sword's swordsmanship.
It was a sword technique the person had created while gazing upon the falling stars in the night sky.
Although her resentment ran deep, she had no choice but to acknowledge that these three secret techniques devised by the person were truly unparalleled and could be considered supreme.
While they were called secret techniques, flawless and domineering sword techniques,
'It's not without weaknesses.'
Cheong-ryeong, who had deconstructed the person's swordsmanship over a hundred years, had discovered the sole weakness in this technique.
Amidst the densely packed sword techniques that approached like a meteor shower, there was a single trajectory that could be exploited.
If she were to thrust a single sword towards that spot,
-Stab!
-Swish swish swish!
'!?'
At that moment, Na Yul-ryang's sword techniques abruptly changed direction, entrapping Cheong-ryeong's single sword that had aimed for the opening.
'A variation?'
It was an entirely unexpected sword path.
As a result, the pipe created by spiritual power was trapped within the trajectory of the strong energy and instantly disintegrated.
However, this was not the end.
-Swish swish!
'Oh no!'
Cheong-ryeong swiftly utilized her lightness skill to evade the sword trajectories that targeted her.
Her eyes sharpened as she dodged.
She had discovered the method to break the Heavenly Sword Meteor through countless deconstructions, but it had been refined to the point of being even more formidable, far beyond her expectations.
'…I underestimated the person.'
The person, too, had once vied for the title of the world's greatest swordsman alongside her.
As time had passed, it was only natural for him to develop his sword techniques and compensate for their weaknesses, yet she had been too fixated on the past.
'It was a mistake.'
Cheong-ryeong inwardly reflected on her error.
At that moment, Na Yul-ryang, who had been pressuring Cheong-ryeong with his dense sword techniques, forcefully thrust his sword energy towards her brow.
In that instant,
-Boom!
A sharp sword energy of blue hue sliced through the air.
It was the Sword Energy Blast, a technique that could directly launch condensed strong energy.
'Oh no!'
The final strike was a Sword Energy Blast from an inescapable position.
Cheong-ryeong hastily crossed her hands and created a red blood-like barrier using spiritual power.
-Crash!
However, the power of the Sword Energy Blast, the final strike that served as the climax of the sword techniques, was so immense that her body soared through the air along with the Blood Barrier.
Without missing that very moment, Na Yul-ryang changed his direction.
And then,
"Haa!"
He unleashed another Sword Energy Blast, aiming it towards Mok Gyeong-un.
'Where do you think you're going!'
Cheong-ryeong, who had been launched into the air, disregarded her gaze and everything else, waving her hand.
Blood from the ground rose in the form of thorns, attempting to pierce Na Yul-ryang's right shoulder as he tried to extend his sword.
"Hmph!"
Na Yul-ryang hurriedly twisted his body.
Thanks to that, the trajectory of the Sword Energy Blast slightly deviated from its original intention.
The blue sword energy extended in a straight line, piercing not Mok Gyeong-un's neck, as originally intended, but right beside it.
-Boom boom boom!
As a result, the strong energy penetrated the ground, raising fragments and dust.
The power was sufficiently potent.
To this extent, the shockwave alone might have disrupted Mok Gyeong-un's attempt to achieve his breakthrough, causing him to suffer critical injuries or even death.
'This is not enough.'
As visibility was obscured, even with his Penetrating Eye, Na Yul-ryang, who had been unable to properly confirm the situation, launched his figure towards Mok Gyeong-un.
-Bang!
Cheong-ryeong, who had soared into the air and deflected Na Yul-ryang's Sword Energy Blast, also propelled her figure towards Mok Gyeong-un.
He probably hadn't finished his breakthrough yet, and everything might have been ruined by the previous Sword Energy Blast.
-Whoosh!
'I have to stop it.'
In any case, she had already unleashed her power as a vengeful spirit.
In that case, without any further hesitation,
It was at that very moment.
-Gasp!
-Whoosh!
Suddenly, an unknown energy began to surge from within the hazy dust in all directions.
Cheong-ryeong's eyes widened.
The energy surging from within the dust was of a distinctly different nature compared to the deathly qi that could be considered the energy of death.
'What energy is this vicious…'
-Gasp!
Na Yul-ryang, who had been propelling his figure, abruptly came to a halt.
It was at that precise moment.
From within the dust obscuring their vision,
-Boom!
A black strong energy extended towards Na Yul-ryang's face with tremendous force, accompanied by a circular shockwave.
Na Yul-ryang hastily blocked the black strong energy targeting his head with his blue sword energy.
-Clang clang clang clang!
Sparks of pale blue light erupted as the strong energies collided.
The clash of strong energies, almost at a stalemate, neither side yielding.
'What in the world…'
Na Yul-ryang's eyes sharpened.
This black strong energy exuded a brutality and ferocity he had never experienced before.
The momentum was so vicious that it disrupted the convergence of his own strong energy.
'This won't do.'
Forcibly clashing energies led to the loss of true energy.
Realizing it was futile, Na Yul-ryang extended one foot back, applying force to his Yongchuan acupoint, and used the technique of "Borrowing Force to Redirect" to divert the incoming strong energy to the side.
-Boom!
-Crash crash crash crash!
The black strong energy tore through the ground, shattering a wall nearly five jang in length.
From the aftermath of this strong energy, Na Yul-ryang could instinctively comprehend.
'Ha…'
How could this be possible?
-Grip!
Strength filled Na Yul-ryang's hand.
It was unbelievable.
The person had shattered his threshold and entered the same realm as himself.
-Swish swish swish!
Mok Gyeong-un's figure emerged from the dissipating dust.
At the sight of his appearance, Na Yul-ryang's expression grew even more solemn.
'!!!!!'
It was clearly visible to his Penetrating Eye, which could penetrate through energy.
Mok Gyeong-un, with black energy materializing and surging throughout his body.
Enveloped in the exceedingly vicious black energy, his appearance was reminiscent of a demon that had ascended from hell.
158: Chapter 157: Coercion (3)
It was not only him who was surprised.
Cheong-ryeong was also astonished by the vicious energy emanating from Mok Gyeong-un's entire body.
'What is this energy?'
It might be difficult for ordinary people to perceive clearly.
However, the energy of Mok Gyeong-un, visible through her Ghost Eye, was both ferocious and ominous beyond compare.
This energy had become significantly different from the deathly qi that could be considered the energy of the deceased.
-Whoosh!
Originally, the Three Yang Convergence referred to the energy penetrating the essence, energy, and spirit, completely opening the Ren and Du meridians, and surpassing one's limits.
However, Mok Gyeong-un had forcibly pierced through it using the opposite method of reverse acupoint energy circulation with deathly qi.
He had achieved this through the contrasting yin.
The energy that had been condensed and exploded through the Three Yang had now transformed.
A new energy had been born, unlike anything Cheong-ryeong, who had existed for over a hundred years, had ever encountered before.
'Vicious… Ferocious… The embodiment of ominousness. How was such energy created? This is truly akin to a demon.'
It differed from both the vengeful and malevolent spirits.
It had completely transformed into a new energy unique to Mok Gyeong-un himself.
At that moment, Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, the Society Leader's first disciple, spoke.
"I thought you were just an immature brat, even if we were of the same ilk… You, bastard. You're a more bothersome existence than I anticipated."
"I share a similar opinion."
It was mutual.
Mok Gyeong-un also recognized Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang as someone who needed to be killed rather than a mere tool to be exploited.
In response to Mok Gyeong-un's answer, Na Yul-ryang clicked his tongue.
Then, he spoke again.
"Are you truly human?"
Na Yul-ryang's question was entirely reasonable.
In this urgent situation, Mok Gyeong-un had performed the outrageous feat of forcibly breaking through his threshold.
It was an absurd pace of advancement and a gamble with his life on the line.
"I am human. Do you think I might turn into a monster?"
"A monster? …That makes sense too. That ominous black energy emanating from you… It's like a demon from hell."
"A demon?"
At these words, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled.
A demon, he said.
He understood why Na Yul-ryang would say such a thing.
Since it was his own energy, he could comprehend it even more clearly.
[Forget the viciousness within you. Only then can you live on.]
Come to think of it, those were the words his grandfather had spoken to him since childhood.
He had assumed it was simply due to a strong sense of liberation, a desire to destroy something.
However, this energy that had transformed after penetrating the essence, energy, and spirit.
Somehow, it did not feel unfamiliar.
The darkness and chaos that seemed to suck him into an abyss felt as though they originated from himself.
"Demonic energy… Not bad. Then, shall we call this Demonic Qi?"
"Demonic Qi? Ha! You speak as if you're some kind of sect leader."
"Who knows? More importantly, it's intriguing. Those eyes of yours."
"…"
"Can you see my energy with those eyes?"
Mok Gyeong-un, who had opened his Ghost Eye, could clearly discern.
Na Yul-ryang's right eye, from which a silver light flowed, was certainly extraordinary.
However, Mok Gyeong-un's words became the trigger.
As soon as the question ended,
-Whoosh!
Na Yul-ryang's figure swiftly charged towards Mok Gyeong-un.
Before forcibly achieving the Three Yin Convergence, Mok Gyeong-un had struggled to grasp Na Yul-ryang's movements.
But now that he had accomplished it,
'I can see.'
He could finally perceive Na Yul-ryang's movements.
As Mok Gyeong-un extended his hand, the Wicked Blade that had fallen to the ground was drawn into his palm.
-Whoosh!
Black strong energy surged from the Wicked Blade.
Simultaneously, Mok Gyeong-un swung his sword diagonally upward.
-Clang!
At that moment, sparks erupted as the blue sword energy collided with the black strong energy of the Wicked Blade.
-Skid!
At the same time, Mok Gyeong-un's figure was pushed back by about two steps.
Although he could grasp Na Yul-ryang's movements, Na Yul-ryang still held the upper hand in terms of martial power.
Having forcibly broken through the threshold without enlightenment, Mok Gyeong-un was still inferior to Na Yul-ryang in martial power.
However, Na Yul-ryang's expression was not particularly pleased.
'He has become capable of properly perceiving my movements.'
Although he could still claim superiority as Mok Gyeong-un had just broken through his threshold, the fact that someone who had merely been at the pinnacle of Peak Realm had entered the same realm as himself in an instant was significant.
The realm of Transformation.
This was not something that could be ignored and brushed aside.
'This won't do.'
He had to kill Mok Gyeong-un on the spot to prevent future troubles.
Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, who had elevated Mok Gyeong-un from a future headache to a dangerous individual who must be eliminated, no longer held back his energy and unleashed his martial power to the extreme.
-Rumble!
As Na Yul-ryang raised his energy, the grains of sand on the ground began to tremble and heave.
"Abandon any thoughts of returning alive."
"Will that be easy?"
-Rumble!
In response, Mok Gyeong-un also raised his martial power to the extreme.
Having just broken through his threshold, his energy had not yet stabilized, but if he did not match Na Yul-ryang's momentum, he would be cut down by the overwhelming force.
-Clang! Clang!
Na Yul-ryang's eyes narrowed as he clashed sword energy with Mok Gyeong-un.
He was clearly superior in martial power.
However, as his sword energy made contact with Mok Gyeong-un's, a phenomenon of gradual dispersion began to occur.
It seemed to be due to the destructive nature of this energy.
As a result, Mok Gyeong-un did not easily yield, drawing upon more true energy to prevent his energy from scattering.
'Bothersome.'
Realizing that a clash of martial power would not suffice, Na Yul-ryang stomped his foot on the ground.
-Thud! Crack!
At that moment, the ground beneath Mok Gyeong-un's feet shattered, causing his figure to waver.
Not missing this opportunity,
-Clang!
Na Yul-ryang deflected the clashing strong energy with his sword strike and aimed for Mok Gyeong-un's left shoulder.
However,
-Gasp!
A sharp murderous intent was sensed from behind.
'Oh no.'
Na Yul-ryang kicked off the ground and twisted his body, enveloping himself with strong energy.
-Whoosh!
As he rotated his body, the strong energy formed a whirlwind, scattering sharp murderous intent in all directions.
-Clang clang clang clang clang!
-His senses are keen.
-Clang clang clang clang!
Cheong-ryeong, who had attempted to target Na Yul-ryang's back in an instant, blocked the flying strong energy with her pipe.
Of course, Mok Gyeong-un also stabilized his wavering figure and deflected Na Yul-ryang's strong energy, seeking an opening to exploit.
There were no gaps in this technique of enveloping oneself with strong energy.
-He's still stronger than you. We need to cooperate. I will obstruct his movements, so…
Before Cheong-ryeong could finish her words, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head.
-What?
What was this fellow thinking?
If they did not kill Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang on the spot, they would create the worst enemy within the Heaven and Earth Society.
Forcibly breaking through the threshold was indeed a miraculous feat, but the opponent was already a supreme master who had reached the Transformation Realm, so Mok Gyeong-un's chances of victory alone were still low.
-It's still too risky…
-I have spare puppet figures, so hide yourself.
-What?
-I sensed a vast curse power from that direction.
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Cheong-ryeong's eyes flickered with surprise.
She had thought he wouldn't be able to pay attention to anything else while focused on the person, but had the fellow also detected it?
In fact, Cheong-ryeong had also sensed the curse power.
Curse power could be considered the foundation of sorcery and magic.
The moment Cheong-ryeong fully unleashed her power as a vengeful spirit, known as spiritual power, a wave of vast curse power had surged.
It likely meant that an exceptional diviner had noticed her presence.
It wouldn't be long before the diviner tracked down her location.
However, Cheong-ryeong was willing to take that risk to assist Mok Gyeong-un.
-No. Then you'll be in danger, mortal…
-I'm fine now. You know what it means if the diviner here has noticed, right?
-…
At Mok Gyeong-un's telepathic message, she fell silent.
What was this fellow thinking?
Even if he had broken through his threshold, he would still be at a disadvantage in terms of martial prowess.
-Whoosh!
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong and Mok Gyeong-un simultaneously glanced at a certain direction.
Just now, the vast curse power had spread throughout the entire inner city.
It meant that the pursuit had begun.
-Hurry.
-You…
-Do you want to ruin everything?
After a moment of hesitation, Cheong-ryeong finally spoke.
-…If you sense danger, immediately flee to the poison-wielding elder.
With the current gap, she believed he could escape to that distance.
With those words, Cheong-ryeong merged into Mok Gyeong-un's body.
-Swish!
At that moment, Na Yul-ryang, who had been indiscriminately scattering strong energy while rotating, stopped.
Then, he steadied his breathing and surveyed the surroundings with his right eye.
'Where?'
Where had that existence, taking the form of Wi So-yeon, gone?
It was impossible for her to escape his Penetrating Eye, yet she was nowhere to be seen.
Na Yul-ryang glared at Mok Gyeong-un and spoke.
"Where did that woman go?"
In response to that question, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and replied.
"What are you talking about?"
"The youngest disciple, no… That strange existence taking the form of the youngest disciple."
"I have no idea what you're saying. Who are you referring to?"
"What?"
Na Yul-ryang scoffed in disbelief.
They had been engaging in battle until now, so what nonsense was he spouting?
"Do you take this young master for a fool? She was clearly in front of you and suddenly disappeared. Do you think I wouldn't have noticed even while rapidly rotating?"
The issue was that at the moment of her disappearance, her energy had also vanished completely.
Even with his Penetrating Eye, he couldn't locate her, so Na Yul-ryang was on guard in all directions.
He didn't know when or where she might appear.
Facing such a Na Yul-ryang, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said.
"Perhaps you're seeing things."
"…"
Na Yul-ryang's expression turned frigid.
After staring intently at Mok Gyeong-un, Na Yul-ryang tilted his neck to the side and stretched his muscles.
-Crack! Crack!
"It seems you're misunderstanding something."
"Misunderstanding?"
"Yes. You've merely gained the qualification to face this young master. Don't mistake that for becoming equal."
-Swish!
As soon as those words ended, Na Yul-ryang's figure scattered like smoke.
In response, Mok Gyeong-un swung the Wicked Blade upward.
-Clang!
Sparks erupted as the black strong energy collided with the blue sword energy.
Then, Mok Gyeong-un twisted his body to the side and slashed the Wicked Blade towards the air once more.
Something seemed to appear and disappear like it was dissipating.
-Swish! Swish!
Afterimages were left intermittently, and each time, Mok Gyeong-un's Wicked Blade slashed at them.
This phenomenon of continuously leaving faint afterimages was none other than the Shifting Form and Changing Position technique.
Na Yul-ryang was currently employing an ultra-high-speed lightness skill, rendering his figure invisible except for the moment of attack.
Of course,
-Swish swish swish!
Mok Gyeong-un's pupils were rapidly trembling.
In those eyes, Na Yul-ryang's shadow was imprinted in each fleeting moment.
He was capturing the instantaneous movements.
However, since he couldn't match that level of speed with his lightness skill, he could only respond to the brief moments when Na Yul-ryang attacked.
'A single mistake, a single error, and your life will end.'
Na Yul-ryang relentlessly pressured Mok Gyeong-un.
Each sword strike that accompanied his ultra-high-speed movement was a fatal technique.
Having just broken through his threshold and entered the same realm as Na Yul-ryang, Mok Gyeong-un had not yet fully embodied his own abilities.
That clumsiness would lead to his own…
-Swish!
It was at that moment.
Mok Gyeong-un moved his foot.
He was trying to disrupt the flow, but he would never allow…
-Clang!
At that instant, Mok Gyeong-un's figure followed behind Na Yul-ryang's back, and black strong energy aimed for his chest.
Na Yul-ryang lightly blocked it and resumed his ultra-high-speed movement.
-Tap tap tap tap tap!
At the speed an ordinary person would take one step, he took nearly twenty steps.
Those steps were graceful and swift, like flowing water.
However,
-Tap tap tap tap tap!
'!?'
One of Na Yul-ryang's eyebrows raised.
He had considered it a momentary coincidence, but before he knew it, Mok Gyeong-un was once again attempting to follow his movements.
Moreover, the footsteps he left behind…
'Clear and Manifest Water Crossing Steps?'
He was imitating Na Yul-ryang's own lightness skill, the Clear and Manifest Water Crossing Steps.
The Clear and Manifest Water Crossing Steps, which enabled the most ideal ultra-high-speed movement at close range, was not a technique passed down by the Society Leader but a secret of Na Yul-ryang's own family, the Na clan.
Na Yul-ryang was dumbfounded for a moment.
He, too, could analyze the opponent's martial arts within a short time using his cold-hearted mind and insight, adapting his own martial arts accordingly.
However, this person was taking a different approach.
'You dare try to steal this young master's technique in the midst of our duel?'
It was utterly absurd.
He had never encountered someone like this before.
Not only had he met someone similar to himself for the first time, but that person's talent might even surpass his own.
'This won't do.'
Na Yul-ryang's eyes glinted with strong killing intent.
He was already using his full power, but he had not yet employed the three secret techniques of the Heavenly Sword.
Even though Mok Gyeong-un had entered the same realm, Na Yul-ryang still did not consider him an opponent worthy of using those techniques.
However, his thoughts had now changed.
He had to quickly kill the person, even if it meant using the secret techniques…
-Gasp!
At the intense energy felt in close proximity, Na Yul-ryang stopped his lightness skill.
The same went for Mok Gyeong-un.
Their gazes simultaneously turned towards the figure who had approached them.
It was none other than…
"Poison King?"
The Poison King, Baek Sa-ha.
"Eldest Young Master."
"This is… quite unexpected."
The reason for Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang's remark was simple.
It was due to Baek Sa-ha's appearance, which had become noticeably younger compared to before.
Moreover, the energy of Baek Sa-ha, visible through his Penetrating Eye, had grown incomparably stronger than before.
"You have broken through your threshold."
In response to his words, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha scoffed and said, "Eldest Young Master… May I ask what you were doing with my disciple?"
"…"
It was a straightforward question.
It was a kind of warning, asked despite already knowing the answer. Instead of answering, Na Yul-ryang looked at Mok Gyeong-un with a hint of regret.
Then, he chuckled and said, "You're fortunate."
At his words, Baek Sa-ha inwardly clicked his tongue.
Even though he had appeared here and revealed that Mok Gyeong-un was his disciple, Na Yul-ryang still boldly refused to extinguish his hostility and killing intent.
He was truly an arrogant individual, both then and now.
This was one of the reasons why Baek Sa-ha did not support him.
-Swish!
The blue strong energy that had enveloped Na Yul-ryang's finger dissipated.
In response, Mok Gyeong-un also released his strong energy.
'Hmm.'
Doubt crept into Baek Sa-ha's eyes as he observed this.
Why was the color of the strong energy enveloping Mok Gyeong-un's sword such a dark hue?
Moreover, the power within the strong energy seemed extraordinary.
'Just what happened here?'
He couldn't hide his bewilderment.
With Mok Gyeong-un's level of martial prowess, he should not have been able to confront Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang.
However, judging from the traces of aftermath in the surroundings and a glance from afar, it seemed they had been fighting on almost equal footing.
What on earth is going on?
In that moment of perplexity, Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang spoke to Baek Sa-ha.
"Poison King. Congratulations on achieving a breakthrough. Then, this young master shall take his leave."
With those words, Na Yul-ryang attempted to depart without hesitation. Seeing this, Baek Sa-ha felt a sense of relief in that fleeting moment.
-Whoosh!
At that instant, Na Yul-ryang, who had been about to turn around, suddenly and unexpectedly thrust his finger towards Mok Gyeong-un's chest.
Mok Gyeong-un hastily grabbed his wrist, but it had already penetrated nearly two joints deep.
-Stab!
"Eldest Young Master!"
Baek Sa-ha shouted, his voice laced with anger.
In response, Na Yul-ryang smiled contentedly and said, "Did you think I would spare this bastard's life and simply leave?"
With his finger pierced into Mok Gyeong-un's chest, the situation was already over.
If his finger were to penetrate just an inch further, it would reach the heart.
In any case, Na Yul-ryang held a significant advantage in martial power, so grabbing his wrist was futile.
However,
'This bastard?'
Mok Gyeong-un was grinning, his smile stretching from ear to ear in an eerie manner.
He was smiling even though his life was hanging by a thread?
"Have you gone mad…"
"Thank you for allowing yourself to be caught."
"What?"
It was at that very moment.
-Snap!
Na Yul-ryang's wrist was twisted and broken.
'!?'
159: Chapter 158: Coercion (4)
-Snap!
"Ugh."
Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang's wrist was twisted and broken.
Na Yul-ryang frantically tried to shake off his broken wrist.
However,
-Crack!
'This fiend?'
He couldn't move his wrist at all.
It was the same even when he raised his right hand's martial power to the tenth level.
Mok Gyeong-un said to him,
"What's wrong? Is it difficult to pull out your hand?"
'!?'
Na Yul-ryang's eyes sharpened.
Although the pain from his broken wrist bone should have been agonizing, Na Yul-ryang instead glared at Mok Gyeong-un with a look of disbelief.
The person's martial power was below his own, so there was no way he could break his wrist.
However, a strange phenomenon occurred.
Suddenly, the person's martial power surged to twice its previous level.
Wondering what was going on, Na Yul-ryang noticed that the veins on Mok Gyeong-un's right hand, which was grasping his wrist, had become bulging, black, and grotesque.
'What is this?'
Na Yul-ryang could see through his Penetrating Eye.
Mok Gyeong-un's right hand had an eerily surging energy.
This was not a normal form of power.
'This person has learned a bizarre technique.'
How he learned it was not important.
What mattered was that Mok Gyeong-un's martial power had surpassed his own, limited to his right hand.
At this,
-Whoosh!
Na Yul-ryang raised his left hand's finger, generating a blue sword energy.
He then attempted to behead Mok Gyeong-un in a single stroke.
This person must be killed on the spot, or he would be far too dangerous.
-Swish! Clang!
However, at that moment, Na Yul-ryang's sword energy was stopped before it could even touch Mok Gyeong-un's neck.
The one who blocked it was none other than,
"Poison King!"
The Poison King, Baek Sa-ha.
Without using poison, he had created strong energy with his hand and blocked Na Yul-ryang's sword energy in an instant.
Baek Sa-ha said to Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang,
"You intend to kill my disciple right in front of me?"
"…"
At Baek Sa-ha's words, Na Yul-ryang's gaze turned frigid.
That person, his disciple, had broken his wrist and was still grasping it, yet Baek Sa-ha was trying to protect him?
At this, Na Yul-ryang warned in a low voice,
"Are you willing to make an enemy of this young master for the sake of a mere disciple? Will that truly benefit the Baek Clan?"
"…Are you threatening me now?"
Faced with Na Yul-ryang's forceful words, anger seeped into the Poison King Baek Sa-ha's voice as well.
No matter how close Na Yul-ryang was to being the Society Leader's successor, Baek Sa-ha was one of the Five Kings, a high-ranking executive of the Heaven and Earth Society.
In terms of position, he could even be considered above Na Yul-ryang.
No matter how arrogant Na Yul-ryang was, to provoke him in such a manner?
"I now clearly understand how you view me and the Baek Clan. Then, let me warn you as well. If you do not immediately withdraw, I will do my utmost to prevent you from becoming the successor."
"What?"
The expression of Na Yul-ryang, who was receiving a warning in return, grew even more ferocious.
All his attention was focused on somehow killing Mok Gyeong-un, yet this old man kept interfering, fueling his anger even further.
"Did I not say it? If you do not step back, I will ensure to obstruct you from becoming the successor."
"Poison King!"
-Rumble!
As Na Yul-ryang's voice rose, his aura surged menacingly.
The wind swirled, causing his clothes to flutter.
Likewise, as if unwilling to be outdone in terms of aura, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha began releasing a poisonous energy from his entire body.
-Rumble!
A purple poisonous energy rose, exuding an ominous aura.
His poisonous energy, having become a complete Poison Master after reaching the 8th stage of the Wave Demon Poison Scripture, was incomparable to before.
As Baek Sa-ha took a step forward,
-Sizzle!
Part of the ground was being corroded.
In an instant, the atmosphere intensified.
It would not be surprising if the two were to engage in a life-and-death battle at any moment.
However, that would signify a complete confrontation between them, so Baek Sa-ha was cautious, and in Na Yul-ryang's case, with one of his wrists grasped by Mok Gyeong-un, neither of them made the first move.
It was at that precise moment.
-Shudder!
An immense killing intent surged.
As if the sudden killing intent was a signal flare, Na Yul-ryang and Baek Sa-ha reflexively separated their clashing hands and unleashed lethal techniques towards each other.
-Clang clang clang!
In an instant, their hands collided about four times at close range.
It was a simplified exchange of techniques.
-Sizzle! Whoosh!
As the poisonous energy and murderous intent clashed, the surrounding ground corroded and cracked.
However, their confrontation did not continue from there.
The reason being,
'This bastard?'
Mok Gyeong-un, who had been grasping Na Yul-ryang's wrist, pulled his body into an embrace while still holding his wrist.
Na Yul-ryang was momentarily dumbfounded.
To engage in such antics at this critical moment, had this bastard gone mad?
"Let go immediately!"
"I can't do that. Master! Please grab Eldest Young Master's left hand."
"What?"
-Grab!
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Baek Sa-ha reflexively grabbed Na Yul-ryang's left hand, with which he had been exchanging techniques.
As a result, Na Yul-ryang was unable to move either his right or left hand.
Na Yul-ryang clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"These bastards, seriously!"
Na Yul-ryang drew upon the energy from his entire body and released sharp murderous intent through his skin.
-Swish swish swish swish swish swish!
For a supreme master of the sword like him, his entire body was akin to a sharp weapon.
However, even as this sharp murderous intent pierced his body, Mok Gyeong-un remained motionless and instead embraced Na Yul-ryang even tighter.
-Crack!
'This person's left hand's energy?'
Na Yul-ryang furrowed his brows.
The energy in Mok Gyeong-un's left hand, which was wrapped around his waist, was extraordinary.
From this, Na Yul-ryang could discern.
'It's not limited to one hand?'
It seemed Mok Gyeong-un could unleash that strange technique with both hands.
As Mok Gyeong-un applied more force to his left hand encircling Na Yul-ryang's waist, he felt his upper body being compressed.
At this, Na Yul-ryang's eyes completely lost their sanity.
"You son of a bitch!"
Already filled with madness, his anger reached its peak, and he tilted his head to the side and headbutted Mok Gyeong-un, who was embracing him, with the force of his tenth-level martial power.
-Bang! Crack!
"Ugh."
Mok Gyeong-un's head was thrown back from the headbutt.
Not missing this opportunity, Na Yul-ryang headbutted him again.
-Bang!
"Ack!"
Blood spurted from Mok Gyeong-un's forehead where he was headbutted.
Na Yul-ryang let out a crazed laugh and headbutted the bleeding Mok Gyeong-un once more.
"Ha ha ha! Try keeping your hold now."
-Bang! Bang! Bang!
After about three headbutts, at that moment, veins bulged on Mok Gyeong-un's forehead, turning black.
Then, just like Na Yul-ryang, Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head back and headbutted him.
-Crack!
"Ugh!"
"Oof!"
The heads of the two, who had headbutted each other simultaneously, were thrown back.
The force was enough to send them flying apart, but they didn't separate as Mok Gyeong-un held Na Yul-ryang tightly.
However, both their faces were covered in blood, to the point of making one frown.
"Ha…"
That was Baek Sa-ha's current expression.
Although he had helped Mok Gyeong-un upon his request, this could hardly be considered a martial arts confrontation.
He had no idea how things had turned out this way.
As he was thinking that, Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang, his face distorted, opened his eyes and displayed a crazed look.
"I'll kill you!"
It seemed he would only be satisfied by killing Mok Gyeong-un on the spot for dragging him into this dog fight.
At this, Na Yul-ryang unleashed the technique of the Golden Silkworm and unexpectedly freed his left hand, which had been grasped by Baek Sa-ha.
-Bang!
"What?"
But it was at that very moment.
'!?'
-Sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle!
The parts of his body in contact with the person felt like they were burning in pain.
The reason was the crimson poisonous energy rising from Mok Gyeong-un's entire body as he embraced Na Yul-ryang.
Na Yul-ryang's expression contorted at the materialized crimson poisonous energy.
This was none other than,
"Poison Master?"
Releasing poisonous energy from one's entire body was something only possible for those who had reached the realm of a Poison Master.
'No way?'
Even the Poison King Baek Sa-ha couldn't hide his shock upon witnessing this scene.
He had surmised that Mok Gyeong-un's martial prowess had increased at an alarming rate, but it was still unbelievable.
He had not yet properly taught Mok Gyeong-un the Wave Demon Poison Scripture.
He had merely shown him the secret art once.
Yet now, Mok Gyeong-un was displaying the Poison Master Body, which could only be unleashed upon reaching the 8th stage of the Wave Demon Poison Scripture.
'How can this be?'
How was this possible for someone who had only seen the secret art of the Wave Demon Poison Scripture once?
Then, could it be that he had…?
'Broken through his threshold?'
In an instant, goosebumps rose all over the Poison King Baek Sa-ha's body.
He was not easily surprised by most things, but this was something he couldn't help but be shocked by.
Was this truly possible?
It was at that moment.
-Sizzle!
"Aaaaargh!"
For the first time, a scream of pain erupted from Na Yul-ryang's mouth.
Even for an expert of the Transformation Realm like him, it was impossible to block all the penetrating poisons while being embraced by someone who had become a Poison Master, releasing poisonous energy from their entire body.
That was the terror of a Poison Master, who themselves became poison.
With a mere touch, they become a lethal venomous hand.
"Aaargh!"
Enduring this immense pain, Na Yul-ryang raised his sword energy on the finger of his left hand, which he had freed using the Golden Silkworm technique.
-Whoosh!
'You… son… of… a… bitch…'
Then, he attempted to pierce Mok Gyeong-un's left ear and penetrate his head as Mok Gyeong-un tightly embraced him.
However, at that moment,
-Smack!
Someone forcefully struck the back of Na Yul-ryang's head.
It was none other than the Poison King Baek Sa-ha.
No matter how much of a Transformation Realm expert Na Yul-ryang was, he couldn't help but have his mind go blank and his inner energy disrupted by this unexpected blow.
Not missing this chance, Baek Sa-ha sealed his acupoints.
-Tap tap tap tap!
With his acupoints sealed, Na Yul-ryang's head drooped.
At this, Baek Sa-ha hurriedly dissuaded Mok Gyeong-un.
"Enough! Stop it!"
In response to his words, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head and said,
"We must kill him."
"I don't know what happened, but if we kill Eldest Young Master now, we will die by the Society Leader's hand. Are you fine with that?"
"…"
-Swish swish swish swish!
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un, who had been hesitating for a moment, released his Poison Master Body.
Then, he removed his arms from Na Yul-ryang's body, which he had been embracing.
-Thud!
The unconscious Na Yul-ryang collapsed to the ground limply.
After glancing at the fallen Na Yul-ryang, Mok Gyeong-un turned his gaze towards Baek Sa-ha and said,
"It's troublesome, but Eldest Young Master is better as an enemy than the Society Leader."
"Oh my."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha clicked his tongue.
It seemed he had not properly seen this fellow's true nature.
Baek Sa-ha took something out from his bosom.
It was a red cloth bundle.
Inside the cloth was a golden elixir pill with a faint fragrance.
"What is that?"
"Poison Avoidance Bead."
"Poison Avoidance Bead?"
"It's a Poison Avoidance Bead made for consumption, capable of detoxifying most poisons."
"Most poisons?"
"Yes."
The Poison Avoidance Bead was an elixir pill with the highest efficacy in detoxification.
Just the ingredients alone cost a thousand gold pieces, and it was so precious that even the Baek Clan only had a few, as it took more than a decade to manufacture.
However, now was not the time to be stingy with it.
If Eldest Young Master were to die, they would make an enemy of the Society Leader.
-Grip!
After crushing the Poison Avoidance Bead, Baek Sa-ha mixed it with other medicinal substances from his waist, opened Na Yul-ryang's mouth, and pushed it down his throat.
'I don't know how it turned out this way.'
Just a quarter of an hour ago, he had achieved a breakthrough and was savoring the utmost joy.
But now, he was utterly confused.
Both Mok Gyeong-un's rapid advancement in martial arts and these two trying to harm each other.
As he was thinking that, Mok Gyeong-un suddenly approached.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I apologize, but even if we don't kill him, I think I should take this."
"What?"
Before he could finish, Mok Gyeong-un plunged his index finger deep into Na Yul-ryang's right eye, whose acupoints had been sealed, rendering him unconscious.
Then, with his finger,
-Squish!
He gouged out Na Yul-ryang's right eyeball and pulled it out.
'!!!!!!!!!'
Shocked by Mok Gyeong-un's sudden action, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha was momentarily at a loss for words.
Mok Gyeong-un showed the extracted eyeball to him and said with an eerie smile on his blood-covered face,
"This is a bit troublesome, you see."
160: Chapter 159: Choice (1)
Mok Gyeong-un, smiling eerily while holding up Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang's eyeball.
For a moment, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha, at a loss for words, hurriedly applied pressure to stop the bleeding from Na Yul-ryang's right eye socket and urged Mok Gyeong-un.
"What are you doing?"
Baek Sa-ha was genuinely dumbfounded.
It wasn't as if he had mistaken the warning not to kill Na Yul-ryang as permission to do anything else. He couldn't comprehend what Mok Gyeong-un was thinking.
To him, Mok Gyeong-un said with a smile,
"It's as I said. This is a bit troublesome, you see."
"Troublesome?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Baek Sa-ha suddenly recalled what Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak had said a few years ago.
[Elder Baek. Have you ever sparred with Eldest Young Master?]
[Eldest Young Master, you say? No. I haven't. I heard his martial prowess has progressed rapidly recently?]
[Yes. So, I sparred with him and was amazed. It's hard to compare to how he was before.]
[Oh. To that extent?]
[Yes. But not only his martial prowess, he also had a peculiar eye.]
[A peculiar eye?]
[Yes. One of his eyes glowed silver, and he was able to read my techniques more easily.]
[Read your techniques with ease? Are you saying his eye possesses a unique power?]
[That's what I think. Of course, Eldest Young Master himself wouldn't reveal it.]
Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak was Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang's teacher in Bare-Hand, Bare-Fist.
He was the one Na Yul-ryang had requested teachings from as a benefit of obtaining the three Tokens of the Corpse Blood Valley.
Thus, among the Five Kings, he was also the one who knew Na Yul-ryang the best.
At this, Baek Sa-ha clicked his tongue and said,
"I vaguely recall hearing about Eldest Young Master's eye, but if it's truly a special eye, he'll be even more desperate to kill you for being unable to do so."
"It doesn't matter. We've already become enemies anyway."
Mok Gyeong-un could tell because he sensed an affinity with Na Yul-ryang.
The moment he woke up, Na Yul-ryang would do everything in his power to kill Mok Gyeong-un, no matter the means.
He would probably stop at nothing.
'What a pity.'
It would be better to kill him now for the sake of the future.
However, as Baek Sa-ha said, if he were to kill the Society Leader's disciple, he would immediately become enemies with the Society Leader.
There were things he needed to find out from the Society Leader, so he couldn't kill Na Yul-ryang right away.
Therefore, it was better to weaken Na Yul-ryang's power as much as possible.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un suddenly had a thought.
-Cheong-ryeong.
-Speak.
-What if Cheong-ryeong takes possession of this person's body?
Upon reflection, it seemed like killing two birds with one stone if Cheong-ryeong possessed Na Yul-ryang's body.
He wasn't just anyone, but the Society Leader's first disciple, Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang.
If they could control him, they could approach the Society Leader and also eliminate the troublesome enemy that was Na Yul-ryang in one fell swoop.
However, Cheong-ryeong said something unexpected.
-It's impossible.
-What?
-Didn't I say it's impossible?
-Why is that?
-When one breaks through their threshold and reaches the Transformation Realm through enlightenment, the energy within their body penetrates the essence, energy, and spirit, making not only their physical body but also their soul more resilient, rendering possession impossible.
-…Have you tried it before?
-Do you think I haven't?
Judging from Cheong-ryeong's tone, it seemed she had attempted it at least once.
In that case, the plan to possess and control Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang was out of the question.
It was regrettable, but there was no other choice.
As he was thinking that, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha stood up and said,
"I don't know what happened, but you've crossed a point of no return. To think you've made an enemy of Eldest Young Master, of all people."
Baek Sa-ha shook his head.
To him, Mok Gyeong-un bowed his head in courtesy and said,
"I apologize. Because of me, even you, Master, have been put in a difficult position."
"Difficult? Yes. If it's difficult, then it's difficult. But what can we do about what has already occurred? I will never abandon my own."
At his words, a glimmer of surprise flashed in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
The opponent was none other than the Society Leader's first disciple, Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang.
Putting aside his madness and cruelty, his supporters alone accounted for 40% of the Heaven and Earth Society.
He had truly made the greatest enemy.
Looking at it objectively, if Baek Sa-ha had not helped him just now and had expelled him on the spot, there would have been no need to become enemies with Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang.
Moreover, even now, these words were unexpected.
'Not abandoning his own…'
Contrary to appearances, Baek Sa-ha seemed to place great importance on loyalty.
Did he consider Mok Gyeong-un, whom he had taken as a disciple, as his own as well?
As he was puzzled, Baek Sa-ha said,
"Phew. We don't have much time, so let's quickly sort things out."
"Sort things out?"
"Yes. I will ask you exactly three things. If you trust this master, answer them."
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un nodded and replied,
"…I understand."
Mok Gyeong-un didn't trust anyone.
However, since Baek Sa-ha had opposed Na Yul-ryang for his sake, it was no exaggeration to say that they were now in the same boat.
In that case, it was appropriate to share information to a certain extent and bring Baek Sa-ha to his side.
At that moment, Baek Sa-ha asked,
"How did you end up fighting with Eldest Young Master?"
"Eldest Young Master attacked me first."
"What? Eldest Young Master attacked you first? For what reason?"
Although Eldest Young Master had aspects that differed from others, he was known to be a fairly rational person.
Why would such a person suddenly attack Mok Gyeong-un first?
"Who knows? I don't know either."
"…Do you expect this master to believe that?"
"It's the truth. I have a guess, but…"
"A guess? Tell me."
Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and replied,
"It seemed like he was wary of me."
"Wary?"
At this, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha frowned and retorted.
Then, he alternated his gaze between Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang and Mok Gyeong-un's faces, and soon stroked his beard, letting out a groan.
"Hmm."
In fact, he understood to some extent.
Hadn't he himself been surprised upon witnessing Mok Gyeong-un's current martial prowess?
Just a quarter of an hour ago, Mok Gyeong-un had been at the Peak Realm, but now he had broken through his threshold and reached the Transformation Realm.
No matter how he thought about it, this was almost impossible by common sense.
How long had it taken even Baek Sa-ha to break through his threshold?
Despite nearly decades of cultivation, he had only just managed to break through.
Yet Mok Gyeong-un, who was merely 17 years old, had accomplished this.
In the current martial arts world, he had entered the realm of supreme masters at the youngest possible age.
'Ah!'
Come to think of it, it was Mok Gyeong-un who had given him the catalyst for enlightenment.
Then, could it be that he had already reached the Transformation Realm?
At this, Baek Sa-ha asked,
"When did you break through your threshold?"
"Not long ago."
"May I ask exactly when?"
"During my fight with Eldest Young Master."
'!!!!!!!!'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Baek Sa-ha's jaw unknowingly dropped for a moment.
His assumption that Mok Gyeong-un had already broken through his threshold was wrong.
Then, did he mean that he had gained enlightenment while fighting an opponent stronger than himself?
"Ha…"
He could only express his astonishment, as it was too absurd.
Was this child born under the heavenly fortune?
No, even the term "heavenly fortune" was insufficient.
Without innate talent, it was impossible to gain enlightenment while fighting against others.
Baek Sa-ha suppressed his excitement and soon asked,
"…This is related to my second question. How did you master the Wave Demon Poison Scripture?"
He was already immensely curious about this as well.
He had merely shown Mok Gyeong-un the secret art once.
The purpose was to let Mok Gyeong-un know the excellence and greatness of the Wave Demon Poison Scripture.
At his question, Mok Gyeong-un pondered for a moment.
'Hmm.'
Normally, he would have concealed this talent, but Baek Sa-ha had already witnessed everything.
There was no way to hide it anyway.
Left with no choice, Mok Gyeong-un nonchalantly replied,
"I learned it after seeing it once."
"…What?"
Baek Sa-ha's expression stiffened.
He had only shown the secret art once, yet Mok Gyeong-un claimed to have learned it by observing it?
For a moment, Baek Sa-ha's mind became complicated.
For someone who had cultivated martial arts for such a long time, they could quickly understand the principles of any martial art they encountered to a certain extent.
However, it was a different matter to say that one could master a martial art after seeing it only once.
Martial arts did not consist of just techniques.
As one progressed to higher levels of martial arts, it was impossible to completely master them without comprehending the intent or meaning behind each technique.
Baek Sa-ha calmed himself and asked,
"Do you truly mean that you mastered it after seeing it just once?"
"It's difficult to do so just by reading. While looking at the secret art, I read the traces of intent in the handwriting as mental images and stored them in my mind."
"Mental images? Oh my…"
Baek Sa-ha let out an exclamation.
Was this fellow, who was only 17 years old, capable of even visualizing mental images?
It was truly astonishing.
Even Baek Sa-ha himself had only become able to visualize traces of intent in his mind upon reaching the peak of the Peak Realm, yet this young fellow could do it?
'…This is truly a monster.'
Baek Sa-ha had no choice but to acknowledge it.
This child was in a realm that ordinary people could never hope to reach.
It was a realm that could truly be called that of a genius.
Baek Sa-ha glanced at Na Yul-ryang.
'I understand now.'
He could see why Na Yul-ryang had been so wary of Mok Gyeong-un.
An awl that was sharp would poke out of its handle.
This child's talent was exactly like that.
He possessed a monstrous aptitude for comprehending secret arts after a single reading and an absurd martial prowess that allowed him to gain enlightenment and break through his threshold while fighting.
It was enough to instill fear, no, even a sense of awe.
'Perhaps I am witnessing the birth of a monster that will never be seen again in martial arts history.'
With such monstrous progress, perhaps within twenty years, Mok Gyeong-un would reach the realm of the Six Heavens, considered the pinnacle of the martial arts world.
As his thoughts reached this point, Baek Sa-ha couldn't contain his excitement.
"Keke."
Even his hands and feet were trembling without him realizing it.
If he had encountered Mok Gyeong-un as an enemy, he would have had to kill him due to his talent, but that was not the case for Baek Sa-ha.
Hadn't he accepted this fellow as his disciple?
It felt like fortune was piling up as a double blessing in his later years.
'Following me, there are now two individuals who will make the Wave Demon Poison Scripture prosper. There's no longer a need to worry about the successor of the main family.'
He had been content with just accepting Mok Gyeong-un as his disciple.
But now, he truly wanted to make Mok Gyeong-un a member of the Baek Clan.
Since Mok Gyeong-un had already turned his back on the righteous factions and his family, there would be no issue in making him an adopted son of the Baek Clan.
'This fellow is a treasure. The greatest treasure.'
He was so overjoyed that he felt like shouting out loud right away.
However, now was not the time.
They were still faced with a problem that needed to be resolved.
"Kekeke. Good. This master's curiosity has been satisfied. Now, for the final question."
"You have many questions, it seems."
"Of course, there are many. Now, you and this master are in the same boat. Don't we need to rely on each other to overcome this crisis?"
"…Crisis."
It could indeed be considered a crisis.
After all, they had made a troublesome enemy.
"What this master wants to ask is simple. What will you do now?"
"What will I do, you ask?"
"Yes. Now that we have made an enemy of Eldest Young Master, there is only one path we can take."
'One path?'
It seemed he had something in mind.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un asked,
"Do you have something in mind, Master?"
"Is there even a need to think about it? If Eldest Young Master becomes the successor, both you and our Baek Clan will be in a precarious position."
"…Well, that's true."
"Then, what should we do?"
"We should ensure that someone other than Eldest Young Master becomes the successor."
-Snap!
Baek Sa-ha snapped his fingers and said,
"Exactly! That's precisely what I want to say. We must support a different successor other than Eldest Young Master for us, master and disciple, to overcome this crisis and survive."
"…"
"Originally, Eldest Young Master's support base was so strong that the other two successors had virtually no chance, but now the situation has changed."
"In what way?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha smirked and then said in a meaningful voice,
"Depending on your choice, the dynamics can shift."
161: Chapter 160: Choice (2)
"Originally, Eldest Young Master's support base was so strong that the other two successors had virtually no chance, but now the situation has changed."
"In what way?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha smirked and said in a meaningful voice,
"Depending on your choice, the dynamics can shift."
"My… choice?"
"Yes. Your choice."
Mok Gyeong-un's choice.
That was the Poison King Baek Sa-ha's judgment.
In fact, this judgment was not made lightly.
Mok Gyeong-un was the disciple of the Shadow Clan, which oversaw confidential matters and intelligence within the Heaven and Earth Society, and he was also the disciple of the Baek Clan, which specialized in poison and mass killing.
That alone placed him in a significantly important position.
"Within the Heaven and Earth Society, there are numerous martial arts families, sects, and factions. Each of these groups, when gathered together, can become a great force, but among them, there are particularly important groups that play crucial roles. Representative examples are our Baek Clan and the Shadow Clan, which handles confidential matters."
The power of these two groups was extremely important for those vying for the position of successor, considering their future prospects.
That was why the second disciple, Jang Neung-ak, and the third disciple, Wi So-yeon, coveted Mok Gyeong-un.
As if recalling this, Mok Gyeong-un nodded.
"Moreover, an even greater variable of power has been born today."
"A variable of power…"
"Keke, it's none other than this master and you."
Baek Sa-ha said with a triumphant expression, shrugging his shoulders.
Coincidentally, both Baek Sa-ha and Mok Gyeong-un had broken through their thresholds and reached the Transformation Realm.
Even within the Heaven and Earth Society, only a handful of individuals had reached this realm, and their power was no exaggeration to say it was on par with the scale of a small to medium-sized sect.
"With the power of this master and you, we can change the dynamics of this competitive landscape. Even with just the two of us, it's sufficient. Kekeke."
"Ah… I see."
"Why is your reaction so lackluster? Do you lack confidence in the power you possess?"
Baek Sa-ha frowned and asked, dissatisfied with Mok Gyeong-un's flat response.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head and replied,
"It's not particularly that."
"Then why do you seem so deflated?"
"I just think it's meaningless if it's not definite."
"If it's not definite? Don't tell me you're not satisfied even after breaking through your threshold?"
"It's just a path that needs to be traversed anyway."
'!?'
Mok Gyeong-un answered nonchalantly.
At his words, Baek Sa-ha inwardly clicked his tongue.
Baek Sa-ha had broken through his threshold after a long time, so he felt no regrets.
Countless martial artists aspired to break through their thresholds and become supreme masters, but the reality was that many failed to surpass the first-rate level.
Yet this child was continuously looking upward.
Was his goal from the beginning different?
At this, Baek Sa-ha patted Mok Gyeong-un's shoulder and spoke in a solemn voice,
"Your words are correct. This master was about to be satisfied with a small achievement and fail to see the bigger picture. I was truly foolish as a cultivator of martial arts."
'Hmm?'
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes flickered with surprise at Baek Sa-ha's self-reflection.
Mok Gyeong-un had not meant it in that sense.
He simply believed that his current martial prowess was still insufficient, considering the various threads involving his targets of vengeance.
To Mok Gyeong-un, martial arts were merely a tool for revenge.
Of course, for Baek Sa-ha, who was unaware of this, Mok Gyeong-un's attitude seemed like the true stance of a martial artist.
-It seems that old man is misunderstanding something trivial.
Cheong-ryeong chuckled, finding this scene amusing.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and replied,
-Misunderstanding is one's own freedom.
-Well, that's true.
-By the way, Cheong-ryeong.
-What is it?
-Didn't we have a bet?
-What bet are you talking about?
-If I recall correctly, Cheong-ryeong clearly said that if I overcome the wall within three years, you would become my slave…
-Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Cheong-ryeong screamed so loudly that it seemed like her ears would tear.
Mok Gyeong-un, who usually remained unfazed by most things, felt like his eardrums would fall out from the noise.
-Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
-…Are you going to keep doing this?
-Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
-I'll consider the bet void, so stop it. It's noisy.
-…
As soon as Mok Gyeong-un nullified the bet, Cheong-ryeong fell silent as if nothing had happened.
Mok Gyeong-un inwardly clicked his tongue at Cheong-ryeong's behavior.
On the other hand, Cheong-ryeong inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
She was already living a life as a spirit servant, no different from a slave, and if she had to treat this fellow like a true master on top of that, she would rather be completely annihilated.
'This annoying brat.'
It was a bet that could never have been valid in the first place.
What kind of madman would reach the Transformation Realm within a mere two months of learning martial arts?
If he had reached the Transformation Realm through enlightenment, it would have been understandable, but he had even forcibly penetrated the essence, energy, and spirit by inferring the flow of energy.
He was truly a monstrous fellow.
Perhaps he was a variable in and of himself, created by the heavens.
At that moment, the Poison King Baek Sa-ha spoke,
"I apologize for getting carried away with excitement and engaging in idle chatter. Anyway, as you said, regardless of achievements or such matters, we still need to make a choice."
"…"
"Given Eldest Young Master's temperament, once he regains his senses, he will pressure you and this master in any way possible. His speed will be very swift."
Mok Gyeong-un also agreed with this.
If Na Yul-ryang was similar to him, it would be no exaggeration to say that the war would begin the moment he opened his eyes.
In that case, as Baek Sa-ha said, they had no choice but to build a force that even Na Yul-ryang could not recklessly move against.
"Your words are correct, Master."
"Then, will you choose Jang Neung-ak or Wi So-yeon? In this regard, I will fully follow your choice."
In fact, the person Baek Sa-ha had in mind was the youngest disciple, Wi So-yeon.
The second disciple, Jang Neung-ak, had a treacherous side to him and was not a trustworthy figure.
However, the reason he gave Mok Gyeong-un the choice was that he believed the future leaders of the Heaven and Earth Society would be the younger generation of successors, not his own generation.
'But this fellow will also choose Wi So-yeon, won't he?'
What Wi So-yeon lacked was a support base.
If the Baek Clan, the Shadow Clan, and their master-disciple duo supported her, she could establish a force that rivaled Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang.
'For now, Wi So-yeon is the most suitable candidate. With your astute insight, you should be able to see that much, right?'
That's what he thought, but…
"Then, I think Jang Neung-ak would be better."
"What?"
For a moment, Baek Sa-ha's expression stiffened.
He was inwardly disappointed by Mok Gyeong-un's unexpected choice.
'No, why would you choose that fellow of all people?'
Among the three, Jang Neung-ak had the weakest martial prowess, was treacherous, and had a personality close to being reckless.
In Baek Sa-ha's view, Jang Neung-ak was the least suitable to be the Society Leader.
At this, Baek Sa-ha sighed and asked,
"Are you sure about choosing Jang Neung-ak?"
Since he had given Mok Gyeong-un the choice, it was difficult for him to openly oppose, but he at least wanted to know the reason.
It was unlikely that this cunning fellow would make such a decision without any thought.
Or could it be…
Baek Sa-ha's gaze turned towards the unconscious Woo Horang.
He was aware that Woo Horang was the chief disciple of Bright Blade King Son Yun and the leader of the Giant Watchtower Group.
He was said to be Wi So-yeon's right-hand man, wasn't he?
Judging from the traces around, it seemed that Mok Gyeong-un had also fought him before Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang.
'Could it be related to that?'
If that was the case, Baek Sa-ha could mediate to some extent.
Although he couldn't interfere with the enmity between the Society Leader's successor, he had some room to intervene in conflicts between young individuals.
However,
"Jang Neung-ak's subordinates are extremely loyal to their lord, regardless of what kind of person he is. On the other hand, Wi So-yeon's subordinates seem to view her as a woman to be admired rather than their lord, regardless of her character."
"What? A woman to be admired?"
"Yes."
"Oh my…"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, a sigh of disappointment escaped Baek Sa-ha's mouth.
He had intended to mediate if the conflict was the cause.
However, if what Mok Gyeong-un said was true, it meant that Wi So-yeon lacked the fortune of having talented subordinates, regardless of her character.
Of course, if they supported her, the situation would improve considerably.
But if the person who was to become the leader fundamentally lacked the ability to lead subordinates, supporting them would not end the problem.
'…Could her beauty be a disaster?'
Wi So-yeon was a peerless beauty.
Any man would inevitably fall for her dazzling beauty.
Baek Sa-ha had not considered this to be a significant problem.
He believed that as long as she led her subordinates with strong leadership, it would be fine.
However, if her close subordinates viewed her as an object of desire rather than their lord, as Mok Gyeong-un said, he might need to reconsider.
'If she can't lead her subordinates…'
He couldn't say that Mok Gyeong-un's judgment was wrong.
Although Jang Neung-ak's personality and talent could be considered inferior to Wi So-yeon's, when it came to the position of leading a group, Jang Neung-ak seemed to be the better choice.
At this, Baek Sa-ha nodded, indicating his understanding.
"Alright. Do as you wish. Then, go to Jang Neung-ak and convey your intentions."
"I understand. Then, what about you, Master?"
"I will quickly clean up this place, meet with the Shadow Clan leader to inform him of this matter, and then discuss an alliance between the Shadow Clan and the Baek Clan."
"Ah…"
He had indeed needed someone to handle the situation.
Thinking it was a good opportunity, Mok Gyeong-un clasped his hands in a gesture of gratitude towards the Poison King Baek Sa-ha.
"Thank you."
"Keke, what are you thanking me for? Your affairs are now this master's affairs as well."
"…"
"What are you doing? Hurry. We need to quickly establish our forces before Eldest Young Master wakes up."
"I understand. Then, I'll leave it to you."
With those words, Mok Gyeong-un turned his body and approached someone who was lying unconscious.
At this, Baek Sa-ha frowned and asked,
"What are you trying to do? Didn't this master say he would handle things here?"
"Ah. I think I need to take this friend with me."
The person Mok Gyeong-un pointed to was none other than Woo Horang, the Grand Leader of the Giant Watchtower Group and a close subordinate of the third disciple, Wi So-yeon.
At this, Baek Sa-ha, not understanding, asked,
"Why would you, who said you're going to meet Jang Neung-ak, take that fellow with you? Don't tell me you're planning to give him as a gift to show your support?"
"No. It's not that. I'm going to visit Wi So-yeon first."
"What?"
Now what was this about?
He said he wouldn't choose Wi So-yeon, so why was he going to her?
As Baek Sa-ha was puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un approached him and whispered something quietly in his ear.
Hearing this, Baek Sa-ha frowned and asked,
"No. Is that even possible?"
"We'll know once we try."
"…I'm not sure if you'll unnecessarily provoke Wi So-yeon."
Baek Sa-ha couldn't hide his concern.
However, Mok Gyeong-un, as if not minding it at all, hoisted the unconscious Woo Horang over his shoulder and said,
"We'll know once we try. Then, please take care of cleaning up this place. Ah… That friend lying over there is Seok Jung, the escort the Shadow Clan leader assigned to me. You can take him with you when you go to the Shadow Clan."
Having made his request, Mok Gyeong-un carried Woo Horang and left.
Watching his back, Baek Sa-ha clicked his tongue.
He wasn't sure if things would go according to the fellow's intentions.
Would Wi So-yeon, who desired to be the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society, accept that?
He was concerned that it might only increase the number of enemies.
'Hmm.'
Baek Sa-ha, who had been staring in the direction Mok Gyeong-un had gone, clicked his tongue and soon approached the unconscious Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang.
He didn't know how things had come to this point, but the war of life and death with this fellow had begun.
However, now that the war had started, he had no intention of losing.
'Since you've touched me and the Baek Clan, be prepared for the consequences.'
Baek Sa-ha, who had issued a warning in his mind, carefully glanced around.
He couldn't detect anything with his senses.
After surveying the surroundings, Baek Sa-ha…
"Ahem."
Slyly placed his foot on Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang's right ankle and applied force, pressing down firmly.
-Crack!
The sound of the ankle breaking could be heard.
Since his right wrist was already broken and his right eyeball had been taken by Mok Gyeong-un, it wouldn't be strange if his right ankle was additionally broken here, would it?
"Kekeke."
***
The residence of the Society Leader's third disciple, Wi So-yeon.
A man with a bruised face was entering that place.
He was Yeop Wi-seon, the youngest disciple of Bright Blade King Son Yun.
"Oh! Brother Yeop!"
As he entered the pavilion, a young man who had been training by balancing a large stone on a thick short sword in the courtyard of the residence greeted him cheerfully.
His name was Yang Il.
He was the leader of the Transient Sword Group[1] and one of Wi So-yeon's close subordinates.
"Brother Yang."
Yeop Wi-seon clasped his hands in a greeting, his face somewhat flushed.
Inwardly, he was extremely embarrassed.
He had gone to the Corpse Blood Valley to report but ended up fighting with a trainee, and to make matters worse, he had caused an incident that resulted in him being locked up in a dark room for several days of secluded training.
He thought he would be imprisoned for at least a few months.
However, for some reason, his master, Bright Blade King Son Yun, had released him about half a quarter of an hour ago.
[If you cause trouble one more time, you'll truly be in secluded training for a year. Understand?]
Of course, he had given a chilling warning.
At this, Yeop Wi-seon had even shed tears as he begged for forgiveness.
It was fortunate that no one had seen it, but thinking about it now made his teeth grind.
If it weren't for that bastard named Mok Gyeong-un, he wouldn't have suffered like this and fallen out of favor with the young lady.
'That son of a bitch.'
Someday, he would get his revenge.
He had already heard that the bastard had become the disciple of the Shadow Clan leader.
At least that was fortunate.
If the bastard had become the disciple of the Thunderbolt Fist King or his master, Bright Blade King Son Yun, it would have been difficult to seek revenge, but since he became the disciple of an executive below the Five Kings, there would always be an opportunity.
Anyway, this wasn't important right now.
He was already on his way here with his master's orders.
"Brother Yang. Where is our senior brother? Is he with the young lady?"
"Grand Leader Woo Horang has gone to fetch someone on the young lady's orders."
"…He went to fetch someone? Then where did he go?"
"Why? Did something happen?"
"Our master is looking for him."
"Ah. Did the Bright Blade King master call for him?"
"Yes."
"Grand Leader Woo Horang is waiting for someone named Mok Gyeong-un near the residence of the Poison King's Baek Clan."
'!?'
At those words, Yeop Wi-seon tilted his head.
Now what was this about?
Why was he waiting for Mok Gyeong-un near the Baek Clan's residence?
"…Why?"
"What do you mean why? It's to recruit him, of course."
"What?"
Yeop Wi-seon showed disgust at those words.
He was already planning to tell the young lady that they shouldn't recruit Mok Gyeong-un, that bastard, especially after learning that he was a hostage of the righteous faction, but what was this absurd news?
This wouldn't do.
If this was true, he had to immediately inform the young lady…
-Creak!
At that moment, the entrance to the residence opened, and someone entered.
Yeop Wi-seon's expression instantly distorted hideously.
That was because the one who had entered was none other than that damn bastard.
"Mok Gyeong-un!"
However,
"Oh. It's been a while. What a coincidence. This person is your senior brother, right?"
"What?"
-Thud!
Mok Gyeong-un lifted someone he was carrying on his shoulder with one hand, as if he were a sack.
Seeing him, Yeop Wi-seon and Yang Il's eyes simultaneously widened.
'No way?'
'S-Senior brother?'
The person lifted by Mok Gyeong-un's hand was none other than Woo Horang, the chief disciple of Bright Blade King Son Yun and one of the Five Tigers, known as the top successors of the Heaven and Earth Society.
He was known to be someone that only executives could handle, yet seeing him unconscious and covered in blood, as if he had suffered serious injuries, the two couldn't hide their shock.