The Weight of Protection
Boom!
Yoo Sung’s Ghost Spirit Blade sliced heavily through the air.
It was not a sword technique of the Heavenly Sword Academy, but a saber style known as the Cheonhyang Saber Technique.
He was testing it both to ensure the safety of the Ghost Spirit Blade and to practice the saber style he intended to pass on to Ha Tae-gun.
Although he had already mastered the theory of the Cheonhyang style perfectly in his mind, executing it with his physical body was a different matter.
"Boss, your martial talent is truly astounding. Even without physically practicing, you can combine and execute any martial art just by visualizing it. However, actual combat is strictly different. Especially since your body is different from others, you must overcome that sense of distance. It is my deepest regret that I must die without ever properly using this martial art due to my lack of talent. Please remember it well and pass it on to someone worthy."
This was the request left by a rogue cultivator who had passed the Cheonhyang Saber Technique to him.
I don't remember his name. Was he called the Gale Blade?
Even that memory had grown quite faint.
It had been an era where remembering the dead was a luxury, and he was naturally indifferent to such things anyway.
However, his saber technique remained vividly clear in his mind.
The problem wasn't your talent; it just didn't suit you.
The Gale Blade's style was fierce and swift.
But the Cheonhyang Saber Technique was heavy and slow.
From the very beginning, it was a martial art designed to protect what was one's own rather than to kill the enemy.
They say the Cheonhyang Saber Technique was created out of a desire for the merchant guild to safely continue its trade journeys.
The price of ignoring that intention to dream of becoming a martial clan had led to the loss of the Cheonhyang Saber Technique, so the masters of the Cheonhyang Merchant Guild bore no light sin.
This will be of great help to my brother-in-law.
He had initially thought of it as a fair bargaining chip, but the more he used the Cheonhyang Saber, the more he realized how profoundly meaningful it would be to Ha Tae-gun.
As he smiled in satisfaction at his choice, reviewing the forms of the Cheonhyang Saber one by one and executing them physically—
Swish!
"Do not look away!"
Enraged by Yoo Sung’s blatant disregard, the Sword Blood Emperor lunged forward, but once again, his path was blocked by the Cheonhyang Saber.
Slash.
Yoo Sung’s Ghost Spirit Blade sliced across the Sword Blood Emperor’s chest.
Because the saber energy was extremely shallow, the wound was minor, and no blood flowed.
Yet, the Sword Blood Emperor stood frozen, unable to do anything, as if time itself had stopped.
Rumble.
What followed a moment later was pure, unadulterated rage.
A venomous murderous intent erupted within him toward the opponent who dared to leave a scar on his body.
"Die!!"
The ultimate sword style of the Sword Blood Emperor, dyed in the blood of thousands.
"Good. Let's see how well the Cheonhyang Saber holds up against the sword arts of the Sword Blood Emperor!"
With a bright smile, Yoo Sung’s Ghost Spirit Blade traced the path of the heavenly fragrance.
The Cheonhyang Saber Technique, created by the first master of Cheonhyang who wished for the safety of his family and retainers, was heavy, solemn, and profound.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
It displayed a solid, unyielding will, effortlessly blocking even the torrential downpour of the Sword Blood Emperor’s sword energy.
Around the time Yoo Sung was leisurely mastering the Cheonhyang Saber against the Sword Blood Emperor, Cheolgajang was gradually being pushed into a corner.
This isn't easy.
Dang Hwa-soo licked his lips as he surveyed his surroundings.
The metallic tang of blood helped him anchor his wavering focus.
Although they had anticipated an attack from the Demon Blood Sect to some extent, they had not expected their numbers to exceed a hundred.
Judging by their characteristics, they seem to belong to the sword branch.
Their weaponry was heavily concentrated on swords.
While there were occasional wielders of sabers, axes, or spears, the vast majority of the Demon Blood Sect members carried swords.
In any sect, different factions handled different weapons, but the Demon Blood Sect was particularly famous for its sword and saber branches.
In particular, due to the Ghost Blood Blade, which symbolized the sacred relic of the Blood God, the power of the saber branch was far greater in scale.
Nevertheless, the sword branch could not be underestimated, solely because of the demon known as the Sword Blood Emperor.
Surely, the Sword Blood Emperor himself hasn't come here, has he?
If he had taken the field, even the Dark Moon Unit could not guarantee victory.
Swish!
Slaying a Demon Blood Sect member who lunged at him, he grabbed another by the throat.
"Did the Sword Blood Emperor come as well?"
At Dang Hwa-soo's stiff question, the captured cultist sneered, blood dripping from his mouth.
"Hehehe. Have you only just realized? Even if we die, everything is solely for the glory of the Blood God's Advent!"
Sensing something amiss behind that sickening laughter, Dang Hwa-soo hastily hurled the cultist away.
Boom!
Watching the cultist's body detonate the moment it hit the ground, Dang Hwa-soo furrowed his brow.
If the Sword Blood Emperor had truly arrived, this would be an incredibly difficult battle.
They need to hurry.
Since they had requested reinforcements from the Sichuan Righteous Alliance, the direct descendants of the Qingcheng Sect or the Tang Family would surely deploy soon.
Once they arrived, they could withstand the Sword Blood Emperor no matter how strong he was.
But the longer they delayed, the more corpses would pile up before him.
I must kill as many as possible before the Sword Blood Emperor appears!
Even while keeping a wary eye out for the yet-unseen Sword Blood Emperor, Dang Hwa-soo's hands moved with blinding speed.
Whoosh!
Thud-thud-thud!
The throwing weapon techniques that the Tang Family took immense pride in bloomed fiercely from Dang Hwa-soo's hands.
Showering down as beautiful as flowers and as dazzling as rain, Dang Hwa-soo's throwing arts clearly demonstrated why he carried the blood of the Tang Family.
And that was not all.
Slash!
The sword at his waist finally unsheathed, slicing through the surrounding Demon Blood Sect members.
Dang Hwa-soo was called the 'Iron Sword' because he remained absolutely calm under any circumstances.
Even in the face of this unexpected raid, Dang Hwa-soo calmly assessed the battlefield and moved with precision.
"Dark Moon Unit, focus on the Demon Blood Sect! Everyone else, protect the people of Cheolgajang!"
Hearing Dang Hwa-soo's command, which was infused with deep internal energy, the martial artists moved in perfect order, leaping to their designated tasks.
"I will help as well!"
Ha Tae-gun also swung his saber vigorously, lending his strength to the fray.
Surprised by Ha Tae-gun's unexpectedly formidable martial prowess, Dang Hwa-soo quickly called out to him.
"Please, ensure the safety of the Lord of Cheolgajang!"
"Understood!"
Following Dang Hwa-soo's request, Ha Tae-gun rushed to Na Ho-cheol's side to guard him.
Now, all that's left is...
To minimize casualties by any means necessary before the Sword Blood Emperor arrived, and to wait for reinforcements from the Sichuan Righteous Alliance.
Otherwise, all of this would be in vain.
That was how terrifyingly powerful of an enemy the Sword Blood Emperor was.
Entirely unaware, of course, that the very enemy they feared was currently drawing his final breaths.
Cough.
Black blood poured from the Sword Blood Emperor’s mouth.
"This... is impossible."
The Sword Blood Emperor could not accept his defeat.
On the other hand, Yoo Sung was not entirely satisfied with the circumstances of the kill.
"My proficiency is still lacking."
The Cheonhyang Saber Technique itself had already reached a state of perfect mastery.
However, the lingering remnants of the Blood God residing within the Ghost Spirit Blade still bothered him.
I'll know for sure once I stain it with a bit more blood.
Even during the process of killing the Sword Blood Emperor, the whispers of the Blood God's remnants occasionally echoed in Yoo Sung’s ears.
"Take my hand!!"
"Kill him and devour his heart!!"
Although its influence had clearly diminished compared to the beginning, anyone without a mental fortitude as absolute as his own would have succumbed, becoming a puppet of the Blood God and forging another Ghost Blood Blade.
I went through all that trouble to purify it. It would be a waste.
Clicking his tongue, Yoo Sung flicked the Ghost Spirit Blade.
The Sword Blood Emperor’s blood splattered onto the ground with a sizzling hiss.
Unlike ordinary demonic practitioners, even the blood of the Demon Blood Sect members was hazardous.
A foul, corruptive energy began to emanate from the splattered blood, whispering temptations.
This was rooted in what was commonly known as the Blood Heart. The size and purity of one's Blood Heart determined their standing as a perfect martial artist of the Blood Sect.
Indeed, even the Demonic Spirit of Matian had been modeled after this very Blood Heart.
"When you think about it, Matian itself received a lot of help from the Blood Sect. The foundation of the bizarre techniques they used was the Blood Sect. They basically did all the work only for others to reap the benefits."
Looking down at the dying Sword Blood Emperor, Yoo Sung muttered to himself.
"Y-You dare...!! How dare you... mock us..."
Shaking violently, the Sword Blood Emperor seethed with rage.
Yoo Sung’s words struck the deepest wound carried by all descendants of the Blood Sect.
When they failed to find the relics of the Blood God and were ultimately absorbed into Matian, reduced to being called the Demon Blood Sect.
Every descendant of the Blood Sect harbored that historical humiliation deep within their hearts, burning with a desire for vengeance.
The Sword Blood Emperor was no exception.
"Hehehe. You have made a mistake."
"A mistake?"
"If you had handed the Ghost Blood Blade over to me and made a deal, you and those around you would have been safe. But since you chose to kill me and take the blade, you and everyone close to you will face the full brunt of our wrath."
"I suppose that might happen."
It was an outcome he had fully anticipated.
That was precisely why Yoo Sung had deliberated so carefully over the purification of the Ghost Spirit Blade.
Since his sister-in-law, Bing Hwa, would find the Ghost Spirit Blade highly compatible, the Demon Blood Sect—who claimed ownership of the blade—would certainly not sit idly by.
However...
If we crush the Demon Blood Sect ourselves, the name of the Heavenly Sword Academy will instantly establish a firm foothold in Sichuan.
Of course, a significant amount of blood might be spilled in the process.
Even if he took the lead, there were limits to what one man could achieve alone.
Knowing this, his family members were already working tirelessly, so his only option was to minimize the damage as much as possible.
It was the law of life that nothing of value could be obtained without shedding blood.
"By the way, did Yeo Mi-ho not come?"
"As if that crazy bitch would ever show her face here."
At the dying Sword Blood Emperor’s sneer, Yoo Sung nodded calmly and extended his hand.
Splat!
The Sword Blood Emperor’s head burst instantly, and the Blood Heart nestled in his chest was shattered to pieces.
There was no need to leave any loose ends; leaving it intact might allow another cultist to steal the Blood Heart.
"Aaaagh!"
The remnant of the Blood God, now almost entirely devoid of reason, shrieked in despair at the Sword Blood Emperor’s death.
Emotions of anger, resentment, and regret washed over him, but Yoo Sung simply ignored them and walked away.
"I'll know for sure once I kill a few more of these cultists."
With a detached voice, Yoo Sung stepped forward.
As Yoo Sung emerged, a group of cultists blocked his path.
"You...?"
"Where is Lord Sword Blood Emperor?"
"Could it be...?"
Toward the panicked cultists, Yoo Sung’s Ghost Spirit Blade cleaved through the air.
Slash!
Crunch!
Slaying three cultists in the blink of an eye, Yoo Sung’s Ghost Spirit Blade began to dance once more.
It was all merely a process of purification, meant to completely purge the lingering remnants of the Blood God slumbering within the blade.
The long night finally passed.
Although Cheolgajang had prepared as thoroughly as their limited time allowed, the might of the Demon Blood Sect was truly formidable.
Just as Dang Hwa-soo was about to make a grim, desperate resolve amidst the mounting blood and corpses—
"We have arrived!"
"You will have your way no longer, you Demon Blood Sect scum!"
It was only when Dang Hwa-young arrived, leading the Red Sparrow Unit of the Sichuan Righteous Alliance, that the Demon Blood Sect’s raid was completely halted.
With Dang Hwa-young at the helm, the Red Sparrow Unit moved swiftly to sweep away the remaining cultists.
In the process, they were also able to weed out the traitors who had aided the enemy.
Shockingly, five master blacksmiths of Cheolgajang had joined hands with the Demon Blood Sect.
"Why would you do this?!"
"..."
The traitors bowed their heads in silence before Na Ho-cheol’s furious roar.
"I was a fool to trust you bastards and plan our future together!"
Yu Dae-su lamented upon realizing that those who had followed him were actually trying to ruin Cheolgajang completely.
"Tsk. It seems our luck ends here."
Clicking his tongue, Nam Ji-hong muttered that it was time to contemplate the end of Cheolgajang.
"May we take custody of these men?"
At Dang Hwa-young’s polite request, Na Ho-cheol nodded with a heavy expression.
Keeping them here would only be a burden.
"We have received immense help, but our current circumstances make it difficult to repay this debt. Once we decide on the future of Cheolgajang, we will formally contact the Sichuan Righteous Alliance."
His words carried a subtle hint that the future of Cheolgajang would be of great assistance to the alliance.
"Understood. We will secure the surrounding area a bit further."
Expressing his gratitude once more to Dang Hwa-young, Na Ho-cheol led Yu Dae-su and Nam Ji-hong inside to hold a meeting.
Watching them go, Yoo Sung’s mind began to spin busily.
If things go well, I might be able to secure the weapons we're lacking.