The air trembled with the force of the tyrannical sword strike.

A massive blade swept in a wide arc, unleashing a series of crescent-shaped energy waves. The ground split open under the assault, threatening to cleave through Dokgo Yul as well.

Boom!

Cracks formed around Dokgo Yul’s right foot as he stood his ground against Jo Ho-beop’s ferocious attack. He advanced, tilting his sword, the Guiyeong Sword, forward.

Jo Ho-beop’s violent energy pressed down on Dokgo Yul, but he countered by releasing his own energy, neutralizing the pressure.

The energies of the two masters clashed fiercely in the air. The fiery energy of Dokgo’s technique began to push back Jo Ho-beop’s force.

‘Nothing compared to my master.’

Dokgo Yul had faced countless life-and-death duels disguised as sparring matches with Mu Hui before stepping onto today’s battlefield.

Thanks to that, even in his first real duel with a transcendent master, Dokgo Yul showed no signs of hesitation.

He unleashed his full potential.

A bold step forward.

A deep, steady breath unlike any before.

A powerful strike that cut through the air without resistance.

Thunk!

A diagonal slash from below, part of the Dokgo Sword Technique. The weight and force of his entire body were channeled into the strike without waste.

The attack aimed at slicing through his abdomen was easily deflected.

Jo Ho-beop clenched his jaw as pain shot from his wrist to his shoulder, just as the Guiyeong Sword, which had soared high, suddenly descended toward his shoulder.

The overlapping energy of Dokgo’s technique made the blade of the Guiyeong Sword glow a vivid blue.

‘What a brute of a sword technique.’

Sensing the threat from the terrifying power emanating from the Guiyeong Sword, Jo Ho-beop twisted his wrist, redirecting the massive blade he had intended to meet head-on.

Crash!

The Guiyeong Sword veered to the side, gouging a deep scar into the ground, deep enough to fit an arm.

Dokgo Yul planted the Guiyeong Sword into the ground and used it as a pivot to launch himself into the air.

Seeing Dokgo Yul’s feet flying toward his chest, Jo Ho-beop braced himself.

“Hup!”

Dokgo Yul, pushed back by the force, steadied his breath and tightened his grip. Using the recoil, the Guiyeong Sword, embedded in the ground, shot upward.

Dokgo Yul twisted his forearm and wrist inward, directing the rising Guiyeong Sword toward Jo Ho-beop’s chest.

Jo Ho-beop, startled, swung his massive blade with an irritated expression, deflecting the Guiyeong Sword.

Ignoring the wound opening on his collarbone, Jo Ho-beop thrust his blade forward.

Dokgo Yul quickly retreated, but blood spurted from his forearm.

“You move with such unnecessary flair.”

At Jo Ho-beop’s muttering, Dokgo Yul grinned.

His unpredictable movements, utilizing the massive blade’s weight and size, were a result of the Dokgo Body Technique.

As he exchanged blows with Jo Ho-beop, Dokgo Yul confirmed that his tactics were effective.

‘Not an easy opponent, but not unbeatable.’

Dokgo Yul pressed a pressure point to stop the bleeding and pushed his internal energy to its peak.

The newly refined internal energy of the Dokgo Technique, improved by Mu Hui, surged through Dokgo Yul’s body, invigorating him.

Staring into Jo Ho-beop’s eyes, filled with murderous intent, Dokgo Yul stepped forward, sweeping the Guiyeong Sword down.

A cascade of black moonlight poured down before him. Jo Ho-beop’s blade unleashed the Crescent Moon Demon Blade.

Countless arcs were drawn in the air.

Some formed complete circles, others half-moons, and some were shorter, curved lines.

Each line seemed to depict every phase of the moon as it changed in the sky.

“Haaah!”

Even as the black moonlight filled his vision, Dokgo Yul did not stop advancing.

For those who mastered the Dokgo martial arts, retreat was not an option.

He shattered the crescent and half-moon shaped energy waves with his entire body. The shattered fragments scattered in the air, leaving wounds on Dokgo Yul’s body.

Yet, the blade of the Guiyeong Sword shone even more intensely, emitting a deep blue light. That blue light pushed back the darkness created by the massive blade.

“Foolish!”

Jo Ho-beop watched as Dokgo Yul, seemingly reckless, hurled himself into the gaps of the Crescent Moon Demon Blade, and swung his massive blade mercilessly.

A straight line, different from the countless arcs that had filled the air, sliced through.

The many moons hanging in the air were cut down.

Moonfall Slash.

Along with the moon, Dokgo Yul’s body was torn. Three lines slashed across his chest, but even as he spat blood, he did not stop.

He stepped forward, crushing the blood droplets that fell from his body underfoot.

‘I read the pattern and neutralized it. It’s not a fatal wound.’

Despite the burning pain in his chest, Dokgo Yul pressed on. Clenching his teeth, he gripped the Guiyeong Sword firmly.

The overlapping energy of the Guiyeong Sword surged forward, shattering the encroaching black moonlight.

The Dokgo Sword Technique pierced through the Crescent Moon Demon Blade’s continuous strikes. A brilliant blue line of sword energy burst forth.

Splat!

Seeing the blood spurting from his side, Jo Ho-beop’s eyes turned red.

Despite the visible wounds numbering more than three or four, Dokgo Yul did not retreat, prompting Jo Ho-beop to shout.

“You brat!”

Perhaps provoked by Dokgo Yul’s relentless advance, Jo Ho-beop’s stance shifted.

Shrouded in a black mist-like demonic energy, Jo Ho-beop stepped forward, slashing his massive blade in a crisscross pattern.

The rapid healing of wounds through the Demonic Night Recovery Technique.

The chaotic and explosive techniques of the Crescent Moon Demon Blade.

Having mastered these two demonic arts, Jo Ho-beop had no reason to back down from a direct confrontation.

The two masters simultaneously charged, brandishing their weapons at each other.

Clang!

The Guiyeong Sword and the massive blade clashed repeatedly, producing a heavy metallic sound like a giant hammer striking.

As the Guiyeong Sword and the massive blade crossed, blood spurted from both men’s bodies. Yet, Jo Ho-beop wore a smile filled with murderous intent.

‘The exchange is fairly even, but…’

Dokgo Yul and Jo Ho-beop were accumulating similar injuries. However, while Dokgo Yul’s wounds remained, Jo Ho-beop’s were healing rapidly through the Demonic Night Recovery Technique.

“Daring to challenge me head-on!”

“Who do you think you are!”

Spraying blood, Dokgo Yul advanced once more.

Jo Ho-beop, extending his massive blade, flinched.

Dokgo Yul was surely aware of the disadvantageous situation.

‘But why does he have such eyes?’

Dokgo Yul’s eyes, bloodshot and red, showed no sign of defeat.

Instead, they burned fiercely, and his steps forward were unwavering.

Boom!

Jo Ho-beop’s eyes narrowed as he barely blocked the vertically descending Guiyeong Sword. A fine crack had appeared on his massive blade.

In contrast, Dokgo Yul’s Guiyeong Sword remained intact, its blue energy shining brightly.

‘It’s time to end this.’

Though the Demonic Night Recovery Technique was healing his wounds, it wasn’t all-powerful. The consumption of internal energy was significant, and his reserves were running low.

Jo Ho-beop’s massive blade was enveloped in a thick energy.

A black energy scattered in the air, drawing a large circle.

Full Moon Starry Night.

Facing Jo Ho-beop’s ultimate technique, Dokgo Yul felt his vision darken as if night had fallen.

Whether it was due to the overwhelming black energy or the blood he had lost, he couldn’t tell. But Dokgo Yul was smiling.

‘Now. This is it.’

He had waited for Jo Ho-beop to unleash his ultimate technique.

Until now, he had advanced with the Dokgo Sword Technique, creating the impression that Jo Ho-beop was being pushed.

The technique he was about to use was one he had only partially learned.

It couldn’t be shown multiple times.

It was meant to be the decisive move to end the battle.

‘Master.’

Recalling his master teaching him the new technique, Dokgo Yul moved the Guiyeong Sword.

He slightly bent his knees and leaned his upper body forward. The path of the Guiyeong Sword, extending with him, was similar yet different from the Dokgo Sword Technique.

Defying the laws of the world, the new trajectory of Dokgo’s technique aimed at the descending black full moon.

The sword path, shooting out like a meteor, split and tore through the Full Moon Starry Night technique.

As the Guiyeong Sword advanced, dismantling the ultimate technique of the Crescent Moon Demon Blade, Jo Ho-beop’s eyes widened.

“What the—!”

Jo Ho-beop hastily extended his massive blade, but the Guiyeong Sword, bursting with overlapping energy, was already descending with radiant light.

“Blade Breaker.”

Clang!

As the massive blade shattered into three pieces, Jo Ho-beop’s chest was split open.

Jo Ho-beop quickly thrust his palm, but Dokgo Yul flipped the Guiyeong Sword, using the Blade Breaker technique to sever Jo Ho-beop’s left arm.

Recognizing the Blade Breaker technique, Jo Ho-beop’s eyes widened.

It was the same technique that had severed his fingers during the Black Night Palace’s opening ceremony.

“How do you know that technique? Who are you?”

Lowering the Guiyeong Sword, Dokgo Yul stopped for the first time since the life-and-death duel began.

Blood dripped steadily onto the ground, pooling beneath him. His entire body was drenched in it, and it was a wonder he was still standing, given the severity of his wounds.

Yet, Dokgo Yul’s gaze remained unwavering as he stared at Jwa Hobup.

“Hmm.”

Dokgo Yul had intended to introduce himself by his moniker, Arang Sword, but he paused. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke again.

“Dokgo… Dokgo Sword Demon.”

“Sword Demon?”

Jwa Hobup echoed the name, and in that instant, Dokgo Yul’s sword, the Ghost Blade, sliced through the air towards Jwa Hobup’s neck. As Jwa Hobup’s head flew into the air, Dokgo Yul closed his eyes.

The blood streaming down his face stung his eyes.

‘Master, I hope I’ve proven myself worthy now.’

Having reached the pinnacle his master once achieved, Dokgo Yul could finally call himself the Sword Demon with confidence.

He was ready to carry his master’s legacy with pride.

As the sole disciple of the Dokgo martial lineage.

* * *

While Dokgo Yul severed Jwa Hobup’s head, fierce battles raged on other fronts between the Martial Alliance and the Black Night Palace.

Miya, Gwaya, Manya, Jinya.

“Brave warriors, how about joining this young lady in the night dew?”

A thick, pink aura spread across the battlefield. Those who inhaled it felt their hearts race, instincts overpowering reason.

“Hmm!”

The blades of the martial artists targeting the demons grew dull.

“Come play with us!”

The seductive laughter of Miya’s women echoed, drawing the martial artists’ attention.

Some of them began to falter, their eyelids drooping as if in a trance.

“Damn it, why am I getting sleepy now?”

“Shake off the drowsiness!”

“Focus your inner strength and clear your mind!”

Miya’s Dream Demon Art.

Dream Soul Sound Art.

The demons of Miya wielded these arts simultaneously, casting a wide net of influence over the martial artists of the Martial Alliance.

As a result, the number of martial artists falling in battle was rapidly increasing.

“Amitabha!”

A powerful, resonant chant burst forth from the mouths of the Eighteen Arhats. The sacred energy spread across the battlefield, snapping the martial artists out of their stupor.

“We’ll handle this.”

The monks of Shaolin, led by the Eighteen Arhats, charged towards the Miya demons, clearing a path. Meanwhile, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen cut down demons as they advanced.

“There it is!”

Hyunbaek shouted, pointing to an arm wielding a sword that had risen into the air.

It was the arm of the leader of the Changcheon Ten Warriors from the Namgung family.

Clang!

Muhwa deflected a demon’s sword aimed at finishing off the leader, while Mucheol leaped up, driving his sword into the ground to block further demon reinforcements.

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen quickly moved to shield the faltering Changcheon Ten Warriors.

“This can’t be.”

“How could the Changcheon Ten Warriors fall like this?”

Seven of the Changcheon Ten Warriors had already fallen, while only two of their opponents lay defeated.

“We’ll take it from here.”

At Hyunbaek’s words, the leader of the Changcheon Ten Warriors nodded, clutching his arm.

“Be careful. They’re no ordinary foes.”

As the Changcheon Ten Warriors retreated and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen took their place, the swordsmen who had nearly annihilated the Changcheon Ten Warriors turned their attention to the newcomers.

“Plum Blossom Swordsmen.”

“Who are you?”

“We are the Eighteen Swords of the Night Palace.”

Hyunbaek raised his sword at the mention of the Night Palace’s Eighteen Swords, a name he hadn’t heard before, but knowing they were from Jinya was enough to warrant caution.

‘The Night Palace is known for producing fewer, but elite warriors among the Six Nights of the Black Night Palace.’

The leader of the Eighteen Swords smirked at Hyunbaek’s wary gaze.

“I hear the Sword Saint has invested much in training you Plum Blossom Swordsmen. If we tear you apart, it will be a grand gift for the Sword Saint.”

Hyunbaek responded with a cold smile.

“Formation.”

In an instant, the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Formation unfolded, and the Eighteen Swords launched themselves at it.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Master.”

At the forefront of the formation, Hyunbaek and Mujin began to unleash a flurry of plum blossoms.