Chapter: 753
Shhhh-!!
Thud-!!
A strong energy swirls at the tip of a massive fist. The clumped and compressed cross-section descends rapidly and finally makes contact with the ground.
Ka-boom—! Kkwaddeuk—!!!
As the floor bursts open, shards scatter in all directions, and a wave of energy erupts simultaneously, creating a whirlwind.
An immense vortex. Inside it, the terrifying destructive force is vividly apparent.
Even so—
Thud-!
Thud-thud-!!
The shock continues to reverberate, as if it’s only just begun.
Zzzt-! Ka-boom-!!
Only after the movements continues does the sound register.
High speed, breaking the sound barrier.
The velocity showcased by the two is in that realm.
Flap-! The giant crouches down, his yellow robe fluttering as yellow energy surges from the tips of his feet.
Fierce Tiger Battle Strike!
Grrrrr—!!!
Using the recoil, he swings his fist, energy taking the shape of a tiger, and several of them charge towards the opponent.
“Grrr-!”
The old man witnesses this and hefts his blunt weapon to smash the tigers away, but the impact leaves him staggered since he can’t deflect them all.
Thud-!
The moment his body meets the energy, it shakes violently and plummets from the air.
Seeing this, the man, Hwangbo Yeolwi, quickly leaps towards the falling old man.
Whoosh-!
Energy gathers anew in his clenched fist.
Fierce Tiger Assault!
A fist embodying the tiger rains down towards the old man with lightning speed.
It’s an impossible situation to evade.
The old man grits his teeth upon witnessing this.
Whoosh-!
One hand— He brings his index and middle fingers together, performing a unique gesture.
In that very moment—
Ka-boom—!!
Hwangbo Yeolwi’s fist lands squarely, with heavy destructive force erupting in all directions.
“Hmph!”
Watching his own swung fist, Hwangbo Yeolwi furrows his brow, showing a hint of displeasure.
It’s not up to his liking.
It’s understandable.
“What are you?”
Upon hearing the voice, Hwangbo Yeolwi turns around.
There, the old man, previously struck, began to speak.
This meant he hadn’t been hit by the attack.
“What in the world are you?”
The old man glares at Hwangbo Yeolwi, incredulous.
“I am the head of the Hwangbo family…”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
From the introduction alone, that was easy to grasp, indicating that he was not looking to hear a parrot-like, redundant response.
“How can you see me?”
The old man wears an expression of disbelief.
How on earth could the author see him?
He’s brimming with questions regarding this.
As he speaks, he sweeps his chest with his hand.
Woof.
A subtle energy that others can’t perceive.
Confirming its presence deepened his doubts considerably.
‘Clearly, the spell is still intact.’
It was a spell engraved on his body for the span of seven days and nights prior to the mission.
It should’ve maintained for at least an hour, something that should’ve gone unnoticed by anyone outside the pavilion.
What on earth is that guy?
‘How come… he’s looking straight at me?’
It’s utterly incomprehensible.
Also, others share disbelief at the situation unfolding.
“Was Hwangbo Gaju really that strong…?”
“What was that blow just now?”
These questions come from those who had been spectating the battle inside.
A fight that had abruptly ignited.
It seems Hwangbo Yeolwi of the Hwangbo family, who wasn’t in the main pavilion, intervened to counter the attack.
Hwangbo’s audacity forced the other spectators to widen their eyes.
“Was the Tiger Fist truly that powerful?”
“I heard rumors about him being frail… so it was all just a hoax?”
“What frail? On the contrary, it seems he’s achieved tremendous insight over the past years.”
Everyone was aware of the destructive prowess of the Hwangbo family martial arts.
Traditionally, because of this strain, their martial artists retire earlier than average.
Thus, when they saw Hwangbo Yeolwi, who hadn’t appeared in years, many presumed he wouldn’t be any different.
“Right now that appearance….”
As if all those words were mere fabrications.
Hwangbo Yeolwi was exhibiting an unparalleled level of strength.
All the spectators recognized he was formidable.
With each of Hwangbo Yeolwi’s strikes carrying extraordinary power, he appeared far more robust than previously.
“Huh.”
Hwangbo Yeolwi takes a deep breath.
As for the question of how he managed to see the old man, he decided against responding.
He simply refined his physique for the task at hand.
Grip.
He thrusts his clenched fist forward and focuses his gaze.
His body feels light.
The surging energy was sufficient to warm him up. In stark contrast to the heavy energy, his feet felt springy.
As he extends his limbs, they stretch as they wish.
The force bursts forth, stronger than desired.
As if he were crossing an invisible barrier.
He feels as if his lost prime is returning.
How splendid it is when things that were once unachievable suddenly unfold effortlessly.
Hwangbo Yeolwi felt a bubbling anticipation to unleash his power but suppressed it with all his might.
The command he received was not to do that.
-That person… is Hwangbo Gaju?
-Why is Hwangbo Gaju suddenly…?
-Who is he facing? I can’t see…?
Sounds ripple through the air.
The audience still left within the pavilion gazes nervously at Hwangbo Yeolwi.
He spoke.
Those who are currently watching will one day become excellent speakers.
Furthermore, this will enable them to attain what they desire.
He recounted this, taking a single step forward.
Thud-!
A fleeting jump.
With the moment his body approaches the old man, the noise finally follows.
Tiger’s Lunge!
Shhhh-!!
The leg infused with energy reaches out to the old man.
The old man raises the blunt object to defend himself.
Crash–!!
The blunt object fails to absorb the full impact.
The old man’s body, having failed to defend, goes flying and bounces off the floor.
Thud-! Kkachik-!
“Ugh!”
He manages to support himself by clutching the ground.
Had he been a moment slower, the impact would have reached his internal organs.
‘This….’
The old man narrows his furrowed brow tightly.
It’s an unexpected dilemma.
The fact that Hwangbo family’s leader can see through the spell is troublesome, but it’s compounded by how he’s also a daunting foe to contend with.
‘…There’s still some time left before the spell concludes.’
He looks skyward.
The lines now far clearer than before seem on the verge of complete coherence, yet he still has a little time left to spare.
Recognizing this, the old man grits his teeth.
Can he last that long?
‘It’s a tumultuous moment. Most likely, the arrival of other major players will soon coincide with this.’
He had muddled the spell to buy enough time for the other major entities to arrive here.
So this was originally a non-issue.
‘Everything’s gone awry due to the author’s presence.’
The knowledge that Hwangbo Gaju was in Hanam was something he was already privy to, and he had all the information regarding those present.
Yet, he had no inkling that the situation would escalate to a confrontation with him in this manner.
Especially since—
‘How powerful he has become!’
He was drastically different from what he’d preempted.
At most, he was only slightly stronger than the beginners.
He had assumed such because the man must be past his prime and should be growing weaker.
‘This is….’
Facing him, it’s apparent it’s far beyond that level.
To this extent,
‘He must have been restrained and isolated in the pavilion!’
How has the head of the Hwangbo family acquired such power?
It’s a deeply perplexing matter, but now is hardly the time to get bogged down by such thoughts.
First, he should—
‘It’s best to leave this place.’
His pride was bruised since something he had prepared for ages went awry.
It’s ludicrous that a minor issue arose simply due to one person.
‘I mustn’t let a flimsy pride ruin my plans.’
The old man keeps something far more critical than his pride in mind.
Rather than entangling himself in complications, for now, prioritizing evasion is sound.
After all, he had initially planned to deliver a message and depart, making this decision the right one.
Thus, he prepares to move again while joining his fingers.
“Hmph!”
Thud-!!
“I shall not let this happen again!”
As if possessed by the desire for vengeance, Hwangbo Yeolwi charges forward, smashing the ground beneath him as he lunges.
Fast.
With that speed, he’ll be upon the old man before he even attempts a spell.
“Ugh!”
As the old man finished his assessment, he hurriedly raised his blunt weapon to defend.
[That’s enough.]
“…!”
“…!!”
Boom—!!
Whooooooooooo—!!!
Hwangbo Yeolwi’s fist comes to a halt inches away from the old man’s nose.
The gathered momentum bursts out like a gust of wind, swirling outward.
Yaarrrgh!
Caught in the whirlwind of flying debris, some onlookers shriek.
Suddenly halting, Hwangbo Yeolwi begins to sweat profusely.
What in the sam hill is happening?
It’s evidently strange.
Those inside are too preoccupied staring at the vacant air than at Hwangbo Yeolwi.
“… Something’s there… Something…!”
“Who is that? Could it be… reinforcements?”
Gazes converge toward the void’s center.
There, something materializes.
Woooooo—!!
The first sight is a blackened sphere, scorched heavily.
Beneath bizarre lines and ominous clouds, an unknown sphere hovers ominously in the distance, beneath it someone emerges, similar to the old man just moments ago.
This time, clad in black robes.
With hands clasped behind him, he propounds a stillness as his robes flutter gently, akin to the old man.
All who observe this cannot help but freeze their expressions.
“W-what the… What on Earth is that?”
It’s different.
Something is on an altogether different scale.
Thud—! Thud—!
His heart races.
An overwhelming presence fills the atmosphere.
Simply fixating on it sends chills down one’s spine, causing hair to bristle.
Soon, intuition strikes.
The reason Hwangbo Yeolwi remains frozen, fist outstretched.
Could it be that unknown existence?
Even after showcasing such impressive prowess just moments ago, for some unexplainable reason he stands rigid and unmoving.
At that very moment.
[I observed amusingly.]
Swish.
The figure floating in mid-air gently descends to the ground. As the distance narrows, the features of the individual become increasingly defined.
“… Huh!”
“He’s here…!!”
Upon recognizing the person’s identity, shocked reactions erupt from various corners.
A figure towering seemingly over eight feet tall.
Draped in a black robe with long, dark hair cascading down,
there.
A mask, cracked and mysterious.
The impression is eerily familiar, like something they’ve all heard before.
In particular, the expression on the swordsman’s face turns intense.
“… That guy….”
He bears the likeness of the mysterious entity said to have attacked the shaman in the past.
It is entirely identical.
From beyond the white mask glimmer distinct purple eyes.
The embodiment of intimidation seizes everyone’s attention as he gazes forward and continues speaking.
[That was merely a jest.]
Gugugugugugu—!!!
As his voice resonates, vibrations ripple throughout.
Whether this vibration originated initially or from his action, it remains unclear.
Phew!
All at once, black energy surges from his shoulders skyward.
The magnitude of this energy exudes an overwhelmingly vast atmosphere.
This energy sinks into the black sphere residing just above, and before long—
Whooooosh—!!
He begins crafting regions in all directions, using the black sphere as a launching point.
In mere seconds,
that brief moment passes, and an unknown darkness envelops the vicinity.
Hiii… Hiiiiiik…!
W-what’s happening?
-What’s this…!
A proclamation of unfathomable power rings out.
The black fog and energy sufficiently instill terror within the onlookers.
Those who had been shouting for help or desperately pleading to escape find their voices stifled.
The immense dread paralyzes them, rendering them unable to utter even a peep.
Thud.
The figure’s feet finally touch ground.
Right in between Hwangbo Yeolwi and the old man.
[I must apologize for interrupting the miserable festival you’ve crafted.]
The resonance of his voice is enough to make heads spin.
Swish.
The individual unfolds his arms, one hand dropping.
[Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t interfere with such matters… yet alas, an issue has arisen.]
In that instant.
“Ughhhh!”
All at once, Hwangbo Yeolwi, standing nearby, screams and gets launched backward.
And that’s not all.
Bang! Bam—!!!
The sheer force propelling his mass sends him crashing to the ground, rolling far off.
“Gah…!”
He continues to cough up blood repeatedly before
Thud—!
Ultimately he collapses, trembling a few times, before slumping over.
It appears he has lost consciousness.
“…That’s…!!”
The onlookers inside gasp in astonishment.
“W-when did he attack?”
They cannot hide the cold sweat flowing down their faces.
To them, it looked as if he merely lowered his arm behind his back, and yet Hwangbo Yeolwi went down like that!
“…I didn’t even see the moment of attack.”
“That it seemed so still… how fast was that?”
“What on earth is that author’s identity?”
Only moments ago, they were shocked by Hwangbo Gaju’s prowess.
Witnessing the tremendous skills of Hwangbo Gaju came just before they saw Hwangbo Yeolwi fall so pitifully.
Moreover, they didn’t even glimpse the moment of attack.
As a result, expressions beyond shock swell on their faces.
And then.
‘…Hmm…’
This was the masked individual.
Goyangcheon, too, shared in this sentiment.
He cast an invisible glance at the fallen Hwangbo Yeolwi and reflected.
‘…That old man.’
Why on earth?
‘…Why is he such a good actor?’
This was a sincere curiosity.
Who would’ve predicted that telling him to just feign unconsciousness would lead to such dramatic theatrics?
Thanks to him, Goyangcheon stood speechless in wide-eyed shock.
Had he not been wearing a mask, his face would have easily betrayed him.
“…S-Sect Leader…”
Nearby, Pilduma gazes at him, starry-eyed as if inspired.
He definitely doesn’t want to receive that look from a creaky old man.
Anyhow.
Goyangcheon camouflaged his bewilderment while gazing at the stage.
Every one of their expressions is unmistakably lively.
Was Hwangbo Yeolwi’s performance unexpectedly superior? The reactions were nothing short of spectacular.
Yes, that’s precisely the look Goyangcheon yearned for.
No, perhaps it surpassed his expectations.
It doesn’t matter.
Better to exceed instead of underwhelming.
Thus, Goyangcheon:
[Nice to meet you.]
He seized the moment to voice the words he longed to declare.
This is the ignition point of a meticulously prepared scheme.
[I am.]
On a day much like this in a past life.
[The heavenly demon you are destined to fear and glorify in the future.]
A curse cast by a woman who tore apart the Magic Scriptures over the Murim Alliance.
[I am the Heavenly Demon.]
It reflected the very same notion.
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