Chapter 196

The pupils of Gok Jinbung trembled.

"How dare you... call me a traitor!"

Vehemently denying the accusation, Gok Jinbung kicked off into the air once more. His footwork glided like silk over snow, yet his speed was like lightning.

Baekseol Tongcheonbo – Snowpiercing Heaven Step.

Unhwi's eyes lit up for a brief moment.

The Baekseol Muheunbo created by Hanam was undoubtedly a superb movement technique. But there existed modified versions, and Baekseol Tongcheonbo was one of them.

It allowed for faster approach, and faster impact against the opponent.

But in turn, it left behind a far greater opening.

From Gok Jinbung’s hand, the cold energy of Hanwoljigi shot forward like a sword. Like a living being, it lunged for Unhwi’s throat.

Baekseol Cheoninji – Snow-Heaven Blade Finger.

Unhwi didn’t so much as flinch. He merely stepped back with his left foot by half a pace. That single movement allowed Gok Jinbung’s lethal strike to sweep past harmlessly through the air.

“What...?”

Gok Jinbung’s eyes widened in disbelief. The attack he’d just unleashed was meant to be absolutely unpredictable.

And yet a mere Ogijo-level brat had dodged it?

No, not even that. He avoided it as though he had foreseen it.

So this is what they meant by genius...

Goosebumps crawled over his entire body.

He had to get out of this situation.

He had to silence that mouth—no matter what.

Baekseol Muheunbo – Snow Without Trace Step.

No footprints. No shadow.

As the Chief Instructor of the Baekseol Wilyeongdan, Gok Jinbung executed a flawless form of the technique. In an instant, he repositioned to Unhwi’s flank. His gaze now locked onto Yeon Suon.

Got you.

Baekseol Cheoninji.

His icy blade lunged like a viper toward Yeon Suon’s neck—

CLAAANG—!!

The Heavenshaking Spiritblade in Unhwi’s hand struck it down like a thunderbolt.

Gok Jinbung’s brow furrowed.

This wasn’t possible.

How could an Ogijo-tier martial artist track the movement of someone in the Mythic Realm?

It felt like reality itself was breaking.

Grinding his teeth, he roared, "Release the Deputy Commander!"

Baekseol Tongcheonbo again—he vanished like smoke into the air.

Long ago, Juche once said:

“The martial arts of the Baekseol Wilyeongdan focus solely on destruction. That’s why they surpass ordinary arts in sheer destructive power.”

And it wasn’t a lie.

Unhwi closed his eyes.

He scattered a thin layer of Heohyeon Qi around him, sensing, feeling.

The faint vibrations of Gok Jinbung’s foot against the ground. The flow of cold air through the atmosphere. Even the sound of his breath.

Not a single strike could be allowed.

And if one landed, it had to be redirected—not absorbed.

Gok Jinbung was no trivial opponent.

At that moment, Unhwi's eyes snapped open.

Shhhhkt—!

The Heavenshaking Spiritblade slashed out in a flash of light.

Shhhhkt—!

Gok Jinbung’s blade carved through Yeon Suon's left leg.

“Ghk...!”

With a pained gasp, Gok Jinbung staggered backward.

His right shoulder bore a deep gash. Blood flowed freely.

Had it sunk just two more inches, the blow would’ve torn his shoulder clean off.

In the very moment his blade struck Yeon Suon—Unhwi's sword had struck him.

Genius? No, he’s more than that.

“...I must take the Deputy Commander with m—”

"Spare me the nauseating act."

“...”

“Gok Jinbung, there's only one way you survive this. You kill me.”

“I... don’t understand what you’re saying, Sir Hyeon Seollin.”

Unhwi let out a sigh.

“So the Baekseol Wilyeongdan really was full of lunatics.”

“...”

“A man who can't take responsibility for his actions—who lacks the guts to clean up after himself—is nothing but a worm. And now here you are, putting on a pathetic show.”

Gok Jinbung’s brow twitched at the searing criticism.

“I usually don’t touch children. Even if they’re part of a sect, or driven by vengeance, I tend to stay my hand. But you... might need to be an exception.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I understand you have two children. Don’t worry. I won’t kill them.”

“...”

“But I do plan to leave them somewhere in the martial world where they’ll surely die. Perhaps the lair of demonic cultists. Or a branch of the Original Blood Sect. Or maybe a brothel. I’ll make sure they live as miserably as possible. So don’t worry.”

A cold smile curved Gok Jinbung’s lips.

“...You really insist on taking the difficult path.”

Unhwi tightened his grip on his sword.

"Very well. I’ll kill you first. Then Yeon Suon. Time is short, and reinforcements will be here soon... I must hurry. Don’t hold it against me."

Suddenly, a brilliant blue light surged from Gok Jinbung’s body. It wasn’t ordinary cold. From the trees, from blades of grass, even from the rocks—natural energy was drawn in, swirling around him.

"When I was a child, I once saw you, Sir Hyeon Seollin."

It was the majesty of a Mythic Realm martial artist wielding Natural Qi.

"That lunatic bastard dares—dares to call me a lunatic?!"

Gok Jinbung moved like lightning.

Where his feet touched, the ground froze.

There was no invocation, no preparation—just instinctive martial power.

WHOOOOSH—!

Blue natural energy surged like a wave toward Unhwi. He stood like a lone boulder before a tidal flood.

Unhwi moved swiftly.

He swung the Heavenshaking Spiritblade to part the wave of Qi.

BOOOOM—!!

The wave crashed into him. Unhwi was thrown back. His robe tore, a cut appeared across his face.

Gok Jinbung did not relent.

Cheongi Baekseol Hwa-si – Heaven-Essence Snowflower Arrows.

A dozen icy arrows shimmered with a cold blue-white light, flying toward Unhwi.

He swung his blade with full force.

Yeokcheon Changmanggeom. Changmang Ilgeom.

CLAAANG—!!

His movements were precise—but the final two arrows grazed his shoulder and thigh. The wounds froze over, flooding him with pain.

A cold smile crept across Gok Jinbung’s face.

With a wave of his hand, all surrounding moisture and snow gathered to him. In an instant, hundreds of ice needles formed.

Baekseol Manchimu – Ten Thousand Snow-Needles Rain.

Like a downpour, the needles rained from the sky.

Unhwi’s eyes flashed. He stomped hard into the ground and surged forward, slashing his sword.

Jeolbing Gwiheogeom – Ghost’s Cry of Severed Ice.

A beam of light scattered the needles in front of him—but not all.

Shhk shhk—!

Dozens of needles pierced his arms and legs. Gritting his teeth, Unhwi dropped to one knee.

Satisfied with his overwhelming superiority, Gok Jinbung muttered to himself.

“No personal grudge. You just learned what you weren’t supposed to.”

He charged again. From his hand, a massive ice spear formed with a crackling sound.

No hesitation.

SHLUK—!

The spear pierced Unhwi’s right shoulder. His face twisted in pain. The wound was severe—he'd only just recovered, and now this.

Gok Jinbung smiled victoriously. One more thrust would sever the arm completely.

As he gathered strength—

Unhwi's eyes changed. A white snowstorm danced within them.

His right hand shot out like lightning and seized Gok Jinbung’s wrist.

Cheonseol Jise – Absolute Snow Seizure.

CRACK—!

Gok Jinbung’s wrist froze instantly.

“Ggh...!”

He tried to retreat—but it was too late.

Unhwi kicked off the ground, leaping into the air. Ignoring the spear still lodged in his body, his knee slammed into Gok Jinbung’s chin.

CRACK—!

Gok Jinbung flew backward. The sound of his jaw breaking rang out.

Unhwi slowly pulled the ice spear from his shoulder.

His expression showed no pain—only cold determination.

Gok Jinbung rose. This... this wasn’t human.

Was this truly Hyeon Seollin?

It couldn’t be.

This... this wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

He swallowed hard.

A cornered beast.

He would burn everything. Worry about the aftermath later. That was the only way.

Gok Jinbung began to burn his own life force.

Baekseol Geukhanhon – Ultimate Soul of the Snowbound Extreme.

Explosive natural energy surged from his body. Everything around him froze.

This forbidden technique of the Baekseol Wilyeongdan, burning one’s innate Qi—

Was what Unhwi had waited for.

Tap.

At the sound, Gok Jinbung’s eyes widened.

Of course.

Unhwi was already right in front of him.

“How... how...?”

WHUMP—!

Unhwi’s palm slammed into Gok Jinbung’s chest. In that moment, the explosive energy evaporated like snapped threads.

“GUHHH—!!”

His Qi, lost and wild, tore through his own body. As he faltered, Unhwi spun and kicked.

BOOOOOOM—!!

The blow sent Gok Jinbung flying. He crashed into a boulder near the pond.

CRACKLE—!!

The sound of his spine breaking echoed out.

Unhwi, staggering, walked slowly toward him. Blood streamed from his mouth, but not a step wavered.

Terror filled Gok Jinbung’s eyes. He could no longer move.

This was wrong. All of it. It made no sense.

“This... what is this...”

Unhwi grabbed his throat and spoke through ragged breaths.

“Baekseol Geukhanhon replaces all the meridian Qi with innate Qi.”

“...”

“For a fleeting instant, before the transformation is complete... a perfect opening appears.”

Unhwi had needed that moment. And—

“I simply didn’t miss it.”

“Y-you... can’t be... gghkk—”

Unhwi reached again for Gok Jinbung’s neck, void of any emotion.

And just as he tightened his grip—

An overwhelming force surged from the right.

Unhwi, based on experience, could at most handle someone in the Heavenly Man Realm. Risky—but possible.

But beyond that?

Impossible.

This was worse.

The figure charging now was someone ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ in the Mu-geuk Hyeonsin stage—the second stage of the Martial God Five Realms.

There was no knowing what he planned.

Was he here to stop Unhwi? Or kill him?

Only one person could find out.

The elderly man who had been observing from afar shot forward, gasping for breath.

The distance folded like space itself.

BOOOOOOOM—!!

The charging man's arm was caught mid-air by the elder’s hand.

No Cheonmyeong grinned.

“You rascal. You’re a little late.”