‘I have no idea how much I need to beat him.’
William slightly bent his upper body forward and observed Hong Munkyeong rushing towards him.
The eyes dyed pitch red, the twisted face, and veins bulging through the skin.
Anyone could see that this wasn’t a normal state.
Even for a demon practitioner, it wouldn’t be considered strange.
William observed the wild swings of Munkyeong’s right arm in cold detail from just inches away.
‘Literally swinging wildly.’
That crude attack lacked any refinement or agility.
It was only the ferocity of a famished beast that remained. With merely bending his upper body to dodge, William struck Munkyeong’s body five times in a speed so fast it left lingering afterimages.
As the final blow landed on the jaw, Munkyeong was sent flying back.
“Guhk!”
His body rolled on the ground, dazed from the impact that would have shaken one’s brain.
Had it been an ordinary person struck head-on by this level of boxing, they would have lost consciousness instantly. However, Munkyeong, possessed by a demon spirit, felt little impact. On the contrary, the surging energy and the refluxing internal power ironically protected his body.
William shook his numb hands twice and re-positioned himself.
‘I’m not a beast fighter, but this feels like beating an animal.’
As William sighed at the sight of Munkyeong rising while emitting a bestial growl, he thought it best to simply incapacitate him.
After concluding his thoughts, William stepped forward decisively.
‘Finishing him in one.’
Just one step.
However, Ha-jin and Elder Baek, watching from the back, instantly sensed the change in William’s aura compared to when he wielded his sword.
A ferocious killing intent engulfed William’s body.
“It’s as if we’re witnessing a lion.”
“The aura is enough to make my skin tingle. I unconsciously placed my hand on the hilt…”
While the two commented on William’s imposing aura, they also kept an eye on Ma-ryang. Ma-ryang, with a dazed look, merely observed the fight between Munkyeong and William.
His gaze was chaotic, tangled like a knotted thread.
‘Why, Brother…?’
What could have possibly turned my brother into such a monster?
Ma-ryang couldn’t understand it.
Not only was his knowledge of martial arts limited, but his brother, despite being filled with both love and hate, had always maintained a measure of rationality. So, what had changed in the span of a few months?
“I’m sorry, but this will hurt.”
The moment William’s foot touched the ground, an explosive sound rang out, and dust burst around him.
Reacting purely on instinct, Munkyeong swung his arm wildly. The sword-like remnants of crimson energy coiled around his arm surged towards William like flames along a trajectory.
But what meaning could such an attack, devoid of any martial principle, hold? William caught Munkyeong’s wrist as energy spewed forth, then slipped inside his guard and drove his shoulder into the man’s throat.
Lifting Munkyeong off his feet, William stood upright.
Panicking, Munkyeong tried to break free, but with his arms sprawled in a crucifix position, all he could do was flail.
“I’d like to see you endure this.”
William’s mana core began to channel energy that augmented his already overwhelming body.
As his energy enveloped him, it completely blocked out the demonic energy coursing through Munkyeong’s body. Powered by the might of the ginseng, his energy was far more potent than before.
“Seven-Cut…Still…!”
Munkyeong, desperate to break free, swung the other arm still unimpeded, but the energy shielding William neutralized every effort.
William slammed Munkyeong into the ground.
“Ahhhk?!”
Under the brutal force, Munkyeong was thrust into the ground helplessly, a mouthful of blood spilling forth. The crimson fluid soaked his clothes.
“Aggh…”
William relaxed his stance, rising to stand above Munkyeong, whose body shook from the impact but failed to rise.
Possessed by a demon spirit, Munkyeong persisted in attempting to rise, only to collapse again each time.
‘He seems to be a seasoned veteran, yet after five years of achieving this status at this age, was it due to talent, or…’
“Fa…ther…”
“Elder Baek, is there a way to calm someone possessed by a demon, or rather, suffering from a martial madness?”
“There’s no method once the madness progresses. Even calming them won’t stop them from turning into a deranged martial artist. It’d be better to send them gently to the Lord of the Underworld.”
Elder Baek shook his head, delivering a hopeless diagnosis.
Short of acupuncture in the early stages of martial madness, nothing could help someone at this advanced state. There might be solutions for immortals or Buddhists, but with the martial techniques of Hainan Sword Sect, it was nearly impossible.
Given the situation, only one choice remained.
“Ma-ryang, there’s no hope for your brother.”
“Fa…ther…”
Was it hatred? Or despair?
At a loss for words, William planted his foot on the other man’s chest, gazing down at him.
He was in a position to crush his heart at any moment.
Whether he realized it or not, the lunatic beneath spasmed uncontrollably.
“There’s not much time left.”
On hearing William’s words, Ma-ryang blankly stared at his brother.
‘No hope…?’
A brother he hardly had fond memories of.
Since his brother had developed any form of rationality, he had always been a reckless person—so much that he hardly felt the brotherhood now.
But how many people in this world could calmly slay their blood kin?
Even though Ma-ryang knew what was inevitable, he couldn’t find the words to utter.
In the time it took him to hesitate, Munkyeong kept struggling, flailing despite the brute force pinning him down. Despite this, William wasn’t the type of man to fear such feeble attempts.
Like the king of beasts, the lion, William watched the possessed man below him with composed eyes.
“Father… sorry…”
‘Did you apologize after killing him?’
Did the possession of the demon drive him utterly mad?
Though his techniques might have changed, he still apologized to his father.
Was the hatred and affection towards his father what drove him into this state of mental chaos?
The strange mix of love and hatred in the madman’s voice caused William to furrow his brows.
“…Great hero, may you let him rest in peace.”
“I understand.”
William applied force to his foot.
Ma-ryang covered his eyes and ears.
———————
“Is this the secret manual of the Seven-Cut technique?”
I eyed Ma-ryang’s hand holding the secret manual of the Seven-Cut technique.
Is this the root of all tragedies?
I was curious about how martial manuals were written in the world of martial arts, but since it wasn’t mine, it wasn’t something I could just take a look at. Instead, I glanced up at Ma-ryang’s face.
“What do you intend to do with it?”
“I plan to burn it.”
With those words, Ma-ryang lit a fire nearby and placed the manual atop it.
We stood silently watching.
Ma-ryang needed time to gather his thoughts.
The once celebrated martial art of Muchang Province burned to ashes as firewood.
Once the entire manual was engulfed in flames, Ma-ryang extinguished the fire with dirt, then turned to us with a relieved expression.
“Thank you.”
“What will you do now?”
“Since the family matters are resolved, I plan to reopen the Hong Family Guesthouse.”
“It’ll be busy.”
“Yes, it will be.”
But his face was brighter than when we first met. Despite now being alone, the tragic chapter of his family was over.
It was somewhat bittersweet, but this could be considered a relatively happy ending.
“The next time, I can stay at the Hong Family Guesthouse.”
“If you visit again, I’ll treat you to a feast fit for a prince.”
“Looking forward to it. Next time I come to Muchang Province, I won’t have to worry about where to stay.”
Though I wasn’t sure when I’d visit again, I likely had to return to Hainan Sword Sect sometime and could stop by then.
“Take care. If anything happens, send word to the Martial Alliance.”
“Take care, sir.”
“May your journey be smooth.”
Hmm… Is it over?
We turned to head back to the inn where the rest of the group was waiting.
There, we saw Hye-ryeong waiting and pacing outside the inn.
The moment Hye-ryeong caught sight of me, she waved and shouted.
“Blue-Eyed Lion Mister!”
Blue-Eyed…what?
“What’s this nonsense?”
“Seems you’ve gained a nickname.”
“Congratulations, you’ve officially become a true martial artist.”
“Uncle got a cool nickname, but I want a nickname like Blue-Eyed Lion!”
… Cool?
They just slapped on Blue-Eyed Lion because I look like a lion with blue eyes, right?
Whoever did that has zero naming sense.
Even though this act was somewhat kind, it somewhat resembles a villain.
It should have been cooler.
… Ah, but it’s better than nothing.
Thus, my first nickname became “Blue-Eyed Lion” (青眼獅子).
