857 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Cheon An, the Heavenly Golden Sect Leader, was knocked to the ground after a strike to his knee. Intending to follow up with another blow, Gu Yangcheon clenched his fist but hesitated. "Tsk." As he prepared for the onslaught, he instinctively withdrew, narrowly avoiding a blade that whizzed past his face. Even in the midst of being struck, Cheon An retaliated. ‘Stubborn one.’ Despite the blows he received, Cheon An counterattacked, showcasing remarkable endurance. ‘Seems like I'll need to tear off an arm.’ But would he regenerate from that? Probably not, but if there was a chance, completely dismembering him was the way to go. Yet, the incoming attacks were intensifying. ‘This is unexpected.’ Even though he continued to inflict damage, Cheon An refused to fall, prompting Gu Yangcheon to ponder. Was it sheer willpower? Or was his body slowly adapting to the assaults? Or perhaps... ‘Am I wearing myself out?’ Gu Yangcheon became aware of the fatigue creeping into his body. The overuse of energy to force his swollen blood points was taking a toll, accelerating his exhaustion. ‘Hmm.’ Things weren't looking good. He wasn’t built for prolonged battles. ‘Subduing him will be difficult.’ Had he been able to use flame techniques, it might have been different, but right now, that wasn't an option. The goal was simple—kill him by any means necessary. [Grraaa.] Cheon An began exerting force. His movements grew increasingly intense, revealing his determination to endure at any cost. Gu Yangcheon could see his opponent was pushing himself. He took a moment to adjust his breathing. ‘He’s waiting for reinforcements.’ It seemed Cheon An was anticipating backup. Surely, in this vast underground arena, there were more enemies. ‘I've dealt with everyone in sight...’ There had to be more. It was an inevitability. What if reinforcements arrived right now? ‘That would be rather dangerous.’ Objectively speaking, that was true. Namgung Bia needed rest, and although Wi Seol-ah’s presence was helpful, the battle would lean towards the unfavorable. Yet, despite knowing this, Gu Yangcheon wasn’t particularly worried. ‘Reinforcements? Let them try to come.’ If someone could arrive, so be it. His plan was already in motion. For now, he needed to focus solely on the fight before him. “Haaa—” He inhaled deeply, twisting his waist. Thudd-! Energy surged from his heart throughout his body. Pain furrowed his brow. With a fierce blow, he lunged at Cheon An. Though Cheon An hurriedly raised both hands to block. Boom--- The impact exploded against Cheon An’s hands, sending him skidding backward. [Grraa—!!] Cheon An barely absorbed the shock through his feet, stopping just in time. Gu Yangcheon tilted his head in confusion. ‘What was that?’ The impact felt weaker than expected. Although he had infused it properly, the shock was less than anticipated. His fatigue was undeniable, but it didn’t account for this difference. ‘Could it be…?’ Perhaps it was just his energy that was the problem? Instead of dark energy, perhaps it was his internal energy. When he had executed Tu Apa Cheon Mu, he had momentarily lessened his dark energy. Could that be the issue? ‘Hmm.’ It wasn’t certain. He needed to test it further. He braced himself against the ground, preparing to dive at Cheon An... Tsk-! ‘Hmm?’ But now, the ground was the issue. ‘What is this?’ The terrain was unexpectedly firm. He had expected it to shatter, but it stood unyielding. This time it was different from before. Thankfully, his movements weren't disrupted, but it was distracting. As he approached, Cheon An brandished his sword. Gu Yangcheon ducked, dodging the blade. He drove his fist into Cheon An's abdomen. [Urk!] This strike landed perfectly. Cheon An’s body lifted from the ground. Yet... Swish-!!! Once more, Cheon An counterattacked. Strands of Gu Yangcheon’s hair were sliced off, drifting away. ‘Is that so?’ Finally, Gu Yangcheon was sure. This was... ‘Could it be my internal energy?’ Looks like the problem was indeed his internal energy. He promptly reinforced his dark energy. Targeting Cheon An’s left shoulder, he threw a powerful punch. [Urgh!] This time was different. Cheon An's expression of pain, and the feeling of the impact, were completely distinct. As he predicted. ‘Dark energy works, but internal energy is less effective.’ Not entirely ineffective, but significantly diminished. ‘And…’ Crash. He stomped the ground. Unlike before, this time it shattered. ‘So this space is affected too?’ Though he didn’t understand the underlying mechanism, internal energy seemed to be the issue. ‘Tsk.’ What a troublesome setting. Still, knowing was half the battle. Gu Yangcheon immediately dissolved all his internal energy, replacing it with dark energy. The hand-to-hand combat resumed. Although it was called combat, the situation remained the same. It was pure violence. Bang! Dodging streams of sword strikes, he exploited openings, driving his fists home. Whenever Cheon An attempted to create distance, Gu Yangcheon pursued and struck him. Whenever there was a counterattack, he deflected and struck again. Destruction. He increased the force to demolish Cheon An's entire body. Bang-! Bang bang-! Bang-!! The sound resembled heavy machinery than fists. Such was its power and ferocity. ‘Darn it.’ Despite unleashing a volley of attacks, Gu Yangcheon’s expression wasn’t exactly happy. Truthfully, it was taxing. ‘He’s starting to match my speed.’ No matter how severe the assault, Cheon An's recovery was swift. Unable to deploy anything beyond basic attacks, it was inevitable. Ideally, he needed to intensify his offensives, but without the flame techniques, only Tu Apa Cheon Mu was available. ‘But it's not enough.’ Dark energy could be mixed into any martial arts, so it was feasible if he tried, but... Tu Apa Cheon Mu alone was insufficient. It was a technique with fierce backlash that might not withstand the strain on his blood core. Ultimately, his only option was to endure and keep attacking. […Hehe...] Suddenly, laughter echoed from up ahead. With hands still in motion, Gu Yangcheon asked, “What's so funny? Looking to die?” [I couldn’t help it, it’s amusing.] Schink-! The sword moved. Gu Yangcheon quickly pulled back his head. The blade grazed past, just barely. [So something was off after all... Now I understand.] Gu Yangcheon leapt back, creating significant distance between them. [You're exhausted, aren't you?] "..." Without a word, Gu Yangcheon quietly caught his breath following Cheon An's observation. [Your punches grow weaker. Though they still strike like thunder, not as fiercely as the comet-like power you wielded earlier.] Ah, so it was noticed. Gu Yangcheon let out a small, regretful chuckle. [Also, considering you're not using your signature flame techniques, there must be an issue.] The old man's intuition was sharp. Gu Yangcheon loosened his shoulders as his lips curled in contemplation. Yes, perhaps it was time for that realization. [As expected... the heavens are on my side.] "Old man, keep talking nonsense, and it won't end well for you." He hid his strained breathing. How much inner energy did he have left? Approximately two out of ten, it seemed. Was it because his main technique was tied up? He had expended a lot of unnecessary energy. It was indeed a troublesome situation. Despite knowing this, Gu Yangcheon didn't let it show. "So what? What are you planning to do about it?" He couldn't unleash flames. Cheon An's body seemed to be growing stronger; in a drawn-out battle, he might even be overpowered. But. So what? “That doesn’t mean you will win.” [Are you resorting to struggling fruitlessly? You and those women shouldn’t have come here at all.] "Shut it." His breath was steadied. The issue was, in the time he took to stabilize his breathing, that old man probably recovered more. If only he could replenish his energy somehow... Gu Yangcheon kept thinking even as he spoke. "I can tell you're up to something, but I've let it slide long enough." [Ha.] Cheon An let out a hollow laugh. [You knew about it already?] "Well, maybe not everything. But I could sense a foul stench coming from you. The stench of something drenched in desires." [Do not insult me…!] Cheon An exploded in anger. [How dare someone who knows nothing speak so boldly...! Everything is for the heavens.] "Funny, that seems to be what idiots who join strange cults say." For the heavens? What do they even know about what those great ones want? It was incomprehensible, indeed. ‘Judging by that body, it’s no trivial matter.’ The Cheon An now was entirely different from the start. Whatever method brought him to this state, Gu Yangcheon couldn’t afford to ignore it. Despite Gu Yangcheon’s response, Cheon An’s lips only spoke words of fury. [You do not know. Of the paradise we dream of. Or the treasures prepared for it.] “Of course, I wouldn’t know….” Just as he was about to dismiss and ignore the talk, “Paradise?” Gu Yangcheon caught a peculiar word from Cheon An’s mouth. ‘Paradise?’ Paradise. A word that sounded lovely to hear, but in Gu Yangcheon’s mind, it was a thorny one. It overlapped with something the Blood Demon had once said. ‘Didn't that guy also say something about dreaming of paradise?’ Was it merely a coincidence? It didn’t feel like just that. [The elders will be here soon. That will spell your end. They will not let you escape.] Seeing hope, Cheon An regained his bravado. Gu Yangcheon gazed at him and asked. “…That ridiculous body of yours. Was it all thanks to the so-called grand heavens?” He had casually thrown the question to probe, and Cheon An took the bait immediately. [Ha…. Even seeing the greatness of the Yeoui-joo, you say that. Have you not realized reality yet?] ‘Yeoui-joo?’ Jewel of yeoui (如意珠)? Gu Yangcheon knitted his brows at Cheon An’s words. He felt like he might know something. He reached into his pocket and showed something to Cheon An. [What are you… huh?] The object he displayed was none other than a pearl. About the size of a small marble, it was a pure white orb. Cheon An’s eyes widened at the sight of the item Gu Yangcheon revealed. [How did you… acquire that?] “Is this Yeoui-joo you spoke of?” Perhaps he had acquired it after killing the massive old man when he first arrived here. As he generously displayed it, flames of anger flared up in Cheon An’s eyes. [You--! Didn’t I ask where you got that from!] Consumed by rage, Cheon An charged at Gu Yangcheon, looking quite terrifying with madness. “Hmm….” Yet even in such a situation, Gu Yangcheon calmly stared at the pearl. For now, there was nothing to detect. ‘Consuming it...is a bit risky, right?’ Though it seemed to match what he mentioned, it was unknown what exactly it was. Consuming such a dangerous item was a gamble. He decided to put it away and resolve the fight first. As he concluded his thoughts: [Stop it!] Cheon An yelled urgently, seemingly having seen something. “What do you mean stop—gulp...?” His throat acted on its own accord, leaving Gu Yangcheon momentarily frozen. “What?” He glanced at his hand, puzzled. The pearl he was holding was gone. He touched his chest. And realized. “…This is insane.” He could feel something entering. He had swallowed the pearl. Not of his own volition. In the midst of surprising circumstances, Gu Yangcheon found himself dumbfounded. Thud-! With a heartbeat, a transformation began. hwawol72 2024.10.21 17:35 Report Ugh, there are just too many loose ends... Please, let it make sense! 1 Yeonwoo 2024.10.28 07:40 Report He eats everything he can find except for poop. 0 Only logged-in users can post comments. 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