Chapter 1057: Your Voice Won't Reach Him (Part 2)

When we reach out our hands to each other, it's a distance we can touch. In the world of martial arts, it's a distance so close it that can determine life and death.

However, even though the enemy was right there within that distance, Danjagang's gaze was directed not at the enemy but at his shoulder. It was clearly visible through the torn clothes – his shoulder, pouring blood as it hung loosely.

With each pulsation of the veins, the throbbing pain spread around the wound. However, more intense than that pain was the fact itself that his shoulder had been cleanly cut.

When flesh meets the blade, it gets cut. That's an obvious fact. However, for Danjagang, it was never obvious.

'So easily...?'

The significance of this wound was significant. It meant that his body, tougher than cold steel and more resilient than heavenly silk (天蠶絲), was no different from an ordinary body in the face of the attacker's sword.

The wide-opened shoulder began to naturally adhere. The wounds that had exposed the red flesh quickly stuck together, erasing the injuries. It was an unreal, abnormal recovery speed.

Seeing this, Chung Myung muttered quietly.

"Is it Bone Demon Art (骷髏魔功)?"

It was a small voice, but Danjagang clearly understood and was startled. He glared at Chung Myung.

"How did you...?"

"A body that doesn't die even when injured, it's quite convenient, isn't it?"

Chung Myung revealed it.

"Do you know how the one who mastered that technique before you died?"

Before Danjagang could answer, Chung Myung's sword cut through the air.

Paah!

The vivid red energy soared straight towards his neck, as if offering an answer.

Kakakang!

Chung Myung rushed towards Danjagang, who blocked the energy with his hand. The moment he faced that eerie smile, a chill ran down Danjagang's spine.

Chwaaaack!

The sword tore through the air with a ferocious momentum. However, Danjagang, who had already experienced the same move, deployed his demonic energy without a hint of care. It must've been a ploy to disturb his defense with a sword that would scatter and gather!

But at that moment, Chung Myung's sword accelerated again in the air, striking Danjagang with an incredible force.

Kwaaaah!

Danjagang's knees trembled as he focused on the changes in the sword.

One after another!

Kwaang! Kwaaang! Kwaaang!

Successive sword strikes, resembling the descent of a massive hammer, fell over his demonic energy.

"Kuk!"

Eventually, a groan escaped his lips. Each collision between his flowing magic and the descending sword sent an inexplicable force penetrating into his hands and deep into his body. It was as painful as if icy water was being poured directly into his veins.

"The demonic energy... is scattering?"

What kind of martial art could easily disrupt demonic energy like this?

Thunk!

A disrupted mind eventually affects the body. Chung Myung, taking advantage of Danjagang's crumbling posture, pushed his sword back. At the same time, relentlessly following Danjagang as he retreated, Chung Myung struck the ground consecutively.

"Impossible!"

The demonic energy, rising like clouds, began to envelop Chung Myung. It was an attempt to overwhelm him with sheer strength since predicting the opponent's moves seemed impossible.

At that moment, Chung Myung almost lifted his sword behind him. Then, in an instant, he fiercely swung from left to right.

Paaaah!

A sound reminiscent of a whip crack echoed. Simultaneously, everything around the path of Chung Myung's sword began to distort. It was like crumpling up paper with a drawing on it.

Soon, a red line emerged.

The painter-like, sharp stroke drawn by Chung Myung split Danjagang's magic in half.. With a single strike that cleaved the demonic energy, Chung Myung immediately surged forward, exuding madness from his eyes, directly charging at Danjagang.

It was a battlefield where lives were staked, and the opponent was undeniably formidable. However, what Chung Myung felt at this moment was not pressure but an indescribable pleasure.

Kwaaaah!

The sword extended more swiftly than usual, heading straight towards Danjagang's face in a straight line. In a desperate attempt, Danjagang raised his hand, but Chung Myung's sword, as if already anticipating, changed direction to avoid the hand that attempted to block.

Chyaahhh!

The tip of the sword, penetrating Danjagang's wrist, slashed long from the wrist to the elbow. From the faintly cut wound, blood gradually spurted. In Chung Myung's eyes, this scene unfolded slowly and without missing a detail.

'Not yet.'

Not yet! Still lacking! Not enough!

'I am...'

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint was faster and stronger than this. This level wouldn't quench his thirst.

The accumulated experience gathered drop by drop surged forth in this critical moment. With each step and swing of the sword, forgotten sensations rekindled at his fingertips.

'More!'

Resisting the demonic energy, constantly wielding the sword, his hand, battered and tattered, revealed bone at the fingertips. But...

Kwaang!

As the sword and hand clashed, it was clearly evident to Chung Myung's eyes. The confusion vividly displayed in Danjagang's eyes only further stimulated Chung Myung's pleasure.

'You couldn't understand.'

How many countless battlefields had he traversed? How many demonic sect practitioners had he killed, and how many bishops had he faced? A bishop who hadn't experienced what happened a century ago couldn't possibly comprehend.

'More!'

Paaaaaaaah!

It still exploded slowly. The power at the tip of the sword was meager, difficult to compare with his former self. However...

Clang, clang!

Chung Myung's sword pierced through the demonicenergy once again, leaving a long gash on Danjagang's cheek.

'That's not all!'

The current Chung Myung might still fall short of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, but he wielded a different weapon now. A young and, above all, clear energy at the tip of the sword.

'I'll break through.'

Gathering only the purest energy in the world, refining it over and over, it was incomparable to ordinary internal energy. Even after tearing through magic, the remaining sharpness was unparalleled.

While the one wielding the sword might have weakened, the sword itself was an unrivaled masterpiece. The sharpness emanating from that sword became Chung Myung's new weapon.

"Haat!"

At that moment, Danjagang unleashed his energy. Instantly, the swirling demonic energy enveloped Chung Myung like a floating specter.

Merely touching it made the body contort, and the flesh rot. The insidious magic was now sharpening Chung Myung's senses even more sensitively. His entire body shivered.

"More!"

Kwaaaah!

The tip of the sword painted fantasies.

Kwagak! Kwagagak!

Having dispelled all the magic, Chung Myung threw himself towards Danjagang's approaching hand. When his face almost touched the hand, Chung Myung extended his foot and struck the air once again. His body gained more speed.

Squelch!

Danjagang's hand grazed over his shoulder. It was just a slight graze, but the flesh from the area connecting the shoulder to the back fell off as if torn.

A dizzying pain ensued. However, before that pain could fully register, Chung Myung plunged into Danjagang's arms.

If he was weaker than before, there was only one way to overcome it. To leap more vigorously, more dangerously than before.

Kwaaaah!

Sweeping in the optimal trajectory at extremely close range, the swung sword deeply cut into Danjagang's thigh. Given the short distance and Danjagang's robust physique, the sensation was more like tearing flesh with a iron pestle than a blade cutting through meat.

As the tip of the sword touched Danjagang's bones, Chung Myung quickly pulled the sword back. It was a short thrust, causing his body to lean back.

Kwaaaaaang!

Danjagang's hand, which had just occupied the space where Chung Myung's head was a moment ago, slashed at an incredible speed. If he had swung the sword with full force, Chung Myung's head would have exploded.

However, there was no trace of fear on Chung Myung's face, saved from death by a mere sheet of paper.

To stand at the edge of life and death with just a moment's choice.

What dominated Chung Myung's mind was not fear but rather exhilaration. A pleasure that could only be felt when the death that had approached momentarily rapidly receded. Surrendering completely to it, Chung Myung twisted his body and rushed at Danjagang again.

Squelch!

Too much force surged violently into the hand holding the sword. However, his body felt lighter than ever. There was no one here to protect, no one to watch over. No reason to be concerned about the battles unfolding behind or the rapidly changing circumstances.

He had only one thing to do.

Cut off the throat of the person in front of him.

Throughout, Chung Myung's face, which had been burdened with pressure on his shoulders, was completely covered with vitality and ecstasy.

Seeing that triumphant face, Jang Ilso matched his steps with Chung Myung and rushed towards Danjagang. If there had been even a moment of leisure, by now, his throat might have burst open with laughter.

'Crazy bastard.'

Jang Ilso was always aware that he himself was not fully sane. However, that guy, Chung Myung, was a completely different kind of crazy.

The gap between life and death. The sword of Mount Hua, in just a moment, was dancing on the precarious edge of life and death several times. It was something that could never be done by someone in their right mind.

Of course, the one aiming for the top should be able to stake their own life on it. However, that crazy Taoist had far surpassed that level with his actions.

The sword that Jang Ilso had grabbed to swing was wildly flailing, completely beyond control. No, could that even be called a sword? It was closer to an arrow that had left the bow during a protest. An extreme weapon that would be meaningless if it couldn't pierce through the enemy.

'I can't believe there will come a day when I support someone's back.'

Even as his lofty pride twisted, that resentment was strangely enjoyable. With both eyes gleaming, Jang Ilso, caught up in madness, lifted the Murderous Azure Flame in response to Chung Myung's attacking frenzy.

'Not yet!'

Both hands were dyed blue.

At that moment, Chung Myung's sword, dazzlingly transforming, released a powerful energy towards Danjagang. At this moment, all of Chung Myung's focus was directed at Danjagang. For anyone who considered Chung Myung an enemy, it was a spectacle that would make anyone reach out to attack.

But Jang Ilso suppressed his desires with extreme patience.

'Not yet!'

Kwaaaaah!

The demonic energy that stretched out like arrows was instantly swept away. Following, the enraged black dragon-like magic surged towards Chung Myung. No, it attempted to surge.

"Now!"

Bang!

Rushing forward, Jang Ilso, narrowing the distance in one go, slammed his power towards the empty side of Danjagang. His appearance was like that of a beast leaping out, having aimed for the right moment.

Kwaaaaah!

Danjagang staggered backward, again and again. Chung Myung scolded coldly.

"Too late!"

"...What a greedy kid."

In a brief moment, the two exchanged glances, then like a herd of wolves targeting a tiger, they charged toward Danjagang.