## Chapter 1209 – 1209. Ascending To The Light
Before the lightning could be unleashed, the Thunder Sky Style reacted to my will first.
*Pajijijijik!*
The current generated from my palm swept across the guy’s body.
“Krrrrrrrrrr!”
I hurriedly pulled my hand away before he died.
I was quite surprised. I never expected the Thunder Sky Style to react like this. It was fortunate that the power of the current was at the level I had anticipated. Otherwise, he would have died before even spitting out any information.
It was unpleasant.
I had just failed to completely control the Thunder Sky Style. It was good that the Thunder Sky Style reacted to my will, but I almost killed him.
‘Considering that this didn’t happen when I was training the Thunder Sky Style in Nakwol Mountain… is it because of the seal on my body right now? I should try training the Thunder Sky Style while under the seal later.’
I looked at the guy who was trembling. His eyes, which had been shaking back and forth, barely found their place.
“Answer my question. What organization do you belong to?”
“Ugh… ugh…”
“I hate guys who ignore me.”
I reached out to him again. Terrified, he crawled backward, trying to escape from me. He couldn’t go far, blocked by the wall.
“Hiiiik! I, I belong to the Blade Sun Sect (刀陽門)!”
Blade Sun Sect.
It was the name of the black faction that appeared in the original story. It meant that I had come to the right place.
“Tell me about the Blade Sun Sect. Don’t leave anything out.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“I said tell me everything. The location of the Blade Sun Sect, its power, its history. Tell me everything you know about the Blade Sun Sect.”
“I-if I tell you, will you spare me?”
“I swear on my name that I will spare you.”
“M-mister. What is your name?”
“This bastard. You’re scared but you still ask everything. My name is Yeom Gu-seok.”
“Mister Yeom! I will trust you!”
The guy knelt on the floor. And he spoke about the Blade Sun Sect as respectfully as possible.
Thirty years ago, the Blade Sun Lord (刀陽山君), who was training in Baekseong Mountain, descended and created the Blade Sun Sect. The Blade Sun Sect attacked and absorbed the black faction groups that were already in Baekseong Mountain, eventually becoming the only black faction sect in Baekseong Mountain. However, the Blade Sun Sect only managed the entertainment district and the outskirts of Baekseong Mountain.
“So, the Blade Sun Sect is the only black faction sect in Baekseong Mountain.”
“There are some small fries, but… they are too weak to even be called a sect.”
“If it’s that big, you could manage other places, right? Why does the Blade Sun Sect only manage the entertainment district and the outskirts?”
“The sect leader said that we should know our place. If we try to go beyond that, the Baekseong Gold Clan won’t stand idly by…”
Suddenly, the guy’s eyes shook. He seemed hesitant about whether to say something or not. I raised my hand and drew out lightning energy. *Pajijik.* Blue current flowed through my fingers. The guy’s face turned pale.
“I told you to tell me everything you know about the Blade Sun Sect.”
“T-this is not certain information…”
“Tell me.”
“…There’s a rumor that the sect leader is a bastard son of the Baekseong Gold Clan. That’s why the Baekseong Gold Clan doesn’t suppress the Blade Sun Sect…”
According to the original story, this rumor was true.
“I see. Tell me the exact location and power of the Blade Sun Sect.”
The guy spent fifteen minutes telling me everything he knew.
“M-mister. I’ve told you everything! P-please spare me. Please!”
“I swore on my name. Don’t you trust my name?”
A smile spread across the guy’s sweaty face.
“Ha, haha. Of course, I do. Thank you for sparing me, Mi…ster…?”
*Thud.*
I stabbed a knife into the guy’s chest. I had no intention of letting him live from the start. He saw me use lightning energy. And the Yeom Gu-seok of the original story didn’t know how to use lightning energy. If I let him live, I could get into trouble.
“I’ll tell you something special. My name isn’t Yeom Gu-seok.”
I pulled out the knife. A fountain of blood shot upwards.
“You son of a bi…”
The guy fell to the floor and died.
***
I went to find the Blade Sun Sect. The Blade Sun Sect was a little away from the entertainment district. It was surprisingly easy to find. It was bigger than the other buildings.
‘The Blade Sun Sect is a black faction, but they call themselves a sect. So, there’s no need to hide.’
It was a common story in this world where black factions called themselves sects, and those sects naturally melted into one sect over time. A world that didn’t reject and acknowledged demonic arts.
I opened the main gate of the Blade Sun Sect and confidently walked inside. In the original story, Yeom Gu-seok challenged the Blade Sun Sect leader to a duel and subdued him with force. I was planning to do the same.
Even though I openly opened the main gate, no one appeared.
“Come out here!!”
I shouted with all my might. My loud voice echoed throughout the sect.
Only then did the members of the Blade Sun Sect hurriedly grab their weapons and rush outside. Usually, sects have rules, but because they were from a black faction, there was a sense of laxity in the Blade Sun Sect.
“Who is it? An enemy?”
“He came alone?”
“He might be a great master.”
“Damn it. I don’t know what to do since this is the first time we’ve faced an enemy like this. Should we attack?”
“Wait. The sect leader will come out.”
They surrounded me with their weapons. I looked around. Most of them were just average people. Only about 20% of them had properly learned martial arts. Even those were only at the early stages of the Entry Level. At this level, I could wipe them out even in my current state with the seal on my power.
“I’m not interested in you average joes. Bring the Blade Sun Sect leader.”
The answer to my question came from behind them.
“I am the Blade Sun Sect leader, Eun Tae-mang.”
He had a rough appearance, befitting his nickname, the Mountain Lord. His massive 2-meter frame was muscular, and his face was covered with unruly beard. The greatsword he held was a whopping 3 meters long. It wasn’t just a figure of speech; it looked like it could cut down a mountain in one swing.
“Indeed. You have quite the presence.”
“That’s what I should be saying. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a martial artist like you. Where are you from?”
“I’m Han Su-pyeong from the Red Water Sect (赤水門).”
I used the fake identity that the Heavenly Demon Cult had prepared for me.
“Red Water Sect? I’ve never heard of that sect.”
“I came from a place where red water flows in the south. It’s far away.”
“Even if you say that, I don’t understand. Just tell me the purpose of your intrusion.”
“I’ll be staying in this city for a while. I looked around the city, but there wasn’t a suitable place to stay. Then I found a building that was perfect for staying.”
“Heh heh. You crazy bastard. You’re going to stay here? Stop talking nonsense and be honest. You’re after my fame and money!”
“It would be good if I could get that too. Blade Sun Lord Eun Tae-mang. I, Han Su-pyeong of the Red Water Sect, challenge you to a duel.”
“Hahaha! A duel… It’s been 15 years? Not bad. I’ll acknowledge your spirit. But, I have no reason to duel you.”
Eun Tae-mang raised his left hand and ordered his subordinates.
“Prepare the Iron Wall Formation.”
His subordinates moved in unison and formed a formation. It was a formation to face a strong opponent. If I were to face Eun Tae-mang and his subordinates like this, things would get troublesome.
I took out a palm-sized wooden box from my pocket. I opened the lid of the wooden box. A single pill was placed on a soft cloth.
“I’ll bet a Five-Attainment Pill (五引丹) on the duel.”
The Five-Attainment Pill was a divine pill that helped one reach the realm of Five Energies. The difference between having it and not having it was quite significant. It increased the probability of breaking through the wall of Five Energies by about 30%.
*Gulp.*
Eun Tae-mang’s Adam’s apple moved once. He was at the realm of Emergence, and he would eventually reach the wall of Five Energies. He would want to have the Five-Attainment Pill in preparation for that time.
“…Even from a distance, I can feel this radiant spiritual energy… It’s definitely a Five-Attainment Pill. You bastard, are you out of your mind? Do you know what kind of treasure that is to bet it on a duel?”
“You bet something too.”
“…What?”
“The Blade Sun Sect.”
“……”
Eun Tae-mang’s eyes gleamed with greed.
The Blade Sun Sect and the Five-Attainment Pill. The Five-Attainment Pill was more valuable.
A black faction sect at the level of the Blade Sun Sect could be created by just gathering people. But that wasn’t the case with the Five-Attainment Pill. It was a divine pill that was difficult to obtain even with money.
“Ha, haha. You fool. Do you really think I’ll accept the duel? We can kill you and take the Five-Attainment Pill. Hand over the Five-Attainment Pill quietly. Then I’ll spare your life.”
I took the Five-Attainment Pill out of the wooden box.
“If you don’t accept the duel, I’ll eat the Five-Attainment Pill right now.”
“Are you an idiot? You’re going to eat that precious thing now?”
“It’s better than having it taken by you.”
“This bastard…”
I opened my mouth. The Five-Attainment Pill got closer to my mouth.
“Stop!”
Eun Tae-mang shouted. My hand also stopped abruptly.
“Fine. I’ll duel you. Put the Five-Attainment Pill in the box. If the Five-Attainment Pill is even slightly damaged… I’ll never forgive you.”
“Don’t order me around. The Five-Attainment Pill is still mine.”
I put the Five-Attainment Pill in the wooden box as if throwing it. Eun Tae-mang’s expression crumpled.
“You bastards! What are you doing! Prepare the arena right now!”
“Yes! Sect leader!”
His subordinates scattered to prepare for the duel.
Eun Tae-mang strode towards me and held out his hand.
“What is it?”
“Now that I think about it, the Five-Attainment Pill might be fake. I’ll check if it’s real, so take out the Five-Attainment Pill.”
“Don’t try to play tricks. Win against me and take the Five-Attainment Pill.”
“You’re doing something unnecessary. Do you think you can beat me?”
“Eun Tae-mang. Don’t be so arrogant. You’ll soon be my slave, so how are you going to handle the aftermath?”
“…I gave you a chance. You’re going to die miserably. I’ll cut off your arms and legs and throw you into the pond. I can already see my cute fish rejoicing at the long-awaited meat.”
“The moment you become my subordinate, you’ll be castrated first. And your subordinates will enjoy eating your asshole. Ugh. Just imagining it is disgusting… How could I think of such a thing… Heavens…”
“You crazy bastard.”
Soon, the preparations for the duel were complete.
They had turned the training ground next to the building into a duel arena. I went up to the duel arena and looked around. Eun Tae-mang’s subordinates were surrounding me. They glared at me with eyes full of hostility.
‘If Eun Tae-mang looks like he’s going to lose the duel, they might rush in.’
I had no allies here.
I calmly accepted their gazes and loosened my body. If I wasn’t acting as Yeom Gu-seok right now, I would have immediately released the seal and killed them all with the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Eun Tae-mang came out to the duel arena. Unlike before, he was wearing armor. It was black armor, but the material wasn’t steel. It looked more like an insect’s carapace than steel.
‘…Is it armor made using the corpses of monsters?’
It could be seen as a kind of magical artifact.
“Take out the Five-Attainment Pill and place it there. You’re not thinking of fighting with the Five-Attainment Pill, are you? I accepted your duel challenge. Now it’s your turn to show at least some trust.”
“I will.”
He gestured with his chin towards the center of the duel arena. There was a wooden table.
I took out the wooden box from my pocket. I opened the lid to show that the Five-Attainment Pill was inside and placed it on the wooden table. Eun Tae-mang stared at the Five-Attainment Pill with hazy eyes, then distanced himself from me and prepared for the duel. I drew my sword and held it with both hands.
One of his subordinates looked at the two of us, who were ready, and shouted.
“Duel start!!”
