Chapter 229: I Will Show You Despair (3)
The fateful clash began.
One of the Five Dragon Generals moved to block Il-gwang, while the other four launched a coordinated attack on Yeon Seo-hwa.
And to the side, the commanders of the two armies clashed.
Clang—!
With a dull roar and soft groans, So-mu and Wanyan Hui both stepped back.
“Ugh.”
“Tch.”
Although both were accumulating injuries, neither had any intention of retreating. They clashed again, locked in a brutal duel.
A life-and-death struggle between two masters of the Realm of Revelation. It was a duel of the century, the likes of which were rarely recorded in the history of the Murim.
Neither seemed to have the upper hand. The sight of them exchanging dozens of sword strikes in a single breath was almost hard to believe as a human battle.
Clang—!
The sound of clashing blades grew faster and echoed continuously.
As the speed reached its peak, a deafening explosion erupted.
Boom—!!!
“Ugh.”
“Arrgh!”
With groans, both were pushed back in opposite directions, their boots dragging against the earth.
Standing thirty feet apart, they took a moment to catch their breath.
Although neither had gained the upper hand, So-mu’s expression actually looked bright.
His racing heart and the threat of death with every exchange felt exhilarating.
“Meeting a worthy opponent is a joy for a martial artist. It’s a pity I must end this now.”
With those words, So-mu drew his sword back over his right shoulder. It was a starting stance completely different from his usual ones.
Wanyan Hui also braced himself, preparing his technique.
“You continue to surprise me. But your swordplay will not work on me.”
He had already analyzed So-mu’s ultimate technique, the Soul-Reaping Swordplay. Thus, he was confident in a clash of techniques.
Yet, he felt an inexplicable unease. Too many of his calculations had been overturned today.
And So-mu’s knowing response only added to his worry.
“Is that so?”
Closing his eyes, So-mu pointed the tip of his sword slowly toward the sky.
The bright sunlight reflected off the blade, illuminating his face.
A crimson sword qi began to gather at the tip. The deep internal energy from his dantian flowed continuously onto the blade.
Sensing something unusual, Wanyan Hui’s face tightened as he prepared his ultimate stance.
“I will stake everything on this strike.”
Since the Five Dragon Generals were losing ground, he couldn’t afford to waste time. It was a make-or-break strike.
Gripping his sword with both hands, he lowered his stance. He looked like a wild beast preparing to pounce on its prey.
A massive amount of blue internal energy erupted around him, coiling and glowing brightly.
The two took a final breath as they held their stances.
After another breath.
Wanyan Hui sprang forward like lightning.
Ta-at!
His speed was indeed electrical.
At that moment, So-mu’s eyes snapped open. Simultaneously, his sword, infused to the limit with internal energy, let out a screeching cry.
Limitless Flash. It was the first stance of the Heaven-Shattering Swordplay, which consisted of three stances.
A strange phenomenon occurred along the path of the blade. The air warped, tearing through the space in front of him.
To counter it, Wanyan Hui unleashed his sword qi like a tidal wave.
In an instant, a gale of blades swept across the field as the two figures crossed paths.
Boom—!!!
Although the clash felt long, it all happened in the blink of an eye.
They stood back-to-back on the devastated plain, motionless.
A stifling silence ensued.
After a moment, one of them stumbled.
Cough!
Blood erupted from Wanyan Hui’s mouth.
Blood flowed like a stream through the cracks in his armor. He had sustained a fist-sized puncture wound.
His right hand trembled as he struggled to hold his broken sword.
Although it was a wound that would have killed anyone instantly, his superhuman body refused to let him die just yet.
He turned his head with difficulty to look at So-mu. Unlike him, So-mu had only sustained a minor internal injury.
“What… what martial art is this…?”
Wishing to know the technique that had defeated him was the instinct of a martial artist of his level.
“Heaven-Shattering Swordplay.”
Wanyan Hui looked up at the sky with a satisfied expression.
He wanted to gaze at the clouds drifting in the blue sky one last time.
“A swordplay that shatters the heavens… Quite magnificent.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“What more is there to say? Finish it. I have no desire to remain in this tedious world any longer.”
So-mu had no intention of delaying either.
The large-scale massacres and looting Wanyan Hui had committed in the conquered territories were unforgivable.
Pointed at the sky, So-mu’s sword tilted diagonally.
“Wanyan Hui, Grand General of the Hui Dynasty. I will now hold you accountable for bathing the world in blood.”
Wanyan Hui let out a bitter laugh, offering a final word.
“Do not be arrogant. You will meet the Leader soon. You will experience hell.”
He had confirmed that the Emperor of the Hui Dynasty and the Leader of the Neo-Demonic Cult were the same person.
Since this was already widely suspected, So-mu was not surprised.
There was no need for further words. Taking a step forward with his left foot, So-mu drew his sword back.
And with a single breath.
Inhale.
His sword swung rapidly, slashing through the air. Dozens of rays of light blossomed in front of him.
It looked like a flower blooming. But unlike its beautiful appearance, each petal carried terrifying lethality.
Blooming Calamity. It was the second stance of the Heaven-Shattering Swordplay.
Engulfed by the petals, Wanyan Hui’s body began to disintegrate.
He did not scream even at the end. He merely wore a knowing smile, as if welcoming death.
A moment later, his body turned to red dust, drifting across the plain. Neither his body nor his armor remained.
‘Well, this consumes too much internal energy to use often.’
It was the first time he had used the stance in actual combat. Although its power was satisfying, it left him exhausted.
Looking around, the other generals had been handled.
The four Five Dragon Generals who had attacked Yeon Seo-hwa lay dead on the ground. Their deaths had been far more gruesome than Wanyan Hui’s.
And the general who had fought Il-gwang had suffered the most. Even now, he was being pummeled as he lay on the ground. Il-gwang’s fist continued to strike the man’s face, burying it into the dirt.
Thud—! Thud—!
Like a hammer, he struck the same spot dozens of times. He was likely taking out his anger at Ma Xu on this unfortunate general.
At a glance, the man was already dead.
Yeon Seo-hwa pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her hands.
“That’s enough. What if So-so copies you?”
At her voice, Il-gwang’s hand stopped instantly.
“I… I lost my temper for a moment, Sister-in-law.”
Amused by his sudden transformation into a gentle lamb, Yeon Seo-hwa chuckled before speaking seriously.
“Don’t just call me sister-in-law. Set the wedding date soon. My sister is waiting for you to ask.”
“Re-really…?”
So-mu walked over and patted Il-gwang’s shoulder.
“She is right. I know you miss her, but we must end this war quickly first.”
Il-gwang clenched his fists, looking energized.
“I’ll return to the battlefield first!”
“We will follow shortly.”
Turning, he ran back toward the battlefield.
Watching his back, Yeon Seo-hwa couldn’t help but laugh.
“My word. He is so simple and slow-witted. How can I trust him with my sister?”
The smile remained on So-mu’s face.
“That is his charm.”
“Anyway, are you alright? You look pale.”
“It’s nothing. I can manage.”
It was due to the internal injury from the final clash. While not severe, he needed to circulate his qi.
“Sit down. I will help you.”
In the past, helping him circulate his qi would have been impossible, but now that she had reached the Talma realm, it was easy.
After a moment of hesitation, So-mu sat cross-legged in front of his wife.
By now, the Allies would have secured victory. Since the outcome was decided, there was no rush. The shouts of victory echoing from afar confirmed it.
Fifteen minutes later, Yeon Seo-hwa removed her palms from his back.
“I’ve discovered the secret of the True One-Heart Flute Melody.”
So-mu was curious.
He had only heard that it was a duet containing the power to rule the world. Rumors even claimed it was a score left by immortals.
Although skeptical, he had always been curious about the truth. He wondered why those with the Immortal Music Physique were so obsessed with it.
“What is the secret?”
“This duet can move people’s hearts. And animals as well.”
She spoke casually, but the implications were massive.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Wild animals gathered and danced in front of So-so. Can you believe it?”
Animals dancing. It was hard to believe, but his wife had no reason to lie.
“Can Dalong do it too?”
“No. It won’t work on spiritual beasts like Dalong, or those with more than sixty years of internal energy.”
That meant anyone with less than sixty years of internal energy could be controlled.
If her words were true, it was a power that could cause a massive stir in the world. However, he couldn’t be sure of the consequences yet.
Still, it was worth researching.
“That is indeed amazing. We should be cautious until we understand it better.”
Nodding, Yeon Seo-hwa stood up.
“I have no intention of playing it for the time being. It leaves me exhausted. Anyway, I am returning now. My daughter must be waiting for dinner.”
Her role was finished. Since all enemies who knew of her Talma realm were dead, there was no need for her to return to the battlefield and display her power.
“Yes. Once Luoyang is captured, the relief squad will depart from Chang’an. Come up with So-so then.”
“Isn’t it basically captured already?”
Since Wanyan Hui and the Five Dragon Generals were dead, the outcome was decided.
So-mu wore a knowing smile as he said goodbye.
“Well… basically. It will be wrapped up soon, so see you then.”
“Take care.”
Exchanging glances, the couple parted, leaping in opposite directions.
Soon, the smile vanished from So-mu’s face. While pleased as a commander, he felt a pang of sorrow for what was to come.
Slaughtering the retreating enemies. But it was necessary.
Upon returning to the battlefield, the situation was exactly as expected.
The Hui soldiers were fleeing toward Luoyang, pursued relentlessly by the Allies, who showed no mercy.
How could there be mercy in the cruelty of war?
‘The True One-Heart Flute Melody… A duet that can move people’s hearts? If only it could rid people of greed. If that were possible, wars like this wouldn’t happen.’
But So-mu knew that was a foolish hope.
Sighing, So-mu dashed into the battlefield. Although he had no stomach for it, he couldn’t stand aside as the commander.