Chapter 420: Azure Dragon River (1)

Azure Dragon River (1)

Crack-! Craaack-!

“Ough…!”

I endured the pain as I lay down. My Heaven Destruction Art was fixing my disordered body.

My Qi flow started to return to normal and started to flow in my blood vessels faintly again.

I still wasn’t able to recover physically due to the recoil from the fight, but I was at least able to breathe properly now. I finally let out the breaths I was holding.

“Huff… Huff…”

When I started to breathe out heavily, the person tapping my body clicked his tongue repeatedly.

“Tsk, tsk… You deserve to end up in this state, doing everything that I’ve told you not to.”

“…Whew…”

It would’ve taken much longer for me to recover, but it felt twice as fast as there was someone to support me in the healing process.

Crack.

As if it was telling me that the aftermath hadn’t ended yet, my muscles screamed in pain.

Pretending to be fine, I lifted my body up.

I then looked at the person that helped me.

His eyes clearly showed that he was disappointed in me.

“What a mess.”

“…How did you come here?”

I wiped the blood off my face using my hand and asked the Dishonored Venerable.

How did this man even come here?

I could’ve sworn I hid my presence when I left.

I was already surprised by the fact that someone came to support me, but it was even more surprising when I learned that it was the Dishonored Venerable.

I was thankful, but I had to ask what was necessary.

I definitely observed my surroundings, and hid my presence when I left.

There was someone else with me, but it was the White Ripple Sword and she wouldn’t have made such a mistake.

This likely meant that the Dishonored Venerable did his all to follow after me.

Then,

…This old man.

When did he start following me?

Let alone following after me, I barely felt any presence around me when I left.

Even if the Dishonored Venerable was one of the Three Venerables, even he had a limit as he was still at Peak Realm.

It must have been impossible for him to catch my presence.

Yet, I was the one that failed to catch his presence?

It left me confused.

Did he read my thoughts? The Dishonored Venerable spoke to me with a smirk.

“Child, you can run all you want, but you will always be in my hands.”

“…”

“I felt like you were going to cause some trouble… As I expected, you came out here to fight at night to use that technique. Were you really that impatient?”

Chuckle…

I gulped nervously while hearing the Dishonored Venerable talk.

I heard all of his mockery, but that wasn’t the important part.

Just how much did he see?

I wondered how much the Dishonored Venerable saw.

That was what I was worried about.

The Dishonored Venerable knew that I had possessed a mysterious power, but he didn’t know it in detail.

However, I used it a lot in my battle against Tang Duk.

Not only did I attempt to turn him into a Demonic Human, but I even enhanced all my martial techniques with my Demonic Qi.

I created a territorial field with my Red Heaven appearing in evil form, and I used black flames against Tang Duk which left me with no excuse.

It was too strange to call someone like me an ordinary martial artist.

If the Dishonored Venerable demanded a thorough explanation for this, it was going to be a big problem for me.

“…”

I had no explanation after all.

As I continued to worry, the Dishonored Venerable started to speak.

“Child.

“…Yes.”

“We have a small conversation to hold, yes?”

“…”

Fuck.

Cold sweat ran down my face when I heard him.

“What was that thing you showed in your fight?”

“…”

As expected, he asked about the thing I was worried about. How should I respond to this?

“About that…”

Should I tell him about how I got Demonic Qi? Or should I tell him about why I left at night to find this bastard?

Too many thoughts filled my mind.

As I was worried that I might even have to tell him about my regression, the Dishonored Venerable looked into my eyes with an extremely serious expression.

It felt as if he wasn’t going to let me off the hook if I didn’t tell him.

Right as I was about to speak, thinking I had no other choice,

“So about that…”

“How did you mix different Qi and use them together?”

“In truth, I- …Huh…?”

I was prepared to tell him everything one by one, but then opened my eyes widely after hearing the Dishonored Venerable.

I was suddenly asked a random question.

How did I mix different Qi?

“…What do you mean?”

“While you were using the One Fist technique, you definitely used heat from your Flame Art with it. Am I correct?”

“Yes.”

My fight against Tang Duk. Although it turned into me attempting to demonify him in the end, I used the flame from my Destructive Flame Art and Heaven Destruction Art at the same time.

On top of that, I performed the One Fist technique.

During it, I used what I learned from the Dishonored Venerable and mixed my heat in the technique.

As if it was leaving a trace, a giant trace was left behind where Tang Duk fell. It looked as if a giant Demon swept by the area, but the heat from Destructive Flame Art was left along with it.

“How is such a thing possible?”

“…”

The Dishonored Venerable continuously asked me with a serious expression, but I first had to understand my current situation.

That’s the first thing he asked of all the things he could’ve asked?

“That’s what you were curious about?”

“Hmm? Should I be curious about anything else?”

After hearing the Dishonored Venerable’s response, I started to have a different thought.

Perhaps, he didn’t see it all? That was certainly possible.

I thought he had followed me from the beginning, but maybe he had arrived late and hadn’t seen the full fight?

Right as I had that thought, the Dishonored Venerable spoke.

“I said it in the past, it’s none of my business what kind of power you are hiding.”

“…”

I slightly bit my lips after hearing him.

It meant that he saw it all.

The Dishonored Venerable likely learned about Demonic Qi when he faced the Heavenly Demon.

At the time, he didn’t push me to tell him anything.

However, it would’ve been understandable for him to question me now.

Yet, all he asked was how I managed to use two different Mind Arts at once.

“The only thing I care about is if you can manage to reach the peak of Heaven Destruction Art, and that’s it. Besides that, I won’t barge into your life.”

“I…”

His obsession with his martial art was insane.

That was the first thought I had after seeing his reaction.

Even after seeing this much, that was the only thought he had.

It really left me speechless.

Whether he knew how I felt or not, the Dishonored Venerable continued to speak.

“So how was it? Did it feel easier for you to maintain it?”

“Not really.”

I was being honest.

Trying to use Heaven Destruction Art with Destructive Flame Art made it more difficult.

The result is the same as before.

I glanced over at the trace that the Heaven Destruction Art left.

It was a simple quick gesture, and it was true that the martial art was powerful, but it was a problem how I couldn’t use it more than once.

It was obvious since I ended up this way only after using it once.

After hearing my response, the Dishonored Venerable made a slightly disappointed expression.

“Hmm…”

Why was he disappointed? He already knew that I couldn’t do it more than once.

Not only that, he retrieved his hand and stood up.

“It wasn’t a bad thought, but I guess it’s pointless if I can’t use more than two Mind Arts at once.”

“Are you going to attempt it?”

“Stop with your nonsense. Do you think the world is filled with weirdos like you?”

“…”

What’s with the sudden insult? I frowned without realizing it, but the Dishonored Venerable turned his body away as if he didn’t care.

It looked like he was about to go back.

Then, I quickly asked him a question in a shocked tone.

“Elder, are you leaving…?”

“Of course I am. Where else would I go? It’s not like I have anything to do this late at night.”

“You are leaving me like this?”

Is this old man for real?

He’s really leaving after only cleaning his shit? I was glad that he didn’t ask me for an explanation, but him leaving like this felt like I was leaving this business unfinished.

After noticing how I felt, he responded to me.

“It didn’t seem like you wanted me here anyway, so how come you are making such an expression?”

“When did I give off that vibe?”

“The White Ripple Sword behind you and the child. Don’t you have something to do with that big child?”

“…”
He only spoke the truth, so I really had nothing to say.

Just how much did this old man know?

“You were doing this alone in the first place because you didn’t want me to see. I know that myself, which is why I’m trying not to barge into your business.”

After hearing that response, I started to wonder a little.

“Then… how come you chased after me this time?”

When I asked him in a curious tone, the Dishonored Venerable spoke after a short laughter.

“I clearly warned you not to use it in a real battle, but I chased after you as I had a bad feeling. I seriously didn’t think you would actually use it. Child, don’t you know that warnings exist for a reason?”

“…”
I shouldn’t have asked.

The Dishonored Venerable clicked his tongue a couple of times as I avoided eye contact.

“Tsk, tsk… you might have died in this spot if I didn’t come. Do you not know that?”

“…I am thankful for it.”

“I’m sure you are. It’s like I’m asking for your apology at this point.”

If the Dishonored Venerable didn’t come, I might’ve actually been killed by Tang Duk.

I was truthfully very thankful in this regard, but he didn’t seem to believe me.

“There won’t be a second time.”

Then, he spoke in a colder tone than usual.

“There won’t be a second time of me saving you like this if you ignore my warning again. I may want a lot from you, but I have no plan to keep an idiot who can’t control himself as my disciple.”

His words were rather harsh and cold, but it was the truth.

I nodded and responded.

“I understand.”

Once he heard my response, he leaped and disappeared in an instant without saying a word.

He was keeping to his promise, not barging into my business.

Surely he was curious about everything, so how could he leave so easily like this?

I personally couldn’t understand that man.

Did he really have no interest in anything other than his martial art?

If that was true, then he was mad for sure.

After looking into the direction the Dishonored Venerable left into, I turned my head.

I looked at where Tang Duk was lying down.

I walked over to him.

No matter what happened with the Dishonored Venerable, I couldn’t afford to forget why I came here.

I felt pain with every step I took.

The Dishonored Venerable may have helped me recover, but the aftermath of the art hadn’t ended yet.

While enduring the pain, I arrived right in front of Tang Duk.

After looking down at Tang Duk who lost consciousness, I kneeled down and reached my hand out.

I was still worried.

Would it work in my current condition?

Tang Duk may have lost consciousness, but I too was barely holding on. I wondered if it was possible for me to turn him into a Demonic Human especially with his resistance against Demonic Qi.

I was filled with worries, but if it doesn’t work in the end,

I just have to kill him.

It was that simple, so I didn’t hesitate to reach out my hand.

My hand made contact with his back, and I started to pour Demonic Qi into his heart.

Rustle.

I walked through the tall grass.

The loud crickets became silent when I got close.

Was it because of the leftover trace of my Demonic Qi or killing intent?

Or was it because of the aura I was able to feel from in front?

It was likely the latter.

It wasn’t too far, but I started to notice a sharp smell as I got closer to my destination.

I frowned at the smell.

This is…

The scent of blood.

A sharp scent of blood was coming from far away.

I walked through the darkness that covered my vision and walked towards where the scent of blood came from.

Once I arrived, I was able to know why the smell was so strong.

It was obvious, as the area around it was drenched with blood.

“Oh, you’re here?”

Someone welcomed me while standing on top of a puddle of blood that was made by them.

It was the White Ripple Sword.

“…”

I was left speechless when I saw the sight.

Unlike her bright greeting, her appearance was rather horrifying.

There were bodies everywhere that looked like they’d been stabbed to death, and the blood from those bodies drenched everything around the area.

Blood dripped down from the tip of her sword, and her white outfit had marks all over it.

The White Ripple Sword was smiling with blood on her face which gave her a horrifying aura.

Was I feeling this way because of her creepy smile?

When I asked her to deal with the bandits, she gladly accepted, asking me if such a trivial task was enough.

I didn’t hesitate to make this request as the bandits were from the Unorthodox Faction.

Judging by the sight, it seemed like the White Ripple Sword was done dealing with all the bandits around us.

Was it because of my expression? The White Ripple Sword made an awkward smile.

“I don’t look the best right now, huh? Do I look that bad?”

She definitely wasn’t wrong, but that wasn’t why I had a bothered expression.

“Not really. I just thought that it would take you a long time to get rid of that blood smell.”

“Aha…?”

She should’ve done a cleaner job, why did she make it harder for us to clean up the mess…?

The White Ripple Sword was more than capable of doing a cleaner job.

I wondered why she became so violent with them.

The White Ripple Sword answered what I was curious about.

“I may have gotten a bit angry because they were a bit rude.”

“…Hmm.”

It seemed like the bandits messed up when they met the White Ripple Sword. I brought her here for this exact thing, but the result was much more violent than I expected.

Whatever.

I guess I should be glad since everything went according to plan.

“But Yangcheon.”

“Yes?”

The White Ripple Sword asked me a question as I tried my best to think positively.

“Who’s that friend?”

She pointed using her finger.

In that spot, a giant covered in blood was standing, biting his lips.

It was the boss of the bandits and a man who would’ve been called the Green King in the future.

Tang Duk.

Without being able to say a word, Tang Duk only continued to shake.

It seemed like he was filled with anger, seeing all of his minions dead like this.

Though even if that was the case,

“Greet her.”

“…”

Tang Duk couldn’t do anything but listen to my order and gesture using his fist to the White Ripple Sword.

The White Ripple Sword tilted her head out of confusion after seeing the sight.

It seemed like she couldn’t understand this situation.

Putting her reaction aside, I introduced him with a grin.

“He’s a new escort of mine.”

Tang Duk’s shoulder shook out of anger when he heard my words, but I knew he wasn’t going to be able to do anything about it.

I made sure that he couldn’t use his voice until I gave him permission to.

I was able to know one thing after seeing him like this.

Tang Duk had become a Demonic Human, and I had succeeded in my goal.

The sun was rising by the time I got back to the camp. I increased my pace as I was worried that I would be late.

Because of that, I thankfully was able to arrive on time.

After arriving, I ate breakfast as if nothing happened.

Though of course, I was only pretending and I was still feeling pain.

I’m dying over here…

The recoil still hadn’t gone away, and even if Tang Duk lost consciousness, turning a Fusion Realm martial artist into a Demonic Human brought a toll on my body.

I was in a pretty bad state.

Still, I couldn’t afford to let it show so I endured the pain.

Namgung Bi-ah looked at me with strange eyes when she woke up, but she didn’t bother asking me any questions.

It was unexpected. I expected her to ask me questions.

It was actually someone else who questioned me as Namgung Bi-ah kept her silence.

“Young Master Gu, who is that person?”

Once it became noon, Tang Soyeol appeared and asked while pointing to Tang Duk behind me.

Tang Duk currently had his face hidden, wearing a face cover I prepared for him.

“He’s an escort.”

“Escort?”

“Yes. Lady Mi sent me another escort.”

“Ah…! Lady Mi.”

Tang Soyeol nodded without doubting one bit after hearing my response.

Since the White Ripple Sword was here, selling out Lady Mi worked out perfectly.

Though if I had to be cautious about one thing… it was Tang Duk bastard’s reaction.

-Stay still.

I cautioned him because of the emotion I felt from behind me.

I was able to feel that Tang Duk was shaking, clenching his fist.

It was because of Tang Soyeol.

Tang Soyeol was one of the Tang Clan’s blood relatives, the person Tang Duk wanted to kill the most.

I became curious about one thing after seeing the sight.

I wonder… if the Poison King knows any of these things.

The Celestial Martial Body Plan that Tang Duk was a victim of, was terminated by Tang Bi Seung, but I didn’t believe that his descendants were completely unaware of the incident.

It may have been Tang Bi Seung’s own ambition to lead his clan to the greatest, but it was possible that his descendants felt the same way.

As my thoughts reached this deep, I started to wonder about Tang Soyeol as well.

I thought about Tang Soyeol’s future, where she would become the Poison Queen.

The current Tang Soyeol was just a young prodigy who was decently talented, but her future self was on a whole another level.

The Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity, Poison Queen.

A level of poison immunity not even the almighty Poison Emperor, Tang Bi Seung was able to achieve.

It was Tang Soyeol who managed to achieve such a level in the future, and I began wondering about that.

In my eyes, Tang Soyeol didn’t have the talent for her to reach such a level as of now.

She was certainly talented, but she lacked compared to the monsters around her.

To be more accurate, it was hard to call her a genius.

And to say that Tang Soyeol managed to achieve such a level through sheer hard work… It sounded impossible.

That left me thinking.

It reminded me of the experiment that tried to artificially create the Celestial Martial Body.

Perhaps Tang Soyeol didn’t reach her future level only through hard work…

An ominous thought such as that entered my mind.

I saw Tang Soyeol tilting her head out of confusion, wondering why I was looking at her that way.

I shook my head in response.

No matter how evil the Tang Clan of the past was, I believed they were no longer evil.

No, I had to believe that.