Chapter 54
“Oh-ho! Lady Seol-ha’s next opponent in the semi-finals is Dokso Quicksilver Jin Ga-sam.”
“What kind of person is he?”
At the words of Yang Hong, the leader of the Blood Shadow Corps, the Heavenly Demon Jeok Yeo-gwang showed interest.
Compared to his disciple Seol-ha, Jin Ga-sam was far less skilled in internal energy, but his sharp killing intent was so pronounced that it could be felt even from this distance.
“As his epithet suggests, he is proficient in both venomous hands and quick swordsmanship. He currently serves as the third squad leader in the Blood Shadow Corps.”
The Blood Shadow Corps organized its ranks based on martial prowess.
Being the third squad leader meant he was the third strongest in the Corps, excluding the leader and vice-leader.
“Lady Seol-ha might have a hard time.”
“She seems to have encountered quite a tricky opponent compared to her first match against Im Woong.”
“Experience is not something to be underestimated.”
Even though the duel had yet to begin, the consensus was that Jin Ga-sam would likely win.
Despite being the successor to the Demon Empress’s legacy, Seol-ha had one critical weakness—she lacked experience.
Furthermore, Jin Ga-sam excelled in hidden weapons, a skill that could easily overwhelm her.
In their view, defeating Jin Ga-sam seemed beyond Seol-ha’s current abilities.
“Such poor assessments of my disciple,” the Heavenly Demon remarked.
“No disrespect was intended, Lord Cult Leader.”
“We meant no offense, my lord. Please forgive us.”
“It was merely an observation.”
The Heavenly Demon chuckled at the quick excuses.
“Don’t worry. Watch carefully and see how my disciple secures victory.”
“Are you confident that Lady Seol-ha will win?” Gong Pae-cheon interjected, prompting the Heavenly Demon to nod as he gazed at the arena.
“I have not taught my disciple the art of losing.”
The Heavenly Demon understood the importance of experience in battle.
However, such considerations only mattered when the two fighters were of comparable levels.
The Demon Empress’s martial arts and Jin Ga-sam’s techniques were on entirely different planes.
There was an insurmountable wall that separated supreme martial arts from ordinary ones.
He had taught Seol-ha techniques that resided in such a realm.
‘Go on, soar to new heights.’
Let no one in the cult look down upon you.
The Heavenly Demon’s gaze toward Seol-ha was filled with unwavering trust and expectation.
***
What the hell is this?
As Seol-ha exchanged bows with Jin Ga-sam and assumed her fighting stance, she felt an inexplicable chill.
Am I intimidated by my opponent?
No, that can’t be it.
I had already endured ambushes from Seo Ryeon, Cheon Gang, and even Jeok I-geon.
Despite Jin Ga-sam glaring at me as though I were his mortal enemy, I found it laughable rather than frightening.
After surviving all that, how could I lose to Jin Ga-sam?
If I did, it would mean there was something seriously wrong with me.
Even when facing an opponent stronger than Im Woong, I felt no fear—only anger.
If not for you!
If not for you, I wouldn’t have gone through all that suffering!
My White Jade Sleeve Demon Art was born from frustration, betrayal, and a thirst for vengeance.
Jin Ga-sam might find my reasoning unfair, but that wasn’t my concern.
Jin Ga-sam decided to make the first move, closing the distance and thrusting his sword.
I quickly leaned to the side and swung my left arm.
White Curtain Whirlwind.
Using my sleeve, I created a whirlwind that wrapped around Jin Ga-sam’s sword.
Wow!
I had to admit, my body was moving instinctively thanks to all the intense training.
Jeok I-geon, you deserve a teaching award—even if your methods are infuriating.
Ping!
As Jin Ga-sam’s sword got caught in my sleeve, he swung his other hand at my face.
‘A feint!’
I immediately recognized the shallow strike for what it was—a distraction to conceal the small flying blade hidden in his sleeve.
“Hah!”
I thought hidden weapons weren’t allowed in these duels?
If that blade hit my head, wouldn’t it kill me instantly?
Annoyed, I quickly channeled my internal energy to my fingertips.
My already pale hand glowed like white jade as I grabbed the incoming blade.
Scrrrrreeech!
The sharp edge ground against my hand, threatening to snap.
“Is that the White Jade Hand?”
“Yes! It’s the White Jade Sleeve Demon Art of the Demon Empress!”
“Wow!”
“Following the Demonic Phoenix Flowing Steps, now the White Jade Sleeve Demon Art makes its appearance!”
“A true successor of the Demon Empress!”
The glowing white hand and its technique caused an uproar among the demons. Everyone held their breath, anticipating what technique would come next.
Those in the VIP seats were no exception.
“She’s mastered both movement techniques and hand techniques…”
“Now I understand why the Lord Cult Leader told us to just watch and wait. His confidence in her victory is now justified.”
“But I do have one question.”
For the first time, Wi Lin, the clan leader of the Wi family (also means Skulls implying death or eeriness), who had remained silent until now, spoke.
“I’ve heard that each technique of the Demon Empress requires a tremendous amount of internal energy. Lady Seol-ha has only recently begun training under the Cult Leader, has she not?”
“What are you implying, Clan Leader Wi?”
“Is Lady Seol-ha truly of maidservant origins? No matter how much talent she possesses, internal energy is a different matter.”
“Are you suggesting that I transferred my internal energy to her?”
“Is that not the case?”
Wi Lin’s question piqued the curiosity of everyone present. After all, that would be the only plausible explanation for Seol-ha’s current level of skill.
“Elixirs.”
“Master Gong?”
It was Gong Pae-cheon who answered on behalf of the Heavenly Demon.
“She is the Lord Cult Leader’s first disciple. Following precedent, she was given Wind Soul Pills.”
“You still have those pills?”
The Wind Soul Pills were obtained at the cost of annihilating the Wind Soul Sect. Although the recipe was lost, the pills themselves remained.
“How many of those pills do you have left?”
At the mention of the pills, the conversation quickly shifted.
“If she took the Wind Soul Pills, it all makes sense!”
The pills were known for their exceptional ability to boost internal energy. Any martial artist, especially those stuck at a bottleneck, would covet such a treasure.
“Let’s save this discussion for later and focus on the duel.”
Gong Pae-cheon skillfully redirected the conversation.
***
Boom!
A loud crash echoed from the arena at that moment.
Seol-ha’s attack had pushed Jin Ga-sam back several steps.
Using assassination techniques in a duel?
“You’re truly despicable!”
Already annoyed by her relentless training sessions, Seol-ha saw red.
Grinding her teeth, she charged toward Jin Ga-sam.
Naturally, her first step was the Demonic Phoenix Flowing Steps.
Like a phoenix skimming the water’s surface, she moved gracefully yet swiftly, closing the distance between them.
Thud!
She struck Jin Ga-sam’s throat with the edge of her hand. He leaned slightly backward and retaliated with his sword at close range.
“Ha!”
After exchanging several moves, Jin Ga-sam suddenly shouted and spun like a top.
Whoosh!
His sword lashed out repeatedly as if firing arrows.
Although he wielded only one blade, the rapid strikes made it seem as though seven or eight were attacking simultaneously.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clink!
A true master of swift swordsmanship.
Although not as fast as Seo Ryeon, he was impressive nonetheless.
Using her sleeves as sturdy shields, Seol-ha blocked all of Jin Ga-sam’s attacks.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew from her sleeves, and eventually, Jin Ga-sam’s sword was flung aside.
“Now’s my chance!”
Like a phoenix diving for its prey, she leaped into the air and landed behind him.
Caught off guard, Jin Ga-sam twisted his body and threw another hidden blade from his sleeve.
I knew you’d do that!
She deflected the blade with White Hand Distraction, a sub-technique of the White Jade Sleeve Demon Art, and grabbed his sword mid-swing.
“Grrr!”
Jin Ga-sam gritted his teeth, trying to wrest his sword free, but to no avail.
With the additional internal energy she’d accumulated recently, Seol-ha had become a force to be reckoned with.
“Haah!”
Concentrating her energy, her glowing white hand began to radiate a faint red aura.
Screech! Screech!
The blade screeched as her grip crushed it.
“Hah!”
Realizing he couldn’t retrieve his sword, Jin Ga-sam resorted to attacking with yet another hidden dagger.
How many hidden weapons does he have?
Unfazed, Seol-ha spun gracefully, wielding Jin Ga-sam’s sword.
The force sent him flying into the air before he crashed to the ground.
“Urgh!”
Jin Ga-sam groaned from the impact as fragments of his shattered sword rained down.
With her glowing white hand poised like a blade, Seol-ha pressed it against Jin Ga-sam’s neck.
It was more terrifying than any actual weapon.
“I surrender!”
Jin Ga-sam finally admitted defeat.
Yes! Victory!
As she celebrated her win with a triumphant smile, a voice rang in her ears.
“Is the sword at your waist just for decoration?”
Seol-ha froze at Jeok I-geon’s telepathic remark.
“Tsk, tsk. Playing around with swift swords and hidden weapons, yet you never drew your own blade.”
Only then did she remember the beautiful sword she carried.
“I see. As soon as this tournament ends, it’s intensive sword training for you!”
Seol-ha felt a dizzying mix of emotions.
I just want to go home and see Grandmother…
—
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