novelraw Chapter 121 : Chapter 121
Chapter 121 : Chapter 121
Chapter 121 Blood Price (4)
The Sado Alliance Leader looked up at the daggers soaring high into the sky.
The daggers, infused with all her might, were spinning fiercely in the air.
A hazy smoke formed around the daggers as they rotated at a tremendous speed.
Concentrating her spirit and pouring all her energy into the daggers, the Sado Alliance Leader lowered her head and looked at me.
“……It is over now.”
Staring at me with a face frozen cold, the Sado Alliance Leader snapped her fingers.
“Pour down, Blood Dagger.”
The six daggers, carrying immense power, fell downward simultaneously.
Rotating fiercely from six directions above my head, the daggers descended.
I felt my breath hitch at the massive energy radiating from those daggers.
It appeared simple, but the variations hidden within were infinite.
No matter which direction I evaded, every visible area was within the range of the daggers.
Confirming this, I pulled up all my remaining energy.
─ KIIIIING
I barely suppressed the demonic energy digging into my mind due to excessive operation as I closed my eyes and focused on the Sado Alliance Leader's energy.
‘I don't see…… a way to break through this. It seems I have no choice but to take it head-on.’
I quickly scanned through all the martial arts I had learned, but I couldn't find any way to receive those daggers without taking damage.
Sweat trickled down my forehead.
‘Think. I must find a way out.’
Maximizing my sensory perception, I once again quickly calculated the trajectory the Sado Alliance Leader's daggers would create in my mind.
‘If I receive it like this, this part will be caught…….’
The daggers, falling at an incredible speed, had already filled the space above my head.
There was no more time to think.
‘Even if it's a strain, I have no choice but to strike down all six daggers at once.’
At the moment I was gathering energy into the Mangru Blood Sword to strike back, something flashed through my mind like a bolt of lightning.
‘……The essence of Illusion is, in the end, One Mind.’
Over the changes created by the Sado Alliance Leader's daggers, the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Ten Thousand Flowers Filling the Sky began to overlap.
They were clearly different martial arts, but the end they pursued was the same.
The moment I understood the principles of martial arts, the trajectory the Sado Alliance Leader's daggers would draw began to unfold in my mind like a picture.
‘Ah, I can definitely pierce through here.’
A faint gap was visible amidst the countless intersecting lines.
Since there was no more time left, I decided to trust my intuition.
─ DOOOOOOOM
In an instant, thick demonic energy began to concentrate on the Mangru Blood Sword I was holding.
Initially, the smoldering dark-red demonic energy condensed over time and transformed into a glittering black light.
Blood trickled from my mouth.
Without even having time to wipe it, I thrust my sword straight toward the sky.
─ RUMBLE
The demonic energy I drew out shook the air, shook the surroundings, and shook the heavens.
─ CRRRRACK
The Crystal Path I was standing on split wide open down the middle.
At the same time, I became one with the sword and shot up into the air.
The sounds around me grew faint.
Only the six massive pillars of red light created by the Sado Alliance Leader's daggers were clearly visible.
The black flash formed at the tip of my sword trembled before it began to burn the surrounding air.
“Haaaaaap!”
A shout burst from my mouth.
[Heavenly Killing Demon Sword, Seventh Form. Dark Thunder Shaking the Heavens]
A single black flash shot toward the sky.
Simultaneously, the six red pillars created by the Sado Alliance Leader's daggers converged at one point and collided with the flash I had fired.
─ DRRRRRRRR
The vibration of the air shook my body mercilessly.
At the moment my body, having poured out all its strength, wavered.
─ RIIIIIP
With a sound like tearing cloth, the black flash I had fired tore through the red pillars in a straight line and soared into the sky.
─ BOOOOOOOOOOM!
Subsequently, a massive shockwave spread in all directions, and the sky was filled with black light.
‘Now.’
It was a situation where I could hardly move, but there would be no more opportunities if not now.
The moment I kicked off the ground, my thigh tore, and blood splattered everywhere.
Shaking off the terrible pain rising from my thigh, I shot toward the Sado Alliance Leader, who was blankly looking up at the sky.
The moment my sword reached her immediate vicinity, the Sado Alliance Leader's hand moved forward quickly and struck the side of my sword hard.
─ TIIIIING!
My sword wavered and narrowly missed her body.
Taking advantage of the gap as my sword passed by, the Sado Alliance Leader raised her hand.
Her hand, imbued with smoldering energy, immediately fell toward me.
‘Danger!’
At that moment, I released the demonic energy I had saved until the very end to its limit. Instantly, the demonic energy began to dig into my mind.
Before long, a dark-red light smoldered in my eyes.
“……Khehehe.”
As a bizarre laugh escaped my mouth, the sword that had been deflected returned and shot toward the Sado Alliance Leader.
A cracking sound came from my waist, but already consumed by demonic energy, I swung the sword without concern.
─ SCREEEEECH
A strange sound spread as the air and sword frictioned.
Seeing that sword, goosebumps broke out from the Sado Alliance Leader's toes to the top of her head.
Feeling a chilling sensation, she hurriedly stopped her hand and retreated, but my sword, completely consumed by demonic energy, cut through the air at a speed she found difficult to respond to.
─ SLASH
The black flash erupting from my sword cut straight through the front of the Sado Alliance Leader’s robes.
‘This sword is……?’
Staring at me with eyes full of horror, the Sado Alliance Leader raised her trembling hand and pointed at me, not even feeling the pain.
“……Che, Cheonma.”
Behind her stuttered words, blood belatedly burst from the front of her robes.
─ SPLASH
The wound was deeper than expected.
As her blood sprayed thickly into the air, the members of the Hidden Killing Squad watching from the surroundings disappeared from their spots simultaneously.
“Protect the Alliance Leader!”
The members of the Hidden Killing Squad, who had disappeared, appeared and surrounded me from all sides.
Upon showing themselves, they immediately swung their swords at me.
“Kaaaaak!”
With another monstrous roar, my sword scattered in all directions.
─ SLASH
─ SPLASH!
Four people were deflected by a single strike.
Two members collapsed on the spot.
The guards belonging to the Hidden Killing Squad, said to be the elite among the Sado Alliance's elites, fell like straw dolls. Staring at each other with startled eyes, the Hidden Killing Squad members nodded and vanished again.
Scanning the surroundings with eyes tinged with dark-red energy, I began to walk toward the fallen Sado Alliance Leader.
Eight members of the Hidden Killing Squad appeared simultaneously beside me as I walked toward her.
“Kill him!”
“Die!”
─ WHOOSH
The sharp energy scattered by the Hidden Killing Squad members flew toward me.
Indifferently watching that energy, I raised my sword again, spun my body once, and slashed horizontally.
─ SWISH
Sword energy, several times faster than the incoming attacks, spread around my body in a circle.
“Heup.”
The faces of the Hidden Killing Squad members turned pale as they watched the energy approach their eyes before they could even respond.
Just then, a massive whirlwind flying from somewhere narrowly blocked my energy.
─ BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A massive explosion occurred in all directions.
The Hidden Killing Squad members caught in the shockwave were thrown back, and someone’s figure was revealed in front of them.
“……Tsk. Even though I told you so many times.”
Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin, raising his old saber, clenched his teeth as he looked at the fallen Sado Alliance Leader.
Unconsciously raising my sword toward Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin, I suddenly groaned and clutched my head.
“……Ugh.”
Recovering my senses at the familiar energy, I hurriedly looked around.
“Lord Mad Dragon?”
Clearly, I was dueling the Sado Alliance Leader until just now, but now Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin stood before my eyes.
‘……Did I lose my mind while drunk on demonic energy.’
Clutching my throbbing left head, I frowned at the pain rising from my entire body.
Legs. Waist. Arms.
Not a single place was intact.
It was hard enough just to urgently calm the demonic energy raging wildly inside my body.
As I stumbled and eventually slumped to the ground, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin, watching that sight, let out a small sigh of relief.
“Everyone, stop! Hidden Killing Squad, immediately check the Alliance Leader's condition.”
At Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin's shout, the hesitating Hidden Killing Squad bowed slightly and rushed toward the Sado Alliance Leader simultaneously.
Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin walked over and examined my body.
“Tsk. You almost crossed the River of the Dead again.”
He laughed hollowly and took another pill from his robe.
“Just how many of the pills the Sado Alliance saved for emergencies are going into your mouth? Honestly.”
Shaking his head, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin pushed the pill into my mouth.
Then, taking a deep breath, he began to tap various parts of my body.
***
“Ahem.”
The Sado Alliance Leader, lying in the bedroom wrapped in bandages, let out a small dry cough upon seeing Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin enter the room.
Unable to face Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin’s smoldering gaze, the Sado Alliance Leader grunted and turned toward the wall, but he approached and flipped her body around.
“……You.”
“Stop right there. I'm a patient. It hurts like death.”
Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin let out a heavy sigh as he looked down at her.
“Just why, why!”
“It's noisy. In my own way, I had a good reason.”
“……Even though I requested you so many times.”
Looking down at her with regretful eyes, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin bit his lip hard.
“The Council of Elders will be held this afternoon. They plan to discuss your dismissal there.”
“Yes. I thought it would have to be that way given the circumstances. I expected it, but now that it's actually happening, I feel a bit sad.”
As the Sado Alliance Leader replied with a calm expression, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin clenched his fist tight.
“Is being sad all there is to it? This is the Sado Alliance you spent your whole life building. You're just going to hand it over to someone else like this?”
“I've thought from the beginning that I'm a person not suited for the position of Alliance Leader. I've been wearing clothes that don't fit for far too long.”
Glancing up at Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin once, the Sado Alliance Leader spoke again.
“And…… living as the Alliance Leader, my sword as a martial artist has become too dull. I don't want to end my life in this state.”
“You bastard…….”
At her words, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin frowned.
“Han Jaun, what is that child doing?”
“He is focusing on recovery in the pharmacy with that Strange Physician fellow.”
“That boy. You said he was about fifteen or sixteen, right? Ha. To think I would be beaten like this by such a kid.”
The Sado Alliance Leader tapped the bandages wrapped around her chest.
“Thinking carefully about why it ended up like this, I realized it has been exactly ten years since I last took out the Blood Dagger. This wound…… is the price of that laziness.”
With a groan, the Sado Alliance Leader raised herself and leaned against the bed.
“That boy, he definitely inherited the power of the Heavenly Demon as it is. Ten years from now, he will rise to a place beyond reach. But shouldn't I try a rematch before then? To do that, I have no time to sit in the Alliance Leader's chair.”
Staring at the Sado Alliance Leader's bandages, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin sighed.
“Our era has already passed. In a situation where we should be riding the new wave, why on earth did you do something so reckless?”
“Ha. Our era has passed? I don't think so. Until the day my life ends, this Jianghu is my stage and my era.”
Watching the Sado Alliance Leader’s eyes as she answered firmly, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin licked his lips.
“Chu Myeong-hwa. You've returned to being the Blood Queen of Martial Souls.”
“Yes. It's thanks to that boy.”
Gazing into her calm eyes, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin let out a deep sigh. After staring at her for a long time, he finally spoke.
“Tsk. You've worked hard all this time. It was about time for you to get tired.”
Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside.
Gazing at the pavilions of the Sado Alliance that stretched so far they seemed endless, he turned his head.
“Even so, I don't want to give up this place that contains your whole life so vainly.”
Catching his breath for a moment, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin slowly turned his body to face the Sado Alliance Leader.
“For now, rest and clear your head. In the meantime, I will take over and protect the Sado Alliance.”
The Sado Alliance Leader's eyes widened.
“……What did you just say? You’re going to take the position of Alliance Leader?”
“Yes. Better I do it than give it to that old man, the Grand Elder.”
“Ha. Are you serious? The guy who wouldn't even accept the position of Grand Elder and just played around?”
“What else can I do? There's no other way since things turned out like this. But, it's only for a while. I'm taking it temporarily until a suitable person appears.”
Looking at her with troubled eyes, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin let out a sigh.
“Since you've been struggling alone all this time, I should shoulder that burden a bit now. To just hand over this Sado Alliance to someone else…… I also quite like this place you created.”
At his words, the Sado Alliance Leader burst into laughter.
“Kekeke. Kuhahahaha!”
Laughing happily, she winced at the pain rising from her chest.
“You’re going to suffer a bit in your later years. Fine. If it’s you, I can trust and leave it to you. No, in fact, you suit being the Alliance Leader much better than I do. You were always better at seeing the big picture.”
“Don't talk nonsense and hurry up with your business to return as the Alliance Leader, or find someone suitable. If it takes too long, I’m just going to quit and leave too.”
Placing a wooden box at the head of the Sado Alliance Leader’s bed, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin stood up.
“Eat that and recover quickly. It’s the last one I can take out with my authority.”
“Keke. If you do that for me, I can focus on my martial arts with a much more comfortable mind.”
A bright smile, which hadn't been seen for a long time, hung on her face.
Watching her for a moment, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin clicked his tongue softly.
“Just recover for now. A sword wound at this age, tsk tsk.”
Slowly standing up from his seat, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin patted her shoulder once and turned his body. Then, walking toward the door, he stopped for a moment and turned his head.
“There is one thing I want to say. My thoughts on Han Jaun, that child, are different from yours. He is a child we must make our ally even if we have to support him wholeheartedly.”
“Keke. Do as you please. I won't interfere anymore.”
As the Sado Alliance Leader grinned while staring at him, Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin nodded once and walked out the door.
For a while, she stared at the spot he had left, then leaned her head back on the bed and let out a sigh.
“It ended up like this after all. The loathsome shadow of the Heavenly Demon…… it seems there's no way to escape it in this life.”
Thinking deeply about something, the Sado Alliance Leader turned her head and reached for the wooden box Mad Dragon Gu Ma-jin had left behind.