Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Escape
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It was a situation even seasoned masters would shy away from. With their bodies in contact, it was easier to unleash the intricacies of the Heavy Internal Palm Technique into the opponent's internals. The moment one fell behind in the clash of inner energy, it could lead straight to unbearable internal injuries.
Yuk Jin-yang and the Thundercloud Woman. Their inner energies tangled and then exploded in an instant.
"Gah...!"
The Thundercloud Woman spat blood and staggered back. She had hastily thrust out her palm technique without properly gathering her inner energy. It was a result Yuk Jin-yang had lured her into.
He followed up with a barrage of Chaotic Palm Strikes to finish her off completely. Gritting her teeth, she countered with the Golden Claw Hand. Ruthless strikes flew in to disrupt the flow of his martial arts.
But in that instant, Yuk Jin-yang's arm movement changed. From a fist strike to the Golden Claw Hand in reverse, just as he was about to seize her arm, the horrified Thundercloud Woman sliced through her own sleeve with a hand blade.
Riiip!
The precious silk sleeve tore to shreds. But the Thundercloud Woman didn't seem to care at all. Her gaze was fixed solely on Yuk Jin-yang. Shock was vivid on her face.
"Tiger Wind Forest Art...? How do you know the damned martial art of the Imperial Guards?!"
"They handed it over when they told me to catch you."
With a quip, Yuk Jin-yang swung his Silver Dew Sword. Stepping forward, he drew out the maximum power from his leg strength. Energy surged like an angry wave.
Sword Wave Thunder Roar Art. His ultimate technique, surpassing even the Riding Horse Victory Dance in sheer power, was unleashed upon the world.
The true strike of his signature ultimate cleaved the Thundercloud Woman's narrow peak sword in two. It didn't stop at one clash but pressed on. Her shoulder was sliced off, blood bursting forth.
The Thundercloud Woman's eyes widened. In that split second, she hadn't even had time to feel the pain. Only bewilderment was clear on her face. Her gasp and Yuk Jin-yang's mockery mingled.
"Your sound arts were crude, and your sword arts are no different."
There was no reply. The Silver Dew Sword had unhesitatingly severed her neck.
Yuk Jin-yang breathed heavily and turned to Yi Jeong-baek. About to ask if he was alright, he saw the man avert his gaze. Suddenly, he recalled his earlier bold declaration. Yuk Jin-yang said jokingly,
"Try calling me 'hyung'."
"I was wrong."
Yuk Jin-yang laughed and patted his shoulder. It meant they should finish up and get on with it.
The physician's hall looked ready to collapse at any moment. Though the fight had shifted locations midway, the aftermath of the Thundercloud Woman's reckless power still lingered everywhere. Yi Jeong-baek glanced suspiciously at the ceiling.
"I'm scared it might come down."
"Even if it doesn't, we don't have time to relax."
Fortunately, the herb storage room was intact. Breaking the sturdy lock revealed the room. Dozens of drawers were neatly labeled with herb names.
The two brightened and quickly opened the drawers.
"Lucky! There's golden sore medicine."
"There are hemostatic herbs too. Good thing they're organized like this."
Yuk Jin-yang opened one and tasted it. To check if it might be enemy trickery. Fortunately, it was real. Clearly items they hadn't had time to grab in the rush.
Gathering what they needed, the two left the physician's hall. Yuk Jin-yang frowned. Contrary to expectations, the surroundings were eerily peaceful.
'I thought they'd come swarming like before.'
Yi Jeong-baek noticed his expression and asked worriedly,
"What's wrong? Did you sustain internal injuries?"
"No. I was just wary they might attack."
"Hmm, I find it odd too that they've all hidden away."
"Yes, I thought with their superior, the Thundercloud Woman, dead, some would come seeking revenge."
Yi Jeong-baek thought for a moment and shared his inference.
"Maybe the Hwangbo young master is regrouping his forces. He has the authority and skill to crush any backlash from the White Lotus Cultists. Or perhaps he's convinced them to wait for a sure chance at revenge."
"So, you're saying the enemy has no leeway either?"
Yi Jeong-baek grinned and revealed the intimate battlefield situation from then.
"When you arrived here, young hero, the Hwangbo young master had suffered deep internal injuries too. Embarrassing to say it myself, but our family's ultimate art, the Frost Heaven Gate Opening Palm, landed properly."
"Is that so?"
Yi Jeong-baek nodded and added,
"Even if he wants revenge for his brother, he'll have to hold back and recover. After all, to catch a master, you need a master."
"Makes sense."
"Plus, you didn't just take Hwangbo Jeong-jun's head, young hero. Their forces aren't infinite. Even if they've trapped us with formations, without anyone to defend it, it's useless."
"......"
"Maybe that's why the Thundercloud Woman stepped up. To hinder us, they had to send their maximum available force. In a way, it worked out well. We've crippled a key enemy asset."
Yi Jeong-baek's guess seemed correct. On the way back, the group faced no interference. They occasionally felt gazes watching them, but no enemies showed themselves.
"...Looks like you went through a fierce battle. You're not hurt?"
Yuk Ryul frowned as he saw the two return to the hideout. Worry and concern shone in his eyes. He seemed ready to check their pulses himself if needed.
Yuk Jin-yang waved it off to reassure his uncle.
"We faced a tougher opponent than expected and struggled, but we managed somehow."
"The Thundercloud Woman was guarding it. I really thought we were done for."
Yi Jeong-baek shuffled over, adding on. With his massive build, he looked like a bear preparing for hibernation.
Yuk Ryul's eyes widened.
"What?"
The reaction was huge. Even the other alliance warriors who had been eavesdropping casually showed surprise. The name Thundercloud Woman carried that much weight.
Unlike other cults or unorthodox sects, the White Lotus Cult granted immense authority to each branch. The cult leader had entered secluded training long ago and hadn't emerged.
Naturally, power struggles and survival of the fittest raged within branches. The weak were devoured, the strong survived.
The result of each fending for themselves was clear. Thundercloud Women built their own factions under the White Lotus Cult banner. Each was as prestigious as a sect leader.
Though sizes and levels varied by region, they were said to correspond roughly to the fang tablet realm. Even assuming a joint attack from wood and fang tablet warriors, victory wasn't guaranteed.
Yet Yuk Ryul wasn't pleased with his nephew's feat. Instead, he seemed to blame himself. As if he should have gone himself.
Yi Jeong-baek quickly stepped in.
"Don't worry, senior. Your nephew is truly an outstanding warrior."
Yi Jeong-baek's gaze toward Yuk Jin-yang held awe. Having witnessed his prowess up close, genuine respect had taken root.
He had even insisted on carrying the Thundercloud Woman's head and the herbs alone on the way back.
Among warriors, carrying another's load held special meaning. It signified willingness to serve as attendant or subordinate out of deep respect.
"Yuk the hero has an even brighter future ahead. I even thought I might be overtaken soon."
"Why call him hero? He's your junior."
"If he's stronger than me, he's a hero."
Yuk Ryul chuckled at Yi Jeong-baek's innocent retort.
"Fine. What's done is done. But was it really the Thundercloud Woman?"
Yuk Jin-yang nodded.
"She declared it herself. She used sound arts, and quite skillfully. If I hadn't countered them, I might have lost."
"...Definitely the Thundercloud Woman of Shandong. Many trembled at her vicious sound arts. And you countered them?"
"Just luck."
"No, tactics are skill too. Better to say the matchup fell perfectly in your favor."
Yuk Jin-yang suddenly felt dizzy. The fatigue from the intense battle with an unreachable master was finally seeping into his mind. Yuk Ryul quickly supported him.
"Rest now. I'm worried you'll collapse too."
"Yes, I really need to rest."
The medicine they brought proved highly effective. Warriors whose minds had been clouded finally opened their eyes. Even the lightly wounded began healing thanks to the golden sore salve.
Almost none had recovered enough for battle, but in their current situation, it was a blessing.
Yuk Ryul marveled.
"The physician of Gokbu County must have fine herb-blending skills. I was worried the little you brought might not work."
"Tell me about it."
Yuk Jin-yang, now awake, muttered while leaning against the wall. His body felt powerless. Exhaustion weighed on his shoulders. His true energy depletion had been extreme.
Yi Jeong-baek was beside him. He looked just as fatigued. Perhaps even worse off.
He clutched his weapon to his chest, his hand pale and trembling on the hilt. A common symptom after expending all available true energy.
Noticing the gaze, Yi Jeong-baek grinned. As if to say not to worry. Then he abruptly brought up a serious topic.
"Rest easy for now. We don't know when the next fight will break out. I think their patience is wearing thin. They might even storm this place directly."
"When do you think that'll be?"
"With even the Thundercloud Woman dead? They'll be anxious too, so they won't drag it out unless they have reinforcements."
Yuk Jin-yang shook his head.
"I think differently."
"Hm?"
"They've put this much effort into setting traps, and both the White Lotus Cult and Hwangbo family's leadership are here. From their perspective, this is a battle they can't afford to lose."
"Hmm."
"Having lost face, they won't back down easily."
Yuk Jin-yang knew how tenacious the pride of murim folk could be. It didn't break easily, and when it obsessed, it was most dangerous.
It's not for nothing that once you step into the jianghu, you're trapped in cycles of grudges for life. Even among those who complete secluded training and leave, they're a tiny minority. Across all murim tales.
Yi Jeong-baek was from a prestigious jianghu family too. Understanding Yuk Jin-yang's point, he muttered gravely.
"So we're the ones racing against time?"
"That's what I think."
Just then, a man shuffled toward them.
"Hey, look here. This lord."
Yi Jeong-baek hurriedly stood. His attitude was deferential.
"No, shouldn't you rest more?"
"Let's talk a bit. Just us two."
The man pointed to a shaded corner fully in shadow and suggested. Yi Jeong-baek nodded and followed obediently.