SWNOVELXO Chapter 186
### Chapter 186: Girl
The filthy red nails of that guy tore through the darkness. His sinister eyes ignited in flames.
A simple move, but it was filled with intent.
I quickly struck at his nails with the sword in my hand.
Clang!
The sound of metal colliding was so sharp that I could hardly believe it, and powerful rebound surged through my grip.
Pachachachachack!
Soon after, the black energy of my sword clashed against his red energy, filling the surroundings.
‘With his techniques, he might be on par with my past life, or even beyond.’
I narrowed my eyes.
In front of me stood the old monster in desperate need of dental treatment and nail care, Gangsimajon, whose skills matched or exceeded my prime in my previous life.
‘He babbles about being one of the Four Heavenly Kings, but it seems he’s truly a master of Hyeongyeong.’
The corpse-like face of Gangsimajon loomed in my sight.
Images of the organizational chart of the Blood Sect I acquired from Heavenly Alliance flashed in my mind.
The Blood Sect is structured like a pyramid from Laity – Disciple – Bishop – Apostle – Vice Sect Leader – Blood Demon.
The power of Laity is third-rate to first-rate in martial circles; Disciples are peak, Bishops are peak to super-peak, Apostles reach Hwakyung, and the Vice Sect Leader is a master of Hyeongyeong.
And the so-called Four Heavenly Kings, as he rambled on about, is an outdated title for the four Vice Sect Leaders in the Blood Sect.
Alternatively, they are also called the Four Great Lords.
The Blood Demon maintains loyalty among numerous sect members through a simple method. The Blood Demon connects all Blood Sect disciples with their spiritual essence. Through a spiritual connection, he liberates the disciples’ potential using his own power to level them up, but places an absolute restraint on betrayal called Geumje.
For masters stuck at the wall of enlightenment, the temptation of the Blood Demon must be unbearably sweet.
Gangsimajon in front of me likely joined the Blood Sect in such a manner.
‘But for a master of Hyeongyeong…’
In an instant, I analyzed the hand movements we just exchanged, as if using bullet time like a low-budget superhero cartoon.
His Laity-like techniques were indeed powerful, but being at the same Hyeongyeong level—having reached Hyeongyeong through my techniques—I knew.
Gangsimajon.
No matter how much he hid his strength during the test, there was no soul in his scratches.
That leaves two possibilities.
Either he was in terrible condition, or he was an incomplete master of Hyeongyeong.
Smirk.
A smile crept across my lips.
This was manageable. If he was an incomplete master of Hyeongyeong and not a true one, I could at least buy time until Jeoksawol arrived.
As the slowed-down world around me perfectly captured the smile on my face, Gangsimajon’s expression twisted.
“You!”
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A red aura erupted from Gangsimajon’s body, vibrating with his movements. The waves of energy he emitted filled the cave. My vision was painted red as if soaked in blood.
In an instant, Gangsimajon’s aura engulfed the cave. This place became his domain. My breath quickened. The flow of energy felt unnatural.
Hyeongyeong is a realm of controlling space. Even without deploying Mind’s Martial Arts, the same holds true.
A master of Hyeongyeong can manipulate the flow of energy within their attack range, steering offense and defense to their advantage.
While Hwakyung is a one-to-hundred level, Hyeongyeong is a one-to-ten-thousand level because of its mastery over space and the flow of energies.
“Achieving the realm of Hwakyung at your age is commendable. Your talent is exceptional. However, because of that exceptional talent, you shall die today. When you do, curse your ancestor, Honwon Geomje.”
Gangsimajon’s smooth face rapidly withered away like that of an ancient tree, aging horridly.
Upon reaching a level beyond Hwakyung, one’s physical age is fixed due to the Transformation of Flesh and Bone. Most retain a youthful appearance.
Yet if one cultivates a special martial art, they may retain an ugly appearance even after transformation.
Gangsimajon certainly cultivated such a special martial art.
As the leader of the male faction, I knew the name of the martial art he had cultivated.
Corpse Martial Arts.
If one transforms their body into that of a corpse, they gain a durability akin to Vajra Body and the resilience of a corpse. The horrible side effect of Corpse Martial Arts is an emaciated body like that of an ancient tree and the appearance of a corpse.
Of course, such a horrible martial art comes with powerful capabilities.
To cultivate such a wretched martial art! As a man aiming to be a grown man alpha male, I wouldn’t want to learn that even if offered.
“Gangsimajon. Because you cultivated some insignificant art like Corpse Martial Arts, you’ve undergone the Transformation of Flesh and Bone yet still bear the ugly visage of aged decay. Gangsimajon. With your techniques, Corpse Martial Arts, there’s no greater combination of disdain! You are no man, just a girl! All this time, did you join the Blood Sect to overcome your ugly appearance and the humiliation you’ve endured?”
I laughed at Gangsimajon.
Even if one’s exterior is ugly, if their interior is beautiful, they can appear attractive.
I endeavor to cultivate inner beauty to compensate for my goddamn unattractive looks.
But Gangsimajon was ugly outside and even uglier inside.
He was the very embodiment of a hideous man! By the color spectrum, he scored a big fat zero.
The blood light in Gangsimajon’s eyes deepened upon hearing my words. His cheeks trembled with rage.
“You! Who dares to call me a girl! You look like a girl and yet you have the audacity to disgrace me! You truly are a fool who only cries upon seeing a coffin! Today, I’ll slaughter you like a dog!”
As expected, he seemed to have strong complexes about his appearance, as Gangsimajon bellowed at me.
His voice resonated in all directions, shaking my Protective Spirit Energy as it echoed throughout.
Gurgle, gurgle.
A blood-red field spread around him.
I raised my sword, looking at Gangsimajon.
“How dare you call me a girl while I, the greatest man in the White Path Martial World, Sword Dragon, stand before you?”
My insides were boiling.
How dare he insult me, the outstanding Post-Stimulation Indicator and the future idol of the White Path Martial World, by calling me a girl when he’s nothing but a hideous man?
That was unforgivable.
“Gangsimajon. You old hag, you’re the one whose eyes are like those of a swollen hole! It’s said that a hideous man only sees hideousness! Do you think all men in the world are as ugly as you? You prattle on about being a Heavenly King in the Blood Sect, but all you did was line up behind like a puppet. If that Blood Demon really exists, they might be a crazy pervert to take in someone like you.”
“EEEEEEEK! You wretched lizard child!”
Gangsimajon’s limit was reached upon hearing my provocations. He called me a lizard child as he rapidly swung his nails. A red trail slashed through my vision.
I amplified my energy using the Reverse Flow Blood Technique.
The energy, amplified through the Middle Dantian with the Primordial Unity Energy Technique, was further amplified through the Reverse Flow Blood Technique, filling my limbs with explosive power.
An overwhelming energy comparable to my past life surged. Although it was invoked through dual amplification, in that split second, I reached a level comparable to my previous life.
I accelerated my thoughts with intent, activating bullet time.
The surroundings again slowed down. Though my level was of Hwakyung, I could never catch up to Gangsimajon, a master of Hyeongyeong, using bullet time.
However, my mind had already reached Hyeongyeong, and in contrast, Gangsimajon was in a deficient condition. Now, I could surely match his thought acceleration speed.
“?!”
When I caught up with the speed, a hint of panic flickered across Gangsimajon’s face. Yet, his energy still filled the cave, making me move with a strong load and resistance, like being underwater.
I silently chanted the secret mantra of the Joining and Parting Divine Skill.
Woooooong.
The black energy of the sword howled.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Vibrations spread through my body. I could see the flow of energy, no, the flow of power. I grasped the flow with my left hand, which was unholding the sword.
“YOU!!”
Gangsimajon was taken aback. The flow of power was turned inside out in an instant. The burden fell on him rather than me.
The reversal of energy flow couldn’t last long. My ability to twist the flow was merely ephemeral.
Yet that moment was enough for me.
Swish.
I dodged his swiftly swinging nails. As a master of the Divine Arts, all his techniques and transformations were clearly visible to me.
And I saw every opening. With a sword engulfed in black flame, I struck at his gap.
“?!”
Pachachachachack!
Sparks flew as his Protective Spirit Energy shattered. My blade pierced his shoulder.
Yet not a drop of blood spilled. That was to be expected. It was a body cultivated by Corpse Martial Arts. How could a corpse-like body produce proper blood?
“… You dare! A mere rookie from the Orthodox Faction…!!”
Gangsimajon, the master of Hyeongyeong.
Even though he was stabbed by a rookie, it must have been an embarrassing sight.
Not that I cared.
I didn’t need to gauge the feelings of a man.
Especially if he was ugly.
The blood light in Gangsimajon’s eyes deepened. As he flailed his hand to grasp my blade, I quickly withdrew my sword.
As I did, the reversed flow of power returned to its original state.
“You cannot escape this time! Don’t expect support from the Heavenly Alliance! Hehehe. Even if all of those in this Demon Realm join forces, they can’t defeat me, and outside this Demon Realm, the demonic beings will be swarming now!”
Gangsimajon, clad in an outfit that displayed his shoulders, gazed at me sinisterly.
I chose not to correct his delusions.
Instead, I raised my sword.
Hoo.
I took a deep breath. My vision turned increasingly red.
This was it. One strike.
I had to endure until Jeoksawol arrived.
—
GRRRRRRRRRRRR…
The red-clawed black tiger, which could split a house in half, soared through the air as Jeoksawol deftly ran along the path of the magical arts.
‘Damn those magical beasts, trying to get in the way of my meeting with Gaga?!’
Jeoksawol’s beautiful brow furrowed.
She had been aware that many magical beasts existed in the Demon Realm. Thus, she had been radiating her energy to establish her presence while moving, so no trivial creatures would dare obstruct her path.
Still, time was now being wasted as lost magical beasts dared to oppose her.
This was a race against time. She could feel an overwhelming clash of energies at the edge of her far-reaching perception.
While Jeoksawol swiftly manipulated her energy, she sensed a familiar presence.
Slowly, she reduced her speed.
“Ryeon, Wi Soryeon! What brings you here…?!”
A black-haired girl entered her sight. The impressive black bob cut framed the girl’s tear-streaked eyes.
It was Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon.
Why was the Heuksaryong here? As Jeoksawol furrowed her brows, her gaze fell upon the girl nestled in the embrace of Heuksaryong.
A grey-haired beauty with pale skin, resembling a corpse, was fast asleep in Heuksaryong’s arms.
The Post-Stimulation Indicator who participated in the Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse was definitely not this girl. Jeoksawol instinctively sensed.
This girl was connected to the enemy, no, to the Blood Sect.
Thud.
Jeoksawol halted.
“Ryeon!! Brother! Brother…!!”
Wi Soryeon, having met an ally, wept. Jeoksawol looked at Wi Soryeon and said,
“Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon. Report to me swiftly, without omitting a single detail, what has happened to you.”
Jeoksawol’s crimson eyes glowed ominously.