Black-Haired Foreigner In The Martial Arts World – Chapter 37

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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Surrounded by fallen swordsmen, my only option besides a suicidal charge was certain death.

So I decided on the suicidal charge. Do nothing, I die for sure. Succeed, even by some miracle, I live. A life-or-death gamble, in other words.

And so, I ripped open the belly of a Great Ghoul and went in and out.

“Ugh… You stubborn bastard. Are you really going that far?”

“Jaemison. I’ll do anything to survive.”

I was covered in Great Ghoul blood.

Literally a blood man, a red man. My entire body was crimson. If I ran into the Na’vi like this, they’d complete the Taegeukgi, Avatar 2 would premiere, and all of America would weep.

“Disgusting.”

The stench of blood was so thick it made me dizzy.

But I had to do it. There was no better way to mask my human scent.

Camouflage, concealment, and suppressing one’s presence are essential for a surprise attack.

“The stench of Great Ghoul blood is everywhere. This is the only way to increase our chances of success, even slightly, Jaemison.”

“Heh heh… Look, do you think that demon won’t notice just because of the blood stench? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I think so.”

“Keke! You’re truly insane, Kim Geun-hyeop!”

Jaemison exclaimed cheerfully.

This guy is seriously a lunatic.

“A man facing death is bound to go mad.”

The plan was simple.

That lustful Hayagriva was infatuated with Jade Flower Sword’s beauty, obsessed, toying with and mocking her. He had incapacitated all the other warriors, so he was sure to be off guard.

I would sneak up behind him and stab him.

No brain power required – in fact, active suppression of brain power was key. This was a moron’s suicidal charge, a tactic so bad that even the legendary independence fighter Mojeon Guryeomya, known as a tactical genius and butcher of Japanese soldiers, couldn’t have conceived of it.

My only safety net was the Great Ghoul’s blood masking my scent.

“You’re going to die, Kim Geun-hyeop.”

“Yeah.”

He was right.

With my skills, I wouldn’t last a second if discovered. Instant death. But if I didn’t do this? The Hayagriva would capture the Jade Flower Sword and kill us all. That was the worst outcome.

But what if it worked, even partially?

What if I bought just one second?

My death could create an opportunity for the Jade Flower Sword to turn the tables.

It seemed foolish, but my reasoning was perfectly sound. I didn’t want to die, so I was gambling. And even if I died, I’d create a chance for victory.

That’s the kind of man I, Kim Geun-hyeop, am.

More importantly, Song.

That man would have made the same judgment.

“Let’s dance before we die, Jaemison.”

“Gladly.”

Jaemison chuckled.

“What do I need to do?”

“Throw the Isangjego at the right moment. Just for a split second. You just need to distract him.”

“Gladly… You’re a certified madman, I’ll give you that.”

“Right.”

Auntie, give me strength.

The best outcome would be for my surprise attack to land, creating an opening for the Jade Flower Sword to counterattack. And I would escape with my life.

Honestly, the odds were slim.

But I had to do it.

There was no other way!

“Puhihihing! You feisty little thing! How long will you resist! You should be thinking about how many offspring you’ll bear with those wide hips, not swinging a sword at your lord!”

“I will cut you to pieces alive…!”

The Hayagriva continued to taunt the Jade Flower Sword, swinging his greatsword. He looked relaxed, even amused. The Jade Flower Sword, on the other hand, looked exhausted.

I slowly moved behind the Hayagriva.

Thump-thump.

My heart rate spiked as the surprise attack commenced. It pounded in my chest, threatening to give me away. I held my breath and tried to calm myself through sheer willpower.

Remember the robber I killed.

Remember Do Samcheol, brutally murdered by the Gobulins.

“…!”

Empty eyes burned into my mind. They watched my throbbing heart. They might even reach out, as if coveting its warmth. Perfect for cooling down an overworked heart.

…Song.

That man would handle this easily. With strength and cunning, nothing was impossible. Today, I will surpass Song.

Auntie!

Give me strength!

I’ll return and repay your kindness!

Whoosh!

My eyes snapped open.

My vision widened momentarily, then narrowed, focusing solely on the Hayagriva. Would my blade pierce the bulging muscles of his back?

It would.

Shink.

I aimed my sword.

I had internal energy. Internal energy that even the Jade Flower Sword praised. Truthfully, I didn’t know how to use it properly. I wasn’t used to it yet. But I would use it all. Every bit of internal energy within me would explode into this single strike!

Hwaaaak.

Internal energy flowed from my lower dantian, coursing through my meridians and spreading throughout my body. Power surged through me. Had I ever felt such immense energy within me before?

I could do anything now!

Swish.

The Shadow Clan’s footwork. I channeled internal energy into my feet, silencing my steps as much as possible. Tiptoeing. Right foot and right arm simultaneously. Then left foot and left arm, moving towards the Hayagriva.

“Puhihihing! It’s over, woman! No longer a concubine! I’ll make you my sex slave!”

“Kh!”

The Hayagriva roared, raising his greatsword.

I waited for the perfect moment. A little closer, then I’d strike. Reaching that critical point, I loaded my sword, so to speak.

I didn’t need a powerful slash or cut.

Just a single thrust to pierce a single being.

That was all I needed.

Goooo.

Power surged through me!

“…!”

I aimed for the Hayagriva’s back, unleashing the boiling energy, without even a battle cry!

Tsap!

I launched myself like an arrow towards his back!

Hwaruruuk!

For a fleeting moment, I felt a purplish energy spark from the extending blade. What was that? I didn’t know. I’d never reached the realm of sword ki or anything like that. Besides, it didn’t look like a sword ki.

But I felt it stemmed from my internal energy. So, my power was being released. It didn’t matter.

I was experiencing a higher level of existence!

Sswaeeaeak!

My thrust, imbued with everything I had, was unleashed!

“Puheung?”

The Hayagriva sensed something. But his gaze was drawn to the Isangjego that had just flown towards his head. He casually raised a hand and swatted away Jaemison’s throwing knife like a bothersome insect.

At that very moment.

Puuuuk!

My sword.

Pierced the Hayagriva’s back.

Paaaang!

A small explosion erupted at the point of contact.

Only then did I feel time resume its normal flow.

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaah!”

I roared, driving the sword deeper…! Deeper and deeper, putting all my weight behind it!

I did it!

I actually did it!

Intense joy, the ultimate happiness of my gamble paying off. It was a euphoria that bleached my mind white. But it wasn’t over yet. I gritted my teeth, gripped the hilt tightly, and twisted.

Chwajak!

Praying that the Hayagriva’s flesh would tear apart!

“Pu, Puheung?! Puhik…! W-what is this!”

He looked back at me in shock.

“A, a human?! When did…! How! This Madu failed to sense the presence of such trash, Puhiiik!”

Twist and twist and twist and twist it!

“Die, you son of a bitch!”

The moment I roared—

Chwaaaak!

A blue net of light erupted from the Jade Flower Sword’s eyes. Simultaneously, her sword flashed, emitting a blue sword ki, and she lunged towards the Hayagriva.

“N-no!”

He cried out in alarm, trying to swing his greatsword.

Too late.

“Haaaaap!”

The blue blade tore through space.

Swinging and swinging again.

It was a relentless barrage.

Sswaeaek!

I was mesmerized by the sword.

The sword ki left blue trails, creating a vivid blue sky. The sword was merely a brush painting the heavens. This divine and beautiful sword technique painted the sky on earth, and the demonic Hayagriva was carved to pieces within it.

Chwajak!

His arms were severed like a Chop-Chop Fruit user. But the sword didn’t stop. It carved through it’s arms, driving deeper.

And then.

Finally, when the dragon that had painted the sky ascended—

Chwahak!

The Hayagriva’s head split vertically from his chin. The Jade Flower Sword’s blade had cleaved through his skull and emerged.

The Jade Flower Sword, positioned against the sky, looked like a celestial maiden.

“C-Changgong Muae Swordsmanship…!”

Jaemison exclaimed.

Ah, so that was it.

That was Changgong Muae. That beautiful sword technique was Changgong Muae.

For the first time, I witnessed a transcendent martial art, and it sent shivers down my spine. Something like this actually existed. How could such a thing exist? If a human could do that, what couldn’t I, Kim Geun-hyeop, do?

Dazed,

I looked up at the celestial maiden who had slain the demon. She was covered in blood, but breathtakingly beautiful. The celestial maiden slowly descended, as if gracing the earth.

I instinctively tried to catch the falling celestial maiden.

But why? Was I exhausted from the sudden exertion of internal energy? My legs tangled as I reached out, and my face landed squarely in the Jade Flower Sword, Namgung Serin’s ample buttocks.

Kwaang!

“Kaugh!”

To have such a large stamp imprinted on my face…!

Death by happiness!

“Kyaa!”

The Jade Flower Sword, who had landed on my face, scrambled to her feet.

“…”

Then, looking at me sprawled on the ground, she said flatly,

“…Pervert.”

No!

“Hey, what kind of pervert?!”

A pervert was a lewd enemy!

“I saved you, and you call me a pervert?!”

“…”

The Jade Flower Sword silently and haughtily bent down and patted her buttocks.

Then, with a look of disdain, she repeated,

“Pervert.”

“Argh!”

“…Just kidding.”

Calling someone a pervert and then saying it’s a joke!

Anyway!

“Did we win?!”

“…Yes.”

“We won, we woooon!”

I sat up and punched the air.

We won.

We defeated that powerful Hayagriva! I, Kim Geun-hyeop, with my final, desperate gamble, had pulled off a super save and led our team to victory in a crucial battle!

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaah!”

I roared in triumph.

It was the joy of survival and the thrill of a warrior combined. The combined happiness was pure euphoria, washing over my mind.

“Good work. But first, let’s take care of the aftermath.”

“Yes! Understood!”

The Jade Flower Sword’s expression was grim. Understandably so. Almost all of her subordinates had fallen.

With a heavy heart, I quickly helped her tend to the wounded. Fortunately, only two of the Hacheondae had died. The rest were merely injured and unconscious. I didn’t know the details, but as long as they were alive, they could recover. Thankfully, Master Mun Hyeonggi was also alive.

The unfortunate part… was that quite a few of the swordsmen had died. But I saw a fair number hiding behind the Great Ghouls corpses.

Once we finished, the Jade Flower Sword approached me.

“Celestial Maiden?”

“…Thank you.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you very much.”

A respectful,

And sincere thank you.

The Jade Flower Sword bowed deeply at the waist.

“Thanks to you, I’m alive, and that Hayagriva is dead. It’s all thanks to Geun-hyeop.”

“Don’t mention it. I wouldn’t have been able to kill him without you, Celestial Maiden.”

“No… Your, your courage led us to victory. It was truly inspiring. To think you’d confront such a powerful demon…”

The Jade Flower Sword spoke with genuine admiration, but it was really nothing.

“The Hacheondae warriors did the same. They all fought bravely.”

“It’s a little different. They are all trained and seasoned warriors. But you, Geun-hyeop, are not such a being, are you?”

“That’s right.”

“Yet, to make such a bold decision and carry out a surprise attack… It’s something that requires immense courage. It’s innate.”

“Ah.”

“Geun-hyeop, you are truly a brave hero, worthy of being called a warrior.”

“Oh my!”

I had saved the Jade Flower Sword’s life, but being praised like this made me blush!

“Hahaha! Well, it’s true that I’m something special! Ah, but still, hearing your thanks, Celestial Maiden, makes me so happy I could faint! It’s a tremendous reward!”

“Is that so?”

My playful words seemed to lighten her mood a bit.

“Yes! Please take good care of me! Considering my contribution!”

“Of course. I promise you on my name.”

“Yahoo!”

I jumped up immediately.

The Jade Flower Sword promised me a reward!

What should I ask for? This was a very special, dangerous situation. I had saved the lady of the vast Namgung Clan in an unforeseen crisis.

The reward would undoubtedly be substantial.

“Khahahaha!”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Then, the Hayagriva’s corpse caught my eye.

“Wait a minute.”

Could it be?

My heart pounded as I examined its head. Looking closely… it was glowing! Faintly, but it was glowing!

“Inner core!”

It was an inner core!

And it belonged to the powerful Hayagriva!

Another inner core had appeared!

“That! Celestial Maiden, that! That!”

That was the reward!

“Hmm?”

“Inner core! Inner cooore!”

“Yes? Inner core?”

“Celestial Maiden! Please give me that inner core as a reward!”

The Hayagriva was an extremely powerful demon. Its inner core must be incredibly valuable. But I had made a significant contribution. It was only natural to ask for it.

The Hayagriva’s inner core!

It was incomparable to that trashy chieftain!

“What inner core are you talking about?”

“This!”

I immediately cut open the Hayagriva solar plexus and pulled out the crimson inner core. It shimmered like a ruby.

“Huh? You’re talking about that demon core?”

“Yes! Please give it to me as a reward!”

“But, why the demon core…?”

“Huh?”

But her reaction was strange.

The Jade Flower Sword tilted her head, genuinely confused.

“A demon core? You call it a demon core, not an inner core?”

“Technically, it’s an inner core since it’s from a demon, but it’s practically poison, isn’t it? Why the demon core?”

What?

“Huh?”

Poison?

Poisonous?

“Poisonous…?”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to eat that demon core?”

“No.”

That wasn’t it.

“I already ate one…you know, last time.”

“What…?”

Jade Flower Sword’s face cracked.

A brief silence.

“Are you an idiot?!”

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