TL: FoodieMonster007
"Fifth Elder! Why did you fail? Explain yourself!"
A terrifying voice infused with killing intent echoed through a vast cavern. The owner of the voice stood at the foot of a high altar, with hundreds of torches lining the stairs leading up to it, illuminating the darkness. A bamboo hat hid his face, but beneath the brim, countless scars crisscrossed his skin like a spider's web.
At the foot of the altar, the Night Emperor, who had fled from the Namgung Estate, stood with his head bowed like a sinner awaiting judgment.
"...There was interference," he replied.
"Interference? What do you mean, interference? Explain in detail."
"While I was fighting the Blue Sky Sword King, the bell sounds faded away and the Myriad Demons Nightmare Formation was broken. In the end, I was ambushed by a mysterious man who I suspect also killed the Bloody Spirit."
Despite answering the bamboo hat man's questions obediently, the Night Emperor's eyes held a dangerous glint, like a hunting dog about to chew off its leash and attack its master. Regardless, he kept his head down to prevent the bamboo hat man from noticing his rebelliousness.
"A mysterious man? Do you have any idea who he could be?"
"No, he was wearing a mask."
"He must be quite skilled to be able to force you to flee, but since you can't identify him, I suppose he's not one of the Ten Supremes?"
"...Who said I fled!?" the Night Emperor snarled, revealing his white teeth. A creeping darkness began to consume the space, causing one of the nearby torches to flicker and die.
"Watch your words. I didn't flee. It was a strategic retreat," he added civilly, but his eyes burned ominously with overflowing demonic qi.
Nevertheless, the bamboo hat man only frowned in displeasure. "Fifth Elder, how do you have the gall to act so smug? Your failure has greatly disrupted our Cult's grand plan right from the outset. As punishment, you are to remain in the underground prison until further notice."
The bamboo hat man sentenced the Night Emperor harshly, not at all intimidated by his aura. He was the First Apostle of the Blood Cult, a supreme leader with the authority to command even the Blood Cult's elders. The Night Emperor's objection meant nothing to him.
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At his command, the blood cultists who had been lurking in the darkness revealed themselves. Each of them was at least a peak master, but the Night Emperor didn't even glance at them.
Licking his lips, he barked rudely, "Hey, First Apostle. Let me ask you something. Didn't you previously tell me that the Heaven Defying Divine Art we have is incomplete?"
"...Why are you asking about that all of a sudden?"
"You said that the incomplete Heaven Defying Divine Art was the reason why all the candidates for cult leader either died or went insane, right?"
"Are you testing my patience?"
"The guy who ambushed me...was a transcendent master with crimson hair and eyes."
"!!" The First Apostle's eyes widened in shock.
Crimson hair and eyes were a unique trait of the Heaven Defying Divine Art, and the Heaven Defying Divine Art was traditionally the exclusive martial art of the Blood Demon. For the Night Emperor to be ambushed by someone with those characteristics was outrageous. �
The First Apostle's black ceremonial robes billowed wildly. "Are you sure?"
The Night Emperor grinned, revealing his white teeth. "I'm quite sure that was the Heaven Defying Divine Art. And not the incomplete one either, but the real deal."
The First Apostle furrowed his brows. The Night Emperor was a monster born with an extraordinary talent, and even among the current elders, none but the Head Elder could rival him. If he was certain that what he encountered was the Heaven Defying Divine Art, then it must be true.
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BOOM!
He stomped his foot, and the whole altar shook. With an emotional voice, as if he was grabbing the Night Emperor by the collar, he bellowed, "Tell me everything you saw! Now!"
The Night Emperor's response, however, was like a douse of icy water. "If you want to know more, bring me the Heaven Defying Divine Art."
"...What?"
"I must learn it myself. I realized it while fighting him."
During the battle with Baek Suryong, the Night Emperor had felt his demonic art being suppressed like never before. This was the real reason why he concluded that his opponent's martial art could only be the true Heaven Defying Divine Art. If it had been any other martial art, he wouldn't have been so stifled that he couldn't even crush someone weaker than himself.
Angered, the First Apostle warned, "Fifth Elder..."
"Aren't I also a candidate for Blood Demon? I can't wait any longer!"
Currently, the Blood Cult Apostles were presiding over a trial to select the next Blood Demon, and the Night Emperor was the most promising among them, having been handpicked by the First Apostle. However, as a result of the First Apostle's decision, he had not yet been allowed to learn the Heaven Defying Divine Art.
"You promised that you would let me learn the Heaven Defying Divine Art once it was perfected."
"......"
"Until now, I had no complaints, because I'm strong even without it."
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Through countless experiments, the Blood Cult hoped to perfect the Heaven Defying Divine Art, and the First Apostle had promised the Night Emperor that he would let him learn it then.
All this time, the Night Emperor hadn't cared one way or the other. He had never encountered any difficulties while mastering martial arts, and with only the Black Night Demonic Art manual left by his master, he had reached a level where he could even kill the Blue Sky Sword King.
However, after seeing the true Heaven Defying Divine Art, he changed his mind.
"Even if it's imperfect, bring it to me. I'll perfect it myself."
"...No. You're not ready to learn the Heaven Defying Divine Art yet."
"I'll decide...that myself... Bring it to me!"
The Night Emperor's words grew choppy, a sign that he was agitated. Sensing something amiss, the First Apostle signaled to his subordinates, who immediately released their killing intent.
Looking around, the Night Emperor chuckled. "Admit it. Aren't you preventing me from learning the Heaven Defying Divine Art because you're scared that I'll become a monster you can't control?"
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"Fifth Elder..."
"But what can...you do? I'm already a monster!"
ROAAAAR!
Namgung Su, who hadn't fully recovered yet, meditated instead of taking part in training or sparring. As he seemed to have gained some insight into his martial arts, the others didn't disturb him, and only Namgung Mi leaned quietly against him, dozing off.
"......" Baek Suryong glanced at the Namgung siblings, then looked up at the sky. Even though everyone else was sleeping soundly, he couldn't fall asleep, his mind racing with countless thoughts.
The Blood Cult has begun to show themselves publicly.
The Blood Cult had probably intended to announce their revival with a grand attack on the Namgung Clan, but since that plan failed, he couldn't predict what crazy thing they would do next. They might temporarily retreat and lie low, or they might launch a frontal assault against the orthodox after uniting the unorthodox sects.
How much longer will these peaceful times last? No, it's better to assume that peace has already been shattered.
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Just then, Baek Suryong qi senses detected several people approaching rapidly.
Hmm?
Nearly ten people were rushing toward them. It wasn't a large group, but they were all strong. The three at the front, in particular, were masters even he couldn't ignore, and they made no effort to hide their powerful auras.
The one leading the charge is especially dangerous...
Narrowing his eyes, Baek Suryong shouted, "EVERYONE, WAKE UP!"
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"Why all of a sudden... Hyung-nim?"
Seeing Baek Suryong's serious expression, his sleepy colleagues instantly realized that something was wrong.
"Enemies?" Namgung Su asked curtly.
Baek Suryong shrugged. "They might just be passing martial artists... but their auras are incredibly intense. We should assume the worst. The Blood Cult might have tracked us down."
The instructors' faces hardened, feeling a pang of regret for their own thoughtlessness. Why had they assumed that the Blood Cult wouldn't target them after they left the Namgung Clan? They hadn't even bothered taking turns keeping watch at night.
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"Prepare to fight," Baek Suryong commanded.
The instructors drew their weapons and stared nervously in the direction of the approaching figures.
A faint red glow flickered in Baek Suryong's eyes as he activated a weakened version of the Blood Demon Eyes.
Barely five minutes passed in the tense atmosphere, but it felt like an eternity.
"Principal?" Baek Suryong suddenly muttered, recognizing the old man at the head of the approaching group. It was the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva Noh Goonsang, the Principal of the Azure Dragon Academy.
"What?"
"Who?"
Similarly recognizing the instructors, Noh Goonsang shouted, "Everyone!"
A short distance behind Noh Goonsang, Baek Suryong noticed Headmaster Mae Geuklyom and Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo.
That explains it... those three are the strongest among the Azure Dragon instructors.
Slowing down, Noh Goonsang sighed in relief, "You're all safe. Thank goodness. Truly..."
"What brings you here, Principal?"
"We left the academy as soon as the Murim Alliance informed us that the Namgung Clan had been attacked. What exactly happened?"
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Just then, Mae Geuklyom and Kwak Cheolwoo arrived and made a beeline for their grandson and nephew respectively.
"Are you injured?" Mae Geuklyom asked.
Baek Suryong smiled awkwardly and shook his head. "No, I'm fine."
"...Good. That's all that matters."
Although he seemed to have a lot to say, Mae Geuklyom merely closed his eyes and sighed deeply. There would be plenty of time to talk on the way back.
Meanwhile, Namgung Su calmly said, "We sent word of our safety by carrier pigeon the next day, but it seems you didn't receive our message."
"Hoho, we probably left too hastily. Regardless, it's good that you're all safe."
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"Phew, what a relief..."
All the instructors laughed away their tension and anxiety.
Only the rookie instructors thought to themselves, If they knew exactly what transpired at the Namgung Estate, I wonder how shocked they'd be...
"By the way, we're not the only ones who came," Noh Goonsang suddenly chuckled.
"Huh? Who else is here?"
"They insisted on coming despite my objections. They'll be here soon."
"Who..."
A short while later, Baek Suryong heard familiar voices in the distance.
"MR. BAAAAAEK!"
His students, who should have been at the White Dragon Manor, arrived looking disheveled, as if they hadn't bathed in days.
"Haha, seriously..." Baek Suryong couldn't help but laugh helplessly.
Translator's Note: Volume 1 of Absolute Warrior is complete. You may be interested to read it if you enjoy James Bond + murim + Spy x Family. Fyi, those 10 chapters are as long as 25 regular webtoon chapters.