78 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Episode 78 The face of the Water Dragon Stronghold’s leader twisted in displeasure. The appearance of someone who so blatantly looked like an intruder disturbed his peace. "Who are you?" Cheon Hui glanced at the one who addressed him. The middle-aged man, with an unruly beard akin to a chestnut burr, unmistakably had the look that screamed ‘I am a bandit.’ "Who else? I'm the enemy. Can’t you tell by looking?" "You insolent..." As Cheon Hui’s dismissive response, implying how pathetic the situation was, hung in the air, the veins on the stronghold leader’s forehead began to throb. “Leader, what is going on?” The low voice of the ship guard leader underscored the tension. “Didn’t I just tell you not to worry about the situation outside?” In response to the implicit rebuke, the corners of the stronghold leader’s eyes twitched slightly. Though his face was obscured by a deathly-masked hat, it felt like his expression was somehow visible. “Deal with this quickly.” The stronghold leader abruptly stood up, grabbing a large sword neatly positioned at the back. Thunk! As he accustomed himself to the weight of the hefty sword, he pointed its end towards Cheon Hui. “I don’t know how you managed to get in here……” His muttering suddenly ceased. This room was the core of the Water Dragon Stronghold, its deepest chamber. To reach it, one had to pass through areas guarded by subordinates. Yet, for someone to have infiltrated this far... ‘...!’ A realization struck him. He hastily strained his ears to listen. Until just moments ago, there had been clamor, but when it had ceased, even a single breath was now inaudible. If even one intruder had been dealt with, someone should have come to report it. There was no report, only a stranger who burst through the door. ‘These intruders aren’t ordinary!’ The stronghold leader’s expression hardened. “Who are you with? The Heroic Guards? Or another band?” “From over there.” Cheon Hui smirked, gesturing with a thumb to the shattered door behind him. It was an overt display of mockery. The stronghold leader bit his lip hard. “Looks like you don’t intend to answer.” “Not stupid, are we?” As the words trailed off. Hooooong— Before anyone realized, the stronghold leader swung his large sword to cleave Cheon Hui in two. “I'll get the answer from... someone else.” But just as he anticipated Cheon Hui would collapse in a blood-splattered heap, the stronghold leader's body stiffened. The bifurcated form of Cheon Hui blurred and then vanished entirely. ‘An illusionary technique?!’ In that instant. “...Gasp!” Sensing an eerie presence behind him, the stronghold leader instinctively swung his sword in desperation. Clang! Sparks flew. Failing to fully absorb the impact, the stronghold leader staggered backward, retreating. ‘He’s a formidable fighter!’ Cold sweat trickled down his spine. He hadn’t even glimpsed the swift strike—a fortunate defense but no more than that. ‘Fighting alone will be the death of me.’ Realizing the nature of his opponent, he sent an urgent telepathic message to the ship guard leader. 『I need your help.』 『Oh? My help, you say?』 Even in this dire moment, the ship guard leader's reply was teasingly glib, prompting urgency in the stronghold leader’s tone. 『If the Water Dragon Stronghold falls, it’ll trouble you as much as us, no?』 After a brief silence. 『I suppose there’s no choice.』 A firm telepathic response came. As the ship guard leader cast aside his death-masked hat—thud—his unexpectedly warm features revealed themselves as his eyes sharpened. “Let’s combine our forces.” Hearing this suggestion, the stronghold leader frowned but nodded in assent. “Have you finished your discussion?” Standing apart from them, Cheon Hui raised the sword on his shoulder in a steady grip. ‘They were exchanging messages, so they’re going to work together now.’ Already aware of their telepathic exchange, Cheon Hui remained composed. “...Such confidence.” The ship guard leader’s gaze darkened. Indeed, the quick strike Cheon Hui had just exhibited was shockingly fast and fierce, but— “Leader.” As he softly called the stronghold leader. Tap! Both lunged at Cheon Hui simultaneously from either side. Watching the pair charge in unison, Cheon Hui grinned. Infusing his sword with qi, he moved it slowly, carving out a sharp trajectory. It was the dazzling technique embedded in the corner of the Valley Pavilion—Flash Thunder Sword Strike. Startled by the hard-to-track quick strike, the stronghold leader twisted his large sword in alarm. Swish! The keenly swung sword slashed towards the advancing stronghold leader. Crash! The large sword bent acutely as if about to break. “Ugh!” Dark, viscous blood poured from the stronghold leader’s mouth, staining his clothing. “Now!” As his blood-stained shout rang out, the ship guard leader appeared at Cheon Hui’s back. Exploiting a gap that had formed amid their skirmish, he spread his palm wide. Aimed directly at Cheon Hui’s unguarded back of the head! ‘This can’t be dodged!’ The ship guard leader was confident. The ultimate skill of the ship guard, the Green Radiant Palm! This technique, coveted by all assassins, was on the verge of engulfing Cheon Hui in an instant. Smooth— Cheon Hui leaned his head backward. “Too late.” Seeing his indifferent gaze, the ship guard leader felt chills run down his spine. But he quickly shook it off, resolute. “Die.” Crack! A sound of flesh tearing exploded. Simultaneously, a pitch-black silhouette hurtled past the stronghold leader, slamming into the wall. Bang! “This... this can’t be.” With a stunned expression, the stronghold leader watched Cheon Hui send the ship guard leader flying. “Your tenacity is impressive.” Cheon Hui appeared as tranquil as ever, as if nothing unusual had happened. The stronghold leader bit his upper lip hard. At this rate, he'd face a futile death. ‘Should I... unveil that technique?’ Pondering whether to reveal the secret technique he'd hidden, he gritted his teeth. Recalling the martial art he’d once acquired by sheer luck, he summoned a chilling murderous intent. A peerless technique, stronger than any martial art in the world. Yet it was so potent it had to be concealed, as revealing it could turn into infamy. ‘If that pesky ship guard found out, I’d be overwhelmed, but this is just one!’ Having made up his mind, the stronghold leader imbued his gripped large sword with concealed energy. The sword emitted an eerie groan. Smooth— It slowly turned a shadowy black like approaching darkness. “What?” Cheon Hui narrowed his brow at the ominous energy emanating from the stronghold leader’s sword. “Demonic energy?” The energy infused into the sword, the patterns traced. It was overwhelmingly familiar. 'Maryongdo Technique...?' In a moment of realization, the eyes of the Water Dragon Stronghold’s leader glazed over. The demonic energy, once contained within the great sword, was unleashed, exuding an immense presence. As the energy gradually spread and began to consolidate into one force, the leader spoke with a chilling resolve. "Having witnessed this, you must die." From the sword emerged a black dragon. "Are you insane? Using dark arts against me?" Cheon Hui gazed at the encroaching black dragon with a look of disbelief. He had once stood at the summit of demonic arts himself. To think someone would dare use the Maryongdo Technique, typically learned in the lesser demonic houses, against him? And in such a crude and inadequate manner? He couldn’t even muster a laugh. "This will end you!" With unwavering confidence, the stronghold leader swung his sword. The black dragon, born of the sword, tore through the space in a bid to swallow Cheon Hui. Skkk! In response, a brilliant flash of sword light erupted from Cheon Hui’s hand. The black dragon was cleaved in two. "H-How could a demonic blade be..." The stronghold leader could only stare blankly at Cheon Hui who had effortlessly bisected the black dragon. Clang! His great sword shattered into two pieces. It was the last scene he would ever witness. Slice— A crimson line appeared slowly from his forehead down to his groin. His body soon followed, dividing cleanly in half. "Why is the Maryongdo Technique here in Zhongyuan?" Cheon Hui glanced down at the fallen body of the stronghold leader, lightly stroking his chin. The Maryongdo Technique was one of the demonic arts exclusive to the Jeon (戦) family, one of the Maryongga. 'That pugnacious family would never disclose their demonic arts to outsiders.' Recalling the particular nature of the Jeon family. "Gah!" A sudden sound of someone coughing up blood broke his thoughts. "Oh right, you're still alive?" Cheon Hui swiftly turned his attention. The ship guard leader, who had been knocked into the wall and briefly lost consciousness, was clutching his aching head as he regained his senses. "W-Was I counterattacked?" "Smart of you." As he muttered to himself, a shadow came over the ship guard leader. He looked up. There stood a young man, and just behind him, the dismembered corpse of the stronghold leader lay scattered in pieces. 'If things continue like this, I’m going to die.' His throat bobbed nervously. 'Perhaps... I could turn him to our side...' Thinking rapidly, he began to speak to Cheon Hui, who watched him from above. "Judging by your skills, you seem to be from the unorthodox sect..." The ship guard leader began, attempting to sway Cheon Hui to their cause. "How about it? How about joining us—" But just as he extended his hand to offer an alliance. Skkk! Cheon Hui effortlessly swung his sword, severing the leader's neck. "I can’t stand too much chatter." Looking down at the dismembered head on the ground, Cheon Hui flicked his sword to rid it of the clinging blood. Their words had not penetrated his ears in the slightest. For Cheon Hui’s objective was singular—the destruction of the Water Dragon Stronghold. Having sheathed his sword, Cheon Hui surveyed the surroundings, satisfied, and turned his back. "With this done, shall I head back?"