Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Translator: Penny
Chapter 79
The Drawn Line
A young man stood behind the line, as if guarding a boundary, issuing a warning.
Solokpa found the situation utterly absurd.
Yet curiosity stirred within him.
Who was this youth who had blocked his strike despite his apparent inexperience?
Even if the sword wind had merely been intended to disperse dust, such a feat required considerable skill.
Thus, he asked, "Who are you?"
"Zhuge Munhyeon."
"Zhuge?"
"Yes."
Solokpa tilted his head at the name, a cold smile creeping across his lips.
"Ah, so it's you. The brat who defeated the Nine Splitting Sword."
"Brat...?"
That tone was grating. Who was this guy calling him a brat? He'd drown in his own sweat if he collected all the drops he'd shed during training.
"But why is the Zhuge Clan interfering? We're actually clearing out the pests that have been tormenting you all this time. You should be bowing in gratitude and bringing us cool water to quench our thirst."
Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled at Solokpa, who was leaning against his horse with both arms.
"True enough. But... what comes after is the real problem, don't you think?"
"After?"
"Exactly. The intent of this wolf to seize the territory after chasing away the other wolf is far too obvious."
"Wolf... Such harsh words for a young one."
"It's thanks to my excellent upbringing."
"What was that?"
"My parents taught me about character and writing from a young age. They told me never to ignore the unfortunate, to help the weak... you know, all that old-fashioned stuff."
"..."
"And among those teachings was this: 'Never associate with those who aren't even worthy of being called human.'"
Solokpa's eyes twitched slightly as Munhyeon smiled and parried each word with unwavering precision.
"As expected of a Zhuge Clan brat—your words flow like a clear mountain stream. You certainly know how to get under someone's skin."
"Didn't you provoke me first?"
"What was that?"
"Didn't the Nine Splitting Sword tell you? I made my intentions perfectly clear."
"What intent?"
"You barged into someone else's home without permission, spouting nonsense with no manners. I gave you a few good beatings and demanded a proper apology and compensation. That's how I spared your life. Yet you repay that kindness with this? It's utterly deplorable."
"Spared my life? You mean the Zhuge Clan?"
"Hmm, it seems they didn't convey the message properly after all. Well, no matter. I'll just have to explain it myself now."
Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled bitterly, bracing himself on the Silver River Staff.
"I'll say it again, so listen carefully. This is your limit. Get out. Return quietly to Anhui and send the original apology and compensation we demanded, plus additional compensation for all the trouble you've caused so far. This is your final chance."
"Pfft! Hahahaha!"
"..."
"Have you ever seen such audacity? What's this 'what if' nonsense? Does the Zhuge Clan think he owns Hubei now? You cowards, cowering before the Heretical Factions... What right do you have to tell us to leave or stay?"
"Right? You brought up a good point. Do you really think we'd block your path without a legitimate reason?"
"What? Tell me then. What 'right' do you claim to have?"
As if waiting for this moment, Zhuge Munhyeon drew a sheet of paper from his robes and presented it.
"This is the Blood Shadow Pavilion's Provisional Alliance Agreement. It states their allegiance to the Zhuge Clan. In other words, you've invaded the Main Clan's territory and caused chaos."
"What?! The Blood Shadow Pavilion pledged allegiance to the Zhuge Clan? Does that mean you've embraced the Heretical Factions?"
"Yes."
Solokpa's eyes flickered nervously.
Zhuge Munhyeon had presented a Provisional Alliance Agreement.
It was difficult to verify its authenticity in the current situation.
But if the Blood Shadow Pavilion had truly become affiliated with the Zhuge Clan, the battlefield dynamics would shift immediately, and public opinion would swing in their favor.
The Namgung Clan would appear to have attacked a sect allied with the Zhuge Clan.
"You cunning bastards! You prepared this so quickly?"
"I do tend to be quick on my feet."
"Alright, I understand you have ample reason to join the war. But can you really let the world see it this way?"
"What do you mean?"
"Since you claim to know everything, I'll spell it out for you. Our goal in attacking the Heretical Factions was to isolate the Zhuge Clan. But if you've formed an alliance with them, all the better. Now we have the perfect justification to attack the Zhuge Clan directly."
"Really? Why? Are you going to spread rumors that I've joined hands with the Heretical Factions and am now on the Heterodox Path?"
"You know me well."
At Solokpa's words, Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"What a fool."
"What?"
"Exactly. Who would believe such nonsense? You're the only ones here besides me. You should only make such claims after you've won. That's when people will believe you."
"..."
"Honestly, you sword-wielding types never learn how to scheme properly. That's why people need to study. Tsk tsk."
As Zhuge Munhyeon clicked his tongue and shook his head, Solokpa suddenly burst into laughter.
"Heh heh, hahahaha! You're the real fool here."
"..."
"You announced the Alliance yourself. All I need to do is seize the Provisional Alliance Agreement. That will be the justification and proof of the Zhuge Clan's downfall."
"Hmm, evidence... You're right about that."
Zhuge Munhyeon nodded, folded the Provisional Alliance Agreement, and tucked it back into his robe. "Then try to take it from me."
"Rude brat! You'll regret trying to stop us alone!" Solokpa raised his sword, his eyes bloodshot with fury. The Internal Energy radiating from the blade was so palpable it seemed poised to cleave Zhuge Munhyeon in two with a single strike.
Alone? Yes, I've always been alone. Why? Because I'm not weak enough to rely on numbers.
Just as the sword was about to fall, Zhuge Munhyeon stomped his foot with tremendous force.
Kuuuung!
The initial tremor spread into a series of aftershocks, growing in intensity over time. The horses, startled by the escalating vibrations, began to buck and rear wildly.
"W-what's happening?!"
Solokpa lost his balance when his horse suddenly reared up, causing him to swing his sword wildly in the wrong direction.
In that instant, Zhuge Munhyeon's Silver River Staff struck the horse's flank with brutal force.
Thwack!
As Solokpa was about to fall with the horse, he kicked off its back, leaping high into the air and shouting, "Kill him!"
Simultaneously, the Namgung Clan swordsmen focused their attacks on a single target.
Fools... This isn't a simple matter of the Zhuge Clan's involvement. This is my involvement. And in war, mercy is a luxury. Having already raised their swords against me, they've wagered their lives.
As sword strikes rained down from all directions, Zhuge Munhyeon lowered his stance.
"Seven Stars, Seven Luminaries."
"...Whirl."
Clang!
Zhuge Munhyeon twisted his body like a whirlwind and surged upward, deflecting every sword that flew toward him.
Then...
"Rain down!"
The aura gathered in the Silver River Staff split and multiplied, cascading down like a meteor shower.
Boom! Crash!
The scattered energy blanketed the warriors' heads.
"Kuaaaah!"
Namgung Clan warriors screamed in agony as their skulls were pierced and limbs riddled with holes.
Crunch!
Zhuge Munhyeon crushed even their screams into silence, one by one, slowly.
As Zhuge Munhyeon advanced, shattering their formation, his piercing blue eyes radiated an eerie aura, causing the Namgung Clan warriors to falter, as if paralyzed by fear.
"W-what is that?"
Meanwhile, in the forest a short distance from the battlefield...
Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong, arriving late, couldn't close their mouths in shock.
Flesh scattered everywhere, blood soaking the ground.
At the center of it all stood Zhuge Munhyeon.
Drenched in blood, he had become a Blood Demon, slaughtering the Namgung Clan's warriors with a chilling smile.
Alone.
Against roughly fifty warriors...
Gulp.
They swallowed hard as they watched.
Though the brutality made them grimace, they couldn't suppress the overwhelming pride seeing a Zhuge Family warrior utterly dominating the Namgung Clan's forces.
I want to fight. I want to stand by his side...
It was the kind of battle that instinctively ignited such desires.
"What are you waiting for?! Deploy the Azure Sky Sword Formation and trap him!"
At Solokpa's shout, the chaotic battlefield instantly regained order. Warriors, trampling over their fallen comrades, formed a sword formation around Zhuge Munhyeon.
"Hah..."
Standing at the center of the formation, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
This felt so liberating. It was as if he had finally unleashed all the pent-up rage he had been suppressing for so long. A sword formation? Trying to trap me? Don't worry, I have no intention of fleeing. I plan to systematically crush every last one of you! I'm like a beast unleashed...
"Gwan to the left, Pyeong to the right! This is the Continuous Chain Formation—sever the connections to disrupt their relentless assault! Rescue Munhyeon from the sword formation!"
Reins... Huh?
Zhuge Munhyeon, momentarily lost in memories of the past as he stood amidst the carnage he had wrought, blinked at the sudden noise.
Emerging from the forest were Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwi... Pyeong?
I told them to help with the retreat, so why are they here?
"Damn it, an external assault! Prepare for attack!"
"..."
The formation faltered, caught off guard by the external assault before it could fully solidify.
Yet these were the warriors Zhuge Munhyeon had personally trained and honed.
With their Iron Weights released, they rampaged like beasts unleashed.
Though only four in number, the Namgung Clan warriors were forced into a desperate defense, their injuries mounting.
And then...
"Munhyeon! Retreat!"
"..."
"Hurry! It's the Azure Sky Sword Formation. Even you'll be in danger if you get trapped!"
Zhuge Munho, who had charged inside, shouted urgently.
Hmm... Is it really necessary?
"Munhyeon, get out of here! We'll cover your retreat."
"Right! We need to escape before the entrance closes and the formation's flow begins!"
"Move it!"
Gwan Hwipyeong chimed in with their own urgent commands.
But why? I clearly said the strategy had changed. Why are they here, interfering for no reason? This was a rare opportunity to experience the Namgung Clan's Sword Formation firsthand... I was looking forward to savoring the bone-chilling threat...
"Munhyeon! Snap out of it!"
"..."
Zhuge Munho roared, grabbing his arm and forcibly dragging him out of the Sword Formation.
Ah, goddamn it... Why the hell did I snap out of it, you bastards?! And who the hell is protecting whom here?!
As they finally escaped the Sword Formation, Zhuge Munho spoke with a sigh of relief, "Phew, thank goodness. You've done well, Munhyeon. You protected the martial artists of the Jongsang Branch."
"Yeah, you really did."
"Exactly."
"Thank goodness. Now that we're finally out of the Sword Formation, let's retreat."
"..."
Each of them chimed in with their own comments.
Their faces beamed with smiles, as if asking, Didn't we do great?
Zhuge Munhyeon stared intently at their faces before suddenly raising his Silver River Staff high.
Crack!...
Four flashes of light erupted before their eyes, and the four men simultaneously clutched their heads and collapsed to the ground.
"You bastards! Who said we're staying here any longer?! I clearly told you to help with the retreat!"
"...Huh?"
"You show up late to a battle I'd already won single-handedly and try to steal the credit? Now it'll look like we ganged up on them, even if we win!"
"..."
"You never listen to a word I say!"
Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong blinked in confusion at his furious outburst.
Ganged up? Who? There were only five of them! Even at most, the enemy still outnumbered them by far...
"Get out of my way! Why do you have to barge in and ruin the fun? It was just getting good!"
Zhuge Munhyeon shoved past them, his irritation palpable, and strode back toward the Namgung Clan warriors.
Fight again? No retreat...? Damn brat! I came to help and all I get is insults. If he ever asks for my help again, I'll change my name from Zhuge to Zhuge-off!
📝 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