Book 2: Chapter 473
Danli Pung.
There was something that this man, who had become a corpse, had misunderstood.
The Vice Cult Leader, Kwak Yang-gun, was without a doubt the second in command. But that didn’t mean that he was the second strongest in the Demonic Cult.
The Three Great Guardians of the Demonic Cult.
They didn’t have names. And their real identities were unknown.
Some of the cult members speculated that they were children who had inherited the blood of the Heavenly Demon, but they were executed soon after for insulting the Cult Leader. After that, the cult members stopped making unnecessary speculations and the guardians became a mystery that shouldn’t be prodded.
Nevertheless, because each of them used the blade, dagger, and spear respectively, they were called the Sword Kill, Dagger Kill, and Spear Kill.
The three guardians protected the Cult Leader from the shadows. Individually, their powers were only slightly superior to the Captains, but when they attacked together, it was possible for them to overwhelm Vice Leader Kwak Yang-gun.
Of course, only a few people in the cult knew that fact. Even Captain Danli Pung, one of the executives in the cult, didn’t know their power.
Even at that moment, the three guardians were looking at the ongoing situation while hiding in the shadows.
‘It’s over.’
This was what the Sword Kill thought, and the Dagger Kill and Spear Kill agreed.
The Demonic Cult’s Esoteric Martial Arts(秘傳武功) Divine Legacy Skill(神技經學) Dark Cloud Fog黑雲霧.
It was the internal strength released from a martial art known as the Mountain Destroying Black Wind(黑風滅岳).
The intruder was clearly quite strong. This was clear from the number of cult members he’d killed on his way up from the bottom. It would take the Demonic Cult at least ten years to recover from the damage it had suffered today.
‘…a monster that we wouldn’t be able to survive more than 100 seconds against even if we launched a sneak attack.’
They had never encountered such a skilled Swordsman in the Murim even in the past. He was probably one of the ten best Swordsmen in the ‘Great Fusion World’ where countless monsters existed.
However, it was a bad matchup.
The Dark Cloud Fog was the Heavenly Demon’s most well known martial art.
Whoever was designated as an enemy, regardless of their martial arts or internal strength, would become a pool of blood.
At least they should.
“…”
But it wasn’t long before the Spear Kill realised something strange.
He noticed that Dok Go-yun didn’t stop releasing the Dark Cloud Fog and instead continued to release it endlessly. The pitch black gale had already been around for more than ten seconds. Even if the opponent had a body made of diamond, that was enough time to have ground them into a pile of sand.
Like the name suggested, the Mountain Destroying Black Wind was a martial art capable of destroying a massive mountain.
It was the Dagger Kill that grasped the situation first. This wasn’t because his eyesight was better than the others. However, his position was better. His hiding place was the closest to Yang In-hyun.
“…!”
Yang In-hyun was standing there with his sword raised. After being pushed back two steps, his feet remained planted on the ground as if they were nailed in place.
There were no signs of struggle. It looked like he wasn’t even trying to defend.
No. Much more than that… he looked relaxed.
Instead of a martial artist facing the Mountain Destroying Black Wind, Yang In-hyun looked like a mountain climber enjoying a warm spring breeze.
But as soon as he saw his eyes, the Dagger Kill’s heart sank.
“…undoubtedly.”
Swoosh, Mountain Destroying Black Wind, which had been raging unceasingly, stopped.
Pulling back his hands, Dok Go-yun said.
“You have the power to kill Kwan Yang-gun.”
“…”
“This is surprising. It’s been decades since I met someone who could compete with me…”
There was a mixture of excitement and joy in his voice.
“That’s meaningless.”
“What was that?”
“I said it’s meaningless, Dok Go-yun, what is the point of such a competition?”
The retort came in a voice filled with indifference and futility.
“What does it matter to compete with power? Does it change anything if I’m stronger, or if you’re stronger?”
“It changes everything. That’s a simple principle, isn’t it? After all, in the end, it is the strong that decides the order and means of things. Therefore, it is the criterion of power that determines everything. Anyone who has surrendered themselves to the martial path would know this. And…”
Dok Go-yun smiled brightly.
“Even if they don’t have hands and legs, a martial artist should always desire to be the best in the world.”
“You really.”
Yang In-hyun sighed.
“Are exactly the type of person that I hate.”
Bababang!
“…”
Blood splattered onto Dok Go-yun’s face.
“…what…”
It took him a short while for him to grasp the situation.
Yang In-hyun was standing with his sword drawn, and in front of him were three bodies.
It took Dok Go-yun a moment to understand that the bodies belonged to the Heavenly Demons’ Three Great Guardians.
“Their tenacity was magnificent. At their level, they shouldn’t have even been able to make a sound under the pressure of my sword energy… Was it something psychological?”
It wasn’t that Dok Go-yun was unable to grasp the situation. It was just that his mind was incapable of accepting what had just happened so quickly.
Just as Dok Go-yun had sensed his inevitable death, the guardians that had been hiding in the darkness appeared in front of him and used their bodies as shields.
And died. The Three Kills, who were more powerful than the Vice Cult Leader, had died so vainly.
It was only then that Dok Go-yun was able to move his body again. The fear that engulfed his entire body in an instant was pushed away by the humiliation that filled his stomach.
“Bastard…!”
Grrr!
Dark clouds covered his arms like fog, causing his skin to become black. Black Spirit Possession was the secret form of the Dark Cloud Fog which increased the user’s combat ability as well as their physical and mental strength by covering their body with dark ki.
Dok Go-yun had used this martial art less than five times. And this was the first time that he was doing so out of anger.
At first glance, it might seem that he’d lost his mind in rage, that wasn’t exactly wrong.
The Dark Cloud Fog was a demonic art, and all demonic arts were greatly influenced by the user’s emotional state. Therefore, it made sense that martial arts, which were used out of anger, would be stronger than usual.
Dok Go-yun’s fingers shook with rage.
Yang In-hyun’s sword,
Didn’t contain anything.
Clang!
Nevertheless, when the fist and sword collided, it was Dok Go-yun that was sent flying.
In an instant, his body was turned into a ragdoll. Dok Go-yun spat out a mouthful of blood as he collided with the wall.
Pain that he was feeling for the first time coursed through his body. But instead of the pain, it was the mental terror that caused his body to become sluggish.
‘The hell… is this…’
For Dok Go-yun.
Winning was just a natural process in a fight. That was what he was taught. Dok Go-yun had been assured that there was no being beside himself that could harm him.
That’s how it should’ve been.
Tap.
Yang In-hyun walked up to Dok Go-yun with unhurried steps.
Gritting his teeth, Dok Go-yun used the Dark Cloud Fog once more. The black fog poured out like a waterfall and devoured his body. This caused his twisted bones to return to their original positions and the internal bleeding stopped for a moment. The pain also faded.
“That’s a dangerous martial art.”
Yang In-hyun spoke with deep admiration.
Dok Go-yun once again took a stance as he said.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
“I’m just about to kill a frog in the well.”
“…kuku. Right. I’m not sure about that.”
Yang In-hyun noticed that Dok Go-yun’s tone had changed. Was he hiding his true feelings? It felt a bit different from that.
“Then I’ll change the question… Do you understand the weight of what you’re doing?”
“The weight of what I’m doing?”
“Do you think our Demonic Cult is the only force ruling in this place? The Great Galactic Alliance, Demon King, Archlich. And… the Murim. All of those neighbouring powers are our allies.”
“…”
“That means that the breath of the Demonic Cult has already reached a level of being able to affect heaven and earth.”
When Yang In-hyun’s steps stopped, Dok Go-yun’s smile widened.
“Now you understand. To kill me is to become the enemy of the entire world.”
“…”
“You wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably for a single day. Hunters from every organisations in the Murim would-”
“Kuku.”
In the end, Yang In-hyun couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Kukuku, ha, hahaha. Ahahaha.”
He burst into laughter.
For Yang In-hyun, who rarely expressed emotions, this was the equivalent of laughing his head off.
However, Dok Go-yun, who heard this laughter, felt unknown shame, humiliation, and fear once more.
“Why are you laughing? Did you really lose your mind…?”
“That’s right. I haven’t been sane for a long time.”
With a smile, Yang In-hyun continued.
“And you, who dared to mention the Murim in front of me, will not be able to remain sane either.”
“What…?”
“Everlasting Plum Sword, First Move.”
“—”
When the colourless buds covered his vision, Dok Go-yun’s mouth fell open.
This… What was this scene…?
“Murim Annihilation.”
—There was no sound. It was as if his entire body was surrounded by smoke. Instinctively, he tried to swing his hands, but he couldn’t feel anything.
Then Dok Go-yun felt a chill penetrate his entire body.
“Ugh…”
Was this really… martial arts?
Was this really the same kind of technique as the Mountain Destroying Black Wind that he used? Was it really possible to perform such martial arts with a human body?
“I’ve never used a cow slaying knife to kill a chicken, but this seems like an opportune time.”
Dok Go-yun’s entire body was covered in blood as he collapsed to the ground. His body shook.
…He was alive.
He… was still alive.
However, his fighting spirit was dead.
This was also Yang In-hyun’s intention.
If he really wanted it, the body of this man in front of him would have been completely destroyed without leaving a single trace.
“…this place.”
Yang In-hyun opened his mouth.
“Isn’t the top floor.”
“…”
Dok Go-yun’s trembling stopped.
“Upstairs, there is still one more floor left.”
“…kuk, kukuku.”
Then Dok Go-yun forced out a laugh.
“Right. Since you already know, there is no need to hide it anymore… You are right. This place isn’t the top. And I’m not the Heavenly Demon.”
Yang In-hyun’s expression was still indifferent.
“I’m just a double. He is the one controlling everything from the shadows. Did you say your name was Yang In-hyun? You’re obviously strong, but you won’t be able to defeat him.”
Dok Go-yun spoke with a relaxed expression.
“Because I’m just his double. It’s now your turn to be the frog in the well.”
“…”
“I’m really looking forward to it. That moment when your face becomes distorted with despair-”
What happened in the next moment was something even Yang In-hyun couldn’t have predicted.
The ceiling collapsed and someone appeared in the dust.
Yang In-hyun’s expression changed. The one who appeared was none other than Lukas Trowman. After being silent for a while, Yang In-hyun finally asked.
“…why from above?”
“I came in a hurry. But it seems I was too late.”
Responding briefly, Lukas looked around. He wasn’t alone. In one of his hands, he was holding someone by the throat.
Yang In-hyun looked at the man, no…
He looked at the corpse and asked.
“Who is that?”
“Well. He got in my way as I was entering the building…”
“Did you kill him.”
“Unfortunately, he wasn’t weak enough for me to subdue him quickly. I was in a bit of a hurry.”
“…”
Dok Go-yun couldn’t believe the sight that was unfolding before his eyes. In truth, it would be more accurate to say that his brain refused to accept it.
…That being.
That being, no that man, in the hand of the blonde haired man was clearly…
“By the way, where is that guy called the Heavenly Demon?”
“Why?”
“I made a deal with the representative of Luanoble. I need his head.”
“…mm.”
…The one called Dok Go-yun.
In truth, he was the real number two of the Demonic Cult. He was a figurehead put in place by the cautious Heavenly Demon. Nevertheless, his martial prowess was not a lie. If the Heavenly Demon wasn’t around, he was strong enough to destroy the Demonic Cult on his own.
In the first place, if he didn’t have that kind of martial arts, there was no way he could have claimed to be the Heavenly Demon. In fact, the real Heavenly Demon had generously passed on his most well known martial arts skills to Dok Go-yun so that he wouldn’t be suspected.
But despite all of his teachings, hellish training, and restricted life, Dok Go-yun had only one ambition.
To survive.
To live a long life, no matter what.
This situation was confusing, but one thing was clear.
If he didn’t say anything, he would definitely be taken for the Heavenly Demon.
At that moment Dok Go-yun’s judgement was extremely fast and accurate.
“That sir, no that guy is the Heavenly Demon!”
Dok Go-yun threw himself on his face at Lukas’ feet.
“Thank you for rescuing me from that evil guy! Great Sir!”
(TL:…lmao… I was not expecting that to be the way this went…)