Chapter 1174: Scorched World.

Kwoooooooo–!!!

Clouds poured down. If I had to put it into words, that phrase seemed just right.

Nature conjured by martial arts. Something that was barely even worthy of being called martial arts poured down on me relentlessly.

Kugugung.

A ‘ppeojeok’ sound echoed from the ground I’d braced myself on. Flames surged within my body. Simply Tua Pachimyeo wasn’t enough to handle it.

It was intuition.

‘I’m going to die.’

If I let my guard down, or even tried to be the slightest bit careless, I would die.

I felt the presence of the opponent before me.

‘This is different from the Man-gye incident.’

Judging purely by skill level, that guy called the Apostle of Taecheon.

He might be lower than the one who hid as my mother’s general.

‘But judging by instinct alone, this one feels more dangerous.’

From what I could sense, the current Pae-jon seemed far more dangerous.

Kwagagagagag—!!!

Clouds poured down, sweeping across everything in all directions. My body moved swiftly. My body, now a mere wisp of flame, moved faster than the sound, darting through the surroundings.

However.

“Not good.”

“……!”

Just as I tried to reach my destination, Pae-jon was already standing there.

“Trusting only your eyes will get you in deep trouble, disciple.”

Kuung-!!

Kwadeudeuk-!!

The protective Ki surrounding my chest shattered. Fortunately, I wasn’t hit directly.

That’s because I’d retreated the moment I registered it.

However, if I had been even a moment slower…

‘My chest would have caved in.’

Pae-jon’s fist wasn’t just a simple blow.

‘How much internal energy did he wrap around it?’

That Pachimyeoun held within that hand.

That’s not a martial art that simply pulverizes a wide area.

‘No… I suppose in a way, that simple description holds true.’

Overwhelming range.

Yet, the same destructive force.

Normally, widening the range tends to decrease the power. That’s the chronic issue with martial arts that prioritize firepower.

While it’s true my flames contributed immensely to the war in my previous life, but…

‘Thinking about it right now,’

the reason they didn’t exhibit much power in one-on-one combat was for this very reason.

I neglected the need for compression and rotation. I only pursued wide range and firepower as I trained my martial arts.

Of course.

‘Looking at Grandfather, that approach seems viable too.’

Through growth like that, if I had reached Grandfather’s level, that might have been good in its own way, but…

‘Still, compression is the way to go for one-on-one combat.’

Gathering and amplifying power.

Just like how a focused blast is stronger than a vast stream.

As for me, my focus was on compressing power, but…

‘When I consider that, Tua Pachimyeo is overwhelming.’

The complete accumulation of power.

Pursuing a more perfect conclusion through a flawless process.

Power focused there, as if proclaiming the essence of martial arts is destruction.

That was the advantage of Tua Pachimyeo, in my eyes.

‘Its only drawback, if you could call it that, was its lack of firepower against multiple opponents, not in single combat.’

It wasn’t a martial art evolved to face monsters, but one solely designed to face humans.

As a result, Tua Pachimyeo could be considered to have relatively weak firepower, yet…

‘This…’

It broke through that chronic issue.

Kwagagagagagag—!!!

The heavens trembled with Pae-jon’s fist. The condensed energy poured out relentlessly and ferociously.

Kugagagagag-!!

One punch was enough to reshape the environment.

The sheer firepower erupting was enough to elicit a hollow laugh.

‘He’s lost it.’

Who said the firepower was low? I’ll have to grab that guy by the collar if I ever find him.

‘What did he create?’

Pachimyeoun.

Clouds that shatter the sky.

It seemed like a martial art that manifested on the body, yet it was difficult to decipher.

‘It’s assimilated into every single strike.’

It felt like it was entwined with every movement, lending aid.

As for its effects…

‘Pachimgong’s range increase and effect maximization.’

An increase in firepower and strength.

That’s an impossible scenario.

Kwang-!

“Kkuhk!”

I was flung sideways. Pae-jon, who had approached in the blink of an eye, swung his power at me.

Kkigigik-!!

I didn’t go far, thanks to stomping the ground with my foot. I shifted my gaze.

My body moved before my head could even turn.

“Stop.”

Ulkeok-!

Blood surged due to the aftereffects of using Dragon Speech again. I endured it.

Thanks to that, I managed to create a brief opening-.

Kwak!

“Keok!?”

A fist burrowed into my abdomen.

“You’ve been using something interesting since a moment ago.”

Although Dragon Speech had clearly taken effect on Pae-jon, he recovered faster than before and attacked.

Did he adapt in that time?

That crazy bastard.

Ppeojeok-!!

I felt it in my ribs. They cracked.

I managed to twist my body, barely mitigating the damage.

Pain radiated from where they’d just cracked, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through.

Flames coiled around my twisting waist.

Gu-yeom Taeryun-gak.

A kick wreathed in flame shot towards Pae-jon.

“Heup!”

Kuuk-!!

The fist imbued with a battle cry clashed with the flames.

Kwaaaaah-!

The internal energies repelled each other, sending shockwaves outward.

It was enough to shake the surroundings violently.

Vibrations erupted.

Obscured vision was meaningless. After all, we were already seeing each other with our mind’s eye.

I didn’t hesitate.

I charged straight at Pae-jon.

Kkiriririric-!!

Friction sparked within my Ki. The Ki of Gu-yeom Hwaryun-gong and Tua Pachimyeo threw themselves into chaos.

Huuk.

A murky grey aura coiled around my fist.

It was the aura of the Demonic Heaven Divine Arts.

Cheonma Ilgwon.

Using my braced leg as a pivot, I thrust the condensed energy straight towards Pae-jon. By then, Pae-jon was already moving.

It was a fist. Pae-jon approached, smiling, his fist clenched just like mine.

Crazy bastard, laughing at this.

My body threatened to freeze uncontrollably at his maniacal laughter, but…

“Hooo…”

There was no backing down now, with the momentum already gathered.

Kkadeudeuk-!!

I fired my fist, meeting Pae-jon head-on.

Kuwaaaaaaaaa–!!!

Pachimyeoun and Cheonma Ilgwon collided. A shockwave incomparable to before erupted in all directions. The ground itself shattered, losing its original form.

The problem was.

“Kkuhk-!”

That my body was immediately sent flying backward and rolled across the ground upon impact.

I was pushed back.

Cheonma Ilgwon was swallowed by Pachimyeoun.

It wasn’t completely swallowed.

Pae-jon must have taken damage too, but…

“Hahahahahahaha—!!!”

Judging by that rough laughter, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Pasususu-!! Huuk-!!

Wind rose, clearing away the dust and debris. Pae-jon was approaching me, stomping heavily.

“Excellent. I felt this last time too. You’ve created something fascinating.”

“……”

I widened my eyes within the mask.

‘Is that old man alright?’

Pae-jon’s left arm looked visibly unwell.

Blood was dripping down.

It was proof that the impact of Cheonma Ilgwon had indeed landed.

“I like it. However.”

Tung-!

Pae-jon’s body materialized before me.

Kwageugeuk-!

A kick grazed my cheek.

“This can’t be all you have, can it?”

“……Tsk.”

I rolled my eyes.

Pae-jon wasn’t using his left arm. Perhaps due to the injury, he began using only his right arm, but…

Nevertheless, close combat didn’t become any easier.

“What’s wrong?”

Pae-jon asked, as we traded blows.

“You don’t plan on using those fellows from earlier?”

“……”

He seemed to be referring to the summoned Mang.

Kyaaaaaaaaaaa–!!!

Mang’s cry could be heard.

That guy was busy stalling elsewhere right now.

Honestly, I could summon him if I chose to, but…

‘I don’t want to.’

My fighting spirit flared up.

I didn’t want anything interfering with this fight.

That was the feeling I had at the moment.

Foolishly enough.

Dugeun-!

I could hear my heart pounding.

Kwak-!!

“Kkuhk!”

I was hit in the flank. The cracked section shuddered.

The pain was excruciating.

“Disciple.”

Pae-jon’s voice reached me.

My vision went blank for a moment. Pae-jon covered my face with his blood-stained left palm.

I could have dodged, but I couldn’t at that moment.

“You’re thinking too much.”

Ppaak-!

My jaw was twisted sideways.

My lower body’s strength remained planted on the ground, so I gritted my teeth and endured it.

Hwareureureuk-!!!

Yeom-ok formed in my hand.

“That flame.”

Pae-jon’s voice, laced with laughter, grated on my ears.

“It’s from Gu Clan. How are you learning it?”

It was a question filled with curiosity. Naturally. From his perspective, as Grandfather’s child and someone of forgotten lineage, it would be normal for me not to know Gu Clan’s martial arts.

I had also wanted to hide this as much as possible, but…

‘This is a do-or-die situation.’

It wasn’t the time to be picky about things.

Kwak-!!

I converted Yeom-ok into a Seong-chang.

I thrust that straight towards Pae-jon.

“Huh.”

Seeing the Seong-chang, Pae-jon let out a short breath.

“You keep showing me interesting things.”

That was the limit of his surprise.

Even after seeing the Seong-chang, Pae-jon didn’t retreat.

Instead, he charged forward.

Is he a madman?

However, I knew that it was actually the correct judgment. It was more like defending against an explosion at close range.

‘Does he realize?’

As if sensing that Seong-chang was an explosive martial art, he minimized the damage.

‘Unbelievable.’

Every time I witness it, I feel it – that old man’s instincts and combat judgment are truly on another level.

However.

Hwi-iik-!!

“Hm?”

I controlled the explosion of Seong-chang. Otherwise, I could have just used it like a spear.

I gave it a light spin, aiming for Pae-jon.

“Haha!”

Perhaps because it deviated from his expectations.

Pae-jon’s laughter deepened.

At that moment.

Kwadeuk.

“Huh?”

Pae-jon suddenly grabbed the tip of the Seong-chang.

Chiiiiiik-!!

Even though it must have held immense heat, he showed no hesitation.

And then.

Kwak-!!

He crushed the Seong-chang he held and detonated it.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaa—!!!

A ferocious heat erupted, swallowing Pae-jon whole.

There was no damage on my side. Since it was my power, I could simply control it.

“Are you insane?”

Pae-jon must have surely taken damage.

To grab and detonate all of that?

He must have truly lost his mind.

Is he alright?

A flicker of concern crossed my mind.

“Didn’t I tell you.”

Pae-jon’s voice reached me.

Right in front of me.

“To fight seriously. Otherwise…”

And then.

Ossak-!

Goosebumps prickled all over my body.

“You’ll die.”

The flames cleared.

Pae-jon, scorched along with his martial uniform, was visible, seemingly having suffered burns on one side.

The moment I saw him…

Pae-jon’s fist slammed into my chest.

Six Forms (六式).

The perfect first form of Tua Pachimyeo erupted.

Kuuung-!!!

My body, struck by the impact, shuddered.

“Kkeo…”

Tuk.

The mask I wore fell off.

Teolseok.

My knees buckled straight down.

My body wasn’t flung away or anything like that. That’s precisely the problem. It means I took the full impact.

Jureureuk.

It felt like every bone in my body had shattered.

A proper scream wouldn’t even escape.

Is this really going to kill me?

‘Die?’

And by Pae-jon’s hand?

Besides,

‘Can I even die here?’

Can I die in this world too?

Is it fitting to die by my master’s hand?

While my confused mind cycled through these thoughts.

“I think this should suffice.”

Pae-jon spoke to me in a leisurely tone.

“This much…”

As my consciousness faded…

“Shouldn’t it start revealing itself soon?”

Pae-jon’s voice reached me, and as soon as I heard it…

Kkumteul-!

“……!”

Something stirred within my body.

Hwareureureureureuk-!!!

Flames flowed out, enveloping my body.

It was Baek-yeom.

The pure white flames of Pama coiled around my entire body.

And then.

Ppeojeok-!!

I heard something shattering from within my body.