Hongryeon, who had turned the tide simply by appearing, easily grasped the gigantic greatsword that was as tall as herself.
– Creak…
There was no chance to relax.
Even though she had landed a surprise blow, the enemy was still not completely down.
The fallen cultist slowly began to rise.
The alluring and elegant demeanor she had before was nowhere to be found. Her hair was a tangled mess, her body covered in dust.
But more shockingly, her face was twisted like that of a ghastly demon.
“Ha. Haha.”
Stumbling as she got up, she looked as if she might fall from a single hit, yet I, Sayoon, Yoohee, and even Hongryeon could sense it.
The dark magic radiating from her had grown significantly stronger.
“Ptui.”
Something burst out from her muttering mouth. Dark red blood. Had she sustained internal injuries from the surprise attack?
If only that were true…
“You will die today.”
That voice was more menacing than any demon’s.
“…To explode the demonic blood.”
Demonic blood, a technique where demons unleash stored magic to amplify their power when facing their sworn enemies.
With that unleashed, that woman would not remain unharmed.
Had she wanted to kill Hongryeon that much?
– Boom!!
A deafening explosion erupted. The solidified dark magic exploded, creating fire.
It was a black, grotesque, and dangerous flame.
“…Yoohee, Sayoon. Protect the innkeeper and the village chief.”
It seemed Hongryeon also knew what that flame was.
Fire Tiger, one of the fire demons frequently used by the Demon Cult.
The black tiger, manifesting as flickering black flames, began to glare at us with sinister eyes.
– Growl….!!
With a low growl, flames surged forth.
I watched, then turned to Yoohee.
“Can you fight?”
“Of course…!”
Gritting her teeth, Yoohee eased her tension. Sayoon, standing beside her, was the same.
While trying to maintain composure and watching the Fire Tiger, a rough shout cut through the air.
“Die!!”
With that frenzied shout, the cultist moved.
– Clang!!
The magic-imbued iron bars clashed with the greatsword. Amidst the metallic sounds, as the waves of combat affected us, the Fire Tiger roared, and Yoohee and Sayoon jumped into action.
– Roaaar!!
Whoosh. The magic contained in the roar spread flames everywhere. Arriving near the Fire Tiger with a graceful dodge to avoid the flames, Yoohee thrust her sword without hesitation.
Blood Wind.
The red blade shimmered as it shot up from below, slicing through the fiery body created by the Fire Tiger. Yet, that alone was not enough to take the beast down.
“Ugh!!”
It seemed Sayoon realized that too. Yoohee’s attack was merely to create an opening. Without hesitation, Sayoon reached out toward the revealed black body through the extinguished flames.
– Puff!!
With the sound of skin tearing, the Fire Tiger staggered back. Yet, the malice and murderous intent in its eyes showed no sign of fading.
If anything, it only seemed to revel further, swinging its front paw wrapped in black flames.
In the story Heavenly Bright Moon, this was referred to mockingly as a “cat paw punch,” but in reality, it looked far too violent to be called something so cute.
To evade that strike, Sayoon began to pull back.
No, that’s not how you evade it.
“Block it!!”
That attack would create an explosion and shockwave upon impact with the ground; evading would only catch you in the aftermath. Thus, blocking before the explosion was the best course of action.
– Boom!!
Perhaps having heard my shout, Sayoon swiftly raised her sword. Although she managed to block before the attack completed, I could see her knees buckle slightly under the weight of the paw pressing down.
Red blood trickled down her face. Nonetheless, her eyes remained fixated on the enemy.
Crimson blood trickled down her lips. Nevertheless, her eyes did not stray from the enemy.
“Waist!!”
Big attacks invite openings.
Hwa-ho’s move was a significant attack creating a downtime, inevitably leaving a gap at the side. Yoohee wasn’t so clumsy as to miss that opportunity.
She was also a disciple of Hongseongmun, after all.
-Swish!!
The strike that could tear the leather was too much for Hwa-ho to ignore; it growled and retreated from Sayoon.
“Thank you!”
Sayoon shouted as she casually shook off Hwa-ho’s attack.
“Anytime.”
Did the failure to attack and receiving a hit make Hwa-ho cautious? Unfortunately, Hwa-ho’s vigilance wasn’t great news for us.
“Sayoon! Yoohee! Just hold on a bit longer!!”
“Yes!!”
The fight between Hongryeon and the demon of magic bursting with demonic energy continued.
Like a master, Hongryeon adeptly deflected lightning-fast attacks with the gentle movement of her massive sword, though it seemed she still hadn’t created a chance to counterattack.
In battles of experts, a single opening could determine victory or defeat.
Let alone, the magic demon was unleashing rapid-fire strikes, leaving the opponent gasping for breath.
If she wasn’t a master like Hongryeon, she would have already been at a disadvantage against those attacks.
Yet, fitting the title of the chief disciple of Hongseongmun, she calmly deflected the attacks while forcing her enemy to create an opening for herself.
As she continued to fend off the onslaught, Hongryeon bit her lip slightly.
The anxiety that Sayoon and Yoohee might be harmed by Hwa-ho, and that I and the village chief could die, loomed over her.
She wanted to push back the magic demon and rush over here at any moment, but the demon’s offensive was relentless.
Perhaps, the magic demon summoned Hwa-ho with that very intent in mind.
“Ahahaha!! Wanna try?! Huh?! Huh?! I’ll split that back of yours open!”
…That seemed about right.
To shake off the demon, a massive attack was necessary, and the demon was leading us to just that.
So, there was only one thing we had to do here.
We needed to capture Hwa-ho and make Hongryeon focus on the enemy in front of her.
-Roar!!
The roar jolted my senses awake. As the black flames erupted violently from Hwa-ho’s body, Sayoon and Yoohee leaped towards Hwa-ho without hesitation.
*
From the blood wind came the gale, the celestial island moving along with it.
The latter part of the sword technique of Hongseong Divine Art intertwined with its earlier counterpart, dazzlingly unfolding in Yoohee’s hands.
The moment Hwa-ho’s flames vanished, Sayoon reached out.
“Earth-shattering blast.”
Hwa-ho, struck by the blow that could shatter stars, was sent flying.
Yet.
-Grrrr…
Not yet.
Though it seemed she’d taken quite a beating, Hwa-ho still seemed able to fight back.
Reacting to that fighting spirit and the enemy’s malice, the inner energy of the Hongseong Divine Art surged from her energy center. Flowing through her blood vessels, excitement soared.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
This is power.
-Roar!!!
Sayoon tightened her grip on the sword. The feel of the sword’s handle sticking to her palm felt just right.
“Ugh!!”
Hwa-ho’s body darting like an arrow collided with Yoohee’s. As Yoohee was sent flying back, screaming in pain, the ominous presence on Sayoon’s body whispered sweetly.
– You harmed your precious one.
So.
– Are you going to just sit still?
Yeah.
Looks like I have to.
I can’t just sit around.
With a dazed expression, as if entranced, Sayoon slid towards Hwa-ho.
“Divine Flow.”
Like the movement of stars traversing the heavens, Sayoon approached Hwa-ho, and Hwa-ho couldn’t block it.
-BAM!!
What emerged was not a palm but a fist.
Rough.
There were no doctrines or intentions.
Only a brutal and furious strike driven by rage.
The inner energy at her center was rapidly depleting, but Sayoon didn’t care about that.
More.
Must destroy more.
Sayoon’s gaze intensified. With that, the sound of her strikes against Hwa-ho’s body grew stronger.
It was pushing her back.
Continuously being forced back.
As if startled by Sayoon’s sudden change, Hwa-ho lifted her front paw high and struck down with all her might.
The tiger raised its front paw high and struck down with all its might.
-KWAANG!!
With a deafening boom, flames surged upwards. However, piercing through those flames was the first strike.
The powerful force that could even split the fire dealt a heavy blow to Hwaho, causing him to kneel.
Yeah. This is it. This is it. Destruction and violence.
This is truly my top priority.
…Is it really?
From beyond a sweet, sticky voice came a heavy phrase.
Amidst the cold darkness, warmth began to shine down on Sayoon, who had lost her way.
-Are you eating well?
Yeah, just those words.
-Call me Mister.
But that was such a warm, comforting phrase that she couldn’t help but lean into it.
The kind and gentle words she had received awakened Sayoon’s spirit, which had been wandering in darkness, swept away by the tremendous force of despair.
-Grrr…
As Hwaho got back up, flames glinted in his eyes.
Yet Sayoon had no choice but to look away.
What filled her vision was Hongryeon, fighting the demon cultivators.
Yoohee, who had been hit by Hwaho’s attack.
And.
Yu Wol, looking on with a worried expression.
Seeing that, the darkness faded, and the path became clearer.
Why am I standing here?
-For the fight, right?
No.
It was to protect.
The Hongseong Clan’s divine art, Hongseong Divine Art, is destructive and powerful martial arts.
It was a fierce force that destroys everything in response to emotions, but it was also a divine purpose to protect, even at the cost of burning oneself.
But what am I doing right now?
Am I trying to protect, following the spirit of Hongseong?
Or am I simply seeking destruction, lost in my anger?
-Go there and become stronger.
A strange but pleasant voice woke her up.
-Kyunwonmangji (看到月亮忘记手指). You must see clearly where you should go.
Beyond that voice, a roar erupted. Even when Hwaho taunted her to ignite her despair, Sayoon was not swept away.
She simply clenched her fist lightly, unlike before.
Yeah. The path I must take is not one of destruction.
The words offered by starlight watered the dry earth, and the teaching of Hongseong—that she would protect the world even if it meant burning herself—became a solid pillar.
Amidst the bursting flames, Sayoon clenched her fist lightly.
And then she turned back slightly.
I must become a star of calamity.
But, that star must be a red star of Hongseong meant to protect.
And.
It must also be a divine star that protects those who are powerless and watching from behind.
That is why Sayoon stretched out her fist.
But it was not the indiscriminate rage from before.
-POOOORRKK!!
Hwaho, struck with a single blow, staggered.
Chasing after him was the fist of starlight.
Strike, strike.
Not with malice but with the star-like force of protection that freely adorned the night sky, the strikes flowed like water.
The movement of her martial energy, which had been awkward until now, felt so natural.
This is the movement of stars, and this is the true essence of Hongseong.
Enveloped in the feeling that she could fly, Sayoon swung her fist, and Hwaho’s flames began to gradually fade.
*
Uh… Isn’t that a bit dangerous?
From the moment Yoohee fell after being struck by Hwaho’s attack, Sayoon’s movements changed.
Destruction. The intent of Hongseong vanished from that fist, leading only to a crude path of devastation.
As she forcefully pierced through Hwaho’s flames, her body began to be stained red from those flames.
I knew that sight.
Entering demonic madness.
It’s the process of losing one’s reason and becoming a demon under the sway of martial arts.
Damn it. Why now?!
Maybe Yoohee sensed it too, as her face turned pale, and Hongryeon, who fought the demon cultivators, gritted her teeth.
I must stop this. If I can’t, Sayoon will be lost…
…Huh?
“…Huh?”
Not just me, but Yoohee was just as flustered.
The strikes that had been solely focused on destruction suddenly began to shift.
“That, that’s it!”
Meteor Strike.
Seong-gwon.
Currently, Sayoon was deeply troubled by the technique unfolding before her.
The inescapable and unstoppable starlight technique was pressuring Hwaho.
Yoohee, watching it in a daze, burst into laughter.
“Ahaha! Our little one! You’re amazing!!”
Right? Incredible.
She gained an epiphany in this fight? And that just slipped out of her mouth?
This is why I adore Sayoon!!
“Alright!! I’m going!!”
Shaking off the shock from earlier, Yoohee stood up and charged at Hwaho. What unfolded was the Meteor Fist.
Two meteors spiraled and engulfed Hwaho.
-Peerrkk!!
When the movements of the meteors ended, Hwaho ultimately hung his head.
Seeing that massive body turn to flames and disappear, the two collapsed onto the ground.
“Heh… Heh…”
“Huuh…”
The Meteor Fist is also a technique found in the latter half of the Hongryeon Divine Art.
The internal energy required to use it is no small amount.
Plus, Sayoon had just shot out a technique recklessly, while Yoohee was still bearing the effects of her previous hit.
They deserved praise just for capturing Hwaho like that.
-Krhuuuhng!!!
And then it happened. Hwaho’s final scream erupted.
Before his body completely turned to flames and vanished, Hwaho opened his mouth.
Inside that grotesque mouth was a black fireball.
As it targeted me, Sayoon and Yoohee scrambled with all their might to reach me.
They seemed determined to block it with their bodies.
Would I just let that happen?!
“Dodge, dodge…!!”
It was heartbreaking, but I had to ignore that advice.
I pulled both Sayoon and Yoohee towards me. As expected, due to lack of internal energy and exhaustion? Both were helplessly pushed back.
In the meantime, the fireball was closing in right before my nose.
Then, there was one thing I had to remember.
The Yi Hwan Jeong Hyung.
Gentleness can change the force of a river.
Even if that gentleness has only a tiny fraction of power.
I reached out my right hand, symbolizing Yang (阳), toward the fireball that rapidly approached me.
-Cheek!!
The flames licked my clothes, but I wasn’t afraid.
The mighty fire, wanting to burn everything, tried to scorch my right hand too, but fire cannot burn fire.
Of course, if it were a magma ball, that would be a different story altogether!
As that naval officer once said, magma and fire have a complete hierarchical relationship!
“Hup!!”
Holding the vague, linear flame, I moved my right hand.
Using my left foot as a pivot, I resisted its flow and redirected it with just a thread of power.
-Whoosh!!
As Yang (阳) met Yang (阳), the flames intensified.
But there was no need to fear. Just before it extinguishes, the flame is indeed stronger but also more unstable.
Maintaining my axis, I spun once more, and that alone made the unstable flames feel like they were about to split.
If so.
I pushed my left hand, symbolizing Yin (阴), right into the flames.
Yin and Yang meeting brings harmony and creates tranquility.
The drawing is the Taiji.
The harmony drawn with my right and left hand transformed the destructive flame into Taiji, causing it to peacefully vanish.
“Ha.”
I thought I might be able to holding back the technique when I trained with Chaejin, who shot her energy at me gently.
Wow, this actually works.
Chaejin is truly a master of Taiji Quan.
Even though she can’t count properly, she taught it well!!
The black flames and soot drew the Taiji symbol on the ground.
Standing in the center and confirming Hwaho’s demise, I opened my mouth wide and stared wide-eyed at the two girls looking at me, grinning.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”
I shook off the lingering flames from my clothes.
Tsk.
Chaejin would throw a fit if she knew.
That I couldn’t even block a mere fireball properly.
….Could it be, I’m not getting extra training time again, right?
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