Chapter 543: This Weak and Young Me

TL: FoodieMonster007

"You… you were alive."

Geom Mugeuk recognized him, even though his appearance had changed drastically. He was none other than the Brawling King, returned from the depths of hell.

Geom Mugeuk finally understood. He understood why they had gone ahead with today's banquet, knowing he would be here. Why the movements of the mastermind behind this felt different from before. Why they were so crude.

It was because of this man, because of the Brawling King's thirst for revenge.

It became clear why Bi Sayin was the one used in the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's trap. After all, it was the Evil Alliance Chairman who had driven him to the brink of death.

The Brawling King slowly stepped out of the palanquin.

CLANK, CLANK.

Chains glowing with a blue light were wrapped tightly around his chest. The chains, shimmering with a ghastly blue hue, were no ordinary metal. They gave off the impression that they would exert far more power than the treasured armor or gauntlets he had worn before.

A woman's voice came from inside the palanquin. "When we saved this man with the Dark Path Returning Art, a lethal poison had spread throughout his entire body. It was a state where not even the great celestial immortals could have saved him. The poison of your Poison King is truly dreadful."

Indeed, a poisonous energy that had not yet been fully purged was still flowing from the Brawling King's breath.

The Poison King would be incredibly furious if he found out. Geom Mugeuk now had something to tease him about.

"However, we decided to save him. It required a great deal of effort and a massive investment. He had to undergo two major rituals and six procedures."

As if remembering that time, the Brawling King's expression contorted. He had endured a pain that made him want to beg for death.

The reason he endured all that pain was for this very moment.

"As you can see, he was worth the investment."

The Brawling King's aura was immense. He felt stronger than any enemy Geom Mugeuk had ever faced. If the Brawling King he had met before felt like a brawler, the Brawling King of today felt as if he had transcended that stage.

It was like looking at a God of War who had moved beyond victory and defeat, even beyond life and death.

Death resided in his two eyes. There was a white ring around his pupils. Geom Mugeuk knew what that meant.

He even mastered the Dark Night Divine Art!

The already strong Brawling King had undergone all sorts of rituals and, on top of that, mastered the Dark Night Divine Art. This meant he had become far stronger than his original self.

On top of that, he was exuding the poisonous energy of the Poison King.

Geom Mugeuk himself had Myriad Poison Immunity, so he wouldn't be affected by the poison. However, if Bi Sayin or Jin Hagun were to fight him, they wouldn't be able to withstand that poisonous energy. It was truly a situation where the Brawling King and the Poison King were attacking together.

Indeed, the Brawling King possessed the confidence that he could crush everyone here all by himself.

"You… just how much stronger have you gotten?"

"As much as I've sacrificed my life for."

Having mastered the Dark Night Divine Art, he could no longer see the sun. All for the sake of this revenge.

The Brawling King slowly took a step. Everyone's gaze was fixed on his every move. The fighting spirit emanating from the Brawling King was so intense that it seemed more than enough to take on everyone present.

He had been looking around as if he was seeing the world for the first time.

SWOOOSH!

THWACK!

When he swung his hand, the torsos of all the gathered martial artists from the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company exploded, killing them instantly.

It was a single move that left no time to even think of blocking. This one move alone showed how much stronger he had become. It was truly fast and powerful.

The one who let out a sharp scream at the sight was Vice Director Pyeong Wi. He was horrified that the men he had brought with him were all killed in a single blow.

Geom Mugeuk spoke to him in a low voice. "Did you not know it would turn out like this?"

Of course, Pyeong Wi had come prepared to die. However, he hadn't known they would kill his subordinates first. Even if they were to be killed, it should have been at the end. They should have been killed after watching him get his revenge!

"You were deceived by them. It wasn't the Evil Alliance, they were the ones who used you. To create this situation today."

"Don't be ridiculous!"

With his subordinates dead, Pyeong Wi refused to believe it even more. Like a man who had lost his mind, he leaped forward and prostrated himself before the palanquin.

"As you promised, please kill them!"

To him, who had run into her arms like this, the Queen of Darkness was cruel.

"The Young Cult Leader is right. You were used by us."

In that moment, Pyeong Wi's face completely froze. The truth was delivered to the shocked and bewildered man.

"To be precise, the Director's wife used you."

Pyeong Wi's eyes shot wide open. It was the moment his worst fears became reality. The moment he learned the truth.

"Uwaaaaaaack!"

He let out a horrific scream. The Brawling King had appeared behind him and grabbed his neck. He didn't break his neck. That would have been better for him.

The moment the poisonous energy flowing from the Brawling King's hand invaded his body, he writhed in terrible agony before dying on the spot.

THUD.

The Brawling King tossed his corpse in front of Geom Mugeuk. And he blamed Geom Mugeuk for that death.

"This is all your fault."

Of course, Geom Mugeuk was not one to accept that meekly. "How many eyes are watching right now? Why are you being so unreasonable?"

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have this poison in my body."

He resented that things had turned out this way because Geom Mugeuk had exposed his existence while he was hiding in the Evil Alliance. Because Geom Mugeuk had drawn in the Evil Alliance Chairman and the Poison King.

"Why is it my fault? It's your fault for hiding in a place you never should have been. Why is it my fault? It's because of your petty heart that couldn't just say, 'You've worked hard,' and let me go after using me."

He tried to burden Geom Mugeuk with guilt, but he got nowhere.

"And why are you doing this to me? You should be getting your revenge on the Evil Alliance Chairman or the Poison King. Why? Are you scared of them? Is that why you're bullying this weak and young me?"

At the words 'weak and young', Bi Sayin and Jin Hagun let out a dry laugh. Geom Mugeuk was truly someone who could make them laugh even in such a terrifying situation.

Of course, to the Brawling King, those words were a taboo.

"Shut up!"

"……"

A metallic sound came from the Brawling King's clenched fist. The expression of the Brawling King, who seemed like he wouldn't bat an eye in any situation, was rigid.

"The Evil Alliance Chairman will also die by my hand soon."

The Brawling King intended to kill everyone here and then kill the Evil Alliance Chairman. He could feel it. This body, forcibly maintained by rituals, could not possibly live for long. He would kill everyone before he died. The organization must have saved him because they wanted that as well.

Just then, the Queen of Darkness said from the palanquin. "So the rumors that the Young Cult Leader's mouth is sharper than his sword are true."

Geom Mugeuk could tell. The Queen of Darkness had stepped in to calm the agitated Brawling King. The more difficult one to deal with was definitely the Queen of Darkness.

"True? What nonsense! They're baseless rumors."

Geom Mugeuk turned to Bi Sayin and asked, "Isn't my sword sharper than my mouth?"

Bi Sayin firmly shook his head.

Geom Mugeuk made a look of disbelief. "Why are you trying to be funny in such a serious situation?"

Bi Sayin's gaze seemed to say, Aren't you the one doing that?

This time, Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun. "I trust you'll tell the truth."

"I don't want to get into a verbal argument with you." He said it so calmly that it sounded like the truth.

Laughter flowed from inside the palanquin. Both Geom Mugeuk and the Queen of Darkness were at ease.

"Let's find out for ourselves which one is sharper."

The moment those words ended, the palanquin door opened again.

SHRRRK.

A hand parted the beaded curtain. It was a dry, wrinkled hand.

The person who revealed his face was an old man. There was no way the Queen of Darkness, the Brawling King, and this old man could all fit inside the palanquin, so this was the moment Geom Mugeuk was certain that the space inside was no ordinary space.

The old man's eyes were incredibly sharp. His old robes were covered in bizarre patterns, and the fan he held open was also filled with unknowable symbols. A strange, evil energy emanated from his body.

The first to recognize him was Jin Hagun. "The Heavenly Fiend!"

He was a public enemy of the murim who had thrown it into chaos, being proficient in all sorts of evil arts and formations. His evil arts were truly sinister and vicious, and countless people had lost their lives to him.

Now they knew. They knew who had set up the formations at the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company.

The Heavenly Fiend looked at Jin Hagun and said, "You tried so hard to catch me. Go on, try and catch me now."

The Demon Slaying Brigade martial artists all stepped in front of Jin Hagun and aimed their swords. However, the Heavenly Fiend was not intimidated at all.

Another figure emerged from the palanquin. This time, it wasn't a person. Something leaped out.

Surprisingly, what came out of the palanquin was a black dog as large as a grown man. It was no ordinary dog. It was larger than a wolf and had huge fangs.

A black energy shimmered like a heat haze from its large body. It was truly a hellhound worthy of guarding the gates of hell.

It wasn't just one dog. Dozens of hellhounds came out one after another. The sight was truly bizarre, making it feel as if the palanquin was connected to hell itself.

The last person to emerge was recognized by Bi Sayin. "The Dog Man!"

He was an absolute master of the unorthodox sects who used dark evil arts among the evil arts, calling himself a dog seller. He was a figure who rarely showed himself to the outside world, but he had appeared here today. The hellhounds he summoned were fearsome creatures known to tear even masters to death.

The hellhounds looked up at one spot and growled lowly. That spot was the roof where the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was standing.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon merely looked down in silence at the dozens of hellhounds growling up at him.

The four men in black who had flown in with the palanquin stepped before Bi Sayin, holding lanterns. The Thirteen Evil Wolves drew their swords in unison and aimed at them. The four men in black showed no fear, even though a force they could not possibly match had their swords aimed at them.

Just then, Bi Sayin saw it. Their shadows stretched long, connecting to the palanquin. It was a bizarre sight that made them feel as if they were one with the palanquin.

The Heavenly Fiend faced Jin Hagun, the Dog Man faced the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, and the four men in black who had been the palanquin's bodyguards faced Bi Sayin.

And the Brawling King faced Geom Mugeuk.

The problem was that the Queen of Darkness was still inside the palanquin. There was no telling how she would intervene in the fight.

Jin Haryong took Yeo Jong and retreated as far back as possible. This was not a fight she should be at the forefront of. She knew it was a fight where, if they had to flee, she would have to carry Yeo Jong on her back and run.

Orabeoni! Be careful!

The person she looked at in the final moment was Geom Mugeuk. As always, she made another request.

Please take care of my Orabeoni! I'll protect the Pavilion Master until I'm on the verge of death… no, even if I die.

Geom Mugeuk, whose eyes met hers, looked up. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stood on the roof. He was still watching the situation below with his arms crossed. It was impossible to know what he was thinking, but the most trustworthy person in this fight today was the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

Geom Mugeuk's and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes met. His two eyes behind the mask were smiling. From that deep, abyss-like smile, Geom Mugeuk could tell.

He had already become the real Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

Then that's enough. He thought. I don't have to worry about what's behind me. I just need to focus on the Brawling King in front of me.

The one who moved first was the Brawling King. "Would you like a taste of my fist?"

The Brawling King thrust his fist forward. A cold, blue energy flowed along the chains wrapped around it. He was full of confidence and composure.

He should know that I've mastered the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

Is he confident he can withstand the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, even if I haven't reached complete mastery?

"Then let's have just a little taste."

Geom Mugeuk thrust out his fist without drawing his sword. Fist against fist. It was a challenge to a contest of strength.

WHOOOOSH.

The Brawling King rushed toward Geom Mugeuk and threw a punch.

Geom Mugeuk didn't dodge and threw his own punch. Countering the Brawling King's fist, which was imbued with the Revolving Wind Cloud Fist, was the Thunder Arhat Fist he had learned from the Fist Demon.

The moment the fists collided, an ear-splitting explosion rang out.

KABOOM!

Geom Mugeuk's fist struck the chains wrapped around the Brawling King's fist. It was an attack imbued with enhanced qi, but the Brawling King didn't even flinch.

With their fists pressed together, Geom Mugeuk and the Brawling King glared at each other. Of course, it wasn't an attack with their full power, but that was likely the same for the Brawling King.

The Brawling King twisted his body and threw another punch. The second attack was a much faster and more powerful blow than the first.

The second pair of fists collided. A louder roar erupted than before, but the Brawling King's fist and chains did not break.

Once again, their fists were locked in mid-air. Geom Mugeuk could feel the cold touch of the chains at the tip of his fist. That sensation seemed to say, I will never break!

The Brawling King's third punch flew in. It was even faster and stronger.

"……"

It wasn't the sound of fists colliding. The Black Demon Sword was already drawn in the hand of Geom Mugeuk, who had leaped backward.

He couldn't handle the Brawling King's fist technique with his still-incomplete Thunder Arhat Fist. After exchanging fists, he felt it in his body. The Brawling King had become incomparably stronger than before.

"You've become a monster."

Geom Mugeuk turned to Bi Sayin and said. "My friend, if I ever told you to just trust me, I take that back."

Geom Mugeuk didn't lose his composure, even at the end. And this was how he told everyone to hang in there.

"Today, it's every man for himself."