Disciple of The Three Kings [EN]: Chapter 342

The Haewangdae were a group of nine martial artists.

Among them was Pa Tae-gu, who had once been the head of Haenam, as well as elders and senior members of Haenam.

They had put aside the affairs of Haenam and were now in seclusion, focusing solely on their own training.

“Oh Jin-kyung?”

There was no way they wouldn’t know Oh Jin-kyung.

“Is that really, Jin-kyung?”

In particular, Pa Tae-gu couldn’t hide his delight at seeing Oh Jin-kyung.

“Yes. Grand Elder. It is I, Jin-kyung.”

“Grand Elder? I am now just a mere martial artist. The title of Haewangdae is just something I received because it’s good for swinging a sword.”

The atmosphere seemed to soften a bit with Oh Jin-kyung’s appearance.

However.

“But why are you there?”

It was just an illusion.

His voice was warm, as if speaking to a grandson, but the sharp edge within pierced the flesh of those present, including Oh Jin-kyung.

“I heard that the Eunha bastards killed and trampled on the children of Haenam.”

Pa Tae-gu said.

“Why are you with those bastards?”

Oh Jin-kyung took another step forward.

‘As expected.’

Oh Jin-kyung had anticipated this situation.

‘They haven’t heard anything.’

The Haewangdae, who were considered the last bastion protecting Haenam, were ultimately just old men in the back room.

Although they seemed to be watching, it was merely a formality, and Cho San, the current head of the sect, only thought of using them.

Cho San.

“I was the one who led this war, Grand Elder.”

“I heard that story.”

“But I also realized my mistake and stepped back.”

“Are you saying you brought defeat to Haenam?”

Pa Tae-gu frowned in disappointment.

“I had hoped that you, Jin-kyung, would succeed Cho San and become the head of Haenam.”

Pa Tae-gu said.

“I opposed that bastard making his incompetent grandson the head, but in the end, that bastard was right.”

Whatever the reason, he was the one who brought defeat to Haenam.

For Pa Tae-gu and the elders of Haenam, it was unacceptable.

“I did it to protect Haenam.”

“Protect?”

Pa Tae-gu narrowed his eyes even more.

“Then are you saying that Haenam would have been completely annihilated by those remnants of the Blood Cult?”

And then.

“Yes.”

Oh Jin-kyung’s answer followed.

Fwoooooosh-!

A surging energy began to press down on everything.

But ironically, Pa Tae-gu’s and the Haewangdae’s hair was standing on end.

‘What kind of energy is this….’

Even Ha Se-min and Dang Hwa-young were surprised.

In fact, it was not easy to see reclusive masters of the Nine Great Sects level.

They were.

-Half-Immortals.

Those who had already reached the realm of Half-Immortality.

Fortunately, there were no true Immortals in Haenam, but even so, the energy felt was destructive.

“I did not make my Haenam like that.”

Pa Tae-gu stepped down from his position as head of the sect immediately after the gate opened.

Pa Tae-gu, who was closer to a traditional martial artist, had no interest in the management of the sect or complex politics and diplomacy, and had passed the position to Cho San, who had been quick-witted since childhood.

“Grand Elder-!”

Oh Jin-kyung shouted, breaking through the pressure.

“Hoo….”

It seemed that Pa Tae-gu had not expected that.

The inner energy he had unleashed was about 50% of his power.

Even if Oh Jin-kyung was a master who had reached the Hyeon Gyeong realm, he should not have been able to even open his mouth against his 50% power, who had reached the realm of Half-Immortality.

“Has your realm risen?”

“Haenam is in danger.”

Oh Jin-kyung did not answer and instead spoke his own words.

“The current head of the sect is putting Haenam in danger.”

“…….”

“If this continues, Haenam will be destroyed.”

“Even if you, Jin-kyung, are favored by us….”

Goooo!

The power of 50% inner energy.

That power began to intensify.

“There are things you can say and things you cannot.”

It was a critical moment.

“You have truly abandoned the spirit and banner of Haenam.”

It was the moment when Pa Tae-gu’s blue sword was in his hand.

“I will become the head of the sect.”

* * *

Cho San’s Great Ocean Blue Sword absorbed Cho San’s energy, swelling the sword’s form into a giant sword.

The Great Ocean Blue Sword could transform into the most powerful form depending on the user’s will, inner energy, and the swordsmanship they had mastered.

Crack!

The Great Ocean Blue Sword struck down, overturning the main hall.

Whoosh!

The sword was swung again.

If it was common sense that the movement should be slower as the size increased.

Crack!

The Great Ocean Blue Sword that Cho San was holding was something that defied that common sense.

A famous sword, and Cho San wielding that sword, combined.

Kwaaaang!

It was unleashing unbelievable destructive power.

The main hall was collapsing and torn apart.

Lee Rowoon fell, looking up.

Surging.

A huge wave was crashing down on him.

It was as if an attractive force was acting from below, trying to pull him into the depths of the sea, blocking his movements.

The wave crashed down on Lee Rowoon, starting to cut his skin.

Kwaaaang!

And finally, Lee Rowoon crashed to the floor.

Thud.

Footsteps were heard from somewhere.

Swoosh.

Lee Rowoon slowly got up.

“So, this is the Blood Demon.”

Before him, Cho San, with his eyes dyed red, was staggering towards him.

Scattered hair and red eyes.

“You’ve fallen into Demonic Qi Deviation.”

Lee Rowoon recognized his condition at once.

Surging inner energy.

Cho San could not control himself.

“Kekeke.”

Cho San was laughing like a madman.

Soon, Cho San would become a complete madman.

“I heard you killed Tae-gyeom.”

Cho San mentioned Lee Tae-gyeom’s name.

“You cut off his head, didn’t you?”

Whoosh!

The sharp edge of the sword that was swung brushed against Lee Rowoon’s Adam’s apple.

Trickle.

Blood-red blood flowed down Lee Rowoon’s neck, which could not be injured by ordinary swords.

“I will make you the same.”

Lee Rowoon was just looking at Cho San with languid eyes.

“For a martial artist of your level to fall into Demonic Qi Deviation just because one of your bloodline died.”

Lee Rowoon seemed to be examining something.

“It seems….”

Lee Rowoon, who had only been dodging, changed his stance.

“Someone seems to have intervened.”

A martial artist who has reached a high realm does not only train their body.

They must train their mind and become steadfast to reach a high realm.

Therefore, Demonic Qi Deviation was ultimately something that only happened to the weak.

True masters must be able to control their minds and prevent Demonic Qi Deviation, no matter what adversity they face.

“What did you touch?”

Even at Lee Rowoon’s words.

Whoosh!

Cho San swung the giant sword with one hand, creating waves.

Tatatat!

Footsteps were heard from all directions.

This was Haewang Fortress, the headquarters of Haenam.

Naturally, the martial artists who had noticed the commotion in the main hall were rushing over.

“Head of the sect-!”

They shouted as they saw the head of the sect fighting in the collapsed main hall, buried underground.

Clang!

They were about to rush towards Lee Rowoon, drawing their swords, but.

Crack!

They instantly became pieces of flesh, scattering in all directions.

“Head of the sect… what….”

The martial artists wearing Haenam uniforms were bewildered by the sudden situation and retreated.

“Where do you think you are, trying to put your spoon on my table?”

Cho San shouted with his eyes dyed red.

“Do not interfere!”

A voice overflowing with madness.

“If anyone interferes with me, they will die by my hand.”

He grinned, curling up the corners of his mouth.

Thud!

He plunged the Great Ocean Blue Sword into the floor.

Kukukuku!

Fragments soared up as they shattered.

All of it was imbued with blue qi [internal energy].

Truly.

“Great Ocean Blue.”

It was an astonishing level of inner energy.

* * *

“…….”

Pa Tae-gu was looking at Oh Jin-kyung with a heavy face.

“You want to become the head of the sect.”

And then.

“Why are you telling us that?”

He had slightly softened his killing intent.

“It is the head of the sect’s decision. That head of the sect is….”

Twitch.

Pa Tae-gu and the Haewangdae frowned.

They had sensed it.

Kwaaaang!

Something was happening in the center of Haewang Fortress, in the main hall.

“How far do you intend to go?”

“I think you have already seen it.”

Oh Jin-kyung said.

“The current head of the sect….”

Cho San, the very person who had raised Haenam since the gate opened.

He, who was called the Dragon King.

“Is on the verge of Demonic Qi Deviation.”

“…….”

The Haewangdae had already faced Cho San.

And they knew that his condition was unstable, and they were worried about it.

A martial artist who has reached a high realm is not easily affected by Demonic Qi Deviation, but if such a thing were to happen….

‘An unprecedented situation will occur.’

Something truly indescribable would happen.

Yet, the Haewangdae had turned a blind eye to it.

“There have been signs of it for a while now.”

Oh Jin-kyung said.

“If this continues, Haenam will collapse. I will become the head of the sect.”

“So….”

“Haewang Martial Emperor.”

At Oh Jin-kyung’s words, Pa Tae-gu and the others’ faces contorted.

“How do you know that name….”

“I heard that the Haewangdae has the authority to oversee the test to determine the person who will lead Haenam in a crisis situation.”

Originally, it was impossible.

“I request the Haewang Martial Emperor from you seniors.”

The Haewang Martial Emperor did exist.

A test that had been passed down from a distant past.

Haenam had to endure frequent battles due to its unique nature, even when Eun was still intact, and the leaders of Haenam, including the heads of the sect, often died.

Therefore.

-Haenam had to prepare.

To always make the person who is qualified to succeed Haenam the head of the sect.

In fact, the Haewangdae were nothing more than people who existed for that purpose.

“Do you think that guy will defeat Cho San?”

Pa Tae-gu said, pointing towards the main hall.

“It’s Cho San. The Dragon King Cho San.”

His true strength, which was not known to the world.

He had been conscious of the Mount Hua Sect since the past, and he had never stopped honing his skills, and he had hidden the strength he had grown in that way.

“He has already reached the realm of Half-Immortality.”

The realm that Lee Tae-gyeom had reached, the Saengsa Gyeong realm [a high level of martial arts mastery].

Unlike Lee Tae-gyeom, who had barely entered the beginning stage, Cho San had reached the middle stage.

“If such a Cho San falls into Demonic Qi Deviation, what will happen?”

Demonic Qi Deviation is a state where one goes berserk using all of their inner energy and innate qi [life force].

The power of a martial artist in that state is known to be amplified several times over.

Also, a mind filled with killing intent and the resulting actions become more suitable for wielding martial arts without any hesitation.

“Cho San will not die.”

“Are you saying it’s okay even if he falls into Demonic Qi Deviation?”

“If it’s just Demonic Qi Deviation, we can do something about it.”

Pa Tae-gu’s voice was filled with confidence.

“However, there is some truth in what you say.”

Although Pa Tae-gu had long since given up on the affairs of Haenam, he had not been living like a true old man in the back room.

He had also been listening to the news of Haenam.

‘Cho San has crossed the line.’

He knew that Cho San had crossed the line at some point.

The signs of Demonic Qi Deviation.

He knew roughly what the starting point was.

“Okay. I will give you a chance.”

Because Pa Tae-gu had already chosen Oh Jin-kyung as the next head of the sect.

“I will allow you to take the Haewang Martial Emperor test.”

He also knew that Haenam was facing a crisis.

Pa Tae-gu allowed the Haewang Martial Emperor test.