Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 184

Chapter 184: The Secret of the Past Life Revealed （7）

Before the meeting.

Kang San had anticipated the flow of the conversation.

He thought they might threaten, persuade, or even reveal the truth behind the scenes, but the word “past life,” which was not included in the scope of his expectations, suddenly popped out. For a moment, he felt his blood run cold. According to Luca Bellino, there were only three people who remembered their past lives.

The Sun Priest.

The leader of the Revolution.

And the last person, she didn’t reveal, trailing off.

Then, could that last person be Chief Secretary Kim Mu-hyeok?

Even though Kang San didn’t show any reaction, Kim Mu-hyeok continued the conversation as if it didn’t matter.

“Let me tell you my story for a moment. One day, while living an ordinary life like everyone else, I suddenly felt my senses become sharp and my blood boil. I instinctively knew that it was the awakening of the ‘innate’ talent, and I immediately went to the Hunter Management Bureau. Then, I went through a few tests, and some people came to me and said, ‘You are a special being, different from others.'”

Swish.

He took off his glasses.

The way he wiped his glasses seemed like a usual habit.

“They said there’s a special secret in this world. Innate talent, or the Third Awakening, which is out of order. Most of them were stories about gaining power from ‘past lives.’ So, I was chosen by them. They said that I fit one of the few beings they were keeping an eye on by analyzing the patterns, tendencies, and abilities of Awakening. From then on, it was as you expected. I became stronger with their help, hid the fact of my Awakening from the world, and as the kingmaker Kim Mu-hyeok, I placed Jang Beom-seok in the presidency according to their orders. And the great achievement of three consecutive terms was possible not because it was a crudely built sandcastle, but because there was a solid background behind it.”

The veil was lifted.

Innate talent.

Or the Third Awakening.

Their Awakening patterns were not coincidental.

Unlike the acquired Awakening, which forcibly enhances abilities, they already had the basis for Awakening deep within their DNA. In Kang San’s case, it was the Third Awakening. It is known that the methods of the Third Awakening vary, but Kang San’s change began when he met Luca Bellino and became aware of his past life.

Inevitable.

It was preordained that Kang San, an F-rank, would undergo a transformation.

He swallowed hard.

The more Kim Mu-hyeok spoke, the more sensitive Kang San’s senses became.

“Actually, the reason why I kept an eye on Kang San-nim and tried to bring you into the Guardians was in a similar context. We suspected you were one of the few talents we were watching. Like Lee Han-seong, who inherited the past life of Murim Alliance Leader Moyeongcheon, and…”

He was certain.

This…

“We had to confirm the truth of Kang San-nim, who is suspected to be the Blood Demon Seo Mun-ho.”

It was a trap.

Bang━ He kicked the desk and stood up.

As expected.

Kwaang━

Kwarururung.

Suddenly, an attack struck from above, and the sight of the desk shattering into pieces unfolded before his eyes.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

It was a split second.

The moment the movement was detected by his sensitive senses, Kang San left the spot without a moment’s hesitation.

“Quick reflexes.”

“He’s an S-rank, you know. It would be strange if he got hit.”

The person who attacked from above.

It was a blue-eyed foreigner.

Their conversation was naturally translated by an artifact, and about ten people, led by Kim Mu-hyeok, caught his eye. Each one had an unusual presence. At least A-rank, or maybe even higher.

Kang San raised his sword.

At the sight of him watching them with sharp eyes, Kim Mu-hyeok opened his mouth.

“As a result of our investigation, we found out that the past life affects the present life. Just like Lee Han-seong, who grew up to be a hypocrite like the hypocrite Moyeongcheon, we cannot say that the past life is completely irrelevant. Well, still, wouldn’t it be unnecessary to drag the bad relationships of the past life into the present life? I’ll make a straightforward suggestion. Join hands with us. With just one compromise, Kang San-nim, you can secure your future.”

“…What if I refuse?”

“Well, as you can see from the atmosphere, this is a threat. Die or compromise. There are no other options.”

Now he seemed to understand.

Luca Bellino’s warning.

What she was worried about.

Even though he couldn’t find out all the truth hidden behind the scenes, it would be dangerous to face people who could predict Kang San’s past life. Both Kim Mu-hyeok and Kang San. It was what they both expected. Neither of them came out without knowing that if the conversation didn’t go smoothly, it would eventually lead to a catastrophic end.

Swish.

He adjusted his posture.

As he took a stance to react to the opponent’s attack, Kim Mu-hyeok stretched out his hand, and a huge sword appeared.

Hwaak━

“Tsk. How foolish.”

That was the signal.

The moment he spat out the words.

Papapak━

Kwaang!

The foreigner at the front struck down with his sword.

As Kang San reacted a step faster, the ten foreigners who had been watching until just now attacked simultaneously.

Papapapapak━

The world was intertwined with murderous intent.

In the face of the meticulous attack that didn’t allow even a single space, Kang San blocked the murderous intent that came rushing in one after another. If he blocked the right side, then from above and the left. If he took out his shield and jumped forward, one person would block him from the front, aiming for his blind spot. It was a well-coordinated combination. These people must have trained countless times for attacks that interlocked like cogwheels, because even Kang San, who didn’t budge easily, could only focus on blocking.

And…

Hook━

Kim Mu-hyeok.

His presence overwhelmed him.

From a single huge sword, he unleashed explosive energy.

“Five Tiger Severing Gate Blade.”

Kwaang━!

Kwangkwangkwangkwang!

A fierce attack exploded.

It was a one-sided situation.

Even if he blocked with his shield, the impact was transmitted directly, and when Kang San momentarily activated the Blood Demon Sword Technique to counterattack, the others who weren’t attacking blocked him instead. It was a crisis that would make ordinary people lose their fighting spirit. The malice and murderous intent that filled the air were unfamiliar experiences.

Kang San was different.

It was familiar.

From the first trial until now.

He had experienced countless situations where he was pushed to his limits.

He had no intention of giving up already.

Even as blood spurted from his entire body, he gritted his teeth and glared, trying to find a gap in the interlocking combination that was like cogwheels.

But…

He felt something strange.

Kim Mu-hyeok’s appearance.

It was somehow familiar.

It was as if there had been someone in Kang San’s memory who looked exactly like him.

He traced back his memories.

That was when it happened.

“Let’s see how long you can hold out━.”

Chwarururuk.

The sword spinning fiercely.

At the attack that plunged down with centrifugal force, something flashed in his mind.

‘The leader of the Menghodan, Mad Tiger Cheon Kang. It must be him.’

In the memories of his past life.

The image of a man was projected onto Kim Mu-hyeok.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Mad Tiger Cheon Kang.

Chief Secretary Kim Mu-hyeok.

Their physique, face, age, and even name were all different, but the way they wielded their swords and their presence were very similar.

Goosebumps rose on his skin.

If he was a member of the Hebei Peng family…

He was Kang San’s nemesis.

That meant that Peng Mujeong must exist, and he might be up there.

Swaeeaeak━

He dodged the attack.

At the same time, he used the most powerful skill he could use.

“Metamorphosis.”

Type: Attack.

Magical power swelled.

Magical power rising from the tips of his toes covered his entire body, and he transformed into a form seemingly enveloped in black magical power.

『Attack power greatly increased.』

『Speed greatly increased.』

In an instant.

His vision expanded.

The attacks that were too fast to see before were now visible.

Whoosh.

Kwakwakwakwak!

He dug into the space.

He quickly pushed Kim Mu-hyeok, and at the sight of him rushing in recklessly despite the interference from the surroundings, Kim Mu-hyeok’s face was stained with bewilderment. Kang San’s counterattack was fiercer than he expected. But that was all. He didn’t think it would change the outcome of the battle. At the meeting with Seo Mun-ho’s reincarnation, they weren’t the kind of people who would prepare carelessly.

“…Not bad. Everyone, use that!”

“Yes!”

Chwarurururuk.

The foreigners untied something.

It was the Chains of Restraint.

It was a skill of a higher rank than the Chains of Suppression, a skill that greatly restricted the opponent’s movement in exchange for restricting one’s own actions. They wrapped around Kang San’s body. He couldn’t even dodge them. One person per body part. One on the right arm, one on the left arm, one on the right leg, one on the left leg, and chains suppressed his torso, wrists, and more.

“…!”

Clang, clang.

His movement was restricted.

Kim Mu-hyeok struck down Kang San’s attack and showed eyes that gleamed with madness.

“You should have accepted the offer.”

Hook.

Puhwak━!

Blood splattered.

Kang San’s head and reaction speed clearly thought he had blocked the attack, but he couldn’t move his body as much as he expected due to the chains’ restraints. His chest was deeply cut. As he watched the blood droplets spraying everywhere, Kang San’s expression became distorted.

The opponent was clever.

When Kang San increased his attack power, they restricted him so he couldn’t fight properly.

It was dangerous if this continued.

His body was stained with blood from Kim Mu-hyeok’s relentless attacks, and he could only focus on defense even after using Metamorphosis. Kang San wondered about himself. Was he too careless? Was stepping into the opponent’s trap, even though he had anticipated it, the price of his complacency, foolishly overestimating himself?

No.

It was something he had to endure.

The ever-approaching danger would have eventually grabbed him by the throat.

And at that time, when he wasn’t prepared like now, he would have been in a more dangerous situation due to a sudden attack.

‘Let’s wait for the right moment.’

The ability of Metamorphosis.

His attack power had increased explosively.

Just once.

He was confident that he could unleash explosive power that the opponent wouldn’t expect.

Enduring the attacks of Kim Mu-hyeok and his group, Kang San waited for a single moment.

There was something strange about Kim Mu-hyeok’s swordsmanship.

While reminiscent of Cheon Kang…

It didn’t have the same level of perfection as Cheon Kang.

At first, he thought it was a difference in skill level, but the more he faced Kim Mu-hyeok, the more certain he became.

‘Kim Mu-hyeok doesn’t remember his past life.’

That was the difference between him and Kang San.

Kang San also had a time when he used the Blood Demon Sword Technique clumsily.

But as he repeated the experiences of his past life, he became more accustomed to the memories engraved in his cells and became more like Seo Mun-ho.

Kim Mu-hyeok wasn’t like that.

Superficial martial arts.

Kang San watched his opponent carefully.

Just like Seo Mun-ho had defeated Cheon Kang.

He aimed for the opponent’s opening.

If Seo Mun-ho’s counterattack, which even Cheon Kang couldn’t block, worked, he was sure it would work against the current Kim Mu-hyeok.

“Die, Five Tiger Severing Gate Blade!”

Kwarurururung.

He rushed in furiously.

Kang San knew instinctively.

This counterattack now.

The opponent might die.

Since each of Seo Mun-ho’s attacks aimed for the opponent’s vital points, he had to act with the mindset of wanting to kill a human.

‘There’s no other way now.’

One chance.

If he missed it, he would die instead.

He led the attack.

Following Seo Mun-ho’s method, but in a more destructive way!

“Blood Demon Sword Technique, Fourth Style.”

Whirrr.

The two intertwined.

The moment Kim Mu-hyeok’s eyes were stained with bewilderment.

“Lure Kill━!”

Flash.

Puhwaaaak!

He cut the opponent’s chest open.

Blood spraying everywhere.

Skin splitting open.

The moment the cruel sensation of cutting off the breath of life flowed through his fingertips.

Ping━

Kang San’s vision.

Kang San’s mind was momentarily distorted.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Crackle, crackle.

The surroundings were ablaze.

The people who were laughing and chatting merrily had all become corpses, and Seo Mun-ho, covered in blood, stared blankly at Moyongcheon’s dead body.

“…It’s so easy. The fact that it all ends when you die.”

It was a hollow revenge.

Peng Mujeong and Moyongcheon.

He wanted to give them the most painful deaths possible.

But as soon as Moyongcheon was defeated, he bit his tongue without a moment’s hesitation, as if he had no regrets about life. It was an unexpected situation. He thought that the more a person achieved, the stronger their attachment to life would be. The situation where someone would choose suicide to prevent revenge was not part of the plan.

Now, only Peng Mujeong remained.

Peng Mujeong, at least.

He had to die in agony.

He took their family hostage.

He announced it to the world.

He said that if they wanted to save their family, Peng Mujeong should come find him himself.

But even as time passed, Peng Mujeong did not show up.

People from the Nine Sects and One Clan, who advocated for justice, appeared with troops, and Seo Mun-ho sent them all to the afterlife as soon as he encountered them. The atmosphere in Murim was ominous. With the appearance of an unprecedented monster like Seo Mun-ho, no one dared to enter Hebei’s territory to save their families.

In the end.

Peng Mujeong did not appear.

Looking at the people who had done nothing wrong except for being members of the Peng family, Seo Mun-ho showed a twisted smile.

“It’s your fault that you were born that way.”

Thud━

He blew their heads off.

There would be no pain.

Seo Mun-ho turned around.

If Peng Mujeong didn’t come.

If that coward betrayed everything to save himself.

“I hereby declare to the world. Until Peng Mujeong is brought before me, I will kill everyone in Murim.”

It was the moment that would go down in Murim history.

The moment the great massacre began.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Terrible pain exploded in Kang San’s head.

『You have fallen into Qi Deviation.』

It was a voice he hadn’t heard in a long time.

A voice he hadn’t heard since his mental strength increased, no matter how many lives he took.

Just one human.

As soon as he killed Kim Mu-hyeok, his stomach churned.

But it was strange.

Qi Deviation was a state of madness where one couldn’t control oneself, driven to extremes.

It was different now.

In his head.

The scenes he saw.

Everything he felt sensually.

He felt everything clearly, without missing a single thing.

『You are entering the realm of Immersion.』

Only then did he realize.

The state of Qi Deviation.

The realm of Immersion, consumed by murderous intent.

This was the moment when the Blood Demon Art became the most powerful.

The battle wasn’t over yet.

The foreigners fiercely revealing their murderous intent.

Looking at them, Kang San surrendered to his instincts.