DR Chapter 230

“Since I’m your older brother, listen to me.”

At those words, Jin Cheonhee felt as if Yeo Ha-ryoon was smiling behind his mask.

“It reminds me of the old days. When you told me to call you brother, I suggested we settle it through martial arts. You replied that you were just a commoner, so it would be meaningless.”

The time when he first saved Yeo Ha-ryoon and formed brotherly ties with that guy.

Seems he still remembers how Jin Cheonhee talked his way into the older brother position.

Well. Can’t blame him for feeling scammed now.

It was half a scam. Claiming to be a commoner while already doing the bee-wasp face-washing technique and planning to learn martial arts.

“How about we determine who’s superior now, ‘Brother’?”

“If you win, will you become the older brother?”

Yeo Ha-ryoon replied calmly to Jin Cheonhee’s voice transmission.

“That’s impossible. Having accepted you as my brother won’t change. However, if you lose, I’ll do as I please from now on.”

Do as you please? What exactly?

As Jin Cheonhee tried to object, Yeo Ha-ryoon added one more thing.

“If you’re truly worthy of being my brother, prove it through martial arts. This battle will determine my future actions.”

The voice transmission ended there.

After that, Yeo Ha-ryoon gave no response.

Right. I knew this day would come.

Even though Yeo Ha-ryoon was a beast of the Heavenly-Killing Star, back then he was still an innocent child.

Talking his way into becoming the older brother was… although he nearly died in the process… still ‘relatively’ easy.

But this wasn’t something that could be avoided forever.

He knew that conversation he’d avoided then, would need to reach its conclusion someday.

He’s the protagonist. Moreover, he’s the future Heavenly Demon walking the path of tyranny.

His essential nature is ultimately that of a beast.

Jin Cheonhee took a deep breath.

Alright. I’ll show you.

Amidst the crowd’s cheers, the referee stepped onto the dueling arena.

Being the finals, the introductions for Yeo Ha-ryoon and Jin Cheonhee went on quite long.

More precisely, Yeo Ha-ryoon’s introduction was brief due to limited information, while Jin Cheonhee’s was incredibly lengthy.

Waaaaaah—!

When the audience’s excitement seemed sufficiently heated, the referee shouted.

“Bow to each other!”

Jin Cheonhee and Yeo Ha-ryoon performed the martial salute and immediately took their fighting stances.

Then the referee shouted.

“Begin the duel!”

Jiiiiiing—!

With the gong sound, Jin Cheonhee immediately drew his Ice Clarity Sword.

Simultaneously, Yeo Ha-ryoon unleashed his Heavenly Demon True Qi throughout his body.

The pitch-black energy, as dark as his pupils, could be seen flowing through Yeo Ha-ryoon’s body.

To think it would be this clearly visible!

Jin Cheonhee felt a touch of despair at realizing his achievement was higher than expected.

No, even if he’s the protagonist, I should have accumulated more energy circuits…

To the naked eye, it looked like he was already at the Transformation Realm…

Surely this bastard hasn’t reached Transformation Realm already?

Based on the original work, it should be impossible at this point.

But since the opponent is the ‘protagonist,’ he might make the impossible possible.

“Here I come, Brother.”

Yeo Ha-ryoon took one step forward with a thud.

Heavenly Demon Sovereign Steps.

Kuguuuugk—

The essence of formless energy pressed down on both shoulders.

Just one step produced such profound martial artistry that martial artists everywhere sighed in admiration.

As expected, that’s his first move. But I’ve already thought of a countermeasure.

Woooong!

Five-colored mist began rising around Jin Cheonhee.

Though easily mistaken for Cheon Woo’s Sea of Cloudy Sword Qi, this was different.

My apologies, Formation Masters. I need to survive too.

When he first saw the Formation Masters, it might have looked like he was just joking around with Sama Hyeon.

But Jin Cheonhee had carefully observed how they protected the dueling arena.

Just as he had reconstructed Wudang’s formations in the past, formations ultimately have similarities.

Analyze the phenomenon, break it down, and reassemble it.

That’s the power of the Profound Origin Heaven and Earth Divine Technique, and why the Zhuge clan are formation masters!

Zhuge Clan Secret Art.

Jin Cheonhee’s adaptation.

Will of the Five-Elemental Formation—!

This kind of formation can be built temporarily without needing to observe heaven’s stems, just read the directions and energy channels.

The Formation Masters’ eyes widened as their formation technique was appropriated!

They seemed unsure whether this was a foul or not.

Hell! Let me use this hypocritical orthodox sect position! They won’t want to lose to an evil cult!

The five-colored cloud of energy bolsters the Zhuge clan’s Five Elements Qi and offsets the pressure from the Heavenly Demon Sovereign Step’s formless energy.

Tseut! Tseut!

Strange sounds emerged as energies collided.

Though much simpler than the formation he activated at Wudang in the past, it contained the same essential principles.

This wasn’t an opponent against whom he could afford to be choosy about methods.

I’ve blocked Yeo Ha-ryoon’s first move somehow. Now it’s my turn!

The moment the pressure lifted, Jin Cheonhee immediately launched his counterattack.

Taiji Immortal-Destruction Sword.

Realm of the Mind Martial – Heaven Earth Severance^[1].

The ultimate technique that cuts through anything extends from Jin Cheonhee’s hand.

The range is an incredible 10 jang!

In other words, anything within 30 meters in a straight line gets cut in an instant.

I held back against Cheon Woo, but I won’t go easy on you!

However.

Something amazing happened.

The moment Yeo Ha-ryoon waved his hand, pitch-black air currents began to rise.

Pajijijik-

Like a heat haze, space began to distort.

As a result.

The power of the Realm of the Mind Martial curved, slicing to the right as it passed by.

Kwagwagwang–!

…Damn it, he’s already reached the level of using that? Is he insane?

Jin Cheonhee knows what this is.

Though it’s his first time seeing it, he had read about it in the novel.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Realm of the Mind Martial – Heaven Earth Space Bending^[2].

One of the ultimate techniques of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art!

However, to properly manifest the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, one must reach at least the Transformation Realm.

This was because from the Fourth Star achievement of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art onwards, one needed to definitively reach the stage of controlling energy with will.

Only after being able to use techniques requiring strong energy could one say “This lord has finally gotten his Heavenly Demon Divine Art beginner’s certificate. GG.”

Since the cutoff requirement is Transformation Realm, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art’s characteristic is the ability to control the surrounding environment.

They say that upon reaching the Profound Realm and mastering the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, one reaches a level where a single gesture controls life and death.

That’s the realm of the Heavenly Demon he met before.

Heaven Earth Space Bending is one of those techniques.

It bends space itself.

Though it requires Sixth Star achievement of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to use it, achieving Sixth Star itself is already an arduous task.

“As expected of Brother. That Realm of the Mind Martial technique just now was dangerous.”

Please spare this brother’s life…

Contrary to his inner thoughts, Jin Cheonhee calmly replied via voice transmission.

“You’re one to talk, already achieving Six Stars in the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”

“….”

At those words, Yeo Ha-ryoon’s demeanor suddenly changed.

“Brother is truly Brother. How do you know the secrets of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art?”

I know because I read the book. But that’s not something he could answer.

Jin Cheonhee gave the closest answer to the truth.

“The Heavenly Demon came and poked my forehead.”

“?!”

A wave of energy that couldn’t be called voice transmission.

But he could understand what it meant and what emotions it contained.

“Sounds crazy but it’s true.”

“…Indeed. He’s an unpredictable one. The current Heavenly Demon… Alright. If Brother already knows…”

Through the eye holes of the mask, Yeo Ha-ryoon’s eyes began glowing red.

“Brother and I have unwittingly learned the martial arts of the same school.”

The black whites of his eyes and blooddrop-like glow completely turned ruby-colored.

Black energy condensed around Yeo Ha-ryoon and began making ominous sounds.

“Yes. You were also the first to reach out to me, a Heavenly-Killing Star. Then I shall trust you, Brother, and use my full power.”

Does this crazy Heavenly-Killing Star bastard not think about his brother dying because he can’t control his strength?

No, unless he deliberately tries to kill from the start, that kind of martial arts development where the protagonist accidentally kills his sworn brother during a duel because he couldn’t control his power… usually doesn’t happen. Usually…

Yeo Ha-ryoon moved.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Realm of the Mind Martial – Sun Moon Destruction Dance^[3].

Kwadeuk, kwadeuk, kukwakwakwakwakwa—!

The ground began crumbling around Yeo Ha-ryoon.

He’s using the Sun Moon Destruction Dance?

A killing technique that spreads invisible formless strong energy in the form of Realm of the Mind Martial.

A hellish demonic technique that grinds everything around except oneself like a blender.

Though the internal energy consumption is extreme, even a martial artist who has reached the Profound Realm would find it impossible to block it head-on.

You’re… using that?

Yeo Ha-ryoon is in his early twenties.

He’s already unleashing killing techniques.

Even Yeo Ha-ryoon himself seems burdened, his complexion visible beneath the mask slightly pale.

“Now, Brother. Here I come. Sun Moon Destruction Dance Chain Technique. Sun Moon Destruction Fist.”

Deliberately announcing the technique name must mean he wants him to give up even now.

He probably thought that someone who was (forcibly?) taught the Heavenly Demon Divine Art by the Heavenly Demon would know its power.

However, I have no intention of surrendering.

Yeo Ha-ryoon said he would do as he pleased if he won.

If that means the killing spree from the original work, then this side must use all his strength to stop it!

“As expected, you don’t dodge, Brother.”

Yeo Ha-ryoon threw a straight punch.

The mighty power of the Sun Moon Destruction Dance surged toward Jin Cheonhee.

Alright. Let me show you this brother’s true strength.

Taiji Immortal-Destruction Sword.

Realm of the Mind Martial – Heaven Earth Severance.

“Brother. I predicted that much.”

Just as Yeo Ha-ryoon’s voice transmission ended, surprisingly, Jin Cheonhee’s sword path deviated from Yeo Ha-ryoon’s prediction.

Five-Elemental Divine Technique.

Realm of the Mind Martial – Five Elements Destruction Extremes^[4].

The superior technique to the past Yin-Yang Creation^[5] – Water Conquers Fire^[6].

Through life-and-death struggles, transcending enlightenment, reaching the edge of Realm of the Mind Martials, where the Profound Origin Heaven and Earth Divine Technique devoured the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Where does martial arts lead?

That second step.

Reverse the Five Elements^[7].

Generation becomes conquest. Like water and fire colliding, now all Five Elements clash to create this power!

Wonder if my danjeon will be okay?

Thinking about the aftermath even in this situation must be because Jin Cheonhee’s essence is that of a physician.

Destroys and erases everything within the explosion range.

If gentle cannot overcome strong, then strong must ultimately be suppressed by strong.

Kwagwagwagwang—!

As Realm of the Mind Martials collide, the dueling arena explodes.

Some spectators were showered with explosion debris.

Something that should never have happened due to the formations occurred.

Through the rising dust.

In the dead silence where no one dared breathe, Jin Cheonhee stood staggering in the center of the arena.

“…Kueuk… I’m about to die here.”

Coughing up black blood, he barely supported himself using his sword as a cane.

And before him.

Yeo Ha-ryoon stood.

Compared to Jin Cheonhee, he showed no injuries, and both his complexion and breathing were steady.

However, where Yeo Ha-ryoon stood…

“Out of bounds!”

“Out of bounds, he’s out of bounds!”