Chapter 855: Ilcheonkyo.

Mind Sword (心劍). Sword cultivator. Moreover, it is the ultimate technique that only a very few martial artists who have reached the Hwagyeong realm can awaken to.

Becoming one with the sword, called Divine Sword Union, the dream of all sword cultivators. It is an absolute power that can only be realized upon reaching that point.

“…You bitch…”

The Gyecheon Gate Master clutched his chest and let out a groan.

He had been cut. Blood flowed, soaking his martial uniform.

What had cut him? Was it sword energy? No.

The Gyecheon Gate Master was also a sword cultivator of a high realm. He already knew what he had been hit by.

“How could you, you bitch, use the Mind Sword…!”

This was the Mind Sword. He was certain it was the Mind Sword that had struck him.

Otherwise, there was no way he would feel this way.

“Kukuk.”

The blood that burst from his mouth dripped onto the floor.

The wound was quite deep. If he hadn’t dodged based on his split-second judgment, he might have died right there.

“…Kueu…”

The Gyecheon Gate Master looked straight ahead, letting out a pained groan.

He glared at the damn bitch who had done this to him.

The swords lying on the floor. Even though sword energy permeated them, they hadn’t pierced the ground. This space couldn’t be destroyed by any force.

However, it wasn’t as if the attack had no effect; it landed properly. Thanks to that, the opponent’s condition wasn’t good either.

Blood flowed from his torn martial uniform, and the blood from his forehead soaked his white neck.

It looked like he had abandoned defense for offense.

Because of that, that bitch must also be struggling to stand, yet even in that state, she…

“Ha… you’re laughing?”

She was smiling brightly. As if she was enjoying the current situation.

“Hoho…”

The Gyecheon Gate Master let out a hollow laugh watching her.

“Truly the embodiment of a demoness.”

This was a life-or-death battle, and yet she was enjoying herself against him, whose realm was far higher.

She’s not sane. A flicker of fear crossed the Gyecheon Gate Master’s mind.

However, he quickly dismissed it.

“…Don’t get overconfident, perhaps.”

Straightening his knees, the Gyecheon Gate Master got up. The wound was still painful, but he had stopped the bleeding using his internal energy.

“Do you think you have a chance just because you succeeded with one attack?”

Woowooong–!! The swords that had fallen to the floor floated into the sky and returned to the Gyecheon Gate Master.

Then, they began to circle around the Gyecheon Gate Master.

“The fact that you couldn’t cut off my head with that attack. That means you’re finished.”

The Gyecheon Gate Master frowned and pointed his finger down.

At that moment, the swords flew towards Namgung Bi-ah again at high speed.

The swords flew, drawing lines across the sky.

“…”

He watched the elegantly moving swords. They were quite threatening. The sword energy imbued in each hilt was distinct and heavy, showcasing the Gyecheon Gate Master’s strength.

Each one was enough to threaten a life, but.

“…”

Namgung Bi-ah simply watched the swords silently and smiled.

And then.

Swoosh. She soon began to move her body as if swaying.

Watching her, the Gyecheon Gate Master furrowed his wrinkled eyes.

Her movements were smooth.

It was like silk swaying in the wind. Visually, it was elegant and refreshing. Moreover, with her outstanding appearance, she was a feast for the eyes, truly beautiful, but.

‘What is she doing?’

It didn’t suit the current situation. What good were elegant movements?

A dancer (舞嬉) drenched in blood all over her body is nothing but madness.

‘Has she gone mad?’

Since she failed her final strike, perhaps she’s given up? Just as the Gyecheon Gate Master had that thought.

Shwik-!

“…!”

The Gyecheon Gate Master’s eyes widened at the sight.

He sensed something in those seemingly beautiful movements.

Following the Gyecheon Gate Master’s will, the swords continued to slice through the air. Their speed was faster than sound, and there wasn’t just one, but…

Swik swik-!

“This bitch…?”

Even though several swords burrowed into one spot, strangely, they couldn’t even graze Namgung Bi-ah’s collar.

There was no sound from her stepping feet.

Her seemingly soft movements evaded all attacks.

She was like a light feather.

She moved while maintaining a precarious, unstable state, as if she’d fly away with just a gust of wind.

‘What in the world is that.’

The Gyecheon Gate Master couldn’t help but be astonished by those movements.

They were movements beyond comprehension.

They were stances a martial artist would never take.

She had completely broken free from the mold.

That was Namgung Bi-ah’s appearance, and the Gyecheon Gate Master had to stare as if he couldn’t believe it.

‘This is….’

What on earth is that?

The Gyecheon Gate Master looked at Namgung Bi-ah with trembling eyes.

She dodged another sword.

No, rather than dodging, it seemed as if the sword had passed her by.

It was a scene so natural yet strangely artificial.

Another sword. And another sword.

Namgung Bi-ah continued walking, narrowly dodging the Gyecheon Gate Master’s sword manipulation.

She didn’t even spare a glance at the passing swords.

‘That is…!’

Only then could the Gyecheon Gate Master fully comprehend Namgung Bi-ah’s state.

That is a state of self-forgetfulness.

‘How dare she… during a fight with me!’

She is confronting me.

Sword manipulation is rampant, and both sides have inflicted wounds.

And yet, she dares to fall into self-forgetfulness in a situation like this?

‘No matter how much she enjoys fighting, this is utterly reckless.’

The Gyecheon Gate Master gritted his lips and reached out.

A sword floating in the air changed its angle and was sucked into his hand.

The Gyecheon Gate Master gripped the sword, and at that moment, energy flowed into it, a sword energy of a completely different dimension than before.

His wounded body was quite painful, but the Gyecheon Gate Master no longer cared.

‘I will kill her.’

Setting aside whether he’s a Saint King or enjoys women, he will simply eliminate her.

Otherwise, his pride would not remain.

Self-forgetfulness? What difference would it make even if she entered that state?

Movements outside the mold, or the Mind Sword?

Those are also futile.

In the end, the one standing at the end of this fight will be myself.

‘If possible, I don’t want to use that, though.’

Perhaps I might have to.

A faint anxiety whispers to the Gyecheon Gate Master.

He tried hard to ignore it.

Hwi-i-ing-! The speed of the manipulated swords increases.

Energy erupted from his dantian as if exploding.

With this level of output, it wouldn’t last even half a Gyeong (식경) in terms of time.

But it doesn’t matter.

‘That will be enough.’

The manipulated swords plunged towards Namgung Bi-ah.

In sync, the Gyecheon Gate Master also leaped.

A flash cut across the air.

All the light headed towards Namgung Bi-ah.

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t stop walking even while watching it.

Pik-!

One sword grazed Namgung Bi-ah’s shoulder.

Her martial uniform tore, and blood spurted out.

But, she didn’t stop this time either.

The distance closed.

Another sword flew in.

Namgung Bi-ah twisted her waist to evade the onslaught.

However, this was a feint.

They intentionally changed angles to make it difficult to dodge, and then the third sword struck.

Namgung Bi-ah moved her sword.

Pajik. The sword, imbued with lightning energy, tore through the air, striking the manipulated sword.

Kkang-! The deflected sword rolled across the floor.

Just then.

The Gyecheon Gate Master had already reached Namgung Bi-ah.

He had drawn her attention with three swords and reached his destination at maximum speed.

Upon noticing this, Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze became strange.

Seeing her eyes, the Gyecheon Gate Master momentarily adjusted his speed.

Chwaak! His nose tip was sliced.

It was the Mind Sword.

Although the Gyecheon Gate Master himself hadn’t reached the Mind State yet, he could sense it.

He ultimately managed to evade the Mind Sword.

He finally succeeded in closing the distance.

The Gyecheon Gate Master laughed, holding his sword.

“Didn’t I tell you?”

His sword moved.

“The moment you couldn’t cut off my head. That means you were finished.”

An unstoppable sword.

That sword plunged towards Namgung Bi-ah’s white neck, but.

Kkang-!

“…!”

Suddenly, the Gyecheon Gate Master’s sword was knocked away.

Someone intervened and blocked the attack.

The old man’s gaze shifted downwards.

First, he saw deep blonde hair, and second, golden eyes shining brilliantly as if set ablaze.

“You…!”

The Gyecheon Gate Master swallowed his surprise upon confirming the identity.

At that moment.

Puk-! Pukpukpuk-!!

“Keoheok!”

Several swords attacked the Gyecheon Gate Master’s chest.

They were golden swords made entirely of sword energy.

Boom-! Pushed back by the impact, the Gyecheon Gate Master crashed into the wall and collapsed.

Wi Seol-ah looked back urgently upon confirming that.

“Unni-!”

Namgung Bi-ah was also kneeling.

Perhaps due to exhaustion, she belatedly gasped for breath.

“Hoo… hook…”

“Unni… are you okay? I’m sorry…. I suddenly lost my focus…”

As Wi Seol-ah examined Namgung Bi-ah with teary eyes, she raised a hand and patted Wi Seol-ah’s shoulder.

“I… I’m okay.”

“But…!”

“…It’s okay… It was fun.”

“…What?”

Wi Seol-ah didn’t understand what she meant, but Namgung Bi-ah looked genuinely happy.

“You’ve lost too much blood. I’ll stop the bleeding first.”

“…Okay…”

Before she could finish speaking, Wi Seol-ah placed her hands on Namgung Bi-ah’s back and poured her internal energy.

She managed to stop the bleeding.

However, not only was the pain immense, but exhaustion had also accumulated significantly.

Even though she had barely regained consciousness, it was obvious that this happened because she couldn’t help in the fight.

Wi Seol-ah kept biting her lips out of guilt.

“I’m sorry, Unni. First, we need to get out of here quickly…”

“Kukuk-!!”

Wi Seol-ah’s expression immediately hardened at the coughing sound from the wall.

“…Wait here for a moment. I’ll be back.”

Wi Seol-ah drew her sword and moved.

“Kkeu… hehe…”

The Gyecheon Gate Master slumped onto the floor with a thud.

He let out a blood-mixed laugh while looking at the swords stuck in his chest.

“…I, the great me, overlooked you for a moment. I should have killed you first, long ago.”

He knew there was another woman.

Yet, due to his greed, he made a mistake.

He should have started by cutting off that bitch’s head with his sword.

“…Ah… what a shame.”

The Gyecheon Gate Master murmured.

However, Wi Seol-ah didn’t reply to him at all.

She just charged forward to cut off his head.

Seeing that, the Gyecheon Gate Master seemed resigned…

He took something out of his sleeve.

“This precious item… I didn’t expect to use it now.”

He took something out.

Wi Seol-ah sped up upon seeing it.

However, the Gyecheon Gate Master had already put what he held into his mouth.

Wooduk-!

The change happened instantly.

Kwak-!

“…Huh…?”

The Gyecheon Gate Master grabbed the incoming sword.

Wi Seol-ah let out a gasp upon seeing this.

Kung-!

“…Keok!”

An impact struck her abdomen.

Wi Seol-ah was sent flying.

Kkigigig-!! She reduced her speed by scraping her feet against the ground.

She barely managed to prevent a greater impact, but.

“…Eugh…”

The pain in her abdomen must have been severe, as she had to clutch her stomach.

She had grasped his movements, even briefly.

So she urgently gathered her protective energy, yet the impact was still this severe.

“Hoo…”

Wi Seol-ah caught her breath and readjusted her stance.

By then, Namgung Bi-ah had already gotten back up.

Both women turned their eyes towards the Gyecheon Gate Master due to the strange event.

“…Unni.”

“…Yeah…”

Wi Seol-ah called out to Namgung Bi-ah and quietly stroked her arm.

Goosebumps rose on her skin.

Her body reacted involuntarily to the felt presence.

“…Keuheu…”

The Gyecheon Gate Master slowly got up.

Changes were already occurring within him.

His hair, unnaturally dark for his age, was turning white.

His already tall stature had increased even further.

He looked well over eight feet tall.

His lean body, typical of a sword cultivator, was developing muscles that seemed about to burst.

That alone was an unbelievable transformation.

But the strangest thing among them was this.

Scales were growing on his skin.

His pupils were also gradually changing to a golden color.

“…”

Upon confirming this, Namgung Bi-ah immediately looked at Wi Seol-ah.

Wi Seol-ah had to swallow hard.

[Haaaa….]

The Gyecheon Gate Master let out a low sigh.

[…Ah….]

Namgung Bi-ah winced at the short utterance.

The internal energy contained in his voice felt like it was piercing her lungs.

This is dangerous.

She didn’t know what it was, but the current Gyecheon Gate Master felt dangerous.

[Do you know?]

His voice seemed to echo throughout the entire space.

[…Ah….]

Namgung Bi-ah winced at the short utterance.

The internal energy contained in his voice felt like it was piercing her lungs.

This is dangerous.

She didn’t know what it was, but the current Gyecheon Gate Master felt dangerous.

[Do you know?]

His voice seemed to echo throughout the entire space.

[This is for the Saint King… No, I never intended to use it even on the Saint King. It was too precious even for that bastard, yet I end up using it on mere insects like you.]

It’s such a waste.

Though it was a great waste, the Gyecheon Gate Master could smile.

The sense of superiority and ease he felt now was incredibly sweet.

[…But that doesn’t matter anymore. These inferior beings….]

The Gyecheon Gate Master, who was speaking while looking at the two, suddenly tilted his head.

He did this while looking at Wi Seol-ah.

[Hmm?]

“…”

As the Gyecheon Gate Master pondered something while looking at Wi Seol-ah.

“…Unni.”

Wi Seol-ah called out to Namgung Bi-ah as if giving a signal.

At the same time, Wi Seol-ah stimulated the energy she had been holding back.

Her innate Qi began to simmer.

Perhaps if Namgung Bi-ah drew her sword in response, it might be possible?

Seeing the possibility, Wi Seol-ah steeled herself, but Namgung Bi-ah grabbed her shoulder.

“…No.”

“What? B-but… then.”

Isn’t there no other way?

Wi Seol-ah stopped herself before she could say that.

She had noticed it too.

“It’s okay.”

Namgung Bi-ah said it with full trust and conviction.

Wi Seol-ah also peered beyond the door with the same gaze.

Then, the Gyecheon Gate Master, who had stopped, looked at Wi Seol-ah as if he had realized something and spoke.

[Ah, I see. You… No, you….]

Kwadeuk.

[Hmm?]

The Gyecheon Gate Master, mid-sentence, turned around at a rough sound.

The only thing behind him was the door.

But what sound was coming from there?

Kkadeudeudeuk-!

[…What?]

The source of the sound was none other than that.

The iron door was gradually being crushed.

That was the sound coming from it.

It looked like something was tearing it apart from the outside.

This is impossible.

[That… shouldn’t be breakable by anyone?]

A space that couldn’t be opened by just anyone and would never break.

This was the characteristic of the underground space, so what on earth was that?

The Gyecheon Gate Master couldn’t believe reality.

However, as if ignoring such doubts, the door lost its shape in an instant.

Kwaang—-!!

Finally, it was ripped off, door and all.

Simultaneously.

Something flew towards the Gyecheon Gate Master’s eyes.

He could only see it up close.

It was a fist.

Ppaaak-! Kuuung-!

Hit in the cheek, the Gyecheon Gate Master face-planted straight into the ground.

“Kuheok…!”

The Gyecheon Gate Master groaned in pain.

He couldn’t even do that for long.

This time, a sole appeared before his eyes.

[Wait-!]

Kwajik-!

A foot stomped down on the Gyecheon Gate Master’s face.

Crack! The sound echoed as the ground cracked like a spiderweb.

The ground, which was supposed to be indestructible, broke so easily.

“Keok…heo….”

The Gyecheon Gate Master trembled uncontrollably while being trampled.

Watching him, the owner of the foot, a young man with purple eyes.

Gu Yangcheon spoke.

“…What the hell is this monster bastard?”

Despite his actions, his voice was filled with bewilderment.