At Ma Seongun’s attitude, as if he had been waiting, Gu Jucheol drew his sword and made his party retreat.

“Were you waiting for us?”

“Anyone.” 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Ma Seongun, who had said this, lightly lifted the sword he had brought from Hong Yumong’s mansion.

“I needed a subject to test the Sword Saint’s sword technique on.”

“You arrogant bastard.”

As Gu Jucheol gripped his sword with his right hand and raised his ferocious momentum, Ma Seongun sneered.

His skin tingled, and the surrounding air heated up.

Moreover, the opponent was a master who had surpassed the transcendent peak.

Nevertheless, the leisure did not disappear from Ma Seongun’s face.

“The Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword, Gu Jucheol.”

“You know me.”

“I know you well. And are those the children of the Shattering Wave Sword, Gwak Myeong, and the White Moon Divine Lord?”

Ma Seongun seemed to know everyone gathered in this place.

But.

“Who are you? I haven’t seen your face before.”

“I am Jong Ryeo'ak, a disciple of the Jongnam Sect.”

“Jongnam… I see.”

Ma Seongun looked at the five martial artists who had gathered to kill him one by one.

They were people who would not have appeared here originally.

Also.

They were also people who would play a big role in the second Righteous-Demon War between the Heretic Path's Alliance and the Martial Alliance.

“I’ll spare the rest of you except for Gu Jucheol, so get lost right now.”

Of course, there were no people who listened to Ma Seongun’s warning.

Here, there was the Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword, Gu Jucheol, a master comparable to the Five Great Masters of the Central Plains, and the Shattering Wave Sword, Gwak Myeong, one of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the righteous path.

And there were also three young martial artists who boasted outstanding skills among all the late-stage prospects except for Jin Sohyun.

Even the White Moon Divine Lord of the world would have had trouble dealing with all of them.

Naturally, no one retreated.

As they held their ground and did not even flinch, a faint sigh came from Ma Seongun’s mouth.

“It’s annoying.”

What Ma Seongun needed now was the life of one person, Gu Jucheol.

To suck his blood, he had to kill the rest first.

Because anyway, after taking the blood with the Bloodstone Sword, Ma Seongun also couldn't move while the blood was settling in the Blood Jade.

“They weren’t guys who were supposed to die here originally, but.”

Ma Seongun, who was spouting incomprehensible words, raised the sword he was holding.

And disappeared.

The only one who followed Ma Seongun’s movement was one person.

It was Gu Jucheol.

‘Incredible speed… this is!?’

It was the lightness skill of the Shadowless Ghost, Bieunggaek.

At the incredible speed that did not even leave an afterimage, Gu Jucheol had to grit his teeth and swing his sword.

The place where his sword went, cutting through the space, was Jong Ryeo'ak.

Jong Ryeo'ak, who was flustered by Gu Jucheol’s sudden attack, instinctively raised his sword.

Clang—!!

At that moment, Ma Seongun appeared in front of his eyes.

‘Since when!?’

Only then did Jong Ryeo'ak realize why Gu Jucheol had swung his sword at him.

‘To save me…!’

Gu Jucheol’s action was to make Jong Ryeo'ak, who had not followed Ma Seongun’s movement, raise his sword and defend.

Thanks to that, Jong Ryeo'ak, who had saved his life, showed his teeth to Ma Seongun who had appeared in front of him.

“You’re dead now!”

“That’s what I should be saying.”

At the same time as Ma Seongun’s indifferent voice ended, Jong Ryeo'ak knelt on both knees.

The force was so strong that Jong Ryeo'ak could only watch the approaching sword with his mouth open before he even realized that his wrists and ankles were broken.

“Hmm.”

At that moment, two blades emitting a coldness blocked Ma Seongun’s sword.

“Cheon Gasung, Cheon Yerang.”

Ma Seongun looked at the two men and women who had blocked him with an indifferent face.

“The remnants of the forgotten North Sea Ice Palace.”

“…!”

The eyes of Cheon Gasung and Cheon Yerang, who rarely showed their emotions, shook rapidly.

Cheon Gasung came close to Ma Seongun, emitting an even more intense coldness.

“How do you know that?”

“Because I saw it.”

Cheon Gasung wanted to ask what that meant, but he couldn't speak anymore.

Because the intense sword ki that extended from the sword that Ma Seongun was holding pushed his sword as if it would cut it in two.

‘If this continues…!’

His sword would surely be cut in two.

As Cheon Gasung was pushed back, Cheon Yerang immediately stabbed with the White Heaven Sword.

Ma Seongun, who was watching the blade of the White Heaven Sword, which was approaching, scattering a coldness, with one eye, sneered.

“Now that I think about it, the martial arts of the North Sea Ice Palace would also be useful.”

Ma Seongun said this and swung his sword wide in a fan shape.

At this, Cheon Yerang and Cheon Gasung, who were stabbing with the White Heaven Sword, were pushed back at the same time.

In the meantime, Gwak Myeong supported the fallen Jong Ryeo'ak and retreated, and Gu Jucheol filled that spot.

“Didn’t you want a strong person!? Then how about you fight me.”

“You’re last, Gu Jucheol.”

“Who says?”

Gu Jucheol’s face began to distort hideously like a ghost.

At the same time, Gu Jucheol’s sword was stained red.

It was the second coming of the Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword, Gu Jucheol, who had made the martial artists of the Central Plains tremble in fear, regardless of whether they were righteous or demonic.

“A thief who only steals others’ things without having anything of his own. Do you really think that the power you have is truly yours.”

Gu Jucheol’s revolutionary sword came, emitting an intense sword ki.

“Stolen martial arts can never be yours!”

“Did you think I only stole martial arts.”

Ma Seongun blocked Gu Jucheol’s revolutionary sword without much difficulty.

At the same time, an elegant sword technique unfolded from his sword.

Gu Jucheol, who had to face this, had a bead of sweat form on his forehead without him realizing it.

‘This is definitely…’

It was the Taebaek Geoyeokdo Technique, the sword technique of the Sword Saint, Hong Yumong.

Gu Jucheol felt as if his mind would go blank at the perfect sword technique that had no flaws.

‘It wasn’t just stealing martial arts.’

Gu Jucheol felt a strange feeling every time he exchanged blows with Ma Seongun.

If he had fought with his eyes closed, he would have mistaken the opponent in front of him for Hong Yumong.

That’s how perfect the Taebaek Geoyeokdo Technique that Ma Seongun was unfolding was.

‘In that short time, he absorbed all the essence of the Sword Saint!’

You can’t become a master just by stealing martial arts.

There was a reason why a lot of practical experience was a condition for becoming a master.

Only when you can unfold the martial arts you have in your body organically at the right moment can you say that you have truly learned the martial arts.

In that respect, the Taebaek Geoyeokdo Technique that Ma Seongun was unfolding had no flaws.

‘How can this be? Does this person steal not only the martial arts but also the memories and experiences of the original owner!?’

Gu Jucheol couldn't help but be flustered.

And he had to make a choice.

‘This person must be killed. But I can’t do it alone.’

By the time the tenth exchange was over, Gu Jucheol felt a stabbing pain in his left shoulder.

At the same time, he felt the same pain in his right shoulder, which was holding the sword.

He was used to the pain, so he could just ignore it.

The problem was that the sharpness of the revolutionary sword was gradually becoming dull.

And as if he had noticed this, Ma Seongun spun his sword and said.

“Gu Jucheol. Your grave was not originally here. You fought for a greater cause, but unfortunately, you would have died on the battlefield, stabbed by the blade of a guy who would not have been your opponent originally.”

“Are you trying to make a prophecy now?”

“No matter how outstanding a martial artist is, he cannot overcome the limits of a human. In the end, you are humans made of blood and flesh… and the body will one day face its limits. Like your body now.”

“…”

Gu Jucheol gritted his teeth, putting more strength into his right hand.

“Humans can never escape from being human.”

Only one person.

Except for Jin Sohyun.

“You are also human. No matter how much your talent has reached a realm beyond human… in the end, you are also a human who will die if your neck is cut.”

Before his words could end, Gu Jucheol’s sword flew at a fast speed, sending a slash.

Fifteen slashes created a long sword ki and surrounded Ma Seongun.

At the same time, Gwak Myeong appeared from behind Gu Jucheol.

Following that, Cheon Yerang and Cheon Gasung took Ma Seongun’s left and right and stabbed with their swords.

‘I got him.’

No matter how strong he was, he would not be able to block all of this.

“Hmm.”

Ma Seongun raised his sword at the approaching slashes with a bored gaze.

“This should be enough.”

The experiment was over.

Ma Seongun, who had completely mastered Hong Yumong’s Taebaek Geoyeokdo Technique, no longer held back.

At that, the power and essence of the countless martial artists that the Blood Jade was holding filled Ma Seongun’s inside like a rushing wave.

Soon.

The sword that was in Ma Seongun’s hand scattered like dust.

While Gu Jucheol’s mouth was open at the sight, Ma Seongun drew the Bloodstone Sword.

Gu Jucheol’s shout was next.

“Everyone, get back!!”

With an urgent warning, Gu Jucheol raised his sword at the approaching force of great power.

But Gu Jucheol could tell.

‘This… I can’t block it.’

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gang—!!!

Due to the intense release of ki, the three martial artists who were rushing at Ma Seongun were sent flying to the opposite side of the direction they had come from.

Gwak Myeong barely managed to support his body by embedding his sword in the ground.

Cheon Gasung and Cheon Yerang rolled on the floor several times before they could right themselves.

The three raised their heads at the same time.

And opened their mouths at the same time.

“Ah…”

On top of the sigh-mixed voice, the eyes of the three martial artists shook wildly.

What they saw was the miserable state of Gu Jucheol, with half of his body brutally torn.

“Keuleok!”

Gu Jucheol, who had vomited blood from his mouth, supported his body by embedding the sword he was holding with his one and only right arm in the ground.

“Blood-Sucking… Sword Demon…”

“Is this the extent of the Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword?”

He had only used half of the internal energy that the Blood Jade was holding.

And yet, the master called the Ghost-Faced Revolutionary Sword could not block it.

“Gwak… Myeong…!”

At Gu Jucheol’s shout calling him, Gwak Myeong bit his lip and frowned.

“Keep… the promise…”

Gu Jucheol’s words to keep the promise.

Gwak Myeong closed his eyes tightly and then opened them, put away his sword, and shouted with all his might.

“Retreat! Right now!”

Gwak Myeong, who had said this, picked up the fallen Jong Ryeo'ak and started running without looking back.

Cheon Gasung glared at Ma Seongun with a hateful gaze and then flew away, and Cheon Yerang looked at Gu Jucheol for the last time.

Cheon Yerang, who was watching his end, nodded her head and then flew away.

Even until the four martial artists left, Ma Seongun did not move.

“Thank… you…”

“Anyway, I’ll meet those guys again. It’s just that the order is different.”

Ma Seongun slowly approached Gu Jucheol.

While the sound of his footsteps was getting closer, Gu Jucheol’s vision was blurry, and he couldn't even see properly.

At some point, Ma Seongun came one step forward.

“Ma Seongun…”

A faint smile spread across Gu Jucheol’s lips.

“You will never… be able to stand above the heavens. Because there is… a greater… martial artist… than you.”

“Jin Sohyun.”

Gu Jucheol’s eyes opened wide.

Even in his blurry vision, Ma Seongun’s face was clearly visible.

He was smiling.

With a strange face mixed with hatred, anger, and affection.

“In the future, only two martial artists will stand above the heavens. Me… and Jin Sohyun. My past and future self was defeated by him, but this time will be different.”

Ma Seongun’s blade was aimed at Gu Jucheol’s heart.

“I will swallow the whole world… and become the martial world itself.”

His blade moved at a slow speed to pierce Gu Jucheol’s heart.

It tore through the thin martial arts uniform.

It tore through the skin and pierced the hard muscles.

“You’re a greedy bastard.”

Ma Seongun swung his sword and took a couple of steps back.

At the same time, the two flying swords that had been hit by his sword and had been deflected were sucked into one place.

There.

Was an old man.

“If you swallow things so indiscriminately, your stomach will burst and you’ll die.”

A sly smile spread across Ma Seongun’s lips like a flame.

“Kang Cheon…”

(End of Chapter)