Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Chapter 7. Rising Where We Fell (2)
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"Here it is."
The place Im Ho-ryeong led the group to was a desolate valley five days' distance from the Nabok Escort Agency. Not a single blade of grass grew in the barren valley, which was thick with an eerie atmosphere.
Daoist Cheongheo tilted his head.
"Is this definitely the enemies' base?"
"It is. I confirmed it with my own eyes."
"Hmm!"
Daoist Cheongheo let out a groan at Im Ho-ryeong's firm reply.
Places where people live always have a distinct atmosphere. But there was no trace or sense of human habitation here.
'Either Ho-ryeong is mistaken, or the enemies have thoroughly erased their tracks.'
Daoist Cheongheo believed it was the latter.
Im Ho-ryeong was filled with venomous resolve. It didn't seem likely that someone like him would lead them astray.
"I saw with my own eyes the enemies carrying off the Nabok Merchant Group's goods into this place."
"Then their base must be deep inside the valley."
"Definitely."
"Understood!"
Daoist Cheongheo turned to the Wudang Sect disciples.
"You all heard that? Demonic Cult remnants might still be here, so stay extra vigilant."
"Yes!"
The Wudang Sect disciples replied in unison.
Yeom Junghwa spoke to the Zhongnan Sect disciples as well.
"We're here to support Wudang. Han-su, take responsibility for protecting the disciples."
"Understood."
Mugyeong ordered the Mount Hua Sect disciples to be especially careful.
Led by Wudang, the disciples of Zhongnan and Mount Hua entered the nameless valley.
The deeper they went into the valley, the more sinister the atmosphere grew. Almost no light reached inside, making it look as dark as night.
At that moment, one of the Wudang disciples pointed at the ground.
"Here. There are cart wheel tracks."
Just as he said, wheel marks were scattered here and there on the ground.
This confirmed Im Ho-ryeong's words. The ones who attacked the Nabok Escort Agency were definitely inside.
Excitement flickered across the faces of some of the young martial artists. They whispered among themselves.
"The Demonic Cult? This is getting thrilling."
"If we make a name for ourselves here, it'll spread through the martial world."
"I'll cut down those Demonic Cult dogs with a single stroke. Haha!"
Not just Wudang, but the young martial artists from Zhongnan and Mount Hua were all buzzing with excitement.
Daoist Hyeonso frowned at their whispers.
They were a generation that hadn't experienced the Demonic Cult yet, so they didn't feel much fear.
Those who had faced the Demonic Cult knew full well how terrifying they were, but those without experience couldn't grasp their horror.
'I hope they don't get cocky.'
Daoist Hyeonso scanned the group worriedly, looking for Damho. He feared Damho might be excited like the others.
But the moment he saw Damho's face, Daoist Hyeonso realized his worry was unfounded.
Damho's eyes were deeply composed. There wasn't a trace of excitement on his face.
He moved cautiously with the group, never straying more than two steps from Daoist Hyeonso.
Then, one of Mount Hua's second-generation disciples approached him and whispered.
"Senior Uncle, perhaps it's best if you stay back and don't push forward?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you're up front getting in the way, it might hinder us from dealing with the enemies."
His voice was extremely polite. But the intent behind it was not.
As Damho's eyes narrowed, an ice-cold voice rang out.
"Won-ho, don't say useless things. How dare you insult your sect's elder?"
The voice belonged to Unkyeong.
The second-generation disciple Won-ho flinched and paled.
"H-how could this disciple..."
"Fall back."
"Yes!"
Won-ho bowed his head and retreated. Unkyeong watched him with cold eyes.
Once Won-ho disappeared among the crowd, Unkyeong turned to Damho.
"Did you see? That's your position in Mount Hua. Don't let them see you as a joke anymore."
"I'll... keep it in mind."
Damho's voice cracked.
Unkyeong brushed past Damho and stood beside Mugyeong. Mugyeong clicked his tongue.
"You're too cold sometimes; that's your problem."
Mugyeong glanced at Damho, worried he might be hurt. But Damho's stoic expression gave nothing away.
In truth, Damho hadn't paid Won-ho's words any mind. He had no room for that. From the moment they entered the valley, his nerves had sharpened to an unnatural degree. His mood had sunk heavily as a result.
'This is...?'
It was the moment suspicion appeared on Damho's face.
Shhhk!
Suddenly, sharp whooshes cut through the air.
"Ugh!"
"Ambush!"
The area turned into chaos in an instant. Several martial artists collapsed, spurting blood. Dark projectiles were embedded in their bodies.
"Everyone, stay calm!"
Daoist Cheongheo and Yeom Junghwa stepped forward, deflecting the projectiles as they shouted. The panic began to subside with their advance.
"Who are you bastards?"
Daoist Cheongheo yelled while shielding his disciples. Black shadows emerged from spots throughout the valley. Each wore clothes emblazoned with a flaming emblem on the chest.
Daoist Cheongheo's expression twisted.
"The Demonic Cult for real?"
"......"
But the attackers didn't respond and drew their weapons in unison.
Im Ho-ryeong shouted, pointing at them.
"That's them! They ambushed the Nabok Escort Agency and stole the goods!"
Im Ho-ryeong had already drawn his weapon and was charging at the attackers. Daoist Cheongheo bellowed.
"Subdue them!"
"Waaaa!"
Wudang's martial artists followed, and Mount Hua and Zhongnan's moved at the same time.
Daoist Hyeonso closed his eyes.
"The Demonic Cult for real? Primordial Heavenly Lord..."
Damho surveyed the battlefield.
Before his eyes, Wudang, Mount Hua, and Zhongnan martial artists clashed with what seemed to be Demonic Cult remnants.
Daoist Cheongheo's swordsmanship was truly divine.
Shyaak!
Each time his sword sliced the air, someone collapsed spraying blood.
Wudang's martial artists fought bravely alongside him. Among them, Yeonsoha stood out the most.
She unleashed flashy footwork while executing Wudang Sword.
Kakakang!
Swords clashed, sparks flying everywhere.
Her face twisted from the intense impact.
Though Yeonsoha had grown steadily under Daoist Cheongheo's guidance, this was her first real battle.
Shyik!
Blood sprayed from the opponent's shoulder.
She had cut down many trees, but this was her first time cutting a person. Her heart pounded with the eerie sensation, but Yeonsoha endured it.
With a face like she might burst into tears any moment, Yeonsoha gave it her all. Inspired by her, Wudang's martial artists pushed their limits too.
"You bastards! Reveal your identities!"
Yeom Junghwa pressured his foe with Zhongnan's signature Heavenly River Sword. His blade brimmed with vicious killing intent.
Chwihwak!
One attacker was bisected from torso to legs by his sword without even a scream.
Even allies from Wudang and Mount Hua held their breath at the ruthless killing intent in his swordsmanship.
'That's Zhongnan's sword.'
Damho took in Yeom Junghwa's sword with his eyes.
Meanwhile, Mount Hua's martial artists, led by Mugyeong and Unkyeong, faced the enemies.
They paired into groups of seven, forming the Seven Stars Sword Formation.
"Everyone, maintain the formation!"
Unkyeong directed them. Amid the melee, he remained unshaken.
Composed mostly of young martial artists compared to other sects, they had no choice but to be cautious. If he got excited, the disciples maintaining the formation would too. So Unkyeong strove to keep emotions in check and make cool judgments.
While Unkyeong commanded the Seven Stars Sword Formation, Mugyeong unleashed his martial arts against an attacker.
As befitting Mount Hua's leading disciple, he displayed formidable prowess. The Great Purity Sword Art—which only elders or above could freely wield—shone in his hands.
Shyaak!
Mugyeong was proving through this chance that Mount Hua still lived.
Puhwak!
The opponent's blood splattered onto Mugyeong's face.
Mugyeong's face contorted hideously. As Mount Hua's leading disciple, he'd steeled himself to one day cut someone down, but he hadn't expected the sensation to be this chillingly repulsive.
Mugyeong gritted his teeth.
'Primordial Heavenly Lord, please forgive this disciple's killing. It is all for the peace of the martial world.'
It was all for Mount Hua.
Once this martial world excursion ended, Mount Hua's disciples would grow even stronger.
Amid everyone rampaging like vicious ghosts, there were Daoist Hyeonso and Damho.
They were non-combatants and needed protection.
Everyone thought so, positioning the two in the center under guard. The second-generation disciples, including Won-ho, took that role.
'T-this is a real martial world fight?'
Won-ho and the second-generation disciples trembled at the battle unfolding before them.
Their pride as Mount Hua martial artists and their hard-trained skills vanished from mind. Their heads felt empty, minds reeling.
"Aaagh!"
"Spare me!"
Screams pierced their ears.
They wanted to cry. To hide. But knowing they couldn't only made it sadder.
Then, someone approached their position.
One of the attackers. But he seemed different from the others.
Far smaller, yet radiating a chilling cold.
The masked attacker charged toward Daoist Hyeonso and the Mount Hua disciples.
Tak, tak!
In just a few leaps, he closed in on the Mount Hua disciples.
"B-block him!"
Won-ho yelled.
The Mount Hua disciples tried to form the Seven Stars Sword Formation. But the attacker was faster.
Pabababang!
His hand exploded outward like it had split into dozens.
"Kuhk!"
"Guh!"
The formation collapsed instantly, second-generation disciples flying everywhere. The foe was already at Won-ho's nose.
Shyik!
His hand struck like a venomous snake toward Won-ho's throat. Won-ho forgot to even swing his sword and squeezed his eyes shut.
Kwang!
A loud boom erupted, and Won-ho's body jolted. But no pain came.
Won-ho cautiously opened his eyes. An unbelievable sight unfolded before him.
"S-Se-senior Uncle?"