Chapter 549

In a city where the night is perpetually absent, around midnight, lies Hangzhou, a vibrant spectacle in the Central Plain.

But tonight, Hangzhou is burning brighter than ever.

With swords drawn and energy flaring, a chaotic dance unfolds, as opponents chase and are chased, sparks flying from clashes.

Enemies wielding swords, deranged members of the Blood Sect, and relentless pursuers of the Divine Skill surround every corner.

There’s a saying, “Do-San-Gum-Su.”

It refers to a mountain of blades and water of swords, symbolizing the world at a dangerous edge where malice reigns supreme.

Similarly, one could call the Martial World a ‘mountain of blades and forest of swords.’

Back when Great Master Mucheondae was around, it was a time when everyone was at each other’s throats, ready to draw blades at the slightest eye contact.

And that’s still the way it is.

“Stop! Do you remember the name Yang Seong-jin? Elder Juchak, can you hear me talking?!”

“Try saying that again after you’ve won!”

Qing roared as she charged forward, bending low, her dagger soaring towards the heavens.

There aren’t many techniques in Great Master Muhak’s repertoire that rise to the sky, so usually, a downward strike would have been much more powerful, weighing the weapon’s heft against the downward force doesn’t make it a wise choice.

But if you have enough power, it’s a different story.

To block a force rising from underneath, no matter how strong one is, it’s tough to bearweight beyond what the body can hold.

An unknown enemy rushed in to parry Yiqing’s blade, pushing it down frantically, but the collision sent him flying, arms raised in a helpless surrender.

With a loud crack, the dagger shattered the enemy’s pelvis, forcing his feet skyward, granting Qing a moment to escape into the heights above.

Covered in unpleasant blood, Qing radiated murderous intent.

But just for a moment, assassins sprang from the shadow of the pavilion.

With the sunset’s hue swirling around, fragmented bodies began falling, and amidst them, a few dived in with daggers.

Yet, Qing dismissed them as just the dangerous ones trying to attack her.

With the muscle wrapped around her power, the daggers plunged deep, but only to the first joint; it still hurt like hell.

It’s the kind of pain akin to, “This might sting a bit.”

Pain is my strength. Qing thrust her dagger deep into the solar plexus of a masked assassin, who, despite bleeding profusely, forced a smile that twisted into pure rage.

“Ah, that blade is heavily poisoned! You don’t have much time left, so just wait for me.”

As Qing withdrew her blade, the poisoned assassin, bleeding from his mouth, attempted to jest through coughs.

Hmm. Too bad, what’s poison anyway?

What was it? Some secret treasure?

I thought they were hiding behind their secret walls to help out, but it was just a ploy to shoot me with poisoned darts and swap antidotes and divine skills, kicking off this whole mess.

Next thing I knew, they were clinging to me like leeches pulling each other down.

The four of Juchak exchanged glances, sensing the danger.

That girl is fierce. How about we just turn around instead of butting in?

Indeed, brother. With the client killed, we have no choice but to retreat.

The Juchak crew, sensing danger, began to back off, turning their backs to flee swiftly.

Qing inhaled deeply, gazing at their retreating backs for a moment—

“Over here! There’s the Cheonhwa-geom!”

With that shout, warriors with red headbands surged in.

Those are the Jeokgeoncheon folks.

Qing took a deep breath.

Sure, warriors express themselves with their blades.

When was there ever an easy and comfortable fight?

Maybe this is how it should have been from the start.

Avoiding battles with phrases like “Military men” and “Life and Death Matches” must have made me seem too naive.

If only I wasn’t stuck in a Life and Death Match, if only it weren’t military men, if only they’d teamed up with each finding a weakness, I wouldn’t be here stuck in this situation.

With a swift motion, Qing transformed into a blur.

Wearing a uniform that was a match made in heaven, she thrust out her blade amidst the chaotic clang of bells, slicing and piercing, pulling and ripping.

Suddenly, with a jarring sound, Qing skidded while gripping her dagger tightly, her blade crashing against the ground.

The thick blade of her dagger snapped halfway. Barely managing to block the attack, a wave of nausea washed over her, a mouthful of blood threatening to spill.

“You dare touch our Jeokgeoncheon?!”

“Puh! So, you think the Divine Maiden Sect is a joke? Do you also have a master in Hyun-gyeong? Heart Consumption Technique? Alright, let’s see how you handle that.”

Spitting blood, Qing shouted back fiercely.

Naturally, the Jeokgeoncheon warriors flinched.

Because they didn’t have one, of course.

“Die!”

Qing shouted as she slammed her foot down!

The Jeokgeoncheon master barely raised his sword, but Qing elongated into a translucent form, darting in all directions, leaving him baffled.

But Qing was already slipping in among the ranks of Jeokgeoncheon.

She pivoted, pushing off one foot, then two, bolting away with explosive speed.

“Damn it, catch her! Get her!”

A clamour erupted from behind.

Now Qing understood the pursuers of Demonic Arts.

The Heart Consumption Technique was like a chariot.

Just as the silly saying goes.

Run up immense debts to buy a chariot.

And how do you repay those debts?

You thick-headed moron, who cares about debts when you’ve got a chariot? Banks? Loan sharks? I’m just worried about my chariot.

Once you have the Heart Consumption Technique, you don’t have to worry about the martial world’s scrutiny.

It guarantees your spot as Number One in the world, so I already possessed the Heart Consumption Technique.

Essentially, it meant just get what you can and pay it back later, a trait common amongst those hopelessly deep in debt.

So, these fools have no tomorrow.

No gambler thinks ahead after a loss. Grab your winnings first.

What happens if they fail? Well, death is the worst that could happen.

With military men mobilized and older sisters backing them, the alliances of martial arts didn’t concern Demonic Arts pursuers at all.

What fools!

Even if they claim the Heart Consumption Technique, can they truly become Number One in the world and keep the world beneath their feet?

Do they really think they can vanish after obtaining the Heart Consumption Technique?

Unless they have a way to rise to the heavens and fall into the earth.

But, people dodging illegal gambling dens tend to believe that they can win big and still see the light of day the next morning.

Just because the Cheonhwa-geom looks easy to catch.

Why not place a bet for a guaranteed Number One and roll the dice one time?

With enemies hounding her, Qing pressed forward.

In truth, she could have lost them easily.

But what happens then?

Would the ones left behind simply concede and withdraw?

In gambling terms, after losing big, wouldn’t they be seeking to recoup their losses with fire in their eyes?

Qing raced along the boulevard with no intention of losing ground, and trailing behind were all sorts of wandering and heterodox forces.

Having circled Hangzhou, how could the number of pursuers behind her be singular?

Ahead, the end of the avenue.

A tall wall, higher than a single door’s height, stretched left and right, with a grand entrance at the center, adorned with a plaque reading ‘Big Blood Demon Sect.’

Blood Demon Sect!

With no time to ask directions amidst all the chaos, finally locating the headquarters of the Blood Sect.

The warriors of Blood Demon Sect witnessed Qing rush in hot pursuit, filling the space with assorted warriors.

Startled, they hastily slammed the massive front gate shut.

Qing surged forward, taking five strides, four strides, three strides—

But stubbornly, at the last moment, bang! The gate slammed shut, followed by another bang as the bolts were hastily secured.

Qing, ramping up her speed, took two steps, then in a final stride, she smashed against the earth.

Twisting her waist, she pushed against the air with her arms, her shoulder colliding perfectly with the gate.

Boom!

Along with a shocking pain across her shoulder, she flew forward.

The iron bolts fell away with a crack, sending the warriors stumbling as they were flung aside by the impact.

The wild entrance swung wide, one half splintered, the other half bent on the hinges, creaking off to one side.

Qing soared through the gaping entrance, gliding with a rough landing that drew a long line on the ground, landing on her shoulder, feeling a painful thud that made her instinctively gasp.

However, like someone who had forgotten the pain, Qing sprang back up.

The pursuers soon poured into the manor, weaving between the halls and roaring with shouts.

“Damn the vile Blood Sect! I’ll wipe you out! Strike! Kill them all! Not a single scoundrel from the Blood Sect shall remain! Not one filthy dog! Not one rat! Burn them all!”

Again and again, Qing urged them to slaughter the Blood Sect members, her voice a sharp command.

The pursuers finally realized.

Wait a minute, did she just lead us into a trap?

Of course, some believed it, while others doubted.

But, the Blood Sect? The Blood Demon Sect is the Blood Sect?

Weren’t they just fighting off the Sado Sect’s combat unit earlier? That has nothing to do with the Blood Sect, right?

Just because of their bloodline, you can’t lump them all together as Blood Sect members, can you?

Oh, dear! The Blood Demon Sect is the Blood Sect!

They should have realized that when they saw the word ‘Blood.’

Faced with serious expressions, the pursuers eyed their surroundings, prepared for a sudden ambush.

But strangely? It was silent. No one was here?

Qing’s heart dropped.

What’s going on? Why is it so quiet?

Could it be that those who fought with the Sado Sect were it? Or was this empty house where they all ran off to catch me?

And then it happened.

-What is this ruckus?!

An ominous voice echoed from the air!

Everyone’s attention shifted as an old man emerged from the main hall of the Blood Demon Sect.

His voice carried a weight that made the expressions of all the skilled fighters stiffen.

Was such a master hidden within the Blood Demon Sect?

All were horrified as the old man spoke.

“I am Chang Sanya, deputy leader of the Blood Demon Sect! Who dares to cause a commotion in the heart of the Blood Demon Sect?!”

Qing seized the moment to cut in.

“Shut up, you vile Blood Sect scum! Everything is crystal clear now; your leader boldly claims to be a Demon King while laughing in the face of national laws!”

“Blood Sect. What ridiculous slander.”

“I’ve met a shameless woman who dares claim to be a princess and then names herself Heart Consumption Demon! I twisted her limbs and tore at her flesh, and only then did she cry and reveal her true identity! Aren’t your true identities those wretched scum from the Blood Sect?!”

The face of Chang Sanya turned pale.

“What did you just say?”

“Is this really the right time to impersonate the Blood Demon Sect? Investigating the corpse of Yu Yang will surely unveil the traces of that foul Demonic Art! Or will you say that was merely Yu Yang’s personal misadventure? Seems like you cherish your offspring greatly, don’t you?”

Chang Sanya’s demeanor froze.

The pursuers chasing after Qing began to sense unrest in the atmosphere.

“Wait! Our Jeokgeoncheon merely entered to settle a score with the Cheonhwa-geom, we have no intention of clashing with the Blood Demon Sect. I sincerely apologize for intruding upon your estate. We’ll withdraw, and appropriate compensation will follow afterwards—”

“Ohhh—huhm—huhumu—!”

Before he could finish, a strange sound erupted.

The incantation of a sorcerer, it immediately became clear that it was malevolent.

Boom! Bam! Crack!

Then, the doors of the entire building were flung open, and red-eyed monsters began pouring out in waves.

Wriggling and piling up, they surged forth as if stored within that room, like an unending stack of horrors.

“Hearts!” “I’m hungry!” “Hearts! Fresh hearts!”

“Graaah!” “Gahhh!” “Kyaaa!”

Monsters lunged from all directions.

“Looks like those really are the Blood Sect folks…!”

“Everyone retreat, retreat!”

“There’s no way out! They’re all around us!”

The shrieks of terrified pursuers echoed, and Qing, gripping her dagger tightly, faced the demons rushing towards her—

But wait?

The line of demons parted left and right before her.

“Kiieeek!” “Gahhh!” “Kyaaaa!”

With cries that sounded almost pained, they split around Qing.

Qing’s face registered surprise as she murmured, “Huh? What’s going on? Why aren’t they attacking?!”

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