Chapter 364
Chapter 364
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 373
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Knockout
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In the abruptly unfolding situation, Jingong's eyes widened.
His dilated pupils darted back and forth between Paeng Junghyeok, who had raised a fist the size of a pot lid, and Hyeonmu, who lay sprawled on the ground foaming at the mouth right in front of him.
A situation utterly incomprehensible by his common sense had just occurred.
No—even if he grabbed a random passerby and asked, nine out of ten would bulge their eyes and gape in disbelief.
Who would believe that a second-generation disciple of the Wudang Sect had been laid flat and left foaming by a single punch from a late-stage prodigy barely past his early twenties!
Yet it had happened right before his eyes.
“……Hy-Hyeonmu, Senior Brother?”
“Hyeonmu!”
“Heave-ho!”
The elder disciples rushed to the fallen Hyeonmu in shock.
“Infinite Buddha, Infinite Buddha!”
“What in the world is going on!”
“For Hyeonmu to end up like this!”
No... he told you to strike first.
Paeng Junghyeok blinked twice.
‘B-But I just knocked out a second-generation disciple?’
Father's age... no, that pricked his conscience too much.
To fell a second-generation disciple hailed as a master of the martial world with one punch!
‘……Have I gotten this strong?’
He knew rolling around with Namgung Hyeok hadn't been a waste, but had it reached the point of taking down a second-generation disciple?
The Wudang second-generation disciples were in an uproar as they tended to Hyeonmu.
With his tongue lolled out long and limp, his pitiful state was all the more wretched.
Just like a chick with a broken neck.
“Senior Brother! Open your eyes, Senior Brother!”
“Breathe, breathe!”
Hyeonmu mumbled with his tongue still out.
“Ah…… Supreme Heavenly Venerable, I beheld the Heavenly Venerable…… urgh…….”
“Hyeonmu!”
Snap—seeing Hyeonmu's head twitch, the second-generation disciples freaked out.
They glared at Paeng Junghyeok with bloodshot eyes.
“You bastard! How dare you ambush…….”
“……He told me to strike, so I did…….”
“As if! No matter that it's fist arts, there's no way a punk like you could take down Hyeonmu!”
“……Even a bamboo pole seems tougher than that…….”
“You worm! How dare you insult Wudang!”
The second-generation disciples' necks bulged with veins.
In their rage, before anyone could stop them, the second-generation disciples drew their Pine Pattern Longswords toward Paeng Junghyeok.
Chaaang!
A clear, resonant ring echoed as sharp sword lights flashed toward Paeng Junghyeok.
Paeng Junghyeok stared ahead with bewildered eyes.
‘……What the fuck, you bald-headed bastards?’
He'd hit them because they asked, and now they were drawing swords?
Paeng Junghyeok shot a bewildered glance at Namgung Hyeok, who was chuckling.
“What did I tell you? Baldies aren't baldies for nothing.”
Just how far ahead had he seen?
“Your punch must've packed quite the spice!”
“This isn't the time for compliments!”
“Who said it was a compliment?”
“…….”
“That's why I told you to go easy, nice and easy.”
Oh, that's what he meant?
Huh?
Paeng Junghyeok's eyes rounded as he stared at Namgung Hyeok.
‘He knew I'd win?’
Well, that monster seeing several moves ahead wasn't anything new.
No, forget impressive—with sword lights flashing right in front of him, what did that matter.
The second-generation disciples thrust their swords at Paeng Junghyeok as if ready to charge any second, all the while sneaking glances at Jingong behind them.
Jingong wore a grim, sunken expression.
‘This is no fluke.’
Though it wasn't the swordsmanship Hyeonmu boasted of, their ages differed by double.
Wudang martial artists grew stronger with time.
That was the power of their inner energy and the principles of Wudang arts.
Why else would masters who shook the martial world emerge in their fifties and sixties, long past their physical prime?
The longer one trained, the deeper it became.
Slow, yet the fastest path—that was Wudang martial arts.
The age of forty was just when Wudang arts began to bloom.
For such a warrior to fall to a youth in his early twenties, even to fist arts?
‘Not just Radiant Dragon—the others surpass late-stage prodigies too.’
It wasn't just Paeng Junghyeok.
Namgung Ryong, gripping his sword before Namgung Hyeok, exuded the presence of a full-fledged swordsman.
Jingong let out a soft breath.
“You're making this difficult.”
All it should have taken was verifying the demonic sword and heading to the main sect together for an explanation—yet they'd twisted it into something strange.
Jingong spoke in a low but forceful voice.
“I gave you a chance. If the demonic sword wielders resist, we have no choice.”
“…….”
“We'll hold you accountable for attacking main sect disciples! Main sect disciples, confirm the Nangong family's demonic sword possession and subdue by force if they resist!”
At Jingong's command, the elder disciples raised their swords.
They formed sword seals over their heads, then lowered the swords to the lower guard.
With ten Daoists in that stance, it felt as if an invisible wall had sprung up.
Paeng Junghyeok groaned.
‘Wudang Sword…… damn, what kind of pressure is this!’
The intimidation from the sword-wielding Daoists was beyond imagination.
He could see why Wudang swords were said to deepen and sharpen with the flow of time.
This sword momentum was incomparable to that of the late-stage prodigies.
Geum Cheomsang gulped dryly and turned his head.
“Y-Young Master. Th-The Daoists seem pissed. Hurry and toss that demonic sword!”
Namgung Hyeok snorted.
“Are you nuts? Why would I give away my stuff?”
“Just let them have a peek!”
“You think those faces will let us go nicely after a peek?”
“…….”
“When have baldies ever been talked down from charging in?”
The wise ancestors of old, the Hegemon King, once said:
Beat the Daoists, bury the monks.
Of course, that Hegemon King had the past moniker of Poison Hegemon.
“Beat the baldies, bury the monks!”
“Pardon?”
“Hey! Stop beating and come out.”
Namgung Hyeok called to Paeng Yeonhwa, So Hye-yeon, and Dang Myeong-ok, who had moved behind the cart.
“Coming right now!”
“Just finishing up.”
“One moment!”
“Urgh, ugh……!”
Soon, Hwangbo Chung was dragged out by them, nose bleeding profusely from their clutches.
At his wretched state, Paeng Junghyeok, Dang Myeongjin, and Geum Cheomsang flinched.
Even the world-shaking Namgung Ryong's pupils shook at Hwangbo Chung's pitiful appearance.
So Hye-yeon's eyes gleamed.
She seemed to grasp the situation at a glance.
Her hand already hovered over her sword, twitching.
“Hit 'em? Shall I?”
Everyone's jaws dropped.
……You're striking even the orthodox sects?
“Kill 'em?”
Ah, going for the kill.
Namgung Hyeok nodded slightly.
“We don't kill fellow orthodox folk.”
“…….”
“Beat 'em till they beg for death.”
“Yes!”
Chaaang!
So Hye-yeon advanced without hesitation, as if she didn't care if they were Wudang Daoists or whatever.
Paeng Yeonhwa drew her saber from her waist.
“Hehe, first blood!”
The Willow Leaf Saber snatched from Cheolsin Sect gleamed with sharp saber light.
Dang Myeong-ok pocketed her bloodstained(?) notebook and slipped her hand into her sleeve.
Paeng Junghyeok groaned.
‘……Why are these girls so battle-hungry?’
Crazy, it's like fighting dogs here.
Namgung Hyeok grinned.
“Hey, here they come. Loosen up and take 'em easy.”
Human! You think you can just 'take easy' on Wudang second-generation disciples!
“Hey, we smashed evil sect bastards—why not these?”
“…….”
“Huh? Who are we? The ones who crossed Sichuan in a week, lopped off evil sect heads! You think we can't take a few Daoist heads?”
That's true, it makes sense……
“Please! Don't say that shit in front of the baldies! Why provoke them! Damn, damn! I should've known it'd come to this! Argh!”
“Hey, you're the one who swung.”
“…….”
“The one who swings takes responsibility.”
Fuck, can't argue with that.
Paeng Junghyeok scowled and drew his saber toward the approaching Daoists.
A gleaming saber light revealed a massive blade with a razor edge.
Caught in between, Dang Myeongjin rolled his eyes.
‘……F-Fighting Wudang for real? Wudang?’
That Wudang? Dang Myeongjin turned to look at Namgung Hyeok.
“……Ar-We really fighting?”
“Then?”
“Ah, no…….”
“They drew swords.”
Ah, we're really fighting.
With father-aged Daoists.
Dang Myeongjin pulled a long needle from his sleeve with a woeful face.
The Wudang second-generation disciples' eyes chilled.
They weren't fools.
At first it was absurd and bewildering, but they quickly accepted the facts.
No matter the carelessness, Hyeonmu couldn't lose to some late-stage prodigy.
Thus, they had to be masters beyond late-stage prodigy.
Hyeonbaek, the leader of the second-generation disciples, said with a sunken expression.
“Form the Seven Star Sword Formation.”
The second-generation disciples arranged the Seven Star Sword Formation, with two falling back.
Chachachachang!
In what seemed a fluid motion, Hyeonbaek and the others charged toward Namgung Ryong, Paeng Junghyeok, and the rest.
Illusory and real.
It felt like a gentle breeze, then Hyeonbaek thrust from the lead.
‘No more humiliation!’
Whoooosh!
Circulating Taiji Heart Method to the eighth stage, white mist cloaked his sword tip.
The Seven Star Sword drew eerie curves, targeting the lead Paeng Junghyeok.
The mist-shrouded sword burrowed in like fierce wind.
Creeeang!
“Urgh!”
Paeng Junghyeok countered with Hunyuan Divine Saber, his wrist throbbing painfully as his eyes widened.
The sword-wielding Wudang's Hyeonbaek was indeed different.
Hyeonbaek's Seven Star Sword instantly seized the Hunyuan Divine Saber and pressed it down. Sword seal to heaven, Pine Pattern Longsword to earth.
Paeng Junghyeok's mouth gaped wide.
He braced with Thousand Catty Divine Power, but the bizarre pressure from the Pine Pattern Longsword shoved his saber outward.
“Heup!”
Following the circle of Hyeonbaek's sword, Paeng Junghyeok's saber was effortlessly pushed aside.
Paeng Junghyeok gritted his teeth.
He endured with Thousand Catty Drop techniques, pushing Hunyuan Divine Saber to its limit.
His arm muscles felt like tearing, but he finally overcame with divine power.
Hyeonbaek's pupils shook faintly.
“You brute! Want your arms ripped off!”
“If this tore 'em, they'd be gone already!”
Paeng Junghyeok rolled forward with True Step, drawing up Hunyuan Divine Saber.
Shuuuuaaaang! Kwaaaang!
Inky saber qi slashed vigorously from the Hunyuan Divine Saber.
Hyeonbaek sneered at the Hebei Paeng clan's Hunyuan Divine Saber, said to shred steel like paper.
The mist from Hyeonbaek's sword enveloped Hunyuan Divine Saber in an instant.
The downward slash that could split heaven and earth tore half the mist before twisting in the swirling energy.
The supple Seven Star Sword didn't just push aside Paeng Junghyeok's Hunyuan Divine Saber—it flung it back.
Creeeang!
“Gah!”
Paeng Junghyeok spat a stifled groan.
Hyeonbaek's eyes twitched at Paeng Junghyeok, who had half-torn his Taiji Heart Method sword qi.
‘What barbaric power is this?’
Not human—like a rampaging beast's saber qi.
A strike that could have spelled disaster if he'd been careless.
‘That guy?’
Paeng Junghyeok bit his lip with feral eyes and charged again.
Hyeonbaek gasped at the ferocity and venom pressing with his massive frame.
“Indeed, you've properly inherited Hebei Paeng clan's saber! But!”
Creeeang!
Hyeonbaek's junior brothers on left and right blocked the Hunyuan Divine Saber.
“Have you forgotten we're a formation?”
A vortex of pure energy swirled around Hyeonbaek, rendering Paeng Junghyeok's attack null in an instant.
Like cotton sucking water, the qi of the Wudang Daoists in the Seven Star Sword Formation absorbed the Hunyuan Divine Saber's saber qi.
Even So Hye-yeon's Meteor Twelve Sword and Paeng Yeonhwa's Heaven-Earth Chain Soul-Seizing Saber rushing in foaming were nullified.
The Seven Star Sword Formation of the seven elder disciples instantly surrounded the late-stage prodigies.
Paeng Junghyeok's jaw dropped.
“What's with this sticky mess?!”
“Brother! It's blocked!”
“As expected of Wudang! Handle Wudang!”
Paeng Yeonhwa and So Hye-yeon were helplessly pushed back by the wave-like energy of the Seven Star Sword Formation.
Namgung Ryong silently blocked with his sword, furrowing his brow.
Hyeonbaek and the elders sneered.
Seeing them flustered eased the frustration of their earlier defeat.
But they didn't show it, pressing the attack.
‘The world's most perfect sword formation—how could fledglings like you break the harmony of Taiji!’
Confidence shone on Hyeonbaek's face.
The prodigies' skills were impressive, but that was it.
They were veterans who had seen it all, their fame resounding in the martial world.
Their experience dwarfed these youngsters'.
“Radiant Dragon! You arrogant punk! Won't you help? Want them all dead?”
Hyeonbaek mocked Radiant Dragon Namgung Hyeok.
“Or are you scared!”
Namgung Hyeok dug in his ear.
He rubbed the blood-matted head of Hwangbo Chung and sneered.
“Baldy. Keep that up and you'll really see blood.”
“What?”
“You think you're the only ones with a formation?”
“Hmph! After we subdue these…… you too…….”
Hyeonbaek narrowed his eyes.
What was that punk doing?
A guy hinting at forming a formation—why rummage in his bosom?
“Where was it. Hey, Myeong-ok!”
The Dang siblings, far off calibrating hidden weapons, turned simultaneously.
“Let's form a sword formation too.”
“Pardon?”
What sword formation?
No, we've never trained in formations……
Namgung Hyeok's lips curled up.
“Spread poison, Myeong-ok.”
“……!”
“We're a Poison Formation.”
Flames flickered in Dang Myeong-ok and Dang Myeongjin's eyes.
As Hwangbo Chung, snot and tears streaming, thought what nonsense is that—
The Dang siblings mercilessly hurled poison pouches from their bosoms.
Purple smoke billowed over the Seven Star Sword Formation in an instant.