Chapter 215

Chapter 215
Chapter 215. An Unwanted Invitation (4)

“You had the audacity to sever the Murong Clan’s bloodline?!”

His hands were balled into trembling fists. His face was a mask of furious crimson, and his eyes were bloodshot. Even his heavy, jagged breathing was stripped of any grace or composure. It was painfully obvious to anyone watching that he had been unable to take his frustrations out on Murong Jae-hwa.

But why, then, had that projectile been fired at me?

“What on earth are you talking about? Sever the bloodline?”

“Hah, so you choose to play the fool?”

Murong Gang, moments away from entering the office, grabbed the remains of the door frame that had snagged on his robes.

Crrrack, crack……. CRASH.

……And simply tore the wood apart.

Incredible……. To think that reaching the pinnacle of martial arts allowed for such raw, casual destruction.

Beyond my fleeting awe, Murong Gang’s expression remained contorted with unspent rage.

“Let me refresh your memory.”

Crack, crack.

The sickening sound of his knuckles popping, followed by him rolling his neck, echoed throughout the room.

Where was the poise expected of a supreme master? He looked more like a common street brawler. My initial hope—that I would step in just as Murong Gang was about to brutalize Murong Jae-hwa, act as a mediator, and mend the rift between the grandfather and grandson—had been shattered. Instead, this volatile expert, a man who struck terror into the hearts of the Black Path, now viewed me as his mortal enemy.

Would he listen if I spoke to him with the same finesse I used on Jegal So-myeong?

Perhaps. But the problem remained that I would likely have to let him vent his fury on something else before he would ever entertain a conversation.

“Wait!”

“…….”

“Just hold on for a second.”

As I stood up with forced confidence, Murong Gang kept his gaze locked on me, silently goading me to try something foolish.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Hoo…… The dust is thick…… Cough, cough…… I cannot speak clearly. Must you destroy the furniture so carelessly?”

“What did you say?”

I shook my head and drifted toward the window. Murong Gang followed me with a look of utter bewilderment.

“Fine. Speak your piece. It will be the only reason I refrain from breaking all four of your limbs.”

At last, genuine killing intent flickered in his eyes.

“……After all, am I not the one who saved the Young Clan Head’s life?”

Wait—if I was indeed his son’s savior, then why on earth was he threatening to break my limbs? He was completely devoid of logic or restraint. There was only one sensible way to handle a man like this.

Rattle.

I threw the window open and stepped onto the sill.

“What in the world are you doing……”

The best strategy, and one championed by the Art of War itself:

The Thirty-Six Stratagems clearly state that fleeing is the wisest choice.

Bang.

I unleashed the Unrivaled under Heaven Movement Art with every ounce of power I possessed, and the world outside the window blurred into a smear of motion.

“Jin So-un!!!!!!!”

Even Murong Gang’s furious roar began to fade into the distance. The autumn breeze felt invigorating as I escaped.

—

-It would be wise for you to stop while I am still being polite.

A thunderous voice, vibrating with such power I couldn’t tell if it was Sound Transmission or a sonic technique, hammered against my eardrums.

Good grief, that was terrifying. Panicked, I pushed my speed even further.

My father had once warned me about three types of people to avoid at all costs: those with peerless combat ability, those incapable of tempering their rage, and those whose motives remain impenetrable. I doubt even my father realized that all three traits could manifest in a single individual. Regardless, running was the only logical response to Murong Gang.

In my experience, the Unrivaled under Heaven Movement Art was a top-tier technique, easily standing among the top five in the entire Murim. No matter how prestigious the Murong Clan’s footwork might be, it couldn’t possibly compete with a technique forged by the combined genius of the Heavenly Demon and the Taeul Sword Emperor.

Furthermore, my internal energy was cycling at four times its normal capacity. Coupled with the fact that my Moving Circulation had become as subconscious as breathing……

‘I can keep this up all day!’

Why did I suddenly wish I had a shield to hide behind?

-Oho! Feeling confident in your footwork, are we?

That deafening, skull-rattling Sound Transmission returned. I offered a silent, internal apology. No matter how monstrous Murong Gang was, there was no way he could close the distance……

BANG, BANG! BANG, BANG!

Huh?

The air erupted behind me, and a chill crawled up my spine. When I dared to glance back, Murong Gang, previously a mere speck, was closing the gap with enormous, earth-shaking strides.

What the hell! Damn it!

I panicked and accelerated, but Murong Gang’s voice pierced through my defenses again.

-Did you honestly think none of my previous enemies possessed fast feet?

For the last time, I am not your enemy!

BANG, BANG.

Murong Gang was detonating bursts of qi beneath his soles, literally compressing the space around him to propel himself forward.

Wow…… So the technique Murong Jae-hwa used in my past life to launch arrows with such range was something he inherited from his grandfather…….

While I was busy appreciating this sudden insight, Murong Gang had already closed the distance to within ten jang. He was only a few more bursts away from reaching me. I pushed my legs until the muscles threatened to tear.

“You foolish brat! You could have just taken your beating, but you had to provoke me!”

So he intended to strike me regardless of what I said. That man!

Murong Gang had finally caught up to the point where he didn’t need to use his voice technique. Frustrated that I remained just out of his reach, he generated a massive explosion of qi to surge ahead and cut me off.

Bang!

He intended to flank me, force a stop, and end the chase. But I had no intention of being captured. The moment he blocked my path,

‘Now!’

Crrrack.

I jerked in a different direction so violently that every joint in my lower body, ankles included, groaned in protest.

“You—damned whelp!”

Murong Gang, having anticipated my path, scrambled to pivot, his face turning an even deeper shade of purple. He lacked the delicate, refined control of internal energy required for subtle adjustments. After all, his reputation was that of the Wind Earl Sword-Breaker.

‘If I keep this up…….’

Then, as we engaged in this lethal game of tag, the space directly in front of me began to ripple and warp.

“What is this…….”

The scenery of the academy turned into a murky, tangled mess. Suddenly, the distorted void coalesced into the clear, physical shape of a giant hand.

Was this Fist Force? An advanced grasp? No, it was far too defined, too massive.

“Kek!”

I tried to dive out of the way the moment I realized what it was, but the immense, formless hand slammed into my side.

CRASH!

I went tumbling across the ground, legs tangled, before scrambling back to my feet.

“You brat!!”

Through a cloud of swirling dust, Murong Gang charged, his fist radiating lethal force.

Clang!

I drew the Black Dragon Sword at the last possible second, bracing for the impact.

CRASH!

His fist struck the Diamond Indestructible Iron, the sturdiest metal in existence. But the energy didn’t disperse; the force tore through the sword’s resonance and slammed directly into my solar plexus.

Babang!

The sensation was akin to my ribs shattering, and my vision blurred, but I couldn’t succumb to the pain. Murong Gang was already unleashing his next move.

Heaven-Earth Invincible Palm.

A terrifying technique with destructive power rivaling the Heaven-Earth Wave-Splitting Sword. Was this old man actually trying to kill me?

I used the Black Dragon Sword to execute the Lotus movement, deflecting the palm, while simultaneously unleashing the Ten Thousand Transformations Invincible Fist with my free hand. As the patterns of my fist technique filled the air, Murong Gang’s eyes narrowed further.

“You insolent whelp! You dare raise your hand against your elder?!”

He was the one launching lethal strikes against a junior!

Dooong! Dooong! Dooong!

A sound like tolling bells filled the air as Murong Gang’s Blue Wave Fist collided with my forms. At the same time, I exerted pressure using the Twin Heaven Sword Formula.

Shrrrrrrrrk!

The Black Dragon Sword’s manifestations filled the space, each blade brimming with enough Sword Qi to signify certain death. Yet, Murong Gang remained indifferent.

“Do you mistake me for some amateur playing with snakes and chickens?”

Intense heat erupted from his right foot. Like a fire dragon breathing flames, he incinerated my Sword Qi in every direction. As expected, he was a man of fire.

“Is that all you have?”

He swept away the residual heat and energy with a single, dismissive gesture, his face still twisted in unbridled rage. Was that all I had?

“Of course not.”

I might not look it, but I was the man who had claimed the head of the Guardian Dharma King through sheer, stubborn persistence. I gave him a sharp grin.

“This is only the beginning.”

Three Forms of White Moon Ruling Heaven.

First Form.

“Extreme Speed.”

The Black Dragon Sword streaked forward like a focused beam of light, accompanied by a booming vibration.

—

“……Ugh.”

“Keep your hands held high!!!”

At Murong Gang’s bellow, Jin So-un, his eyes sporting fresh bruises, thrust his hands back into the air.

“E-Elder, it has already been a full hour. If I hold them up any longer than this……”

Seeing Jin So-un’s hands tremble as he put on a dramatic performance of exhaustion, Murong Gang looked utterly incredulous.

‘A brat with that level of martial arts depth claiming he’s tired after just one hour?’

Murong Gang’s first shock had been when Jin So-un evaded the Void-Annihilation Fist, a technique that represented his life’s work. Seeing him integrate Sword Qi into the Twin Heaven Sword Formula was also startling, but that rapid-fire sword technique he had unleashed afterward? Its velocity was beyond anything he had anticipated. If Murong Gang had been even a heartbeat slower, he would have suffered the embarrassment of his robes being shredded by a boy who had only recently taken up the blade.

‘That is undoubtedly the Sword Demon’s martial art…….’

How had this boy learned the techniques of a man who had vanished like mist five years ago? And at the end, the sheer insanity of coating those Ten Thousand Swords in Sword Force while maneuvering the Twin Heaven Sword Formula? Regardless of the volume of his inner energy, that level of destruction required a body conditioned by rigorous external training.

And yet, this boy claimed exhaustion from merely holding his hands up? Even a stray dog would laugh at that.

“Tsk, I thought he might be roughly on par with Seol. When did he surpass her this much?”

Murong Seol had been making waves in the Murim lately, earning the title of the next-generation Sword Empress. He had intended to bring up that very topic, but it seemed this boy had broken through to an entirely different realm. Jin So-un, oblivious to the man’s internal monologue, merely stared blankly.

“Pardon?”

“I said keep your hands up!”

Murong Gang snapped, irritation flaring for no apparent reason. Jin So-un, refusing to yield, surreptitiously lowered his arms by an inch and asked,

“Elder, I ask because I am truly perplexed…… Why are you doing this to me?”

“Why am I doing this?”

Jin So-un nodded, completely serious.

“I honestly do not know.”

“Then why did you run?”

“Is it not natural to flee when a terrifying entity comes hunting you?”

At that composed response, Murong Gang let out a dry, hollow laugh.

“That isn’t it. You ran because you knew you were in the wrong.”

“No! What did I actually do to offend you, Elder?!”

Finally, Jin So-un slammed his hands against the ground in frustration.

“Get your hands back up……”

“Yes, sir!”

To think he would even try to cut corners in the middle of this. Was this boy truly not afraid of the man known as the Sword-Breaker?

“I truly did nothing wrong.”

“Nothing? If seducing and intimidating a direct descendant of the Murong Clan into taking up the bow isn’t a crime, then what is?”

When Murong Gang leveled the accusation, Jin So-un turned pale.

“Wh-what are you talking about?! Seducing and intimidating him……!”

He knew this boy would deny it. That was why he had fought so hard to keep from shredding the letter in a fit of pique.

“Tsk.”

Murong Gang pulled the missive from his robes and flung it at Jin So-un. The paper didn’t flutter; it flew like a rigid metal plate, pinning itself near Jin So-un. He watched Murong Gang’s expression, lowered his hands once more, retrieved the letter, and began to read.

[This unworthy grandson, Murong Jae-hwa, should meet Grandfather in person, but because I am too ashamed, I beg your forgiveness for greeting you in this manner……

I had never intended to take up the bow, but the Great Hero Black Flame Dragon, whom I began to follow out of respect for his chivalry, used my feelings against me……

Furthermore, he threatened that if I did not take up the bow, everyone around me would suffer, so I had no choice…….]

After finishing, Jin So-un couldn’t help but admire the audacity.

“Wow, the bastard called Black Flame Dragon in this letter is one absolute piece of work.”

As he read, even knowing it referred to him, a genuine flash of anger burned in his chest. The way the letter wove actual Murim events into the narrative made it disturbingly believable. If he’d known it would come to this, he should have made Murong Jae-hwa pick up a brush instead of a bow.

But…….

‘Wait…… I’ve seen this handwriting.’

As he focused on the script, a specific face flashed in his mind.

This was absolutely, undoubtedly…….

‘……Eun-ho! You bastard! You dared to sell out your Eldest Senior Brother because of your friend?’

Jin So-un glared at the letter as if he could incinerate it with his gaze. Seeing him tremble in rage, Murong Gang prompted,

“Are you finally confessing to your sins?”

Jin So-un sprang to his feet.

“No, Elder! I am being framed. This letter is nothing but fabrication and incitement……”

“Silence! Even if there are lies in the text, you wouldn’t dare claim that making Murong Jae-hwa take up the bow is a lie, would you?”

Jin So-un, caught mid-momentum, hesitated.

“Th-that is……”

“I heard the full story from the Academy Head on my way here. They said you even went out of your way to create a dedicated archery lecture for him.”

Dammit, that was checkmate.

“Even with the facts this clear, you still refuse to admit your guilt?!”

Jin So-un held up a hand to pause Murong Gang.

“W-wait! Truthfully, the bloodline has not actually been severed, has it?”

“What are you implying? Choose your next words carefully, unless you want to be eating your own memorial rice this time next year.”

Gulp.

Jin So-un swallowed hard, his mind racing for a way out.

“I-in truth, Lady Murong Seol has much more promise in the sword arts, does she not?”

“Mm?”

“And I have heard the Murong Clan is not exactly a closed-minded family.”

A chilling, predatory smile touched Murong Gang’s lips.

“Oho. You are suggesting we take in a matrilocal son-in-law?”

“W-well, I wouldn’t go that far, but it could be a solution, and furthermore……”

“Excellent. Then you can be the Murong Clan’s matrilocal son-in-law.”

“……Huh?”

At Murong Gang’s sudden proclamation, Jin So-un tilted his head in confusion.

‘Fuck, what kind of nonsense is this now? I really feel like I am losing my mind.’

Unable to keep pace with Murong Gang’s unpredictable logic, Jin So-un felt a pounding headache begin to bloom behind his eyes.