Chapter 395 : Only kind in front of us

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis

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Chapter 395: Only kind in front of us

The next morning, I was at the private training ground.

It had been a while since I slept so well. I couldn’t remember the last time I had woken up feeling this refreshed.

Waking up like this, with the lightness that comes from having completed something big, I decided to attempt something I had put off.

At the center of the training ground—where no one could enter without my permission—I performed the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique followed by the Heavenly Time Secret Art in succession.

Then, time within the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique began to flow slowly.

Now, with the Heavenly Time Secret Art, I could use three times more time than in reality.

Being able to use three times more time than others was an incredible advantage, but aiming for the Twelve Star Greatness of the Nine Calamities Demon Art, it still wasn’t enough. I needed to secure even more time.

Nevertheless, I spent half of my training time learning the Nine Calamities Demon Art. The reason I didn’t dedicate all of my training solely to the Heavenly Time Secret Art was because I never knew what might happen and when.

Within the world of the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique, I performed the Nine Calamities Demon Art.

First Form: Human Annihilation Form.

Saaahhhhhh!

Just seeing them was chilling—terrifying illusions of the Four Demonic Fiends appeared simultaneously in the east, west, south, and north, swinging their blades.

Sshhk! Sshhk! Sshhk! Sshhk!

The terrifying one, the handsome one. The one with a strange air of mystery, the one who looked cleverer than anyone. They always felt reliable whenever I saw them, and now, having seen them so often, they felt almost like friends.

And there had been a change. The Four Demonic Fiends in the east, west, south, and north had become faster and stronger than before. From their appearance positions and attack directions to the time they disappeared—I could now control them more freely.

If I could achieve greatness in the Nine Calamities Demon Art and summon the Heavenly Demon Spirit, could I form an emotional bond with them as well? Just like how I was with the Demon Supremes, could the Heavenly Demon Spirit and the Lesser Demonic Fiends stand before me in that kind of relationship? I felt a strange hope for it.

Next, I unleashed the Second Form: Great Annihilation Form.

Sssssssssss.

Originally, the terrifying-looking ghost among the four would split into six. Now, it split into eight.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!

The eight ghosts swept forward, pushing through everything in front. The Great Annihilation Form always left me feeling refreshed no matter when I used it.

Third Form: Great Demon Wall.

A massive wall of powerful energy was raised before me. Just as my father had said—that the higher the level, the smaller the size—the Great Demon Wall had shrunk compared to when I first saw it.

When I reached initial completion, it would likely become as small as a shield that could block a single person’s body.

But I had a grand plan for this Great Demon Wall. I wanted to change that completed, shield-sized wall to this current scale with the same power. Something impossible with Ten Star Greatness. But if I could reach the Twelve Star Greatness—maybe?

Until now, I had been repeatedly training up to the Third Form.

And today, I intended to unleash the Fourth Form for the first time. After recently facing a few members of the Twelve Zodiac Kings, my perspective on martial arts had changed, and with my cultivation level now higher, I finally felt that the time had come to begin training the Fourth Form in earnest.

Fourth Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art: Dark Flash. 1

The moment I activated the Fourth Form, the surroundings flickered. It felt like I had blinked.

Although it had failed, it wasn’t a bad start for a first attempt.

I chanted the incantation again and attempted the Fourth Form.

Once again, the surroundings dimmed and then brightened. This time, the darkness lingered longer than before. It was like a hand had covered a lantern and then withdrawn.

Repeat and repeat again.

As with most martial arts, the further one progressed in the Nine Calamities Demon Art, the greater the internal energy required. This Fourth Form also demanded immense internal energy, making it a technique that couldn’t be used recklessly.

Even I, who possessed massive reserves of internal energy, had to replenish it with breathing exercises from time to time.

And so, the attempts continued.

Finally!

Whoosh!

Complete darkness descended around me.

The world went black as though sunlight itself had vanished.

As if light had never existed at all—true darkness that didn’t allow even an inch of vision. Not even the New Eye Technique could pierce through the pitch black.

Shiiing.

A single streak of light slashed through the darkness.

A streak of light said to cut through anything. 2

After the light passed, the surroundings brightened once more.

Though I had targeted an imaginary opponent this time, if it had been a real person, they would have collapsed in pieces up ahead.

“I did it!”

I activated Dark Flash again.

Darkness fell in all directions.

Shiiing.

This time, the light cut diagonally. The direction of the slash could be decided by the will of the one performing the technique.

Overcome with a sense of accomplishment from successfully unleashing the Fourth Form, I stood alone in the space of the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique and let out a loud laugh.

A supreme martial art like the Nine Calamities Demon Art could be mastered in just one day if things went smoothly, but if it decided to resist, it could take months—years even.

Of course, just like the other forms continued to evolve, the Fourth Form didn’t end here either.

The more it was trained, the deeper the darkness would become, and the more powerful its force would be. It was said that the Dark Flash, once perfected, could not be blocked by any Protective Energy.

If darkness fell, the enemy would surely die.

This was the Fourth Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art—Dark Flash.

*         *         *

“What’s the big deal? Times like this are when you’re supposed to show it. I care this much about our Division Leader Seo, so no one else better mess with him, got it!”

“No one else better mess with him? That’s not a compliment!”

Even if it was just a joke, Seo Daeryong felt good.

And so, the two of them ate their meal and stepped out into the yard.

“Don’t slack off on your meals just because you live alone. Make sure you eat properly.”

“Understood.”

Just as Seo Daeryong was about to say goodbye and leave, he paused mid-step.

“Oh, by the way, have you heard any news about that martial artist?”

“No.”

“You don’t even know where they are?”

“I’m sure they’re doing fine.”

At that nonchalant reply, Seo Daeryong shook his head with a face that screamed, How can he be so indifferent!

“You probably don’t remember, but there’s someone named Lee Ahn among the Young Cult Leader’s subordinates. She was called the ‘Pretty Heart.’”

To Seo Daeryong’s playful tone, Geom Mugeuk responded in kind.

“I think I kind of remember.”

“That’s too much! At the very least, you should know where and what she’s doing!”

“You know?”

“Of course I do. Right now, that martial artist is in the Northern Sea. Her heart’s freezing over in that icy place!” 3

“In the Northern Sea? What for?”

“Well, that I don’t know either.”

Lee Ahn had been sent out to recruit Seo Jin, younger sister of the Spirit Master, as the Second Unit Leader of the Haunted Shade Corps. Since it was her first journey through the martial world alone, she had been told not to rush and to take her time exploring. Apparently, she ended up going as far as the Northern Sea.

“Aren’t you at all worried?”

“Worried about what? This is her chance to travel around and experience the martial world. Meet some villains, meet some lechers.”

Kid, who’s worried about who here?

Lee Ahn had nine tails. She was also a user of the Soaring Sword Art.

She only acted nice in front of us. If we need to worry about someone, it would be the enemies who have to face her. 4

Geom Mugeuk fully believed in Lee Ahn. He trusted her skill and cleverness, but more than that, he believed in something else.

She was the one who saved his life and brought him back like this. He believed in the bond between them and in her fate.

But Seo Daeryong didn’t seem to feel the same.

“Ah, I just worry our little martial artist might get tricked somewhere because she’s too naïve.”

“Like you did during the Soaring Dragon Tournament?”

Back then, Seo Daeryong had nearly fallen head over heels for a woman holding nefarious intentions.

“Why are you bringing up something so old again? That won’t happen anymore. I’m spicy ginger now.”

“To me, you still look like a crunchy green apple.”

Pretending not to hear, Seo Daeryong redirected the conversation back to worrying about Lee Ahn.

“She really needs to check her food with a silver needle before eating. I wonder if she packed enough concealed weapons. If she’s going around without wearing a veil, she’s going to attract all kinds of trouble.”

“But how do you know Lee Ahn was in the Northern Sea?”

“I went and asked the First Unit Leader of the Haunted Shade Corps. He said the last contact they had with her was from the Northern Sea.”

So he went and asked Cheong Myeon.

“Have you ever been to the Northern Sea?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve never been. Then... have you been to the Ice Palace?”

“Of course.”

“You’re not saying… you’ve met the Ice Palace Master too?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded. Of course, it had been before his regression. He had once shared a connection with the Ice Palace back then.

“When you get to the entrance of the Ice Palace, there are people frozen and lined up on display.”

“No way, come on.”

“I’m serious. They froze everyone who stood against the Ice Palace and put them on display. A strong warning: ‘This is what happens if you stand against us!’”

“Those people must be dead, right?”

“Who knows. Maybe they’ll start moving like zombies once the ice melts.” 5

Seo Daeryong flinched, as if the thought alone gave him chills.

“That’s not all. If you go past the Ice Palace to the snowy mountains, you’ll find snowmen living there. Those snowmen cultivate a spiritual herb called Ice Snow Grass. Consuming its fruit grants immense internal energy.” 6

“Really? Don’t lie to me just because I’ve never been there.”

“Don’t believe it if you don’t want to.”

Seo Daeryong was already hooked. You gullible fool, and you’re the one worrying about someone else?

Freezing people alive for display, the existence of snowmen and Ice Snow Grass—those were all stories passed down as legends.

“If you’re that worried about Lee Ahn, why don’t you go find her?”

“What about the Underworld Pavilion?”

“Take leave. I’ll make sure you can step away.”

“And my monthly stipend?”

“Of course you won’t get it. It’s personal business. You should be willing to make that much of a sacrifice for Lee Ahn.”

After blinking and hesitating for a moment, Seo Daeryong took a step back.

“Well… we’re not that close, you know. And I’m not great with cold weather.”

Geom Mugeuk laughed at Seo Daeryong’s antics.

“Well, I’ll be off then.”

With that, Seo Daeryong left, and Geom Mugeuk looked up at the sky. Despite waking up in such a good mood that morning, he realized he had started the day without even glancing at the sky once.

Lee Ahn… how’s the sky in the Northern Sea?

*         *         *

After seeing Seo Daeryong off, the place Geom Mugeuk headed to was the residence of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

Just as he was about to stride in with a loud “Elder!” he stopped in his tracks.

Gu Cheonpa was in the garden set up in a corner of the yard. It was the same garden where he had once trimmed the branches of the flower trees with the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber.

There, he was planting flowers together with So Yeonrang.

The man who had stood proudly before orthodox and unorthodox masters just the day before now seemed like an entirely different person, kneeling in the soil with flowers.

Just then, someone whispered beside Geom Mugeuk.

“Late romance is the scariest, huh?”

It was Song Sa-hyuk. Not that he was one to talk, seeing how things were going between him and Lyu Bin lately.

“He’s been at it all morning.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’ve got something to say to the Sword Supreme.”

“Then just go and say it.”

The Great Drunken Demon looked toward the two in the garden.

“You really want to ruin a rare good moment?”

Hard to disagree. Old man Blade probably had no idea just how widely he was grinning right now while planting flowers beside the One-Slash Sword Supreme.

Spring, it seemed, had come to the Blade Demon’s heart too. 7

Just then, he shouted from the garden.

“What are you two whispering about like a couple of rats?”

Geom Mugeuk yelled back to him.

“Pay us no mind! Just a couple of stray rats passing by!”

Together with the Great Drunken Demon, he walked off from the place.

“Why were you trying to meet the Sword Supreme?”

“There’s something that’s been bothering me, so I wanted to get her thoughts.”

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing. Not a big deal.”

But Geom Mugeuk wouldn’t let it go so easily.

“Brother, a lot of problems down the line come from brushing off something now as ‘no big deal,’ right? What is it? Just say it!”

Pressed by Geom Mugeuk, Song Sa-hyuk finally revealed the issue.

“There’s a place that sends me liquor every year. Without fail, every single March. But this year, the liquor hasn’t come.”

If it had been from an ordinary sect, he wouldn’t have even mentioned it.

“Where is it from?”

The name that came from the Great Drunken Demon’s mouth was unexpected.

“Northern Sea Ice Palace.” 8

1 : Almost reached half of the martial art !!! Maaaan, we’re still far from the epic fight with Hwa Moogi…. Which is a good thing ^^

2 : Concentrate all the surrounding light in a single spot and slash like a laser ? Devour light to prevent detection of the attack ? A small domain to restrict movement ? We don’t have enough informations to precisely determine the nature of the attack.

3 : Oooh, first mention of the North Sea Ice Palace ? It’s kinda a staple in Murim stories ^^

4 : Yup, they’re almost worth pitying…. But if they tried to attack someone else they could have dealt a lot of damage, so good riddance.

5 : They know zombies ? Either there was a zombie epidemic in the distant past, or there are voodoo practices roaming around.

6 : Is it something more similar to Yuki-Onna or Yetis ? Maybe both ^^

7 : It would be more accurate that it have come back ^^ Good for them, I’ve been rooting in the  background for a long time~~ ^^

8 : I knew it, let’s gooo !!!! Time to go bother Lee Ahn on her vacation !!!