Chapter 40

Manse Mountain is not very high. It’s not a naturally occurring mountain but an artificially created one to support the Forbidden City.

Just because it’s not tall doesn’t mean Manse Mountain is insignificant.

Not at all.

In fact, because it was built from the ground up by human hands, Manse Mountain has a unique charm.

In terms of mystical aspects, Manse Mountain perfectly replicates the essence of a sacred mountain. Thus, it remains hidden from ordinary eyes, and according to the mystical structure created during its formation, spiritual energy gathers here.

The sacred and mystical power gathered here is used for the Imperial Family’s longevity, the protection of the Forbidden City, and the training of martial artists. This explains why the Imperial Family possesses more masters than the renowned martial sects rooted in sacred lands.

But what if someone were to twist and misuse the energy of Manse Mountain?

Commander of the Imperial Guards, Gwak Dan, witnessed the answer clearly.

“Such vile demonic energy.”

“Is that so?”

At the summit of Manse Mountain, there stands a mysterious altar.

Before it stands a young man dressed in monk’s robes.

Gwak Dan clicked his tongue and spoke.

“I had a bad feeling from the start. I knew you’d cause trouble someday.”

“Then you should have acted sooner.”

“For someone who tried to deceive high officials and manipulate the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guards, you sure have some nerve, Yi Ja-ryong.”

Gwak Dan slowly drew his sword, as if he had no intention of continuing the conversation.

At first glance, it seemed like he had let his guard down, but that was far from the truth.

If one were to recklessly attack that opening, they would be caught in Gwak Dan’s swift strike and lose their head in the blink of an eye.

“Actually, this works out well. I’m not fond of interrogations. I’ll just rip out your tongue right here.”

“Hmm. I wonder if you can.”

As Yi Ja-ryong finished speaking.

Gwak Dan’s figure had already folded space.

In an instant, Gwak Dan’s sword became a gust of wind, striking towards Yi Ja-ryong’s carotid artery.

**KWAANG!!**

A massive collision echoed through the ridges of Manse Mountain.

**WHOOSH—CLANG.**

Gwak Dan emerged from the rising dust cloud and looked down at his hand.

‘It didn’t break.’

The tremendous recoil that traveled up his sword upon impact.

For a moment, he thought his wrist might have shattered.

‘Is it a spell?’

To block his sword aura, which was at the peak of the Fire Realm, with a spell defense—how absurdly powerful must that be?

“Is that all? For the head of the Imperial Guards, you’re quite disappointing.”

On the other hand, Yi Ja-ryong remained completely at ease.

As the dust settled, not a single scratch could be seen on Yi Ja-ryong.

Even though Gwak Dan had unleashed his full power with a sword aura strike.

“I see. You can’t move from there, can you?”

Gwak Dan muttered with certainty, not just testing the waters.

After lightly swinging his sword to check if his wrist and arm were fine, Gwak Dan observed Yi Ja-ryong’s feet, which hadn’t moved an inch despite the spell barrier.

Noticing where Gwak Dan’s gaze was directed, Yi Ja-ryong shrugged nonchalantly.

“It would be shameful to deny it. But you’re quite sharp. Impressive.”

“Do you think I’ve only dealt with spellcasters for a day or two? People like you are all the same. Pretending to be something you’re not. I’ve beheaded all of them.”

Gwak Dan narrowed his focus.

The outskirts of Manse Mountain were being handled by the legendary martial artist, Haedong Mubi. If the four pillars maintaining the barrier around Manse Mountain were removed, the spiritual energy of the mountain would return to its original flow.

From that perspective, time seemed to be on Gwak Dan’s side, but he knew better than to assume that.

‘That guy’s Ghost Gate behind him… it’s at least black.’

The gap between blue and black Ghost Gates is so vast that the difference between a Peak Master and a Transcendent Peak Master is laughable in comparison.

A blue Ghost Gate can usually be dealt with by a single Transcendent Peak Master. Occasionally, there are exceptional Ghost Gates that fall outside this norm, but those are rare cases, such as spirit-type entities that are difficult for martial artists to handle or newly ascended Transcendent Peak Masters who are still inexperienced.

But black is different.

A single Transcendent Peak Master would be slaughtered. At least three are needed. And even then, it’s only to buy time until reinforcements arrive, not to comfortably close the gate.

To close a black Ghost Gate, a Fire Realm master is required.

‘To think Yi Ja-ryong’s spellcasting skills were at this level… Spellcasters are notoriously difficult to gauge. Annoying. And if a black Ghost Gate opens here…’

Gwak Dan stopped thinking.

Since when had he become so contemplative?

‘I’ve been the Commander of the Imperial Guards for too long.’

He cleared his mind.

Filling it only with the resolve to eliminate the enemy before him.

“I’ll do this properly.”

Once one reaches the Fire Realm, the limitations of internal energy almost disappear.

The Three Dantians unite, achieving the state of Five Origins Unity.

Gwak Dan poured out his internal energy without reserve.

Aura energy surged throughout his body. Protective Aura Energy enveloped his entire being. Sword Aura thickened around his blade.

No matter how bizarre and powerful a spell may be, aura energy is the pure essence of power. To break through Protective Aura Energy, a spell of equal or greater power is required.

“I’ll give you an arm or a leg.”

Yi Ja-ryong’s expression hardened at Gwak Dan’s transformed demeanor.

The full power of a Peerless Master who has faced death. Peerless Masters are those who can split mountains and evade the flow of time, despite being mere humans made of flesh.

Their power is not to be taken lightly.

“I wanted to save it, but it seems I have no choice.”

Yi Ja-ryong formed hand seals. Despite wearing monk’s robes, he skillfully executed the hand seals passed down in Buddhism.

In less than a second, after completing the hand seals, a massive figure appeared before Yi Ja-ryong, even larger than Gwak Dan.

“Go, Yellow Dragon Lion.”

“…As you command.”

The lion, which guarded the central axis of the barrier around Manse Mountain, began to move, not to protect the barrier but to protect Yi Ja-ryong himself.

With a speed and ferocity reminiscent of Haedong Mubi, the lion charged at Gwak Dan.

**THUD! CLANG!**

Two exchanges.

Sparks flew as the lion’s aura-clad claws clashed with Gwak Dan’s sword.

But it was far from an even match.

“What is this? Did you think this pitiful creature could stop me? How laughable.”

Gwak Dan flicked away the blood dripping from his blade.

After just two exchanges, the Yellow Dragon Lion’s wrist had already been severed.

The gap between one who has reached the Fire Realm and one who hasn’t is this vast.

But this was something Yi Ja-ryong had anticipated.

In fact, it was going according to plan.

Despite Yi Ja-ryong’s relaxed expression, it was Gwak Dan who first showed signs of distress.

“Is this… cursed blood?”

The blood scattered during the two exchanges where the lion’s wrist was severed.

The Protective Aura Energy enveloping Gwak Dan’s body revealed a tiny hole from the lion’s counterattack, which had sacrificed its wrist to make contact.

“Have you dabbled in the Blood Sect’s cursed techniques too? You’ve gone too far, Yi Ja-ryong!”

“The Blood Sect? What does it matter? Isn’t the Blood Sect a teaching that arose from this land? I am the True Son of Heaven, destined to rule the earth by the Mandate of Heaven. How could I not wield the teachings of the Blood Sect?”

What a madman.

Gwak Dan thought this as he deliberately suppressed his excitement. He had learned from experience that you can’t distract a true madman with mere acting.

‘Cursed blood… blood refined through the Blood Sect’s extreme techniques. Just a few drops can do this? Now I understand why all the factions in the world tried to bury the Blood Sect.’

But this much is manageable. Gwak Dan’s martial arts aren’t so weak that a few drops would bring him down.

‘My senses are slightly dulled, but it’s fine. As long as I continuously circulate my internal energy to push out the curse.’

It requires concentration, but Gwak Dan has fought through worse situations.

Yi Ja-ryong’s move was sharp, but it wasn’t enough to defeat Gwak Dan.

Gwak Dan’s foot stomped the ground.

The initiative was his. Neither Yi Ja-ryong, the spellcaster, nor the Yellow Dragon Lion, who wasn’t at the Fire Realm, could fully keep up with his speed.

**KWAANG! CLANG! BOOM!**

Though aimed at Yi Ja-ryong, the Yellow Dragon Lion managed to keep up and block him.

Despite losing a wrist, the lion used the blood flowing from the wound like a hidden weapon, pressuring Gwak Dan even more.

And in between, Yi Ja-ryong’s spell attacks aimed at moments when Gwak Dan had to dodge the cursed blood. Individually, they were weaker than Gwak Dan, but with two opponents, it wasn’t easy for Gwak Dan to eliminate either.

But slowly, the tide was turning in Gwak Dan’s favor.

Since the legendary martial artist Mugeuk officially left the Imperial Family, Gwak Dan had held the title of the Imperial Family’s strongest.

Gwak Dan was proving that he deserved that reputation.

But even Gwak Dan was human.

**WOOOOSH—AAAAH!**

“Already?”

The ghostly wail from the Ghost Gate disrupted Gwak Dan’s concentration.

If that opens, it’s certain defeat.

With the sole intention of destroying or damaging the forming Ghost Gate to prevent it from opening, Gwak Dan charged forward.

‘Got you.’

But this was Yi Ja-ryong’s trap.

The spiritual energy gathered in his hands took the form of a spear and shot towards Gwak Dan’s heart.

If he blocked it, he couldn’t stop the Ghost Gate. If he stopped the Ghost Gate, he couldn’t block it.

In this deadly dilemma, Gwak Dan chose a third path.

Thickening his Protective Aura Energy, he unleashed a sword aura from his position.

Confirming that the Flying Sword Aura was accurately aimed at the Ghost Gate, Gwak Dan focused on the spiritual spear closing in.

Could his Protective Aura Energy block it?

In the moment of uncertainty, a sword suddenly appeared in his vision.

**KWAANG!**

The sword, clad in sword aura, sliced through the spiritual spear, causing a massive explosion.

But a mere spear of condensed spiritual energy, let alone the aftermath of such an explosion, couldn’t even scratch his Protective Aura Energy.

Unscathed, Gwak Dan, who had distanced himself from the explosion, looked at the one who had suddenly appeared to save him.

“What? Who are you? How can someone so young…?”

An interloper.

Namgung Woo, instead of Gwak Dan, stared at the ominous energy swirling around the Ghost Gate and the two men guarding it, and replied.

“Haedong Mubi sent me. I’ll assist you.”

“What? Huh? Hah… Hahaha!”

Gwak Dan laughed, a mix of despair and relief.

Light had pierced the bleak reality he had been facing.

“Good! If they’re monsters, then we need someone like this to make it interesting! Excellent! The world is truly vast! After the Black Martial Alliance’s monster, I never thought I’d see someone like this again.”

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