The thick clouds parted.
Moonlight briefly engulfed the manor.
ng So-un raged.
"Don’t spout nonsense! You pathetic bastard! The second son?! That ng Wiyong is dead! I killed him!"
His bloated body moved with surprising agility—far too nimble for soone of his size.
*Boom!*
His palm struck the outer wall of the building, part of which collapsed with a thunderous crash.
From within the rubble, I drew my sword. Channeling the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art, I infused the blade with energy to hunt the spirit of the dead.
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art.
Second Form.
Dan Hon Chu.
The blade sliced through, drawing blood. ng So-un howled like a slaughtered pig.
But as soon as I struck, I realized the truth. His skin, which appeared normal, was unnaturally thick and tough.
The blood I had drawn was rely superficial, no more than a thin scratch on his hardened exterior.
"You bastard!"
A violent energy surged. I narrowly evaded the incoming fist by deploying Ghostly Step, a move I had perfected for such occasions.
The attack itself wasn’t sharp, but the real danger lay in the force that followed. His strikes carried waves of internal energy, akin to a blade of qi that tore through my clothes and left cuts on my skin, blood spraying from the wounds.
"I’ll crush you!"
*Boom!*
His arm smashed deep into the wall. Amidst the raining debris, I unleashed the Nine Heavens Blood Sword once more.
Dan Hon Chu—a strike ant to sever and destroy.
*Slash!*
Blood spattered again, but it was shallow. No matter how much internal energy I summoned, I could only cut through the outermost layer of his hide.
ng So-un laughed mockingly.
"You pathetic fool. Don’t even try."
*Boom!*
My chest caved in. I failed to dodge in ti, and his palm hamred into , sending hurtling into the wall. Blood filled my mouth and spilled out as I coughed violently.
Every blow was fatal.
Cheongeop, the mystical energy sustaining , laughed mockingly at my weakness. It restored my body, repairing the damage to my chest, but left the excruciating pain intact, forcing a scream from my lips.
His body was nearly invincible—an impenetrable fortress against soone like .
It was like trying to split a boulder with a dull blade.
"The White Demon Body is beyond anything your feeble skills can comprehend! You think your pitiful sword can cut ?"
A fist flew toward my face, clumsy but driven by raw power.
I could have dodged, but my gaze locked onto soone else’s eyes. In that mont, I realized—
I shouldn’t evade this strike.
*Crunch.*
The brutal sound of bones cracking rang out as I was flung to the ground, my neck twisting unnaturally. Pain wracked my body, but I stayed down, observing my opponent.
"Father’s second son? A spirit? You dare invoke such a na with that level of skill?"
ng So-un ripped a pillar from the building, his monstrous strength sending cracks through its foundation.
"The White Demon Body surpasses all! Your feeble techniques are nothing compared to this power!"
*Thud!*
The pillar slamd into , and blood sprayed from my mouth. My broken bones jutted through torn skin, and I bit down hard on my tongue to keep from screaming.
Hold on.
I had to endure.
There was a reason I took these hits, a reason I allowed myself to be struck.
Through the haze of pain, I turned my head. There—they were coming. Shadows of warriors approached, unnoticed by ng So-un, who was entirely focused on pumling .
*Crack.*
The pillar splintered. ng So-un grabbed a shard and drove it into my body, piercing my organs. I clawed at the ground, choking on my own blood.
"Huff... Huff... Pathetic bastard. You thought you could...?"
His voice grated in my ears as his insults poured forth.
"Father is dead. The spirit will fall too. You’re nothing. Even your na, Wang Sohong, is a disgrace. My father’s na, ngcheon, was nothing special either."
I reached for my sword, but his foot ca down hard on my hand, the crushing force sending pain rippling through my spine.
"Is this so final contingency my father left behind? Did he suspect all along? Perhaps he knew who killed his precious second son."
"..."
"In the end, I stand victorious! I, ng So-un, am destined for greatness. Joining the Manma Sect will grant more power than I ever dread of. The world will know my na!"
He laughed maniacally.
"The world revolves around ! I am its master! This is destiny!"
Through clenched teeth, I forced out a few words.
"So... you killed... the sect master too?"
"Of course! That was the deal with Teacher Baek! To ensure I beca the Black Sky Axe Sect’s leader, I had to kill my father. But you know what? My father isn’t entirely gone."
ng So-un patted his stomach with a twisted smile.
"His energy remains within . I’ve absorbed it, and it’s making stronger. This is the natural cycle of succession. By consuming his strength, I will rise even higher!"
He hefted the splintered pillar, aiming it at my head for a final blow.
"Die, spirit. You’ve sullied my mood long enough. With your death, I’ll sever all ties to my father."
"...Hah..."
I shook with quiet laughter.
"You’ve gone mad in the face of death?"
"Not at all. I’m just... grateful. You’ve said so much."
"What?"
ng So-un looked around hastily. His eyes widened as he saw the shadows closing in.
"When...?"
The warriors of the Black Sky Axe Sect, ard with their axes, trembled as they took in the scene. Murmurs of disbelief rippled through their ranks.
"Young Master... Did you...?"
"Did you really kill the sect master...?"
"It’s lies! This bastard bewitched you all! My father’s death was an accident!"
One of the warriors, a gatekeeper I recognized, stared at .
"Are you... Wang Sohong? Why are you here?"
Still using the false na, I straightened myself and answered.
"I ca seeking the truth. The sect master was good to . And by chance, I overheard a conversation."
"So, it’s true...?"
ng So-un’s voice grew panicked as accusations flew.
"Silence! You will obey ! I’ll give you power, wealth—whatever you desire. The sect rely has a new leader. Why resist?"
"You’ve gone mad!"
ng So-un’s energy surged, knocking warriors back as he shouted.
"The strong devour the weak! That is the law of the sect! Follow strength, and I am the strongest!"
"You fool," I whispered, steadying my blade.
ng So-un turned to , enraged.
"You think you can cut ? My body is impenetrable!"
I tightened my grip on the hilt, channeling my strength and mories into the blade.
"Your father’s axe could break boulders."
"Shut up!"
"He wielded more than just power. Sothing you’ll never understand."
"Enough! I’ll crush you!"
ng So-un lunged, but I t him with my sword, the techniques of the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art blending with everything I had learned. Pain and effort beca one as my blade cleaved through the unbreakable.
"Effort never betrays."
In the end, my blade struck true.
ng So-un stared in disbelief, a deep fissure running from his head to his groin.
"Ten years... That’s how long it took to cross this wall, you pig."
*Thud.*
ng So-un’s body split apart, collapsing to the ground.
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