Chapter 256
If there are five Blood Demon Gangshi, they could overpower a superhuman.
The first time I heard that story was back in the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace and the Demon Sect had been at odds for a long time. Because of that, we had no choice but to investigate the Demon Sect, and in that process, researching tactics to counteract their martial artists was essential.
Therefore, there were those studying martial arts in the Taehak of the Imperial Palace, and excluding members of the Demon Sect, they were some of the best experts on martial artists in the world.
Since the incident involving Hongseong, the Sword Saint has been traveling the world, defeating many evil monsters and fighting against the Demon Sect, continually proving that Hongseong is still standing strong.
Thanks to that, I received an invitation to the Imperial Palace, where I heard that the foundation of the Demon Sect, Gi Won Yuga, can create monsters called Blood Demon Gangshi, and if five of those monsters gather, they could even overpower a superhuman.
However, they said Gi Won Yuga would never let more than four Blood Demon Gangshi out of the Demon Sect.
Naturally. The Demon Sect’s five clans had been fighting among themselves for a long time. Among them, Gi Won Yuga, who is skilled in Gangshi techniques and holds a strong position in the Demon Sect, would never send out the Blood Demon Gangshi, who are the clan’s trump card.
Because of that, I was told to only be cautious when facing Blood Demon Gangshi during attacks on the Demon Sect.
I didn’t worry too much about it. The Sword Saint’s goal was to revitalize Hongseong, not to collapse the Demon Sect.
Moreover, with a brilliant disciple named Hongryeon, I had to endure attacking the Demon Sect to lessen the burden when she succeeded me.
After that, I had forgotten about the Blood Demon Gangshi…
“Huuk!!”
With a low shout, the Sword Saint quickly swung her great sword.
The Blood Demon Gangshi, exuding a strange energy with strange movements, was skillfully executing a linked attack as if it were one body.
Could that be why? The Sword Saint felt her technique become entangled. Normally, a regular Gangshi would have fallen with its neck already cut off by now.
But she couldn’t lose here. Setting aside the fact that this was Hongseong, there was something she had mentioned.
– If the Demon Sect were to attack Hongseong, and if they brought Blood Demon Gangshi with them, I hope you could handle them all. Of course, if it seems dangerous, please run away. Even if it’s half of Cheonma Divine Art, your safety is more important than that.
That was from a little while ago.
Recently, when I heard stories of unusual movements from the Demon Sect and that the military and the Murim Alliance were beginning to act against them, Yu Wol had seriously spoken to me.
Back then, I just acknowledged it, but I can’t believe this is actually happening. How can one see several moves ahead while sitting still?
– Kyaaaak!!
Sharp teeth aimed for the throat. The Sword Saint Na Yerin slammed her fist into the Blood Demon Gangshi’s jaw, sending it soaring, then battered its body with her long legs before raining down with her great sword. At the same time, a storm of fierce energy erupted like an explosion.
But the Blood Demon Gangshi only huddled together to block it again.
Really, disgustingly tough.
But it wasn’t exactly hopeless.
“Haaaaah!!”
Over there, Chaejin was utterly dominating that demonic martial artist.
Since becoming a superhuman not long ago, Chaejin had learned how to manipulate energy and combat techniques from the Sword Saint and Doje.
Although she was still a bit clumsy as a superhuman, looking at her growth curve, it wouldn’t be long before she reached her potential.
Plus, she wielded a sword.
If she possessed the Dragon Form Sword imbued with the power of a dragon, it would only amplify her abilities.
‘Haha.’
Chuckling inwardly, the Sword Saint thought of a man.
Could it be that he gave Chaejin and Hongryeon the Dragon Form Sword and Dragon Rebirth Blade for this very reason?
– Kyaaaak!!
Just thinking about him made the filthy feeling of battling the Gangshi fade quickly, replaced by a swell of sweetness.
Thus, as Yu Jangmok began to be cornered, she swung her sword at the approaching Blood Demon Gangshi trying to protect him.
– Kyaaaaak!!
Their master, Yu Jangmok, was in trouble. Therefore, they had to rush to his aid.
But the Blood Demon Gangshi couldn’t help Yu Jangmok.
Just like earlier when the Sword Saint kept them from supporting their master, she was also preventing the Gangshi from reaching Yu Jangmok.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Gripping her great sword with both hands, she unleashed a wave of energy, grinning cheerfully.
The movements of her disciples engaging the demonic martial artists were commendable.
Ever since Hongryeon became a superhuman, her disciples had grown even stronger.
It was only natural. As part of a sect with two superhumans, they all knew what they needed to do.
The Sword Saint and Hongryeon.
With the desire not to hold them back, the disciples had been training diligently.
They no longer had to worry about making a living like in the past.
There was no need to skimp on equipment either.
Thus, the disciples of Hongseong could focus solely on martial arts training and nurtured their will to grow stronger.
That’s why they had become even tougher than before.
See?
The Hongseong Sword Techniques had grown stronger, and the movements of the disciples had sharpened and quickened.
The Sword Saint recalled her past self. Before everything happened, how the disciples of Hongseong moved back then.
The movements of the group.
The current disciples were showing an appearance far superior to those of the past.
“Ah… Master.”
The Sword Saint felt warmth gathering around her eyes. The visions that her past master had so desperately wished for were gradually becoming a reality.
Things that had seemed impossible in her era were now coming to fruition.
Now.
There were no regrets.
As the leader of the Hongseong Clan, there was nothing more she needed to do.
Then.
“It’s time to step back.”
With a gentle smile, the Sword Saint swung her great sword.
“Craaaak!!”
Yu Jangmok, with one arm blown off and injuries all over, couldn’t understand. How on earth?
No matter how powerful the energy was, it shouldn’t be able to penetrate the defenses of her Ancient-Mok Magic and the Evil Monster.
Even in her current state, not even a superhuman could deal this much damage to her!
Her vision blurred. Yu Jangmok’s gaze was fixated on Chaejin’s sword. The dragon-like energy. There was no way to stop it.
“What… what is that!!”
“Phew… well then.”
Chaejin, even while using the Dragon-Form Sword Technique, didn’t look particularly well.
She still had the feeling of being led by the Dragon-Form, but so what? In the near future, she would be able to master it perfectly.
From time to time, there were martial artists who were swept away by good weapons.
The endings of such people were always the same. They mistook the weapon’s power for their own, getting cocky and dying or ultimately realizing the truth, becoming disheartened and letting go of the weapon.
But Chaejin had no such thoughts.
And why would she? The Dragon-Form was given by her.
Given with trust in herself.
That’s why she wanted to respond to that trust.
By making the Dragon-Form completely her own.
“Huff!!”
At times, the Dragon-Form energy that lost control was becoming progressively sharper. It targeted precisely where she aimed, using only the necessary amount of power.
Chaejin, reveling in the joy of swinging the sword, smiled widely and said to Yu Jangmok.
“Head down. Head.”
“This is unbelievable…”
Ignoring his scream-like shout, Chaejin brought down the sword.
The energy, akin to a dragon’s claws,
was enough to split in half Yu Jangmok, the head of one of the five clans that had long dominated the Dark Arts.
“Whooo…”
Yu Jangmok, the head of the most powerful faction among the five clans of the Dark Arts and the wielder of the Ancient-Mok Magic who had committed countless evil deeds, was dead.
Looking down at the split corpse, Chaejin slowly composed her breathing.
Her body felt heavy.
Was it still too much to use the Dragon-Form energy? But it was fine. This much, she could endure.
Was it still too much? But it’s okay. I can hang in there at this level.
She slowly wrapped up her Yangyangqi and turned her head.
What caught Chaejin’s gaze was the Sword Saint. Was it because her master had died? The Blood Demon Gangshi’s eyes went wild, and they unleashed attacks so powerful they could destroy their own bodies against the Sword Saint.
After staring at her for a moment, Chaejin closed her eyes.
-Swish!!
And what unfolded was night.
A full moon rose and plunged into the body of one Blood Demon Gangshi. Moonlight Slash. The attack from the superhuman using Moonlight Techniques completely incapacitated the Blood Demon Gangshi, giving the Sword Saint more breathing room.
“I’ll help you.”
“Oh. Chaejin. I didn’t know you’d help me.”
“Hahaha. Without you, Yu Wol would focus more on me. Was that your thought?”
“What? I never thought that.”
“Hehe. Don’t worry. Yu Wol has always focused on me more.”
“…That’s even more ridiculous than what you said earlier. What do you mean? Isn’t it ‘common sense’ that he likes me more?”
“Maybe I should just leave.”
Chaejin, who chuckled at the Sword Saint, turned her back to her.
Five Blood Demon Gangshi can take on one superhuman.
But what about two superhumans?
The Sword Saint laughed while Chaejin grinned.
Yu Jangmok died, and the Blood Demon Gangshi completely halted their movements.
The demons who were fighting against the Hongseong Clan also all perished.
After confirming that the attackers on the Hongseong Clan had fallen, Chaejin slumped down to the ground.
“Phew… That was hard.”
She used Yangyangqi like that and took down the Blood Demon Gangshi. It wasn’t an easy battle, but they managed to overcome it.
“Perform your breathing technique. I’ll provide protection.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to mention it. More importantly, I’m worried about Ryen.”
“Well… she should be fine. If it’s that girl. Let’s rest a bit, then we’ll move.”
The Sword Saint nodded, and the tired disciples were instructed to treat their injuries.
The Sword Saint was equally exhausted, but after all, she was the one at the top here.
So it was her responsibility.
That was what an adult should do.
That was the duty of someone who wanted to protect them.
Thinking this internally, the Sword Saint smiled unconsciously, twisting her body.
“What are you saying? Huh, hehe.”
“….Master?”
“Huh? Oh? It’s nothing at all. Hohoho.”