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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Namgung So-yu.
As if uttering a forbidden name, the Alliance Leader fell silent after speaking those words, his gaze fixed on the Heavenly Demon.
“Pfft.”
The silence was broken by the Heavenly Demon.
She burst into laughter, doubling over as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world.
“What… what’s so funny?”
The Alliance Leader asked, flustered, and the Heavenly Demon’s laughter intensified.
“HAHAHAHA! You’ve truly missed the mark.”
“What…?”
She wiped tears from her eyes, still chuckling.
“When did I ever introduce myself as a champion of justice?”
“…”
The Alliance Leader was speechless, his mouth agape.
“Have I ever claimed to uphold justice? And…”
The Heavenly Demon’s gaze shifted to Namgung So-yeon, who stood behind the Alliance Leader.
Namgung So-yeon’s dull eyes stared back, but whether she was looking at the Heavenly Demon or at In-ho, no one could tell.
Unlike her earlier, feral attack, she was now calm and composed, almost like her old self.
Perhaps she was simply exhausted from the beating she had received, or perhaps she had something else planned.
“Even if we share the same surname, I’m from a branch family. She’s from the main line. Did you really think I’d feel some familial bond with her now?”
“I abandoned the Namgung name the moment I became the inheritor of the damned Flame Wheel Technique.”
The Heavenly Demon paused, a look of disbelief spreading across her face.
“Don’t tell me… you turned a child of the Namgung Clan into a Blood Demon, thinking I would hesitate to kill her…?”
“…”
The Heavenly Demon stared at him with undisguised disgust.
“I had some small sliver of respect for you, Alliance Leader. But now… you’re worse than a third-rate thug.”
Black flames erupted from her hand.
“You and that child behind you will die today.”
Her voice was flat, stating a simple fact.
“You will die for mocking me, for daring to call yourself just.”
“And that child will die for touching what’s mine.”
The flames surged, a clear signal that the game was over.
Their escape route was blocked by fire.
Dokgo Nam gritted his teeth and raised his sword, pointing it at the Heavenly Demon.
“I acknowledge your strength, but let’s see if you can maintain that composure in a two-on-one fight.”
“Two-on-one? Ah… you’re including that child?”
“That’s right. Even you wouldn’t be able to… Gah!”
A hand burst through Dokgo Nam’s chest.
He slowly turned, his eyes wide with disbelief, to see Namgung So-yeon staring at him and her expression was blank.
“Lightning Sword… what… are you doing…?”
“I’m sorry. But this gives us a better chance of winning.”
The screaming, feral creature was gone.
Namgung So-yeon spoke calmly, her voice and demeanor returning to normal.
Countless crimson tendrils extended from her back which were unnoticed until now.
They were connected to the bodies of the fallen soldiers and drained their life force.
And then…
“GAAAAAHHH!!!”
Dokgo Nam’s life force surged through her hand and into her body.
The Alliance Leader’s face turned ashen, his hand trembling as he dropped his weapon.
“I remember clearly. You told me to absorb the life force of criminals, of those who shouldn’t exist.”
“Gah… Lightning… Sword…!”
He clutched at the hand protruding from his chest, struggling in vain like a fish caught on a hook.
“This… this is for a just world… so… it’s not wrong.”
The life force of the fallen flowed into her, strengthening her.
Her yellow eyes turned crimson.
Her wounds healed, her broken bones mended.
Her skin became smooth and clear, as if she had just woken from a refreshing sleep.
The corpses on the battlefield withered, turning black and shriveled.
The Alliance Leader, drained of his life force, collapsed and his eyes rolled back in his head.
Namgung So-yeon spoke softly,
“Thank you for the meal.”
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“Hmm… that’s quite something.”
“You shouldn’t be impressed by this.”
Namgung So-yeon smirked as the Heavenly Demon expressed her surprise at the miraculous recovery.
The two women locked eyes.
“I didn’t mind the rabid dog act, but it’s better when we can talk. I have some questions.”
“Questions?”
“Is the Head Administrator dead?”
“You mean Poison Demon? Yes, I killed him.”
“How?”
“There wasn’t much to it. He just… died. I think he was trying for a mutual destruction technique, but…”
Namgung So-yeon’s voice turned cold as she recalled his final moments.
“Hmph, so he went out like that. The fool.”
A hint of sadness colored the Heavenly Demon’s voice.
Perhaps she felt some attachment to him, as he was one of the first members of the Black Heaven Cult she had recruited.
While the Heavenly Demon reminisced, Namgung So-yeon, now fully recovered, turned to In-ho, who was being supported by Shadow Demon.
“Young Master Kang, just wait a little longer. I’ll save you.”
Bang!
A blast of black flames struck her face.
“Who gave you permission to speak to him? I’ve been too lenient, haven’t I?”
The flames dissipated and revealed Namgung So-yeon’s unharmed face.
Or rather, the burned flesh was rapidly regenerating.
Namgung So-yeon drew her sword and assumed a stance.
A clean, precise stance, a sword technique passed down through the Namgung Clan.
The Heavenly Demon’s brow furrowed in recognition.
“I’ve read your records. Losing your disciple was tragic, but… I can’t forgive you for projecting that onto someone else, for your obsession.”
“What nonsense…”
“Young Master Kang and I were destined to be together since our past lives. You kidnapped the love of my life, imprisoned him in the Black Heaven Cult, and tried to make him your plaything. It’s time for you to pay for your sins, Heavenly Demon.”
Her sword, infused with crimson energy, hummed ominously.
“What a load of bullshit.”
The Heavenly Demon, who had been listening patiently, finally spoke, her face contorted in disgust.
A pillar of fire erupted from her hand, swirling and coalescing into a sharp, gleaming blade.
“We’ve already kissed! No matter how much you deny it, our love is strong!”
Lightning Sword declared, as if boasting.
The Heavenly Demon glanced at In-ho, her expression questioning.
“This won’t do. I’ll have to cut out his lips and tongue.”
She muttered, words that would have horrified In-ho if he had been conscious, and then smirked, countering Lightning Sword’s claim.
“A mere kiss? We’ve been making love every night. Four or five times a day, sometimes. But… you seem inexperienced. A man who doesn’t sleep with the love of his life… or perhaps… you weren’t to his liking?”
“Making love…? Young Master Kang, were you not properly educated?”
Lightning Sword glared at In-ho, grinding her teeth.
The two women’s fury surged and the air crackled with tension.
“You won’t die easily. I’ll cut off your limbs, rip out your tongue, and feed you to the dogs.”
The Heavenly Demon pointed her fiery blade at Namgung So-yeon, who took a step forward, undeterred by the killing intent.
“You threatened my love. I’ll make your death as agonizing as possible.”
Without another word, they charged, their weapons flashing.
The Heavenly Demon struck from above, Lightning Sword from the side.
Their blades met in a blinding flash.
A massive explosion rocked the battlefield as the weapons of two monstrously powerful beings collided.
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[T/N: I don’t know if we can call it a major character development or not but the next few chaps are very meaningful for In-ho’s character.]
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I hope MC will become stronger. It’s a pity to see him flying like a leaf in front of women…