The Enforcing Guards, having lost their reason, charged like wounded tigers. Chung Myung also became a streaking meteor, rushing toward them.
"Noooooooom!"
Jeok-Il, eyes rolled back, struck down with his triple sword. Dark demonic qi rose like clouds from the tip of his blade.
Kkiaaaaaak!
At that moment, Jeok-Il's sword howled like a ghost filled with resentment. The dreadful, ghostly wail sent chills down the spine and made the soul tremble—it was as if the sword cried out on behalf of the hatred Jeok-Il harbored.
Yet Chung Myung's face showed no trace of agitation as he faced him. The words he had lazily thrown moments ago were all lies; he met Jeok-Il's flying sword without any emotion.
Kwaaaaaang!
Their swords clashed in midair with a thunderous boom, scattering black demonic qi and red sword aura in all directions.
Grrrrrk! Grrrrrrrrk!
The blades pushed against each other. The sword aimed at the opponent's neck writhed like a snake, ready to slice the throat at the slightest opening.
"Kuhhaaaaaat!"
Jeok-Il exhaled killing intent as he pushed Chung Myung's sword. At that moment, Chung Myung did not resist the force but tilted his sword to deflect Jeok-Il's triple sword.
Kagagak!
The triple sword grazed the blade of the Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword, sparking red embers.
The moment the triple sword touched the tip, Chung Myung twisted his wrist to flick the sword away and swung the Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword at incredible speed. At a short distance where their shoulders almost touched, dozens of fragmented sword shadows poured over Jeok-Il's entire body.
Kwa-deuk! Kwa-deuk!
The flying swords pierced Jeok-Il's body without mercy. However, Jeok-Il's body, as hard as steel, blocked the Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword's strikes—which could pierce steel—with only cloth-like wounds.
"Useless!"
Jeok-Il raised his left hand. Demonic qi covered it, forming a terrifying shape. The long protruding qi from his fingertips resembled beast or demon claws.
Kwaaa!
Jeok-Il's hand tore through the air toward Chung Myung. At that moment, Chung Myung naturally raised his left hand as well.
His fingertips trembled as if splitting, then dozens of sword forms blossomed, forming a red wall between Jeok-Il and himself.
A technique from Mount Hua's famed martial art, Plum Blossom Scattered Hand, called Red Flower Ultimate Wall. Jeok-Il's long fingernails scratched the perfect wall of sword shadows.
"Kuk!"
A momentary look of confusion appeared in Jeok-Il's eyes.
He tried to break through the wall at once, but it was not easy. When his nails deeply scratched the wall, instead of hardness, an endlessly soft and pliable qi enveloped his hand.
The qi that was pushed away as he scratched immediately returned to its place as if it had never moved.
It was an extreme soft skill that even embraced the sharpness embedded in the demonic qi.
Just as the Enforcing Guard, unable to hide his confusion, tried to swing his sword again, the qi wall filling his vision suddenly broke and a sword flew in at tremendous speed.
'What?'
Startled by the attack that seemed to pierce the center of his neck in an instant, Jeok-Il twisted his body.
Swoosh!
The blade grazed the right side of his neck, leaving a crimson sword-shaped scar.
"Kuk!"
A burning pain arose.
But there was no time to moan. The sword that had sliced his neck suddenly stopped midair as if time had frozen, then changed direction and flew fiercely toward Jeok-Il's head.
Jeok-Il opened his mouth wide and swung his hand forcefully.
Kaaaang!
The hand wrapped in demonic qi collided with the sword filled with red sword qi. Jeok-Il wildly thrust his triple sword with his right hand. Chung Myung's body seemed about to be pierced.
But at that moment, Chung Myung slightly pulled back his sword and stabbed toward Jeok-Il's neck like a flash. Their swords pierced toward each other.
Chung Myung aimed for Jeok-Il's neck, Jeok-Il aimed for Chung Myung's chest. Facing a no-retreat situation, Jeok-Il gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the sword.
'A bluff…'
And at that moment, he saw the devilish smile flicker on Chung Myung's face.
A chilling sensation beyond words flashed through Jeok-Il's mind at what he noticed.
The Demonic Cult members never fear enemies. They never fear death. But they are still human. Choosing to expose one's neck and let the opponent pierce the chest was not an easy decision.
Ultimately, his human survival instinct momentarily overcame his hatred for the unbeliever.
Jeok-Il reflexively twisted his sword to parry Chung Myung's rushing blade.
But at that moment!
Pararararak!
With a sound like a butterfly flapping its wings fiercely, Chung Myung's sword shattered into pieces. It was as if he already knew Jeok-Il would not fully extend his sword and was aiming for his.
Jeok-Il's fiercely swung sword cut through the space where the Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword had been, and simultaneously, thousands of plum blossom petals formed from Chung Myung's sword aura pierced Jeok-Il's entire body.
Kakak! Kakak!
Jeok-Il flailed his arms in a late panic. But it was impossible to block all the sword auras flying like thousands of dancing petals. Red wounds began to mark his body.
But what shocked Jeok-Il was not the dazzling swordsmanship, but the man Chung Myung himself.
'What on earth is he…?'
The killing intent Chung Myung emitted was so intense it made his whole body numb.
Jeok-Il and the Demonic Cult members are demonic beasts, trapped in a barren land. To master martial arts, they must be each other's opponents. Therefore, they are accustomed to hatred, killing intent, and malice more than anyone else in the world.
Yet the killing intent emitted by that Justice sect youngster now made even Jeok-Il's body stiffen.
Even if one were forged from blood, it was doubtful they could emit such intense murderous intent and malice. How then could a Justice sect guy, who lived peacefully in this false world of peace, radiate such momentum?
"Th-this guy…!"
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Sword qi surged endlessly, ravaging his entire body as if to leave not a single part untouched.
Pain made his head feel like it was turning white. Yet, even in that pain, Jeok-Il's consciousness did not break. It was not because of hatred for the enemy.
It was because of those cold eyes.
Beyond the splendidly scattering plum blossom sword qi, Chung Myung's cold eyes glimpsed faintly, holding his reason like glue.
He realized that if he lost focus even for a moment, that guy's sword would mercilessly cut his neck.
A clear emotion took root deep in his chest. No matter how he tried to deny it, he could not. This was definitely… fear.
'Am I really feeling the kind of fear one feels before the Cult leader, from this Central Plains guy? Me?'
At that moment, Jeok-Il's face twisted horribly.
During the brief fight, two Enforcing Guards arrived. Passing Jeok-Il, they charged straight at Chung Myung, swinging arms covered in demonic qi.
"Dieeee!"
Jeok-Il's eyes widened.
"Stop…!"
He wanted to shout for them to stop, but Chung Myung's movements were twice as fast.
Thud!
Chung Myung stepped on the ground and charged toward the hand falling above his head. As the dark hand brushed past his accelerating head, Chung Myung's body completely penetrated the Enforcing Guard's chest.
Kuuuuung!
Chung Myung's shoulder mercilessly rammed into the Enforcing Guard's chest. The rotational force dented the center of the chest deeply. Blood poured like a waterfall from his mouth at the impact.
But Chung Myung's attack was just beginning. Before the Enforcing Guard's body bounced back, Chung Myung spun like a top. The Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword swiftly slashed the flying Enforcing Guard.
Paaaah!
His chest was split open. The wound was so severe it exposed bone beyond muscle. The Enforcing Guard couldn't even scream and was flung backward.
"This…!"
Another Enforcing Guard, watching his comrade brutally defeated in an instant, emitted blood-red light from his eyes in anger. He made a mad gesture with both hands toward Chung Myung.
Kkiaaaaaak!
Demonic qi emitting a ghostly wail cut through the air toward Chung Myung. Dozens of chaotic black lines seemed ready to tear him apart.
At that moment, Chung Myung stabbed his sword into the midst of the pouring demonic qi.
Parararak! Parararak!
Chung Myung's sword tip, trembling faintly, began vibrating more and more until it became a large wave, pushing the flying demonic qi left and right. Soon, a large space opened within the net of demonic qi.
'What?'
The Enforcing Guard had no time to be shocked. Chung Myung immediately flew into the opened space. The startled Enforcing Guard tried to quickly retreat, but at that moment, a devastating thrust erupted from Chung Myung's hand.
Paaat!
The moment his eyes caught something flickering, Chung Myung's sword was already right in front of his neck. The speed was unbelievable even to the eye.
But the Enforcing Guard was no pushover. At that moment, he quickly twisted his body to dodge Chung Myung's thrust.
Scratch.
Chung Myung's sword qi lightly grazed the Enforcing Guard's neck skin. Even in that brief moment, it was a terrifyingly precise strike. The Enforcing Guard shuddered and tried to leap backward again.
Swaaaak!
But Chung Myung, who had thrust the sword ahead, quickly folded his arm and surged forward faster than his own thrust.
He reached out at a speed that made the word "flash" seem inadequate and grabbed the Enforcing Guard's head.
Kwa-deuk!
Chung Myung grabbed the head so tightly it seemed he would pierce it with his fingertips and pulled the Enforcing Guard toward him.
Chung Myung's cruel smile was clearly reflected in the Enforcing Guard's eyes. Understanding what was about to happen, an undeniable fear bloomed on the Enforcing Guard's face.
"Ah, no…"
Kwa-kak!
The sword blade that the Enforcing Guard had just dodged touched his neck, now pulled toward Chung Myung. Chung Myung fiercely spun his body.
Shaaak!
A truly crisp and chilling sound echoed.
Thud!
Blood gushed from the Enforcing Guard's neck as he collapsed to the ground.
Jeok-Il looked down with a half-dazed face. The blood gushing from the beheaded Enforcing Guard soaked his clothes hotly.
Then, as if entranced, he lifted his head and clearly saw Chung Myung holding the severed head in his left hand, sword hanging loosely.
Thud.
Chung Myung threw the head he was holding at Jeok-Il's feet.
"If you already have that face, it's troublesome."
"…"
"Because it's just the beginning."
The madness in his eyes was even more intense than that of the cult members. Chung Myung, running toward Jeok-Il again, laughed like a demon.