Chapter 035. Murong Gang
KABOOOOOOOM!
As if a giant had taken a step, the earth shook violently, and grayish-white dust soared up all around.
The aftermath of the Heaven-Shaking Thunderbolt's explosion.
However, Dam Jeok-san's complexion, peering beyond the dust through the Predator's Eye, was not very good.
'It only consumed a little demonic energy, is the actual damage practically non-existent...?'
Three Heaven-Shaking Thunderbolts. If hit properly, the power is enough to send even a massive monster to its grave.
However, it is also true that it is difficult to inflict fatal damage greater than that on a Peak Realm expert who can erect a qi barrier around their body.
Stopping Murong Gang's steps for a moment. With that, the Heaven-Shaking Thunderbolt had done its job.
'Ultimately, what decides the outcome is the sword.'
Dam Jeok-san savored the cool touch of the sword hilt reaching his grasp.
Had the sword ever been this cold?
Had the sword ever been this heavy?
The answer is,
'...Always.'
Dam Jeok-san always repeated it to himself.
The chilling temperature of the blade and the weight like a thousand catties.
Nothing changes no matter who the opponent in front of his eyes is.
"Young Master Dam."
Into his ear as he composed himself, Namgung Yeon's voice was heard.
"We... can survive, right?"
She asked with a slightly trembling voice.
Namgung Yeon also felt the destructive aura emitted by Murong Gang.
However, a clear sign of hope dwelt in Namgung Yeon's voice.
Because she trusted Dam Jeok-san.
'If it's you, you can do something, right?'
Namgung Yeon looked at Dam Jeok-san, implicitly containing such a feeling.
'This isn't good.'
Dam Jeok-san let out a shallow sigh looking at such a Namgung Yeon.
Of course, Dam Jeok-san intends to take the lead in dealing with Murong Gang.
But relying only on him is not a good sign. They must fight believing in themselves. Only then can they fully display their capabilities.
"Young Family Head, whether we die or survive depends on everyone."
His gaze went past Namgung Yeon and reached the Black Panther Spear and Gyeong-won. All four must do their part. No, even that is not enough. They must transcend limits and create a miracle.
Even if a miracle sprouts, he dare not guarantee whether they can survive or not.
"It depends on everyone."
Namgung Yeon repeated those words with a complex expression. Soon, as if realizing what he intended to convey to her, a resolute look hovered in her eyes.
"Right, do your best."
Dam Jeok-san glanced at Namgung Yeon and drew his sword.
Far away, beyond the horizon covered in red sunset, Murong Gang was approaching.
A purple robe tailored from high-quality silk. Neat and profound features. A tough body tempered by actual combat.
Except for the vermilion eyes burning while harboring thick demonic energy, it is an appearance that wouldn't be strange for an expert of a prestigious Orthodox faction.
'He took the Heaven-Shaking Thunderbolts head-on, yet not even a hem of his clothes is scorched.'
Literally an opponent with overwhelming power.
Dam Jeok-san's eyes sank darkly.
'Dangerous.'
That a Half-Demon's appearance is not different from a human means one of two things.
Either the possessed demonic energy is so weak that transformation did not occur in the body. Or he has reached the stage of perfectly controlling it despite possessing massive demonic energy.
Murong Gang was clearly the latter.
A Half-Demon who reached the stage of controlling demonic energy without a single leak...
Dam Jeok-san upwardly adjusted his evaluation of Murong Gang by one more level.
'Perhaps I might have to bury my bones in this place.'
With current forces, no matter what method is used, it is certain defeat. To the extent that even if they run away in all directions right now, it would be difficult to avoid annihilation.
'Ultimately, I have no choice but to hope she arrives in time.'
He swallowed a sigh and raised his sword.
[Listen well, everyone. I will give different instructions to each, so move without a single inch of deviation.]
If there is even a slight deviation, everyone will die. Dam Jeok-san did not bother to utter those words. Because everyone would be feeling it on their skin.
Soon, following Dam Jeok-san's first instruction, the three people moved in perfect order.
* * *
"Puny things are being annoying."
Murong Gang, seeing those rushing towards him, twisted his head slightly to the side and muttered.
Annoyance.
That was all Murong Gang felt looking at the four martial artists rushing towards him. Because they are merely bugs he can tear apart and kill anytime if he wants.
However, Murong Gang had no intention of killing them immediately. How much disgrace had he chewed on since the clan was annihilated by the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle and the Namgung Family Head at that time.
Dam Jeok-san and Namgung Yeon are descendants of those enemies. Killing them cleanly cannot possibly resolve all the resentment.
Step by step, slowly, as cruelly and painfully as possible. He will kill them like that.
At the moment Murong Gang harbored cool killing intent.
SWISH!
Sounds of sharp edges cutting through the empty air were heard from all directions.
A dark spear thrusting honestly into the center. A single sword flying while moving left and right swiftly. And another sword thrusting from below while fluttering dark blue clothes.
It doesn't look like pre-arranged movements, but strangely, their breath matched well.
'He's a guy who knows how to use his head a bit.'
Murong Gang thought as he looked at Dam Jeok-san quickly moving his mouth from behind.
But such petty tricks are only meaningful when the difference in level is moderate. Just because gnats attack in formation doesn't mean they can deal with a tiger.
FLAP!
Simultaneously with Murong Gang's clothes fluttering greatly once, he lightly extended his sword. A sword strike cutting through the empty air drawing a half-moon trajectory.
WHOOSH!
Following that trajectory, a strong sword wind blew in.
"Ugh!!"
The face of the Black Panther Spear, who was thrusting his spear at the very front, turned pale.
Whether the pressure of the sword wind was stronger than imagined, it seemed difficult for him to even stand and endure on two legs.
If he, standing in the vanguard, collapses, this combined attack formation is also finished.
"Hup...!"
The Black Panther Spear inhaled deeply and firmly fixed his two legs to the earth. A will was felt that he would not be pushed back even if his limbs were torn apart in this spot, but...
"Kukukuk..."
Murong Gang scoffed seeing that appearance.
CRACKLE!
The moment he lightly added demonic energy to the sword, the Black Panther Spear's posture, which was barely holding on, collapsed and was soon flung far away.
A scene showing how useless human will is in front of an overwhelming difference in power. Murong Gang smiled distortedly recalling his past.
"It's over."
As he raised his sword to cut off the Black Panther Spear's neck—
CLANG—!!
Namgung Yeon's sword suddenly flashed and blocked his way.
"Continuing to put forth puny moves."
The moment Namgung Yeon and Murong Gang's swords clashed, she fell away helplessly, bleeding from the corner of her mouth.
Murong Gang frowned and looked at her. He intends to kill the two nameless minions comfortably, but he had no intention of granting such mercy to Dam Jeok-san and Namgung Yeon.
I should cut off at least one arm. As he raised his sword again with that thought, the one blocking his front this time was Gyeong-won.
CLANG!
Gyeong-won, who blocked the strike with a cheerful metallic sound, was pushed back.
However, before Murong Gang could deliver the finishing blow and cut his neck, the Black Panther Spear, who had recovered his momentum, blocked his way.
Being obstructed twice, a very displeased look appeared in his eyes.
From Namgung Yeon to the two minions.
If he faces them properly, all are merely at a level where he can cut them down and kill them in a single exchange.
"But my mood is not very good to entertain your pranks."
Intense demonic energy spewed out from his body as if boiling. Even the leisurely look he had shown until now, as if out for a stroll, was erased.
"I will start by clearing away the useless things first."
His vermilion eyes stared at the Black Panther Spear and Gyeong-won.
"...!"
Before Gyeong-won and the Black Panther Spear, who felt the killing intent, could respond.
"I will show you Murong's sword."
A vermilion star cluster poured from Murong Gang's sword.
Each starlight scattered killing intent and demonic energy thick enough to give goosebumps. A rare killing sword forged by dyeing the clan's secret art, the Blue Void Divine Art, with demonic energy.
When he was expecting a bloodbath to be scattered soon.
TAT!
Dam Jeok-san kicked off the ground and ran forward. On his sword blade, a dusky blue flame was burning more vigorously than ever.
He had raised the Sword Flame to the peak while watching the situation from behind. Dam Jeok-san's sword, full of Sword Flame, rushed towards Murong Gang as if cutting through space.
Extreme speed clearly exceeding the level of a Peak Realm expert. A Fast Sword, Monkey-Destroying One Flash, that could easily gain fame in the Gangho with just that speed.
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!
The blade digs into Murong Gang's gaps in an instant.
'Shallow trick.'
He intended to lightly twist the sword path to block and deflect the Monkey-Destroying One Flash.
Although called a strike of extreme speed, it is ultimately a sword of a Peak Realm expert. He thought he could deflect it at once.
"...?"
Suddenly, from the part touching Dam Jeok-san's sword, he felt his demonic energy shaking and scattering.
Is it sorcery? The thought occurred that it might be so. From the nature of quietly waiting behind until an opportunity comes, to the outstanding talent unbefitting his age.
The guy had many parts similar to the previous Castle Lord that Murong Gang saw. If he is a descendant of that cowardly absolute master, it wouldn't be strange at all even if he used sorcery.
"I must tell you again, the fact that any petty trick is useless in front of a distant difference in power."
The demonic energy harbored by Murong Gang's sword swells like the sun at twilight.
THUD—!
Dam Jeok-san's figure blocking his front flies away flutteringly like a kite with a cut string. An appearance unable to properly endure even the aftermath of the power. It must be that he poured most of his capacity into the single sword strike just before.
However, Murong Gang's expression was not bright. Since he originally didn't intend to knock him away that far. He instinctively realized that the guy resolved most of the shock by entrusting his body to the repulsive force.
"If you act like a rat."
Murong Gang clicked his tongue and scattered sword qi in all directions as if spreading out.
From here and there on the bodies of the Black Panther Spear, Gyeong-won, and Namgung Yeon, who hadn't properly taken their stances yet, blood splattered up, literally unfolding a scene of carnage.
"I have no choice but to bring a hunting method befitting that."
He muttered looking at the four rats.
* * *
'Done!'
The moment Murong Gang started scattering his sword qi, Dam Jeok-san shouted for joy inwardly.
Because if it goes like this, the probability of anyone dying will decrease significantly.
The best he wants is not victory.
Until the Sword Venerable arrives, making no casualties. That was the result Dam Jeok-san wanted.
In the first place, he is not an opponent they can win against alone.
Murong Gang only swung his sword a few times, but seeing that this side has already become close to devastated, doesn't the answer come out?
Perhaps if he concentrates firepower on a single point, even Dam Jeok-san, the strongest here, would find it hard to endure.
'Fortunately, it seemed he intended to play with us, but...'
Since they endured a few exchanges using that psychology, even that is over now.
'I have to step forward.'
As said, it is hard to endure.
Still, he must endure.
Even if he can't do it, he must accomplish it.
Had he ever lived doing only possible things?
A deep blue light dwelt in his pupils as he finished his resolve.
Fortunately, the opponent is a Half-Demon dyed in demonic energy. Even records about the Murong Clan's martial arts existed quite a bit in the Martial Sovereign Castle's library.
The abstract Martial Principles of Murong took shape roughly while witnessing the techniques Murong Gang unfolded. Based on those, Dam Jeok-san created a path, albeit crude, to break Murong Gang's sword.
Blocking the single sword that could have killed the Black Panther Spear was also thanks to that.
'I have no choice but to trust this.'
Dam Jeok-san firmly gripped the sword hilt while looking at Murong Gang scattering intense sword qi in all directions.
The moment his and Murong Gang's eyes met.
Murong Gang's sword qi, which was scattering in all directions, was sharply concentrated towards him.
Even up to here was as expected.
WHOOOOOOOOOM!
Soon, the moment the bastard's sword burned brightly like a sun forged from demonic energy, goosebumps rose all over Dam Jeok-san's body.
It is the Exploding Star, one of the Five Great Ultimate Techniques of the Murong Clan, also recorded in the library.
Can I block it? That? Really?
...If not, I have to make it work.
He swallowed a sigh and raised his sword.