"Damn it..."
It had been years since he had truly cursed like this.
Since training as an assassin, every word that came from his mouth had been meticulously calculated.
A true assassin possesses a hundred faces and a thousand expressions, knowing how to control them perfectly.
Chil-sal had never failed in that control... until he encountered the monster chasing him now.
Chil-sal turned his head slightly to look back.
Whoosh! A crimson blade of energy flew by, narrowly missing him.
Several massive trees were sharply cut down and fell to the side.
Behind them, a man with red eyes was using his lightness skill to chase him, his eyes blazing with a fierce red glow.
Swallowing hard, Chil-sal felt a chill run down his spine.
If he hadn’t dodged just in time, one of his legs might have been severed, just like his already lost right arm.
Blood dripped from his shoulder, where his arm had been torn off, leaving a gaping wound that looked more like it had been bitten by a beast than a sword injury.
He had seen countless martial arts from many masters, but he had never encountered such a merciless sword technique. 'No. Can it even be called a sword technique?' Chil-sal recalled the red blade of energy that had devoured his right arm.
It was like a blood dragon, tearing through the darkness of the Black Death Demon Art, instantly neutralizing Chil-sal, who had been hiding to launch a counterattack.
This had all happened in just a few exchanges of blows. '...
This is impossible.' The White Beast Dragon was by no means an unparalleled master.
Chil-sal’s cultivation level was even higher, and his combat experience was unmatched.
Yet, he was overwhelmed.
Every technique of the Black Death Demon Art was easily countered by the White Beast Dragon’s sword, and even his full-powered attacks were absurdly neutralized. 'Is it the difference in martial arts?' The White Beast Dragon had learned a new technique presumed to be from the Blood Demon’s martial arts.
Was that why he was so strong? ...
No, it was something different.
The reason the White Beast Dragon was so powerful lay in something more fundamental. 'But I don’t understand.
I truly cannot grasp the identity of that monster...'
It was an unfathomable existence.
The moment he realized he could not win, Chil-sal turned around and began to flee with all his strength.
Fortunately, that decision was timely.
His superior cultivation and the years of training as an assassin made his escape easier.
Although his center of gravity was different due to the loss of an arm, it also allowed him to feel lighter.
Whoosh! Whoosh! With all his might, the scenery around him quickly blurred as he dashed away.
Chil-sal had a reason to run. 'I must inform Il-sal.
Someone who has learned the Blood Demon’s martial arts has appeared.
If the relationship between the Assassin’s Guild and the Blood Sect is revealed...'
Whoosh! At that moment, a blade of energy grazed his shoulder.
Blood splattered into the air, and his hair was cut.
A mocking voice echoed from behind him.
"You were so proud, and now you’re running away?" The distance was closing rapidly.
At this rate, he would be caught by the White Beast Dragon in less than half a moment.
Gritting his teeth until they bled, Chil-sal squeezed his energy and sent it to his legs, pushing off the ground. 'I cannot die like this.' As an assassin, he had always lived with death in mind, but he had never imagined such a pathetic end.
To be caught and killed by an unknown martial arts instructor, not even a renowned master listed among the Ten Greats.
"How long do you think you can keep running?" The voice was almost right behind him.
As the blade of energy brushed against his side, blood burst forth.
Chil-sal threw all the poisons and hidden weapons he had on him, buying himself a little time.
But that was reaching its limit. 'No more...'
At that moment, he spotted a man standing not far away.
The man, dressed in official robes, had a square jaw and a stern expression, with a sword at his waist.
He seemed to have some martial arts training, but he did not appear to be a master.
In that instant, Chil-sal came up with a plan. 'I’ll take him hostage.' After all, the White Beast Dragon was a righteous martial artist.
Even if he looked like a ghost chasing him now, could he still be called righteous? But there was no other way.
Thud! Chil-sal stomped the ground and charged at the expressionless man.
He intended to grab his neck before he could resist.
If he turned his body to use him as a hostage immediately, he could at least buy himself some time.
'If the hostage doesn’t work, I can use him as a shield.
Just injure him enough not to die, and he should hesitate at least a little.' As various calculations raced through Chil-sal’s mind, the man with the stern expression spoke.
"So, you’re an assassin’s martial arts practitioner. Are you the one trying to harm the Prime Minister?"
"!!" With that deep, low voice, Chil-sal felt an immense pressure pressing down on him. ...
Boom! Chil-sal’s body fell from the air, crashing to the ground.
"Cough, cough..."
Looking down at the writhing Chil-sal, the man spoke with his stern face.
"In the name of Heaven."
Swish.
The man drew his sword.
The words "Heaven’s Restraint" were engraved on its blade.
"N-no way..."
Realizing the identity of his opponent too late, Chil-sal’s expression shifted to one of resignation.
Closing his eyes, he muttered, "It is an honor to die by your hand."
"I will spare you."
In an instant, a line was drawn from the top of Chil-sal’s head to his groin.
Boom! Chil-sal’s body split in half and fell to the side without a sound.
The Heavenly Sword did not even glance at the corpse, turning his gaze to the man with red eyes who had been chasing Chil-sal.
"Are you also an assassin?"
"..."
The White Beast Dragon, who had stopped in his tracks, cautiously spoke.
"No." Swish...
The White Beast Dragon’s hair and eyes quickly regained their original colors. 'This is troublesome.' The presence he couldn’t detect even with the expanded perception of the Reverse Heaven Divine Art.
And the moment he saw the two characters engraved on the sword (Heaven’s Restraint), he realized who his opponent was.
"Are you perhaps the Heavenly Sword?"
"That is correct."
"..."
To show the use of the Reverse Heaven Divine Art to someone other than himself, even if the Heavenly Sword was a master of the imperial palace and not a righteous martial artist...
"Do you know me?" Under the penetrating gaze of the Heavenly Sword, cold sweat trickled down the back of the White Beast Dragon.
"I am Baek Su-ryong, an instructor at the Blue Dragon Academy. I have connections with Elder Gong Son-su..."
"You have learned strange martial arts."
The Heavenly Sword cut him off, refusing to listen.
As he raised his sword to aim, the White Beast Dragon took a step back to create distance.
"Did you not hear from Heuk Yeong about me?"
"I did. However, I have no way to confirm if you are that person."
"Should I show you my identification?"
"I do not like jokes."
The Heavenly Sword’s eyes were serious.
He continued in a low tone, "I will first cut off your arms and then interrogate you."
"I don’t like jokes either."
"..."
Instead of answering, the Heavenly Sword lightly swung his sword.
The White Beast Dragon, who had been on high alert, barely managed to read the trajectory.
Whoosh! The blade of energy that sliced through the air only calmed down after cutting through dozens of trees.
Swallowing hard, the White Beast Dragon observed the Heavenly Sword’s expression.
The corners of his mouth twisted slightly.
"Not bad."
"Wait! If you wait a moment, Heuk Yeong will come and confirm my identity!"
"..."
After a moment of contemplation, the Heavenly Sword spoke again.
"I will wait after cutting off your arms."
"You crazy...!"
Whoosh! As the Heavenly Sword began to draw upon his energy, an immense force pressed down on the White Beast Dragon’s body.
"Ugh...!" Absolute masters at the level of the Ten Greats dominate the space with their energy.
Unless one is of a similar level, moving freely within that space is nearly impossible.
The White Beast Dragon was no exception.
He felt as if his knees would buckle at any moment.
"I will see for myself who you are."
"..."
From those words, the White Beast Dragon could read a bit of the Heavenly Sword’s true intentions. 'He’s trying to gauge my martial arts.' The Reverse Heaven Divine Art was an unparalleled technique in the world.
A master like the Heavenly Sword would surely be able to sense it.
He might not have any intention to harm him. '...
But I doubt he will go easy on me.'
The Heavenly Sword aimed the tip of his blade at the White Beast Dragon’s left arm.
"Left."
It was a warning that he would cut off his left arm.
An arrogant statement, inviting him to dodge if he could.
The White Beast Dragon felt a surge of anger, but for now, he wanted to avoid a clash with the Ten Greats.
Struggling against the increasing pressure, he spoke with difficulty.
"This isn’t the time... Shouldn’t we save the Prime Minister first? He’s collapsed back there..."
As if he already knew, the Heavenly Sword chuckled.
"His breathing is stable, and there are no signs of danger around."
The absolute master’s formidable perception had already confirmed Gong Son-su’s location and safety.
In the end, it was a fight he could not escape.
"Heh. Damn it... You’re going to push me to the end."
There was a limit to his patience.
If he could not avoid it, he had no choice but to confront it.
The White Beast Dragon gathered all his energy for the Reverse Heaven Divine Art.
Boom! His red hair shot up into the sky, and a fierce bloodlust erupted from his eyes.
Crack! His back straightened, and his knees, which had been trembling, became firm.
The Heavenly Sword, watching this, sighed softly.
"That looks like a dangerous martial art. What kind is it?"
With the Heavenly Sword still looking down on him, the White Beast Dragon spoke in a booming voice filled with energy.
"I have no intention of telling someone who doesn’t appreciate favors."
"Are you saying I am your benefactor?"
"How many times do you think I saved you from being caught by an assassin! Are you someone who knows gratitude while oppressing me?"
"…If what you say is true, then so be it. Enough with the useless words."
The Heavenly Sword no longer wished to converse.
He merely moved the tip of his sword to warn once more.
"Left."
The White Beast Dragon, unwilling to back down, aimed at the Heavenly Sword’s right arm.
"Right."
"..."
For the first time, the Heavenly Sword’s eyebrows twitched.
He infused a bit more energy into his sword than he had initially intended.
Boom! A massive golden aura swirled around the Heavenly Sword.
At the same time, an immense red energy erupted from the White Beast Dragon’s body.
The two energies, rising like an explosion, collided and intertwined, forming a vortex of energy.
Within it, the two men moved simultaneously.
A piercing scream echoed.
"Stop! That person is the benefactor of the Elder!" Without fear, Heuk Yeong, who had rushed over with all his might, leaped into the vortex of energy.
Despite numerous wounds covering his body, Heuk Yeong shouted, "Please stop!"
Moments later, the vortex of energy dissipated.
The two men stood facing each other.
The Heavenly Sword’s blade was at the White Beast Dragon’s neck.
Now with his hair returned to its original color, the White Beast Dragon was bleeding from his mouth, letting the sword hang down.
Both men’s arms were intact.
Seeing this, Heuk Yeong shouted at the Heavenly Sword.
"Put down that sword immediately!"
"…I will."
Lowering his sword, the Heavenly Sword glanced at the White Beast Dragon before swiftly turning away.
"I will go see the Prime Minister. Heal your wounds and follow me."
"..."
Feeling the White Beast Dragon’s glare from behind, the Heavenly Sword ignored it.
He recalled the sword he had exchanged with the White Beast Dragon moments ago. 'He said he would aim for my right arm... but I unconsciously aimed for his neck.' It was true that he had shown mercy.
But no matter how much, the chilling pressure from earlier had been real.
How long had it been since he had felt such an emotion? The Heavenly Sword looked down at his right hand, which the White Beast Dragon had aimed for.
At that moment, the end of his right sleeve suddenly scattered.
"Huh!" The Heavenly Sword let out an involuntary exclamation.