266 - Murim Login

Chapter 266 "You've broken the shell, I see." A clear voice echoed through the air. While Cheongpung imagined the sunlight and blue skies of Yeonhwabong, the Blood Lord felt a heart-stopping shock, as if his heart had plummeted. He hadn't sensed anything until he was barely twenty feet away. And it wasn't just anyone—the fact that he hadn't sensed it himself was even more shocking. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the person walking up the path. 'That man is...' Slender build, amiable appearance. A young man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties at most. The sword haphazardly tucked into his belt, lacking a proper scabbard, was entirely reddened with rust. A dry voice slipped from the Blood Lord's lips. "Sangseung Sword?" The young man, Jongri Chu, smiled faintly. "I've always been worried." "What?" "If an innocent child who knows no fear steps into the martial world, I wondered about the great waves he would face." "What nonsense is this..." The Blood Lord, intending to continue his speech, suddenly realized something. From the beginning, all of Jongri Chu's words and actions were directed at one person. "But now, it's good. You've truly endured well." A warm gaze and voice. A faint smile formed on Cheongpung’s lips, who was struggling to breathe heavily. The Blood Lord, who observed this, let out an ironic laugh. "Look at this..." This was quite an understatement, treating him as though he were a nobody. He, who was feared and revered by many even within Cheon’s inner circle. The blatant disregard from these upstart pups made him clench his fists involuntarily. Crack "Ugh!" With the sound of bones popping, bloody saliva forced its way from Cheongpung’s lips. Just as Cheongpung, emitting a pained groan, collapsed into unconsciousness, Jongri Chu’s quiet voice resonated in the Blood Lord's ears. "Stop now." Seeing the smile vanish from Jongri Chu’s face somewhat soothed his mood. The Blood Lord grinned broadly and spoke up. "Seems like you've finally noticed me." "I’ve been aware from the start. Though it seems I lost track while chasing your receding silhouette.” The Blood Lord, listening silently, furrowed his brow. "Was it you? That fearless punk who interfered with me." "You were a step too late. Such a pity." As Jongri Chu answered calmly, the Blood Lord slowly scanned him up and down. 'The Sangseung Sword Jongri Chu. So, this is that man?' His intervention came at the moment the Blood Lord was about to cut off the breath of Law King Gwangdo. Due to the rapidly approaching presence, he had no choice but to retreat without finishing the job. 'From what I felt back then, his aura surpassed even that of the Ten Kings.' Yet, even someone like the Blood Lord would be doomed if entangled within the Martial Alliance's confines. Although he had retreated, leaving the dying Gwangdo behind, Jongri Chu had pursued him for quite some time. 'I almost got caught.' Fortunately, the martial arts the Blood Lord practiced were well beyond the conventional. That this mysterious master was Jongri Chu was something the Blood Lord viewed with skeptical eyes. "To have chased me all the way here, that's quite fleet-footed." "Not quite as fast as you, though. You use a body technique I've never even heard of." The Blood Lord's eyes narrowed. His opponent was a mere youth. Yet he seemed familiar with Cheongpung and possessed an unbelievable level of martial prowess. "What is your relation to the Martial God?" Jongri Chu scratched his smooth chin out of habit. "The Martial God... I learned a few things from him." "His disciple?" "Even an infant has things to teach. In life, everyone we cross paths with is both a teacher and a student." "Enough of that nonsensical philosophical talk before I decide to break that neck of yours." But instead of a reply, Jongri Chu only offered a calm gaze. Looking into his eyes felt like being pulled into a deep whirlpool or gazing at a tranquil lake on a windless day. 'What is this feeling?' It was peculiar. Just by meeting his gaze, he found it hard to gather strength in his hands. On the contrary, it felt as if his energy was slipping away, as though something invisible was gripping his wrist and refusing to let go. 'This feeling is almost...' Suddenly struck by a following thought, the Blood Lord clenched his teeth. No. It's impossible. To think of 'him' when looking at some petty disciple of the righteous path. 'There's no way. I just need to cut him down in one blow and be done with it.' He forcefully gathered his resolve. Yet within his heart, an inexplicable unease was taking root. Could he truly defeat this man? Could he leave this place? The Blood Lord slowly licked his dry lips. "You... What exactly are you?" The information network spread across the world's corners by Amcheon was broad and tightly knit. Yet, they couldn't uncover even a single detail about Jongri Chu. A mysterious figure without any known face or origin, Jongri Chu tilted his head slightly. "Is that so important?" "What?" "If a few words could have made you stop, I would have answered. However, you won't stop, will you?" His voice continued in a calm tone. "There are those on the brink of death even now. If you refuse to stop by yourself, then I'll have no choice but to stop you." Shing As he finished speaking, Jongri Chu drew the sword that was haphazardly tucked into his belt. The blade, entirely rusty and in ruins, drew a smirk from the Blood Lord's lips. "Stop me? With such a pitiful excuse for a weapon?" "Well, it might be more usable than it seems." "Have you ever cut someone down with that sword?" "Countless times. Though it's not a memory I'm proud of." "Don't compare me to the ordinary riffraff. Who was the last you cut down? Some mountain bandit no different from a slash-and-burn farmer? Or perhaps..." At that moment, a whisper escaped from between Jongri Chu’s lips. "Cheondokmagoont." The Blood Lord's body stiffened. Cheondokmagoont. A moniker no martial artist could be unaware of. During the Martial Demon War, he was one of the grandest demons, revered as a god by the Church of the Heavenly Demon, who swept across the world. Once the second-in-command of the Church, which nearly devoured half the world, he was Cheondokmagoont. However, even he couldn't escape the fate of mere martial artists. On a day when his notoriety grew ever fiercer, he encountered someone. On that day, Cheondokmagoont met his end, and the one who defeated him gained a new name. "The Sword Star...!" The Blood Lord's body trembled as if struck by lightning. Sword Star Ma Jonghak. A name that had briefly flashed through his mind when he first speculated about Jongri Chu's identity. However, he had dismissed it immediately. Such a thing couldn't be, shouldn't be possible. A voice squeezed out from his lips, trembling with disbelief. "How could you... how could you..." Jongri Chu—no, Sword Star Ma Jonghak—answered, stroking his sword. "After the Martial Demon War ended, I suddenly pondered, 'What should I do next?' The contemplation wasn’t long. I simply loved martial arts." Swish. Swishhh. As his hand brushed over the dull blade, the rusty sword began to reveal its original, transparent self. "I dedicated myself to martial arts ceaselessly. A child, like a grandson I took in late, was my student, and at times, he became my teacher. Just when I thought I had achieved greatness, another wall appeared before me." Sword Star Ma Jonghak. A venerable martial artist who had scaled great heights decades ago, once more ventured into a new realm. For someone like him, already prepared in every aspect, an even greater enlightenment found its way to him. "Even I didn’t expect to revert to a youthful state. Nonetheless, unexpectedly regaining my youthful body piqued my curiosity about the world outside. I even began reminiscing about a cheeky grandson who had left a year ago." Thus, Sword Star Ma Jonghak emerged into the world, wandering the lands under the name Jongri Chu. He was a figure from a long-past era. No one suspected Ma Jonghak, returned to the prime of youth, under the guise of Jongri Chu. Even Amcheon, with its extensive and intricate information networks spread across the world, was no exception. "It was a delightful journey. Until you all appeared." Swiiish! The final layer of rust peeled off the sword. The long-familiar sword that had finally regained its original form shimmered with a cold light. The blade, stained with the blood of hundreds or perhaps thousands of demons, now aimed squarely at the Blood Lord. "This sword, as I said, is still quite usable, is it not?" In the next moment, a purple light surged forth—screech! "...Huh?" The Blood Lord blinked. In the slowed passage of time, he saw Cheongpung slowly collapsing. And the familiar wrist of someone clutching the fallen young man's neck. 'That’s…' It was his hand. The thoughts that should have followed were swallowed by the surge of blood and agony. An involuntary scream ripped from his agape mouth. "Aaaargh!" But it was not over yet. As he stumbled backward amidst screams, a cold voice trailed him. "For the unforgivable sins you've committed, there is a price to pay." Whoooosh! The Blood Lord's whole body bristled like an animal's fur standing on end. It seemed like an illusion. The entire scenery faded, leaving only a singular sword aimed at his heart, capturing his every essence. Ssswiiiiish A sword gliding through the air. The purple aura of Jahashingong blossomed into thirty-six plums, scattering in all directions. Witnessing the beautiful spectacle, the Blood Lord muttered in a groaning tone. "The Plum Blossom Thirty-Six Sword Techniques." But it was different. Fundamentally so. While Cheongpung's previous display of the Plum Blossom Thirty-Six was a heightened skill, what Ma Jonghak now demonstrated transcended martial arts, reaching the realm of the divine. Such divine skill was now penetrating all vital points of the Blood Lord's body. 'This cannot... be stopped.' At the moment of utter horror, just as the Blood Lord attempted to leap away. Grab! Someone's hand grasped his ankle. It was Jin Taekyung, whom the Blood Lord assumed to be unconscious, grinning sinisterly through blood-stained teeth. "Where are you going, you bastard." "You—!" Bam bam bam! The words never came to completion. The Blood Lord's vision was filled with an onslaught of purple light. Blood splattered, flesh was sliced. The excruciating pain momentarily turned his mind into a blank slate. "Guh!" It was on another level entirely. There was no means to defend against the sword energy closing the ten-yard gap so swiftly. Slash! Slash! In that moment, amid the fading consciousness, the Blood Lord's eyes suddenly gleamed. 'No, with that, I can survive.' The mission was completed. The only remaining Ember Jade Bulbous Palm in his hand was proof of that. It was regrettable not having been able to kill the Flame King, but... as long as he lived, he could plan for another day. With eyes filled with venom, he glared at Jin Taekyung. Despite vomiting blood, the latter was smiling. "Wait. I'll kill you with my own hands." "What?" "Until then, stay alive. Make sure you do." The corners of the Blood Lord's lips curled upward. Sensing something, Ma Jonghak hardened his expression and unleashed his sword energy. "Can't you be stopped!" Fwoooooosh! Slash! At that instantaneous moment, the Blood Lord's remaining arm was cleanly severed from the shoulder. "Heavenly Lord!" Whoooosh! With a roar, summoning the last of his strength, his body shot forth like a bolt of lightning. Biting down with all his might on his already severed arm—no, the Ember Jade Bulbous Palm. And then... Flaaash! A malevolent dark light, ominous even to behold, engulfed his entire body, swallowing the Blood Lord whole before vanishing completely. As if he had never existed to begin with.