Chapter 475

In this situation, while it would be a stretch to say Baek Li-jung had any connection to Northern Li Sword Immortal, it was a question that could naturally be asked.

And of course, Baek Li-jung’s answer to that was somewhat predictable.

How could he come to the duel between two seniors in a filthy state, that would be all he’d say.

Baek Li-jung quietly asked back with his eyes closed.

“Are you suspecting that I, that I harmed Northern Li Sword Immortal?”

“Not at all.”

Namgung Rak sneered.

“How could I think someone like you would harm Northern Li Sword Immortal? If you plotted something, it would be some other scheme.”

“Mount Hua Sect is… a friend of our Righteous Alliance.”

The Namgung Family helped Taoist Haewol and worked for the martial world’s well-being. They know Baek Li-jung well too.

“You’ve always moved following profit from long ago. If it benefits you, you’d make allies into enemies and enemies into allies. You moved following profit too much. The Taoist always found that point unreliable.”

Namgung Rak pressed Baek Li-jung.

“What that means is, there’s no need to consider the relationship between Mount Hua Sect and the Righteous Alliance, and there’s no reason you’d be here without any benefit. Moreover, there’s no reason you’d remain to clean up the aftermath without anything to gain.”

Baek Li-jung just quietly listened to Namgung Rak’s words. Not answering his senior’s questions and even keeping his eyes closed, it was extremely rude behavior.

Meanwhile, Jin Ja-gang was also wondering about the doubts Namgung Rak raised.

The Hungry Ghost King would have found this martial duel proving the martial world’s purity to be a thorn in his eye. Thus he had to prevent the duel from happening. Since he had to make the martial world’s spirit meaningless, he had to ensure the duel didn’t end and victory or defeat wasn’t decided.

Therefore, from the moment the Righteous Alliance interfered, it was certain the Hungry Ghost King had already moved.

And it was also clear that Baek Li-jung had dealt with Northern Li Sword Immortal.

But why was Baek Li-jung still remaining here?

Setting aside the question of whether Baek Li-jung could harm Northern Li Sword Immortal, having achieved his objective, there was no reason to remain here. He could just quietly leave.

Yet why did he deliberately remain and invite danger knowing Jin Ja-gang and Namgung Rak were here?

As the atmosphere grew tense, hundreds of martial artists crowded around.

Namgung Rak pressed sharply again.

“Are you listening to me, or are you scheming up lies?”

Twitch.

Baek Li-jung’s closed eyelids wriggled strangely. It was a bizarre sight, as if small thread snakes were moving around inside his eyes.

Namgung Rak pressed Baek Li-jung.

“Now, tell me. Why are you here?”

Baek Li-jung still nodded with his eyes closed, then finally answered.

“The first statement was wrong, the second was right.”

“Hmm?”

First statement and second?

A smile formed at the corners of Baek Li-jung’s mouth.

Flash!

Baek Li-jung opened one eye.

Groooooo.

Wondrously, an auspicious radiance flowed from his open right eye.

Like crimson moonlight ecstatically shining in a world completely dyed blue during the height of moonrise, it was extremely auspicious.

It was a sight that made people naturally bow their heads, like an enlightened monk flowing golden Buddhist light from his eyes.

“Ohhh!”

The nearby martial artists exclaimed in great surprise.

It was hard to believe someone with eyes emitting such auspicious light would have plotted schemes with petty motives as Namgung Rak suggested.

Plop plop.

Baek Li-jung’s skin turned white.

Blisters formed and dead skin fell away. The skin where the blisters disappeared was very smooth.

Just like Jin Ja-gang.

The nearby martial artists were even more surprised than before.

“Bone Transformation and Marrow Cleansing!”

For most, it must have been their first time seeing someone undergo Bone Transformation and Marrow Cleansing before their eyes.

Some held their breath fearing the sounds of exclamation would disturb Baek Li-jung.

But Namgung Rak was different.

“Hmm?”

Namgung Rak frowned and muttered.

“Molting?”

This single word from Namgung Rak held great meaning. Not Bone Transformation and Marrow Cleansing but molting, meaning insects shedding their skin. There was a huge difference in perspective.

There must be a reason an expert who reached the peak felt that way!

In that moment, Jin Ja-gang realized.

The reason Baek Li-jung remained.

Greed!

And at a level difficult for humans to handle!

Greed was the sole meaning of the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit’s existence. A monster whose greed is maximized to the point it wouldn’t hesitate to devour even the master who took it in.

Baek Li-jung’s martial prowess had risen to the point of not revealing the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit at all. Yet earlier, he revealed a moment of greed at Jin Ja-gang’s words.

The Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit’s greed is that strong.

Also, that greed manifests as the most primal human desires.

When the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit settles in, appetite surges madly. Jin Ja-gang fasted to suppress the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit to overcome such instinct.

However, Baek Li-jung couldn’t overcome the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit.

The greed that appeared in his two eyes proves it.

And what that means is…!

The reason he remained even after dealing with Northern Li Sword Immortal!

Jin Ja-gang got goosebumps.

Jin Ja-gang shouted.

“Sword King, please evacuate!”

It was laughable to anyone listening.

Namgung Rak naturally refused. What would someone who reached the peak of Absolute Slow Sword fear?

“What do you mean? Telling me to evacuate.”

“Immediately evacuate with your disciples. If Sword King remains, it becomes troublesome.”

“What?”

The Namgung Family disciples were also very offended.

However, a long smile hung on Baek Li-jung’s lips.

“As expected of Jin Family brat. Your mind is sharp.”

It was a mean and cunning laugh completely different from the hero’s demeanor Baek Li-jung had shown until now.

Finally, Baek Li-jung opened his other eye.

But surprisingly, the light in both eyes was completely different.

Pitch-black dark energy. From the opposite eye, not even the pupil was visible, only energy as dark as pitch black rippled!

From one eye flowed auspicious energy, while from the other flowed terrifyingly alien, horrifying energy.

Sizzle sizzle, even looking closely, only half the skin was peeling into blisters. The other half was endlessly repeating shedding and growing back.

Riiip! Baek Li-jung rubbed one side of his face with his hand to tear off the blisters all at once and opened his mouth.

“Sword King senior. You pressed me too hard. If handled moderately and quietly, we could have both avoided discomfort.”

Namgung Rak snorted.

“You bastard. Even with hundreds watching, you finally reveal your true colors. Where did you learn such wicked martial arts!”

Baek Li-jung held a long smile and raised his hand.

Jin Ja-gang’s spine suddenly chilled.

Jin Ja-gang shouted loudly.

“Yeong-gwi! Son Bi! Take them and return to Sichuan!”

The young people who came together from Sichuan were bewildered, but Yeong-gwi and Son Bi moved quickly. Especially Yeong-gwi didn’t question or ask back at Jin Ja-gang’s command, but immediately urged the youths to leave the area.

Baek Li-jung laughed.

“Too late.”

Baek Li-jung clenched his fist.

At that moment, among the crowded martial artists, some drew their weapons.

Clang!

Then they started slashing wildly. Screams erupted from all directions.

“Aaaagh!”

“Aagh!”

“What are you doing!”

It was sudden slashing among hundreds of martial artists. Not just one or two, at a glance, over dozens. Thanks to that, others had no choice but to draw weapons to respond. They slashed wildly without knowing who was who. Even watching from the side, it was impossible to know who was enemy and ally.

Even skilled martial artists were equally flustered. Not knowing who the enemy was, swords flew from front and back.

“Stop! Stop it!”

“Aaaagh!”

The enemy wasn’t only among the martial artists. Martial artists blocked the direction Yeong-gwi and Son Bi were fleeing too. Yeong-gwi and Son Bi fought to protect the young martial artists and open a path.

Clang clang clash! Clang!

Amid flying blood and vibrating scent of blood, Baek Li-jung drew out Heavenly Vermilion Sword.

Namgung Rak shouted in fury.

“What are you doing to innocent people! If I’m an obstacle to the Righteous Alliance, you should target only me!”

“Obstacle?”

Baek Li-jung’s expression became subtle. As if smiling, as if not.

“Now that I think about it, that was also true. Sword King is an obstacle. Right. You were an obstacle. Then this works out even better.”

Baek Li-jung’s tone was strange, making Namgung Rak frown more.

“You bastard! What exactly are you trying to do!”

“This is all Sword King’s fault for pressing me. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been any need to kill them all.”

“What do they have to do with me!”

Baek Li-jung looked at Namgung Rak and drew up his internal energy. The eye emitting dark energy glinted eerily.

“They’ll see what they shouldn’t see. That’s their reason to die.”

Grrrrr, grrrk.

A sound like a beast howling. Or a sound like thunder rumbling in a frowning sky. Two energies, auspicious and ominous, whirled wildly around Baek Li-jung’s entire body.

The swirling energy connected to Heavenly Vermilion Sword. Energy gathered like a flower bud at the tip of Heavenly Vermilion Sword, then burst out explosively.

The ground scratched by sword energy rustled and raised dust.

“I clearly said the senior’s first statement was wrong and the second was right.”

Namgung Rak said two things to Baek Li-jung.

He said someone of Baek Li-jung’s level couldn’t harm Northern Li Sword Immortal, and also that Baek Li-jung wouldn’t come here without any benefit. Saying the first statement was wrong means Baek Li-jung did harm Northern Li Sword Immortal, and there’s benefit in remaining here!

Killing intent appeared at the corners of Baek Li-jung’s mouth.

“One wasn’t enough to satisfy. Thinking about it, there are three prey, so why should I be satisfied with just one?”

For Namgung Rak, Baek Li-jung’s attitude was so brazen it was absurd.

“This arrogant bastard…! You don’t know your place and spout nonsense!”

Even falling into a trap, Sword King Namgung Rak of the world wouldn’t be intimidated.

The Namgung Family disciples lined up long to protect Namgung Rak’s back, and Namgung Rak slowly drew his sword and came forward.

“I’ll cut the tendons in your limbs and then ask what you’re plotting.”

When Namgung Rak seriously angered and emitted killing intent, tremendous energy extended. Namgung Rak’s sleeves and robe fluttered as if blown by strong wind.

Namgung Rak stepped toward Baek Li-jung.

Crunch, crunch. Small stones crushed and broke into powder at each step. The shattered powder floated upward in reverse.

However, Jin Ja-gang blocked Namgung Rak’s front once more.

Namgung Rak glared at Jin Ja-gang and said.

“Stand aside.”

Jin Ja-gang raised his hand to completely stop Namgung Rak.

“Unbreakable Heavenly Sword’s objective is clear. There’s no reason to fall into his trap.”

“Do you think someone like Unbreakable Heavenly Sword could do anything to me?”

“Unbreakable Heavenly Sword already killed Northern Li Sword Immortal.”

Strength entered Namgung Rak’s eyes.

Jin Ja-gang’s words weren’t wrong. Looking at the energy felt, he couldn’t guarantee Baek Li-jung was already below him. Baek Li-jung had already become strong enough to contend with him.

Namgung Rak barely suppressed his fury at Jin Ja-gang’s words.

“What should I do?”

“Don’t fight Unbreakable Heavenly Sword and open an escape route. The people here won’t be the end. If we can’t open a path, many will suffer.”

Baek Li-jung acknowledged Jin Ja-gang’s words.

“As Jin Family said. Do you think I don’t know why you deliberately came to Yuelu Mountain in the south, avoiding the north of Huguang?”

In the north of Huguang are Wudang Sect and Zhuge Family. Wudang Sect produced Taoist Haewol, and Zhuge Family sides with the Righteous Alliance. Either way could affect the duel.

Thus Mount Hua Sect and Namgung Family came down to the most neutral southern Yuelu Mountain.

Baek Li-jung said.

“But thanks to that, things became easier.”

Pweeet, pweet!

Whistle and horn sounds were heard, and red smoke rose among the martial artists.

Human shadows started popping up on the ridges surrounding the river. Their number was by no means small. At a glance, over a thousand.

Seeing them appear at the signal, they must be people Baek Li-jung prepared!

Namgung Rak grimaced.

“You’ve completely lost your mind! There are hundreds here and hundreds more still at Yuelu Mountain’s summit. Yet you intend to kill them all!”

“It could have ended quietly, but didn’t I say it became like this because Sword King senior pressed me too hard? And don’t worry too much about the numbers.”

Baek Li-jung laughed heartily.

“Half of those people senior mentioned are the Righteous Alliance.”

Namgung Rak’s eyebrows shot up. His eyes trembled from fury reaching its peak.

“This won’t do. Poison Dragon, I understand your intention, but stand aside. I was planning to kill some Mount Hua Sect priests anyway, so whether Northern Li Sword Immortal is dead or not doesn’t matter. However, that bastard must die.”

“Well thought.”

Baek Li-jung smiled while simultaneously flowing auspicious light and gloomy dark energy.

“Let me personally gauge how much stronger you are than Northern Li Sword Immortal.”