Chapter 383

Chapter 383
To be completely fair, I am forced to recognize their talent. The proficiency these wretched fiends possess in mimicking the righteous path far exceeds that of the minor fiends I faced in my past existence. For an individual to achieve renown within the Gangho while merely holding the status of an external student, their foundational training has to be exceptionally robust. When he began executing the Nine Palaces God-Walking Sword (Gu-gung-sin-haeng-geom)—the pinnacle technique accessible to lay followers—with just a microscopic flaw in his execution, a cold sweat washed over me as I feared my calculations had missed the mark.

However, the moment I executed the Breaking Formula (Pa-swae-sik) as a final, desperate wager.

*Clang—*

Watching him intercept the strike flawlessly solidified my suspicions.

‘In the current Gangho, the knowledge of this specific Breaking Formula is confined strictly to myself and those demonic beings.’

Even a martial artist of Yong-so-ah’s caliber had lost his composure when first facing the unique trajectories of the Breaking Formula.

“For an ordinary secular disciple to manage a feat that caught even Yong-so-ah off guard upon initial contact? Quite an amusing charade for a monster attempting to recite sacred sutras, isn’t it?”

Receiving my interrogation, Song-baek-pung-sa offered no verbal reply, choosing instead to harden his features into an emotionless facade.

“Your words make absolutely no sense to me.”

“A man who maintained an absolute stoicism regardless of who he faced over the last several days is now speaking drivel. Tell me, are you aware of what your own face betrays at this very second?”

“…”

“You look precisely like a common criminal caught red-handed in the middle of a heist, you scoundrel!”

With the realization that my adversary was a member of the notorious Ghost Five, any reason for hesitation vanished.

*Whir.*

The intricate variations of the Twin Heavenly Sword Secrets (Ssang-cheon-geom-gyeol) unfurled, trapping Song-baek-pung-sa within an inescapable cage from every angle. In response, Song-baek-pung-sa fought back by manipulating his flexible blade to unleash the Whirlwind Sword (Seon-pung-geom).

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.*

A violent, tempestuous noise, resembling a swarm of angry wasps buzzing intensely near one’s skull, intercepted the oncoming Twin Heavenly Sword Secrets. The tightly packed gales that had shielded Song-baek-pung-sa like an impenetrable layer suddenly expanded outward in a synchronized burst, repelling the pressure of the Twin Heavenly Sword Secrets.

*Clatter.*
*Clatter.*

Deflected sharp sword Qi tore across the vicinity, carving deep, elongated furrows into both the stone flooring and the surrounding structures. Song-baek-pung-sa bellowed with an arrogant fervor, acting as though victory was already within his grasp.

“Your ego has clearly ballooned after achieving notoriety as the Academy Representative, yet you forget that I hail from the esteemed Wudang Sect!”

Following those words, even as he maintained the defense of the Whirlwind Sword, he thrust forward utilizing the Seven Star Fist (Chil-seong-gwon) with his free arm.

“A common student belonging to the Tae-eul Sect could never hope to vanquish me.”

The toxic, self-absorbed superiority typically found among the elite factions of the righteous path was on full display—indeed, his behavior was so meticulously accurate that anyone would find it impossible to doubt he was a genuine orthodox warrior holding supreme reverence for the Wudang Sect.

Yet,

*Boom, boom, boom!*

If his tactics remain solely confined to the orthodox teachings of the Wudang Sect, his escape from this place is a mathematical impossibility. The primary combat style of the actual Song-baek-pung-sa whom he impersonated revolves around the Five Elements Sword. Regardless of his familiarity with the Breaking Formula, the legacy arts of Wudang stand zero chance against my arsenal, considering my complete proficiency in the Rising Formula and the Demon-Subduing Formula (Je-ma-sik).

Every thrust targeting my five critical centers is deflected effortlessly, and the concussive fist Qi aimed at seven distinct points is completely neutralized. As the rapid trade of strikes intensifies, it appears superficially that Song-baek-pung-sa drives the offensive while I am the one conceding ground. However, within this chaotic dance, the only combatant accumulating physical damage is Song-baek-pung-sa himself.

The exact instant he shifted his posture to evade the Breaking Formula variations of the Five Elements Sword, I pivoted seamlessly into the Demon-Subduing Formula, driving my blade straight toward his vision.

*Swoosh—*

Just as the lethal trajectory seemed guaranteed to pierce through his socket with a sickening whistle of parted air, his silhouette flickered indistinctly. In a flash, the sharp edge of my Red Light Sword grazed past the lower edge of his earlobe rather than hitting its intended mark.

*Glint—*

The flesh was cleanly severed, yet not a single drop of crimson fluid sprayed forth. Indeed, there was a complete absence of bleeding.

“Listen closely, you foul monster. That evasion movement you just executed has absolutely nothing to do with Wudang’s principles, does it? From what dark corner did you acquire it?”

“…”

“Are you truly ignorant regarding the diverse nature of a secular disciple?”

“A detached piece of skin shouldn’t remain dry. Or perhaps your anatomy simply lacks vascularity there? Well… folk wisdom dictates that thin earlobes signify a wretched fate. Ah, perhaps that explains why you chose the path of an abyssal demon?”

“For an esteemed figure like the Black Flame Dragon to resort to baseless slander—an offense heavily condemned by the regulations of the Murim Alliance—is truly a pitiful sight.”

Watching him maintain this solemn, righteous persona provoked an involuntary smirk from me. His eyebrow gave a brief, subtle twitch before he launched an assault, deciding that verbal sparring had lost its utility. This time, however, his physical patterns diverged entirely from the standard Wudang maneuvers he had utilized previously. He started channeling an intensely aggressive, tyrannical style, completely discarding the balanced, flowing principles of the Taiji.

*Crash, crash!*

The resounding detonations were far too violent to be mere defensive deflections. It was a methodology of internal circulation that could only be interpreted as a deliberate ploy. Fascinating, what an intriguing gambit.

I elevated the output of my cultivation baseline. The intricate patterns of the Twin Heavenly Sword Secrets wove an oppressive net across the atmosphere, blanketing his position. Under normal circumstances, he undoubtedly would have utilized the fluid Taiji mechanics of the Five Elements Sword to slip away, yet he stubbornly relied on the Whirlwind Sword instead. He completely abandoned the strategy of deflecting and carving out a window of counterattack.

*Boom! Crack! Thud!*

Fierce gales detonated around them, creating a continuous barrage of noise akin to a shower of explosive thunder-pellets. Since he chose to engage in a raw contest of power against power despite already recognizing the disparity in our internal reservoirs, Song-baek-pung-sa’s robes were quickly shredded, revealing a multitude of minor lacerations underneath. Regardless of his skill in keeping the lethal strikes away from his mortal points, completely overwhelming the ever-shifting complexities of the Twin Heavenly Sword Secrets with brute force alone was an unattainable feat.

Naturally, the imposter was fully aware of this reality.

“This is an intentional spectacle, isn’t it? You are deliberately creating an uproar so that an outside party will notice the commotion and investigate.”

“…”

A nervous tremor rippled across the edges of Song-baek-pung-sa’s eyelids. Following that reaction, he channeled an even denser concentration of power into his strikes.

*Thud! Thud!*

The logic behind detonating his fist Qi prematurely before it could even bridge the physical distance between us—a tactic that would appear utterly foolish to an untrained eye—became glaringly obvious. His objective was entirely transparent.

“My deduction is correct. I suppose crying out for assistance directly would conflict too heavily with the established demeanor of Song-baek-pung-sa?”

In response, Song-baek-pung-sa reverted back to the Five Elements Sword, attempting to harness the sophisticated principles of Wudang. I responded by maximizing my internal reserves, instantly bearing down on my opponent with overwhelming force to ensure that even if he abandoned his disguise completely, I could pin him down immediately.

*Rumble, rumble!*

I suppress his fiery internal force and sever the blade trajectories that flow wildly like gale-force winds. I destabilize his rock-solid equilibrium and intercept his fluid, water-like transitions.

*Swoosh—*

Possessing a vastly superior level of internal cultivation offers immense utility in scenarios like this, enabling me to crush nearly any manifestation of opposing force. Ultimately, without tapping into his innate demonic reserves, the imitation Song-baek-pung-sa possesses no means to withstand the onslaught of the Red Light Sword.

“*Hack!*”

At last, internal trauma began to manifest within the culprit.

“*Splat.*”

After hacking up a dark mouthful of crimson fluid, the adversary inhaled deeply, a look of grim finality crossing his features. Sensing his intent, I reached into my garments and retrieved a signaling device of my own.

“Save me! Assist me, anyone!”

The thunderous shockwave of Song-baek-pung-sa’s weaponized voice detonated through the air, and precisely at that moment, I triggered my projectile.

*Boom!*

Immediately, a brilliant display of pyrotechnics lit up the darkness above, scattering sparks across the sky in every direction.

*Crack, snap! Boom, bang!*

Taking full advantage of the momentary disorientation that gripped Song-baek-pung-sa due to the unexpected light show, I unleashed the full devastation of the Myriad-Flower Peerless Fist (Man-hwa-mu-jeok-gwon).

*Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!*

A colossal wave of concussive force erupted directly into his position. Completely overwhelmed by the crushing pressure, Song-baek-pung-sa flailed his limbs desperately in an attempt to scatter the incoming fist projections. Yet,

“Just as I suspected.”

The movements he utilized bore no relation to the orthodox arts of Wudang. It was an oppressive, vicious style saturated with profound murderous malice.

*Crash, thud!*

Song-baek-pung-sa was forcefully driven backward over a distance of three jang, his back slamming into the wall as he narrowly dispelled the residual kinetic energy. Seizing the opening, I lunged forward with the Red Light Sword, cleanly removing his right limb.

*Shlick.*

“Ugaaaaargh—”

A distorted, unnatural shriek tore from his constricted throat. My expression darkened into a grimace as I observed the display.

“The vocalizations produced by members of the Demon Cult are invariably grotesque, regardless of how many times I encounter them.”

“…You absolute maniac…”

Song-baek-pung-sa locked his venomous, burning gaze onto mine.

“Do you truly… truly intend to instigate an international crisis?”

“To what exactly are you referring?”

“…Fabricating a crime to execute an innocent warrior is a tactic that only yields results when dealing with complete novices.”

“Even under these circumstances, you persist in maintaining the persona of Song-baek-pung-sa?”

“I am none other than Song-baek-pung-sa!”

His eyes remained completely unwavering, devoid of any internal panic. Honestly, witnessing such absolute conviction, any regular observer would find themselves doubting whether he was truly an imposter.

“Remarkable. An acting performance so flawless that even I am tempted to believe it.”

“Cease this madness…!”

“Ghost Five.”

The individual’s eyes flickered with a sudden tremor, and an abrupt quiet gripped the space. Staring unblinkingly into his eyes, I demanded:

“Identify the locations of your four companions.”

His mouth twitched as he struggled to formulate a response, finally forcing out a faltering reply.

“…What… what nonsense is this? Ghost Five?”

“Cooperate fully, and your demise will be swift. I shall spare you from prolonged agony.”

“How can I provide information on something I know absolutely nothing about!”

“So, you choose defiance.”

“I have no affiliation with any Ghost Five! My name is Song-baek-pung-sa Maeng-gong-wi!”

His dedication to the deception was terrifyingly absolute, capable of making even his accuser question reality. This is precisely why I remain vigilant against the terrifying tenacity of these zealots. I consciously fortified my own inner coldness to ensure I wouldn’t be swayed by his psychological manipulation.

I let my blade flash outward once more.

*Splat.*

The strike severed his left ankle entirely. He let out another agonizing shriek as his lower limb parted without any opposition, the color draining instantly from his face.

“If I… perish by your hand, *groan*… the Wudang faction will hunt you to the ends of the earth. There must be… someone who witnessed your assault.”

The degree to which they perfectly mirror their victims is truly uncanny. Do these infiltrators truly embody their prey to achieve such perfection?

“*Cough*… a witness will definitely…”

“Name this supposed witness.”

“…What? Naturally, any citizen walking these paths…”

“As you should realize by now, my network has sealed off every thoroughfare in this sector. Not a single civilian has laid eyes on me tracking you.”

“…”

“Therefore, I repeat the question: who is it?”

Staring coldly down at the bloody stump of his leg, I murmured in a hushed tone:

“The specific individual designated to report my execution of your persona.”

“…!”

“In truth, the answer is immaterial. Whoever steps forward to accuse me of your murder will inevitably reveal themselves as your accomplice. Even so, are you prepared to disclose the identities of the remaining members?”

“…”

When I advanced another pace toward the mute Song-baek-pung-sa, his visage grew entirely ghostly. Despite his desperate glances around the alley, his severed limb left him utterly immobilized. Ultimately, he threw up his remaining limb and panicked.

“Fine! I will confess! I will reveal everything, just halt your blade!”

“…”

His gaze vibrated with intense terror. To eliminate any variables, I deployed the Flying Dragon Claw while channeling the profound Jade-Clear Heavenly-Image Power (Ok-cheong-cheon-sang-ryeok). An ethereal, golden luminescence enveloped the Thousand-year Sky Silk comprising the Flying Dragon Claw. Beholding this manifestation, the captive begged desperately.

“Only if you guarantee my survival! I agree! I will accompany you to the Enforcement Hall and make a full statement! It matters not if Wudang representatives are absent. Merely preserve my existence, and I shall disclose every detail!”

The individual who previously exuded nothing but haughty arrogance was now reduced to groveling on the earth, standardizing his supplication. It was a pathetic display entirely uncharacteristic of the ruthless reputation preceding the Ghost Five. I discharged a concentrated burst of finger force to seal his internal meridians, subsequently gripping his vital channels to invert the flow of his energy and lifeblood.

“*Aaaaargh…*”

Enduring the excruciating agony of having his entire internal circulatory network warped, the false Song-baek-pung-sa convulsed violently, thrashing across the dirt.

“Identify the remaining four members.”

“*Pant*… I… I am being falsely…”

Just as I prepared to amputate his surviving hand and remaining lower limb to conclude the interrogation.

“Young Master (Gong-ja)!”

An intervention halted my next movement. The speaker was none other than the Wuhan Branch Manager of the Ha-o-mun.

“Cease… it would be prudent to halt your hand here.”

“…”

As I silently shifted my focus onto the local leader, he involuntarily caught his breath in a nervous shudder.

“Inflicting such horrific torment upon another human being is excessive. Surely you understand this better than anyone, Young Master?”

The mutilated form of the imposter lay broken on the stone, limbs severed and blood vessels bulging painfully beneath his skin from the internal disruption. It was highly debatable if the man could ever recover basic functionality even if I relented immediately. The local administrator grimaced heavily as he surveyed the gruesome scene.

“Moreover… since he maintains his innocence with such desperation… you ought to proceed only with definitive proof… This individual holds a position of great consequence within the Wudang Sect.”

Shaking uncontrollably, the bleeding man reached out feebly to clutch at the administrator’s boots as if clinging to a final hope of salvation, whimpering.

“P-please… rescue me!”

Indeed, his prolonged insistence on his false identity was calculated precisely because he sensed the approaching agent. Just as the manager began to lean down instinctively toward the pleading figure, I drove my weapon straight through the culprit’s chest.

*Squelch—*

The quivering frame of the imitation warrior instantly relaxed into complete stillness. In that very instant,

“Young Master Jin!”

The official, whose hand was still extended toward the corpse, recoiled and stared at me in absolute shock and dismay.

“This individual was merely wearing his likeness.”

Without displaying an ounce of emotion, I extracted the Red Light Sword from the chest cavity and returned it smoothly to its sheath.

Stunned by my declaration, the administrator hastily reached down to inspect the facial features of the deceased. Yet, upon feeling the unnatural elasticity of the flesh that shifted slightly under his fingers, a cold dread washed over his countenance.

“W-what madness is this! This is undeniably the real Song-baek-pung-sa! Regardless of your status as our esteemed Guest, to drag the Ha-o-mun into an arbitrary execution of an orthodox master is unacceptable! I cannot simply overlook such an atrocity!”

I calmly questioned the highly distressed operative:

“Do you possess the Bone-Melting Powder (Hwa-gol-san) on your person?”

“I just stated quite clearly that I will not permit this crime to be brushed aside—”

“Dissolving the adhesive of a human-skin mask requires the application of Bone-Melting Powder.”

“What are you implying…”

The local chief fell silent, subdued by my absolute certainty. After a brief period of internal conflict, he reluctantly passed over the container of Bone-Melting Powder. I carefully applied a minuscule portion of the corrosive agent onto the visage of the dead man. Instantly,

*Sizzle, sizzle—*

A pale vapor drifted upward as the outer layer began to shrivel and warp. The artificial flesh structure constructing the features degraded away, exposing the true visage underneath: a grotesque individual whose facial anatomy had been heavily mutilated, lacking portions of both his nose and auditory organs.

“He… he truly was an imposter?”

The Ha-o-mun representative collapsed to his knees as if drained of his soul, gazing up at me in utter bewilderment.

“…”

I was intimately familiar with the profound psychological disorientation that grips an ordinary martial artist upon unmasking a hidden fiend, yet I lacked the luxury of time to assuage his distress.

‘The situation would have been marginally simpler had he chosen to fight back aggressively.’

For an oppressive psychological exhaustion had settled deeply even within myself, despite having been entirely certain of the entity masquerading as Song-baek-pung-sa from the very beginning.