The Max Level Hero Has Returned!
chapter-581

"That was a pivotal moment. Once his latent talent bloomed, his growth rate exploded, ultimately leading him to craft a martial art uniquely his own."

That was precisely it, the Heavenly Destroyer Divine Art.

"With that newfound power, he no longer needed to flee and he fought by himself against both the Illusion Demon Sect and the Martial Alliance. This lasted for about five years."

He fought at the risk of his life. Consequently, numerous clans and families within the Martial Alliance were sealed off, and the leader of the Illusion Demons, who attempted to manipulate Dokgo Jun with dark arts, met his demise at Dokgo Jun's hands during his lone assault on their sect.

"The history of the martial world was turned upside down."

"What… what happened after that?"

"What do you think could have happened?"

"They say that 150 years ago, the Heavenly Destroyer Dokgo Jun was ultimately defeated in a combined assault by the Galaxy Sword Saint Yu Gil-Tae, the Crimson Dragon Scholar Hark Joon-Seong, and the Ice Sword Goddess Hwa Ok-Ran."

"That's nonsense." Davey's words made the two others flinch again.

"Those three ultimately failed to defeat Dokgo Jun. By that time, Dokgo Jun was already contemplating the Natural Realm, a realm not even his own father dared to dream of."

It was the realm of a grandmaster.

"In the end, Dokgo Jun vanished after the battle known as the Last Stand at the Valley of No Return. The Illusion Demon Sect ceased to exist, and the Martial Alliance vowed not to pursue Dokgo Yeon. Without a target, there was no reason to shed blood anymore."

"Then… He…"

"Dokgo Jun disappeared from the world along with Dokgo Yeon."

He did not elaborate any further. When the dimensions were being torn apart, revealing the Immortal Realm and the ensuing changes threatened to destroy the world, Dokgo Jun burned everything he had to protect the world meant for Dokgo Yeon. It was meaningless to mention all that. He fought to the very end to save a little lady named Dokgo Yeon and then vanished. A hero for just one person. That was his untold story.

"Ha ha. You can spin quite a tale, can't you?" Kwak Joon-Seong muttered under his breath, and Davey quietly closed his eyes.

"If only it were fiction, it might have been somewhat funny," he said, thinking to himself, ‘There’s nothing amusing about this wretched reality.’

Then he asked, "What do you know about the Heavenly Destroyer?"

"He's the founder of the Heavenly Destroyer Sect. One day, he appeared out of thin air, making many clans and families in the Martial Alliance, as well as the Evil Sects and Demon Sects, tremble in fear of the absolute evil," Joon-Seong answered readily.

In response, Davey just smiled faintly. "What if I told you that this ‘absolute evil’ got swept up in the turbulence of those times, the greed of the Martial Alliance, and the Demon Sects, and that they were merely pitiful people?"

"I find that hard to believe."

Davey smiled.

"This is where the story ends. Now, let's welcome our guests," Davey said calmly as he stood up. He said to Perserque, "Go tidy things up with that lady over there. I'll take care of the guests."

Perserque quietly got up. The next moment, a massive shockwave shook the entire forest.

"Wha… What?!" Kwak Mi-Young startled, jumped to her feet.

"The guest has arrived." Perserque extended her hand toward Davey and said, "Davey. Give it to me, now."

"There's no need for that."

"Hurry up and give it here! Do you know how long I have been waiting for this moment?"

Perserque was starting to sound as if she was throwing a tantrum. Davey chuckled and handed over the Transcendence’s Demise he had pulled out from his Pocket Plane. Everyone looked surprised as the Transcendence’s Demise appeared from the Pocket Plane.

Perserque laughed and looked at the Peach Blossom Fairy Kwak Mi-Young. "Let's go together."

Mi-Young answered reluctantly, "Miss… Didn't you hear that sound? Moreover, the malicious aura filling this forest is…."

"It's all good."

She smiled widely and left, while Kwak Mi-Young turned her gaze to Davey and shouted, "Hey, Sir Davey! Is it really okay to send her off like that?!"

Davey tilted his head slightly. "Go take a stroll."

His tone was calm, and Kwak Mi-Young fell silent for a moment before quickly following Perserque. It was clear she was trying to bring Perserque back here.

After Kwak Mi-Young and Perserque left, Kwak Joon-Seong grimaced. "Such a dreadful aura! What kind of being is…"

He began to speak and then his eyes widened in shock. Something flew from within the forest, hit him right in the abdomen, and blew him away.

"Kuh???"

Kwak Joon-Seong, wounded by the strike, collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. And as a figure emerged from the darkness, Han Ja-Seong’s and Cheon Ji-Hee's eyes bulged.

"You… You are…."

"It's been a while, kid."

With a chilly smile on his face, Ji Woo appeared along with a huge monster.

"Brother Ji Woo…"

"Do you know him?"

As Davey sat on the ground and threw kindling into the bonfire, Ja-Seong tried feebly to rise, grinding his teeth. He yelled, "Traitor of the sect!!!"

"Traitor? That’s a harsh word, kid," replied Ji Woo nonchalantly.

Ja-Seong's face twisted with a mix of rage, shock, and hatred at the intruder’s words. On the other hand, Ji Woo—the so-called traitor—maintained a calm expression.

"Shut up! If you hadn’t injured Master, the Heavenrend Sect would not have ended up like this! You filthy traitor!"

Ja-Seong was unable to get back on his feet, and all he could do was shout.

Ji Woo shrugged it off.

"Yeah, traitor... I guess I am a traitor in your eyes."

Ji Woo gestured with his hand. A strong wind blew, and with it, the massive monster he had brought along hit Ja-Seong.

Thud!!!

Ja-Seong was sent flying, and Ji Woo approached him leisurely, as if Davey weren’t even there. "Traitor, huh? Yeah, I guess that’s the right word. But let's get one thing straight, kid. The traitor isn't me. It's that damned master and you guys."

Ja-Seong's eyes widened in response.

"Have you ever thought about why your brother made such a choice?" Ji Woo asked.

"It doesn't matter! What matters to me is that you contributed to the killing of my master, my brothers, and my juniors!"

"It was not me who killed your master and brothers and juniors; it was the Ak Rim Sect."

Ja-Seong ground his teeth hearing these words.

"Hey, get your story straight. I can feel the same aura from your body as those Ak Rim Sect thugs. Are you telling me you have nothing to do with them?" commented Davey from the side.

"You…." Looking at Davey, Ji Woo’s face relaxed as he muttered, "I see. You're the one who revived those two damned bitches."

As he was about to attack, massive explosions echoed from the forest. Ji Woo's eyes widened in surprise, and an instant later, Kwak Joon-Seong charged in with a lightning-fast move.

"Get away!!!"

Joon-Seong still seemed to believe that Davey had no idea about martial arts.

"What are you doing!! Run and catch up with my sister!" he shouted at Davey, pulling on Davey with one hand as he drew his sword with the other.

"Catch up with your sister? Pretty sure it’s much worse where she is now." Ji Woo stood up, laughing as if nothing had happened. "Hey, Gongdong Faction kid. You’re just a nameless small fry. I'll spare your life, so buzz off. You too, descendant of the Westerners."

Kwak Joon-Seong scoffed. "As if. If I were to flee and lose the ones I'm supposed to protect, I would be beaten to death by the elders and the grandmaster."

"I guess they’re right when they say ‘spare the rod and spoil the child.’ So be it. Deal with it, Heavenly Jiangshi."

"He… Heavenly Jiangshi?!" Kwak Joon-Seong shrieked in horror at the mention of the Heavenly Jiangshi.

"Then let's leave that pest to the Heavenly Jiangshi."

The Heavenly Jiangshi blocked Joon-Seong.

"Ugh…."

Ja-Seong and Ji-Hee were paralyzed with fear as they tried to rise but failed. Due to Davey’s “massage” earlier, Ja-Seong could barely move a finger.

"Why… Why did you betray us?!" Ji-Hee trembled in terror.

"Betrayal? Watch your words. From my perspective, you people are the traitors here!"

Boom!!!

Ji Woo kicked Ja-Seong away, his eyes glowing with madness. Then, he raised his hand, and the limp Ja-Seong flew toward him. He grabbed Ja-Seong by the throat and pummeled him with abandon, as if the young man was a defenseless ragdoll.

"For fifteen goddamn years!! I strived for fifteen years doing grunt work just to learn martial arts from the Heavenrend Sect. Do you know what your father gave me in the end? Nothing but basic martial arts that could be learned in any ordinary sect, just a little modified. I didn’t want to learn those stupid arts from Cheon Geum, I wanted the secret art of the Heavenrend Sect!"

His outcry made Ja-Seong clench his teeth.

"Master became such an outstanding martial artist with those very arts!"

Ji Woo burst into roaring laughter.

"Ha ha ha! You’re wrong, kid." Ji Woo’s smiling face turned serious. "The Heavenrend Sect is a linear succession sect."

"..."

Hearing these words, a look of horror crossed Ja-Seong's face. "What do you mean…"

"Do you understand now? Your master… That Cheon Geum, he never intended to pass on the secret Heavenrend Sect art to anyone among the sect members!!! Except for that girl!"

At his outcry, Ji-Hee flinched. "What on earth… What are you saying?"

"You know very well what I’m saying. Linear succession means that the sect master passes down their arts to only one person. All of our lifelong efforts are in vain. All of us are lowly servants who could never become part of the Heavenrend Sect family!! Same goes for you! You were just being played with!" he spat out shakily, his hands trembling. "I could not bear knowing that fact. Funnily enough, you were really unique. A dumb brute with no talent! Yet, that Cheon Geum bastard actually doted on you!"

One of the people here was the favored disciple; the other was the only blood relative of the sect master, who could inherit the sect’s martial arts with no effort.

"I despise you people! I despise that Cheon Geum bastard who claimed to be our master!!!" Ji Woo screamed and grabbed Ja-Seong's throat again, with his sword drawn.

Then, he thrust his sword at Ja-Seong’s heart.

"Ah… No!!!"

Kwak Joon-Seong’s scream echoed with terror, accompanied by Ji-Hee's constant trembling. Both faced the imminent threat of absolute danger.

Ding…..

Bells tinkled as the frightened girl plopped down on the ground. But then, a spark of determination lit up in her eyes.

Ji Woo's body, enveloped in a mysterious power, vibrated intensely. At that moment, the resounding voice of Cheon Ji-Hee filled the air.

"Linear Succession!"

Cheon Ji-Hee charged at Ji Woo, flames flickering in her eyes.

Thud!!!

"Heavenrend Sect's ultimate art!"

She flung Ji Woo away in one move, giving him no chance to block her. Then, she seized Ja-Seong's sword and charged at Ji Woo.

She seemed to have cast away her fright, and she was moving by instinct rather than reason. She dashed into the air with astonishing speed, as if stepping on invisible platforms, and raised her sword. Then, with a forceful stomp, she brought down her sword.

"Scattering Blossom Flash!"

A chilling cleaving sound echoed as a blue flame sliced through space.

The shockwave even reached Kwak Joon-Seong, disrupting his battle with the Heavenly Jiangshi. Ji Woo lay silent on the ground as Ji-Hee staggered to her feet, gasping heavily. Her shaky hand could no longer maintain the grip on her sword, and it fell to the ground with a clang..

Ja-Seong's eyes opened wide. "Hee… Hee-Ah…"

Ji-Hee displayed martial prowess on par with masters in the Transcendent realm, far beyond the Peak or Absolute realms. She collapsed without saying a word, losing consciousness. Ja-Seong approached her with shaking legs, still confused.

"Do you see now?"

A chilling voice reached Ja-Seong's ears. Simultaneously, a brilliant beam pierced through Ja-Seong's dantian.

"Kuh!"

For a martial artist, the dantian was their life. A martial artist with a destroyed dantian could no longer even be called a martial artist.

"Do you see now? That girl has never learned any martial arts, but she was unconsciously taught everything by that Cheon Geum. We were left with mere deception!! And mockery!!"

Ji Woo stood up, screaming and full of blood. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Jiangshi smacked Kwak Joon-Seong away and approached rapidly.

"Kill her! Smash her to bits and don’t leave a bone intact!!" screamed Ji Woo.

The Heavenly Jiangshi charged at the fallen Ja-Seong and Ji-Hee.

"NO!!!"

Kwak Joon-Seong's scream was followed by a heavy cleaving sound. The Heavenly Jiangshi's claws were blown off.

"Are you done venting?"

Davey's question hung in the air as everyone looked on in silence.

"Han Ja-Seong, your dantian is now ruined."

Ja-Seong's gaze was filled with despair. He knew that he was going to bleed to death.

"Learning the wrong stuff is not just bad, it’s worse than not learning anything at all. Watch carefully. These are the martial arts you need to learn."

The Heavenrend Sect’s art, Scattering Blossom Flash, felt all too familiar to Davey, and so did parts of the power used by the Ak Rim Sect's disciples. They were copies of the same thing.

He looked at Ji Woo. "You know, your master actually tried to save your life."

Ja-Seong’s and Joon-Seong’s swords leapt into Davey's hands. The next moment, his inner energy stirred, and a horrifying aura caused tremors all around him. Everyone paled when they felt his incredible energy.

"There’s nothing more dangerous than an incomplete martial art. The Scattering Blossom Flash, as well as the rest of the Heavenrend Sect martial arts your master created after observing the Heavenly Destroyer Divine Art, don’t suit everyone. Those who aren’t compatible will die the moment they use them."

It was time to reveal the true Heavenly Destroyer Divine Art. Not the inferior version, the Heavenrend Sect’s Scattering Blossom Flash, but the real deal.

[Heavenly Destroyer Divine Art]

[True Heavenly Sword Dance]

[Scattering Blossom Flash]

As lightning flashed, Davey himself transformed into a bolt of lightning, slicing through the Heavenly Jiangshi.

Crackle!!!

Simultaneously, hundreds of afterimages spread in all directions. When the afterimages dissipated, a blue flame intertwined with lightning pierced through the Heavenly Jiangshi.

It was the coveted peak technique of the Heavenrend Sect that Ji Woo had so desperately sought—the original Scattering Blossom Flash.