Chapter 56: Chapter: Escort Agency, Fate (6)

Mok Seon-oh once said.

“Won, when you step into the martial world, there will come a day when you too, must cut down a person.”

In the world of martial arts, where one’s worth is proven through the sword, there will be moments when the tip of that sword must pierce the flesh of a human.

This is the inescapable reality of the martial world.

“Your Master cannot foresee who your adversary will be on that day. It could be a vile demon, someone driven to evil by circumstance, or simply a madman.”

“...Then whom should I cut down?”

“Do not try to cut anyone down.”

Young Mok Riwon could not grasp those words then.

He was puzzled by what Mok Seon-oh meant, especially with his gentle smile.

It was natural.

The words spoken at that time held a complex meaning.

“You should merely swing your sword to prove yourself.”

“Prove what?”

“That you are not evil. That your sword stands for chivalry. You must wield it to prove that.”

Now, Mok Riwon seemed to grasp the depth of those words.

“Swing your sword according to your beliefs, not at people.”

Thus, he steadied his stance.

And Pae Woongchu lunged forward.

Keeping his feet planted firmly on the ground, Mok Riwon drew his sword.

The ink-black qi sharpened, shooting forth.

It was the first sword form completed by the Founder of the Star God Sect while observing the Big Dipper.

The Big Dipper Sundering Sword.

Baaang–!

The ink-black qi pierced through Pae Woongchu’s joints, splattering blood.

His eyes widened, then he laughed.

Mok Riwon did not relent.

His sword had been drawn for merely a second.

Tak–

In an unwavering stance, he continued to swing.

Two seconds, three seconds, four seconds, then targeting the lower body from five to seven seconds.

He executed the complete form, pressuring his opponent.

That wasn’t the end.

My belief, what I learned, is merely in a form meant for swinging.

Mok Riwon repeated those words to himself.

Ignoring the sensation of his blade slicing flesh and the burst of bloody scent, he maintained his composure.

What I have learned, in a form meant for swinging.

Mok Riwon saw it.

The openings and weaknesses where he could fatally strike his foe if he plunged his sword now.

The trajectory of a fist loaded with killing intent aimed at him.

And himself, who would grow while crushing them.

But he looked away.

Not to slay his opponent, but solely to uphold the chivalry he had been taught.

Focused only on that, his qi surged.

The ink-black qi condensed.

It gently wrapped around his sword, forming flowing waves.

Second Form, Meteor Sword.

The man who became the Founder of the Star God Sect had been practicing his swordsmanship on a night when, by chance, he saw a shooting star. Inspired, he devised this basic form, embodying a meteor through his sword.

It was undeniably a swift sword.Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

The sword, falling straight down from above his head, momentarily traced a long, ink-black line through the air.

Rip–

Pae Woongchu’s clothes were torn apart.

A crimson line was cut into the skin underneath.

Mok Riwon ignored this as well.

And he proceeded to the next form.

–Won, the Star God Sect is a sect of chivalrous heroes. The Star God Technique is the martial arts of chivalrous heroes. Thus, we imbue our swords not with killing intent, but with romance.

Hwaaak–!

The qi emanating from Mok Riwon’s body dominated the surroundings.

The third form was one he could barely manage at present, having reached the realm where he could project qi far beyond his physical form.

–So Won, when you swing your sword, do not aim for the vital points. Ignore the killing intent. You should merely look at what you want to achieve with this sword.

Pae Woongchu’s body stiffened.

He felt a sense of crisis.

Thus, he grinned, exhilarated.

I must not block it.

This form must not be blocked.

What would stretch out now was something clearly in the domain of qi arts.

“Aaaaargh!”

A scream not far off pierced the air.

Pae Woongchu turned towards the sound, and so did Mok Riwon.

However, Mok Riwon’s expression bore greater gravity.

Gwak Chil!

The scream he heard was familiar.

It was coming from Gwak Chil, whom he had become friends with over the past few days.

Something unexpected had transpired.

As he grappled with this alarming development, Pae Woongchu frowned and clicked his tongue.

“...Ugh, they’ve come all the way here so soon.”

Then, he extinguished his demonic qi.

What followed was shocking.

Crack–!

He twisted and completely broke his limp arm.

Mok Riwon’s eyes widened.

He couldn’t understand.

“...What are you doing?”

When Mok Riwon questioned sharply, the answer that came back was.

“What am I doing? I’m letting you go.”

He grumbled as if he had lost all interest, with an attitude as if he didn’t care in the slightest about the pain of his broken arm.

“I can’t get caught already. There’s still much to witness.”

Saying that, he took out a signal flare from his pant leg and set it off.

Immediately after, he turned around.

Toward the opposite direction of the scream.

“Let’s meet again soon! Ink Dragon!”

Then he ran off.

Mok Riwon stood there, staring blankly at the last place he saw him.

How long had he remained like that?

“G-Great Expert...!”

Gwak Chil appeared in that place instead.

For someone who had just screamed, he looked surprisingly unharmed.

* * *

“Boss. Did you fail?”

“Indeed! I failed! The Heaven-Slaying Star is more tenacious than I thought!”

Returning to the mountain house, Pae Woongchu showed his tattered arm to his adjutant.

The adjutant swallowed dryly and lowered his head.

“...Was he that strong?”

“He was strong! But I was stronger!”

The adjutant’s brows narrowed, unable to understand what he meant.

Pae Woongchu laughed.

“I mean, I would have won if capturing him alive wasn’t the goal!”

“Ah...!”

The adjutant finally understood.

Leaving him behind, Pae Woongchu entered one of the buildings of the mountain home that was still somewhat intact.

It’s not time yet!

He had something else on his mind.

Crazed with demonic qi and seeking only battles to the death, he prioritized his own desires above the Divine Cult’s orders.

He wasn’t ready to capture Mok Riwon just yet.

The qi art he had used as his last move, and the sword that stretched forth with intent imbued within.

Pae Woongchu wanted to see it again.

No, it wasn’t just to see it again, but he wanted to see it in a more advanced form.

For that reason, he must not capture him.

The Ink Dragon had to become stronger to perfect that strange sword.

Pae Woongchu laughed, sitting cross-legged.

He channeled his demonic qi with his eyes closed.

It’s fun.

With an air filled with joy, he sent his demonic qi flowing through his blood vessels.

As the bearer of the Heaven-Slaying Star, his growth would be exponentially faster than anyone could imagine, so he too had to become stronger, at least for their next encounter.

With such thoughts, Pae Woongchu pushed his demonic qi to its limits.

Boil–

The demonic qi enveloped the interior of the building, heavily blanketing the mountain home and beyond.

His subordinates sensed the change and began to guard the surroundings of the cliffside dwelling.

Thus, a week passed.

Fist Demon Pae Woongchu reached the Supreme /genesisforsaken