The Cleanup Begins (6)
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed. 'Impressive.'
He had been charging toward Seok Gyeong, but instantly changed direction and struck at Mu Seong instead.
It was an unpredictable attack. Yet Mu Seong blocked the Mad Dragon Axe as if he had been waiting for it. The shockwave of force transmitted through the axe blade was tremendous. 'He's completely unscathed.'
It had been a full-powered strike infused with White Tiger energy. Even though Mu Seong had deflected it with a bare-handed knifehand strike, his hand remained undamaged.
Pa-bak!
Still, the sheer force and weight of the Mad Dragon Axe sent him stumbling two steps backward. At the very least, Yeon Hojeong held the advantage in raw power.
"You bastard!"
Seok Gyeong immediately thrust the Fierce Fire Divine Palm toward Yeon Hojeong.
Hwa-reu-reu-reu-reuk!
The left side of Yeon Hojeong's face grew hot. An immense wave of heat surged toward him in an instant.
Pa-ak!
Yeon Hojeong soared high into the sky.
Kwaaang!
The Fierce Fire Divine Palm smashed into the cliff face. It carried not only searing heat but enough destructive force to pulverize solid rock.
Seok Gyeong looked up at Yeon Hojeong. As if he had anticipated the aerial evasion, he was already preparing another palm strike with his left hand.
That was when it happened.
Huk!
A sinister fist wind shot toward Seok Gyeong's torso. It was a palm force riding the currents of air. Though its power was not overwhelming, a direct hit would temporarily diminish his combat ability. The toxic energy contained within the strike was fierce. 'The Tang Clan?!'
Seok Gyeong swung his left hand toward Dang Gwan's palm force.
Kwaang!
A thunderous explosion scattered flames in every direction. A sickly-sweet scent rode the dispersing flames—the smell of a shattered Poison Palm.
Dang Gwan wore a cold smile.
"Arrogant fool."
Killing intent flared across Seok Gyeong's face.
"Tang Clan vermin."
Pa-aak!
Seok Gyeong charged straight at Dang Gwan. His movement was faster than the curved-river steps, yet it still carried an air of leisure. He kept both his footwork and body movement flexible, ready to react at any moment.
Dang Gwan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, calmly facing the assault.
Seok Gyeong's eyes narrowed. 'He must have some scheme in mind.'
At that moment, an enormous killing intent erupted from behind him. '……!'
Seok Gyeong swiftly dodged to the side.
Kwaaang!
The Mad Dragon Axe, spinning like a wheel, slammed into the spot where he had stood.
Beon-jjeok!
Before anyone realized it, Yeon Hojeong had leapt onto the axe's shaft and thrust a palm toward Seok Gyeong.
Peo-eong!
Seok Gyeong was driven backward. The impact was not severe; it was a pushing force rather than an explosive one.
As Seok Gyeong retreated, Mu Seong immediately charged in.
Blue light swirled in Yeon Hojeong's pupils.
Jeok!
He yanked the Mad Dragon Axe free in one motion.
Beon-jjeok!
The horizontal sweep of the Mad Dragon Axe moved faster than any lightning-fast sword technique.
Mu Seong layered the Fierce Fire Divine Palm three times to block, but the destructive power of that single slash from the Mad Dragon Axe shattered the three-palm barrier completely.
Kwaaang!
Mu Seong was forced back once more. His usually expressionless face twisted slightly.
Kung!
At the narrow path between the cliffs stood a towering divine general wielding an enormous axe. Despite his slender frame, Yeon Hojeong radiated an overwhelming presence that defied his build.
Huuuung! Huuuung!
The Yeon Family Divine Elixir spun at high speed. The Biying True Art stabilized its core while the Dragon Robe Divine Art radiated outward like solar heat.
Hwi-ing! Hwi-i-ing!
A white radiance bloomed from the Mad Dragon Axe. The translucent white light split into several strands, continuously wrapping around the axe blade and shaft.
Hwa-reu-reu-reuk!
The crimson killing intent rising from his back carried the fury of an undying phoenix. The Sun God's killing intent grew stronger with each passing moment.
Uuung.
A faint greenish-blue wind swirled around his legs, exuding quiet composure, while a translucent hexagonal black armor materialized a foot in front of him, establishing an absolute, invincible defense.
The Yeon Family Divine Elixir, formed by the fusion of the Biying True Art and Dragon Robe Divine Art, had reached peak activation. The Four Gods Qi coursed through his entire body, fully unleashing his master's combat potential.
Yeon Hojeong had drawn out every ounce of his power. Standing as a heaven-sent invincible general glaring at his enemies, even Seok Gyeong and Mu Seong flinched and stepped back beneath his piercing gaze.
Yeon Hojeong lightly sliced the air with the Mad Dragon Axe.
Huuuung.
The pure white wind amplified, granting the axe the fangs of a wild beast.
"Come."
Yeon Hojeong extended his left hand to chest level.
Huk.
From his fingertips, crimson flames and white wind violently mixed, creating a menacing atmosphere.
"Now, step forward."
It was a provocative invitation.
Seok Gyeong's face contorted.
Beon-jjeok!
Surprisingly, it was Mu Seong who moved first. Perhaps humiliated by being pushed back in their previous exchange, he charged forward with blue flames blazing across his entire body. His aura was utterly terrifying.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes blazed.
Jeo-jeo-jeo-jeo-jeong!
The two masters' martial arts collided, unleashing a fearsome shockwave.
Jeo-jeo-jeok! Kwa-ji-ji-jik!
The shockwave cracked the ground and cliffs. The clash of two peak masters had left marks on the stone walls that nature had spent millennia perfecting.
Mu Seong's Yama Fist aimed for Yeon Hojeong's chest.
Yeon Hojeong raised the axe's shaft to meet it.
Jeo-eo-eo-eo-eong!
It was a spectacular collision. Flames erupted from the Yama Fist in all directions while the white wind enveloping the Mad Dragon Axe turned to smoke and spread wide.
Pa-ba-ba-ba-bak!
In that instant, Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed. Though he had stood his ground with sheer willpower, he could not keep enduring forever. A hundred Shinhwa Sect soldiers were scaling the left and right cliffs, charging forward.
They intended to surround and attack from the rear. It was a simple yet efficient tactic.
Of course, Yeon Hojeong had no intention of simply watching.
He stomped down with powerful steps.
Kwaang!
Gathering the explosive force, he unleashed the Tiger King's Nine Wall Technique and Tiger Claw Chaos.
Kwa-kwa-kwang! Kwa-reung!
It was a peerless chaotic striking art that slashed and smashed not only the front but the left and right as well.
It was nothing short of a mad murderer's axe work. When such a heavy weapon weighing over eighty catties was wielded in a frenzied assault, the oppressive force was beyond words, regardless of the opponents' level.
Peo-eo-eo-eok! Pu-hwa-a-ak!
Three Shinhwa Sect soldiers were torn apart and sent flying by the great tiger's claws that stirred up a gale. The chaotic strikes covered an unimaginable range, catching them completely off guard.
Mu Seong's eyes gleamed.
Peo-eok!
Yeon Hojeong was forced back a couple of steps. While the chaotic strikes had blocked the flanking attacks, his assault on Mu Seong in front had weakened.
Huk!
Mu Seong seized the momentum and moved.
Charging in a straight line, he extended the Fire Dragon Demonic Blade with a knifehand strike aimed at Yeon Hojeong's lower body. '……?!' For a moment, Mu Seong could not hide his confusion. 'Why?'
With Yeon Hojeong's skill, he could have evaded, defended, or counterattacked in any number of ways. Targeting the lower body had been meant to set up a follow-up chain of attacks to pressure him further.
Yet Yeon Hojeong paid no attention to the incoming strike. Instead, he attempted another chaotic strike toward the left and right, as if he did not care if his legs were severed. 'Why?'
That was when it happened.
"Mu Seong!"
Beon-jjeok! Kwaaang!
Seok Gyeong, who had closed the distance in an instant, blocked the strike above Mu Seong's head.
"Kuk!"
Both Mu Seong and Seok Gyeong staggered backward.
Chi-i-i-ik!
Grayish smoke rose from their hands. It was toxic energy.
Mu Seong looked ahead in shock.
Peo-beo-beo-beo-beok!
Yeon Hojeong continued his all-directional chaotic strikes. And behind his shoulder stood Dang Gwan, his blue eyes blazing.
Dang Gwan flicked his fingers.
Pi-i-i-i-ing!
With a sharp sound that tore through the air, two daggers flew in curved trajectories.
It was an astonishing feat. The daggers did not fly straight but in arcs, and their speed doubled with each rotation.
Peok! Jjeo-eong!
One dagger that Mu Seong dodged embedded itself in a Shinhwa Sect soldier's abdomen. Seok Gyeong shattered another with his fist.
But it did not end there.
"Charging barehanded at a Tang Clan member."
Chwa-reu-reu-reu-reuk!
Countless hidden weapons appeared in Dang Gwan's hands. It was impossible to tell where he had been hiding so many. Moreover, they were all different types, making it impossible to predict their effects.
"That arrogance—I'll make you understand it with death."
Dang Gwan swung both hands.
Pa-ba-ba-ba-bak!
Dozens of hidden weapons rained down on the two men, avoiding Yeon Hojeong.
Seok Gyeong ground his teeth.
"You bastard!"
Kwaang!
With a powerful stomp, he unleashed palm strikes in all directions.
Peo-peo-peo-peo-peong! Jjeo-eong! Peo-beok!
Seventy percent of the hidden weapons were stopped by Seok Gyeong's palm-force shield.
Seok Gyeong's eyes wavered. 'They missed?!' It was unbelievable.
He had poured all his inner energy into blocking the entire front. Yet thirty percent of the weapons curved through the air and struck the Shinhwa Sect soldiers behind them.
The surprise did not end there.
"Kuaaak!"
"Uwaak!"
The soldiers struck by the weapons screamed and collapsed. 'Screams?!' Both Seok Gyeong and Mu Seong were shocked.
Like the other cultists, the Shinhwa Sect soldiers were mentally fortified by loyalty and conviction. They possessed the mental strength to endure severe torture without so much as a frown.
Yet these same soldiers were screaming. All because of a few hidden weapons.
Soon they understood why.
Tu-du-du-du-duk!
The fallen soldiers vomited blood from all seven orifices. Their bodies continued to twitch violently.
It was the hidden weapons. The projectiles that had penetrated their bodies were now traveling through their meridians, tearing blood vessels and severing nerves.
It was an attack of unparalleled cruelty. Seok Gyeong shuddered at Dang Gwan's vicious hidden-weapon technique.
"This madman!"
Dang Gwan flicked his fingers again.
Pi-i-ing! Peo-eong!
There was no time to curse. Blocking the hidden weapons that exploited every opening made his wrists ache. Even these small projectiles carried formidable inner energy.
Kwang! Kwa-reu-reung!
The left and right cliffs were on the verge of collapse. The already narrow path had grown even tighter. Rock fragments dislodged by Yeon Hojeong's Tiger Claw Chaos inflicted gruesome wounds on the Shinhwa Sect soldiers.
Huuung! Peo-eok! Huuung! Peo-eok!
More soldiers fell helplessly to Dang Gwan's palm force, which exploited every opening.
Chi-i-i-ik!
The fallen soldiers vomited dark-red blood along with pale smoke. None of them rose again.
It was the Tang Clan's Thousand Poison Hand. The same lethal poison technique that had killed Yo Roe was now claiming the lives of the Shinhwa Sect soldiers in an instant.
"……This is bad."
Mu Seong let out an involuntary sigh.
In front stood a mad killer wielding a massive axe, holding an ironclad defense, while behind them a poison demon unleashed merciless attacks with hidden weapons that allowed no approach.
The two masters performed their roles with perfect coordination, as if they had fought together their entire lives. The overwhelming numerical advantage they had planned to use was proving ineffective against these two. 'This won't work.'
Seok Gyeong made a cold assessment. Though he had ordered a full assault in a fit of anger, continuing this way would only result in losing more troops.
"All forces, cease attack! Retreat to the rear!"
An order from a superior was absolute. Mu Seong and the Shinhwa Sect soldiers immediately began falling back.
That was when it happened.
Pa-ba-ba-bak!
Yeon Hojeong and Dang Gwan closed the distance once more. They intended to maintain the momentum they had seized. These two, whose practical combat ability was unmatched under heaven, coordinated flawlessly without a single word exchanged.
But it did not end there.
"Uwaaap!"
Kwaang!
Yeon Hojeong, who had been focused on defense, suddenly charged in a straight line and swung the Mad Dragon Axe at Seok Gyeong.
Seok Gyeong's eyes flashed.
Jeo-eo-eo-eo-eo-eong!
With a powerful shockwave, Yeon Hojeong quickly retreated.
Pi-i-i-i-ing!
At the same time, seven daggers from Dang Gwan shot toward Seok Gyeong.
In that instant, Mu Seong moved like a shadow.
Jeo-jeo-jeo-jeong!
Mu Seong's Yama Eight Fists deflected all seven daggers.
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
His nape was turning red, as if his blood was beginning to boil.
"As expected, they won't just take it lying down, will they?"