Chapter 383
Chapter 383
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 383
Chapter Title: All Seas Eastward (7)
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Do Joong-gwang sent a transmission with a look of utter disbelief on his face.
[How much extra are we talking?]
[Who knows? I'm a bit of a high-end talent, and you're no ordinary fellow yourself, Senior... This isn't something that can be settled in one go. The situation's urgent right now, so let's talk later?]
[Your 'laters' are the scariest thing about you... Fine, got it.]
His tone was bitter, but it was still an acknowledgment that he owed me one.
With Do Joong-gwang's firm commitment secured, I struck a street-thug stance.
My master posed a question at me.
- What's with that sloppy stance?
'There are too many of them.'
- What does that have to do with your sloppy stance?
'It has everything to do with it.'
- Everything, you say? Even if they're numerous, we've got you, Jeong-hyeon, the beggar, and the bandit chief—four Peak Realm experts. No need to be scared, is there?
'It's not about fearing overwhelming odds. What worries me is us getting scattered.'
My master, who had lived a life of cutting down those who blocked his path and ignoring those who fled, didn't seem to grasp it.
What I was wary of was the rumors those who escaped this fight would spread.
'If that many start running, we're done for.'
If guys who know the terrain like the back of their hand bolted in all directions?
'Do Senior, two escorts, and us. It's impossible to catch them all with so few hands.'
- ...So you're saying we can't let the escapees spread word about you lot.
'Exactly. With clear signs of the Blood Cult's involvement, if word gets out that Do Joong-gwang is with swordsmen from the Orthodox Murim... our carefully laid plans for this southern journey go up in smoke.'
So we had to fight while hiding our identities and techniques.
It was an unexpected situation, but we moved in sync.
"Dan-dan."
"...Y-yeah. Yes, ma'am."
Yin Xia Lian stayed in character with her disguise, shrinking back as she pulled Dang Ok-gi close.
No Sam and the other Eon brothers caught my intent and each assumed sloppy thug stances.
I turned to Jeong-hyeon among them.
"You protect the lady."
"Got it... sir!"
As Jeong-hyeon guarded Yin Xia Lian and Dang Ok-gi while backpedaling.
"Charge!"
Doo Heung and his minions rushed in for real.
Swaeek! Swaeek!!!!
Swaaaaak!!!!!
Fighting enemies while sealing our honed joint techniques was like handicapping ourselves several moves.
In a life-or-death real battle, it was something you generally never did.
And the bandits who had taken in Blood Cult arts were no pushovers.
Chaeng! Chaeng!!
Chaechaechaechang!!!!
But it was doable.
The basics were what the professors at Righteous Martial Academy and I had consistently drilled.
'None of us are lacking mastery in Three Calamity Swordsmanship or Six Harmonies Swordsmanship.'
We calmly countered the bandits' attacks as they swung their blades with long trails of red demonic glow in their eyes.
Chaechaeng!
Chae-aeng!!
Of course, I didn't focus solely on my foes.
With our advanced techniques sealed, any of us could fall to a lucky strike.
I busily wielded my sword while keeping an eye on the overall situation.
Chwaak! Chwaaak!!!
Excluding No Sam and Do Joong-gwang, the standout among them was Yin Ha-seong holding the east flank.
'Damn kid.'
Having absorbed the Sword Emperor's guidance built on his experiences amid deadly slashes, he wielded a sword so flawless it was worthy of a true swordmaster.
Pook!
Puook!
Wu So-ryeong beside him was pulling her weight too.
Using the steadfast Yin Ha-seong as a shield, she unleashed her swift sword without restraint.
Chaechaechang!!!
The situation was similar on the west, guarded by the freshman trio.
Namgoong Young held the shield role solidly.
The other two exploited the enemies' openings.
The difference was that while Wu So-ryeong specialized in speed, Jang Seon was a powerhouse.
Chwaaaak!!!!!!
As Doo Heung's minions were chopped like firewood.
I glanced at Dokgo Cheol's expression.
'...Jeong-hyeon's sword is sharp, but Cheol shows no hesitation either.'
Doo Heung and his minions.
To me, they were just fools blinded by greed who dabbled in demonic arts.
But to Dokgo Cheol, who had truly pledged himself to the Blood Cult, they might look different.
Chwaaak!!!!!!!
There was no hesitation in Dokgo Cheol's sword.
A warrior's thoughts are revealed in their swings.
His swordplay, devoid of any lingering doubts, gave me a strange feeling.
'The guy who said he feared swinging his sword at Eon brothers...'
As I freshly realized Dokgo Cheol's heart was with us.
The unfolding situation turned dire, and I spotted Doo Heung trying to slip away.
"Tch."
I immediately shouted it out.
"Doo Heung's running!"
The ordinary bandits from the lair began fleeing in all directions.
'I can let the others go, but not him.'
Doo Heung, who had actually contacted Blood Cult executives, was someone we absolutely couldn't release.
I kicked off the ground to chase him down.
Swaaaaak!!
Instantly, Doo Heung's massive blade slashed toward me.
I swiftly inverted Regret to block his blade path.
Creeeeeng-
True to his title Giant Spirit, a moniker few could claim without merit.
Tremendous force transmitted through Regret to me.
'In raw power, he might even match Jeong-hyeon.'
But I had just revisited the essence of strong swordplay and my specialties through training with the Sword Emperor.
'Deflect what can be deflected.'
I lightly twisted my knee, deflecting his heavy strike while launching a counter.
'And plant each step heavy and precise.'
Kaaaang!!!!
Doo Heung flew back a zhang.
The moment I halted him.
Chwaak! Chwaak!
Chwaaak!!!
Do Joong-gwang appeared, slashing through foes indiscriminately, blocking Doo Heung's rear as he gripped his crescent blade anew.
"You bastard Doo Heung! Where do you think you're slinking off to!?"
Me in front, Do Joong-gwang behind.
Caught between hammer and anvil, Doo Heung bit his lip for a moment.
Then, he suddenly stabbed his massive blade into the ground.
"It might strain the body a bit... but no choice."
Scarlet haze coiled around his ten fingers as he thrust them into his chest and ground his teeth.
Doo Heung seemed to plan escaping this pinch using some supreme Blood Cult technique imparted to him.
'That move...'
From what I knew, tampering with blood vessels like that was no supreme art.
'Blood Thunder Strike?!'
It was a suicide technique that rampaged all internal energy in an instant, devastating the surroundings.
"Everyone, evade!"
I bellowed and instantly unfurled a sword barrier like lightning.
Puuuung!!!!!!! ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At the western edge of the Central Plains lay the Kunlun Mountains.
Far west beyond those peaks stretched endless snow-capped ranges hiding the basin of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
The Thunder Demon, leader of these Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, pored over a Central Plains map marked with hundreds of pins.
"Master."
A page knelt before him.
"...How goes it?"
The Thunder Demon looked up from the map at the voice.
He inquired about the progress of the Young Cult Leader selection tournament under the Cult Leader's orders.
"How fares it?"
"Among the Eight Great Families of the Ghost City, the Gu and Yeon back the eldest young master, the Byeon and Gyeong the second, and the Man, Yang, and Chae the youngest."
"The Jin are flat on their bellies?"
"Yes, as you predicted, Master. The Jin have proactively beheaded their Blood Demon kin and groveled."
"Just as expected."
"But while the Orthodox Murim bands together with their Eastward Confluence or whatever, isn't our internal competition just weakening ourselves?"
"Tsk tsk. Foolish talk. That Gil Joon thinks too much. He always grasped my intent at once when given a task..."
"...My apologies."
"The Eight Great Families' power doesn't directly translate to the cult's. Without tight reins, they'll spawn second and third Blood Demons. Only with discipline can we sharpen our strength to pierce the enemy."
"...Understood."
"And that Eastward Confluence is just Gong Son-mu-geol's attempt to overhaul the Orthodox Murim's chronic response system. Not a major threat."
"Is that so?"
"If we do nothing, those Orthodox hypocrites can't act. Waiting exposes their gaps."
With a tongue click, the Thunder Demon returned his gaze to the map.
"The Young Cult Leader tournament will bend to the Cult Leader's will... The key is the Dragon Fiend."
The Dragon Fiend Eon Yong-un.
Overlooking him was the greatest mistake of the Thunder Demon's life.
"I took him for mere dust, not even a variable..."
The Pearl Eon Family scoundrel he deemed unworthy of a game piece.
That one scoundrel had crumbled the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's plans like a breached dam.
"Demon Prison Lord. Yeon Ok-ran's words ring true. He's our greatest obstacle."
The Thunder Demon no longer ignored Eon Yong-un.
His eyes traced three paths from Dangang Valley.
"Where to."
One to North of the River, one to Southern Man, one to Shaanxi.
"All key points tied to the cult or Blood Demon."
Yet recalling Eon Yong-un's past movements, they could all be feints.
The Thunder Demon let out a hollow laugh.
"...You're the first to give me such a headache in my life. And not even thirty yet? Ha, does he have a thousand-year fox spirit in his gut?"
But the laugh ended in murderous glare.
"This one must die."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Doo Heung detonated with full power.
Fortunately, the prompt sword barrier minimized damage, though my clothes shredded to rags.
As I rose, my master's voice followed.
- No injuries?
'None for me.'
Thanks to original knowledge enabling quick response, I was unscathed.
Looking around.
All had heeded me; no Eon brothers were hurt.
"Groan."
Do Joong-gwang hadn't ignored me either.
Despite his ragged state, he seemed fine.
Dusting himself off, Do Joong-gwang spoke.
"Ever seen a mad bastard like this? Pulls dogshit, then suddenly suicides?!"
I chuckled wryly.
"Not mad—used. You heard him call it some supreme art, right?"
"...Used?"
"Don't know the mastermind, but some Blood Cult executive figured Doo Heung alone couldn't take you, Senior."
"......"
"Hoped you'd both die at the right moment. Gave him that 'art' knowing he'd use it this way."
"...What a vicious scum."
Thus, Doo Heung dissolved into a puddle of gore and vanished from the world.
The surviving minions scattered.
Instead of chasing them, we began searching the Blue Water Mountain lair.
"Eon hyung!"
Thanks to Wu So-ryeong finding a trap in a room, we uncovered a map etched with odd markings.
Do Joong-gwang examined it with us, frowning.
"The boxes mark the seventy-two bandit lairs. But these two red-shaded spots and the blue slashes—what the hell..."
Before he finished, Dang Ok-gi and Namgoong Young spoke up.
"Red boxes—Fangcheng and Chongzuo, right?"
"Yeah, Ok-gi sunbae. Chongzuo's the western or northern pass from here, Fangcheng the sea route? Right, Ha-yeon sunbae?"
"Yeah. Blue slashes skip your Namgoong family lands exactly, and everything north of Zhangjia too? Looks like they aimed for thirty-nine bandit lairs. Factoring Fangcheng and Chongzuo..."
Yin Xia Lian trailed off, glancing at me.
Implying direct Blood Cult reach, no doubt.
As we exchanged looks.
Do Joong-gwang scowled.
"What are you lot plotting among yourselves?"
No Sam professor barked back.
"Plotting?! We save this bandit chief's ass, and he bitches? Why spill every detail to you?!"
I stared at Do Joong-gwang.
"So what now?"
"What do you mean? Oh, that fee talk? Cut it out. In this mess, really gonna..."
"No, that's for later. I'm talking your remaining years, Senior."
"Remaining years?"
"No Sam professor was curt, but details are confidential. You can guess, though. We're here to deal with those who taught demonic arts to Doo Heung and the Blue Water bandits."
"And?"
"A bit further south is Nanning, our original goal. You've more than fulfilled your role, Senior. Your deal with the Alliance Leader's done."
"...Go on."
"Then this happened. Unexpected, but maybe good for you."
"Good...? Like getting bit by your own dog—who you mocking?"
"Situation yes, but your beloved weapon. Place that crescent blade by Doo Heung's blast site. Fees, reputation—gone. You vanish from the jianghu."
"!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Join us? Or retire as wished?"
I added that, then pondered.
'If I can pull Do Joong-gwang in, perfect.'
Our retreat secures, encirclement on Blood Cult tightens.
Even if not, fine.
'We know first of the Bandit King's death. Leverage that.'
As I mulled.
Do Joong-gwang looked up at the beggar-clad Twin Ghost Ears and One-Eyed Adamantine.
Then spoke again.
"My beloved blade... is precious. Can't discard a lifelong comrade. And I won't take this lying down. So what's the exact plan?!"