WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 516: The Monster That Feeds on Despair
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After winding through the complex paths, encountering enemies, and even retracing our steps, we finally came across people wearing the martial uniforms of the Moyong Clan.
“I-I'm alive!!! I survived!!!”
Do Gwangsu let out a joyous cry I couldn't understand.
-Should we hit them? Attack?
-Do we strike first?
Ignoring the sound transmissions from Nam Hwaseong and Yayul Geuk, the two idiots, I slowly walked toward them.
‘Huh?’
The Moyong Clan martial artists showed no intention of slowing down.
They were simply running desperately from something, their faces filled with terror.
“Please, wait a moment...”
“Who the hell are you?! Move, you bastard!”
Seeing the Moyong Clan martial artist charge at me with a murderous aura, I realized something.
‘Talking won't work.’
When words didn't work, fists were the answer.
No matter how deeply someone had been steeped in Mushim Illusion Powder, as long as I had “justice” in my right hand and “chivalry” in my left, some level of conversation was always possible.
“W-Who are you?”
“What do you think? I'm a righteous hero!”
“A-Aaagh!”
True to someone from a prestigious clan, the martial artist resisted through seven punches.
Then came the eighth.
“G-Great Hero... P-Please stop...”
They came to their senses.
“W-Why are you doing this...?”
“I want to ask you something.”
“Even so, how can you beat someone like this...?”
“You should've stopped when I told you to.”
“...”
The martial artist, who had been about to voice their dissatisfaction, lowered their head when I raised “justice.”
“Where are the rest of your group?”
“...What are you talking about?”
“The Moyong Clan isn't some neighborhood martial arts school. You wouldn't all scatter and flee for your lives like this.”
“T-There was a reason for it!”
“What reason?”
“A monster appeared.”
My heart sank.
If there was a monster in the trap laid by the Demonic Cult...
“Where are the others?”
I didn't have time to beat around the bush.
“Where is Miss Moyong Seol?”
“M-Milady is...”
Their reaction made the feeling in my chest worsen.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Several teeth fell from their mouth.
“M-Milady is f-fighting the monster...”
Before they even finished speaking, I threw them aside and immediately ran off.
It wasn't hard to find the path leading back. Moyong Clan members were fleeing from every passageway.
‘Don't tell me she's alone again!’
In my previous life, she had always volunteered to remain at the rear.
She said that only she could prevent the greater losses that occurred during a retreat rather than an attack.
Crack-
Vast internal energy gathered at my feet. Feeling the immense force surge through them, I kicked off the ground with all my strength.
“Ah!”
I had no time to care about the Moyong Clan martial artists who panicked upon seeing me.
“Move!”
I no longer needed to wander through the tunnels.
The Red Phoenix Bangle shook more violently than ever with every step I took.
Boom!
I rushed through the floors and walls alike at full speed toward the cave Yong Soa had mentioned.
The sight before me made my blood boil.
“!!!!”
An Iron Zombie was trying to take Moyong Seol's life with its grotesque claws and fangs.
My dantian poured out qi like a raging blaze. In response, the Jade Clarity Celestial Phenomenon Force spread throughout my body and moved at full force according to my will.
Thud!
A fist without technique or refinement shot along the shortest path at the greatest speed and buried itself in the Iron Zombie's face.
Boom!
With a huge explosion, the Iron Zombie slammed into the wall.
Creak. Creak.
The damned thing was tough. The Iron Zombie rose to its feet.
First, I needed to check Moyong Seol's condition.
‘Wait there for a moment.’
When I fired sword qi filled with Jade Clarity Celestial Phenomenon Force, it let out a chilling scream.
Kraaaagh!
I ignored it and walked toward my destination.
The martial artist who had always remained at the rear, calmly holding back enemies alone.
“Are you all right?”
The woman who had always looked after others first, even while taking on the most dangerous tasks.
“Young Master Jin...”
The person who had always chosen sacrifice despite feeling fear and terror more deeply than anyone.
In my helpless previous life, I had wanted to find her when she was left alone and tell her this.
“I'm glad you're safe, Miss Moyong.”
“...”
Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes and ran down both cheeks.
Moyong Seol stared blankly at my face.
Creak. Creak.
An unwelcome sound interrupted the joy of our reunion.
“Y-Young Master Jin! Run, quickly...”
“Please wait a moment. I'll be back soon.”
I gently set her hand down and turned around.
‘Cursed bastards...’
In my previous life and in Sichuan in this life, the sight of those vile things always made endless hatred rise within me.
The Demonic Cult's most vicious symbol.
Monsters made from humans to kill humans.
Their existence alone was reason enough to hate them.
“Don't resist. Your death will be your rest!”
The condensed Jade Clarity Celestial Phenomenon Force gave off a golden spiritual radiance bright enough to blind, then slashed directly at the jiangshi's neck.
It had been a little difficult in Sichuan, but an Iron Zombie at this level...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Huh?
The Jade Clarity Celestial Phenomenon Force, which had shot out like lightning, struck the wall.
Then the Iron Zombie appeared before me like the wind and threw both fists.
Boom!
My body flew back nearly twenty feet, but I felt no impact because I blocked its fists with the Devouring Gauntlet.
More importantly...
‘Fuck...’
Something else had startled me.
‘This isn't just an Iron Zombie.’
A Soul-Returning Iron Zombie.
Also called a Soul Zombie.
If the Iron Zombies we had encountered in Sichuan were simply used to slaughter low-level martial artists, Soul Zombies were living weapons made to destroy the martial formations of each sect.
They couldn't completely overcome the stiff movements unique to Iron Zombies.
Still, by modifying their lower bodies and part of their upper bodies for greater mobility, they could use some of the martial arts they had known in life.
‘They're fucking awful monsters.’
The worst part was that they retained an Iron Zombie's durability while moving unbelievably fast, making them a complete pain to deal with.
Even the Demonic Cult bastards had simply tossed Soul Zombies into the enemy ranks at the beginning of battle.
“So what if you are?!”
It gathered momentum and threw another punch.
I met its fist head-on with Jade Clarity Celestial Phenomenon Force at full power.
Boom!
With a jolt that rang through my skull, demonic qi tried to travel up my hand, only to be repelled by the rebounding force of the Jade Clarity Celestial Phenomenon Force.
This time, the Soul Zombie was the one sent flying.
Thud!
As the Soul Zombie slid backward and tried to rise, I swung the Scarlet Radiance Sword filled with qi force.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
The Soul Zombie fearlessly took the qi force of the Jade Clarity Celestial Phenomenon Force head-on.
Slice! Slice!
The ornamental ear on one side and the fingers of its right hand were cut off, and it desperately twisted its body away.
“Idiot. Did you think becoming an Iron Zombie would make you invincible?”
Unlike ordinary Iron Zombies, Soul Zombies retained at least some intelligence.
I didn't know whether it could understand words, but I had heard they possessed about as much intelligence as a dog.
Kraaaagh!
Like a beast, it picked up its severed ear and fingers.
As I felt my internal energy being drained away, I immediately poured more qi force into it.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
Black blood splattered from its entire body amid a cloud of dust.
Sizzle.
Wherever the black blood landed, acrid smoke rose.
Grrrr.
Perhaps it had realized my qi force was dangerous, because it abandoned the ear and fingers, baring its fangs as if it wanted to kill me.
Crack!
With the sound of muscle fibers tearing, it shot toward me like an arrow.
I barely avoided it by using the Taeul Eighty Thousand Divine Steps at full power.
Bang!
It couldn't control its speed and slammed into the wall, but even then, it managed to injure me.
Sizzle.
Three claw marks were left on my forearm.
“You bastard!”
Kraaaagh!
It kicked off the ground again and shot toward me like an arrow.
I rushed at it as well and simultaneously unleashed Snow Flower.
Crack!
The thing twisted its steel-heavy body in resistance, making every muscle in my body scream as I held it down.
“Go fuck yourself!”
Still, I didn't let go and slammed it straight into the wall.
Boom!
“Y-Young Master Jin!”
Moyong Seol rose as though she was about to rush toward me.
“Ah, I'm fine. Please stay there a moment. It'll be over soon...”
“Behind you!”
Instinctively, I used the Iron Bridge technique, and its grotesque claws passed over my face.
As I rose, I struck it with the Silent Sound Azure Water Hand.
Thud! Thud!
I fired three shots into its body, but it moved as though nothing had happened.
“What a pain...”
After driving it back with a barrage of Drifting Current Formless Sword attacks, I unleashed the Sacred Flame Demon-Extinguishing Hand.
Whoosh!
At the sight of flames clinging to my hand, the Soul Zombie, which had been charging at me like a rabid dog, hesitated.
“What? Are you scared?”
The Soul Zombie kicked off the ground with a howl as if to deny it. I drove the Sacred Flame Demon-Extinguishing Hand into its heart as though I had been waiting for it.
Boom!
The Soul Zombie was flung back with a loud explosion.
It rose again as though nothing had happened, took a few steps, then suddenly stopped after sensing something strange.
Kraaaagh!
It pounded its own chest hard enough to crush it, but the flames didn't go out.
It was sanctification fueled by demonic qi.
The Soul Zombie frowned as though it could feel pain, looked at me, then suddenly started rushing toward Moyong Seol.
‘That bastard!’
Whip!
The Flying Dragon Claw shot out like lightning and wrapped around its neck. I pulled with all my strength.
Creak!
The Flying Dragon Claw stretched taut enough to break, and the Soul Zombie's movements stopped as well.
I immediately poured more Sacred Flame Demon-Extinguishing Hand into it.
Whoosh!
Flames clung to its legs, chest, and head. The Soul Zombie began to struggle, finally seeming to feel pain.
Kraaaagh!
Strangely, the Silent Sound Azure Water Hand seemed to be taking effect only now. Frost started to form on the parts untouched by flame.
Kraaaaaagh!
The Soul Zombie writhed in agony like a beast howling in hell, then gradually stopped moving.
Around then, the rest of the group entered the cave.
“Gasp! What is that?”
“A-A jiangshi! It's an Iron Zombie!”
Nam Hwaseong, apparently recalling the past, pointed at it and grew excited.
“You fucking cursed monster! I've been waiting and waiting for a chance to get revenge on you...!”
Still unable to vent his anger, Nam Hwaseong stomped hard on the jiangshi.
“Hey! Jin Sowoon! If it was an Iron Zombie, you should've left it to me! Do you know how long I've been sharpening my blade for this?”
“...Is that so?”
“Yeah!”
“Don't worry. I think there are more in this cave.”
When I casually shrugged, Nam Hwaseong snorted and clenched his fists.
“Good! You fucking bastards! I'll get my revenge!”
Leaving the fired-up Nam Hwaseong behind, I looked down at the motionless jiangshi.
A Soul-Returning Iron Zombie.
One of the questions left unresolved in my previous life was finally being answered.
They had trapped the Martial Alliance's people here and released the jiangshi.
‘Now I understand why that bastard Yong Soa said those things.’
It was frustrating, but Dang Seohui had been right. His prophecy hadn't been completely wrong.
That didn't mean I regretted coming here in the slightest.
“Young Master Jin...”
Moyong Seol's face was pale.
“It's all right. You don't have to worry about anything now.”
This time, I hadn't left her alone.
I had no regrets.
#
Attendant Jang Ogeuk doubted his ears.
“What did you say?”
“Eighty-nine loyal followers of our Divine Cult have ascended.”
The words sounded as splendid as though they were delivering news of a celebration, but the demonic being reporting them wore a deeply grim expression.
No euphemism could hide the sadness of death.
“What does that mean?”
As one of the Seven Demon Wisdom Lords, Attendant Jang Ogeuk naturally knew the meaning of the terms used by the Divine Cult.
What he was asking about was the situation he couldn't understand.
“The battle hasn't even begun in earnest yet.”
Once chaos inside the Sword Tomb increased and battle truly began, the Divine Cult's followers had been ordered to retreat to the safe zone.
Had those foolish Central Plains people failed to endure the Mushim Illusion Powder and already started a war?
“That isn't it. Someone is deliberately killing our Divine Cult's followers.”
“Who would dare?!”
“...There are no survivors, so we have yet to identify them.”
“Hah!”
Most of the followers mobilized for the Sword Tomb had learned martial arts that did not easily reveal the characteristics of demonic qi.
Frankly, they were skilled enough to be sent to the Flame Demon Ghost-Eye Unit, the Formless Shadow Demon Unit, or the Shadowless Unit to carry out special operations.
“Is some madman drenched in insanity carrying out a slaughter?”
All the prominent martial artists of the Central Plains had entered. Had one of them gone mad and begun a killing spree?
“No. Many Central Plains people survived along that route without harm.”
“What?”
Jang Ogeuk's brow furrowed at the report.
“Then are you saying our Divine Cult followers... are being hunted?”
“...”
Unable to voice the dreadful reality, the reporter bowed their head even lower.
“What lowly trash would dare!”
The followers' levels might be lower because their demonic qi was less pronounced, but they were not people who could be killed by insignificant Central Plains martial artists.
How dare they. How dare they...
“Yong Soa! It must be him!”
Jang Ogeuk's furious voice rang out as though it would tear the air apart.
Most Central Plains people were insignificant trash compared to the Divine Cult, but there was at least one person worth acknowledging.
And that damned person happened to be inside the Sword Tomb.
“How dare he hunt Divine Cult followers when his life has been spared by the Little Demon's grace?”
His simmering rage was about to erupt like a volcano.
“I don't think it is him.”
“...?”
The reporter's voice delivered a new fact, no, an impossible one.
“The first investigation party, including Yong Soa, has now reached the exit.”
“They've reached the exit?”
The Heaven-Shrouding Maze Formation was currently active within the Sword Tomb.
For three hundred years, countless formation masters and smiths of the Divine Cult had worked together to construct its Mechanism Formation and mystic formations.
It was a masterpiece said to be the greatest of its kind, incorporating the essence of their craft.
It changed the existing paths while confusing senses already thrown into disorder by the Mushim Illusion Powder.
In other words, it was an unparalleled ultimate formation that lured martial artists in like a fish trap placed in a stream, while allowing no way out at all.
Yet...
“...Are you saying they're going against it right now?”
It sounded even more absurd than claiming that a fish caught in a massive trap was fighting through the current to find a finger-sized exit.
“What should we do?”
“Hah...”
The fact that the report had reached him meant their path was truly leading toward the exit.
Yong Soa was among the people accomplishing this impossible feat.
It was astonishing anew.
“So he has another talent.”
Otherwise, no human could defy the Heaven-Shrouding Maze Formation.
“Should we send the Iron Zombies after them?”
“...”
Jang Ogeuk fell into thought.
Could he capture Yong Soa by sending Iron Zombies?
‘He won't be caught.’
Then what would produce the best result?
“Forget it. It wouldn't be bad for one or two groups to escape and announce that they returned with treasures.”
The group Yong Soa belonged to was holding two martial legacies.
It was obvious that the others, catching the scent of enticing bait, would rush in with greater impatience.
“Even so, the deaths of our followers are painful.”
“...”
The Little Demon had even paid them a visit. Jang Ogeuk felt that simply achieving their target result would not be enough.
Killing Yong Soa would have been the best possible outcome, but if he produced an equivalent result, the Divine Cult would recognize Attendant Jang Ogeuk even more.
“What is the Cold Jade Bangle doing?”
The reporter shuddered, as though the mere thought frightened them.
“They have finished their test killings and are preparing to return.”
“Delay their return.”
“How?”
“Our precious followers of the Divine Cult have had their lives taken. How can we let those people die comfortably?”
As though moved, the reporter raised both hands high.
“The Divine Cult is undefeated, may ten thousand demons bow before it!”
Jang Ogeuk watched with satisfaction, and the corners of his lips rose strangely.
“Show them what helpless despair truly is.”
“By your command!”
Footnotes:
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