Thinking about it, I felt that the reason my past life had been so harsh was because my destiny itself was cursed with bad luck.

Otherwise, even though I had become much stronger in this life, there was no way my life would feel even harsher than before instead of being smooth sailing.

Honestly speaking, what were the chances of regressing and running into the Yin-Yang Twin Demon, whom I hadn't even seen in my past life?

It seems a bastard with a rotten destiny will still have a rotten destiny even if he regresses.

What a truly filthy world.

That is why, whenever I see the expression of another bastard who just inherited my bad luck...

"G-Great Star-Absorbing Art!"

... I can't help but feel incredibly good.

"That's right, you bastard!"

My bad luck must have spread to this guy from being together in the Underworld Alliance for a few days.

I mean, isn't that right?

To secretly sneak into Jianghu and try to kill an Orthodox faction hero thinking he was easy prey, only to find out he was secretly practicing the Great Star-Absorbing Art—just how unlucky does someone have to be?

This is why parents tell you to choose your friends wisely...

"Ah! Demonic practitioners don't have parents, do they?"

"..."

WHOOSH!

The internal energy drawn in through the Jade Dragon Bracelet flowed straight through my Dantian and connected to the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand in my right hand.

Perhaps because a massive amount of internal energy had been supplied, the power that was supposed to stay within my hand could not contain itself and burst out in all directions, igniting flames.

BOOM!

FLAP, FLAP.

The Formless Hidden Demon Squad members, whose long robes had caught fire, flapped their clothes in an attempt to extinguish the flames, but there was no way the sacred fire of holy power would go out so easily after meeting demonic qi.

"Urgh!"

The color slowly drained from Je Geumhak's face as he began to turn pale.

Looking at him like this, he looks like a heavenly maiden drawn in a painting of a beauty.

That pisses me off, so take a hit too.

BAM!

"Keugh!"

I fed a blast of the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand, which had grown massive by extracting his internal energy, right at his feet.

At the same time, I wrapped my arm around Je Geumhak's neck, holding him up as a shield in front of me, and threateningly swung the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand toward the Formless Hidden Demon Squad.

"Don't move, you sons of bitches! Just try to move, you beggar bastards, and this bastard gets roasted alive instantly!"

"..."

"..."

The Formless Hidden Demon Squad bastards, who had barely put out the fire by cutting off their robes, looked at each other before two of them vanished into the floor.

The moment I realized my mistake and tried to turn around.

STAB.

"Urgh!"

The pain of being stabbed in my right side spread throughout my entire body.

These cowardly bastards!

Fortunately, thanks to the Celestial Silkworm Treasure Garment, my strength didn't drain away immediately.

"You sons of bitches..."

If you bastards are going to play like that, I have my ways too.

I immediately drew out even more power from the Jade Dragon Bracelet.

Now, the energy being absorbed through the Jade Dragon Bracelet was almost too much to handle.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

In a life-or-death struggle, I wildly scattered the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand all around me.

If I was going to die anyway, wouldn't it be less lonely to die together?

Walking the road to the afterlife with these guys was annoying, but at least I'd be able to make fun of them on the way there.

"Bring it on, you fucking bastards!"

BA-BA-BA-BOOM!

Having drawn in as much energy as possible, the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand began to change into a shape similar to the Blood Jade Hand I had seen in my past life.

My flame-bearing grasp glowed a bright crimson, transforming into a Fire Samadhi (火定) that would burn away anything.

As I grabbed the sword blade that had stabbed my side, the blade melted away and fell off in an instant.

CLANG.

Huh? This is pretty good.

I immediately covered Je Geumhak's face with the Demon-Extinguishing Hand.

SSSZZZ—

An acrid smell filled the air, and for the first time, he let out a bizarre scream.

"Kuhurgh!"

The moment I thought I could snip Je Geumhak's lifeline with just a little more effort.

STAB, STAB.

The swords of the Formless Hidden Demon Squad pierced into my right arm and thigh.

These sons of bitches, always stabbing where the Celestial Silkworm Treasure Garment doesn't cover.

I forcefully suppressed the instinct to pull my arm away from the digging pain.

If I pull my arm away here because it hurts, I'll really be going to the afterlife alone.

"... That's far too lonely!"

Twisting my body like a madman, I deflected the swords and rolled on the floor with Je Geumhak.

To think the first person I've ever hugged and rolled around fiercely with in my life is Je Geumhak...

Fuck, I really am an unlucky bastard.

"Hah, hah, hah..."

Even though I was pouring out the Demon-Extinguishing Hand by absorbing internal energy, my physical limit was slowly approaching.

Even using the Jade Dragon Bracelet, the internal energy ultimately had to pass through my Dantian and blood vessels.

Physical exhaustion was unavoidable.

"Urgh..."

Just like when I saved Moyong Sangwon, my entire body was overloaded, and I felt so dizzy that I could lose consciousness at any moment.

"Ngh, ngh, ngh."

Fortunately, Je Geumhak also let out painful groans, apparently suffering as well.

But right then, a bizarre thing happened.

SSSS—

The intensely burning heat of the Sacred Fire Demon-Extinguishing Hand slowly subsided.

My hand, which had glowed a bright crimson like a Fire Samadhi (火定), quickly began to return to its original color.

I'm definitely pouring in the exact same amount of internal energy...?

Following that, cold frost settled over my hand.

Startled, I examined Je Geumhak, who was pressed tightly against my body.

"Damn it..."

I realized the problem wasn't with me.

Je Geumhak, sensing the crisis, had begun to use some other method.

And.

CRACKLE.

In an instant, starting from my hand, my entire arm began to freeze over coldly, as if struck by frostbite.

Furthermore, amidst this, the energy flowing in from the Jade Dragon Bracelet also began to change.

'... What is this?'

It wasn't just internal energy on the level of filling an empty Dantian.

True qi began to well up, just like when I absorbed the core of the Human-Faced Spider back in the day.

What is this? Even when sucking up a person's life force, I've never experienced anything like this...

As I checked his condition once again.

Judging by his bloodshot eyes and standing hair, I could tell he was using innate qi.

Oh, my god.

'This bastard...'

... He's actually good for my body!

Absorbing a massive amount of internal energy like a vast ocean, along with an enormous amount of innate qi, my true qi began to pack tightly into my Dantian, just like when I ate the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Ginseng.

However, due to the massive amount of true qi, no more internal energy could be absorbed.

Furthermore, it felt as though my arm would shatter while frozen if things continued like this, so I had no choice but to let him go.

The moment I ended my unpleasant yet thrilling contact with him, I couldn't help but click my tongue inwardly.

'Hah... Thirty years' worth?'

In that short time, the size of my Dantian had expanded significantly.

Lately, no matter what spiritual elixir or spiritual pill I consumed, my internal energy hadn't increased by leaps and bounds.

Je Geumhak had increased my amount of internal energy more excellently than any spiritual elixir could.

I looked down at his face as he continued to writhe on the floor.

Suddenly, that annoying mug of his looked quite pretty.

Well... maybe it's because half his face is melted off.

"Kuaaagh!"

As Je Geumhak screamed while clutching his face, three members of the Formless Hidden Demon Squad surrounded and protected him.

Meanwhile, the remaining members of the Formless Hidden Demon Squad rushed at me, but honestly, I had no strength left to move anymore.

I really wished they would just pick him up and run away so he could get treated, but...

"Capture that bastard alive at all costs! I will drag him to the main cult and carve off his flesh piece by piece until he dies!"

The man who was good for my body didn't seem to have any intention of doing so.

I take back saying your mug looked pretty, you bastard.

I put strength into both legs and barely managed to stay standing.

"Hah, hah, hah."

It was great that the size of my Dantian had increased, but I had already reached my physical limit.

Starting from my lower abdomen, there wasn't a single part of my entire body that wasn't screaming in pain, and blood was still streaming from my wounds.

I tried executing the Lesser Heaven Sword Technique, which was so ingrained in my body that I could perform it even right after waking up, but I couldn't even bring out half the skill I had in my past life.

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG.

I absurdly allowed attacks to slip through, and each time, scars were carved into my arms and chest.

Fuck, even in my past life, I never let such ridiculous attacks land.

My eyes and mind could clearly see their sword trajectories, but there was no way I could block them.

SWISH—

I forced myself to attack first, but it only exposed an opening and allowed them to land another hit.

THWACK.

CRASH.

I rolled twice on the floor and forced my body up.

My trembling legs wanted to drop to their knees at any moment, but...

I absolutely could not kneel.

Because if I knelt here, I wouldn't be going to hell, I would be dragged to the Demonic Cult.

I wanted to yield the honor of being the first Orthodox figure to enter the Demonic Cult to Yong So-ah.

Or to that unhelpful bald Senior Ilmyeong.

'Je Geumhak... just that bastard Je Geumhak...'

My goal shifted from survival to mutual destruction.

If I could at least drag the Yin-Yang Twin Demon down to hell with me, wouldn't Zhuge Somyeong's life be extended a little bit more?

Besides, that was the only way to force the Formless Hidden Demon Squad to retreat right now.

The shout of the guy who was currently my purpose and target shook the room.

"Move aside! I'll start by tearing off that bastard's face."

The man who was good for my body.

Je Geumhak, who would now earn the moniker of 'Half-Face, Half-Scar' thanks to me, approached me while summoning flames in his hand.

Watching that sight, I executed the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Art to its absolute limit.

WOOONG—

Eight swords of the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Art formed in the narrow airspace.

Wow, consuming something good for the body definitely makes your skills improve quickly.

Not stopping there, I slammed internal energy into them and even coated them with Sword Force.

One-third of the internal energy that had been completely filled by Je Geumhak vanished in an instant, and then the eight swords began to dance, scattering the Twin Heaven Sword Art.

SWOOSH—

The storm of sword blades raging in the confined space began to indiscriminately slash apart Je Geumhak and the Formless Hidden Demon Squad.

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG.

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG.

Along with the deafening sounds of clashing blades.

BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BOOM.

BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BOOM.

Explosions threatening to tear my eardrums rang out.

FLASH, FLASH, FLASH.

The halos of light generated by the clashing auras unleashed a blinding glare that obscured my vision.

Since everyone within reach was an enemy anyway, there was no need to specifically target anyone.

I closed my eyes entirely and danced with the swords.

KABOOM. KABOOM. KABOOOOM.

The storm of violent energy filled and refilled the narrow room.

I honestly had no choice but to admit it.

The Qimen formation this bastard laid out was truly an amazing piece of work.

Even while my internal organs felt like they would burst from the pressure, it didn't even sustain a single crack, so it could certainly be called an amazing piece of work.

BLEGH.

As the storm of blades and violent energy subsided, my insides churned, and I vomited a bucket of dark blood.

And when I barely managed to open my eyes and check on the enemies.

I couldn't help but smile brightly.

"Fuck..."

Looking at the crumpled rags collapsed on the floor, it seemed I had somehow managed to take down one of the Formless Hidden Demon Squad members.

However.

SWISH.

The remaining four, who had tightly wrapped around Je Geumhak to protect him with their own bodies, slowly began to detach.

Seeing that sight, I absolutely could not hold back my cursing.

"You fight so fucking dirty."

He glared at me with venomous eyes.

"Is this the end?"

I wanted to say no and feed him my fist, but...

Honestly, I didn't have any strength left either.

SWOOSH—

Soon, the robes of the Formless Hidden Demon Squad wrapped around my arms and legs.

Just like what I felt in the Minor Orthodox Unit in my past life, death felt vividly real.

More than ever before, my life was filled with regret, and fear gripped my entire body.

"I will make you regret and regret again taking things this far."

Je Geumhak's voice, which had once been as clear as jade beads rolling on a silver platter, was now incredibly raspy, like that of an ugly old man on death's door.

And that voice sounded more terrifying than ever.

'... Am I going to die now?'

With my hands and feet subdued, I couldn't even take my own life.

In order to end my life myself, I tried to reverse my Dantian's flow and strike my Baihui acupoint.

And in that moment.

As if sensing it was the end of my life, all sorts of memories flashed through my mind, making me ruminate on my life...

'Fuck, why are these kinds of memories coming up?'

I thought my father's face or the faces of the people from the Taiyi Sect would appear at the very least, but...

The very first memory that appeared was the face of the gambler who played tricks using the Gyogyo Divine Art.

["Alright, put your money down and take your winnings! I'm not here every day! It's a game even a passing dog could win! Find the bean! Find the bean!"]

Bullshit.

Bring me a different memory!

When I threw a fit inwardly, it finally moved on to another scene.

["You contain the sound and make it explode in another space."]

And what came up was Hyeoltu.

The sight that followed was Je Geumhak creating an ice barrier to defend against my sword...

No, fuck, you completely tactless memories, get lost!

Just one! Just a single woman at least...

["Martial arts attempts to resemble the Dao of nature, yet it does not seek to become one with the Dao of nature. Can the Dao of martial arts and the Dao of nature truly not become one?"]

However.

The one who appeared after that was Moyong Gang.

How is it that while I'm ruminating on the final moments of my life, only these gross faces are showing up?

At this rate, I'll be too wronged to even die.

... Yeah, I really can't die yet.

"Ha... haha..."

At my laughter, Je Geumhak contorted his grotesquely melted face.

"You're laughing?"

I flashed an even brighter smile at him for all to see.

"Have you checked your fortune today by any chance?"

"Fortune?"

"I bet if I checked my fortune today... I'd draw the Five Heavenly Kings."

At my sudden words, Je Geumhak tilted his head.

"What do you..."

"Because I don't think I'm going to die today, you see."

The voice that filled my mind.

["The attempt to unite the Dao of martial arts and the Dao of nature into one."]

Soon, my stiffly frozen Dantian began to slowly move.

I didn't force my way through the tangled blood vessels.

It merely moved quietly in place.

There is no need to try and reach out, nor is there a need to try and touch it.

The Dao is simply existing right there.

There is no need to forcefully move it.

You only need to naturally synchronize and move together.

That is Void Destruction (空滅).

And...

FWOOSH.

FWOOSH.

FWOOSH.

FWOOSH.

Suddenly, four sacred fires bloomed above the heads of the Formless Hidden Demon Squad members.

"W-What is..."

Following that, a sacred fire also bloomed on the chest of the panicked Je Geumhak.

["That is precisely the Void Destruction Fist (空滅拳)."]

Inside my mind, Moyong Gang's voice echoed quietly.