Chapter 123

Tak- tak-.

Unknown lightly flicked his foot and kicked the ground, then moved behind Wang Yun at a speed beyond human perception, taking an angle.

Spirit Snake Fist

Though his left arm was numb and his power weakened, his right hand swayed like a venomous snake, aiming for Wang Yun’s temple.

However, the moment Unknown disappeared from Wang Yun’s sight.

Wang Yun lowered his gaze to find Unknown’s shadow.

Reading the path of the fist technique.

He bent his leg to dodge Unknown’s attack while using his left foot as a pivot to rotate his body.

He struck Unknown’s abdomen directly with a penetrating force.

Kwa-wang!!

A dull sound echoed as Wang Yun’s palm strike pushed Unknown’s body away.

“……”

Unknown, having failed in his sneak attack, used the momentum to retreat and create distance again.

“You’re annoyingly tough.”

Wang Yun, despite being hit by the penetrating force, smiled casually and shook his hand, not uttering a single groan.

Martial artists are naturally sturdy, but to have such strong internal organs…

That’s beyond human.

In any case, Wang Yun once again skillfully dodged and countered Unknown’s basic forms.

Yes, he didn’t block. He dodged.

Unknown’s black eyes coldly stared at Wang Yun.

“Why… did you dodge?”

“Huh? What are you saying? It’s too quiet, I can’t hear you.”

The slight unnaturalness he felt turned into suspicion.

“Why are you even talking?”

“Just because I feel like it. It’s practically a monologue.”

“Nonsense.”

Unknown cut off Wang Yun’s words sharply.

“Someone of your caliber wouldn’t fail to distinguish between an attack to dodge and one to block.”

The first thrust and the second sneak attack.

Both were attacks that, if hit, would result in instant death or fatal injury. There wasn’t much difference.

…Yet, the first attack was blocked as if showing off, and the second was dodged by bending his body.

And then he spoke.

“Why didn’t you pursue and instead spoke? Why did you allow me to create distance?”

A master of that level wouldn’t do something so unnecessary.

Now he’s certain.

“…You’re buying time.”

Unknown erased the casual smile from his face and asked Wang Yun, who was making an interesting expression, in a calm voice.

“Are you afraid of me?”

“Ha! You really have a talent for pissing people off.”

A simple provocation. Wang Yun, who let out a chuckle, fell for the provocation.

“Everything is created from the mind.”

Since he’s been found out, he might as well tell the truth.

“If the mind is at peace, how can evil spirits or demons be feared?”

All-Mind Unity Technique – A martial art that unites the mind and body.

Temporarily gaining absolute defense or dramatically increasing physical abilities and martial power.

From behind, observing, Unmu Yong, who recognized the martial art Wang Yun used through the Ilwol God Sect’s intelligence, bit his lip and muttered.

“The enlightenment of a Silla monk…!!”

“Enlightenment is just enlightenment. There’s no such thing as inferior or superior enlightenment.”

Wang Yun smiled at the trembling Unmu Yong once more.

Then he looked back at Unknown, preparing to end it.

“Do you hide your techniques and use them at the last moment? Or do you use them freely from the start?”

He released the strong, surging dragon energy flowing within him.

“I prefer the latter.”

All-Mind Unity Technique – Martial Art Enhancement

Dragon’s Nine Sons Technique – Pulao

Originally, Pulao is a martial art from the Lion’s Roar series that unleashes a massive roar.

A martial art that replicates a dragon’s roar.

And with the All-Mind Unity Technique, Pulao, true to its name, unleashed a thunderous roar.

The dragon’s breath, a Dragon’s Breath, poured out.

Krrrrrrrrrrrr-!!

Wang Yun’s chest swelled as a pure violent light made of internal energy burst from his wide-open mouth.

Sweeping away everything in front.

Overwhelmed by the energy, Unknown’s expression visibly stiffened for the first time, showing panic.

“……?!”

This isn’t the kind of attack you can survive by just stepping back.

Block or die, a binary choice.

An unavoidable attack.

Unknown immediately moved in front of Unmu Yong.

Like Wang Yun, he revealed a hidden card.

Taking out the ‘secret technique’ he stole from his master, the White Snake Master.

He blocked the pouring mass of internal energy with his body.

·

·

·

Due to Wang Yun’s attack, the sky was revealed, and the ruined estate completely collapsed.

There, Wang Yun frowned.

Standing firmly on both legs, he protected his employer, Unmu Yong, and asked about his well-being.

“Are you… alive?”

“…Thanks to you.”

He stuck out his tongue while looking at Unknown.

“You’re really annoyingly tough.”

Of course, that didn’t mean Unknown’s body was unscathed.

His entire body, which was supposed to be indestructible like a diamond, was tattered.

The palms of both arms, which seemed to have blocked the attack with a palm strike, were red like heated iron, sizzling.

Yes, not just the right arm. Both arms.

‘Did he release the acupoint sealing his left arm’s sensation… on his own?’

Wang Yun’s eyes narrowed as he examined Unknown’s left arm.

Did he intentionally not release it to test the waters?

It seems he had more hidden cards besides the Diamond Body, Unassailable to Poison, and Assassin Fist.

Personally, it’s intriguing.

But from here on out, it’s beyond the deal with Baekho.

“You survived. What will you do now?”

“……”

After a brief silence, Baekho spoke.

“I read the plan you wrote in the letter.”

He said to Unmu Yong, who stood up with Unknown’s support.

Confirming the terms as a trading partner.

“Endlessly… we must firmly grasp the neck of that traitor.”

If we can’t kill him now, it’s better to hold onto his neck.

And Unmu Yong’s plan, as a royal official, was intriguing.

As the tense atmosphere subsided, Unknown awkwardly smiled and joked.

“If you wish, I can bark like a dog~ woof~ woof~.”

“……”

As Baekho began to emit a menacing aura again, Unknown hastily added.

“Uh… growl! Woof! Which do you prefer? I think woof! woof! is cuter.”

“Be quiet.”

Unmu Yong hurriedly silenced Unknown.

“Thank you for the vast magnanimity of the Grand Tutor.”

He bowed to Baekho.

In any case, the fight to test the strength of someone who boldly requested a deal with the royal palace ended.

“Let me formally introduce myself. I am from the Ilwol God Sect…”

Unmu Yong paused for a moment, shook his head, and said the real name of the sect.

After the religious rebellion during the Northern Song.

The scattered sun and moon reunited.

“The elder of the Ming Sect, Unmu Yong.”

One step closer to dismantling the Martial Alliance.

“We wish to break away from the Demon Sect and become the state religion of the Great Lamp Empire.”

***

A few days after the Dragon and Phoenix Association’s after-party at the Martial Alliance.

Jang Do, a Blood Church executive with the blood of a Gandharva, received orders to kidnap a girl named Poong Ran.

He was leisurely strolling around the shops near the Martial Alliance.

And following him, a half-vampire girl with a parasol blocking the sun.

Ner chattered away as she followed.

Fortunately, there were many Western merchants near the Martial Alliance, so it wasn’t too conspicuous.

“Where are we going now? To check the security of the Sima Family in advance? Or to gauge the level of the Martial Alliance’s warriors?”

Jang Do shook his head.

“No, we’re going somewhere more important.”

“More important?!”

At the mention of a more important place, Ner’s eyes widened in surprise.

But soon it turned to disappointment, and she glared at Jang Do with sleepy eyes.

“How is this place supposed to be important?”

The place Jang Do went to was a simple bookstore where people enjoyed tea and books.

“It’s impossible for us to break into the Sima Family, kidnap Poong Ran, and escape unnoticed by the Martial Alliance.”

“Ha! Lady Erzeveta has provided us with a vampire squad this time! Don’t talk weak!”

Vampires… Blood Church members who drank ghost blood, drastically increasing their physical abilities.

“We’ll do it. But it’s still not enough. The quality is lacking.”

But Jang Do was firm.

“…Then what do you suggest?”

“We need to cause a distraction to divert attention.”

Jang Do explained the plan to Ner, who puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

“I sent a letter to the Ilwol God Sect. We’ll get a response soon. Until then, let’s kill some time.”

He entered the bookstore.

‘Huh~ I thought he was just a crazy guy. He’s quite thoughtful.’

Ner, impressed, carefully followed Jang Do into the bookstore.

It was her first time in a bookstore.

…And shortly after.

Ner realized Jang Do had come to the bookstore for a very personal reason.

The relaxed attitude from before was gone.

With a slightly nervous face, he spoke to the bookstore clerk.

“Ahem… do you have any collected replies from the author Fei Guan Ye Pu?”

“Fei Guan? Ye Pu? Replies?”

Ner tilted her head at the incomprehensible words, and Jang Do leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Fei Guan Ye Pu is my pen name. Replies are short impressions left by readers after reading my novel.”

Soon, the clerk brought a book containing the replies to Jang Do’s novel.

Jang Do carefully opened the most recent part and read.

[Fei Guan Ye Pu, listen! Your writing is fun, but it’s too short! Hurry up and release the next book!!]

To the grateful and apologetic reader’s impression, Jang Do replied below.

[Thank you for enjoying it! I’ll try to release the next one sooner!]

He muttered with a happy, relieved face.

“It’s fun. As an author, it’s really a happy thing. It gives me the energy to live tomorrow.”

Ner sat next to Jang Do, reading the replies, and asked as if she didn’t understand.

“Is it really necessary to check these?”

Jang Do firmly shook his head.

“It’s to judge whether this book was good by looking at the precious opinions of the readers. It’s like field research.”

…But the happiness didn’t last long.

[It’s getting less fun… Tsk! I’m dropping out here. Author, stop writing and go work at a courier service.]

Jang Do’s expression hardened rapidly.

“This… pig bastard….”

A voice scratched with anger came from within.

With trembling hands, he replied below.

[Oh… it wasn’t fun for you. Do you have a mother?]

Seeing this, Ner was startled and stopped Jang Do before he could finish the reply.

“Wait! You said they’re precious readers! Readers!”

“Precious… pig bastard….”

While calming himself down.

Jang Do’s hand reached for the demon sword, Pure Hook, at his waist, and Ner corrected her earlier thought.

This guy really is a crazy lunatic.