Chapter 1402
You were absolutely incredible. (2)
“Protect them! Protect them with your lives!”
A rough voice engulfed the battlefield. Like a raging torrent, everyone surged forward to encircle Five Swords and Cheonumaeng. Disciples of Hwasan, members of Tangga, and Namgung’s swordsmen who had arrived later rushed at the enemies, pushing them back.
“Back off, you cursed Sapa dogs!”
The remaining disciples of Hwasan rushed into the space created by Cheonumaeng by throwing their bodies into it.
“Sahyeong!”
“Damn it, Sasuk!”
A deep-seated hatred simmered in the eyes of the disciples of Hwasan as they witnessed the chaotic state of their brothers. Unable to contain their rage, they were about to turn and charge straight at the enemies when Un Am’s booming voice stopped them in their tracks.
“Stand your ground!”
“S-Sect Leader…”
“Our duty is not to target the enemy! Protect your Sahyeongs. Make sure none of them trespasses here!”
“Yes!”
With determination gleaming in their eyes, disciples of Hwasan pushed back the countless members of Maninbang aiming at Chung Myung and those around him. Startled by their onslaught, Maninbang was pushed back relentlessly, unsure of where to even put their hands amidst the flurry of swords.
Together with Cheonumaeng, including disciples from Hwasan, they formed an impenetrable wall that the enemies could never breach.
“Yoon Jong-ah!”
Hyun Sang had rushed forward like lightning and found himself momentarily speechless in front of Yoon Jong. With a look of dismay, he struggled to regain his composure and reached out to check Yoon Jong’s pulse. However, Yoon Jong suddenly raised his head and weakly gestured towards somewhere else.
“Elder… Save Chung Myung… Chung Myung…”
“Hey, you! Who’s…!”
“Elder, please, hurry, Chung Myung…”
Hyun Sang bit his lip hard. At that moment, Baek Cheon extended Chung Myung, whom he had been holding in his arms, towards him.
“Elder…”
“…”
“My energy… for Chung Myung…”
Though his words were incoherent and sparse, Hyun Sang understood their meaning immediately. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to accept Chung Myung. He simply couldn’t figure out where to place his hands. There wasn’t a single spot untouched by injury, so how could he possibly lay hands on him?
“Step aside.”
“Sect Leader, Chung Myung…”
“Pull yourself together!”
At that moment, Hyun Jong pushed aside Hyun Sang and took Chung Myung into his arms. His clothes quickly soaked up the blood that Chung Myung had shed. However, without batting an eye, Hyun Jong held Chung Myung close and pressed his inner energy into his abdomen.
“I-Is he alright? Will he be alright?”
As Hyun Sang anxiously inquired, Hyun Jong, without answering, shouted, his face hardened.
“Those who have the ability, tend to the wounded! Quickly!”
“Yes?”
“What are you all doing! Is Chung Myung the only one wounded?”
“Yes? Oh, yes! Retired Sect Leader!”
With that, they snapped back to reality.
Of course, Chung Myung was in the most critical condition, but others had sustained injuries severe enough.
Those who were able rushed forward to administer their internal energy. Hyun Sang, holding onto Yoon Jong, also began infusing him with internal energy.
“Sect Leader…”
“Don’t speak!”
Un Am placed his hand on Jo Geol’s back, channeling energy into him.
“I… I’m not as bad off as the others…”
“Just shut up!”
“I’m still alright! Take care of Sasuk first…”
“I said, shut your mouth!”
Un Am tightly bit his lip. Did they have the strength of mind to care for others even in such a situation? It was hard to tell if it was kindness or foolishness.
‘These foolish lot…’
How could they neglect their own bodies like this? It was admirable. But at the same time, it was infuriatingly resented.
And among them, there was one who refused to listen.
“Soso! This is unacceptable!”
“Let go!”
“Soso! Your injuries are serious too!”
“I’m not dying, so let me go!”
Ignoring those trying to treat her, Tang Soso clung to Chung Myung, who Hyun Jong was holding. Without hesitation, she grabbed Chung Myung’s wrist and checked his pulse. Raising her head sharply, she asked.
“Father? Where is Lord Tang?”
“He’s blocking the enemy’s approach. He’ll be here soon.”
“Quickly! We need him now! Retired Sect Leader! Chung Myung is dying!”
Hyun Jong shouted without hesitation.
“Un Geom! Bring Lord Tang! Immediately!”
“There’s no need for that.”
At that moment, a ray of green light suddenly landed before them.
“Father!”
“Come here.”
Tang Gunak embraced Chung Myung as if reclaiming his body. His stern face momentarily went white as he assessed Chung Myung’s condition. His calm expression, which seemed to not change even if Mount Tai collapsed, crumbled, and it was more chilling than any scream or cry could ever be.
“What were you thinking?!”
Through gritted teeth, Tang Gunak straightened Chung Myung with his hand like a sword. From within his sleeves, he retrieved a small box and opened it, revealing large golden needles.
“No one! Absolutely no one is to approach, understood?”
There was no need for Hyun Jong to say anything. The moment those words were heard, the demeanor of the disciples of Hwasan changed drastically. Even those who found it difficult to stand rose from their places, eager to protect Chung Myung.
“Soso! Pae! Help!”
“Yes!”
“Lord Tang, Soso…”
“Don’t interfere, step back!”
Baek Sang, who tried to stop Tang Gunak, was momentarily stunned by the fierce aura emanating from him and took a step back. He realized how dire the situation was.
“Tang Pae!”
“Yes, Lord!”
Tang Pae pushed aside those trying to channel inner strength and leaped towards Chung Myung. As he landed on the opposite side of Chung Myung, he injected energy into the needles Tang Gunak had placed.
Wuuuuung!
The golden needles in Tang Gunak’s hand trembled wildly. At the same time, the hem of Tang Gunak’s robe swelled as if it would burst under the immense pressure. The force was so overwhelming that even the disciples of Hwasan momentarily turned their heads.
Unable to withstand the overpowering force, Tang Soso began to be pushed back. In that moment, Hyun Jong grabbed her shoulders and infused her with internal energy.
Wuuuuuuung!
The golden needle resting on Tang Gunak’s palm trembled like a live fish before finally quieting down. As the faint vibrations gradually ceased, Tang Gunak, like a bolt of lightning, plunged the needle into Chung Myung’s neck.
Chung Myung’s body jolted upwards from the impact. Pressing down firmly on his body, Tang Gunak shouted.
“Dokbi [犢鼻], Jungwan [中脘], Sugu [水溝]!”
“Yes!”
Tang Pae and Tang Soso struck the acupuncture points as instructed by Tang Gunak.
“Three more points on Sugu!”
“Oh, Father. Sahyeong’s body…”
“Do as I command!”
“Yes!”
Tang Soso gritted her teeth and forcefully struck the designated acupoints. At that moment, dark, stagnant blood spurted out from Chung Myung’s mouth.
Wuuuuuuung!
Another large needle pierced into the center of Chung Myung’s chest. With the length of an adult’s hand, the large needle plunged deep into his body, leaving no trace behind.
“Baihui [百会], Geogwol [巨闕], Chungyang [衝陽]!”
“Yes!”
Lord of the Tang clan Tang Gunak is a master in the realm of acupuncture. Yet, his face was soon drenched in sweat. It was a sight that made it clear just how much mental and physical energy he was expending in this acupuncture technique.
Wuuuuuuung!
Tang Gunak gritted his teeth once again and infused energy into the needles. Due to the sudden expenditure of inner energy, his hands began to tremble.
After a moment, the last needle among the twelve pierced into the center of Chung Myung’s forehead.
“I-Is it even possible to pierce the head like that?”
Unable to bear it any longer, someone exclaimed, prompting Tang Soso to respond loudly.
“These aren’t just ordinary needles!”
“Uh… what?”
With no energy left to explain further, she gave up and grabbed Chung Myung’s wrist, infusing him with internal energy.
The golden needles used by Lord Tang are not ordinary needles at all. They are elixir made of rare and precious materials, difficult to find even within the Tang clan. Each one is priceless, beyond measure in terms of money.
Within the Tang clan, they are known as the “Great Reviving Golden Needle Net” [환혼대라금침(還魂大羅金針)- hwanhon-dae-ra-geumchim], reserved exclusively for the lord of the clan. In other words, Tang Gunak, who is the current lord of the Tang clan, is using the heritage of the clan on an outsider without any hesitation.
However…
“It’s not enough.”
Tang Gunak raised his head abruptly.
“Ice Palace! Summon the elders of the Ice Palace! And the Lord of the Beast Palace! Immediately!”
“Un Am! Hyun Sang!”
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
“Clear the way! Bring the Ice Palace and the Beast Palace here now! Hurry!”
Hyun Sang and Un Am dashed out with determined expressions. Hyun Jong, placing his hand on Chung Myung’s dantian, spoke softly to Tang Gunak who was infusing energy into Chung Myung’s acupoints.
“…Lord Tang, is there any chance… for Chung Myung….”
“I have done everything I can for now.”
“Can he survive?”
Tang Gunak remained silent, but Hyun Jong refused to interpret that silence as a negative sign. The Lord of the Tang clan was summoning every last bit of his strength to care for Chung Myung. It was a determination to save him at all costs.
And that determination was not only coming from Tang Gunak.
“Get out of the way, you vermin!”
Kwaaaang!
Lord Maeng So of the Beast Palace swept away dozens of Maninbang’s warriors with a single blow and strode towards their location.
“Where is Hwasan Geomhyeop?”
As he roared with a thunderous voice, the people of the Ice Palace rushed in behind him.
“Palace Lord!”
“Elder Han, not me! Over there!”
Seol Sobaek shook his head and shouted. Maeng So and Han Imyeong immediately approached Tang Gunak.
“Lord Tang!”
Tang Gunak turned his head to look at Han Imyeong.
“We need someone proficient in the most profound arts of the Ice Palace!”
“Yes? Th-that’s…”
Han Imyeong’s face showed momentary confusion. The one who could utilize the most powerful arts of the Ice Palace should naturally be the Lord. Only the Palace Lord could master the most potent ice arts, after all.
But at this moment, Seol Sobaek had not yet mastered all the ice arts.
“W-Well, if it’s not me, it’s the Palace Lord….”
“Then both of you shall come!”
“Yes?”
Tang Gunak turned his head to face Maeng So.
“Lord, can you use the Hot Yang Qigong*?”
“W-Well, that’s the specialty of the Southern Sea Sun Palace, but I…”
“Can you do it?”
Maeng So’s face hardened.
“Is it something that must be done? To save Hwasan Geomhyeop?”
“Absolutely!”
Without hesitation, Maeng So nodded.
“Then I will! Even if it I burn to crisp, I will pull it off!”
Tang Gunak nodded in agreement.
“From both sides of Hwasan Geomhyeop, infuse him with the ice and hot yang energies. Use all the strength you have.”
“B-But, Lord Tang, what does that mean?”
In an instant, the faces of Maeng So and Han Imyeong turned pale.
The two energies are polar opposites. When such opposing forces collide within the body, the outcome is as predictable as seeing fire meet water, isn’t it?
They knew all too well how dangerous it was to handle each energy. As the three people hesitated, Tang Gunak shouted abruptly.
“Do as you are told!”
But they couldn’t move easily. With a resolute expression, Tang Gunak reassured them.
“He’ll endure.”
“…”
“If it’s Hwasan Geomhyeop, even if we don’t know about other aspects, we’ll endure, especially for Hwasan Geomhyeop!”
Maeng So, Seol Sobaek, and Han Imyeong’s eyes turned towards Chung Myung.
With the slightest misstep, they might end up killing Chung Myung with their own hands. So, it wasn’t easy to make a decision.
But at that moment, Seol Sobaek knelt beside Chung Myung and took his hand.
“Lord…”
“I will do it!”
Seol Sobaek clenched his teeth.
“If he is Dojang I know, he will endure! Especially since it’s none other than Chung Myung Dojang!”
There was a firm belief in Seol Sobaek’s eyes. Seeing his determination, Maeng So and Han Imyeong finally nodded and held Chung Myung’s hands.
“No one! No one to get close…”
Tang Gunak’s attempt to make a plea was cut short.
All he could see were the backs of Hwasan’s disciples surrounding him. The determination evident in their posture was breathtaking.
Tang Gunak took a deep breath.
‘I will save him.’
What he held in his hands was everything about Cheonumaeng. He was the one guiding them on what they should pursue.
And above all else… he was his friend.
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