Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1940

Clash (3)

KWA-AAAAAAA!

A terrifying power explodes outward.

Intense.

A power that seems to have condensed the sun sweeps away everything in its path.

Nothing that touched that power was left unscathed.

Even seasoned warriors were swept away like fallen leaves.

If there were any warriors here witnessing this power for the first time, they would have no choice but to marvel at the strength a human fist could unleash.

But….

The expression of the person who unleashed that tremendous power was not good.

“What, this…”

Hong Wang’s face hardened. The black-clad figures who had been knocked away by his power were staggering back to their feet.

It was a power that could kill even the most skilled masters with a single blow. Yet, they were getting back up as if it were the most natural thing in the world, despite being flung away like leaves in a storm.

Like zombies.

Seeing this, even the great Hong Wang couldn’t help but feel a chill run down his spine.

This wasn’t just about having a strong constitution.

‘Are they even human?’

They rise.

Crack, crack.

Their shoulders are twisted, their arms are bent and dangling.

What’s even more chilling is that they don’t even seem to care about fixing their dangling shoulders. It’s natural for any human to have an instinct to protect their own body, but the black-clad figures in front of him showed no such instinct.

“Huuuuh…”

From the mouths of those staggering to their feet came groans that were hard to believe were coming from humans.

Half-empty pupils.

Bodies covered in wounds.

They twisted their bodies grotesquely, yet they stubbornly got up and walked again. They looked no different from the zombies seen in movies.

The only difference was that, unlike the zombies whose entire bodies were rotting, these figures clearly had life in their bodies.

Jiangshi [Chinese hopping vampires].

Now he understood what it meant when they were called Jiangshi in the past.

‘Of course, it would be.’

Whether in a world with advanced science or not, this sight touches upon humanity’s primal fears.

Even Hong Wang, who prided himself on having the composure not to be swayed by illusions, felt a sense of dread. It was obvious what those who didn’t have that level of composure would feel.

They were unbelievable monsters.

Monsters that could withstand Hong Wang’s power, moving only to kill their opponents, without fear or dread. Even the most spirited troops would probably scream and run away in less than a minute if they had to face such beings.

“H-Hong Wang, Your Majesty.”

The voices of the flustered elders came from behind him.

“…Calm down.”

Hong Wang muttered lowly.

“They’re just warriors with a bit of a strong constitution. They’re not monsters or ghosts.”

“…Yes.”

Obvious words and an obvious answer.

But both Hong Wang and the elders knew that the situation was not as obvious as it seemed.

He had already unleashed several strikes, but none of them had fallen. Their movements weren’t fast, so they hadn’t taken any damage yet, but if they had been, even Hong Wang would have been in trouble.

‘Did they give up speed in exchange for extreme defense?’

He didn’t know how that was possible, but what mattered now wasn’t the cause, but the phenomenon itself.

Crack, crack.

The twisted bodies of the black-clad figures who had risen were starting to align.

It wasn’t that they were ‘aligning’ themselves, but that they were ‘being aligned.’ They didn’t seem to care, but their bodies were starting to heal themselves.

“Damn…”

Hong Wang frowned, feeling disgusted by the sight.

“Hmm.”

From behind, the Blood King, who had been watching the situation, tilted his head as if displeased.

“Their recovery is slow. Is it because the Buddhist martial arts are incompatible?”

Hong Wang’s gaze turned to the Blood King.

“What… what did you do to them?”

“I didn’t do anything special.”

The Blood King shrugged slightly.

“I just taught them martial arts.”

“…Martial arts? That’s martial arts?”

“Of course.”

The Blood King chuckled softly.

“I heard you claim to be the heir to the martial arts of the Central Plains. That the roots of the Central Plains’ orthodox martial arts are passed down to you?”

“Then you have reason to be proud. But child, that doesn’t mean you’re an expert in all the martial arts in the world. You, who are steeped in deep-rooted Sinocentrism [the belief that China is the center of the world], may find it hard to understand, but the martial arts of the Central Plains originated in Tianzhu, that is, India.”

Hong Wang’s face slightly contorted.

“Nonsense. It’s true that the martial arts of the Central Plains were influenced by the Buddhist martial arts that came from Tianzhu, but it’s not like there were no martial arts in the Central Plains before the Buddhist martial arts were spread from Tianzhu!”

“That’s right. All martial arts start with Xingyiquan [a Chinese martial art characterized by its aggressive, linear movements].”

The corners of the Blood King’s mouth, wrapped in black bandages, twisted strangely.

“But… so, what martial arts are you using as a base right now? Xingyiquan?”

Hong Wang couldn’t answer that question.

It was undeniable that the foundation of his martial arts was Buddhist martial arts, and it was also undeniable that those Buddhist martial arts were greatly influenced by Bodhidharma, who came from Tianzhu.

“The world is vast, and martial arts are endless. The martial arts you know are not everything.”

“It must be sorcery.”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

The Blood King laughed as if amused.

“Sorcery. Yes, it might be sorcery. From your point of view, this is sorcery. But Hong Wang, let me ask you one thing. What exactly is sorcery?”

“Is it something strange and evil that doesn’t conform to reason and logic? Then I’ll ask you in return…”

A cold light emanated from the Blood King’s eyes.

“Isn’t it evil for a human body to become stronger than steel?”

“Isn’t it strange for a person to leap over mountains and walk on water?”

“If we’re going to talk about sorcery, then martial arts itself is sorcery. Because it makes humans less human.”

“Is this martial arts?”

“Of course.”

The Blood King nodded calmly.

“I don’t know if you can understand with your dull mind, but this is the true martial arts. It’s just that it’s different from the martial arts of the Central Plains. You use energy to make your bodies stronger and faster. Thanks to that, you gain bodies like steel and speed faster than a hawk. Isn’t that right?”

“But the martial arts of Tianzhu are a little different. What they wanted wasn’t strength, but time. Bodies that recover even when injured, lives that come back even when broken. Their focus is on regeneration.”

Hong Wang’s face twisted horribly.

“Regeneration? Did you say regeneration?”

“That’s right.”

“You bastard…”

Flames ignited in Hong Wang’s eyes.

“Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that you’re right. The essence of martial arts can be different. The direction they pursue can be different!”

There was anger in Hong Wang’s voice.

“Even so! Are they even human anymore! Before we talk about their bodies! You took away their minds and turned them into puppets, and you dare to talk about martial arts!”

“Kekekeke.”

The Blood King chuckled softly.

“You’re stating the obvious. Some sacrifices are inevitable for a perfect goal. Someone like you should understand that, shouldn’t you?”

“Some sacrifices?”

The Blood King tilted his head.

“No matter how perfect a body you obtain, it’s useless if you can’t overcome fear. Even if the body regenerates, it doesn’t mean the pain disappears.”

“You…”

“Why that look?”

The Blood King laughed loudly.

“When an indestructible body meets an indestructible mind, the most perfect warrior is born. Isn’t this the ideal warrior you all desire? You should be happy, shouldn’t you?”

Gritting his teeth, Hong Wang clenched his fists.

He couldn’t forgive him.

He had faced many enemies in his life, but this was the first time he had felt such intense disgust for someone.

It wasn’t the desire to defeat his opponent, but the anger and hatred that made him want to tear him to pieces.

Even when he had to flee shamefully from the clutches of the Chang Wang, he had not been this angry.

“What do you think warriors are! What do you think people are?”

The Blood King snorted.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“What did you say?”

“Of course, I am a murderer who has killed many people.”

The Blood King looked at Hong Wang mockingly.

“So… how many people have you killed, you who are so angry?”

Hong Wang’s lips twitched.

He wanted to refute him, but he couldn’t. The number of people he had killed in his life was probably more than the number of Jiangshi here.

“A guy who has killed countless people for his own purposes is angry because a few dozen people have lost their minds? That’s disgusting.”

“At least I!”

Hong Wang shouted in a booming voice.

“I fought against enemies who opposed me. I didn’t harm those who followed me!”

“Before you kill them, everyone is an enemy. Isn’t that right?”

“Now, let’s think about it. You who kill your enemies, and me who keeps them alive and uses them. Which one is more evil?”

The Blood King chuckled, and Hong Wang’s eyes turned bloodshot.

“…I will never let you live.”

“Oh, how scary.”

The Blood King tilted his head with a relaxed posture.

“Ask me more if you have any questions. I’m not in a hurry.”

Crack.

A cracking sound echoed from Hong Wang’s fist. His whole body, enraged to the point of losing his reason, emitted a golden glow.

“Forgive me.”

His gaze turned not to the Blood King, but to the black-clad figures staggering towards him.

Empty pupils.

Even though Hong Wang had destroyed their bodies, there was not even the slightest hint of hostility in their eyes. For these beings, who had become more like dolls than humans, there was only one thing he could do.

“I can’t save you!”

Hong Wang pulled his fist back behind his waist.

“But at least I can give you peace!”

KWAANG!

Hong Wang took a step forward.

The floor where his step landed caved in as if a meteorite had fallen.

“OOOOOOOO!”

Following that, his fist was unleashed!

From that fist, a brilliant golden aura surged. The unleashed terrifying aura engulfed the black-clad figures approaching from the front, causing a huge explosion.

Even though they had lost their minds, the black-clad figures seemed to recognize the strength of their enemy, scattering in all directions to avoid the explosion. However, the aftermath of the explosion swept over them before they could even retreat.

“Neither you! Nor the Black King! I will never forgive you! I swear on my pride!”

Hong Wang, letting out a huge roar, turned into a beam of light and charged towards the black-clad figures.