Chapter 42 — Heavenly Poison Old Demon
A red robe.
Sleeves caked with layers of dried blood.
The drooping hem of his clothes wrapped his emaciated body in a grotesque manner.
The moment the strange man in the red robe appeared, the others bowed their heads one after another.
The strange man nodded as if familiar with the gesture.
“How are the materials’ conditions?”
One of the men beside him hurriedly answered.
“As you commanded, Elder, we have kept them in the most intact state possible.”
“I see…….”
The strange man referred to as the Elder approached the missing people.
He examined the faces of the collapsed Kunlun disciples one by one.
“Hmm… The righteous faction ones always grow so neatly. Their muscle fibers are fine, and the flow of their qi and blood is even… That’s why they’re so fun to play with.”
The strange man stroked the cheek of one of the disciples.
“If dried well… they’ll produce very fine powder. To have gathered as many as twenty-three such good materials, we are truly lucky.”
Twenty-three.
That was the exact number of missing scouting team and investigation team members.
Yu Seol-ah’s eyes turned cold.
Hyun-kwon gripped his spear tightly, his hands trembling.
I held back the two, who looked ready to charge out in anger, and said.
“Wait. First, we need to assess their strength.”
If they were capable of subduing twenty-three Kunlun disciples, they clearly weren’t ordinary.
Moreover, the old monster in the red robe who appeared to be their leader kept bothering me.
‘…I can feel demonic energy from that old monster.’
Unlike the others in the stone chamber, an unsettling, demonic aura unique to the Heavenly Demon Cult could be felt from the man in the red robe.
My instincts told me we shouldn’t move recklessly.
It was then.
The old monster in the red robe, who had been staring at the collapsed disciples, suddenly raised his head.
His gaze was directed exactly toward the pillar where we were hiding.
“So a few little rats have sneaked in…….”
The old monster in the red robe chuckled as he stared at the pillar.
“How long do you plan to keep hiding?”
We realized we had already been discovered.
The thought of immediate escape crossed my mind, but retreating through the narrow passage would likely get us killed instead.
Hyun-kwon and Yu Seol-ah seemed to have the same thought.
‘Since it’s come to this.’
We looked at each other and nodded, then simultaneously stepped out from behind the pillar.
The eyes of the old monster in the red robe flashed when he saw us.
“Hoh, three more fresh materials have been added. And very fresh ones at that.”
“Y-you bastard…!”
Hyun-kwon gritted his teeth.
But I didn’t react to the old monster’s provocation.
‘He’s trying to agitate us.’
This was the enemy’s stronghold.
Charging in recklessly here would only cause us greater harm.
I calmed my companions’ agitation and asked the old monster in the red robe.
“Was this your doing? Did you bastards do this to our disciples?”
“Yes. They are materials this old man found. You three will soon become the same, so just wait.”
Unable to hold back any longer, Hyun-kwon shouted at him.
“You bastard! How dare you do this to the disciples of the great Kunlun Sect! I will never forgive you. You will never leave this place alive!”
“Kukuk, how amusing. To dare spout such words in front of this seat.”
The old monster in the red robe chuckled at Hyun-kwon’s words.
Then he continued with sharp eyes.
“However, the ones who won’t leave this place alive will be you lot, not me.”
As soon as the old monster finished speaking, the people standing behind him simultaneously drew their weapons.
We also raised our own weapons.
“Who are you people? Are you from the Heavenly Demon Cult? What is your purpose in kidnapping our Kunlun disciples?”
“Kukuk, Heavenly Demon Cult… Well, since you’re all going to die and become my materials soon, I suppose telling you my name is fine.”
The old monster in the red robe grinned, revealing his teeth.
His yellow, rotting teeth made his smile even more grotesque.
“This seat is called Eum Jeok-heon.”
“Eum Jeok-heon…? Don’t tell me, you’re the Heavenly Poison Old Demon?”
The name slipped out of my mouth involuntarily.
“Hoh, so you know of this old man.”
The old monster in the red robe nodded in satisfaction.
“That’s right. This old man is the Heavenly Poison Old Demon, Eum Jeok-heon.”
A chill ran down my spine.
Heavenly Poison Old Demon Eum Jeok-heon.
A madman obsessed with poison and one of the Hundred Great Poisoners of the World.
A murderer who had massacred hundreds of innocent civilians and martial artists with his poison arts.
He was one of the public enemies of the Murim, hunted by both the righteous and unorthodox factions.
‘Why is the Heavenly Poison Old Demon here?’
After being branded a public enemy, he should have fled outside the Central Plains and disappeared.
At least, that was how it was in my memories from my previous life.
Yet now, the Heavenly Poison Old Demon was standing inside this underground stone chamber.
He was grinning while calling our disciples “materials.”
I unconsciously glanced at Hyun-kwon and Yu Seol-ah.
Eum Jeok-heon was a master of poison arts.
With his wickedness and profound martial prowess, he was a murderous demon who had killed countless people.
‘Can we… really defeat the Heavenly Poison Old Demon?’
Seeing my hardened face, Hyun-kwon snorted beside me.
“What are you worrying about so much? If these bastards really kidnapped our disciples, we just have to kill them.”
Yu Seol-ah, standing next to him, also let out a small laugh.
“You’re not worried about us, are you? I am Yu Seol-ah. The future greatest sword of Kunlun, inheritor of the Explosive Sword Yu Gwang-cheol’s blood!”
The fear and impatience in my mind vanished as if evaporating.
‘What was I even worrying about…’
That’s right.
These two were disciples who had inherited the teachings of Kunlun’s greatest experts.
Geniuses selected as representatives for the Great Assembly of Elders among countless Kunlun disciples.
A clash was unavoidable anyway.
Even if we were overpowered, we couldn’t let our momentum break.
I nodded at the two.
“Right. Let’s properly show these wicked bastards who harmed our disciples what the power of Kunlun is.”
Hyun-kwon gripped his spear tightly.
“I’ll make sure these evil demons learn just how fierce the spear of the Hall of Martial Bureau is.”
Yu Seol-ah also raised the sword in her hand high.
“The swords of Kunlun do not show mercy to evildoers.”
Both spoke with strength in their voices, as if confident.
Though Hyun-kwon and Yu Seol-ah sounded assured… I could still sense the tension hidden beneath.
‘…Still, it’ll be fine.’
I steadied my breathing and gripped the long sword in my hand tightly.
‘If they didn’t have this level of resolve, they wouldn’t have followed me here.’
It was then.
As if mocking our determination, Eum Jeok-heon nodded.
“Then, shall we quickly harvest these fresh new materials?”
Eum Jeok-heon spoke to his subordinates standing behind him.
“Capture the one with the spear and the girl. Preferably alive.”
His subordinates simultaneously leaped forward.
“Everyone, be careful!”
Hyun-kwon shouted as he gripped his spear with both hands.
Yu Seol-ah lowered her stance and took up a sword position.
“…And you…….”
Eum Jeok-heon gave me a twisted smile.
“Since you recognized me, I’ll personally deal with you.”
When the two remaining subordinates behind him instinctively tried to follow, Eum Jeok-heon waved his hand.
“Don’t interfere. I will refine this material myself.”
The subordinates stepped back and moved toward Hyun-kwon and Yu Seol-ah.
I raised my sword.
“Perfect. I happen to specialize in dealing with poison-using bastards like you.”
At my provocation, Eum Jeok-heon let out a grotesque laugh.
“Kukuk… Yes. The more lively they are, the sweeter the screams they make when they die as materials.”
Eum Jeok-heon spoke playfully, like a child choosing a toy.
“Let’s see how much you struggle.”
With those words, something flashed from his fingertips.
Papapap—!
Dozens of sharp silver needles flew through the air, aiming for my neck and eyes.
I twisted my body low and swung my sword.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The silver needles deflected by my blade embedded themselves into the walls and floor.
Hssssss—
The areas where the needles struck began to melt away.
“Not bad. To think you could block my Heavenly Poison Needles.”
Eum Jeok-heon’s eyes narrowed.
“Since you’ve entertained this old man, I should return the favor.”
At that moment, the color of both his palms began to change.
His previously dull, ash-white hands gradually turned a dark purplish-black.
It was an ominous color, as if mixed with blood and poison.
‘Purple Blood Annihilation Palm.’
It was the exclusive poison art of the Heavenly Poison Old Demon Eum Jeok-heon.
A single graze would lead to immediate poisoning and death — an absolute poison technique.
Countless martial artists had lost their lives to those cruel purplish-black hands.
Eum Jeok-heon gave me a twisted smile.
“I’m looking forward to it. How loudly you will scream.”
I steadied my breathing and pointed my sword at him.
The distance between Eum Jeok-heon and me was less than two zhang.
‘He’s coming!’
He moved first.
Ssssh—
His toes slid silently across the stone floor as he approached.
His purplish-black hand curved in a crescent shape, aiming for my neck.
I quickly retreated backward and swept my sword upward from below.
I intended to sever his hand right then.
But.
Clang!
My blade collided directly with the back of Eum Jeok-heon’s hand.
Along with the metallic sound, the arm holding the sword tingled.
‘Tch, it was trained with external arts?’
Eum Jeok-heon laughed mockingly.
“Did you really think you could cut my hand with something like that sword? This is an extremely poisonous palm technique trained by burning my blood and internal energy. There’s no way your sword can affect it.”
Eum Jeok-heon’s hand continuously slashed through the air.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
I swung my sword without pause, blocking the Purple Blood Annihilation Palm.
‘It feels like I’m hitting a lump of iron.’
Every time Eum Jeok-heon’s Purple Blood Annihilation Palm collided with my blade, a shock that felt like it would break my wrist was transmitted.
Moreover, the poisonous energy flowing from his palms made even breathing difficult.
Clang! Clang! Boom!
“Kuk—!”
My two legs were pushed back, and my back slammed into a stone pillar in the chamber.
The moment my posture faltered, Eum Jeok-heon didn’t miss it.
Slash.
“Keuk…!”
A tearing pain came from my side.
Eum Jeok-heon’s fingertips had precisely dug into my flesh.
I staggered backward.
Eum Jeok-heon looked at me with eyes full of ecstasy, as if the fight was already over.
“Now, the flesh on your side will slowly rot away. And soon your internal organs will melt along with it… Kukuk.”
His tone carried the madness of a predator slowly tightening its grip on its prey’s throat.
It was true.
The Purple Blood Annihilation Palm was an extremely vicious poison technique that could kill instantly upon contact.
However.
‘It’s fine… I can still endure.’
I had consumed the flesh of the Ice Blood Serpent.
Thanks to that, I had resistance to most poisons.
Of course, I couldn’t immediately detoxify something as extreme as the Purple Blood Annihilation Palm.
But at least I wouldn’t lose my life from one or two hits.
‘…Though I don’t know how long I can hold on.’
I could feel the poisonous energy of the Purple Blood Annihilation Palm slowly penetrating my meridians.
Strength left my legs, and I fell to one knee.
I clutched my side and looked around.
In my blurring vision, I could see Hyun-kwon and Yu Seol-ah gradually being pushed back by the enemies.
If things continued like this, those two would soon fall as well.
‘I have to join them quickly. We can’t delay any longer.’
I turned my head to look at Eum Jeok-heon.
He was looking down at me with a triumphant expression.
‘He definitely thinks the situation is over after that last attack.’
I had to take advantage of his carelessness.
I needed to defeat Eum Jeok-heon as quickly as possible.
Only then could I save my companions.
“What are you thinking so hard about? Ah, you probably don’t even have time to think. Your mind must already be growing hazy.”
Eum Jeok-heon’s eyes toward me were filled only with ridicule.
There was not the slightest tension to be found.
‘…This is my chance.’
I took a short breath and steadied my mind.
Even though he was off guard, the Heavenly Poison Old Demon Eum Jeok-heon was a high expert worthy of being counted among the Hundred Great Poisoners of the World.
To defeat such a strong opponent, I had to give it everything I had.
I closed my eyes.
“Kukuk. Have you given up already? Well, that would be easier for you.”
His presence was getting closer and closer.
Forcing my fading consciousness to hold on, I recalled the sensation of the ‘Flow’ left behind by Azure Cloud True Person.
‘I have to put everything I have into a single strike.’
The ‘Flow’ that Azure Cloud True Person had shown was drawn inside my mind.
The subtle currents that seemed to pass by yet contained all changes.
The moment I opened the sword path, the flow that became light like wings appeared and was felt within my mind.
I quietly opened my eyes.
My previously blurry vision became clear in an instant, and Eum Jeok-heon’s Purple Blood Annihilation Palm descending toward my head was vividly visible.
‘Now!’
I pushed the ‘Flow’ of Azure Cloud True Person that I had seen in my mind directly into my body.
And I opened the fastest sword path I could currently execute.
Flowing Flower Sword, Second Form — Mirror Flower Straight Flash.
In that instant, a flash of light that split the darkness erupted.
A straight line that transcended sound.
The line of light tore through space and pierced Eum Jeok-heon’s palm.
The flash that severed the purplish-black poisonous energy continued its momentum and surged forward.
And then…
Crack—!
At the place where the light stopped, Eum Jeok-heon staggered while looking at the hole in the center of his chest.
“…This… doesn’t make… sense… Keuk!”
Before he could finish those words, the body of the Heavenly Poison Old Demon collapsed as if crumbling, along with his final breath.