Chapter 293
Chapter 293
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 296
Chapter Title: Against Five Hundred
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Around the Heavenly Pavilion, experts from the Jiangxi martial world, led by the White Cloud Sword Sect, formed a vast circle.
Their numbers surpassed five hundred.
The low breaths they exhaled even gave the illusion that the Heavenly Pavilion itself was trembling.
It was an overwhelming presence and pressure.
Among them, the killing intent radiating from the White Cloud Sword Sect experts and the White Blood Corps at the forefront was unparalleled.
They glared at Namgung Hyeok with bloodshot eyes, as if he were their mortal enemy.
The killing intent from hundreds poured toward Namgung Hyeok.
Tension and fear crept across the faces of those standing around him.
They instinctively realized that each one was an expert not to be underestimated.
People's gazes involuntarily turned forward.
Namgung Hyeok had drawn his demon sword and taken a step ahead.
In this situation where even the smallest sound rang like thunder, his footfall felt as heavy as a mountain moving.
However, with the enemies before them so vast and enormous, his step merely seemed insignificant.
Flames ignited in the eyes of the White Cloud Sword Sect and the other foes.
Killing intent surged violently, amplifying.
They emanated a threatening rumble, as if they would tear him to shreds the moment he took another step.
Chiiiii.
A grating noise burst forth, stinging the ears.
Paeng Jung-hyeok's gaze wavered as it followed Namgung Hyeok.
Right, that's what Namgung Hyeok was like.
A reckless madman charging blindly forward to the point of seeming insane.
But the funny thing was, that guy never came out on the losing end.
So he must see a path to victory in this fight, too.
Paeng Jung-hyeok gripped his sword.
Namgung Ryong and the Thunder Dragon Squad's three already had their weapons drawn, following behind him.
Before he could even think it through, they had moved first.
A strange feeling arose, but Paeng Jung-hyeok stopped dwelling on it.
The more he thought, the weirder Namgung Hyeok and those guys seemed.
Dang Myeong-jin swallowed dryly.
“……Damn. Did they drag in every bastard around?”
What kind of guts did it take?
No matter how strong Namgung Hyeok was, no matter how well-organized the Thunder Dragon Squad, wasn't that number absurd?
Even including the warriors Namgung Hyeok had saved, the enemy outnumbered them by more than double.
That meant each of them had to face at least two.
But was that even feasible?
Not an ambush, but facing over twice their number in this open space?
And the enemies' momentum was already far from ordinary……
Yet despite all these worries, as Namgung Hyeok stepped forward, everyone drew their swords.
What confidence did that Namgung Hyeok instill to make them do this!
Dang Myeong-jin was shocked watching the Thunder Dragon Squad form the Ghost Valley Linked Chain Formation under Namgung Hyeok's lead, preparing for war.
Tension escalated beyond measure, filling the air with killing intent on the verge of exploding.
Namgung Hyeok gazed ahead with sunken, silent eyes.
He opened his mouth in a calm tone.
“Thunder Dragon Squad, once I draw their attention, head into the Heavenly Pavilion.”
“Into the Heavenly Pavilion, sir?”
“Yeah. When I give the signal, run like your arms are about to fall off.”
Namgung Hyeok cast glances left and right as he spoke.
“Once inside, send the regular warriors up to the upper floors and prepare defenses on the first floor.”
“Mm!”
“No hesitation—run and get ready. Got it?”
It meant turning the Heavenly Pavilion into a stronghold with no retreat.
The optimal judgment in this situation.
Namgung Hyeok regulated his breathing.
‘Alone is easier.’
With Ho Tae-gun and the White Blood Corps around, having comrades to fight alongside would split his focus.
Geon Cheon-hwi looked at Namgung Hyeok.
‘……So there was a plan!’
He must have anticipated this exact scenario from the moment he ordered them to gather at the Heavenly Pavilion.
But would the enemies not realize it?
How did he plan to draw their attention?
As doubts swirled—
Chwaaa!
Like a river parting, the White Cloud Sword Sect experts split, revealing Ho Tae-gun stepping forward.
Ho Tae-gun looked at Namgung Hyeok with an amused expression, his face relaxed.
“What now?”
“What do you mean, what.”
“All sides are blocked, no place to run anymore, and those guys behind you are terrified—think they can even fight properly?”
Ho Tae-gun's gaze shifted to Namgung Hyeok's rear, beyond the Thunder Dragon Squad to the distant Hefei Alliance warriors.
Over a hundred in number, but exhausted and weakened from prolonged fighting and flight.
They had drawn their swords out of reflexive momentum from the Thunder Dragon Squad's spirit, but they wouldn't contribute much to the battle.
Ho Tae-gun chuckled.
Pajik.
“Hm?”
At that moment, his eyes locked onto Namgung Hyeok's.
A blue light flickered in Namgung Hyeok's eyes, then erupted in a ferocious flash.
Pajijijik!
Azure lightning spewed from Namgung Hyeok's sword.
“About five hundred?”
“Hm?”
“You think that'll do? Even ten thousand wouldn't be enough.”
“Haha, I like that. A real man needs that kind of boldness. I'll gladly play along.”
Ho Tae-gun's gaze swept Namgung Hyeok's surroundings.
“I'll watch for a bit first. See if you can save all those guys.”
“Ah, now you're going to watch again?”
“Watching seems entertaining too.”
“Not happening!”
Kuwoong!
With a heavy step, Namgung Hyeok swung his sword vigorously.
The writhing lightning fused with the demon sword's malice and hurtled ferociously toward Ho Tae-gun.
A strike from the Triple Thunder Sword Technique descended with ferocious momentum.
Shwaaaaang!
Kwaaaang!
Ho Tae-gun tried to block the sword qi but smirked and twisted away.
The unorthodox experts behind him were swept up in Namgung Hyeok's sword qi.
“Kraaaak!”
“Keheok!”
“You son of a……!”
“Kill him! Kill!”
Taking Namgung Hyeok's preemptive strike as the signal, the encircling unorthodox experts charged with surging killing intent.
Seeing the warriors surging like a tidal wave, the Thunder Dragon Squad bolted toward the Heavenly Pavilion.
“That way!”
“Follow!”
“To the Heavenly Pavilion!”
The regular warriors and Hefei Alliance fighters, frozen in terror by the oncoming foes, frantically followed the Thunder Dragon Squad into the Heavenly Pavilion.
“Uwaaaah!”
“Aaaah!”
“Run!”
Like their soles were aflame, the Thunder Dragon Squad and allies raced into the Heavenly Pavilion.
Bwelk!
As if waiting, the doors flew open, and So Geolgae and Do Dae-woong burst out.
“Hurry! Get in quick!”
“Faster, faster!”
“Damn beggars!”
In the world, could there be anything more welcome!
Seeing the Heavenly Pavilion's doors swing wide, people brightened.
Namgung Ryong spun around.
His Emperor Sword Form decisively severed the necks of pursuers.
Seoeoeok!
With a chilling sound, enemies' heads flew, collapsing in a heap.
So Hye-yeon leaped out from behind, scattering sword light. Sword qi poured like a meteor shower, piercing enemy bodies.
Peopeopeok!
It was overwhelming prowess, but the enemies were no pushovers.
As if they had anticipated the Heavenly Pavilion from the start, they bypassed to block the path.
“Chase them!”
“Don't let them in!”
“Grab them!”
Namgung Ryong and So Hye-yeon felled enemies surging from both sides.
But two couldn't handle that many.
Paeng Jung-hyeok joined, wielding his Mixed Origin Divine Blade.
Inky blade qi slammed into the ground.
Kwaaaang!
Flying stone shards and dust momentarily blinded the enemies.
Paeng Jung-hyeok grabbed Namgung Ryong's arm and yanked hard.
“This way!”
So Hye-yeon stuck close beside them.
The Thunder Dragon Squad trio struck down enemies breaching the entrance, shouting urgently.
“Come quick! Hurry!”
“Where do you think you're going, bastards!”
“Too many—hurry!”
They blocked the black tide of foes.
Namgung Ryong, So Hye-yeon, and Paeng Jung-hyeok threw themselves inside the Heavenly Pavilion.
Kuwoong!
Skakaang!
The doors shut by a hair's breadth, sharp metallic clashes ringing from behind.
So Geolgae wiped cold sweat.
“Damn it! Thought we were dead!”
Geon Cheon-hwi steadied his breath and turned to So Geolgae.
“Huuu! How'd you know about this place?”
“What do you take Beggar Clan for? We'd know the Thunder Dragon Squad's moves ages ago.”
“So it wasn't the Second Young Master who set this up……”
“Ahem. W-well, he did mention heading to the Heavenly Pavilion. Anyway, everyone make it?”
“The Eldest Young Master was last.”
Geon Cheon-hwi caught his breath, tilting his head.
But something felt off.
‘……Why's it so quiet?’
The noisiest one should be So Geolgae—no, Namgung Hyeok.
Geon Cheon-hwi's eyes widened.
“The Second Young Master isn't here.”
“……Pardon? W-what do you mean?”
“He's outside—outside!”
As Geon Cheon-hwi's voice rang out, everyone's pupils shook.
Outside?
Outside?
What did that mean?
Kwaaaaang!
Kwarururung!
Ear-shattering explosions and thunder roared.
Jang Woong dashed up to the second floor, then hurried back down shouting.
“H-he's outside! Fighting out there!”
What?!
This madman!
Geon Cheon-hwi pressed to the door, peering through the crack.
Kwarurung! Flash!
Amid the dark swarm, flashes flickered intermittently.
Geon Cheon-hwi's jaw dropped.
He said he'd draw attention, not fight!
Panicking, he looked at Namgung Ryong.
Namgung Ryong exhaled lowly.
Turning his body, he spoke heavily yet resolutely.
“Do as Hyuk said. Everyone except the Thunder Dragon Squad, up to the upper floors!”
“E-Eldest Young Master?”
“B-but……”
People stared at Namgung Ryong in shock.
The usual Namgung Ryong would have drawn his sword and charged the enemy ranks long ago.
But now, Namgung Ryong was calmer and more cold-eyed than anyone, assessing the situation.
Namgung Ryong emphasized firmly.
“We wait for Hyuk here.”
Strong trust emanated from Namgung Ryong's voice.
A similar fervor rose in the Thunder Dragon Squad's eyes.
Even then, the explosions from outside continued unabated.
* * *
Namgung Hyeok spewed terrifying flashes, slashing through swarming enemies.
‘If I half-ass drawing attention, they'll swarm the Heavenly Pavilion.’
Over five hundred had them surrounded. A sloppy distraction would see them encircled before entering.
That would lead to the worst outcome.
Thus, the strongest and fastest—he—had to be the bait.
He needed to draw as many eyes as possible, excessively so.
Make their gazes and bodies pour this way, no matter what.
In this situation, the Thunder Dragon Squad would divide his attention.
He needed to focus solely on the battlefield.
Being alone made it easier.
It always had, and now was no different.
‘Just buy the minimum time.’
Blood soaked his surroundings.
The demon sword, ceaselessly carving flesh and bone, greedily devoured the blood, quivering.
Namgung Hyeok moved forward.
The spreading blood scent in the air sharpened his senses.
Every bodily sensation became vividly clear, tangible.
Muscles contracted and relaxed, flexing their power.
Chilling killing intent swirled in Namgung Hyeok's eyes.
Peoeok!
The demon sword, looped around another neck, twisted decisively, splitting the heart of an enemy lunging from the side.
Five hundred?
Merely?
‘I've fought ten thousand before!’
Drawing eyes was child's play!
Confidence brimmed in Namgung Hyeok's sword. His movements were savagely fluid, yet his kills impeccably clean.
As if two people coexisted in one body.
He evaded and parried stabbing swords from all sides with Infinite Steps.
The Heavenly Firmament Bright King Art spun fiercely, pouring endless power into him.
Namgung Hyeok's hand brutishly seized an enemy's throat, using him as a shield.
Peopeopeok!
“Kuluk!”
“Heok, heok!”
“Eh?!”
“Keu……?”
As enemies who had unwittingly butchered allies flinched in confusion.
Namgung Hyeok hurled the held enemy, sowing more chaos.
Hiding behind the tossed foe, Namgung Hyeok's sword skewered the rest like meat on spits.
Puwook!
After dispatching them in one breath, Namgung Hyeok unleashed Blood Wind Divine Step, leaping away.
Lightning burst from his body, riding the demon sword to crash as thunderbolts.
Kwaaaaang!
As bolts struck, swarming enemies scattered and regrouped repeatedly.
Lesser foes dared not approach; only experts pursued—a resulting phenomenon.
But Namgung Hyeok was no easy mark.
He scattered them with grand strikes, then darted in to ravage.
Ssueoeok!
Namgung Hyeok's sword mercilessly pierced an enemy's ribs.
“Kuluk!”
Viscous killing intent gathered in Namgung Hyeok's eyes.
The enemy ranks roiled at his near-mad battle frenzy.