Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: The Counteroffensive
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'Looks like Thousand Eyes' intel was spot on.'
Cheonhwi replayed the information that Thousand Eyes had delivered just a few days ago.
The Shenju Four Evils' advance.
And how they were swiftly expanding their influence by wiping out or subjugating the minor sects of Shaanxi.
It was a truly audacious move.
Normally, an advance like this required some justification or ulterior motive.
But their current movements had no reason at all.
They were simply swelling their ranks by gobbling up everything in sight, like greedy beasts devouring whatever was in front of them.
That was why Cheonhwi had smirked the moment he heard the report from Thousand Eyes.
'They think just growing bigger makes them a major sect?'
What good was expanding a sect like that?
It might grow massive, but with a flimsy foundation at its core, it was bound to crumble at any moment.
'No different from a castle in the air.'
That was Cheonhwi's perspective, of course.
Those under attack from the Shenju Four Evils couldn't afford such leisure.
A castle in the air?
Before they could worry about that, their sects had already been reduced to rubble.
Cheonhwi scanned the faces of the Sect Leader seated across the table from him, and the visitors who had come to Mount Hua Sect this time—one by one.
Their expressions were uniformly grave.
Not just their faces, either.
The eyes fixed on the Sect Leader were sunk in gloom.
A faint glimmer of hope flickered there, but it was so dim that it might slip past unnoticed unless you looked closely.
Meanwhile, the Sect Leader, who had read the anxiety in their eyes just as Cheonhwi had, closed his eyes briefly before opening them and speaking.
"You've all been through a lot."
All eyes turned to the Sect Leader.
Seeing his gentle gaze paired with profound depth in his eyes seemed to calm the boiling rage within them.
"I can only imagine the torment you've endured from those vicious Shenju Four Evils. If any of you have suffered grievous wounds, bring them here to our sect. I may not be able to offer much, but we can at least provide treatment and protection."
The listeners' eyes widened.
Their greatest worry right now was none other than the safety of their disciples and families.
And here was the Sect Leader addressing it as if he'd read their minds.
The deep-seated anxiety in their hearts washed away like it had never been there.
"Thank you."
"...We are grateful."
As they bowed deeply in thanks, the Sect Leader smiled faintly.
That smile seemed to soothe their wounded hearts.
"More importantly, I've heard you wish to join forces with our sect. Is that true?"
Their expressions stiffened slightly.
Soon, they nodded one by one, their eyes gleaming.
"Yes."
The Jinmu Pavilion Leader spoke on their behalf.
'Wow, they've got some thick skin.'
Cheonhwi was dumbfounded as he watched them.
'Join forces? They just want to borrow Mount Hua Sect's power.'
It was laughable.
Their current forces probably consisted mostly of the people gathered here.
Even giving them the benefit of the doubt, they might have a few more disciples, but that was as meaningless as adding a single ladle of water to the ocean.
Their strength wouldn't be of any real help to Mount Hua Sect.
The reason they'd come was obvious.
Revenge.
But too embarrassed to say it outright, they cloaked it in lofty ideals about defending Shaanxi to borrow Mount Hua's might.
'The Sect Leader seems to know more about that than I do.'
He glanced at the Sect Leader.
Beneath those smiling eyes lurked a cold, chilling gaze sweeping over them.
It was a look of utter composure.
But it vanished in an instant, replaced once more by profound warmth.
"Very well."
The Sect Leader spoke in a gentle tone.
At those words, bright smiles bloomed on the faces of everyone seated.
"With the Great Mount Hua Sect on our side, even the Shenju Four Evils won't dare move."
"As expected of Mount Hua!"
They buzzed with excitement, praising Mount Hua effusively.
"So, what shall we do?"
A hush fell over the room.
They had rushed to Mount Hua without thinking of a plan, and now they sweated nervously, mouths shut.
"If you haven't devised a strategy yet, would it be acceptable for our sect to propose one?"
The Sect Leader said softly.
"Please do!"
"We will follow Mount Hua Sect's lead."
Answers came as if they'd been waiting, and the Sect Leader's lips curved in a faint smile.
Then he turned to Cheonhwi.
"What would you do?"
"I'd attack right now."
"...Wouldn't that be risky?"
"Doesn't seem like it."
Cheonhwi turned his head as he spoke.
"From what I've heard, these Shenju Four Evils or whatever are scattering everywhere to expand. That right?"
He looked around, and most seemed taken aback.
Not just his unrefined speech for a Daoist, but the casual way he dismissed the dreaded Shenju Four Evils.
The Jinmu Pavilion Leader recovered first and nodded.
"That's correct. The Shenju Four Evils are currently spreading out in all directions, operating separately to expand their territory."
Cheonhwi grinned.
"Wouldn't it be easier to deal with them when their forces are dispersed like that, rather than all clumped together?"
"Hah, but even scattered, each of them is incredibly strong."
The Jinmu Pavilion Leader bit his lip.
He too had once dismissed them as mere unorthodox riffraff despite the name.
But their skills were too formidable and organized for common thugs.
It was a mystery how they'd stayed under the radar this long.
The others chimed in agreement.
"The Pavilion Leader is right. They're not to be taken lightly."
"They're no ordinary foes. You can't call them mere unorthodox scum."
Cheonhwi snorted.
"They're all the same in the end. Besides, if we hem and haw, they'll push their advance even harder. By then, it'll be too late."
"Hm..."
As murmurs of contemplation filled the air,
"Sect Leader!"
A loud shout echoed from afar.
All eyes turned that way.
Jeokun was sprinting toward them from the end of the hill, his face ashen white.
Sensing trouble from his pallor, the Sect Leader spoke.
"What happened?"
"Th-the Shenju Four Evils are attacking our affiliated secular sects!"
Cheonhwi chuckled softly.
"See? What did I tell you?"
The Sect Leader frowned.
But only for a moment. He met Cheonhwi's gaze and murmured lowly.
"...What will you do?"
"Chase down those Shenju Four Evils bastards and crush them."
"Is it feasible?"
"Yes."
The Sect Leader pondered briefly, closing then opening his eyes.
"I'll leave this matter to you."
Several sect leaders present gasped at the bold declaration.
"I've been waiting for you to say that."
Cheonhwi shot to his feet.
And shortly after.
Mount Hua disciples lined up at the sect gates.
Standing firm like rocks, they tensed as they faced the Sect Leader before them.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes!"
A resounding reply echoed across Mount Hua.
The Sect Leader's eyes settled on his disciples, brimming with resolve.
"You already know the news."
Tension thickened the air.
"Not content with routing our sect before, the Shenju Four Evils have now laid hands on our affiliated secular sects."
The disciples' eyes widened fiercely.
The words "routed" and "Shenju Four Evils" had ignited them.
The Sect Leader continued.
"This may well be the final battle between them and our sect."
The weight of tension crushed down on them.
They'd anticipated it, but hearing it from the Sect Leader made it feel fresh and real.
Silence fell.
In the utter stillness, not even breaths audible, the Sect Leader surveyed his disciples.
They held their breath, but their eyes burned with unconcealed fighting spirit.
Especially the Plum Blossom Sword Guards—theirs was exceptional.
As if recalling the day of their defeat, their gazes were ferocious.
The Sect Leader stepped back slightly.
"Listen to the Strike Force Commander in charge of this mission for the rest."
Cheonhwi stepped forward.
"This is the Strike Force's first mission."
His tone was utterly calm.
But the disciples—no, the three Strike Forces—steeled their eyes.
"We'll split into two groups. Shadow Sword Unit and Flame Spirit Unit come with me. No Flower Unit, you guard Mount Hua."
The disciples' faces grew solemn.
Cheonhwi addressed them.
"You two units, follow close."
Cheonhwi kicked off the ground.
Taat!
Unlike the light sound, his form exploded forward. Watching him streak across the earth like an arrow, the disciples hardened their resolve.
And moved as one.
Taat!
Dirt scattered everywhere.
Soon, dust clouds billowed thickly, and before long, everyone except the Sect Leader and No Flower Unit had vanished from the gates.
The Sect Leader whispered to the now-invisible Cheonhwi and disciples.
"...Return safely."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Blossom Escort Agency was a well-known outfit in Shaanxi, founded by Han Yuseong, a secular disciple of Mount Hua Sect.
Not only the agency head Han Yuseong, but many of the escort leaders and escorts were Mount Hua alumni.
This close tie to Mount Hua had earned it near-affiliated sect status, building great trust in the martial world and fueling rapid growth.
But now, a band of ruffians had appeared at the agency's main gate and were attacking.
"Gah!"
"L-Leader..."
As escorts and defenders fell to the assailants, Han Yuseong ground his teeth and bellowed.
"Who are you, and why target our agency?!"
Then.
"Because you rejected our offer."
A voice replied.
It was a chilling tone that sent shivers down the spine.
Han Yuseong and the agency's escorts turned toward the source.
A soft-featured man approached with hands behind his back.
Han Yuseong's eyes narrowed.
"Rejected? What are you talking about?"
"Have you forgotten already?"
The man smiled faintly.
"We told you to abandon Mount Hua and pledge loyalty to our valley. Tsk. And you refused."
"Y-You mean... S-Sayu Valley?"
"Indeed."
The man confirmed calmly.
"You're insane. Attacking our agency like this—Mount Hua won't stand for it!"
"How obvious."
The man's smile deepened.
"After making such a spectacle, if they stay silent, can they even call themselves a sect of the martial world?"
Han Yuseong's eyes trembled.
Not from fear.
Rather, it was a smile of eager anticipation.
"...You targeted us from the start?"
"Good that you've realized it, even if late."
The man wiped away his smile.
A vicious killing intent poured forth.
"Kuh!"
Han Yuseong's face paled.
But he didn't waver.
He couldn't.
He had to show the chief escort and escorts fighting these thugs that he wouldn't yield.
Han Yuseong drew a deep breath.
Infusing his sword with Plum Blossom Qi Art, his eyes gleamed.
"We won't go down easy."
"Gutsy. But you know what they say in the martial world? Guts require matching skill."
The man grinned and drew the saber at his waist.
The exposed blade was grotesquely serrated at the tip, like a beast's teeth.
'A s-sawtooth blade?!'
"Yours falls short of your bravado."
Hwaaak!
Even more overt killing intent stabbed at Han Yuseong's entire body.
"Die cleanly."
The man twisted his face and charged.
Taat!
His form shot like lightning, closing the gap in an instant.
"...!"
Han Yuseong gritted his teeth at the man's warped face suddenly before him and raised his sword.
Kaaang!
He barely blocked.
"Guh!"
But the intense force and weight on the sawtooth blade threatened to shatter his sword and cleave him.
As the man pressed harder,
Kiikiki—
A grating noise erupted.
The sawtooth blade bore down, its jagged edge slowly grinding into Han Yuseong's blade.
"Kuhk!"
Pushed back by the man's strength, the sword neared his face, sharp sword energy jabbing threateningly.
"You're holding up better than expected. But you think that's all I've got?"
"What...?!"
The man's aura exploded.
As if everything before was nothing, an overwhelming force crushed down on the sword.
"...?!"
Han Yuseong's body lurched violently.
His feet sank three inches into the dirt, his face contorted beyond recognition.
Soon, even his knees buckled.
'Am I... dying like this?'
Despair clouded Han Yuseong's eyes after experiencing the vast skill gap in moments.
Meanwhile, the sawtooth blade drew closer.
Just as it aimed to split him from the crown,
Whoosh—
Something pitch-black appeared.
Faster than light, the black blur struck the man's face.
Pak!
The man spun through the air without a scream, crashing to the ground and convulsing.
"Man, you've really stirred up a mess."
At the sudden voice, Han Yuseong turned—and his eyes widened.
A young man in Mount Hua robes stood there, sword sheath slung over his shoulder.
His arrogant expression and demeanor didn't suit a Daoist.
But Han Yuseong didn't find it odd. If anything, it fit perfectly.
Then the young man—Cheonhwi—spoke.
"Alright, time to start the mission."
No sooner had he said it,
Pababat!
Mount Hua Daoists vaulted the walls with astonishing lightness skills.
"...?!"
"M-Mount Hua?!"