Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Full Speed to the Nest
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“Run at full speed.”
As Doojun was about to exit the north gate, Muyonjun called out to his back. Hearing that, Doojun halted and turned around. His face, as he looked at Muyonjun, was openly hostile.
“What do you mean?”
“Ignore the demons completely and run straight to the nest.”
“That’s easy to say. The closer we get to the nest, the more demons there’ll be. It’s not like that ‘safe’ spot you practiced in yesterday.”
“There’s no difference. If it’s not dangerous, isn’t it safe?”
Muyonjun replied in his usual curt tone. Doojun’s eyes narrowed. He couldn’t grasp the exact meaning behind Muyonjun’s words.
“Your role is to guide us to the nest. Stick to that role. No matter how many demons lie in wait along the way, you’ll be safe. So run straight to the nest at full speed.”
“...Impressive confidence.”
Doojun spat that out and turned away. He kicked off his shoes with a few taps. It wasn’t just Doojun. Parkil and So Hyeokdae, who had been glaring at Muyonjun with hostile eyes, also tossed aside their shoes.
“Very well. Since a heaven-born celestial commands it, how could mere mortals like us defy? We’ll run straight to the nest as the celestial decrees. Just know this: we value our lives as humans do, so if it feels dangerous, we’ll slow down.”
“Do as you wish.”
Doojun didn’t like Muyonjun’s curt response. Grinding his teeth, he whipped around and shot off without warning, kicking the ground.
It wasn’t just Doojun. Parkil and So Hyeokdae, tasked with guiding alongside him, also sprinted out the north gate at full throttle. Yesterday’s Doojun had been fast enough, but running in earnest, he vanished into the distance in an instant.
“My soles are gonna burn.”
Wisseongcheon grumbled as he chased after the guides. The other students and professors deployed their lightness skills, pursuing the guides.
The distance slowly closed. As Muyonjun had instructed, the guides ignored the demons entirely, focusing solely on running full out.
What was astonishing was the Twin-Headed Venomous Serpents. They weren’t boneless humans but true beastkin. They couldn’t use internal energy. Yet they kept pace with the group without falling far behind.
It was a bizarre sight. They weren’t running on two legs but slithering along the ground. In truth, their forms could no longer be called human.
True to their names—Red Serpent and Blue Serpent—their skin was covered in red and blue scales respectively, and their arms and legs had half-melted into their bodies. They propelled themselves forward, sliding across the ground in that grotesque form.
The gap with the guides stopped widening and began to narrow. No matter how swift the guides were, those mobilized for the nest subjugation were dragon-phoenix talents and experts of equal caliber.
In fact, it was astonishing that these nameless soldiers possessed such exceptional lightness skills.
Suddenly, Muyonjun accelerated. Though he had started last, he was now at the front of the pack. And he pulled ahead.
Wisseongcheon narrowed his eyes, watching Muyonjun run. Muyonjun’s feet barely seemed to touch the ground. It was less like running and more like flying.
“Qi Gliding Flight. The Rogue Hero’s lightness skill.”
Seoil, running beside Wisseongcheon, muttered.
Muyonjun, who had surged far ahead in an instant, turned his head for a quick glance back. His gaze lingered briefly on Wisseongcheon.
His expression was the same as always, but his eyes seemed to say, “Is that all you’ve got?” Of course, given Muyonjun’s personality, he wouldn’t provoke like that.
Muyonjun taking the lead and “looking back” scraped at the other students’ pride.
“That bastard.”
Hwangbo Seongu spat.
Boom!
He kicked off the ground, pouring on even more speed. But the distance to Muyonjun didn’t close. By now, Muyonjun had reached Doojun’s side.
‘Impossible.’
The guides looked at Muyonjun with shocked eyes. Even at this speed, Muyonjun’s breathing remained undisturbed.
Thanks to their full-throttle sprint, they had left the plains and entered the mountains. A hint of tension crept onto Doojun’s face. They were entering the demons’ true domain.
“Keep running.”
Muyonjun said that as he brought his hands together in front of his chest. Doojun’s eyebrow twitched at the sudden action. But he didn’t respond, just clenched his teeth and sped up further.
He couldn’t widen the gap with Muyonjun. Muyonjun neither fell behind nor surged ahead, maintaining the distance to Doojun.
Wisseongcheon, running behind, saw Muyonjun’s body enveloped in clear, azure qi.
Thump!
Muyonjun, accelerating, kicked off the ground and leaped upward.
The azure qi swirling around his body shot out in all directions.
Boom boom boom!
Qi blasts pierced between the trees, exploding. Screeching demon cries and chunks of flesh sprayed into the air.
Wisseongcheon’s jaw dropped.
“What the hell is that?”
“Qi projection... I’m not sure what technique it is.”
Seoil stammered his reply. Wisseongcheon knew it was qi projection too. But qi projection like that?
To Wisseongcheon, qi projection meant extending sword aura or bursting energy. But Muyonjun’s was overwhelming and precise. Even at that speed, he pinpointed demon locations and fired multiple qi blasts at them.
It didn’t end there. Muyonjun skimmed low through the air, continuously unleashing qi blasts. The blasts detached from his body like fireworks, burrowing between trees to bombard a wide area.
‘Moon Silver White Phosphorus Wave...!’
Though he’d told Wisseongcheon he didn’t know, Seoil recognized it. How could he not? It was the martial art of Baek Cheongha, the Moon Shadow Immortal, deputy leader of the Shadow Division and one of the Ten Heroes.
Of course, it differed greatly from Baek Cheongha’s own execution, but that unique form was unmistakably the Moon Silver White Phosphorus Wave.
‘The Moon Silver White Phosphorus Wave is a killing art the deputy rarely uses... A secret ultimate technique virtually unknown in the martial world. To think she taught him that too...!’
It was famous that Muyonjun had the righteous Ten Heroes as masters, but most people thought this:
Even for a celestial, the Ten Heroes wouldn’t fully teach their secrets. To martial artists, learned techniques were transmissions of inheritance.
It was natural to assume they wouldn’t pass everything to a disciple taken on just because he was a celestial.
But at least this was certain: if Muyonjun had mastered Baek Cheongha’s Moon Silver White Phosphorus Wave, he had inherited all of the Moon Shadow Immortal’s arts and was her direct disciple.
“Don’t stop.”
Having finished his flight and landed, Muyonjun was ahead of the guides. He kicked the ground, sliding back to position himself behind them. His hands, gathered in front of his chest, moved. Azure sword aura whirled from his widely spread hands.
“Didn’t I tell you? You’re safe. Just run. I’ll clear away any demons that get in the way.”
Kwah kwah kwah!
Sword aura sprayed out like a water jet. Demon screams echoed like pandemonium. The pursuing students, stunned by Muyonjun’s destructive martial art, immediately assessed the situation.
‘We can’t do that.’
Every student judged as much. They could emit sword aura, but manipulating it with such precision to wipe out multiple demons was impossible. They could dive in and slash or smash them directly, sure.
Wisseongcheon thought the same. Muyonjun could spam such destructive sword qi projection thanks to his miraculous internal energy depth and a technique specialized for efficient, devastating output.
“Tch...!”
Hwangbo Seongu clicked his tongue, kicked off the ground, and leaped into the air.
“Save some!”
Hwangbo Seongu bellowed in his booming voice. Muyonjun stopped emitting sword aura and glanced back.
“Where?!”
“...Front left. Rocks.”
The moment he heard, Hwangbo Seongu shot sideways. His full-throttle lightness skill briefly overtook Muyonjun and the guides.
Muyonjun had said front left rocks.
‘There’s more than one or two rocks...!’
Grumbling inwardly, Hwangbo Seongu raised his clenched fist. Plenty of rocks, sure, but no matter. He’d smash them all.
“Tell me.”
Wisseongcheon sped up to close in on Muyonjun and spoke. Muyonjun whipped around to face him.
“What?”
“Where the demons are. Where to attack. If you’re gonna handle it all alone, why bring us?”
“...”
Muyonjun stared at Wisseongcheon without immediate reply.
A moment later, his lips parted.
“You can sense the demons’ positions too, can’t you?”
“I’m not as attuned or accurate as you. And they’ll listen better if you say it than me.”
“...I see.”
Muyonjun nodded slightly. From then on, he ran at the front without emitting sword aura.
Instead, he relayed demon positions to the pursuing students and professors for them to handle, personally dealing with any too close. Thanks to that, the guides could truly focus on running.
The nest was still far. Despite full lightness skills, the terrain was rugged and steep. They crested peaks multiple times, repelled demons. It was grueling.
A cautious, safety-first trek would’ve taken days, but their straight-line sprint covered it by nightfall, nest in sight.
Doojun and the guides, who had led from the front, caught their ragged breaths and slumped down.
“How long since I’ve run like this...!”
Doojun panted, massaging his soles. He’d run barefoot over rough mountain paths for hours, yet his thick soles were unscratched. Just filthy from demon blood, flesh, and dirt.
“Let’s rest tonight and head out at dawn.”
Unlike Doojun, Muyonjun’s breathing was barely disrupted.
He sat immediately, assuming lotus position.
“You all have good night vision, but it’s too dark now to see much. You’re all tired too.”
“Not tired.”
Hwangbo Seongu said, steadying his breath. Muyonjun just glanced at him without responding.
“Don’t waste breath bickering. Sit.”
Wisseongcheon spoke instead. He was already in lotus position, preparing meditation.
“The seniors and professors will stand guard.”
As Wisseongcheon said, the second-years and professors had drawn weapons, scanning the surroundings.
Hwangbo Seongu glared at Wisseongcheon briefly before plopping down. Wisseongcheon was right. This wasn’t the time for ego clashes with Muyonjun. They were at the nest’s doorstep, crawling with demons.
En route, they’d wiped out every visible demon, but nearer the nest, that was impossible.
Too many demons. They only handled those blocking paths or charging aggressively, ignoring the rest. No one died in this reckless charge thanks to Muyonjun and Wisseongcheon.
‘That guy.’
It wasn’t flashy heroics. No dramatic flair. But Wisseongcheon had moved before Muyonjun’s orders, snapping the necks of several ambushing demons.
Hwangbo Seongu exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.
The shift-based meditation ended. No fires.
They sated hunger with ration pills, then Dang Seona distributed recovery pellets to the students.
“Tang family Vitality Pills. They’ll help restore your energy.”
Preparations for camp began.
Hajitae approached Hwangbo Seongu, who sat glaring piercingly into the darkness beyond.
“Hey, if you’re free, help me out?”
“With what?”
“Digging holes.”
Hajitae said, pointing at Sangirin. She had already rolled up her sleeves and was digging intently.
Sangirin grew up in a family that hunted demons for a living. After losing her father, fueled by vengeance and hatred, she wandered mountains from youth, slaying demons.
She knew how to spend nights in the wilds from childhood. Hajitae was the same, a hunter’s origin.
‘Not mountains this demon-infested, though.’
Sangirin glanced at Muyonjun. Her eyes held only admiration.
He truly was a celestial. His form, advancing wreathed in clear light, annihilating demons—it was wondrous and beautiful.
“Suppress your presence, mask your scent. You’re big, so dig deeper than others.”
“...Sleep buried underground? Covered in dirt?”
“Cover your face too. Breathe through this tube.”
Hajitae handed Hwangbo Seongu a forearm-length tube.
“Let just the tip poke out. Dig deep, got it? Breathe slow and shallow. You can manage?”
“What do you take me for?”
“A prideful young master from a prestigious house.”
“Shut up.”
Hwangbo Seongu spat and began digging. Hajitae, having dug his own spot, yawned lazily and grumbled.
“Thought catching the general’s eye would hook me into the imperial army, but nah. This kinda suffering? Pass on the army. I’ll just be your family’s hanger-on.”
“If you really want that, dig my hole for me.”
“Why should I? A hanger-on’s a hanger-on, not a slave.”
Hwangbo Seongu snorted a laugh at Hajitae’s nonchalant reply.
Dang Seona leaned against a tree, arms crossed. With her maids the Twin-Headed Venomous Serpents, she had no need to dig herself. But Dang Heeran did.
The Twin-Headed Venomous Serpents were heirs of a beastkin clan long under Tang family service; by protocol, Dang Heeran should attend them too, but they were Dang Seona’s “tools.”
“Regretting it?”
Dang Seona spoke.
Dang Heeran, digging with bare hands, flinched.
“Following me, I mean. If you’d stayed at camp when I offered consideration, you wouldn’t suffer this.”
“...No regrets.”
“You’re answering properly now. Not as smoothly as yesterday, though.”
Dang Seona smiled. Dang Heeran bit her lip and focused on digging. Dang Seona stared at her back, then beckoned Red Serpent.
“You do it.”
“Yes, miss.”
Red Serpent approached Dang Heeran. Dang Heeran looked back at Dang Seona in surprise. Dang Seona eyed her hands with narrowed gaze.
Filthy, dirt-caked hands. Even under nails meant for care, grime clung.
“Those hands aren’t for that.”
Dang Seona said coldly.
Dang Heeran’s face stiffened. She hesitated, hiding her hands behind her. Dang Seona glared briefly, tsked, and turned away.
“Not tired?”
“Nope.”
Wisseongcheon was already lying in his deep pit. No night watch rotations set yet, so uncovered, but add dirt and camp was ready.
“Feels like dying and getting buried.”
“Don’t jinx it.”
Paeng Yeonhwa grumbled. But Wisseongcheon kept joking.
“Bury ourselves, wake mid-watch, re-bury and sleep. Ugh, gross. Bath first when we get back.”
Paeng Yeonhwa snickered. Wisseongcheon rose from the pit, staring at her.
“If we nail the nest subjugation, the general’ll reward us, right? Being a general, maybe gold and jewels?”
“Better not expect too much.”
“Why? Money’s better had than not. Anyway, what about you? Could use this to join the imperial army after graduation.”
“...I’ve thought about it, but army means obeying superiors. Hate that. Forced to do unwanted crap.”
Paeng Yeonhwa muttered, then widened her eyes. Yeongjin, Tae Heemyung, and Cheong Wubin approached.
“No time to chat, huh.”
Tae Heemyung said with an awkward smile. Wisseongcheon, brushing dirt from his nape, tilted his head at him.
“What’s up?”
“Uh, well, that is...”
Tae Heemyung hesitated. Wisseongcheon cocked his head. Yeongjin, arms crossed beside him, tsked.
Paeng Yeonhwa spoke first after a pause.
“...By chance, is it about Grandmaster Taegeuk Sword Lord teaching us?”
“Huh?”
Tae Heemyung startled, Cheong Wubin chuckled dryly. Tae Heemyung blinked rapidly, waving hands frantically.
“N-No, not that. Grandmaster teaching you is, uh... kinda concerning, but I get it. He wouldn’t do pointless stuff. R-Right?”
“Y-Yes... sure.”
“So, what I mean is...”
“Want me to say it?”
Cheong Wubin asked, fed up. Tae Heemyung thumped his racing chest.
“...Bear with him. Our Sword Dragon’s blade is sharp as hell, but he’s like this himself.”
“J-Just nervous.”
“How long you gonna stay nervous?”
Yeongjin teased. Tae Heemyung cleared his throat, composed himself, and stared at Wisseongcheon. From that fumbling demeanor, Wisseongcheon guessed what he wanted.
“...Um... You’re in the Romantic Pavilion, right? Heard you go to the hall every Saturday.”
“...Yes.”
“By any chance... any special feelings for Senior U Hayeon...?”
“...No.”
As expected, about U Hayeon. Tae Heemyung brightened.
“...Dozens of academy boys crush on Sword Seal Senior.”
Cheong Wubin muttered audibly, but Tae Heemyung ignored it.
“Ahem. Then, has Senior U Hayeon... ever mentioned me?”
“...Haven’t heard.”
At Wisseongcheon’s reply, Tae Heemyung’s shoulders slumped in despair.
U Hayeon had mentioned Tae Heemyung—annoyingly persistent, awkward. But not when Wisseongcheon was around.
“I see...”
Unaware, Tae Heemyung sighed deeply.