Chapter 342 |
Chapter 342
Revenge
Bang!!
The body of the man struck by Mu-jin's fist explodes as if hit by a thunderbolt.
However, Mu-jin, seemingly indifferent to the brutal scene, swung his fist once more, destroying another Sa-doryeon warrior.
Behind him, the rear guard of the New Star Unit followed doggedly, treading the path Mu-jin cleared.
Acting as a bridgehead alongside Mu-jin, who was smashing through the frontline like a battering ram, Jegal Jin-hee shouted as she wildly waved her fan.
"Keep moving! If you stop, you'll be isolated!!"
As the cold air emanating from her fan froze the surroundings, slowing the enemy's movements.
The true disciples of the great sects and noble families, who had experienced the civil wars within their factions, managed to maintain their composure amidst the chaos.
"Heek."
"Huff. Huff."
However, many of the true disciples from smaller sects, who had only experienced a few neighborhood knife fights, were losing their nerve.
Among them was a young warrior named Jang Han-sung.
'This isn't what I expected.'
As the horror of the battlefield overwhelmed him, his steps faltered, and the weapon he should have been swinging at the enemy hesitated.
Just then, a warrior of the Sa-doryeon swung his Langdao at the dazed Jang Han-sung.
'No, this can't be...'
Realizing too late, Jang Han-sung tried to swing his weapon, but it was already too late.
'Is this how it ends?'
Regret filled his eyes as he watched the blade aimed at his neck.
'What was I thinking, seeking glory...'
He regretted his youthful folly of joining Jeongmumaeng.
And just as the Sa-doryeon warrior's blade was about to strike his neck.
Clang!!
A sword suddenly intervened, blocking the blade.
"Comrade!!"
Startled, Jang Han-sung turned to look at the sword's owner.
It was Byeok-hwan, the second-class disciple of the Zhongnan Sect and the dear comrade who had taken care of him when he first joined the New Star Unit.
Utilizing the rebound force of the Thirty-six Swords of the World, Byeok-hwan pushed back the Sa-doryeon warrior and shouted at the still-dazed Jang Han-sung.nn
"Pull yourself together!"
Elsewhere on the battlefield, other Zhongnan Sect disciples were also protecting the warriors of smaller sects, just as Byeok-hwan had done for Jang Han-sung.
Having successfully protected their comrades, the Zhongnan Sect disciples shouted in unison.
"Endure with grit and guts!!"
"Argh!!!"
Hearing those shouts, Jang Han-sung's half-lost spirit returned.
'Yes! They said battles are won with grit and guts!'
As if whipping himself into shape, Jang Han-sung let out a battle cry and swung his weapon.
"Argh!!!"
Strangely enough, the number of New Star Unit warriors shouting just like Jang Han-sung was increasing exponentially.
Meanwhile, Mu-jin, who was clearing the path at the forefront, sighed in relief as the rear seemed to stabilize.
There was no time to carefully look after each member in the middle of a battlefield.
Especially now, with Hyeok Jin-gang having made an appearance.
Eager to join the fray, Mu-jin felt the contribution of the Zhongnan Sect, who had snapped the dazed warriors back to their senses, was immense.
'Now, I must increase my speed.'
Mu-jin's eyes caught the sight of the fierce battle between Hyeok Jin-gang and the Namgung father and son.
Although it was a 'fierce battle', it was clear that the Namgung father and son were being overwhelmed.
'As expected, they can't handle it alone.'
He needed to join them and deal with Hyeok Jin-gang before they were defeated.
With that thought, Mu-jin swung his fist at another Sa-doryeon warrior blocking his way.
Bang!!
Right after swinging his fist, Mu-jin's eyebrows twitched.
He expected to dispatch the opponent instantly, but his punch was effortlessly blocked.
The man who had blocked Mu-jin's punch with one hand moved his other hand to grasp his own face.
Rippp!!
The sound of tearing flesh echoed, and Mu-jin's face filled with shock.
"So-cheon-ju!?"
Why is he here?
A sinister smile appeared on So-cheon-ju's face as he removed the human skin mask.
"Hehehe. I returned from hell to kill you."
Seeing the madness in So-cheon-ju's eyes, Mu-jin's mind began to race.nn
The important issue wasn't why So-cheon-ju was here.
'If I lead him to join the battle over there, we'll all be annihilated.'
Facing Hyeok Jin-gang and So-cheon-ju together was impossible, even with the help of the Namgung father and son.
If So-cheon-ju started rampaging, the damage would be incalculable.
Instinctively calculating the scenarios, Mu-jin reached one conclusion.
'I have to face him alone somehow.'
Having decided, Mu-jin quickly sent a telepathic message to Jegal Jin-hee.
- Assist the Namgung father and son in dealing with Hyeok Jin-gang!
Jegal Jin-hee looked puzzled at the sudden change of plans and turned to see Mu-jin staring intensely at a young man.
She instinctively realized that the young man was extremely dangerous.
Oddly, she couldn't sense any energy from the young man.
But if the opponent was truly weak, there was no reason for Mu-jin to be so tense.
Mu-jin, who had brazenly faced an elder of the Jegal family at just fifteen, was now highly alert.
Quickly processing her thoughts, Jegal Jin-hee leapt towards the battle between Hyeok Jin-gang and the Namgung father and son.
As she moved, Mu-jin sent another telepathic message to Byeok-hwan.
- Take command of the New Star Unit in my place! Get as far from here as possible!
Mu-jin had decided to hand over command to Byeok-hwan instead of Jegal Jin-hee.
While Mu-jin was swiftly adapting to the situation,
So-cheon-ju's grin widened.
"Hehehe. Thinking of something else even with me in front of you? How amusing."
Noticing that Mu-jin was sending telepathic messages, So-cheon-ju extended both hands forward.
A blue energy started emanating from his left hand, while a red energy surged from his right hand.
"Damn it!!!!"
At the moment Mu-jin unintentionally blurted out a curse in his astonishment, the So-cheon-ju unhesitatingly clapped his hands together.
For a brief moment, the yin and yang energies mixed around his clasped hands.
As if they were never meant to coexist, a massive explosion ensued, releasing a purple energy straight ahead.
Gritting his teeth, Mu-jin took the stance of the Invincible Divine Fist.
The members of the New Star Unit had not yet retreated from the rear.
If he dodged this, dozens could be annihilated in an instant.
Thus, he had no choice but to counter it.
"Die, you bastard!!"n
Utilizing the martial art, Invincible Divine Fist, taught by the enlightened monk Hyun-gwang, Mu-jin hurled out a string of curses.
* * *
Near Sang-san County in Zhejiang Province, the Guanyin Mountain.
Early morning, the warriors of Jeongmumaeng, who had left Deokheung County in Jiangxi Province, halted to reorganize their formation with Guanyin Mountain in sight.
"Is it true that the Noklim Leader is on that mountain?" Mu-gung asked.
"Yes, it is," replied Jegal Muhwan, the chief strategist, as he gently waved his fan.
"Rumor has it that the Noklim Leader's base, Fenglin Village, is in the Xianxialing Mountains to the south. Was that misinformation?"
"No, that rumor is true. However, the war isn't over yet, so he hasn't returned to Fenglin Village in the Xianxialing Mountains."
The information was gathered by Flying Dragon Pavilion, the intelligence agency newly established by Jeongmumaeng, which integrated the intelligence networks of the existing Cheonryu Sangdan and Beggar Sect, along with new recruits.
A few days ago, several masters known to belong to Fenglin Village, under the Noklim Leader, were reported to have obtained daily necessities from merchants affiliated with Amcheonhoe in Sang-san County and then headed up to Guanyin Mountain.
"And according to Flying Dragon Pavilion, no one has left the mountain since then, so it should be accurate."
Listening to Jegal Muhwan's answer, Mu-gung looked intently toward the peak of Guanyin Mountain, as if searching for the Noklim Leader.
'Hmm. I wonder if we can handle the Noklim Leader.'
Jegal Muhwan, whose martial arts skills were not particularly outstanding, couldn't accurately gauge the difference in strength between them.
However, he wasn't the type to waste time worrying about something beyond his measure. He pushed aside unnecessary concerns and gave the order.
"First Unit! Advance!"
Following his command, the bodyguard standing next to him waved a flag to relay the instructions.
Watching the Jeongmumaeng warriors move in perfect unison according to his order, Jegal Muhwan nodded in satisfaction.
'Military strategy is always about planning for the worst-case scenario. If Mu-gung and Mu-gyeong find it difficult to handle, we'll just adapt accordingly.'
That was precisely why he had come here personally.
The words he had said to Mu-jin, who was heading to the Namgung Family, were not mere excuses.
Some of the Jeongmumaeng warriors, under Jegal Muhwan's orders, boldly marched towards Guanyin Mountain along the official road.
They were all dressed as merchants or guards of an escort agency, serving as bait to lure the mountain bandits.
'If they're smart fish, they might not bite the bait.'
Jegal Muhwan was not a leisurely fisherman.
He preferred to bring not just bait but also a fishing net and harpoons.
"Second Unit! Advance!"
At Jegal Muhwan's command, the remaining warriors spread out in groups and headed towards Guanyin Mountain, concealing themselves.
It was a formation utilizing the Tianluo Network, which he had devised during his days as the chief strategist of Murim Alliance.
* * *
A wide clearing midway up Guanyin Mountain.n
Originally a resting spot for travelers, it was now occupied by a certain group.
This deranged group claimed the entire mountain as their own and robbed travelers of their possessions.
The leader of this group, known in the world as the Noklim Leader, was lounging in an improvised tent, lost in thought.
"Hm. I feel like I've bet on the wrong horse."
He scratched his hairy chest as he muttered to himself.
He was a man of great ambition and pragmatism.
Thus, he had voluntarily joined Sa-doryeon and hid his strength, even though he possessed skills comparable to the Seven Kings, while others praised the Seven Kings and the Three Swords of the World.
Waiting for the right moment, he planned to overthrow Hyeok Jin-gang and take over Sa-doryeon.
However, everything was falling apart. Sa-doryeon was disintegrating, and a strange faction called Southern Sky Association had emerged.
He had tried to move over to them but was flatly rejected.
In the end, he had no choice but to remain in Sa-doryeon and fight the war.
'With the creation of Jeongmumaeng, Sa-doryeon is doomed.'
He instinctively realized that only catastrophe awaited.
"Hm. Should I pretend to be crazy and join the demon cult?"
He briefly considered but then dismissed the idea of imitating a fanatic.
"Tsk. It would be easier to pull off one last big heist and start anew."
After all, he only needed to hide his strength for a few years.
To the Noklim Leader, martial artists were just lunatics desperate to use their strength, as he himself was.
Though currently unified under names like Southern Sky Association and Jeongmumaeng, he foresaw that they would eventually fight each other again after the war.
Just like the Murim Alliance and Sa-doryeon in the past.
However, he didn't want to live in poverty. He needed enough money to indulge in alcohol and women for a few years.
Just then, as if reading his thoughts, one of his subordinates hurriedly entered the tent.
"Leader!! Men bearing the flag of the Seonhwa Escort Agency have just entered the mountain!"
Hearing this, the Noklim Leader got up with a sinister smile.
Seonhwa Escort Agency was the largest in Sang-san County.
With prey coming to him willingly, the Noklim Leader's mind quickly raced.
'I'll rob them one last time and then rejoin Sa-doryeon.'
He didn't plan to keep fighting the war. When Sa-doryeon was on the verge of defeat, he would sacrifice the foolish bandits and secretly escape with his amassed wealth to start a new life.
Though it might be a bit frustrating to hide his identity, the money he had accumulated would allow him to live in luxury for a few years.
Imagining this beautiful future, the Noklim Leader grabbed his axe and stepped out of the tent.
"It's time to welcome our guests!"