Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Upon arriving at the Sea Dragon Palace, Baek Mu-Gun immediately headed inside. There, he found Ak Gun-Hyo alone, sitting on his throne.
So, it was you, huh?
Gun-Hyo immediately knew Mu-Gun was the Baek Sword Sects first son the moment he entered the Sea Dragon Palace.
You seem to be waiting for me.
Even if this is where I meet my end, I wasnt planning on going down without killing you first, Gun-Hyo looked prepared to die.
I dont know if youre capable enough to do that, Mu-Gun responded as he examined Gun-Hyos martial arts.
When it came to just qi levels, Gun-Hyo was stronger than the Sickle Slaughterer. Even someone at the peak-level realm would be seriously injured against him.
I have to be careful.
It wouldnt be easy for Mu-Gun to deal with a peak-level expert with his current realm and internal energy. To make matters worse, Ak Gun-Hyo was prepared to die.
This battle would certainly be extremely difficult. However, that didnt mean he was afraid.
Despite how hard it could be, Mu-Gun was confident in defeating Gun-Hyo.
You seem to be in high spirits just because you killed the Sickle Slaughterer. If you think Im the same as him, you are greatly mistaken.
The way I see it, I dont think it will be much different. Mu-Gun raised his right hand as he responded.
Bzzt!
A golden thunderbolt formed in his right hand.
Thats!
Recalling the attack that defeated the Sickle Slaughterer, he swiftly noticed Mu-Guns attempt to use the same technique on him. Gun-Hyo immediately bounced off his throne and dodged sideways.
However, his hasty evasion was for naught. Mu-Gun didnt release anything. Having intentionally pretended to invoke the Thunder Sword Cannon, he made Gun-Hyo move hastily. He then used that gap to charge forward and thrust his sword toward Gun-Hyo.
A sword-shaped thunderbolt rose from Mu-Guns sword and spread out like a fan, oppressing Gun-Hyo. Mu-Gun had just executed the Celestial Moonlight Sword, a technique he recently developed by combining the 36 Phantom Moon Blades and the fundamental principle of the Thousand Sky-Enveloping Palms. He also infused the Heavenly Thunder Constellation Divine Arts thunder qi into it, causing it to take the form of a sword-shaped thunderbolt.
The attack forced Gun-Hyo to concede the flow of the battle to Mu-Gun. Now having the upper hand, Mu-Gun went on the offensive.
How dare you use such petty tricks!
The fact that Mu-Gun, a young lad still wet behind the ears, made a fool of him angered Gun-Hyo. Enraged, he lifted his sword and faced Mu-Gun. He then unleashed a raging sword qi, sweeping away Mu-Guns sword-shaped thunderbolt.
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Mu-Gun hurriedly stepped back to evade the penetrating sword qi that tore apart his sword-shaped thunderbolt. Upon noticing his retreat, Gun-Hyo swiftly chased after Mu-Gun and unleashed sword qi again. The latter simply kept dodging instead of facing the sword qi head-on.
Gun-Hyos sword qi was fast and powerful. However, it was rendered useless since it couldnt hit his opponent, who kept avoiding it with great ease.
Mu-Guns movements werent particularly faster than Gun-Hyos attacks. The real reason why he could avoid them without much difficulty was that he could predict their trajectory.
Through the countless battles he fought during his earlier reincarnations, he obtained a high level of martial arts enlightenment. In his eyes, it was clear as day where and how Gun-Hyo would direct his attack.
As Sun Tzu once said, if you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.
Gun-Hyo couldnt land even a single hit with Mu-Gun predicting his attacks and avoiding them half a beat quicker. As a result, Gun-Hyos sword qi could only smash the floor, pillars, and furniture in the Sea Dragon Palace.
Are you just going to keep evading me like a rat?! Unable to stand the fact that he kept missing his target, Gun-Hyo flew into a rage.
Im actually about to start attacking now since your attacks are so boring.
After saying such gut-wrenching words, Mu-Gun pounced on Gun-Hyo, who thrust his sword at Mu-gun as if he had been waiting for that exact moment. Gun-Hyos sword qi struck down at Mu-Guns head just as the latter charged in.
However, just before it could make contact with Mu-Guns head and split him in half, a golden thunderbolt formed around Mu-Guns two feet and propelled his body sharply to the side. Gun-Hyos sword qi brushed past Mu-Guns sides and shattered the floor of the Sea Dragon Palace.
In the midst of it all, Mu-Gun executed the Thunder Gods Aerial Steps, repeatedly changing directions at lightning speed until he had made his way to Gun-Hyos back. The Thunder Gods Aerial Steps was a movement art that lifted the practitioner off the ground by discharging thunder qi through both feet, then freely changing their direction. At its peak, it could even be used to climb the sky just like its name suggested.
With movements akin to a divine skill, Mu-Gun reached behind Gun-Hyo instantaneously and unleashed the sword-shaped thunderbolt without delay.
This crazy!
Mu-Guns movements, which transcended common sense, took Gun-Hyo aback. Nevertheless, the latter hurriedly rolled forward, causing the sword-shaped thunderbolt Mu-Gun let loose to narrowly whizz past Gun-Hyo.
Mu-Gun invoked the same technique again before Gun-Hyo could manage to stand back up.
Like the moonlight that separated the darkness, the sword-shaped thunderbolt flashed all over Gun-Hyo. Clenching his teeth, he unleashed his sword qi.
Gun-Hyo deflected and shattered Mu-Guns attack, causing a loud roar to resonate. A peak-level masters sword qi was certainly powerful. Mu-Guns thunderbolts were destroyed before they could even break past Gun-Hyos sword qi. However, Mu-Gun still took the initiative and went on the offensive.
Not giving his opponent time to breathe, Mu-Gun burrowed into Gun-Hyos flank. The Thunder Gods Aerial Steps displayed movements beyond what Gun-Hyo expected, causing him to respond half a beat slower. Nevertheless, he was able to withstand Mu-Guns attack due to his strong sword qi.
Mu-Gun continued to corner Gun-Hyo while he still had the advantage. In all honesty, he could get a much easier victory against Gun-Hyo if he just used the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects martial arts properly. However, Mu-Gun insisted on using the Baek Sword Sects martial arts despite how crucial this fight was so he could familiarize himself with it.
Mu-Gun was a part of the Baek Sword Sect, which meant he would use its martial arts much more often than the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sects.
And there was no better way to train it than using it in actual combat. Hence, he used this confrontation with Gun-Hyo to achieve his goal. It wouldve even been better for him if he could deal with the opponent using the Celestial Moonlight Sword alone, but Gun-Hyo was currently too powerful for him to avoid using the Thunder Gods Aerial Steps.
There was no need for him to push his limits when his martial arts were still incomplete. His life was more important than anything else.
Pushed back by Mu-Guns attacks, Gun-Hyo frantically unleashed his sword qi. Even if he was a peak-level expert, he was bound to run out of internal energy if he kept releasing that much sword qi.
As expected, Gun-Hyo began to run out of internal energy due to the excessive use of his sword qi, and the aftereffect made his movements sluggish. Mu-Guns internal energy was on the verge of exhaustion as well, having continuously invoked the Thunder Gods Aerial Steps. The martial arts of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect fundamentally consumed heavy amounts of internal energy, and the Thunder Gods Aerial Steps was no different.
I have to end it now.
Without further delay, Mu-Gun soared into the air while concentrating all his internal energy on his sword. His sword then plummeted down at Ak Gun-Hyo.
Mu-Gun soared to the ceiling of the Sea Dragon Palace as lighting sword qi surged from his sword like radiating light.
Supreme Moonlight! It was one of the Celestial Moonlight Swords strongest techniques. Gun-Hyos eyes widened at the lightning sword qi raining down on him, the power of which was on an entirely different level compared to the techniques Mu-Gun used earlier. Gun-Hyo clenched his teeth and swung his sword, releasing a violent sword qi that contain every single drop of his nearly depleted internal energy.
A loud roar resonated as soon as Gun-Hyos mustered-up sword qi clashed with the Supreme Moonlights. The ground shook.
Soon, Gun-Hyos sword qi shattered, and the lightning energy penetrated him.
The lightning energy pierced through the arm he was using to hold his sword, causing it to stiffen up and drop his weapon.
Before he knew it, Mu-Gun had descended in front of him and stabbed him again. Gun-Hyo did not avoid it, however. Instead, he used it as an opportunity to close in on Mu-Gun.
The moment his chest was penetrated, his left hand reached out for Mu-Guns head, executing an attack that disregarded defense.
He aimed to perish together with Mu-Gun. However, that was within Mu-Guns expectations. He had reached out with his left hand and struck Gun-Hyos shoulder before the latter could do anything.
Imbued with lightning energy, Mu-Guns palm force shattered and paralyzed Gun-Hyos left shoulder.
Gun-Hyos attack, which was aimed at Mu-Guns head, bounced off the shock from the latters counterattack.
Kuhkk. Gun-Hyo groaned as he knelt on the floor. He clutched his chest, which Mu-Guns sword had pierced through.
I couldnt bring you along with me to the afterlife. Pity. Gun-Hyo said, frustrated.
You shouldnt let that get you down. The many vengeful spirits you so unjustly killed will surely give you a violent welcome.
Kuhukk! Ugh, dont be so conceited. What makes you think youre any different from me, you bastard? Gun-Hyo said as he coughed out a handful of dark-red blood.
Dont be concerned about me. I only kill those who deserve to die, just like you. Now, its time to end this.
There was no need for further chatter. Mu-Gun beheaded Gun-Hyo without hesitation, causing the latter to collapse to the floor. With his death, the fate of the Sea Dragon Gang, which dominated the eastern sea of Zhejiang, came to an end.
***
Shortly after Mu-Gun defeated Gun-Hyo, Baek Cheon-Gi, Baek Cheon-Ho, and Baek Yong-Hwan entered the Sea Dragon Palace. The three men looked surprised upon finding Gun-Hyo wretchedly lying cold on the floor.
Is that the Sea Dragon Gang Leader? Cheon-Ho asked as he pointed to Gun-Hyos corpse.
Yes.
Did you kill him?
Yes.
You truly have really formidable martial prowess.
Cheon-Ho was genuinely impressed. The martial prowess of Ak Gun-Hyo, the Sea Dragon Gang Leader, was known for not being any bit inferior to Baek Cheon-Sang, the strongest master within the Baek Sword Sect.
Even so, Mu-Gun singlehandedly defeated Gun-Hyo, which essentially served as proof that his martial arts were on the same level as Cheon-Sangs. Mu-Guns tender age of twenty-three years old only made it even more shocking.
Well done, Cheon-Gi praised Mu-Gun.
He hoped that it would be a lose-lose situation between Mu-Gun and Gun-Hyo, but Mu-Gun emerged victorious unscathed.
With things transpiring this way, Mu-Guns martial prowess would only be highlighted further.
How strong is he actually?
Cheon-Gi became afraid of Mu-Guns martial prowess. As Yong-Hwan said, it seemed that even the successors of the Seven Great Clans wouldnt be at his Mu-Guns level. Cheon-Gi certainly wasnt confident hed be able to defeat Baek Mu-Gun even if he had a plan.
Do I really have to give this up?
Cheon-Gi smiled bitterly, thinking hed have to let go of his lifelong dream.
Thank you. Whats the situation outside?
The Sea Dragon Gangs pirates have been dealt with. However, a few seem to have escaped. Im worried theyll cause trouble in the future. Cheon-Ho expressed his concerns.
Even if so, theyre just pirates. They wont become a problem in the future.
Mu-Gun is right. The Sea Dragon Archipelago has also fallen to ruin, so why are you worried about the remnants of a destroyed gang? Cheon-Gi didnt think much of it either.
There seems to be nothing to worry about, then.
What do you plan to do with this place? I personally think this can be a good fortress in times of emergency. Yong-Hwan expressed his opinion on how to use the Sea Dragon Archipelago.
We can do that. Its a good location to build our strength while avoiding the eyes of the other forces as well.
Mu-Gun had no intention of abandoning the Sea Dragon Archipelago. The Sea Dragon Archipelago was hidden in the Fantasy Fog Array, making it the best fortress for them to build up their strength secretly. Even if that wasnt the case, it was worth using in many other ways. The Sea Dragon Archipelago was the best of the spoils they gained from their war against the Sea Dragon Gang.
They had to make use of it in some way. There was no need to rush, though, since it wasnt an urgent matter.
Taking our time to decide on this issue shouldnt be a problem. For now, lets head back to the Maritime Defense Base.
Please go on ahead. I want to stay here for some time. Theres something I want to look for.
What would that be?
I cant tell you yet. Ill explain it later once I confirm it.
Mu-Gun wanted to confirm his suspicions about the Heavenly Seafarer leaving his legacy here in the Sea Dragon Archipelago. He couldnt reveal it yet, though, since he wasnt certain of it yet.
Youre not going to do anything dangerous, are you? Cheon-Ho asked anxiously.
What danger would there be? Weve already dealt with the entire Sea Dragon Gang.
Fine. Well head back first. Return immediately once youre done with what you have to do.
Understood.
But for us to get out of here, dont you have to guide us?
Dont worry. I will guide you all out of here, then come back in.
Alright. Thats fine, then.
After an hour of sorting out the mess at the Sea Dragon Island, the three squads of the Baek Sword Corps left the Sea Dragon Archipelago.