Chapter 116: Extreme Pa Clan (3)

But being frightening was a separate matter.

What I had to say was already decided.

“Let’s do that.”

“……!”

My firm answer without hesitation slightly subdued Pa Seolyeong’s intensity instead.

“Are you being serious?”

“I’m one hundred percent sincere.”

I looked straight at Pa Seolyeong.

“If you’re already aware of that much information, the discussion will be much quicker.”

If she even knew about Cheon Yujeong’s existence, then she must clearly understand what was happening within the Cult right now.

“The elders of the Cheon Clan are scheming a rebellion centered around Cheon Yujeong. Judging by the circumstances, the Illusion Clan is likely colluding with them.”

Pa Seolyeong motioned with her eyes for me to continue.

“I intend to gather the remaining strength of the Cheon Clan that supports the Young Cult Leader, along with what remains of the Six Great Demonic Clans, to preemptively stop their ambition.”

“So you’re saying our Pa Clan will be the first step in that plan.”

“That’s right. We need the strongest and most reliable strength of the Pa Clan.”

“Where do you plan to go next?”

“Well, the Hidden Shadow So Clan has long maintained a close relationship with the Jin Clan. There’s a high chance they’ll support us.”

Of course, knowing the truth about the Hidden Shadow So Clan, I judged that possibility to be low—but on the surface, it certainly appeared that way.

“After that, I plan to approach the Blood Dragon Demonic Clan.”

“That’s unexpected. Not the Black Gold Sa Clan?”

This was clearly a question with Sa Biyeon in mind.

“You probably know already, but I’ve already planted a seed with the Black Gold Sa Clan. And…”

“And?”

“Hmm, it’s nothing.”

I waved my hand.

No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t exactly say that if I visited the Black Gold Sa Clan now, I’d likely get my head cut off by a furious Sa Biyeon.

“In any case, the Blood Dragon Demonic Clan doesn’t have a great relationship with the Jin Clan, but they’re not the type to take a loss just to oppose the Cult Leader. Surprisingly, they may be easy to persuade.”

Surprisingly, Pa Seolyeong agreed with me.

“Well, those cowardly sword bastards aren’t exactly the daring type.”

…Where in the world did that deep-seated hatred of swordsmen come from?

“If all five families of the Six Great Demonic Clans join together, then that plan might be feasible.”

“I hope the Pa Clan not only remains neutral but actively supports the Jin Clan.”

“……”

Pa Seolyeong fell silent.

A deeply contemplative expression appeared on her face.

What kind of answer would she give?

“It’s definitely a difficult topic to answer right away. Especially when it concerns the fate of one’s clan.”

“Is that so?”

“This is something we’ll have to discuss after you pass my sister’s trial.”

Pa Seolyeong slowly stood up from her seat.

“Please wait here for about three hours.”

An hour more than what the Chief Administrator had mentioned.

“It’ll take some time to prepare the stage. But we won’t make you wait past sunset.”

What kind of stage takes half a day to prepare?

Still, it worked in my favor.

If I was confident, the bigger the stage, the better.

I nodded with an artificially pleasant smile.

“Alright. I’ll look forward to the dazzling performance.”

“…I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

With those words, Pa Seolyeong exited the reception room.

Just like that—

Three hours passed.

“Wooooaaaahhh!”

“Pa Yeongyeong! Pa Yeongyeong! Pa Yeongyeong!”

“Crush that brat from the Jin Clan!”

With an audience of over a thousand people.

“Hahaha! It’s been a while since I’ve seen something this fun! Well done, Seolyeong!”

From the highest seat offstage, Pa Clan Head Pa Uryang was laughing heartily.

And gathered around him were peerless experts exuding intense auras.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all of the Pa Clan’s top members were present for this event.

I muttered quietly under my breath.

“…Damn woman.”

I expected it to be a large-scale event, but not this large.

* * *

Before I knew it, the Pa Clan’s Chief Administrator had returned and was desperately trying to prevent us from leaving the reception room.

Even mobilizing the Pa Clan’s martial artists to do so.

“……What exactly is being prepared outside?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you.”

It wasn’t worth causing a scene by using force, so I stayed still.

Still, I couldn’t help but imagine ominous scenarios about what was going on out there.

Then, three hours later.

“Bwahaha! It’s my first time seeing you in person. The Jin brat’s eldest son!”

Standing before us was none other than the Cult’s First Elder and the man praised as the greatest saber user of the Demonic Faction—saber Demon Pa Uryang.

“……!!”

Not just the Pa Clan Head, but the entire Clan Head himself had shown up!

Was this why they added an extra hour?!

“I heard from Seolyeong. You’re here for a duel with Yeongyeong?”

“That’s correct, Clan Head.”

Aside from the odd nuance in his tone…

Pa Uryang stroked his chin and scanned my entire body.

“How curious. It’s been a while since an outsider challenged Yeongyeong while wielding a saber.”

I blinked and asked back.

“How long has it been, exactly?”

“Hmm, about three years ago? Some guy named Seop Maeng from the Seop Clan came at her and got all his limbs chopped off. Right, Seolyeong, do I remember that correctly?”

“Yes, Clan Head. Galloping saber Seop Maeng. He was a Master Level martial artist fairly well-known in the region.”

…If she diced up a Master Level expert three years ago, how strong is she now?

He probably had a saber too, but it’s clear that you can’t measure a direct-line descendant of the Six Clans with conventional levels.

Their secret martial arts display realms beyond structured limits.

“Young Master, I’m looking forward to this duel.”

I swallowed hard and replied.

“R-Really?”

“Yeah. Yama Saber praised you a lot.”

Pa Seolyeong’s eyes widened in surprise, as if she hadn’t heard that.

“Lord Yama saber? Why would he!?”

“He said he wanted to take this guy as his disciple.”

“Gasp!”

Pa Seolyeong’s eyes bulged in shock.

He might not be on the same level as a Saber Supreme or a Clan Head, but Yama Saber was one of the top five saber users Pa Seolyeong deeply respected.

And such a figure wanted to take this pretty boy as his disciple?

“Oh right. Didn’t you say there was something you wanted?”

“Y-Yes. That’s correct.”

Only now did he bring it up.

“Whatever it is, if you prove you meet the standards of the Pa Clan as a saber user, I’ll grant it. However…”

Sniiicker!

Pa Uryang leaned in and grinned at me.

“If you fail to prove it, you’ll leave everything below your neck behind.”

…What a damn terrifying family.

Father and daughter sure speak in the same chilling tone.

But strangely, hearing that threat made me feel calmer instead.

“You won’t be disappointed.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve taken your words to heart. That you’ll grant whatever request I make—if I pass.”

I bowed deeply to Pa Uryang.

“Then, I’ll see you after the duel.”

* * *

The Pa Clan truly felt like a sacred land for saber users.

The training arena was packed with people of all ages, all of whom carried sabers either on their backs or at their waists.

And atop that training arena, seated and waiting for me, was a familiar woman with a twin-bun hairstyle.

Pa Yeongyeong waved at me from across the stage as I stepped up.

“Hey, I heard you dumped the Young Cult Leader?”

“…Is that really the first thing you say after we reunite?”

“But come on, it’s just too funny to ignore, isn’t it?”

She looked genuinely entertained, smiling broadly without even the slightest concern for the upcoming duel.

Well, at least she didn’t tease me for too long—that was some small relief.

“Man, I did say we should spar sometime, but I didn’t think it’d happen this quickly.”

“I’m here to make a difficult request.”

“Oh yeah?”

“But to do that, I’ll have to defeat you first.”

“Hmmm?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“So not only are you seeking my recognition, you intend to surpass me too?”

“At the very least, I need to be on that level before I can state my demands.”

“You’re confident you won’t regret those words?”

Shhhk—

Pa Yeongyeong slowly rose to her feet.

What emanated from her wasn’t reckless killing intent, but refined, extreme fighting spirit.

“I know. You’re at a higher level than I am right now.”

“……”

“That maid from the Black Gold Sa Clan, too… Looks like you picked up something nice somewhere.”

Srrrng!

A saber identical to mine appeared in her hand.

“But victory isn’t determined by level alone.”

“Indeed. I agree.”

Just as the refined Yin-Yang Fist Demon had defeated by me when I was barely at the peak Master Level despite reaching maturity in Demonic sword Arts…

I too could be thoroughly destroyed by opponents of lower cultivation.

What’s commonly referred to as the Master or Peak-Master Realm only measures the state of the body.

The world of martial arts is determined by the states of the mind, qi, and body—victory or defeat changes depending on their harmony at the time.

I, too, faced her and drew my saber, gripping it with both hands.

A stance similar to the Middle Guard Position in orthodox swordsmanship.

It was quite different from the basic posture of the Ten Heavenly Record Demonic Sword, but for saber techniques, this stance made the most sense.

“Your stance is decent.”

At least I earned some points for not arrogantly holding the saber in one hand.

“Then I’ll begin.”

“Bring it.”

Light, yet heavy.

Fast, yet weighty.

My first move marked the start of the duel.

Ten Heavenly Record Demonic Sword

Variant Form  

Seventh Record, Heavenly Net Convergence

Originally, Heavenly Net Convergence, the seventh form of the Heavenly Record Sword, was a technique meant to defend against multiple slashes.

But when executed as a saber technique with both hands…

Chwa-jwa-jwa-jwa-jwaak!

The attack transformed into a deadly killing strike, with saber qi flying out in all directions!

“Oooohhhh!”

Cheers erupted from the surrounding saber users.

Countless strands of saber qi, giving no room to dodge!

No illusions or transformations—just pure power!

“What incredible cutting force!”

“He’s perfectly captured the essence of saber qi!”

“Young Miss! If you don’t block that, you’re dead!”

She probably didn’t even have time to hear what the crowd was shouting—her face showed brief surprise.

“Coming in hard from the very start, huh!”

But only for a moment.

From Pa Yeongyeong’s saber, saber qi burst forth in streams.

Extreme Demonic King Saber Technique  

Ten Thousand Waves Resting Saber.

Though her saber qi seemed to surge out uncontrollably at first, it suddenly formed a rhythmic pattern and began to absorb my attack gently.

A technique like spinning cotton candy with a saber!

“Phew!”

With a heavy exhale, Pa Yeongyeong smashed the entangling saber qi to the ground and shattered it.

“How intense.”

Catching her breath for a moment, she smiled playfully.

“That’s my line. I thought we were going to compare pure saber techniques, but you really caught me off guard.”

“Then I’ll fight properly from here on.”

“Ha! Too late now!”

From the very beginning, the fire had been lit. The saber qi coiled around her saber didn’t fade.

No—instead, it began to burn bright white, like an eternal flame.

‘Holy saber!’

The Pa Clan’s final secret technique before their ultimate arts.

The term might not suit the Demonic Cult known as the Heavenly Demon Cult, but the Holy saber was the very foundation of the Pa Clan’s reputation as the greatest saber clan in the Central Plains, surpassing even the Hebei Peng Clan.

‘She’s pulling out the Holy Saber from the start?’

I’d heard that the Pa Clan possessed several secret techniques apart from the Holy Saber, but none with the versatility of this one.

“Come on! Let’s begin our kill-or-be-killed dance!”

As expected of a blood descendant of the Pa Clan, Pa Yeongyeong shouted something downright terrifying as she swung her saber at me.

‘I will defeat you and make the Pa Clan my ally!’

I didn’t back down either. Meeting her saber head-on, I swung with full force.

Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwang!

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