Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: Even a Tower Painstakingly Built Collapses in an Instant (2)
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The battle between Cho Yeon-un and Jo Ja-kyeong had reached its climax.
Boom!
Explosions rang out continuously, and their bodies jolted with each impact.
Cho Yeon-un's body was covered in numerous gaping wounds, while Jo Ja-kyeong's face was filled with exhaustion.
Their skills were evenly matched. Neither could completely overwhelm the other.
From Cho Yeon-un's fists erupted the ultimate techniques of the Eight Emperors Divine Fist, while Jo Ja-kyeong's sword strikes slithered like venomous snakes biding their time.
Fist and sword clashed and parted countless times. Their bodies were shredded like rags by the fist winds and sword qi.
In their eyes as they regarded each other flickered faint glimmers of admiration.
*Impressive, Jo Ja-kyeong.*
*So this is your level, Cho Yeon-un? As expected, my future won't exist unless I eliminate you.*
Jo Ja-kyeong bit his lip hard.
From the very first moment he met Cho Yeon-un, something had gnawed at him. His instincts had recoiled violently against him.
Now he understood why.
Cho Yeon-un was his natural predator. His martial arts, his temperament, everything about him stood at the exact opposite pole from Jo Ja-kyeong. It was like staring at his own reflection in a mirror.
Jo Ja-kyeong gathered every last drop of inner energy from the bottom of his dantian.
His master had always said it.
The sword lives.
A true swordsman draws out every ounce of the sword's potential.
The sword that finds a path through the battlefield—that was the battlefield sword style his master had passed down.
Sensing the ominous shift in Jo Ja-kyeong's aura, Cho Yeon-un also summoned all his inner energy.
A chill ran through his body from Jo Ja-kyeong's killing intent.
Even now, his fellow disciples were falling, wounded by the Burning Heaven Squad. Any more delay, and many would die. He had to prevent that at all costs.
Behind him, the Banner of a Hundred Victories fluttered massively.
He refused to show it anything less than his best.
"I didn't expect you to use this technique here..."
Red haze rose from both of his fists. It was the phenomenon of his full power concentrating there.
After glaring at each other for a moment, Cho Yeon-un and Jo Ja-kyeong charged simultaneously.
"Cha-at!"
"Ha!"
Cho Yeon-un unleashed the Eight Desolations Heaven-Annihilating Fist, while Jo Ja-kyeong trusted his instincts and deployed his battlefield sword style.
Clang!
They collided in midair, erupting in blinding light. A ferocious storm raged outward.
"Urk!"
"Heuk!"
Warriors of the Hundred Battles Sect and the Burning Heaven Squad nearby were swept away by the blast.
"Senior Brother!"
"Captain!"
The warriors who regained their senses stared at the spot where Cho Yeon-un and Jo Ja-kyeong had clashed.
Dust billowed thickly where they had collided. Through the haze, their silhouettes were faintly visible.
Both were on their knees, making it impossible to tell who had won.
Then, someone coughed up blood.
"Cough!"
Blood poured from his mouth, staining his chest red.
"Ugh... I..."
The man staring incredulously at his blood-soaked chest was Jo Ja-kyeong.
He was propping up his upper body with his half-shattered sword.
"Urgh!"
Cho Yeon-un collapsed in front of him. His chest was deeply gashed, blood pouring freely.
It was a wound deep enough to kill instantly. Between the split muscle and bone, his heart throbbed laboriously.
Cho Yeon-un didn't dare attempt to staunch it, pressing both hands against the gash. Yet blood still surged out between his fingers.
Cho Yeon-un's face paled in an instant.
Then Jo Ja-kyeong asked.
"It was by a hair's breadth, wasn't it?"
"Yeah!"
His mind was fading, but Cho Yeon-un clung to consciousness and answered.
Jo Ja-kyeong asked again, as if confirming.
"Right?"
"Yeah!"
"It was fun. No regrets left. Right?"
"Yeah!"
At Cho Yeon-un's reply, Jo Ja-kyeong laughed. His smile, stained with blood from mouth and chest, was gruesomely tragic.
Cho Yeon-un silently watched Jo Ja-kyeong laugh. The laughter gradually faded.
"Jo... Ja-kyeong."
Cho Yeon-un closed his eyes.
Jo Ja-kyeong's laughter stopped. His breath had ceased.
An inexplicable emptiness washed over him. Strength drained from his limbs, his vision turned pitch black. Then came urgent voices.
"Captain!"
At Jo Ja-kyeong's death, the Burning Heaven Squad warriors rushed in madly. The Hundred Battles Sect disciples desperately blocked them.
"Block them!"
"Protect Senior Brother!"
The Hundred Battles Sect warriors and Burning Heaven Squad tangled, the fight growing even fiercer.
Cho Yeon-un sprawled out flat. Blood from his chest soaked the ground red.
The Banner of a Hundred Victories fluttered vigorously under the blood-red dawn sky.
That day, the Murim Alliance retreated from the Sakju branch.
Though Cho Yeon-un, Sword Immortal Zhenren, and a few others claimed victory, it didn't lead to overall success.
The damage from the Illusion Demon Squad was especially severe. They had ambushed and killed the Murim Alliance leadership at the Sakju branch first. Sakju Branch Chief Gong Son-jung, Tae-eul Zhenren of the Hyun Do Sect, and other key figures lost their lives.
The greatest loss was the death of Yeom Jung-hwa, the Zhongnan True Sword, who had first detected and responded to the Illusion Demon Squad's infiltration.
The one who killed Yeom Jung-hwa was Jin Hye-won, one of the Seven Great Demons known as the Full Moon Immortal. She slew him in just over fifty exchanges and claimed his head.
It was the moment the Seven Great Demons' might was revealed to the world.
The entire Zhongnan Sect was plunged into shock, and the Murim Alliance, which had been optimistic about victory, suffered a massive blow and fell into depression.
The Murim Alliance warriors who lost Sakju scattered in small groups southward, and the Demonic Cult formed pursuit squads to hunt them down. They also mobilized forces active in the Central Plains to block the southern routes.
Suddenly pincered from both sides, the Murim Alliance warriors suffered heavy casualties.
Countless died, their blood flowing like rivers.
The path south was cut off, leaving survivors no choice but to seek refuge in nearby sects to save their lives.
Some fled to the Volcanic Sect, others to the Zhongnan Sect. Many also sought sanctuary at Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.
The Murim Alliance hurriedly dispatched reinforcements to rescue them, but it inevitably took time.
Later historians called this day the Blood Rain Spring Day, the spring day when blood rained down.
The blood rain that fell that day spread across the entire world. The realm was entering chaos.
***
"That's how it happened."
"......"
"Brother?"
Muk Il-gwang cautiously called out to Dam Ho.
Dam Ho's face was expressionless. It was impossible to read his thoughts.
*Brother.*
Muk Il-gwang held his breath.
He was scared. That blank face terrified him.
Just moments ago, he had reported the Murim Alliance's defeat in Sakju to Dam Ho. Dam Ho had listened silently to everything. The lack of change in his expression even after hearing it all made him even scarier.
Muk Il-gwang held his breath, staring at Dam Ho.
After a moment, Dam Ho spoke.
"I understand."
He raised his head. An immense pressure descended.
*Brother's grown even stronger.*
Muk Il-gwang felt goosebumps rise all over his body.
Since returning here, Dam Ho had never once revealed his power. But Muk Il-gwang could sense it instinctively.
Dam Ho had become stronger, more fearsome.
Feeling the goosebumps refuse to subside, Muk Il-gwang rubbed his shoulders with both arms. They eased a little.
Dam Ho asked.
"Yeon-un suffered a major injury?"
"Rumors are circulating among the warriors."
"Where is he now?"
"We haven't found out yet."
"Find him."
"I will, no matter what."
Muk Il-gwang answered loudly without realizing it.
"What are you trying to find?"
Just then, a youthful voice entered as someone stepped into the hut.
"Ah, Miss!"
Muk Il-gwang brightened.
It was Hwang Hye-ryeong entering the hut, carrying a tray of fruit.
"What are you trying to find?"
Caught in Hwang Hye-ryeong's gaze, Muk Il-gwang floundered. Dam Ho came to his rescue.
"What's going on?"
"I brought fruit for you, Brother."
Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled at Dam Ho right away.
During their time apart, she had matured noticeably. The childishness was gone, replaced by a woman's allure.
Hwang Hye-ryeong sat across from Dam Ho and asked.
"Is it about that?"
"......"
"I know too. That the Murim Alliance was routed in Sakju. That the world has fallen into great chaos because of it."
Hwang Hye-ryeong continued calmly while peeling fruit. Muk Il-gwang was the one fidgeting.
He hung his head like a guilty man. He always weakened in front of Hwang Hye-ryeong.
"Many have died, and many more will. The realm will be engulfed in chaos. Meanwhile, this place is so peaceful. All thanks to you, Brother."
"Hye-ryeong."
"Without you, Father wouldn't be safe, and the Green Forest wouldn't enjoy this era of peace. So thank you, Brother."
"......"
"But sometimes I wonder. Is it okay for us to be this happy? Aren't we enjoying happiness beyond our station? Bro...ther."
"Speak."
"Can we really enjoy this happiness just for ourselves? Can we stay this blissfully happy while the realm is in such turmoil? While so many are dying?"
Hwang Hye-ryeong's voice was calm. That made it sink in deeper.
She placed the peeled fruit in front of Dam Ho.
"Eat."
"......"
"Come on."
Urged by Hwang Hye-ryeong, Dam Ho bit into the fruit. Sweet juice filled his mouth.
"Sweet, right?"
"It is."
"Whenever you visit the mountain stronghold, I'll serve you sweet fruit."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't worry about me and go out there. You've done enough, Brother. Until now, your life has revolved around me and Sword Immortal Hyeon So. You've spent almost all your time on us. But you don't have to anymore. Don't hesitate because of us."
"......"
"Use your time for yourself, Brother. Follow your heart, live as you wish. If you want to find your friend, do it. I'll support whatever decision you make."
Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled at Dam Ho. It was dazzlingly beautiful.
"As I wish?"
"Yes! As you wish. He's your friend. Your one and only."
Hwang Hye-ryeong's voice burrowed into Dam Ho's heart like a spell.