Meanwhile—
The moment when Wang Mo-ryeok’s throat was cut by the sword of Seol-Hwi.
“Ah…”
“Just how…”
Words showing their disbelief came from the members of the escort troops who watched it unfold. Jeok Song in particular was shocked.
Who was Wang Mo-ryeok? He was an elder-level warrior under the Third Disciple, and among them he was at the Supreme Demon level. Even if the man was old, his body had been forged through years of experience, like old wine.
It was a thrill to see Seol-Hwi kill a man with such potential in a single hit.
“W-what martial arts was…”
As Yorim frowned and stuttered, Seo Ryeong said,
“Not a martial art of our sect.”
“Hmm.”
Everyone nodded their heads, not speaking further.
“A martial art which counters a straight attack with a curved movement, like someone well versed in the form of…”
“When it is like that, it means looking at the Yin and Yang attributes, no?”
As Seo Ryeong continued, Yong Jin was startled as he asked,
“Are you saying the commander knows the martial arts of the Justice Faction?”
A skill which can contain everything in one hit—
Mainly it was a tribute to those who had risen to the top position of the Justice Faction.
“It makes no sense… in the first place, the commander is one who rose to Supreme Demon. That means his martial arts should be the demonic arts.”
“Hmm.”
Seo Ryeong was silent at those words.
“No, how can people learn the martial arts of both factions at the same time? If that was possible…”
Next, Jeok Song laughed which annoyed Seo Ryeong.
“So, what do you people think? Is there anyone who can tell me which sect’s martial arts commander was performing?”
“Uh…”
“That…”
“Hmm.”
Everyone was speechless at this. Everyone saw that Seol-Hwi’s sword flashed the moment Wang Mo-ryeok’s neck fell. But that was all.
The sword strike was so swift that it spread out this unexpected path, so it was impossible to infer it as the Taiji Sword.
At least Seo Ryeong managed to guess it as Justice Faction’s skills.
“No, but still…”
“If you are curious, ask the commander. In my eyes, I don’t get it.”
Seo Ryeong did not look happy. The subordinates wondered if it was possible to develop the Demonic arts and the Justice Faction’s martial arts at the same time without much thought, but she was the captain of the Hidden Truth Corps.
Right now, it was a good thing that the martial arts of Seol-Hwi was strong.
Even if one sees it with our own eyes.
She could not guess at all. No, she saw it, but even with seeing it, it made no sense.
That meant the gap between them was quite enormous. At this point, the warriors’ pride was martial arts, and instead of being reassured, they felt everything get drained.
Just what monster…
Phew.
Oh god…
But, in fact, not just her, but the other people’s feelings were the same. Can a warrior who rose to the Supreme Master level take down someone of the Supreme Demon level? This just made no sense.
“Uh? Commander is in the middle of the enemies…”
“What!”
It was then—
While everyone was confused for a long time, something unexpected happened. Seol-Hwi jumped into the enemy backline.
“T-there! Look!”
“Captain, it is dangerous! Let us move together…”
“Do not think about following him! We are just a burden!”
Seo Ryeong shouted at her members. The opponents were too skilled, and elders to boot.
If they were to try at their level, it would be like throwing a pebble into the sea.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Just as expected.
Explosions rose everywhere where Seol-Hwi moved to, with sword energy and blade energy running rampant.
What would happen if one got hit? The members all trembled at the sight.
“Huh.”
“Uh?”
But after that, even more shocking scenes happened.
Wheik! Whish!
Seol-Hwi blocked all the attacks from all directions. Even in the midst of defense, he showed this odd sword technique which cut the heads of the escorts. In addition, when he saw an opening, he would move swiftly and seize the head of an elder.
Regardless of whether they thought it happened at once or one after another, heads continued to fly.
Slash
Then, when Seol-Hwi stopped, an old man appeared.
“…Warrior. Over Wang Mo-ryeok.”
Gulp—
Everyone gulped at the words of someone.
This isn’t so easy…
The old man identified himself as Sima Ryang. Seol-Hwi saw him and checked his own condition.
There was no need for a comparison with the elders and the escorts until that point. Because they were like flies before him. Even if they reached the Supreme Demon level, he was still above them.
We cannot fight like this…
But this opponent was different. He was someone on the Supreme Demon level who had reached its peak.
If he was not in the best physical condition, it would be a difficult situation to deal with.
My internal energy is lacking too.
It was because he used up all of it, and the Golden Belt’s pills had been used up.
He did recover a bit with the pill of the Wudang Sect, but that just smoothed over his condition.
Seol-Hwi’s internal energy had already grown to the extent that it could not be recovered with any amount of pills. And it would be dangerous if he did not cultivate.
Ah! That was it.
One thing came to his mind. There was a way to make it happen
<Supreme Demon ON>
After changing to Supreme Demon, he immediately began to gather energy.
The conditions were not so difficult.
<Gathering Energy Lv2 has been activated.>
As expected!
As soon as he performed this technique, the internal energy flowed in like a flood from his palms and feet.
That one… seems like he is up to something.
The old man, Sima Ryang, frowned.
The opponent’s energy was rapidly moving. If he was not on the Supreme Demon level, he would not have felt this.
So, should he cut down his throat now? He pondered for a moment and shook his head.
There were things he wanted to ask.
Kukukukuk
After restoring the internal energy to a decent level, Seol-Hwi finally breathed out.
What is he thinking?
For some reason, the old man let him do as he pleased despite feeling the energy being gathered.
Well, I managed to think and thanks to this special skill…
And at the same time, he was worried thinking he was getting dependent on the System.
In this life, he wanted to avoid benefiting from the advantages that the System had given. Like the Simulation and also the AI.
After getting used to it, it would be a big disappointment if they were suddenly sealed.
However, being in danger of dying, he ended up relying on it again.
Let us get past this one crisis.
When he was thinking like that—
“There is a rumor about the guy who is of the same level as the End Demon. Are you the one?”
The old man spoke calmly.
“The rumors are exaggerated. It wasn’t the same… it was barely on par.”
Seol-Hwi lowered his head looking polite.
“Hmm. I thought so too. But, seeing what you did here, seems like the rumors are true?”
“My face has been painted in gold, I don’t know how to respond to senior.”
“But…”
As the greetings ended, Sima Ryang said,
“Then, let us talk about this.”
“Uh?”
“Even if it is a surprise attack, the other disciples have eyes and ears. Weren’t you afraid that there would be a trap waiting for you?”
And the text popped up, covering his eyes.
This time it was not a window of information.
Choose one of the choices below ▶We knew the Third Disciple prepared something and we tried to subdue it through a surprise attack. ▷Let us say it was a trap to drive one into a corner. I wanted to clash with an opponent who had an advantage in troops and martial arts. ▷With the skills of Third Disciple, it was impossible to do a scheme. ▷The Third Disciple couldn’t have predicted that such a war would break out, so what defense would there be? ▷We knew the negotiations with the Second Disciple would eventually break down.
This!
Seol-Hwi’s eyes widened. A list of choices which came after a long time.
And as he had been through things so far, having these choices in a situation like this meant a change of conditions.
Perhaps, we might be able to seize victory on our side by selecting the right one?
Sima Ryang, at first glance he was a warrior above Ack Bi.
If he could be brought into their side, the Fourth Disciple would value this man highly. For some reason, it occurred that one of these options might contain a way to obtain him.
No, it was just an assumption. He would be grateful if he just backed down to neutrality without a fight.
For now, it is a good sign that he waited until I recovered…
The question was which of the five options would be the right one.
When he read each of them, his head felt complicated. No matter what answer he gave, it seemed like each would make sense if the opponent would take it in a favorable light, if not…
In the end, I need an answer which suits that man.
Right—
Sima Ryang was a Supreme Demon. So what was his personality like?
Is he one who followed his master blindly, or a person who pursues his own self interests?
Or was he someone who pursued the path of taking everything down by force to get what he wants?
One would not know until a choice had been made. Seol-Hwi checked the options again.
At least this passage is similar to the answer he wants.
▶We knew the negotiations with the Second Disciple would eventually break down.
The Second Disciple is not one who can easily match his character with others. And with the Fourth Disciple’s power increasing suddenly, the two might ally themselves, but it would not be a long term alliance.
Thanks to having lived several lives, he knew the personality of the Second Disciple and Third Disciples. Knowing the future, he had nothing to shy away from.
<You chose ‘We knew the negotiations with the Second Disciple would eventually break down.’>
“Hmm, you know one thing and don’t know another.”
“…?”
“Clumsy one. Right, shall we look at those rumored skills?”
And the words came.
<Failed to convince the enemy.> <Failed to locate the Third Disciple.>
Accept?
Besides, did he try to tell them where the Third Disciple was?
Seol-Hwi gritted his teeth. This was more than just a choice. And he regretted not choosing the right answer.
<The confrontation with Sima Ryang continues.>
Tssss
It seemed like there were no more chances. The energy began to bloom from the toes of Sima Ryang.
Indeed, just standing there, he was giving out tremendous strength. And the green-colored air surrounded him.
What demonic art is this?
It was the first time for Seol-Hwi, who had seen a lot of martial arts.
First to find out the level of the opponent…
Tssss
Strong energy flowed around Seol-Hwi. If the opponent had explosive energy, then his was a calm one.
“Surely, that technique is…”
As expected, Sima Ryang recognized what Seol-Hwi was doing.
“Right. Heavenly Demon Steps.”
Pat
Just one look and he figured it out, and his eyes widened.
As many as ten—
And now with one glance, this one knew.
Bak.
He ran at the opponent.
“Interesting, really.*
Sima Ryang panicked for a second but then looked calm again. And with one hand raised, the energy which swirled around him expanded further.
“This will be fun.”
Sima Young was silent for a moment, and then with one eye opened halfway and the other closed, with illusions ready to attack, he shouted,
“Heavenly Demon Explosion Arts.”
Piiing. Kwaaang!
Suddenly, an explosion of darkness erupted with the strength to pierce through the heavens and land.
It was one of the attacks of the Heavenly Demon. This was not just an explosion but an explosion of demonic energy.
