Chapter 25 Poison Forest 7

Chapter 25: Poison Forest 7

“Ji Gwang-ok!”

Ji Gwang-ok barely deflected the double blades of the old man Seok Gyeong-dal, who had suddenly charged, radiating a sinister glow.

Thwack!

Spotting him, the Bloodthirsty Demon General Jigwangok cried out in astonishment.

“Master Seok?! It really was you, Master Seok!”

“Yes, it’s me! How is Muwang doing?!”

Ji Guangyu then answered with a laugh like a beast.

“The Blood Demon Lord is always doing well. He always says, as if it were a habit, that if only Elder Seok hadn’t left, the Blood Sect’s dominance over the world would have come ten years sooner.”

At his answer, Seok Gyeong-dal’s expression suddenly darkened.

“Ten years faster? Then it seems the lost records have already been restored.”

“Heh heh heh, it was quite a struggle.”

Originally a scholar and physician, Seok Gyeong-dal was tasked with supplementing and refining the Blood Cult’s demonic arts through research rather than direct combat.

It was no exaggeration to say that over eighty percent of the credit for refining the Blood Sect’s corpse reanimation techniques into the current living corpses and demonic beings belonged to Seok Gyeong-dal.

However, when Seok Gyeong-dal left the Blood Cult, he had destroyed all his research materials.

Therefore, it was thought that the secrets to creating higher-tier demonic beings, and the method to create the ultimate goal—the Blood Demon—had all been thwarted…

Ji Guangyu spoke.

“Blood Demon instructed me. Should you ever meet Elder Seok, he said to send him off peacefully.”

Meaning he was no longer needed. It meant all the discarded materials had been restored.

Ji Gwang-ok burst into laughter and rushed toward him.

“So farewell, Elder Seok! Kwahahaha!”

Seok Gyeong-dal’s martial arts prowess was roughly equivalent to ninety years of internal cultivation.

He had always been more of a scholar than a warrior, and further increasing his martial prowess would likely make him unable to withstand the erosion of demonic energy.

But now, Seok Gyeong-dal, his eyes reddened, clashed almost evenly with Ji Gwang-ok.

“Ugh!”

Crash!

Ji Guangyu, who had clashed with Seok Gyeongdal’s five viscera and retreated to the sides, frowned and said.

“You took the Blood-Boiling Pill!”

“Kwahahahaha!”

The Blood-Boiling Pill was a dangerous pill that caused qi to surge, temporarily boosting one’s martial prowess.

It allowed one to wield power beyond their true skill for a brief time, but afterward, they became crippled…

Even for righteous practitioners with pure internal energy, consuming the Blood-Boiling Pill resulted in crippling failure nearly eighty percent of the time. For martial artists trained in demonic arts, it was no different from poison.

Seok Gyeong-dal had taken precisely such a Blood-Boiling Pill.

Seol Pung, who had been catching his breath during Seok Gyeong-dal’s intervention, couldn’t help but be horrified at the mention of the Blood-Boiling Pill.

He could guess what had driven him to intervene.

Seolpung gritted his teeth and charged back at Jigwangok.

“Haah!”

He couldn’t let the opportunity Seok Gyeong-dal had risked his life to create slip away.

While Seok Gyeong-dal clashed head-on with Ji Gwang-ok, Seol Pung, with the agility of a beast, targeted Ji Gwang-ok’s rear.

Seok Gyeong-dal, charging head-on with a kill-or-be-killed intensity, was formidable. Seolpung, pouncing like a panther at incredible speed, waiting for an opening, was equally formidable.

But Ji Gwang-ok hadn’t been holding back either.

“You worthless fish!”

His twin blades, enveloped in crimson energy, began lashing out in all directions like a storm.

It was the Blood Sect’s ultimate technique, optimized for facing multiple enemies: the Heavenly Whirlwind Fist.

Pabababababam!

“Ugh!”

“Guh!”

As crimson hand shadows filled the entire space like a sunset, Seok Gyeong-dal and Seol Pung, unable to withstand the force, were flung backward.

It was truly a chain-strike technique of immense power.

Moreover, unlike Seolpung, who regained his balance instantly with animalistic reflexes, Seok Gyeongdal was still staggering, unable to recover his footing.

Spotting his opening, Ji Guangyu burst into laughter and charged toward Seok Gyeongdal.

“Kwahahahaha! Farewell, Elder Seok!”

A crimson lightning bolt coalesced, crackling in Jiguangyu’s palm—the Blood Sect’s deadly technique, the Thunderbolt Blood Palm.

As the thunderous force slammed into Seok Gyeong-dal’s exposed chest, Seol Pung, startled, tried to leap away.

“Elder!”

But Sun Woo-jin, who had suddenly appeared beside Seol Pung, grabbed his arm and wouldn’t let go.

Startled, Seolpung cried out urgently.

“Jin?!”

But what Seolpung saw was Seonwoojin shaking his head with a somber expression.

When Seolpung, sensing something, turned his head again, it was the very moment Jigwangok’s sword struck Seokgyeongdal’s chest.

“Die!”

POW!

“Gahhhhh!”

Seok Gyeong-dal’s back, struck by the palm strike, exploded like fireworks.

Blood, of course, along with vertebrae and even internal organs.

But Jigwangok’s savagely grinning expression froze instantly upon seeing Seok Gyeongdal’s dying face.

Despite his back exploding, he was still alive, smiling brightly.

Ji Gwang-ok, sensing something was terribly wrong, tried to step back hastily.

But Seok Gyeong-dal’s hand, which had tightly grasped his arm, wouldn’t let go.

The next moment, a brilliant light erupted from Seok Gyeong-dal’s eyes.

Simultaneously, his body unleashed a massive explosion.

BOOM!

It was the Blood Sect’s secret technique, Explosive Thunderbolt—a move that detonated one’s own body to achieve mutual destruction with the opponent.

Seolpung cried out in horror.

“Elder!”

With a heavy expression, Sunwoo Jin suddenly recalled the old man’s words before leaving the pavilion.

‘Even if I, who consumed the Bloodlight Pill, and the young Seolpung join forces, defeating Ji Gwang-ok will be difficult. Therefore, I will deliberately show him an opening and then self-destruct. At that moment, you must take responsibility and ensure the young Seolpung and the child Cheongyeon retreat.’

When Biseaeng, horrified, asked why he would go that far, the old man had answered with a smile.

“It’s simply something I must do because it weighs on my mind.”

His expression as he laughed while saying this looked incredibly relieved.

Though he had stepped far back, unsure of the exact blast radius, it seemed Old Man Seok Gyeong-dal had even controlled the direction of the self-destruction.

His bones and flesh had been blown apart, scattered only in the direction of the Jigwangok.

But when the explosion subsided, Seon Woo-jin and his group, who had been staring that way with grim expressions, had to widen their eyes once more.

Ji Gwang-ok still stood there, covered in flesh and bone fragments.

“Gahhhhh, you damned old man!”

Though his right arm, seized by Seok Gyeong-dal, had vanished without a trace, the rest of his body appeared completely unharmed.

Suddenly, the faint crimson aura enveloping his body caught everyone’s attention.

Seolpung muttered in disbelief.

“Bodyguard… Qi?”

Bodyguard Qi was a technique where one enveloped their entire body with the Qi that even peak masters could only emit from specific parts like weapons or limbs, protecting the whole body.

The operational demands and energy consumption of such qi were absurdly high, a realm only achievable by the absolute masters of the current martial world. Yet, Ji Guangyu had just demonstrated it, albeit imperfectly.

But manifesting the protective aura and withstanding the Exploding Thunderbolt seemed too much for Ji Guangyu.

He soon spat blood from his mouth.

“Gurgle!”

At that instant, Xue Feng’s eyes flashed.

This was his chance.

The final chance Elder Seok Gyeong-dal had given him.

Seolpung’s new form shot out like a beam of light.

A crimson glow erupted from his eyes.

POW!

“Haah!”

Seolpung, leaping like a fierce tiger, struck the Jigwangok with all his might.

It was his signature move, the Beast Fist.

Thwack!

“Guh!”

Ji Gwang-ok, who had blocked Seolpung’s attack with his remaining hand, was helplessly pushed back.

But that was only the beginning.

The true terror of Beast Fist lay in the barrage of strikes unleashed mid-air, twisting his entire body like a cat. Starting with that initial blow, Seolpung’s fists began pounding Jikwangok like a storm.

Thud!

Ji Gwang-ok’s face turned as pale as a sheet of paper. Unable to counterattack, he was helplessly pushed back.

“Guhh, you little brat.”

Ji Gwang-ok blocked Seolpung’s savage strike with his left arm.

But feigning a strike, Seolpung seized his left arm and spun his body along it, driving his opposite elbow into Jigwangok’s temple.

Thud!

“Guh!”

It was the first direct hit.

But it wasn’t over yet.

Seolpung’s knee, still spinning violently, slammed into Jigwangok’s side.

Pwooah!

Thud!

“Guh!”

With the sound of shattering ribs, Seolpung’s foot, propelling his body into the air, shot high toward the sky.

Then, in an instant, it plummeted down like a bolt of lightning.

CRASH!

“Kwaaah!”

Ji Gwang-ok, struck directly by Seolpung’s kick, finally screamed and was flung away, rolling on the ground.

The watching party clenched their fists and roared.

“Got him!”

“Finish him off, Captain!”

Seolpung also aimed a final strike at Jigwangok, who lay completely sprawled out.

But he couldn’t.

“Guh!”

Seolpung suddenly dropped to his knees, coughing up blood.

The startled group cried out in shock.

“Captain!”

“Are you all right?!”

Only Seonwoojin, who understood the situation, let out a sorrowful sigh.

Through memories from his past life, Seonwoojin knew.

That technique, which allowed Seolpung—a peak master with merely eighty years of cultivation—to drive back Jigwangok, a supreme master with over a hundred years of cultivation, was a martial art with a time limit.

He knew it lasted roughly a moment, but unfortunately, that moment had ended precisely at this instant.

No, judging by the sight of him spitting blood, it seemed he had been forcing himself to continue even after the time had ended.

As Hae Cheong-yeon and Bi Sa-yeong rushed to Seol Pung, supporting him, Sun Woo-jin watched Ji Gwang-ok with a look of deep regret.

Ji Guang-ok was staggering but getting back to his feet.

No matter how badly injured he was, coldly speaking, the only one present who could possibly stand against him, a peerless master, was Seolpung.

The others, who hadn’t even reached the pinnacle of their cultivation, couldn’t withstand his formidable energy.

If only there had been one more… just one more peak master…

Then, Sunwoo Jin’s eyes suddenly shifted to the bundles positioned behind Jigwangok.

It was the cargo brought by the Blood Sect disciples.

Seeing them, Sunwoo Jin’s eyes flashed sharply.

His resolve immediately hardened. He drew his sword and began charging toward Jigwangok.

It was a whirlwind charge, unleashing the Flying Sword Technique to its fullest.

“Ji Gwang-ok!”

Ji Gwang-ok, staggering to his feet, gave a bitter smile as he watched the young upstart charging at him.

Even if he was injured, it was laughable that a youngling who hadn’t even reached his peak would dare to attack him.

From his remaining left hand, the crimson lightning of the Exploding Thunder Blood Palm began to crackle.

“Gahhh!”

But Sunwoo Jin, who had let out a battle cry, did not charge at him. He merely used the momentum of his charge to suddenly kick the ground beneath his feet.

CRASH!

The shock sent a thick cloud of dirt and sand flying, covering Jikwang-ok like a barrage of projectiles.

It seemed intended to obscure his vision.

But such underhanded tricks were far more familiar to Ji Gwang-ok, a member of the Blood Sect, than to righteous faction practitioners.

Covering his eyes with his left arm, Ji Guangyu prepared his counterattack and sneered at Sun Woo-jin.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

But Seonwoojin, who had expected him to charge forward, blocking his vision, did not head toward Jigwangok.

Instead, he circled around him and was heading toward the rear.

“Huh?”

Ji Gwang-ok, following Seon Woo-jin’s movements with a puzzled look, saw Seon Woo-jin’s face, grinning slyly.

He was lifting the cargo brought by the Blood Cultists.

Realizing what was inside that load, Jikwang-ok cried out in horror.

“You bastard!”

In that instant, Seon Woo-jin hurled it toward Ji Gwang-ok while simultaneously lunging forward himself, swinging his sword.

Shwaaah!

Then, the black panther, freed from its bonds, bared its teeth at Jigwang-ok.

“Gyaaaah!”

The black panther that had earlier entered Seonwoo Jin’s field of vision, glaring at Jikwangok with murderous intent, was now upon them.

The black panther, which had fought nearly evenly with Seolpung, now, having regained its freedom, was pouncing on Jigwangok.

As its claws slashed at Jigwang-ok, he swung his remaining arm to strike it back.

Thud!

Though it knocked the black panther back, the beast proved itself a creature worthy of a peak master.

Even in mid-air, it twisted its body, seeking an opening in Jiguangyu’s defense.

Ji Gwang-ok couldn’t take his eyes off the panther.

And in that instant, Sunwoo Jin, leaping in from behind the leopard, kicked the ground again, sending a cloud of dust flying at him.

Puhah!

With only one hand, Jiguangyu had no choice but to raise his left arm to shield his eyes.

In that instant, the black panther charged again.

“Kyaaaah!”

Ji Gwang-ok let out a furious roar.

“How dare you!”

Just as he was about to lash out at the black panther with his left arm,

Suddenly, a sharp stinging pain in his right shoulder made him pause.

It was a faint pain, but something felt terribly wrong.

Then, when he absentmindedly turned his eyes to see what was causing the pain, he was horrified.

Two snakes, darting like projectiles, had sunk their fangs into the gaping wound where his arm had been severed.

They were three-colored snakes, a venomous species so deadly that a single bite meant instant death. Even masters of poison arts used them as hidden weapons.

Ji Gwang-ok’s eyes went blank with shock.

His eyes fell upon Seon Woo-jin, who was grinning savagely while holding out a leather pouch toward him.

“This… this can’t be…”

In that instant, Jigwang-ok couldn’t block the black panther’s attack that pounced on him.

“Kyaaah!”

Crack!

The sound of a neck snapping rang clearly in Seon Woo-jin’s ears.

The black panther wasn’t satisfied with just breaking his neck.

It bit into Jigwang-ok’s neck, knocked him down, and then simply tore it out.

Sizzle!

Puhah!

Blood spurted from Ji Gwang-ok’s neck like a fountain.

No matter how supreme a master he was, he could not survive having his throat ripped out.

Instant death.

“Huuu.”

Seon Woo-jin finally exhaled a sigh, as if all his energy had drained away.

He looked at Jigwang-ok’s corpse.

The black panther did not eat Ji Gwang-ok’s torn-out throat.

It spat it out with a ‘Tch!’ and simply stared blankly at Seon Woo-jin.

Seon Woo-jin also looked into the black panther’s yellow eyes.

The beast was clearly a dangerous predator.

Possessing combat prowess nearly on par with a peak master, if it attacked them now, with Seolpung injured, they might not be able to fend it off.

But for some reason, Seonwoojin felt it wouldn’t attack them.

He couldn’t explain why, but he sensed no hostility whatsoever in its gaze.

After briefly watching Seonwoojin, the black panther turned its head, glanced at the injured Seolpung and the others, then turned away. It strolled leisurely into the dense forest and disappeared.

It was just a feeling, but somehow, it felt like he had received a silent thank you from the creature.

Seonwoo Jin now stuffed the two Samcha Sisa still clinging to Jigwangok’s shoulder back into the leather pouch and rushed over to Seolpung.

It was truly time to return.