Ep423 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

During the intense instruction of the 'Wood Spirit Technique' taught by the sapling: BOOM! Loud noises reverberated persistently from outside the Sea of Trees. Judging by the sensation of intense qi clashes, it seemed a battle had erupted. "Is my sister involved?" For such a tremendous wave to be felt within the densely forested maze of the Sea of Trees, it must be a clash of at least expert-level forces. "Hah, hah…!" Exhausted from his training, Baek Woojin helped her, who was gasping for breath, to sit on the ground and spoke. "It seems something has happened outside. I'll go check it out. Take a break." "Yes…." She, too, had been sensing it for a while. The ominous aura of malice emanating from beyond the Sea of Trees. No doubt, it was the worst kind of people, who probably considered killing merely a form of entertainment. "Be careful." When Seol Sooyeon spoke with a face full of concern, Baek Woojin smiled reassuringly and nodded. "Don't worry about me, just rest up." Baek Woojin, having eased even a little of her worry, began to make his way out of the Sea of Trees. Eventually, he emerged into a broad grassland. In his sight stood the back of the Blood Demon Sorceress, and two shabby old men. Mad laughter, an unsettling aura exuding from their bodies. Characters who wouldn't look out of place having been laid to rest in a coffin long ago. Or rather, considering their deeds, they should have been entombed long ago. Baek Woojin recognized the identities of the two men immediately from their raucous laughter and ragged appearance. The Sword Demon and Fist Demon. They were infamous figures registered as public enemies of the martial world due to numerous incidents and accidents since the days when the previous Heavenly Demon was active. In the central plains, they are said to leave a trail of bloody winds wherever they pass, thus named the Blood Wind Duo. ‘I thought they were dead since they hadn’t appeared for quite some time….’ The first thing Baek Woojin did in preparing for a fight with the Heavenly Demon was to gather and read all related information from Hao’s Gate about the Demonic Sect. The Sword Demon and Fist Demon were among the most formidable masters within the Demonic Sect. Already aged one hundred and eight this year. Hence, their absence for several years led Hao’s Gate to assume they were dead or awaited death plagued by old age, but apparently not. ‘With their current state, they might go on for another 30 to 40 years.’ He couldn’t help but chuckle wryly. That heinous murderers, who bathe in human blood and laugh while roasting and gnawing on living flesh, have such long lives. "Considering the so-called gods, it’s perhaps inevitable…." On reflection, it’s an obvious matter. Would a deity, going around acting like a third-rate novelist and creating a mess everywhere, bother with such murderers? "Sigh." Baek Woojin let out a small sigh and moved forward. What else can be done? If the heavens wouldn’t punish them, then he must do it himself. Seeing the two men attempting to gang up on his sister, he shouted loudly in anger. “Two old monsters walking around who wouldn’t be odd in a coffin?” He buried his fury deep within and only embraced brightness and amusement. The strategy of provoking them. There’s nothing better than a smiling face and mockery to throw opponents off. He exaggeratedly taunted them with his face, gestures, and words. "Oh! I see you’re both alive and here to find your resting place?" And the effect was: “I must kill that brat first.” “Hmm…, agreed.” It was impressive. Aligning their opinions, who had never agreed on anything besides killing. Even amidst the intense aura that could easily stop an ordinary man's heart, Baek Woojin nonchalantly drew his sword as if savoring a cool breeze. He pointed the sword toward them and spoke. "Try if you can." Before his words had ended, the Sword Demon and Fist Demon rushed at him. Simultaneously, a sword and a fist attacked from his left and right. “Yes.” “I’ll kill you.” United in their murderous intent, their attacks were filled with killing intent. Yet, Baek Woojin smiled mockingly, maneuvered gracefully to dodge the incoming attacks from both sides, and stepped aside. “Oh my, as expected of the Blood Wind Duo. Your combined technique stands out, huh? Hahaha!” Though seemingly praising, it was clear mockery. Implying that despite two experts of their caliber, they couldn’t catch even a young man. Faces flushed red with the provocation. But even so, they didn’t recklessly advance. No matter how mad they might be, they were old foxes who had survived nearly a century in the martial world. 'He’s not an ordinary one.' 'He’s someone worthy of boasting.' From just Baek Woojin’s movements earlier, they noticed his extraordinary skills. The Sword Demon and Fist Demon turned and locked eyes, seemingly communicating telepathically. They nodded slightly at each other, understanding that regardless of the adversary's skills, their plan remained the same. Even if their opponent was a master, the approach only shifted from instant annihilation to a gradual strangling death. “Chaa!” “Hah!” With fierce shouts, waves of qi erupted from their fists and sword. The sheer number was enough to envelop the surrounding area completely. As the qi closed in, Baek Woojin quickly analyzed the old monsters' tactics. To avoid the bombardment of qi surrounding him, he would need to move dramatically. ‘They want to force large movements to exploit any openings.’ The best counter was to thwart their aim and turn the tables. ‘In that case…!’ He decided to endure it physically. Baek Woojin abandoned evasion and met the incoming storm of qi. Not that he planned to dodge much from the start. The attack was meant to break through any obstruction, carrying a destructive force. Fortunately, Baek Woojin had a means well-suited for such forceful energy. Sriiing! The qi that met his sword flowed along its blade, diverting away from its intended path. Each subsequent wave of qi faltered similarly: diverted harmlessly into the air, kicking up harmless clouds of dust as they missed. "What is this!" "How can this be!" The two old monsters gasped in shock. The sight of Baek Woojin's swordsmanship managing their qi so effortlessly revealed profound mastery beyond common understanding. ‘He’s handling the qi of two master-level experts freely.’ ‘How can such swordsmanship exist in this world!’ Indeed, nowhere across the martial world would a more wondrous or profound sword technique and footwork be found. For this was a sword art crafted by an immortal. Even if its user was a drunken immortal, its creator was known as the Sword Immortal, a being of unparalleled martial prowess. Ssshaa— The stray qi dispersed into the distance with a soft sound. Their barrage of qi had depleted. “Hmm, is that all?” “……” “……” They had no words to respond with. What could be said to someone who, without breaking a sweat, had effortlessly deflected hundreds of qi strikes? Simultaneously, fury and a sense of urgency overtook them. ‘He must be killed.’ ‘If we don’t kill him here, he’ll be a severe threat to our sect!’ Despite being outcasts and half-abandoned by their sect, they remained devoted followers of the Heavenly Demon Cult. Though wild and uncontrollable, when it came to the words of the Heavenly Demon, they listened and followed loyally. This understanding was why both the former and current Heavenly Demons had allowed them to live. And now, they encountered a uniquely dangerous foe for the first time. Being so formidable before even reaching thirty, they feared how strong he might become given time. Aware it was heretical to think, they couldn’t shake the notion that even their god and master could be in danger. Again they exchanged glances. ‘He must die.’ ‘No matter the cost… he must.’ Their resolve firmed in unison once more—Baek Woojin had to be eliminated. Even if it cost their lives. Woosh! Simultaneously, they lunged forward. Yet, they moved in opposing directions. The Fist Demon aimed for the Blood Demon Sorceress who had been watching from a distance, while the Sword Demon charged directly at Baek Woojin, swinging his sword. Swish! The slash carried an aura that threatened to cleave through all in its path. However, its focus on ferocity left it unstable, revealing subtle openings. Seeing this, Baek Woojin prepared to exploit the flaw but sensed a spine-chilling danger, prompting him to withdraw his sword and step back. The Sword Demon clicked his tongue in disappointment. “Tch…, perceptive little brat.” “……” He appeared as though he had been waiting for Baek Woojin to capitalize on the vulnerability. This realization dawned on Baek Woojin. "…You left it open on purpose." The gap had been a deliberate feint, created by forcefully contorting his body. Though no simple trap, if pursued, the enemy would likely face death or severe injury. That awareness, and the regret at not being struck, pointed to only one reason. “Mutual destruction….” Mutual Destruction. A method focused solely on killing the opponent, at the cost of one’s life. The Sword Demon had thrown away his life. “Khehe… no matter what, you die here.” One hundred and eight years. During that long span of survival, he began projecting the essence of his being onto the world around him. --- **Author's Note:** I'll see you in the next chapter. As always, thank you for reading. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)