Chapter 352
Crackling electric sparks!
Namhae’s Saintess, Si Seo-woo, gracefully traced a circle in the air like a dance, swiftly shifting to the side as blue lightning filled the space ahead.
In the very spot she had just vacated, Ma Won-woong’s sword struck, accompanied by a barrage of blue lightning bolts.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The power of the Blood Sect’s secret technique, Blood Thunder Sword Formation, was truly formidable.
Judging by the blue hue of the lightning, it seemed she was channeling the Northern Bright Divine Skill of the Jeomchang Sect rather than the Blood Sect’s internal energy. Perhaps because the sword technique originally belonged to the Namgung family and had been modified, it harmonized seamlessly with the orthodox internal energy cultivation, unleashing devastating power.
If I hadn’t heard about this from Lord Sunwoo beforehand, I’d have been in serious trouble. But!
Si Seo-woo charged like a beam of light toward Ma Won-woong’s flank.
The blue lightning now shimmered silver as it was blocked by her protective steel ring, unable to get any closer.
Clang!
Ma Won-woong barely parried Si Seo-woo’s swift sword strike and staggered backward.
Had she pressed the attack, the battle might have been decided then and there.
But instead of rushing him, Si Seo-woo sent a silver steel ring flying behind her.
It was aimed at another Blood Demon, Gyeol Heo-satae, who was fighting in the rear.
Whoosh!
Just as Gyeol Heo-satae swung a white lightning sword toward Yong Woo-shin, she hastily raised her blade to block the incoming silver steel ring.
Thud!
Seizing the moment, Yong Ga-ju, wielding the Dragon Martial Six-Combination Sword Formation, swiftly retreated to the side of the six sword masters.
Having escaped a precarious situation, he shot Si Seo-woo a grateful glance despite the urgency.
At that moment, Gyeol Heo-satae, momentarily stunned by the defense against Si Seo-woo’s steel ring, charged at him again.
But this time, it was the six sword masters who intercepted her.
Shiiik!
Thud!
Two of the six sword masters combined their strength to block Gyeol Heo-satae’s white sword energy.
This was possible because the efforts of all five sword masters were concentrated on these two.
The problem was the lightning filling the surrounding space, unleashed by the Blood Thunder Sword Formation.
Crackling sparks!
“Ugh!”
“Grrk!”
The white lightning flared brightly, forcing the six sword masters to stagger and groan in pain.
If they were experts of the Fire Realm, they could have easily blocked it with their protective steel rings, but unfortunately, they were not.
For those below that level, the lightning from the Blood Thunder Sword Formation was a nightmare.
Crackling!
“Gah!”
“Ugh!”
The six sword masters couldn’t maintain their formation and were forced to collapse.
Using their steel rings to block the lightning drained their energy too quickly, but enduring the attack with their bodies was equally punishing.
As the sword formation faltered, Gyeol Heo-satae didn’t hesitate and launched a separation strike at the two sword masters blocking her path.
Shiiik!
At that moment, Seol Poong, who had been hiding behind the six sword masters, sprang out like a beast.
“Haah!”
His crimson eyes blazed fiercely as his tiger claw spun like a whirlwind, striking Gyeol Heo-satae’s side like a red meteor.
It was a powerful blow amplified by the Demon Eye Blood Attack and the Full Wheel Strike.
“!”
Gyeol Heo-satae hurriedly raised her sword to block Seol Poong’s strike.
But even she couldn’t help being knocked back by the impact.
The blow targeted a weak spot and combined all of Seol Poong’s secret techniques, sending even a Fire Realm powerhouse like Gyeol Heo-satae flying.
And Seol Poong wasn’t the only one attacking.
From behind the staggered Gyeol Heo-satae, Yong Woo-shin’s sword energy stabbed upward like a ray of light.
Shiiik!
Gyeol Heo-satae quickly unleashed a white protective steel ring to block it.
Thud!
Failing to land the attack, Yong Woo-shin immediately leapt back behind the six sword masters.
Their tactic was to block attacks with the Dragon Martial Six-Combination Sword Formation while Seol Poong and Yong Woo-shin seized openings.
So far, this strategy had allowed them to hold off Gyeol Heo-satae, who possessed the power of a Fire Realm expert.
It wasn’t easy, but with occasional support from Si Seo-woo’s sword rings, the balance was maintained.
Yong Woo-shin muttered grumpily, keeping his eyes on Gyeol Heo-satae.
“If it weren’t for that blasted Blood Thunder Sword Formation, this would be much easier. What an annoying sword technique.”
Seol Poong, still watching Gyeol Heo-satae, chuckled in response.
“Considering we’re facing a Fire Realm expert, this is quite acceptable, isn’t it?”
Then, a transmission whispered in Seol Poong’s ear.
His gaze sharpened instantly.
The voice belonged to Maeng Hwi-yeom, the former Shadow of the previous Four Kings’ Lord, Gwe Gal-hyeon.
Now, he had pledged to be the shadow of the new Four Kings’ Lord, Seol Poong, and had followed him here.
But Seol Poong had instructed him to remain hidden and wait for the right moment rather than join the fight directly.
Though Maeng Hwi-yeom was among the top thirty-six experts in close combat, his stealth skills were even more exceptional.
So, he was slowly and carefully creeping toward Gyeol Heo-satae’s back.
The six sword formation was holding firm, and Gyeol Heo-satae’s position hadn’t shifted much, making this possible.
Seol Poong replied via transmission.
“Get a little closer. Approach inside the third gate and hold position.”
“Understood, Lianju.”
Seol Poong ordered him to get closer to increase the chance of a successful ambush—and because this fight wasn’t meant to end just yet.
The real battle lies with Elder Sword Saint and Brother Jin, not here.
Seol Poong knew the outcome of this fight depended on the situation with the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon.
So, he decided it was better to maintain the status quo rather than introduce unnecessary variables.
Even while fighting Gyeol Heo-satae, Seol Poong kept his senses wide open toward Hae Cheong-yeon and Sunwoo Jin.
Then, suddenly, he heard Hae Cheong-yeon’s voice.
“Ah… Father.”
“!”
Startled, Seol Poong quickly turned to look in her direction.
He could have confirmed it with his divine sight, but he couldn’t bear not seeing it with his own eyes.
What he saw was a deeply pained expression on Hae Cheong-yeon’s face.
She clutched her head, gazing at her father, the Sword Saint, with helpless eyes.
Is it working?!
Seol Poong watched tensely.
The Sword Saint approached her, calling out.
“Cheong-yeon!”
Seeing her suffering, it was natural the Sword Saint couldn’t keep his composure.
He moved toward her, filled with sorrow.
At that moment, Sunwoo Jin’s eyes flashed.
If this was truly Hae Cheong-yeon’s consciousness manifesting outside her body, he couldn’t afford to miss this chance.
He shouted toward her and dashed forward.
“Hold on just a little longer, young lady!”
Sunwoo Jin’s new form shot like a beam of light toward Hae Cheong-yeon.
He aimed the Crimson Lotus Sword at her heart.
If he could drive the sword into her heart, he could expel the Reverse Heaven Blood Demon and save her.
Whoosh!
But just as the sword tip neared her, Sunwoo Jin suddenly froze midair.
“!”
He was bound by an immense force, unable to move a single finger.
He recognized the sensation immediately.
Invisible Energy!
Indeed, Hae Cheong-yeon’s invisible energy had seized Sunwoo Jin’s body in midair.
Gritting his teeth, he looked at her face.
She smiled enchantingly, as if she had never been in pain, and spoke.
“Look at this, Cheong-yeon. The one who told you to trust him tries to stab your heart the moment you show a weakness. What a despicable man, isn’t he?”
At that moment, the Sword Saint Hae Un-baek, who had been watching nearby, rushed forward.
“No!”
But from Hae Cheong-yeon’s hand, a massive palm-shaped energy blast shot toward him.
It was the Blood Sect’s secret technique, Thunderous Blood Palm.
“!”
Boom!
The Sword Saint couldn’t withstand the powerful energy and was thrown backward.
Hae Cheong-yeon clicked her tongue and continued.
“Tsk, tsk. Even your own father won’t stop you from being killed. Looks like he’s abandoned you. Willing to sacrifice his daughter for a petty world. What a noble hero, huh? Tsk, tsk, pathetic.”
Seeing her speak with such pity, Sunwoo Jin realized the act she had just put on was a trap.
The Reverse Heaven Blood Demon had been pretending to be Hae Cheong-yeon to lure him and the Sword Saint into an ambush.
To be caught like this…
He had been flustered by the sudden opportunity and rushed too hastily.
He had been desperate, thinking there would only be one chance.
Damn it!
Sunwoo Jin ground his teeth.
Then Hae Cheong-yeon smiled brightly and said,
“How dare you toy with our Cheong-yeon’s heart and even try to kill her? Now, no matter how much Cheong-yeon tries to stop me, I can’t save you anymore.”
Her tone was resigned, as if it couldn’t be helped.
But her expression was one of pure delight.
She was clearly thrilled at the prospect of killing Sunwoo Jin.
Her index finger floated toward Sunwoo Jin’s head, suspended in midair.
At that moment, Muk-rang shouted urgently.
Sun Woo-jin gritted his teeth.
Maybe, just maybe, Mukrang was right—there was no turning back.
But—
Sun Woo-jin refused to choose Mukrang’s manifestation.
His instincts told him this wasn’t the end yet.
He shouted loudly toward her.
“Lady Cheong-yeon!”
At that, Hae Cheong-yeon flinched slightly.
Her eyes trembled again, just a little.
Sun Woo-jin stared straight into her eyes and shouted,
“Trust me, Lady! I will never—never—give up on you!”
In that instant, Hae Cheong-yeon’s expression twisted.
“Nonsense…”
Her face burned with anger.
She looked like she could kill Sun Woo-jin on the spot.
But despite that fierce expression, Sun Woo-jin clearly saw her finger trembling as it pointed at her own head.
Hae Cheong-yeon’s consciousness flickered like a candle about to be snuffed out inside her body.
The soul of the Yeokcheon Blood Demon was far stronger than hers, and so its presence inside her was like a raging storm.
All she could do was endure the overwhelming spiritual pressure.
Her reason shattered into fragments, her vision blurred like a broken dream.
She struggled just to remember her own existence.
Having lost control of her body, her world was always dark.
In that void, she felt unbearably lonely and terrified.
The only voice she could hear was the Yeokcheon Blood Demon’s.
“Cheong-yeon, you have no one left but me now. I’m the only one who truly cares for you. Not your father, not that Sun Woo-jin. They abandoned you. But I will never abandon you. We are one, and I cannot leave you.”
She knew that voice was a sweet poison.
No, once upon a time, it had been.
But with her reason swept away and trapped in that endless loneliness and fear, she clung to that voice more and more.
Without it, she felt she couldn’t survive.
Huddled in the pitch-black void, Hae Cheong-yeon muttered blankly,
“No… I don’t want this. I’m cold. I’m lonely. I’m scared. Father and Sun Woo-jin have abandoned me. Now, only she remains. I must become one with her…”
And so, she was slowly breaking down.
Then—
A faint voice reached her ears.
“Lady Cheong-yeon!”
Without thinking, she snapped her head up.
She didn’t remember whose voice it was.
But somehow, she wanted to keep hearing it.
Then the voice came again.
“Trust me, Lady! I will never—never—give up on you!”
Suddenly, she remembered.
“Sun Woo… Gongja?”
Yes.
It was Sun Woo-jin.
The one she had waited for so long had appeared before her.
“Ahhh!”
But the Yeokcheon Blood Demon still held control over her body.
It scolded her sharply.
“You foolish woman! Haven’t you suffered enough betrayal? When you were in danger, what did he do? Didn’t he promise a future with another woman while you were trapped? And just now, remember what he tried to do—he tried to kill you right after telling you to trust him! Are you really going to fall for him again?!”
Hae Cheong-yeon recalled those memories instantly.
It was true.
Sun Woo-jin had promised a future with Dang Yeo-eun while she was held captive by the Blood Sect, and he had even just tried to stab her in the chest.
Recalling that, she retreated further into the darkness.
She couldn’t trust him again.
The Yeokcheon Blood Demon whispered softly once more.
“Yes, that’s right. You’re wise not to be fooled by him again. Stay with me now. I will protect you forever.”
Listening to that voice, she slowly sank back into the darkness.
Everything it said seemed true.
The Yeokcheon Blood Demon smiled wickedly as it watched her soul.
If things continued like this, it would devour her soul even faster.
It was a blessing in disguise.
But then—
A voice that wasn’t Sun Woo-jin’s rang out.
A voice filled with burning passion.
“Cheong-yeon!”
At that moment, Hae Cheong-yeon’s eyes snapped open, regaining their light.
It was a voice she could never forget.
“Father?!”
She lifted her head and looked ahead.
She saw Geomseong Hae Un-baek running toward her.
Her father, whom she thought was dead.
For a brief moment, regaining control of her body, she cried out,
“Father!”
“Father!”
Hae Cheong-yeon’s sudden shout stunned both Sun Woo-jin and Hae Un-baek.
They instinctively knew—this time, it was really her.
Hae Un-baek and Sun Woo-jin called out desperately.
“Cheong-yeon!”
“Lady Cheong-yeon!”
Then—
Hae Cheong-yeon’s palm shot out toward Hae Un-baek.
Boom!
A massive, crimson hand—her Thunderclap Blood Palm—erupted suddenly.
Caught off guard, Hae Un-baek was horrified.
“Ugh!”
He hastily unleashed his protective energy.
But the giant red palm slammed down on it.
Boom!
“Gah!”
Hae Un-baek spat blood and was thrown backward.
He had taken internal damage despite blocking with his protective energy because he reacted too hastily.
Hae Cheong-yeon shouted fiercely,
“I didn’t kill you! Your father is fine! I just pushed you away because I was startled!”
The Yeokcheon Blood Demon, now anxious, was losing control.
It had thought Hae Cheong-yeon’s soul was nearly consumed, but she had suddenly revived and was thrashing wildly.
Though it had forcibly seized control of her body, this was a problem.
‘I have to deal with them somehow!’
Its gaze turned to Sun Woo-jin, still floating helplessly, bound by invisible energy.
Killing him first seemed the best option.
It shouted at Sun Woo-jin,
“I’ll kill that fool! You’re not seriously thinking of sparing the idiot who tried to kill you, are you?!”
Hae Cheong-yeon’s soul faltered for a moment.
It was true—Sun Woo-jin had tried to kill her.
The Yeokcheon Blood Demon seized the opportunity and reached out toward Sun Woo-jin.
Then—
Someone shouted.
“You hypocrite!”
Both Hae Cheong-yeon and the Yeokcheon Blood Demon instinctively turned toward the voice.
They immediately recognized who it was.
They both whispered the name simultaneously.
“Dang Yeo-eun?”
“Dang Yeo-eun?”
She was Dang Yeo-eun.
She had emerged from hiding in the forest, screaming furiously.
“Hae Cheong-yeon, you’re a hypocrite! What? You say you love him? Don’t be ridiculous! Loving someone who loves another is just jealousy, not love! Do you know why he chose me? Because even if he chose you, I would still love him! Your love is fake! Just like you!”
Hae Cheong-yeon’s expression twisted.
For once, the Yeokcheon Blood Demon and she shared the same thought.
—Annoying.
“Annoying.”
Her finger now pointed not at Sun Woo-jin, but at Dang Yeo-eun.
She wanted to kill her on the spot to silence her.
Seeing this, Dang Yeo-eun closed her eyes tightly, ready to face death.
Sun Woo-jin shouted desperately,
“No!”
At that moment—
From the shadows behind Hae Cheong-yeon, someone suddenly leapt out and tackled her.
It happened so fast it was as if space itself had been torn.
“Got you!”
Hae Cheong-yeon was stunned.
She couldn’t believe someone had managed to sneak past her senses and get behind her.
“Who the hell…!”
Bi Sa-young had decided to act the moment Sun Woo-jin was trapped by Hae Cheong-yeon’s invisible energy.
“That idiot…!”
He knew his own strength wasn’t even a fraction of that monster’s.
But he couldn’t just stand by and watch his friend in danger.
Bi Sa-young quickly sent a secret message to Dang Yeo-eun, who was watching nearby with a pale face.
“Lady Dang, when I give the signal, distract that monster’s attention just once. Only for a moment.”
Surprised by the sudden request, Dang Yeo-eun asked,
“What?”
But Bi Sa-young didn’t answer.
He had already vanished, stealthily moving outside.
Using the secret techniques and stealth skills even his master, the Sword Master of Light and Shadow, had acknowledged, he began to approach Hae Cheong-yeon’s back very slowly.
Having successfully struck the acupoint behind Hae Cheong-yeon, Bi Sa-young immediately withdrew.
Even if he hit the point, he wasn’t sure it would affect the monster.
All he wanted was to create a brief opening for his friend.
And his plan worked perfectly.
Thanks to Bi Sa-young’s strike, Hae Cheong-yeon was able to release the invisible energy binding her acupoints.
But in that brief moment, her invisible energy also loosened Sun Woo-jin’s restraints.
Freed in midair, Sun Woo-jin didn’t even wait to land before throwing the Hongyeon Sword.
With all his might, he aimed straight for Hae Cheong-yeon’s heart.
He couldn’t afford to miss this moment.
“Hah!”
Swoosh!
In an instant, the crimson sword shot forward from mere inches away, aiming to pierce the blood gate that had opened on Hae Cheong-yeon’s chest.
But that was as far as it went.
“Hmph!”
Just before the crimson sword could make contact, Hae Cheong-yeon released the blood gate.
She let out a sharp breath.
“Haah!”
A red barrier erupted from her body.
It was her defensive energy shield.
Whoooosh!
The difference was razor-thin.
She had managed to summon the shield just before the crimson sword reached her chest, and with a bright smile, she said,
“Useless…!”
But at that very moment—
The crimson sword gently pierced through her chest.
Puuuk!
“Gahk!”
Staggering in shock, her eyes widened as she gasped,
“How…?”
She couldn’t comprehend it at all.
Sun Woo-jin’s sword had pierced through her defensive shield with such ease.
For someone who hadn’t even reached the level of Hwa-gyeong, this was impossible.
Then Sun Woo-jin answered her with a fierce smile.
“Bi-jo Sword Technique. Yeokcheon Blood Demon.”
Bi-jo Sword Technique.
A legendary martial art once held by the greatest warrior in the world, obtained from Wi Jeong-guk, the former head of the Hyeongsan Sect.
Using that technique, he had finally succeeded in driving the crimson sword deep into Hae Cheong-yeon’s chest.