Chapter 1750
You can think of this as me blowing off some steam. (5)
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“What are you standing around dumbfounded for?”
“No, I mean… This shouldn’t be happening.”
Jo Geol wore a dazed expression as he alternated between looking at his own sword and Yoon Jong’s. There was no way this guy had found a new, better sword in the meantime. So how on earth had he managed to effortlessly cut down these monstrous enemies that he and Yu Iseol had struggled so much with, even when handling just one at a time?
“What exactly did you do?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
“Hah, if you don’t want to teach me, just say so!”
“No, I really mean it. It’s difficult to explain. Besides, it’s something you can do too.”
Yoon Jong’s words made Jo Geol narrow his eyes.
“This guy… I thought his personality had gotten more twisted lately, but now you’re really crossing the line, huh?”
“I’m serious!”
Yoon Jong, suddenly irritated, turned his head forward, realizing that this wasn’t the time to be engaging in playful banter with Jo Geol. The situation was still far from safe.
“It seems these guys are weak against immortal energy”
“Immortal energy?”
“Yes.”
“…So, you’re telling me you can control immortal energy now?”
“Apparently, I can, to some extent, but even I’m not sure exactly how it works yet…”
“Oh my, the world must be ending. A sage has emerged from Hwasan. He’s using immortal energy, guys, immortal energy.”
“…”
A thick vein bulged on Yoon Jong’s forehead.
Was this really the time for such nonsense?
He had always thought that Jo Geol hadn’t changed much after meeting Chung Myung, given his naturally reckless nature. But it seemed Yoon Jong’s judgment had been wrong.
At that moment, Yu Iseol, who had been silently listening, asked,
“Immortal energy?”
“Yes.”
“How do you use it?”
“It’s hard to explain in detail, but it feels like drawing out something that’s already within you. For us, who have lived a life steeped in the ways of the Tao, immortal energy is like a built-up energy that we already possess.”
Yu Iseol immediately nodded in understanding at his explanation.
“I get it.”
Yoon Jong looked at Yu Iseol with a completely different expression than when he looked at Jo Geol. In truth, there was no one closer to the Tao than Yu Iseol, who had little attachment to the secular world and prioritized a life of a Taoist. Perhaps that’s why she seemed to grasp Yoon Jong’s words so easily.
“Then like this.”
With those brief words, Yu Iseol’s figure seemed to sink and vanish from her spot, only to reappear in front of a blood cultist who had been unable to hide his startled expression.
Swish!
Her sword flashed like a bolt of lightning, and the blood cultist’s throat was slashed in an instant. A bright red line of blood blossomed as the area around his Adam’s apple split open.
Slice.
Just as Yoon Jong was about to clench his fist in triumph.
Swiiish!
Dozens of tendrils erupted from the slashed neck, beginning to restore the wound. Yu Iseol, who had been watching this intently, slightly turned her body and tilted her head to Yoon Jong.
“It didn’t work.”
“Aaaah! You crazy fool! You need to watch in front of you-!”
Boom!
A cloud of dust rose from the spot where Yu Iseol had been standing.
Jo Geol, who had barely managed to pull her out of the way just as the blood cultist struck down, was panting heavily. He had used all his strength to move so quickly. Grabbing Yu Iseol by the collar, he shook her violently.
“Who in their right mind turns their head away in the middle of a fight?!”
“It didn’t work.”
“Why on earth did you think it would? Huh?”
“Hm.”
Yu Iseol stared at her sword with an expression slightly different from usual.
“There’s no difference.”
“No difference? What do you mean, no difference? We’re talking about Yoon Jong! He’s the one who can do this! Sages, Taoists – whatever it is, it has nothing to do with us! It works because it’s him!”
Jo Geol shouted, his frustration evident as he gestured wildly.
Though this comical scene seemed entirely out of place on a battlefield, the blood cultists found themselves unable to move, merely watching the spectacle unfold before them.
‘The blessing of the Cult…’
The blood cultist had witnessed with his own eyes how the seemingly modest sword of that scholar-looking man severed the Cult’s blessing.
‘A guy who doesn’t even seem that impressive dares to!’
He bit his lip in frustration. The blessing of the Cult isn’t a power that just any member can possess. Only about a third of the Cult’s members are granted this privilege.
Given its rarity within the Cult, it’s undoubtedly a power that borders on the realm of ‘miracles’. For those ignorant unbelievers, it would be something nearly impossible to withstand.
But on the flip side… if the miracle fails to work, it means their abilities are drastically weakened.
The blood cultist glared at Yoon Jong. Unlike the others who were fussing around, this bastard hadn’t been distracted for even a moment since the moment he appeared. It was clear he knew exactly what he needed to do.
A surge of anger and murderous intent welled up within the blood cultist, but he hesitated to release it all at once. The transparent energy that hovered at the tip of Yoon Jong’s sword was unsettling – a fear that was almost primal.
The fear that others felt when facing a blood cultist was now being experienced by the cultists themselves, but multiplied several times over.
In such a situation, there was only one conclusion to reach.
“Each of you, survive and retreat!”
As soon as the order was given, the blood cultists kicked off the ground and scattered in all directions. Almost simultaneously, Yoon Jong’s body stretched forward in pursuit of the fleeing enemies.
Swish! Swish!
Two of the blood cultists failed to evade Yoon Jong’s sword and fell to the ground, coughing up blood. However, in the meantime, the others had already put enough distance between them, making it difficult to pursue.
“Those shameless cowards!”
Jo Geol stared at the fleeing blood cultists with a look of disbelief. They had attacked with such arrogance, but as soon as the tide turned against them, they threw away all sense of pride and fled in every direction. To someone like Jo Geol, who came from a Just Sect, this behavior was beyond shocking.
He decided to give up the chase. He might be able to catch a few of them, but even if he did, he doubted he could deal with them easily.
“Wait. Now that I think about it, those guys ran away because they were scared of you, didn’t they, Sahyeong?”
“Not quite.”
Jo Geol couldn’t help but laugh aloud. The enemies that he and Yu Iseol had struggled so much against weren’t just defeated by Yoon Jong – they were utterly overwhelmed by his mere presence.
Yu Iseol seemed to have the same thought as she asked Yoon Jong again,
“How do you use it?”
“I’ll explain later. Let’s help out in other locations first.”
Jo Geol suddenly realized and scratched his head.
“…Ah. Right, the places we’re supposed to support are probably struggling too.”
“Exactly. But not all of them will be.”
“What do you mean? We went through hell here!”
“That’s because we’re from Hwasan.”
Jo Geol frowned at Yoon Jong’s response.
“Are you underestimating Hwasan?”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Yoon Jong started to explain but then shook his head, realizing it was pointless to try and explain to Jo Geol.
“You’ll see soon enough. Let’s go.”
“How do you do it?”
As Yoon Jong sprinted ahead, Yu Iseol quickly followed behind him. Jo Geol, left behind, let out another small laugh.
“Seriously, he always manages to surprise people like that.”
Today, Yoon Jong’s shoulders seemed broader than usual.
❀ ❀ ❀
Boom!
The Blood Cultist, flung far back, coughed up a mouthful of dark, dead blood. He clutched his chest, groaning in pain.
“Ugh… you bastard…”
Hye Yeon watched him calmly, his face composed.
“It seems external wounds heal quickly, but… internal injuries are a different story.”
“That cursed mouth!”
The blood cultist snarled through gritted teeth.
He knew he was right. The blessing of the Cult could rapidly heal external injuries, but it couldn’t stabilize a disrupted dantian or calm raging internal energy and blood. That made him poorly matched against a master of internal martial arts like him.
Moreover…
‘That’s not just any ordinary internal technique.’
Even the external wounds caused by his strikes were healing slower than usual. The blood cultist eyed the faint golden aura emanating from Hye Yeon’s hands and sharply asked,
“Is that the Buddhist arts of Shaolin?”
“…”
“I didn’t recognize you without the yellow robes. Shaolin… indeed, a significant obstacle to our Cult’s plans.”
The muttering blood cultist soon smirked.
“It’s fortunate that Sapaeryeon wiped out Shaolin. Don’t you agree?”
For a brief moment, a flicker of pain passed through Hye Yeon’s eyes. But it was fleeting, as the pain quickly vanished.
“That might be true. However… while it might be good news for your Palace, it’s not exactly beneficial for you. After all, you won’t be leaving this place alive.”
“You arrogant monk…”
A bloodthirsty glare surged in the blood cultist’s eyes.
“And, to be honest, it’s not necessarily a good thing for your Palace either. If there’s something Shaolin should have done, I’ll take care of it.”
A firm resolve filled Hye Yeon’s eyes. The blood cultist sneered.
“A monk who doesn’t even wear Shaolin’s robes?”
“What does mere clothing matter? What’s important is that I carry Shaolin’s teachings within me.”
Thoom!
Hye Yeon stepped forward decisively.
“Proving it won’t be difficult. Come.”
The blood cultist bared his teeth in a sinister grin and charged at Hye Yeon. A menacing energy gathered in the deformed blade he held. The very air around it seemed to corrode the flesh before it even made contact.
However, the aura emanating from Hye Yeon instantly purified that foul energy.
Woom!
The soft hand, gently outstretched, smoothly pushed aside the incoming grotesque blade. It was different from the past. Instead of merely pressing down with force, there was now lightness in his movement.
Boom!
Immediately afterward, Hye Yeon’s fist, which had been resting on his waist, struck the exposed side of the blood cultist with precision. The cultist, branded with a golden fist seal [권인(拳印)], spewed blood as he was sent flying.
Even after being brutally slammed into the ground, the blood cultist rolled a few more times before stopping. Gasping for breath, his face covered in blood, he glared at Hye Yeon.
“You… you bastard!”
The blood cultist, convulsing and trembling, dropped his head. He had lost consciousness from a single blow. As Hye Yeon instinctively took his stance, a look of discomfort crossed his face.
“Die!”
Suddenly, another blood cultist, who had been stealthily observing the situation from behind, charged at Hye Yeon with terrifying speed. Just as Hye Yeon reflexively prepared to throw another punch…
Swoosh!
A massive white sword energy suddenly flew in and swept the blood cultist away in one fell swoop.
Standing silently, Hye Yeon blinked his large eyes and turned around.
“Are you alright, Monk?”
“…Namgung Siju.”
Namgung Dowi, who had revealed himself from behind, calmly surveyed the surroundings.
“I apologize. Did I interrupt?”
“Not at all.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Were you alright, Namgung Siju? These people seemed to be using some underhanded tricks.”
“Underhanded tricks? What exactly do you mean?”
“Well…”
Hye Yeon, who was about to say something, glanced over at the blood cultist who had been swept away by Namgung Dowi’s sword energy. Seeing the corpse, which had been turned to mush, Hye Yeon suddenly felt a sense of futility and shook his head.
“…It’s nothing.”
“Hmm? If you have something to say, please speak freely, Monk.”
“…Really, it’s nothing.”
Yes, what would be the point?
Regardless of whatever dark arts or tricks they might have tried, they would need to have sustained at least some recoverable wounds to even attempt anything. But with their heads completely shattered beyond recognition in a single strike, what could they possibly do?
From Namgung Dowi’s perspective, it must have seemed like nothing more than a group of helpless fools charging at him without a plan.
‘It’s the same sword, but…’
Hye Yeon could already imagine how the disciples of Hwasan, who wielded their fluttering swords, would react with foaming rage if they witnessed this scene.
Hye Yeon sighed and said.
“Let’s go help out elsewhere for now.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“What?”
“They’re retreating.”
Namgung Dowi pointed down the mountain. Indeed, the sight of the red-clad figures withdrawing was clear.
“They’re retreating already?”
“It’s hard to understand, but it seems they are definitely pulling back.”
The support from Cheonumaeng hadn’t fully arrived yet. They could have easily continued to ravage this place for a while longer.
But to retreat already – it didn’t make sense.
“Could they have had another objective?”
“That’s possible, but in my opinion…”
Namgung Dowi’s gaze drifted down. Pale plum blossom petals were scattered by the wind.
“It seems something different from what they expected happened. As it always does.”
“Hmm.”
Hye Yeon stared blankly at the blossoming plum flowers.
He was familiar with that plum blossom sword technique, yet it felt somehow different from what he knew. For a while, Hye Yeon couldn’t take his eyes off the drifting petals.
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