Chapter 236: Heaven Beyond Heaven
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Chapter 236 – Heaven Beyond Heaven Shattering Sword Style
Suddenly, an eerie sound resonated.
PIPIT, PIT, PIPIT-
The moment Ximen Yue heard that spine-chilling sound, his eyes widened greatly.
‘NO!’
His pupils shook as if reflecting the turmoil in his heart.
That was understandable…
Already enveloped in astonishment, something impossible was happening again.
The white current that is currently generated outside Cheol Ryu-heun’s body.
Like countless hooks rising and dancing in waves – it was none other than the Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique.
“First Seat also wore an expression of astonishment just like you now.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s words, Ximen Yue felt a chill in his heart.
It was real.
He hadn’t just convincingly imitated the form of the energy enveloping his body.
Ximen Yue knew better than anyone.
That only one who had perfectly understood the essence of Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique’s formulas could operate this current.
In the first place, imitation itself was an impossible cultivation.
Therefore, Ximen Yue had no room for doubt.
Though it didn’t have the dark attribute of demonic energy…
Through that, he realized one more thing.
‘He also learned Yang Heart Divine Art!’
Having inwardly exclaimed, Ximen Yue momentarily lost focus in his pupils.
He had already mastered the true transmissions of Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon’s Four Dragon Sword Forms, along with Sword Emperor Buk Ga-sin, Evil Emperor Yul Cheon, and Martial Immortal Dongbang Ya’s true transmissions, yet knew even the successive Sun Moon Demon Cult Patriarch’s secret demonic studies on top of that…
What on earth was this guy?
Had he become thoroughly versed in all martial arts past and present through his fortuitous encounter?
There was surely no way Aryun-nan had taught him.
When something utterly incomprehensible occurs, people instinctively feel the urge to deny reality.
Ximen Yue was the same.
His body warned it was real, but his head screamed it was fake.
I must find out!
Until I feel that power with my own body, I cannot easily accept it!
At that moment.
PAT-
Cheol Ryu-heun’s form suddenly vanished.
Simultaneously, Ximen Yue spun his body and brought the Wind Blowing Sword down vertically to the right.
CHWAAAAAAAAT- SYUUUUUUUT-!
Following the keen trajectory, a sword technique was executed as if a great fan made of hooks was fully unfurling.
It was one of the four absolute techniques within Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique, called Sun Moon Spirit Demon Scatter.
Right in that direction, Cheol Ryu-heun was thrusting out the Gan Jiang.
The collision of sword stances loaded with massive internal power.
PEOPEOPEOPEOPEONG!
Sun Moon Spirit Demon Scatter scattered wildly as its name suggested.
Not the spreading wondrous application inherent to the sword technique – it was because it had been mercilessly shattered by the opponent’s sword stance.
Pushed back, Ximen Yue frowned.
‘KEUK!’
It was a terrifying sword power that had driven in through an instant’s gap.
But then.
PAT-
Cheol Ryu-heun vanished in an instant.
Ximen Yue reflexively turned around and deployed another sword technique.
But it was a bit late.
JJEOEOEOOEONG!
Metallic clanging echoed through the forest.
KKWAANG-!
The instant a tremendous explosion shook the surrounding air.
WAJIKEUN!
Ximen Yue flew backward and collided with an old tree.
He didn’t fall.
But the fierce single sword’s power had overturned some of his blood and meridians.
‘EUUEUK!’
At that moment, the flow of air behind him changed.
Ximen Yue, his heart sinking, spun his body around again.
Sure enough. Cheol Ryu-heun had closed in right beside him.
It was Supreme lightness technique.
An incomprehensible movement speed.
The white sword energy that shot out sharply was also too fast.
The Gan Jiang FLASHED and released light.
Two massive energies reminiscent of the sun and moon pattern.
A scene as if the blazing sun and moon had descended to earth and charged in.
A lightning-fast sword stance rushing in from both left and right, harmonizing the yang heat representing the sun and yin chill representing the moon.
Ximen Yue immediately recognized it.
That it was one of the supreme absolute techniques within Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique that he himself had employed earlier.
Sun Moon Twin Demon Mirror Manifestation.
That’s right.
It was terrifying sword energy uniting White Peak Sword Sect’s internal cultivation method and the unique essence of Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique.
PEOPEOPEOPEOPEONG!
A noisy explosion rang out.
PIPING- KKWAKWANG!
The boulder behind him was destroyed.
Ximen Yue had struck it with his back after being pushed by sword power.
His internal meridians were shaken again.
‘KKEU…!’
It was truly perfect.
Cheol Ryu-heun’s execution of the Sun Moon Twin Demon Mirror Manifestation.
Aside from not having demonic energy attributes, it was essence and wondrous application without any flaw.
Ximen Yue immediately switched his cultivation method’s energy.
Instantly converting internal power attributes.
Thus, the Ximen Family’s cultivation method breathed pure energy into his body’s meridians.
It strained his body.
TINGLING.
As the demonic energy was rapidly replaced.
That was a kind of risk factor accompanying Yang Heart Divine Art.
The transformation’s influence would cause qi deviation in anyone who wasn’t a genius like Ximen Yue…
‘AGAIN!’
Ximen Yue intended to face Cheol Ryu-heun with the Ximen Family’s sword studies.
PAPANG-!
When Ximen Yue stomped his foot hard, the ground was deeply gouged like a pit.
Having instantly closed the gap, he thrust out his right-hand Wind Blowing Sword.
SSWAEYEYEYEYEYEYAEK-!
The sword’s energy transformed into a massive gale and advanced.
Heavenly Net One Wind Sword.
Again, the ultimate technique within Heavenly Wind Thirteen Swords, the family’s absolute learning, revealed its majesty.
Not to be outdone, Cheol Ryu-heun’s Gan Jiang also sprayed white light.
White sword energy unifying sword wind’s pressure and sword energy’s power charged head-on.
A thrust like an enormous mountain charging forward whole.
It was one of White Peak Sword Art’s absolute techniques, Mountain Coming.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG!
The collision of two absolute techniques created a thunderous sound.
WOBBLE.
Ximen Yue’s body swayed precariously and was pushed backward.
Thus, just as he retreated a dozen steps, Cheol Ryu-heun rushed in like a gale.
Mountain Spirit.
White Peak Sword Art’s second absolute sword technique was executed.
As if the spirit protecting the mountain was swinging a horizontal slash wrapped in white mist.
Before the rushing white sword energy reminiscent of a peak, Ximen Yue’s Wind Blowing Sword drew a swift and complex trajectory
A large, round sword shadow and 2 9th formation wrapped around his body.
An elegant defensive sword path skill, the Sword Curtain.
Moreover, it was even accompanied by demonic energy.
At some point, he had again changed the attribute of energy within his body.
Instead of sword energy, the hook-shaped demonic energy symbolizing Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique protected his form.
It was a moment when his genius nature was displayed once more.
A Sword Curtain executing the essence of both offense and defense simultaneously – its aura was magnificent.
However,
PEOPEOPEOPEONG- KWAKWAKWAKWANG-!
When Mountain Spirit struck that Sword Curtain, weak points were exposed.
A strand of white sword energy wormed through a small gap and delivered a heavy impact.
‘EUUEUK!’
Ximen Yue, having been knocked backward hard, desperately steadied his body and kicked off the ground.
Also,
Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique’s absolute technique harmonized with his movement.
GOOOOO-
Pressure that terrifyingly bore down on the space.
The sword energy split into two branches.
The great energies of Sun Yang and Moon Yin.
Sun Moon Twin Demon Mirror Manifestation.
Right at that instant, complete defense took position around Cheol Ryu-heun’s form.
A strange Sword Curtain.
Not sword shadows, but hook-shaped heat haze wrapped around his body and rotated.
It was admirable.
To utilize Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique for a Sword Curtain as he himself did.
It even felt more solid.
KKWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG…!
Sure enough, he couldn’t pierce the opponent’s shield.
All the power he had painstakingly poured out was completely blocked.
No.
It felt as if it was being swallowed whole.
As soon as the shield finished appearing, a torrent of sword energy rushed in.
A heavy attack following solid defense.
At that moment, Ximen Yue felt awe.
He knew well what that broad-ranging sword stance fiercely rushing toward him was.
Mountain Road.
The third absolute technique within White Peak Sword Art.
The skill that had blocked his absolute technique when the tide was about to turn earlier – that was Mountain Road.
As if a huge white mountain was enraged and shaking, countless sword energies bent irregularly and invaded Ximen Yue’s space.
KKWARERERERERERERUNG!
A thunderous sound shook in all directions.
Ximen Yue’s form, swept up in the fierce shockwave, flew backward.
KWANG- KKWADEUDEUK!
His body was stuffed into a large boulder.
This was a shock he had never experienced before.
He finally realized.
Cheol Ryu-heun had not yet used his maximum internal power.
So this was it.
That guy’s true power…
Fleeing was impossible in this situation.
Cheol Ryu-heun’s astonishing movements were at a level that ignored eyesight, ki sense, and everything else, so there was no option other than fighting to the end.
In the blink of an eye.
SSWAESSYOK!
A sharp sword tip flew toward Ximen Yue’s face.
KKWADEUDEUK- KUHAAANG!
The boulder shattered completely like powder.
Also,
The forest in the sword stance’s line of direction was destroyed in a straight line and scattered.
Unprecedented sword power that swept away dozens of zhang.
Ximen Yue, barely dodging it, was momentarily dazed.
‘THAT…!’
But Cheol Ryu-heun didn’t allow time for thought.
The Gan Jiang that had quietly closed the gap tapped the surface of Ximen Yue’s Wind Blowing Sword.
TING-
It was too weak a sound.
Yet.
HUUK-
Ximen Yue’s form suddenly flew backward with force, shattering countless old trees in a row.
KWAKWANG, KWAKWAKWANG, KWAKWANG, UJIK, UJIJIK, UJIK…!
Before long, he collapsed face-down on the ground.
“KEOH… HEOH…!”
His mind was dizzy.
What was that sword strike just now?
It approached as lightly as a feather, then struck the inside of his body as heavily as an enormous boulder.
It was a sword technique of wondrous application reminiscent of an elegant immortal’s movements.
A strange technique harmonizing flowing sword path and heavy sword power.
Approaching while deceiving ki sense and then displaying covert tremendous strength…
Soon Cheol Ryu-heun revealed himself not far ahead and spoke.
“It’s the Ultimate Immortal Sword Technique, the Martial Immortal Dongbang Ya’s true transmission.”
Hearing those words, Ximen Yue raised his body.
That he could stand like this was amazing.
‘KEUK… So that was it! The Ultimate Immortal Sword Technique, said to be the ultimate immortal path sword technique…!’
Resentful emotion invaded his chest.
Cheol Ryu-heun didn’t move further and let out a dismissive voice.
“Getting the picture now?”
You cannot handle me.
That was the meaning.
Ximen Yue, standing firm in that spot, gripped the Wind Blowing Sword hilt with force.
Any other master would have already fainted.
WUNG-
Again the Wind Blowing Sword cried out.
As if responding to its owner’s resolute will…
Again Cheol Ryu-heun spoke in an indifferent voice.
“A genius is a genius.”
It sounded like praise, but to Ximen Yue, it was rather a great humiliation.
Heaven Beyond Heaven.
They say there’s another heaven above heaven.
Cheol Ryu-heun was such a person.
His ability could not be expressed or defined by terms like genius, prodigy, or martial genius that common people often used.
‘WHY DID HEAVEN…!’
The fact that such a martial artist had appeared in the same era was simply resentful.
That resentment in his heart moved his exhausted body.
PAK!
Ximen Yue charged forward like an arrow, then with a PEONG! sound, was fiercely knocked backward.
JJEOK- KKUUWOONG…
Him crashing into a tree again.
Now all strength was depleted.
Nevertheless, he raised his body.
KAKAK!
Using his sword as a cane.
Having thus stood upright, Ximen Yue’s body trembled violently.
Finally, the accumulated aftereffects of internal injuries exploded.
KULLEOK!
Bright crimson blood gushing out of his mouth along with a cough.
TEOLPEODDEOK.
“KEOK!”
Let out a pained sound as Ximen Yue collapsed to the ground.
He even lost grip of his sword.
He had no more strength to hold it.
But
He kept his head raised straight and sharply glared at Cheol Ryu-heun’s expressionless face.
“Your maximum internal power… exceeded my predictions. I admit it. However, if I’d been given time… I too would have reached such a level…”
“Maximum internal power? It wasn’t even half.”
When Cheol Ryu-heun indifferently cut him off, Ximen Yue’s complexion turned pale white.
“……!”
Light of disbelief formed in his jet-black eyes.
Could this be, that power wasn’t even half of his internal power?
Cheol Ryu-heun paid no heed and continued speaking.
“Well, it was the same then too, but there was absolutely no genuine intent in your killing desire. You were merely exaggerating with fighting spirit and force.”
“WHAT…?”
“You didn’t kill them. So Dae-ah’s group.”
So Dae-ah, the merchant from Hunan Province’s Bugye who had accumulated great wealth by handing over the true transmission Ghost Shadow Sword Technique of the Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost Eum Ryun to White Snake Head Sword Gul Ma-hun, the Leader of the Thousand Snake Gang…
In the past, Ximen Yue had attacked that group to secure information but hadn’t committed murder.
“How did you… know that?”
At Ximen Yue’s quiet question, Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged his shoulders.
“After determining that the Sun Moon Demon Cult spy was you, I mobilized an information organization to quickly look into it.”
Then a bitter smile spread at the corner of Ximen Yue’s mouth.
“KEUK… So First Seat really did talk. So then… What are you trying to say?”
“If I were you, meaning if I wasn’t White Peak Sword Sect Leader, I would have just killed them all.”
“……!”
Ximen Yue was inwardly startled.
That guy, is he really White Peak Sword Gentleman Sagong Woon’s disciple?
He sure says such things without even blinking.
“How many have you killed so far?”
“……”
“None, right. That means it’s not too late yet.”
“Not too late?”
“It means there exists a true nature that reflexively resists the corrupt demonic heart. You’ve completed the demonic art but are not yet complete as a demonic person.”
“……”
“Your character changed only in the last few years it seems, and that was because the demonic heart grew as the demonic energy bestowed by the Sun Moon Demon Cult Patriarch took effect.”
“SHUT UP! What would you know…”
“Shut up and listen.”
“……!”
“From the start, you were a guy incapable of being ruthless. You just carelessly dabbled in demonic energy and then strutted around all bunched up with pointless venom and stubbornness. I’ll first cleanly extract the demonic energy permeating your body.”
“WHA, WHAT DO YOU…”
“Then I’ll judge. Whether you’re a guy worth fixing up and using, or not.”