Chapter 461
Kururung-!
A large bolt of lightning strikes from the blackened clouds.
Boom! Boom boom!
The lightning was so powerful that just looking at it gave a jolt, coming down not once but several times in rapid succession.
Every time the lightning struck the ground, trees, and rocks shattered, turning the surroundings into scorched-earth chaos.
The dry and twisted trees of Sacheon were igniting from the recoil of the lightning.
Amidst such confusion, the old man continued to swing his sword.
Shhh shhh!
The sword flew through the air time after time.
Its speed was so blistering that an ordinary person wouldn’t even register its movements.
As countless strikes poured down in seconds, lightning also rained down incessantly.
Kkurung-! Kkururung-!
The thick smell of charred flesh hung in the air, a foul stench from deeply burned meat.
Even as he sensed the odor, the old man did not stop.
And so the flashes of light continued to fall without a break.
By the time the old man finally paused his swordplay, only his charred remains were left behind.
“…”
The master of thunder, the last Namgung, and the Heavenly Lord swallowed a hint of fatigue and sheathed his sword.
Since he continuously unleashed lightning in one place, it felt like the numerous stakes had diminished somewhat.
Catching his breath, the Heavenly Lord cast his gaze towards a particular spot.
There was one place that stood out particularly in the darkened world.
The ground was melting and bubbling, with the lingering aftereffects of the thunderstorm still present.
Beyond the smoke that enveloped everything, Cheonjon squinted as he glared into the haze.
As he stared intently, he felt something wriggling within the smoke.
“Tsk.”
Confirming this, the Heavenly Lord clicked his tongue and briefly swung his sword.
Phew!
The pressure of the wind rushed forth as he swung.
It was an attempt to clear the smoke.
The smoke dissipated as it was swept away by the wind created by the Heavenly Lord, revealing the hidden ground underneath.
Something was slumped over the melting, boiling ground.
He could make out flesh and a body, as black as the ground, with flames burning all over.
Still.
That blue flame hasn’t gone out just yet.
Frowning, Cheonjon gazed at “that thing,” which lay prostrate as if in unconsciousness, panting heavily.
He couldn’t help but feel disgust.
What on earth is that?
That’s bizarre.
No matter how much he looked, he couldn’t comprehend it.
Even after having its arms and legs sliced off, zapped by lightning, and enduring all forms of torment,
The body of the creature Cheonjon was observing seemed perfectly intact.
It simply regenerated as if nothing had happened.
No matter how many times he cut it, its body returned to its original state.
How is that possible?
What is its true identity?
It was too ambiguous to consider it a monster, yet it was also impossible to call it human.
He struggled to ascertain its identity, but even that effort failed.
Strange and bizarre.
That was the gaze of the Heavenly Lord fixed upon it.
How could it remain unharmed even after being struck by lightning? What a tenacious creature.
But.
Slung.
The Heavenly Lord pondered while trembling the tip of his sword.
Even if it seemed like there was no answer because it endlessly regenerated, Cheonjon realized that there was a vulnerability.
Despite withstanding all other attacks, there was a particular area that the creature was especially cautious to shield—
the neck.
Indeed, it’s the neck.
The creature attempted to protect it during the fight.
Noticing that, Cheonjon suspected the neck was probably the weak point.
Also.
The creature’s left chest had a gaping hole in it.
That was likely where the Heavenly Lord had once plunged his sword into the heart.
Yet, he couldn’t fathom why it remained like that.
Krrrrr…
A low growl erupted like a beast’s.
The Heavenly Lord altered his movements at the sound that pierced through his ears.
Here it comes.
Kaahhh!
The creature, who had been catching its breath, let out a fierce roar and charged at the Heavenly Lord once more.
Still swift.
The azure flames spewing from its back split at the tips, fanning out in multiple directions and pressuring the Heavenly Lord.
Seeing this, Cheonjon scowled.
Just observing it made one of his shoulders ache.
That flame is definitely a problem.
The wound he received from just moments ago throbbed still.
It wasn’t just a twinge of pain.
Right after being struck on the shoulder, his arm had gone numb, refusing to move.
Even when attempting to break free or utilize it, it felt as stiff as stone.
It won’t budge.
What in the world is going on here?
Phew!
A flame brushed past Cheonjon.
Although it only skimmed him lightly, he instantly felt his body grow heavy.
Feeling that, he clicked his tongue.
So annoying.
It shouldn’t even be possible to be grazed by such an attack in the first place.
Something’s definitely wrong with that flame.
Huh.
Feeling the ache in his shoulder, he grimaced.
This seemed to be the most significant issue at hand.
Drop…
Blood oozed from his shoulder, dripping down to his fingertips.
He attempted to staunch the bleeding using a stake but found it ineffective.
“This bastard.”
Kiiying.
He raised his magnificent sword, boosting his fighting spirit.
It felt truly pitiful to be struggling against a creature like that.
What would Wi Hyogun have said if he had seen it? It would be obvious that he’d mock him.
What would that damn guy have said if he had been witnessing this?
Would he have looked at him with disdain?
Thunk thunk.
Kiiying-!
The sword of the Heavenly Lord echoed incessantly.
“Krrr-!”
With a growl, the offensive continued.
The creature didn’t seem to show any signs of fatigue, relentlessly advancing.
Crack!
It was too harsh a noise to merely be the clashing of their blades.
The Heavenly Lord repelled the creature’s attack. It took a slight step back. Seizing the moment, he swung his sword.
Slash!
“Kyaaah!”
The creature screamed as its wrist was severed.
It grasped the hilt anew, just as Cheonjon was about to slash into its chest.
Fwoosh-
“…!”
Flames were visibly gathering in the creature’s open mouth.
Upon seeing this, the Heavenly Lord moved swiftly. As he repositioned and opened the distance…
Kaahhhhhh-!
The flames emitted from the creature’s maw engulfed the very spot Cheonjon had just vacated.
The intense heat was overwhelming.
Well, this is something.
Cheonjon’s lips curled up in a wry smile as he witnessed the heat flooding the air.
He was certain of one thing.
That’s a monster. This couldn’t happen without it being a monster.
“Is it a monster masquerading as a human?”
When Cheonjon had first faced the red monster, it hadn’t been this difficult at all.
He could simply pour everything he had into it; this creature was far more formidable.
Based on its ceaseless regeneration and overwhelming firepower, it was nearly impossible to consider it human.
Wouldn’t it be more accurate to view it as a new type or class of monster?
A legendary monster of the highest rank.
If such a creature were to appear, would it not feel like this? Cheonjon mused to himself.
If not for that, he shouldn’t be struggling like this.
It absolutely had to be that way.
“Aaaarrrgh!”
The roar echoed through the air.
Cheonjon slashed downward with his sword at an angle.
Kururung-
Heavenly lightning descended, binding the creature’s feet.
“Kreeaaaaah!”
Struck by the bolt, its body pruned to a crisp and it let out a terrified cry.
In response, Cheonjon scrutinized the creature and nodded briefly.
This was sufficient.
Whoosh.
As he adjusted his grip, the energy for the next spell began to shift.
And then.
A sharp sword materialized in his mind.
No, it wasn’t sharp. It had become dull and worn from excessive use.
For now, this would do just fine.
Even if his movements were slow and the stakes had somewhat dwindled,
Cheonjon didn’t consider the possibility of defeat even for a moment.
He was simply trying to understand the creature that still eluded him.
“Kyaaaah!”
As the creature thrashed under the lightning, it bellowed loudly.
The blade of the Heavenly Lord and the creature’s body aligned perfectly straight. This wasn’t just any strike within a realm of bets;
It was purely a manifestation of enlightenment as a swordsman.
A sword embodying the wisdom of an old man, a genius of the ages who had devoted his entire life to swordsmanship.
At best, it was clear that a creature disguised as a mere human would be no match for it.
“I’m done playing around.”
The realization that he had faltered even once stung sharply, yet Cheonjon momentarily set that thought aside.
Now was not the time to confront the creature before him.
His final blood relative, lying alone beneath the tree with closed eyes.
The old man still had business that needed tending to.
“Raaawr!”
With unwavering focus, Cheonjon aimed his sword at the throat of the incessantly screaming creature.
Closing his eyes invited a wave of profound darkness. In that darkness, the Heavenly Lord sought out a single ray of light.
There it was—a beam of light, albeit blurred by magic, but undeniably present.
This is the point only visible when my eyes are closed.
Cheonjon greatly lowered his sword towards it.
Then, his arms started trembling ever so slightly.
It was particularly so because the power was based solely on the mirror of his heart.
Boom-
At that moment, the clouds in the sky cleaved apart, and light burst forth.
Heaven opened up.
The light flying through the open sky resembled a translucent sword.
A blade that appeared somewhat worn and rusted over time.
Just gazing at it filled one with awe.
Gradually, the light began to descend towards the creature.
If it struck the ground in such a way, it could obliterate not just the neck but the entire surrounding area.
The Heavenly Lord was intentionally targeting that very outcome.
He considered the possibility that the neck might not be its weak point and pondered a method to erase its regenerative ability in one swift blow.
Immediately following the martial art incantation, the Heavenly Lord slowly opened his eyes.
Taking a breath, he watched the descending light above.
“It’s over.”
He felt a solid certainty.
Utilizing the ultimate secret art of the mind sword honed through peak enlightenment.
To date, Cheonjon had only seen two beings withstand this power.
One was the Sword Saint,
And the other was the Heavenly Demon.
Unless it were those two, there was no way anyone could endure this power.
Like that.
Kuuwung-
The slowly descending light landed squarely on the spot the Heavenly Lord had been aiming for.
Kaahhhhhh—!!
A tremendous sound erupted and smoke surged high into the sky.
Shattered debris flew left and right. The shockwaves uprooted the dry trees, tilting them precariously.
The sheer force was astounding.
Gazing at the spilling energy, Cheonjon turned away.
It was over. If he’d been struck by such potent energy, he would never have held his ground.
He needed to find traces, so he would have to head that way later,
But Cheonjon prioritized eliminating the Demon Sword Master above all else.
To kill that child and restore peace,
That was the permission he had received.
Yes, permission.
Cheonjon had been granted it.
The go-ahead to enter Sichuan, to slay the youth, and to defeat the Demon Sword Master…
Stomp.
As he moved to walk, Cheonjon suddenly halted.
He felt a disorienting sensation swirl within his head.
‘…from whom?’
Who did he receive permission from for such things? Who, on earth, granted him that authority?
He felt like he ought to remember something, but nothing came.
“Ugh…!”
The Heavenly Lord clutched his forehead and sighed. There was a nagging sense he had forgotten something, yet his mind went blank.
It felt as if someone had intentionally snatched away a part of his memory.
“…What the… is this?”
As the Heavenly Lord struggled to articulate his anguish about his ideals,
Swish.
“…!”
Feeling an unintentional surge of energy, Cheonjon turned around in shock. The old man’s face was etched with horror.
‘What…?’
Why did he feel energy here?
That area was where the Heart Sword’s secret technique had already fallen. There shouldn’t have been traces of any living spirit.
Vroom-
The Heavenly Lord tightly grasped his sword once more.
It wasn’t an illusion.
The energy was still palpable.
‘You endured that?’
Could it have possibly withstood that force? That seemed unfathomable.
If it had survived even this, it would be more accurate to call it immortal.
As the Heavenly Lord glared into the distance,
Fwoosh fwoosh.
He felt that earlier flame once again.
Fwoosh-!
Blue flames erupted afresh in the background.
Cheonjon steeled himself against the developing situation.
It seemed that truthfully, it had not worked at all.
‘This is really troublesome.’
If it continued down this path, he would have to burn it away with all his might. As he collected his strength and resolved himself to do so,
“…life is.”
“…?”
“Truly fucking ridiculous.”
An unexpected expletive burst forth from the inferno.
“What a mess. You even helped me find a place to take a dump. Now, you’re telling me to clean it up too? This is why they say one should not deal with black-haired beasts…”
“…”
With the somewhat salty tone, Cheonjon furrowed his brow.
What in the world was happening?
With confusion bubbling up, he focused on the source of the voice.
Thud.
Something was advancing slowly towards him.
It was that same figure from earlier.
So it truly was still alive? Then did that mean this voice belonged to it?
Its appearance was not drastically different from before.
It was still cloaked in something dark, resembling a shadowy form.
The only notable difference was that the gaping hole in its chest was now closed.
The flames no longer engulfed it completely.
Watching the creature approach with a languid gait, Cheonjon asked,
“…What on earth are you?”
What could it possibly be to present itself in such a strange manner?
He uttered the inquiry with curiosity.
The creature, hearing his question, shot the Heavenly Lord a sideways glance and remarked,
“Such a shameless brat, just like that guy.”
“…?”
It began spouting incomprehensible remarks.
Whether the Heavenly Lord grasped the meaning or not,
Inyoung merely kept talking away, a grin plastered across its face.
“Two of a kind breed bad luck.”
Fwoosh. The flames swirled around it.
Could it be an illusion?
For some reason, the spreading embers resembled flower petals.
“It must taste good.”
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