Chapter 78: Betting One’s Life (1)
Jong Seok’s secret technique was poison arts.
However, fearing he might be discovered by Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s group if he revealed it, he had kept his poison arts hidden until now.
It was also for this reason that Gocheok’s Black Wolf had mistaken the scent of poison from Jong Seok as being from the Petrifying Poison Stone.
“And the three of you, please take care of the others together with Brother Jong. I’ll take on Self-Revolving Blood Demon myself.”
“Young Lord, it’s impossible alone!”
Honestly, even if all of them worked together, they couldn’t guarantee victory against a martial artist of Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s level.
The idea of fighting him alone seemed so reckless that they shouted without thinking.
“Trust me.”
“How can we trust you in this situation?”
But Mo Biyoung fell silent after sensing the blazing determination in the Young Lord’s eyes.
Namwook spoke up.
“Damn it! I’ll trust you, Young Lord. If we don’t trust you, we die. We have no choice but to trust you. And back in Bamboo Forest, everyone else believed in you… except me. I didn’t believe what you said.”
He was referring to the Young Lord’s words that Jegal Yohye would come with reinforcements.
“From now on, I’ll believe you.”
“So will I.”
Jungwook added his voice.
“If things go as the Young Lord says again, even if he claims I’m his daughter, I’ll believe it.”
Yong Hwarin joked at that.
“That wouldn’t be too bad. If we make it out alive, I’ll have a bearded daughter older than me.”
Whoosh!
Just as he finished speaking, a force attack sliced past above Yong Hwarin’s head.
Boom!
Crack-crack!
Two trees hit by the force snapped at their roots and collapsed.
“Are you done chattering? Laughing and joking in front of me? I’ll rip out your tongues and kill you all!”
Yong Hwarin answered with a string of curses.
Of course, it was through telepathy.
– You bastard, what kind of crap are you spouting?
At Yong Hwarin’s sudden outburst, Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s eyes widened.
– What? You think you’re the only one who can curse? Surprised much, huh?
Just as Self-Revolving Blood Demon faltered at the unexpected retort, Yong Hwarin struck.
The situation turned into Yong Hwarin driving Self-Revolving Blood Demon back.
Mo Biyoung, the Twin Dragons, and Jong Seok were all stunned to see Yong Hwarin pushing Self-Revolving Blood Demon from the start.
When Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s subordinates took advantage of the opening to launch their attack, the battle fully erupted.
“Heh heh heh, what a sharp-tongued brat.”
– Can’t handle being cursed out by a kid? You impotent bastard!
“What?!”
Hearing a kid mock his biggest weakness, Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s aura turned vicious.
There was a major flaw in Self-Revolving Demonic Arts.
Because Self-Revolving Qi was so overpowering, it caused the male practitioner’s reproductive ability to degrade.
Thus, those in the demonic path familiar with Self-Revolving Demonic Arts often mocked it as a eunuch’s martial art. But such knowledge was only known to elite martial artists at the Triple Convergence level who could cultivate high-tier martial arts like Self-Revolving Demonic Arts.
– You cultivated eunuch martial arts and still act all high and mighty!
At those words, Self-Revolving Blood Demon ground his teeth.
“I’ll crush your bones into dust!”
Self-Revolving Blood Demon gathered a deep blue aura in both hands and charged at Yong Hwarin.
All of Yong Hwarin’s curses were actually spoken by the Demonic Master.
Demonic Master Seok Jamyung knew more about Self-Revolving Blood Demon than anyone.
Though they had never fought directly, in their past lives, both Seok Jamyung and Self-Revolving Blood Demon had been part of the Four Great Demon Lords.
It was only natural for him to be well-informed about Self-Revolving Blood Demon.
However, the Demonic Master knew he couldn’t use his own martial arts through Yong Hwarin’s body.
He remembered how, during his duel with Chouhui, trying to use his own martial techniques had backfired, as his unfamiliarity with the body had thrown him off and pushed him into a defensive stance.
If Yong Hwarin had trained in his martial arts, the Demonic Master could have fought while controlling his body directly, but right now, it was most effective to fight using the martial techniques that Yong Hwarin himself was used to.
‘That bastard’s not one to let your guard down around. Don’t mind what I say, just attack whenever you see an opening.’
Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s plan was to silence the brat before he could spout more nonsense.
‘His specialty might be Self-Revolving Demonic Arts, but in truth, he’s a fist-fighter.’
Before the Demonic Master’s words even faded from Yong Hwarin’s mind, Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s fist flew in.
Whoosh!
His fist cut through the air with a sharper edge than a sword.
In mere seconds, Self-Revolving Blood Demon unleashed over ten strikes.
Surprisingly, Yong Hwarin blocked every single one.
That was both impressive and amusing.
“You’re quite something for a brat. I suppose that’s why you can’t keep your damn mouth shut even when death’s staring you in the face. I’ll ask you just one thing. How did you learn that?”
- What? Surprised because I know you're a eunuch?
Self-Revolving Blood Demon was indeed surprised.
Despite responding through telepathy, Yong Hwarin was still managing to block his attacks.
That alone was impressive.
Of course, Self-Revolving Blood Demon had already achieved a high level, so he could do such things. But how was this young brat managing to exchange telepathy while fending off his attacks?
In truth, Yong Hwarin was barely keeping his mind together using Tong’an Technique, employing Bamboo Forest Flying Dragon Steps and Azure Bamboo Sword. He had no room to breathe.
Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s fists twisted in at bizarre angles, forcing him to remain utterly focused.
The Demonic Master, who had seized control of the Upper Dantian, was the one handling the responses.
– Are you referring to the eunuch martial arts as that fact?
As he continued to mock Self-Revolving Blood Demon through telepathy, Self-Revolving Blood Demon responded with a fierce shout and renewed his attack.
“Let’s see if your tongue can still wag after I smash your mouth in!”
Whoosh!
Self-Revolving Blood Demon unleashed a rapid series of strikes using his fist techniques.
Yong Hwarin blocked them with his sword, replying in telepathy.
– If my mouth gets smashed, you'll never find out where I heard your secret, bastard!
Yong Hwarin couldn’t understand why the Demonic Master was provoking Self-Revolving Blood Demon with so many pointless insults.
A martial artist of that level wouldn't be shaken by mere vulgarities.
‘Is he doing it because he has a plan? Otherwise, there’s no reason to act so crudely... Or is this just how demonic path martial artists fight?’
While such thoughts flickered through his mind, Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s twin fists flew straight at his nose. Yong Hwarin dodged them, but failed to evade one strike.
He shifted his weight backward and blocked with his sword.
‘Self-Revolving Qi!’
Though he blocked the fist, blue flames burst from the blade.
Clang!
Unable to withstand the Self-Revolving Qi, the sword shattered into three pieces.
‘Focus!’
The Demonic Master’s voice rang out in his head.
Yong Hwarin finally realized the terrifying power of Self-Revolving Demonic Arts when the sword that had accompanied him since he left his clan shattered.
No matter how powerful the martial arts, breaking a sword forged from refined steel was no easy feat.
That was how immense Self-Revolving Demonic Arts were.
‘Just how much pain must Hyemae have endured with that energy inside her?’
In that moment, a wave of fury surged inside Yong Hwarin toward Self-Revolving Blood Demon.
Strangely enough, that fury gave him strength.
‘Now’s not the time. If she doesn’t take the medicine within one two-hour cycle, Hyemae’s life is at risk from the Self-Revolving Qi. I have to end this quickly.’
Though he was only thinking it, the Demonic Master heard it.
He thought Yong Hwarin was speaking to him.
‘You brat, that bastard really is dangerous. You’ll have to bet your life!’
‘Unleash all your internal energy!’
‘What?! Then you might die. Your body isn’t ready to handle my full power yet!’
‘Better to die with him than be killed by him alone, right?’
At those words, the Demonic Master abandoned his plan to gradually increase power and awakened it fully.
As the accumulated internal energy of the Triple Armor Level that had lain dormant under Yong Hwarin’s skin surged into his body, it felt like molten iron was being poured into his organs.
But Yong Hwarin gritted his teeth and launched an attack using Coiling Dragon Fist.
Without a sword, Yong Hwarin had to rely on his fists. And then, energy began to shimmer around them.
His Qi suddenly doubled in strength. Self-Revolving Blood Demon stared at him as if watching some mysterious beast.
‘That brat already reached the stage of Qi Net?’
Qi Net was a level beyond Qi Thread.
In other words, not a realm to be underestimated.
From that moment on, their exchange of blows became a true contest of titans.
“You are someone who must die!”
Self-Revolving Blood Demon continued to provoke Yong Hwarin with words while throwing his fists.
But the Demonic Master didn’t respond this time.
Yong Hwarin’s body was burning up so intensely that his mind was starting to blur—he had no capacity for words anymore.
‘You fool, at this rate you’ll die first!’
No matter how much Yong Hwarin’s skills had improved or how fast his martial arts were progressing, the gap between him and Self-Revolving Blood Demon couldn’t be closed so easily.
Self-Revolving Blood Demon was one of only eight great Demonic Lords acknowledged in the entire martial world.
Even using the Demonic Master’s full Triple Armor internal energy temporarily, Yong Hwarin couldn’t utilize it effectively enough to win.
At best, he was merely managing to withstand Self-Revolving Blood Demon’s onslaught by using every skill, technique, and ounce of power he had.
‘I might die today. I was too arrogant. I thought I could beat even someone like this just because I’d won a few times before... I was intoxicated with victory and lost myself. I deserve to be crushed.’
In the end, Yong Hwarin inwardly laughed bitterly as he berated himself.
In truth, it was the Demonic Master who blamed himself even more.
He knew exactly who Self-Revolving Blood Demon was. To confront him without any proper plan was a mistake.
‘Brat, give me full control of your consciousness! Then maybe I can do something!’
Hearing that, Yong Hwarin felt tempted to hand over his mind.
But just then, Nan Myeonggwak’s warning echoed in his memory.
“Never surrender your consciousness to a spirit. If you do, that’s the end.”
There was no guarantee the Demonic Master would return his mind afterward. To give it away without a contingency was reckless.
As Yong Hwarin didn’t yield despite his coaxing, the Demonic Master chose a last resort.
‘Fine, then I’ll shake that bastard with words. When you see an opening, strike with your most powerful move. If you attack using all my internal energy, you might stand a chance.’
Yong Hwarin agreed, though he didn’t expect much.
Even as the Demonic Master mocked and degraded Self-Revolving Blood Demon, the latter didn’t lose his composure.
Instead, it only added more fuel to the fire.
‘Don’t worry. I’ve got a hidden ace up my sleeve. He’ll definitely react to my words. Prepare your final strike.’
Trusting the Demonic Master’s words, Yong Hwarin prepared to follow through.
Among the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword techniques, the most destructive move was Wish Pierces the Heavens.
But Wish Pierces the Heavens required a sword to execute.
Yong Hwarin needed the sword gifted by Ha Yanggyo.
Naturally, his gaze turned toward the wagon where it was stored.
At that moment, his eyes met with Jong Munhye.
She had awoken from her unconscious state and saw Yong Hwarin being overwhelmed and even losing his sword. Seeing this, she gripped the sword given by Ha Yanggyo and struggled to get out of the wagon.
Anyone could tell she was about to throw the sword to Yong Hwarin.
And then—
Thwack!
In the middle of exchanging blows, Yong Hwarin unexpectedly took two punches cleanly.