Chapter 301

Chapter 301

‘What is he saying?’

The figure of a silhouette opening and closing its mouth from afar.

Despite the size that intuitively revealed it wasn’t human, Baek Risan took a step forward to read its lips when he suddenly stepped back involuntarily at the demonic energy he felt. A sense of crisis suddenly surged, brushing past the back of his neck.

“Run…”

“What?”

“I said run!”

As soon as he spoke, he rushed forward and gritted his teeth while watching the opponent running across the river. His senses were ringing alarm bells.

‘That thing is a yokai.’

Originally, there are no people whose height reaches one jang. Even if there were, they wouldn’t have that appearance—they’d be elongated overall, not looking like a person simply stretched proportionally like that.

He could understand up to that point. In reality, Yunnan was already being invaded by yokai, and they had encountered and subdued miscellaneous yokai several times on the way here. There was nothing surprising about it now. However.

‘I can’t win…!’

An intuition gnawing at his heart.

He could tell without even engaging. Baek Risan’s near-prophetic intuition regarding combat had evaluated the opponent as such. Someone he couldn’t defeat even with one chance in a thousand, one chance in ten thousand.

Someone against whom there wasn’t even a sliver of possibility despite the combined attack of Baek Risan, Seonwoo Gang, and Namgung Hyeon, who had all rapidly improved after experiencing numerous incidents.

There weren’t many such beings even in this Central Plains martial world. At least sect leader level of the Nine Sects and One Gang, or in the worst case—Sipcheon level.

‘The moment it arrives, we’ll die without even resisting.’

Now. While it was running not on land but on the unstable river surface.

True Flame White Fire Art

Only by restraining it now could they buy even a moment of time.

Flame Under Heaven

“Baek Risan, what are you…?”

It boiled over.

Namgung Hyeon reflexively turned his gaze toward Baek Risan upon confirming the pure white flames burning and tearing through the atmosphere in a straight line from his field of vision. However, Baek Risan gritted his teeth without concern.

“Block it!”

“…”

“If we can’t block it…!”

“There must be some meaning to it. I understand.”

Azure Vault Limitless Sword

Azure Vault Boundless

Beyond the flames, azure sword energy adorned the sky.

With sword energy densely encroaching on all sides beyond the width of the opponent’s movement itself, even Seonwoo Gang, who had been resting his hand last, joined in and swung his sword toward the opponent. And.

Golden Radiance Meteor Sword

Five Wheels Seven Severances

Finally, the moment the sword strikes of the three Late-Stage Rising Stars intertwined.

—Heu.

The corners of the giant’s mouth curved up crookedly.

Inhale .

A small sound.

A small noise like breathing in was buried beneath the explosive sound of sword energy. Countless metallic clang sounds echoed and pierced their ears. But even that was momentary.

“Wha… what.”

Confirming the flames and sword energies being ‘devoured’ as if they had never existed in the world from the beginning, Baek Risan took a step back. It was an absurd story.

‘It offset all the opposing energies…?’

Originally, the energy Baek Risan wielded was elemental energy containing fire energy. Additionally, the golden energy Seonwoo Gang wielded was also elemental energy containing the energy of metal.

Namgung Hyeon’s was closer to pure internal power that didn’t contain specific attributes, but that in itself was different from the other two’s internal power, so it could catch them off guard. Therefore, there should originally be only three ways to break through that attack: evade it, shatter it with greater force, or deflect it.

But

‘He didn’t strike it down.’

He didn’t draw out different countering energies to offset them, nor did he deflect it. He didn’t evade it either, nor did he destroy it. Then how did he do it?

Literally, he devoured the internal power.

Voraciously.

—Kkeeoeoek.

Step.

The giant who had roughly belched took another step forward from the waterside where he had been standing, placed his foot on the ground, and thrust his face forward to look at the frozen expressions of the Late-Stage Rising Stars. The giant tilted his head and examined their faces in detail.

—Not them. Not these, not them.

“…”

—Not the ones who fled. Not the pursuers.

Not these.

‘He wasn’t targeting us…?’

At the sight of the giant muttering quietly, Baek Risan, holding onto a glimmer of hope, subtly hid the Uicheon Sword behind him so it wouldn’t be visible. However, the giant continued muttering without concern.

—Urgent. Child. Find. Daoist. Find and devour both…

‘A child and a Daoist?’

If it’s a Daoist heading this way, it would be the Sect Leader of Spear Window Sect.

—Urgent…

Step. Step.

Watching the yokai walk sideways with its arms hanging loosely, Baek Risan inwardly sighed in relief. Though he didn’t know why it was trying to ignore them and leave, it was obvious they would certainly lose if they fought now.

‘If it passes by, that’s actually favorable.’

If the opponent was targeting the Sect Leader of Spear Window Sect, they could find him first and join up, then fight together afterward.

—Stay quiet. Don’t provoke it.

Nod.

Watching the two nod as if understanding his voice transmission, Baek Risan held his breath. And.

—Must find. Child, Daoist. Must devour both…

Finally, when the yokai was about to slowly pass by the Late-Stage Rising Stars and disappear.

—…?

The yokai’s eyes turned toward the sword Baek Risan was holding.

Swaaaaaash!

“Dodge!”

Simultaneously, the yokai’s hand aimed for Baek Risan’s head.

Kwaaaaagwang—!!!!!

A strike unleashed with full power.

Namgung Hyeon, who had deployed Imperial Sword Form in a moment’s notice, gripped his tingling hand and glared at the yokai. However, the yokai was blankly staring at Baek Risan.

—Uicheon. Uicheon…

“Uicheon…?”

—Kill. Uicheon Gate. Devour and make provisions.

“…You’re targeting Uicheon Gate?”

Why?

At the thought flashing through his mind in a brief time, Baek Risan reflexively raised his sword toward the yokai.

“You experienced something, didn’t you?”

—…

“You met another Uicheon Gate disciple besides us, didn’t you? Huh?”

An Uicheon Gate disciple in Yunnan.

It could apply to Seohwa, Wangpal, or Seomun Cheok, but being an Uicheon Gate disciple wasn’t particularly distinctive. Then who did it meet?

Who was the target that made this yokai obsess over the name of Uicheon Gate rather than the opponent itself?

‘Isn’t it obvious?’

There was only one such person. None other than the Gate Master of Uicheon Gate.

Baek Riyun.

‘This yokai met that bastard.’

The situation had changed.

“Whew.”

Escape was impossible, and if they engaged in combat, certain defeat was inevitable.

Taking a deep breath, Baek Risan quietly raised the Uicheon Sword and gritted his teeth.

“Let’s endure.”

“…”

“Until a variable arises, somehow endure.”

The real battle starts now.

***

What should one do to solve a problem that has no answer?

For instance, if there’s a problem asking you to make three by adding one plus one, most people give up there. Because one plus one being two is natural unless you twist the principles of the world.

Sometimes there are those who insist unreasonably that one plus one is three and end up ruined, while others bring one from somewhere else and create three by making it one plus one plus one. They solve the problem by breaking the premise itself if it’s impossible.

However, premises are generally established as premises because they’re difficult to break. And that’s the same even for those accustomed to breaking premises.

There is no one who can easily break through all hardships and adversities. Hardship is hardship because it’s difficult, and adversity is adversity because it doesn’t go according to plan. And.

In that sense, I was currently properly facing hardship and adversity.

Because no matter how much I looked, I couldn’t see a way to break through this situation.

‘Transcender, Fist Spirit Hayul.’

There was no answer.

While crossing the forest, I repeated the name of the woman I had just witnessed. The woman who hated yokai more than anyone, Sipcheon, Fist Spirit Hayul.

‘A Sipcheon of the neutral zone.’

There are three Sipcheon in the Orthodox Path and three in the Demonic Path. What does that mean?

It means the remaining four are filled with masters of the neutral zone, neither Orthodox nor Demonic Path. Among them, one is Bulgoe, and one is Gunggwi, who works as the Imperial Capital’s Water God Guard.

Fist Spirit is one of those remaining two.

A Sipcheon with the alias of Yokai Slaughterer, famous for hating yokai more than anyone.

‘Originally there was no story about her being a Transcender.’

The Fist Spirit I knew was among the stronger ones among Sipcheon, but she wasn’t a Transcender.

That was natural. No matter how much of a Sipcheon one was, reaching transcendence wasn’t easy. In an era where it would be remarkable if even one Transcender emerged, the current generation’s Transcenders totaled three, including the Sword Saint, Taeak, and Ilryun.

It would be strange to think Fist Spirit was also a Transcender on top of that. In fact, Fist Spirit had a record of being overwhelmingly defeated in a duel against the Sword Saint.

But what about now?

‘She’s definitely a Transcender.’

Having attempted transcendence myself, I could tell. The distinctive movements of a Transcender. Breathing. And momentum.

‘Can’t win.’

Jeokyeol?

No matter how much of a Chilryun he was, he couldn’t compare to a Transcender. In the first place, Jeokyeol was on the weaker side compared to other Chilryun or Sipcheon in frontal combat. It was certain he would fall without enduring even a few moves against Fist Spirit.

If there was a variable, it would be the Spear Window Sword Immortal. If by some chance the Spear Window Sword Immortal came here, the situation would change a bit more. But.

Even so, could they break through this situation?

‘No.’

Transcender Ilryun himself said he could easily handle about two Chilryun or Sipcheon. Then Fist Spirit should be considered at a similar level. Moreover, that wasn’t Muhyeong’s only card, was it?

‘Besides that, he must have many other masters stuffed inside his body.’

The three Changcheon Corps members, the five Spear Window Swords, and the numerous other ‘collectibles’ that had elevated Muhyeong to the category of the Seven Great Yokai.

Considering such things, it was safe to say there was no probability of winning in a frontal fight. Meaning the only option was to somehow create a variable and escape.

‘First, convey the situation and devise a strategy.’

The old saying goes that even if the sky falls, there’s a hole to rise through.

Just because a breakthrough wasn’t visible in the current situation didn’t mean one should hang their arms and wait for death—that’s what fools do. Opportunities are meaningful only to those prepared to seize them, and being prepared to seize opportunities starts with not giving up.

‘First, I’ll convey this situation to Hyung-nim and roughly learn what his limits are.’

From there, somehow squeeze out a countermeasure to break through this situation. That would be the best plan for the current situation.

Organizing my thoughts, I quickly moved my steps. And after a moment. Not long after leaving Fist Spirit.

‘I must quickly join up with the children who fled…’

The moment I was about to cross the river spread before my eyes while endlessly moving my feet.

—Chijijijik!

My vision.

[Confirming the return of Rights Holder Baek Riyun.]

[Restoring the status window.]

Distorted.

—What.

At the semi-transparent window blocking my vision, I stopped my moving feet involuntarily and stared at the air. However, the status window floated as if it weren’t an illusion, displaying its contents toward me.

『Uicheon Gate

A newly rising sect located in Huayong, Hubei.

The disciples have increased considerably, but fame decreased due to two years of sect seclusion.

Fame greatly increased due to activities at the Great Seal. Also, the Gate Master is absent for some reason.

Gate Master: Baek Riyun . Temporary Administrator: Baek Risan

Purpose: Martial Gate

Manor Level: Grade 6

Cleanliness: Grade 3

Scale: Grade 6

Fame: Grade 5

Number of Disciples: 7

Martial Power Grade: Grade 8

Gate Master’s Level: Grade ■

Completed Research: Recovery . Artifact Specialization . Spiritual Energy Concentration . Growth Acceleration .

Overall Evaluation: Grade 6

Possessed Essence: 470

Income Source: Jiaolong Sect.

Medicine Hall has been opened.

Library and Martial Pavilion have been opened.

Guardian Hall has not been opened.

Council of Elders has not been opened.

Division into Outer Hall and Inner Hall has not been achieved.

Secret Pavilion  does not exist.

Martial Force Corps does not exist.

Factions have divided.

Seven possible researches exist.

To unlock other research or facilities, the manor must be raised to Grade 5.』

‘Why is this appearing now…?’

Why is something that didn’t appear even after I met my death appearing in this situation now?

After thinking for a moment, I turned my gaze far away at the presence I suddenly felt. White flames flashing in the distance.

‘True Flame White Fire Art… Is that San-i!’

Right.

The medium that displays Uicheon Gate’s status window is none other than the Gate Master’s divine artifact, the Uicheon Sword. And if I met my death, that divine artifact would naturally have gone to Baek Risan, who had the deepest connection with me at that place.

‘There might be a variable.’

I took a deep breath. There was only one method to try.

If it failed, it couldn’t be undone. Even if it succeeded, I couldn’t think we could necessarily overcome this situation. However.

‘I might be able to at least create a small crack.’

I made up my mind and moved my hand. And.

[You have researched Artifact Specialization .]

[Would you like to apply Artifact Specialization to the divine artifact, Uicheon Sword?]

—Yes.

The moment my consent fell.

[Uicheon Sword has been made into an artifact.]

My vision darkened.

[New functions of Uicheon Sword are being unlocked.]