Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Demon's Overwhelming Presence
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Tak.
Cheonhwi, who had sheathed his sword, scanned his surroundings.
Scattered across the blood-soaked dirt ground were the bisected corpse of So Yeon-gang and other mutilated bodies.
"Now, only those guys are left."
Cheonhwi took a light step forward.
The sticky blood clinging to the soles of his shoes pulled away slowly with a wet smack.
After walking a short distance like that...
Kaang!
A sharp clash of metal rang out.
"Oh ho. Still fighting, huh?"
Cheonhwi twisted his lips.
Soon, the Hwaryeong Squad came into view, locked in a fierce battle against the charging Black Shadow Squad.
"Unexpected. I thought they'd collapse right away."
It was better resistance than anticipated.
But...
"Still, it's only a matter of time. They're holding with the Hwaryeong Sword Formation, but they've hit their limit."
Cheonhwi sat down on a nearby rock, eyes fixed on the scene.
Everyone's condition was poor.
Their uniforms were torn in places, unrecognizable from their original form, and gradually staining red with blood.
In contrast, the Black Shadow Squad members...
They had minor scratches, but were otherwise no different from the start.
Anyone could see the Hwaryeong Squad was on the verge of defeat.
"Might as well watch. True worth shows in situations like this."
As Cheonhwi's eyes turned cold...
One of the Black Shadow Squad members charged at Cheonhyang.
Kwaaang!
Cheonhyang's body swayed violently as she blocked the surprise attack.
Strong!
Anxiousness flickered across her face.
They were different from any enemies she'd faced before.
Not just individual skill, but their organized movements too.
Everything held the advantage.
If they hadn't deployed the Hwaryeong Sword Formation, she might already be a cold corpse on the ground.
As she bit her lip...
"Agh!"
A scream pierced her ears.
Turning her head, she saw a Hwaryeong Squad member clutching their shoulder.
The fourth serious injury already.
This is dangerous.
Darkness shadowed her face.
Under the relentless Black Shadow Squad assault, they were slowly crumbling.
If only Junior Brother were here...
Cheonhyang frowned at the sudden thought and shook her head.
I can't rely on Junior Brother forever.
Kwak!
Her grip tightened involuntarily.
As squad leader, she had to make the call.
Better to go down fighting than die helplessly...
Cheonhyang, dodging the swords of Black Shadow Squad members clad in black storm cloaks by a hair's breadth, shouted loudly.
"Take the third form!"
No response came.
But everyone had heard.
Jeobeok!
They stomped the ground in unison.
Stepping into formation, the Hwaryeong Squad executed the Five Elements Plum Blossom Step for the first time since the Black Shadow Squad's intrusion—not defending, but attacking.
Tadadak!
The Black Shadow Squad members, facing the now-aggressive Hwaryeong Squad, curled their lips in eerie smirks.
These guys who'd only retreated while on the defensive were now coming at them...
Like prey walking right up to the hunter.
Soon, the Black Shadow Squad swung their swords, laden with murky black sword qi, like lightning from above.
Hwiik!
Swords slashed down cleanly from above without waste, targeting the Hwaryeong Squad.
Cheonhyang raised her sword high.
And blocked their attack.
Kwaang!
The sword that parried the blow vibrated.
The immense unresolved internal energy flowed through the blade, stinging her hands.
"Kuh."
A short groan escaped.
Her sword-gripping hands trembled faintly, her lower body weakened, legs nearly giving way.
But she didn't waver.
Instead, she flicked her wrist slightly.
Her sword, deflecting the clashing blade aside, shot forward sharply.
A small plum blossom bloomed in an instant.
The Black Shadow Squad member instinctively arched his back upon seeing it.
But that was a grave mistake.
Because Cheonhyang poured power into her thrusting sword, slamming it down flatly from above.
"...!"
Seeing the sword plunging down, the Black Shadow Squad member desperately tried to twist away, but the blade was already upon him.
Keuk!
Hot blood sprayed soon after.
The Black Shadow Squad member, precisely slashed across the chest, eyes bulging, collapsed.
Teolkeong.
The first casualty in this protracted bloodbath.
The Black Shadow Squad, never expecting their first loss, stared at the corpse in shock.
But only for a moment.
"Kill her."
Killing intent bloomed in their eyes.
They gripped their swords tighter and charged at Cheonhyang simultaneously.
A cold calculation.
Any group loses morale without its leader.
From then on, the Black Shadow Squad relentlessly targeted Cheonhyang, the current Hwaryeong Squad's core.
Kkaak!
Cheonhyang read their intent and gritted her teeth.
The key to the linked formation was synchronized internal energy. A single misalignment spelled danger.
Thus, the most crucial figure was the formation leader.
Herself.
I can't fall! If I do...
Images of Hwaryeong Squad members collapsing as cold corpses flashed through her mind.
I have to endure! As long as I...
Cheonhyang gritted her teeth, staring at the swords before her.
The densely packed blades allowed no gaps.
What do I do...?!
Her eyes trembled.
At a loss with no escape in sight, that's when...
That's all I have!
Recalling the footwork Cheonhwi had taught her once, which she'd practiced diligently every day, she stepped forward with her left foot.
Seuk—
At the same time, her hands moved fluidly, like a dance.
A dance...?
She's lost it.
The Black Shadow Squad members narrowed their eyes.
An out-of-place dance.
Some smirked chillingly, thinking she'd gone mad in the face of death.
But those smirks didn't last.
Seureuk—
Cheonhyang's movements shifted slowly.
Deep like a swamp, soft like water.
Vigorous like fire, swift like thunder.
Shifting like wind, steadfast like a mountain.
In the blink of an eye, her footwork grew varied, then she blurred.
Hwiik!
The swords sliced empty air futilely.
"...?!"
"What the—!"
"Squad Leader?!"
Not just them—the Hwaryeong Squad gasped at the astonishing technique.
"As expected, life-or-death crises bring out superhuman feats."
Cheonhwi, the spectator, twisted his lips.
An imperfect manifestation of Jade Ring Wondrous Step, infused with its essence.
A realm no one else in the current Mount Hua Sect could achieve besides himself.
But she's kept training, huh.
He'd taught it only once.
Yet what she displayed now was a level unattainable without persistent practice.
"Good."
Cheonhwi grinned.
More satisfying than expected.
This should be enough. Abandoning defense for bold offense when cornered was smart too.
Most would shrink back further when pushed.
But she ordered a charge.
A decision few could make.
And the Hwaryeong Squad obeyed that hard command, pressing the attack relentlessly.
Even as deeper wounds marred their bodies.
Her warrior's mindset is now perfect.
Of course, there were shortcomings.
But I see hope.
As Cheonhwi rose...
"We won't lose!"
Cheonhyang swung her sword fluidly.
Plum blossoms bloomed instantly, enveloping the Black Shadow Squad along her sword's path.
Kaang! Kaang!
The Black Shadow Squad members were flung back.
"Kuh!"
"Guk!"
Internal injuries made them spit blood as they flew, brows furrowing deeply.
No ordinary skill.
Not just internal energy, but that mysterious footwork moments ago.
A realm far beyond average later-generation disciples.
The Black Shadow Squad members shook their throbbing wrists, nerves on edge.
Meanwhile, having temporarily repelled them, Cheonhyang clutched her mouth.
For a moment.
"Euk!"
She soon vomited a bowlful of blood.
"Squad Leader!"
The Hwaryeong Squad rushed to support her, but she raised a hand to stop them.
"I-I'm... fine."
Cheonhyang wiped the blood with her sleeve.
Internal injury...
Her face twisted, staring at the dark blood on her sleeve.
The backlash from forcibly drawing up her remaining internal energy for Jade Ring Wondrous Step was immense.
But I saved our lives thanks to it.
She lifted her bowed head.
Brushing back her disheveled hair, she eyed the Black Shadow Squad ahead.
They looked shocked too, but were calmly reforming ranks.
Not over yet.
She swallowed back the rising blood and organ bits by force.
As she reached tremblingly for her sword again...
"People only grow stronger when pushed to the brink."
A voice full of amusement rang out.
"Junior Brother...?"
"Martial Uncle!"
Cheonhyang and the Hwaryeong Squad's faces lit up.
In contrast, shock and dismay filled the Black Shadow Squad's.
"H-how are you here...?"
"Why can't I be?"
Cheonhwi smirked at their wide-eyed stares.
"Now, just you bastards left."
The Black Shadow Squad flinched.
The worst had happened.
Even united, they couldn't guarantee mutual destruction against their leader.
Against the expert who'd beaten him?
No chance.
They immediately exchanged glances, seeking escape.
After a moment, they turned toward the anxious escorts and merchants behind.
Tat!
Without a word, they kicked off simultaneously toward the carriages.
"What...!"
"Gasp!"
The escorts drew swords in panic, but...
Chaeang!
Futile.
The charging Black Shadow Squad knocked aside their swords, herding them toward the carriages.
"You bastards!"
The nearest expert, Cheon Yi-gae, unleashed Lotus Palm to repel some, but...
Peok! Peok!
"Damn it...!"
He couldn't block them all alone.
Cheon Yi-gae retreated, and the Black Shadow Squad seized the carriages.
"What is this!"
As Cheon Yi-gae barely escaped with some merchants and escorts...
Seuk—
The Black Shadow Squad pressed blades to their throats.
"Hiiik!"
"Gasp!"
Faces paling in terror at the sharp edges...
"Have you no warrior's pride!"
Cheon Yi-gae bellowed.
But they ignored it.
"How about a deal?"
One Black Shadow Squad member glared coldly at Cheonhwi and spoke.
"Let us go, and we spare them."
The Hwaryeong Squad bristled.
"What treachery!"
"Is this the way of warriors!"
But they showed no reaction.
Instead, they pressed the blades closer to the hostages' throats.
"What nonsense."
Cheonhwi chuckled.
His laugh amid the tense standoff bewildered friend and foe alike.
"You tried to slaughter everyone unilaterally. Now that death looms, you grab hostages for a trade?"
Cheonhwi's amusement vanished.
"Crazy bastards."
In an instant, his aura shifted.
Sharp and icy cold.
Just facing it stung the skin; the Black Shadow Squad recoiled.
"E-even if these die..."
"Try it."
Cheonhwi's eyes blazed.
Their bodies froze.
Overwhelmed by the intense presence and aura hidden in that gaze.
Cheonhwi raised his index finger.
"But you won't die easy."
His pointing finger shook their eyes like an earthquake.
"W-what do you..."
As one stammered...
Beonjjeok!
A red flash shot from Cheonhwi's finger, vanishing swiftly.
And moments later...
Seureuk—
The pierced Black Shadow Squad member collapsed limply.
Finger technique?!
His forehead bore a vivid, eerie plum blossom mark, bleeding profusely, eyes wide in death.
"Damn! Everyone, run—"
Panicked by the sudden turn, they tried slashing the hostages' throats.
But...
"...!"
Their hands wouldn't move.
As if iron chains bound their hands—no, their entire bodies.
As bewilderment burst forth...
Jeobeok— Jeobeok—
Quiet footsteps approached.
Cheonhwi walked from the front.
Slowly, leisurely.
Terror began clouding the Black Shadow Squad's eyes as they watched.
They realized it.
The one binding them was none other than the approaching Cheonhwi.
"Uh, uuh..."
Shaking like aspen leaves, they dropped their swords and slumped.
Cheonhwi stood before them.
"Think you can kill me like that?"
With those words, he slowly lowered his half-lidded eyes.
His pitch-black pupils, like the abyss, engulfed them.
N-not human!
No one like that can exist...
Their teeth chattered.
A colossal presence crushed them.
The Absolute Heavenly Demon's presence, who had dominated the Nine Provinces and Eight Directions!
As their minds blanked white under it...
Peoeok!
Cheon Yi-gae, popping up from behind, struck their napes in sequence, knocking them out instantly.
Cheonhwi stared at him in disbelief.
"What?"
"R-retract... that... aura..."
Gasping heavily, Cheon Yi-gae gestured behind with his eyes.
Following his gaze, Cheonhwi shrugged.
Too much?
Not just escorts and merchants—even the Hwaryeong Squad was pale-faced.
Cheonhwi withdrew his aura instantly.
In less than a breath, he turned, speaking.
"I'll leave the cleanup to you."
His presence gone, Cheon Yi-gae's face eased as he caught his breath.
"Hoo, where to now?"
"Gotta collect what's mine, right?"
Grinning, Cheonhwi approached the bandits who'd been watching breathlessly.
"Hep!"
"Gasp!"
The bandits sweated profusely, drenched like after rain, trembling at Cheonhwi.
Seeu—
Cheonhwi bared white teeth.
"Guide me to the North Heng Stronghold."