Chapter 1315
I think I know? (5)
“Ugh…”
The eyes of those clinging desperately to the cliff were filled with terror.
“Aaaargh!”
Harsh screams echoed from all directions.
Those who had just leaped down below were skewered by the flying swords before even touching the ground.
“Ugh…”
At that moment, from above, a decapitated body sprayed blood as it plummeted.
Upwards, demonic Hwasan’s bastards clung to their comrades on the cliff face, slaughtering them mercilessly.
Below, the disciples of Haenam who were overcome by some evil.
Above, the devils of Hwasan.
There was nowhere to escape.
The only options available were to be pierced by the swords from below or to be slashed by the demonic beings charging from above.
Death wasn’t frightening.
If he feared death, he wouldn’t have wielded a sword in the first place.
But at least, dying in this manner wasn’t the most desirable outcome.
When jumping from that cliff, such a result had never been imagined.
How did it come to this?
Swish!
At that moment, intense pain surged through his hand. The sword energy unleashed by Chung Myung from above had severed his hand holding onto the cliff.
“Aaaaaagh!”
With a scream, he plummeted down.
But before his body could even touch the ground, the sword hurled from above swiftly pierced through him.
Thunk!
Observing the disciples of Haenam fiercely slaying the falling enemies, Chung Myung, who had just struck the cliff, couldn’t help but smirk bitterly.
The disciples of Haenam were filled with determination. It was understandable. They had been in the position of a prey, constantly under attack until now.
But now, finding themselves effortlessly defeating their enemies for the first time, the pent-up frustration from all those past encounters was bound to explode.
‘How’s the situation?’
Still not looking good.
Although they had managed to overcome one crisis, they were still stuck in the gorge.
Moreover, their progress was hindered by the opponents attacking from above. It takes much more effort to restart a stalled wagon.
But…
Chung Myung’s gaze suddenly shifted to the forefront of the group.
When he saw the three standing there, a faint smile formed at the corner of his mouth.
“Those little chicks.”
Now, he had to admit it. Those little chicks were strong.
Kaaah!
A flying spear was deflected upwards in an instant. And as the space opened up, someone darted in with a fierce sword strike.
Swish!
In an instant, the Twelve Swords [십이 검(十二劍)] technique was unleashed.
It was remarkable, as most swordsmen would find it difficult to execute three strikes in such a short time.
Twelve thrusts burst forth in rapid succession, demonstrating incredible swordsmanship.
The spear, originally designed for thrusting, was ill-suited for defense against such onslaught.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
Jo Geol’s sword pierced the opponent’s body, leaving over a dozen holes in an instant.
Although wielding a spear or a sword wouldn’t have changed the outcome, there was no denying the effectiveness of Jo Geol’s attack.
Without wasting a moment, Jo Geol lunged forward, using the hilt of his sword to strike the jaw of his collapsing opponent.
Thunk!
With a sharp and forceful sound, the opponent’s upper body seemed to bend as if it would break. Into the open space, Jo Geol’s sword struck once more.
“Ah-ah-ah!”
Despite being pierced in the side, the opponent grimaced and thrust the spear, but Jo Geol paid it no mind and pressed forward instead.
“Kaaah!”
The flying spear was deflected by a sword swing from behind.
Squelch!
Jo Geol’s sword technique continued relentlessly.
Seizing the moment when the opponent faltered, Yoon Jong stepped forward, planting his foot on Jo Geol’s shoulder and lunging forward.
As soon as they deflect the sword energy that was thrusting in like a flash, the heavy sword split the space horizontally.
In a hasty attempt to block with the spear, the opponent underestimated Yoon Jong’s sword, which sliced through it like bamboo.
Gasp!
Truly refined technique. Even with the same martial training, the form and nature of one’s technique can vary depending on the individual.
Yoon Jong’s technique, honed through patient repetition without haste or impatience, was more pure and refined than anyone else’s from Hwasan.
Paah!
Caught off guard and momentarily unable to respond, the opponents faced another onslaught from Jo Geol’s sword.
Chyaaah!
Hot blood poured out from the back of the body that was quickly pierced.
“Don’t panic! Withdraw and stab! Don’t get caught up in their tricks!”
Some were quick thinkers.
The synchronization between Yoon Jong and Jo Geol was unprecedented.
Conventional tactics often rely on predetermined sequences, making them effective yet rigid.
However, what the two were displaying was more than just conventional tactics. Their attacks and defense, synchronized seamlessly despite being just a breathing match, were executed with a skill that exceeded mere tactics.
Engaging in that melee would leave one with no chance to even lift a finger.
Therefore, adhering to conventional thinking dictated not allowing the enemy to exploit the advantage of their superior synchronization.
Hearing those words, they quickly withdrew.
Their judgment was not wrong.
Their remaining option was to leverage the effectiveness of their soldiers.
However, what they overlooked was just one thing: the distance was actually widened by Hwasan’s disciples.
As the enemy retreated, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong, as if by a promise, widened the gap.
Into that open space, Hwasan’s Vice Sect Leader, Baek Cheon, unleashed his sword.
“Haaaaaa!”
From the trembling tip of the sword, countless plum blossom petals poured out.
The flowing petals filled the gorge like a raging river.
Twenty-Four Techniques of Plum Blossom Swordsmanship [이십사수매화검법(二十四手梅花劍法)], Plum Shadows Reflecting in the River [매영조화(梅影造河) – maeyeong-jo-hwa]*.
The enemy, taken aback by this incredible sight, widened their eyes in disbelief.
Blocking a river of sword energy with human strength seemed impossible.
However, in the narrow gorge, there was no escape.
At the forefront, the spearman swung his spear relentlessly.
As he wielded his weapon, an incongruous smirk crept onto his lips.
“Quaaaaaa!”
And just like that, before their laughter could even fade, the torrent of plum blossoms engulfed them.
What would happen if humans were thrown into a river made of hundreds of swords?
With their defenses overwhelmed, the space suddenly opened up as Jo Geol rushed forward. A scream erupted from his lips.
“Wow! I guess didn’t need to go to Shaolin!”
“Shut up and swing your swords, you crazy bastard!”
Jo Geol’s sword pierced through the bodies of the stunned enemies, who had lost their composure.
Their frantic resistance couldn’t break through Yoon Jong’s solid defense, and Jo Geol’s sword continued to tear through their flesh relentlessly.
And just as they were about to catch their breath, Baek Cheon’s sword energy exploded again.
It was a fierce battle unfolding in the narrow gorge.
Carelessly swinging a sword could harm not only enemies but also allies.
That’s why those blocking the path ahead armed themselves with spears, wasn’t it?
However, the swordsmen of Hwasan were wielding their swords as if fighting a long-range battle in such a narrow space.
“Aaargh!”
The momentum was unstoppable.
Namgung Dowi’s sword was formidable, and Hye Yeon’s fist was excellent.
Yet, the speed at which these three were cutting through the enemies made even their sword and fist pale in comparison.
Each sword was not perfect on its own, but when they harmonized together, their destructive power was tremendous.
With a momentum that could split space itself, Jo Geol pierced through the trained bodies effortlessly like a bunch of straw.
“B-Back!”
Black shadows were cast on the faces of those who were pushed back by Jo Geol, who was charging at them like a demon.
Just as they raised their heads in alarm, an explosion of plum blossom petals burst forth above them, raining down like a sudden storm.
Before they could even scream in agony from the pain of being sliced by razor-sharp petals, a sword flying through the air swiftly struck their necks, silencing them instantly.
Paaah!
Baek Cheon leaped into the midst of the enemies.
His plum blossom sword swiftly and precisely pierced through the enemies’ vital points with unparalleled speed and accuracy, even amidst the urgent situation, demonstrating the perfection that Hwasan sought to achieve without a single falter.
“Charge!”
“Yes!”
Entering the space created by Baek Cheon, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong once again leaped forward as if they had made an agreement.
Training is akin to torture itself, relentlessly pushing the body and mind, enduring wounds, sleepless nights, and sometimes wanting to cry out in anguish.
So it went, day by day.
Months passed, and then years.
For how long had they pushed themselves relentlessly?
No matter how much they piled on, it seemed invisible.
There was no certainty that they had changed even in the slightest.
Beyond one obstacle, another blocked their path, and even as they scaled treacherous cliffs barehanded, higher cliffs loomed above.
Thus, the path of martial arts was akin to endlessly traversing an endless thorny road.
However, all that was built and piled up would surely remain at the fingertips, at the tip of the sword.
Clang!
The iron spear intercepted the oncoming strike of Jo Geol’s sword, but only momentarily, as his sword fiercely spun and gnawed through the spearhead.
“What?”
Clang!
Piercing through the spear as if gliding it, the sword plunged into the heart of the spear wielder.
The opponent, stunned, tried to confirm the one who had just killed him, but Jo Geol had already moved past him.
No one could stop him. No one could oppose him.
Becoming light itself, the swift sword pierced through the enemies one after another.
“Those who block will perish!”
Blood rushed to Jo Geol’s face, turning it crimson as he screamed until his throat felt like it would burst.
The overwhelming force seemed to shake the entire gorge.
‘Alright.’
Im Sobyeong, who had been observing the situation ahead, smirked.
The enemies were completely overwhelmed.
At this rate, breaking through the gorge wouldn’t be too difficult. The enemy’s prepared numbers must have been nearly exhausted, and they had already penetrated more than half of the gorge.
Chung Myung’s decision that the narrow gorge would be more advantageous against the enemy’s numbers was proving to be correct.
‘If only we could break through here!’
It would be much easier.
It wouldn’t be so difficult to break through Gangnam…
And then, at that moment.
Im Sobyeong felt something and flinched.
Turning back, he saw a subsiding dense cloud of poisonous haze.
Beyond that haze, at the end of the gorge, narrowed like a line, someone unfamiliar yet familiar appeared.
Step by step.
With slow steps, the figure stood in the gorge, lifting his head to look at everyone, as if he was here to watch all of this unfold.
“…Ho Gamyeong!”
The color drained from Im Sobyeong’s face.
A military commander of Maninbang and Sapaeryeon.
Their relentless pursuer, Poisoned Heart Rakshasa Ho Gamyeong, had finally caught up with them.
Ho Gamyeong leisurely surveyed the surroundings.
The blood-stained gorge and the scattered corpses vividly illustrated how fiercely they had fought.
“A little late,”
he said. But still, Haenam and Cheonumaeng were still trapped in this ravine.
“Nevertheless… we’re not completely late. That should be enough.”
Im Sobyeong quickly turned his head. Then, facing Baek Cheon ahead, he shouted at the top of his lungs with the loudest voice of his entire life.
“Vice Sect Leader! Hurry!”
Im Sobyeong shouted as if vomiting blood, catching Ho Gamyeong’s gaze.
His eyes were chilling.
“I praise your efforts. But this is as far as you go, you rats.”
Ho Gamyeong raised his hand, pointing forward.
“Don’t leave a single one alive.”
The moment his command fell.
From the towering cliffs on both sides, the warriors of Maninbang, brandishing their weapons, rushed forward like demons of hell tasting fresh meat for the first time in centuries.
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