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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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So, he was the last one.
Namgung-Woo’s gaze shifted to the Smiling Ferocious Wolf, who seemed to be searching for his next target.
The Yang brothers were engaging Goreokgal, and Peng Ha-ryeong was locked in combat with No Hae-rip.
That left the Smiling Ferocious Wolf to Namgung-Woo.
“Hmph, what an arrogant brat.”
The Smiling Ferocious Wolf dragged his chipped blade along the ground, letting out a sinister chuckle.
‘Judging by his confidence, he was likely a Peak Realm expert.’
He’d seen plenty of young martial artists like Namgung-Woo.
Foolish prodigies, praised as promising talents, overestimating their abilities. He relished the opportunity to show these arrogant Peak Realm upstarts the harsh realities of the Jianghu.
“Let me tell you something. The Jianghu is cold. Save your compassion for your sect, where you’re surrounded by sycophants.”
“You talk too much. I like that.”
The Smiling Ferocious Wolf’s smile faltered. He’d been happily contemplating how to dismantle his opponent, but a sense of unease crept into his mind.
He dismissed it.
It was just a bluff.
This kid might be more skilled than he anticipated, but he could always escape if necessary.
As a wanted criminal, he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve to ensure his survival.
‘So, he’s got some experience. His expression is well-controlled, but let’s see how he holds up after losing an arm.’
A sharp Sword Qi, capable of cleaving steel, enveloped the Smiling Ferocious Wolf’s chipped blade.
He lunged at Namgung-Woo, releasing a burst of True Qi.
‘Got him…!’
“Huh…?”
He just needed to swing his sword.
That would send this arrogant youngster’s arm tumbling to the ground.
But his body wouldn’t move.
“Uh, uhh…?”
A strangled gasp escaped his lips, as if his freedom had been forcibly revoked.
He saw him.
The young man standing before him.
And he saw a colossal being looking down at him from the heavens.
“You were going to cut off my arm. You enjoy inflicting pain, don’t you?”
Namgung-Woo’s calm voice sounded like the pronouncements of a celestial judge.
He couldn’t resist.
His spirit crushed, his mind trampled beneath an overwhelming presence, he offered no resistance as Namgung-Woo pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him to his knees.
And then…
Crack!
“Aaargh!”
“So, you can scream. I guess your own pain bothers you.”
The Smiling Ferocious Wolf couldn’t tear his gaze away from Namgung-Woo’s bluish-white eyes. The last vestiges of his conscious mind struggled to comprehend what was happening.
‘S-Sorcery? Is it sorcery? No, no… it’s just… pressure… an overwhelming pressure that feels like sorcery…!’
His teeth chattered.
“A T-Transcendent…”
“Enough. Answer my questions.”
Namgung-Woo cut him short.
Perhaps experience truly mattered. The Smiling Ferocious Wolf seemed to have glimpsed Namgung-Woo’s true nature.
‘Amplifying my presence using the power of the upper dantian isn’t bad, but it’s not ready for practical use yet.’
The pressure the Smiling Ferocious Wolf felt wasn’t simply from a Transcendent Realm expert’s aura.
Peng Hou-sang’s Five Tigers Breaking the Gate, a technique incorporating the power of the upper dantian…
It had given Namgung-Woo an idea.
The Ethereal Void Divine Art was both empty and full. What if he could fill his opponent’s upper dantian with his presence? The result was the man kneeling before him.
His amplified presence translated into an overwhelming pressure, crushing the opponent’s spirit.
It was still in its early stages, but what if he could refine it further?
If he could integrate it with his martial arts, like Peng Hou-sang had woven foresight into his techniques and severed the threads of his opponent’s movements…
‘It’s just a first step, but it’s a good start.’
Putting aside his excitement about his progress with the upper dantian, Namgung-Woo refocused on the Smiling Ferocious Wolf and the situation at hand.
“Are all the Withered Hope Society members here?”
“…I… I don’t know…”
“You don’t know?”
“The… the Withered Hope Society… even the members… don’t know… who the other members are…”
“Then why are the three of you together?”
“By… by chance… I… I was already with the Blood-Blind Elder… and Noh Hae-rip… we crossed paths while targeting these… these people…”
“And decided to join forces?”
The Smiling Ferocious Wolf shook his head rapidly.
“So, you’re saying you have no idea how many others there are or who they’re targeting?”
Sensing Namgung-Woo’s waning interest, the Smiling Ferocious Wolf spoke desperately.
“There… there is a way to find out! When… when we join, we receive a token… a magical token… if… if there are other tokens nearby… they resonate… I-If you reach into my pocket…”
“Take it out.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
With trembling hands, the Smiling Ferocious Wolf pulled a token-like object from his pocket. It looked almost identical to an ordinary token. Likely for disguise.
‘The power contained within is very weak. Even with good senses, it would be hard to detect. The effects are… resonance and owner recognition?’
Compared to the wondrous techniques Li Zi-long had demonstrated, this was child’s play.
It had no other special properties.
The weak power meant the resonance range was very limited, probably only detectable right before combat, allowing members to identify each other and withdraw if necessary.
“It’s linked to you. If I kill you, it will be destroyed, correct?”
“I… I believe so.”
“And?”
“Pardon?”
“Is there anything else? More useful information.”
“That’s…”
As the Smiling Ferocious Wolf’s eyes darted around, Namgung-Woo considered his options.
Should he kill him?
The Smiling Ferocious Wolf was undeniably evil.
A murderer who enjoyed inflicting pain and death.
But taking a life was still difficult for Namgung-Woo.
Killing Li Zi-long? That had been different.
He was clearly beyond human, a monster.
And Namgung-Woo had been consumed by the heat of battle, his mind too focused on survival to consider such trivial matters as morality.
Besides, if he hadn’t killed Li Zi-long, he would have been killed instead.
The situation was different now. He had the luxury of time and reflection.
“But I can’t postpone this forever.”
He had to get used to it.
If he wanted to survive in this Jianghu.
There was no rule of law here. Conflicts couldn’t always be resolved through words. Ultimately, everything came down to force.
Like Li Zi-long trying to overthrow the capital because he felt wronged, like the Withered Hope Society killing innocent people to satisfy their personal grudges.
“Excuse me? G-Great Hero? Was there something… strange… about what I was saying…?”
The Smiling Ferocious Wolf had been rambling desperately, seemingly oblivious to Namgung-Woo’s silence.
But Namgung-Woo didn’t answer his question.
Or rather, he did.
The Smiling Ferocious Wolf just didn’t hear it.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
He had decided to face this world head-on, without running away.
Swish—
Before the Smiling Ferocious Wolf even registered the draw of a sword, his head slid from his shoulders.
It was so fast that the Clear Water Sect disciples, watching with wide eyes, only realized Namgung-Woo had drawn his sword after he had passed by the Smiling Ferocious Wolf’s body.
Lonely Soul, Single Strike (Gohonilgeom).
A sword drawing technique consisting of a single, decisive strike.
It was overkill for a villain like the Smiling Ferocious Wolf.
A single strike, utterly lethal, a technique Namgung-Woo hadn’t even considered using until now, until this moment of resolve.
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“S-Senior Brother… Seong-ha… Did I just… really see that?”
“…I… I can’t believe it…”
“Brother, did you see anything? Really?”
“No… I didn’t see anything. That… that’s his neck, right? I just saw it twitch…”
Wi Ji-ryang answered honestly.
The draw? He didn’t see it.
The decapitation? He didn’t see it.
Had he not been paying attention? No.
“There’s a reason he’s the boss…”
“Hey, Brother.”
“Yeah?”
“Those… thirty taels of silver… we really got a bargain.”
“Hmm…? Oh! Right, ahem, now do you understand, little sparrow? Perhaps your brother has a keen eye for business after all.”
“Don’t patronize me!”
Wi Seong-ha’s retaliatory kick landed squarely on Wi Ji-ryang’s calf.
Lee Gong-seo chuckled, watching the siblings’ playful banter. The fight happening nearby? Nothing to worry about. Not with such an absurdly powerful ally on their side.
But as the eldest and protector of the Clear Water Sect disciples, he didn’t neglect his duties.
“Junior Sect Leader, Seong-ha, observe their fight carefully. You’ll learn a lot.”
The battles were nearing their end.
Peng Ha-ryeong, though facing a tough opponent, maintained a slight advantage.
The Yang brothers, working together seamlessly, pushed back against their stronger foe.
Victory was inevitable.
From the moment the Smiling Ferocious Wolf met his ignominious end, Goreokgal and Noh Hae-rip had become distracted, their focus wavering.
They were looking for an escape. And that hesitation would be their downfall.
“…Those two are quite famous even within the Withered Hope Society, where most members are unknown…”
“They’re truly powerful.”
Wi Ji-ryang’s gaze darkened.
Just as Lee Gong-seo had fulfilled his role, Wi Ji-ryang had his own responsibilities as Junior Sect Leader.
Echoing Namgung-Woo’s words, he made a resolution of his own.
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