## Chapter 1539 – 1539. Ascending To The Light
I was the one who made the first move.
Closing the distance with Myungwol, I swung my sword horizontally. In boxing terms, it was an attack akin to a jab. Myungwol moved fluidly, dodging my attack and countering. I quickly retracted my sword, blocking Myungwol’s attack.
The blade of my sword, where it met the light sword, instantly turned red-hot and began to melt. I retreated before my sword became completely unusable.
Myungwol’s light sword was not just a sword that shone. The energy of extreme yang was concentrated in the sword. The light itself was a powerful force and heat.
‘Calling it a sun would be an overestimation; it’s more accurate to say they compressed a furnace into a sword.’
I infused my sword with qi. That was the only way it could withstand that light sword.
Kiiiiing!
Sword clashed against sword.
Unlike before, my sword didn’t melt absurdly. The qi was withstanding the light of the light sword. It was like they were mutually eroding each other.
“What is your true identity?”
“Are you curious?”
“After crossing swords, I realized your skill is higher than mine. I will likely die here. Even if I die, I should at least know my opponent’s name, so I won’t feel so wronged.”
“Have you given up?”
“No. I will fight to the end. As long as there is a sliver of hope, I will not give up.”
“You think there is hope? …Well, fine. My name is Yeom Guseok.”
“Yeom Guseok of the Lightning Flash! The Annihilation Squad of the Demonic Cult that destroyed the Hwasan Sect has come to kill me! No, it seems it’s not just me. Is the Annihilation Squad killing the masters of the Nine Great Sects?”
“I don’t know. My mission is just to kill you.”
“The Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance… and even the Four Kings Alliance. The world is in such chaos… I fear what else might happen in this world.”
“Mind your own business. You’re going to die here anyway. And it’s natural for sects to disappear and reappear in the martial world. That applies to the Nine Great Sects and the Demonic Cult alike.”
“Is this also something that will pass? Perhaps you are right. But I am a Taoist of the Wudang Sect. As a Taoist of the Wudang Sect, I will eliminate the evil before me!”
Myungwol’s robe fluttered. The sword that pierced in was sharper than anything before.
‘If I’m careless, I’ll be done for.’
In other words, if I’m not careless, I’ll win.
Thunder Heaven Style (雷天流) – Thunder Serpent (雷蛇).
Like a snake crawling on the ground, the sword moved sinuously. The target was Myungwol’s left shoulder. The light sword moved as naturally as flowing water. Even after deflecting my sword, the light sword didn’t stop, aiming for me.
I was about to counter, but I was startled and retreated. It was because Myungwol’s light sword had split into two in an instant. The sword made of light followed Myungwol’s sword like a shadow.
“A sword that splits into two. Is that the characteristic of the Yin-Yang Sword?”
“Originally, the Yin-Yang Sword handles both the yin and yang swords. When one reaches a certain level, they can wield two swords simultaneously. However, I, who am extremely lacking in yin energy, can only wield the yang sword.”
“So, it’s just one more sword.”
“It is regrettable that I am unable to show you the true essence of the Yin-Yang Sword due to my shortcomings. I have interpreted the Yin-Yang Sword in my own way… I will show you now. Light Division (分光).”
The light of the light sword split. The split light took the form of daggers and shot towards me. The daggers twisted and turned, attacking from all directions.
‘The daggers of light are imbued with will. Is it sword control? No, they’re just adjusting the direction.’
Thunder Heaven Style (雷天流) – Electromagnetic Barrier (電磁氣幕).
An electromagnetic barrier mixed with protective qi enveloped my body. It blocked the incoming daggers of light.
“Try blocking this as well.”
Myungwol’s light sword soared. The light output intensified, and it instantly grew to over 3 meters long. Myungwol rotated his body and swung the light sword. The slash cut through several trees and approached me.
Thunder Heaven Style (雷天流) – Thunder Qi Blade (雷罡刃).
Crackling. Lightning flowed on the blade. Qi and lightning mixed, forming a single blade. I met the light sword with the lightning blade. Myungwol’s light sword faltered. I didn’t miss the opportunity and approached Myungwol.
The blade cut through the air. Myungwol gasped and responded. The shining sword and the shining blade collided in the air.
Light and lightning.
Two extreme yang energies were eager to devour each other.
Light spread, and lightning swept the ground. The surrounding trees couldn’t withstand the heat and began to burn. Amidst the blazing flames, Myungwol and I continued to fight.
“Amazing! Truly amazing! You are the first to fight my extreme yang energy head-on like this!”
Myungwol laughed while spitting out blood. He was now drawing out everything he had to fight me.
“You’re dying now. What’s so enjoyable?”
“I am a martial artist!”
“Is that so.”
Myungwol’s body began to shine. A pure white light enveloped his body. He looked like a being of light. Myungwol raised his left hand, which wasn’t holding a sword. Light emanated from his body, taking the shape of a sword.
I sensed that this was Myungwol’s final strike.
Thunder Heaven Style (雷天流) – Ten Thousand Thunder Blossoms (卍雷開花).
Will moved my inner force. The inner force became lightning and lingered in the air, and the lightning became flower buds. Seven flower buds rotated and bloomed, blocking the pouring light swords.
Kwakwakwakwakwakwakwakwang!
An explosion occurred with intense light.
Amidst the explosion of light, Myungwol and I continued to swing our weapons without stopping.
When the light disappeared, the outcome was decided.
My sword had pierced Myungwol’s heart.
I pulled the sword out of his chest and raised it. Myungwol was a martial artist who had reached a high level. Even though I had pierced his heart, I couldn’t relax. I had to kill him properly.
“I have a request…”
“Do you think I’d listen to your request?”
“It’s my last wish. The monster that killed the Blood Fiend… that monster is too dangerous for Gangno Village. Please kill that monster. And… I’m sorry for disappointing you.”
“It was a somewhat interesting swordsmanship.”
The sword came down. Myungwol’s head fell.
Whirrrrr.
The surrounding trees burned. Before the fire could spread further, I stomped my foot. Kwaang! A massive shockwave occurred, suppressing the fire in an instant.
‘Mission complete. If I go down to the village and tell Baek Mu-han that Myungwol died fighting the Blood Fiend… hmm?’
I noticed something strange. The Blood Fiend’s corpse, which should have been lying there, was nowhere to be seen. Even if it had been burned, there should have been traces, but there was nothing where the Blood Fiend’s corpse had been.
I tightened my loosened tension again.
‘Was the monster nearby? Did it deceive my senses and take the corpse?’
It wasn’t an ordinary monster.
‘Damn it. I don’t really want to deal with monsters… that guy might have seen me kill Myungwol.’
What if the monster spread the word about my killing? What if that news reached Baek Mu-han’s ears?
My plan to befriend and exploit Baek Mu-han would be ruined from the start.
‘I’ll find that monster and kill it.’
If I search the mountain, I’ll find it. Since it killed the Blood Fiend and deceived my senses, it wouldn’t keep hiding out of fear.
I started running through the mountain, searching for it.
‘Damn it. Where are you?!’
It was when I had been running for a while. Black smoke was billowing into the sky from the direction of the village.
I tilted my head. It was more than just a fire; there were over ten plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. Something had definitely happened in the village.
‘A monster! Did that monster attack the village?!’
I started running towards the village. The villagers wouldn’t be massacred. Seong Ji-gon was in the village. Although Seong Ji-gon was weaker than me, he was a strongman who had reached the Five Qi.
I rushed down the mountain. Buildings were burning. The villagers were screaming and running away from something.
Thump thump thump!
The thing chasing the villagers was hopping with both feet together. Pale skin and a stiff body.
“A Jiangshi?”
The Jiangshi stomped on a villager’s waist. With its pale hands, characterized by black fingernails, it tore off the person’s head. Then, it brought it to its mouth and crunched, crunched, eating the person’s head.
The blood-soaked Jiangshi suddenly turned its head towards me. It had chosen me as its next target.
Thump thump thump!
The Jiangshi came running. Its expressionless face and bloodshot eyes were grotesque.
“A Jiangshi dares to…!”
I drew my sword from my waist and swung it at the Jiangshi.
Clang!
The sword bounced off without cutting the Jiangshi’s body. Even without using qi, my swordsmanship skills could easily cut through rocks.
I lightly dodged the charging Jiangshi.
‘It’s at least harder than a rock. No, judging by the sensation when I cut it, it’s stronger than most steel.’
I moved my inner force from my dantian. The inner force gathered on the sword, forming qi. I swung the sword.
Swoosh!
The Jiangshi’s body split in half. I frowned at the sight of the Jiangshi’s corpse. The Jiangshi’s body was riddled with holes, and each hole was swarming with bright red maggots.
‘They’re not ordinary maggots. They’re disgusting, so I should get rid of them.’
Crackling!
Lightning erupted, sweeping away the maggots.
After that, I ran to the Baekmu Inn.
“Ughhhhh! Damn Jiangshi bastards! Die!!”
Baek Mu-han was screaming and fighting three Jiangshi. He was holding a sword. Demonic energy was writhing from his body.
‘Pure yet dense demonic energy. It’s the Demonic Heavenly Art.’
The three Jiangshi charged at Baek Mu-han simultaneously. Baek Mu-han kicked off the ground and jumped. He rotated his body in the air and swung his sword. Black sword energy grazed the Jiangshi’s bodies. Red maggots popped out of the Jiangshi’s bodies and wriggled on the ground.
‘He’s struggling because he can’t use qi.’
His combat sense was incredibly sharp. He seemed like he could defeat three Jiangshi without my help.
‘I can’t let that happen. I need to do him a favor, so I’ll jump in!’
I swung my sword infused with qi, instantly taking down the three Jiangshi.
“Shopkeeper! Are you alright?!”
“…Thank you for your help, hero.”
Baek Mu-han’s voice was subdued. I could tell that his voice was filled with anger. It was easy to understand the reason for his anger. Behind him, there was Bi Wol-ryeong, dead with her arm severed. Baek Mu-han had failed to protect his grandmother.
“The landlady has passed away. I offer my condolences.”
“Thank you. But what’s important now isn’t condolences. The funeral will be held later. Hero, where is Master Myungwol? He would be a great help in this situation.”
“Master Myungwol died to the Blood Fiend. I killed the Blood Fiend, but it suddenly disappeared.”
