Chapter: 899
The flower petals are fluttering.
The petals gently flow through the air, and a burst of plum blossom fragrance rises to my nose.
It’s fragrant and also leisurely.
I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to describe the scent as leisurely, but at least that’s what I felt.
Under the moonlight, the clearly blooming petals gradually increase in number.
The petals drifting lazily in the breeze were indeed beautiful; however…
‘… the wind isn’t blowing.’
Surprisingly, the wind wasn’t blowing at all.
My gaze is transfixed. I’m looking at the owner of this plum tree with astonished eyes.
‘How?’
How on earth?
Seriously, why?
‘… That old man?’
Is that fellow actually here?
No, that’s one thing, but what’s more important is…
‘Why… why can’t I see him?’
Why can’t I see what’s right in front of me? That was even more ridiculous to me.
I see a presence. There’s something that shouldn’t be visible, yet it is.
That’s why I’m just staring blankly at the old man’s face.
“Tsk tsk.”
The old man simply looked at me and clicked his tongue.
“You ugly brat. You’ve really gotten uglier since we last met.”
“…”
I grimaced at the familiar abuse.
I glanced at the old man’s distinctive white robes and the plum blossom embroidery on his chest and said,
“Oh, dear.”
An old man with white hair and beard, whose sharp eyes make it hard to gauge how he looked when he was younger.
Oh dear.
The hero of the Central Plains, Shin Cheol, the Volcanic Sword.
He was right before my eyes.
At my call, the old man in fluttering robes slowly descends from the sky.
I wondered how he was floating, only to notice plum leaves at his feet.
It seems he was perched upon that tiny leaf.
Shin Noya calmly lands on the ground.
At that moment, petals burst forth from beneath Noya’s feet.
Hwaaaaah—!!!
The wind I felt made my hair flutter. I could tell that this wind pressure was purely made of energy.
In terms of intensity, it felt like a gentle breeze.
Yet in that very wind, the leaves that formerly swayed in the stillness began to move even more brilliantly.
For a moment, my gaze was captivated by the flower petals.
They were beautiful enough to distract me even in this situation.
But then, after regaining focus, I turned to Noya and asked,
“Noya… how?”
[Stranger.]
Just as I was about to inquire, a brat who introduced himself as the leader cut me off.
[How dare you interfere with a sacred act?]
Noya turned his gaze towards the leader’s words.
“Who told you to be so noisy and keep a light-sleeping old man from sleeping?”
[That is the master’s order.]
“That must be so. That’s why you, lazybones, decided to come out on this lovely night. Oh, wait, is it not?”
Noya added with a sly smile.
“Are you out at night because you are so terrified?”
[…]
Puhuhuhuhuhuh!
The guy exhaled a fierce flame from his nostrils. It seemed he was offended by Noya’s remarks.
[Stranger. You must have made a promise with your master, right?]
Thunk!!
He slammed the axe he was holding into the ground. Immediately, a massive cloud of dust erupted.
[A promise not to interfere with what he does.]
Despite the frightening response, Noya didn’t even blink.
“Right. That’s true.”
He merely unbound his hands from behind his back with a casual air.
“But did you not add my words back then?”
[Backwards words?]
“Yeah, the extra words.”
Hwaaaaaah—.
The plum leaves that floated amidst the dust were bustling about.
“I won’t interfere either. Just don’t mess with me unnecessarily. I stated that clearly, didn’t I?”
[…I cannot understand.]
The leader’s small eyes narrowed.
[Stranger. We have never touched you.]
“No. You’ve meddled with me. Look.”
Swoosh-!
“…!”
Suddenly, I felt a sensation on my arm.
The spirit bound to my left arm was released and flew towards Noya.
As it swooped through the air, the blue-toned Guijeong shifted gradually to a shade of pink.
That was the color Guijeong originally possessed.
The flying spirit went into Noya’s hand, coalescing into a sword shape.
As soon as Noya grasped the sword in hand, he pointed its tip at the leader.
“Even if you aim your sword at me, it won’t hurt, right?”
[…]
“Do you believe this appears to be a breach of promise?”
The leader’s breath quickened as he stared at the tip of Guijeong’s sword with mounting irritation.
[I cannot fathom.]
Thud.
An axe that had been embedded in the dirt was then pulled free.
Simultaneously, the leader’s bulging muscles trembled violently once more.
[But I understand, Stranger.]
“Speak your words.”
[You are now blocking the master’s will. Hence, you shall be eliminated.]
“Hmm.”
In response to that,
“Just.”
Noya snickered.
“What are you, a mere thing?”
[Kuhuhuh-!]
The leader lunged toward him.
*
BAM-! KWAHAAN-!!
KI-KI-KI-KI-KI-!!
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the unfolding battle.
The axe and sword clashed, sending sparks flying.
This was just residue from their friction. Amidst that, the pressures collided, sending shockwaves bursting forth repeatedly.
The axe cleaved through the sky again.
Kuuuuung—!!! As it struck the ground, the earth tore apart, cracks radiating outwards.
It was destructive enough to make flesh tremble just by witnessing it.
Not even using all his strength, the leader promptly pulled out the axe and began to strike rapidly.
‘That guy is completely insane.’
The might is no joke.
If each and every strike connected, it would surely be perilous.
Amidst the onslaught, I thought I could hold on under some power, but if three blows were surpassed, I’d be unable to withstand its ferocity.
That merely shows how primitive and extraordinary his strength genuinely is…
“Hmm.”
Noya’s expression while facing the axe revealed no trace of fatigue.
Clang-! Clang clang-!!
He swung the axe upward with his own guijong.
A blast of wind erupted as the axe was propelled skyward.
I opened my eyes wide upon witnessing that spectacle.
You’re saying you can get a rebound with that much force directed downward? That’s impossible strength.
[Cough!]
The leader attempted to strike down again with force.
Swoosh—!!
[Gulp!!]
Shin Noya slashed the leader’s chest with his sword.
Blood sprayed out, scattering into the sky.
It wasn’t merely a superficial cut. It was a deep incision that threatened to cleave the leader’s body in half.
Tsk tsk!
“Ha.”
The body on the verge of separation reattached itself.
The moment I exhaled in disbelief at that grotesque form…
[Kuhuhhh…!! Inooooohhh!!]
The leader seemed even angrier, starting to put power into his axe.
Hwarrrr-!
Then, the axe became engulfed in blazing flames.
It was immense power. I could tell immediately how concentrated the flames were inside.
Phew—!!
The air around began to be slowly sucked into the axe.
[All is according to the master’s will.]
Kyaaaaahhhh…!!!
With the leader’s words, the nearby beasts bared their fangs.
Are they looking to charge at Noya? For some reason, they’ve been quite calm until now.
I also summoned my strength, my expression twisting.
I couldn’t simply stand by.
Then, at that moment.
“Don’t interfere.”
Noya said to me in a voice laced with amusement.
“It’s been ages since an old man had even a little fun. How rude.”
“…What?”
“Hey, you. Just stay put and let this old man show off a little. What would happen if you lack understanding? Tsk tsk.”
“…”
What sort of nonsense is this?
What type of statement is that in this situation? With a completely baffled look, I gazed at Noya’s back.
“Fully Bloom.”
The mountain man murmured softly.
Saahhh…
The plum leaves that lingered began to move.
That was when.
In an instant, a hellscape unfolded on what had merely been beautiful petals.
Shhiiiiii—!!!
The plum blossoms filling the sky swirled about as though summoned by a storm.
The real issue is…
[Kyaaaaah!!]
[Krrrrr—!!]
Shhhuuuuaaa—!!
So many leaves poured down, targeting the monsters.
Those monsters began to be shredded by the penetrating leaves.
When I dealt with it using salt, it vanquished them without a trace, but not so with the flower petals.
Each leaf appeared to be a blade, tearing apart the monsters.
Blood splattered, and pieces of bones and flesh filled the ground.
It hardly took more than a few seconds for the breath of the monsters, who had been screeching in hostility, to vanish.
Fields — not just fields — became stained with blood.
If there exists a clean spot, it’s where the leader and Noya currently stand.
And only the area I and the Heavenly Dragon occupy.
Everywhere else is saturated with the blood of beasts. Seeing this made me swallow dryly.
Given that everything was soaked in blood while a few spots remained clean, it implied that this was all carefully controlled.
That even in the midst of controlling such volume? I couldn’t fathom that.
‘No matter how difficult it is to control the salt, …’
The process of compressing and rotating, only to then turn again.
Even I acknowledge that committing mass murder in such a way would be quite a task.
‘Splitting and controlling such tiny energies, is that not madness?’
Petals formed from energy.
To think he applied that tiny little energy in such a manner, was completely beyond my limited imagination.
This… was what created a carnage.
“It’s finally quiet now.”
Noya nodded, evidently satisfied with the tranquility he’d conjured.
[Kuhuhuh—!!! Huh!!]
The leader, having lost his troops in an instant, erupted in rage.
Swollen muscles made veins bulge, and with his flame-wreathed axe, he again lunged at Noya.
“Are you alright? The night will soon come to a close.”
[…!]
Noya’s words froze the leader for a moment.
‘Night?’
Prompted by those words, I lifted my head to gaze at the sky.
Definitely, it felt like the world had grown a touch brighter since before.
“When the sun rises, you won’t even have a chance to flaunt your talents in front of me. Even then, do you wish to continue?”
[Krrrr… Krrrrrrrr…]
What could this mean? I sensed the leader hesitating slightly at Noya’s words.
‘What’s at stake with the dawn?’
Seemed like there’d be trouble once the sun was up.
“Beast of the Full Moon. I respect you respecting your master. I think it’s also vital to know one’s position… What do you think?”
[…]
Though it seemed he intended to let Shin Noya go,
[You are the one who doesn’t know your position, you Stranger.]
The leader dissipated his hesitation, seizing his axe once more.
[The master commanded me to eliminate the ugly dragon and return. I will only follow his orders. In that regard, the day and night are inconsequential.]
“Hmm.”
[I’ll slay you and the dragon. That is all.]
“Is that so?”
[Die-!]
The leader swung his axe.
Flames ignited, and it charged directly towards Noya.
Yet…
‘Why…’
Why is that old fellow just staying still?
If this continues, Noya might get hurt. In that moment, I thought of launching myself towards him.
[…Khuhm!]
Clash-!
In an instant, the axe halted right before Shin Noya.
The abrupt stop unleashed the energy and heat amassed within the axe in all directions.
WHAM—!!!
The extreme heat forced me to cringe.
Had it gone a fraction further, Noya’s head would surely have split!
Why on earth did the attack come to a halt? As I pondered,
[…Kuhhhhh…]
The leader stepped back and pulled back the axe he held.
Seeing this, Noya couldn’t help but smirk.
“It looks like you received a call summoning you back home.”
[…]
The leader didn’t respond, but by not denying it, it seemed Noya’s assertion was accurate.
“Don’t worry. I won’t keep you here; you may leave peacefully.”
[Krrrr…]
He let out a low growl of sarcasm, but that was the end of it.
The leader turned away, addressing Noya.
[Stranger. You’re fortunate. Be grateful for the mercy given to you by your master.]
“Well then, sincerely thank your master for me.”
[…Krrrrr…]
The leader casually swung his axe, cleaving through the air.
CHHHEEE—!!!
Just like before, a magic gate opened in the place where the axe split.
He stepped through it.
Instantly, the magic gate began to close slowly.
Before it shut entirely, the leader glanced back at me.
[Dragon, you’ll meet your end next time.]
He addressed me squarely, and my brows furrowed.
“What on earth are you saying? I’ll roast you whole. Scram, you livestock brat.”
[…I-!]
The leader attempted to retort to my insult, but the magic gate had already closed, vanishing in an instant.
Suddenly calmed, it was Noya who first reacted.
“Hehe. Your tongue remains as foul as ever.”
Noya regards me and exhales in exasperation.
He then loosened the guijong he held, swirling it around before tossing it to me.
Thud-! Automatically, I caught the guijong with my hand.
The seized ghost began to entwine around my palm again, as if it had been eagerly awaiting my grip.
By the time, its color had returned to blue.
“It’s not bad after such a long time. It felt refreshing.”
Noya spoke with a hint of longing.
I bit my lip, staring at him.
What should I ask first?
There lies a mountain of inquiries to voice. Should I start off with, “Why are you here?” or “Where is this place?”
Or perhaps I should inquire how he stands there in solid form.
Should I be asking broadly what in the world happened?
All sorts of questions danced in my mind, yet the very first words that slipped from my mouth were…
“Why didn’t you do anything?”
It pertained to the battle only moments earlier.
“Eh?”
Noya looked at me, puzzled.
“Just now. Why didn’t you do anything? It clearly looked dangerous.”
“Do nothing? Who?”
“What? That’s you, Noya…”
“Ah, tsk tsk.”
Noya clicked his tongue vigorously at my question.
A clear expression of disappointment crossed his face.
“Dear brat. How is it you still possess such poor eyesight even as the days pass?”
As he spoke, Noya pointed toward the sky.
Gazing at the hand, my eyes instinctively rose upward.
“What in the world, huh…!”
As I laid my eyes on the sky, my body froze.
Only then could I see it.
Three colossal swords piercing through the clouds and stars.
Swords exuding an overwhelming aura. They were all mind swords made of pure essence.
Distant yet awe-inspiring.
My heart raced simply due to their presence.
These were on an entirely different level from the heart techniques I used or those of lesser practitioners.
I felt there was something higher, more sublime.
“Was it dangerous?”
With Noya’s voice, I turned my gaze back to him.
Shin Noya wore a continuous smile.
That smile resembled…
“Who?”
It was almost akin to the laughter of an old man delighting in a child’s antics.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.