The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 266

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 266
The Demonic Cult had annihilated countless sects, either seizing their martial techniques or absorbing them into its ranks.
Consequently, the Demonic Cult commanded an incalculable number of subordinate sects beneath its banner, each wielding distinct martial arts.
Even Taego Jinperson, who stood at the forefront opposing the Demonic Cult, could not claim knowledge of all their techniques.
But the Jegal Family—Jeggal Hwa-mu—could manage it.
He had never once shown his face at the Martial Arts Arena, and he was not there now.
Yet I knew he was watching nonetheless.
Somewhere in this crowd, Gyeol-i served as his eyes.
Finding such a small creature amid this vast throng was impossible, of course.
“That gaze is irritating.”
I felt Yalyu’s composure crack slightly—his brow furrowed in genuine surprise.
But that was all.
It had been my trump card, executed with extraordinary speed.
“If you had any conscience, you’d offer your neck once, wouldn’t you?”
“If you wish it, certainly. But not now—later.”
A resonant clash.
Our blades collided with absolute force, the shockwave of clashing sword energy sending my and Yalyu’s robes and hair fluttering. Neither of us yielded an inch.
Even if Jeggal Hwa-mu had revealed Yalyu’s martial techniques, Yalyu—who had faced so many of the Baek Li Family’s techniques—would find them merely equivalent at best.
More was required.
* * *
“Is the inner energy source of that boy Jeok-ya not suspicious to you?”
“I understand your concern, but one cannot simply call all black-hued manifestations demonic energy. To be precise, it is a dark crimson hue, is it not? In any case, we have reinvestigated multiple times at the bureau, yet found no evidence whatsoever implicating the Chudo Sect.”
“The color is one matter, but more troubling is the sheer volume of accumulated energy. It should be impossible at his age.”
“Yet there stands Baek Li-yeon, matching him evenly. We cannot speak carelessly.”
“But she is of the direct Baek Li lineage, is she not? She cannot be compared to a minor sect like the Chudo Sect.”
Beneath the crimson canopy, those observing the Martial Arts Arena exchanged words, their demeanor casual as though the earlier commotion had been nothing.
Yet even as they conversed, they kept a watchful eye on the Baek Li Family Head.
A sharp metallic ring! A thunderous crash!
The Martial Arts Arena echoed with continuous booming sounds.
Through the rising dust, Baek Li-yeon and Jeok-ya’s blades passed, grazing each other’s forms. The sword energy that cut through their protective auras tore their garments asunder.
When Baek Li-ui-gang, who had been watching, held his breath, someone muttered in discontent.
“Of course Baek Li-yeon must win. If she were to lose here, what would become of the Alliance’s honor?”
“Well spoken. That such a savage should reach the finals is most vexing. Tsk. We cannot allow the Cheonma Jibow to fall into such hands.”
At this talk of victory already assured, Namgung Wan raised his brows, his displeasure evident.
“Hmm….”
Then the Baek Li Family Head, who had remained silent since the match began, released a low hum and opened his mouth.
“How amusing—the way you all speak.”
Those who had been chattering froze in shock at his blunt words, falling silent.
Their gazes remained fixed upon the Martial Arts Arena, yet from the Baek Li Family Head emanated waves of menacing pressure. Those of lower martial cultivation paled visibly.
Gongson Chong-sa interjected with a smile.
“Baek Li Family Head, please set aside your anger. We all merely wished for Miss Baek Li’s victory.”
“My granddaughter’s victory is only natural. Do you think I’m upset about that?”
“Then what troubles you?”
Baek Li Family Head clicked his tongue disapprovingly, as if questioning why he had to explain this.
“I understand that the Murim Alliance’s circumstances kept Yeon’s heroic deeds from becoming public knowledge, but surely the leadership of this gathering and representatives of the major sects all know the truth. Yet she’s still being called ‘Miss’? She should rightfully be called ‘Dae-hyup’!”
“….”
“Unless these righteous Orthodox Path lords wish to diminish Yeon’s accomplishments.”
Among the flustered crowd, Taego Jinperson rebuked them as if finding the situation absurd.
“Ha, I’m seeing all manner of spectacles today. Are you truly the Baek Li Pae-hyuk I once knew?”
“Two generations have passed since we last met. Am I wrong?”
Taego Jinperson spoke with a faint smile.
“The Baek Li Family Head speaks rightly. Considering Miss Baek Li’s achievements, calling her Dae-hyup would be insufficient. We too must remember this child’s deeds. Is that not so?”
Several figures averted their gaze with uncomfortable expressions.
Taego Jinperson continued.
“However, since your son is also called Baek Li Dae-hyup, what if we call her ‘So-hyup’ for convenience?”
“Well… it’s not entirely to my liking, but I accept.”
Only then did Baek Li Family Head’s fierce demeanor subside.
And as if to allow full attention to return to the conversation, a thunderous sound erupted once more.
Kwaacrash!
The Martial Arts Arena where Baek Li-yeon had stood moments before shattered under the force of Jeok-ya’s sword energy.
Suspended in the air, Baek Li-yeon twisted her body to deflect Jeok-ya’s assault.
Shhwing! Clang!
Rather than being sent flying beyond the Tournament Arena by such a devastating offensive, Baek Li-yeon flowed through it and struck directly toward Jeok-ya with precise force.
Boom!
Taego Jinperson spoke.
“I cannot claim to know the Baek Li Family’s swordsmanship well, but your granddaughter’s method of releasing inner energy seems quite peculiar.”
“That’s because Yeon learned a method suited specifically to herself.”
As such conversation passed between them, dialogue also continued upon the arena.
[It’s not because of those eyes—you’ve discovered my sword technique from somewhere. Impressive.]
Yalyu’s eyes, transmitted through sound transmission, curved with delight.
I understood why he was so pleased.
And even his weakness.
I spoke lightly.
“Jeggal Hwa-mu told me.”
“….”
His gaze turned cold immediately, as expected.
He had been delighted thinking I had taken deep interest in him and investigated thoroughly.
‘He’s happy about being investigated? This guy’s really something.’
I smiled faintly and transmitted my voice.
[Aren’t you disappointed that Ryu Cheong forfeited and I couldn’t see your sword technique? Not particularly. There are others who can help me besides Ryu Cheong.]
Yalyu lowered his sword and spoke in a chilling voice.
“But you won’t be able to win by merely holding your ground like that.”
The gap in information could be bridged by the knowledge Jeggal Hwa-mu had imparted, and the difference in years could be endured through the Golden Eyes, but….
There was a far greater problem.
I was drawing upon external natural qi, not the strength of my own body.
Unlike the inner force accumulated in my dantian, natural qi flowed like an inexhaustible spring.
But if I could wield such natural qi without limit, I would have already claimed a place among the greatest masters of the realm with my overwhelming power.
The issue was that my physical body couldn’t sustain it.
The longer I used it, the greater the strain upon my flesh.
And Yalyu knew this weakness of mine all too well.
A low hum resonated through the air.
Sharp, honed energy crystallized upon Yalyu’s blade, which had flickered dimly for a moment.
Unlike his usual concealment of presence, a thick, undulating wave of inner force poured forth from his entire being.
In the blink of an eye, Yalyu’s sword rushed toward me with blinding speed.
My Golden Eyes revealed a path I could not evade.
The only option was to meet it blade-to-blade. And to block such a sword strike, I needed power of equal magnitude.
A blade gleaming with pristine white light intercepted a blood-red sword.
Despite the swift movement, a heavy, resonant boom echoed across the arena.
Crash! Boom! Slash! Clang!
Yalyu had transformed the battle into a contest of inner force.
The more inner force I expended, the faster I would exhaust myself.
It was the confidence of one who knew his own reserves were inexhaustible—arrogance bordering on madness.
I could evade perhaps one in every three strikes. But that meant I had to block the remaining two each time.
With each successive collision, my wrists ached and my palms felt as though they might tear. The destructive sword energy that shattered my protective force left countless grazing wounds I had no time to heed. There were several moments of dizzying peril.
The Martial Arts Arena was gradually being torn asunder by the clashing blades.
A sharp crack split the air.
A devastating gale erupted from the relentless collision of swords. The crimson awnings of the Spectator Seating fluttered wildly, and the flagpoles bearing the Murim Alliance’s insignia along the arena’s edge swayed before finally snapping.
“Ahhh!”
Maeng-won rushed to intercept the flagpole that flew toward the middle of the Spectator Stands. Several people in areas he couldn’t reach were injured, and chaos erupted as they evacuated.
“This is a battle between late-stage cultivators?”
“Everything we’ve witnessed so far has been child’s play.”
“The arena is practically destroyed. If this continues, the damage will spread even here….”
Some spectators wore faces twisted with fear at the unexpected magnitude of the combat.
A thunderous crash resounded.
In a flash, after exchanging dozens of blows, Yalyu and I skidded across the Martial Arts Arena from our final collision.
“Hah, hah.”
I breathed heavily, my chest heaving.
The swirling dust settled slowly.
Yalyu, his expression coldly hardened, glared at me.
Even as I exhaled forcefully, I pulled the corners of my mouth upward into a smile.
“Cough.”
Yalyu couldn’t hold back and let out a shallow cough.
Crimson bloodstains scattered across the floor in droplets.
[You should have stuck to one path, Yalyu.]
An internal energy clash? That was exactly what I wanted.
Yalyu’s internal energy existed in a precarious state of balance.
The inner force cultivated through the Tianshan Flame Emperor’s martial arts and the inner force built through the Demonic Absorption Technique.
Yalyu was drawing upon them as if they were unified into a single force.
But what if I were to separate the two?
Two different energies within one body—wasn’t that the perfect recipe for falling into demonic obsession?

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