Chapter 310 |
Fate
‘At this rate, even if we kill this guy, our losses will be too great.’
In the worst-case scenario, they could face total annihilation, and even if they avoided that, most of those defending the rear from the Demon Cultists would end up dead.
– Forget about this guy! Deal with the Demon Cultists first!
At Mu-jin’s telepathic command, Mu-gyeong and Mu-gung, with a mix of regret and relief on their faces, gathered their inner power and retreated.
Both of them understood how dangerous this man was.
However, they could sense the elders in the rear were in danger, and their anxiety was causing their inner power control to waver.
As Mu-jin, Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong abruptly ceased their attacks and turned towards the Demon Cultists, the enemy laughed inwardly.
‘Fools. They’re giving up on me to save useless people.’
But he didn’t voice his thoughts.
It wasn’t to avoid drawing attention.
If he opened his mouth, he feared that the blood he had been forcibly swallowing along with the cold energy would burst out again.
He merely focused on surviving, cautiously regulating his breathing as he started to slip away from the battlefield.
Meanwhile,
Despite Mu-jin, Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong abandoning the fight with the enemy to join the main battlefield, the situation didn’t improve significantly.
The disparity in numbers was a problem, but the biggest issue was the fight with that man.
While Mu-jin hadn’t sustained any severe injuries that rendered him incapable of fighting, his body was covered in minor wounds, and his inner power was down to only a third.
Mu-gung and Mu-gyeong were also left with only about half of their inner power.
Even in such a state, Mu-jin charged at the most threatening opponent.
Bang!!
Another elder of the Demon Cult blocked Mu-jin’s punch.
“Hmm.”
Embarrassed to be overwhelmed by a young warrior from the righteous faction, the elder who had been swinging his sword coughed as another elder who had been assisting him shouted.
“That guy is no mere post-cultivation warrior! Let’s handle him together.”
Mu-jin clicked his tongue inwardly, realizing he was now facing two elders from the Demon Cult simultaneously.
It wasn’t because he was facing two masters alone.
In fact, having the two tied up with him made it easier for others, which was what Mu-jin wanted.
However,
‘If only I had enough inner power, I would have finished this already.’
He was merely frustrated that he had to waste time dealing with those two.
While Mu-jin wrestled with the two elders,
Mu-gyeong was pushing the Second Young Master Gouyang Hyeon.
Gouyang Hyeon, a man with the blood of the Hwan family, had mastered a sword art characterized by its ever-changing techniques, comparable to the Plum Blossom Twenty-Four Moves of the Mount Hua Sect, and a mysterious footwork technique.
“Ugh!”
Despite his skills, Gouyang Hyeon was being pushed back by Mu-gyeong.
Every time Mu-gyeong demonstrated a different martial art, it was entirely unpredictable, and he continuously launched golden crows from all directions, making it difficult for Gouyang Hyeon to do anything other than defend.
“Ugh!”
When Mu-gyeong’s Surado finally sliced into his side, the normally composed Gouyang Hyeon shouted with a flushed face.
“What are you doing!!!”
In response to his cry, some of the Demon Cultists attacking the Shaolin and Wudang disciples moved to support him.
But even with the addition of four Demon Cultists, Mu-gyeong continued to press them with his ghostly movements and golden crows.
Meanwhile, Mu-gung joined those who were struggling against the Demon Cultists.
Although the high-level enemies were tied up by Mu-jin and Mu-gyeong, there were still over thirty Demon Cultists remaining.
Mu-gung launched Buddha’s Palm after Buddha’s Palm, drawing the attention of the Demon Cultists from the front line.
With the three joining the fray, the situation for the Shaolin and Wudang disciples holding the rear became a bit easier, but they all knew the reality.
The situation was not moving in a positive direction.
The remaining inner power of Mu-jin, Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong was a concern, but the biggest issue was the prolongation of the battle itself.
Demon Cultists were searching for traitors all over Namman.
As the battle dragged on, more reinforcements from the Demon Cult would inevitably arrive.
Gouyang Hyeon, who was aware of this, did not even consider retreating despite being pushed by Mu-gyeong.
And finally, the long-awaited sound was heard.
The sound of approaching footsteps and rustling through the underbrush. A shout from someone.
“Attack!!!”
Elated, Gouyang Hyeon turned back, even as one of the Demon Cultists supporting him was pierced by Mu-gyeong’s Vajra Demon Subduing Fist.
“Why are you so late!!”
But his expression soon twisted in shock.
The reinforcements he had expected were dressed in Shaolin robes and Wudang daoist robes.
Recognizing them, Hyeon-hyeon, who was leading the charge, shouted at the foremost among them.
“Deputy Chief!!”
“Apologies for being late, Abbot!”
Hye-geol responded as he charged at the Demon Cultists attacking the Shaolin and Wudang disciples.
Accompanying him were his disciples Mu-yul and Ling-ling.
Imitating various animal movements, they started driving back the Demon Cultists. With the Shaolin and Wudang disciples joining them, the tide of the battle rapidly turned.
Though the number of newcomers was only fourteen, their presence had a significant impact on the previously balanced battlefield.
In the midst of the urgent situation, Gouyang Hyeon briefly considered his options.
Should he hold out and wait for reinforcements or retreat?
The decision didn’t take long.
– We will retreat!
He sent a telepathic message to the two elders holding Mu-jin and simultaneously shouted something different aloud.
“Fight like true warriors of the Demon Cult! Avenge the blood of our brothers on these righteous faction scum!!”
“The Demon Lord descends! Ten thousand demons submit!!”
Hearing his cry, the Demon Cultists’ eyes turned bloodshot, and they threw themselves at the Shaolin and Wudang disciples, disregarding their own lives.
Pop!
While they fought with their lives on the line, Gouyang Hyeon and the two elders began to flee.
* * *
Meanwhile,
The Red Flame King, wandering through the forest of Namman with his subordinates, sensed a presence and turned his gaze towards the foliage.
Rustle.
Emerging from beyond the foliage was an unexpected figure.
– Lord So Cheon-ju?
The one who had always concealed his presence so that even the Red Flame King couldn’t detect him was now openly revealing himself and looking on the verge of death.
Fortunately, he was dressed in the attire of the Demon Cult for disguise.
“I will assess the situation. You all spread out and check the surroundings!”
The Red Flame King quickly ordered his subordinates and approached the injured So Cheon-ju.
– I will guard you. For now, please attend to your internal injuries.
Nodding slightly at the Red Flame King’s words, So Cheon-ju sat in a lotus position and began to regulate his breathing and inner power.
Around So Cheon-ju’s body, massive amounts of cold air sometimes flowed out, freezing the surroundings, while at other times, intense heat surged, creating steam.
It was a bizarre sight that would have astonished any onlookers.
It was an incredible display of power for any ordinary Demon Cultist to witness.
After about two quarters of an hour, the chaotic energy swirling around him calmed somewhat.
“Cough.”
So Cheon-ju spat out a mouthful of red blood and opened his eyes.
His eyes were still bloodshot, but his body was no longer exuding cold air.
This didn’t mean his internal injuries were completely healed. He had merely forced the disrupted balance back into place temporarily.
Even a slight overuse of his inner power could immediately bring back the internal injuries.
But So Cheon-ju had no intention of sitting here and waiting for his injuries to heal completely.
“Gather your subordinates and follow me immediately.”
“Where are we going?”
So Cheon-ju frowned at the questioning tone of the Red Flame King.
“We’re going to acquire an elixir that contains extreme yang energy. Until then, you and your men will guard me.”
The Red Flame King quickly grasped the situation.
So Cheon-ju had initially led eight subordinates to capture the Shaolin Dragon.
But appearing in this condition meant he had been defeated by the Shaolin Dragon.
Seeing he was now looking for an elixir, it was obvious he intended to take revenge on the Shaolin Dragon after recovering.
Understanding his intentions, the Red Flame King did not hold back his advice.
“…Wouldn’t it be better to leave this to the Demon Cult and focus on healing your injuries first?”
After all, the two young masters of the Demon Cult were also targeting the Shaolin Dragon. Waiting while they weakened or killed the Shaolin Dragon seemed the best course of action.
But,
“Silence!!”
So Cheon-ju, humiliated by the wretched attack from a lowly insect, couldn’t make a calm judgment.
“Are you giving me orders now?!”
The outburst left the Red Flame King with no choice but to abandon his advice.
“My apologies.”
Seeing the Red Flame King bow deeply in apology, So Cheon-ju clicked his tongue and said,
“Gather your men and follow me.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching the now obedient Red Flame King, So Cheon-ju thought,
‘Once this is over, I should deal with this one as well.’
To So Cheon-ju, a subordinate who questioned his orders was useless.
* * *
Shortly after reinforcements arrived,
Mu-jin confirmed that the two elders he had been fighting had fled with the Second Young Master, but he didn’t chase them.
– Don’t pursue them, just finish off the remaining Demon Cultists quickly!
Mu-jin also instructed Mu-gyeong to follow suit, then rushed towards the area where Mu-yul and Hye-geol were fighting.
With Mu-jin and Mu-gyeong attacking the Demon Cultists, the battlefield was quickly cleared.
“We need to move quickly! More Demon Cultists could come!”
This was why they had given up pursuing the Second Young Master and the elders.
The battle had gone on long enough that more enemies could arrive, and those fleeing had likely run towards possible reinforcements.
After moving swiftly to a relatively safe location,
Thud.
Mu-jin collapsed to the ground.
His inner power was nearly depleted, and his physical condition was dire.
Although he wanted to sleep immediately, assessing the situation was a priority.
“Hye-geol, Senior Uncle. How did you find us?”
In response to Mu-jin’s question, Hye-geol briefly explained the situation.
Hye-geol had been one of those who came to Namman with Mu-jin and his party.
While Mu-jin and his group caused a commotion in Namman the previous day, Mu-yul and the Red Tiger Faction leader had successfully located the other scattered Shaolin and Wudang disciples.
The severely injured were sent to the hideout, and the remaining thirteen joined up to form a stronger force.
“Thanks to Mu-yul and that fellow, it wasn’t difficult to track you.”
Looking where Hye-geol pointed, Mu-jin saw not only Mu-yul but also the Red Tiger Faction leader.
‘Wow, he blends in perfectly.’
Because of the emergency and his shaved head, Mu-jin hadn’t even noticed the Red Tiger Faction leader was among them.
After Hye-geol finished explaining, he spoke to Hyeon-hyeon.
“We will stand guard for now. How about everyone takes some time to regulate their breathing and inner power?”
“Please do so, Deputy Chief.”
“Yes, Abbot.”
As soon as Hye-geol responded, Hyeon-hyeon and the others sat in a lotus position and began to regulate their breathing and inner power.
Mu-jin, who had slumped to the ground, straightened his posture and also began regulating his breathing.
However, Mu-jin wasn’t solely focused on his breathing technique. He was also organizing his thoughts about the man they had just fought.
Mu-jin had abandoned the traditional approach to martial arts and instead mastered the basic techniques to the point where he could use them practically.
This allowed him to maintain a moderate focus on his breathing technique while pondering other matters.
His inner power recovery would be slower than others, but he could still recover to a functional level.
‘A man who uses both yin and yang energy and employs absorption techniques.’
Moreover, this man hadn’t appeared in the novel.
Why had he suddenly suffered internal injuries in the middle of the fight? Mu-jin couldn’t understand.
There hadn’t been an exchange of blows to cause internal injuries; it seemed he had injured himself in a fit of madness.
But the symptoms he displayed afterward were concerning.
‘It was like looking at Baek Ga-ryeong.’
While a pale face was a common symptom of internal injuries, this man was different.
Cold smoke constantly emanated from his mouth, and there was a persistent coldness around him.
Rather than using martial arts, it felt like he was expelling extreme yin energy to prevent it from overwhelming him.
As thoughts of Baek Ga-ryeong crossed his mind,
‘Could it be?’
Mu-jin came up with a hypothesis.
If his guess was correct, the man would likely target a specific child he had recently encountered.