Possessing Nothing

Chapter 296: Denial (1)

Although Sima Ryunju dismissed Wolhus presence with a mocking set of words, Wolhus expression was not shaken by his attitude.

What Sima Ryunju said was absolutely true. That said, her accusation was not something to be dismissed so easily as they were talking about the apocalypse.

Is Sima Ryunju the cause for the end of the world?

He may not be the one responsible for the end as the Apostle of the End, but he was one of the pillars that led to the end of the world.

Was it really true? It was too radical of an idea to believe blindly.

However Musin felt that his mind was leaning toward the fact that what Wolhu said was true.

Sima Ryunju was strong. He was too strong to be measured by any normal standards.

When Musin came out of his closed door training after a hundred years, Musin did not have a single doubt in his mind in believing that the level of power he had reached was at the pinnacle of all human beings.

He had never faced off directly against any of the Five Black Stars or Predator, but Musin was rather confident that he could take down the Vampire Queen without too much difficulty.

But after this recent encounter with Sima Ryunju, Musin was forced to rethink his thoughts. He was not at the pinnacle of power attainable by a human being, let alone strong enough to deal with the Vampire Queen of Predator, Geniella. It was agonizing and a complete leveling of his pride as he was in closed door training because of Sima Ryunju and had done so because he wanted to be stronger than him.

Not once, after his closed door training, did Musin think for even a second, that he would be pushed so far into a corner by the man he so desperately wanted to topple.

Sima Ryunjus level of strength was absurd. It was weird. No, it was completely ridiculous. He couldnt be stronger than him Well, that was if he was still human. But, what if Sima Ryunju was not just a human being, but the Apostle of the End that would bring forth the apocalypse?

If it was, then that level of ridiculous strength was somewhat convincing.

Do you need a justification to understand your weakness?

Sima Ryunju said to Musin who was remaining silent. It was impossible to get out of this spatial barrier. If Sima Ryunju was able to somehow knock down Wolhu and Musin, the question of whether he would be able to get out remained.

In fact, if he wanted to get away and escape, he could have done so earlier. If he had escaped when Lee Sungmin had come to him, he would have been able to, but Sima Ryunju had a simple reason for it.

He didnt want to.

Sima Ryunju looked up at the sky with his hands behind his back.

Yeah, he didnt want to. Come to think of it, it was just all just an excuse.

When he went to the Murim Alliance with Lee Sungmin, there was actually no need to make such a fuss and large ruckus when they arrived. He wanted to face the strongest hundred-man formation the Murim Alliance had to offer from the Heavenly Fist Sect, and he wanted to fight the Jehu, The Black Dragon, himself and was the Lord of the Murim Alliance. He threatened to provoke Geniella simply because he wanted to fight her.

He could have avoided it all, but he didnt. All because he wanted to.

Whatever.

Sima Ryunju simply smirked. It was not the reason that mattered. He was just doing it because he wanted to.

Maybe it was today.Sima Ryunju turned his head slowly.

Beyond the invisible barrier, Lee Sungmin was screaming.

The strength created by his spear hit the wall relentlessly. But the walls were not even damaged in the slightest.

This barrier was similar to the barrier of the Devil of Maryeong Pavilion, which had kept Musin in captivity for months. Even if Sima Ryunju did his best, he would not be able to break out easily, let alone Lee Sungmin even being able to break out of it at all if he was the one in his masters position.

I dont think you can hear anything.

It was translucent, but the space itself was quarantined from the outside, so no sounds from outside the barrier could make it inside.

It was impossible to escape from there unless the boundary itself was broken.

He didnt even want to escape in the first place. Sima Ryunju lowered his head looking at the sky. He smiled, baring his cmirking canines toward Wolhu and Musin.

What are you doing?

He laughed and asked them.

Didnt you say that this old man is one of the pillars that brings the end of the world? Even after saying that, youre gonna keep looking at me and standing around like that?

Sima Ryunju unraveled his hands from his robe sleeves and thought about Scarlett. He sincerely hoped the Red Tower Master would do what he asked of.

Rumbleeeee!

There was a rumbling sound that started to ring out from Sima Ryunjus body. A black current of electricity splashed around his body.

Musin looked at Sima Ryunju with a tense face. In fact, he was still skeptical. Wolhu said he would help, but he was still not confident of killing the man known as Sima Ryunju, in front of him, even with the help of Wolhu.

Its all right.

Like Wolhu had said earlier, Musin repeated the words.

Keying!

With an eerie sound, Wolhus body was colored with white light. The power that Wolhu was drawing from, was not his own internal strength.

Musin was surprised as he felt the foreign energy within Wolhus body start to gather around the space. The power shown by Wolhu resembled that of the Devil from the Maryeong Pavilion.

What the hell is that

It was lent to me by the Heavenly Spirit.

Wohlhu, wrapped in a dazzling white light, replied. Samaryeonju was also interested in the strange flow of power that was permeating around the space.

He glanced forward at them as he slowly cracked a grin.

The spatial barrier was colored all in white.

After that, it was dyed black. Countless black lines of lightning ravaged the white surroundings.

The speed of the Dark Storm Arts took away the human figure from Sima Ryunju.

Fwip- fwip- 

Countless consecutive hits of the black lightning pushed Musin back.

There was an indescribable astonishment in the face of Musin.

That wasnt his full speed?!

Sima Ryunju was faster, faster than before. Wolhu, who was surrounded by white light, was also pushed back by Sima Ryunjus offensive. He was completely in surprise from Sima Ryunjus completely incomprehensible speed that was nigh-impossible to keep track of, but such astonishment also roused the expectation he had and sense of fulfillment towards completing his mission here.

The word of the Divine Spirit was true. It was clear that Sima Ryunju, who had gained the power of the absolute pinnacle, could no longer be thought of as someone that was a human being and was a monster. The Divine Spirit gave the prophecy that he would bring forth the being to end the world.

So, as the ones who carried out the Divine Spirits will, Wolhu and Beyond the Heavens had to stop it. After the attack, Wolhus hands were colored with a whiter light.

He was a master who had mastered the Divine art of Extreme Ice. However, Sima Ryunjus speed that broke the speed of light, was not something that could be caught or delayed by mere ice.

But it was not a major problem for Wolhu. Now Wolhu was able to watch what Musin could barely follow with perfect eyesight. It wasnt that Wolhus skills were better or more knowledgeable than Musins, but rather he was able to glimpse into the future and see Sima Ryunjus movements.

The power lent to him from the Heavenly Spirit, was something that was from a true transcendental being, and allowed him to gain such abilities. However, it was at a heavy price. In exchange for such incredible powers, Wolhu had lost every single martial art he had learned up until now for this temporary greatness.

After killing Sima Ryunju, he would become a cripple, but Wolhu did not regret his choice.

Crinkkkkk!

Wolhus power blocked the movement of black lightning bolts that were painting the white barrier like ink stains without stopping. Sima Ryunju was a little surprised by the rays of light that shot from Wolhus palms and met with his lightning.

He lowered his left hand, which had been shooting off black lightning. Sima Ryunju retracted it because his left hand had collided with a gruesome chill. There was a white frost on the palm of his hand. It was evidence that one of those attacks had broken through his coating of internal energy used as a last defense barrier and dealt a blow to him.

Ho.

The attacks up until then had never reached Sima Ryunju. But suddenly Wohlus attacks had started to reach. Instead of feeling pressured, Sima Ryunju welcomed this change of pace with a large grin as he shook his head.

Rumbling!

Once again, his body started to rumble and the ground termored.

Poingg!

The three of them : Sima Ryunju, Musin, and Wolhu, suddenly disappeared.

Whoo!

It was the sounds of a collision from Musin that struck out in the surroundings as he was found back mildly. He quickly regained his balance and ran in the opposite direction towards Sima Ryunju.

His hands moved quickly and drew an after image. They drew closer to his chest and roused internal energy as he struck out with his palm towards Sima Ryunju.

Sima Ryunju, who was dealing with the spears of ice coming at him from Wolhus side, immediately responded to the coming palm strikes from behind.

Crungg!

Sima Ryunju opened his right hand towards the incoming palm strikes of Musin while redirecting the ice that shot out from Wolhus hands with his left.

Wolhu did not shy away and reached out to surround Sima Ryunju once more.

Brrrrrrr.

With an eerie sound, an absolute freezing cold layer of ice wrapped around Sima Ryunjus left hand.

Any layer of internal energy used as a barrier, was meaningless. Wolhus attacks, under the bolstered buff from the Heavenly Spirit, ignored Sima Ryunjus layer of internal energy that acted as a layer of defense, and directly froze his left hand.

Huh?!

But it was Wolhu that let out a groan. The foot wielded by Sima Ryunju, swiftly kicked the body of Wolhu in mid-air. Originally, this blow would have killed Wolhu on the spot by exploding his guts from the inside from shock.

But he didnt die. Only to kill Sima Ryunju, the power of the Heavenly Spirits blessing, managed to fill the distant gap between Wolhu and Sima Ryunju briefly.

He was still not as strong as Sima Ryunju, but there was also Musin. He grabbed Sima Ryunjus right hand, which had been pressing his body, and pulled towards his own.

He shot his right hand wrapped in a blue light at Sima Ryunjus ribcage.

In that tight and close distance, Sima Ryunju quickly reversed his posture to avoid Musins hands.

BANG!

The light emitted by Musins palms missed and shot at the floor, creating a deep and huge crater.

The heat from his internal energy, made the cold air of the North, meaningless as steam rose from the ground.

Wrath of the Lightning Demon.

Sima Ryunju murmured as his internal energy started to rumble inside his internal circuitry.

Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!

Hundreds and thousands of simultaneous blasts rang out. The sound alone shook the barrier.

Ten thousand lightning strikes centered around Sima Ryunjus body, swept everywhere and everything in sight.

The snow in the boundary melted and evaporated, and the ground burned black. However, the remaining electric current in the air became a huge sphere following Sima Ryunjus hand movements.

Falling to the ground by the awfully powerful display of force, Musin staggered and rose up slowly.

But. before he could, Sima Ryunjus wrath of the Lightning Demon, hit both Wolhu and Musin back to the ground.

Not enough.

Sima Ryunju murmured. Although the newfound power in the new opponent of Wolhu, who was under the protection of the Heavenly Spirit, was surprising, it was not enough to kill Sima Ryunju.

Wolhu was no longer calm. Sima Ryunju pointed downward at a black sphere that was congealed in front of the palm of his hand.

You cannot kill me with this.

The sphere of lightning fell. As it fell, it burst once again and the color of the sky completely changed once more.

It became a perfect night. In the sky, a darker current flowed out. It was darker than the  normal pitch-black darkness of the night.

Let there be lightning.

Sima Ryunju spoke with a cocky grin.

Countless lightning strikes fell at that moment.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Musin roared in a loud voice and raised his arms as he spread them out. The enormous force from his body swirled up violently.

Countless lightning strikes were caught up in the flow of power. It was all about hanging in there for Musin at that moment. It was impossible to retaliate or even hope of extinguishing the lightning.

Bloody tears flowed from the eyes of the burned and bloodied body of Musin.

Wolhu panted desperately and raised his hands towards Sima Ryunju.

Please, please give me the strength I need.

Wolhu searched deep for the power of the Heavenly Spirit within his heart. He wished desperately for the power to kill that demon of a man in front of him. The burned and blackened snow around Wolhu, turned  back to its natural white hue.(T/N : Sima Ryunju isnt actually a demon. Its just a metaphor here.)

It was widely known as a Law of this world.

Humans and monsters alike, in this world, could acquire True Transcendence. The world had been created based on such absolute laws.

This world had functioned in keeping with the purpose of each existence, stable. It was because it was nothing but a large breeding ground. A breeding ground in which mortals were rolling around in vain to obtain complete but limited skills.(T/N : WHAT?!!!!!)

No matter how strong the power of Sima Ryunju was; even if his power had already exceeded the Realm of Transcendence for mortals.

He was neither a True Transcendent nor an Absolute Existence. After all, he was still human.

So this would have to work, Wolhu thought.

Bzt.

A white light. Suddenly penetrated the body of Sima Ryunju.

The body of Sima Ryunju, which was floating in the air, faltered greatly. He looked down at his body with a surprised face. The lightning that was rumbling around him violently, stopped.

what?

For the first time, shock and bewilderment was visible on Sima Ryunjus face. His internal energy stopped circulating. His body felt heavy.

Until just now, the airspace that was endlessly full of lightning, was now reduced to the point where the floor was visible.

Above all, the body that was faster than anything else felt too heavy for him to even move. How long had it been since he last felt this kind of weight on his body?

Ahhhh!

Wolhu exclaimed with a bright face. He didnt know if it had worked, or even that Sima Ryunju could no longer feel his internal energy. But he did feel one thing that certainly delighted him. That the Heavenly Spirit answered his call.

Wolhu immediately hit the ground. He didnt know what the hell was going on with Musins condition at that moment, but he had a hunch that something was wrong with Sima Ryunju.

The great power that Musin was collecting and had roused was shot at Sima Ryunju at that moment.

Whoobang!

A storm of power created by the backflow that Musin had stored when facing the relentless Wrath of the Lightning Demon, hit Sima Ryunju.

Sima Ryunju responded to the force with a firm expression. But it was not enough. No internal energy was to be felt, and his body felt incredibly heavy. For the first time since the fight had begun, Sima Ryunju tasted blood in his mouth.

Wolhu moved toward Sima Ryunju, who was pushed back. He waved his white hands and tried to attack Sima Ryunju.

Sima Ryunju swallowed the blood and threw out his left hand.

BOOM!

Sima Ryunju and Wolhu clashed. The hand of Sima Ryunju, which had always been wrapped around a black current of electricity, was not giving off any light at that moment.

Baaawoooosh!Sima Ryunju looked on as his arms froze whole.

The Heavenly Spirit.

Wolhu spit it out.

The Heavenly Spirit desires your death. Our desire to avoid the End that brings forth the Apocalypse has been answered by the help received from the Heavenly Spirit.

I see.

Sima Ryunjuu murmured as he looked at his freezing left arm.

You see, I was wondering whats going on. Huhu! the Heavenly Spirit thisthe Heavenly Spirit that. Look. After all, this old man was right.

There was a smile on Sima Ryunjus face.

You werent good enough.

Shatter!

Sima Ryunjus left arm burst. All the fragments of the broken arm were frozen and consequently, the frozen blood and flesh scattered as it shattered into ice cubes.

Sima Ryunju slowly stretched out his right hand without caring about his missing arm.

Wolhus face, which was lightening up after seeing Sima Ryunjus left arm shatter, hardened.

Before he knew it, Sima Ryunjus hands were on Wolhus chest.

Even with your involvement, Wolhu, it wasnt enough.

Coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

The quick movemade blood spew from the eyes, ears, nose, of Wolhu.

Sima Ryunjus arm was gushing blood and bounced the tip of her right hand toward the falling Wolhu.

A thin current of electricity shot in a straight line and penetrated Wolhus body. The body of Wolhu that was struck again by the ravaging current of lightning, exploded.

That last second of carelessness, led to death for Wolhu.

Dont be so disappointed.

Sima Ryunju swallowed the blood in his throat. He lowered the missing stump of a left arm. Musin roared at Wolhus former figure, which had exploded without even leaving a body behind.

But didnt you take the left arm of this old man?

Sima Ryunju mocked as he turned to look outside the boundary of space that had collapsed with Wolhus death.

Lee Sungmin looked at Sima Ryunju with a shocked face and Scarlett didnt even know what to do.

Not satisfied yet?Sima Ryunju smirked at Musin as he turned back towards his disciple and realized a saddening thought.

I didnt want to show you this.