Chapter 211: The Strength of Three House Guests
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Chapter 211 – The Strength of Three Guest Retainer
Gal Jung-heon realized that questions and answers were meaningless.
The act of drawing their swords first and the answer that they needn’t know.
Naked hostility.
That’s right.
Unconditional silencing – that must be their purpose.
Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon, having similarly felt that, hesitated no further.
Along with chilling sword cries.
SEUREU-NG, SEUREUREUNG-
The Heaven Reliance Sword, called a peerless famous sword, and the Enchanting Flower Sword, a divine treasure among the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons, each revealed their sharp naked blades.
Following that.
CHING-
Gal Jung-heon, having swiftly drawn the Demon-Devouring Sword, said.
“I ask again. This will be your last chance.”
Simultaneously, the eyes of the three clad in black cloaks changed completely.
It was transmitted through sharp sensory perception.
The eerie energy lurking within Gal Jung-heon’s body.
It was dark.
Like infinite darkness.
As if pitch-black darkness itself had transformed into a person.
At that moment.
The cloaked figure standing in the center quietly murmured.
“A demonic person… How interesting.”
Any ordinary martial artist would have been immediately intimidated.
Instead, the three cloaked figures gripping iron swords emitted even thicker killing intent.
Under the shadows cast by their wide-brimmed bamboo hats, there was no fear or anxiety in their faces.
Only murderous intent existed.
Their pride in their respective martial prowess seemed considerable.
Gal Jung-heon, having tilted his sword, continued speaking.
“Did you come looking for the fortuitous encounter in that pond?”
At that, the cloaked figure in the center cast his gaze toward the distance.
He saw the form of Cheol Ryu-heun floating one zhang in the air above the vast pond.
The white mountain pattern embroidered on the blood-stained black garments was captured in his eyes.
“White Peak Sword Sect?”
At the cloaked figure’s quiet words, the two cloaked figures standing to his left and right nodded.
“So it seems.”
“Indeed… It was a place where a fortuitous encounter from the previous generation was arranged.”
Immediately after, the central cloaked figure emitted murderous eyes.
“We leave only one alive.”
At that, the other two also added cold voices as if in agreement.
“Yes. We need to find out.”
“Then after that… we kill.”
Following that, the cloaks of the three lightly fluttered.
FLUTTER… FLUTTER…
KUREUREUNG-
The atmosphere in the space vibrated.
It was the effect of the three’s internal power steeply rising.
The force pressing down on the air was heavy.
Peak-level masters.
But Gal Jung-heon’s expression showed no change.
“So that is your answer.”
Rather, he spoke composedly and raised the Demon-Devouring Sword.
“Then we too must respond in kind.”
Hegemonic momentum hidden within a simple motion.
That wasn’t all.
The temperament of discipline and dignity ingrained in his body through long years of training was also stirring.
Moreover.
Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon also immediately assumed sword-drawing stances and radiated solemn formless force.
The two had awakened the potential of the Nine-Grade Martial Bones and the Heavenly Demon Incarnation Body.
That appeared as the majesty of their sword-drawing stances.
They had merely raised their swords straight, yet the surrounding air felt as if it was heavily sinking.
The three cloaked figures also sensed that.
Slightly changed gazes.
At first, they had considered the demonic person the primary target for elimination, but they now perceived that the young man and woman were also formidable existences.
<It wasn’t just him.>
<If subduing them proves difficult… carry out extermination.>
<And then seal it and leave.>
Thus the three conversed through transmitted voice whispers and each loaded tremendous true energy into their swords.
WOONG, WOOWOONG…
Iron swords that couldn’t be more ordinary.
However, the sharp formless energy enveloping the blades was terrifying enough to evoke famous swords.
The central cloaked figure shouted like a command through transmitted voice.
<Cut the grass and remove the roots!>
Cut the grass and pull out the roots.
Meaning one should preemptively eliminate anything that might become worrying.
PAT- PAPAT, PAT-!
Six people moved simultaneously.
JJEOJEOJEONG- JJENG- JEOJEONG!
Amid the metallic sounds bursting wildly from their exchanged sword strikes.
‘Strong.’
The cloaked figure who was exchanging sword techniques with Namgung Sang-rin was inwardly impressed.
The Heaven Reliance Sword’s formidable sword energy and the transmitted vibration were heavy.
Of course, he continued moving his hands.
KANG, KAKANG, KANG-!
Along with rough metallic sounds.
PEOHEOEONG…!
Currents ceaselessly derived from between the clashing swords.
Heat haze resembling large circular ripples.
Thus, violently colliding sword forces repeatedly shook the atmosphere and generated strong winds.
A phenomenon reflecting the impact of formidable energies.
Midway, the cloaked figure thought.
‘It was a treasure!’
A precious sword that met a good master.
That’s right.
Most likely a rare treasure of the ages.
Just looking at the blade’s sturdiness in deflecting force, one could tell.
Currently, the power the cloaked figure himself was exerting was at a level capable of destroying even Meteoric iron.
Not an easy opponent.
However, the case of defeat was not in his calculations.
WIING-!
The trembling of the blade cutting through wind – that sound suddenly changed.
Because the sword energy’s power was enhanced by injecting a tremendous amount of true energy.
A vertical strike.
In response, the Heaven Reliance Sword swiftly rose up.
KKAAAAANG- KKWAWOOWOONG-!
Their sword forces collided and rang out with an explosive sound.
SWAY.
At the precarious moment when Namgung Sang-rin’s upper body tilted backward.
WIING-!
The iron sword swung by the cloaked figure rushed forward accompanied by trembling.
A thrust fired like a beam of light.
The surrounding space seemed to crumple transparently from the tremendous force.
A touch-and-go moment.
A single sword strike aimed at his defenseless chest.
At that moment.
KKUNG!
Namgung Sang-rin, having pulled one foot back and kicked the ground, regained his balance and immediately swung up the sword in his right hand.
Blue sharp energy surged up.
A single sword strike of astonishing speed.
JJEOGEOEO-NG- KWAHAAANG!
Along with a fearsome sound, the cloaked figure was quickly flung backward by one zhang.
‘HEUP!’
JIIIIK, JIIIIIIK-
When the cloaked figure scraped the ground with his soles to stop his form.
PAPAK-
Namgung Sang-rin had already approached to within three feet and thrust out his sword.
A blade enveloped in blue heat haze.
Sword energy evocative of azure heaven flew in.
A charging sword technique like tearing off a piece of the blue sky and throwing it.
When the startled cloaked figure hurriedly raised his sword.
KKWAKWANG!
An enormously loud explosion burst out.
“EUEUM!”
Along with a short sound, the cloaked figure’s body rapidly retreated again.
Just now, the single strike Namgung Sang-rin had executed was the technique Flying Heaven Azure Shadow Sword from the Azure Heaven Great Revolution Sword Art, the essence of Namgung Household’s martial arts.
The power was outrageously tremendous.
His cloak, torn here and there, fluttered in tatters.
Was that all?
His insides were also shaken.
In other words, his energy meridians and blood vessels had received a shock.
‘What kind of power…!’
Yet his expression remained unshaken.
As if he didn’t feel his body’s pain.
Namgung Sang-rin’s pressing offensive surged continuously.
KKANG, KKAKKANG, KKANG- PEONG, PEOPEONG, PEONG-!
Blue heat haze spread ceaselessly.
Thus, more than ten exchanges passed in an instant.
The cloaked figure stumbling precariously, busy retreating.
The battle situation had reversed.
Namgung Sang-rin’s outstanding martial might, having achieved internal power increase and bone-muscle strengthening through awakening the Nine-Grade Martial Bones, was truly at a formidable level.
SSWAESSYANG-!
Azure sword energy flew in again.
The Heaven Reliance Sword had transformed into a dragon.
Magnificent movements that roamed the blue sky were imbued within.
JJENG- KWAKWANG!
The cloaked figure retreated yet again.
Like a leaf blown by the wind.
Immediately after.
PAAAAAA-!
Namgung Sang-rin, having instantly closed the distance, quickly thrust out the Heaven Reliance Sword.
CHYUCHYUK!
A chilling sound simultaneously with spurting bright red blood.
The cloaked figure’s left arm was cleanly severed.
TEOLPEODEOK-
The arm that fell to the ground wildly scattered blood.
In a flash.
PEOPEOPEOPEONG-!
The consecutive sword energy the cloaked figure expelled through his sword tip exploded.
Namgung Sang-rin’s form, having swiftly defended against the attack, was pushed back more than ten paces by the rebound force.
‘What is this?’
It was strange.
An incomprehensible situation.
Even with his arm severed, there was absolutely no reaction accompanying pain.
‘Does he not feel pain?’
Furthermore, that martial might was also suspicious.
The power contained in the desperate consecutive sword energy the cloaked figure had just executed was at a level approaching the ranks of the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province and the Six Extremes of Hubei.
More precisely, it was power comparable to Jade Qilin Yeo Yong-jeo, who had been defeated by Cheol Ryu-heun.
It was surprising.
However.
Namgung Sang-rin was confident of victory.
Why?
Because his current martial prowess has rapidly grown to a level that could easily be included in the ranks of the Five Martial Paragons and Six Polar Stars.
“You cannot defeat me.”
Namgung Sang-rin, having boldly spoken, charged.
PAPAPAPAPA-
The gap compressed at once.
Azure Heaven Great Revolution Sword Art’s brilliant technique, linked with swift and marvelous footwork, unfolded through the Heaven Reliance Sword.
Azure Sword Filling Heaven Energy.
The sharp blade broadly spread forth the color of the azure sky.
SHWISHWISHWISHWISHWI-!
Behold.
Heaven is here.
The azure energy that spread following the sword tip surged fiercely forward.
A small patch of sky had appeared.
Piercing through the dark night.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG-!
Amid the tumultuous roar shaking the space in all directions, Hae Su-yeon was also claiming the upper hand.
CHWARARARARAK, CHWARARARARAK-
Her body spinning round and round, with her skirt hem spreading wide, the blade swayed like flower petals.
The sword lights emitted by the Enchanting Flower Sword’s unique red blade.
CHAECHAECHAECHAECHAENG- PAPAPAPAPANG-!
The cloaked figure who blocked a series of rotating sword strikes rapidly retreated.
Then.
RETCH.
He lowered his head and spewed blood.
The aftereffect of internal injury.
Yet his expression was not one of pain.
Seeing that, Hae Su-yeon felt puzzled while launching her body.
FLUTTER FLUTTER-
She, having fluttered her skirt hem, reached before her opponent in an instant.
CHARARARARARAT-!
Sword techniques moving as if dancing a sword dance.
It was utterly impossible to discern the reality hidden within the feints.
Blade movements like countless red petals and butterflies spawning.
Brilliant and fierce.
Outwardly beautiful, but chilling for the person facing those sword techniques.
The cloaked figure wielding his sword in response felt dizzy in his head.
Inevitably so.
Because of the Enchanting energy Hae Su-yeon had attained upon reaching a new realm.
In all those movements, the power of seduction was loaded.
A powerful bewitching essence.
When the mind becomes confused, the hand movements become confused too.
Then how could he properly execute defensive sword techniques?
CHWACHWACHWACHWACHWOK, CHWACHWACHWACHWACHWACHOK!
Countless blood lines carved into the cloaked figure’s flesh.
Crimson blood fountains spurted up strand by strand.
The Enchanting Flower Sword’s offense, reminiscent of a completed sword dance, showed no mercy.
TEOLSEOK…
The blood-soaked cloaked figure finally collapsed and lay on the ground.
A thread-like breath could be heard.
That told him.
That the match was virtually over.
On the other side, Gal Jung-heon was also overwhelming the mysterious enemy.
KWAKWANG!
Simultaneously with the Demon-Devouring Sword’s gloomy demonic energy exploding.
KKUNG- JJEOJEOJEK!
The cloaked figure flew backward and slammed his back into the cliff.
“KULEOK…!”
The cloaked figure, having suffered external as well as internal injuries, coughed blood, and in that moment Gal Jung-heon closed in from the front.
PUUUOOK-!
The sword tip thrust into his left shoulder.
The cloaked figure disregarded it and moved sideways.
TUDUDUDUK…
A chilling sound of his left arm being completely torn off, starting from the shoulder where the blade had deeply penetrated.
TUK-!
The arm that fell to the ground rapidly rotted away, exposing bone.
Gal Jung-heon, tilting his gripped sword, turned his head with relaxed eyes.
“Wise decision.”
He was praising the man’s instantaneous choice to forcefully tear off one arm and evade before his whole body rotted away.
Not just anyone could do that.
Setting aside the level of martial might, it was a bold decision.
However, Gal Jung-heon knew.
That it was possible because he was insensitive to pain.
The cloaked figure, having pressed blood vessels to stop the bleeding, let out a quiet voice.
“The Demon-Devouring Sword, one of the Four Great Demonic Weapons… Who on earth are you?”
“You needn’t know.”
At Gal Jung-heon’s words, the cloaked figure sneered.
“HU. Throwing back the same words.”
“The martial might comparable to powerful figures in the region… That was impressive.”
“Don’t think this is the end.”
The cloaked figure adjusted his stance and raised his full-body internal power.
KUNG, KUKUNG… KUKUNG… JJEOJEOJEK… JJEOJEK… JJEOK, JJEOJEOJEK…
The atmosphere vibrating fiercely and the ground chaotically cracking.
Such a series of phenomena evidenced the cloaked figure’s formidable martial might level.
At that moment, the Demon-Devouring Sword cried out.
WOONG-
The gray current that arose along the blade created a massive hungry ghost shape.
An enormous size.
So large it couldn’t all be taken in at a glance.
It was as if the incarnation of a hungry ghost had descended.
-KEUKKEUK… Good prey! Let’s eat quickly! Chew and swallow! KEUKKEUK… KEUKEUKKEUK…
Following the blood-curdling sound, Gal Jung-heon hardened his gaze coldly and said.
“I must see your face distort.”