Chapter 308

Chapter 308
## Chapter 308. The Embers of Evil (1)

—

The Jeon-deung-mun.
This particular organization had been founded five years prior in Hwang-cheon County by Il-sik O, a man widely recognized in Henan Province under the moniker “Lightning Saber.”
Since his reputation had historically been forged more as a professional escort warrior than a conventional martial artist, his venture had initially taken the form of a simple training academy. However, as numerous individuals aiming to enter the escort trade flocked to his doors, the institution eventually transformed and rebranded itself as a full-fledged sect.
“What is the status of Go-hyeon Deung?”
While the rest of the group had swallowed the Blood Bursting Pills in a similar fashion, Go-hyeon Deung was uniquely the only individual who underwent a monstrous transformation.
So-un had intentionally withheld the Blood-Calming Pills and remained observant for an extended duration, yet not a single additional combatant from the Jeon-deung-mun showed signs of turning into a demon.
If this held true, it strongly indicated that Go-hyeon Deung possessed some unique variable.
“Go-hyeon Deung was a personal apprentice whom Il-sik O kept by his side from the very beginning.”
“From the very start?”
“Indeed. It is said that he adopted an orphaned youngster who had been left entirely alone after losing both parents during an escort operation. Because of that history, Il-sik O reportedly favored and protected him above all others.”
“Is it verified that Il-sik O was originally a product of that affiliate branch of the Cheong-seong Sect?”
The Venomous Fang Sword gave a firm nod of affirmation.
“It is an established fact that he belonged to the Pung-hyang-mun. In his earlier years, he failed to achieve any notable renown while wielding a standard sword, but his fortunes changed dramatically after he transitioned to a saber, eventually earning him the title of ‘Lightning Saber.’”
If that was the timeline of events, did his transition to the saber coincide with his acquisition of the Demonic Art?
Initially, So-un harbored suspicions that the timeline had shifted due to his own actions.
Yet, after reviewing the background, that theory failed to hold up.
Historical accounts confirmed that Il-sik O had already established his reputation as the “Lightning Saber” long before So-un underwent his regression.
From this point forward, his thoughts began to tangle into a complex knot.
Throughout every single record from the Martial Alliance that he had personally reviewed, there was absolutely no mention of any practitioner utilizing Demonic Arts within the factions of the White Path.
‘Were they genuinely oblivious to it? Or did they intentionally suppress the information?’
If fortune favored them, it was merely an isolated individual who had accidentally stumbled upon a Demonic Art and had the misfortune of crossing his path. However, if the alternative were true…
‘The mere hypothesis is chilling.’
They were already facing immense pressure from the Demonic Cult during the catastrophic War between Justice and Evil; did this imply that hidden demons were secretly nesting within their own ranks all along?
Yet, a perplexing detail remained: Deung-go-hyeon himself appeared entirely oblivious to the reality that he was practicing a Demonic Art.
What convoluted scheme was unfolding behind the scenes?
“We have arrived at our destination.”
Snapping out of his thoughts at the remark from the Venomous Fang Sword, So-un looked up to see a respectable wooden signboard hanging above.
‘Jeon-deung-mun’
Had word of Go-hyeon Deung’s ultimate defeat already reached their ears?
The primary entrance stood completely unbarred, and a line of fully prepared combatants stood waiting in tight formations.
The moment So-un stepped forward to cross the threshold, the Venomous Fang Sword reached out to impede his progress.
“D-do you genuinely intend to enter their territory entirely unaccompanied?”
Then again, what was the reason behind this man’s sudden and consistent shift to highly formal language?
So-un casually dislodged the gripping hand and offered a reply.
“Would you prefer I gather the subordinates of the Dog-a-mun to march in ahead of me?”
“……!”
What was causing him to react in such a bizarre manner?
So-un had offered nothing more than a casual retort to a basic inquiry, yet this normally aggressive individual now bore a look of deep, profound emotional moving.
“I-I shall walk beside you.”
“Suit yourself.”
As he strode confidently through the rows of Jeon-deung-mun followers posted on either flank, he entered the main area where a mature man perched upon an elevated seat watched the Venomous Fang Sword with completely unreadable features.
“What has become…… of Hyeon?”
“Heh-heh. What exactly do you assume took place?”
The Venomous Fang Sword provided an answer using a sneering delivery that perfectly mirrored the demeanor of a typical underworld antagonist.
The mature figure—undoubtedly the man identified as Il-sik O—deepened the lines on his forehead.
“Has Hyeon perished?”
His demeanor suggested that such an outcome had never even crossed his mind.
Only at that moment did Il-sik O shift his gaze fully toward So-un.
“……It was clearly not by the hands of the Venomous Fang Sword that Hyeon met his end.”
Despite receiving the grim tidings regarding the loss of his most treasured apprentice, Il-sik O’s countenance betrayed no genuine grief, reflecting nothing beyond mere irritation.
“Identify yourself.”
The instant So-un evaluated the subtle nuances of Il-sik O’s presentation, absolute certainty washed over him.
“My name is So-un Jin.”
He was entirely convinced that this wretched man was fully conscious of the Demonic Art.

“If you are So-un Jin……. Are you referring to the individual known as the Black Flame Dragon, So-un Jin?”
Il-sik O pressed forward with his interrogation, his brow remaining heavily furrowed.
“I was well aware that you held the position of top student at the Martial Academy. For what reason are you keeping company with criminals of the Black Path? Have you truly chosen to align yourself with Black Path degenerates?”
In response, So-un initialed the interaction by bringing his hands together in a traditional gesture of respect.
“Before we proceed, there is a particular matter I require the Sect Leader to clarify.”
“Sect Leader……. Is it your custom to offer formal greetings while simultaneously glaring at me with clear homicidal intent?”
“I must ask for your tolerance regarding my gaze. It stems from my current inability to fully suppress my internal agitation.”
True to form, the older man maintained an utterly unshaken demeanor.
“Very well, what pressing inquiry do you possess at such a critical juncture?”
So-un locked his gaze directly onto the man’s pupils.
“Did you send Go-hyeon Deung to assault the Dog-a-mun with absolute certainty that he would emerge victorious?”
The murderous aura that Il-sik O silently radiated confirmed without a doubt that his martial capabilities far surpassed those of the Venomous Fang Sword.
An individual possessing Il-sik O’s level of expertise would easily possess the tactical vision required to evaluate the relative combat levels of both the Venomous Fang Sword and Go-hyeon Deung.
Given that reality, it defied basic logic that he would deploy Go-hyeon Deung against the Dog-a-mun while providing him with such a meager contingent of supporters.
“I authorized no such deployment. The boy, Hyeon, initiated that venture entirely on his own accord.”
He simply permitted a youth, whom he had raised as his own eldest child, to walk unhindered into a fatal trap?
Was this an attempt to absolve himself of blame?
“Even when you possessed full awareness that Go-hyeon Deung would not survive?”
“Did Hyeon…… truly lose his life?”
“He did.”
“By chance, were you the one responsible for his demise?”
For the briefest moment, Il-sik O’s expression sharpened with dangerous intensity.
“You would do well to weigh your upcoming words carefully. Though our association is indirect, I maintain a valid lineage connecting me to the prestigious Cheong-seong Sect.”
The claim carried very little weight.
An affiliation that existed merely as a distant branch of a subsidiary under the Cheong-seong Sect was virtually equivalent to having no relationship at all.
Nonetheless, the foundation of his unyielding confidence clearly rested on the notion that he could claim a political shield through the Cheong-seong name.
Regardless of any purported alliances with Cheong-seong, So-un held unwavering conviction regarding the truth in this moment.
“Is that so? In reality, you are the one who needs to consider your responses with extreme caution, Sect Leader.”
At those words, the older man’s composure finally showed a minor fracture.
“Because I detected an incredibly anomalous characteristic within Go-hyeon Deung.”
Il-sik O was entirely aware.
He knew with absolute certainty that Go-hyeon Deung, fortified by the secrets of the Demonic Art, could never possibly fall in battle against someone of the Venomous Fang Sword’s caliber.
That explained why he raised no objections when the youth marched straight into a hostile stronghold.
The singular element that had escaped his calculations was…….
“An anomalous characteristic?”
It was none other than the wild card known as “myself.”
“Allow me to pose a final inquiry. Have you, by chance, distributed the specific martial style you imparted to Go-hyeon Deung among the rest of your followers?”
In that brief window, So-un caught a distinct twitching motion in Il-sik O’s eyelids.
“What…… absurdities are you uttering?”
“The reality that you did not intervene to stop Go-hyeon Deung, despite his deficient foundational skills, when he launched an offensive against the Dog-a-mun proves that you possessed an absolute guarantee of his success, does it not?”
So-un dropped his vocal tone significantly, keeping his eyes locked onto Il-sik O.
“Are we speaking of a Demonic Art?”
“…….”
Il-sik O’s features remained cast in stone.
A suffocating, prolonged stillness descended upon the chamber.
And then—
“……Ha-ha!”
Without warning, a burst of laughter erupted from Il-sik O.
It was a hollow, grating sound that failed to reach his unmoving eyes.
“Reports reached me that the cunning of a youth named So-un Jin matched the vilest schemers of the Black Path, earning him the title of Black Flame Dragon, and it appears those assessments were entirely accurate…….”
“Hold your tongue!”
Out of nowhere, the Venomous Fang Sword bellowed at the top of his lungs, interrupting the monologue.
“The Black Flame Dragon is not an individual to be slandered in such a manner!”
What is wrong with this guy, and why is he suddenly inserting himself into this confrontation……?
When So-un pushed him backward, feeling entirely bewildered by the outburst, the Venomous Fang Sword conceded ground while breathing heavily in indignation.
Il-sik O resumed his speech.
“Indeed……. Is it your strategy to obscure the unlawful killing of Go-hyeon Deung by fabricating allegations of a forbidden style?”
His tone suggested he had successfully anticipated every possible strategic maneuver his opponent could make.
“The distinction of being the top student at the Martial Academy was clearly not obtained through simple fortune. I must concede that you possess an exceptional intellect.”
The flattery offered very little comfort.
“However…… do you genuinely believe such a transparent fabrication will find purchase?”
“Given that physical verification has already been extracted from Go-hyeon Deung’s person, you may withhold any artificial concern regarding my personal standing. Let us redirect our focus to you, Sect Leader. By what means did you acquire mastery over the Demonic Art?”
“Preposterous. To think that an individual representing a pillar of the righteous White Path Murim would resort to masking his own transgressions through malicious slander.”
“It is clear you have no desire to engage in an honest dialogue.”
So-un extended a backward hand toward the Venomous Fang Sword standing in his shadow.
“Excuse me?”
How could this individual possibly be so utterly devoid of situational awareness?
“Hand over the remaining supply of the Blood Bursting Pills.”
“Ah, understood. You ought to have stated your requirement more directly.”
Why must this fellow always waste words?
Securing the pill, So-un displayed the Blood Bursting Pill prominently before Il-sik O’s eyes.
“Would you care to personally ingest this item for a demonstration?”
“……Every single action you take is utterly farcical.”
Letting out a cold, mocking sound, Il-sik O rose to his feet from his seating platform.
“Did all of you bear witness to this? This intruder intends to cast a false shadow over our Jeon-deung-mun to justify our complete eradication.”
Immediately following his declaration—
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
“The glory of the Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
The surrounding disciples of the Jeon-deung-mun unsheathed their weapons in perfect unison.
Faced with the suffocating waves of homicidal pressure, the Venomous Fang Sword began anxiously shifting his weight from foot to foot behind So-un.
“B-Black Flame Dragon, Young Master. What is our course of action now?”
What else would we do? We systematically neutralize them one by one.
Srrrng.
The moment So-un unsheathed the vibrant Red Light Sword, all color drained instantly from the Venomous Fang Sword’s face.

Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
As edge met edge, brilliant showers of friction sparks cascaded through the air.
Though the intense vibrations must have sent agonizing shocks through their palms, the attacking disciples betrayed absolutely no signs of physical distress.
“Perish!”
So-un drove his heel straight into the torso of an assailant barreling toward him with unfiltered malice.
Thud!
A pair of nearby Jeon-deung-mun disciples scrambled forward to intercept their comrade, who was hurtling backward with the velocity of a projectile.
Because So-un had infused the strike with a massive concentration of internal energy, their combined weight failed to absorb the momentum, causing all three to smash violently into the structural wall in a tangled heap.
That displays a rather poignant level of group solidarity.
Since he had yet to determine which specific individuals had been initiated into the Demonic Art, So-un intentionally rotated the flat of his weapon.
Even so, this tactical adjustment did not place him at any distinct disadvantage.
On various occasions, receiving a blow from the unsharpened side of a blade could inflict far more agonizing torment than a clean laceration.
Slash, slash!
The combatants of the Jeon-deung-mun collapsed to the ground, desperately clutching their heavily bruised areas as though they had been struck by a viciously wielded whip.
“Consolidate the ranks!”
Recognizing their individual failure, they shifted tactics and began coordinate their movements into a structured sword formation.
The foundational geometry of the maneuver closely mirrored the teachings of the Cheong-seong Sect, yet distinct anomalies marred the execution.
The defining trait of the authentic Cheong-seong sword formation lay in its fluid, unhindered adaptation, mimicking the natural flow of wind guided by their signature techniques. In stark contrast, this particular iteration possessed a far more rigid and brutal objective.
It was a martial configuration that completely deprioritized personal preservation, focusing entirely on maximizing offensive output even at the cost of catastrophic self-sacrifice.
‘To deliberately design a tactical formation built upon guaranteed self-destruction…….’
He harbored severe doubts as to whether such a flawed methodology could function effectively in live combat, but—
“Aaaagh! The glory of the Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
Observing a Jeon-deung-mun follower deliberately throw himself into the trajectory of danger to shield his companions, it became undeniable that the psychological conditioning was working perfectly.
‘At the very least, they display far greater coordination than the disorganized rabble of the Black Path.’
By the time he had successfully disabled approximately a score of the Jeon-deung-mun combatants, an overwhelming sense of unnaturalness began to weigh heavily on his mind.
‘For what reason do they exhibit absolutely no trace of survival instinct?’
Hypothesizing that their fearlessness stemmed from a lack of severe bloodshed, he intentionally heightened the lethality of his counters to test their resolve.
Slash!
Slash!
While the strikes stopped short of inflicting fatal trauma, they carried a level of violence that should have triggered an instinctive panic for their survival.
The polished floor stones of the Jeon-deung-mun compound were rapidly painted with dark crimson fluids.
Yet—
“The J-Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
“The glory of the Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
The individuals suffering debilitating injuries showed no change.
Even the warriors stepping over their bleeding comrades to raise their weapons showed absolutely no inclination to give ground.
Why did they persist in chanting that insufferable mantra without pause?
‘This is profoundly unnatural.’
It is a common misconception among the uninitiated that achieving high proficiency in martial arts eradicates all human fear. In truth, the reality is entirely reversed.
The moment an individual gains an accurate understanding of their personal limitations, the treacherous landscape of the Jianghu transforms into an even more terrifying and unforgiving domain.
Strangely, the followers of the Jeon-deung-mun seemed completely immune to this fundamental truth.
Sensing the deep rot beneath their behavior, So-un directed his gaze toward Il-sik O, who continued to watch the unfolding chaos with completely detached eyes before finally speaking.
“Observing your deliberate avoidance of lethal strikes, it is evident you harbor deep anxiety regarding the political fallout of this encounter.”
You absolute monster.
Without wasting another breath, So-un propelled himself off the floor, closing the distance toward Il-sik O like a bolt of lightning.
“What absolute nonsense are you spouting!”
However—
Sh-sh-sh.
Before his brain could fully process the movement, Il-sik O’s physical form had seamlessly dissolved back into the dense cluster of his own subordinates.
“Though my martial prowess never earned me legendary status, I possess absolute confidence in the swiftness of my movement techniques.”
You slippery bastard.
So-un immediately shifted his footwork, executing the complex patterns of the Tae-eul Eighty Thousand Godly Steps.
Sh-sh-sh!
Five distinct afterimages materialized in his wake as he aggressively pursued the retreating figure.
While the frenzied Jeon-deung-mun disciples spent their strength hacking wildly at the false phantoms, So-un successfully breached the perimeter, closing into absolute proximity and swinging the Red Light Sword directly at his target.
“Hup!”
With zero hesitation, the man seized a nearby disciple by the hair, dragging him violently into the path of the oncoming Red Light Sword to serve as a human shield.
Thud!
The unfortunate subordinate absorbed the full impact of the flat blade directly against his skull, his eyes rolling back into his head as he collapsed into unconsciousness.
“The J-Jeon-deung-mun…… everlasting……”
Utilizing the distraction, Il-sik O reappeared from an entirely alternate angle.
“Tsk, tsk…… yet another devoted student has fallen before my eyes. If this violence persists, the Jeon-deung-mun will face complete annihilation.”
Coinciding with Il-sik O’s performative exclamation, the remaining disciples of the Jeon-deung-mun reached into their martial vestments simultaneously, extracting small medicinal spheres.
“They are completely insane…….”
Without a moment’s hesitation, every single one of them swallowed the Blood Bursting Pills.
Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!
A chorus of muffled concussions echoed through the hall as their martial uniforms expanded violently from the sudden internal pressure. Emitting plumes of dense white vapor, the altered combatants launched themselves forward in a suicidal frenzy.
“The glory of the Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
“The glory of the Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
All while continuously roaring that damnable slogan.

Their current combat behavioral patterns diverged drastically from the confrontation at the Dog-a-mun stronghold.
During the prior engagement, they maintained a clear awareness of the strict one-hundred-move operational ceiling imposed by the pill, carefully rationing their physical output accordingly.
But now—
“Aaaaaaargh!”
“Perish by our hands!”
“The glory of the Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
The current batch of Jeon-deung-mun fanatics pressed their offensive with absolute disregard for basic self-preservation.
Thud-thud! Thud-thud-thud!
Unleashing the devastating force of the Myriad Flowers Invincible Fist, a single execution of the technique sent three assailants violently backward, coughing up dark fluids as they hit the floor.
Astonishingly, the individuals driven by the Blood Bursting Pills repeatedly forced themselves back onto their feet, carelessly wiping the blood from their mouths before re-engaging.
Recognizing their unnatural resilience, So-un adjusted his output, applying sufficient force to cleanly fracture their structural limbs.
Crack! Crack!
“The J-Jeon-deung-mun!!!”
“The glory of the Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting!”
Yet, rather than crying out in agonizing pain, they attempted to crawl or stand, using their broken bodies while continuing to chant that insufferable phrase.
Confound it all, this is genuinely unhinged…….
While the disparity in sheer martial capability remained insurmountable, their unnatural, unyielding persistence sent a cold shiver down his spine.
These people were entirely consumed by a frantic desperation.
It was as though they were willingly converting their very life force into fuel to preserve something far more valuable than their own existence…….
‘To preserve?’
So-un’s gaze locked onto Il-sik O, who stood entirely unbothered and motionless amidst the chaotic meat grinder of his followers.
The man offered a mocking smirk.
“Tell me, are you beginning to experience a tremor of trepidation now?”
He posed the question while casually resting his hand on the head of a nearby disciple, almost like a master comforting a hound.
“Do you truly possess the stomach to slaughter members of the righteous White Path who display such an incredibly elevated and selfless spirit?”
Leaving those words hanging in the air, the man once again withdrew into the sea of his brainwashed subordinates.
The moment So-un extended his sensory perception outward to lock onto the man’s precise energy signature—
“Aaaaaaargh!”
A Jeon-deung-mun zealot threw himself directly at So-un, clearly seeking a double fatality.
Evading the descending saber path with a fluid motion, So-un prepared to deliver a decisive counter-punch.
Puchi!
Out of nowhere, a cold steel blade erupted directly through the center of the attacking disciple’s torso from behind.
Because So-un reacted with razor-thin reflexes to twist his frame away from the unexpected thrust, he avoided a direct puncture, though the edge cleanly sheared through a long strip of his outer garments.
What transpired immediately afterward defied all human logic.
“Keok! The J-Jeon-deung-mun is everlasting……!”
Despite having his vital organs completely transfixed by a blade, the dying disciple widened his eyes and summoned the final remnants of his strength to swing his saber at So-un once more.
‘……You utter lunatic!’
So-un was forced to execute an awkward, desperate evasion, letting the descending blade shave past his skull as he rolled frantically across the floorboards.
A completely dry, mocking voice drifted down from above.
“To witness the premier graduate of the celebrated Martial Academy reduced to performing a vulgar Lazy Donkey Roll (Na-ryeo-ta-gon)……. The standards of our world have truly disintegrated.”
Regaining his footing and looking up, So-un saw Il-sik O casually extracting his weapon from the torso of his fallen follower, idly shaking his head in mock disappointment.
He did not afford even a fleeting glance to the corpse cooling at his feet.
The disciple who had just been casually murdered by his own organizational leader spent his final breaths gazing up at Il-sik O with absolute devotion, as though fulfilling a sacred directive.
“Consider the reality of your situation. Would it not be far wiser to withdraw quietly at this juncture and resume your comfortable, mundane existence?”
“Ha…….”
The sheer audacity of the man was staggering.
That specific agility technique he utilized to effortlessly navigate through the bodies of his followers.
The absolute absence of moral hesitation when converting the lives of his dedicated subordinates into cheap disposable assets to achieve an objective.
Even without witnessing his pupils manifest the telltale black coloration, the circumstantial proof was absolute.
It was undeniable evidence that this man was a demon.
To flagrantly display the behavior of a demon and expect him to simply turn a blind eye and walk away?
I am deeply metadata-averse to such an arrangement, and I have absolutely no intention of complying.
So-un applied pressure to his palm, thoroughly crushing the Blood Bursting Pill he had been holding.
The condensed medicinal sphere disintegrated instantly, transforming into fine sediment that drifted aimlessly onto the floorboards.
“Excellent. It appears you have arrived at a rational conclusion.”
Misinterpreting the destruction of the pill as a sign of submission, a wide, triumphant grin spread across the older man’s features.
In response, So-un mirrored the expression, flashing an equally broad smile.
“You absolute imbecile. You are completely full of yourself.”
“……What?”
“I merely discarded it because it no longer serves any practical utility for me.”
“…….”
At long last, that smug, punchable composure began to melt away.
It had been thoroughly nauseating to watch him maintain that artificial serenity for so long.
“Now that your identity as a demon has been unequivocally verified, I have absolutely no further requirement for physical evidence.”
“What are you implying by those words……”
Without granting him a moment to process, So-un accelerated directly toward his target.
Roughly ten combatants immediately attempted to form a living wall to obstruct his path, but their numbers meant absolutely nothing.
Pop-pop-pop!
Accompanied by a series of sharp acoustic booms as the air displaced violently, the ten individuals who had thrown themselves forward were blasted backward like human cannonballs.
He remained oblivious to the exact method of indoctrination utilized, but the followers of the Jeon-deung-mun valued Il-sik O’s survival far above their own individual lives.
It was a tragic reality, but he could no longer afford to waste time regulating his output out of concern for their well-being.
If he permitted Il-sik O to slip away through their sacrifices, the future body count would be catastrophic.
Now that the safety constraints had been thoroughly discarded, there was no longer any reason to hold back.
Slash!
“Aaargh!”
A disciple whose hand was cleanly severed at the wrist shrieked in unadulterated agony, staring in horror at the crimson fountain erupting from his limb.
At the very least, they had finally ceased chanting that repetitive, maddening slogan.
Il-sik O’s composed demeanor completely shattered, his voice turning frantic from the front.
“D-do you truly possess the authority to absorb the consequences of enacting such a slaughter!”
Perhaps he was correct. This action might spark massive political blowback down the line. He might even find himself branded an enemy by the entire Cheong-seong Sect.
But what of it?
No matter what extreme price he was forced to pay, it was infinitely preferable to allowing a demon to walk free.
“Who cares, you absolute moron!”
Thud-thud-thud!
Simultaneously, So-un cleared three obstacles with a single, sweeping palm strike, successfully breaching the inner perimeter to stand within arm’s reach of the mastermind.
Il-sik O completely abandoned his manufactured smirk, his expression twisting into absolute panic as he scrambled to evade.
Sh-sh-sh!
Predicting the escape vector, So-un immediately unleashed a powerful Great Ocean Palm directly toward the precise coordinates where the man was bound to materialize.
Three intervening Jeon-deung-mun zealots were caught squarely in the shockwave and sent flying, while Il-sik O, unable to fully absorb the kinetic force, was sent rolling across the stone floor.
“H-how did you anticipate that!”
“The footwork pattern you are employing is none other than the Silver Demon Phantom Step. The core geometry of the Silver Demon Phantom Step mandates that the practitioner must claim one of the six cardinal coordinates precisely upon executing the fifth stride.”
“Hup!”
The instant the man opened his mouth to offer a retort, So-un deployed the swift Flying Dragon Claw, clamping it securely around the man’s throat.
Without missing a beat, he brought the Red Light Sword down in a clean arc, completely severing the man’s entire right arm.
“Listen closely. Do not even think about activating your Demonic Art! If you remain looking like a regular human, my personal situation will become incredibly complicated once you are a corpse. Do you comprehend?”
“……W-wait— keok, keok!”
As the compression on his windpipe intensified, the man’s face flushed a deep, suffocating purple.
Concurrently, due to the intense blood pressure building within his torso, a violent spray of crimson erupted from the freshly sheared shoulder wound.
“Oh dear…… it appears you are reduced to navigating the world with a single limb. I wonder if the Jianghu will refer to you as the ‘One-Handed Mad Saber’ from this day forward?”
“Ke-keok!”
Just as his consciousness was on the absolute precipice of fading, Il-sik O’s eyes underwent a radical transformation, turning a deep, abyssal black that mirrored obsidian.
An explosive, tempestuous surge of corrupt energy violently radiated from his physical frame, causing his muscles to expand and spasm uncontrollably.
Reacting instantly, So-un anchored his position by executing the Thousand Pound Weight technique, driving an immense amount of gravitational force down onto the man’s thrashing body.
Though the demon managed to pull in a solitary, ragged breath, his eyelids fluttered erratically as the crushing weight resumed suffocating his system.
During this brief window, the remnants of the Jeon-deung-mun disciples launched a desperate, coordinated swarm toward his position.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch.
So-un immediately transitioned into the intricate patterns of the Great Heaven Sword Technique, systematically severing the wrists and hands of the approaching attackers with cold, mechanical precision.
Blood sprayed indiscriminately across the architecture, and the air grew thick with unbridled screams of agony.
It was time to conclude this affair permanently.
“Venomous Fang Sword!”
“Y-yes, sir!”
“Interpose yourself and halt their advance!”
“Excuse me?!”
The Venomous Fang Sword, who had been heavily engaged with four opponents on the perimeter of the courtyard, broke off his engagement and began sprinting toward the central conflict with everything he had.
So-un cleanly severed the tendons in both of Il-sik O’s ankles to permanently eliminate his mobility, before driving a devastating fist directly into the man’s dantian center.
Bang!
An internal rupture echoed from within Il-sik O’s midsection, forcing him to violently expectorate a massive quantity of dark fluid.
Slightly relaxing the constriction of the Flying Dragon Claw around his throat, So-un leaned down to deliver his ultimatum.
“Your cultivation has been thoroughly dismantled, but your life can still be preserved. Disclose the source. Where did you obtain the secrets of the Demonic Art?”
With the pressure on his throat partially alleviated, Il-sik O drew in desperate, ragged gasps of air as his respiratory function slowly stabilized.
Crack!
Without a shred of pity, So-un crushed the man’s kneecap into fragments and demanded once more.
“Il-sik O! Reveal the origin of the Demonic Art!”
In an instant, a violent tremor coursed through the broken man’s entire body.
“……Ma, Ma……bok.”
Ma-bok? Did there exist a geographical region or an entity designated by the name Ma-bok?
“Clarify your statement!”
The unnatural black tint suddenly receded from the man’s pupils, returning to their natural state.
However, due to the extreme trauma of the strangulation, the internal capillaries had completely ruptured, leaving his entire eyeballs stained a solid, horrific crimson.
“Heavenly Demon Reincarnation, Ten Thousand Demons Subjugation!!!”
Grit.
Simultaneous with his fanatical roar, the distinct sound of a capsule breaking resonated from within his jaw, followed instantly by a wisp of acrid smoke escaping his lips.
So-un immediately attempted to thrust his fingers into the man’s oral cavity to intervene, but he was forced to violently retract his hand as a searing, unnatural heat blistered his flesh.
In that mere fraction of a second, the skin on his fingertips had been completely scorched away.
Immediately following the smoke, a violent, unquenchable fire erupted, consuming Il-sik O’s entire physical form from the inside out.
“Confound it…….”
It was the unmistakable, dreaded Demonic Fire (Ma-hwa)—an unnatural phenomenon he had witnessed all too frequently across the battlefields of the War between Justice and Evil.