Myeol Sa Army (4)
'Who the hell is that guy.'
Clang!
"Cough!"
Cheok Gang finally spat up blood and staggered back.
Agwang's eyes, who had sent him flying with a single blade stroke, remained fixed on Yeon Hojeong the entire time.
'The others are all amateurs. Plenty of them who’ve never even killed before. But that one...'
His palm strikes shattered his subordinates' skulls with effortless leisure. There was no hesitation in the fluid motion from launch to impact. In an instant, three subordinates fell dead to those perfectly natural killing blows.
'He's seasoned in real combat. A guy who's committed countless murders.'
The Eumsa Bangdo were all survivors of hellish battlefields. That's why they knew—this wasn't the time to go after Yeon Hojeong.
They instinctively understood it was better to wipe out the young fry first and then gang up on him later, which was why they held back.
And Agwang had realized Yeon Hojeong's danger as well.
'The real deal—one who can unleash over a hundred percent of his skill in actual battle.'
At that moment, Agwang's gaze landed on the massive axe propped beside Yeon Hojeong.
'......?!'
Was it because of the bizarre sense of unease radiating from Yeon Hojeong? The axe looked solemn at first glance, yet ornate. And enormous. Even seasoned martial artists would struggle to wield it.
'A great heavy battle axe...? No way!'
In a flash, he recalled one person who'd recently been building a flashy reputation.
A bold master of the later generation who'd dared face the former world's greatest in single combat—a young expert evaluated as equal to or surpassing the One Dragon Three Peaks.
Agwang bellowed.
"Hold!"
Cling!
After a fierce clash of swords, the Eumsa Bangdo withdrew in unison.
Even after pressing so ferociously, their retreat was swift as the wind. They were trained to respond instantly to their commander's orders—like a well-drilled army.
Watching them, Yeoguk felt a chill grip his heart.
'They're different. Completely unlike us...'
Agwang spoke up.
"Bi-san Ho-jang?"
Yeon Hojeong furrowed his brow.
"Should've stayed way back."
The axe was great in every way—except it was too damn distinctive.
Cautious wariness crept into Agwang's eyes.
"How does the Yeon family's eldest end up here?"
"Why wouldn't the Yeon heir show when the Nine Great Clans' later generation is swarming the place?"
Agwang shut his mouth.
'Damn.'
Rumors about Bi-san Ho-jang had spread across the Central Plains. But Agwang didn't buy them all as truth.
Black path's highest value was survival. They wagered their lives for higher seats without regard for black or white—but when their actual life was on the line, planning for the future was obvious.
Born and bred in the black path, Agwang couldn't believe or accept anyone staking their life alone against a massive organization.
So the truth about Bi-san Ho-jang came down to two options.
'Either he's cultivated arts strong enough to threaten even great clans without fear, or the rumors are overhyped.'
Naturally, he leaned toward the latter. Yeon Hojeong was barely in his late twenties, after all.
And that assessment hadn't changed even now.
'But... he's definitely no ordinary guy.'
He could smell the thick blood scent only those who've waded through rivers of it could carry.
Agwang leveled his blade at Yeon Hojeong.
"I don't know how you found this place, but..."
"Talkative bastard. Time to seal it off."
Agwang frowned at Yeon Hojeong's icy words.
What?
Then—
'......?!'
Whoooosh.
A terrifying surge of inner energy rippled from the distant cliff above. So intense that not just Agwang, but everyone there whipped their heads around.
Whiiir!
A gale whipped up. The projected energy threads seemed to warp the very air currents.
Agwang shuddered, chills racing down his spine at that overwhelming power.
Ting!
A clear ring echoed, like plucking a seven-stringed zither.
Boooom!
A hair-raising whirlwind converged on a single point—the left cliff's edge, where boulders clustered—and shot forth.
Kaboom!
The cliff crumbled in an explosion, sending countless rocks tumbling down without direction.
Kr-boom! Thud!
Dust billowed, blocking the valley pass.
And that strike wasn't alone.
Thud!
A woman soared through the air in a flashy display, nocking a red bow at the right cliff. Her Hongryeon bowstring birthed a sturdy iron arrow alongside a blue vortex.
A full-power shot.
Tiiiing!
Kaboom!
This one was decisive. Dragon Fang Cannon targeted a weak spot in the ground, dumping the piled boulders straight into the valley mouth.
For Muk Bi, who'd trained her whole life in the mountains, this was child's play with enough power.
Thud! Thud-thud!
Having sealed the valley entrance with her monstrous archery, Muk Bi unleashed wind-like lightness skill.
Pa-ba-bak!
Godlike movement. She skimmed the cliff edge, leaped side to side, then soared an immense distance like a heavenly fairy, landing behind Yeon Hojeong.
Tak!
Muk Bi, now at Yeon Hojeong's back, drew her bowstring, aiming at the Eumsa Bangdo. Once she locked on prey, her focus was terrifying.
Her glare at them was chilling, like a predator's.
Nothing like her usual gaze.
'......!!'
Agwang's throat went dry.
'This is insane...'
No matter how weak the ground, toppling that many boulders with two arrows defied reason. It was martial arts beyond common sense.
Even Agwang, rich in rivers-and-lakes experience, had never heard of such brutish archery.
Thump!
Agwang's eyes shifted to Yeon Hojeong. He'd already drawn the Gwang Yong Bu, slinging it over his shoulder pauldron.
Lifting that monstrous weight so naturally.
"Thought you'd make a decent training dummy. Guess not."
Yeon Hojeong addressed Cheok Gang.
"Cheok Gang."
"Y-yes?"
Cheok Gang, dazed by Muk Bi's overwhelming archery with a slack-jawed look, snapped to and stared at Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong nodded with a grin.
"Good work. Skill's lacking, but targeting the enemy leader to break morale and charging without hesitation? Solid ideas and guts. Just be a bit more cautious, and you'll pull your weight."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Cheok Gang scratched his head, feeling oddly embarrassed. Truth was, there wasn't some grand reason like Yeon Hojeong said.
But he'd drawn his sword and bet his life—that much was true. He'd backed his words with action.
Yeon Hojeong eyed the later generation disciples. Most bore minor wounds across their bodies.
No fatalities.
Partly thanks to him. When five dazed disciples nearly died, he'd secretly fired finger winds to bail them out.
'No point dragging this out.'
He turned to Muk Bi.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
Her focus burned fiercely. But back-to-back Dragon Fang Cannons had her breathing a touch ragged.
Yeon Hojeong gripped her shoulder.
"You good?"
"Anytime."
"Alright, then. Let's clean house."
Killing intent charged the arrow aimed at the Eumsa Bangdo. Muk Bi, glaring fiercely, suddenly twisted her torso.
Tiiiing! Fweee!
The arrow rocketed at blinding speed—straight for Agwang's head.
Splat!
Good thing he'd anticipated. The arrow grazed Agwang's instinctive dodge and buried into Sangyo's shoulder.
Splat!
"Gaaah!"
Sangyo collapsed with a scream.
Right then, Yeon Hojeong charged.
Flash!
He bolted at terrifying speed, raising the Gwang Yong Bu for an upward strike at Agwang.
Agwang's eyes widened.
'Shit!'
Ambush. Distracted by Muk Bi's arrow, Agwang panicked at Yeon Hojeong's ferocious rush and swung his podao.
Creeeang!
"Guh!"
Monstrous strength art. Blocking an over eighty-catty heavy weapon felt like it would snap his sword hand and entire arm.
Eerily heavy.
But the assault didn't end.
Whoom! Whooo!
Chilling whooshes and a black axe afterimage dazzled Agwang's eyes.
Cree-crang! Splat!
"Aaaagh!"
His podao shattered, right arm severed from the shoulder.
He hadn't even counterattacked—couldn't properly block—and now internal injuries plus lost limb.
Agwang spat blood and roared.
"What are you waiting for! Kill them all!"
Thud-thud!
The Eumsa Bangdo charged at frightening speed.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
'Not on my watch.'
Muk Bi's Hongryeon Palace spat fire.
Pew-pew-pew!
Splat-splat-splat!
Holes punched through the heads of seven Eumsa Bangdo lunging at the later generation. Rapid consecutive fire at insane velocity.
Her senses and stamina from ultra-close brawls with Yeon Hojeong were paying off.
Muk Bi's fiercely focused eyes flickered faintly.
'Killing.'
When kidnapping Mong Ui, she'd wiped out the assassins. But they felt more like dolls than people.
Less killing, more smashing toys.
Not now. The fear in the enemies' eyes shook her heart.
But Muk Bi steadied herself.
'I'm an archer. Can't let my heart waver.'
She pictured Baek Gung-cheon. Her brother's face, choosing death after seeing his little sister's achievements on his final path.
Splat-splat!
A dozen-plus Eumsa Bangdo dropped on the spot.
Whoooo!
Behind Muk Bi's divine archery, the Light Dragon's endless charge began.
Splaaat!
Yeon Hojeong's attacks were far more destructive and brutal. He pinpointed the formation's vital points, charged, then unleashed storm-like barrages.
Cree-crang!
Spluuurt!
Eumsa Bangdo bodies burst indiscriminately, spraying blood everywhere.
Though bottom-tier, Agwang led one of the Black Path Thirty-Six Gates' branches. He could withstand Yeon Hojeong's destructive onslaught for a few exchanges despite the early disadvantage.
But not his Bangdo.
Yeon Hojeong's axe was merciless, unleashing unsparing power in its resolve. No one at their level could block a single strike.
Agwang yelled again.
"Target the Nine Greats' brats!"
The Eumsa Bangdo's eyes bloodshotten red. Panicked by the frenzied duo, they now swarmed the later generation as one.
Whiiir!
White winds loaded onto the Gwang Yong Bu.
Kaboom!
Yeon Hojeong advanced with powerful stomps, swinging at the Eumsa Bangdo.
And that wasn't all. After his storm arts ravaged, Muk Bi's razor gales swept the remnants.
Splat-splat!
Spluuurt!
Their numbers dwindled at horrifying speed.
The later generation stared blankly at the pair. Yeoguk's shock was especially profound.
She'd thought herself decent in combat, yet failed to take down even one—while those two unleashed flawless, ruthless fury.
"I-it can't be!"
Yeon Hojeong pulverizing foes with merciless axe work, Muk Bi picking off stragglers with ghostly archery. Perfect synergy, hands and feet in sync.
The duo's relentless assault was complete.
"B-Bangju-nim!"
Sangyo's cry, clutching his shoulder, snapped Agwang back.
"Everyone, retreat...!"
His eyes bulged before he finished. That she-devil had sealed the valley mouth with her savage archery.
Fleeing there was suicide.
'Damn it all!'
Killing intent blazed in Agwang's eyes. One mistake could doom Eumsa Bang.
He couldn't hold back anymore.
"Pyeongsan!!"
A hulking man on horseback at the Eumsa Bangdo rear. Red murderous glint flared in his eyes.
Kaaaang!
The iron chains shattered to pieces.