Chapter 201
Chapter 201
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Resisting the Wild Victory Valley
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White Snow Valley.
Over a dozen years ago, while repelling the invasion of the Fist Demon Beast Clan, it gained the nickname Resisting the Wild Victory Valley, becoming even more renowned in the martial world as the sacred ground of the Kongtong Sect.
The entrance to the valley was now packed solid with Daoists of the Kongtong Sect.
Tension was etched clearly on the faces of the Daoists as they drew their swords in unison.
It was because the valley winds blowing from deep within the gorge carried a rather fierce momentum.
KeeEEEEEE—
Subduing Demons Heavenly Principle Formation.
The energy of the formation, said to embody the heavenly principles that subdue demons.
The Doctrine Scholar faced it calmly.
Under normal circumstances, he would be bristling with tension or irritability.
But today, of all days, he maintained a profound silence.
With hands clasped behind his back, he occasionally surveyed the valley's mountain contours, or sent a trickle of energy to ease the tension of his anxious disciples, displaying an air of leisure.
'The Elder has changed.'
'That's the look he had when he convinced us.'
The disciples nodded quietly as they observed the Doctrine Scholar's demeanor.
From time to time, he would show this side of himself.
Relaxed, dignified.
It was partly because of this that they had abandoned their soft-hearted sect leader and chosen the Doctrine Scholar.
Lately, he had scarcely shown this face, leaving them at a loss, but now, on the eve of the final battle, it seemed he had regained his vigor.
Thanks to this, the disciples could loosen the knots of tension somewhat.
They felt a great deal of the burden lifted from having to cross swords with their fellow disciple-brothers with whom they had shared joys and sorrows.
We can win.
Such confidence began to spread gradually among them.
『You made the right choice. If you'd left things as they were, it would have been dangerous.』
At that moment, a transmission pierced the ear of the Doctrine Scholar as he observed the valley winds.
It was the voice of the Third Vanguard Commander.
“…….”
But the Doctrine Scholar merely kept his hands clasped behind his back, offering no reply.
His attitude was as if he hadn't heard the voice at all.
Undeterred, the Third Vanguard Commander continued.
『The longer the Subduing Demons Heavenly Principle Formation is activated, the more it continuously absorbs earthly energies, growing stronger in power. So we need to settle things before then. If we commit our full forces now, we'll suffer heavy casualties, but it should be enough to halt the formation.』
“…….”
『Moreover, Sunhak is a soft-hearted fool unfit for the position of sect leader. The greater the losses among his disciples, the more his resolve will crumble. He'll end up halting the formation himself and begging to call it off.』
“…….”
『That's when we'll strike. And we'll take Sunhak's head. Why soil your hands, when you're to become the new sect leader?』
“…….”
『You can just stand there comfortably with hands behind your back and handle the aftermath. That's what it means for the Kongtong Sect to soon be yours.』
“…….”
『Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance. To the seventy-sixth sect leader.』
With that, the Third Vanguard Commander's voice faded into silence.
The Doctrine Scholar silently gazed at the valley entrance for a long while.
Then, turning his body, he addressed his disciples, who had by now arrayed themselves in full battle formation.
"Clear a path."
It was a low voice.
* * *
"He's definitely different from usual. I expected him to be more agitated or snappish."
The Third Vanguard Commander tilted his head as he looked down below.
Something felt off.
It was the sensation of encountering someone entirely different from the Doctrine Scholar he had known until now.
If anything, he seemed closer to the envoy sent by the Ghost Clan of the Demonic Cult for negotiations.
'No way?'
Harboring a faint suspicion, the Third Vanguard Commander narrowed his eyes.
His ocular technique activated.
Heavenly God Thunder Eye.
An exclusive ocular art of the South Palace Clan, used to discern an opponent's true nature or fighting style.
But he detected no anomalies in the Doctrine Scholar.
No traces of sorcery, no signs of a body double.
His energy was merely a touch more solid—that was all. It was indeed the Doctrine Scholar.
"…Well, it just means he's got the vessel to lead his disciples that far."
In the end, the Third Vanguard Commander dismissed his doubts.
He judged that the Doctrine Scholar was forcing himself to avoid showing weakness before his disciples.
He wasn't a fool; he knew he couldn't afford to appear weak to them now.
"Even if he fails despite that, the Kongtong Sect is fated to fall into our household's hands today regardless."
Already, large numbers of the Dark Thunder Division's Third Vanguard were lurking in the shadows nearby, awaiting their moment.
They were all masters known within the clan as black operatives.
Ones who had chosen to live in darkness solely for the honor of the South Palace.
Just as he had told the Doctrine Scholar, when the Subduing Demons Heavenly Principle Formation halted or weakened, they would all charge in to claim Pure Learning True Man's head.
But the South Palace forces stationed here were not limited to them.
"It'll start soon. No matter how much they prattle about a thousand years of history, even famed orthodox sects crumble before selfishness, it seems."
Right on cue, a voice came from behind.
The Third Vanguard Commander smoothed out his slightly stiffening expression into a broad smile and bowed his head.
"You've arrived?"
"I was sharpening my blade and ran late. It seems quite a few nicks had formed since I hadn't used it in a while."
He was a swordsman who exuded the aura of a scholar.
Second Sword Elder, Sword Absolute Cultivator Sagong Chan.
He was the overall commander of the White Thunder Sword Division forces present here.
As his moniker suggested, excluding the White Thunder Sword Division Leader and First Sword Elder, he was the highest master of the White Thunder Sword Division.
Following quietly behind him were swordsmen of the White Thunder Sword Division.
Each one bore exceptional thunder energy around their eyes.
Compared to the Dark Thunder Division's black operatives, clan members nicknamed them white operatives.
Black operatives and white operatives.
The black and white swordsmen of the South Palace had gathered in one place.
"You're not late at all—right on time."
"Then I'm glad."
Sword Absolute Cultivator chuckled dryly before asking with a solemn face.
"So, we wait here and move out the moment the order comes?"
"That's right."
"No need for us to step in, then."
Sword Absolute Cultivator looked down at the cliffs below with a faintly bored expression.
They had raced all the way from Anhui in the southeast corner of the Central Plains to Gansu in the northwest, expecting battle.
Yet now it seemed they would return empty-handed without lifting a finger, which was absurd.
Even if their main mission was to support the Dark Thunder Division's Third Vanguard, and secondarily to counter the Demonic Cult Ghost Clan's interference and provocations, as swordsmen, the lack of any chance to shine was disheartening.
"No such thing. With Second Sword Elder here so reliably, our Dark Thunder Division can rampage freely, no? I am always sincerely grateful to you."
While soothing Sword Absolute Cultivator, the Third Vanguard Commander inwardly sneered.
'As if I don't know about your scheme to stick your noses into our division's affairs? There'll be no place for you to step in this time.'
The Third Vanguard Commander knew.
That it was Sword Absolute Cultivator who had assigned the Six Swords Elder Yin Thunder Divine Sword to Dark Palace Captain Namgung Seong.
The Dark Thunder Division and White Thunder Sword Division had distinctly different domains and duties—yet they had dared to meddle?
Absolutely unforgivable.
They were rivals.
His plan was to thoroughly sideline the White Thunder Sword Division in this mission, sending them back empty-handed.
Even in the final negotiations with the Ghost Clan, they would find no foothold.
'The Dark Palace Squad should be returning any moment now.'
It was then, as the Third Vanguard Commander smirked darkly to himself.
Kwarrrrum!
A thunderous roar echoed from the valley.
"Looks like the battle's begun."
Had the Subduing Demons Heavenly Principle Formation activated?
The boom seemed louder than described, but Sword Absolute Cultivator tilted his head.
"I'm not sure. Doesn't sound like it's from White Snow Valley side."
"Hm?"
"Sounds like it's from behind us."
Sword Absolute Cultivator's gaze turned in the opposite direction.
Unlike White Snow Valley, it was a densely wooded forest edge.
Black smoke billowed up above it.
"By my knowledge, there shouldn't be any major fighting there… right?"
At Sword Absolute Cultivator's question, the Third Vanguard Commander's face hardened rigidly.
He had realized the approximate location.
'Dark Palace Squad!'
The place where Namgung Gilyeong had gone to rendezvous with the Flying Heaven Tiger Whip.
"Looks like things aren't going entirely your way."
Sword Absolute Cultivator drew his cherished sword, the Life-Severing Sword slung on his back, with a light laugh.
Srrrring—
"I'll have the White Thunder Sword Division's Second White Squad handle that. I don't know what variable it is, but it can't be allowed to interfere with White Snow Valley, can it?"
'Damn it!'
By the time the Third Vanguard Commander realized his slip and schooled his expression, it was already too late.
Sword Absolute Cultivator was moving out with the white operatives.
At this rate, the Northern Bright Sword and Hell Technique could be snatched back by them.
It was then.
A chill ran down his spine!
"!!"
The Third Vanguard Commander hurriedly thrust his hand upward at the sudden shiver crawling up his back.
True to his moniker Iron Thread Hidden Sword, his robes fluttered as a sword hidden in his sleeve shot out.
Kwarrrrum!
"Guh…!!"
The Third Vanguard Commander failed to fully block the ferocious strike that seemed to snap his blade, and was violently flung backward.
Red blood streamed from the corner of his mouth as he stumbled back.
His eyes darted wildly.
'Who the hell—'
Even if it was a surprise attack, he was a transcendent master.
To be repelled in a single blow like this was impossible.
"Pah hahaha! They say Iron Thread Hidden Sword's blade is sharp and fierce, and indeed the rumors weren't empty! Now, can you block this one too?"
Kwarrrrum!
Whiiiiiish—
A tremendous roar of inner energy shook the mountainside, accompanied by the sound of feet kicking off the ground.
In an instant, as the dust cloud cleared, the attacker revealed himself again, charging straight at them.
A figure emanating a savage beast-like momentum.
His golden energy fluttering wildly evoked the image of a legendary flaming lion with its mane disheveled in frenzy.
'Lion Sword King!! Why is this bastard, who should be in Guizhou, here…!'
The Third Vanguard Commander's thoughts didn't last long.
Like a flaming lion crunching a demon with its fangs, the Fierce Lion Sword unleashed waves of sword aura, slashing a deadly line toward them.
Could he block it?
The Third Vanguard Commander's face paled.
His inner injuries from the earlier ambush were severe; his energy wouldn't respond as he wished.
"To run into such an unexpected guest in a place like this!"
In that moment, Sword Absolute Cultivator appeared before the Third Vanguard Commander.
Life-Severing Sword Technique: Sword Wave Torrential.
Chaaaaang!
Clang clang clang clang—
The Life-Severing Sword parried the Fierce Lion Sword upward, and in the blink of an eye, dozens of clashes erupted.
The Lion Sword King laughed.
"Sword Absolute Cultivator? I thought it was just Iron Thread Hidden Sword here, but there's another headache too? Ah, this throws off my rates a bit."
At first glance, it sounded like grumbling, but his mouth stretched even wider, fangs glinting brightly.
"I'll have to bill my sworn brother separately later."
The Lion Sword King stomped the ground powerfully.
Golden Lion Fighting Spirit flashed.
Was it bolstered by the yang energy of the Earthly Plate Three Yang Return Origin Art?
His sword wind was filled with hotter fury than ever before.
It was time to unleash the technique honed in Guizhou.
The lion fiercely scourged the earth.