Chapter 977: There's No Way Not To Believe It (Part 2)

It was truly a spectacular sight. Fragments of black and red energy exploded in all directions, creating an explosion that seemed as though a gigantic red and black flower were blooming in the sky. The spectacle went beyond splendor and was almost sublime.

But it was also incredibly dangerous.

"Blood, take cover!"

"Aaaaah!"

The exploding energy covered Plum Blossom Island at a speed that left no time to react. Each piece, sharp as a famous sword, rained down like a storm of sword energy fragments.

The pirates were pierced by the sword energy, and with their individual levels not being very high, there was no way for them to avoid the overwhelming power raining down upon them.

"Aaaaah!"

"My arm! My stoma-a-ach!"

The pirates who were pierced here and there cried out in agony, writhing in pain.

However, on the opposite side, near the Mount Hua Sect, the situation was completely different.

"Protect Namgung!"

"Yes!"

At Hyun Jong's command, the Mount Hua Sect's swordsmen leaped into the air and deflected the sword energy that surged towards them. In the process, the plum blossoms they produced dyed one side of the island red.

"Uhm!"

Tang Gunak also aimed his sword at the sky to fend off the sword energy. [he has a sword!?] Then he watched closely at the Mount Hua Sect's swordsmen who were guarding them.

The Tang Family's martial arts were known for its straightforward and decisive style. They excelled at attacking enemies, but their short-lasting hidden weapons as a martial arts characteristic made them particularly vulnerable.

The Mount Hua Sect was aware of this vulnerability and took it upon themselves to protect not only Namgung but also the Tang Family sect members.

It felt strange.

Could it be that the same sect that they had defended several years ago had now come to their aid? 

Tang Gunak's gaze moved beyond the Mount Hua Sect's swordsmen to the two figures who were facing each other once again amidst the exploding energy.

The collision between the sword and the scimitar was visible, as they both carried their strength and fiercely collided with each other.

Kwaaaah!

Each collision produced a deafening noise that made the ears ring, and then dropped, only to collide fiercely again.

Kagagagagak!

The swords and the scimitar, clashing forcefully against each other, were sent flying apart in a split second.

"Taaaaaaah!"

The Black Dragon King's Cloudless Moon Blade [finally figured out "Unwodol" was the name for his sword, not "scimitar"] cut through the air. The dark blue sword energy extended straight toward Chung Myung.

It was an honest, straightforward strike with no tricks, and it was swift, which only added to its tremendous destructive power.

Parararak!

Chung Myung's sword's tip began to tremble as if it had gone mad. The incessantly spewing plum blossoms pushed the dark blue blade aside.

Kwaaaaang!

The blade struck the ground, sending sand shooting into the air like a fountain. If someone were to see the deep scars left on the ground at that moment, they would never believe they were created by the blade.

But there was no sign of satisfaction on the face of the Black Dragon King, who had left these unbelievable marks.

"Wooooooooo!"

The Black Dragon King let out a lion's roar and swung his blade. Over a dozen blades he launched flew at Chung Myung as if to engulf him.

Each of them had the power to crush a large wooden boat, but the Black Dragon King dispatched them effortlessly, as if breathing.

Indeed, it was astonishing that he had become the leader of Yangtze River 18 Fortresses, a massive sect, with his martial art skills alone.

The end of one of the blades reached the edge of the plum blossom explosion. The blade extended sharply towards Chung Myung.

Pwat!

Even after witnessing the impending collision, Chung Myung didn't retreat. Instead, he jumped towards the flying blad.

Just as the dark blue blade was about to cover him, Chung Myung vanished as if he had evaporated on the spot.

No, he didn't disappear.

Chung Myung, in his lowered stance, dove beneath the blade. As the blade was stabbed into the ground and bounced back, he kicked off the ground, flying at a speed even faster than before, almost skimming the ground.

Sweaaak!

The blade passed right over Chung Myung's head. Strands of hair scattered in all directions. If he had been just a bit slower, his entire head would have been chopped off, but Chung Myung, running forward, showed not a hint of hesitation.

In his two eyes, like a swallow gliding over the water, an elegant aura flowed.

The Black Dragon King, seizing the opportunity, also rushed forward in a single breath. At the same time, he swung his blade powerfully to strike down Chung Myung.

The power of the Cloudless Moon Blade seemed capable of turning everything in its path into dust. But at that moment, Chung Myung's eyes emitted a brilliant blue light.

"Paaaah!"

He struck the ground but rather than lowering himself, he soared towards the descending blade. Placing one hand on the sword's face, he pushed it, blocking the blade with his sword's face.

The Black Dragon King's eyes exploded with fierce intent when he saw this.

'You son of a bitch!'

He squeezed his internal energy and pushed it into the blade. With the blade that had been blocked, he pressed down with all his might, ready to cut Chung Myung in two.

Kwaaaaang!

In the Black Dragon King's eyes, it was clear that the sword that blocked the blade was bending as if it would snap at any moment. Blood sprayed from Chung Myung's palm pressed against the sword face, and his wrist that held the sword twisted.

His waist bent as if it would snap, and from his trembling lips, blood sprayed into the air.

It was an incident that occurred in a split second.

But Chung Myung had not yet expended all his power. Even with this pressure, he intended to push aside the Black Dragon King.

"Die!"

The Black Dragon King increased his internal energy further to exact revenge on Chung Myung.

Kwaddduk!

Chung Myung's knee, which had used the rebound from his bent body, was ruthlessly embedded into the Black Dragon King's wrist, which held the Cloudless Moon Blade. 

"Kkuk...."

A suppressed groan broke through the Black Dragon King's lips. Like a dam, his energy was channeled into his knee that stabbed into the Black Dragon King's wrist.

Ckack! Ckack! Ckack!

One after the other, the flying knee relentlessly struck the wrist that had already been half severed, exposing the bones.

"Kkhaat!"

The Black Dragon King finally let out a painful cry and leaped backward.

But the opponent he faced was a ruthless Chung Myung who would never let the enemy go.

Swish!

Chung Myung's sword began to spin and, taking advantage of the retreating Black Dragon King, he pulled the Black Dragon King's blade towards him. Chung Myung rushed in with the recoil and spun his body, exposing his blood-soaked teeth.

"Paaaah!"

The short-range sword energy spewed out and cut through the Black Dragon King's ankle to the bone. Before he could even groan from the pain radiating from his foot, the sword flew once again and extended upward from beneath his armpit, rushing toward his face.

"Saaaah!"

Sharp as it was, the sword that flew through his face carved from his chin to his eyes.

One side of the Black Dragon King's vision was instantly stained crimson.

"Huuaaaack!"

Whether it was a battle cry or a scream, it was impossible to tell. The Black Dragon King swung his blade down with a menacing force.

At that moment, five plum blossoms bloomed right in front of the Cloudless Moon Blade.

Kwaddduk!

Although the formidable blade mercilessly crushed the seemingly insignificant plum blossoms, the brief gap created in the process allowed Chung Myung to slip by.

Seuguk!

The sensation of his knees be sliced across spread eerily.

The Black Dragon King somehow regained his balance from his staggering body and turned, revealing his back to Chung Myung, pouring all his power into his blade.

"This dog!"

Kwaahahahaah!

The explosive sword energy rushed toward Chung Myung's back like a turbulent river. The tremendous power that anyone who had mastered martial arts would be amazed by. But at that moment, Chung Myung turned his body and raised his sword.

"Taaaah!"

A powerful downward strike continued from the upper body.

At the moment when a distinct red line was drawn in the empty space where nothing existed, the torrent of the blade broke apart like a towering millennium-old pillar on the coast.

From the downward edge of Chung Myung's sword, plum blossoms sprouted. And then, holding the crimson Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword, they twisted and rose.

At that moment, the Black Dragon King witnessed it.

A river of plum blossoms, rising above the bladelike waves, pouring down towards him like a waterfall.

The Plum Blossom Sword Formation. A river of plum blossoms!

Kwaaaaah!

The overflowing river covered him, pushed him, and carried him away, while Chung Myung's sword slashed and carved his way through.

The river of red flower petals rushed towards the Black Dragon King explosively, like a downpour hitting a valley. 

"Innnnnnnnnnn!"

The Black Dragon King bit his lips hard. A sound rang inside his ears and spread as blood spurted from his torn lips, but he felt no pain.

With bloodshot eyes, he summoned all the remaining power he had within him.

Kwong!

Stepping forward, he swung his sword like a storm, shattering the torrent of plum blossoms as they collided with his blade, breaking them, and sending them bouncing into the air.

"Uwooooo!"

Kwaang!

The Black Dragon King took another step.

The whirling black storm broke through the red river and advanced toward Chung Myung.

"Hyaaaack!"

He squeezed out every bit of strength he had.

Having lived his entire life in the world of combat, the Black Dragon King had an instinctive feeling at that moment. Whoever lost this battle would die. A clash of strength and inner power. He would never be defeated.

His vision had long been obscured.

This river of petals and the storm of his blade had entirely engulfed his sight. Moreover, he could only see out of one eye, so he couldn't hope to see beyond this clash of power.

But he didn't need to. His opponent was at the end of this river of petals. His victory would come when he took that final step and slashed the neck!

Puuwooooosh!

Blood spurted from the Black Dragon King's mouth and nose. The power he had gathered with all his might surged explosively through his body, resting at the tip of his blade.

"Iyaaah!"

The Black Dragon King's blade accelerated. Faster, stronger! His dao became a storm that would devour everything, literally bursting through the cascading plum blossom energy.

"More!"

Just a bit more!

His mind was gradually emptying. Despite the excruciating pain caused by the sharp edge of the sword, the Black Dragon King firmly took the next step, pushing forward.

And then, at that moment, the momentum of the cascading plum blossom energy weakened.

"Now!"

The Black Dragon King squeezed out every ounce of his strength and rushed forward. Or rather, he tried to rush forward.

"Paaah!"

That's when Chung Myung sprang up from within the river of plum blossoms.

If he were the usual Black Dragon King, he would never have missed this sneak attack. However, for the first time, he was forced to fight with just one eye, and he realized the presence of Chung Myung a little later than usual.

"It's useless!"

The Black Dragon King swung his blade with all his might. It was okay to be a little late! When his sword pierced the guys body, his blade would cut the guy's waist in half... 

But then,

"Paaah!"

All the muscles on the sole of his foot were severed.

The top of the foot that Chung Myung had cut off a moment ago was unable to withstand the power of the Black Dragon King, which was so fierce.

His body, which had been swinging his blade fiercely, staggered for a moment.

And then!

Kaaah!

Chung Myung's sword, swung with all his might, struck the Black Dragon King's blade. And at that moment, the Black Dragon King clearly understood. His wrist, which had resisted and resisted, was broken with a chilling sound. 

'You?'

A missing eye.

A severed foot.

A wrist that had been persistently targeted.

Chung Myung, taking advantage of the shock from the collision with the blade, was running forward.

At the moment he met the Black Dragon King's cold eyes, the Black Dragon King realized.

'Aiming for this since the beginning...?'

Paaah!

A rainbow that seemed to cut through everything in the world poured toward the Black Dragon King's neck.