Chapter 727: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

Crackle-!

Blood pours down onto the cracked floor.

It was a lot of blood for spilling from his mouth. His trembling body suggested he had reached his limit.

I turned my gaze to the side.

A sword lay fallen next to the blood.

The swordsman trembled, having dropped his weapon.

It was a scene that needed no further words.

‘Hmm.’

A world settled thickly around me.

Peng Woojin reacted, seeing the kneeling young man amidst the gray background.

‘Disappointing.’

It was quite different from my expectations.

Jin Imseok, was it?

Peng Woojin had harbored unusual expectations for him.

I thought he would hold on a little longer, and judged that he would provide a bit more entertainment because of it.

‘Were my expectations too high?’

In the deeply regrettable situation, Peng Woojin’s heart began to cool.

At the same time, my eyes moved.

Leaving the already defeated opponent, I looked down from the martial arts stage. Peng Woojin moved his head, searching for someone among the countless spectators. It wasn’t long before I found the person.

Finding him wasn’t difficult.

Because all I had to do was find the one person shining brightly in a world where everyone else was gray.

‘Haha.’

Having found a certain young man, Peng Woojin chuckled.

It was still a vast light.

In the utterly murky gray world, only the young man was imbued with a blue light.

‘You are quite dazzling today, aren’t you.’

When I first saw him, it was a rather faint light.

Just embers.

Or a spark.

I had felt such a light from a boy much younger than myself.

Isn’t that truly interesting?

Peng Woojin became interested in that flame, and as time passed, the spark was burning vividly.

It was color (色).

The world Peng Woojin had lost the year he turned ten.

A sight imbued with color was shimmering before my eyes.

‘Beautiful.’

The shimmering red light had changed into blue for some reason, but… the beauty remained nonetheless.

What’s more, it wasn’t emitting light alone.

Other colors lingered around the blue light.

The young lady from the Tang Sect, whose name I didn’t need to remember.

She had begun emitting a green light while I wasn’t looking.

‘Bright.’

Even though she was a woman who previously had no color, how did she come to possess such a hue?

This wasn’t the first time Peng Woojin had seen people possessing color.

Besides them, there were a few others he had seen in his life.

Like the Abbot of Shaolin, Tianan.

And so was the Sword Master, known as the Guardian of the Alliance.

Was it representing a martial artist’s strength through color?

I had thought so when I was young, but Peng Woojin realized not long after that it wasn’t the case.

My father.

No color was felt from the Peng Family Patriarch.

Yet, color was visible from the Divine Doctor, called the number one of the Central Plains.

‘Then. What is color?’

If the difference in strength didn’t determine the color…

…then what reason determined the color I saw?

I always lived harboring such questions, but Peng Woojin could never find the answer.

I could only realize.

‘It is brilliant.’

That the colors I saw in a world devoid of color were so desirable and alluring.

I had long forgotten to question why I saw them.

What was important to me now was simply that color existed. That was all.

It was like a ray of light in my lost world.

Perhaps because of that, an anomaly occurred in Peng Woojin’s life.

Those without color began to appear like mere dust.

They didn’t feel human.

Even if they possessed the same heart, it was difficult to even perceive them if they lacked color.

They weren’t worth remembering.

Like the countless pebbles on the ground.

They felt like nothing more or less than that.

Was my father any different?

Although I was born receiving my hair color and eyes from him, Peng Woojin never thought deeply about his father.

Was it because he was an incompetent Patriarch?

Or was it because he struggled so despicably while being incompetent?

It was neither.

It was simply because he lacked color.

I have no interest in those who couldn’t possess color.

That applied even to blood relatives.

My incompetent father and incompetent brothers.

At least my younger sister, Peng Ahui, possessed even a faint color, which is why I merely converse with her.

Therefore, how desirable she must be.

‘Beings that create color around them.’

I had seen those who lost their color, but never anyone who created it. Yet, when beside that young man, people seemed to gain color.

Which is why…

‘I do hope you’ll show me something too.’

Peng Woojin chuckled, looking at his opponent who had somehow gotten back up.

His trembling arms and legs.

The sight of him leaning on his sword like a cane was utterly pathetic.

[Please grant me one request.]

Before I ascended the martial arts stage, Gu Yangcheon offered me a request, which piqued my interest.

‘Or perhaps not.’

Perhaps I might have done it even if it wasn’t for that.

After all.

That young man standing before me also possessed color.

It’s just that…

‘It was just too faint and insignificant.’

A dying spark.

The color felt from the young man was gradually fading.

And at the same time, Peng Woojin’s interest was waning.

‘Indeed, what do you expect from him?’

One sword strike is enough.

For Peng Woojin, that was enough time to judge his worth.

While I could see him favorably because he possessed color, doubts arose about placing any particular hope in him.

Look.

Isn’t his color fading even now?

He somehow stood up and grasped his sword, but I could tell just by looking.

His fighting spirit (戰意) was nowhere to be felt.

What remains for a warrior wielding a sword if they have no fighting spirit?

Aimlessness (無想).

It was akin to futility.

‘What a pity.’

It seems I was wrong this time.

Thinking so, I picked up my saber.

I must fulfill the promise.

Only then will I be able to obtain what I stand to gain.

Swish.

I swung using the flat of the blade, not the edge.

I’ll finish this in one strike.

The moment I moved my body with that thought.

Drip.

“…!”

Retracting the saber I was swinging, Peng Woojin quickly leapt back.

“…Hm?”

About five or six steps. Right after widening the distance by that much.

Peng Woojin looked at the opponent, his smile erased.

A ruined posture.

A still trembling body.

Nothing had changed, yet…

Peng Woojin had to narrow his eyes as he looked at the opponent.

‘The color.’

The color that had been rising like heat haze had vanished.

And yet…

‘What is this?’

What is so vivid?

Even though the color had disappeared, the young man somehow appeared vividly.

What could be the reason for that?

The moment I pondered this, I quickly realized.

‘I see.’

The color hadn’t disappeared.

It had changed.

The yellow color that had risen like heat haze disappeared, and… black deepened around the edges.

The moment Peng Woojin noticed this.

Swaaaaaa–!

“Hoo.”

The young man called Jin Imseok turned black.

Peng Woojin turned his gaze to the referee.

The referee’s reaction below the stage remained unchanged.

He was merely observing for a situation that required intervention.

That meant this change was invisible to others.

“Hahaha. Yes. It’s like that again this time.”

Seeing that, Peng Woojin smiled brightly.

‘It seems my assumption was wrong.’

I was wrong, and he was right.

That fact made me so ecstatic I couldn’t maintain my composure.

Creak.

The young man moved.

Jin Imseok, who had already reached his limit, started to move his body.

He looked so black that I couldn’t even tell what expression he wore.

As Peng Woojin watched Jin Imseok with interest…

“Ah.”

Jin Imseok, while moving, uttered a short word.

Then, pupils appeared in his eyes.

Yellow eyeballs that glittered with light.

The moment I saw that.

Chills.

Goosebumps rose down Peng Woojin’s spine.

Swaaaaaaaa–!!!

Following that, a tremendous aura was emitted from Jin Imseok’s body.

‘This is.’

Peng Woojin nodded after confirming the aura.

‘Killing intent (殺氣).’

That sinister aura was entirely killing intent.

How could he emit so much killing intent?

I was about to exclaim in admiration at the astonishing sight, but… I couldn’t just stand there being surprised.

Peng Woojin smiled and picked up his saber.

Kuaaaaaaa–!

Jin Imseok, emitting his aura, charged at Peng Woojin in an instant.

Screeeech–!

Sword met sword.

At that moment.

Crack-!

“Huh.”

Peng Woojin’s foot dug into the martial arts stage floor as he was pushed back.

‘What is this?’

It was a completely different strength from just before.

Grrrr-!

Pressure arose on the sword path, which had been incredibly light moments ago.

Peng Woojin changed his grip on the saber, veering off course.

Screeeech–! Jin Imseok’s sword grazed past along the flat.

Right after letting the attack flow past, Peng Woojin gathered his strength again and launched his own attack.

But.

Whooosh–!

“!”

Suddenly, Jin Imseok’s killing intent pierced towards Peng Woojin.

Sharply, like a blade.

Seeing this, Peng Woojin changed his course and quickly swung his saber.

Black Smoke Chaotic Fang Saber (黑煙亂牙刀).

The saber, infused with Qi, unfolded into indiscriminate, chaotic strikes.

Clang-! Clang-clang-! Clang-!

Every time I swung, I deflected the killing intent, blocking all attacks.

It wasn’t a difficult act.

However, Peng Woojin’s expression wasn’t entirely pleased right after finishing his defense.

‘Curious.’

The killing intent’s intensity was far stronger than expected.

It was akin to breaking scrap metal.

‘It’s definitely killing intent, but does that mean it’s on the same level as Qi?’

What martial art could that possibly be?

Peng Woojin tilted his head, finding it curious.

Flick-!

Jin Imseok’s attack, which had already charged forward, grazed Peng Woojin’s cheek.

A small splash of blood flew into the air.

‘Faster than before.’

Compared to before, the speed had increased significantly.

Had both strength and speed increased?

‘One could almost consider him a different person.’

The sword path was the same.

Wham-! Thump-!

While his swordplay had been weak but fundamental at first, the current Jin Imseok was like a beast.

He wielded it purely by instinct.

The killing intent stained on his sword was so dense, I couldn’t mistake it.

Though it was too crude to be called swordsmanship, the meaning and power contained within it had crudely transformed.

“Haha-!”

Peng Woojin laughed loudly.

Far from retreating or avoiding the killing intent, he charged in even faster.

Flick-! Slish-!

The rough killing intent tore through my skin.

Peng Woojin didn’t mind, even as the wound instantly heated up.

The more it happened, the more my own body heated up.

‘This is fun.’

Why had that young man suddenly become like this?

Things like that no longer mattered.

‘It’s fun.’

Now, I was finally enjoying myself.

Peng Woojin’s eyes were fixed solely on Jin Imseok’s eyes.

Ecstatically shining yellow eyes.

Even though the pupils were filled with killing intent to a disgusting degree, they were simply beautiful to Peng Woojin.

“I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. I’m going to kill you.”

Because of that, it seemed I couldn’t even hear Jin Imseok mumbling.

Clang-! Clang-! Clang-!

Peng Woojin’s precise flurry approached, deflecting all the killing intent.

I alternated applying and releasing strength, mixing in feints, but Jin Imseok ghost-like exploited only the feints.

I thrust my saber.

Slish-! Jin Imseok’s shoulder was cut by the shallow attack.

Since the feint hadn’t worked, I attacked while leaving an opening, but Jin Imseok, as if waiting, inflicted the wound and dug deeper inside instead.

“I’ll kill you.”

Jin Imseok also thrust out his sword.

Thwack-!

This time, his sword pierced Peng Woojin’s shoulder.

It dug in precisely, piercing the skin and exiting the tip, but…

“Very good.”

Peng Woojin grabbed Jin Imseok’s hand as if oblivious to the pain.

Grip-!

“Nnngh… Nnngh!”

“Hahahahaha–!”

Due to the close distance and angle, Peng Woojin’s saber couldn’t reach Jin Imseok.

Jin Imseok’s sword was fixed in Peng Woojin’s shoulder, immobilizing him.

Combat was impossible unless one of them released their strength.

Furthermore, it was a point where releasing strength would mean immediate defeat.

“So, what will you do now, Gong Jin–!”

Peng Woojin widened his eyes, judging that there was no other way.

Crunch-!

Because Jin Imseok bit Peng Woojin’s nape without a shred of hesitation.

At this, Peng Woojin let go of the saber he was holding.

Then, swinging his empty hand, he struck Jin Imseok’s abdomen.

Kwaang-!

As a shockwave erupted, Jin Imseok’s body flew and rolled across the floor.

“Ptoo.”

After rolling a couple of times, he spat something out.

It was flesh and blood.

Seeing that, Peng Woojin stroked his own nape.

“…”

It was wounded.

It wasn’t a vital spot, so it wasn’t critical, but it was certainly a rough wound.

Had I not let go of the saber and pushed Jin Imseok away there, it would likely have been quite dangerous.

“…I didn’t anticipate this.”

To bite my nape in that situation…

It’s like he’s not even human… What a messy martial arts match this is…

“Truly… truly… this is wonderful.”

Wiping away my blood, Peng Woojin wore an expression filled with ecstasy.

It’s full of color.

The killing intent emanating from Jin Imseok covered the surroundings.

And within it, his yellow eyes shone brilliantly.

Even with just those two colors, they filled Peng Woojin’s world.

“More.”

I can’t contain it.

“Show me more.”

“Please, show me more of your colors, Gong-ja.”

Woooong.

My saber began to roar terrifyingly.

Woooong-woooooong-wooooooooong–!!!

As the sound erupted, energy gathered at Peng Woojin’s fingertips.

Drip.

Blood flowed from my neck and shoulder.

It hurts.

The pain intensified further, as if corroded by poison.

The more it happened, the more Peng Woojin laughed.

Because now, even the pain was ecstasy to me.

“Nnngh… Nnngh.”

Meanwhile, Jin Imseok’s condition was worsening further.

The amount of killing intent he emitted decreased, but conversely, its concentration deepened.

It seemed as if he was adapting to the killing intent and starting to control it little by little.

Hooong.

Hooong.

The saber in Peng Woojin’s hand began to rotate slightly.

‘Indeed.’

How far could that person show me?

Peng Woojin had long forgotten Gu Yangcheon’s request.

How much could he show,

How much could he endure,

‘And how brightly would he shine?’

As we fought, the color became clearer, so how far could he truly go?

I wanted to see.

I felt like I was going crazy just wanting to see that.

“So show me.”

The limit of how brightly you can shine.

Woooong-!

Jin Imseok, who had been growling.

An anomaly occurred in the sword he held.

The killing intent began to gather in the sword.

Was that also a martial art?

Peng Woojin’s breathing grew rougher as he watched.

It was because Jin Imseok’s eyeballs had become brilliant, as if lit on fire.

Seeing that, Peng Woojin raised all the energy in his body.

It was power I had intended not to use, at least not until I met the person I was looking for, but I couldn’t help it.

Now that I had seen such color, I had to do something in return.

Black Iron Ten Thousand Shots (黑鐵萬發).

Peng Woojin prepared the ultimate technique he could use.

It was to meet Jin Imseok’s worth.

Energy gathered, and tension flowed.

The atmosphere between the two gradually intensified, reaching the brink of explosion.

Whoosh-!

Jin Imseok’s body staggered, and then…

“Crrk.”

“Huh?”

Thump.

Leaving behind a single cry, he collapsed right there.

Right after Jin Imseok collapsed on the stone floor.

“Huh…?”

Peng Woojin was flustered by the sudden turn of events.

“What is this–!”

Jin Imseok seemed to have lost consciousness and didn’t stir; the killing intent emanating from him vanished instantly.

The deep color faded.

His black body returned to normal, leaving only the yellow that was visible before.

“…No.”

Peng Woojin tried to approach with a trembling heart, but…

The referee had already gone up to check Jin Imseok’s condition.

After checking him here and there, he raised his hand and declared.

“Peng Woojin of the Northern River Peng Family. Victor.”

I don’t know what happened next.

Whether cheers erupted following the referee’s words, or if there was silence.

Peng Woojin couldn’t tell.

All I knew was…

…Peng Woojin instinctively looked towards Gu Yangcheon.

And Gu Yangcheon, seeing that…

…was smiling as he looked at the fallen Jin Imseok, as if he had discovered a fine item.