Chronicles of the Northern Heavens 135 - Fury (2)
Yeom So of the Gal Clan, a peak expert from the unorthodox sects whom Wang-jeok had recruited at great expense much like Heo Hoe of the Poison Eye Sword, enjoyed Wang-jeok's immense trust. He had earnestly begged Wang-jeok for the chance to lead the attack on the Mudang Sect, a role originally intended for Garak. Everything had gone smoothly up to now. He had decimated the Mudang Sect, and he was on the verge of capturing the ferocious beast Wang-jeok so desperately desired.
But something had started to go wrong.
There's... someone else!
The neck of one of his subordinates, who had stepped forward to prevent Jin Myeong's suicide, flew off. Yeom So had no idea who had struck or how.
"Gah!"
Another sharp cry erupted from the left. Yet another subordinate was collapsing, his body and head severed.
"There's a killer among us! Focus up!"
Yeom So bellowed with infused internal energy. He turned to the right and issued a command.
"Kill every last one of those bastards!"
At Yeom So's order, over a dozen subordinates charged toward the Mudang Sect disciples. What they first spotted through the steam was a rippling blood-red glow.
It shimmered for a moment—then burst through the mist.
The bizarre thing, like a disc laid on its side, engulfed Yeom So's men as they rushed toward the Mudang disciples.
Whirrr!
Thud-thud-thud!
"Argh!"
"Kyaak!"
Another shot came flying in.
Whirrr!
"Fuck! What the hell is that?!"
"Dodge it!"
Thud-thud-thud!
"Krah!"
"Urk!"
Yeom So's eyes bulged wide. In just two strikes, ten of his men had been bisected and crumpled to the ground. The blood-red glow that had slaughtered them so gruesomely was something he had never seen before. The problem was that it now hovered silently above their heads.
Whirrr!
"Body Protecting Aura!"
"Throw your swords!"
Shuuu!
Clang-clang-clang!
The Golden Merchant Group's experts hurled their swords in unison. The blades struck the blood glow squarely—but they all bounced off in a shower of sparks, and the glow only thrashed more violently as it descended.
"Urgh! Get out of the way!"
Thud-thud-thud!
"Kyaaak!"
"Krah!"
Where the blood glow landed was a scene too horrific to behold—a spectacle of unbearable brutality. Weapons were useless against those caught in its radius. It sliced through everything that reached for it before vanishing somewhere.
What the hell is this...?
Yeom So stared with bulging eyes toward where the Mudang Sect disciples stood. Through the lingering thick steam, someone was slowly emerging.
Click!
A small flag appeared in Yeon-hoo's hand. He tucked it into his bosom and slowly raised his head.
He possessed several demonic weapons. Legends passed down from ancient Murim, they were treasures he had claimed after breaking through a millennium's trials. One was the Blood Demon Chain, called the Devil's Flag, and its three strikes just now had proven the legends true.
Click! Click!
A metallic ring echoed from Yeon-hoo's right sleeve, and two razor-sharp blades sprang forth.
The demonic weapon Moon Fang. If the Blood Demon Chain was the devil's flag, this was called the devil's fangs—another legend.
The legend claimed: Nothing in the world could withstand Moon Fang's cut. Even a Heavenly Expert's Body Protecting Aura would be like paper before it.
Now was the time to prove if that legend held true.
Snap!
A hand grabbed Yeon-hoo's ankle. It was Jin Myeong. On the brink of death, he had been saved by Yeon-hoo. Looking up at him, Jin Myeong said,
"Just get out of here. You don't need to do this for us."
"It's not for you."
"..."
Yeon-hoo shook off Jin Myeong's hand and stepped forward. He did not look at Yeom So, but at the Ghost Corps standing ghost-like behind him. The Ghost Corps stared back, blood glow spewing from their eyes.
Yeon-hoo slowly shifted his gaze to lock directly onto Yeom So. Their eyes clashed through the steam in midair.
Yeom So felt a shiver course through his entire body, but he soon shouted coldly at Yeon-hoo.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"The master of this land."
"...What?"
"And the one who'll send you all to hell."
Chirrr!
Tap-tap-tap!
A blue glow flowed from Moon Fang. It stretched and contracted like a living thing, thrashing wildly. Yeom So and the Ghost Corps's pupils tinted blue as they watched.
Yeom So asked,
"Are you... the lord of the North Heavens?"
Yeon-hoo stared silently at Yeom So.
"My cartel has no desire to make an enemy of the North. All we want are those Mudang Taoist bastards over there. Hand them over, and we'll leave peacefully."
"No."
"You really plan to take on all these forces here?"
"You think I drew this to play around with you?"
"...!"
"Krah!"
"Kyak!"
Meanwhile, agonized screams continued from the rear. Cheol-u was moving there now. Substantial casualties had already mounted, but Yeom So had no attention to spare for it, thanks to Yeon-hoo. He was inwardly flustered.
All these troops are useless...
It was the terrain. No matter how many soldiers, only about ten could attack at once—so over a thousand men were worthless. There was only one option left: endless assaults for a war of attrition. But that meant massive losses.
Just looking at Yeon-hoo before him sent chills down his spine with the sheer pressure he exuded. Yet Yeom So couldn't step forward himself. He had much to do ahead, much to gain, much to protect. He had no reason to risk his life here.
"Krah!"
"Guh!"
Casualties kept rising. Yeom So's elite experts desperately searched for Cheol-u, but to no avail.
Then—
Yeon-hoo vanished.
"...!"
No, in the instant Yeom So thought he had vanished, he was already at his nose.
Yeom So reflexively pulled back and swung the sword in his hand.
Kak!
A metallic clash—and Yeom So's sword snapped.
Thud!
It had been caught and broken between Moon Fang's blades. That was Yeon-hoo's aim from the start. With his beloved weapon lost, Yeom So fled into the midst of his subordinates.
"Just a worm after all."
Yeom So's eyes trembled at Yeon-hoo's cold mockery.
To think such martial arts and weapons exist in this world...
He had been certain the man was strong, but he never imagined this level. He had seen it clearly: the terrifying speed of Moon Fang hurtling toward his sword. He had realized Yeon-hoo's intent and tried to pull back—but it was too late.
I need to fight in open ground. Staying here will just rack up more losses.
In the end, Yeom So decided to escape the valley.
"Out of the valley!"
"Out of the valley! Hurry!"
The Golden Merchant Group's experts began fleeing the valley. As they surged forward, the Demon Corps members attacking the rear wisely parted to let them pass. Seo-wi-ryang, Bu Cha, and the rest of the Demon Corps arrived late but were already there.
Yeon-hoo watched the Golden Merchant Group's forces recede like an ebbing tide and sheathed Moon Fang.
Click! Click!
Cheol-u appeared at his side like a ghost. His entire body was already drenched in blood.
"The plan worked perfectly."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
In truth, he had targeted Yeom So's sword, not his neck, to instill fear. He had calculated that the leader's terror would force the troops to withdraw. Fortunately, it had played out beautifully, allowing the Mudang Taoists to escape their crisis.
"Yuksoon..."
"He won't die."
Cheol-u could not relax. "Won't die" and "didn't die" meant different things.
"Cheol-u."
"Yes, my lord."
"Take him to a physician."
"...Understood."
The Blood King Army would arrive soon, and the bloody retribution would begin. Cheol-u knew this but had no choice. Saving Yuksoon took priority now.
"If he breathes his last... tell him I'm deeply sorry."
"He's strong. He'll pull through."
Cheol-u vanished into the steam. As Yuksoon's face flickered in his mind, Yeon-hoo closed his eyes briefly.
In fact, he had known Yuksoon still clung to life and intended to rush him straight to a doctor in the city. Saving him mattered more than aiding Mudang. He couldn't lose Yuksoon, who had postponed even his revenge for Yeon-hoo's sake, devoting everything.
But Yuksoon wouldn't want Yeon-hoo to abandon Mudang for him. "Help Mudang," he had whispered upon briefly regaining consciousness before passing out again. Hearing that, Yeon-hoo couldn't bring himself to leave. He feared Yuksoon would resent him even in death if he ignored the Taoists. So he had cast a great technique to sustain Yuksoon's life for a time and returned.
Rumble!
Dust from the Golden Merchant Group's experts fleeing the valley billowed over the steam. Then Jin Myeong's voice rang out.
"What of him...?"
Yeon-hoo opened his eyes. Without turning to Jin Myeong, he walked toward the valley entrance and said,
"Tend your wounds, then go to the Iron Blood Family."
"We'll fight alongside you!"
"Don't interfere. Do as I say. If you do... I'll kill you first."
Yeon-hoo headed for the valley mouth at a steady pace, neither fast nor slow.
Click! Click!
The demonic weapon Moon Fang, which had been sheathed, bared its fangs once more, spewing a brilliant blue glow.