Chapter 299
Chapter 299
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 302
Chapter Title: Illusory Cloud Mist Formation
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Gripping his beloved sword, Mu-kyeong ground his teeth.
It had truly been a close call.
If their reinforcements hadn't suddenly appeared, he could have captured Nangong Jangcheon or inflicted near-total annihilation on the Nangong Family's forces!
In an instant, all of it had come to nothing, and now he had to steel himself for yet another drawn-out contest of strength with the Nangong Family.
"Damn it all."
What the Assembly desired was the utter destruction of the Nangong Family.
He bore the duty to carry out the Assembly's will to perfection.
Yet cracks were beginning to form in that mission.
"Things were going exactly to plan before we reached Hefei."
From the moment they entered Hefei, everything had started going awry.
The Nangong Family's unexpected strength and preparations, along with completely unforeseen variables popping up left and right, were complicating his state of mind.
The fact that the White Cloud Sword Wave hadn't joined them yet was proof that things were twisting in bizarre ways.
That single misalignment had led to this disastrous state.
Once things started going off the rails, it only made him more and more anxious.
"Like rats scurrying away, you just keep running!"
Spewing rage, Mu-kyeong stepped forward.
Sharp spear shafts climbed the high walls of the Nangong estate one after another.
The ferocity of their advance suggested they would skewer anyone atop the walls like chickens on spits.
Mu-kyeong raised his sword and bellowed.
"What are you waiting for? Sweep them away!"
His voice, thick with murderous intent, spread across the battlefield.
Just as the Ghost Valley Lodge warriors were about to charge without hesitation.
"Halt."
A low but powerfully resonant voice instantly bound their feet.
Mu-kyeong and the Ghost Valley Lodge warriors froze like statues, as if under a binding spell.
Sweat beading on his brow, Mu-kyeong turned his head.
A middle-aged man strode forward unhurriedly, accompanied by the Assembly's warriors.
The over ten thousand warriors encircling the Nangong Family were overwhelmed by the man's presence.
"Who is that?"
"The Soul-Reaving Sword can't even budge."
"Stopping the Soul-Reaving Sword with just his voice... who the hell?"
"Since when did the unorthodox paths have an expert like that?"
The unorthodox warriors held their breath, eyes fixed on Mu-kyeong and the middle-aged man.
Mu-kyeong clasped his fists in salute and bowed to the man.
The middle-aged man, Jang Taesan, looked at Mu-kyeong and said.
"Cease the attack and reform ranks."
Mu-kyeong's eyes trembled faintly.
He rolled his eyes toward the Nangong estate.
It was a shame.
This was the perfect chance to dye the Nangong Family in blood and claim glory, but his opponent was Jang Taesan.
As an elite from headquarters and a warrior of the Demon Sect, Mu-kyeong could not defy Jang Taesan's words.
By status alone, the man was comparable to a Division Commander.
"A rat in a poison trap always thrashes desperately."
"......!"
"Rushing in recklessly will only lead to losses."
Realizing something from Jang Taesan's words, Mu-kyeong lifted his head and gazed at the Nangong estate.
Shwaaa.
As dawn broke, mist began to creep up around the grand Nangong estate.
Not a breath of wind stirred, yet the fog swirled lightly.
"A formation!"
Such a formation enveloped the entire grounds of the Nangong estate.
Charging in blindly might have trapped them inside, leaving them to flail and die.
"And they even prepared a formation..."
Formations required advanced knowledge and vast resources.
Erecting one around such a massive compound was no small feat of preparation.
He looked at Jang Taesan.
Jang Taesan said with an expressionless face.
"Isn't it the rat in the poison trap? Why so impatient?"
"......!"
"Whether we strangle it slowly or launch a barrage, the knife's handle is in our hands. No need to rush."
"Yes."
Mu-kyeong calmed his excitement and nodded obediently.
Jang Taesan was right.
The Ghost Valley Lodge's forces were still intact, and the Assembly warriors who had come with him were elite.
Moreover, the unorthodox experts were plentiful, and their total numbers reached tens of thousands.
Enough to raze an average sect in a single incense burning's time.
The enemy, by contrast, numbered less than half that and were isolated.
They had backed themselves into the worst possible situation.
"Better this way."
The path had changed, but the Nangong Family's destruction was a foregone conclusion.
The outcome wouldn't differ.
Mu-kyeong ordered the Ghost Valley Lodge warriors.
"All of you, circulate your qi and rest! Tend to the wounded, then we'll discuss how to deal with the Nangong estate."
Mu-kyeong saluted Jang Taesan respectfully, then withdrew with a composed air.
Jang Taesan watched him briefly before turning his gaze away.
His eyes, gleaming with killing intent, fixed silently on the Nangong estate.
Silence descended around them.
* * *
"Family Head, thank goodness! You're safe!"
Geum Gwang-mo rushed out barefoot to greet Nangong Jangcheon and his warriors.
The Nangong Family's elites looked fatigued but, fortunately, their strength was largely preserved.
And here came Nangong Hyeok and Nangong Ryong, striding confidently with the Thunder Dragon Squad.
Having already heard of the detachment's exploits, Geum Gwang-mo couldn't have been prouder or more reassured.
He could sing their praises for three days and nights straight.
But this was wartime, so he swallowed his emotions.
Nangong Jangcheon nodded gravely.
"You've completed the Illusory Cloud Mist Formation."
"It was a near thing. We managed to repair and finish it properly thanks to the front lines holding."
"Hmm!"
"The detachment did a tremendous job. Truly tremendous!"
Geum Gwang-mo's eyes brimmed with emotion as he looked at the detachment.
If they hadn't blocked the White Cloud Sword Wave and disrupted the rear, the south gate warriors might have been wiped out.
As Geum Gwang-mo greeted the returning Nangong warriors, he spotted Nangong So and paused.
Nangong Jangcheon lightly patted his shoulder.
"These are the Nangong Family's people."
"My apologies."
Realizing his mistake, Geum Gwang-mo composed himself.
Nangong So simply stood silently.
Betraying no emotion, she quietly slipped to one side.
Nangong Jangcheon watched her for a moment, then issued orders without even straightening his clothes.
"Move the wounded to the medical hall quickly. We'll face the enemy as trained."
"Yes, Family Head."
"Where are the smiths?"
"They're forging weapons in the inner sanctum."
"Hmm! How much longer?"
"There's some unfinished work, but they say over half the weapons are ready."
Nangong Jangcheon nodded.
He scanned the warriors.
Three-tenths of the force that had gathered at the main drill grounds were gone.
Enormous losses.
In less than half a day, three-tenths of their strength had vanished.
But considering the enemy's forces outnumbered theirs several times over, this level of casualties was miraculous.
Even so, it didn't mean their situation had improved.
The enemy still vastly outnumbered them, and their experts held an overwhelming advantage.
"The Demonic Path... that's the real problem."
Recalling the Demonic Path forces that had swept in from the rear, Nangong Jangcheon let out a groan.
The enemy's leaders were finally baring their fangs.
He ordered Geum Gwang-mo.
"Reinforce the outer walls and repair the trap formations."
"Yes."
"How goes the medicine stockpile?"
"At this rate, two days at best, three at most. With supplies cut off..."
"They won't plan to drag this out either."
A prolonged war would draw in the authorities.
That was the last thing the enemy wanted.
Which meant a relentless assault was coming soon.
Not an optimistic outlook.
"The Illusory Cloud Mist Formation will hold for a while, Family Head."
"It's only buying time. At most a day or two. If they put their minds to it, they could break through in half a day."
"Hmm!"
"Don't forget we're cut off too."
Supplies blocked, surrounded by enemies on all sides.
External intel severed as well.
Against foes lurking to breach the formation at any moment, the Nangong Family had two choices.
Fight or die.
Nangong Jangcheon's gaze flicked toward Nangong Hyeok.
Nangong Hyeok met his eyes with a blank expression.
"You've done well. Without you..."
"Your judgment saved us all, Family Head."
"......"
Nangong Hyeok stared straight at Nangong Jangcheon.
A family head must not show weakness.
In hardship, he must not waver.
He must be the great tree.
The Sword King had been that way.
He was the Sword King's descendant.
Do not bow your head.
Stand tall.
Nangong Hyeok's face remained unchanged, but Nangong Jangcheon sensed a shift in his demeanor.
His gaze wavered faintly.
"The second son... I never can quite figure him out."
Did he always have this side?
Hearing Nangong Hyeok's words snapped him awake.
Perhaps Nangong Hyeok saw this situation most coldly of all.
Nangong Hyeok smiled faintly.
"Give your orders."
Nangong Jangcheon, who had been eyeing him subtly, took a breath and commanded the troops.
"Those who fought, circulate qi to recover stamina and tend your wounds! Those on standby, focus on patrolling the outer courtyard!"
The people flinched at Nangong Jangcheon's voice.
They wanted to rest and circulate qi as ordered, but anxiety over the enemies at their doorstep made true relaxation impossible.
Some shrank back or trembled from the foes' ferocious aura.
Even with the Nangong estate's defenses and the formation's protection...
"Whew! Time to catch some shut-eye."
......Crazy?
In this situation, not just resting but actually sleeping?
"Which lunatic is saying that..."
"Me."
"......Y-Young Master Nangong?"
Nangong Hyeok smirked at the flustered warrior.
"The formation's solid, and they haven't attacked yet—means they're resting too, right? Save your strength."
His casual attitude nailed the situation perfectly.
The enemy had halted their fierce pursuit abruptly.
Bold or what?
It even eased the tension somehow.
Watching Nangong Hyeok remain unflappable amid this somehow loosened their rigidly tense bodies.
Nangong Jangcheon saw through it—Nangong Hyeok was doing this on purpose.
"Truly unfathomable at times."
Ignoring him, Nangong Hyeok pushed through the warriors and headed quietly to a corner.
Nangong Ryong and the Thunder Dragon Squad followed.
"Oof, oof! Gonna die here. What kinda ordeal is this!"
So Geol-gae flopped dramatically onto the ground with a groan.
The onlookers chuckled dryly.
"Looking just like a beggar."
"......You never seen a beggar sleep before?"
"Didn't think he'd actually do it."
"Over there's already out, anyway."
Geon Cheon-hwi and the others naturally glanced toward Nangong Hyeok.
He was really lying down.
Eyes closed, gearing up to snore any second.
"......Is he really asleep?"
Nangong Hyeok cracked one eye open slyly.
"What else?"
"The enemies are right there..."
"If they're not coming now, rest up. Won't get another chance soon."
Tension rippled through the crowd at Nangong Hyeok's low voice.
He'd never been wrong yet.
At least about fighting.
And that voice carried conviction.
Everyone knew this was the calm before the storm.
But hearing him confirm it made it hit home.
Faces darkened.
Nangong Hyeok looked at Nangong Ryong and the Thunder Dragon Squad with his usual impassive expression.
"Why the funeral faces?"
"......"
"Circulate qi. Or sleep. This is just a breather before the real fight starts."
"......What about us?"
"We're the detachment."
Nangong Hyeok slowly scanned Nangong Ryong, the Thunder Dragon Squad, the Peng siblings, So Geol-gae, and the Tang siblings.
Quite the crew.
Huddled together, murmuring...
"We protect the family."
"......"
"And we'll all survive."
His calm tone struck deeper than any fervent speech.
When Nangong Hyeok said it, it would happen.
No doubt.
That faith bloomed in their hearts, known or not.
Thud.
Nangong Ryong lay down beside him.
Nangong Hyeok stared at him in disbelief.
"What's this?"
"Sleeping."
"......"
The Thunder Dragon Trio sprawled out too.
"Then we'll rest a bit."
"Ahem! M-Move over a sec. Place is cramped."
"Ah, fatso, scoot!"
"You little—"
Watching them bicker, the Peng siblings and So Hye-yeon quietly began circulating qi.
The Tang siblings pulled out notebooks and honed their hidden weapons, while So Geol-gae was already gone.
The Thunder Dragon Squad scattered around them like a ragtag bunch.
Nangong Family warriors and Hefei allies gawked blankly.
"Whoa......"
Sighs escaped.
Yet that confident display sparked a strange vitality.
The heavy air lightened a touch.
The morning of the storm's eve was dawning.