Chapter 340: As I Heard. (3)
Around the time the sky began to darken.
Dang Soyeol, too, had felt this change.
As a strange energy spread through the surroundings.
When an indescribable texture began to emanate.
The first thing Dang Soyeol did was.
"Run. Right now."
It was none other than sending a warning to the nearby disciples.
They were all competitors.
And though they were in the middle of practical training.
It was not more precious than their lives.
Judgment had to be swift.
The father of Dang Soyeol, and.
the one called the Poison King had always said.
Because the Tang Clan lived as dark assassins despite being of the orthodox faction.
One must always be mindful of threats.
It meant that one must judge quickly.
Because it was the Tang Clan, which trafficked in poison and covert operations.
Dang Soyeol had always lived thinking about this.
There were always many enemies.
Even if they were of the same orthodox faction, one must not trust anyone.
The Poison King's education was like that.
The only ones to trust were family.
Do not easily let others near.
Absurdly enough.
Because it was her father who had taught her this while torturing fellow orthodox faction members.
Perhaps it was all the more credible.
Afterwards, Dang Soyeol, who had risen to the position of Poison Phoenix without much difficulty, put on a mask.
The title of Poison Phoenix belonged to the Tang Clan.
Even if her martial prowess was comparatively inferior to the other Dragons and Phoenixes.
It was widely known that anything called Poison had belonged to the Tang Clan for generations.
It was a reputation not greatly refused by other martial artists and within the Tang Clan itself.
In a way, it was not strange for Dang Soyeol to rise to Poison Phoenix.
Dang Soyeol's older brother, too.
had been called the Poison Dragon during his days as a young expert.
Because the awareness that poison-related titles belonged to the Tang Clan had been established.
In a way, it was a natural story.
Though Dang Soyeol herself was ashamed of her title.
It was not the title of Poison Phoenix that she was ashamed of.
How could she be ashamed of the title of being the most outstanding young expert among the orthodox factions of the Central Plains?
It was just that.
Dang Soyeol was ashamed of herself.
Because she did not possess the strength worthy of that title.
Dang Soyeol was ashamed that such a title had been given to her.
The Dragon-Phoenix Conference held annually.
She could tell just by looking at those she faced there.
The geniuses who were then called the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
All surpassed Dang Soyeol.
Not to mention.
Though they praised Dang Soyeol as the Poison Phoenix and elevated themselves alongside her.
She knew she did not have much standing.
She herself knew—how could the other young experts, who loved judging others, not know?
They knew all too well.
They were merely keeping quiet because she was a bloodline of the Four Great Families.
Because she knew that.
Dang Soyeol had to wear a mask all the more.
As a noble bloodline, her bearing had to be dignified.
To ensure her skills did not fall behind, she had to strive while cutting back on sleep.
If one asked whether doing so closed the distance with the other young experts.
That was not so either.
Realizing that there are things that cannot be closed no matter how hard one tries.
was not a very difficult thing.
If asked whether she lacked talent, she did not.
But she was not at a level to be called a genius.
That was her own assessment.
'Is that necessarily a bad thing?'
Spending her days, Dang Soyeol pondered.
Whether that was necessarily a bad thing.
She might not be able to follow behind the geniuses.
But she was treated the same as them.
Even if that was thanks to her family's name.
Was that not fine?
She harbored such thoughts for a brief moment.
But then she retched and collapsed to the floor.
Shame rose to her throat, unbearable.
The Tang Clan placed expectations on her.
Was it because they said she was impervious to all poisons?
Possessing resistance to all poisons.
A realm of mere talent that could not be reached even if one learned the poison arts taught by the Tang Clan to the extreme.
A realm attainable only by talent.
They said Dang Soyeol had that potential.
The Poison King and the elders of the Tang Clan were watching Dang Soyeol.
What meaning did that have?
Dang Soyeol thought it meaningless.
If the expectations stemmed from their greed.
Then they were truly meaningless.
Days passed.
Dang Soyeol began to care more about her appearance.
Regardless of how she felt inside.
Because at least outwardly, she had to look like the child of a prestigious family.
As always.
At social gatherings with bloodlines of other famous families.
While drinking the poison tea she brewed herself, Dang Soyeol suddenly had such a thought.
'How pathetic.'
She said this to herself as she was doing this now.
Thinking this inwardly.
Her face continued to wear a smile.
'What am I doing right now?'
Though she had reached the first-rate level before she knew it.
Despite hesitating, unable to advance beyond that.
Is it okay for her to be doing this?
She had heard that Sword Phoenix had reached the peak at some point.
Hidden Dragon and Sword Dragon were said to be only a matter of time.
She wasn't sure about Fighting Dragon.
He was someone about whom almost nothing was known from the start.
Thunder Dragon held no interest, but he probably wouldn't be far behind either.
Though Snow Phoenix was said to be weak in martial might.
Her talents outside of martial prowess were outstanding, so she had made a name for herself long ago.
In the end, the one being left behind.
was none other than herself.
Unable to erase such thoughts.
Dang Soyeol simply smiled.
In the midst of that, suddenly.
"Ah, Lady Dang, I speak of this year's Dangbyeong Tournament."
Someone brought up the topic.
Who was it?
She couldn't remember well.
Perhaps a bloodline from the Sichuan region. Dang Soyeol was not one to remember people easily.
"Yes..."
Still, she had to respond with a smile.
"I heard that a bloodline of the Gu Clan is coming as well. Is that true?"
"Oh my, the Gu Clan?"
As she replied.
Dang Soyeol recalled where the Gu Clan was.
The family of Sword Phoenix, whose head was Ho Hyeop.
It was a famous family from the Shanxi region, quite a distance from here.
'A bloodline of the Gu Clan.'
Originally, this so-called Dangbyeong Tournament.
was one of the Tang Clan's few representative events.
For the sake of managing connections, they tended to send invitations even if the recipients did not come.
In that sense, speaking of a famous family from Shanxi.
It was very far.
Even if they did not bother to come.
There shouldn't be much of a relationship issue.
Hearing that they were deliberately coming, Dang Soyeol was somewhat interested.
'Who is it?'
Though it was said to be a bloodline member.
It likely wasn't Sword Phoenix.
She had heard that she had taken an important position in the main family and was going to and from the front lines.
Then was it her younger sibling?
'Did she have a younger sibling?'
She thought there probably was.
Though she did not exchange many stories with Sword Phoenix.
She remembered that Sword Phoenix had smiled brightly only when talking about her younger sibling.
It was quite a different sight to see that Sword Phoenix smile.
"The Gu Clan, you say?"
Perhaps interested by that young expert's words.
Someone else interrupted the conversation.
"Yes."
"The Gu Clan... have you heard who it is?"
"No, I'm not Lady Dang; how would I know that?"
Well, if it's the Dangbyeong Tournament, the Tang Clan is hosting it.
It was strange that he knew.
Though Dang Soyeol herself didn't really know either.
"If it's the young family head coming, it would be worth seeing."
"Huh? Young family head? Did the Gu Clan have a young family head?"
Ears perked up at the young expert's words.
Did the Gu Clan already have a young family head?
With everyone listening intently to his story.
The man puffed up his chest and began to unfold the tale.
"It's quite a well-known rumor. Since that family has only one son, he is already being treated as half a young family head."
"Wow, only one son? That's nice. They won't have to have a succession struggle for the family head position."
"Have you heard the rumors about Chwihyeong? I heard it's very difficult."
"...L-let's not bring that up."
The person presumed to be Chwihyeong let out a series of dry coughs.
"Anyway... he may be treated as a young family head, but the rumors are not very good."
"Rumors? What rumors?"
Since it was a story from the Shanxi region.
It hadn't flowed into Sichuan very well.
In fact, she wouldn't have bothered listening to such talk with interest if it weren't about Sword Phoenix or Ho Hyeop.
"I heard he is quite the delinquent."
"The son of Ho Hyeop...?"
That son of Ho Hyeop?
The son of Ho Hyeop, who was once a famous expert of the Central Plains.
The younger brother of Sword Phoenix, who is called the foremost young expert of the present age.
A delinquent?
'...Hm.'
From Dang Soyeol's position, it was hard to imagine.
By the way, a bloodline of the Gu Clan... she felt like she had heard of it somewhere.
"To what extent, you ask... Ah, I heard he insulted a young lady of the Peng Clan and was even broken off from his engagement."
'Ah.'
At the man's words, Dang Soyeol finally recalled the story in her head.
It was a story related to Paeng Ahui, one of her few friends.
'That guy?'
She had heard it in passing.
At the time, Paeng Ahui had spoken of it while grinding her teeth in anger.
Dang Soyeol had also cursed him together with her, chiming in that she was fortunate not to be entangled with such a guy.
"To think the son of Ho Hyeop is that kind of delinquent... I'm curious..."
"They even say he has absolutely no talent in martial arts."
"What a mess. He's a tiger father with a dog son, as they say."
Inside the room, in an instant.
It filled with snickering laughter.
Dang Soyeol did not bother to speak in such a situation.
Because if she spoke up in such a gap, she wouldn't know what might happen to her later.
"Ah, didn't you say the Namgung Clan is also coming this time?"
"That's right."
"Namgung? If it's Namgung... do you mean that Thunder Dragon is coming?"
The Namgung Clan was also quite far.
She had thought they wouldn't attend such events. At the news that Thunder Dragon was coming.
The talk of the Gu Clan's young family head disappeared.
It changed to fill with stories of Thunder Dragon.
To them, the Namgung Clan's Thunder Dragon was more important than such a figure.
Of course.
To Dang Soyeol, a different person was more important.
'My sister is coming.'
The Namgung family had one more bloodline member besides Thunder Dragon.
Many people might not know.
But Dang Soyeol knew.
Of a beautiful woman named Namgung Bia.
'Will it be okay?'
Recalling this, Dang Soyeol shuddered and looked around.
There were quite a few male young experts coming to the Dangbyeong Tournament.
Was it okay to call Namgung Bia to such a place?
And for good reason—her sister was quite pretty.
She had merely begged her to come... but she hadn't known she would really agree to come.
So she was worried.
'It's been a while since I saw her.'
At the thought of seeing her close sister.
The story of the Gu Clan's delinquent quickly disappeared from Dang Soyeol's mind.
She didn't know back then.
"...My name is Gu Jeollyeop."
So time passed.
The one who had faced Dang Soyeol while hiding his name.
What meaning he would come to have for Dang Soyeol.
Enchanted by that handsome face.
What things she would end up doing.
The Gu Clan's delinquent was far, very much more handsome than she had thought.
He was the type to live up to his looks.
That bloodline of the Gu Clan.
He didn't even listen to Thunder Dragon's appearance or the young experts' disdain with the back of his ear.
Contrary to the claim that he had no talent in martial arts.
He even shattered Thunder Dragon's arm too easily.
The man who had previously gossiped and scorned him as a tiger father with a dog son.
Shut his mouth tight upon seeing that.
The one who had called him a vulgar delinquent.
Had demolished Thunder Dragon, who was called one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
The strange thing was that rumors did not spread because of that incident.
The Namgung family might have stopped it.
Or because it was conducted in secret, the witnesses might have all kept their mouths shut considering the Namgung family's prestige.
Such things were not very important stories to Dang Soyeol.
To Dang Soyeol.
The gaze she had seen then.
The voice that spoke.
The powerful appearance as he demolished Thunder Dragon.
Remained wholly in her memory.
'...Young Master Jeollyeop.'
Thinking back on it now, she had been a crazy woman.
Falling head over heels just by looking at his face...
She hadn't known she was that easy a woman.
But if he was that handsome, couldn't this happen?
She tried comforting herself with such thoughts.
Meanwhile, even 'that' Namgung Bia had somehow taken an interest in the Gu Clan bloodline.
But she had said she didn't like him directly.
She decided to believe that.
'How many children should we have?'
Watching his retreating figure.
At first, she had even had such thoughts.
If not another place, but the Gu Clan—wouldn't even Father allow it?
If not, maybe a live-in son-in-law... Ah, since the young family head position is confirmed, maybe not?
She had indulged in all sorts of delusions.
Until then, she hadn't known what to do going forward.
A stifling and tiresome life.
She could briefly forget and live just because she met that person.
Was that love?
Thinking about it now, it probably wasn't.
...Wasn't it?
Honestly, she didn't really know.
'Huh...? Engagement?'
To someone she had only seen the face of and hadn't even properly conversed with.
Upon hearing the news of his engagement, she couldn't eat for several days.
And the fact that his partner happened to be her close sister.
What a shock it had been.
How desperate must she have been to even run away from home?
Calling it running away was ambiguous.
She had come to an agreement with her doting father.
Since she had left after half-threatening him, calling it an agreement was...
What had she gone for?
It wasn't some miscellaneous family.
It was an engagement with the great Namgung Clan.
What could she do just by seeing his face?
What had she been thinking?
No matter how she thought about it, she had just been a crazy woman.
There seemed to be no other answer.
But the funny thing was.
'...I'm doomed.'
Seeing his face, she liked him again.
His real name wasn't even Gu Jeollyeop.
And she knew his personality wasn't exactly a kind one.
But seeing his face, she liked him.
She liked his blunt words.
She liked even his fierce eyes that looked at her.
Was that love?
Was this longing?
Dang Soyeol had thought so then.
But.
That was not love.
Such a thing was not love.
Being entranced and love were clearly different.
That Dang Soyeol came to realize this difference.
Did not take very long.
"Are you cold?"
"Then why do you go around wearing such thin clothes? Do they shoot flames or something?"
His appearance, grumbling yet blowing warmth into her body.
"You can't eat that. Why are you trying to force yourself to eat it... Ah, come on! I said I don't drink poison tea!"
His appearance of caring for her, knowingly and unknowingly.
"You've worked hard."
That person's actions, playing along with her stubbornness despite saying he didn't want to.
The emotion burrowing inside was different.
It was something that happened at the Divine Dragon Hall one day.
What did they say?
Did they say Poison Phoenix was all name and no substance?
Around the time such rumors began to spread a little.
Hearing those rumors, Dang Soyeol hadn't thought much of it.
Because it was true.
What was a bit strange was.
If it were in the past, she would have rotted bitterly inside while smiling outside.
But now, she truly felt nothing at all.
Should she say she no longer cared about what others said?
If not that...
"Hey, what did you say?"
"H-hyungnim. If you hit me more, I'll really die!"
"Let go of me. This bastard speaks like shit. What? Not worth seeing? You'll get assassinated like that. No, die by my hands first. That'd be better."
"H-hyungniiim"
Was it because there was someone besides her who cared about such things?
If not that.
Was it because she had become a bit more comfortable?
No.
She probably wasn't entirely comfortable.
Even now, an inferiority complex followed Dang Soyeol.
"Geom Muhee is far stronger than the rumors. She might be greater than the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes."
"The descendant of the Sword Venerable is a monster."
"I heard Seolbong has already expanded her territory over most of the Divine Dragon Hall."
The women by his side.
Were all still as great as ever.
And she was still the worthless one among them.
In the past, during a conversation with Moyong Huia, she had said this to Dang Soyeol.
"What do you want to do?"
"Yes?"
Wondering what she meant, Dang Soyeol looked at her.
Moyong Huia let out a sigh and spoke thus.
"I don't know what I want to do by his side. It doesn't seem like I want to take him away. But it also doesn't seem like I want to push my way in. What do you want to do?"
"...Th-that."
What should she have said?
In fact, even trying to recall it now.
Dang Soyeol had nothing particularly to say.
As Moyong Huia had said.
She didn't particularly want to steal the seat by his side.
Nor was her purpose to share him.
If she had to say.
She simply wanted to be by his side.
Absurdly.
Without greed to steal.
Without greed to force her way to his side.
She just wanted him to recognize her.
And to treat her preciously.
Ah, is this greed?
"I will take him."
Moyong Huia had said so to Dang Soyeol.
At first, those words were confusing, but.
Moyong Huia's appearance speaking so boldly was cool in a way.
Unlike herself, who only had her family.
Her appearance, building her own domain and coveting him.
Was somehow cool.
Perhaps because she was stimulated by that.
Dang Soyeol, too, tried to make an effort because of that.
"Please."
She asked her friend.
Though she kept saying it.
She didn't have great talent in martial prowess.
At best, she might be an average talent.
But.
When it came to poison, she was fairly decent.
If poison arts were included in martial prowess.
It meant she had confidence.
Always steeping tea leaves with poison to drink tea.
Was close to a personal preference.
Apart from that.
It was a talent recognized even by her family.
So she decided to first try what she was good at.
Poison art training was simple.
One just had to injure oneself endlessly.
Keeping poison inside the body and building resistance.
Repeating poisoning and detoxification to make internal energy and toxicity mesh.
It was a method possible because of the Tang Clan bloodline.
Among them, especially.
Dang Soyeol was particularly quick at detoxification.
Seeing that, the Tang Clan called it talent.
If forced to pick a problem.
It was that her detoxification was too fast, slowing her poison art training.
If she repeated training while cultivating mental cultivation.
It would increase someday.
But that speed was especially slow for Dang Soyeol.
So.
She decided to find a method.
If detoxification was fast.
She just had to increase the speed at which she was poisoned.
"...I don't think this is right, Soyeol."
Paeng Ahui let out a gasp upon hearing the method.
How could she use such a cruel method?
"It's fine. The medicine is good, so I won't even get scars."
"But."
"Please."
Paeng Ahui continued to refuse.
But at Dang Soyeol's firm request, she eventually agreed to help.
The method was simple.
Inflict a wound.
Insert poison into that wound to poison oneself.
Because poison entering through a wound intoxicates more quickly.
It was a considerably dangerous method.
Even for someone of the Tang Clan.
If the Poison King heard of it, he would gasp as well.
Dang Soyeol decided to try it.
And.
She was seeing better effects than expected.
She felt her poison arts increasing rapidly.
Paeng Ahui would inflict wounds on Dang Soyeol's body.
It was something she could do herself.
But if possible, it was better to have someone else do it more delicately.
Because she had to show skin that was ideally invisible.
It was not something she could ask of just anyone.
'Great.'
Though the pain of poisoning was greater than expected, bewildering her.
Her detoxification ability blocked it to some extent.
And Paeng Ahui was careful so that scars truly wouldn't remain.
It would be better than before.
Dang Soyeol believed so.
If that happened.
Wouldn't it be better to stay by his side a little longer?
She wanted to believe so.
It was truly a foolish thought.
'...You fool.'
In her numb forearm.
So much blood had flowed that she felt dizzy.
How could she be of any help?
She had become like this without being able to do anything.
Beyond her blurred vision.
Namgung Bia, confronting the figure who had ambushed her, was visible.
She couldn't even gauge how strong the opponent was.
With a single gesture.
Boom!
"Ugh...!"
Her sister, whom she had thought she could never catch up to.
was seen rolling pathetically on the ground.
"Haa...."
"Soyeol...!"
It's dangerous.
If left like that.
Her sister would die.
Trying to protect this worthless self.
'If Sister dies...'
Within her fading consciousness.
That person's face surfaced.
If her sister died.
She, too, would be sad.
But he would be sadder than her.
At that fleeting thought.
Her breathing grew rough.
Shwick-!
The sound of a blade cutting through the air faintly reached her ears.
Namgung Bia, having rolled across the floor with all her might.
Would likely rise again and swing her sword.
Don't do it.
I wish she would give up on someone like me and run away.
'...Ah.'
Why is Sister doing that, saying she'll protect someone like me?
Dang Soyeol could not understand.
By the side of the one she loved.
I, who lingered with the same heart as her.
Wouldn't Sister resent me?
She had inwardly resented her too.
Hadn't she said she didn't like him?
Even though she said that.
Why did she even get engaged?
Enticing that person's heart.
She had resented her a lot inwardly.
If asked whether she didn't resent her even now, it would be a lie.
'...Haa.'
Even so.
Sister shouldn't die for her in such a place.
'Move.'
She had once asked, what is love?
She hadn't known in the past.
But now she knew.
'Move.'
Rather than fluttering at the sight of a face.
It was an emotion that made her stomach churn just by hearing his name.
Her heart shook at a single gesture of his.
Her emotions moved at his voice.
She was swayed by trivial words.
She circled around him because she wanted to see him.
'Move.'
Those that person cherished.
For his sake, no one should be hurt.
His grieving.
was the saddest thing for Dang Soyeol.
So she, too, wanted to protect them.
'I'm really stupid too.'
If Moyong Huia heard these words.
She might have laughed.
No, she definitely would have laughed.
She might have even called her an idiot.
Being afraid that he would grieve.
Saying she would protect those he cherished.
How funny a statement that was.
But.
This was Dang Soyeol's love.
Puhwuk-!
"Soyeol!"
The blade dug into Dang Soyeol's thigh and blood splattered.
She had stabbed herself.
At that horrifying sound.
Those fighting hesitated.
Especially, she saw the middle-aged man flinch and stop his body.
His goal was her.
Dang Soyeol vaguely seemed to know.
That his target was herself.
That was why Dang Soyeol could take action.
"Don't move."
Unlike her fading consciousness, the words she spat out were clear.
"...If you lay so much as a fingertip on Sister from there, I will stab my throat and die like this."
The tip of a cold dagger touched her throat.
The opponent who saw that spoke.
"How amusing. A threat using your own life, of all things—there is no greater buffoonery. Do you think that will truly work on me?"
"It worked, which is why you stopped just now, is it not?"
With blood dripping steadily.
Though she felt like she would faint at any moment.
Dang Soyeol endured with all her might.
"Your goal is me, right? Then I will go quietly. Please let my sister and my friend go."
"What a bold little wench. Why should I show such mercy? I could just kill everyone and take you."
Dang Soyeol raised the corners of her mouth at the Dark Night Palace Lord's words.
She must not make a frightened expression.
"Do you think I can't do it? I will die faster than you can reach me. Shall I give it a try?"
Kkuuuk.
The tip of the qi-infused dagger dug slightly into Dang Soyeol's neck.
At this, blood trickled down.
Dang Soyeol's eyes were sincere.
She.
Could die here.
The only thing she recalled at this moment.
Even if she died.
Would that person grieve?
That was the only thing.
The Dark Night Palace Lord, seeing that, pondered for a moment.
Clicked his tongue and withdrew his energy.
"The Sword King's bloodline has a long life indeed."
"Haah.... Keuk...."
"Be thankful to this Tang Clan wench. Because that pathetic threat worked on me."
The Dark Night Palace Lord nudged with his foot.
Namgung Bia vomited black blood.
"I wanted to kill you for later's sake as well, but the situation is not favorable, so it cannot be helped."
With great regret.
As he tried to pass by Namgung Bia.
Kkwak.
Namgung Bia, as if she couldn't let the Dark Night Palace Lord pass by.
Grabbed his ankle with a snow-white hand.
"Can't... go..."
"...Truly a foolish wench."
Despite having been beaten so badly.
Did she still have such strength left?
Hwoook!
Energy extended from the Dark Night Palace Lord's body as he clicked his tongue shortly.
He pushed Namgung Bia and threw her far away.
Kung-!
"Sister!"
"I did not kill her. I sent her far away because she was being troublesome. Let this much pass."
Because there is not much time.
It was the Dark Night Palace Lord's muttered words from behind.
As the Dark Night Palace Lord approached with quick steps.
Paeng Ahui drew her sword and kept him in check.
Though her trembling still hadn't stopped and she was disheveled here and there.
She was somehow emitting momentum.
"...D-don't come near."
"It seems the arrogance of young experts has grown thick these days. Drawing your sword against an opponent you cannot reach is not courage, girl of the Peng Clan."
Looking into those purple eyes that seemed to shine alone.
Paeng Ahui trembled all over.
Seeing that.
Dang Soyeol grabbed Paeng Ahui's wrist with a trembling hand and lowered it.
"Don't."
"Soyeol...."
Even at Dang Soyeol's powerless touch.
Paeng Ahui's sword lowered far too easily.
She was already consumed by fear.
The Dark Night Palace Lord, snorting at the sight.
Spread his hand and drew out energy.
The purpose was to capture Dang Soyeol.
Seeing the black energy, Dang Soyeol soon closed her eyes.
Then.
Tak-tak-tak-!
Someone jumped out from behind the Dark Night Palace Lord and launched a surprise attack.
The culprit was surprisingly Cheol Jiseon.
"Uwaaa!"
Extending his sword straight out.
He rushed in with a crazed look.
The problem was that the Dark Night Palace Lord was not someone who would fall for such a crude ambush.
He must have known from the start.
Hwi-ing!
Kwaaang!
"Kkeo-eo-eok...!"
As expected, energy reached out and struck Cheol Jiseon, throwing him beyond the bushes.
It seemed he didn't kill him this time either.
However, as if he would explode if there were any more interference.
The Dark Night Palace Lord's impression was twisted like that of an evil ghost.
"There shouldn't be any more obstructions left now...."
If any more problems arose.
Poison Phoenix or whatever, he would kill them all.
To forcibly quell the boiling killing intent.
The Dark Night Palace Lord had to exert himself considerably.
They were merely young experts at best.
To think they would annoy him this much.
A matter that should have been so easy originally.
He had wasted too much time.
If he wasted any more time here, problems might arise.
Recalling such thoughts, the Dark Night Palace Lord reached out his hand.
"Let's go now..."
"You held out well."
"...!"
In an instant.
At the voice heard from behind his back.
The Dark Night Palace Lord felt goosebumps rise on his arms.
Where had that voice just come from...?
Tuk.
In a situation where he couldn't even properly detect the sound's location.
He felt something touch his waist.
'Such...!'
The Dark Night Palace Lord hurriedly gathered energy and launched an attack.
At the same time, he urgently turned around and identified his opponent.
He vaguely saw who the opponent was.
"Truly disgraceful."
It was a young man with black hair and black eyes.
No matter how one looked at him, he appeared to have just passed his coming-of-age.
"I am alive and well, breathing perfectly fine, yet such trash dares to wander about."
A young expert?
How could a young expert deceive his senses and get here?
The nonsensical words didn't enter his ears.
Blade-shaped energy filled with full power poured down upon the youth.
The tip of the blade.
Just before it touched the young man.
"I will not ask your name. I am not very curious."
Tuapacheonmu (鬪破天武).
The Palace Lord realized something had gone wrong.
"Shifting Form."
The moment a storm arrived from the fist that touched his body.
Tubicheongwon.
Hwooooook-!
A great vibration echoed across Mount Tai.