Chapter 107: Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda (7)

===================
Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Nineheavens.org
===================

Ryeo Jeong, who sent a voice transmission to Jin So-myeong telling him to flee immediately, furrowed her brow.

The voice transmission must have reached him indeed. Because he was still walking toward this direction.

No matter how she looked at it, it was not the attitude of a person about to flee.

Watching him openly observe Wi Mun-seok as if looking at an interesting target made her feel suffocated as if her throat was tightly clogged.

‘Just why?’

Since the situation was what it was, she could not display it, but she was in a state of mind where she wanted to stamp her feet in frustration.

‘Surely he doesn’t intend to fight?’

That was truly absurd.

As their respective Divine Senses touched and she naturally came to know, Daoist Jin’s realm was the 3rd layer of Golden Core.

A person who was at the 1st layer of Golden Core until not long ago had already reached the 3rd layer.

‘What an absurd talent.’

It was a growth speed hard to believe despite having witnessed it directly. It was overwhelming to the point that she did not even feel envious.

However…

It was insufficient to resolve the current situation.

The difference between early and late Golden Core was far greater than thought. Even calculating by simple spiritual power alone, it was at least eight times.

Although the difference would decrease if he had mastered a special secret technique that increased the amount of spiritual power, the difficulty of the situation was just the same.

The only method was just one.

It was to flee.

‘If Daoist Jin puts forth his full power, at least he won’t be captured easily.’

An early Golden Core stage cultivator can flee against a late stage one?

Although it was a remark others would have laughed at if they heard it, she was serious.

This was because she had witnessed Jin So-myeong’s strength while harvesting the Moonbright Grass. She believed that fleeing would be at least possible with that power.

In truth, the reason Ryeo Jeong warned Jin So-myeong was to create an opportunity.

If the situation became chaotic, a gap would be created, and if lucky, an opportunity for her to flee might arise.

It was not particularly an intention to exploit him. This was something beneficial to both of them.

At any rate, from Daoist Jin’s perspective as well, it was better to grasp the situation quickly and flee rather than being helplessly captured and suffering.

‘But why…!’

Before she knew it, he approached to a distance of one hundred zhang (about 300 m). Swallowing her frustration and biting her lip, such a thought flashed through her mind.

Could it be that the voice transmission was not delivered?

If so, should she send it again even now?

But voice transmissions were not omnipotent.

Sending a voice transmission in front of an expert with a severe difference in Divine Sense might result in being discovered. Just warning Daoist Jin earlier was an act of taking a risk.

Ryeo Jeong, who conflicted intensely for a short time, made a decision.

‘At any rate, now is the last opportunity. If he comes any closer, he won’t even be able to flee.’

She intended to warn him once more. At that moment when she moved her Divine Sense with a mind of gambling.

Her eyes met with Wi Mun-seok’s.

‘Ah.’

Goosebumps broke out at the coldly chilled pupils.

She was discovered.

Ryeo Jeong, who realized that, backed away hesitantly without realizing it. The moment her complexion turned as white as a sheet.

“Wi Mun-seok. Are you the strongest in the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace?”

An exceptionally peaceful voice intervened.

As Jin So-myeong, who approached right in front of his nose before anyone knew it, spoke informally, Wi Mun-seok’s eyebrows twitched.

“…How rude. Why do you ask such a thing suddenly?”

“It seems I will soon become enemies with you guys, so I was curious about how large of a sect your force is.”

Silence flowed.

What would it mean to become enemies with the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace? It meant Wi Mun-seok would soon die by his hand.

Everyone treated Jin So-myeong like a crazy person, but Madame Ryeo was different.

Was it because she believed in Jin So-myeong?

No, she simply could not do so because she was busy enduring a sudden dizziness that almost made her faint.

‘Ah, sword cultivators are all lunatics…’

The voice transmission had not failed to be delivered. He merely treated the warning voice transmission as an interesting challenge to a duel.

At that moment when Ryeo Jeong barely gripped her mind that was about to grow distant.

Wi Mun-seok, who was observing Jin So-myeong closely who had a faint smile, clicked his tongue shortly.

Tossing aside the kind smile he had been wearing like a mask, he said.

“I was going to play with you for a bit, but the mood is ruined. By the way, what did that betrayer bitch say through voice transmission that made you act so arrogantly? No matter how much I think about it, I cannot understand.”

“Betrayer?”

“Even though I bestowed mercy to take her in as a subordinate, she leaked information to you, so she is a betrayer. From now on, that bitch shall be employed not as a subordinate, but as a slave.”

“Heh. Amazing.”

“For your information, you will also soon share the same fate.”

Jin So-myeong, who let out a brief exclamation of admiration, nodded his head.

He did not agree with Wi Mun-seok’s words. He merely realized that the fellow was rotten to the core by nature.

‘At this level, it is not a problem of the mental restriction. He was originally that kind of fellow.’

The mental restriction operates in a way that amplifies usual desires. It did not suddenly change a normal person into an atrocious monster out of nowhere.

Wi Mun-seok, who narrowed his eyes, licked his lips and said.

“By the way, because my personality cannot endure curiosity. If you tell me what the betrayer bitch said through voice transmission, I shall accept you as a subordinate rather than a slave.”

Seeing him attempt to sow discord even in this midst was astonishing to the extreme.

He felt like he knew how Wi Mun-seok had lived usually.

Jin So-myeong, who was only listening quietly, giggled and laughed. He shook his head as if looking at a ridiculous sight.

“I really cannot endure this anymore. What in the world have you been talking about since earlier? The one who sent me the voice transmission was someone else.”

“…Hmm?”

If he believed that only he could sow discord, it was a delusion.

As he gestured with his chin to point at the companion standing behind Wi Mun-seok, the companion was dumbfounded.

“Great Elder. Surely you don’t believe that nonsense, right?”

“Naturally, I don’t…”

The split second Wi Mun-seok let out a hollow laugh as if it was absurd.

The focus that had been solely concentrated on Jin So-myeong dispersed slightly.

It could not be helped since it was said there was a betrayer right behind his back. It was an instinctive reaction unrelated to rational judgment.

Naturally, the time his focus dispersed was so short that it was embarrassing to even describe it as a split second.

Under normal circumstances, it would have been meaningless, but…

Jin So-myeong possessed a speed that could target even that split second.

Chaeng!

The moment a cool metallic ring echoed, like a drop of water falling onto a silent water surface.

Literally lightning. The sword tip, slipping out from the scabbard at a speed that could not even be seen, drew a dot in the air.

“Keok?!”

One of the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace Elders. A red dot appeared on the space between the eyebrows of the man who had been watching defenselessly in the very back.

The man, who glared with wide eyes as if unable to believe it, collapsed with a thud.

His breath was cut off by the Sword Qi that flew across a distance of 300 meters…

A split second.

Wi Mun-seok was the only one who reacted to the ambush. However, his choice was not to protect his companion but to shield his own vital spot.

It could not be called a foolish choice. If he had not responded, Jin So-myeong’s Sword Qi would have aimed for the space between his eyebrows.

At any rate, excluding Wi Mun-seok, the reaction of the others was just one.

In fact, astonishment.

“Ah?”

Those who were employed as slaves gaped their mouths open like dazed people.

The most impressive was Madame Ryeo, who was expressing with her entire body what it felt like to be on the verge of fainting, widening her originally large eyes even larger.

“You bastard!”

The moment Wi Mun-seok, who was trembling his entire body in rage, roared.

The atmosphere that had been like a cat playing with a mouse suddenly transformed.

In the gaze of Wi Mun-seok, who lost his companion due to a split second of carelessness, a menacing murderous intent formed.

Kwadeudeuk!

Blood energy and spiritual power raged from the fellow’s entire body.

With a “Peok!” sound, his upper garment burst. The originally thick muscles expanded, and his height grew to 4 meters.

“Son of a bitch! I shall tear your limbs apart!”

Kwang!

Simultaneously with an explosive sound as if the earth was collapsing.

Wi Mun-seok, appearing as if teleporting, struck down his long staff.

‘Fast.’

The power contained in the staff was extraordinary. He could tell merely by hearing the sound that seemed to tear the wind apart rather than just cutting through it.

He poured spiritual power into the Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword in which Mugeok was imbued.

The sword weight, which was originally ten thousand jin, amplified in an instant. The moment the sword, which reached seventy thousand jin, collided with the staff.

Kwa-aaaaang!

The ground Jin So-myeong was stepping on scooped out.

Although he merely blocked the staff plunging toward the crown of his head, a shockwave raged and devastated the surroundings.

‘Keuk.’

The Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword bent as if it would break. His entire body joints screamed merely from the residual force that seeped through the sword.

Especially the right arm, which bore the impact first, felt as if its nerves were paralyzed.

‘He is stronger than me.’

Just by exchanging the first move, strength and weakness were divided.

Expressing it in other words, a difference existed right from the fundamental capacity.

Wi Mun-seok also seemed to realize the same, curling up the corners of his mouth with a fishy expression.

“A weakling acting arrogantly. I shall make you beg to be killed.”

“With only that strength? It will be difficult.”

Just because the opponent was stronger, there was no need to be discouraged. Because that did not mean he could not be killed.

When entering a life-and-death battle where lives were staked, who would survive would only be known once they reached the very end.

Moreover, Jin So-myeong still had many hidden moves.

‘Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration? No, using it now will only result in it missing.’

He believed what his intuition whispered. Leaving behind all distracting thoughts, he sought only the method to head toward victory.

Was it because of Jin So-myeong’s clear gaze?

“To think you still don’t know your place.”

Wi Mun-seok, who snorted as if it was ridiculous, swung his staff horizontally this time.

The instant he felt a “Hwi-ik…” sound was heard, it was right before being hit by the staff. It was fast enough that the intermediate process was not visible.

The sword swung like putting forth a shield collided with the staff once more and…

Jjeo-eoeong!

A sound like a breaking glass window occurred in midair.

Due to the difference in physical strength, Jin So-myeong, who was pushed back while drawing furrows with both feet, narrowed his eyes.

Power did not enter the grasp holding the sword.

The muscles that reached their limit appeared torn, but he did not care.

Even if the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art was lacking in other things, its regenerative power alone was incredibly outstanding. A wound like this could be recovered in just a few seconds.

Kwang!

However, Wi Mun-seok did not seem to have any intention of giving even that short time. He constantly rushed and poured an offensive.

Swapping and gripping the sword with his left hand and parrying the pouring staff, his senses became alert.

It felt as if every single sleeping cell was waking up completely.

Kwajik!

When his left hand was damaged, he gripped the sword with his right hand again. He forgot the pain and forgot distracting thoughts. He immersed himself only in the battle itself.

This feeling of crossing between life and death was truly after a long time.

Was it enjoyable?

He could not tell. However, he had no intention of denying the smile formed at the corners of his mouth.

On the contrary, Wi Mun-seok’s mouth, which had been mocking and sneering, closed tight. Seeing his tightly furrowed brow was exceptionally pleasant.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!

Every time the blade and the long staff collided, a sound of exploding bombs echoed.

More than ten clashes passed in a true instant.

By the time both hands became perfectly fine, Jin So-myeong realized he had adapted to the opponent’s physical strength.

“…Impressive. I shall admit that I underestimated you.”

Wi Mun-seok, who backed away nimbly, aimed his staff from afar.

Lowering his center of gravity and pointing the staff tip forward, it was like the posture right before thrusting a spear.

Kkwaak…!

The body size that reached 4 meters grew continuously smaller. As if a spring was being compressed, his entire body muscles shriveled.

He did not know what he was trying to do, but he had no intention of leaving him be.

Naturally, he tried to counterattack immediately, but it was difficult to move due to the pressure crushing down on his shoulders.

Kugugugung!

It was due to the spiritual power the fellow poured out, but it was not a grand technique. He merely pressed down using an ignorantly massive amount of spiritual power.

Although it was a simple technique to the extent that it could be described as crude, because of that, he could not shake it off immediately.

The split second he broke free from the binding by exploding the wind generated by the Wind Transformation Body Force.

‘He is coming.’

He perceived the approach faster than any sense. As his concentration reached the peak, the world slowed down.

The moment Wi Mun-seok, who let out a shout of focused energy, thrust the staff.

The staff lengthened in an instant. Extending like Sun Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang in Journey to the West, it sought to pierce his heart.

Kwareung!

The split second where life and death were divided. Without even bothering to hide it, he used the Lightning Escape Art.

Just a single step. Jin So-myeong, wrapped in lightning, twisted his upper body while backing to the side.

The staff tip rushing in with momentum to scoop out his heart brushed past his chest.

‘Keuk!’

Merely touching slightly, a chunk of flesh evaporated.

Blood surged with a gush. The power contained in the staff was far more powerful than expected.

Since the wind pressure alone was enough to split the ground…

If Jin So-myeong had not mastered body tempering, he would have melted into a handful of bloody water merely by being brushed.

Hwareuk!

Treating his internal injuries with the blood energy surging from his dantian, he guided all his spiritual power to the sword tip.

‘An opportunity!’

The stronger the power, the greater the recoil was bound to be. That was the law of the world.

Kwajik!

Ignoring the pain, he stamped his foot.

Toward Wi Mun-seok, who had not even retrieved his staff yet. Faster than the rumbling thunder, he rushed, becoming a ray of light.

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!

Support on Ko-fi