ALL NOVEL Ch 17
Jin Ga-hee, who had just finished her business in the bushes, scanned Cho Hui and his group with a strange expression on her face.
“What happened?”
A mix of shock, disbelief, awe, and hope!
All these emotions were evident in their faces, frozen like a painting.
‘The Absolute Realm?’
Though he had witnessed it all with his own eyes, Yeom Sang-rok couldn’t believe it.
The Absolute Realm!
For the followers of the demonic path, the Absolute Realm was an uncharted territory, the pinnacle they had long dreamed of reaching.
Unlike the demonic sects, most of the prominent righteous sects took pride in their long histories. Their martial arts traditions spanned hundreds or even thousands of years, and the martial techniques that had been honed over generations were incomparably superior to those of the demonic sects.
Of course, when it came to reaching the pinnacle, the demonic sect’s martial arts had the upper hand. It was faster to reach the peak in the demonic path, and they could achieve transcendence much sooner.
However, when it came to the realm of transformation, no matter how skilled they were, the demonic sect could never catch up with the righteous sects’ deep and long histories.
In terms of sheer numbers, the demonic sects had more experts than the righteous sects, but there were only four masters in the Absolute Realm in the entire demonic sect.
Comparable to the Seven Heroes of the righteous sect were the Four Demonic Emperors of the demonic sect:
– Heavenly Demon King, the Dark Heaven Demon, Hyeok Ryeon-gang.
– Black Heaven Executioner, Heuk Cheon Da-sal, Lee Gyeong-jin.
– Evil Emperor, the Evil Emperor, Dookgo Jang-cheon.
– World’s Greatest Assassin, Blood Master, Mak Woo.
Could this young man before them truly be on the same level as these terrifying figures, the Four Demonic Emperors?
Yeom Sang-rok shuddered with fear.
“What’s going on? Speak up, you damn bastard!”
Jin Ga-hee, who hated feeling left out, demanded answers.
“You crazy woman! He’s an Absolute Realm practitioner!”
“Absolute?”
Yeom Sang-rok’s gaze was fixed unwaveringly on Cho Hui.
Following his gaze, Jin Ga-hee had a look of disbelief.
“Come on, you’re joking, right?”
“No, this pale bitch! I saw it with my own eyes! He used Qi to control his sword and sent sword strikes over three hundred paces away!”
Using Qi to control the sword and sending sword strikes over three hundred paces?
This meant that no matter how fast they tried to escape using their best martial arts, if the opponent willed it, they would be dead before they could get away.
“…We’re screwed, aren’t we?”
This was the terrifying power of an Absolute Realm practitioner.
Just then, Cho Hui’s voice rang out again.
He was looking at Zhuge Yun.
“Let’s calculate. If we quickly send word to the Alliance and gather the troops, how long do you think it will take to get to Heabi?”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Zhuge Yun muttered in a serious tone.
“Two months. If we’re fast, maybe a month and a half…”
Even if they sent word to the nearest branch of the Martial Alliance in Hunan, it would take at least twenty days. Gathering the troops and moving to Heabi would take almost a month.
“But the rainy season in Jiangxi will arrive within the next fifteen days. The Yangtze River will rise in about a week, and unlike the Martial Alliance, the Green Snake Alliance, which has already set up camp at Dangcheonpo, will mobilize their fleet and immediately march into Anhui. Considering the timing of the rainy season, the rising water, and the speed of the fleet…”
“The Alliance’s troops will likely arrive at Heabi around the same time.”
Cho Hui shook his head.
“That’s the best-case scenario. If the water rises faster than expected, the timeline could be shortened. In the worst-case scenario, they might reach Heabi about fifteen days ahead of the Martial Alliance’s forces.”
Namgung Jang-ho interjected.
“Is there no possibility they will set off before the rainy season begins?”
“A large fleet can’t pass through the Shahe District unless the water level rises.”
“Hmm…”
Zhuge Yun sighed faintly.
“Ah… if only we had brought a Flying Sky Eagle.”
If they had the Flying Sky Eagle from the Martial Alliance, they wouldn’t have to worry about this.
It made sense, though, since neither Namgung-sega nor the Cho clan ever expected the Martial Alliance to reject their orders.
In any case, as Cho Hui said, heading to the Martial Alliance now might just be a waste of time.
Cho Hui spoke again.
“What I’m curious about now is whether the Black Heaven League will stop their march to Heabi just because their rear is being disrupted.”
No matter how much Cho Hui used his modern strategies and tactics, he was still lacking in understanding of the martial world’s ways and wisdom.
Jang Il-ryong added his thoughts.
“The demonic sects are very materialistic. If their main force’s supply stores are looted and their wealth destroyed, they’ll have no choice but to call their troops back.”
Suddenly, Jin Ga-hee clapped her hands and responded.
“Ha! Of course! Heabi is the fish they want to catch, but Jiangxi is the one they’ve already caught! What kind of fool would choose an uncertain adventure over an immediate reward?”
Yeom Sang-rok looked at Jin Ga-hee as if she were a madwoman.
“Hey, damn it! Why are you saying all that?!”
“They say he uses Qi to control the sword! That means he’s stronger than my master!”
“What does that even mean?”
A sinister look appeared on Jin Ga-hee’s face.
“Do you know how creepy that old man’s gaze is? Hoho! Soon, we’ll be seeing that twisted old face, won’t we?”
Zhuge Yun, who had been observing, opened a map of Jiangxi.
“Can you point out the places that might hurt the Black Heaven League the most?”
Jin Ga-hee glanced at Cho Hui and crossed her arms.
“Proposal.”
What a clever girl, this one?
She certainly knows how to negotiate.
Cho Hui smiled faintly with interest.
“One hundred silver.”
Jin Ga-hee made a displeased face, but Cho Hui’s smile deepened.
“Gold.”
At that moment, Jin Ga-hee grabbed the map from Zhuge Yun, squatted down, and began to study it.
“Let’s start here. Can you see Yuyang? To the northwest of Yuyang, there’s a hilltop with a shrine, and that’s where the hidden vault of the Giant Strength Saber King is located. All the wealth gathered from the market will be stored there.”
Zhuge Yun, who had pulled out a notebook, hastily began to jot down the details.
“And next?”
“To the east of Anyi County, there’s a mountain called Wuhua Mountain. At the entrance to its gorge, you’ll find the estate of the Iron Fist King, Gu Pae. This place…”
As Jin Ga-hee continued, Yeom Sang-rok’s face twisted in horror.
“This, this… woman!”
The shock from Jin Ga-hee’s bluntness was enough to make one lose their mind!
Although the demonic sect’s members weren’t known for their loyalty, this was beyond excessive!
It was rumored that she had been kidnapped as a child and forced to learn martial arts by her master. Moreover, her master, the Poisoned King, had once tried to seduce his own disciples under the cover of night, only to be humiliated when his ears were torn off.
She had always had a detached mindset when joining the Black Heaven League.
When Jin Ga-hee’s voice trailed off, Cho Hui turned to Yeom Sang-rok.
“Now, you know everything, so speak up.”
“Dammit! Stop spouting nonsense!”
A low, ominous hum filled the air.
Cho Hui’s iron sword radiated with a finely honed sword energy.
“Ugh… damn it…”
Yeom Sang-rok was truly disgusted.
How could someone extract such a legendary sword energy so easily, like pulling a thread from a spool?
“If you’re useless, you might as well die.”
“Wait a moment!”
Cho Hui’s eerily transparent eyes.
There was no hesitation in his gaze—he would cut him down without a second thought. Was this guy really from the righteous sect?
“I’ll tell you everything!”
A cold smile spread across Jin Ga-hee’s face.
“Idiot. At least I made some money.”
In that instant, Yeom Sang-rok shuddered, feeling deep self-contempt. If he could just survive this crisis, he’d immediately cut her down with a sickle.
Finally, trembling, Yeom Sang-rok crouched down in front of the map.
“Dammit, this is the main warehouse of the First Branch. All the grain harvested from the Yangja Plains is stored here.”
The **Great Warehouse**.
It made sense why the First Branch was so well-guarded with a thousand masters—there was a huge reason for it.
The vast Yangja Plains produced an immense amount of grain, and the Black Heaven League bought up a significant portion of it each year through their merchant guild.
It wasn’t even a purchase—it was more like extortion, as the prices were artificially low.
They would resell the grain during the spring famine for an enormous profit.
“And here… I don’t know what’s in here. But it’s guarded by as many masters as the Great Warehouse. There’s definitely something hidden.”
Then, Yeom Sang-rok listed several other potential targets.
Cho Hui seemed somewhat surprised.
Was there really such a difference in rank between them?
The information Yeom Sang-rok provided was much more valuable than Jin Ga-hee’s.
It was clear that rank and status held real weight.
“I also offer one hundred gold coins…”
Cho Hui ignored Yeom Sang-rok’s words and focused on raising his internal energy.
**Pah-pah-pah!**
“Ughh!”
In an instant, Yeom Sang-rok’s body was paralyzed, his internal energy disrupted by Cho Hui’s sudden attack.
Cho Hui had used the **Imperial King’s Blood Seal Technique**, a unique skill from the Namgung clan.
As the flow of internal energy that had been swirling inside Yeom Sang-rok’s body suddenly dissipated, his face contorted in agony.
“Ahhh! Why are you suddenly removing my internal energy?!”
“Shut up, you bastard.”
Cho Hui turned his gaze to Jin Ga-hee, about to make a move but then retracting it.
After all, she was a woman.
To use the Imperial King’s Blood Seal Technique properly, Cho Hui would need to target a particular point beneath her belly button, a sensitive area.
Though it drained his energy, Cho Hui had no choice but to summon his **Formless Skill** to proceed.
**Pah-pah-pah!**
“Aah! Ahh… Ahh…”
With each seal, Jin Ga-hee let out strange, soft sounds.
Cho Hui squinted slightly.
“You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?”
Jin Ga-hee’s pale face flushed with a light blush.
“I’m not! It just feels refreshing and nice, that’s all. I’ve never experienced Formless Skill before; it feels quite new.”
“Ha…”
Cho Hui turned his head away, clearly uninterested.
He couldn’t believe she was acting like this. A normal woman wouldn’t behave this way. But someone who had survived in the ruthless, treacherous world of the demonic sects wouldn’t have a normal mindset.
Soon, Cho Hui looked at the spots marked on the map by Zhuge Yun, mentally planning out the optimal route.
“These guys are actually useful, so I’ll keep them with me for a while. Lord So-Geom and Manager Zhuge, continue buying up the small plots of land from the merchants…”
“Manager Jang?”
Jang Il-ryong, as if waiting for his turn, answered.
“What should I do?”
“Manager Jang, you’ll move with me.”
The more Cho Hui interacted with Jang Il-ryong, the more impressive he found him.
Not only was his martial skill strong, but his understanding of the demonic sects was flawless, and his ability to think on his feet and sense crises was exceptional.
He stood out even more than the younger Zhuge Yun.
In fact, I still don’t quite understand why Zhuge Yun is called “Little Zhuge.”
“Heh heh! This is good. Honestly, I was getting tired of the petty merchant squabbles and mind games.”
Competing with fierce merchants and trying to gain the upper hand in negotiations was no easy task. One word or gesture could make thousands of coins go back and forth.
This was a task that completely clashed with Jang Il-ryong’s bold and straightforward personality.
Cho Hui handed Jang Il-ryong the whip that Jin Ga-hee had prepared.
“Let’s tie these bastards up first.”
“Hmm? With this?”
The whip was covered in small, blood-red barbs.
Its name was **Blood Thorn Whip**.
If they were tied up with something like this, the pain would be quite intense.
“Let’s tie them up for now. I’ve sealed their internal energy, but I’m still not at ease. These guys are real troublemakers.”
Jang Il-ryong nodded silently, then took the whip and began to bind Yeom Sang-rok first.
“Ugh! Damn it! What kind of humiliation is this?!”
Yeom Sang-rok grimaced in pain, muttering under his breath.
“Ahhh! Uhh…!”
Jin Ga-hee, who had never imagined being bound by her own deadly weapon, squirmed and moaned continuously.
Being tied up was such a strange experience.
Today, Jin Ga-hee discovered a new, sticky instinct deep within herself.
Cho Hui, clearly fed up, shook his head and spoke.
“Let’s go, Manager Jang.”
Jang Il-ryong, still holding the whip, glanced at Jin Ga-hee’s strange expression, looking somewhat perplexed.
“This woman… she’s acting strange. Hey, walk for me.”
As Yeom Sang-rok was forced to walk, Jin Ga-hee, tied to the whip, had no choice but to follow.
With each step, the barbs of the whip dug into her skin, making her tremble with an odd sensation of pleasure.
“Uhh…”
Jang Il-ryong, horrified, passed the whip handle to Cho Hui.
“I can’t do this.”
Cho Hui sighed and was about to speak when Jang Il-ryong asked again.
“By the way, brother, where are we heading first?”
Cho Hui’s intense gaze shifted north.
“To the **Great Warehouse**.”
—
From the top of **Yeokseok Mountain**, the view of the Black Heaven League’s First Branch was truly formidable.
A long wall surrounded the compound, with water channels dug like a moat around it. Inside, there were massive warehouses hidden behind wooden fences that made it hard to distinguish anything.
Every so often, a tall watchtower stood, with guards on the lookout, while hundreds of torches illuminated the area as brightly as daylight.
With such a tight defense, it would be impossible for just a few skilled warriors to get close.
Even if they could break through, what could they do against the monsters of the **Black Flower Sect** who would rush out at the sound of a horn?
The immense warehouses were guarded so tightly that there were probably around seventy or eighty of them.
The scale of the place was colossal, as if an entire village had been moved here.
Yeom Sang-rok, bound by the whip, swallowed nervously and looked at Cho Hui, who was sitting cross-legged on a rock, performing breathing exercises.
He still couldn’t believe that such a young person could be the absolute martial artist.
If only he had his internal energy, he could have taken care of that muscle-bound pig. How could he have missed this perfect opportunity to strike while Cho Hui was meditating?
Unaware of Yeom Sang-rok’s thoughts, Jin Ga-hee continued to marvel.
“Wow! This is the stage where internal energy becomes tangible, right? **True Martial Transformation**?”
A white aura surrounded Cho Hui’s body, swirling in an ethereal mist.
Jin Ga-hee stared at the mysterious white haze in fascination.
**True Martial Transformation** was a common external manifestation seen in martial artists who had surpassed the **Hua Jing** stage, a sign of someone who had reached an advanced level.
Jang Il-ryong’s eyes also lit up with excitement.
“Ugh…!”
**True Martial Transformation.**
This was the very realm he had longed for throughout his life.
It was the state where all the blood vessels in the body are refined into **Dan Tian**, creating the **Void Dan**. Once this transformation occurred, the internal energy became so refined that it could manifest in a tangible form.
Reaching this state allowed the practitioner to surpass the limitations of their physical body, even acquiring the **Defensive Aura** to protect oneself from external threats.
Seeing it with his own eyes, even though it wasn’t his own achievement, Jang Il-ryong felt a shiver run down his spine.
Even the **Hua Jing** stage alone was an incredible feat.
The ruler of the mighty Anhui, the **Namgung Clan**, had poured all their resources into **Namgung Jangho** for over ten years but still hadn’t reached the Hua Jing stage.
The **Hua Jing** stage was already a remarkable achievement, but to think that Cho Hui had reached the realm of True Martial Transformation—this was beyond comprehension.
Jang Il-ryong still couldn’t believe Cho Hui’s martial prowess.
“Hmm…”
Soon, with half-open eyes, Cho Hwi carefully assessed his physical state.
He slowly got up and fixed his gaze on the distant view of the headquarters of the Heukcheonryeon (Black Lotus).
Judging by eye, the distance was about three hundred jang (approximately 900 meters).
It seemed slightly farther than the distance he had used his Qi Sword (기어검) on a smaller mountain, but it was not impossible with the massive consumption of internal power.
He took a deep breath and began to gather as much internal power as he could.
Seventy percent, eighty percent, one hundred percent!
Kukukukukuku!
Jang Il-ryong, as well as Yeom Sang-rok and Jin Ga-hee, were all stunned, their mouths agape.
A vast wave of energy surged outward like a natural disaster, enveloping the summit of Yeokseoksan.
That was the manifestation of the absolute martial spirit!
Everyone shuddered under Cho Hwi’s overwhelming presence.
Then, Cho Hwi’s white eyes, which were almost transparent, turned toward his iron sword, the Jo’s Family Iron Sword.
It was a lifelong masterpiece gifted by Cho Hwi’s father, Jo Soon, the head of the Anhui Iron Corps.
Cho Hwi poured all of his internal power into the sword, leaving not even a thread behind.
Woo woo woo woo woo!
The sword turned a brilliant red like lava and began to emit a deafening sword cry, soon releasing a white sword aura.
The Jo Family’s Iron Sword, infused with this sword aura, shot toward the great warehouse.
The speed was unimaginable!
With a mental focus, Cho Hwi projected his inner turmoil into the sword.
The Way of Intent and Form.
The Qi-Controlled Sword Technique .
The Boundless Sky Sword, Post-Second Style.
The Dragon Claw Sword of the Boundless Sky.
Its destructive power was beyond that of any sword style from the Namgung Family, it was the claw of a celestial dragon.
A flash of light shot through the sky of the Heukcheonryeon headquarters, gradually spreading, soon revealing a colossal dragon’s claw.
The dragon’s claw began crushing the earth like a destructive god, wreaking havoc below.
Kwah!
The immense destruction shattered two of the warehouses into nothingness.
Splinters of the wooden fences scattered in all directions, and the tall watchtowers that were guarding the area began to slowly tilt and crumble toward the underground world, crushed by the dragon’s claw.
Ahhh!
Ahhhhh!
Screams erupted from all directions!
As the torches placed in the watchtowers fell, fierce flames erupted in all directions.
It was truly a hellish chaos!
Swoosh!
Thud!
Cho Hwi, having retrieved his sword, was filled with exhaustion, but he didn’t mind. He began to gather his internal power once again.
The Boundless Sky Sword, Post-Third Style.
The Boundless Sky Shock to the World.
The iron sword shot forward in a long, blazing trail, releasing an enormous burst of light.
A powerful sword force, overwhelming like a king’s pressure, crashed down once again onto the earth.
At that moment, four or five warehouses collapsed as if being crushed by a press.
Crack!
Crunch!
Naturally, all the surrounding wooden fences and watchtowers crumbled as well.
Aaaaahhh!
Angry, ragged screams echoed from all directions.
Swoosh!
Thud!
Cho Hwi nonchalantly retrieved his sword, then sat down again to meditate, crossing his legs in a lotus position.
Once again, his Martial Spirit blossomed.
“…”
“….”
The three sets of eyes, as if witnessing a monster, shook violently as if struck by an earthquake.
Yeom Sang-rok’s voice came in disbelief.
“Isn’t this a bit much?”
Who could possibly stop something like this?
Suddenly, a burst of sword aura filled the sky and shot down, striking the earth below with such force that there was no chance to prepare or resist.
This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a hopeless battle.
The distance between the Heukcheonryeon’s headquarters and the summit of Yeokseoksan was three hundred jang.
Even if they sent pursuers, they wouldn’t be able to track them without a target in sight.
Seeing the absolute power of someone who had reached the level of absolute martial mastery (절대경), it was enough to make him wet himself in fear!
Jin Ga-hee, too, could only let out a hopeless laugh.
“Haha!”
She had grown up amid the cruel Heukcheonryeon’s ruthless warriors, experiencing firsthand the terrifying martial prowess of the Black Eight Kings.
But this was a whole different level of martial power.
Was this how the legendary martial arts of the Heukcheonryeon’s leader, Heukcheon Daesal, were?
“Haha…”
The Sword God, who had watched it all, was also stunned.
While Cho Hwi’s martial arts were not entirely new, the way he approached them was shocking.
The spirit world of those who reached absolute martial mastery was usually one of transcendent solitude, where they firmly establish their martial spirit between heaven and earth.
Such martial artists often had immense pride in their abilities.
No matter how powerful someone was, they could never use this kind of force to attack their enemies.
Their pride would prevent them from doing so.
But Cho Hwi’s mindset was completely different.
There was no need to hide power. If you had the ability, you should use it to the fullest.
Martial pride?
Does pride feed you?
You just do what you can.
A modern-day mentality focused purely on practicality.
Cho Hwi, now having completed his Qi-based breath technique, gazed nonchalantly at the headquarters.
“I guess about six or seven more times should do it.”
Kukukukuku!
Once again, Cho Hwi gathered his internal power.
His iron sword shot into the air again, flashing like a beam of light.
The Dragon Claw Sword of the Boundless Sky.
Kwah!
Two more warehouses shattered into dust without a trace.
The sky’s sword and the overwhelming pressure of the Boundless Sky Shock to the World.
Crack!
Like giant footsteps crushing everything beneath them, the warehouses turned to ruins.
Cho Hwi retrieved his sword once again, his face indifferent, sitting down to meditate.
His Martial Spirit once more bloomed.
“Wow, I’m actually going to die from this.”
Yeom Sang-rok was amazed, his face filled with disbelief.
Witnessing such an unprecedented display of strength, it was hard to even fathom the reality of it.
Can this really be called martial arts?
Suddenly, Yeom Sang-rok glanced down toward the headquarters’ warehouse.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, many of the armed warriors with torches were running around in a panic.
Yeom Sang-rok’s face grew solemn.
They would try to find the intruders, but they would never be able to locate them.
Even if he wanted to shout to give away their position, he knew his own life would be forfeit if he did.
Even if he wanted to escape, he couldn’t move a muscle due to how tightly he had been bound.
Cho Hwi opened his eyes again.
Kwah!
Crack!
Indifferently, Cho Hwi continued unleashing his Qi-Controlled Sword techniques with relentless power.
As his internal power surged, it only took a moment for all the warehouses—about seventy or eighty of them—to be destroyed.
Everything happened in the span of a single breath.
Soon, the monsters of the Heukcheonryeon rushed out from the depths of the headquarters.
They scattered like a storm, cloaked in black, and among them, there were likely the notorious Celestial Killers.
The Heukcheonryeon had five ranks: Crisis Killers, Blade Killers Ghost Killers (귀살), Black Killers, and Celestial Killers.
At the very top were the Celestial Killers, the most extreme martial artists, some of whom had reached the peak of the martial realm or the transitional stage of Hua.
Recognizing the powerful presence of these Celestial Killers, Cho Hwi slowly began to refine his energy, preparing for what was to come.
The entire area was in chaos.
The massive warehouses, filled with grain, were burning, turning into ash from the flames ignited by the torches.
The largest warehouse, holding the majority of the Heukcheonryeon’s wealth, was burning down, dealing a massive blow to their resources.
But this was just the beginning.
Cho Hwi, unfolding the map given by Je Galun, looked over at Yeom Sang-rok with a sly smile.
“After the warehouse, what would be the most painful target for the Heukcheonryeon? Somewhere close would be ideal.”
Shivers ran down their spines.
The trembling face of Yeom Sang-rok, whose body was shaking with fear.
If he didn’t answer, he would undoubtedly die. His stomach churned with bitterness, but there was no choice but to open his mouth.
“Ah, it’s Ahn Hee-hyun of Ohyupsan. The lifetime savings of the Iron Fist King are there.”
Iron Fist King Gu Pae.
He was one of the Black Heaven Eight Kings, a fierce man who dominated the martial world with nothing but his two fists, just as his title suggested.
It was rumored that he was the only one to receive the special treatment of the Black Heaven Sect’s head.
His reputation was as legendary as his martial arts, which had reached the peak of the “Hwa-gyeong” (the martial arts realm). His lifetime savings were bound to be vast.
He controlled all the waterways of Poyang Lake, being the leader of the Ink Dragon Fleet, which had dominance over all the river traffic in the region.
Even a powerful figure like the Duke of Jiangxi would visit him during the Double Ninth Festival, showing just how far his influence extended.
In Black Heaven, his position was second to none.
As he reviewed the information about the Black Heaven Sect purchased from the informant, Jo Hwi gave a subtle smile.
“This time, it won’t be easy.”
* * *
On the cliffs of Ohyupsan, Jo Hwi gazed coldly at the Iron Fist King’s manor.
His eyes glowed white, like a ghost locking in on its target just before firing a missile.
‘Is that the manor?’
It was unlike any typical manor.
The vast size was one thing, but the number of armed guards was absurd for a place that wasn’t expecting a war!
Of course, there were few places in the martial world that didn’t use messenger pigeons, and the news of the recent troubles would have reached here too.
Moreover, this was the domain of the Iron Fist King, a martial arts powerhouse who had few rivals besides the Black Heaven Sect itself.
Not all Hwa-gyeong masters were the same.
He was someone who stood at the very top.
A man who could dominate even the infamous Heavenly Killers.
Jo Hwi began his reconnaissance.
Kuku… Kuku… Kuku!
The mountain ridge shook violently.
Jo Hwi’s steel sword shot forward, covering a distance of over three hundred paces in an instant.
Chang-gung Moo-ae Sword, first five moves.
Moo-ae Cheon-mang Ha.
Hundreds of sword qi formed a massive net that flew across the skies, becoming almost invisible in the vast expanse.
Tsssss!
The tightly woven web of sword qi struck down.
The buildings shattered, as though caught by the teeth of a grinder, reducing them to rubble.
Chang-gung Moo-ae Sword, fourth move.
Cheon-rae Am-gang Po.
The enormous sword qi gathered into dozens of sword orbs that transformed into explosive projectiles, shooting toward the ground.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The path left by the sword orbs was utterly devastating.
Buildings were destroyed, and even the tall trees in the beautiful garden were pulverized beyond recognition.
Fragments flew in all directions, causing injuries, and women in their undergarments fled in panic.
But the response was swift and efficient.
The guards at the manor quickly organized, taking out crossbows and dipping their arrows in oil.
They lit the tips using a rotating flame, firing them in all directions.
Squeal! Whiiiizz!
As the flaming arrows struck the oil-soaked paper bundles hidden throughout the valley, the entire area lit up as bright as daylight.
Caught off guard by such a quick counter, Jo Hwi hastily hid in the underbrush.
Jang Il-ryong, hiding alongside him, clicked his tongue.
“These bastards are quick to adapt.”
As the saying goes, even a rotten dog is still a good fighter.
Indeed, the Black Heaven Sect was no joke.
At that moment, a powerful voice echoed through the valley.
“Namgung Su! You piece of trash! How can you still claim to be the Sword King of the Namgung family?!”
Rumble!
The entire valley shook from the force of the roar.
The internal energy contained in the voice was immense, comparable to the Lion’s Roar of Shaolin!
Yeom Sang-rok, recognizing the voice of the Iron Fist King, shouted with a delighted expression.
“Iron Fist King!”
Already aware that all sound waves would be blocked, Jo Hwi swiftly delivered a crushing blow to Yeom Sang-rok’s head.
Smack!
“This bastard has no sense of loyalty at all,” Jo Hwi muttered, rubbing the back of his head.
Yeom Sang-rok, feeling the sting in his head, glared at Jo Hwi in frustration.
“Why the hell should I show loyalty to the righteous side?”
With a sly grin, Jo Hwi pointed to the map spread on the ground.
“Didn’t you guys split up the treasure vaults of the Black Heaven Sect? You still feel loyalty to them? What if I tell the Iron Fist King about this?”
“This… this… damn it!” Yeom Sang-rok stammered, clearly shaken.
Jo Hwi grinned and turned his gaze back to the manor below.
The Black Heaven Sect’s experts were not fools.
They had spent decades guarding the upper reaches of Poyang Lake against the Namgung family, so they clearly recognized Namgung Su’s swordsmanship.
Especially since only one person could wield the unique sword techniques of the Namgung family—Namgung Su, the leader of the Seven Masters of the South and a supreme martial artist.
For now, the Black Heaven Sect considered him the sole absolute expert of the Namgung family.
“Namgung Su! You damn rat! How dare you do such cowardly things? The Seven Masters of the South? The Sword Alliance of the Southern Heavens? What a joke!”
Jo Hwi simply chuckled.
They were merely words meant to wound his pride, but to someone like him, who was from the modern world, they held no impact.
Being an absolute master didn’t mean one had to fight to the death.
There were more than twenty martial artists in Black Heaven who had reached the Hwa-gyeong realm.
If four or five of those experts came together with hundreds of warriors, even someone like him would inevitably suffer.
Endlessly using his mental energy for a prolonged battle wasn’t feasible, especially with Jang Il-ryong to protect.
Why should he engage in such an inefficient fight?
Jo Hwi’s determined eyes turned to Jang Il-ryong.
“Let’s head to the inn where we’ll meet Manager Je-gal. You stay there and wait for us.”
“Brother, what are you going to do in this situation?” Jang Il-ryong asked, concerned.
Jo Hwi patted his back and smiled warmly.
“Don’t worry about me.”
Yet, Jang Il-ryong was still uneasy. The Iron Fist King was a martial artist of great renown, even on par with his own master, the Green Forest King. While Jo Hwi might have the upper hand in a one-on-one fight, the numbers were overwhelming.
“I’m Jo Hwi,” he smiled.
Jang Il-ryong, his face blank, looked at him again.
After all, this was the man who had dominated the martial world in just three years.
His uncanny intelligence, and a strategy so brilliant it felt supernatural.
The one man in the world who had earned his true admiration.
Jang Il-ryong, who had never truly respected anyone else in his life, now said earnestly, “I understand, Brother. Stay safe.”
With that, Jang Il-ryong cracked his whip and swung it like reins.
Whip!
“Ugh! Damn it!”
“Ahhh!”
As Jang Il-ryong’s group descended the mountain, Cho Hwi’s new technique left afterimages that quickly faded.
Flash! Flash!
Cho Hwi’s new form, flickering like lightning, surged upward toward the top of the gorge without hesitation.
With cold eyes, Cho Hwi scanned the piles of paper scattered around.
Though it seemed like they’d put some thought into it, it was a foolish move.
Cho Hwi’s iron sword pierced one of the paper piles.
Soon after, he swung the sword, using its momentum to toss the pile down into the gorge.
Using this dazzling new technique, Cho Hwi effortlessly moved around the gorge, throwing the burning paper piles one by one into the gorge below.
It was as if fire was raining from the sky.
In the center of the estate, at the bottom of the gorge, Iron Fist King, who had been watching the spectacle in a daze, screamed out.
“Quickly, block them! Block them with your bodies!”
Hundreds of paper piles were falling, burning.
How could they possibly stop them?
But it was the command of Iron Fist King.
They had no choice but to follow.
The great martial artist, Cheon Sal, barked orders to his subordinates.
“Block them! Even if we have to use our bodies!”
“Yes, Lord!”
The sound of hundreds of warriors scattering in all directions, grabbing their weapons, echoed.
Finally, when the paper piles were within range, all the warriors leapt into the air, using their full strength to launch their internal energy.
The sky was filled with sword barriers, dagger barriers, and shadow techniques.
But, the effect was completely the opposite.
Crack!
The flaming paper piles shattered, scattering all around.
Given the nature of paper, it was a predictable outcome.
“Ughhh!”
“Impossible!”
Everyone’s brains froze in shock.
Like the fireworks bursting on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the sky was filled with fireballs!
In the end, the fire from the paper piles spread to almost every building.
Whoosh!
But that wasn’t the end.
Once again, a strong energy could be felt from the sky!
A massive barrage of sword beams descended from above, like huge claws tearing into the earth.
Iron Fist King clenched his fists with a face twisted in fury.
The fifth technique of the Fire Demon Iron Fist—Flame Heaven Nine Dragons Strike.
Nine powerful beams of force clashed with the dragon’s claws.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The immense pressure caused blood to surge from his throat, but Iron Fist King swallowed it down without showing any sign of distress.
The Seven Deadly Sins were indeed legendary!
Even with just one technique, it was evident how powerful they were.
However, that wasn’t the end.
Screech!
Hundreds of sword balls came from the sky, streaking downward.
Cho Hwi had already learned the strength of these tiny sword balls.
Iron Fist King’s fists gathered the fiery energy of the world.
The third technique of Fire Demon Iron Fist—Ruyi Flame Surge, was most effective when facing multiple enemies.
As Iron Fist King performed the Ruyi Flame Surge, the great warriors of Cheon Sal gathered around him.
Each of them performed their best techniques to counter the sword balls.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The Cheon Sal warriors assisted Iron Fist King’s powerful area-effect technique, desperately trying to block the sword balls, but it was futile.
The sword balls were simply too fast.
Cho Hwi’s target wasn’t even the powerful warriors of Heukcheonryeon.
The sword balls rained down, but only the columns of the buildings were destroyed.
Even though the buildings had already weakened from the fire, they crumbled like sandcastles.
Crack! Squeak!
The fire continued to spread.
Iron Fist King, brushing ash from his singed beard, glared angrily.
“Damn!”
How could someone who claimed to be the greatest martial artist in the world resort to such petty tricks?
And this was the so-called Southern Emperor’s Sword Sect of the Namgung family?
Was this really the famous Namgung Su?
Even the kings of the Black Path wouldn’t do such a thing out of respect for their reputation.
Gritting his teeth, Iron Fist King finally sensed something in his spirit.
The presence of the enemy, which had been hidden, was suddenly felt.
The gaze of Iron Fist King, who had been glaring at the right ridge of the gorge, snapped downward.
He had seen the enemy—at an incredible speed, moving around the estate, wreaking havoc!
With his numerous sword beams, wherever they landed, only destruction followed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bottom of the gorge was a scene from an infernal hell.
“Ahhhhhh!”
Iron Fist King, his eyes bloodshot with rage, leaped from his position.
The Cheon Sal warriors, watching the scene, couldn’t close their gaping mouths.
They were now over fifty meters high on the cliff.
If they fell and landed directly on the estate, the impact would be unimaginable.
However, Iron Fist King used his immense strength to accelerate further.
Boom!
Iron Fist King landed in the courtyard of the estate, trembling with pain but immediately scanning the area.
But then…
There was nothing left.
Soon, with a tight jaw, Iron Fist King extended his spirit sense.
From the far right ridge, he sensed an overwhelming presence!
It was the same spot as before.
Only then did the sight of that white figure’s smile come into view.
His body trembled with rage.
Had he ever been this angry in his life?
Iron Fist King, still hanging from the cliff, raised his internal energy and shouted to the Cheon Sal warriors hanging below.
“Above! He’s right above us!”
But then…
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The cliff where the Cheon Sal warriors were hanging suddenly exploded.
As the dust settled, the marks of the Heavenly Dragon’s claws were revealed, scratched across the cliffside.
Cursing words, which Iron Fist King had never uttered even once since he became famous, spilled from his mouth.
“Son of a bitch!”
And here, in this very place, there was the ruler of the gorge.