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Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 166: The Thing I Wish To Show (6)
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ā The Thing I Wish To Show (6) ā
Crack!
In a single soundā¦
One whole side of his shoulder was shattered to pieces.
Crack!
By the secondā¦
He wondered what part of his body had given way this time.
He couldnāt really tell in his state.
Not only did his nerves falter, but his vision dimmed as well.
He could only swing his sword with pure instinct.
Yet, the bladeās sharpness remained as threatening as ever.
The Divine Qi coursing through Jang Seonyeonās body amplified his physical strength and martial prowess. It elevated him to a point where he could effortlessly outmatch a martial artist of equal caliber, to overpowering them without a single graze on him,
Craaack.
Yet, to his opponent, it was no more than a cute display.
āUgghhā¦!ā
Jang Seonyeon staggered back a few steps, dropping to his knees, clutching onto his chest.
āWhyā¦ā
He unintentionally whispered aloud, seemingly unaware of his own words.
āWhy do you think?ā
It appeared that Gu Yangcheon could hear even that.
Gu Yangcheon extended his arm out towards Jang Seonyeon, causing him to flinch upon seeing it.
āDammitā¦ā
Jang Seonyeon struggled to keep his shoulders from shaking and cursed silently. He felt a crushing humiliation and shame in his fear.
The outstretched hand brushed his cheek a few times before withdrawing, a moment of profound humiliation for Jang Seonyeon.
āWhy.ā
āJust why.ā
āYou donāt get it, right? Well, you never will.ā
Perhaps he would never know, something that I wish for to happen.
The reason? Itās simple.
Nowadays, the phrase āpowerful personā has become extremely overused, a clichĆ© uttered far too often.
Nonetheless, the world continues to host tournaments to see two individuals clash against each other in a battle of strength to determine the stronger of the two.
Thus, in the end, it boiled down to a simple fact: he was weak, and I was strong.
āHowever, he was stronger than I had expected.ā
Given the watchful eyes of the onlookers and the fact that I couldnāt afford to end his life in front of a crowd, I aimed to show just enough force.
However, the bastard proved to be stronger than my expectations.
This forced me to resort to an ability, enhancing my body with Fire Qi.
It was something that I had never imagined I would have to use on a young prodigy.
āHe is hovering at the start of the Peak Realm.ā
His martial level was around the peak of the first-rate realm, a nigh impossible feat for someone at Jang Seonyeonās age.
Namgungās Pissing Dragon paled in comparison.
He could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Sword Phoenix, Sword Dragon, and the Water Dragon.
Yet, this bastard was enhancing his power with some unknown strength.
āDespite doing that, he didnāt break through the middle dantian.ā
I couldnāt detect the energy unique to those at peak realm, emanating from that bastard.
It appeared to be a temporary power-up, and it seemed that he couldnāt even maintain it for long.
āWhich was likely why he didnāt use it from the beginning.ā
I didnāt think that him not using it from the beginning was just because he wanted an excuse for himself,
It was either because he couldnāt maintain it for long, or that it only had a limited number of uses. Perhaps even both.
āAnd if this energy is similar to the one I took from Namgung Cheonjun, does that mean I could also use it?ā
I attempted it, but the energy remained unresponsive.
Furthermore, the purifying process of the energy outpaced even demonic Qi, making it impossible to test it further.
āItās different from Demonic Qi.ā
Demonic Qi could indeed enhance the body, but it didnāt increase the potency of martial skills.
Its main purpose was to enable the practitioner to perform the demonic arts, and symbolized oneās transformation into a demonic human.
āHowever, this is.ā
I recalled the moment when Jang Seonyeon sliced through my flames with a single swing.
I expected him to evade, but he cleaved through them instead.
Swish!
Amidst my contemplation, Jang Seonyeonās sword sliced through the air toward me.
It closed in on my neck at breakneck speed,
Crack!
But I evaded the sword by tilting my head to the side and swiftly twisted his wrist holding the sword.
I had no qualms about breaking it.
āAghhhh!ā
Jang Seonyeonās scream reverberated loudly.
It appeared he had been suppressing his screams until now, but had finally reached his limit.
I found myself slightly surprised, seeing him continue to attack me.
āDidnāt I intimidate him more than enough?ā
I had believed my actions would be enough to make him feel afraid, to the point that when we cross paths in the future, he would be too destroyed to even think about getting in my way.
Killing him now was not an option, which was why I wanted to crush him now to make it an easier task when I see him next time.
However, it seemed his spirit remained intact.
Thus, a thought crossed my mind.
āHow much more can I break him, I wonder.ā
Itād be faster for me to just kill him, but I had to be a little more careful if I wanted to only break his bones.
I couldnāt beat him up to the point of his injuries becoming incurable after all, as I couldnāt afford to ruin my relationship with the Murim Alliance already.
āStuff like this always annoys me.ā
It was exasperating not being able to kill those wretches whenever I wanted.
I understood that I couldnāt control the world, but I couldnāt help but be frustrated when I couldnāt do anything about a bastard like him.
āWhy did I even regress at this point? I feel so powerless.ā
I kicked his joint, sending him tumbling to the ground again.
āYouāre gonna get into serious trouble if you keep moving like tha-ā
Pop!
As I quickly raised my hand to block, the sound of Qi exploding pierced the air.
That bastard had unleashed Sword Qi at me.
Not only had I broken his right hand, I had even twisted his left wrist that was holding his sword, so how was he even doing this?
āThis bastard?ā
Jang Seonyeon swung his sword despite his broken wrist.
I didnāt know how he would heal his wrist if he kept going at this rate, but I had to acknowledge his spirit.
So you truly are a martial artist, huh?
I kicked Jang Seonyeonās chest, sending him flying, as I glanced at the judge.
The arena was in shambles and Jang Seonyeonās body was in a mostly ruined state, making it impossible for the fight to be continued.
The judge seemed aware of this, his eyes betraying a sense of uncertainty.
However, he couldnāt intervene.
āBecause he hasnāt forfeited.ā
Unless one side lost consciousness, the judge wasnāt allowed to interfere.
āAnd you plan to continue, despite knowing that?ā
Even though he must have been aware of his impending defeat.
He was still planning to keep going when he ended up in that state, even after using his unknown power?
āHe wouldnāt have kept going if it was the bastard that I knew.ā
It made me curious.
If it was the bastard from my previous life, he wouldnāt have made such a choice.
He would have instead plotted from behind the scenes after the duel.
āSo does that mean him at this point of time is different from the bastard I knew in my past life?ā
I hoped that wasnāt the case, as it was the thing I wanted to happen the least.
āAnd even if that was the case,ā
It didnāt matter.
I had no intention of changing my plans.
Even if he didnāt become evil yet, and right now he was just a child drunk with powerā¦
āIt doesnāt erase the things you did in the past,ā
It wasnāt from a desire to be forgiven or any such noble sentiment.
I was simply enraged, and he became an outlet for my anger.
The reason I was focusing on his chest, was simply because he had left a wound on Namgung Bi-ahās chest.
And the reason I wanted to engrave fear into his mind, wasnāt due to some grand purpose.
It was simply because I wanted to release my frustration onto him.
Letās not think of myself as an adult.
That would probably do more harm than good for me.
I had lived my life as a nasty and rude person, and that past of mine is what has made me.
So letās not deny that past.
Denial would only be poison to me.
I had to reach even greater levels.
Much, much greater than now.
āSo I donāt have much time to spare on this bastard.ā
Itās about time that I end this.
It wasnāt enough time for me to relieve all my stress onto him, but it also wasnāt good for me to keep dragging this on.
So I had to end this.
āBut let me give one last parting gift.ā
Ending it by hitting his chin is rather lame, so either I had to break his arm once more orā¦
Do something amusing to his genitals.
I felt that it would be such a waste if I didnāt do either of those two.
But all of a suddenā¦
Craaack-
Jang Seonyeon stood up.
Because of him forcing his body up, each movement was accompanied by a disconcerting sound of bones cracking.
His body was in such a state of disarray, it seemed like he couldnāt even properly get up.
The pain must have been excruciating.
āI guess he just has that much willpow-ā
I was about to attribute his tenacity to willpower when an eerie sensation I felt sent chills down my spine.
It wasnāt hard for me to notice.
For I experienced this a lot in my past life.
But I didnāt expect that I would already experience it in this life.
āThat dumbass of a bastard.ā
Jang Seonyeonās eyes turned white as he forced his body up while holding his sword.
It meant that he had already lost consciousness.
Some may wonder how he could still move then.
āHe was eaten by the power.ā
When a demonic human used too much Demonic Qi or forced themselves to keep going even when they couldnāt, their consciousness would get eaten by the power and turn them into a monster.
I called this a state of being consumed by oneās power.
And this bastard right here was in that exact state.
Despite the power feeling different from Demonic Qi, it seemed like it had similar side effects.
āIs this because I beat him up way too much?ā
That was, probably, the most likely case.
As I did, beat him up to the point where he would die if he didnāt use his power.
I stared at Jang Seonyeon, who was faltering.
He wouldnāt die if I just left him there, but his mind would rupture.
āShould I just leave him be then?ā
Well, it wasnāt a bad idea.
If he became crippled like that, then it would seem like he destroyed himself while trying to protect his pride as a martial artist.
Then the Murim Alliance Leader wouldnāt blame me. Well, there was a chance he would resent me since he was his father.
āBut if heās going to blame someone, then he should blame the Second Elder.ā
Not I know if that bear of an old man would be of any help at all though.
It would relieve my stress the most if I killed Jang Seonyeon with my own two hands, but I had no intention of ruining my plans just for revenge.
I had much more pressing things than that.
I got into my stance, but that bastard who got up only stared at me.
As I stared into his hollow eyes, I flowed my Qi slightly, just in case he charged at me.
But unlike my expectations, the bastard didnāt charge at me.
Insteadā¦
āItās you.ā
He suddenly spoke to me.
And his pronunciation was way too clear despite his lips that became swollen.
Had he not lost consciousness?
āWhat?ā
I asked him, baffled at what he was trying to say, but he only continued at his own pace.
āI felt something break, but it was you.ā
His unsettling giggle bothered me.
I charged at him without hesitation, gripping his throat.
A peculiar sensation crept over me, every hair on my body standing on end, and cold sweat threatening to erupt.
I didnāt know what to call this horrendous sensation.
āWhat are you.ā
When I demanded while gripping his throat, Jang Seonyeon smiled.
The shape of his lips didnāt change, yet he was smiling with a silent joy.
āThatās what I want to ask. Child, what are you.ā
āI asked what you are.ā
Clennnch.
I gradually put more strength into my hand holding his throat.
It was to warn that I would break his throat if he said anything dumb.
However, the bastard wouldnāt just stay silent.
āWhat are you, for you to possess so much within yourself.ā
He shouldnāt even be able to breathe, considering the force with which I held him, yet he spoke unfazed.
āNo, youāre not Jang Seonyeon.ā
It was definitely something different.
Had he, too, become host to an entity inside him? It didnāt shock me, considering how many beings had taken up residence within me in this life.
It wasnāt surprising for a person to house a ghost.
However, the problem lied elsewhere.
[Heeeeā¦]
I heard a voice, a clear and echoing voice within my head.
I initially thought it might be Elder Shin.
āElder Shinā¦?ā
I quickly called his name, thinking he might have returned unexpectedly.
[Heeeā¦ Heeeeeeā¦ Hungryā¦]
But it wasnāt Elder Shin.
āWhat the hell is this now?ā
[Hungryā¦. Eatā¦ eat thaaaatā¦]
All of a sudden, an unknown voice began to resonate inside my mind.
At the same time, my dantian quivered and the energy within me grew increasingly turbulent, as though I had lost control over my body.
Of course, this had to happen when the fight was almost over.
[Eatā¦ it! Thatā¦ eatā¦ must eat it.]
The voice was dissonant, as if it contained multiple voices merged into one, and even a few sentences sent a headache throbbing through my skull.
āā¦This voiceā¦ā
While I was scowling due to the pain, I remembered that I heard this voice from somewhere.
The voice I heard after absorbing Namgung Cheonjunās energy, at the last moment of my battle against him.
Alsoā¦
The voice I heard in Shaanxi after my fight against Ya Hyeoljeok. f reewe bnovel
At that last moment, the voice I heard before passing out, was the same as the voice I was hearing now.
Ring.
āā¦!ā
I clenched my teeth as my energy started to move of its own accord, while I was trying to endure the headache.
My Demonic Absorb had activated by itself once more.
āFuck, I canāt this time.ā
Absorbing othersā energy would only raise questions, and I didnāt want to deal with that issue.
I couldnāt afford to get caught about the fact that I could absorb energy, at least not yet.
Absorbing othersā energy would only raise questions, and I didnāt want to deal with that issue, so I quickly tried to retract my hand.
Grab!
But Jang Seonyeonās hand clasped my wrist.
āThis is it. This sensation.ā
Then he spoke, as though he had come to a realization, with the tone of a smiling man.
āYou harbour darkness within your small body. Is it your massive bowl that keeps you from shattering, despite housing such a colossal entity? It doesnāt appear that way.ā
I wanted to ask what nonsense he was spouting, but my mouth refused to obey.
āWhy is everything happening to me all at once.ā
I could handle one issue at a time, but it felt as though everything was coming at me all at once.
He should be feeling the sensation of his power being absorbed, yet he held on more tightly with no intention of letting my hand go.
āWhat strength ā¦!ā
If it was Jang Seonyeonās strength, then I could easily escape from his grasp,
Yet, for some reason, it wasnāt easy for me to do so.
āI donāt know why the master of the abyss is inside of a child like you, but I am glad to have discovered it.ā
The energy entering my body resembled Namgung Cheonjunās, but the density felt different.
And my body was devouring this energy with relish.
āYou are really savoring the feast.ā
I became certain after hearing those words.
That despite being aware of me absorbing the energyā¦
The bastard was allowing it.
Tap!
After what felt like an eternity, Jang Seonyeon finally released my hand, and his body began to collapse, as if awaiting the moment.
āChild.ā
I couldnāt respond to the bastard because my body wouldnāt listen to me, as if it was no longer under my control.
āWith the joy of having met you, Iāve left you a gift. The beast within you will appreciate it.ā
āI wished to offer it all, but unfortunately, this childās body and spirit serve a purpose, so I canāt gift it as I desire.ā
āSo if you appreciate this gift, then come find me in the future.ā
When Jang Seonyeon finished speaking, I faltered, dropping to one knee. The voice still echoed in my head, and I had much I wanted to say, but my tongue remained as unresponsive as a stone, despite regaining control of my body.
āIt was a pleasure seeing you. If you meet the Dancer in the future, then relay this message to her.ā
Jang Seonyeon slowly closed his eyes as he collapsed. And just before they shut completely, he uttered in a faint voice.
āI, Dok Gojun, seek you, child.ā
After finishing with those words, Jang Seonyeon closed his eyes, and I heaved a deep sigh, lowering my knees to the ground.
The energy that had entered my body was one thing, but I also needed to make sense of the abrupt series of events that had just unfolded.
The judge, witnessing Jang Seonyeonās loss of consciousness, hurried to assess the situation.
āā¦ā
He briefly examined Jang Seonyeonās condition and nodded, confirming that he had not perished.
Following thatā¦
āThe victory goes to Gu Clanās Gu Yangcheon.ā
The judge concluded that I was the victor.
ā Woahhh!
The spectators erupted in cheers, their applause deafening, yet the crease on my forehead remained.
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