Chapter 458

Supreme (5)

‘This is…’

In his mind’s eye, he saw a massive white serpent with smooth, snow-white scales.

It bore a resemblance to the dragons of legend and fantasy.

Its appearance was so majestic that it nearly took his breath away.

However, if there was one difference between this serpent and a dragon, it was that its horns were shorter than expected.

Compared to its enormous body, the horns seemed to be just barely growing.

As he was pondering this, he saw a figure wearing a bamboo hat approaching the white serpent.

This person was holding a sword that seemed to have been burned black, and the moment the serpent saw the sword, it roared as if having a seizure.

Kwoooooooooo!

The tremendous roar created shockwaves that sent the bamboo-hatted figure flying backward.

However, the figure quickly regained their footing and once again launched towards the serpent, initiating a battle between them.

Every time the serpent moved its body, it caused earthquakes and landslides, as if it were a natural disaster.

Kwang-kwakwakwakwang!

The fight between the serpent and the bamboo-hatted figure was devastating the surroundings.

However, their battle didn’t last very long.

This was because the blackened sword held by the bamboo-hatted figure managed to cut through the serpent’s scales.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaa!

As the large scales were cut away and the sword pierced its body, the serpent writhed in agony.

Not missing this moment, the bamboo-hatted figure leapt onto the serpent’s head where its horns were and drove down a qi strike that created massive shockwaves.

Paaaaaaaang!

Hit by the qi strike, the serpent staggered and fell.

Kuuuung!

Its body was so long and massive that when it fell, the surrounding area shook.

After the serpent collapsed, the bamboo-hatted figure climbed down from its head and began examining the area below its chest, touching it gently.

As they did so, someone approached.

It was Destruction Emperor, one of the first-tier members of Secret Society.

As Destruction Emperor approached, the bamboo-hatted figure shook their head and spoke with a tone of disappointment.

[I had my doubts, but the spirit origin hasn’t properly formed yet.]

[Even though it’s this large?]

To this question, the bamboo-hatted figure held up the blackened sword and said:

[It’s the leader and considered the most auspicious of the five spirit beasts. When this serpent fully matures, it will become a dragon and then transcend the natural order.]

[Natural order? What do you mean?]

[For humans, you can think of it as similar to the concept of ascending to immortality.]

[Ascending to immortality!]

Destruction Emperor couldn’t hide his surprise at these words.

Then, looking puzzled, he asked:

[So, does that mean that before this serpent was born, the original serpent had already become a dragon and ascended?]

[It could have. But it didn’t.]

[What do you mean it didn’t?]

[Do you know what happens when a spirit beast becomes corrupted?]

[…What happens?]

[Unlike the Imaemangyang born from yin energy, spirit beasts are born from the condensation of natural earth energy, so they can be considered the essence of immortality itself. However, if they become corrupted, they lean towards the opposite nature – that of demons or evil.]

[So you’re saying the predecessor of this serpent became corrupted?]

To this question, the bamboo-hatted figure chuckled and replied:

[That’s right. It became thoroughly corrupted. It even tried to exterminate the human race.]

[Huh…]

[Even if the Human-Demon War isn’t recorded in official histories, it’s not such ancient past for you lot. But you, being born into the imperial family, seem to know nothing about it.]

[How could I? When I was young, that damned imperial father of mine erased all records related to the martial arts world. But come to think of it, that sword… Didn’t you say it was made from dragon scales? Don’t tell me that dragon was…]

[Yes. It’s from the scales of the dead dragon.]

At these words from the bamboo-hatted figure, a flash of greed appeared in Destruction Emperor’s eyes as he looked at the sword.

Noticing this, the bamboo-hatted figure put the sword into a special scabbard and said:

[Don’t even think about it. If it’s not compatible, you’ll only be possessed by its demonic nature.]

At these words, Destruction Emperor clicked his tongue in disappointment.

Then, approaching the fallen serpent and touching its horns, Destruction Emperor asked:

[So what are you going to do? Didn’t you promise to give me the serpent’s spirit origin? If it’s still a young serpent…]

[We’ll have to make do with this. Well, even this much should be more than enough for your pursuit of immortality.]

Puk!

As soon as those words were spoken, the bamboo-hatted figure thrust their arm into the serpent’s chest.

As they were about to extract the spirit origin from inside,

Kwoooooooooo!

At that moment, the serpent’s eyes snapped open and it let out a roar.

With that, Destruction Emperor and the bamboo-hatted figure, who were nearby, were sent flying backward.

As they were thrown back, the roaring serpent burrowed into the ground and disappeared.

Destruction Emperor, who had hit the wall, ran towards the hole the serpent had dug as soon as he regained his senses.

[shit!]

How could it have awakened in such a short moment?

As he stood there in shock, the bamboo-hatted figure called out to him.

[It’s fine.]

[What do you mean it’s fine? Do you know how many people we mobilized just to find that one serpent…]

[This is enough.]

[What do you mean this is enou— Ah!]

Destruction Emperor’s eyes widened as he turned his head.

It was because he saw what appeared to be a fragment of the spirit origin in the bamboo-hatted figure’s hand.

The bamboo-hatted figure pointed to a large piece of the serpent’s scale that had fallen to the ground and said:

[We got what we needed.]

[But letting it escape…]

[Too much of a good thing, human. If you really need it, aim for when the serpent has fully matured. After all, spirit beasts don’t stray far from where they were born.]

At this advice from the bamboo-hatted figure, Destruction Emperor looked at the hole in the ground with regret.

As their figures gradually blurred, Mok Gyeong-un emerged from his vision.

The vision had lasted only a moment, and when he came back to his senses, he could see Destruction Emperor, who had become emaciated like a skeleton.

“Kuuu… I… I…”

Shuuuuuu!

Destruction Emperor tried to say something as he was dying, but eventually his head dropped.

Mok Gyeong-un stomped on Destruction Emperor’s head once more.

Kwajik!

There was no response from the crushed head.

Due to the Ritual of Binding absorbing all the energy of the serpent’s spirit origin, his body could no longer regenerate.

After confirming that he was completely dead, Mok Gyeong-un hurriedly approached Ghost Blade.

He checked his pulse.

Jin Ye-rin, who had approached after Destruction Emperor died, asked:

“Is he alright?”

Mok Gyeong-un shook his head in response.

If there had been even a little vital energy left, Mok Gyeong-un would have tried to infuse some of the absorbed spirit origin energy or use magic to heal his wounds.

However, all of this was only possible if there was at least a little vital energy remaining.

He had already exhausted all his energy fighting Mok Gan’s avatar and was now in a state just before drawing his last breath.

‘…’

It didn’t matter if he died.

But there were still things Mok Gyeong-un needed to hear, so he tried to infuse some of the absorbed spirit origin energy to extend his life a little, even though it was like pouring water into a broken pot.

Then,

“Don’t… Don’t waste… your effort…”

“Accept the energy. There’s still more I need to hear.”

“Chun… Chunchu… Cough, cough.”

Ghost Blade, gasping for breath, desperately searched for his daughter.

Aware that his life was ending soon, he seemed to want to see his flesh and blood one last time.

The old Mok Gyeong-un wouldn’t have cared at all about this.

However, having deepened his connection with Cheong-ryeong and come to understand emotion, he asked Jin Ye-rin:

“Can you bring someone named Chunchu from outside the bamboo grove?”

“Chunchu?”

“It’s his daughter.”

“Ah… Alright.”

Jin Ye-rin nodded and immediately flew towards the outside of the bamboo grove.

For now, there weren’t many people’s energies felt outside the bamboo grove anymore.

Although there had been concerns since Mok Gan’s avatar had directly descended, it seemed that the subordinates outside hadn’t been touched.

Perhaps worried about the forbidden technique falling into his hands, they had entered the bamboo grove directly.

Meanwhile, Ghost Blade waved his hand with unfocused eyes.

-He’s already at his limit.

As Cheong-ryeong said, judging by the faded color of his eyes, it seemed he would soon breathe his last.

Feeling urgent, Mok Gyeong-un was about to ask something, but Ghost Blade spoke first.

“I… I won’t ask you… to save… Young Master… Bi-yong-heon…”

“What are you talking about? More importantly, grandfather…”

Mok Gyeong-un tried to hear what he wanted from him, but Ghost Blade continued what he was saying, ignoring that.

“He… He… with his remaining self… left the truth of the past… Cough, cough. To the current Society Leader… Bi Jung-seon… Society Leader… did his best… to correct… everything… that was twisted…”

“I’m not interested in that…”

Pak!

Ghost Blade tightly grasped Mok Gyeong-un’s hand.

And with tears of blood, he spoke with difficulty:

“They… They… were only… deceived… by his… schemes… Please… Please… free them… from him…”

Even though he could barely breathe, Ghost Blade was using all his strength.

To convey his wishes.

Sensing that his end was near, Mok Gyeong-un infused spirit origin energy into Ghost Blade’s hand and said:

“The secret of Moon Vein that can persuade Incarnate. Just tell me what that means. Cut out all the unnecessary talk and hurry!”

Shuuuuuu!

As he infused the energy, it was leaking out.

It was like pouring water into a broken pot.

Mok Gyeong-un tightly grasped Ghost Blade’s weakening hand and urged:

“Ghost Blade!”

“Ryu… So-wol and you… You are… fated…”

His voice trailed off with a wheezing sound.

Realizing this wouldn’t work, Mok Gyeong-un began forming hand seals to perform a spell.

Pak! Pak! Pak!

‘Reverse Eight Divine Generals Technique’

It was a type of magic that uses the Eight Human Talismans to control spirits.

He was intentionally trying to turn him into a vengeful spirit before his soul completely scattered to heaven and earth.

It was at that moment.

“Nooooooo!”

Someone came running with a heart-wrenching cry.

It was Chunchu, one of the first-tier members of Secret Society.

Her body covered in blood, she ran over and pushed aside Mok Gyeong-un, who was forming the hand seals for the Reverse Eight Divine Generals Technique, and embraced Ghost Blade.

Chunchu, with tears streaming down her face, cried out:

“No. Please… Please… Ah…”

Seuk!

Ghost Blade placed his hand on Chunchu’s back.

Her tear-filled eyes trembled.

“Please…”

For a full hundred years, not once… not once had she properly called him, so how could he leave like this?

Chunchu tightly embraced Ghost Blade and said with a choked voice:

“Fa… ther.”

As her voice rang in his ears, a faint smile appeared on Ghost Blade’s face, which had been growing cold and stiff.

And with that, he rested his head on Chunchu’s shoulder.

Chunchu held back her breath and sobbed in that position.

Seuk!

Watching them, Mok Gyeong-un, who had been gathering magical power, lowered his hands that were forming the seals.

-Why… Why did you stop?

To Cheong-ryeong’s question, Mok Gyeong-un replied with a soft exhale:

-Because he can’t become a vengeful spirit now.