Chapter 300
Chapter 300
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 303
Chapter Title: Shattering the Fog Formation
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As the faint light of dawn receded, a brilliant white glow illuminated the Nangong Clan.
Whoooosh! Whiiirrr!
The fog encircling the Nangong Clan like a barrier swirled and trembled.
Mo Kyung-hong of the Evil Ying Sect and his disciples clung desperately to the Whirling Fog Illusion Formation, breaking into a cold sweat.
The Evil Ying Sect was an unorthodox faction that cultivated dark sorcery and curses.
From all twelve directions, they worked in reverse to dismantle the Whirling Fog Illusion Formation, all the while stealing glances at Jang Taesan.
Jang Taesan stood there with his arms crossed and eyes half-closed, exuding an immense pressure.
How could they not be tense, with a warrior from the main stronghold waiting behind them?
A single word from Jang Taesan could reduce them to scattered limbs on the spot.
“How much progress?”
Mo Kyung-hong prostrated himself flat, trembling like he faced the King of Hell as he replied.
“We’ve managed about twenty percent disassembly. Give us half a day more, and I’ll ensure it’s perfectly dismantled! P-please believe me!”
“Half a day.”
“We’re giving it our all.”
Jang Taesan gazed at the foggy barrier produced by the Whirling Fog Illusion Formation and drew his sword from his waist.
Shing!
The blade of light emerged with a chilling ring.
Step by step!
His footsteps advanced toward the Whirling Fog Illusion Formation.
“Too long.”
Mu Kyung and the other faction leaders tilted their heads in confusion.
Ye Dong-pa of the Taoho Sword Sect in Jiangsu Province and Heuk Tae-cheon of the Three Gates in Zhejiang Province exchanged wary glances.
Did he intend to break through the Whirling Fog Illusion Formation laid out before them?
‘Is he planning to charge in now?’
‘Through this formation?’
“Hmm! He’s willing to accept the sacrifices.”
Whatever the reason, they couldn’t voice their doubts.
Besides, they understood Jang Taesan’s haste.
Half a day was more than enough time for unforeseen variables to arise.
They couldn’t just blindly trust Mo Kyung-hong of the Evil Ying Sect and wait for the formation to be dismantled.
Mu Kyung and the other faction leaders followed Jang Taesan’s steps.
They grew subtly tense.
The profundity of formations differed entirely from martial arts.
Whether a killing formation or a labyrinth array, it would demand great sacrifices.
If they had underestimated the formation, they wouldn’t have had the Evil Ying Sect attempt to dismantle it, and they would have launched assaults over a dozen times by now.
Mu Kyung spoke cautiously.
“Send in a vanguard unit to test the formation first.”
“No need.”
“Then…?”
“If it’s not a formation crafted by Heavenly Mechanism Child…”
Jang Taesan trailed off and thrust his sword into the mist.
Woooong!
With a low vibration, the mist coiled around his blade and began to whirl.
Mu Kyung and the other faction elites stared at the sight in bewilderment.
At that moment, a gray light flickered from Jang Taesan’s sword, spreading through the churning mist.
Like branches extending in all directions, like a spiderweb weaving densely, gray sword qi eroded the fog.
“This should suffice.”
Craaaack!
Kwaaaaang!
It was like an iron fortress crumbling. Like cracks splitting a mountain, causing an avalanche—the fog that had obscured their view collapsed.
Mu Kyung and the others’ eyes widened in shock.
“…!”
“I-Incredible!”
“Impossible!”
“…All of that was sword qi?!”
Black dust billowed high into the sky, sweeping over them with a whoosh.
Seeing the formation utterly shattered in an instant, people’s mouths gaped open.
Mo Kyung-hong, who studied sorcery and formations, was especially stunned beyond compare to the other warriors.
‘A warrior from the main stronghold is a master of this caliber…!’
Jang Taesan smoothly lowered his sword and looked up at the Nangong Clan’s walls with haughty eyes.
“Sweep them away.”
Mu Kyung, who had been staring at Jang Taesan in shock, shouted toward the Ghost Valley Manor’s warriors.
“The formation is breached! Sweep them all away!”
“Charge!”
“The formation is broken! Burn that damned Nangong Clan to the ground!”
“Kill them! Kill them all!”
“Waaaaah!”
With the Whirling Fog Illusion Formation lifted from their sight, the faction elites charged forward, their eyes blazing with murderous intent.
Thud thud thud thud thud—!
Like a massive tidal wave crashing down, the ferocious faction elites surged into the Nangong Clan.
The Nangong Clan’s gate guards on the watchtowers panicked and rang the alarm bells.
Dong dong dong dong dong—!
Nangong Hyeok snapped open his closed eyes.
His gaze shot toward the outer courtyard like lightning.
“Rise.”
At the low, cold voice, the resting Thunder Dragon Squad snapped their heads up.
“What is it?”
Nangong Hyeok didn’t answer Geon Cheon-hwi’s question.
No answer was needed.
Dong dong dong dong dong—!
The alarm bells ringing from all directions sank the Thunder Dragon Squad’s eyes with grim resolve.
“Enemies—!”
“The enemy is attacking!”
“The formation is broken! The formation…”
“Battle stations! Battle stations!”
Warriors dashed about, announcing the enemy advance.
Chaos erupted instantly within the Nangong Clan.
The warriors were shocked by the enemy assault that shattered the Whirling Fog Illusion Formation at first light.
Nangong Hyeok steadied his breath.
‘There’s a master capable of destroying the formation by force.’
A master who could shatter a formation that manipulated the qi of heaven and earth through sheer power was far above that Baek Un Sword King or whatever he was.
Amid the chaos, the Thunder Dragon Squad’s gazes calmly settled on Nangong Hyeok.
Nangong Hyeok spoke in a composed tone.
“Pair up in groups of at least three, no exceptions. We’ll seek out the outnumbered spots and fight.”
“…”
“No hesitation. No mercy, no guilt. These are the bastards trying to trample what’s mine—my people, my place.”
Nangong Hyeok looked around at them.
“We trample them. Without mercy.”
Hesitation is poison.
The ruthless survive.
Nangong Hyeok drew his demon sword and stepped forward.
Nangong Ryong and the Thunder Dragon Squad followed him with heavy, sunken expressions.
Nangong Hyeok circulated the Vast Heaven Bright King Art and surveyed his surroundings.
The bustling Nangong Clan warriors and Hefei Alliance warriors stared at the approaching enemies.
Clang clang clang!
The clamor of metal clashing rang out deafeningly, like a swarm of bees buzzing in their ears.
Nangong Hyeok’s gaze swept the front.
Woooong!
As if anticipating the hellish scene to come, the demon sword let out a resonant cry.
Nangong Jangcheon and the leadership calmed the shocked warriors.
“Return to your positions and prepare for the enemy! The chief steward activates the trap arrays, and the elders will join me to meet the foes head-on!”
“Yes, Family Head!”
“This place will become our history!”
Nangong Jangcheon’s voice boomed through the Nangong Clan grounds.
And almost simultaneously.
Boom!
Like a thunderbolt exploding, the massive main gate of the Nangong Clan crumbled as a horde of faction warriors swarmed in.
“Waaaaah!”
“Charge!”
“Hold them back! Block the enemies!”
“Kill them all, not a single one spared!”
The faction warriors charged with momentum that seemed ready to topple the Nangong Clan in an instant.
Swish swish!
Faction forces leaped over walls, scaled them, and raced forward.
Scraaaape!
Weapons scraped walls and ground, sparking embers.
Nangong Jangcheon drew his sword and shouted.
“Activate the trap arrays!”
At that moment, venom poured from the lion statues positioned in the grand training grounds.
Pew pew pew pew pew!
“Kuaaack!”
“Gah!”
“Kraaack!”
Seizing the momentary chaos, warriors clinging to the walls grabbed spear shafts and leaped in, stabbing the enemies in the back.
Slaaash!
Blood sprayed in an instant, corpses piling up.
Splat splat splat!
Faction warriors splashed through the blood and kept pouring in.
“You filthy Nangong Clan bastards!”
“Kill them all!”
“I’ll chew every last one to pieces!”
A blue flash gleamed in Nangong Jangcheon’s eyes.
He raised his sword high and roared.
“Sweep away these vile faction scum!”
“Waaaaah!”
“Chaaaarge!”
The gritted-teeth Nangong Clan and Hefei Alliance warriors charged at the swarming faction warriors.
Boom!
Rumble rumble!
Deafening blasts and thunderclaps rained from all sides.
Nangong Jangcheon and the elders led from the front, guiding the Nangong Clan warriors.
Each swing of Nangong Jangcheon’s sword unleashed thunderous roars and lightning that swept the vanguard.
Faction warriors couldn’t withstand the fearsome Imperial Sword Stance and were torn into chunks of flesh.
Boom!
“Heavenly Bow Sword Squad! Deploy the Heavenly Bow Endless Sword Formation!”
“Heavenly Wind Squad, push forward!”
“Puuush!”
Shouts erupted from every direction.
Blood sprayed, chunks of flesh fell like pebbles.
The Nangong Clan and faction forces spewed killing intent at each other.
The differences between orthodox and unorthodox martial arts were stark.
The neat, disciplined orthodox styles clashed with the erratic, adaptive unorthodox techniques.
Scraaaape!
Slash!
“Kuaaack!”
“Guh, gack!”
“The sword formation is breaching… gack!”
“You damn orthod… guh, krrk!”
The battle devolved into total melee.
The Nangong Clan and Hefei Alliance warriors’ organization was formidable.
They defended with sword formations and moved with precise commands.
Trap arrays struck enemy weaknesses, elites swept through the rabble up front.
In clashes between forces, organization was key.
But overwhelming numbers rendered that organization meaningless.
Cut one down, and another filled the spot.
Kill one, and five blades flew in.
“Guh, gack!”
“Uwaaack!”
“Grrrk!”
Cracks formed in their exquisite organization.
Faction warriors burrowed in like germs.
In melees, unorthodox martial arts shone.
The Nangong Clan warriors, who had held firm, began to yield.
A master could handle ten foes with one hand.
But ordinary warriors could not.
As their lines crumbled under the waterfall of enemies, they were pushed back helplessly.
At that moment when the Nangong Clan warriors’ morale began to falter.
“Swords up! Reinforce the Heavenly Wind Squad!”
Nangong Hyeok’s clear voice rang out.
Rumble!
With a thunderclap, Nangong Hyeok’s sword fell like lightning, severing enemies’ necks in one stroke.
Slaaaash!
The Thunder Dragon Squad followed, sweeping the enemies surrounding the Heavenly Wind Squad like a gale.
Kwa kwa kwa boom!
Deafening blasts erupted, blood scattering.
Nangong Hyeok shouted.
“Thunder Sword Seven Forms! Eyes front!”
His qi-infused shout reached nearby Nangong Clan warriors.
Exhausted from endless battles and tension, like sponges soaked in water, the warriors clenched their teeth.
“Don’t scatter! Maintain formation!”
Nangong Hyeok swung his sword while issuing commands.
The Nangong Clan warriors moved in tandem with the Thunder Dragon Squad.
“Follow the Second Young Master!”
“Chase the Thunder Dragon Squad!”
“Move by command!”
Nangong Clan forces plunged into the blood-soaked battlefield.
Their gazes began to follow Nangong Hyeok’s back.
Nangong Hyeok’s gleaming eyes swept the surroundings.
‘Right flank!’
He spun.
Before his mind could process, his body moved.
See before the enemy, move faster than the enemy.
The slightest pause meant death.
Nangong Hyeok swung his sword relentlessly without even breathing.
Blood fountained, and he pierced the throats of enemies surging from behind through the gore.
Nangong Hyeok kept moving.
Blackness everywhere.
Clamoring foes like asuras pressed on endlessly.
Nangong Hyeok killed them emotionlessly.
Killed and killed again.
Leaping over collapsing corpses at his feet, he severed necks.
The Three Thunder Sword Technique grew sharper than ever.
The blood-soaked demon sword radiated an eerie red glow, and the lightning emanating from his body intensified.
Slash after slash.
Like mowing grass, like crushing ants underfoot.
He trampled and trampled on.
His leather boots soaked in blood and tore, his fine black robes shredded to rags.
Sensation dulled in his sword-gripping hand, vision stained red.
Red sky.
Red earth.
The metallic stench of blood.
A battlefield steeped in madness, fangs bared at one another.
Memories of a blood-drenched past overlapped with the present scene.
Amid the swirling chaos, the light in Nangong Hyeok’s eyes sharpened clearer.
In that instant.
“Waaaaah!”
“Sweep them away!”
“Follow the Second Young Master!”
“Chaaaarge—!”
Cheers chasing tail-to-tail made Nangong Hyeok glance back.
Nangong Clan warriors shouting cheers filled his view.
Cheers he could never have heard in the past followed behind.
The pursuing past grew faintly distant.
A strange sensation he couldn’t have felt then welled up.
Nangong Hyeok turned his eyes forward.
“Thunder Dragon Squad—!”
At Nangong Hyeok’s lightning shout, the Thunder Dragon Squad followed his back.
Nangong Ryong supported the rear, his blood-matted hair whipping like a noose, while the Thunder Dragon Squad shoved back enemies pressing from the flanks.
“Press them!”
Toward the pouring faction horde, to seal the crumbling breach, Nangong Hyeok kept moving.
Scraaaape!
Thud!
Amid sparks bursting like fireworks, Nangong Hyeok swung his demon sword.
Explosive rotation from the Vast Heaven Bright King Art birthed lightning that swept the front.
Kwaaaaa boom!
The lightning gouged deep furrows in the ground, creating a momentary gap in the advancing foes.
Piercing the thick dust, Nangong Hyeok and the Thunder Dragon Squad leaped into the space, rampaging like enraged beasts.
“It’s the Thunder Dragon Squad!”
“Help the young masters!”
“Waaaaah!”
Nangong Clan warriors boosted morale, following the Thunder Dragon Squad’s flanking charge.
As they ground their teeth and squeezed their strength to push back the enemies—
Slaaash!
Nangong Hyeok severed three foes’ necks and whipped his head around.
Boom!
“Gaaack!”
The balance of the battlefield, thought taut, shattered in an instant as elites led by Ghost Valley Manor appeared.
“Kill them!”
Soul-Severing Sword Mu Kyung spat a chilling cry and hacked wildly, as fiendish faction elites began overwhelming the field.
Nangong Hyeok ground his teeth.