Chapter 1385
Of course, such a thing would never happen. (5)
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It’s TANG BO alert in the manhwa! Tang Bo! But only a part of his face raaaaah.
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“Do-Dojang?”
Haenam’s disciples, who were fleeing, were taken aback when they saw Chung Myung running towards them from the opposite direction.
“Keep going!”
“Yes!”
But Chung Myung’s shout quickly restored their composure. Moreover, it wasn’t the first time Chung Myung had embarked on an unexpected venture like this.
What really threw them off was not Chung Myung, but Im Sobyeong, who was watching Chung Myung from behind like a stone statue.
Im Sobyeong, Nokrim King.
He was not someone Haenam’s disciples would feel close to. If it weren’t for their association under the name of Cheonumaeng, they wouldn’t even be able to meet face-to-face.
This made them even more bewildered. Im Sobyeong, who always looked at everyone with a cynical attitude, was standing there in such a state.
“…No… Nokrim…”
At the sound of someone speaking, Im Sobyeong instinctively bit his lower lip. The fan that had always been leisurely swaying in his hand seemed to bend as if it were about to break.
Im Sobyeong’s gaze, which had been directed at Chung Myung as if to devour him, now paused in front of the bewildered disciples of Haenam. He spoke coldly.
“What’s the matter?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t hesitate, follow the front closely! Right now!”
“Oh, yes! Yes!”
The disciples of Haenam ran blindly, not knowing what was going on. Catching a glimpse of them, Im Sobyeong gritted his teeth and glared at Chung Myung’s retreating figure before swiftly turning away.
‘Damn it.’
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand. What was the point of clinging to them? What importance did such insignificant figures from Haenam hold? Fellow comrades? People who might someday become useful allies?
Ridiculous!
Comrades, the future – none of it mattered if he wasn’t alive to see it. Allies could be found anew, and those who could become comrades could be nurtured. Nothing was more important than his immediate survival. No, nothing could be more important.
So why should he take such risks for the sake of those people? What on earth was going through the mind of that madman?
At that moment, Yoon Jong, who had spotted Im Sobyeong, asked with a puzzled expression.
“Nokrim King. What about Chung Myung…?”
Im Sobyeong managed to control his expression, which almost distorted for a moment.
“He’ll block the rear. Don’t worry, just keep moving forward!”
“The rear? But the two of them are already…”
“We don’t have time for this! Break through the front! If you don’t want to see the people left behind die!”
“Oh, understood!”
Yoon Jong quickly nodded and struck the ground.
Im Sobyeong bit his lip tightly. He hadn’t lied. The urgency to break through the front was indeed real.
The moment they become aware of Hwasan Geomhyeop’s intentions and act contrary to his will, it would be a matter of life and death. Im Sobyeong knew better than anyone that a plan that failed to firmly establish a clear route would lead to destruction.
He glanced at Chung Myung one last time. He had already run far toward the rear.
Crack.
In the end, Im Sobyeong clenched the fan and snapped it in half, then swiftly turned away. Unaware that blood was seeping from his bitten lips.
“Monk!”
“I know!”
Thunk!
As the thunderous sound of advancing steps resounded, a myriad of streaks of energy poured forth from Hye Yeon’s fist. It was a power that, although excessively dazzling to be considered the solemn and sturdy martial arts of Shaolin, appeared even more threatening because of its flamboyance.
The assailants, who had been pushing forward with all their might, faltered before this power. Hye Yeon’s fist desperately suppressed the impending chaos, as if it would burst forth at any moment.
‘But not for long!’
Hye Yeon knew it too well. The fact that his power, combined with Namgung Dowi’s, had their limits in stopping them. Right now, they were merely buying time to allow those who had gone ahead to move a little further.
“Woooh!”
Namgung Dowi’s sword emitted countless rays of brilliant sword energy.
His sword was not much different from Hye Yeon’s fist. Flamboyant and imposing, yet lacking in substance – a sword wielded solely to intimidate and push back the enemy.
“Ugh!”
The onslaught of sword strikes made the assailants falter. They knew well the formidable force behind the attacks of these two. But the cost was deadly.
Thunk!
“Gah!”
As one who had staggered back had their throat pierced, the sharp tip of the red blade emerged. The eyes of the one who had stabbed their subordinate’s throat directly with the sword seemed ready to burst with rage. He shouted furiously.
“Anyone who retreats dies by my hand! Choose! Whether you die at their hands, or by mine!”
Despite hearing these words, none dared to retreat. All clenched their teeth.
“Charge, now!”
Instead of a reply, a beastly roar erupted.
Hye Yeon, determined to quell the enemy’s momentum, unleashed his power once more.
“A-MI-TA-BHA!”
Accompanied by a lion’s roar, a majestic aura of golden light surged forth, striking and suppressing the oncoming Maninbang. However, despite their flesh bursting under the pressure, they did not halt their advance.
“Dieeeee!”
Suddenly, before Hye Yeon stood one of the enemies, bloodied but determined, who had managed to crawl forward. That moment when Hye Yeon gritted his teeth.
Thwack!
In a split second, a crimson sword of energy slashed ruthlessly through the neck of the enemy.
Startled, Hye Yeon turned his head. There, charging like a storm, was Chung Myung.
“What are you idiots doing?”
“Dojang!”
Without hesitation, Chung Myung swiftly passed them and leaped into the midst of the enemy.
Pararararalak!
Even as he ran forward, his sword emitted streams of plum blossom petals. It seemed as if a path of blossoms unfolded behind Chung Myung as he advanced.
‘That’s..!’
Hye Yeon’s eyes widened. He recognized it.
To others, it might seem merely astonishing, but he knew the depth of martial prowess concealed within that remarkable sight.
“M-Maehwa Geomgwi!”
“Kill him! Don’t retreat, kill him!”
With explosive momentum, Maninbang, who had momentarily hesitated, surged forward even more fiercely. It was a natural response to the appearance of the archenemy of Maninbang before them.
“Kill him! Whoever beheads Maehwa Geomgwi will enjoy unimaginable glory and wealth for a lifetime! Kill him by any means necessary!”
There was no turning back. Retreating meant falling by the hands of their allies. So, they had to stake everything on thrusting their blades into that demon’s body.
The assault of Maninbang’s warriors accelerated like a rushing torrent cascading over a waterfall.
Amidst this fierce onslaught, Chung Myung’s sword moved calmly. Gently, almost imperceptibly. With a subtle motion, the tip of his sword drew a circle, and plum blossom petals wrapped around it.
The plum blossom petals attached to the tip of the sword began to spread out in all directions. At first, their movement was so slow that it was barely noticeable, but gradually, they picked up speed until they completely enveloped the surroundings. The scene was breathtaking.
Even the members of Maninbang were astonished by the sight before them.
“W-What..?”
The lush greenery of the forest and the people in front of them were all covered in plum blossoms. The entire area was tinged with red.
“T-That!”
Then, from Namgung Dowi’s lips came a futile exclamation.
“Plum… fragrance..”
It couldn’t possibly be, yet it felt as though he had caught a scent of plum blossoms. The sight before his eyes was so vivid that it could almost be mistaken for reality, with each petal appearing remarkably lifelike.
Plum Blossom Sword Formation [매화검결(梅花劍結) – maehwa-geom-gyeol], Plum Blossom’s Scent Across Ten Thousand Li [매화만리향(梅花萬里香) – maehwa-manli-hyang].
The pinnacle of the Great Hwasan Sect Swordsmanship. In this moment, the essence of Plum Blossom Sword Formation seemed to bloom as if an echo from a hundred years ago.
Truly a scene akin to a dream.
Even those who had been rushing forward with all their might momentarily forgot what they were doing. Plum blossom petals, fluttering through the air, gently descended upon their bodies.
Swish!
A sharp pain pierced through their hazy consciousness. Coming to their senses belatedly, they beheld a spectacle of petals swirling around them like a faintly scented haze.
“Ah, no…!”
Aaaargh!
As the plum blossom petals scattered through the air, they engulfed everything like flames. The enemies, those who harbored hostility, and even their screams were all covered.
Shattered and dispersed, the plum blossom petals vanished like an illusion, leaving behind nothing but the fragrance of flowers, as if they had never existed.
“Ah…”
As the plum blossom petals disappeared before his very eyes, the pale-faced man raised his head and looked ahead.
The world came to a halt.
Those who had been rushing towards Maehwa Geomgwi with fury, as well as Maehwa Geomgwi himself, stood frozen in their positions as if time had stopped.
It was a sight that naturally bred suspicion. Perhaps they had already died? Was that why they found themselves forever gazing upon this scene?
And then it happened.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Like a stone statues crumbling, the members of Maninbang collapsed simultaneously. It was as if time, which had frozen, began to flow once more.
“Ah…”
Overwhelmed, they looked at the scene with mesmerized eyes, forgetting their own positions entirely.
Swoosh.
It was distinctly felt.
The movement of sleeves fluttering in the wind, the lingering tremor on the sword’s tip that had not yet finished its move, and even the movement of the foot that had begun to take a step towards this place.
Had anyone ever been so mesmerized in their entire life? And to think, with such intense concentration?
This was not their own will. It was that sword that mesmerized them all. The sword forcefully pulled them all in, as if being drawn into it was inevitable.
Then, in that moment suspended between reality and illusion, Chung Myung rushed towards them.
Swish!
In a swift motion, that mesmerizing sword, severed the necks of the spectators who had yet to come to their senses, sending their heads flying in one fell swoop.
Three heads soared simultaneously into the air, spraying crimson blood like a fountain.
“You…!”
Before the scent of blood could fully permeate, a voice laced with contempt cut through the air.
“You insignificant fools… dare to take someone’s life?”
Ho Gamyeong clenched his fist tightly. He was acutely aware that the chilling gaze from afar was aimed directly at him. Standing before that gaze made his blood boil. It felt like anger and venom were about to burst forth from his mouth.
Chung Myung shook his head slightly.
“You still don’t understand the situation, do you? You or that scum Jang Ilso.”
Chung Myung scanned his surroundings.
Even Maninbang who had surrounded Chung Myung stood frozen in place. Not missing a beat, Haenam’s main forces were steadily widening the distance between themselves and this place.
Glancing at the situation, Chung Myung grinned eerily, contrasting sharply with Ho Gaemyeong, as his gleaming white teeth were revealed.
“Kill him!”
Ho Gaemyeong shouted loudly, his voice echoing like a scream.
“Kill him at all costs! No matter what it takes, that bastard must die! Kill him! Kill him!”
As if infected by his fervor, the remaining members of Maninbang who had survived amidst the plum blossom petals flipped their eyes and charged once again.
A relentless charge of Maninbang towards a single man. At the end of it, Chung Myung gripped his sword tightly enough to break it.
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