Murim Login - Chapter 358
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I will re-publish the earlier chapters to fix those issues with the translation. I apologize in advance if it did not meet your standard. Please comment the chapters you find that is lacking in quality so I can fix them ASAP. Thanks for understanding!
Current re-published chapters (270 - 305)
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Boom!
The spearhead, engulfed in blue flames, descended toward the crown of a man’s head.
It was the claw of a fire dragon descending from the sky, possessing a destructive force capable of erasing anything in its path.
‘This is…’
In the split second within the split second, the West Heaven Demon Lord thought.
‘I can’t dodge this.’
A few steps back wouldn’t suffice to evade this strike.
So what should he do? Even before the question formed in his mind, his body, honed through countless life-and-death battles, was already moving.
Swish-!
A crimson sword energy erupted from his waist, meeting the blue flames head-on.
—
Boom!
A tremendous roar accompanied by a shockwave swept through my entire body. My ears rang, and I found it hard to breathe.
The clash of sword and spear produced a crimson flash. The next moment, I was hurled away as if pulled by an unseen force.
Bang, bang, crash!
The thick walls of sedimentary rock crumbled like a sponge cake upon impact with my back.
I swatted away the falling stalactites as I flipped in mid-air.
The moment my feet touched the ground, the solid stone floor cracked like a plowed field.
Crrrack!
Damn it. I must’ve flown at least nine feet.
I kicked off my now-soleless leather shoes and glared at the distant figure.
“You damn bastard. You’re pretty good.”
Even through the dense dust cloud, I could see the West Heaven Demon Lord’s stiff expression.
He glanced at his broken sword and blood-soaked hand.
“That spear… it’s a divine weapon.”
“Divine? Hardly.”
“What technique was that?”
I answered without hesitation.
“The ‘Get Lost and Die’ technique.”
“I’m beginning to understand why the Blood Lord called you arrogant. And why he wanted to kill you so badly.”
The West Heaven Demon Lord’s eyes scanned my entire body.
“You’re dangerous.”
“Yeah, I’m so dangerous that women avoid me.”
“Cheongpung is remarkable for reaching the pinnacle at such a young age, but you’re even more so. To be honest, you’ve far exceeded my expectations. You inflicted damage on me with only that level of skill.”
I wasn’t surprised. I had a rough idea that Cheongpung had broken through the wall to reach the pinnacle.
It made sense that the West Heaven Demon Lord accurately assessed my martial arts level too.
“Is that a compliment?”
“Of course. But don’t be too pleased. I don’t like people who exceed my expectations.”
The West Heaven Demon Lord clenched and unclenched his bloody hand, causing sticky blood to drip onto the rocks and sand.
“My execution of the Four Ounces Deflecting a Thousand Pounds was perfect. Yet, I couldn’t fully deflect it. Not against the strike of a mere young man at the pinnacle.”
Four Ounces Deflecting a Thousand Pounds. A technique that controls the weight of a thousand pounds with four ounces.
And indeed, the West Heaven Demon Lord’s use of it was flawless. Even when caught off guard, he had managed to deflect my attack with calm precision. I had to internally commend him for that.
The one thing he hadn’t anticipated was…
“I’m stronger than I look.”
What he was facing wasn’t merely a pinnacle master.
A third-rate can’t contend with a second-rate, and a second-rate will kneel to a first-rate.
The higher the level, the wider the gap, and the more immense the power. That’s the common sense of Murim, but I was an anomaly.
“Call me a physical pinnacle master.”
“A physical pinnacle master. I don’t know what that means, but if you say so, it must be.”
I looked at the West Heaven Demon Lord, who nodded, with an incredulous look.
“…What do you understand?”
“Living long brings many experiences. Compared to the supernatural power I know, your display was a mere trifle.”
With a faint smile, the West Heaven Demon Lord raised one arm.
It moved naturally, despite the fact that until ten days ago, he had only one arm.
Surely, whatever supernatural power he mentioned must include this.
“All is as the exalted Lord wills. Now, why not abandon your futile hopes and surrender?”
“Surrender?”
“If you do, I’ll personally request the Lord to treat you well. Even the Blood Lord wouldn’t dare touch you.”
“Wow, you really have it all planned out.”
“Can I take that as consent?”
“Hmm, wait a minute. I just had a better idea.”
I started walking slowly towards the West Heaven Demon Lord as I spoke.
“This kind of story usually ends with good triumphing over evil. Instead of wasting time with the Dark Heaven or whatever, join the orthodox sect. I’ll put in a good word with the Sword Saint to treat you lightly.”
“Haha, that’s quite something.”
The West Heaven Demon Lord stepped forward with a faint smile.
“It’s a pity. Just don’t regret it when you meet the Blood Lord.”
“Everyone who said that to me is now kneeling before the King of Hell.”
“You’re quite impetuous for your age. If you’re hoping for the same luck as before, you can forget it. I know that strike was your full strength.”
“That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve heard all year. Did you take lessons in talking nonsense from the neighbor’s dog?”
Though I dismissed it, unfortunately, the West Heaven Demon Lord’s words were true.
A surprise attack must end in one strike. Either incapacitate or kill the opponent.
Breaking his weapon and tearing his hand wasn’t enough.
The West Heaven Demon Lord was a much higher-tier master. Showing my full strength and failing to significantly wound him was a grave mistake.
‘I should’ve gone all in from the start.’
What if I had used my full power from the beginning?
I dismissed the thought. Even if I went back, I wouldn’t be able to put everything on the line.
A gamble where it’s all or nothing should be avoided. Especially when other people’s lives are at stake.
‘And… I haven’t played all my cards yet.’
Step, step.
The West Heaven Demon Lord and I slowly closed the distance.
Unlike our initial clash, neither of us threw blades or projectiles.
We just gauged the distance, watched each other’s hands and feet, and waited for the right moment.
Like now.
Swish.
The West Heaven Demon Lord moved first.
In a single step, he closed the nine-foot gap. His hand blurred, and a serpent-like black sword with a dark aura slashed towards me.
‘Avoid direct confrontation at all costs.’
There’s a gap that even the system can’t bridge.
Those who have attained enlightenment to reach the pinnacle and those who haven’t. The difference is as vast as the sky and the earth.
No matter how strong I am, if I keep clashing against his sword aura, I’ll sustain internal injuries.
Whoosh! Bang!
When his sword aura cleaved the ground, it left a crater like something out of a movie. Had I not dodged, I would have been cleaved in two.
I stepped back and shook my hand.
‘Open inventory. Summon.’
Swish, swish, swish!
I had never formally learned the art of throwing knives, but the knives I hurled with tremendous power and speed were formidable.
Of course, this meant nothing to the West Heaven Demon Lord.
Slash!
A horizontal line of dark aura from his sword sliced through the daggers and headed towards me.
I twisted my head, narrowly avoiding the searing heat and sword energy.
Bang!
Ignoring the explosion and tremor behind me, I charged forward.
Crrrack, crash!
The solid stone floor cracked like a spider web, and the next moment, I shot forward like a flash of lightning.
A speed that could be mistaken for pinnacle-level movement, or even beyond.
“Indeed!”
With an exclamation, the West Heaven Demon Lord swung his sword downward.
The dark sword energy that darkened the surroundings slashed towards me.
In that split-second, the only thing that saved me was the thought that flashed in my mind.
‘Thirty points each into agility and strength.’
Swish.
The change was instantaneous. My body felt lighter, and my muscles, now denser and more elastic, squeezed out every ounce of power.
As my body stepped on the wind, the dark sword energy cleaved the air.
Boom!
The West Heaven Demon Lord’s eyes widened in surprise.
It was too late to retract his sword. He hurriedly extended his other hand to grab the spear approaching his chest.
His reflexes were astounding. But the most surprising thing was that my prediction was spot-on.
‘Open inventory. Store.’
Swish.
The West Heaven Demon Lord’s hand, enveloped in energy, grasped at empty air.
The spear, White Flame, which seemed within reach, was already safely tucked away in my inventory.
And now, the moment I had been waiting for.
‘Flame God Palm.’
My right hand, engulfed in blue flames, struck the West Heaven Demon Lord’s abdomen.
Boom!
As his body floated in the air from the impact, I swung my prepared left fist.
‘Extinguishing Flame Fist.’
Crash!
An attack that could collapse a cliff struck the West Heaven Demon Lord’s side.
The sensation traveled through my fingers. His body flew like a cannonball and embedded itself in the wall.
Bang! Crash!
The entire underground prison trembled. At the same time, an unbearable fatigue and hunger overwhelmed me.
Every move in our exchange had been executed with full power. It was only natural that heavy breaths escaped my lips.
“Hoo.”
Plop, plop.
I steadied my breathing and walked slowly through the falling debris.
Embedded deep in the solid rock, the West Heaven Demon Lord looked at me with a blurred gaze.
“I was sure I grabbed the spear… How did you…?”
“Similar to that supernatural power you believe in.”
“Cough. I see. So, that sudden burst of speed was also because of that?”
“Yes. You cost me a few lives. They were doomed to die anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“This underground prison, don’t you notice anything strange?”
After a moment of silence, the West Heaven Demon Lord replied.
“…There are no prisoners.”
“Correct.”
“How did you do it? Did you use the Absorbing Great Technique on the prisoners?”
“In a way, yes.”
If the Absorbing Great Technique sucked out energy, I absorbed experience points.
‘Thanks to them, I gained 60 points. It was a masterstroke.’
The Sichuan Tang Clan didn’t seal the prisoners’ dantian but instead suppressed their energy and shackled them.
So they could live longer and experience prolonged torture.
Thanks to that, about a dozen prisoners, except the Sky Power Demon, became my nourishment.
“Cough. The Absorbing Great Technique. I see.”
“Have your questions been answered?”
“Will you answer if I ask?”
“Sure, but…”
I looked down at the weakly nodding West Heaven Demon Lord and spoke.
“Stop pretending to be weak and get up. And cut out the fake coughing.”
“Well, I guess I’m not cut out for this.”
The eyes of the West Heaven Demon Lord, which seemed to be closing, curved into a crescent.
“Indeed, I lack talent in this area.”
“…Damn bastard.”