Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 284

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 284

Mujin’s prowess was truly astonishing.

With each step he took, the bandits’ casualties increased exponentially.

Naturally, the frequency of attacks against him decreased dramatically.

As his merciless sword strikes swept away everything nearby, the bandits began to retreat one by one in fear.

To face him meant death.

Such thoughts became widespread.

Though he was just one person, his aura that freely displayed the realm of Gang energy surged like a tsunami, pushing the bandits deeper into the valley.

“Th-this can’t be…”

Deng Fei, the leader of Daebyeolsan, watched his subordinates fighting the unexpected intruder from atop a mountain inn roof some distance away, unable to hide his bewilderment.

An unannounced visit.

How had no one reported that such a master had come?

Jet-black eyes gleaming beneath flowing hair.

The blue-green energy dwelling in his sword strikes.

A master of Gang energy.

A true master who transcended both the standards of Chung-Hyeon-Tan-Ui for dividing internal energy levels and the criteria for martial arts proficiency from third-rate to supreme.

A terrifying being who alone could match the full strength of an entire sect had come to Daebyeolsan and was causing chaos.

Clang!

The only one who managed to deflect his sword was Bu Duryeong I Eokgi.

The second-in-command of the Daebyeolsan gang.

Only when he stepped forward, unable to let his subordinates’ deaths continue, could they slow the steps of this monster with gleaming black eyes.

But that was all he could do.

He had slowed him, not stopped him.

“Kugh!”

Just from blocking the sword, he seemed to have suffered internal injuries, spitting up blood by the bowlful.

It was clear he wouldn’t last much longer.

‘Foolish bastard, he should have reported immediately. How did it come to this…’

He understood the sentiment.

Since they were hosting an honored guest, he wouldn’t have wanted to disturb him.

He probably thought he could handle it somehow on his own.

Gauging I Eokgi’s feelings, Deng Fei glanced at Jin Yalim with a troubled expression.

He maintained a consistently calm expression.

Even as agonized screams continuously erupted and the blood and flesh of bandits rained down, he merely watched without any disturbance, as if watching a fire across the river.

And after a moment, a faint smile appeared on Jin Yalim’s lips.

“I see. He was from Wudang.”

“What? Wudang?”

“He wasn’t using techniques, so it took me a while to recognize. That man is using Wudang’s Flowing Cloud swordsmanship.”

“…?”

At Jin Yalim’s words, Deng Fei whipped his head around to stare at Mujin.

That bastard… is from Wudang?

That’s impossible.

How could those damned eyes visible even from a distance belong to a Taoist? A demon, perhaps.

Moreover, the energy emanating from his sword was full of killing intent…

“Well, there was no need to use techniques. Just cutting was sufficient.”

“…”

“It seems Wudang has changed quite a bit while I’ve been holed up in the mountains. I suppose they’re no longer insisting solely on goodness.”

Jin Yalim muttered to himself as if organizing the information he had gleaned.

He seemed more interested in the Wudang Taoist than in Daebyeolsan’s losses.

Perhaps that was natural.

The Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds.

People think they’re all united as one force, but this is half right and half wrong.

The true Green Forest consists only of the General Standard Bearer and his thirty-six subordinate strongholds.

Though the owners of the seventy-two strongholds had shared drinks and become brothers with him, it couldn’t be seen as an unconditional subordinate relationship.

The seventy-two strongholds each proclaimed themselves masters of their regions and operated independently.

In other words, it was similar to a martial alliance.

Under one name, but a structure gathered according to individual interests.

The reason they still served the General Standard Bearer as their leader and followed his commands was because they regarded him as the foundation of the Green Forest.

Also, the moment they caught his eye, their reputation in bandit circles would greatly increase.

Even Daebyeolsan gang would soon be known as ‘the place Heavenly River Star visited’ or ‘the place the General Standard Bearer remembers and keeps an eye on.’

That alone would have bandits wanting to join Daebyeolsan gang lining up.

So while Heavenly River Star Jin Yalim was indeed an honored guest, whether he helped Daebyeolsan depended entirely on his whim and couldn’t be forced.

He probably wouldn’t care whether the seventy-two strongholds became seventy-one.

There were plenty of candidates to become bandit leaders.

But how could Deng Fei’s position be like that?

If all his subordinates died and he remained alone, how could it still be called the Daebyeolsan gang?

Moreover, if he just waited for Jin Yalim’s help, he would miss his chance. Even now, his sworn brother was dying moment by moment.

He had to make a decision.

“Honored Guest! I apologize.”

“…?”

“I must save my sworn brother.”

At his sudden kneeling on one knee and bowing his head in apology, Jin Yalim smiled faintly.

“Leader Deng, I never told you not to move.”

“…!”

Words cold as ice.

It meant he would watch.

Though he hadn’t expected help, the disappointment was indescribable.

“Then I hope we can meet again later…”

As soon as he finished speaking, Deng Fei leaped from the mountain inn roof, picked up a sword lying on the ground, and ran toward Mujin.

“Get out of the way, you bastards!”

At his beast-like roar, the hesitating bandits split left and right.

“L-Leader!”

“The leader has come!”

“It’s the leader!”

At the sight of Deng Fei charging with murderous intent, the demoralized bandits’ spirits boiled up again.

This was the power of being a leader.

The bandits who had been groaning from injuries suddenly changed their expressions, gripped their swords properly, and supported Deng Fei from behind.

Meanwhile, Deng Fei poured internal energy into the sword in his hand with each step.

The energy that bloomed like thin thread quickly expanded, soon becoming as dense as woven silk and completely enveloping the sword.

Sword threads that only supreme masters who had reached Ui energy could use, and beyond that, a realm that imitated Gang energy – False Gang.

“You bastard! Where do you think this is to rampage so freely!”

With a thunderous shout, Deng Fei soared high and swung his sword vertically down at Mujin.

Swiiish!

Too far for the blade to reach.

But the False Gang layered over it stretched like taffy and struck at Mujin.

Claaang!

Mujin, who blocked with his raised sword, grimaced.

It was a heavy impact.

His previously unstoppable steps halted for the first time.

But without time to feel the aftereffects, he had to move his sword.

Deng Fei was swinging his sword at tremendous speed.

Clang! Clang clang!

Sword clashed against sword, sparks flying.

Even though it was false energy imitating true energy, it wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

Deng Fei’s techniques, honed through decades of bandit life, were more practical than expected.

His transitions between offense and defense were swift, and his control of power was surprisingly precise.

Mujin’s advancing steps soon turned into retreating ones.

“Haaah!”

Then Deng Fei gripped his sword with both hands and swung it horizontally with all his might, the energy in his blade straightening and shooting forth.

Zzzzzing!

Mujin’s sword, which blocked the attack, bent greatly.

‘What!’

The force wasn’t being neutralized.

It was like a spear tip piercing through a shield.

Moreover, the recoil from blocking made his insides churn.

‘Hmm…’

Gritting his teeth and adding more internal energy, Mujin twisted his sword strike to change the direction of the spear-like false energy and quickly retreated.

The distance between the two men widened like a standoff.

‘That’s an impressive sword strike.’

Mujin glanced at his faintly trembling hand and couldn’t help but admire inwardly.

To think that the leader of Daebyeolsan, one of the seventy-two strongholds and not even a forest alliance chief, possessed such power.

Having demonstrated his tremendous strike, Deng Fei didn’t bother to close the distance.

“Huff, huff…”

He was feeling emptiness after using excessive energy in that single moment.

‘Damn monster. Isn’t even his breathing getting rough?’

Deng Fei couldn’t help but grimace as he looked at Mujin standing in the distance.

Mujin appeared far too calm.

This was thanks to the breathing technique Zhuge Munhyeon had taught him to help unlock the fourth seal.

A cultivation method that made him constantly feel the emptiness of energy.

Having grown accustomed to it, his internal energy recovered quickly even after using excessive force.

It was also the mysterious application of the Mad Soul Art that amplified energy through anger.

When amplifying power according to the Mad Soul Art, his internal energy temporarily gained several times more potent force.

Mujin, who had been steadily watching Deng Fei, reversed his grip on his sword and cupped his fist.

Though they were enemies, though he would soon have to take his life, this was proper courtesy to show a master.

“I am Mujin of Wudang.”

“Tch…”

Jin Yalim had been right.

To think he really was a Wudang Taoist.

“I am Deng Fei, Earth Closing Star of the forest alliance and leader of Daebyeolsan.”

“Your sword technique is more impressive than I expected.”

“Likewise, young one. But why has a Wudang Mountain Taoist come all the way to Daebyeolsan? We’ve never had any grudge with Wudang.”

At Deng Fei’s words as he regulated his breathing, Mujin glanced back.

Zhuge Munhyeon said nothing.

Thinking he probably intended to leave it to him, Mujin calmly continued.

“Though there’s no grudge with Wudang, you have disturbed the world.”

“Disturbed the world?”

“Didn’t you kidnap innocent people, going down to slash-and-burn farmers and even villages?”

“What does that have to do with Wudang?”

“How could it not matter? Not turning a blind eye when seeing the people’s suffering is also a Taoist’s duty. Infinite Life Buddha.”

“Bullshit, spouting Infinite Life Buddha nonsense. Does Wudang think it’s Maitreya or something? You should stick to cultivating the Way in the mountains instead of doing useless things.”

“Whether Maitreya or Primordial Heavenly Venerable, what does it matter? Having seen suffering, it’s right to act. Even now, tell me what you did with those you captured and repent of your sins.”

“Stop talking nonsense and get lost, you dark-eyed barbarian. How many of my subordinates have you killed, yet you speak of sin? You’re no different from me!”

“Hmm… Though your ears are open, you don’t listen. This is truly lamentable. Since words don’t get through, I have no choice but to ask with my sword.”

Stopping his words, Mujin raised his reverse-gripped sword to point at Deng Fei and took the starting stance of the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.

In an instant, his aura changed.

He was finally about to use techniques he hadn’t employed until now.

His opponent had sufficient skill to warrant it.

Deng Fei’s face, which had been grimacing and snarling defiantly at the energy piercing his skin, contorted.

‘Damn…’

He knew this was a master of true energy.

Someone like himself who could only use false energy was no match.

Even if all his subordinates rushed in to help, they couldn’t defeat him.

At best, they might inflict a few wounds on his body.

‘Heavenly Strong Star… are you just going to keep watching?’

That was his only hope.

Only a martial artist of the same level could face a master of true energy.

But whether he would step in was uncertain.

‘I have no choice but to try for now.’

Deng Fei immediately channeled energy into his sword and launched himself toward Mujin.

Fierce battle ensued.

* * *

“Will he be alright?”

At Han Bulhae’s words as he watched with still worried eyes, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled.

A mere leader who only used false energy couldn’t defeat Mujin.

However, what concerned him was…

‘What’s with that bastard again?’

He had only noticed when Deng Fei appeared.

Someone watching the entire current situation from the roof of the mountain inn.

He hadn’t even known he was there.

‘He’s not an assassin… how can he hide his presence so perfectly?’

Just as he was feeling puzzled, Dan Yeonhwa muttered with a strange look in her eyes.

“Master, that person…”

“…?”

“I can faintly see spiritual energy.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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