Who got hurt worse by the aftermath of Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance—me, or Gwangmyeong Usa?

Honestly, I wasn’t sure myself.

What was certain was that it was hard for me to even stand, and Gwangmyeong Usa wasn’t rushing over to attack either. He looked a bit out of it, or maybe deep in thought.

Anyway, Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance really was terrifying.

Just then, from Gwangmyeong Usa’s left, Lord Yang appeared—soaked head to toe in blood—and stepped to the edge of the crater, glaring at me.

“......”

“Well, well...”

Lord Yang’s once white hair had been dyed completely red. Had he grabbed his own subordinates and used their corpses as shields? Otherwise, there was no way he could’ve been drenched in that much blood.

I looked between the two of them.

“So what now, two-on-one?”

Gwangmyeong Usa turned his head and asked Lord Yang,

“Are you alright?”

Lord Yang shook his head, then sat cross-legged and stared at me.

“...Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.”

His voice sounded unusually calm.

As the tension thickened, there was suddenly a ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) thud—a mass of dirt burst from the middle wall of the crater.

A curse slipped from my mouth instinctively.

“Ah, fuck. There’s more? Who is it this time?”

A dark tunnel had opened in the middle of the crater wall. Would’ve been nice if a giant mole popped out for once.

But no such luck.

Instead, shredded remains of corpses tumbled out of the tunnel and dropped into the pit one after another. I couldn’t tell how many. They were too mangled to recognize.

Soon after, a man emerged, covered in dirt, crawling out of the crater and wiping his face.

Even though the Cult Leader’s son had been reduced to that state, neither Lord Yang nor Gwangmyeong Usa showed much reaction. It was as if they’d known he’d survive.

Lord Yang asked the Second Son informally:

“...You alright?”

Climbing up, the Second Son replied,

“My right arm...”

He reached out his left hand, and Lord Yang helped him up and sat him down. He started inspecting his arm and shoulder, and I heard the sound of bone snapping back into place. Naturally, the Second Son didn’t scream. I listened closely as he murmured,

“...The forearm’s fractured, and the shoulder blade’s completely shattered.”

I clapped for the three men who survived Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance.

Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap...

“Congratulations. As long as you're alive, that's what matters.”

I think I understood now why the three of them survived.

It was good that Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance had become more powerful—but I must’ve soared too high before launching it.

With the delay from falling, masters of their level had enough time to flee or use their subordinates as shields.

It was laughable, but the situation still stood: three against one...

Yet Gwangmyeong Usa and Lord Yang weren’t crossing the crater to reach me.

Nor did they look like they planned to flee just yet.

They still didn’t know exactly what condition I was in.

I said to them:

“If you’d just come to me for a one-on-one fight from the beginning, none of this damage would’ve happened. I’m not someone who avoids one-on-ones. Look at the outcome. Why do you keep making the same mistake?”

No one answered. We stood in standoff, with the crater between us.

Then it hit me—another reason they weren’t leaving.

“Who do you think will get here first? The men you sent to Baek Eung-ji? Or the reinforcements I called from Baek Eung-ji? What do you think?”

Lord Yang ignored me and looked at Gwangmyeong Usa.

“Usa, how much longer?”

Gwangmyeong Usa ignored me as well and responded:

“What do you mean?”

“Are you recovered?”

“Not yet. I didn’t use our subordinates as shields, like you did.”

“Hmph. Do you have to be so sarcastic at a time like this?”

“I’m just stating facts.”

Lord Yang turned to me and said,

“No doubt he’s badly wounded too. We can take him.”

Then to the Second Son:

“You stay here. Usa and I will go capture him.”

I answered before anyone else could.

“If two of you come, I’ll kill the Second Son first. Look at this crater—we’d be fighting with light footwork. You couldn’t catch me earlier, what makes you think you can now? One of you guard the Second Son, and the other come to me. Then I’ll get my one-on-one. How’s that sound?”

Surprisingly, Gwangmyeong Usa showed concern for me.

“Master, why don’t you run? Are you too weak to flee?”

I shook my head.

“No, let’s leave our lives to fate. If that guy from earlier shows up, I’m screwed. But if the Four Villains arrive, all three of you are dead.”

I picked up a stone next to me and held it in my left hand. Then I raised my hand and aimed.

Strangely, my body wasn’t in great shape, but...

My fingers had regained some strength. Seems like, when you’re totally drained, your mouth recovers first—and then your fingers.

Confirmed.

And wouldn't you know it—my index finger and thumb were the most intact.

What did that mean? That it was time to use the Finger Flick Technique Cheonak had taught me.

If I wanted to bluff and look like I was in great condition, there was no better technique than this.

I flicked the stone using Finger Flick Technique.

Thunk!

The stone soared cleanly toward Gwangmyeong Usa’s crown. Maybe it was too far—but he tilted his head slightly and dodged it without much effort. Still, it flew impressively far. Even I thought, Maybe I really am fully recovered.

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

“Anyway, congratulations. You dragged in a whole army and got them all wiped out again. Like I said, whether you three die or not doesn’t matter. The outcome won’t change. The Scholar and the Martial Alliance, Haomun, Namcheonryeon and the Heavenly Alliance, the white-path and dark-path factions, Jomsoi and the brothers, sisters, and neighbors of those unjustly killed—we’ll all stand together to destroy the Cult. Oh, and don’t forget the noble families and the kings too.”

Gwangmyeong Usa responded:

“You’ll only realize how unfavorable the situation still is after the great war begins.”

“That so?”

I stood up and looked at the three of them.

The more we talked, the more I started to feel like Gwangmyeong Usa was in far better condition than I was.

And yet he wasn’t moving. That made me suspicious.

Considering that even the Black-Clad Person was absorbed by Gwangmyeong Usa, my suspicion had some basis.

I looked at the Second Son, whose arm was clearly shattered, and decided to stir the pot.

“Second Son.”

“......”

“You better be careful. This guy absorbed the Black-Clad Person. He’s not the kind to go easy just because you’re the Cult Leader’s son. And if that happens, your father will have no choice but to make the elder son his heir. Lord Yang, what do you think? Aren’t you the Second Son’s maternal uncle? If you want to stay that way, maybe you should serve him a little more loyally.”

Gwangmyeong Usa responded with a frosty tone.

“Do you think such pathetic attempts at sowing discord will work?”

I shook my head.

“Pathetic? Who told you to absorb the Black-Clad Person? Was that the Cult Leader’s order? No, right? Second Son, Lord Yang—tell me. Was that the Cult Leader’s order?”

“......”

“At the inn, before you guys came in, Usa asked me something. He asked if absorbing me would allow him to surpass the Three Calamities. Honestly, I think he might get close. What about you? Do you think he’d bring me back alive? To hand me over to the Cult Leader?”

The Second Son said nothing.

Lord Yang turned away and looked at Gwangmyeong Usa.

“Forget it. Who would fall for such petty tricks?”

Gwangmyeong Usa nodded, and Lord Yang added:

“Anyway, he still seems to have plenty of strength left. Would you mind taking care of him?”

Was that trust, or doubt?

Even I, listening, couldn’t tell.

Gwangmyeong Usa said:

“Master is clever. He’s conserving strength. If we drag it out, the Left Guardian or his disciple might arrive.”

Lord Yang replied:

“That’s true. Then I’ll retreat with my nephew for now.”

At that, Gwangmyeong Usa widened his eyes. That clearly meant he was suspicious. At least, that’s how I interpreted it.

He asked:

“Retreat?”

Lord Yang responded:

“Do I need your permission to retreat?”

“There’s still an enemy here. Why would you retreat so carelessly?”

“You’re still in decent shape, yet you refuse to fight. What choice do I have? I’ll report to the Cult Leader and come back.”

I couldn’t help but grin.

“Hehehehehe...”

Didn’t think the provocation would work this well. But my joy didn’t last long.

“Hmm.”

Like the weather turning in an instant, Hong Mok-han and a large group of cultists arrived at the edge of the crater.

As far as I know, Hong Mok-han is Gwangmyeong Usa’s subordinate.

He stared down at the crater with a dazed expression.

“What... is this?”

Maybe it was me who’d lived wrong. Or maybe something had happened in Baek Eung-ji. No matter the distance, the roar of Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance would’ve echoed like a thunderclap in a clear sky—it had to be heard from there too.

Gwangmyeong Usa told Hong Mok-han:

“Capture him.”

Following the order, Hong Mok-han led his men in a wide arc around the crater, heading for me.

Meanwhile, Gwangmyeong Usa said:

“You two retreat. If the Left Guardian shows up, I won’t be able to save you.”

I shouted at the approaching Hong Mok-han:

“What the hell are you thinking, coming here? You morons.”

I cleared my throat and drew my sword. As I backed away, I pretended to stumble. Well, it wasn’t entirely an act—my legs had gone a bit weak. After using Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance, there was no reason I’d still have full internal energy. That technique didn’t draw from what I allocated—it consumed all that I had on its own. I guess I got too excited when I launched it.

My whole body ached, but thankfully, I could still swing my sword.

I gripped the wooden sword with my right hand and clenched and unclenched it repeatedly, squeezing out both internal and external energy as I watched Hong Mok-han’s group close in.

When they got close enough, I let out a long exhale and collapsed to the ground.

“Hoo...”

And there, in midair, was the Lecher.

I briefly set down my sword and applauded the Lecher’s sudden entrance.

Clap clap clap clap clap...

Never thought I’d live to see the day I clapped for that pervert.

“The Lecher has arrived.”

As I watched, cold energy exploded in the air.

Hong Mok-han’s group had already surrounded the Lecher and was launching attacks, but he was dual-wielding daggers—unlike usual.

Both were Muga Daggers.

One was his, the other must’ve been mine—the one I stabbed into the table.

I looked over to where Gwangmyeong Usa was.

“......”

Lord Yang and the Second Son were gone. Gwangmyeong Usa stood watching.

I spoke to him again.

“Usa, still clinging to this? I’ve won. Even luck’s on my side now. You failed, you piece of shit.”

He stood up, crossed his arms, and smiled.

“Master, don’t worry about me. I’m faster than the Left Guardian.”

“That so?”

Strangely, I felt like I finally understood what Gwangmyeong Usa had been thinking.

“Usa, were you aiming to absorb the Second Son too? Damn, you’re evil.”

Maybe the reason he hesitated earlier was because he was looking for the right chance to absorb him. Maybe Lord Yang had picked up on it and held off because he didn’t know my condition yet.

Gwangmyeong Usa said:

“Master, look at this disaster you caused. Between us, who’s the real evil? I don’t even know. You’ve shown me many things. If I truly walk the path of the inhuman, it will be thanks to you. Even I had held back from that road—but you opened the door for me.”

“Why the hell is it my fault again? You were always like this. Don’t blame others.”

Gwangmyeong Usa pointed at me and said: 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

“I’ll retreat. Don’t know where I’ll go. Don’t know which village. I’ll just go wherever I feel like. Maybe to a righteous sect, maybe to Il Yang County, maybe to a nest of dark-path bastards. Who knows where I’ll end up? Not even I do.”

I took a deep breath and used light footwork to dash around the crater.

As expected, Gwangmyeong Usa vanished using light footwork.

From what he’d said, it was clear: Gwangmyeong Usa was about to go on a massacre. He meant to walk the path of a non-human, slaughtering both martial artists and innocents alike. Witnessing the disaster wrought by Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance had pushed him to abandon his humanity.

What a bullshit logic.

And yet...

Somehow, I felt like it really was my fault.