Chapter 284
Chapter 284
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 284
Chapter Title: The Holy War of Emei Begins
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The day after arriving at the Emei Sect.
Cheonhwi rose early from his bed and opened the window by the sill.
Perhaps because it was a room on the fourth floor.
His view opened up wide.
As he gazed at the lightly falling snowflakes, Cheonhwi's eyes dropped downward at the vigorous shouts rising from below.
"Hah!"
"Heup!"
The Extermination Squad members were pushing their training hard, exhaling their energy with full force.
Their clothes were soaked with sweat, as if they had been at it for quite some time.
At that moment, Cheonhwi let out a chuckle.
"They're tense, really tense."
He could tell at a glance.
Their movements with their respective weapons or fists were stiff and rigid.
Tension was shrinking their bodies.
No matter how successfully they had crushed the Red Tiger Hall and Blood Rain Sword Clan, the war about to unfold was on a different scale altogether.
Facing two thousand elites of the Evil-Black Alliance was no easy task.
"More importantly, they should be here any moment now..."
Just then, Cheonhwi's gaze whipped around.
A white flame shot high into the sky, emitting its light.
It was a beacon arrow.
A signal from one of those stationed and waiting at various points around Mount Emei.
"They're here."
Cheonhwi's eyes curved.
It was time to move.
Turning his body, Cheonhwi grabbed the two swords hanging on one side and stepped out.
Descending from the building in one bound, he smiled faintly at the Extermination Squad members staring blankly at the beacon arrow.
"All set?"
At his question, the Extermination Squad inhaled deeply in unison, then responded vigorously.
"We're ready!"
"Yes!"
With their replies, they donned the pure white fluttering robes set aside.
It was a bold and swift preparation.
They then lined up before Cheonhwi, hands behind their backs, awaiting orders.
Cheonhwi grinned at the sight.
Perhaps thanks to the adjustments he had given each one starting with Danri Gancheon.
They all had their wits sharply about them.
Now they look like a proper unit.
Erasing his smile, Cheonhwi swept his gaze over them one by one before speaking in a low voice.
"Everyone remembers the mission I explained yesterday, right?"
The squad members nodded in unison at his question.
It was what Cheonhwi had explained while giving Danri Gancheon a good thrashing.
How could they forget?
Seeing their nods, Cheonhwi slowly turned his body and spoke.
"Alright, then. Let's go carry out the mission."
As Cheonhwi stepped forward, the Extermination Squad followed behind.
At that moment.
Those who had seen the beacon arrow, just like Cheonhwi, gathered at the mountain gate of Bokho Temple.
Their number was about seven hundred.
Even accounting for those who had evacuated with the young disciples, it was a considerable force.
It was thanks to the help from the Qingcheng Sect Taoists, nearby righteous faction members, and warriors from the Murim Alliance's Sichuan branch.
Yet despite this sizable gathering, they broke out in cold sweats at the sight unfolding below the mountain.
Warriors emanating a chilling aura were surging up the mountain path like waves, their numbers too vast to count.
The red-robed ones and the black-robed ones moved like crimson waves and black waves crashing simultaneously, creating an illusion of the sea in turmoil.
"Amitabha."
"I didn't expect this many."
"So many..."
The onlookers gasped.
Even their hastily scraped-together numbers paled instantly against the Evil-Black Alliance warriors climbing the mountain path.
"To think this could happen..."
One Emei Sect disciple let out a sigh and tightly closed his eyes.
It was an unprecedented, outlandish event.
Mount Emei was Emei Sect territory.
Unorthodox warriors, black path ruffians, and vagrants alike dared not set foot here.
Yet now, unorthodox fighters were swarming in.
And in numbers enough to fully block the vast mountain paths of Mount Emei.
These weren't just any unorthodox rabble, either.
The killing intent and morale settling over Mount Emei.
It was a different league from the lucky black path vagrants who had merely picked up some unorthodox martial arts.
"...Can we win?"
"This is dangerous."
As seeds of anxiety began to sprout.
Abbess So-un Sat-ae raised the Six Cycle Rings in her hand and lightly slammed it into the ground.
Ting.
The bell's chime spread in all directions.
The softly resonating sound enveloped them in a warm aura, like a mother's embrace.
Stabilizing the shaken group in an instant, Abbess So-un Sat-ae spoke.
"Those who wish to leave, do so now."
It was gentle advice.
But.
"What do you mean by that?"
"We've come prepared to die to help."
"Infinite Blessings. Please retract those words, Sect Leader."
The warriors refused.
All gathered here had staked their lives to aid Emei Sect.
Abbess So-un Sat-ae bowed her head briefly in silence at their response.
"...Thank you."
"Sect Leader!"
The Emei Sect disciples paled.
Not just them.
The aiding warriors were equally stunned by the Sect Leader bowing her head—a shocking breach of protocol.
"No need to go that far."
"Please raise your head."
Yet Abbess So-un Sat-ae proceeded nonchalantly amid the uproar.
She knew better than anyone how hard it was to risk one's life for another sect.
"I won't forget this grace."
Smiles spread across the lips of the aiding warriors at her sincere words.
Abbess So-un Sat-ae slowly took them in with her eyes.
They were benefactors.
People we must never forget.
As she memorized their faces, she suddenly noticed something odd.
The Extermination Squad was missing.
They've already moved out.
But she soon smiled inwardly.
She had tasked the Extermination Squad with protecting and evacuating the young disciples.
Since they hadn't returned even now, they must have left together.
Relief washed over her.
Soon, with her mind settled, Abbess So-un Sat-ae thrust the Six Cycle Rings high into the sky.
And.
"Disciples! Open the precept against killing!"
She roared thunderously.
The lion's roar infused with dharma power shook the mountain gate of Bokho Temple violently.
The war for Emei Sect's survival.
The Emei Holy War had begun.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "A beacon?"
"Must be some rats nearby."
"Idiots. Wasting effort on nonsense."
The beacon arrow shooting into the sky was visible to all in the Evil-Black Alliance.
But they brushed it off indifferently.
More precisely, they didn't care.
It would have been stranger not to be spotted leading two thousand men.
Meanwhile, a group traveling somewhat separated on the far left flank of the two thousand-strong army frowned at the beacon but quieted upon seeing the others' reactions.
Their attire was unique.
Some wore pitch-black uniforms from head to toe, while others had dangling ornaments all over their bodies.
Even their weapons varied wildly.
From nothing at all to heavy maces, unwieldy axes, twisted curved swords, and those carrying linked swords.
At a glance, they stood out from the Evil-Black Alliance elites—the red-robed Blood Shadow Squad and black-robed Ghost Shadow Squad.
It was only natural.
They were unaffiliated unorthodox warriors tagging along to gain fame in this campaign.
"What a sight."
A heavy voice emerged from among them.
It came from a fierce-looking man with a long sword scar across his forehead.
Red Yang Sect Leader Chu Geon.
Leader of one minor faction among the many under the Evil-Black Alliance banner.
He had brought fifty disciples to join the war and clicked his tongue at the spectacle before him.
It was truly overwhelming.
Mount Emei's paths were packed with people, each brimming with killing intent and morale.
A genuinely massive army.
A grin spread across his lips.
"No way we lose like this."
He was certain of victory.
This was no ordinary force.
Two thousand Evil-Black Alliance elites gathered to annihilate Emei Sect.
Led by the renowned Blood Shadow and Ghost Shadow Squads, no less.
Not even one of the Nine Great Sects like Emei could stand against it.
As his smile deepened just from looking around.
Whoosh.
Suddenly, a beautiful young man appeared in the air and landed lightly before them.
It felt like a dream.
"...What?"
"Huh?"
Chu Geon and those around him stared dumbfounded at the sudden arrival.
"Plum blossoms?!"
"Mount Hua Sect!"
A few shouted in alarm.
They recognized the emblem on the young man's sleeve.
Plum blossoms.
The Mount Hua Sect symbol, more famous than anywhere in the current martial world. And with it, a certain Taoist nickname flashed in their minds.
The very one who had spread Mount Hua's fame far and wide.
"Plum Blossom Divine Knight...?"
As Chu Geon murmured through his lips.
"Oh? Now you recognize me without asking."
The beautiful young man—Cheonhwi—replied curtly.
Chaos erupted at his confirming words.
"The Plum Blossom Divine Knight is here?!"
"Crazy!"
Terror filled their eyes.
They had heard the rumors of the Plum Blossom Divine Knight until their ears bled.
The absolute master who felled the Bandit King.
An impossible opponent for them.
As some began to back away stealthily.
"What an idiot."
Chu Geon spoke, eyeing Cheonhwi.
His demeanor and tone showed no intimidation whatsoever.
"Daring to charge alone into this army? No brains to match the skill?"
Not stopping there, Chu Geon added sharply with smug confidence.
No matter how renowned the Plum Blossom Divine Knight, they were two thousand strong.
No master could face that alone.
Smiles crept onto the faces of those trembling in fear.
"Red Yang Sect Leader is right."
"Tsk tsk, heard the rumors, but he's dumber than he is skilled."
"Walking right into the tiger's maw. Must be suicidal."
Regaining their momentum, they drew their weapons.
A motley array of strange arms rose sharply, all aimed at Cheonhwi.
Accompanied by fierce killing intent.
"This is a novel experience."
As if the situation amused him, a smile spread across Cheonhwi's lips.
Sching—
Then Chu Geon drew his sword and declared.
"A once-in-a-lifetime chance to kill the Plum Blossom Divine Knight!"
His shout lit fire in their eyes.
Performing in the Emei war was one thing, but killing the Plum Blossom Divine Knight?
And claiming the glory themselves?
Fame would skyrocket.
Greed sparked in their eyes as they charged en masse.
Amid them, Chu Geon smirked inwardly.
Wait till he's worn out.
His goal was Cheonhwi's head.
No need to rush in first.
Slowly, patiently.
Wait for the opening.
I just need to land the killing blow.
Chu Geon circulated his qi, gazing at the charging warriors.
Preparing for the final strike.
Wind stirred at his feet.
The manifestation of Red Yang Qi Art.
His inner energy at its peak billowed his red robe dramatically.
A solemn, threatening presence.
The moment he locked eyes on Cheonhwi.
"...!"
He froze.
The smile had vanished. Beneath arched brows with upturned ends, eyes faintly glowing red stared straight back.
Utterly indifferent to the approaching warriors.
Arrogant, even.
Then Cheonhwi twisted his lips.
A clear sneer.
Slowly, his twisted red lips parted.
"Extermination Squad."
Whoosh!
The moment the word fell, dozens of figures appeared behind him, shooting like arrows at the charging unorthodox warriors.
Tremendously fast.
They soon collided.
Thud! Crack! Slash!
"Gahk!"
"Keurk!"
Miserable sounds erupted everywhere.
Some flew back helplessly, others had throats slit and perished instantly, and some had chests caved in.
The result in an instant.
A clash too brief for long screams.
The unorthodox warriors targeting Cheonhwi recoiled in panic.
"What!"
"When did reinforcements..."
Their eyes shook.
The newcomers all wore pure white fluttering robes pulled low, exposing only eyes, radiating sharp auras.
Chilling to behold.
Then Cheonhwi lowered his gaze.
Looking down on them all.
An utterly transcendent demeanor.
Yet no one questioned it.
It suited him perfectly, as if it were only natural.
A low command followed.
"Wipe them all out."
