Mil Do Nim, driven into a corner and with no other options left, resorted to unleashing a rank 5 technique in sheer desperation.
There it is, Yang Zhai thought the instant his eyes caught Mil Do Nim executing the move, a flicker of interest passing through his gaze.
A thunderous roar erupted from Mil Do Nim's right hand—deep, resonant, and thick, like a lion's cry magnified a hundredfold, yet carrying an almost unnatural heaviness. The sound rolled outward in successive waves, each one shaking the air itself, until it slammed into Zuh Qil with crushing force.
A thin stream of blood slid from the corner of Zuh Qil's mouth, gleaming dark red under the light.
Hmm… Sound Path? So, he actually used a technique from the Sound Path. That's interesting. This is a path so profound that even I once sought to master it in my past life… but my plans left me no time. At best, I only managed to learn a single technique or two from it. Yang Zhai's eyes narrowed, his mind quickly weighing the significance of what he had just seen.
The real strength of this path lies in its essence. Most rank 5 cultivators could never even scratch Zuh Qil, let alone injure him. But the Sound Path bypasses flesh and bone—it strikes within, vibrating through the body, attacking the vital insides directly. It matters little how unyielding one's outer shell may be; the inside remains vulnerable.
Even with these thoughts running through his head, Yang Zhai kept his full attention fixed on Mil Do Nim. He carefully examined him and noticed not even the faintest trace of toll of the technique on the his exposed skin.
A technique of such caliber should have exacted a toll on any ordinary cultivator's body. Yet Mil Do Nim has no such marks—no tremor in his limbs, no change in his breathing, not a single blemish marring his skin. Good. Now that he's shown this hidden card, I can advance to the next step, Yang Zhai thought quietly, the corners of his lips tightening almost imperceptibly.
Still, even though he knew about this already, Yang Zhai couldn't simply walk up to Mil Do Nim and request instruction previously. If he had done that, it would have been a foolish move. Any such request would spark suspicion—suspicion about how he knew such details in the first place—and suspicion was like a poison to his plans. It could make Mil Do Nim wary, distance himself, or even delay his plans entirely.
And there was always the slim, almost negligible, but still possible risk that other powerful experts might become involved. It was unlikely—perhaps even impossible—but Yang Zhai valued caution above all else. This was exactly why he needed Mil Do Nim to reveal his abilities willingly, right before his eyes, before he took action.
Zuh Qil coughed again, this time more forcefully, flecks of blood marking the ground. Yet the injury was clearly within his limits. Without breaking his stride, he continued moving toward Mil Do Nim, each step heavy and deliberate.
Damn it, this is all it managed to do? No… I can't stop now! Mil Do Nim's eyes hardened as he unleashed the technique once more.
But Yang Zhai had already activated the green lines, hiding his presence. In the blink of an eye, he triggered Earth Capture Ka, tearing open a meter-deep pit beneath Mil Do Nim's feet. The sudden drop shattered his focus; mid-attack, his aim faltered and the technique veered off. Being sound, it still reached Zuh Qil, but the main force slid past him harmlessly.
The impact that did land was barely more than a faint sting inside Zuh Qil's body—not nearly enough to slow his advance.
Mil Do Nim's eyes widened in sudden realization. Isn't that the same technique I saw during my fight with Min Ho? A brief flash of anger crossed his face, though he quickly suppressed it.
Zuh Qil stopped beside him, looking down with a gaze as sharp as a blade. He pressed his index and middle fingers together and gestured for Yang Zhai to come forward.
Why isn't he attacking me? Mil Do Nim thought with a mix of confusion and caution.
Yang Zhai approached slowly, his steps heavy with feigned weakness. He held his left arm tightly with his right hand, his face twisted in visible pain. His legs shook subtly with each step, making him look as though he might collapse at any moment.
When he reached them, Zuh Qil's fingers moved in deliberate, precise gestures.
"Mas… master says you are to beg for forgiveness, and… he might consider sparing you," Yang Zhai spoke with a quivering tone, deliberately hesitating as though embarrassed. After a short pause, he added, "Otherwise… he'll cripple you, sever your tendons… and warns you not to try anything foolish. If you do, he won't spare you."
"Uh…" Mil Do Nim's mind burned with disbelief and anger. Beg for forgiveness? For something I didn't even do? How can he be so unreasonable? But…
He stayed still, knowing full well he could not match Zuh Qil in strength. Any rash move could cost him dearly. Gritting his teeth hard enough to ache, he forced the words out.
"Please… forgive me. I… I… wa… was wrong. I wouldn't… dare repeat it again."
Zuh Qil gestured again, his expression unreadable.
"Master asks—what exactly did you do wrong and are apologizing for?" Yang Zhai translated with deliberate slowness.
After a moment of hesitation, Mil Do Nim replied,
"I… shouldn't have instigated Yang Zhai into rebellion. Even if I didn't truly provoke him, I shouldn't have followed him here."
That should be enough for now. Breaking him entirely at this stage would not be good. A cornered beast is still capable of biting, Yang Zhai thought silently.
Zuh Qil gave the faintest of nod, rose, and began walking away, Yang Zhai falling in step beside him.
As they passed, Yang Zhai leaned in close to Mil Do Nim and whispered, his voice low and sharp,
"I should never have brought you here. Never helped you. Because of you… I endured all this…"
With that, he left, leaving Mil Do Nim seething.
What does he mean—because of me? Is he referring to when he saved me from becoming Min Ho's slave? Or when he helped me uncover the truth about the cheating? Does he truly believe helping me cost him this injury? Wasn't it because of him that I suffered humiliation and this beating?! And besides… he was the one who wanted to rebel against Zuh Qil—I never even agreed to to help him…
These thoughts surged into Mil Do Nim's mind uninvited, not formed by choice but appearing as sudden, cutting insights, as though whispered by some hidden part of himself.
Both of you… I will remember this humiliation. Yang Zhai, you crave freedom? Very well—I'll give it to you. I'll sit back, and you two will destroy each other, he swore inwardly.
Yang Zhai, meanwhile, quietly activated Deep Heal Ka.
Deep Heal Ka… it's already close to breaking. I don't have enough Ice Petals to repair it, but I've got no other option left. Even though Zuh Qil controlled his strength and angle, he still fractured my bone. A small break, yes, but it needs to be fixed. Originally, I only wanted him to dislocate my elbow—that was all, Yang Zhai thought as he focused on the healing.
Moments later, Deep Heal Ka finally broke into pieces—but not before mending the fracture completely.
Gripping his arm just below the elbow, Yang Zhai steadied himself as Zuh Qil stepped forward. Together, guided by Zuh Qil's careful maneuver, they began repairing the dislocation with controlled, careful movements, taking great care to avoid damaging any critical nerves or blood vessels.
A wave of white-hot agony surged through Yang Zhai, beads of sweat sliding down his forehead. The pain was sharper, more blinding than the break itself—like a red-hot blade being twisted deep into his joint—but he clenched his jaw and endured it without a scream.
!|!*****!*****!|!