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Chapter 83: Only Death Awaits
At that moment, a sinister laugh was heard from the group of Wanderers of the Cheongun Military Academy.
"Hehehe. What kind of world is this where someone like Dae Ryeok-gwi dares to threaten? Young Master, do we really need to use a big knife to kill a chicken? Leave it to me."
"Do you know that braggart?"
"About twenty years ago, he was just a novice who dedicated himself to robbing in Henan Province."
Dae Ryeok-gwi, trembling with rage, asked.
"Who are you people?"
Dae Ryeok-gwi couldn't believe the situation.
After the massacre in Yeosu, the Yoomyung Cult had been considered the terror of the Murim. And now, someone dared to speak to a guardian of the Yoomyung Cult in such a manner.
Shim Tong, the Old Dao of Nine Heavens, laughed. (Note: Since the previous chapter, the author has been referring to Shim Yanggak as Shim Tong, and will probably continue to do so. Keep this in mind.)
"What does it matter who we are if you'll be dead soon? Come quickly. Our Young Master hates wasting time."
With those words, Shim Tong unsheathed his blade and walked forward with firm steps, showing that he did not consider the enemy worthy of his attention.
"Wow, a crazy old man!"
Despite the words of hatred, Dae Ryeok-gwi did not move. He was intimidated by Shim Tong's intense aura. He decided to observe how the Wanderers handled themselves before acting. He could evaluate their skills with just one sword movement.
When Dae Ryeok-gwi did not move, the Wanderers hired by the Chamber of Commerce stepped forward to face Shim Tong.
However, Shim Tong's pace did not slow.
When he was within arm's length, the Wanderers drew their weapons.
"Stop!"
"What the hell!"
In an instant, Shim Tong's blade sliced through the air.
Swish. Swish.
The Wanderers' arms fell to the ground.
Realizing too late that their arms had been cut off, the Wanderers retreated, screaming in pain.
"Ahh!"
"Ahh!"
Shim Tong advanced mercilessly, cutting like a farmer harvesting. In the blink of an eye, the Wanderers scattered, unable to withstand the ferocity of his attacks.
Then it was the turn of the Hong Clan.
The leader of the Hong Clan, Hong Daese, shouted.
"Attack!"
But the members of the Hong Clan hesitated and did not dare to move. Unable to bear it any longer, Hong Daese raised his great sword and charged forward.
He used his cutting technique with all his might, attempting to slice Shim Tong from top to bottom.
"Bastard! I am Hong Daese, the Great Blood Sword!"
Crash.
Shim Tong struck Hong Daese on the forehead with the hilt of his blade as he passed. Hong Daese fell with a groan, defeated instantly.
The display of power was overwhelming.
The members of the Hong Clan, intimidated, stepped aside, clearing the way.
Shim Tong slowly approached Dae Ryeok-gwi, smiling with disdain.
"Hehehe. Dae Ryeok-gwi, have you enjoyed playing king on a mountain without tigers?"
Dae Ryeok-gwi slowly unsheathed his sword.
Despite not wanting to admit it, he knew his opponent was too powerful to be defeated, even with the help of the Wanderers and the Hong Clan.
"You attack fearlessly, even knowing that I am a General of the Yoomyung Cult. You are an old man with guts. You, your Young Master, and your clan will all die."
Swish.
Without warning, Shim Tong attacked with his blade.
Dae Ryeok-gwi desperately blocked with his sword, crossing it in front of him.
Clang.
Dae Ryeok-gwi's face tensed as he realized the strength of his opponent. Shim Tong attacked relentlessly, like a fish in water, giving him no time to react.
Every attempt to speak was interrupted by Shim Tong's relentless attacks.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
After several attacks, Shim Tong suddenly stopped.
"The Yoomyung Cult is nothing special. If this General is so weak, I wonder how the others will be."
Dae Ryeok-gwi felt a chill run down his spine. His opponent truly did not fear the Yoomyung Cult.
"I am one of the Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult…"
Desperation led Dae Ryeok-gwi to mention his rank, but it had no effect.
Shim Tong smiled and said:
"It is time to die."
Shim Tong slowly lowered the tip of his blade toward the ground. Dae Ryeok-gwi raised his sword in front of his chest, watching his opponent's every move.
Zzzt.
A sound like a snake sliding through the grass filled the air.
"Ah!"
Dae Ryeok-gwi's eyes widened.
An invisible energy surged from the ground, targeting his knees, waist, and neck.
With all his strength, Dae Ryeok-gwi slashed diagonally, using his most powerful technique, the Great Power Slash.
Two streams of sword energy clashed violently.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The sound of the explosion echoed in everyone's ears.
The impact of the collision stopped Dae Ryeok-gwi for a moment.
At that moment, Shim Tong's blade tip fell toward the ground.
It was the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, known as the Heavenly Dragon Dance.
In the blink of an eye, a stream of energy pierced Dae Ryeok-gwi's chest.
Dark blood spurted from his pierced chest.
"How dare you…? Do you not fear the Yoomyung Cult…?"
Dae Ryeok-gwi couldn't finish his sentence before his head fell.
Confirming his opponent's death, Shim Tong turned around.
Then something unexpected happened.
Dae Ryeok-gwi's body began to move slowly, as if stretching his limbs.
"…"
The members of the Hong Clan retreated with pale faces, as if they had seen a ghost.
Sensing something strange, Shim Tong looked back.
His eyes met Dae Ryeok-gwi's.
"Wow, this is incredible!"
Dae Ryeok-gwi's eyes were completely black, without white pupils.
The dark eyes stared intently at Shim Tong.
Shim Tong felt a chill run through his body and murmured.
"So you learned demonic arts from the Yoomyung Cult. This time, I will kill you for real."
Then, Dae Ryeok-gwi opened his mouth.
"Kyah!"
With a high-pitched scream, Dae Ryeok-gwi twisted his body.
Crack. Crack.
Incredibly, each time he twisted, his clothes and skin tore.
The warriors of the Hong Clan and the Chamber of Commerce retreated, scared by the grotesque transformation.
Shim Tong was also baffled.
Although he was watching, he couldn't understand what was happening to Dae Ryeok-gwi's body.
Without clothes, Dae Ryeok-gwi's body was strange.
He had grown about a foot (approximately 30 cm) and his build had proportionally widened.
His now-visible skin was red like lava, with cracks emitting black smoke. He looked like a monstrous figure made of magma.
Shim Tong opened his mouth in amazement at the unexpected transformation.
Could that monster be called Dae Ryeok-gwi?
If he wasn't Dae Ryeok-gwi, then what was he?
"Kuaa!"
With a roar, Dae Ryeok-gwi extended his hand toward Shim Tong, who was nearby.
Surprised, Shim Tong quickly cut Dae Ryeok-gwi's hand with his blade.
Clang.
With a heavy sound, Shim Tong's blade was repelled.
Surprised, Shim Tong took a step back and raised his blade in a defensive position.
Then he executed the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, known as the Heavenly Dragon Dance.
Shim Tong's blade energy struck Dae Ryeok-gwi's head.
Thud.
Although the strike released black smoke, it had no other effect.
Dae Ryeok-gwi advanced toward Shim Tong as if nothing had happened.
"Groar!"
A beastly sound came from Dae Ryeok-gwi's mouth.
"What is this? Die! Die!"
Shim Tong retreated while swinging his blade relentlessly.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Each time the blade energy struck, black smoke rose from Dae Ryeok-gwi's body.
Even so, Dae Ryeok-gwi kept advancing, undeterred.
Finally, Shim Tong's back hit the wall of the Chamber of Commerce.
Dae Ryeok-gwi, having cornered him, raised his hand as if to crush a fly.
Shim Tong raised his blade to block Dae Ryeok-gwi's blow.
Boom.
"Urgh!"
A groan of pain escaped Shim Tong's lips.
The force of the impact was unimaginable, and his hands began to bleed.
He had only blocked once, but he could already feel a tingling in his Dantian.
"Groar…"
With a guttural sound, Dae Ryeok-gwi launched another punch.
Shim Tong, desperate, readjusted his grip on the blade and concentrated all his energy.
He only thought about surviving.
At that moment, a sword flew from afar and struck Dae Ryeok-gwi's back.
Thud. Clang.
The sword failed to penetrate Dae Ryeok-gwi's body and fell to the ground.
"Kyaa!"
With a scream of pain, Dae Ryeok-gwi turned, searching for his attacker.
The Wanderers of the Cheongun Military Academy fled quickly, like a school of fish.
Left alone at the front, Yeon Jeokha extended his hand slowly.
Swoosh.
The sword that had fallen at Dae Ryeok-gwi's feet flew into Yeon Jeokha's hand.
"Wow, Object Control!"
So Woojin's eyes widened in disbelief.
He couldn't believe that Yeon Jeokha could use Object Control.
So Kyo, the young woman, was also astonished, unable to close her mouth.
First Shim Tong, and now Yeon Jeokha.
They were witnessing an unimaginable battle in the small town of Namyang.
So Kyo glanced at the Five Heroes of Luoyang.
They seemed to be aware of Yeon Jeokha's abilities and showed no surprise.
'No wonder they held back so long.'
With those abilities, even the leaders of the Seven Great Sects would be cautious around him.
As So Kyo pondered, the battle between Dae Ryeok-gwi and Yeon Jeokha reached its climax.
The techniques of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship flowed from Yeon Jeokha's fingers.
Flying Dragon Ascension, Heavenly Dragon Dance, Dragon and Tiger Windstorm, Wheel of Devastating Wind...
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Dae Ryeok-gwi slowly advanced through the storm of sword energy.
Yeon Jeokha did not retreat a step as Dae Ryeok-gwi approached.
Finally, the distance between them was reduced to three meters.
It was a distance where a single leap could close the gap instantly.
Dae Ryeok-gwi slightly bent his knees and lunged at Yeon Jeokha like a bolt of lightning.
At that moment, Yeon Jeokha rose into the air.
Dae Ryeok-gwi's hand barely brushed Yeon Jeokha's feet.
"Kuaaa!"
With a roar, Dae Ryeok-gwi frantically waved his hands.
But Yeon Jeokha, in the air, did not fall.
Yeon Jeokha changed his position nine times above Dae Ryeok-gwi's head.
It was the technique known as Nine Divine Dragons Turning.
Then, he executed the final technique of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, the Beam of Fragmented Swords.
Boom.
With a thunderous roar, sword energy fell from the sky.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
With the impact of the nine streams of sword energy, Dae Ryeok-gwi's body trembled.
Yeon Jeokha descended gently in front of the trembling Dae Ryeok-gwi.
"Groar…"
A bubbling sound came from Dae Ryeok-gwi's mouth.
"Wow!"
Yeon Jeokha opened his mouth in amazement.
Surprisingly, the monster was still alive after receiving his most powerful technique.