Chapter 390
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C390
Yang Yi-hwa gripped the spear in her hand tightly.
Her body, swaying from the laughter that vibrated her eardrums, slowly began to stabilize. She leaned on the spear shaft made of Baeknakgon wood.
Suddenly, her father’s words came to mind: “The only thing you can trust is this spear.”
Yang Yi-hwa pressed her lips together firmly.
“I should have practiced the spear more diligently…”
Regret, however swift it arrives, is always too late. Everyone in the Yang Family learns spear techniques from a young age. However, she had preferred the zither to the spear for a long time. If she had known a day like this would come, she never would have. Her eyes, full of tension, stared straight ahead, and her mouth opened without her noticing.
“The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon?”
Dong Hwa-go, the master of the Thunder Fist, had clearly stated it was the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon. No one raised in the martial world could be unfamiliar with that name.
Long ago, a great master called the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon existed. He wielded five-inch blades (approximately 15 centimeters) from his fingertips like a ghost. No one, warrior or civilian, could survive seeing his Claw.
The Yang Family’s martial arts master always mentioned the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon when teaching about provincial-level grandmasters. It was a name she had heard many times, but it was never omitted. She, too, had many nightmares in which the white-haired Heavenly Killing Claw Demon chased her.
Seeing the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon before her, Yang Yi-hwa gasped.
“We’re all going to die.”
A melodious voice reached her ears as she stood there pale-faced.
“What is the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon?”
It was Namcheon, the secular and secret disciple of the Wudang Sect. Namcheon, a mystic, was positioned in the rear with Yang Yi-hwa. The calm voice made Yang Yi-hwa momentarily wonder if she was dreaming or awake. However, Dong Hwa-go’s short cry and fall brought her back to reality.
She tried to hide her fear and quickly replied.
“He’s an ancient grandmaster known as the Evil of the Three Eastern Rivers. He wielded five-inch blades from his fingertips like a ghost. They say no one, warrior or civilian, could survive seeing his Claw.”
Was it because she had heard it so many times? The words about the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon came effortlessly.
“Is he an evil old man who deserves to die?”
“Yes, but even the Seven Sects fear him, so…”
Yang Yi-hwa left the sentence unfinished. He seemed not to understand what she had just said. She had said that no one, warrior or civilian, could survive seeing his Claw. Having said that, despair washed over her again.
Unlike Waryong Manor, which had been closed, the Yeon Martial Academy seemed destined for a massacre. The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon was that kind of grandmaster, as she had been taught since childhood.
Her heart pounding with fear, Yang Yi-hwa looked towards Yeon Mubaek.
“Why doesn’t he tell everyone to flee?”
She had been taught that was what one did in the Yang Family, but she wondered why Yeon Mubaek wasn’t doing it.
The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon slowly approached Dong Hwa-go, who was staggering to his feet. Not even Yeon Mubaek, the Waryong Swordsman; Jeong Geokcheon, the Mountains and Seas Swordsman; Baek Hwasim, the Full Moon Swordsman; Kang Subin, the Thousand Flowers Swordsman; or Yang Sumyeong, the Immortal Heaven’s Path, dared to step forward.
“The Three of Luoyang” were the best warriors on the side of the Yeon Martial Academy, also known as the Yeon Military Academy. They had seen with their own eyes how “The Three of Luoyang” were brought down, so it was understandable that they didn’t dare.
Yeon Mubaek furtively surveyed the surroundings. The hundred and fifty enemies were scattered like a flock of cranes spreading their wings. Before them were the top-tier masters, the God of Brute Force, Ju Yeon-shin; and the masters of the Thunder Sword, Jo Yu-baek; and the Blood Sword, Woo Byeong-in; along with the Bosses of the Three Outer Families.
It was evident that the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon was at the forefront, and they were supporting him from behind. Seeing their malevolent eyes, he realized they had no intention of letting anyone live.
“This is a problem.” He hadn’t realized that the Black Iron Sect would resort to such a drastic measure. In conflicts between sects, killing all enemies was forbidden. It was done to avoid giving enemies the opportunity to unite. It seemed the Iron Blood Sect had decided to break that taboo today.
Seeing the Iron Blood Sect warriors surrounding them in overwhelming numbers, he realized escape was impossible. He wanted to show that even a worm wriggles, but it seemed he wouldn’t have the chance.
Yeon Jeokha pulled out a bunch of amulets from his chest and muttered to himself.
“Come to think of it, I think I’m pretty good. I don’t use killer techniques as brutally as that old man. There’s no one like me who gives the opponent a chance.”
Yang Yi-hwa sighed, glancing at Namcheon. He had a pile of amulets in his hand. Pulling out amulets after seeing “The Three of Luoyang” defeated without being able to do anything?
Yeon Jeokha, sensing her gaze, said apologetically.
“I made many last night, just in case. It’s quite tedious work, you know. It distracts me a little when I’m busy.”
“…” Yang Yi-hwa didn’t reply. Namcheon was a mystic, so amulets were the best he could do. As if she, with her spear, was useless.
“This is a Thunder Amulet. At first, it was difficult to control, but after a little practice, I mastered it well.”
Yang Yi-hwa looked at him with a confused face. She hadn’t asked anything, but she didn’t understand why he kept talking about things she wasn’t interested in.
“Originally, one must pray to the Nine Heavens Thunder God, Gucheon Eungwon Noeseong Bohwa Cheonjon, but I don’t need to. Someone told me that incantations are better the shorter they are.”
Yang Yi-hwa, already worried, cautiously said, “Namcheon, I’m not interested.”
“How strange. Everyone is interested. Well, let’s begin. Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, I trust in your divine power to unleash the thunder [九天玄女 但慿霹靂威神力].”
With those words, Yeon Jeokha snapped his fingers. An amulet flew towards the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon like an arrow.
Shhh-. The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon, about to decapitate Dong Hwa-go with his blade-sharp Claw, turned his head. An amulet was unexpectedly flying towards him.
“What is this…?” He slightly moved his left hand as if swatting a fly.
Sshhh-. The tangible energy emanating from the Claw cut the amulet. However, just before the Claw’s energy (爪氣) touched the amulet, it ignited in the air.
“Eh?” The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon’s eyes gleamed with interest. It seemed there was a mystic among the Yeon Martial Academy warriors. The corners of his mouth rose slightly. After all, it was just a mystic. If he wasn’t on the level of the Yoomyung Sect’s Demonic Warriors, he wasn’t worth worrying about.
But that thought didn’t last long. Suddenly, dark clouds were forming above his head. He stared blankly, not understanding what was happening.
Boom! Bang! Suddenly, lightning struck. The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon, horrified, quickly moved aside. Dong Hwa-go, startled by the sudden lightning, also moved from his spot.
“Who is it?” The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon, taking refuge in a safe place, fiercely looked at the Yeon Martial Academy warriors. How dare they use dark magic in front of an evil god (邪神)? The shame he felt made his white beard tremble.
Yeon Jeokha said with an “oops” face. “Oh, I forgot! I should have prevented the opponent from moving first. I’m in a bad spot, I’m in a bad spot.” Yeon Jeokha hit his head with his hand and pulled out another amulet. It was an Immobilization Amulet (不動身符).
The gazes of the Yeon Martial Academy warriors turned towards Yeon Jeokha. They all had expressions of disbelief. Unfazed, Yeon Jeokha threw four Immobilization Amulets.
The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon stopped when he saw amulets flying towards him again. He couldn’t decide what to do first, as it wasn’t one, but four.
“How dare you!” With a roar, the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon lunged at the amulets. Instead of fleeing like a coward, he had decided to confront them directly.
Sshhh- Sshhh-. Ten Claws extended from his hands and swept at the amulets. But what was this? The amulets, like butterflies, fluttered and dodged the Claws.
The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon, dumbfounded, searched for the mystic with his gaze. He wanted to know how he was moving the amulets.
“Uf! A sword techniques book?” A strange-looking young man stood at the rear of the group, holding a sword techniques book. “Is he using the sword control technique?” But, considering the mystic’s young age, that’s impossible. It would be more logical to think it’s part of his power.
“It can’t be.” The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon forcefully shook his head to get rid of intrusive thoughts. Meanwhile, the four amulets had fixed themselves in the air, around him, in the east, west, south, and north directions.
“Another lightning strike?” However, the amulets didn’t ignite and disappear as before. It seemed he was going to use another technique.
“No way!” The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon, thinking it best to leave, propelled himself towards the mystic. Or so he intended. But his legs were rooted to the ground and wouldn’t move. Every time he tried to force himself to move, he felt an intangible pressure pushing him from all sides.
The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon realized he had fallen into the mystic’s trap.
“Young man! What is your name?”
Yeon Jeokha, who was selecting a Thunder Amulet from the pile he had in his hand, curtly replied, “Why would a dying old man want to know that?”
“My name is Heavenly Killing Claw Demon. Young man, surely you’ve heard of me.”
“I don’t know. Don’t talk to me.” Yeon Jeokha took out a Thunder Amulet and lightly tossed it. “Uf! What’s this, in the middle of a conversation?”
Whoosh! The Thunder Amulet ignited in front of the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon. Then, black clouds piled up above the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon’s head. Immediately, lightning struck his body.
Boom! Bang! Bang!
“Aaaaaargh!” The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon’s heart-wrenching scream echoed through the night. A moment later, the black clouds disappeared. The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon’s entire body was exposed under the white moonlight. To his surprise, he was still alive despite having received dozens of direct lightning strikes. Although his previously impeccable white hair had bristled towards the sky, and his clothes were blackened in several places, his eyes remained bright.
“I am a member of the Demonic Cult. If you kill me, you will also die. If you release me now, I will act as if nothing happened and leave. How about that?”
“Bah! You’re talking nonsense. There’s nothing to do as if nothing happened. Do I look like a fool?”
The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon couldn’t retort. He was right. There were too many witnesses for things to go back to normal. If what happened today reaches the ears of the Demonic Cult masters, this guy won’t be able to sleep peacefully. The law of life in the martial world is that one kills and dies for pride.
Yeon Jeokha looked at the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon with icy eyes. When he licked the blood of “The Three of Luoyang” and spoke of death, his fate was sealed. This time, he held four Thunder Amulets between his fingers.
The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon’s eyes widened. If he almost died with a single amulet, with four! With that amount, he couldn’t expect any lucky breaks. He was doomed to die.
“P, please, spare me! Please!”
Then, Yeon Jeokha, as the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon had done, licked the amulet with the tip of his tongue and said, “Old man, don’t be afraid of death. Your fate is already sealed.”
Immediately, the four amulets flew towards the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon. Seeing the amulets approaching, the Heavenly Killing Claw Demon screamed madly with a pale face.
“Aaaaargh! No! Please! Stop! Stop!”
“Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, I trust in your divine power to unleash the thunder.”
Yeon Jeokha calmly chanted the incantation, and the four amulets were enveloped in flames.
Whoosh! This time, so many black clouds formed that nothing was visible within an arm’s length. The Heavenly Killing Claw Demon’s figure was also engulfed by the black clouds.
Rumble! Boom! Bang! Bang! The roar of thunder and lightning made the stone slabs on the ground tremble and shook the pavilion.