The thick clouds parted.

Moonlight briefly engulfed the manor.

Meng So-un raged.

"Don’t spout nonsense! You pathetic bastard! The second son?! That Meng Wiyong is dead! I killed him!"

His bloated body moved with surprising agility—far too nimble for someone of his size.

*Boom!*

His palm struck the outer wall of the building, part of which collapsed with a thunderous crash.

From within the rubble, I drew my sword. Channeling the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art, I infused the blade with energy to hunt the spirit of the dead.

Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art.
Second Form.
Dan Hon Chu.

The blade sliced through, drawing blood. Meng So-un howled like a slaughtered pig.

But as soon as I struck, I realized the truth. His skin, which appeared normal, was unnaturally thick and tough.

The blood I had drawn was merely superficial, no more than a thin scratch on his hardened exterior.

"You bastard!"

A violent energy surged. I narrowly evaded the incoming fist by deploying Ghostly Step, a move I had perfected for such occasions.

The attack itself wasn’t sharp, but the real danger lay in the force that followed. His strikes carried waves of internal energy, akin to a blade of qi that tore through my clothes and left cuts on my skin, blood spraying from the wounds.

"I’ll crush you!"

*Boom!*

His arm smashed deep into the wall. Amidst the raining debris, I unleashed the Nine Heavens Blood Sword once more.

Dan Hon Chu—a strike meant to sever and destroy.

*Slash!*

Blood spattered again, but it was shallow. No matter how much internal energy I summoned, I could only cut through the outermost layer of his hide.

Meng So-un laughed mockingly.

"You pathetic fool. Don’t even try."

*Boom!*

My chest caved in. I failed to dodge in time, and his palm hammered into me, sending me hurtling into the wall. Blood filled my mouth and spilled out as I coughed violently.

Every blow was fatal.

Cheongeop, the mystical energy sustaining me, laughed mockingly at my weakness. It restored my body, repairing the damage to my chest, but left the excruciating pain intact, forcing a scream from my lips.

His body was nearly invincible—an impenetrable fortress against someone like me.

It was like trying to split a boulder with a dull blade.

"The White Demon Body is beyond anything your feeble skills can comprehend! You think your pitiful sword can cut me?"

A fist flew toward my face, clumsy but driven by raw power.

I could have dodged, but my gaze locked onto someone else’s eyes. In that moment, I realized—

I shouldn’t evade this strike.

*Crunch.*

The brutal sound of bones cracking rang out as I was flung to the ground, my neck twisting unnaturally. Pain wracked my body, but I stayed down, observing my opponent.

"Father’s second son? A spirit? You dare invoke such a name with that level of skill?"

Meng So-un ripped a pillar from the building, his monstrous strength sending cracks through its foundation.

"The White Demon Body surpasses all! Your feeble techniques are nothing compared to this power!"

*Thud!*

The pillar slammed into me, and blood sprayed from my mouth. My broken bones jutted through torn skin, and I bit down hard on my tongue to keep from screaming.

Hold on.
I had to endure.

There was a reason I took these hits, a reason I allowed myself to be struck.

Through the haze of pain, I turned my head. There—they were coming. Shadows of warriors approached, unnoticed by Meng So-un, who was entirely focused on pummeling me.

*Crack.*

The pillar splintered. Meng So-un grabbed a shard and drove it into my body, piercing my organs. I clawed at the ground, choking on my own blood.

"Huff... Huff... Pathetic bastard. You thought you could...?"

His voice grated in my ears as his insults poured forth.

"Father is dead. The spirit will fall too. You’re nothing. Even your name, Wang Sohong, is a disgrace. My father’s name, Mengcheon, was nothing special either."

I reached for my sword, but his foot came down hard on my hand, the crushing force sending pain rippling through my spine.

"Is this some final contingency my father left behind? Did he suspect me all along? Perhaps he knew who killed his precious second son."

"..."

"In the end, I stand victorious! I, Meng So-un, am destined for greatness. Joining the Manma Sect will grant me more power than I ever dreamed of. The world will know my name!"

He laughed maniacally.

"The world revolves around me! I am its master! This is destiny!"

Through clenched teeth, I forced out a few words.

"So... you killed... the sect master too?"

"Of course! That was the deal with Teacher Baek! To ensure I became the Black Sky Axe Sect’s leader, I had to kill my father. But you know what? My father isn’t entirely gone."

Meng So-un patted his stomach with a twisted smile.

"His energy remains within me. I’ve absorbed it, and it’s making me stronger. This is the natural cycle of succession. By consuming his strength, I will rise even higher!"

He hefted the splintered pillar, aiming it at my head for a final blow.

"Die, spirit. You’ve sullied my mood long enough. With your death, I’ll sever all ties to my father."

"...Hah..."

I shook with quiet laughter.

"You’ve gone mad in the face of death?"

"Not at all. I’m just... grateful. You’ve said so much."

"What?"

Meng So-un looked around hastily. His eyes widened as he saw the shadows closing in.

"When...?"

The warriors of the Black Sky Axe Sect, armed with their axes, trembled as they took in the scene. Murmurs of disbelief rippled through their ranks.

"Young Master... Did you...?"

"Did you really kill the sect master...?"

"It’s lies! This bastard bewitched you all! My father’s death was an accident!"

One of the warriors, a gatekeeper I recognized, stared at me.

"Are you... Wang Sohong? Why are you here?"

Still using the false name, I straightened myself and answered.

"I came seeking the truth. The sect master was good to me. And by chance, I overheard a conversation."

"So, it’s true...?"

Meng So-un’s voice grew panicked as accusations flew.

"Silence! You will obey me! I’ll give you power, wealth—whatever you desire. The sect merely has a new leader. Why resist?"

"You’ve gone mad!"

Meng So-un’s energy surged, knocking warriors back as he shouted.

"The strong devour the weak! That is the law of the sect! Follow strength, and I am the strongest!"

"You fool," I whispered, steadying my blade.

Meng So-un turned to me, enraged.

"You think you can cut me? My body is impenetrable!"

I tightened my grip on the hilt, channeling my strength and memories into the blade.

"Your father’s axe could break boulders."

"Shut up!"

"He wielded more than just power. Something you’ll never understand."

"Enough! I’ll crush you!"

Meng So-un lunged, but I met him with my sword, the techniques of the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art blending with everything I had learned. Pain and effort became one as my blade cleaved through the unbreakable.

"Effort never betrays."

In the end, my blade struck true.

Meng So-un stared in disbelief, a deep fissure running from his head to his groin.

"Ten years... That’s how long it took me to cross this wall, you pig."

*Thud.*

Meng So-un’s body split apart, collapsing to the ground.