Chapter 76: A Glimpse of the Myth (2)

Jade Green Heavenly Net Divine Sword pierced right into Myeong-oh’s forehead.

“Ah, aaagh!”

Crunch! Crrk!

“W-What is this?!”

Gu Chil was horrified.

Green liquid oozed from the blade lodged in Myeong-oh’s forehead!

The same green substance had flowed from her severed neck earlier as well—these things weren’t what you’d expect to come out of a human body.

“A-agh…!”

Myeong-oh twisted her body in apparent agony.

“Stay still.”

Snap!

Myeong-oh, who had tried to resist, suddenly went still at a single word, as though she were dead.

Gu Chil opened his mouth slightly and asked, “D-Did you… master Soul Invasion Technique or something?”

“I’ll explain later. Right now, I need to concentrate.”

There was no blood.

The green liquid protruding from the forehead slowly seeped into the blade of the Jade Green Heavenly Sword.

The sword continued to absorb the fluid for a long time.

Once the flow of liquid began to weaken, I slowly withdrew the blade.

“Ah! Aaah!”

Gu Chil let out a gasp as he watched the scene unfold.

The creature that Myeong-oh had become had now returned to a human form!

Gu Chil rushed over and checked Myeong-oh’s pulse.

“S-She’s alive!”

Tears welled in the corners of his eyes, joy spreading across his face.

“Thank you, Young Master! Truly, thank you!”

It was rare to see Gu Chil this overjoyed.

I intentionally responded curtly to his excitement.

“No need to thank me. If she didn’t hand over information willingly, I would’ve had to torture her.”

“Th-That’s…”

“Well, any fool with a working brain would know sticking with me is the better choice. Now take care of her.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

Gu Chil removed his robe and wrapped the naked Myeong-oh with it.

I quietly observed him.

Perhaps, to Gu Chil, Myeong-oh wasn’t merely a former comrade—she might have meant something even deeper.

“Gu Chil, you go back to Eastern Sea Fortress for now. I’ll finish things here and catch up later.”

“N-No, sir. How could a servant leave his master alone—”

“Quiet. Do as I say.”

Gu Chil clearly understood how urgent the situation had become.

If what Myeong-oh said was true and extreme-level masters were transforming into monsters, then it wouldn’t be strange if they were completely wiped out.

“Besides, in your current mental state, you’re in no condition to fight properly.”

“……!”

Gu Chil’s face twisted with guilt and shame. I hadn’t meant it as a rebuke, but for a servant to be unable to support his master was an immense humiliation.

“Guarding a prisoner is a soldier’s duty too. I won’t repeat myself. Go.”

Gu Chil bowed low to the ground.

Everything happening now felt utterly surreal.

That his master had suddenly become so overwhelmingly strong, and that the long-lost Myeong-oh had been restored to humanity—it all felt like something out of a dream.

But that familiar, composed face of mine remained just as it had always been.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. I will repay this debt without fail.”

“If you have time, try persuading her before I get to the interrogation.”

I waved him off with a slight smirk. Gu Chil bowed his head, hoisted Myeong-oh onto his shoulder, and disappeared.

“Well then… guess it’s time to head to the next hotspot.”

We had sent three people to deal with the Evil Overlords of Heaven side, so they should be able to subdue things without much difficulty.

There was indeed a tremendous monster caught in my Qi sense, but with Cheon Yura’s current strength—and with some help—she should be able to handle it.

‘That leaves…’

My gaze turned east.

Even now, explosive booms echoed in my ears. A fierce battle was clearly raging nearby.

Without a doubt, a clash between transcendent beings.

But the tide of battle was clearly one-sided.

‘Is it Wang Cheongeol and the Yin-Yang Fist Demon?’

Thanks to the favor of Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, the master of these ruins, we were able to discern the number and identities of the intruders within this place.

‘I can’t let Wang Cheongeol die.’

Wang Cheongeol was, alongside the Grand Elder, one of the few trustworthy extreme-level masters within the cult.

Losing such a loyal figure meaninglessly would cause great disruption in the future.

Swoosh!

Using the movement technique I had learned from Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, I surged forward like a bullet shot from a trigger.

***

“Kuhahaha! Even the great Wang Cheongeol can’t do anything now!”

Boom!

With a deafening crash, like cannonballs colliding, Wang Cheongeol’s body was flung far backward.

“So the feared Crimson Flame Demon Hand of the cult is still no match for my Sun-Moon Splitting Technique! Uwahaha!”

“……”

Wang Cheongeol didn’t reply.

There was no point in responding to such utter nonsense.

‘This is bad.’

The two had initially been evenly matched, but as soon as the Yin-Yang Fist Demon declared he couldn’t waste more time, the tide turned.

Wang Cheongeol glared at the monster spewing both fire and frost.

From the waist up, the left side of its body emitted flames, while the right side released frost—a grotesque and baffling sight.

How such a form could even be maintained was maddeningly curious, but as a veteran, Wang Cheongeol buried that curiosity for now.

“Hehehe, what do you think, Wang Cheongeol? This overwhelming power! No extreme-level master could defeat me in this form!”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon shouted triumphantly.

“Perhaps… you’re right.”

Wang Cheongeol nodded silently.

The Sun-Moon Splitting Demonic Art was, even within the cult, one of the most destructive martial arts.

Now, amplified several times by some mysterious power, even Wang Cheongeol could only focus on defense.

‘Still, that doesn’t mean it’s without weaknesses.’

Although its offense and defense had become monstrous, the precision in forms and footwork had clearly dropped.

Frankly speaking, the current Yin-Yang Fist Demon was little more than a fixed-position turret spraying Qi indiscriminately.

“Huuup!”

In an instant, Wang Cheongeol’s form vanished, leaving behind an afterimage.

It was Different Shape Exchange Position pushed to its limits.

“Heh… you dare try to win with speed?”

Enormous Qi gathered in the Yin-Yang Fist Demon’s hand.

Then, unleashing that Qi indiscriminately, he shouted:

“I just have to wipe out the whole area!”

Kwagwagwang!

With a shallow quake, the battlefield where the two clashed began to be razed in an instant.

Yet somehow, none of the attacks seemed to land properly on Wang Cheongeol.

As the surrounding noise died down—

A voice rang out from afar.

“You’ve certainly gotten immensely stronger, but… you’ve also gained a few weaknesses.”

“You bastard, don’t tell me—?!”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon scowled as he realized what had happened.

Wang Cheongeol hadn’t actually charged in recklessly. He had simply withdrawn!

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon heard Wang Cheongeol’s composed voice whisper into his ear.

“First, you’ve become so brimming with power that your senses have dulled considerably. The old you would never have fallen for such a petty trick.”

“Shut up!”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon wildly blasted out Qi once again.

Dodging the barrage with desperate precision, Wang Cheongeol continued speaking.

“Second, your strength is starting to wane bit by bit. It’s still tough to endure, but if I drag this out, something might come of it.”

“……!”

“And lastly—though this is just a guess—”

Wang Cheongeol widened the distance and sneered.

“To transform into that state—or even to maintain it—there must be a cost, right? If you could wield such power without consequence, your lot would’ve conquered the Murim world long ago.”

“You wretch!”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon charged at Wang Cheongeol at frightening speed.

“You used to be one of the quietest in the Cult, but today your tongue won’t stop!”

“It’s not that I’m a man of few words. I simply stayed silent because my job was to protect.”

“Shut up!”

Wang Cheongeol felt the strength leave his arms from a blow.

‘Kuh…!’

Even if the Yin-Yang Fist Demon stood still while blasting Qi, his speed didn’t drop.

He just didn’t move much because even he had trouble controlling it.

“Say it again, Wang Cheongeol! About those weaknesses or whatever!”

As the Yin-Yang Fist Demon surged like a storm, Wang Cheongeol’s arms were torn to shreds in moments.

Yet even as his skin ripped and flesh tore away, Wang Cheongeol stood firm, holding the Demon’s foot in place.

“You persistent bastard!”

Boom!

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon’s foot slammed into Wang Cheongeol’s exposed abdomen.

Like a molten seal had been stamped, a burn mark appeared on his stomach.

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon slowly approached the collapsed Wang Cheongeol.

“You’ve lasted nearly half a day. Tenacious little rat. You certainly live up to the name Crimson-Faced Demon.”

“……”

“But this is the end. You’ll die here—more wretchedly than anyone.”

“Hrrghh…!”

Though sweat poured from his entire body, Wang Cheongeol steadied his breath and raised both arms again.

Any more damage would render recovery impossible, but he didn’t care in the slightest.

“How admirable.”

Even the enemy couldn’t help but admire his tenacity.

“This is my first and last offer. Betray the Cult and join us. Not only will I spare your life, but I’ll let you share in this absolute power.”

No response came.

“Kuhuhu, even the Young Cult Leader girl won’t last much longer here, yet your stubbornness is second to none.”

“…You bastard.”

Flames of rage burned in Wang Cheongeol’s eyes. But at this point, it was no more than empty resistance.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

Of course, the Yin-Yang Fist Demon never had any intention of letting him live.

Trying to persuade such a master was just part of the organization’s protocol—he never actually expected an answer.

“Then die.”

A massive flame flared up in the Yin-Yang Fist Demon’s left hand.

Just then—

“That’s far enough, Seventh Elder.”

A young man’s voice rang in the Yin-Yang Fist Demon’s ear.

***

Recognizing the owner of the voice, Wang Cheongeol murmured softly.

“You’re late.”

I shrugged at Wang Cheongeol’s grumbling.

“Apologies, Wang Cheongeol. I had to handle another guest first.”

“You’re…”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon turned to me with an expression of disbelief.

“Jin Yeomyung of the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan?!”

“That’s right, Seventh Elder.”

“What are you doing here?”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon had no choice but to ask.

Back when he received his briefing from Han Muyeon, the ones to watch out for were the head disciple Geum Jeoksan, the elites of Evil Overlords of Heaven, Wang Cheongeol who had suddenly appeared, and the Young Cult Leader.

“Why? Because I’m the mastermind behind this entire situation.”

“M-Mastermind?!”

“Oh dear, I guess ‘Second Order’ didn’t tell you. It was me who foiled Cheong Museong’s foolish scheme in Eastern Sea Fortress.”

“……!”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon glared at me with murderous eyes.

Flames and frost mixed with killing intent weighed down on me—but this level of pressure wasn’t enough to affect me anymore.

“You’re still standing? Even after taking my aura head-on as just a mere late-stage second-rate martial artist?”

The Yin-Yang Fist Demon looked slightly alarmed, seemingly realizing something was off.

“Maybe it’s because I’m not a late-stage second-rate anymore?”

His face contorted at my words.

“Such arrogance! Even if you’ve reached the Master Level, you’re still just a toddler taking your first steps toward the heavens!”

Normally, he would’ve been absolutely right.

Even dozens of Master Level warriors couldn’t hold a candle to a single extreme-level expert.

Losing interest in the battered Wang Cheongeol, the Yin-Yang Fist Demon turned to me, radiating bloodlust.

“So it really was you who orchestrated all of this?”

“That’s right. I united the orthodox factions of Eastern Sea Fortress, persuaded Demonic Emperor Lord, and cut off Evil Overlords of Heaven’s support from their main base. And…”

I snapped open the folding fan I had brought purely for show, as if delivering the final blow.

“I even found out that the Baekga Trading Company is involved in this whole ordeal!”

The moment I mentioned the Baekga Trading Company, the Yin-Yang Fist Demon roared in fury.

“You absolutely cannot be allowed to live!”

But strangely, despite his words, he didn’t immediately strike.

Knowing exactly why, I smirked and provoked him.

“What’s wrong? Scared?”

“……”

Even after being taunted by a bright yellow-robed junior, the Yin-Yang Fist Demon didn’t move.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally asked the real question on his mind.

“What happened to Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden?”

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