Chapter 545: Sword Demon.
The leader of the Cheonma Sect’s combat unit, the Ghost Sword Corps.
Age: somewhere between 20 and 40.
I don’t know exactly. I never asked.
Before becoming a mine, he was a Saphain known for indiscriminately killing everyone he encountered.
He had a reputation for his brutal fighting style, as if he took pleasure in slaughter.
Just hearing about his method of torturing and killing subdued opponents is enough to make your teeth chatter.
At that time, the nickname that spread throughout the Central Plains was probably…
‘Sword of Killing Demons.’
It couldn’t be a more fitting nickname.
In fact, the nickname “Sword Demon” looks quite classy in comparison.
Given how crazy he was, it makes sense that he would eventually become a mine.
The Demonic Cult, which was preparing for war, would have been a place where the Sword Demon could freely express his instincts.
Afterward, as he became a mine, it’s said he was granted the power of the Fighting Ghost by the Cheonma.
“Was it something that allowed him to perceive his opponent’s movements more accurately?”
He was able to read the flow of the bet and grasp clear movements.
In some sense, this appears similar to the realm of qi perception, but I think it was described as even more intuitive.
“I’m not sure exactly.”
I’ve never used it myself, so I wouldn’t know what the feeling is like.
Immediately after taking charge of the Ghost Sword Corps, he was a figure leading the frontlines in battles.
Compared to the Demon Sword Master at that time, he was a crazy dude in a different sense.
“He particularly hated the Demon Sword Master.”
The reason seemed to be that he couldn’t secure the position of Captain of the Black Flame Corps.
Whether that was the real reason or not, it’s true that every time he saw the Demon Sword Master, he rushed at him as if ready to kill.
Rather than the Black Flame Corps, which doesn’t really move, the Ghost Sword Corps, where assignments mainly involve slaughter, would have suited him better.
I have no idea why the Sword Demon coveted that position.
“If you’re going to do it, you should have coveted the position of the Great Lord.”
If he had aimed for my spot like the Green King, that would have been better. The Sword Demon didn’t genuinely seem interested in the position of Great Lord.
He fought tooth and nail with the Demon Sword Master for the position until the bitter end, yet the Demon Sword Master never lost his place.
He later met his end in the war, cut down by a divine sword.
To summarize the Sword Demon in brief…
A psychopath obsessed with slaughter.
That one line should suffice.
Thud—!
A presence is sensed along with debris pouring down from the wall.
I nodded as I observed.
I swung with the intention of stunning him, but judging by his movements, it seemed I didn’t inflict much damage.
“I let it slip a bit during that time.”
I recalled as I felt the sensation in my hand.
He seemed not to have noticed, but he instinctively evaded my attack.
Is he the master who would later be called the Sword Demon?
After waiting a moment, the bastard revealed himself.
The blood trickling from his rosy cheeks and lips stood out starkly against his pale skin.
He gripped a sword in one hand and stared at me with dull, yellow eyes.
I met his gaze and nodded.
“That’s right.”
Yellow irises. Those pupils signify only one thing.
‘Heavenly Killer Star.’
A fate born to kill from birth to the moment of death.
They said those people had eyes just like that.
“This is my first time seeing it too.”
By the time I encountered the Sword Demon, he had already transformed into a mine, which meant his eyes were tinted purple.
Moreover, since the Heavenly Killer Star is apparent at birth, it’s rare, and its lifespan isn’t particularly long.
“If they find you, they’ll make sure to kill you.”
How could one possibly let someone destined to be a murderer live?
It’s a wonder that this guy has survived to this age in these circumstances.
“I’m not dying now, so I guess I had to tough it out to become the Sword Demon.”
Thinking this way didn’t seem too bad.
Finding him now at this age wasn’t so bad.
“You… what are you?”
He asked. Looking into his eyes, I sensed he was half out of his mind.
I feel like I’ve heard that question a lot these past two days.
I smiled and replied, “The third son of the Gu Clan, here to catch you.”
“…”
Huff!
“Oh.”
Perhaps my words offended him, as a tremendous amount of murderous intent began to emanate from his body.
It was an intensely vicious aura, as if he were trying to show off that he was a Killer Star.
The energy was so thick it materialized and bore down on all sides.
“That’s amazing.”
I regarded the guy with a look of curiosity.
Because I had an inkling of the power he had wielded in his past life.
“What was he fighting about? Was this what he was utilizing?”
The energy of the Heavenly Killer Star condensed and enveloped the sword.
Conversely, it seems he also used it as a substitute for powerful protection, to safeguard his body.
I thought it was merely a part of martial arts—could it be an innate power instead?
As I observed with interest, the guy’s lips parted.
“… Don’t… disturb.”
I chuckled at that and said, “You little brat? I was the one who got interrupted while eating, so why are you throwing a fit?”
The yellow of his eyes darkened with time.
While Wi Seol-ah’s golden eyes are said to grow brighter, that eye was rather deepening in shade.
Simultaneously, his energy began to intensify.
Soon, it started causing damage to the surroundings.
“Eek…!”
I heard a sound and glanced to the side.
The guests had already fled in fear, but the innkeeper seemed paralyzed with fear.
Looking at him, I said, “Mister.”
“Yes… Yes?”
The man jumped, startled when I called him out of nowhere.
He seemed terrified.
Noticing this, I pulled something from my robe and tossed it to him.
“Whoa…!?”
His eyes widened as he caught the item.
“That should be enough for you to fix things later.”
I nonchalantly grabbed some coins from my pocket and tossed them.
Compared to the value, even if the establishment crumbled, it wouldn’t be a problem rebuilding it.
Additionally…
“If you’re not busy, could you pack me some dumplings?”
The cost of packing the dumplings was included as well.
“Yes, yes!”
The man, who had looked as if he’d lost everything just moments ago, darted into the kitchen, clutching what was in his hands.
Looks like he really intends to wrap up some dumplings.
‘… Isn’t evacuating the priority right now?’
I wondered if that was even feasible in this situation.
“Oh, so what?”
To be honest, it didn’t really matter.
Not particularly.
“I doubt there would be any damage.”
I mulled this over as I turned my head.
Swish—!
The tip of a sword grazed just in front of my nose.
If I hadn’t moved, I would have been cut.
“Hmm.”
That was fast.
No hesitation at all.
Swish—!
As expected, he began swinging his sword continuously, indicating that this wasn’t going to end with just one swing.
He was relentless.
A desire to cut through me filled the air.
His speed was so rapid that it left afterimages in the air.
Life force was radiating from his body while his swordsmanship remained impeccably clean.
All his targeting was on vital points.
‘The realm is… a bit ambiguous, huh?’
I could sense his peak had been easily surpassed. Just looking at the intensity and speed of his energy made that clear.
The reason I’m judging it as ambiguous is…
‘It feels like it’s in between.’
It felt like he was teetering somewhere between complete mastery and a little more flowery.
After dodging the sword again, I surged forward slightly.
He kept swinging as if he wouldn’t back down.
I slipped my hand out through the endless blades.
Thud—!
“…!”
The palm of my hand found its way to the Sword Demon’s chest.
The impact sent him staggering backward.
Gack…
His breath hitched; he coughed, struggling with the air.
While the physical pain might be minor, the disruption of his energy will have significant repercussions.
‘Wow.’
As I watched him, I couldn’t help but admire his resilience internally.
Even while saying he was teetering on the line, that alone was quite impressive.
Considering the age of the Sword Demon now, it was a remarkable feat.
I’m not sure exactly how old he is, but he’s definitely from a later generation.
And so I pondered…
‘Why hasn’t this guy been known until now?’
Seeing it firsthand only exacerbated my curiosity.
There was a reason I had come to Guangdong at this time.
That meant I knew he would start engaging right around now.
This implies that someone of this caliber has only just begun to take action.
It’s very, very late in the game.
As a Killer Star, if he had been hiding out, that would make sense.
Then it became even stranger.
‘I doubt he endured it all alone.’
It seemed there must have been someone behind him to help him gain strength and survive.
Without that, there’s no way he could have made it this far as a Heavenly Star.
Of course…
‘Whatever it is.’
This situation was a boon for me.
‘Because it’s just the right time.’
Now was the moment to begin gradually stepping into action.
Right now was the prime opportunity.
To catch the fellow who would later become the Sword Demon.
“I’ll kill him…! I’ll kill him!”
Perhaps because I wasn’t hitting him and was only getting in hits, his expression grew increasingly twisted.
Simultaneously, his murderous intent intensified.
Thud—!
He lunged toward me rapidly, brimming with pressure.
His murderous intent coalesced into the sword.
While it looked extremely threatening…
Whack—!
“Ugh…”
If it doesn’t connect, it’s all in vain anyway.
I slashed down and struck him in the face.
The blow sent him staggering.
‘Nothing more to see here.’
Dragging it out for too long seemed pointless.
Maybe it’s time to wrap things up.
I nodded, thinking as much.
‘I’ve already wasted too much time on this.’
I spent two whole days just trying to capture him.
In the end, I’m relieved to have taken him, but that was definitely thanks to good fortune.
With that in mind, I had to finish quickly and handle the next matter.
I took a step forward.
Seeing this, he moved as if in sync with me.
Even though it was just a light hit, it must have hurt quite a bit, and madness filled his eyes.
I liked that.
‘It still means he’s a bad person.’
Someone I could easily turn into a mine.
I liked those types of guys.
That’d make them easier to use.
I immediately raised my game.
‘It’ll be a hassle if he goes wild later, so let’s just break one of his arms or legs.’
With that intention, I began to move.
But he started crossing his sword as well.
A blade intertwined with sharpness and murderous energy.
An intrusive swordpath hunting only vital points.
I planned to avoid it well enough and start with his leg…
“Hmm?”
Just as I was about to continue my movements, something caught my eye.
This guy was attacking with a relentless flurry.
While evading with my footwork, I noticed something bizarre.
SWISH—!
The tip of the sword swung in a half-moon arc.
Thud—!
I softly landed on my toes as if balancing it out.
Because it was so filled with life force, parts I hadn’t noticed before now stood out vividly.
‘What is that?’
That movement.
It was distracting.
Shifting my footwork, I lunged forward.
Swish—! The sword grazed my cheek. I felt the blood trickling.
Perhaps because I had charged in unexpectedly, confusion registered in his eyes.
Without pausing, he lashed out with his sword once more.
Thwack—!
“…!!”
I gripped the blade of the sword he swung, pinning it with my thumb and forefinger.
Like that.
I delivered a powerful strike to his jaw.
Thwack—!
“Crack…!”
It landed right.
As a testament, he shrieked and dropped to his knees.
Thud.
I didn’t bother offering my support.
He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d fall apart from something like this.
Besides, it wasn’t exactly a time to fret over such matters.
I glanced at the fallen Sword Demon, pondering,
“What the heck is this kid?”
A sword engulfed in life force.
Dull yellow eyes proving the nature of a killer star.
And a presence laden with madness.
I’m certain this is the Sword Demon I know.
What the hell happened?
“Is he using a martial school’s sword?”
Not just any school but one of the prestigious ones in the old guard.
A renowned school dubbed the Guardian of the Blue Sea.
‘Kunlun Sect.’
His swordsmanship unmistakably bore traces from that place.
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