Nam Garak asks me,
“What are the ones holding the shields even doing?”
I reply to him
“Demonic Cult.”
“If they are the Demonic Cult then we are the Murim Alliance. Hahahaha.”
“Hahahaha.”
Nam Garak laughs along with his subordinates. Is this guy really trying to deny reality? I laugh at the absurdity of his words.
Come to think of it the sudden appearance of this man reaffirms the relationship between the Low-Down Sect and the Murim Alliance. It would have been a natural response from the Alliance. So it was probably determined that the Southern Ming Alliance which is closest to this place would come to support first.
Of course. When the Sect Leader is in danger they come running. If these guys are in danger I run too.
It is a natural thing so their sudden appearance isn’t so surprising.
Originally the six of us and the forces of the Demonic Cult were confronting each other in a straight line. Probably because one side of the defense got annihilated by me.
Nam Garak led the people of the association and naturally joined the 6 of us who were in a shabby state and lined up in a row. Regardless of their skills it feels strange having allies join us.
Does he feel confident or excited?
Nam Garak says
“Demonic Cult bastards I will not interfere in a one-on-one fight. But if an all-out war breaks out then we all will join in. I am Nam Garak of the Southern Ming Association. Must have heard of it?”
I look at the Demonic Cult troops who sneer at the guy.
I nod and tell him
“Looks like they haven’t heard of you.”
Nam Garak glares at me and says
“Shut up.”
“I confirm.”
What can I do with this warmth being directed at the Low-Down Sect Leader?
I know why Nam Garak insisted on emphasizing the association and bringing their flag. It meant that they would share the wrath of the Demonic Cult which would fall against the Low-Down Sect.
I look at the warrior of the Demonic Cult who wanted to confront me.
“One-on-one? An all-out war? Whatever works for you.”
When I noticed Nam Garak joining I thought it would be nice if the one-on-one continued for a little while.
And the man who didn’t look like a normal elder or leader says
“Low-Down Sect Leader congratulations on becoming the target of assassination of the Cult.”
“It is nothing. I am actually a bit embarrassed. If a man has mastered martial arts then becoming an enemy of the Demonic Cult is an honor.”
This guy continues to speak with a threatening tone.
“We were told to retrieve the sword so we will retrieve it. We don’t care about the rest.”
“I don’t know let us continue.”
At the time a man from the Demon cult says
“Ya Yul aide go in.”
“Yes.”
Even though the fight had been going for a long time a man with a kempt appearance comes out. He has a normal face and contrary to the looks he exudes the aura of a strong warrior.
He is wearing a blue robe over black long sleeves and the long sword at his waist exudes a blue light.
While aide Ya Yul enters without another word Sword Demon says
“Sect Leader your opponent is the King of Land. A member of the Four Heavenly Kings.”
“Aha.”
Only then did I pull out this one’s face from the dark recesses of my memory.
So this guy is the young King of Land. He is someone that I caught a glimpse of once or twice when I was invited into the Demonic Cult. At that time if one were to ask who was more famous between the Crazy Demon and King of Land it would be him. This man had killed a lot of scholars and sect leaders from middle to small sects. He was a man who often engaged in the local battles in Kangho when the Demonic Cult went around trying to find materials for the Heavenly Pearl.
I guess that’s why this guy’s behavior seems normal.
‘Did this guy get greedy for the position too?’
I wasn’t sure what happened but I thought that the King of Land would have chosen to deal with Sword Demon in a normal state only after disposing of the other troops and elders.
King of Land draws his sword as he says
“Low-Down Sect Leader the Cult Leader specifically mentioned it but you keep crossing the line.”
I reply with a smirk.
“Cult Leader?”
“Do not worry. There are many brave members on our side as well.”
“Ah you mean you will only partially and then let me live? I feel grateful.”
I laugh.
Wheik!
As soon as I see the sword rushing for me in the blink of an eye I duck my head to avoid it and then strike it with my wooden sword. In an instant with my back twisted I deflect the tension from the blow.
Kwaaaang!
Without being able to use the strength of my waist I bounce off the force of the King of Land and move around.
‘He knows how to fight.’
It’s only natural since he is one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demonic Cult.
This is the point where Kangho feels absurd.
Who is right and who is wrong?
A question like this is useless in a fight. The winner’s words are always right. And this is the reason why it doesn’t matter if the Demonic Cult insists on their teachings or if I speak my nonsense.
It doesn’t matter if I win.
It is more efficient to swing my sword than to land on my feet so I hit the ground with my wooden sword and jump back into the air. As soon as I infuse qi into the sword I step back and look at the King of the Land.
The guy smiles as he approaches.
“Have you learned the official’s sword technique? Look at you.”
I tilt my head with a serious expression.
“How did you know? This is the official’s sword technique. A moron like you who is recklessly attached to your tasks how can you live if you lose to such a technique? You should just kill yourself right?”
The King of Land who narrows the distance of seven feet in an instant swings his sword and cuts off my train of thought. His martial arts is stable in both his sword and his stance. I compete with an alert mind while going against him. Every time the swords clash in the shape of an X the force of the swords would reverberate.
There are times when my sword gets pushed right in front of my eyes but I manage to avoid it.
My vision keeps getting obstructed by the wind he is unleashing with his sword technique. The five winds are whipping past me striking through my body like claws.
The attacks he is unleashing aren’t so simple.
I calmly neutralize his attacks with a long wind while keeping an eye on his movements. When I am unable to keep up with his movements I swing the sword after locating the flow of his qi technique and sound. No words can be exchanged.
Suddenly a thought comes to mind.
‘He’s not using demonic arts?’
I never thought it would be possible. What kind of warrior of the Demonic Cult would use normal sword techniques? This guy was only using the normal techniques from the start. I can’t imagine what his hidden talent would be so I go on the defense to bait him into unleashing his true technique.
And I look at his expression. There is a faint smile on his lips.
‘Why do I feel like a victim now?’
In terms of sword technique his skills were average. It’s impossible to try to confirm who’s superior in this battle because we’re both hiding our qi. Only swords are being used. We are fighting so fiercely that we can feel each other breathing but each clash only ends up being blocked. And during all of this I happen to catch a glimpse of the pattern on his uniform. For a moment it feels like a pattern I had seen somewhere.
‘Where did I see it?’
I feel a sense of déjà vu. The pattern I had seen somewhere. Fighting on instinct I fumble with my thoughts. This is why one should remain calm even when fighting. It was the only way to remember the pattern which felt similar.
‘He’s using Self Defense Demonic Arts.’
If a man with the status of one within the Four Heavenly Kings is actually utilizing this it would be one of the highest levels of defense in the Demonic Cult.
Knowing that he was now neutralizing every single hit of mine I have to reanalyze his sword technique. With his level there is a high chance that he will casually block my blows three or four times in a row.
Even after finding out his thoughts and intentions I fight with an expressionless face.
When I continue to stay silent and fight he says
“Low-Down Sect Leader you fight well.”
I answer with honorifics because I wasn’t ready to indulge in a fight any time soon.
“Thank you so much.”
“…!”
The guy looks shocked at how polite I am and I see an opening in his calm swordsmanship. I stab my wooden sword without another thought. In an instant the offensive and defensive roles have been reversed. The guy who was busy attacking now turns to block the attacks.
It is a lot more comfortable for me to just attack. By reducing his strength and using my swift sword technique which adds additional strength to my body movement I can attack in the openings he presents.
He begins to retreat towards his camp side but I continue to push without hesitation. Now it looks like plum blossoms are blooming in each gap I notice.
I am either crazy about the sword or crazy about plum blossoms. Or I’m just crazy. One of the three.
Actually I’m crazy for all three so I swing the sword and stab the plum blossoms in my mad state. In an instant it feels like my sword technique has risen to a level higher and I end up laughing.
“Huhu.”
Before I know it I am fighting with him in the camp of Demonic Cult. I wouldn’t be surprised if an assassination attempt came at any moment. It feels like the shield troops would come to surround me as well but I can’t stop being on the offensive now.
‘Fine. This is why I learned martial arts.’
Is there anything more enjoyable than gaining enlightenment? This seems to be the moment that has sparked my true understanding of the Plum Blossom Sword technique. But now I’m getting worried about how high of a level this technique is… there are only a few who would be able to apply this technique well.
This type of sword technique was a thing which disciples could only reach through numerous hardships. The form of this sword technique would force those who are interested in learning it onto a hard path. However it is not without purpose. This is because through hardships comes enlightenment and greatness.
I happily swing the sword and attack him. As soon as I find an opening in his movement I calmly stab him with my sword.
In an instant he holds his sword out with the intention to take me down along with him.
A trap I had anticipated in advance.
My wooden sword pierces his neck. And in that moment thick thorns which look like blades rise from his armor and wrap themselves around his neck.
Tung….!
At the same time I grab his sword which was aimed at my stomach and then infuse Shadow Moon Martial arts. When his sword begins to turn white from the sheer cold he immediately infuses his qi into it.
I soon retrieve the wooden sword I had thrown at him and stab him first. The sound of the blade piercing his flesh can be heard. At that moment he who floated in the air strikes me in the chest with both of his feet that he had infused with qi. It was a move I wouldn’t have expected but I countered it anyway.
Using the hand that was holding onto the sword I briefly released the qi that dug into my body and clenched it again.
Pung- I jump in the air. I do this with the intent of creating distance because I am too close to the enemy camp.
In an instant suddenly two men a white man and a red man come down in front of King of Land at the same time and unfold their palm techniques at me.
‘Damn it.’
The huge White and Red palm techniques intertwine as they aim for my body. I can’t jump to dodge because I’m already in the air. And so I swing my sword diagonally while increasing my inner qi. I then cut the air diagonally in the opposite direction.
After simultaneously splitting the huge flying palms with an X slash I land on the ground. In an instant I burst into laughter causing me to tilt my head back.
“Hahahahaa….!”
It was a small pleasure to pierce the palm of the King of Land.
It was an even greater joy than that to have successfully countered the surprise attack of the two random assailants.
The fact that my martial arts skills had risen to the next level was more satisfying to me than anything I’ve felt till now. I haven’t been able to find a disciple yet but thinking that I should pass on this insight I gained joy in the thought.
Even the Demonic Cult’s surprise attack didn’t make me feel bad. I didn’t care about what they would think while seeing me smile in this circumstance.
I look at the Demonic Cult with a better mindset than before and brush the blood from the wooden sword.
“King of Land you will be a bit uncomfortable with your hands pierced. Step back and heal.”
“…”
After containing my madness I ask them in a calm tone.
“Who is next?”
I speak as if I had become a great warrior. A man who used to be a server is now great at one-on-one battles? I can’t help but think how funny this situation is.
