Chapter 1573
It’s not just a fox. (3)
Swish!
Three gleaming harpoons shot straight at Jo Geol. As if to prove that the name “Eighteen Strongholds of the Yangtze” was no empty title, the harpoons they launched were as swift and sharp as vipers, even on land.
But contrasting with the dark harpoons, Jo Geol’s white sword moved twice as fast.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
His sword, streaking through the air like a lightning bolt, deflected all three harpoons simultaneously and pierced through the chests of the pirates.
Crunch!
The sword, tearing through muscle and piercing hearts, withdrew without a moment’s hesitation to target the next opponent.
“Move!”
Jo Geol struck the lifeless bodies aside with his shoulder, not wanting to waste even the time it took for them to fall.
Boom!
The bodies flew through the air, and using them as a shield, Jo Geol rapidly advanced, sending out dozens of sword strikes toward the startled pirates.
Whoosh!
It was a swift and deadly sword technique, so much so that his enemies couldn’t even comprehend their deaths until their hearts were pierced. It was clear why he was called “One Sword That Separates The Light.”
“You scoundrel!”
But the enemies were not so easily defeated.
Dozens of long metal wires flew toward Jo Geol like living snakes. The hideous hooks attached to their ends gleamed menacingly under the sun.
These were iron grappling hooks [철구삭(鐵鉤索)], deformed weapons used by Evil Sects to capture powerful foes.
The sight of the numerous iron wires hurtling towards Jo Geol was akin to watching dozens of venomous snakes leap towards a tiger that had fallen into their pit.
But Jo Geol didn’t even glance at the iron hooks. He simply charged forward. Yoon Jong, who had leaped over Jo Geol’s head, spread his sword in midair.
Swish!
The sword split into dozens of lines, spreading out like a fan. It ensnared all the writhing wires.
“Haaah!”
At the same time, Yoon Jong’s sword sliced down with force.
Boom!
A strike strong enough to shatter the ground!
The wires, entangled by the sword, writhed like a lake struck by a massive rock. The pirates at the ends of the wires couldn’t withstand the force and were slammed into the ground.
“Gah!”
The impact felt like their internal organs were being shattered. But before the pirates could even curl up in pain, Jo Geol’s sword came flying at them.
“Keep going!”
“Yes!”
Everything felt vivid.
The grooves in the sword handle felt like deep valleys under his grip. The enemy’s breath sounded as loud as thunder.
Jo Geol sharpened his heightened senses even further, honing them to a razor edge.
Swish!
His sword strike shot out once more. He ignored defense entirely, putting everything into his attack.
Harpoons flew at him in a frenzy, intersecting with Jo Geol’s sword energy in the air.
Swoosh!
The sound was like branches brushing against each other in a dense forest before a strong wind. Jo Geol’s sword energy pierced through the bodies of the pirates in quick succession.
Screams of agony and death cries erupted all around.
It was a sight created by a single sword strike. Though it was a formidable attack, the price was that Jo Geol couldn’t block even one of the harpoons flying at him.
Yet, there was not a trace of fear in his eyes.
“Damn it…!”
At that moment, Lee Songbaek, who was following behind, gasped in horror.
“These bastards again!”
Clang!
Yoon Jong jumped in with all his might. He deflected the harpoons flying toward Jo Geol in an instant. Jo Geol continued charging forward without even glancing at Yoon Jong.
Lee Songbaek felt a chill run down his spine.
‘…How.’
How could someone entrust their life to another so completely without a moment’s hesitation? If Yoon Jong had been even a second late, Jo Geol would no longer be alive.
Such trust was not something one could have with a sound mind. Could a person truly trust another to that extent? The power created by such a profound bond was truly remarkable.
“Aaaaagh!”
“Urgh!”
The forest, made up of people and malice, fell as if it had encountered a wildfire.
‘Damn it!’
Lee Songbaek’s face twisted involuntarily.
The ones ahead were cutting down enemies, while he could barely keep up despite running as fast as he could. It wasn’t because his martial arts were lacking – he simply couldn’t react to the explosive force they exhibited in those brief moments.
But paradoxically, this gave him hope.
‘With this, we might really…!’
This time, they might truly be able to take down the Black Dragon King!
Just as Lee Songbaek was harboring hope and looking ahead, the Black Dragon King let out a snort and leaped back.
“Hmph!”
“Oh….”
Lee Songbaek’s eyes widened.
As they advanced, he retreated. It was an obvious maneuver.
But at that moment, Lee Songbaek had to realize why even a mere retreat was treated as a significant tactic in countless military strategies.
Drawing the enemy in as much as possible before showing a single sign of retreat. That single, timely maneuver was so despair-inducing that it momentarily shattered Lee Songbaek’s resolve.
In the place where the Black Dragon King had retreated, more pirates had gathered. And it wasn’t just holding their ground – even more pirates were swarming into the spot, kicking up yellow dust in their blue uniforms. A single word flashed through Lee Song-baek’s mind.
A river. It was like a massive river.
Even though this was solid ground, the Black Dragon King was transforming it into his most familiar battlefield by using his subordinates. The scene was so overwhelming that Lee Songbaek felt his breath catch.
“Geol!”
“I know!”
Two figures leapt into that river. They charged straight into the mass of pirates which came like a wave.
It was like watching a mantis lift its forelegs against a speeding chariot. But unlike Lee Songbaek, who hesitated instinctively, the two moved without the slightest hesitation.
“Reckless…!”
“Amitabha!”
At that moment, a thunderous chant burst out beside Lee Songbaek.
“Oooooh!”
Hye Yeon’s monk’s robes began to swell as if they were about to burst.
They were not the yellow robes symbolizing Shaolin, nor were they fully the martial arts robes of Hwasan. They were modified monk robes, adapted from the black martial arts uniform of Hwasan.
Hye Yeon extended his hands heavily.
Wooooooong!
Soon, a golden aura expanded, enveloping Jo Geol and Yoon Jong.
The Supreme Power of Nothingness [무상대능력(無上大能力) – mu-sangdae-neung-lyeog].
The pinnacle of Shaolin martial arts. This force gently, yet firmly, pushed back the pirates who were about to overwhelm Yoon Jong and Jo Geol. The golden radiance pushed away the murky current of the river.
“Ugh!”
“Pushed back…ugh!”
Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, the enemies stumbled. In that gap, Jo Geol’s sword flashed.
Kwadeuk!
In an instant, those whose chests were pierced fell, spraying blood.
‘Will it work?’
No. There’s no reason to think or doubt.
Just advance. It doesn’t matter if his sword doesn’t reach the Black Dragon King. If he falls exhausted, those following will surely open the remaining path.
So, go further!
Paaaaaat!
Jo Geol’s movements became faster.
Body and Sword Unification [신검합일(身劍合一)]. The state of becoming one with the sword.
Jo Geol’s body, having surpassed even that state, began to move as swiftly as his sword. It was almost too much for Yoon Jong to keep up.
Paaaaaat!
In an instant, the sword energy split into dozens. It wasn’t just Hwasan’s scattering sword energy. Like plum blossoms scattered yet not swaying, it was Jo Geol’s unique sword energy.
For a moment, the Black Dragon King’s face hardened as he tried to retreat further back.
Fwaaaah!
Jo Geol accelerated once more, charging towards the Black Dragon King like his own sword energy.
“Hup!”
The Black Dragon King raised his guandao in haste.
Kwadeuk!
At that moment, Jo Geol’s sword pierced the ankle of the Black Dragon King, like an arrow shot at a soaring eagle!
“Ugh!”
The Black Dragon King flinched, twisting his body like a fish caught on a hook.
“You rascal!”
Toooong!
The Black Dragon King swung his guandao diagonally upward, flinging Jo Geol who clung to his ankle.
Jo Geol’s body was sent flying into the air.
At that moment!
Tahap!
From behind Jo Geol, Yoon Jong, who had been like a shadow, suddenly sprang up.
Grabbing Jo Geol’s ankle with one hand, he simultaneously unleashed multiple plum blossom sword energies towards the Black Dragon King.
The Black Dragon King swung his guandao forcefully, attempting to deflect all the incoming sword energies, but Yoon Jong’s plum blossom sword technique penetrated the gaps, as fine as mist.
Slice! Slice! Slice!
Blood spurted into the air from the giant’s body, slashed in multiple places.
“You rat-like vermin!”
The Black Dragon King roared, pulling back his guandao. Dark energy clung to the curved blade like a cloud.
“Ooooooh!”
With a sound like a bowstring releasing, the crescent blade of the guandao shot towards Yoon Jong and Jo Geol, ripping through the air.
“Haaaaap!”
Fear. It made every hair on Lee Songbaek’s body stand on end. Yet, he embraced the fear and threw himself forward instead.
It was his role. The path he must walk, unshaken even if it meant facing destruction.
Kwoooong!
Lee Songbaek’s sword collided head-on with the Black Dragon King’s crescent blade.
Blood spurted from his mouth instantly. The shock was so immense that his vision darkened momentarily.
Yet, even risking his life with that strike, all he managed was to slow the Black Dragon King’s guandao for a fleeting moment.
And in that moment, the monk in the black robe following behind him dove into the gap.
Kwoooong!
A fist carrying immense power struck the pole of the guandao, causing it to halt abruptly.
Kwooooong!
The dark energy bursting from the blade narrowly missed Jo Geol and Yoon Jong, suspended in mid-air. It was a close call.
“You…!”
Thump!
An enraged kick from the Black Dragon King struck Hye Yeon in the side, even though he barely managed to block it by crossing his arms, he was pushed three jang.
“You damn bastards!”
His eyes burned with a dark, intense hatred.
Yet, even with his anger boiling over, the sly fox did not lose his composure. Instead of pressing the attack, he immediately pushed off the ground. He had to get out of there.
Swoosh!
But at that moment, a sharp whistling sound came from behind. Startled, the Black Dragon King instinctively twisted his body.
Slash!
A searing pain, as if branded by hot iron, spread across his back. Yu Iseol’s blade had silently and viciously carved a long, deep gash into his back.
Simultaneously, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong twisted their bodies in mid-air, kicking off and shooting down.
“Ooooooh!”
The Black Dragon King instinctively raised his guandao.
Clang!
The more urgent his situation became, the more his instincts responded faithfully to the threats his body sensed. The crescent blade of the guandao perfectly blocked Jo Geol’s sword, which was descending like a beam of light.
However, he could not completely block Yoon Jong’s sword, which attacked from the opposite side.
Crunch!
Yoon Jong’s Plum Blossom Sword pierced through the empty space of his shoulder.
Though it was a blade penetrating a human body, the sound resembled that of a hammer breaking bones. This sound traveled not through the air but directly through the body.
The internal energy transmitted through the sword stirred the Black Dragon King’s insides. A lump of blood surged up, and his lips were quickly stained red.
“Black Dragon King!”
At that moment, Baek Cheon, carrying Namgoong Dowi on his back, charged directly at the Black Dragon King.
The Black Dragon King’s eyes, which had been dull and unfocused, suddenly regained their clarity.
“Uaaaaah!”
His muscles tightened. The massive blade of the guandao fell toward Baek Cheon’s head, ignoring all other attacks. It was a strike so powerful that it made everyone else freeze in shock.
“You idiot!”
Kaaaang!
The sword that blocked the attack was none other than Jongnam’s sword, wielded by Jin Geumryong. He poured all his internal energy into the blade to counter the Black Dragon King’s guandao.
Jin Geumryong, who had blocked and countered the guandao, vomited a mouthful of blood and was pushed back, eventually collapsing to the ground.
With the blood sprayed in mid-air between them, Baek Cheon’s and the Black Dragon King’s gazes clashed fiercely.
Swoosh!
Baek Cheon’s fingers turned white from gripping the sword so tightly. Blood from his own wounds, the enemies he had slashed, and the comrades who had fought to open the way soaked his blade. The sword, saturated with all that blood, cut through the air like a ray of light.
Crunch!
Everyone heard it. The sound of the dragon’s claws thrashing violently as the sword pierced the Black Dragon King’s solar plexus, like the talons of a bird that had lost its wings.
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