Chapter 363 |
Chapter 363
Paehwang - The Tyrant Emperor
Despite having his left hand broken, In-ju endured the pain and swung his right arm.
Clang!
The black saber, infused with intense qi, clashed with the Pan-gwan-pil and was knocked back.
However, just because he blocked Dao Yuetian's attack didn't mean the situation was under control.
Swish!
While Dao Yuetian was breaking In-ju's left arm, Pae Jin-seong, who had approached unnoticed, thrust his spear at him.
Clang!
More accurately, he used the recoil from the clash with Pae Jin-seong to dodge the incoming black saber from Dao Yuetian, which allowed him to leap backward.
Slash!
Without this quick decision, his life would have been in immediate danger.
In-ju found himself in a position where he was barely able to defend himself, let alone counterattack, even as he tirelessly swung the Pan-gwan-pil in his right hand.
The battle was so intense that even moving his body with utmost skill and using his footwork technique was barely enough to maintain his defense.
For a martial artist, hands were crucial.
Even if he wasn't holding the Pan-gwan-pil or a sword in his left hand, the left hand was still necessary to perform techniques like the Golden Locking Hand technique or other martial arts.
Conversely, if one only focused on the movements of his right arm while ignoring the left hand, it would become much easier to predict and counter In-ju's techniques.
Until now, In-ju had managed to fight evenly, perhaps even having the upper hand, against both Dao Yuetian and Pae Jin-seong. But now, he was being pushed back one-sidedly.
This was due to Dao Yuetian's bold gamble.
Slash!
As injuries rapidly accumulated on his body, In-ju's expression began to change with each passing moment.
"If this continues, it's dangerous!"
He wasn't concerned about his own death.
The real issue was that the flow of the battle would turn against them the moment he fell.
He couldn't allow the grand plan to collapse due to his mistakes, not until the very end.
Having made up his mind, In-ju began to draw upon every last bit of internal energy remaining in his Danjeon.
Unlike when he threw the Pan-gwan-pil like a hidden weapon, a majestic wave of energy began to surge around In-ju.
Despite the overwhelming aura, Dao Yuetian and Pae Jin-seong didn't flinch. Instead, they charged at In-ju once more.
Simultaneously, a dark energy flowed out from the Pan-gwan-pil that In-ju wielded, spreading in all directions as it advanced toward the two.
This was a technique that required nearly all of In-ju's remaining internal energy.
It was as if In-ju had staked everything on this one move, taking a bold approach.
Pae Jin-seong, confronted with such a fearsome technique, stepped forward and began to channel his internal energy.
Among the techniques Pae Jin-seong could unleash, none could match this one in terms of grandeur.
However, he had also gained insight while fighting alongside Dao Yuetian.
"Pierce through a single point!"
Just like In-ju, Pae Jin-seong gathered all the internal energy from his Danjeon, preparing to strike with pinpoint accuracy.
As the energy from his palm converged onto his spear, it began to form a powerful aura.
But this time, simply layering qi wasn't enough.
Wheeeeee!
The qi began to rotate around the spearhead, swirling like a vortex.
And at the peak of this rotation...
Swish!
Pae Jin-seong's spear collided with the dark wall created by In-ju.
Boom!
With an ear-splitting noise, part of the dark wall shattered.
Tah!
Dao Yuetian, who had been waiting for this opportunity, threw himself towards the gap that Pae Jin-seong had created.
"!!!"
What Dao Yuetian saw was the Pan-gwan-pil flying towards him with a hidden intent.
It was In-ju, who had once again employed his hidden weapon technique, using the last bit of his internal energy.
"But his left hand shouldn't be usable, right?"
That doubt was quickly dispelled as Dao Yuetian confirmed In-ju's appearance.
In-ju's right hand was empty.
It wasn't because his internal energy was depleted and holding the Pan-gwan-pil was pointless.
In-ju, who had used the Pan-gwan-pil as a hidden weapon, was rapidly pressing the acupoints on his body with his right hand.
Instead of burning his congenital energy and triggering explosive power, he was using a technique that would inevitably cost him his life.
The reason In-ju had exhausted all the internal energy in his Danjeon to unleash that earlier technique wasn't because he had staked everything on that one final move.
After using this technique, he planned to use his congenital energy freely until the technique ended, so there was no need to conserve his internal energy.
Due to the severe injury to his left fingers, In-ju was unable to press his acupoints with that hand. Thus, he had to use the Pan-gwan-pil as a hidden weapon to buy time, allowing him to use his right hand to perform the ultimate technique.
Dao Yuetian, however, had already heard about this technique from Mu-jin.
He also had firsthand experience witnessing it during a past battle with the Nasha Witch.
Without a moment's hesitation, Dao Yuetian swiftly swung his black saber.
But it wasn't to block the Pan-gwan-pil that was flying toward him like a hidden weapon.
In fact, to say that he "swung" it would be misleading.
Swish!
Using the Swift Shadow Strike technique, Dao Yuetian hurled his black saber at In-ju with tremendous speed.
As In-ju, who was in the midst of performing the ultimate technique, saw the black saber approaching in an instant, he boldly extended his left arm toward it.
Since his left hand was already broken, he intended to sacrifice it to complete the ultimate technique.
However, in his concentration on the technique, he overlooked two crucial facts.
First, he had expended most of his internal energy while executing the previous techniques to buy time.
Slash!
Second, Dao Yuetian's black saber was far too strong and sharp for mere human bones and muscles to withstand.
Crack!
The black saber sliced through In-ju's left arm like paper and continued its path, lodging deep into his solar plexus.
"Urgh…"
Despite his breath being abruptly cut off, In-ju tried to force his right hand to continue the ultimate technique.
"It's over."
Dao Yuetian, who had already approached unnoticed, yanked the black saber out of In-ju's abdomen and struck down on In-ju's neck.
Slash!
As Dao Yuetian successfully killed the formidable old master who had been like a monster, he took a moment to catch his breath.
"Are you alright, brother?"
Pae Jin-seong approached and asked.
In the process of shattering In-ju's left hand, Dao Yuetian had suffered an injury severe enough to expose the muscles in his left arm.
Additionally, during the moment when he ignored In-ju's last Pan-gwan-pil and threw his black saber, he had sustained a fairly deep wound on his side.
"Thanks to turning my body at the last moment, I didn't suffer any serious internal injuries, brother."
Dao Yuetian replied as he took out a golden ointment, a standard medicine he always carried with him, and applied it to his side wound before tearing his clothes to bandage it.
After quickly finishing his first aid, Dao Yuetian looked at Pae Jin-seong with a determined gaze.
"Let's go."
The reason he had taken such a gamble, risking injury, was to help their comrades as quickly as possible.
So, instead of worrying about such minor wounds, he needed to take down as many enemies as possible.
Seeing his brother's resolute spirit, Pae Jin-seong burst into a hearty laugh.
"As expected of my brother! Hahaha!"
Pae Jin-seong, who laughed so heartily, was also covered in blood from his battle with In-ju.
Yet, both men, as if completely indifferent to their injuries, advanced toward the battlefield.
And now that In-ju had fallen, there were no martial artists in the vicinity who could stop them.
* * *
Boom!
Immediately after clashing with the purple energy unleashed by Cheon-ju.
A line of blood trickled down Mu-jin's lips.
Although he was maintaining his Ho-shin Gang-gi while confronting Cheon-ju, the power of Cheon-ju's divine technique was not something that could be fully withstood even with Ho-shin Gang-gi.
Each time they clashed, Mu-jin's Ho-shin Gang-gi shook violently, as if it might vanish like a mirage at any moment.
Forcing himself to maintain his Ho-shin Gang-gi and keep moving only caused internal injuries to accumulate little by little.
As Mu-jin hesitated momentarily,
"Uki!"
"Uki!"
"Hahp!!"
Mu-yul, Ling-ling, and Hye-geol attacked from Cheon-ju's left and right flanks.
"Hmph!"
Mu-gung's Tathagata Palm surged toward Cheon-ju's back, radiating a crimson heat.
"Tsk."
Cheon-ju clicked his tongue lightly and took a large step backward to avoid the animal-like attacks coming from both sides.
Naturally, Mu-gung's Tathagata Palm was also flying toward that spot, but Cheon-ju didn't care.
Crack!
Once again, the purple energy emanating from Cheon-ju's right hand easily tore through Mu-gung's Tathagata Palm.
However, for some reason, Cheon-ju didn't stop there and instead unleashed another strike with his left hand.
And the energy that burst forth from Cheon-ju's left hand suddenly exploded in mid-air.
"Ugh!"
Mu-gyeong, who had been hiding behind the Tathagata Palm and approaching, was revealed.
Mu-gyeong had attempted to block Cheon-ju's attack by overlaying his energy on the Asura Path, but he couldn't completely neutralize the impact and was flung backward.
"Senior brother!"
Mu-gung swiftly launched himself to catch Mu-gyeong as he was thrown back, but Mu-gyeong's face had turned pale, and blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Despite his pale complexion, Mu-gyeong's eyes remained calm.
"I'm fine, senior brother."
Mu-gyeong wiped the blood from his lips with his left arm, then suddenly pushed Mu-gung away forcefully and leaped into the air.
Boom!!
Immediately after, a burst of energy from Cheon-ju collided with the spot where they had been entangled, causing an explosion.
Had Mu-gyeong not quickly pushed Mu-gung away, one of them would have been reduced to a mere puddle of blood.
Meanwhile, as Cheon-ju relentlessly attacked both Mu-gung and Mu-gyeong,
"Stop bothering my senior brothers, you bad man!"
"Uki!!"
Mu-yul, Ling-ling, and Hye-geol once again rushed toward Cheon-ju, displaying bizarre and almost inhuman movements.
Their actions, which mimicked those of various animals, seemed strange for humans to perform.
However, Cheon-ju, now somewhat accustomed to their movements, easily avoided their combined assault.
With minimal movements, Cheon-ju dodged the trio's attacks, then took a deep breath and gathered his energy again.
Crack!
As purple energy surged around Cheon-ju's hands, the three animal-like fighters had no choice but to leap back.
Neither Dragon Fist nor Strange Dragon Fist could overcome Cheon-ju's divine technique, and confronting it head-on would be suicidal.
The trio managed to barely avoid the energy blasts Cheon-ju sent their way by quickly creating distance.
Watching this from afar while trying to manage his internal injuries, Mu-gyeong muttered to himself without realizing it.
"…He's a monster."
Though Cheon-ju's attack had been thwarted, the situation was still dire.
Despite recklessly unleashing that overwhelming energy, Cheon-ju showed no signs of fatigue.
In fact, his lack of exhaustion wasn't the real issue. Even after all this fighting, Cheon-ju had yet to sustain any injuries.
Meanwhile, just after he had pushed the trio away, a subtle change occurred in Cheon-ju's eyes.
"!?"
Cheon-ju, who had been carefully reading the flow of the battlefield even while fighting against the Shaolin, suddenly sensed that one of the familiar energies he was monitoring had disappeared.
"In-ju… is dead?"
This was an entirely unexpected development.
In-ju was a subordinate who had been moving for the grand plan even before Cheon-ju was born, and had stayed by his side ever since.
The emotion that surged within him upon realizing this was anger.
It wasn't the sorrow of losing a valuable subordinate.
"You filthy insects!!"
A crucial piece in his grand plan, one that should have remained until the end, had been removed.
Even if they won this war, this loss would undoubtedly cause complications in the battle against the royal family and in the plans following his ascent to the throne.
As Cheon-ju's rage boiled over, a storm of energy began to swirl around him.
"Form the formation!!"
"Take cover behind me!!"
Sensing the impending danger, Hye-dam and Mu-jin quickly shouted.
The Arhats, who had been barely holding on, surrounded Cheon-ju to prepare for the oncoming disaster, while Mu-jin summoned his Ho-shin Gang-gi with all his might.
At that moment, a massive explosion erupted around Cheon-ju.
It was as if hundreds of thunderbolts had gone off at once.
Some of the Arhats, who had formed the defensive formation, coughed up blood and collapsed.
"Ugh..."
Mu-jin, who had been stripped of his Ho-shin Gang-gi and left with burns and injuries all over his body, let out a faint groan.
Though he had managed to survive, his condition was far from ideal.
But now wasn't the time to worry about the pain.
Cheon-ju, who had previously maintained a calm or contemptuous expression, was now charging at Mu-jin with the face of a demon.
"Hah!"
"Uki!!"
Mu-yul and Ling-ling, who had taken cover behind Mu-jin to avoid the explosion, rushed forward to block Cheon-ju.
Furthermore, Hye-geol, Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong, who had retreated behind the Seventy-two Arhat Formation, also joined the fray.
But…
"!?"
Cheon-ju paid them no mind and focused solely on Mu-jin.
In his fury, Cheon-ju thought to himself:
Displaying his divinity through an unscathed victory was meaningless.
Even if it meant enduring some damage, these insects needed to be swept away quickly.
Therefore, Cheon-ju decided to first eliminate the most troublesome insect.
"Ugh."
Having barely managed to re-establish his Ho-shin Gang-gi after enduring the explosion, Mu-jin was immediately met with a thunderous clash as Cheon-ju's right hand collided with his Ho-shin Gang-gi.
In an instant, Mu-jin's Ho-shin Gang-gi shattered, and Cheon-ju's right hand continued its trajectory toward Mu-jin's abdomen.
However, Mu-jin saw this as an opportunity.
As Cheon-ju closed in, Mu-jin extended both his arms toward him.
'If I can just hold him here!'
At least in terms of pure strength, Mu-jin believed he had the upper hand over Cheon-ju.
Moreover, the residual energy in Cheon-ju's right hand after clashing with Mu-jin's Ho-shin Gang-gi didn't seem particularly threatening.
With his tough skin and muscles, Mu-jin calculated that he would suffer severe injuries but not death.
Tap!
But instead of striking Mu-jin's abdomen, Cheon-ju's right hand lightly touched it.
Simultaneously, the energy from Cheon-ju's palm flowed over Mu-jin's skin and penetrated deep inside.
It was the Internal Heavy Hand Technique.
A special technique designed to counter masters of external energy.
As Cheon-ju's energy invaded Mu-jin's insides through the Internal Heavy Hand Technique,
Crack!
The sound of something shattering echoed in Mu-jin's ears like a thunderclap from a clear sky.