Chapter 282: There's No One But Me

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A rectangular, spacious garden.

In this place where exotic flowers and unusual plants distinctive to the south were positioned like a folding screen, a middle-aged man was executing sword moves.

CHWIRIK, CHWIRIRIRI, CHWIRIRIRI- PANG, PAHAAANG, PAPANG-!

The aura of sword tips piercing through air in succession.

It was sword wind that felt even sharper than sword energy.

That in turn meant that his personal swordsmanship study had reached a level above a certain standard.

CHWIT, CHWICHWIIT, CHWIT, CHWICHWIIT- PANG, PAPANG, PA, PAPANG-!

Each time his sword tip split the air, the piercing sounds rang out even more sharply, and the air surrounding him created tremors.

It was thrusting sword moves that made your heart feel like it would be pierced just from hearing the sounds alone.

No one was here.

He was just swinging his sword alone.

Perhaps he was trying to newly refine the sword moves ingrained in his body.

As part of training.

Indeed, that was one of the middle-aged man’s long-standing habits.

A famous habit repeated at the same time every day.

Among people who knew him well.

SSWAEAEK- PEOHEONG!

He struck and tore through the atmosphere by releasing sword wind with only thrusting moves.

Yet that power was strong enough to rival sword energy.

Just by looking at his thrusting alone, one could easily tell.

That the level of martial arts achieved by the swordsman was supreme.

The middle-aged man with a long beard, profound eye light, and distinct features was none other than Murong Kang.

One of the Five Elegants of Jiangxi, the current Family Head of the Murong Family, and owner of the epithet Thrusting Sword Elegant Scholar.

Befitting a renowned powerhouse, a mighty intangible aura pulsed throughout his entire body.

His techniques as well.

PAPANG, PANG, PAPANG, PANG…!

In the sword wind continuously released, power difficult to measure was loaded, displaying fierceness.

Soon, his movement stopped.

“SEUEUP.”

Murong Kang regulated his breathing and sheathed his sword while muttering.

“Huuu, I still have a long way to go. Yes, still…”

Was it lamentation about the insufficiency of his martial arts?

If any ordinary person heard, they would click their tongue saying it was talk from a full belly.

Because Thrusting Sword Elegant Scholar Murong Kang was genuinely the top master of the orthodox faction within the Jiangxi region.

But generally, that’s the nature of martial arts study.

There is no end to learning.

The more you know, the higher your expectations rise instead of satisfaction.

So you keep panting, yearning for new heights in martial learning.

No, is it only martial arts study that’s like that?

The fundamental issue probably stems from people’s endless greed.

Murong Kang, who had been gazing at the night sky, let out a wry smile.

‘Heheh, I too am a person who doesn’t know satisfaction. But what can I do? I can only struggle with thirst for achievement until I die… that’s the fate of a martial world person and a Family Head.’

Suddenly, one person’s face flashed through his mind.

An elderly man with a long beard like the Guan Yunchang of old.

Ji Jang-jong.

The strongest in the Jiangxi Province unorthodox martial world, as all ten thousand people acknowledged.

Also.

A rival competing with him for the top position among the Five Elegants of Jiangxi.

He was the Gang Master of Nine Tiger Blade Gang, one of the leading factions in the region, a master of cleaving blade techniques, and his personal epithet was Waist Breaking Sword Tiger.

It meant a fearsome martial artist like a tiger who could cleave and break anything when he forcefully swung his cleaving blade.

The martial arts of the Nine Tiger Blade Gang were polar opposites to the Murong Family.

From the difference between blade and sword to their operation methods, the contrast in their attributes was stark.

Moreover, the Nine Tiger Blade Gang specialized in slashing while the Murong Family specialized in thrusting.

More notably so than other factions.

Because of that, the competitive structure between Murong Kang and Ji Jang-jong, who were in the top tier of the Five Elegants of Jiangxi, was essentially a battle of pride between sword and blade.

People were always curious.

Which side was truly stronger?

Who would ultimately claim the top position?

Sword and blade, thrusting and slashing, orthodox and unorthodox. Such elements were sufficient to spark public interest in the competitive structure.

But Murong Kang had little interest in worldly martial fame.

Only his thirst for martial exploration was everything.

That was also why Ji Jang-jong had suddenly come to mind.

Perhaps meeting him and exchanging techniques would help with the sword move innovation and refinement he was currently pondering…

It was purely a thought as a martial artist, transcending faction logic.

Already three years had passed.

Since he last sparred with Ji Jang-jong.

The result at that time was a tie.

But since it was a kind of friendly spar, neither he nor Ji Jang-jong had given their full effort.

However.

What about now?

Surely Ji Jang-jong’s blade art essence must have advanced.

So if they clashed again, wouldn’t he gain something?

‘Friendly sparring alone isn’t enough. Let’s request a real combat spar. Without any conditions… though it’s unclear whether he, who normally values dignity and face, would accept.’

The recent state of affairs in the martial world was presaging the arrival of troubled times.

The rampage of the Sun Moon Demon Cult, a demonic force from beyond the borders, was a prime example.

Because of that, his own martial thirst had also heated up these days.

Crisis awareness and sense of responsibility.

It was only natural.

If great trouble came in the future, he would have to protect his household as the Murong Family Head.

Therefore, he must elevate his personal martial prowess.

For a martial world person, that was the best preparation.

‘Hm, come to think of it…’

He had heard news that a great battle with the Sun Moon Demon Cult would soon occur.

Perhaps both sides had already clashed.

He too had wanted to participate in the war, but the news had arrived a bit late.

Of course, since this was a plan Cheol Ryu-heun had led and selectively organized personnel from Hunan, Hubei, and similar regions from the start, the Murong Family wasn’t even on the list of participating forces anyway…

‘It’s a fresh regret.’

Then he continued his thoughts about Cheol Ryu-heun.

‘Wait, if it’s him perhaps…’

After the former Severing Finger Sword Venerable So Cheon-ak of the Six Extremes of Hubei suffered crushing defeat, rumors had been rampant throughout all regions.

That the emerging strongman who had appeared like a comet, the new Sect Leader of White Peak Sword Sect Cheol Ryu-heun, had inherited the absolute arts of Sword Emperor Buk Ga-shin, Evil Emperor Yul-Cheon, and Martial Immortal Dongbang Ya, who were at the strongest tier in martial world history.

If he set a date and exchanged techniques with such a person, it seemed he could gain some enlightenment.

‘Yes, let’s visit White Peak Sword Sect. I heard Sang-rin is also staying there, so I could kill two birds with one stone…’

But suddenly, a loud sound echoed from afar.

-KKWANG!

Immediately after, a metallic echo was heard.

-CHAECHAENG, CHAECHAECHAENG, CHAENG…!

Firecrackers exploded in the nearby sky.

It was an emergency signal.

A noisy bell sound was also heard.

‘An intrusion!’

Murong Kang kicked off the ground and deployed swift lightness arts simultaneously with his thought.

HWIHWIHWIK, HWIHWIHWIHWIK-

After passing numerous buildings, where he arrived was the training grounds.

However.

The situation was somehow strange.

Mysterious enemies had ruthlessly slaughtered about twenty household martial artists and were now waiting.

They had broken through the main gate for all to see from the start.

And.

Postures lined up horizontally in orderly fashion with drawn swords.

Didn’t it look like they were waiting for more household martial artists to appear?

Moreover, the location was the training grounds.

If their only purpose was a surprise attack, it would have been proper to attempt climbing over the walls from another direction…

Did they not care about being surrounded in a wide space?

Murong Kang, having stopped at a distance of three zhang, unleashed his eye light.

“You have no fear. To dare intrude upon this house…”

But he held back his preemptive strike, sensing an unusual energy.

Instead, he had somehow already operated a large amount of supreme internal power.

So that he could attack swiftly.

PEOLLEOK- JJEOJEOK…

As if representing the level of his personal internal power, cracks appeared in the ground.

At that moment, over a hundred elite personnel including the core masters within the Murong Family appeared and stood behind Murong Kang.

Immediately after.

CHEOK.

Murong Kang raised his left hand while commanding.

“Everyone, draw swords.”

At that, over a hundred household martial artists simultaneously drew their swords.

Dense fighting spirit swept through the venue.

Murong Kang shot a cold gaze while warning.

“I don’t know what your scheme is, but it will be difficult to withdraw.”

He meant this place would become their grave.

Suddenly.

“Hoo.”

A soft laugh flowed out.

It was a small sound emitted by the foremost figure among the seventy-some caped figures.

The commander of the First Division of Eastern Heaven Division, otherwise called the Grand General.

Right behind stood three Middle Generals and six Young Generals.

The Grand General, wearing a smile, soon spoke.

“I’ve prepared a gift.”

No sooner had his words ended than the box in one of his hands floated gently as if blown by the wind and advanced forward.

It was the technique of Void-Grasping Objects.

Murong Kang, having released intangible force in response, guided and grasped the box.

The sensation in his hand was quite heavy.

When he immediately placed it on the ground and opened the lid.

‘…!’

Murong Kang’s complexion turned pale.

What was inside was a person’s head.

What was more shocking was the identity.

Latent Wind Great Hero O Seon-bi.

A strongman included in the Five Elegants of Jiangxi and a close friend… that such a person had died with his neck severed.

This couldn’t be.

No.

This shouldn’t be.

Murong Kang’s gaze turned forward again.

The Grand General of Eastern Heaven Division, having received his gaze, spoke again with a relaxed expression.

“How is my skill?”

At that, Murong Kang flew into a rage and burst out shouting.

“Are you saying you killed Seon-bi with your own strength!”

“As you can see.”

“…!”

“You too should follow him now.”

“CHARGE! Everyone, coordinated attack! I’ll handle that one!”

Thus, Murong Kang and all his subordinate martial artists rushed forward while spewing fierce spirit and killing intent.

PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPAPAPA-!

* * *

KKWANG!

Divine Wind landed on the ground and gathered strength to leap again.

HWIIIIIIIING-!

He crossed the high sky while creating sounds of cutting through air.

Amid that, Murong Seol spoke with an astonished expression.

“What? Heavens… i-is that true?”

Because she had been listening to Ximen Yue’s story while they traveled.

It was about the appearance of Extreme Heaven Demon Emperor Gun Mu-ak, the youngest Grand Prelate of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

“Yes. It’s true. The moment I saw him, I couldn’t budge an inch. It was my first time experiencing such overwhelming presence. Except for Sect Leader Cheol…”

“That’s amazing. If even the young master says something like that… just how strong is he?”

The instant Murong Seol clicked her tongue in amazement while murmuring.

“The strongest.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, gripping the reins, spoke in an indifferent voice.

“Pardon?”

“I mean there’s practically no rival in the Orthodox-Unorthodox camp.”

At those words, Murong Seol’s expression stiffened with a flinch.

“Th-that can’t be…!”

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice continued.

“Don’t be so surprised – I mean there’s no one but me.”

“Ah…!”

Murong Seol was impressed by those words and murmured to herself.

‘What amazing confidence… well, he is someone fully qualified for that.’

Ximen Yue behind wore a faint smile.

“Hoo. Yes, he didn’t seem like someone who would be defeated by any martial artist other than Sect Leader Cheol.”

At that, Cheol Ryu-heun inwardly laughed wryly.

‘There is one, actually.’

The wanderer who had destroyed the Divine Martial Sword.

Both Gun Mu-ak and he himself were insufficient to stand against him.

However, he would definitely catch up.

Using the divine power he had barely recovered and his unprecedented body as secret weapons.

Murong Seol suddenly pointed to the far distance ahead with her finger.

“There, the surface of Poyang Lake is faintly visible. We’ve already come this far – it’s really fast. If we go just a bit more, our family’s grounds will be visible.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, having nodded slightly, stroked the mane and spoke.

“Now, I’m hungry, so let’s increase the speed a bit more.”

Divine Wind, having fluttered both ears, immediately shot out like a shooting star while explosively releasing white radiance to the rear.

PAAAAA, PAAAAAAA-

* * *

PUHUUK!

An unpleasant sound as if leather was being pierced.

Blood dripped onto the ground.

HUUUDUK…

The sword tip of the Southern Heaven Division’s Ninth Great General had pierced Gun Mu-ak’s abdomen.

After about thirty-some exchanges.

“Huhoot.”

The Ninth Great General, having let out a laugh and released the sword hilt, struck its end with his palm.

TEONG- HWIIIIIIIIIK-!

Gun Mu-ak, impaled on the sword, was bounced and sent flying backward.

KKWANG- KKWADEUDEU…!

He was shoved into a boulder.

Together with the sword.

When the Ninth Great General immediately moved his hand, the iron sword was pulled by intangible force and came into his grasp.

DEOPSSEOK.

The gaze of the Ninth Great General, who had grabbed the sword hilt, turned sideways.

A distance of roughly two zhang.

There stood two women, Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji.

“Kekeuk, has the thought of fleeing disappeared now that your leader is in that state? He can no longer move. Just waiting for death… still, as befitting a Grand Prelate, he did inflict some minor internal injury on this body. I should praise that.”

But suddenly, smiles formed at the lips of the two women.

Without a sound.

Strange smiles.

Seeing that, the Ninth Great General’s eyes wavered.

‘What is it?’

A sudden ominous premonition struck.

Sure enough.

CHEOK…

A small movement was sensed.

From behind.

The Ninth Great General turned his head that way, and his expression stiffened with a flinch.

He had seen Gun Mu-ak’s form wrapped in dark haze.

That one’s voice approached quietly across the gap.

“Is the power of extreme attainment merely this much?”