Chapter 176. Hey, Are You Dead?

In reality, it was closer to an ape than a human.

Of course, it wasn’t completely like an ape.

Although its appearance was that of an ape, strangely, it also looked close to a human face.

Well, since apes were animals that had many similarities to humans to begin with, it would be a natural thing if one considered it so…

“Truly, it has been a long time. Since someone came here.”

“…!”

Human language flowed out from the mouth of the ape soaking its body in the lava.

“Y-You are.”

Jin Cheon, flinching in surprise, opened his mouth.

Because he had never expected that an ape would be able to speak…

“Call me the Flame Monkey Great Sage. You humans.”

“Never heard of it.”

“I have stayed here for not a short time, so who would remember? Moreover, humans are bound to live for only a fleeting moment.”

It looked like an ape, but a certain Profound Mystery was felt in its words.

Indeed, if it was an ape capable of speaking human language, it would not be an exaggeration to say it was already an existence far beyond the level of a spiritual creature.

“Are you one who walks the Path of Cultivation?”

“Path of Cultivation… It seems there was a time when I did.”

“What does that mean?”

“Reaching the heavens through cultivation… It would be called the only ladder given to beings born as lowly creatures.”

“…?”

“Just a vain dream I once dreamt.”

The ape, who revealed itself as the Flame Monkey Great Sage, said so and slowly rose from the lava.

‘A, An immense giant.’

Jin Cheon almost fainted seeing the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s bulk.

He had never seen such a tall person in his life.

Even Yeom Bi and the Great Guardian Yi Gyu, who were quite tall and bulky, would look like mere children next to the Flame Monkey Great Sage.

It was two heads taller than Yeom Bi or Yi Gyu, and its bulk was also much more massive…

Even Jin Cheon, who was quite tall and had a sturdy physique, seemed like he would only reach its chest, so the Flame Monkey Great Sage was truly a giant.

Moreover, the broad shoulders, the thick waist, and even the thickness of legs like main beams.

Seeing muscles packed tightly from head to toe and wriggling as if about to burst, the oppressive feeling was truly terrifying.

With that level of physique and muscles and bones, it seemed it could demolish Mount Tai with just strength alone.

If he were hit directly by a fist the size of a cauldron lid…

‘Terrible.’

Jin Cheon shuddered just imagining it.

That’s how overwhelming the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s weight class truly was.

“Did you say Flame Monkey Great Sage? I came to find the essence of Fire. Just that. I have no hostility towards you.”

“You came to find the essence of Fire? You say you have no hostility towards me while coming to find that?”

“What does that mean? Does it mean you have the essence of Fire?”

“Fire is something that cannot become someone’s possession.”

“…?”

“You are a dim-witted one who does not even know what you want.”

Saying so, the Flame Monkey Great Sage approached Jin Cheon.

Fwoosh, fwoooosh!

Deep red flames soared from the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s body.

The Fire Ape of the Scorching Hell.

That was the true form of the Flame Monkey Great Sage.

“Foolishness is bound to call for death.”

“Are you saying you’ll fight eventually?”

“Haha.”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage laughed as if dumbfounded.

“Does a foolish one not even know the meaning of a fight? A fight is called a fight only when each can take the other’s life. You, foolish one, cannot fight me. You can only die.”

“Bullshit.”

A cool smile rose on Jin Cheon’s lips.

“You seem to think you’re something just because you built up a little cultivation for a monkey, but let’s see if you can chatter that nonsense once your head is cut off.”

Despite the pressure and oppressiveness given by the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s weight class, Jin Cheon was not intimidated at all, not even a little.

It was a matter of life and death.

How important is momentum when engaging in a life-and-death duel?

Unfolding one’s skills completely without wavering an inch even in a situation where life is at stake.

Wasn’t that the teaching Jin Cheon received from his Master, the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior?

Jin Cheon did not know how to be scared, no matter who the opponent was.

Because the Azure Heaven Divine Warrior had never taught him how to be scared.

“I have no choice but to kill you and take the essence of Fire.”

Saying so, Jin Cheon rushed toward the Flame Monkey Great Sage.

* * *

Slaaaaaash!

Jin Cheon’s sword flew toward the Flame Monkey Great Sage drawing a black trajectory.

“Laughable.”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage grinned.

The long canines unique to apes flashed.

“I must have told you. You cannot fight me.”

At the same time, the Flame Monkey Great Sage punched straight out and countered Jin Cheon’s sword.

Boom!

A roar that seemed to tear eardrums rang out as the sword and fist collided.

And…

Clang!

Jin Cheon’s sword shattered into pieces.

The sword made by the Demonic Armament Yeom Family, and made of Black Iron at that, was destroyed by just a single punch.

But it didn’t end there.

Baaang!

A shockwave hit Jin Cheon.

Because the destructive power contained in the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s fist was so powerful, just the shockwave alone was enough to shatter rocks and knock down trees.

“Argh!”

Jin Cheon screamed and was flung away.

“Cough!”

Although Jin Cheon hurriedly raised his body, he immediately vomited blood and suffered in pain.

‘C, Crazy.’

Jin Cheon wiped the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth and ground his teeth inwardly.

‘My internal organs are shaken. The internal injury is severe.’

To think just a simple shockwave conveyed this much destructive power…

It was terrible just imagining what would have happened if he hadn’t been wearing the Nine-headed Dragon Robe.

No, the shockwave was merely cute in comparison.

If he had been hit by the fist that broke Jin Cheon’s sword just now…

‘I would die instantly. There wouldn’t even be time to recover with the function of the Nine-headed Dragon Robe.’

Jin Cheon assessed the situation coolly and clenched both fists.

If there are no teeth, then with gums.

Since the sword was broken, he had to clash even with Bare Hands.

Although trying to settle the match at close range, and with brawling techniques at that, against a massive monster like the Flame Monkey Great Sage would be practically suicide.

However, he couldn’t just die like this!

Whoooooosh!

Terrifying demonic qi stretched out from Jin Cheon and began to encroach on the surroundings.

It was the activation of the Heavenly Demon Divine Qi Third Stage, Demonic King.

“Let’s see how hard you are.”

Jin Cheon soared like lightning and dug into the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s blind spot.

“Like a rat!”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage swung a punch, woosh!, but Jin Cheon’s speed with Heavenly Demon Divine Qi King turned on was faster than what was visible to the eye.

‘Now!’

Jin Cheon’s palm aimed for the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s flank.

Boom!

Heavenly Demon Fighting Soul Martial Art Heavenly Thunderclap Palm struck the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s flank.

“Ugh!”

A short groan burst out from the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s mouth.

‘This is the start.’

Jin Cheon did not miss the opportunity.

Thud, thud thud thud thud!

Heavenly Demon Fighting Soul Martial Art Heaven-Breaking Fist struck the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s abdomen like a waterfall.

Was that all?

Crack!

Soul-Shattering Desolation-Breaking Kick struck the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s knee joint.

“Ugh!”

Just as the Flame Monkey Great Sage knelt on one knee and collapsed.

‘Cut.’

Jin Cheon’s hand-blade harbored sharpness not inferior to any famous sword.

Slaaaaaaash!

The martial art that cut the neck of the Hui Dragon Emperor, who was once a cultivator of the Sea of Trees.

Heavenly Demon Fighting Soul Martial Art, Light Wing Blade.

Jin Cheon’s hand-blade became a wing of light with a blade and slashed the nape of the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s neck.

However…

“Unpleasant.”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage wiped the blood flowing on its nape and frowned.

“…Crazy.”

Jin Cheon was astonished seeing the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s neck intact.

The Flame Monkey Great Sage’s neck.

There was a long red wound where the Light Wing Blade had slashed past.

However, there was no blood bursting like a fountain or gushing out.

Just a single red line was carved, and a little blood leaked out, but the Flame Monkey Great Sage was perfectly fine.

Even if it couldn’t cut off the head, he thought it would at least cut half a foot deep and sever the neck arteries…

Recalling that the Light Wing Blade was a martial art harboring sharpness that would cut even steel like tofu, the thought even occurred that the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s body might truly be a Diamond Indestructible Body.

“There’s no annoying fly quite like this.”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage’s eyes flashed with killing intent.

“You, I won’t kill you nicely.”

“…!”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage slowly moved its steps.

“I will crush, crush, and crush again until I pound you so you cannot even be recognized.”

“This crazy monster…!”

“Since fire can neither be possessed nor killed. Foolish one, submit before death.”

As soon as those words ended, the Flame Monkey Great Sage threw itself forward.

“…!”

Jin Cheon missed the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s movement for an instant.

The explosive power erupting from that massive bulk was so powerful that its speed was truly beyond imagination.

“Die.”

“…!”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage, who appeared behind Jin Cheon before he knew it, clasped both hands and struck down with all its might from above.

The intention was not just to break Jin Cheon’s head but to completely crush it.

“…!”

Jin Cheon hurriedly threw his body without even time to think.

Craaaack!

Rumble!

The floor made of hard rock was hollowed out, and cracks formed.

Even faint vibrations occurred as if an earthquake had happened.

Was this truly the power that could demolish even Mount Tai…?

“I will see how long you run away like a rat.”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage kicked off the ground and leaped.

Woosh!

Soaring dozens of yards as is, the Flame Monkey Great Sage flew toward Jin Cheon.

* * *

Jin Cheon had to run away with all his might against the Flame Monkey Great Sage rushing at him.

A head-on confrontation was absurd.

Since the Flame Monkey Great Sage was a monster that only got a scratch even from the Heavenly Demon Fighting Soul Martial Art Light Wing Blade, it was an opponent the current Jin Cheon had absolutely no way to conquer.

Although he launched counterattacks in between, the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s formidable defense was at a level to easily receive any of Jin Cheon’s attacks.

Also, Jin Cheon dared not unfold a head-on confrontation with the Flame Monkey Great Sage.

If he even grazed against the fist and leg techniques it swung indiscriminately, the outcome was as obvious as seeing a fire.

Too unfair a fight… The Flame Monkey Great Sage was such an unreasonable opponent that he would have to give up his life if hit just once.

‘T, Too fast. Now the lim…’

Just then.

“The rat is slow as molasses.”

The Flame Monkey Great Sage thrust its face right in front of Jin Cheon’s nose.

It was a speed truly like lightning.

Despite that massive bulk, it caught up to Jin Cheon with speed comparable to light and displayed the spirit of occupying the front.

“A slow rat must die.”

Boom!

The Flame Monkey Great Sage’s fist struck the center of Jin Cheon’s chest.

“…!”

Jin Cheon experienced an optical illusion as if fireworks were exploding in front of his eyes for an instant.

Riiiiing!

Tinnitus was heard in his ears.

Spin!

The world spun so much that he couldn’t distinguish where the sky was and where the ground was.

Woosh!

Thud!

Jin Cheon, who flew dozens of yards, tumbled on the hard rock floor.

Jin Cheon did not move.

To be precise, he could not move.

The moment the Flame Monkey Great Sage’s fist struck the center of his chest, his whole body was paralyzed.

He hurriedly raised Protective Powerful Qi to protect his body with demonic qi and even mobilized the defensive power of the Nine-headed Dragon Robe, but it was insufficient.

It was extremely fortunate that the heart inside his chest didn’t burst, but that was all.

His heart beat no longer.

‘Like this… do I die.’

Jin Cheon tried to hold onto his consciousness, but his body already didn’t listen.

‘Such nonsense…’

Just as his consciousness was fading.

‘Hey, are you dead?’

A familiar voice was heard.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep