The God of Death and the God of War - Chapter 15

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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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Evil Hegemon Martial God

Chapter 15

What is the standard that separates masters from novices?

While there are various factors such as internal energy and proficiency in techniques, the biggest standard that separates masters from novices in combat is ‘naturalness’.

A natural stance – the term sounds impressive, but to put it simply, it could be called a stance full of openings.

However, a true master delivers the best attack from that very stance where no preparation or readiness is apparent.

Yes, just like Jeok-un who now stands before Jegal Tan’s eyes.

Just as wind approaches silently and brushes past one’s cheek, so too are natural attacks.

They penetrate gaps in perception, or discrepancies, allowing an attack to land in the moment one thinks ‘Huh?’

‘That was close…!’

That’s why Jegal Tan unconsciously broke out in cold sweat.

If the previous attack had targeted his vital points or pressure points, he would have suffered a major blow nine times out of ten.

Though there was clearly a difference in their levels of mastery, carelessness in Gangho was like deadly poison.

Swoosh!

At that moment, accompanied by the sound of cutting through air, Jeok-un’s fist flew in again, targeting a blind spot in consciousness.

Swish!

This time too, an unidentifiable destructive energy was wrapped around his fist.

That mysterious power was hot and massive like a boiling furnace.

This time, he responded by swinging his judge’s brush with eighty percent of his strength.

Boom!!

With a heavy collision sound, one round of offense and defense ended.

“!!”

But this time too, Jegal Tan’s body was pushed back with a sliding motion.

“Oh my, didn’t I tell you not to be careless?”

“…!”

Jeok-un gave Jegal Tan advice again with a sly smile.

Jegal Tan’s expression hardened stiffly.

But it wasn’t because of anger at the mockery.

‘To think my nephew has reached this level…!’

It was because he truly acknowledged his opponent.

Though he hadn’t used his full strength, Jeok-un’s power that mercilessly destroyed his protective technique was ‘real’.

It wasn’t some wicked evil technique or cunning trickery.

‘Very well, if you’re going to face me as a martial artist.’

Then I’ll simply do my duty by giving my all.

Swish!

With that thought, Jegal Tan drew up all his energy.

The energy rising from his body like heat haze was so refined and flawless.

It was the most orthodox appearance of a Jeongpa martial artist.

‘Uncle is the same now as he was then.’

Jegal Tan had always been like this.

When Jegal Mun, the pillar of the Jegal Clan, died an untimely death.

Even when Jegal Wiyeon arbitrarily manipulated the clan and caused chaos, only Jegal Tan remained unshaken.

‘And he resisted until the end like that, only to die under false accusations.’

Truly an end befitting uncle.

Though the result wasn’t good, his spirit was something that had to be acknowledged.

Whoosh!

While inwardly acknowledging Jegal Tan, Jeok-un charged forward again.

Still, you need to get beaten up, Uncle!

Swish!!

The power of Tamrang dwelt in Jeok-un’s twin fists once more.

The power of Small Heaven Star Technique was amplified several times by Paecheon Divine Energy as it charged toward Jegal Tan.

“Single Hook Flying Wing!”

At the same time, the steel brush flew gracefully like a swallow, targeting Jeok-un.

The judge’s brush was a weapon specialized for thrusting even more than a sword.

It’s easy to dismiss it thinking it’s not a proper weapon, but those who’ve actually faced it rate it as more troublesome than most vicious hidden weapons.

Moreover, when it contained the maximum power unleashed by a supreme master like this, even more so.

Crash!!

The moment their techniques clashed, another explosive sound erupted.

Crash!

Boom!

The collision didn’t end with just once.

With the two men’s endless advance and retreat, explosive sounds continued to ring out madly.

“Not bad, nephew!”

“You’ve finally come to your senses!”

“The way you talk!!”

Though Jegal Tan pretended to scold sternly, a pleased smile was unconsciously creeping onto his face.

* * *

The human body consists of hard bones, softer muscles, and tender skin.

And the common point of these three elements is that they’re all more fragile than iron.

In other words, when colliding with metal, bones break, muscles burst, and skin tears.

Yes, that should be common sense…

Crash!

Then what on earth was this scene unfolding before their eyes?

All the Cheongang Dae members were in shock.

The clash between Jeok-un and Jegal Tan defied common sense.

A steel brush and soft bare hands met, yet it sounded like a thunderbolt exploding.

‘Didn’t they say the Second Young Master could only learn Small Heaven Star Technique? Then how…!’

‘This is Small… Heaven Star Technique?’

‘Wait, what was the Small Heaven Star Technique I was using then??’

Moreover, they couldn’t believe that the martial art matching a supreme master as an equal was merely the family’s basic technique, Small Heaven Star Technique.

Only then did the Cheongang Dae members vividly realize the stark difference between themselves and Jeok-un.

‘The power of Paecheon Divine Energy is beyond what I imagined.’

But while Jeok-un’s natural talent played a role in matching Jegal Tan at his peak.

The biggest factor was still Paecheon Divine Energy, evolved from Paecheon-gi.

Physical limitations.

Due to his damaged dantian preventing proper energy accumulation, Jeok-un’s total internal energy was severely insufficient.

Yet he could match his opponent like this because of Tamrang’s ability to amplify one unit of power to two or three.

No, now to five or more units through Paecheon Divine Energy.

It was a growth rate incomparably faster than what he had achieved at the same age before his regression.

Rumble!

As this absurd situation of a peak-level master matching a supreme master continued.

‘So this is the extent of temporary internal energy enhancement and its limits.’

A gleam appeared in Jegal Tan’s eyes as he watched Jeok-un.

Having thoroughly assessed Jeok-un’s full capabilities while treating him as an equal martial artist, he had finally reached a conclusion.

Having decided to end the current disturbance, Jegal Tan spoke to Jeok-un.

“Let’s go back now, nephew.”

“Being so persistent is why you’re still single without even an engagement, Uncle.”

Looking at his nephew who was being cheeky again with sunken eyes.

Swish!!

He infused energy into the judge’s brush held in one hand.

Tangible energy incomparable to sword qi was fluttering like strands of thread.

It was sword silk, the supreme technique that symbolized transcendent mastery.

Though he had somehow amplified his energy to match me until now, no technique beyond fist qi had emerged from any of his attacks.

Because it was forcibly obtained power, his enlightenment couldn’t reach beyond that level.

‘Focus on complete suppression, not cutting with sword silk.’

Wuuuung-!

As if responding to its master’s will, Pangwanpil let out a low cry.

Tadat!

Jegal Tan kicked off the ground and charged forward.

‘I’ll show you the power of Jegal!!’

Pangwanpil wrapped in sword silk was flying toward Jeok-un’s chest.

He intended to break a few ribs and render him completely unable to fight.

Swaeaek!

But there was no wavering in Jeok-un’s eyes as he watched Pangwanpil rushing with fierce momentum.

Rather, only a calm gleam floated there.

Though Jegal Tan believed he had grasped everything about Jeok-un.

‘Shall I end this now.’

He failed to notice one fact.

And that was far too fatal.

Huhwat-!

Jeok-un also began to fiercely activate the Heaven-Defying Divine Art.

And this time, he began manifesting not the Small Heaven Achievement Art, but the ‘Great Heaven Sacred Divine Art’ passed down from his father.

What Jegal Tan failed to notice.

That was precisely that Jeok-un had never once displayed his ‘full power’ until now.

Kukung!

His heartbeat thundered violently.

The feeling of every nerve bundle standing on edge.

This moment that could only be entered when standing at the point where life and death of enemy and self diverged.

This moment was also Jeok-un’s favorite moment.

Kuuung-

Kuuuung-

A strange harmony appeared.

As his heartbeat became heavy.

The time of Jegal Tan rushing toward him slowed down.

His opponent’s movements appeared incredibly sluggish.

This bizarre scene was.

‘Awaken-.’

Evidence that the second star after Tamrang, ‘Geomun’, had awakened.

Seueu!

Jeok-un stepped back with one foot and crossed both hands in a circle as if drawing a taiji.

Kwadeuk!

Then he clenched his right fist so hard it seemed it would break.

If the first star, Tamrang, was ‘enhancement’.

The second star, Geomun, was ‘reduction’.

One might wonder.

Why amplify power only to make it smaller again?

Suaa.

All energy except from Jeok-un’s right fist disappeared at once.

Reduction meant ‘concentration’.

Gathering all power to one necessary point while completely excluding it from everywhere else.

This was nonsensical by general Gangho common sense.

Body parts completely devoid of energy would become no different from those of commoners who knew no martial arts.

He might die from just a simple punch from a mere third-rate warrior.

Yes, it was like fighting while standing on a sharp blade’s edge.

But Jeok-un was actually enjoying this.

Chutschutschut-!

Even in the slowed time, Pangwanpil moving steadily was emitting a chilling light.

The energy of sword silk was eerily sinister.

If it even grazed him, it wouldn’t just be injury—his torso would be cut in half.

Hijuk.

‘Ah, how fun.’

Which side would win indeed.

Victory, fighting, battle.

The blood inherited from his ancestors excited him.

With a mad smile.

Swaeaek!

Suaaaaa!!

He thrust his fist toward the approaching Pangwanpil in a perfectly straight line along the shortest path.

At that moment, the world’s speed returned to normal again.

Kwaaaang-!

Jeok-un’s fist and Pangwanpil collided precisely in midair.

A shockwave incomparable to the previous ones swept the surroundings.

The intense wave that swept around was so strong it seemed the rain had momentarily stopped.

But that was only for a moment.

Tudu-!

Tududu!

The rain that had briefly stopped poured down again.

Thulssuk.

“Kuleuk.”

The sound of someone kneeling and spitting blood came simultaneously.

Jegal Tan, who had taken a direct hit to his abdomen, was kneeling on the muddy ground.

Fragments of the shattered Pangwanpil were scattered everywhere.

Jeok-un’s punch had completely destroyed his full-power sword silk and succeeded in its attack.

Jegal Tan was engulfed in shock.

‘Great Heaven, Sacred… Divine Art? How could…’

He realized immediately upon seeing it.

That Jeok-un had used the Great Heaven Sacred Divine Art, the family head’s secret technique.

But how could Jeok-un use the Great Heaven Sacred Divine Art?

As shock piled upon shock, his head grew dizzy.

Suddenly, his vision spun around and his body collapsed.

Cheocheok!

Jeok-un caught his unconscious, falling uncle and whispered quietly so only he could hear.

“Uncle, please develop some sense before we meet again.”

No, what does that mean…?

In his fading consciousness, Jegal Tan wanted to ask his nephew for a proper explanation.

Tuyuk…!

But he soon lost consciousness and fainted.

“…!”

“D-Daeju-nim.”

After Jegal Tan collapsed, Cheongang Dae fell into momentary panic.

No, how should we handle this…?

In the prolonged era of peace, their swords had become far too dull.

While they were flustered, not knowing what to do.

Seurung!

Jeok-un drew his sword while holding the unconscious Jegal Tan under his arm.

Chwaak-!!

He drew his sword, Il-cheon, and drew a horizontal line on the ground.

Jeok-un declared plainly.

“Anyone who crosses this line dies.”

“…!!”

Jeok-un’s eyes were like those of a murderer.

Ssaa.

Only the sound of falling torrential rain filled the air.

No one from Cheongang Dae could be heard moving.

Overwhelming terror.

Faced with a predator, the prey had all frozen stiff.

Seeing this, Jeok-un smiled coldly and said.

“As expected of the Jegal clan. You’re all so smart.”

“…!!”

Just as the Cheongang Dae members gritted their teeth in humiliation and shame.

Hwiiik!

Jeok-un threw Jegal Tan, who he had been holding under one arm, toward them.

“Heueup!”

“D-Daeju!”

While they were distracted securing Jegal Tan’s person.

Pabat!

Jeok-un turned his back and kicked off the ground, rushing forward like lightning.

In an instant, he was getting far away.

No one from the Jegal Family dared to chase after Jeok-un.

And Jeok-un, knowing they wouldn’t dare follow him, ran toward his destination without looking back.

‘Now it truly begins.’

Toward his hometown, Sadocheon.

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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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