CHAPTER 378: SUPREME ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE, PALE BLOOD HAND (3)

Go Yo-ja and his party set out on a journey to rescue the disciples who had been captured by the vile spawns of the demonic cult.

Crossing the great desert was arduous, but they safely crossed the land of scorching heat.

If this were a story or a martial arts novel, it could have been summarized in just two sentences like that.

But from the perspective of those living in reality, that journey was by no means simple.

The skin of those who crossed the desert was all reddened.

This was because the sun was so hot it burned their skin.

Rationing their water, their lips cracked like dry rice paddies and scabbed over.

The hardships did not end after crossing the desert.

They had to enter the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains and head toward Sky Shattering Island.

As the name suggests, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were vast beyond measure.

Finding the Kunlun Sect in the Kunlun Mountain Range was not easy, so the much larger Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were even more so.

Perhaps the only better thing was that the surrounding vegetation had become richer.

Walking continuously through what had become more like a forest, Go Yo-ja grew increasingly anxious.

“We’re finally almost there.”

Two things kept him going.

His desire for revenge against the Demonic Cult and the Thousandfold Demon Tide Hall that annihilated his sect.

And the wish to rescue the abducted disciples.

With just that resolve, they arrived at a place where no other martial artists from other sects had set foot.

Well, there might have been spies sent by the Murim Alliance or the Unorthodox Union, but…

Whoosh—

Go Yo-ja tilted his head to avoid hitting a tree branch with his face.

However, Yi-gang, walking beside him, was not quick enough.

“Ugh.”

He squinted as if a branch had hit his face.

Seeing that, Go Yo-ja thought seriously.

Since the wanderer’s martial arts level was not high, the party of masters always acted cautiously.

While walking the rough path, he sometimes feigned being out of breath and showed clumsy movements.

“It seems that he’s distracted.”

Even if Yi-gang’s acting skills were excellent, this was definitely real.

Yi-gang had been acting strange for several days.

While others slept, he stared blankly at flames and sometimes muttered alone into the air.

Yi-gang had clearly reached the Absolute realm.

And Go Yo-ja, the next head of the Kunlun Sect, knew how extraordinary the Absolute realm was.

Who else had become an absolute master at such a young age like Yi-gang?

Not even the Sword Saint, the Divine Monk, or the Unorthodox Union Leader had done so.

It was something that could be counted on one hand in the long history of Murim.

“Has he grasped the clue to enlightenment?”

Such a young Absolute master had fallen into the state of selflessness and couldn’t even avoid branches.

Even in this situation, Go Yo-ja was not displeased.

Rather, he felt a sense of duty and responsibility.

“We must help him.”

If Yi-gang could obtain a Supreme Ultimate Technique before reaching Sky Shattering Island, it would surely be a great help.

Go Yo-ja decided to assist Yi-gang by his side until then.

Rumble—

At that moment, an ominous sound echoed from the sky.

The sky was barely visible due to the dense branches and thick leaves.

They had wondered why the sunlight wasn’t strong, and now the sky had suddenly clouded over.

Drop, raindrops fell on their cheeks.

“Is it raining?”

The wanderers who set out on the journey had no rain gear.

They discarded all unnecessary bulky and heavy items before crossing the desert

And raincoats were the first items to be discarded when crossing the desert.

Go Yo-ja muttered.

“I hope it doesn’t rain too much…”

But ominous feelings always come true.

The raindrops that fell like drizzle gradually grew heavier.

The thick leaves could no longer block the rain.

Crash!

A thunderclap like a bomb exploded.

A thunderstorm had begun.

“We need to take shelter from the rain.”

Dam Hyun muttered beside them.

Go Yo-ja also tapped Yi-gang.

Yi-gang was not completely distracted either.

“Let’s go that way.”

The wanderers walking a bit apart gathered together.

Drunk Sword swept back his soaking wet hair and said.

“There’s a cave ahead, so let’s take shelter and rest first.”

The wanderers didn’t want to continue forced marches in such bad weather.

Above all, the hostages they had captured were a problem.

Gal Dong-tak seemed rather comfortable, but the untrained commoners were exhausted.

Since they had disposed of the horses after crossing the desert, he was tied up like a bundle of dried fish and dragged along.

His trembling body showed he was in poor condition.

There was no other choice.

It was fortunate they found a cave just in time.

The wanderers had somehow gathered dry branches.

After skillfully lighting a fire, they took off their wet clothes to dry and warmed themselves.

Yi-gang’s group did the same.

Go Yo-ja, acting as the Wolf-fang Axe, lit the fire as the youngest member.

Dam Hyun quickly came over and warmed his hands by the fire.

“It’s chilly.”

Compared to Yi-gang and Go Yo-ja, Dam Hyun’s martial arts level was much lower.

He was the most susceptible to the cold.

Dam Hyun warmed himself by the fire and then subtly turned his head.

Despite the fire, Yi-gang did not come close to it.

He still stood at the cave entrance, looking outside.

Dam Hyun muttered very quietly.

“Why is he acting like a madman? When I was young, the crazy guy in the neighborhood always stood like that whenever it rained.”

Then he clicked his tongue and tried to stand up.

He intended to bring Yi-gang closer to the fire.

-Leave him be.

Go Yo-ja stopped Dam Hyun with a telepathic message.

-It’s an important time.

-…Seriously.

Dam Hyun sat back down despite that.

Go Yo-ja was right.

Yi-gang was going through a critical period.

Whoosh—

Heavy rain poured down.

The bright sky quickly darkened due to black clouds.

Every time lightning flashed from the dark clouds, shadows fell across Yi-gang’s face.

His body was soaked and fatigue lingered.

But Yi-gang stared at the rainy sky as if entranced.

“Do not limit your imagination.”

Zhang Sanfeng whispered advice.

Yi-gang had been obsessing over the Supreme Ultimate Technique for days.

It was expected they would reach Sky Shattering Island within five days.

After that, there would be no time to ponder the Supreme Ultimate Technique further.

His mind grew anxious.

He tried to use psychokinesis to create his own weapon, but it wasn’t going well.

「Is psychokinesis all that you have?」

That probably wasn’t the case.

But it was definitely Yi-gang’s unique strength that no one else had.

Because he had been focusing on that, Yi-gang sighed.

「Leave it be. Swordsmen never take their eyes off their blade tips.」

It was the voice of the Heavenly Demon.

At the same time, lightning struck nearby.

Crash!

Because the lightning was close, thunder was heard immediately.

The wanderers were startled by the explosive sound and looked outside.

And Yi-gang stiffened.

It wasn’t that the lightning suddenly brought enlightenment.

Rather, he recalled something he hadn’t thought of before.

「How about taking a look outside?」

He wanted to do that.

Yi-gang flinched and froze just as he was about to rush outside.

If he ran into this storm, everyone would surely think he was crazy.

As someone pretending to be a wanderer, from the Death Blade, it wasn’t a good idea.

“I’m going to go relieve… drain some water first.”

He said that in a wanderer-like manner and dashed into the rain.

Many thought he was strange but soon stopped paying attention.

In particular, Dam Hyun and Go Yo-ja were busy drying themselves by the fire.

The ones most attentive were Pale Blood Hand’s party.

They had the lowest standing here.

Among the leaders, Drunk Sword was older and experienced, so he was respected.

Death Blade was the strongest and backed by the Sky Shattering Island’s Rectification Gang, so even Drunk Sword respected him secretly.

Therefore, Pale Blood Hand and his wanderers took the coldest spot near the cave entrance.

“What’s wrong with that guy?”

One of the wanderers muttered so.

It’s understandable to go far to relieve oneself.

But that’s in normal times. Running outside in this pouring rain?

“He could just do it near the front and get washed up.”

He could just pee at the cave entrance while admiring nature’s grandeur.

“Is it poop?”

“Well, then it’s a bit awkward to do it inside.”

If they smelled bad odors inside the cramped cave, everyone would suffer.

Then someone else raised an objection.

“He looks tough, but maybe his equipment is weak. Is he embarrassed and trying to leave secretly?”

Then laughter burst out.

“Heh heh heh, really? His nose is big though.”

“You have a big nose too, hahaha.”

“What did you say, you bastard?”

As the wanderers started bickering, Pale Blood Hand raised his hand.

His younger brothers fell silent.

“This is our chance.”

At first, his brothers didn’t understand Pale Blood Hand’s words.

“It’s raining and everyone’s tired. Wolf-fang Axe and the Ghost Sword aren’t paying attention.”

Pale Blood Hand gave a secretive glance.

Indeed, the two wanderers from Death Blade’s party had their eyes closed, resting.

“We hold the entrance.”

And Death Blade was alone outside in the rain.

“Let’s strike. I think he’s going to poop, and there’s no easier kill than someone pooping.”

The wanderers nodded at those words.

As shameless ambushers, they knew well that a person was most vulnerable at that moment.

“Better to take him out before we enter Sky Shattering Island.”

Pale Blood Hand whispered in a very low voice.

“Until now, we couldn’t get a chance because of those subordinates of his and Drunk Sword…”

Pale Blood Hand desperately wanted to kill Death Blade.

But the opportunity rarely came.

Facing Death Blade head-on was scary, and though there were only two, he had subordinates.

Actually, the most worrying factor was Drunk Sword.

He probably had no loyalty, but if they confronted Death Blade directly, who knew whose side he’d take.

Even if they defeated Death Blade, if anyone got injured or died, Drunk Sword might take out Pale Blood Hand’s group and take all the rewards.

“Once we strike first, they won’t dare retaliate.”

“What about Wolf-fang Axe and the Ghost Sword?”

“If Death Blade doesn’t return, at least those two will go looking. We can ambush them from behind after suggesting to go together.”

Pale Blood Hand said that and watched his brothers’ expressions.

At first they were hesitant, but now they nodded.

Though sudden, the plan seemed quite plausible.

Pale Blood Hand added one more thing.

“Let’s just observe the situation first. If we can kill Death Blade, we do it. If not, we wait for the next chance.”

At this point, no one dared oppose.

They had secured treasures enough to live lavishly for years.

They would rather die than have the Rectification Gang take it away.

“Then who’ll…”

Someone brought up the most important question.

Pale Blood Hand answered without hesitation.

“Poison Flying Dagger, you go.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

Poison Flying Dagger, the designated one, showed an unhappy expression.

But Pale Blood Hand glared fiercely and growled.

“Who else but you? You’re the lightest and have the Vermilion Disaster Poison.”

Poison Flying Dagger was one who used poison-coated throwing knives fitting his name.

When it comes to speed, he was the fastest among the wanderers.

In a fight, he would quietly throw poisoned knives from behind with his light frame and stealthy steps.

Vermilion Disaster Poison was the toxin Poison Flying Dagger hid tightly in his waistband.

It could knock down anyone except a top-level master in one hit.

Nevertheless, Poison Flying Dagger showed reluctance.

“Still, it’s a bit…”

“Do you think I’m joking?”

Those who openly use poison are even shunned by other wanderers.

Pale Blood Hand was the one who accepted Poison Flying Dagger.

When Pale Blood Hand sternly insisted, Poison Flying Dagger could no longer resist.

“I’m not saying you must kill him. Only if there’s a clear chance. Just go and check it out first.”

In the end, Poison Flying Dagger nodded.

Pale Blood Hand smiled with satisfaction and watched for the opportunity.

Wolf-fang Axe and Ghost Sword were far away.

They seemed to be sleeping now.

If they delayed any longer, Death Blade would surely return.

Now, no one was watching the cave entrance.

Rumble!

At the moment thunder sounded, Poison Flying Dagger dashed out.

The heavy rain concealed his body.

His carefully dried body was soaked in an instant.

Poison Flying Dagger gritted his teeth and cursed.

“Damn it, it’s always me who gets the crap.”

It was a curse directed at Pale Blood Hand.

Though frustrated to be sent out in the rain, Poison Flying Dagger tightly gripped the throwing knife inside his collar.

The eldest brother’s words were not wrong.

It would be good if they could kill Death Blade here.

Death Blade was not far away.

He hoped he would be squatting under a tree with his pants down, but unfortunately, he was not.

Hiding in the bushes, Poison Flying Dagger’s face twisted in disbelief.

“What the hell is that guy doing?”

Death Blade stood in an open clearing, getting soaked by the rain.

He seemed indifferent to the bad weather.

Lightning struck not far away.

Poison Flying Dagger pondered when he should throw his throwing knife.