Chapter 37
Jaseong and Lee Rin, hiding silently in the bushes, naturally assumed that the Demon Renegade Monk, gohu, would be targeting Kang Ryong.
Not only was his approach extremely stealthy, but they had never seen anyone accompanying Kang Ryong until now.
Yet, in the next moment, something entirely unexpected happened.
"Young master Kang Ryong."
Demon Renegade Monk Gohu gave Kang Ryong a polite bow.
At those words, Kang Ryong slowly opened his eyes and stood up.
"Did you collect all the number tokens?"
"Fortunately, yes."
"tsk. With your skills, you only managed to collect ten now?"
"I just had bad luck."
"That's because you're too soft. You let the ones running away escape, didn't you?"
"There's no need for unnecessary bloodshed, is there? I have little interest in dogs with their tails tucked between their legs."
"Are you, a renegade monk, trying to act like a real monk? You don't live up to your nickname 'Demon Renegade Monk.' Kukuk."
Instead of fighting, Kang Ryong and Gohu were conversing calmly.
It was a sight so baffling that even Jaseong and Lee Rin were left speechless.
They had never expected the once arrogant Kang Ryong, who acted as if he alone were supreme under heaven, to have a companion.
Furthermore, the next moment, something even more surprising occurred.
"But Kang Ryong."
"?"
"Why did you just leave the little rats alone?"
All of a sudden, Demon Renegade Monk Gohu looked directly towards the bushes where Jaseong and Lee Rin were hiding.
To those words, Kang Ryong responded with a faint smirk.
"I figured if I pretended to be asleep, they'd try to ambush me. But they didn't dare to come in. Cowardly little rats. Kukuk."
... Were they discovered?
Lee Rin clenched her teeth.
In an instant, the situation was turning for the worse.
Step—step—
Yet again, another reversal took place.
From another spot in the vegetation, not far from Jaseong and Lee Rin, five men emerged.
It turned out, the presences Gohu had sensed actually belonged to these men.
"... When did those men get here?"
"I think they arrived while we were distracted by Kang Ryong and Gohu's conversation. In any case, thank goodness. With those five, they can tie up Kang Ryong and Gohu."
The advantage shifted once again in their favor.
Moreover, among the five newcomers, there was an expert on par with Lee Rin and Gohu.
[Three]
The boy with the wild hair who bore Number Three.
He was from Killing Valley, the most elite assassin group of the Central Plains.
He was said to be a prodigy recognized within Killing Valley, and there was indeed something unusual about his presence.
The four that came with Number Three were no less impressive.
They were Number Six, number Eight, number Eleven, and Number Seventeen.
All were higher-rank participants.
"Kang Ryong. Hand over your number tokens."
The wild-haired boy spoke.
Kang Ryong responded with a faint, mocking laugh.
"And why should I do that?"
"... I know you've already collected enough number tokens. Why do you keep taking others' tokens and eliminating them like a maniac?"
"What a foolish question."
"What...?"
"Hunting weak beasts is only natural for a tiger."
As Kang Ryong finished his reply, bulging veins began to surface all over his body.
Crunch! Crunch!
As his veins bulged, Kang Ryong's enormous physique gradually took on a grayish tinge.
It was the activation of Infinite Black Emperor Fist, known as the greatest Evil Faction fist technique.
Ruuum—
The next instant, the grayish energy radiating out from Kang Ryong's entire body pressed down upon the lakeshore.
The overwhelming pressure from his ten-foot frame.
Even the elite fighters led by Number Three instinctively trembled before it.
"Your number tokens are here. I didn't bother to hide them; come and take them, if you dare."
Kang Ryong tossed the pouch with the tokens at his feet.
"Of course, with skills like yours, you won't even touch my sleeve. Kukuk."
"... You'll regret your arrogance."
The wild-haired boy raised his killing intent and drew his sword.
Then,
Shooaa!!
He rushed like lightning at the grinning Kang Ryong.
His higher-rank companions followed immediately behind.
"Triple Phantom Steps, Ninth Form: Shadow of Dark Slaughter!"
"Iron Flame Soul Shackles!"
"Fiery Pyre Divine Art!"
The deadliest assassin group, Killing Valley.
Ultimate forms from renowned sects like Dark Shadow Gate of Qinghai rained down on Kang Ryong.
This was good news for Jaseong and Lee Rin.
With five higher-rank competitors working together, even Kang Ryong would have a hard time.
"It's time, great hero."
"Let's move too."
Jaseong drew his sword with a soft swish.
Lee Rin also drew her North Sea sword, its sheath adorned with snowy white fur.
Swoosh!
Leaping out of the vegetation like lightning, they moved as planned.
* * *
Infinite Black Emperor Fist (無極黑皇拳), handed down only to the blood relatives of the Twin Dragon Clan.
Its power was truly worthy of its fame as one of the three greatest fist techniques in the martial world.
"Infinite Black Emperor Fist, First Form: Black Pole Splits the Sky!!"
As ultimate forms rained down from all sides, Kang Ryong suddenly slammed his fist into the ground.
And then—
Boom boom boom!!
"Aaaagh!!!"
Kang Ryong's internal power spread through the earth, unleashing a rough shockwave.
As a result, the five higher-rank experts charging Kang Ryong were blown backwards.
Kang Ryong then charged at one of them like a flash of lightning and unleashed a strike.
"Infinite Black Emperor Fist, second Form: Emperor's Soul Invades Shadows!"
Kang Ryong's right fist shot out, trailing a rough grayish ki.
From the perspective of the one taking it, it felt as if a boulder was flying at him.
BOOOM!! Crack!!
"Aaagh?!"
Because of the immense power behind Infinite Black Emperor Fist, number Seven was felled in a single blow.
There was another frightening aspect to Infinite Black Emperor Fist.
Every technique contained the subtlety of internal ki infiltration.
"Huweeeek!!!"
The moment Kang Ryong's punch struck, the gray ki invaded his opponent's organs.
Their insides became a total mess.
As a result, those struck by Kang Ryong coughed up blood like fountains, all suffering severe internal injuries.
With overwhelming destructive force, it crushed their bodies on the outside,
and with the subtlety of internal ki infiltration, it ruined them on the inside too—such was Infinite Black Emperor Fist.
In the face of this supreme technique, only one managed to keep up: Number Three.
True to his reputation as a Killing Valley prodigy, the wild-haired boy used a ghostly footwork to barely evade Kang Ryong's strikes.
But all he could do was evade; counter-attacking was unthinkable.
Whether in power, speed, or level of mastery, Kang Ryong outclassed him in every respect.
"If you're only going to run away like a rat, why did you come looking for me? Kukuk!"
So overwhelming was Kang Ryong's might that some lost the will to fight early on.
'Even with the five of us, we can't take down Kang Ryong... This is impossible!'
'While Number Three keeps him busy, let's steal Kang Ryong's token pouch and run...!'
Exchanging glances, number Six and Number Seventeen, both injured, began to slowly edge away behind the battle.
Then, at a certain moment, they suddenly lunged for the pouch on the ground.
But right then, someone appeared in front of them.
"Just as young master Kang Ryong said—the little rats have shown themselves."
"...!"
It was Number Four, Demon Renegade Monk Gohu.
Seeing him holding twin swords, number Six and Number Seventeen hesitated.
But still, they figured he was preferable to Kang Ryong.
"He's alone anyway!"
"Let's take him down quick, snatch up the tokens, and get out!"
The two shouted to each other and charged Gohu.
At that moment, gohu unleashed the brutal twin sword technique that made him infamous as the demon of Tibet.
"Blood Smoke Dual Killing Sword Secret: Blood Smoke Killing Dance!!"
A blood-red sword energy spread out from both of Gohu's blades like mist.
What followed was—Clang! Clang! Clang!—an overwhelming storm of swift sword strikes, as if a crimson tempest was raging.
Before it, number Six and Number Seventeen lost their sense of self.
And as a result—
Shuaaak! Chaaak!!!
Demon Renegade Monk Gohu reduced the two men to bloody wrecks in just thirty seconds.
It was two against one, and both were higher-rank competitors.
As Overseer Wolryong had said, the top five were truly in a league of their own.
"Namu Amida Butsu."
Gohu pressed his palms together and murmured a Buddhist chant over his fallen foes.
Then, as Gohu finished, suddenly—
Saaa—
The air went chilly.
Next—
"Snow...?"
A pure white snowflake fell on the top of Gohu's head.
Sensing something was wrong, gohu swiftly looked up.
Ruuuum—
From a branch above, a woman with snow-white skin was gathering intense cold at the tip of her sword.
'That woman...?!'
Lee Rin, the sub-palace lord of North Sea Ice Palace and the competitor with the second greatest internal power.
It was finally her turn to attack.
'Ice Lord Asura Sword Art, Ninth Form: Heavenly Snow Falling Petals.'
Leaping down from the branch, Lee Rin struck down with her sword.
A dreadful cold radiated from her, freezing the very air.
KAAANG!!!!!
Gohu hurriedly crossed his twin swords, barely fending off Lee Rin's surprise attack.
But at that moment—
'Kgh?!'
The instant their swords clashed, a monstrous chill traveled up the hilts, freezing both of Gohu's hands.
It was the secret effect of the North Sea Ice Palace's ultimate art.
Startled, gohu mobilized his internal power to force out the cold.
He then unleashed the Blood Smoke Dual Killing Sword against Lee Rin's icy energy.
Clang! Kaang! Clang-clang-clang!!!
Sadly for him, each time their swords met, gohu's hands grew colder and stiffer.
Lee Rin's internal strength was greater than his.
"Fortunately, you're not as strong as Kang Ryong."
Breathing out whitish cold unique to the Ice Lord Asura Sword Art, Lee Rin spoke with chilling composure.
Gohu frowned and fiercely spread bloodred sword energy anew.
But unfortunately, the twin-sword techniques he so prided himself on only slowed, the cold continuing to freeze his arms.
Eventually—
Shuaaaak!!!
In just about fifty seconds after entering the fray, Lee Rin cut Gohu down.
Though both in the top five, Lee Rin was simply overwhelming.
"Keoheok..."
Gohu's chest, sliced by Lee Rin and sharply wounded, was frozen blue.
"Hoo... First objective complete."
Having defeated Gohu, Lee Rin quickly snatched up Kang Ryong's token pouch.
Then, as planned with Jaseong, she sprinted off towards the brush.
* * *
Up to this point, things were going very smoothly.
But before Lee Rin had taken more than a few steps toward the bushes—
"...!"
Lee Rin stopped dead in her tracks.
Standing before her, blocking the way, was the towering man whose entire body was covered in a gray aura.
"So, the little rat I missed last time has come running back."
It was Number One, Kang Ryong.
Dangling from his left hand, coughing up blood, was the boy from Killing Valley.
'... He's already finished the five-on-one fight?'
Lee Rin swallowed hard, her face tense.
In contrast, Kang Ryong wore a delighted, expectant grin.
"To meet again, member of North Sea Ice Palace. How pleasant."
"... I wouldn't say I feel the same."
"I've regretted not ruining that pretty face of yours since last time. Kukuk."
"......."
"This time, I'll crush that snow-white skin of yours to pieces."
As Kang Ryong released a violent bloodlust, Lee Rin's heart thudded wildly.
She had been badly beaten by him before.
Yet, she wasn't as anxious as last time.
She had something in mind now.
'... Commence Phase Two.'
Lee Rin exhaled a chilly breath and drew upon the cold stored in her dantian.
Then, unleashing the Ice Lord Asura Sword Art, Third Form, Frost Chains in Flowing Stream, she charged straight at Kang Ryong.
"Hm. The same attack as before... Not as smart as you look."
Seeing Lee Rin's sword coming directly for him, Kang Ryong smirked faintly.
He responded with Infinite Black Emperor Fist, Fifth Form: Black Emperor Destroys Steel, blocking Lee Rin's attack directly.
But as Kang Ryong's focus was fully committed to Lee Rin—
[Now!!]
Lee Rin whispered to someone through a sound transmission.
Then—
Shuaaak!!
Suddenly, spray burst from the lake right beside Kang Ryong.
At the same time, something shot out from the water.
At lightning speed.
"?!"
Startled, Kang Ryong jerked his head toward the source.
His pupils froze.
Before he could react, a blue sword was already at his throat.
Jaseong, activating the Celestial Gate Opening Art—an ultimate secret of sword immortals for a one-strike kill.
At incredible speed, he was upon Kang Ryong.
Shuaaaak!!