Chapter 124: Chapter 124
Thud!
The two Hwang-il Squad members collapsed to the floor, maintaining the posture of holding their long blades.
“……!”
A suffocating silence flowed through the secret cave.
The ones who rushed forward first were the Hwang-il Squad members.
But the ones who fell were also them.
Although most swallowed their saliva without knowing how the situation unfolded.
‘Such an evil technique!’
‘Th-that is……?!’
Tathagata Divine Fist and Bright Moon Blade.
The two people were different.
“Ah, Amitabha.”
Tathagata Divine Fist brought his hands together in a prayer gesture to calm his beating heart.
It was a technique he could not believe even after seeing it.
As the young man swung his hand, a chilling blue light trampled the Hwang-il Squad members.
“It is a fearsome technique.”
Flowing with cold sweat, he threw a word of warning to the Arhat Monks beside him.
“Everyone, draw up your Arhat Qigong.”
The Arhat Monks’ eyes widened slightly.
This was because drawing up Arhat Qigong was in the same vein as preparing to unfold the Arhat Formation at any time.
The Arhat Monks exchanged gazes with each other.
And simultaneously drew up their internal energy.
Woooong…
In an instant, a subtle golden light shone behind the Arhat Monks like a halo.
All of them, embracing the unique radiance possessed only by Arhat Qigong, finished all preparations to unfold the Arhat Formation at any time.
Meanwhile, the single move that unfolded a moment ago did not leave Bright Moon Blade’s mind.
Especially the blinding blue light that had filled his vision as soon as the hand was swung!
Bright Moon Blade swallowed his dry saliva.
‘If I didn’t see it wrong…….’
He quickly scanned the corpses.
The appearance of the two fallen men was gruesome.
They were clearly struck by a technique, but their corpses were torn to shreds as if they had been hacked with a knife.
And was that all?
Between the torn clothing, it was clearly revealed that their qi meridians and blood vessels had ruptured.
And finally, the moment his gaze shifted to the chests of the corpses.
“Heup…!”
Bright Moon Blade inhaled sharply.
Five clear blade scars left on the chests of the corpses!
It matched the traces of a martial arts absolute technique he had seen in literature a very long time ago.
With his eyes glaring wide, his lips parted as he glared at Cheon-hwi, who was dusting off his hands.
“Did you learn the Shattered Soul Bloody Claw?”
“Oh, you recognized this?”
At Cheon-hwi’s answer, which turned doubt into certainty, Bright Moon Blade’s pupils shook.
‘I thought it might be, but to think it’s true.’
Bright Moon Blade swallowed his saliva.
Although the person called the Shadowless Divine Thief was famous, he thought there would only be treasures or artifacts at best.
But what was this?
There was the Shattered Soul Bloody Claw.
The technique of the Evil Blood Emperor that had swept the Jianghu!
And at their question and answer, the secret cave was greatly agitated.
Because the moment they heard Shattered Soul Bloody Claw, the nickname of a single figure completely consumed their minds.
The nickname of the one who was the number one figure of the Demonic Path at the time, who had once almost dominated the Jianghu.
“S-Shattered Soul Bloody Claw?!”
“Damn it!”
The martial artists, terrified, clung to the walls, and the expressions of the Arhat Monks, who were taking precautions against the fight between the two, also gradually became serious.
It was perhaps a natural occurrence.
Even though the Evil Blood Emperor was a figure who died hundreds of years ago, wasn’t he a figure who was always mentioned at least once when asking who the greatest of all time in the Demonic Path was?
Unable to hide their shock, Tathagata Divine Fist and the Arhat Monks trembled and whispered.
“How could the martial art of that wicked person reappear in the Jianghu…….”
“The Evil Emperor Palace was annihilated over a hundred years ago……. Is he a survivor!”
“Martial Uncle.”
One of the Arhat Monks called Tathagata Divine Fist with a faintly stiffened face.
“We will unfold the Arhat Formation.”
At the same time, when the Arhat Monks, feeling the seriousness, tried to form their ranks in perfect order.
“No. Wait a moment.”
Tathagata Divine Fist restrained the Arhat Monks.
Alternating his gaze between Bright Moon Blade and Cheon-hwi, he whispered in a very quiet voice.
“Don’t you think it’s a little strange?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did you feel any evil energy from the technique he unfolded just before?”
“That is not the case, but…….”
“I did not feel any evil energy.”
The Arhat Monks slowly shook their heads.
It was a cruel technique, but what they felt when the young man unfolded it was not evil energy.
Rather, it was clean internal energy.
“That’s not all.”
Tathagata Divine Fist narrowed his eyes as he watched the confrontation between Cheon-hwi and the Sun Moon Sect.
“If that person is the successor of the Evil Emperor Palace, why would he be fighting the Sun Moon Sect?”
“That’s…….”
Come to think of it, that was true.
The reason the Evil Emperor Palace collapsed was because of the attack by the Righteous Faction led by the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
So if he was the successor of the Evil Emperor Palace, he shouldn’t be fighting the Sun Moon Sect, but them.
In other words, shouldn’t he be hostile to Shaolin?
“But Martial Uncle.”
However, despite Tathagata Divine Fist’s words, the Arhat Monks could not withdraw their doubts.
“Didn’t that person personally admit that he learned the Shattered Soul Bloody Claw?”
“He might have only obtained the martial art.”
“If it’s only the martial art…….”
“Have you forgotten where this place is?”
“……!”
The Arhat Monks’ eyes widened in a flash.
“The Shadowless Divine Thief took the secret manual of the Evil Blood Emperor?”
Most of the Arhat Monks spoke in surprise, but exactly one person.
Gong Jin hardened his face.
“But even so, it doesn’t change the fact that person learned the secret manual of the Evil Blood Emperor.”
“If he didn’t learn the mental method of the Evil Blood Emperor, wouldn’t he be able to reform himself?”
As Gong Jin made a displeased expression, Tathagata Divine Fist added in a low voice.
“So for now, let’s watch how the situation unfolds.”
Tathagata Divine Fist glared at Cheon-hwi.
That gaze was sharp, unlike his benevolent expression up until now.
“Watch, and if it seems like he will become a Blood Ghost who inherits the true teachings of the Evil Blood Emperor, it won’t be too late to make a move then…….”
Meanwhile, Cheon-hwi tilted his head upon seeing the surrounding reactions, which were worse than expected.
‘Is this something to make such a fuss about?’
Even if it was the Three Great Techniques of the Demonic Path, he didn’t know it would cause such a huge ripple.
The Evil Blood Emperor was famous, but ultimately, the Shattered Soul Bloody Claw was just a claw art, wasn’t it?
‘Well, did it turn out for the better?’
The corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth twisted.
Rather, wasn’t it the most suitable for hiding his identity?
“Did you obtain it in this secret cave?”
Bright Moon Blade spoke to him.
In his two eyes that had been filled with shock, greed was reflecting at some point.
Cheon-hwi smirked.
“Where did the attitude of commanding as if you were going to kill me earlier go, and now you’re suddenly pouring out questions. Why don’t you just come at me quickly?”
As he finished speaking, he flicked his index finger.
“You seem to be under the illusion that you have become the Evil Blood Emperor just because you obtained the martial art of the Evil Blood Emperor.”
Bright Moon Blade’s eyebrows shot up.
“Hwang-il Squad.”
His voice calling the Hwang-il Squad was calm. However, the Hwang-il Squad members, who knew that he was extremely angry, lowered their eyes and waited for the command.
Soon, his command fell.
“I don’t care if you tear his limbs apart, so bring him with only his breath attached.”
“Your command!”
“Your command!”
As the Hwang-il Squad members answered in unison.
Schwing!
They drew their respective long blades.
As approximately forty Hwang-il Squad members raised their long blades at once, killing intent spread in all directions.
Cheon-hwi lightly let the killing intent that pierced like thorns flow past him and pondered what to unfold.
‘First of all, I’ll put aside things from the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, the Eight Great Clans, or large sects…….’
As Cheon-hwi fell into thought.
Tap!
Thinking that he was off guard, the Hwang-il Squad members rushed towards Cheon-hwi.
Cheon-hwi didn’t even give a glance to the Hwang-il Squad members charging at him and then smiled.
“First is…….”
As soon as those words ended.
Hwaaaaak!
A massive wind raged.
Cheon-hwi, the epicenter of it, scanned the Hwang-il Squad members rushing from the front and then lightly swung his hand, twisting the trajectory of the long blades.
And then he swung his foot.
Crack!
Soundless Kick, exactly like its martial art name, kicked the Hwang-il Squad member who was rushing without any sound and smashed his nasal bone.
“Uaaak!”
Cheon-hwi passed by the Hwang-il Squad member who screamed and threw his head back.
“It’s too obvious.”
After that, he returned the blade of the person trying to ambush him from right beside him and stabbed the back of his neck.
Stab!
The long blade pierced the neck of its owner, the Hwang-il Squad member, taking away his life.
Two attacks accomplished in a fleeting moment that felt like a single breath.
However, the Hwang-il Squad members did not waver.
Instead, they pushed forward even stronger.
“Next is…….”
Cheon-hwi drew up his internal energy.
Then, an astonishing thing happened.
Cheon-hwi’s figure elongated, and soon appeared behind the Hwang-il Squad member who was in front.
“S-such a bizarre thing……!”
The watching Arhat Monks were astonished.
“Is that even possible.”
“How can he change direction like that…….”
A very bizarre phenomenon occurred.
It wasn’t Form-Shifting Illusionary Position, but his figure suddenly elongated like a ghost, and not only did he escape the pressuring Hwang-il Squad members, but he was actually toying with them.
“This can’t be…….”
Especially Tathagata Divine Fist, who glared with his two eyes wide open and a face of disbelief.
A light footwork that stirred up all directions while traversing space without even taking a step.
Like Shaolin’s legendary martial art.
‘Doesn’t it look like Vajra Immovable Footwork!’
Meanwhile, Cheon-hwi felt his body become lighter, and a smile spread across his lips.
‘It’s quite useful?’
Cheon-hwi, who had unfolded the footwork created by Bi Ma, Flying Heaven Footwork, for the first time, was satisfied.
The internal energy consumption was not that high, but the speed was superior to most light footworks.
‘They can’t come to their senses.’
Cheon-hwi enjoyed watching the Hwang-il Squad members wandering around to find him.
Schrrring…
He slowly drew his sword.
The pure white blade of the White Lotus Sword, which had been drawn after a long time, came out into the world and reflected the light.
Then, as if jealous, the demonic sword began to cry very softly.
‘You shouldn’t come out right now.’
But as Cheon-hwi firmly drew up the internal energy of the Absolute Reigning Art.
The demonic sword immediately quieted down.
Cheon-hwi, who had completely subdued the demonic sword in an instant, pushed internal energy into the White Lotus Sword.
Ta-at!
However, the Hwang-il Squad members did not tolerate Cheon-hwi focusing on his internal energy.
Swaeek!
Hearing the sound of the wind being cut, Cheon-hwi turned his head, and a sharp dagger grazed past his cheek.
At the same time.
Huuuwoong!
Eight long blades occupied all eight directions.
Cheon-hwi swayed his body left and right.
Lightning Shadow!
Taking one spot among the World’s Seven Great Footworks, the greatest footwork whose speed could not be compared throughout all ages manifested.
Kaaang!
The long blades that occupied all eight directions struck the ground without even grazing a single hem of Cheon-hwi’s clothes.
“Here.”
The Hwang-il Squad members looked back in shock.
Before they knew it, Cheon-hwi, who stood behind them, swung the White Lotus Sword loaded with internal energy.
Slash!
Eight heads soared into the empty air.
Before the heads fell, Cheon-hwi immediately kicked off the ground and closed the distance with the Hwang-il Squad members preparing a follow-up attack from a distance.
Several Hwang-il Squad members hurriedly threw small knives and hidden weapons they had hidden in their sleeves with a swish.
But Cheon-hwi dodged them merely by lightly twisting his head, and then swung his sword.
Slash!
The sword held in his right hand snatched their heads away, and the technique unfolded from his left hand took lives in various ways.
“Keok!”
“Kkeuaaaak!”
Cheon-hwi freely unfolded the martial arts he had read inside.
Not to mention sword arts, but also hand techniques and kicking techniques.
The watchers held their breath.
Especially Bright Moon Blade and Tathagata Divine Fist, who were astonished every time Cheon-hwi unfolded a martial art.
The martial arts he unfolded were not just one or two.
A feast of martial arts easily exceeding five.
Most could not be figured out, but occasionally there were some they could recognize what kind of martial art it was.
“Is that the Murder Screen’s Five Elements Slaying Art?”
“The sword art of the Quanzhen Sect?”
At the feast of martial arts unfolding regardless of righteous or demonic, the two were out of their minds.
Cheon-hwi freely used all sorts of martial arts and toyed with the Hwang-il Squad members.
The result was a one-sided slaughter.
Fear dwelled in the eyes of the Hwang-il Squad members who had been unfolding their offensive without backing down.
“F-form your rank…….”
Slash!
The head of the vice-squad leader, who was trying to pull the Hwang-il Squad members back, soared into the air.
“V-Vice-squad leader!”
The member next to him was startled.
Before even being able to let out a scream, the vice-squad leader’s body belatedly collapsed.
Thud!
The complexions of the Hwang-il Squad members turned pale.
Watching them slowly backing away in fear, Cheon-hwi asked in a low voice.
“Are you not coming anymore?”
At the question, the Hwang-il Squad members trembled.
Even after committing a massacre, his expression remained unchanged.
And that sight itself further stimulated the fear that had been planted without them even knowing.
As they tried to backpedal.
“Where are you going?”
Cheon-hwi kicked a long blade that had lost its owner and fallen to the floor.
Swaaaaek…
The long blade flew at an astonishing speed that did not match its size and pierced through them.
Crunch! Crunch!
“K-keoheok!”
“S-squad leader…….”
Did he kick the long blades about five times?
“I almost got tired of waiting.”
Cheon-hwi turned his head.
There was a man hiding his presence, aiming for a single ambush.
“……!”
The man was flustered that his ambush was caught, but he put strength into the greatsword he held in his hand.
“Die!”
With a heroic shout, the greatsword was slashed downwards, creating a strong wind pressure.
Cheon-hwi raised his fingers.
And at that moment.
Thud.
The greatsword was blocked by merely Cheon-hwi’s thumb and index finger.
Blocked by two fingers, it caused an aftershock all around.
“……Y-you demon-like bastard.”
“Is that your last will?”
Cheon-hwi smirked.
And as he put internal energy into his fingers.
Clang!
The greatsword broke in half.
“……!”
Cheon-hwi threw the half-broken blade body at the astonished man.
Puk!
The man, with the blade body embedded in him, slowly collapsed with a gruesome appearance.
Cheon-hwi stared at the cavity full of corpses, then shifted his gaze to Bright Moon Blade.
“Now you’re the only one left.”
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