Chapter 456

Chapter 456
Chapter 456. Seeds of Evil (4)

—

Fighting is essentially an exchange of techniques. Among back-alley thugs, the individual with the most raw bravado and the foulest mouth reigns supreme as the victor. However, a confrontation within the Jianghu—particularly a duel between masters who have reached a comparable level of skill—is heavily dictated by the sequence of forms. This explains why prestigious, ancient sects dedicate themselves to cultivating a wide variety of auxiliary martial arts despite possessing iconic signature techniques that represent their respective lineages. It is because they must always hold an expansive arsenal capable of neutralizing any manner of style at a moment’s notice.

In that regard, anticipating an opponent’s techniques beforehand while possessing numerous martial arts to counter them is virtually identical to replaying a battle that has already been won. This unique advantage was precisely the reason why Yong So-ah remained perpetually undefeated.

Yet, a fundamental doubt crept in. Was this gift of his truly absolute? If it were, my life should have already ended by his blade long ago. Furthermore, he would never have permitted even a single sleeve to be sliced by my assault. Therefore… if his foresight lacked absolute perfection, a viable strategy to confront him existed.

*Clang! Clang-clang-clang-clang!*

As his Whirlwind Sword met successive resistance, Yong So-ah knitted his brows.

*Swoosh—*

Retreating smoothly via the Seven Stars Cloud-Stepping, Yong So-ah unleashed another strike with the Whirlwind Sword.

*Slash—*

Although his initial strike managed to shred my sleeve, the subsequent volleys dissolved entirely into thin air.

*Clang! Clang-clang-clang-clang!*

“How is this possible?”

Even the great Yong So-ah could display such bewilderment. This emotional instability exposed a vulnerability. Exploiting the anticipated window, I immediately drove the Ascension Blade forward without a moment’s hesitation.

*Slash—*

The compact edge, measuring merely half the span of a standard blade, served well for a sudden ambush but failed to deal a lethal blow. Even so,

*Drip— drip—*

For the very first time, I forced Yong So-ah to bleed.

“…How did you manage that?”

The scoundrel questioned me after casting a glance at his pristine robes, which were soaking in crimson.

“Oh? That?”

I replied with mock amiability.

“I can perceive the future as well.”

“…”

Yong So-ah’s expression warped, resembling fractures spreading across a polished exterior. It was quite a sight. His irritating countenance remained utterly infuriating even when contorted in anger.

“…This is hardly the time for jests.”

“Have we ever shared a moment where jokes were appropriate?”

Pressing forward relentlessly, I breached his guard using the Small Heaven Sword Technique. Deploying three rapid variations, I pivoted instantly to pierce toward his thigh. While his Whirlwind Sword shifted swiftly to intercept my blade’s trajectory as if anticipating it, I lunged forward with the Ascension Blade once more, barely grazing the rogue’s jaw.

*Slash—*

Several strands of his lengthy hair severed and drifted down to the ground.

“…”

His gaze trembled intensely, completely unable to comprehend the unfolding reality.

“Just how…”

“What’s wrong?”

Naturally, it was a fabrication. If I possessed true foresight, I wouldn’t be enduring this wretched, agonizing ordeal. There would have been no reason to spend this lifetime fleeing like a lunatic, tormented by the ghosts of my prior existence.

“Did it never cross your mind that others might also gaze into what is to come?”

Ultimately, altering destiny requires confronting it directly. And I must emerge victorious. The strategy I employed to combat this individual boiled down to a single element: ‘memory.’

I summoned every recollection from my past life concerning him. The way he balanced his weight, the specific forms he integrated to overwhelm his targets. If his prophetic vision were truly absolute, my efforts would be meaningless. But if it weren’t, then as long as he remained a flesh-and-blood mortal, he would possess inescapable habits and tendencies. Even when taking a simple step, a person naturally leads with a specific leg. Would the martial styles he drilled millions of times be any different?

I unearthed every trace of Yong So-ah from the recesses of my consciousness and dissected them into microscopic details. Examining each piece with absolute focus before weaving them together, I meticulously charted his combat methodology. Much like compiling a record book (*gibo*) for a game of Go, I formulated an exhaustive log of every fighting routine this man utilized.

Given that the rapid exchange of martial techniques lacks the leisurely pauses inherent to Go, I wagered that he would instinctively execute his style out of sheer muscle memory. And,

*Drip, drip.*

my hypothesis was validated by the rogue’s own spilled blood.

“…!”

Witnessing him lose his composure—a phenomenon I never once beheld in my former life—brought immense satisfaction. Had there been a single day as exhilarating as this since my rebirth?

“I take it this wasn’t part of your envisioned future?”

The scoundrel initiated the Rising Sun Sword Technique to counter my Great Heaven Sword Technique.

*Clang!*

Concurrently, the Red Light Sword executed the Twin Heaven Sword Formula. The heavy strikes of the Twin Heaven Sword Formula rained down from above his crown. I anticipated his subsequent counter to be the Nine Palaces Divine Movement Sword.

*Vrummm—*

The air vibrated violently, sending shockwaves of energy rippling outward.

‘Perfect!’

Replicating his choices from my previous existence, the rogue opted for a technique that minimized the force of heavy blows by deflecting them. I softened my grip, deliberately dispersing the Twin Heaven Sword Formula into a loose assault. Despite its imposing momentum, the sword-qi crashing toward him shattered like a light mist.

Just as he attempted to transition from the Nine Palaces Divine Movement Sword into the Divine Gate Thirteen Sword Technique, I funneled a massive surge of inner qi back into the fading Twin Heaven Sword Formula, smashing directly into his incoming Divine Gate Thirteen Swords.

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

A barrage of explosive impacts reverberated through the air, forcing him backward. Driven by the sheer weight of the strike, Yong So-ah altered the trajectory of his Divine Gate Thirteen Swords, pivoting to a defensive stance using the Five Elements Sword Technique.

Following his transition to the Five Elements Sword Technique, there was a high likelihood—around seventy percent—that he would execute the Nine Palaces Linked Sword. It was the absolute best follow-up for that defense. His capacity to seamlessly chain these forms together highlighted his absurd proficiency. Ironically, that very excellence was now proving detrimental to him.

‘Bullseye!’

The scoundrel unleashed the Nine Palaces Linked Sword exactly as I foresaw, and I preemptively disrupted his blade’s path using the Small Heaven Sword Technique.

*Clang!*

As his Nine Palaces Linked Sword dissolved into nothingness, the scoundrel’s face turned rigid as a boulder. Though he tried to maintain his usual stoic expression, his inner turmoil was unmistakable.

“Lost your tongue? Was this particular outcome absent from your visions?”

“…”

I immediately transitioned into the Great Heaven Sword Technique. For the very first time, a clear trace of wavering showed in the rogue’s Whirlwind Sword.

The Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation proved insufficient against the sheer magnitude of the Black Coffins. By design, the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation operated as a labyrinthine array meant to disorient the enemy by clouding their senses. While disciples of the Mosan Sect navigated through the maze effortlessly via preset movements, this advantage could not bridge the massive gap in pure combat strength.

“Stay where you are.”

“However…”

Deep within the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation, Ok Hwa-jeong watched with deep anxiety as the ranks of the Black Coffins marched past her line of sight.

“Stepping outside now will only result in a futile death.”

“But what about the youngsters…”

“Have faith in the capabilities of the Mosan Sect.”

“…”

“Furthermore, we have the Tae-eul Sect on our side.”

Ok Hwa-jeong envisioned Geum-pyo, who had positioned himself protectively before her with his massive shield. Though he might not rank as the realm’s premier warrior, that dependable, broad back remained vividly stamped in her memory.

“…Understood.”

Having witnessed several of their comrades perish upon drawing near the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation, the Black Coffins consolidated into a dense, synchronized unit. Since the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation itself inflicted no physical damage, their primary task was simply to eliminate any Mosan Sect combatants who emerged from the labyrinth.

“Maintain full defensive coverage as we advance.”

Once they recognized that a modicum of alertness sufficed to neutralize the Mosan Sect’s surprise attacks,

“The faint-hearted fools refuse to show their faces.”

The Black Coffins pressed forward directly toward the Geon-cheong Hall, where the core members of the Mosan Sect had gathered.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, three figures blocked the advance of the oncoming Black Coffins.

“From the Tae-eul Sect…?”

“Precisely. We represent the Tae-eul Sect.”

Young warriors possessing innocent countenances, yet filled with profound resolve… rather, true martial artists. The Black Coffins stared at the trio.

“…Are you aware that opposing us constitutes open rebellion against the Alliance?”

“Our Dae-sa-hyeong made no mention of such matters.”

“Once this conflict concludes, the flames of retribution will engulf the Tae-eul Sect next.”

“…Is that a fact?”

A murderous glint flared within Geum-pyo’s gaze. The trio lunged at the Black Coffins in unison.

“Eliminate them!”

The Black Coffins matched their ferocity, surging forward with equal bloodlust to match their opponents’ drive.

*Boom!*

A colossal shockwave erupted from Geum-pyo’s heavy buckler, severely disrupting the footing of the Black Coffins. The instant they stabilized themselves to retaliate, Geum-pyo jarred the entire contingent of the Black Coffins again with another shield bash.

*Boom!*

The force of the blow was immense, leaving deep grooves in the earth where the repelled Black Coffins had skidded.

*Whirl—*

Vaulting above the crowd, Eun-ho struck downward with intense vigor, unleashing a tempest of blade-shadows that disoriented the Black Coffins. Right then,

*Flash—*

Sa-ryeon, who had concealed her presence within the structural walls, materialized abruptly and slashed the limbs and weapons of the Black Coffins with swift, fluid strokes.

“Agh!”
“Ugh!”

Gashed limbs and disabled fighters rapidly fell out of formation. Yet, the three youths showed no signs of letting up, relentlessly battering the Black Coffins with aggressive, unrelenting maneuvers.

Losing five men in a heartbeat was unsettling, but what truly unnerved them was seeing the Tae-eul Sect forces moving seamlessly through the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation as if they belonged to the Mosan Sect. It felt like fighting phantoms.

“F-Fall back!”
“Move out of the path!”

The disciplined Black Coffins began shoving one another in a frantic retreat. The trio refrained from pursuing them. After all, coordination signals were being broadcast from atop the Geon-cheong Hall, and as long as they retained a flawless understanding of the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation, they could successfully hold the line against the Black Coffins.

“Incredible… this tactical array is truly magnificent.”

As Geum-pyo praised the sheer power of the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation for enabling them to dominate the Black Coffins, Eun-ho gave a nod of agreement.

“I heard it’s mostly effective because these Black Coffins lack supreme cultivation. Master-level experts could likely pierce right through it using raw strength or sheer martial instinct.”

“Is that why it’s rarely deployed?”

“Not necessarily, it’s simply a matter of resource efficiency.”

At that moment, Dong-ryong returned from his solitary post. For some reason, Dong-ryong looked completely despondent.

“Hey, what happened to the Black Coffin Captain?”

Hearing Geum-pyo’s inquiry, Dong-ryong gave a slow shake of his head.

“He never showed up.”

“What?”

“The sector I was guarding was entirely vacant.”

The trainees of the Tae-eul Sect served as the ultimate threshold of defense for the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Gold Lock Formation. Essentially, the Black Coffins had to breach their position to conquer the maze. Yet he claimed they bypassed him entirely.

“…Could they have withdrawn?”

While they pondered the implications of this bizarre development,

*Boom-shack!*

A thunderous blast echoed through the air. The four comrades immediately locked eyes.

“It can’t be!”
“Since when…!”

The source of the detonation was unequivocally coming from the Geon-cheong Hall.

Yong So-ah stared down at his garments. Seeing his combat robes drenched in vibrant red was an experience completely foreign to him since achieving Gae-an. In fact, he had never bled this profusely even prior to unlocking Gae-an.

‘How on earth…’

The defilement of his pristine white attire with blood unsettled him. Yet, an even greater source of unease was—

“You… are mistaken.”

The warrior standing opposite him, a self-proclaimed champion of the White Path whose murderous aura was so dense it caused a physical sting on the flesh.

“The destiny you perceive is far from set in stone.”

Had the man truly deduced his secret?

“Most of all, you only catch glimpses of the realities you desire.”

What exactly he perceived, and the true extent of his reach.

“…Is that what you believe?”

Until now, not a single soul had penetrated his secret. Yet Jin So-un, true to his nature, exploited this very opening. He recognized that this individual posed an unprecedented level of threat—far surpassing those power-hungry fools who merely chased material gain. Never in his entire existence had anyone driven him to such desperation.

‘He might be… a greater hazard than the Demonic Cult.’

If this man had comprehended the inner mechanics of his gift, the threat he posed would skyrocket exponentially.

“Do you honestly believe that?”

For that reason, Yong So-ah could not allow Jin So-un to live.

“Did inflicting a minor injury upon me grant you such immense confidence?”

In that precise instant,

“…”

something caught Yong So-ah’s attention. Jin So-un’s gaze seemed to drift, as though fixed on some distant horizon. It was a look that wasn’t merely tracking the opponent in front of him, but rather one that was methodically cataloging and computing every scrap of information available.

“Ah, so that’s your trick…”

The evaluation concluded. It had required considerable effort, and because of that lag, he had suffered additional wounds. Regardless, he finally understood how Jin So-un had disrupted his Dragon Eyes. Fortunately, it wasn’t due to a fundamental comprehension of his innate trait.

“If that’s the case, you are sorely mistaken.”

He had to concede that the youth was an exceptional individual. He knew the boy possessed an admirable ‘memory,’ but utilizing that ‘memory’ to such an extent was astonishing. Despite never witnessing his full repertoire of martial arts firsthand, the fact that he constructed a definitive countermeasure using mere fragments was remarkable. It felt almost tragic that he could not enlist him for the ‘Great Task’…

“…”

Inside, Yong So-ah felt a twinge of shock. It marked the very first time he had experienced the sensation of ‘regret.’

‘Regardless… the outcome remains unaltered.’

The destiny he was forging could not be jeopardized. Out of millions of catastrophic timelines, the specific path he paved stood as the sole mechanism to avert the destruction of the Jianghu. Anyone standing in opposition to this mission, even a legendary Great Immortal, had to be eliminated.

*Clang!*

Jin So-un’s blade met a solid block.

*Screeech—*

Immediately after, the hyper-accelerated variant of the Three Styles of White Moon Ascending Heaven deployed by Jin So-un lunged forward. Yet, not a single scratch manifested on Yong So-ah.

*Slash—*
*Slash—*
*Slash—*

In rapid succession, fresh lacerations opened across Jin So-un’s flesh. Jin So-un winced, his brow tight. Above him, Yong So-ah’s detached tone echoed over the din.

“Why do my actions no longer match your expectations?”

“…!”

Hearing Yong So-ah’s remark, Jin So-un forcefully stifled a sharp intake of breath.

‘Insane… has he deciphered it already?’

It felt impossible to accept that the defensive strategy he had painstakingly developed—pushing his mind until it practically burned—had been utterly shattered in an instant.

*Clang! Clang-clang-clang-clang!*

Yet, watching the spectral blades and overwhelming sword-qi that had been hounding Yong So-ah like an unfolding fan get completely pulverized, he had no choice but to face reality.

‘Curse it. Is his foresight truly infallible?’

In Jin So-un’s vision, Yong So-ah seemed to expand like a titanic figure ascending past the mist surrounding a massive peak.

‘Is this the despair Sun Wukong endured?’

He felt identical to the legendary stone monkey, utterly incapable of escaping the boundless palm of the Tathagata Buddha regardless of how swiftly he darted.

‘As if that matters!’

But Yong So-ah was no deity, and he was certainly no mere ape. If his primary defense fell through, he would simply deploy his secondary line. The absolute last resort kept in reserve.

‘I genuinely intended to keep this hidden.’

Jin So-un mobilized every drop of inner qi gathered within his dantian. Simultaneously, he channeled the radiant essence of the Sun Lord directly into the Red Light Sword.

*Whoosh.*

The Red Light Sword flared with a blazing crimson aura, discharging a torrent of fiery sword-qi straight toward Yong So-ah.

*Boom!*

Intense, scorching waves engulfed Yong So-ah. Reeling from Jin So-un’s devastating strike, Yong So-ah fell back two paces. He adjusted by yielding an additional two steps to shake off the oppressive heat, yet inexplicably, Jin So-un refrained from pursuing the advantage.

“…”

Rather, pressuring his opponent was out of the question. At that precise juncture, a deeply malevolent and sinister vibration had forcefully erupted from the direction of the Geon-cheong Hall.

“Is this… Magi?”