Chapter 132

“Introducing yourself is important, like the beginning of a novel. I am Jang Do, an executive of the Blood Church.”

“…What are you talking about?”

At Jang Do’s sudden remark, a nearby Blood Church member asked, and Jang Do shrugged his shoulders.

“Poong Ran, the daughter of Poong Baek, introduced herself. I just accepted the greeting.”

“……”

Asura, the Blood Demon’s cherished executive, one of the six arms. Thus, the Blood Church member didn’t say much, but he cursed Jang Do with his eyes.

Because subordinates were dying in real-time.

Roundhouse kick, front kick, downward kick, side kick, upward kick, flying kick.

No need for clumsy martial arts basics.

Poong Ran’s well-trained legs and overwhelming speed unleash kicks that kill Blood Church members.

As Jang Do’s eyes narrow, he observes Poong Ran’s wings and movements.

“Her airtime is long. She moves freely.”

“Huh?”

“Humans can move so freely just by having wings. Beautiful.”

In mid-air, Poong Ran’s body spins rapidly, and a clean roundhouse kick breaks a Blood Church member’s neck.

Crunch-!

Another Blood Church member tries to target Poong Ran as she lands, but golden wings flutter, and she flies up, dodging the attack. A small foot steps on the wind and leaps.

Without touching the ground, she kicks off the air and delivers a kick.

“Hehehe… Haha!”

Jang Do finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

Truly absurd.

Void Step – the martial arts realm of walking or running on nothing but air.

The principle is different, but what the girl before his eyes is displaying is the ultimate realm martial artists yearn for.

Void Step.

Truly laughable.

Jang Do, who learned martial arts just because it was necessary, without any grand ambition or goal, still found it funny.

Flying in the sky.

Something a human body might barely achieve in a lifetime.

But for a Garuda, it’s an innate ability.

No, that’s just how the world is.

“How cruel and beautiful innate talent is.”

That’s why a snake crawling on the ground looks up at the sky with resentment.

“Well, even so, the martial arts world is better off compared to other fields.”

“Understood. Now, please step forward.”

At the Blood Church member’s urging, Jang Do stepped forward and spoke to Chun Gu, whose blade gleamed crimson.

“Enough blood has been gathered. I leave it to you, Chun Gu (Pure Hook).”

Though his main job is a novelist, he likes the martial arts world because it’s a well-crafted world.

The gap in talent can be narrowed with demonic arts or external objects.

The red aura enveloping Chun Gu’s blade wriggles like a restless intestine.

A sinister voice echoes.

[I heard she’s a mixed-blood. To tread the wind at such a young age. Her blood is strong. Perhaps she’s a descendant of Garuda King Jikukcheon.]

The bloodthirsty demon sword reveals its gluttony and desire without hiding.

“Sorry, but that’s not possible. It’s business. You respect my work, and I fill your stomach. That’s our contract.”

[So rigid… Fine. But when this is over, give me your blood. The blood of those Blood Church bastards who abandoned their humanity stinks.]

“You’re picky even when you’re fed.”

The red aura spreads like tentacles from the blade, piercing the scattered corpses and absorbing their blood.

Using the corpses as nutrients, a sinister bud rises.

Book Sword Technique – Other Shore Flower

Beautiful blood-colored stone flowers bloom all around.

The battle ends there.

***

The personal hideout of Jiegal Bi-Young, deputy leader of the Martial Alliance’s Flying Dragon Unit.

Currently, elders of the Ilwol God Sect are gathered there.

Hyeonho, Tang Wu, Beom Bang, and Gongson Pa are seated, discussing strategies.

Though calling it a meeting is a stretch; it’s more about deciding who will cause chaos where.

And the traitors of the Martial Alliance and the Jiegal Family.

Jiegal Bi-Young, also an elder of the Ilwol God Sect, entered wearing a monkey mask used to hide his identity and took a seat.

“We’ve set up formations all over the place, so the Martial Alliance won’t be able to gather easily. But as with all formations, skilled individuals will break through, so be careful.”

“Wow~ Good job. Thanks to you, things will go smoothly.”

Elder Hyeonho smiled exaggeratedly, then diligently drew on a large piece of paper, describing the strategy.

“The plan is simple. Even a monkey could do it.”

The basic plan is to attack the Martial Alliance but not their buildings.

Burn and destroy surrounding buildings to cause chaos, lure Martial Alliance members out, and kill them one by one, then flee when things get dangerous.

The Blood Church, with their numbers, will handle the burning and chaos.

The Ilwol God Sect’s role is to act like assassins, striking and retreating to reduce the Martial Alliance’s main forces.

But there’s something to be careful of.

Asymmetrical power at the peak of martial arts. The Ten Great Masters.

“Currently, there are three Ten Great Masters staying with the Martial Alliance.”

Martial Alliance Leader Jaro, Jiegal Yang of the Jiegal Family, and Mo Yongbok of the Mo Yong Family.

“Among them, Jiegal Yang and Mo Yongbok won’t interfere unless it concerns them directly. So, we absolutely must not provoke the Jiegal and Mo Yong Families.”

“Well~ We’ll have to clash with the Martial Alliance Leader, so let’s try to minimize damage.”

The elders nodded, already familiar with the content.

Gongson Pa showed an unstoppable fighting spirit at the mention of the “Martial Alliance Leader.”

Anyway, as there was nothing more to say, just as they were about to disperse.

“Question… I have a question.”

Beom Bang raised his hand to ask.

“Aside from those three, is there anyone else we should be careful of?”

A question born of his cautious nature.

For some reason, Hyeonho’s body stiffened.

Despite her special bloodline and talent, she’s just a girl not even twenty.

Jaro, Jiegal Yang, Mo Yongbok.

Compared to those three, she’s still a rookie.

Without hesitation, the name flows out.

“Jiegal Guhae. Don’t underestimate her as a late bloomer.”

His stomach aches from the memory.

“A monster beyond imagination. A top-tier freak.”

“Understood. Top-tier freak Jiegal Guhae. I’ll remember.”

Beom Bang nodded, and Tang Wu snorted with a ridiculous expression.

“Making a fuss… It’s pepper season, you punk!”

“Hmph! It’s already past that!”

But Hyeonho, with her enchanting female body, lightly laughed it off, placing both hands on her hips and swaying her pelvis side to side.

“Tang Wu~ You’re so scared of the Invincible~ You didn’t even fight~ Just ran away~ And now you’re only picking on me~ Typical~ Strong against the weak~ Weak against the strong~ Trash~ Trash~!”

A fox-tail-like shadow sways behind her.

When she acts like that, there’s nothing to say.

“Damn it…”

Tang Wu quietly cursed and shut his mouth.

Anyway, the Ilwol God Sect’s plan to massacre Martial Alliance members begins.

***

Whoosh-!

Caught off guard by an unexpected ambush, Sima Mantian flew through the air, exhaling.

“Phew…”

As the short flight ended, gravity mercilessly pulled Sima Mantian’s body downward.

But it’s okay.

It’s not just to reassure Poong Ran that he said it’s okay.

There was a sure way to protect his body when falling from the air.

He quickly checks the landing spot. Some building’s roof.

Just before impact.

He concentrates all his internal energy on his legs for protection and spins his body 360 degrees to land feet first.

An image forms in his mind.

‘Hmm~ Perfect! Kanpeki!!’

Scientifically, it can’t be explained, but it feels like it’ll work!

There’s a realm in martial arts that ignorant scientists can’t understand.

One chance! Here goes!!

But fortunately, Sima Mantian’s 360-degree landing trick didn’t unfold.

Wind blows from below.

Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms – Flying Dragon in the Sky

A soft, squishy sensation touches and envelops his body.

Floating black hair. Blue eyes reminiscent of the morning sea.

A princess carry in mid-air.

He calls the name of the girl holding him.

“Guhae-!?”

“Yes, Guhae.”

Guhae safely lands on a sturdy-looking tiled roof.

“Thanks for saving me… but how?”

Blue eyes and a cute face smile.

“I was on my way home and wanted to see you, so I looked up at the sky and saw you.”

She rubs her soft cheek against his, showing affection.

“Yes! As expected~ A match made in heaven~ Sima Mantian and Guhae!”

Though he wants to feel this sensation more, now is not the time.

He gets up from Guhae’s embrace and looks around.

Explosions are happening everywhere, and flames are rising.

“……”

The garden where he was just moments ago isn’t emitting smoke.

He recalls the last scene he saw.

It might be too self-serving, optimistic speculation, but.

The guy who ambushed me wasn’t after my life.

If he wanted my life, he should have looked more panicked when I flew away.

Because he missed me.

But the guy showed no particular interest.

Immediately after, he and his comrades? Subordinates surrounded Ran.

‘Was he after Ran…?’

He attacked me because I was in the way? I don’t know why they’re after Ran, but.

If so, there’s still a possibility Ran is safe.

If they wanted to kill her, they would have targeted her when they ambushed me.

“What’s wrong?”

Guhae tilts her head and asks.

“Guhae, there’s someone I want to save. Will you help me?”

“Yes, I’ll help.”

Guhae answers without hesitation.

Sima Mantian needs her help. No other reason is needed.

“Thank you.”

Truly a pure and upright child.

With Guhae, I turn my back to the setting sun.

From the rooftop, I look at the burning streets.

I predict their movement route.

Whatever their goal, they picked the wrong opponent.

Sima Mantian and Guhae are coming.