Chapter 209
Chapter 209
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: Blade Dragon Against the Tide
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Peng Zhonghyuk charged toward the Blood River Sect disciples surging in like a tidal wave.
As the young master of the Hebei Peng Clan and the Blade Dragon of the world, he couldn't help but feel a chill run up his spine at the sight of hundreds closing in at once.
Peng Zhonghyuk drew the sword gripped in his hand.
He flinched for a moment at the dynamic rush of their frenzied advance, but his swordsmanship showed no hesitation.
The Heaven-Earth Chain Soul-Seizing Blade blossomed in a brilliant display.
Slash slash slash slash!
The dark sword aura clinging to his blade wove patterns through the air. In a situation where over a dozen pressed in at once.
Using the Ethereal Divine Step, he sliced through the oncoming wave. His feet seemed to hover a mere inch above the ground, light and nimble beyond compare.
Yet unlike his soft and spry footwork, Peng Zhonghyuk's blade was heavy and swift.
The Heaven-Earth Chain Soul-Seizing Blade struck down the enemies without respite.
"Chaaap!"
With a thunderous roar like a lion's, his blade cleaved through the limbs of the Blood River Sect disciples.
Slaaaash!
"Arrrgh!"
"Keurgh!"
"Aaah, aaagh!"
Peng Zhonghyuk moved without restraint.
Each time blade light flashed in the darkness, Blood River Sect disciples crumpled.
It wasn't killing, but subduing.
An exquisite technique that struck pressure points in an instant to neutralize foes.
Far more difficult than simply killing, several times over.
But Peng Zhonghyuk felt no burden at all.
'The blade feels light!'
His body seemed to follow the blade.
Warriors of the Peng Clan slept with blades in their arms from childhood, treating them as part of their own bodies.
To make them feel at ease with the weapon.
But the sensation he felt now was entirely different from that familiarity.
The blade itself seemed to surpass his will and move on its own.
As if it knew where to go and how to swing, his body reacted before thought.
"Hup!"
Peng Zhonghyuk smashed a Blood River Squad warrior aside with a shout.
'Compared to Nangong Hyeok's attacks, this is nothing!'
He had weathered storms; no mere stream like this would topple him!
Tides varied in strength.
How could one call Nangong Hyeok's assaults mere streams?
'A tsunami, a tsunami!'
Peng Zhonghyuk nodded to himself in admiration.
'To think I could change this much in just a few months!'
The him of months ago wouldn't have dreamed of facing this many.
Even if forced into battle, it would have been a grueling ordeal, numbers too daunting.
But now, no burden—not even spare time.
This astonishing change swelled Peng Zhonghyuk's confidence.
'I won't lose!'
Strength surged into Peng Zhonghyuk's forearms.
'Yes! This is me!'
Feeling his martial prowess grow, strength filled his shoulders.
Compared to Nangong Hyeok, let alone Nangong Ryong with his monstrous stamina, or even the Thunder Dragon Squad, he had felt insignificant.
But now, he was free.
And powerful.
Look at those hesitating and fleeing!
Peng Zhonghyuk's pride swelled with each swing.
Boom!
With room to spare in his strikes, his vision cleared.
'What about the others?'
Peng Zhonghyuk glanced sideways while flat-slapping a Blood River Sect disciple's head with the flat of his blade.
Clang! Clang clang!
He saw the Little Sword Princess flaunting her graceful form, silver sword light flickering like butterfly wings...
"These worm-like villains! I'll kill you all!"
Little Sword Princess?
Peng Zhonghyuk's jaw dropped.
"Keurgh!"
"Arrrgh!"
Her eyes rolled back?
The whites of So Hye-yeon's eyes showed prominently through her mask.
"You parasites sucking the people's lifeblood!"
Clang clang clang!
"Arrrgh!"
"Witch!"
"Kill the wench!"
Wow, she turned into a witch in an instant.
The path So Hye-yeon took became a trail of blood.
Meanwhile, Peng Yeon-hwa beside her struck heavy blows one by one.
Boom!
"Preemptive strike!"
"Kuaaaagh!"
"Head out! Head!"
"You crazy bitch!"
"Crazy bitch? I'll make you a eunuch, you eunuch spawn!"
Spurt!
Ah... Father.
Yeon-hwa was performing a groin kick unbecoming of a righteous sect warrior.
'It's getting worse by the day.'
Why did she take after someone like that...
The pure get corrupted by the dark.
Mulling those words...
"What're you dawdling for? Get lost!"
Boom!
Peng Zhonghyuk bashed the head of a clinging Blood River Sect disciple.
Even he, clicking his tongue, was already turning dark.
Around then, the Thunder Dragon Squad burst forward from the front, sweeping through the Blood River Sect disciples.
Jo Cheol-rok's eyes trembled.
"Wh-what the hell are those lunatics!"
Just over forty men were overwhelming hundreds of Blood Shadow Sect disciples.
The Blood Shadow Sect disciples charging with vigor flew back even faster.
Not scarecrows, yet they crumpled and snapped at the slightest touch.
"Haaaah!"
"Block them! Block!"
"Anyone fleeing gets their head chopped! Fight!"
But it was futile.
In the end, Blood River Sect disciples and Taeju Sect Alliance warriors began fleeing one by one.
Even those who moments ago vowed to chop necks and force knees.
This was unforeseen.
To navigate this bewildering situation, some change was needed.
Jo Cheol-rok's eyes scanned the battlefield.
Whoosh!
A fallen torch blazed up, illuminating the fierce clash.
He saw masked figures pushing back the Blood River Sect.
"Take the head!"
Jo Cheol-rok instinctively knew striking the enemy leader would turn the tide.
So, find the leader.
The leader...
"Damn it all! Can't tell who's in charge with everyone blacked out!"
That lanky one sweeping the front lines?
No, that one plastered to his side, spraying cold sword light?
Then.
"Krra ha ha ha! Out of the way, you lot!"
A hulking brute wielding a massive axe swept through Blood Shadow Sect disciples, his booming voice echoing.
His enormous build and aura were truly overwhelming.
Jo Cheol-rok tilted his head at Tak Hyeok-dong.
"That one?"
But right beside him, another similarly burly one rampaged with a sword.
Boom boom!
"Hahaha! This is me at my best!"
His momentum overshadowed the axe-wielder. The weight and presence incomparable.
Jo Cheol-rok's eyes widened.
"That's the one!"
Definitely him.
The Twin-Killing Axe Jo Cheol-rok tensed his neck and launched toward Peng Zhonghyuk.
"You bastard! Hand over your neck willingly!"
Swoooosh!
The Twin-Killing Axe plummeted vertically with power.
Peng Zhonghyuk, confidently pressing foes, widened his eyes.
Tensing at the aura leagues above the rest.
He twisted his blade.
Boom-!
"Urgh!"
"Ngh!"
A deafening roar shook the surroundings as both stepped back.
They eyed each other in shock at the other's power.
"You're no ordinary thief!"
"Thief? A mere fiend dares!"
"Mere fiend? Your filthy tongue oversteps! I'll show you what happens when you wag it carelessly! Chaa!"
Jo Cheol-rok's Twin-Killing Axe whipped through the air.
A frenzied technique. Wielding the heavy axe like chopsticks with freedom.
Unexpectedly light, but Peng Zhonghyuk didn't falter. The Heaven-Earth Chain Soul-Seizing Blade clashed with the Twin-Killing Axe.
Clang! Clang clang clang! Boom!
Roars and blasts rang out as they clashed repeatedly.
Strength filled Jo Cheol-rok's eyes.
"Impressive! Worthy of the head spot! But you're still green!"
Jo Cheol-rok's Twin-Killing Axe changed.
The axe, slashing wildly as if to shred the air, now fell heavy like chopping logs.
The relentless downward chops too fierce and fast to follow.
Swoooosh! Boom! Boom!
Peng Zhonghyuk, blocking with the Heaven-Earth Chain Soul-Seizing Blade, was gradually pushed back.
"Kahaha! Still immature!"
The Twin-Killing Axe Jo Cheol-rok's strikes were truly vicious. A master without peer in the Taeju region.
Occasional feints, killing intent and bluffs made defending a trial for Peng Zhonghyuk.
'What to do?'
Peng Zhonghyuk hesitated against Jo Cheol-rok's skill, no room for half-measures.
But his dilemma didn't last.
'Survive first!'
As Nangong Hyeok said.
Do what you do best.
Of course!
"Die, you fiend scum!"
Peng Zhonghyuk roared and channeled the Mixed Origin Divine Art.
Rumble!
With a heavy echo, the blade soaring high crashed down with force.
Dark sword aura plunged vertically.
Jo Cheol-rok's eyes bulged.
Craaaash! Boooom!
Unable to resist the overwhelming blade aura, Jo Cheol-rok's grip tore open.
Simultaneously, the Twin-Killing Axe shattered, fragments flying everywhere.
The sheer power drew a groan from Jo Cheol-rok.
Slash!
Carving a deep furrow, the massive Jo Cheol-rok slid back.
He glared at Peng Zhonghyuk in disbelief.
"You!"
"How's that!"
"Hebei Peng Clan!"
"Huh?"
What the hell?
How'd he know?
Peng Zhonghyuk's mind tangled for a moment.
"...N-no, I'm not?"
"Don't lie! Only the Mixed Origin Divine Art wields such ferocious blade arts in the world! You filthy, insidious Hebei Peng Clan dog!"
"A mere fiend dares call my clan... no, I'm not Hebei Peng Clan!"
Peng Zhonghyuk's eyes rolled sideways.
"We're Nangong Clan! You dog!"
"...?!"
"Nangong..."
"You bastard, selling out the Nangong Clan?!"
Smack!
Suddenly, Nangong Hyeok burst from the side and unleashed a spinning side kick to Peng Zhonghyuk's face.
"Keurgh!"
Jo Cheol-rok's eyes bulged.
One masked man struck another.
No, more than that—the supposed leader getting smacked by the lanky one made Jo Cheol-rok's eyes twitch.
'Wh-what the hell is that guy?'
Nangong Hyeok bellowed.
"Selling out the Nangong Clan?! The Nangong Clan? After we fed you, housed you, taught you martial arts!"
"It-t's a diversion, diversion..."
"I'll divert your limbs for you! Swap arms and legs?"
Nangong Hyeok grabbed Peng Zhonghyuk's collar and shook.
Peng Zhonghyuk coughed, eyes downcast.
Nangong Hyeok shook Peng Zhonghyuk one-handed while glaring at Jo Cheol-rok.
Madness gleamed in his eyes.
Jo Cheol-rok's dazed gaze fixed on Nangong Hyeok's right hand shaking Peng Zhonghyuk.
The dazed Peng Zhonghyuk's eyes half-rolled back.
"Did you hear?"
"...Y-you're Nangong Clan?!"
"He heard?"
"N-Nangong Clan, why attack us..."
"Haha, fuck."
Nangong Hyeok cracked his neck side to side and unleashed a powerful kick at the stammering Jo Cheol-rok.
Thwack!
"Gu-keurgh!"
His body twisted from the kick to the solar plexus.
Intestines churning.
"Who are we?"
"N-Nangong...!"
"Wow, fiend scum's got a good memory!"
Bang!
"Th-this damn Nangong..."
"Heh heh, keep remembering. Keep it up."
"Thi dog..."
Nangong Hyeok smiled faintly and stomped Jo Cheol-rok like wet laundry.
Thud thud thud thud!
"Nangong Claaaaaaan!"
Pound pound pound pound!
"Arrrgh, you bastard..."
Smack! Smack!
"Dog..."
Smack!
"Spare... mercy, please."
Jo Cheol-rok, face a bloody mess, dangled shaken by Nangong Hyeok's other hand.
"Nangong Clan, yes or no?"
"...B-Black Wind Troop lords, weren't you?"
"Right. We're the Black Wind Troop."
Nangong Hyeok nodded in satisfaction.
Peng Zhonghyuk, collared and dazed on the other side, shook his head.
'...Ah, still a ways to go before I'm fully dyed.'
Wow, rewriting someone's memory.
For a moment, Peng Zhonghyuk pitied the enemy.
Jo Cheol-rok, released from Nangong Hyeok's grip, slumped down.
He stared blankly at the battlefield.
Dazed, utterly dazed.
The Blood River Sect was already a mess.
Blood River Sect disciples and Taeju Alliance warriors groaned, sprawled everywhere.
The demon-like Nangong... no, Black Wind Troop trampled the will-broken foes.
'Why the hell is the Nangong Clan pretending to be Black Wind Troop here?'
Jo Cheol-rok sank into despair, questions swirling.
Nangong Hyeok dusted his hands and looked up.
"Whew, back in the day, I'd have just..."
He trailed off, then whipped his gaze around.
"Clean up quick, you lot!"
"Yes!"
At Nangong Hyeok's command, the Thunder Dragon Squad bustled.
The fight was nearing its end.