Chapter 136

Unintentionally receiving help from Mo Yongbok, Sima Mantian and Guhae, who were quickly chasing the Blood Church group that kidnapped Poong Ran, stopped in their tracks upon seeing the corpses of Martial Alliance members scattered across the streets. A scene created by a single person. A blood-stained white cloak, armor that didn’t fit the culture of the Central Plains. A steel knight with a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left. “Blue eyes and an unusual aura… You must be the one Hyeonho mentioned.” Fan Fang, the Sixth Elder of the Ilwol God Sect, stood like a gatekeeper, blocking Sima Mantian and Guhae. “A monster beyond imagination. The legendary Jiegal Guhae.” His instincts told him. This was no ordinary martial artist, but one who had thoroughly trained themselves. Guhae didn’t hesitate. “Mantian, go ahead.” She immediately focused her internal energy and launched a palm strike. Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms – Regret of the Proud Dragon Sima Mantian also didn’t hesitate. Trusting Guhae, he dashed past Fan Fang as soon as she unleashed her technique. Fan Fang didn’t chase after Mantian. He didn’t even glance his way. KWAHAAANG-!! A massive energy blast shaped like a dragon slammed into Fan Fang’s shield, wrapped in red energy. He had no time to focus elsewhere. A single opening would mean defeat. All of Fan Fang’s senses were focused on the young girl before him, a master not to be underestimated. A smile crept onto his face. “…Hyeonho wasn’t exaggerating.” He dispersed the energy pouring into his shield and prepared for the next move. The brief skirmish ended. Guhae immediately closed the distance. Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms – Sudden Arrival Merging with the whirlwind, she instantly moved behind the enemy and unleashed a close-range Dragon Palm. However, Fan Fang immediately turned and raised his shield to block Guhae’s strike. Blue Cloud Red Mist Attack and Defense Technique Once again, the shield wrapped in red energy blocked the heavy blow. Guhae’s brow furrowed. The energy of her palm strike dispersed widely due to the round shield, weakening its force. The compatibility wasn’t good. And Fan Fang wasn’t just a shield expert. He was a master of both sword and shield. As the shield lowered, a blue energy-wrapped blade shot out from within, aiming for Guhae’s head. A swift thrust. Guhae’s blue eyes sparkled. She read the trajectory with Heavenly Mystery Step, tilting her head to the side and creating distance to dodge. A clean evasion, but the attack wasn’t over. 『Blue Cloud』 Like formless, free-flowing clouds, blue sword energy extended and split, rushing towards Guhae. In response, Guhae used both hands to execute different martial arts. Double Hands Fighting. Right – Dragon Palm, Left – Empty Clarity Fist. Dodging the sword energy and deflecting it with the Empty Clarity Fist, Guhae tried to launch another palm strike, but the shield blocked it again. Attack and Defense as One. The relentless combination of fierce defense and attack pushed Guhae back. She had no choice but to create distance. Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms – Flying Dragon in the Sky She leaped into the air, flipping and landing safely. Meanwhile, countless sword energy bundles scattered where Guhae had just stood. SHASHASASHAK-!! The sharp sword energy cut through the air. Guhae’s blue eyes, shining with the ability to read heavenly mysteries, observed the scene. “…Heavenly Mystery Step.” Fan Fang swallowed dryly, realizing how easily his technique had been seen through. “On top of that, the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, the Jeonjin Sect’s Empty Clarity Fist, and the balance of offense and defense from Double Hands Fighting. The immense internal energy supporting these martial arts…” He let out a bitter laugh. “Perfect. It’s both enjoyable and frustrating to fight you.” Especially the Heavenly Mystery Step. It’s too overpowered. Even strong martial arts need a strong user to reach their full potential, but she uses it too well. In terms of mastery alone, she’s already surpassed the elders of the Jiegal Family. “A year. If she keeps growing like this, she’ll definitely surpass me within a year.” Suddenly, Fan Fang lowered his sword and attempted to converse. “I have a ‘question’ for you. Why do you fight?” The sudden question made Guhae tilt her head. “…What do you mean?” Fan Fang calmly explained. “I want to know the mindset that drives you to risk your life in such battles.” “I want to save Poong Ran.” Fan Fang’s confusion deepened at Guhae’s answer. “Poong Ran? Ah, the girl kidnapped by the Blood Church. According to prior information, you two don’t have much of a connection. Were you friends?” The word “friend” made Guhae’s eyes narrow. “Hmm… I don’t know.” Aside from meeting her at the Martial Alliance banquet with Mantian, they didn’t have much of a connection. ‘She had green eyes… and brought food to the banquet.’ Guhae tried to recall more about Poong Ran, but nothing significant came to mind. She had a faint scent of birds and wind… Mantian’s acquaintance, a sparrow? A chick? A cute kid. That was Guhae’s impression of Poong Ran. Just someone whose face and name she knew. Not someone worth risking her life to save. Poong Ran and Guhae weren’t close friends. But that didn’t matter. Guhae’s blue dragon eyes shone with determination. “…But Mantian wants to save her.” She calmly took a stance, exuding a powerful aura. “That’s reason enough to fight.” Fan Fang’s face went blank, as if he’d been hit by a revelation. “That… that’s… ‘Great.’ A splendid sense of chivalry.” He genuinely admired her. “A resolve worthy of risking one’s life. A beautiful friendship.” Guhae frowned and corrected him. “…It’s love.” “Hahaha! Is that so! My apologies! That’s splendid in its own way!” Fan Fang laughed heartily, then quietly exhaled and took a stance. “Then let’s end this.” He raised his sword and shield, ready to fight again. 『Red Mist』 Like a sunset dyeing the sky red, Fan Fang’s shield was enveloped in deep red energy. DRDRDR-! Fan Fang’s foot kicked off the ground, and the steel knight charged forward. Like a fading red sunset. Watching the round shield rapidly approaching, Guhae thought, ‘That’s annoying.’ Even if she dodged, the sword energy would chase her, becoming a nuisance. Guhae clenched her sharp shark-like teeth. Power surged into her legs and fists. So she decided to smash through it head-on. The snake-like power within her, representing the dragon’s aspect. She awakened the black snake within. ‘Give me strength.’ […You’re so reckless. Can’t you live safely for once!] The black snake grumbled, but if Guhae died, it would die too. One of the Four Sea Dragon Kings. The energy of the North Sea Dragon King gathered in Guhae’s right hand. The Empty Clarity Fist’s attack form, Empty Clarity Shattering Fist. A fist technique that could contain immense power due to its emptiness. And now, the dragon’s energy filled that emptiness. A variation of the Empty Clarity Shattering Fist. Unrestrained energy surged, turning black and enveloping Guhae’s right hand. Mystic Dragon Shattering Fist The black dragon’s strike, like a siege ram piercing a castle gate, surged towards the red shield. KWAWAWAWANG-!! A deafening roar erupted as the steel knight was sent flying backward. Blood sprayed from Fan Fang’s mouth as pain wracked his body. “Kuh, kuh…?!” He didn’t fall, but standing was all he could manage. The shield, now cracked from the blow, fell to the ground. His broken arm was exposed. Fan Fang let out a strained laugh. “Haha… I expected you to surpass me within a year…” He hadn’t been careless. “But I didn’t think it would be today.” The girl before him was far stronger than he had anticipated. “A monster beyond imagination. The term ‘legendary’ isn’t enough… You’re destined to become the world’s number one in the Central Plains.” A calm declaration of victory echoed. “You’ve won, Jiegal Guhae.” But Guhae corrected him again. “Not the world’s number one. The world’s number two.” “…What?” “Mantian and I are always together. I’m not alone.” Truly a splendid love. A smile formed on Fan Fang’s lips once more. “Is that so? I’d like to fight that Mantian too. In that sense, I apologize.” A black shadow, like a fox’s tail, enveloped Fan Fang’s body. The shadow movement technique of Hyeonho, the elder of the Ilwol God Sect. “I can’t die yet. I’ll give you my life next time.” With that, Fan Fang escaped with his comrade’s help. Guhae narrowed her eyes at the familiar technique. [That’s the guy we fought last time… He didn’t come out himself, so it seems he’s scared of you.] Listening to the black snake’s voice, Guhae steadied her breathing. It was a shame to let the enemy escape, but… She looked up at the smoky sky. “Mantian…” Right now, Mantian was her priority. She immediately headed in the direction Mantian had gone. *** Some abandoned building. Or rather, a building that had just become abandoned. There, one of the Six-Armed Asura who had kidnapped Poong Ran, the Blood Church executive Jang Do, was catching his breath with dozens of subordinates. “The pursuit is getting fiercer…” [Huhu… Isn’t it good that the prey comes to us on its own?] The bloodthirsty ego of the demon sword. At Pure Hook’s words, Jang Do frowned. “The problem is that it’s faster than expected. Someone is disrupting our plans.” And as soon as he finished speaking. KWAWAWAWANG-!! The wall of the abandoned building shattered, and the main culprit who had disrupted the plan by bringing in several experts. A limping figure entered. Such a dramatic entrance that it begged to be written into a novel. Unconsciously, Jang Do uttered the name of the limping figure. “Sima… Mantian?”