Chapter 316: Half-Human, Half-Monster (3)

3-star power.

The power Mok Gyeong-un had used was a mere 30% of his full strength.

Of course, this was when he only used the energy of death. If he were enveloped in demonic energy like now, it could be said to be doubled instead.

Lee Gwang spoke with difficulty, his expression perplexed.

“Y-you… deceived me?”

At that question, the corners of Mok Gyeong-un’s mouth reached his ears.

“You’re very perceptive.”

-Shudder!

Lee Gwang shuddered at the answer that didn’t deny it.

Mok Gyeong-un facing him with only 3-star power wasn’t to conserve his strength or for exploration.

It was simply to pay him back for what had happened in the past.

[You endured my 3-star power.]

He still remembered those words clearly.

Of course, he wanted to continue this petty retribution, but it became difficult after Lee Gwang became one with that black sword filled with the Imoogi’s demonic energy.

So, without wasting unnecessary time, he decisively used his full power to subdue him in one fell swoop.

-Splash!

Mok Gyeong-un tossed Lee Gwang’s severed arm as if it were a nuisance.

Then, approaching closer, he said,

“It must have been your secret weapon, but it’s a pity it didn’t work. For you, of course. You must have wanted to surprise me with your rapidly increasing power, right?”

-Gnash!

Was this bastard mocking him now?

Lee Gwang was enraged, but he had nothing to say in the face of such overwhelming power.

What was this bastard’s true identity?

The strike that exploded earlier when his power was concentrated into one could be said to have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship without exaggeration.

Was this really the same bastard who didn’t even know the ‘M’ of martial arts half a year ago?

-Flinch flinch!

He wanted to move his body, but he couldn’t.

All the muscles and tendons in his body had been cut, making it impossible to move.

‘Strange.’

When he was touched by the virulent poison energy of Guyang Sa-oh, the patriarch of the Guyang Clan and the Eight Poison Sect Leader, he felt his body push it out and recover.

However, that ferocious and dark energy emanating from the bastard was scattering the energy within his body.

Was that why the severed muscles and tendons weren’t recovering?

‘Is this the end?’

With his right arm severed and all his muscles and tendons cut, leaving him unable to move, there was no difference from a martial artist meeting his death.

Lee Gwang was dazed with a sense of futility.

Mok Gyeong-un approached him and said,

“Are you ready to answer my questions now?”

At that question, Lee Gwang snorted and said,

“You’ve made me almost a cripple, and you expect something to come out of my mouth? Just kill me.”

Now that his life as a martial artist had ended, he had no attachment to life.

And he had his pride.

That old man Guyang Sa-oh might have begged for his life, wanting to live until he became senile, but Lee Gwang was different.

“You seem to have quite a bit of integrity.”

“Stop spouting nonsense and kill me. Old man Guyang Sa-oh, you will soon face punishment from that person. Look forward to it.”

“…”

At Lee Gwang’s warning, which sounded like a curse, Guyang Sa-oh’s complexion darkened.

Although he had submitted to that monster-like bastard to avoid the immediate crisis, he couldn’t help but fear the aftermath from the organization.

‘Should I run away?’

Guyang Sa-oh was inwardly conflicted.

However, after witnessing Mok Gyeong-un’s tremendous sword strike earlier, he lacked the confidence to escape.

This bastard was a monster who could kill him at any time if he wanted to.

As Guyang Sa-oh’s mind became complicated, Mok Gyeong-un spoke up.

“Let me make a proposal.”

“Stop the bullsh*t and kill…”

“Although the regeneration from the demonic energy won’t work due to the demonic energy, if you answer my questions, I’ll dispel the demonic energy for you.”

“What?”

“Right now, your body has become closer to a demon or spirit than human. If the demonic energy is dispelled, it seems like it will recover on its own.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Lee Gwang’s eyes trembled faintly.

His body could recover?

He had thought he was no different from a vegetable, lying there with all his muscles and tendons severed.

To the wavering Lee Gwang, Mok Gyeong-un pointed to the severed arm with his eyes and said,

“The arm might reattach too, you know?”

“My arm can be reattached?”

“It seems possible with your regenerative ability, but if it doesn’t work, I can personally attach it for you. I’ve done it a few times, so it’s not that difficult. Of course, the longer the delay, the harder it becomes.”

“…”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Lee Gwang’s tongue became parched.

If there was an opportunity to recover his severed arm and severed muscles and tendons, it naturally meant he could make a comeback.

However, accepting this proposal meant submitting to the bastard and betraying the organization.

That old man Guyang Sa-oh didn’t realize it.

The extent of the organization’s power.

If that person wanted to, the Guyang Clan could be exterminated overnight.

Even if Guyang Sa-oh was an expert comparable to the eight stars, it wouldn’t matter.

-Tremble tremble tremble!

Lee Gwang’s body trembled.

After countless contemplations in an instant, he finally reached a difficult conclusion.

“Kill me.”

He chose to maintain his integrity.

Even if he could save his life at the moment, it was better to keep his oath of loyalty to the end than to be chased by the organization and meet his death.

To him, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,

“It seems that no matter what proposal I make, you won’t answer my questions.”

“Stop spouting nonsense and kill me. If you don’t want to repeat the mistake I made, it’s best to slice this neck cleanly.”

“Yes, of course, I should. But on second thought, it seems I need to be more flexible.”

“No matter what you say, it’s useless. Kill…”

“How about I join your side?”

“…What?”

Lee Gwang’s expression froze for a moment.

What was this bastard talking about now?

“Earlier, I noticed you were trying to persuade me, right? Seeing that, it seems you need some manpower.”

“You… Are you serious?”

What was his ulterior motive?

Lee Gwang showed a disbelieving expression.

Then, Cheong-ryeong’s voice reached Mok Gyeong-un’s ears.

-Mortal. What are you trying to do?

-What do you mean, what am I trying to do?

-Saying you’ll join their side, what nonsense is that?

At her question, Mok Gyeong-un smiled without answering.

Then, he reached out his hand and sucked in Lee Gwang’s severed right arm, which he had dropped on the ground, using void absorption.

-Grab!

Holding the severed arm, Mok Gyeong-un approached Lee Gwang.

Unable to move, Lee Gwang could only flinch and show wariness.

Then, Mok Gyeong-un brought Lee Gwang’s arm to the severed part.

“Hmm.”

Mok Gyeong-un placed his palm on the severed part.

Then, the residual demonic energy remaining at the severed part was sucked into Mok Gyeong-un’s hand.

As soon as that happened, the blood vessels at the severed part wriggled and squirmed.

-Whoosh!

Eventually, the severed surfaces of the arm began to reattach to each other.

Even the eyes of Lee Gwang, the person involved, couldn’t help but be filled with amazement at this astonishing sight.

As the arm was being reattached, Mok Gyeong-un placed his palm on Lee Gwang’s chest.

-Sssshhh!

Through his palm, the demonic energy that had penetrated Lee Gwang’s shredded upper body like poison gradually dissipated and disappeared.

Then, breathing became more comfortable, and the wounds rapidly healed.

At this, Guyang Sa-oh looked at him with an uncomprehending gaze.

‘what the .... is he doing?’

From Guyang Sa-oh’s perspective, it was very perplexing.

He had submitted, even risking betraying the organization, out of fear of losing his arm and his life.

But if Lee Gwang maintained his integrity, why wasn’t Mok Gyeong-un even considering torturing him to extract the information he wanted and instead restoring his body?

‘Sigh.’

He was in a proper dilemma.

What was he supposed to do now that he had submitted?

As he was at a loss for what to do,

“There. Now, if we just dispel the demonic energy in your lower body, you’ll be completely recovered.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Lee Gwang looked at him with a suspicious gaze and said,

“…Are you giving me a carrot to deceive me now?”

“No. As I said, I’m exercising some flexibility.”

“Flexibility?”

“Yes. I’ve had conversations with people from your organization several times, but I couldn’t obtain anything proper.”

“…”

“I don’t know if it’s the same for your side, but every single one of them…”

-Tap tap!

Mok Gyeong-un tapped his head with his finger and said,

“Has a seal.”

‘Seal…’

Lee Gwang’s eyes turned cold.

Among the members of the organization, there were those who belonged to the second realm but were unaware of this truth, but Lee Gwang, who had been loyal to that person for two or three generations, knew about the seal.

He himself was probably sealed as well.

If he tried to say something important, his head might explode with a pop.

“So, aside from knowing that there are ranks like the emblem, the first realm, and the second realm, there was no way to find out anything else. But the thing is, I don’t really need such information.”

“…what the .... are you after?”

“It’s nothing much. Actually, if you just provide what I want, I don’t think I need to have a major confrontation with your organization.”

“What you want?”

“Yes. To be honest, I have no interest in who the leader of your organization is or what they’re trying to do.”

“You have no interest?”

“Yes. I don’t care what they do. Even if your organization kills all the people in the Central Plains.”

‘!?’

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Lee Gwang’s eyes wavered.

If the hypocrites of the righteous faction or others said such a thing, it wouldn’t have had much impact.

But this bastard was definitely not a benevolent type of person.

Rather, he was close to being evil itself, enough to be called the Sickle-slaying Demon.

‘He might be the talent that person wants.’

An existence that could carry out slaughter without question if an order was given.

Moreover, this bastard’s martial prowess had reached the sixth heaven, which could be considered the great sage realm.

If he were an enemy, he would be an existence that must be killed, but as an ally, such a monstrous talent would certainly be a great asset.

-Glance!

Lee Gwang then glanced at Guyang Sa-oh.

Meeting his eyes, Guyang Sa-oh unconsciously swallowed his dry saliva with a tense gaze.

Seeing that, Lee Gwang snorted.

Right.

That cunning old man didn’t even compare to the value of this bastard.

No, could they even be compared?

‘Right. That person would also prefer this monster-like brat over that old man who betrayed the organization to save his own life.’

Rather, he might be valued even more for bringing such an exceptional talent.

Once his mind was somewhat organized, Lee Gwang spoke in a slightly softened tone.

“Are you certain? That if we give you what you want, you’ll join the organization?”

“Yes. I told you, right? The reason I’ve been tracking your organization until now was for that purpose.”

“…I don’t know what you want, but if it’s an exceptional talent like you, not that traitorous old man, that person would want to bring you in, even if it means giving you a substantial reward.”

At Lee Gwang’s words, Guyang Sa-oh’s expression gradually turned pale.

Even if things got twisted, how could it turn out like this?