Chapter 25 : Jaseung, Reveals Himself

Chapter 25: Jaseung, Reveals Himself

Lee Jaseung didn’t dodge Wang Ho’s most powerful strike. Instead, he blocked it with his Asura.

Wang Ho internally rejoiced.

‘I won!’

This attack was the most powerful among all his techniques. It was a strike meant to crush, and an impact like that would cause either the dagger to shatter, or the opponent’s arm.

Claaang!

A sharp sound exploded from their clash.

“Woaaah!”

Cries of astonishment erupted from the crowd.

Wang Ho stared at the ground with his eyes wide. There, his broken sword lay in pieces. His gaze went back to Lee Jaseung, standing across from him.

The Asura in his hand was perfectly intact.

“H-How did this happen…?”

His voice trembled violently.

He couldn’t comprehend how his blade had been broken by such a small dagger.

After noticing Wang Ho completely losing his fighting spirit, the judge shouted.

“Victory goes to Seop Mu-pyeong of the Flying Dagger Sect!”

Only then, did the crowd erupt in thunderous cheers.

Wang Ho’s hand gripping the broken hilt, shook uncontrollably.

How pathetic must one’s martial arts be for a mere dagger to shatter a sword at that size?

Wang Ho couldn’t bear the thought of the crowd having such a thought.

The next moment, he shouted in a burst of fury.

“That dagger, it’s no ordinary dagger!”

He concluded that it was impossible for his Qi infused sword to be shattered by an ordinary dagger.

Because his wounded pride clouded his judgment, he failed to recognize that his opponent was simply strong enough to break it regardless.

He should’ve realized it from the beginning. His sword had shattered, yet his arm remained unscathed. That alone proved his opponent’s mastery was on an entirely different level.

Because Lee Jaseung didn’t say anything, others watching started to whisper among themselves.

“So that dagger must be a legendary weapon.”

“No wonder he reached the finals with just a dagger.”

Lee Jaseung made a faint smile on his face as he descended from the stage. This was the reaction he had anticipated.

It was all part of his plan to conceal his true skill. No matter how lucky one might be, no one could defeat the Divine Sword of Anhui with sheer luck. So he made it seem like he used a special weapon to win.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother.”

Dan Woobin greeted him warmly. He was admiring him on the inside. The strategy of using the Asura was especially effective because Wang Ho was using a greatsword.

Once again, Lee Jaseung showcased his brilliant quick thinking.

‘Truly remarkable, my Lord.’

Dan Woobin felt an overwhelming urge to brag about him to everyone.

Just then, a middle-aged man approached.

He was one of the upcoming fighters, Gu Yucheon.

With a kind smile, he gave a polite greeting, gathering his fists.

“It seems that I’ll face you next if I win.”

Lee Jaseung returned the gesture.

“I wish you the best of luck.”

Gu Yucheon stepped onto the stage. As Lee Jaseung watched him, he spoke quietly to Dan Woobin.

“Look into that man.”

Dan Woobin’s eyes sharpened. Lee Jaseung must have given him such an order because he felt something suspicious about that man.

“Understood.”

As Lee Jaseung walked away, he added.

“No need to wait for the result. He’ll win for sure.”

He was certain despite not having seen Gu Yucheon’s opponent which only made his words more ominous.

As Lee Jaseung said, he won his match.

Four hours later, Dan Woobin came to the same conclusion as Lee Jaseung.

“He’s definitely suspicious.”

Dan Woobin spoke with certainty after looking into Gu Yucheon.

“What did you find?”

Lee Jaseung asked, and Dan Woobin responded.

“There’s nothing suspicious I can find about him. That’s exactly why he’s suspicious.”

Mujin, who was listening nearby, spoke with a chuckle.

“What kind of twisted logic is that?”

“If our Lord found him suspicious, then surely there’d be something off about him, right? But he’s perfectly normal. As if…”

Lee Jaseung quickly finished the sentence for him.

“He’s like us?”

Dan Woobin nodded.

“Yes, just like us.”

His institution of a strategist was kicking in. Just as a martial artist can sense something from an opponent’s Qi, a strategist can perceive certain things from incoming reports or unfolding events.

It was now, where he felt that something was off.

“To fabricate an identity so perfectly in that short amount of time? There’s only one organization besides us that’s capable of that.”

Lee Jaseung spoke with a sharp gaze.

“Demonic Cult.”

Dan Woobin seemed to agree and asked quickly.

“Did you sense any Demonic Qi from him?”

Lee Jaseung shook his head as he felt none.

However, he felt something instinctively as Gu Yucheon passed by him. It was the primal instinct he felt when facing truly dangerous foes.

Then, Dan Woobin spoke with certainty.

“That confirms he’s with the Demonic Cult.”

Funnily enough, he concluded that he was from the Demonic Cult after hearing that Lee Jaseung felt no such Qi from that man.

It was because they had likely sent someone who was able to suppress their Demonic Qi perfectly. He would’ve done the same thing if he was their chief strategist.

“Is there perhaps a medicine that suppresses one’s Demonic Qi completely?”

Dan Woobin replied to Lee Jaseung’s question.

“There is, but I heard the side effects are severe.”

“Any technique that does the same thing?”

“It’s said that the Phantom Demon, one of the eighteen Elders, had mastered the technique to completely hide Demonic Qi.”

“So it’s likely him or his disciple.”

“Most likely. Considering the importance of this event, it’s likely that the Phantom Demon came here himself.”

“Phantom Demon huh…”

Lee Jaseung’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“If it’s really him, then I’ll have to kill him outside of the arena.”

If he defeats the Phantom Demon in public, then the Demonic Cult would launch a full investigation on him. No one would believe a fallen sect’s disciple could win against the Phantom Demon. And of course, they’d seek revenge as well.

There wasn’t much time to work with. The match against him was in two days.

“How about we ambush him tonight and eliminate him?”

Dan Woobin shook his head after hearing Mujin’s suggestion.

“No! Then our Lord will be suspected.”

Then, Lee Jaseung’s eyes glinted.

“That’s a good idea.”

Dan Woobin asked in shock.

“Huh? Are you really going to kill him?”

“Yes.”
“But didn’t you hear what I just said? You’ll be suspected. The Demonic Cult will come after you like a pack of dogs.”

“We’ll throw the bone somewhere else.”

Dan Woobin instantly understood what he meant and his eyes lit up.

“Who do you plan to frame?”

“Someone who entered this tournament, and someone who’s capable of doing such a thing… and…”

Lee Jaseung added with a smile.

“...Someone desperate to restore his shattered honor.”

* * *

Crash!

Hae Ryang once again flipped the table. He hadn’t eaten a thing ever since he was disqualified. His anger was reaching his limit.

He screamed for Ham Muhong to be fired, only to be harshly scolded by his father, Hae Cheon-in.

Hae Cheon-in didn’t listen to his son’s request. He believed that Ham Muhong’s actions were an act of loyalty.

He sacrificed himself to prevent Hae Ryang from reaching the finals. Though Hae Ryang was humiliated, Ham Muhong was criticized the most in the end.

“How can I show my face now? How!?”

Hae Ryang roared. Ham Muhung standing outside in the hallway didn’t give a single response. He was standing far away as Hae Ryang didn’t let him come close.

Ultimately, Hae Ryang was crushed that he lost his chance to marry Baek Seolyoung. Of course, his skill wasn’t enough to win in the tournament, but he still had hope.

Just then, a small stone flew in from the window. Hae Ryang bent down and picked it up. The rock was wrapped with a paper note.

His eyes glinted sharply as he read the content inside.

* * *

At the same time, Gu Yucheon entered an abandoned temple deep in the mountains. A ruined tower stood desolate in the night wind.

He too had received a secret message. It was a letter sent by none other than Hae Ryang. It said he had urgent matters to discuss regarding Baek Seolyoung and asked to meet here.

Everyone heard the rumors. Hae Ryang fought over Baek Seolyoung and had been disqualified after his bodyguard interfered.

Given that, anyone would find it difficult to refuse such a request.

Gu Yucheon was no different. He was curious about what Hae Ryang would say to him.

However, it wasn’t Hae Ryang who appeared at the promised meeting place, but Lee Jaseung instead. It was him who sent the letter to begin with.

“You are…?”

Gu Yucheon gave a confused look.

“Did you also receive a secret letter?”

Lee Jaseung shook his head, and suspicion filled Gu Yucheon’s eyes.

“Then it was you who summoned me here?”

“Indeed.”

“Then you should’ve come to me directly, why impersonate someone else to call me here?”

“Impersonate? You’re a professional at that, aren’t you?”

Gu Yucheon’s expression stiffened.

“What are you implying? I won’t tolerate further insults!”

“It’s fine, you were patient for an Elder of the Demonic Cult.”

Gu Yucheon flinched.

“Elder of the Demonic Cult? What are you talking about?”

“Stop playing dumb, Phantom Demon.”

Gu Yucheon became shocked once again, after hearing that name.

“Phantom Demon? Are you perhaps saying that I am the Phantom Demon of the Demonic Cult?”

He looked genuinely baffled. His reaction seemed so natural that Lee Jaseung almost began to think that he was accusing an innocent man.

“It seems like you are greatly mistaken… but- “

Lee Jaseung cut him off.

“I am the Leader of the Black Way Alliance.”

“...!”

Gu Yucheon reacted stronger than when he was called the Phantom Demon.

Next moment, Lee Jaseung delivered the final blow that would reveal his identity.

“I am also the one who killed the Severing Demon. So no need to act dumb in front of me.”

Gu Yucheon’s face froze for a moment. Rather than an innocent reaction he showed earlier, killing intent poured out from his eyes. It was mixed with Demonic Qi.

He was indeed the Phantom Demon of the Asura Demon Sect.

Lee Jaseung’s gambit had worked. He didn’t think that any other method would work, so he provoked his opponent skillfully by first using his title, then mentioning the Severing Demon.

But this was a very reckless strategy as well. What if he wasn’t the Phantom Demon? Then it would’ve been a mess to deal with.

Even so, he used this strategy as he trusted his and Dan Woobin’s instincts.

The Phantom Demon shouted with his eyes blazing with dark Demonic Qi.

“What did you say to me? You little brat from the Black Way Alliance.”

Lee Jaseung replied with a grin.

“It must've been hard holding back your true nature.”

“You really killed the Severing Demon?”

“Yes, it was me.”
“You damned filth of Unorthodox!”

Lee Jaseung wasn’t aware, but Phantom Demon had been close friends with the Severing Demon. Ultimately, it was a very fortunate thing for Lee Jaseung.

“I’ll tear every bone from your body.”

He poured out an overwhelming amount of killing intent.

Lee Jaseung took a deep breath and faced it. The killing intent that once pressured his body, now served to calm his mind.

The Phantom Demon became serious as Lee Jaseung’s Qi was rising. He noticed that his opponent wasn’t some ordinary foe.

“Ah yes, I heard that a young brat reached the top of a mountain made of trash.”

“I hope you heard the other rumors too.”

As a chilling smile formed on Lee Jaseung’s lips,

Flash!

Lee Jaseung lunged forward like lightning.

Swish!

His Asura sliced through the air.

With an explosive sound in the air, the Phantom Demon disappeared. The Asura cut nothing but empty space.

The Phantom Demon was a master of stealth among the Demonic Cult’s Elders.

But unfortunately for him, Lee Jaseung was more trained than anyone when it came to finding someone hidden.

He drew several daggers from his robe.

Swoosh!

The first dagger cut through the air.

Spurt!

Blood spurted from the air. The dagger stuck to a tree behind.

Swish!

Another dagger flew in. Blood splattered again.

The Phantom Demon revealed himself. He was bleeding from his right shoulder and arm.

He had a very serious expression. Lee Jaseung hadn’t thrown those daggers randomly. Both had hit the same arm which meant that it was thrown after precisely locating him.

His eyes widened.

“How did you know?”

The stealth technique he used was the Black Heaven Erasure, one of the highest-level of the Demonic Arts. But Lee Jaseung perfectly knew where he was at all times.

“Your breathing sounded like thunder you know?”

Of course, Lee Jaseung was exaggerating. In truth, he barely sensed him.

The one who found his presence was Mook Young. After sensing the Phantom Demon’s position, he sent voice transmissions to Lee Jaseung.

The Phantom Demon’s eyes narrowed as he scanned his surroundings to make sure.

“So there was an accomplice hiding!”

With a shout, the Phantom Demon viciously thrust out his left hand.

Shwaaaa!

A tremendous force tore through the spot where Mook Young had been hiding, shredding it apart.

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