Chapter 165
Chapter 165
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Assault on Blood Dragon Gate
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mount Hua Sect was in an uproar.
The trigger was the mission suddenly announced by the Sect Leader that very morning.
A joint operation with Jongnam Sect!
Everyone jumped to their feet at first.
The elders, in particular, were the most vehement.
"Do you not know the great humiliation our sect has suffered because of Jongnam Sect?!"
"Do you not remember what happened recently at the Murim Alliance, Sect Leader?"
The Sect Leader gazed at the elders who had come all the way to Purple霞 Pavilion to vent their fury.
"I know."
"Then why proceed if you know?"
The elders could not contain their anger.
What had Jongnam Sect done while Mount Hua walked the path of decline?
They had seized Mount Hua's position as if they had been waiting for it, swelling their own power even further.
From their perspective, Jongnam Sect was detestable and utterly loathsome.
Yet despite their pressure, the Sect Leader did not waver in the slightest.
"The common folk of Shaanxi are suffering right now. Are we to ignore their pain out of petty emotions?"
Instead, he delivered a firm rebuke to the agitated elders, silencing them.
"Jongnam Sect has bowed its head to our sect and requested aid for the sake of the common folk. What do you think would happen if we refused?"
To persuade them, the Sect Leader spoke the words he had prepared long in advance.
"Jongnam Sect humbled itself for Shaanxi, but Mount Hua refused out of pride—they would point fingers and spread such rumors."
The elders' breaths caught in their throats.
Mount Hua was in the midst of reclaiming its former glory. If such rumors spread now...
Seeing the elders' expressions grow grave, the Sect Leader drove the point home.
"Moreover, this is not about joining hands indefinitely—it's just until we drive out all the unorthodox sects in Shaanxi. Is there any need to get so heated?"
One by one, swayed by his continued persuasion, they eventually nodded in acceptance.
At that moment, the Armory Hall Leader spoke up.
"Then who do you plan to send for this joint operation?"
"Given the nature of the mission, I intend to move with a small number of people."
The Sect Leader replied calmly to the Armory Hall Leader.
The key to this joint operation with Jongnam Sect was two things.
Swift mobility and secrecy.
Thus, resolving it quickly with as few people as possible was crucial.
"The Martial Training Pavilion Lord, along with Hyeonho and Hyeonhae, will lead the Plum Blossom Sword Guards. And..."
The Sect Leader paused briefly, recalling the letter that had arrived at dawn.
"Cheonhwi will move separately."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Cheonhwi, who had been listening to Jeokgeom's explanation on the way back to Mount Hua Sect, spoke up.
"So we're splitting into three groups?"
"Yes."
"Who are you going with?"
"I'll be with the Martial Training Pavilion Lord. I wanted to go with you, Senior Uncle, but these are the Sect Leader's orders..."
"Don't say things you don't mean. Is Seollan going with you too?"
"No. Junior Sister and I will act separately this time."
"Hm, I see. Then this mission must be quite important."
Jeokgeom and Seollan were among the most outstanding second-generation disciples.
'Splitting them up must be to distribute our forces evenly.'
"So who am I going with?"
"Well... the Sect Leader said he would speak to you separately, Senior Uncle."
"Hm, alright."
"More importantly, let's hurry a bit. It's almost time to depart..."
Moments later, the two arrived at the sect gate.
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards were already lined up there, divided into three groups.
And the Sect Leader was encouraging them one by one.
"I know you all distrust this joint operation with Jongnam Sect."
A few disciples flinched.
They hadn't openly rebelled like the elders, but they harbored plenty of resentment inside.
The Sect Leader looked at those disciples with gentle eyes and added,
"But for the sake of the common folk remaining in Shaanxi, I hope you understand that this operation is absolutely necessary."
At his sincere words, the disciples shouted in unison with resounding voices.
"Understood!"
"Then let me explain what you must do."
Satisfied, the Sect Leader finally revealed the plan he had kept tightly under wraps.
The plan was simple and clear.
Move on the same day and hour, joining forces with the righteous sects confronting the unorthodox to aid them.
"Simple, huh."
Jeokgeom muttered in disappointment.
He had expected some ingenious scheme.
After all, two of the Nine Great Sects were joining forces.
Yet what the Sect Leader described was a thoroughly orthodox approach...
Disappointment welled up.
A few of the Plum Blossom Sword Guards shared Jeokgeom's thoughts, their faces unable to hide their letdown.
But Cheonhwi was different.
"Good."
It suited him perfectly.
Overly complex plans with minute details meant starting over from scratch if even one thing went awry.
At that moment, having finished his explanation, the Sect Leader looked at the elders standing before the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
"Then the elders leading the Plum Blossom Sword Guards, come forward."
The three stepped up before the Sect Leader.
Seeing them, Cheonhwi's eyes widened.
One was the familiar Martial Training Pavilion Lord.
But the other two...
"First time seeing those two step up. Short on manpower?"
Cheonhwi gazed curiously at Hyeonho and Hyeonhae, who had been holed up in their residences for years without venturing out.
Their appearances were polar opposites.
Hyeonho's frame was so robust that even his Daoist robes couldn't conceal it, while Hyeonhae was gaunt like a frail scholar.
Standing together, the contrast was even starker.
"I entrust them to you. If you face danger, flee if you must—prioritize survival above all."
The Sect Leader earnestly implored the three.
Escorting was important, of course, but the disciples' survival came first.
The three nodded.
They knew it well too.
"We'll prioritize survival."
"Don't worry."
"We won't suffer such bloodshed again."
At their responses, the Sect Leader smiled in relief as he looked at the disciples.
Eighteen in total—a small number.
But more than sufficient for this mission.
The Sect Leader addressed them.
"Think not of defeating them, but driving them out. And above all, remember that your safety is paramount."
"Understood!"
With their thunderous reply, the three leaders turned to the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
"Then follow me."
"Is everyone prepared?"
"We depart immediately."
As they prepared to leave, Jeokgeom startled and spoke to Cheonhwi.
"Ah! Then I'll be off."
With that greeting, Jeokgeom approached the Martial Training Pavilion Lord and exchanged farewells.
And shortly after.
Tat!
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards, led by the three, unleashed their movement techniques and swiftly descended the mountain.
Soon, only the Sect Leader and Cheonhwi remained at the sect gate.
Cheonhwi approached the Sect Leader.
"You've come."
"Where am I headed?"
The Sect Leader chuckled at Cheonhwi, who cut straight to the point.
"Changmu Gate in Pingli County—that's your destination."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The southernmost part of Shaanxi, Pingli County.
Until just dozens of days ago, Pingli County had been peaceful, but now a tense atmosphere permeated every street corner.
The reason was that Changmu Gate, long the local hegemon of Pingli County, was being overwhelmed by Blood Dragon Gate, which had suddenly swelled its ranks of late.
"...Is this real?"
The Changmu Gate Leader could scarcely believe the paper before his eyes.
It bore the words of Mount Hua Sect's Sect Leader offering aid, stamped with his seal.
"All the righteous sects of Shaanxi are joining forces...? Does that mean Jongnam Sect and Mount Hua Sect as well?"
Cheonhwi nodded at the Changmu Gate Leader, who couldn't hide his shock.
"That's right."
His expression brightened.
With half his gate's members bedridden due to Blood Dragon Gate, Mount Hua Sect's cooperation was like rain in a drought.
"Of course we'll cooperate."
He bit his thumb to draw blood and stamped the paper clearly.
Cheonhwi pocketed the paper and asked,
"Blood Dragon Gate is the problem, right?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go deal with them."
With that, Cheonhwi rose from his chair.
"Y-You're heading to Blood Dragon Gate alone?"
"Where else?"
The Changmu Gate Leader shot to his feet in alarm at Cheonhwi's words.
"I-It'll be dangerous alone. They're not the type to listen to reason. I'll call my disciples right now..."
He spoke urgently.
They had just allied with Mount Hua Sect—what if something happened?
He reached out to stop him.
Swish—
But his hand vanished in an instant before it could touch Cheonhwi.
"What..."
The Changmu Gate Leader stared in a daze.
He hadn't taken his eyes off him, yet he had disappeared like a ghost.
"Am I dreaming?"
As the Changmu Gate Leader struggled to discern dream from reality,
"This the place?"
Cheonhwi, who had emerged outside using Sky-Soaring Steps, arrived at Blood Dragon Gate.
"Figures it's new. Nice and clean."
Compared to Changmu Gate, the gate was quite pristine.
"M-Mount Hua Sect..."
The gate guard, stunned by Cheonhwi's sudden appearance, stammered.
"Is your gate leader inside?"
"Y-Yes."
"Then tell him Mount Hua Sect has arrived."
The moment Cheonhwi finished speaking, the guard bolted inside.
Shortly after.
"Come in."
A middle-aged man emerged with a smile.
'Blood Dragon Gate, huh. Lives up to the name.'
He wore flashy martial robes embroidered with a blood-red dragon.
"You the gate leader?"
The man's eyebrow twitched.
A Mount Hua Daoist, yet utterly lacking courtesy in his speech.
Swallowing his irritation, he forced a smile.
"Haha, yes. And you must be a Daoist from Mount Hua Sect?"
"Yeah."
Cheonhwi replied indifferently.
A vein bulged on the Blood Dragon Gate Leader's forehead at the attitude.
He gulped down his rising anger.
"What brings you here?"
"Just to relay that Mount Hua Sect will be aiding Changmu Gate this time."
The Blood Dragon Gate Leader's face hardened coldly.
"Are you declaring war right now?"
Cheonhwi grinned.
"At least you've got a brain."
"You thought I'd surrender at the mention of Mount Hua Sect?"
The Blood Dragon Gate Leader circulated his internal energy.
'Just a minor disciple at best. No sword sheath either, so not one of the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.'
Having swiftly assessed Cheonhwi upon seeing him, he brimmed with confidence.
Not every Mount Hua Daoist could be a master!
And he had solid backing too.
"This is between our gate and Changmu Gate. Stay out of it."
"So that's a refusal?"
"Obviously."
A smile played on Cheonhwi's lips.
"Perfect. I was getting tired of talking anyway."
"What... Gahk!"
Bam!
Cheonhwi kicked the Blood Dragon Gate Leader.
At that instant.
Krunch!
The gate shattered as he flew through it.
"Now for the rest."
Grinning, Cheonhwi stepped inside.
"What happened?!"
"G-Gate Leader!"
Blood Dragon Gate disciples poured out.
'Roughly at least forty.'
"Ugh... urk."
Then the Blood Dragon Gate Leader, clutching his kicked abdomen, struggled to rise.
"K-Kill that... bastard!"
The disciples gripped their weapons.
Cheonhwi, eyeing them, reached for his sword but let his hand drop.
'Was told not to kill.'
Recalling the Sect Leader's order to refrain from killing, he stomped his foot.
"You first."
Appearing before the Blood Dragon Gate Leader in a flash, Cheonhwi raised his foot toward his abdomen.
And stomped down.
Bam!
"Gahk!"
A dull thud echoed.
Blood sprayed from the Blood Dragon Gate Leader's mouth skyward.
Cheonhwi withdrew his foot, watching him vomit blood-mixed bile, then turned his head.
"What are you waiting for? Come on."
Cheonhwi loosely shook out his hands.
Crack, crack—
The ominous sounds reverberated, filling the disciples with fear.
"If you're not coming, I'll come to you."
Sensing their hesitation, Cheonhwi smirked and unleashed Dark Shadow Throw.
His figure vanished.
Bam! Bam!
"Argh!"
"Gahk!"
"S-Spare... Ack!"
Dull thuds and screams erupted.
Moments later, Cheonhwi retracted his hands and feet.
No one else stood in the courtyard.
"Hm, dead?"
He had held back.
But they were weak opponents.
"Trouble if they're dead."
Cheonhwi glanced down at the fallen, then nudged them with his foot.
"Urk!"
"Gahk!"
Hearing their groans, he nodded.
"Still breathing, good."
Shifting his gaze from them, he stared at the spot where a shadow had formed.
"This should be fine since I didn't kill any, right?"
Then the shadow rippled, and a gruff voice emerged.
"When did you notice?"
"From the moment I arrived."
"...You monster."
With those words, Cheon Ig-ae appeared.
"Why are you here?"
"What kind of question is that? I had the Sect Leader summon you here so I could..."
As Cheon Ig-ae began to speak,
Swish—
Cheonhwi whipped his head around.
Slither—
At the end of his gaze, the fallen Blood Dragon Gate Leader and disciples were rising.
But their appearances were strange.
Their eyes were blood-red, drool dripping from their mouths.
Cheonhwi narrowed his eyes.
'What the hell is that?'
Their looks were odd, but something even more irritating caught his attention.
The unfamiliar energy emanating from their entire bodies in all directions.
"Can such a bizarre energy exist in this world?"