Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Translator: Penny
Chapter 78
People rode horses because they were the fastest creatures humans could tame and ride.
But sometimes, humans could be faster.
These were martial artists who had mastered Lightness Skill.
While horses had clear limitations in long-distance travel due to the finite nature of Internal Energy and physical stamina, martial artists could achieve far greater speeds than horses in short bursts.
For the elite warriors of the Namgung Clan, closing a quarter-hour gap was child's play.
Unlike horses, which could only reach full speed on established paths, martial artists could cut through dense forests and leap across streams in a single bound.
Pee-eep! Pee-eep!
A normal flute would have produced such a sound, but only Sayo could hear it.
This was the Silent Flute of the Beggar's Sect, designed to be audible only to those trained at close range.
Sayo perked up her ears, intercepted the signals from nearby Beggar Disciples, and reported, "Young Master, the martial artists from the Jongsang Branch have crossed the stronghold."
Zhuge Munhyeon nodded at Sayo's words, who had joined them after the Blood Shadow Pavilion's assimilation was complete.
"What about the Anryuk Branch?"
"They've already completed their retreat. Pavilion Master Oksayeong of the Blood Shadow Pavilion is arriving with reinforcements, so there should be no casualties."
"That's fortunate. Now we only need to hold this position."
Gwan Hwipyeong scowled at Zhuge Munhyeon's words.
Fortunate? What was fortunate about this?
The news that the Anryuk Branch was secure meant that the Azure Heaven Sword Corps, who had been preparing to attack it, would now join the pursuit of the Jongsang Branch. In other words, the enemy's numbers had doubled. And these were no ordinary warriors; they were the Sword Ghosts of the Azure Heaven Sword Corps. The moment Anryuk became safe, the safety of the warriors retreating from Jongsang was jeopardized. And, damn it all, they were now rushing headlong into that very danger.
Just as a sigh escaped him, Sayo's face suddenly twisted in alarm.
Another signal, no doubt. Judging by her expression, it couldn't be good news.
"Y-Young Master..."
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"Namgung... they seem to have caught up with the Jongsang Branch's tail."
"What? They've already caught up?"
"Yes, Young Master."
"Damn it, they're faster than I thought. Did they realize we were fleeing and immediately give chase?"
They had fled without a moment to spare.
Even if they hadn't had time to erase their tracks, the Azure Heaven Sword Corps' swift pursuit meant they had skilled trackers in their ranks.
Those bastards... they were well-prepared. Having trackers in their unit meant they had anticipated the enemy's escape from the start. In other words, they intended to leave no one alive. I thought they were just fools who trained in martial arts day and night, but it seems some of them actually used their brains.
Beneath it all likely lay their burning hatred for the Zhuge Clan.
How much must they hate us to make sword-wielding brutes start thinking so hard?
And their actions made one thing clear:
"These bastards have no intention of apologizing."
The corner of his mouth twitched again.
"I thought they wouldn't care if a few of their men died."
That was how the world worked.
The weak were devoured by the strong.
It was the law of nature.
The warriors fleeing from the Jongsang Branch were no different.
Having fled without looking back, the fleeing column would have stretched out according to their varying skills.
Naturally, the skilled ones would be at the front, while the weaker ones would trail behind like a long tail.
Eventually, they would be hunted down by the pursuing Azure Heaven Sword Corps.
Thus, he had thought it would be beneficial to save only the strong ones at the front. But now, he couldn't just let things be. Namgung... He would crush them so thoroughly this time that they wouldn't even dare to show their faces again. He certainly wouldn't allow them to bask in pride over some petty achievement.
The moment he made this decision, Zhuge Munhyeon stopped in his tracks.
"Ugh!"
The group, moving at a brisk pace, only managed to stop after passing Zhuge Munhyeon.
"Hey! Why did you stop so suddenly?"
"Why? Is someone there?"
"What is it?"
Zhuge Munhyeon grinned at Gwan Hwipyeong, who was grumbling out of habit.
"We're changing our strategy."
"What?"
"Sayo, immediately order the Beggar Disciples to retreat."
"Huh? But the Jongsang Branch warriors haven't fully withdrawn yet..."
"Order them to retreat."
"...Understood."
A brief, decisive command.
Sayo answered without argument, as if Zhuge Munhyeon had already made up his mind.
After all, he was the one in charge now.
"Elder Brother Munho."
"Hmm?"
"Help the Beggar's Sect cover the Jongsang Branch warriors' retreat."
"Well... wait, what are you saying?"
As Zhuge Munho's expression turned puzzled, Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and lowered his stance.
As Zhuge Munhyeon straightened his bent legs and kicked off the ground,
BANG!
The ground shattered like a rock struck by lightning, and Zhuge Munhyeon shot forward with tremendous speed.
"Mu, Munhyeon-ah!"
Zhuge Munho could only grimace as his brother vanished in an instant.
"Haa, that brat's pulling this again."
"He's always been so headstrong, hasn't he?"
"Elder Brother Munho, what should we do?"
Now that the terrifying Tiger they had been watching so nervously had disappeared, the Fox, Bear, and Wolf no longer whispered among themselves.
"He's not actually going just because that guy told him to, is he?"
"What?"
"Retreating is something the Beggar's Sect could have ordered anyway."
Zhuge Pyeong shrugged and grinned.
"Don't tell me you guys...?"
"What choice do we have? He's our brother, whether we like it or not. If we didn't go after he told us not to, we'd be worse than dogs, wouldn't we?"
"..."
"Still, let's not rush into the fight right away. We'll approach and observe, and only intervene if things get too dangerous... You understand what I mean, right?"
Zhuge Munho shook his head at Gwan Hwipyeong's sly grin.
These guys had changed a lot.
He let out a hollow laugh and handed Zhuge Junggi over to Sayo.
"This is the strategist Munhyeon trusts. Please take care of him."
"Huh?"
"When you join up with the Blood Shadow Pavilion warriors, wake him and explain the situation. He'll devise a strategy on his own."
"But what about the four of you?"
"We have to follow them."
"Follow them? What are you talking about? Young Master Munhyeon clearly said he was changing the strategy!"
"He has."
"Huh?"
She hadn't heard anything about that.
He had only said he was changing it.
"After spending so much time with that guy, I've figured him out. He is the strategy."
"What's going on...?"
"At first, he probably didn't intend to save everyone. That's why he kept pace with us."
"..."
"But now it seems he plans to save them all. Look how urgently he's rushing ahead."
"H-he's going alone?"
"That's just the kind of person he is. He thinks he's the Strongest Under Heaven."
"But Young Master Munho, didn't Young Master Munhyeon specifically order us to assist with the retreat?"
"He did."
"Then why are you following him?"
"How could I let my younger brother go alone and still maintain my dignity as an elder brother? Besides, if I didn't go, he'd definitely scold me later for not being there... If I'm going to get scolded anyway, I might as well go and fight alongside him. We Zhuges are stubborn like that."
Zhuge Munho grinned, and Gwan Hwipyeong smiled back, stepping to stand beside him.
"Then I'll see you later. That fellow is so fast, I need to hurry after him."
Zhuge Munho nodded lightly in farewell and turned to Gwan Hwipyeong.
"Don't fall behind."
"Hmph! You're the one who'll fall behind, Elder Brother. My Lightness Skill has always been far superior!"
They immediately dashed off in the direction Zhuge Munhyeon had disappeared.
Sayo watched their retreating figures, unable to hide her astonishment.
So fast... When did they get like this?
She could understand Zhuge Munhyeon's immeasurable strength, but even his brothers had improved dramatically in just a short time. From one glimpse, you could infer the whole picture. The Zhuge Clan was changing. And it was all thanks to their younger generation. By the time these disciples rose to represent the clan, the Zhuge Clan would likely hold an unassailable position, one that no one could afford to underestimate.
The surrounding scenery blurred past, its shapes indistinguishable.
Since these rooted objects couldn't possibly have legs to run, Zhuge Munhyeon's speed must be the cause.
There was no need to search for the pursuing party. Among the fleeting images, he spotted human figures running in the same direction as him—warriors fleeing from the Jongsang Branch.
He simply needed to follow their trail.
If he encountered not panicked fugitives but individuals wielding swords with murderous intent and ferocious eyes, those would be the pursuers.
Just like the ones directly ahead.
Thump!
Having spotted his target, Zhuge Munhyeon sprang upward from the ground without slowing his momentum.
Soaring in an arc, he gripped the Silver River Staff tucked behind his back and gazed down.
A multitude of figures raced below.
The pursued were terrified, like refugees fleeing a great fire, while the pursuers wore crazed expressions, their murderous swords poised to strike.
Suddenly, Zhuge Munhyeon's gaze began to radiate a crimson glow, as intense as the fire, locking onto the pursuing forces.
Namgung... This is the end. This is the last sliver of Hubei you'll ever set foot on. Now I'll become your great fire and crush you all.
A cruel smile spread across Zhuge Munhyeon's lips, unlike his previous smiles, now tinged with malice.
Internal Energy surged into the Silver River Staff held high, and Zhuge Munhyeon swooped down like an eagle spotting prey on the ground.
His target: the tail end of the fleeing group.
Falling Star plummeted toward the earth.
Whoosh!
A streak of light slashed vertically across the sky, and the leader of the pursuing force cried out in alarm.
"Wa-watch out...!"
But his warning cry never finished.
The sword strike, falling with the speed of lightning, was far faster than his shout.
KWAH-AH-AH...!
Its force struck the warrior's head directly, shattering it and shaking the ground to its core.
CRACK! BOOM!
The ground couldn't withstand the immense Internal Energy channeled through the Silver River Staff and exploded, its shockwave spreading like fan ribs to engulf the pursuing forces.
"Damn it! Retreat!"
In an instant, the area was choked with dust, blinding the Namgung Clan warriors. They panicked, scrambling to escape.
But a hand shot out from the dust, seizing them by the nape of their necks and slamming them into the ground.
BOOM!
Another heavy impact reverberated through the air.
Within the shockwave, the sickening crunch of bones being crushed mingled with a horrifying scream.
"Aaaah!"
The startled warriors yanked on their reins, halting their pursuit and desperately trying to avoid the dust.
But.
Swoosh!
As if mocking their efforts, a crescent-shaped aura, razor-sharp, sliced through both men and horses simultaneously.
Thud!
The warriors, unable to even scream, collapsed in vertical, diagonal, and horizontal halves.
Crunch!
The still-thick dust swirled like a carnivorous beast, devouring, tearing apart, and crushing nearby warriors.
Yet nothing could be seen.
Leaving only brutal sounds behind, the terrified warriors of the Azure Heaven Sword Corps instinctively hesitated and retreated.
"You utter fools! Is this how you represent the Namgung Clan's Azure Heaven Sword Corps?!"
Enraged by his subordinates' fear, Solokpa stepped forward and swung his sword with the flat of the blade.
Whoosh!
The sword's whirlwind surged violently toward the dust cloud.
Clang!
With a deafening metallic clang, the dust cloud was violently dispersed, revealing the scene within.
A young man with a youthful face stood amidst corpses crushed beyond recognition.
Solokpa's eyes narrowed at the gruesome sight as he glared at the man.
The man grinned, drawing a long line in the dirt with his octagonal iron club.
"This is my line now," he declared. "Cross it, and you'll all die."
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny