Chapter 93: Chapter 93
The others couldn’t see Jang I-seo past Wang-u’s massive body, but he saw it clearly.
‘His hand is on my chest? What does this mean? A declaration of surrender, begging for his life?’
Even when he swung with all his might, it was a toss-up whether he’d hold back, and now the man was just patting him.
It was truly absurd.
But what happened next was even more baffling.
BZZZT!
Suddenly, the sound of a bolt from the blue rang out.
『Charge Thunder Sphere』
BZZZZT!
“KGYAAAAAGH!”
A black thunder sphere spun violently from his palm, flashing as if it would tear his body to shreds.
BAM!
With a horrific impact, Wang-u was sent flying and crashed into the ground like a rag.
From every orifice, eyes, nose, and mouth, faint smoke billowed out along with the stench of scorched flesh.
It had all happened in an instant.
Those watching from behind were dumbfounded.
What on earth had just happened?
But the person most surprised was Jang I-seo himself.
‘I didn’t expect to use it this soon.’
The Charge Thunder Sphere, a technique applying the Art of Creation.
He had felt it in the Heavenly Demon Treasury, but using it on an actual opponent proved it was truly extraordinary.
He hadn’t even moved; he had simply shifted his energy, yet it produced this much power.
The internal energy consumption was significant, but the effect was undeniable.
‘Of course, if I used it often, my own body would break down first.’
“Jang I-seo!”
“H-how…”
Meanwhile, Mao and Maeng Won-won’s faces once again split between joy and despair as they grasped the situation.
Mao was overcome with emotion, while Maeng Won-won felt as though she had been struck hard in the back of the head with a blunt weapon.
Had she ever seen Wang-u fall so pathetically? No, she couldn’t recall a single time in her entire life.
And the scream he had let out…
‘KGYAAAAAGH!’
It was horrific…
“What trick did you use?! You’re supposedly just from the Seventh Grade Ghost rank. How did you beat Wang-u…”
True. Seventh Grade Ghost, Counter-Espionage Division Squad Leader. But he was no ordinary one.
Jang I-seo was no longer first-rate but absolute realm. And his energy was no longer turbid miscellaneous qi but the Heavenly Demon’s purest demonic qi. Having mastered the Art of Creation and obtained a devastating technique, he was now a master in his own right.
“Grrr…”
A groan soon escaped from Wang-u, who had briefly lost consciousness.
Seeing this, Jang I-seo raised his eyebrows.
“I didn’t expect him to endure even that.”
Wang-u staggered to his feet.
But Jang I-seo’s eyes could see it. His body had already reached its limit.
It was only natural.
The Charge Thunder Sphere didn’t just deal external damage. It was a brutal martial art that used lightning qi to ravage the inside as well.
It was simply a matter of will. A loyal retainer’s resolve that he could not fall before his master.
‘I’ll have to acknowledge that.’
Jang I-seo nodded, recognizing his spirit.
And Wang-u too revised his assessment of his opponent.
‘I misjudged you. It wasn’t that you were weak because you couldn’t hatch from the egg… You were already strong, even as an egg. Just what are you…’
He trembled. He felt fear.
There were certainly many stronger than him.
Among adjutants, he was on the weaker side, and if he considered the heirs, Hall Masters, Elders, and other lesser-known masters, they were beyond counting.
But this was the first time he had encountered a being whose limits he couldn’t even fathom.
Just how far could he go? How much stronger could he become? He couldn’t even imagine.
‘But… we live and die by command. No matter how strong you are, I cannot retreat.’
Wang-u stood tall.
And Jang I-seo gave a small nod.
“Your will is commendable.”
Then Wang-u charged like an enraged bull.
“KRAAAAH!”
The ground thundered, and fierce winds swept through.
But it was nothing more than a death throes.
Jang I-seo spread his palm with an indifferent face and drew his shoulder back.
Feet shoulder-width apart. Power at maximum.
“S-stop!”
Maeng Won-won sensed danger and shrieked like a hen that had just laid an egg.
But it was too late to stop.
“KRAAAAH!”
Wang-u thrust his fist forward with a roar.
And at that moment.
『Iron Shattering Palm』
BAM!
Jang I-seo’s palm slammed mercilessly into his chest.
“KUURRGH!”
Wang-u tumbled backward, flailing.
KUUUNG!
A massive earthquake erupted as he crashed to the ground.
“Y-you…”
Something that should never have happened, had happened.
A verdict that had been carved in stone, overturned.
The Fifth Young Lady’s adjutant, the Great Giant Wang-u.
A member of the One Hundred Demon Stars.
Had been defeated by the Seventh Young Master’s adjutant. In a one-on-one duel. Without any tricks.
“Impossible…”
Maeng Won-won muttered, her face deathly pale. But whether it was possible or not wasn’t for her to decide.
Jang I-seo ran a hand through his hair and smirked.
“Then shall we resume our earlier conversation?”
In that moment, Maeng Won-won realized for the first time.
She had made a very grave mistake.
She should never have come here.
*
‘Jang I-seo, you bastard… you’re so fucking cool!’
Meanwhile, Mao was spellbound by Jang I-seo’s commanding presence.
Had it been like this with Ma I-sin too?
He had been unconscious then, so he hadn’t seen it properly. But it probably was. Because back then, Jang I-seo had gotten angry for his sake.
Anyway, he had already known it, but this confirmed it.
‘My adjutant… is actually pretty good?’
Appearing in a desperate moment and absolutely wrecking Wang-u of the One Hundred Demon Stars.
‘But was Jang I-seo always this strong?’
Mao rejoiced but also tilted his head. He didn’t know much, but he was pretty sure Jang I-seo hadn’t been at this level before…
‘Who cares. He’s on my side.’
But his simplicity was an immutable law. He was soon grinning ear to ear.
Of course, unlike Mao, Chwi Hong-ran, who had watched the same scene, was beyond appalled, utterly dumbfounded.
‘Just how much stronger has Master become?’
She knew the past Jang I-seo better than anyone.
Certainly, he had displayed unexpected divine prowess before. But no matter what, there had been a clear limit at the first-rate level.
Moreover, what had turned the tide had always been his use of his blindingly fast flying daggers.
But now, he hadn’t used any weapons at all. He had subdued his opponent barehanded.
And not just anyone, but the Fifth Young Lady’s adjutant Wang-u, whose body was impenetrable to blades.
‘At this level, not just in the Demonic Cult but anywhere in the world, there won’t be many who can stand against Master.’
Having already defeated a member of the One Hundred Demon Stars, ranking him within the top one hundred in the cult was a given.
And if it was a life-or-death fight rather than a formal duel…
‘Perhaps he’s already at the Hall Master level…’
It was a thoroughly reasonable conclusion.
Jang I-seo had delivered shock to everyone.
And the one most shocked of all was, naturally, the Fifth Young Lady Maeng Won-won.
“W-Wang-u! Stop joking around! Get up!”
Anyone could see it was no joke.
Wang-u had already passed out, eyes rolled back showing only the whites. This wasn’t something anyone could fake even if they tried.
“I’m the Fifth Young Lady! The Fifth Young Lady, Maeng Won-won! Do you think you’ll get away with this?!”
Maeng Won-won glared at Jang I-seo approaching her and screamed.
Her smiling face was long gone, and her once taut skin was now covered in wrinkles like a demon’s.
However.
“Get away?”
Jang I-seo unleashed a chilling killing intent without reservation.
“You seem to have severely misunderstood what war means. From now on, it would be wise to choose your words carefully and think before you speak.”
“Wh-what…? You’re speaking down to me…”
“Indeed. Did you expect me to show courtesy to an enemy who’s about to die?”
“Grrr!”
Maeng Won-won clenched her teeth and gripped the Broken Moon Wheel tightly.
Even if Wang-u had been defeated, she was a bloodline of the Maeng Family, the Fifth Young Lady.
A mere nobody’s adjutant had no right to treat her however he pleased, and her own martial prowess was certainly nothing to scoff at.
But.
Why.
‘Why am I trembling?’
While her head fumed with indignation, Maeng Won-won’s gut ran cold.
She couldn’t understand it at all.
But what was even more confusing was that the energy Jang I-seo was radiating felt very familiar.
Where had she felt this before?
A bone-chilling, icy terror, like sinking into the depths of a cold sea to die.
She definitely knew it.
‘Th-this is!’
And in that moment, she understood.
Why her legs were shaking uncontrollably, and why her once-steady eyes were wavering without mercy.
‘Father…?’
The Heavenly Demon, Jin U-gwang.
It was the scent of the father she revered and followed exclusively.
The aura of a male who subjugated all demons.
‘How could someone like you possess Father’s energy…?’
She didn’t understand. But right now, the reason wasn’t important.
At this rate, she would be completely at his mercy.
“You think I’ll just stand here and take it?”
FWIIIISH!
The Broken Moon Wheel flew from her hand like a ray of light. Then, SCHING! It left a horrific sound in its wake and boomeranged back into her grip.
And.
“Huh…?”
Mao brought his hand to his cheek, feeling a hot sensation. Then he screamed.
“A-aaagh! B-blood!”
Blood. Her Broken Moon Wheel had sliced across his cheek as it passed.
“How’s that. See it clearly? You said war. One more step from there and his head flies off. Who’s faster, you or my Broken Moon Wheel. Decide for yourself.”
She took a stance as if she would strike again. As internal energy flowed in, VWWOOM! The saw teeth on the outer edge of the Broken Moon Wheel spun at a furious speed even though she merely held it.
A truly bizarre quality befitting a divine artifact.
“You dirty bastard!”
Mao shouted in frustration. But Maeng Won-won was already a madwoman who saw nothing.
“Shut up! Next time it’s your neck. Keep running your mouth if you want to see.”
Hah. Jang I-seo let out a hollow laugh and nodded slowly.
Maeng Won-won’s words were completely sincere, without a trace of deception.
Though young, she too was an heir of the Demonic Cult who had surpassed the wall of the absolute realm.
She wouldn’t crumble this easily.
“Quietly step back. If you don’t want to see your master die.”
At Maeng Won-won’s threat, Jang I-seo nodded and stepped back.
A broad smile spread across Maeng Won-won’s lips. You should have done that from the start. This was the limit of those born as slaves. Pathetic creatures who could do nothing once you had their master’s neck.
All she had to do was take Mao hostage and slip away.
However.
“Try throwing it.”
An utterly incomprehensible statement left Jang I-seo’s mouth.
“Huh?”
“What?”
The moment Mao and Maeng Won-won both asked with dumbfounded faces, Jang I-seo thrust his right hand forward and spoke.
“I said throw it.”
“Y-you! You think I can’t throw it?!”
Maeng Won-won shrieked. She drew the wheel back. VWWOOM! Along with the grating sound of blades, the saw teeth spun even faster.
If she hurled it forward now, it would be over.
“Hey, Jang I-seo. You can’t block this one!”
“I know.”
“Y-you know? If you know, then you shouldn’t be provoking me like this, right?”
“Go ahead.”
“Go ahead? Fuck…?”
Mao’s eyes filled with betrayal. But Jang I-seo had no intention of backing down.
Battle was a contest of momentum.
And he had never learned to retreat foolishly.
“I’m really throwing it! If the Seventh Young Master dies, you know? You die too as his adjutant!”
“That’s true. But who’s faster?”
“What?”
“Among the three of us, who dies first.”
Maeng Won-won swallowed hard and glanced at Jang I-seo.
At the man who stood facing her with a relaxed smile, his hand outstretched.