Chapter 298

Chapter 298

If you ask where the most outstanding sword sect in the Central Plains is, eight or nine out of ten will mention Wudang.

Wudang Sect, which has functioned as the Mount Tai and Big Dipper of Murim for hundreds of years starting from Ancestor Zhang Sanfeng, has that much foundation. No one denies that Wudang’s Taiji Wisdom Sword is the greatest under heaven in Jianghu.

If you change the question to ask where the strongest sword sect in the Central Plains is, again eight or nine out of ten will mention the Baekri Family. With Sword Emperor, the first seat of the Ten Celestials, as its head, and the family itself’s power belonging among the foremost of the Five Great Families, the Baekri Family literally boasts the strongest force among current sword sects.

The most excellent is Wudang, the strongest is the Baekri Family.

Due to the prosperity of these two sword sects representing Jianghu’s sword sects, the status of sword users is exalted in current Jianghu. However, even if not those two sword sects, it’s true that there are countless martial families in Central Plains Murim. And.

Among those countless martial families, people have called those who train the fastest sword, a sword difficult even to follow with the eyes, by this name since ancient times.

Dianqiang Sword Sect.

The sword sect of madmen who wish to shoot down the sun.

‘……They’re dead.’

Border village.

While sensing with his senses the villagers’ corpses returning into his body with a seureureuk, Muhyeong, who tilted his head crookedly, let out a deep breath. Thick anger encroaching his entire body.

“Sugak. Sugak…… that bastard……!”

He thought he was forgetting something but ignored it.

He had no choice. Because he brings over the knowledge and memories of targets he eats as is. To store those vast memories, his memory had no choice but to be good.

It was the same with Sugak. The moment he ate Sugak, all those memories flowed in. What martial arts he usually used, what codes he used, which hand he used when eating, even how he breathed—everything.

The only thing Muhyeong overlooked was one thing.

Sugak was a person more skilled in hidden techniques than anyone else in Changcheon Corps.

And that he possessed some means of sealing his own memories.

That’s all.

“That brat…….”

Dangerous.

Jjijijijik!

Looking at the memories whose lock had been released, Muhyeong chewed and bit off his lips completely. Pain felt achingly around his mouth.

“Only that brat can recognize me.”

Someone recognizing him because he made a mistake?

That can be reversed any amount. Even if they see through his identity no matter what, they won’t be able to see through the identity of all the ‘collections’ he controls.

If he just infiltrates one person inside, it’s over then. Like tree vines dominating an entire forest invisibly extending roots, he’ll be able to dominate all humans.

So one or two identities being discovered doesn’t become a problem. The reason he didn’t deliberately head to Dali first even though Baekri Un knew his identity was for that reason. Because he clearly recognized that even knowing, they couldn’t stop it.

That should be the case, so what is this current situation?

‘It was Dianqiang Sect Leader.’

Dianqiang Sect Leader So Baek.

Though he’s never met him, he can tell. Because the memories of Dianqiang’s Five Swords live and breathe inside him.

So Baek, Dianqiang Sect Leader, is one who learned Dianqiang’s secret art, the Sun-Shooting Sword Technique, to perfection. Though he receives the evaluation that compared to other sect leaders he still lacks experience, it was certain he possessed skill befitting a sect leader of the Nine Great Sects and One Great Association.

‘If he succeeds in taking that brat to reach Dali……’

If the worst cases overlap and Dianqiang Sword Sage returns to Dali and succeeds in tracking him down?

‘I might suffer massive damage I don’t need to suffer.’

Hu, and.

Letting out a sigh, Muhyeong stood up. Simultaneously dozens of puppets rising.

“It doesn’t seem like a time to take it easy.”

He must catch them even taking on some risk. Baekri Un, that brat, and Dianqiang’s Sect Leader too.

“Rather, this worked out well.”

If he catches Dianqiang Sect Leader with this opportunity, infiltrating and eroding Dali will proceed smoothly as if given wings.

Having finished his determination, Muhyeong turned his gaze toward the shadows whose faces hadn’t formed yet. And soon watching the shadows whose faces began to be revealed, Muhyeong muttered.

“Dianqiang’s Five Swords.”

“Changcheon 3rd Squad.”

One by one.

“Demon Ghost Extermination Corps.”

“Annihilation 2nd Squad.”

The renowned ‘collections’ Muhyeong had killed until now reveal themselves. Each one disappeared or died—individuals who would cause quite a stir if they appeared in Jianghu.

However, these are merely side branches even among the collections. What’s truly needed are only two.

“Ghost King.”

A previous generation Ten Celestials who met death while training by killing demons, yearning for demons’ strength.

And.

“Fist Spirit.”

His greatest masterpiece, which he was able to obtain by chance.

“It’s time to work.”

Even if he’s Dianqiang’s Sect Leader, he can’t compare to the Ten Celestials. Surely these two can catch and kill him without difficulty.

“Do you understand? Little one. No matter what happens”

Watching the two human shadows melting into the darkness, Muhyeong wore a thick sneer.

“I don’t let my prey escape.”

It’s hunting time.

***

Rewinding the time, forty li away from the border village.

“How strange.”

“…….”

“A demon?”

Confirming the two human shadows that melted away and disappeared after their heads were pierced, So Baek tilted his head before lowering his body toward the child showing a terrified expression. The child whose already large eyes grew even larger upon confirming his appearance.

“What is your name?”

“…….”

“Can you not speak? Or did you freeze from shock?”

“Ga-Gakpyeong…….”

“Gakpyeong. That’s a good name. Why were you being chased?”

“…….”

“You don’t know.”

Coming to confirm something, but ending up in a situation where he’d rescue one person.

‘First, saving human life comes first.’

Baekri Un, who should be dead, being witnessed, and Dianqiang’s Five Swords’ dubious deaths. And the bizarre demon imitating humans that he just saw.

There are more than one or two unusual points, but they’re not things to handle right now. No matter what, as someone who calls himself a Taoist, he can’t focus only on searching while leaving this young child before his eyes.

“I’ll take you to a safe place. Take my hand.”

“…….”

“Quickly.”

When he extended his calloused hand, Gakpyeong, who seemed to hesitate while looking at So Baek’s face, extended his hand. And the moment Gakpyeong tried to grasp So Baek’s hand, something caught on So Baek’s senses.

──.

A thread-like sensation.

At the sensation of death terribly sweeping his nape, So Baek reflexively grabbed Gakpyeong and rolled his body forward. And in that moment.

Red Mist Shadowless Kill

Hidden Wolf Fang

The air was torn apart.

“……Are you alright?”

“Yesh…….”

“That’s fortunate.”

Pang!

After checking Gakpyeong’s condition and shaking off the dirtied clothes with energy to drop the dust, So Baek slowly drew his sword and aimed at the invisible opponent. And the words that followed.

“I am Dianqiang Sect Leader So Baek. This sword strike doesn’t appear to be a demon’s.”

“…….”

“Please reveal why you attacked this poor Taoist. If you don’t reveal it, I will immediately respond.”

“Dianqiang Sect Leader.”

A small sound.

Jjeojeojeok!

Along with the words, confirming the air splitting, So Baek turned his gaze that way. A man of ordinary impression holding a long silver sword, looking down at him quietly from the split air.

“Dianqiang Sect Leader who should be in Dali is suddenly here? That’s nonsense.”

“…….”

“Wouldn’t it be more plausible to recognize you as the greater demon Muhyeong?”

“Muhyeong?”

“A demon that eats humans and imitates those humans. Like you.”

Is there such a demon?

‘……Ah. I see.’

At the man’s words, So Baek, who suddenly remembered the two demons that met death by his hand just now, raised his guard while opening his mouth toward the opponent.

“I understand what you’re thinking, but it’s a misunderstanding. I am Dianqiang Sect Leader So Baek. Rather, how can you say you’re not a demon? I still haven’t heard who you are.”

“Who am I.”

At So Baek’s words, the man who let out a hollow laugh quietly lowered his gaze to look at Gakpyeong. And the man continuing his words quietly.

“Jeokyeol.”

“Jeokyeol? I’ve heard that name……’

I have heard it.

At something suddenly caught in a corner of his memory, So Baek reflexively looked directly at the man. Because there was one person with such a name.

“Demonic Cult…… Chillyun?”

“You know well.”

“……!”

A martial artist at a similar level to his martial uncle, Dianqiang Sword Sage.

“Why is Chillyun here of all places…….”

“That’s not what’s important.”

At the sensation suddenly rising up his back, So Baek involuntarily gripped his sword tightly. And watching such So Baek before nodding, Jeokyeol.

“It seems difficult for both of us to prove we’re not demons.”

“……? No, I don’t think you’re a demon…….”

“I can’t trust you. Because that demon active in this area isn’t an ordinary bastard.”

“…….”

“I’ll subdue you first and figure it out later.”

Slowly.

Jeokyeol, who took a stance, gripped his silver sword straight. And.

“It won’t take long either.”

“What on earth does that…….”

Next, in the gap slipping through consciousness.

Red Mist Shadowless Kill

Drifting Wind Blade Body

Jeokyeol’s sword touched So Baek’s neck.

“……!!!”

Earth-shattering speed.

Jureureuk!

Sun-Shooting Sword

First Move Initial Manifestation

“Keuk!”

So Baek, who reflexively twisted his neck to avoid the attack without realizing it, let out a groan while thrusting his sword toward Jeokyeol. A sword strike piercing where Jeokyeol is with speed never inferior to Jeokyeol’s. However.

‘He’s gone!’

Jeokyeol had already long disappeared from before his eyes.

“Quite skillful.”

So Baek, who was greatly startled at the sound heard at his ear, rolled his body forward. And in that moment, sword strikes again encroaching on all sides.

Red Mist Shadowless Kill

Crouching Tiger Without Mercy

It tightens.

Sword strikes whose origin can’t even be seen restrict the range of movement and drive the retreat route to one place.

‘I must break through……’

At the sword strikes gradually pressing in like a tiger targeting prey restricting the opponent’s retreat route, So Baek gritted his teeth and extended his right hand. And the next moment.

Starlight poured out.

Sun-Shooting Sword

Slanting Sun Shining

Kagagagagagagagang—!!!

It’s blocked.

A spectacle of sword strikes poured at imperceptible speed being devoured by starlight shot out again at imperceptible speed.

‘Not enough.’

Delicately as if piercing the mesh of a sky net one by one, infinitely as if pouring out the stars of the night sky.

Hundreds of sword strikes reaching the extreme of Piercing Sword become one strike through their speed. However, So Baek’s sword strikes don’t end.

‘It won’t end with only defense.’

Sun-Shooting Sword

Strength Draws the Giant Bow

He stretches his body like drawing a bowstring. The sword that swept away all pressing-in sword strikes stood straight in a line like a single arrow. To load a single arrow.

For that last shot.

‘It’s the end.’

“Oh.”

Confirming Jeokyeol letting out a small exclamation and extending his sword, So Baek gritted his teeth. And the next moment.

Sun-Shooting Sword Secret Art

Houyi Shoots the Sun

The moment the legendary sword strike derived from the ancient tale of shooting down the sun with a bow revealed its fangs.

“Good but still immature.”

Jeokyeol, who appeared before his eyes, grasped So Baek’s head with a large hand.

“It’s over.”

Kwaaaaang—!!!