Chapter 242: Displaying Divine Might (1)

“Now I understand why it’s ‘Heavenward’ and not ‘Heaven King’.”

For two days straight, I swung my sword without rest and unfolded techniques, until I realized it.

I finally understood what the name of the Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique truly meant.

“The Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique is a mnemonic focused on guiding natural energy as if nine dragons traverse the heavens. But I had been forcing it to match the aggressive nature of the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword, so of course it wasn’t yielding proper results.”

The Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra and the Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique weren’t originally meant to be combined. But once the two harmonized and I added the cultivation method that Jong Munhye had taught me, a true synergy of the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and the Azure Bamboo Sword was born.

At first, operating all three cultivation techniques simultaneously was difficult.

But I realized that each of the three resided in separate domains, so I distributed them accordingly.

To ensure smooth operation, I also utilized Dual-Mind Inner Art to prevent any clash between them.

Because the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra built the Tai Chi Dantian, it didn’t conflict with the other two.

By using Dual-Mind Inner Art to operate the Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique and the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword independently, the intended techniques finally began to unfold.

“This isn’t something I can master in just a day or two. I’ll need to dedicate a lot more time and effort to training. I might as well go into isolated training here for a hundred days.”

I set down my sword and sat cross-legged.

Having swung my blade for two days without sleep, my mind and body were fatigued. I intended to replenish my energy through Qi Circulation Training.

“I’ll circulate Qi all night and leave this place by morning. It’s been too long since I entered here, they must be worried.”

Still, I was pleased with the gains I’d made in this place.

Even though I’d only grasped a glimpse of the Boundary of the Upper World, I hadn’t expected to obtain it so easily, so I wasn’t discouraged.

Through Hoi Eulshin’s martial arts, I finally utilized the Tai Chi Dantian properly, and through the Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique, I fused the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and the Azure Bamboo Sword into one. That alone was a major breakthrough.

Having unified the previously lacking elements, I believed I would soon reach the Boundary of the Upper World.

As I was circulating Qi for about one sijin, I sensed an ominous energy through my Qi Sensory Perception.

I opened my eyes and muttered, “It’s them.”

I grabbed my sword and stood.

The presences I felt matched those I had bitterly fought at the Kirin River.

Without hesitation, I stepped onto the warehouse floor and dropped the carts below.

With the weight reduced, the floor began to rise slowly.

And then, the sound of rushing water echoed through the cave.

Swaaah!

Water was flooding into the cave.

All traces of Hoi Eulshin would soon be submerged.

Hoi Eulshin had designed this secret cave in the belief that something not earned through worthiness would not aid the masses.

Krrruuuung!

As the floor returned to its original place, the grain warehouse restored its former appearance.

When I opened the door and stepped out, three assassins were waiting at the entrance.

“You’re out, sir.”

“What happened?”

I asked, and one of the assassins replied.

“The Heavenly Demon Sect and demonic practitioners have launched an assault. The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect guarding this place have gone to protect Miss Hoi.”

I dashed toward where Hoi Unkyung was.

If Hoi Unkyung and Hoi Jongbaek were killed, I feared the Sky Ocean Merchant Union would fall into another power struggle.

“Currently, all the escorts and Head Escorts are engaged in the fight, but the attackers are all elites, and we’re being overwhelmed.”

Staring at a burning pavilion, I spoke in a heavy tone.

“Inform them to deploy the entire Blood Green Unit immediately.”

“They’ve already left after the enemies invaded. They should arrive within one sikgyeong.”

I worried many lives would be lost.

If too many of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union’s key escorts were wounded or killed, it would deal a significant blow to the Sky Ocean Escort Agency and the union itself.

Closing my eyes, I said quietly, “Let’s go. We must hold out as long as we can.”

With a stomp, I vanished from the spot.

The assassin, startled for a moment, then chased after me, already ten jang behind.

I swung my sword mercilessly at the masked invaders.

Each slash severed an enemy’s head.

“Kill that bastard!”

After I killed several of their comrades, the demonic practitioners turned their hostility toward me.

As they swarmed, I activated Protective Energy and charged.

With Protective Energy and the sword qi drawn from the Tai Chi Dantian, more than a dozen demonic practitioners blocking my path were sliced clean in half.

They had no means of stopping me.

Wherever I passed, a trail of blood was left behind.

I headed straight to the pavilion where Hoi Unkyung was.

There, Ma Jeung and warriors of the Heavenly Demon King Unit had already formed a formation and were launching a full-scale assault.

I clenched my teeth and let loose my killing intent.

As the suppressed murderous aura exploded outward, several members of the Heavenly Demon King Unit turned their heads, sensing the oppressive pressure.

And then, they gasped in shock.

“It’s Yong Hwarin!”

All members of the Heavenly Demon King Unit simultaneously turned to face me.

Even Ma Jeung, who had been barking orders, turned and locked eyes with me.

He gave a twisted smile and shouted, “Take him down!”

Several warriors who had surrounded the pavilion charged toward me.

Watching them rush in, I muttered under my breath.

“Come.”

I cloaked myself in Protective Energy and clashed with the Heavenly Demon King Unit.

Just like in the Kirin River battle, each warrior who collided with me was flung away.

Haunted by memories of that fight, the Heavenly Demon King Unit couldn’t muster the courage to charge again.

The fear from that time still lingered.

I broke through their encirclement with Protective Energy and entered the pavilion where Hoi Unkyung was.

Ma Jeung glared at me, emitting a fierce Ghost Flame.

“No matter what happens today… I will kill you.”

Recalling the humiliation at the Kirin River, Ma Jeung realized his mistake.

He had thought capturing me alone would be easy.

But now he blamed himself for throwing his subordinates into a pit of death due to his own arrogance.

“I’ll kill you myself.”

Ma Jeung leapt forward with his sword in hand.

Behind him, the warriors of the Heavenly Demon King Unit followed.

“Form a circular formation and do not let the enemy escape under any circumstances.”

Mu Iso formed a formation with the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect, placing Hoi Unkyung, Hoi Jongbaek, Seok Unjeong, and Eum Sajeok at the center.

The Three Chivalrous Sisters took the left wing of the formation, while the Demonic Master and Deungae took the right, effectively blocking enemy incursions.

Despite their efforts, screams echoed from various places throughout the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

They were likely the dying cries of escorts or Head Escorts.

Though there were dozens of escorts, the number of demonic practitioners and unorthodox practitioners was several times greater.

Yong Hwarin, clad in Protective Energy, drew his sword qi and began cutting through enemies in an Ego-less State.

With that, the number of those surrounding the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect was halved.

But Yong Hwarin never allowed his sword to rest.

He continued to strike down any enemy in sight, his intense sword qi striking fear even into his enemies.

“Three Chivalrous Sisters!”

When Yong Hwarin called out, the Three Chivalrous Sisters approached him.

Looking at Jeong Minji, Yong Hwarin spoke.

“Today, we shall take many lives. Can you follow me?”

Jeong Minji nodded with a determined expression.

“From this moment on, we will sweep through them all.”

Jeong Suji grinned as she replied.

“I’ve been hoping for this.”

Turning to Jeong Minji, Yong Hwarin spoke.

“I entrust my back to you.”

Jeong Minji gave a faint smile.

‘I’ve always been behind you.’

That smile from Jeong Minji gave Yong Hwarin confidence.

“With Miss Jeong behind me, I always feel at ease. I’ll count on you.”

Yong Hwarin led at the front, Jeong Minji followed behind him, and Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji spread out to the left and right, forming a Soul-Chaining Formation of four.

“Let’s go.”

From that moment, Yong Hwarin and the Three Chivalrous Sisters began cutting down the demonic and unorthodox practitioners in a sweep.

When Yong Hwarin charged forward and threw his enemies off balance, Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji swiftly ended their lives on either side.

Anyone approaching from behind was intercepted by Jeong Minji.

Within a brief moment, they had claimed dozens of lives.

They were like genuine Yakshas.

The path Yong Hwarin walked overflowed with blood.

If there were many enemies, he broke through their formation with Protective Energy and slaughtered them. If few, he charged and sliced them down.

As Yong Hwarin moved swiftly, cutting down their comrades, the demonic and unorthodox practitioners gradually began to gather around him.

They realized that they would only survive if they killed Yong Hwarin.

“Kill that bastard!”

For the first time, demonic and unorthodox practitioners formed a joint front and attacked.

Even though they both belonged to the unorthodox path, demonic and unorthodox practitioners rarely harmonized.

It was because the demonic practitioners looked down on the others.

But now, they united to attack a single foe.

Yong Hwarin observed the dozens of demonic practitioners gradually pushing forward and began storing strength.

“Unni, Young Master Yong is being pushed back.”

Jeong Suji called out to Jeong Minji behind her, but Jeong Minji shook her head.

“No, Young Master Yong is accumulating power.”

As those words left her mouth, blue energy rippled from Yong Hwarin’s sword, fluttering like butterflies before scattering.

Yong Hwarin amplified the internal force equivalent to Three Gaps through his Tai Chi Dantian, and unleashed Severing the Tide using the energy of the Eastern Thunder Formation.

Kwagijijijijik!

Dozens of bundles of blue flame burst from Yong Hwarin’s sword, tearing apart a space five jang wide around him.

“Kuaaaaah!”

The screams of dozens dying at once were enough to send shivers.

And those screams were short-lived.

Tudukudukudukuduk!

Dozens of demonic practitioners, struck by Nascent Qi and writhing like freshly caught fish, collapsed onto the ground.

From that position, Yong Hwarin extended again and repeated the same technique.

Once more, Nascent Qi erupted and filled the surrounding space with blue flames.

“Uaaaagh!”

Those who turned to flee, as well as those who charged with death in their eyes, could not escape the Nascent Qi.

Those who collapsed while convulsing foamed at the mouth and never rose again.

Those with strong internal force barely withstood it, trembling as they muttered.

“He’s not human… he’s not human…”

Yong Hwarin activated his Self-Revolving Inner Qi and channeled it through the energy of the Eastern Thunder Formation.

The energy was so powerful, it felt like thunder crashing down.

But Yong Hwarin also paid the price for activating his Self-Revolving Inner Qi.

A stabbing pain pulsed from his dantian.

And yet, strangely, after channeling the energy of the Eastern Thunder Formation taught by Hoi Eulshin, the pain subsided.

It was as if Hoi Eulshin’s martial arts were suppressing the energy of the Self-Revolving Inner Qi.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep