〈 Episode 419 〉 Tuamugwon.
Kwoooong—! Accompanied by a heavy roar, his massive frame flew into the air.
"Kkeuk!"
Dangdeok let out a groan, struggling to steady his posture before landing on the ground.
Afterward, he surveyed the front with a bewildered gaze.
Seeing that, Dangdeok had to widen his eyes in surprise. He also examined his surroundings. Because something was strangely amiss.
The small and large stars floating in the sky had vanished without a trace.
As the brightly shining stars disappeared, a desolate darkness fell upon the forest.
Silence.
The insects in the grass that had been making sounds, knowingly or unknowingly, had all gone quiet.
Dangdeok sharpened his senses at the sudden silence.
He instinctively realized how dangerous the silence that had come was.
'What is this?'
He could immediately tell it was an artificially created situation.
But he needed to confirm exactly what had happened.
First.
'I'll tear through it with force.'
The moment Dangdeok tried to swing his spear with all his might, raising his momentum.
"...!"
He immediately felt something abnormal.
'Heavy.'
Moving his body felt heavy. Moreover, he felt it was somewhat awkward to exert strength.
Was this due to the unknown energy spread around him?
Crunch!
Dangdeok gritted his teeth and swung his spear with all his might.
No matter how restricted his body was, that strength was not weak.
Hwoooong—!
The spear tip infused with qi was swung fiercely.
The contained energy took on a sharp form and burst out in all directions.
Crack—! Trees forming the terrain could be seen being severed in chunks.
Even in that moment, Dangdeok's eyes were moving quickly.
Because he had to find him.
The one who had created this situation.
'Where is he? Just where is he?'
He tried to make an effort to find him, but in reality, there was no need to go through such trouble.
Because his opponent showed no signs of hiding from the start.
He could see it.
Flicker....
Beyond that, a black flame burning alone in the pitch-black darkness.
A sinister and enormous presence announcing that he was right here.
'Ha.'
Dangdeok had to laugh hollowly upon confirming the flame. It was absurd.
'So they said he's a talent of unprecedented caliber, and they were right.'
How could that be the presence of a young brat who hadn't even passed his coming-of-age? Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his entire body wrapped in black flames. The sight of Goyangcheon watching Dangdeok was anything but small.
Though they were black flames, they emitted a brilliant light just like other flames.
But even if they were brilliant, the sinister nature contained within was far from holy.
Why was he emitting such flames?
They were mere flames, yet Dangdeok wondered why he was feeling fear instinctively.
Additionally, if there was something different from when he had first seen him, it was that his black pupils were shining with a purple light.
And the whites of his eyes, which should have been white, were dyed black.
'...What the hell.'
That alien appearance and the overwhelming presence that made one tremble just by looking at it.
Just what was that being?
'A Heavenly Demon.'
The words Soyeomra had let slip regarding his true nature.
Heavenly Demon (天魔). Did it mean a devil sent by the heavens?
It didn't seem to be merely a nickname, so why had Soyeomra spat it out about himself?
Meanwhile, Dangdeok was thinking that those words suited Soyeomra all too well.
Because just looking at that appearance, he was no different from a devil.
Dangdeok recalled.
For some reason, there were words that kept surfacing in his mind.
A being that Dangbiseong had so desperately desired.
Heavenly Martial Body.
The overwhelming talent of being the youngest to reach the Transformation Realm. The momentum to not fear enemies, and the presence to overwhelm his opponents.
If that monstrous talent Dangbiseong had so longed for wasn't this, then what was it?
Grind.
Dangdeok had to grit his teeth at that thought.
Because without realizing it, he had thought, 'If I had been like him, perhaps I wouldn't have been abandoned.'
His goal was to annihilate the Sacheon Dang Clan, whom he couldn't kill enough of even if he tore them to shreds.
Until there were no more Dangs left in the world. Dangdeok had such a goal.
Did that mean he still had regrets and lingering attachments?
'Get a grip.'
Dangdeok focused his gaze and pointed his spear tip at the flame.
'I'll kill them all.'
Whether that bastard was a devil or a Heavenly Martial Body, it didn't matter.
How he knew about that matter was also unimportant.
The important thing was that he was merely an obstacle blocking his revenge.
If something blocked him, he would smash through it.
That was the power he had cultivated for this purpose.
Kung—!
The spear blade split the air.
Energy wrapped around the blade and gradually took on a green light.
This light had nothing to do with poison arts.
It was merely the damned trace of the Dang Clan remaining in Dangdeok's body.
The spear containing such energy drew an elegant curve and shot forward.
Giryongmujeongchang (氣龍武正槍).
It was the most basic spear technique used by the Martial Arts Alliance.
It was the martial art easiest to find and simplest to learn among spear techniques.
This was the only martial art Dangdeok had learned. The spear technique he had to master to survive and had no choice but to learn.
Because this was all he had, he had to hone it like crazy.
Eventually, he reached the Transformation Realm with this spear technique.
Reaching the Transformation Realm with a miscellaneous martial art that made it difficult to pursue advancement in realm.
This was proof of how outstanding Dangdeok's physique was.
Goyangcheon, who had been watching that, finally moved his body.
Tang—!
"...!"
He struck the incoming spear shaft with his fist and changed its trajectory. There was no hesitation in penetrating the rough movements.
Dangdeok was momentarily flustered but quickly spun his body to correct the spear path that had been knocked off course.
In the brief moment created then.
Goyangcheon didn't miss this and approached Dangdeok's bosom, extending his fist.
Heukyeomtaearang.
Flame taking the form of a wolf burst from his fingertips toward Dangdeok.
Kwaaaaah—!
An overwhelming barrage of flames fired head-on. Flames covered a wide area.
The area became a mess of scorching flames in an instant, but Goyangcheon's gaze was not on the front but on his flank.
He opened his palm.
Immediately, heat condensed into a handful.
The gradually condensed heat changed into the form of a sphere.
It was the same as the Yeomok he had used before, but the color was black, its form much more distinct, and a minute vibration could be felt.
Rotation.
Goyangcheon had not forgotten his father's teachings.
Indeed, focusing on the meaning of rotation seemed to make the martial art's power feel somewhat stronger.
Goyangcheon recalled this and surveyed the front.
He couldn't sense Dangdeok in the front where the black flames still burned.
Despite his massive body, he had quickly dodged.
Where had he gone? Goyangcheon didn't worry about it.
If he didn't know where he was, he just had to smash every place he might be.
Goyangcheon gripped the Yeomok formed above his palm and without hesitation threw it at the ground.
Wooong—! The Yeomok that touched the ground emitted a short vibration.
Kuaaaaaaaaah—!
It burst forth with enormous heat and began to sweep the surroundings.
The black flames bursting out together were one thing, but the air pressure exploding in a whirlwind-like spiral was no ordinary matter.
Nearby trees were uprooted and swept away by the wind.
They were immediately scorched black by the sweeping flames.
After such an explosion had passed and the brief typhoon's breath had ceased.
Goyangcheon stood where he first was and surveyed his surroundings.
Everything except where he stood had been reduced to scorched earth.
And. He saw, not far away, a giant holding a spear kneeling on one knee and looking at Goyangcheon.
"Hu... huu..."
Perhaps because Dangdeok had deployed his protective qi, he didn't seem heavily damaged.
But judging by his rough breathing, he wasn't completely unscathed.
Goyangcheon confirmed this and was quite surprised internally.
'It was as I worried.'
That bastard's realm was indeed lower than Heungnyonggeom's.
But his resistance to demonic energy was higher than Heungnyonggeom's.
Goyangcheon thought this was related to the monster blood he possessed, and it seemed he was right.
'Hmm.'
This was troublesome.
If he had resistance to demonic energy, there might be a problem with making him fall into a Demon Human later.
That would be quite troublesome.
Moreover, he could tell that Dangdeok's movements were gradually getting faster.
Was he perhaps getting used to it?
'To my demonic energy?'
Thinking so, he stimulated the demonic energy inside the bastard's body.
Then, the demonic energy in Dangdeok's dantian immediately squirmed and rampaged.
Did he sense the energy? Goyangcheon could feel Dangdeok's energy blocking it.
Seeing that, his guess seemed to be correct.
It wasn't only Goyangcheon who sensed something strange; Dangdeok raised his kneeling knee and stroked his stomach.
Thump, perhaps feeling a bit of relief. Dangdeok raised the corner of his mouth and spoke.
"It doesn't seem to be poison."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because if it were poison, I wouldn't recover this easily."
Since Dangdeok had absolutely no resistance to poison. If it had been poison instead of demonic energy, it would have been a fatal blow.
He hadn't known that monster blood would play such a role.
"I admit it. Soyeomra."
"...What?"
"You are strong. It's simply astonishing. To wield such power at that age...."
"What's your point?"
Hearing the question, Dangdeok grinned fiercely.
"I know well enough now after just now. Still weak. At least weaker than me."
"..."
Hwoong—! He swung his spear lightly and air pressure spread.
In that gust, the black flames around were swept away and disappeared.
He could only admit it.
He had known from the start that he was weaker than Dangdeok.
The situation would become a crisis for Goyangcheon if the demonic energy gradually stopped working.
He could pour out more demonic energy if he wanted, but that was another burden.
For a martial artist of that realm, he had to put in considerable energy. And since he had to put in even more against Dangdeok, the fight would become harder the longer it went.
Goyangcheon knew that too.
"Didn't I tell you? Don't be so arrogant. Brat, will you beg even now?"
Dangdeok likely knew as well.
At first Dangdeok had seemed flustered and burst into anger, but after grasping the situation, he quickly began to show a confident momentum.
Because the odds were beginning to tilt.
Goyangcheon, confirming this, let out a slight snort.
It was definitely a crisis since it was an unexpected situation.
Yet for some reason, he wasn't worried or greatly shaken.
He merely thought inwardly that it was a bit of a pity.
'My way doesn't work.'
Because he knew his fighting style wasn't working.
Then.
What about a different way?
The moment he thought that, he reduced the size of the Guyeomhwaryungong.
"Hm?"
Dangdeok couldn't help but smile at Goyangcheon's gradually diminishing flames.
"What, did you give up...!?"
The moment he was about to sneer. Dangdeok raised his spear and began to gather his momentum again.
Because something he felt from Goyangcheon had changed.
'What?'
What he had felt until just now was still there.
It was still sinister and his overwhelming presence was still evident.
Something was layered over it. No, was it more accurate to say it was supported from below?
He didn't know. What was certain was that something was changing.
Crack.
Seeing Dangdeok trying to grasp the situation, Goyangcheon moved slightly as if stretching his body.
'It hurts.'
He thought it might be okay, but it still hurt like hell.
Goyangcheon was currently using one more new energy.
He had filled his heart with demonic energy.
Wrapped his body in Guyeomhwaryungong.
And layered the inner qi of Tuapacheonmu over his entire body.
The face of Paejon, who had warned him never to use this in actual combat, came to mind, but Goyangcheon decided to forget it for a moment.
Doing this hurt terribly.
That was his first impression.
Yet perhaps because it was a sensation he had been wrapping his body in for the past few months, he actually felt comfortable.
Had he grown accustomed to the pain?
Or to the energy?
He didn't know what it was, but anyway, it was comfortable.
'Is it fine to use three at once?'
This was why he was slowly moving his body.
He had used two before but had never used three at once, so he was worried it might be too much; contrary to that worry.
There were no problems so far.
The only difference was that an unknown fighting spirit had begun to boil.
Goyangcheon examined Dangdeok in front of him.
That bastard seemed to have noticed the aura of Tuapacheonmu as he looked around cautiously.
'His instincts are quite good.'
This was an invisible change. Yet he noticed it and tensed. Goyangcheon recalled this and took a step.
His body burned hot, but his mind grew cold.
Despite the fighting spirit rising in his body, his vision looked on with cold calm.
Why was there such a change?
Was this also an effect of Tuapacheonmu?
Somehow, he didn't think so.
'Whatever. It doesn't matter.'
For now, he had to put that aside and focus on the opponent before him.
Dangdeok watched Goyangcheon, who was slowly walking toward him, warily.
Because though the movements looked full of openings, he didn't know what he would do.
Furthermore, an unknown sense of alienation kept tugging at his instincts.
'What?'
Just how many surprising sights was he going to show?
That bizarre appearance and energy were strange enough, but something had been added to them.
The moment Dangdeok gulped dry saliva at that incomprehensible change.
Goyangcheon disappeared from before Dangdeok's eyes.
"...!"
Dangdeok immediately moved his body.
His spear was swung.
Dangdeok had lost sight of Goyangcheon but hadn't lost his presence.
The presence was definitely to the side....
Toong—!
"Kkeuk!?"
The presence was to the side, but a fist suddenly dug into his abdomen, and Dangdeok let out a suppressed groan.
What? A vibration rang through his body.
Fortunately, it wasn't to the point where he couldn't endure. Dangdeok didn't break his posture and immediately unfolded his spear technique toward Goyangcheon, but.
Tuk—!
Goyangcheon reached out and changed the trajectory of the spear technique just before Dangdeok's movement unfolded.
The difference was minute, but the result was significant.
Hwaak—!
The moment that minute difference occurred, the inner qi traveling through his body scattered.
The technique couldn't be completed, creating an opening.
"Damn!"
This is absurd...!
Dangdeok let out a cry and immediately tried to distance himself from Goyangcheon.
Tuk.
But Goyangcheon was faster.
A small fist compared to Dangdeok's massive body touched his chest.
It was light.
Just the degree of placing a fist against his chest. Even so, Dangdeok could tell.
That something was happening at the end of this small fist.
Oooong....
At first, it was a small wave.
A very small wave mixed with flame seemed to transfer from the fist into Dangdeok's body, as if handing something over.
As if the wave would cause no harm whatsoever, it was kind and gentle.
But that was only for a moment.
The moment Dangdeok's body moved slightly away from Goyangcheon, the wave immediately showed its true form.
Geugeugeugeugeug—! Kwagagagagak—!
"Kuaaaaa!"
The vibration that instantly grew in size overturned Dangdeok's insides.
Unknown heat was mixed with the vibration, adding to the pain.
Kung kung kung kung—!
After continuously unleashing violent waves dozens of times in one second, the wave, as if unable to endure this suffocating body, escaped from Dangdeok's body to the outside.
Kwaaaaaah—!
The energy that burst from Dangdeok's body ravaged the wilderness behind him.
Wind pressure mixed with heat spread violently. Before long, it carved a wide mark behind Dangdeok's back.
As the aftermath of the wave ended and the roar died down.
Thud....
Dangdeok fell to his knees.
His rolled-back eyes made it clear he had lost consciousness.
And then.
His massive body slowly collapsed to the ground.
Kung—!
Eventually, when Dangdeok collapsed having lost consciousness.
"...Keoheok."
Goyangcheon also vomited blood as if he had been waiting for this.
Tutuk! Bloodstains soaked the ground.
The first form of Tuapacheonmu.
The backlash from using Tuamugwon (鬪牙無拳) was coming.
His mind shook.
His blood and qi twisted from the recoil, and his inner qi began to move violently.
'Damn.'
He felt he would collapse at any moment.
The broken energies would be resolved by Tuapacheonmu anyway, but losing consciousness now was troublesome.
Because Dangdeok wasn't dead yet.
His insides were overturned, but he wasn't dead.
If Dangdeok woke up first like this, he would be in a dangerous situation.
Thinking so, he tried desperately to hold onto his consciousness, but the surging pain finally pushed Goyangcheon to his limit.
In the end, just as he let go of his consciousness and was about to collapse to the ground.
Tuk.
Someone suddenly appeared and supported Goyangcheon so he wouldn't collapse.
"Haa...."
The one who supported him let out a deep sigh as if quite displeased and spat out words mixed with lament.
"I took in a disciple in my twilight years, and he turns out to be quite the madman.... Tsk tsk."
It was Paejon.