Chapter 406
Chapter 406
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 406
Chapter Title: Dyed (5)
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Blood Heaven Asura Palace, the main stronghold of the Blood Cult.
This place was surrounded by the most treacherous peaks among the countless summits that formed Mount Many Layers, arrayed like folding screens.
'The term 'natural fortress' fits it perfectly.'
With advanced earthworks added on top, it had become utterly impregnable.
If one discarded the option of scaling the outer walls enhanced by sheer cliffs and moats like bottomless abysses...
There were exactly two viable entry routes.
'From the sky, it would look like the shape of the character 'ya' .'
One was the grand avenue connected to the Blood Asura Gate, which could be called the main entrance.
Below, it linked to the official road, and above, to the Blood Heaven Asura Palace itself. This well-paved path was wide enough for several carriages to travel side by side.
'...But our goal isn't diplomacy—it's subjugation.'
However, the problem was the checkpoints and outposts lining every twist and turn of that winding road.
Since it was an obvious path fraught with difficulties, eyes naturally turned to the second entry route.
'Illusion Dream Forest.'
As the name suggested—with characters for illusion and dream —this forest was a trap designed to ensnare and kill anyone who dared look its way.
'The very temptation to head this way is the start of the trap.'
With that in mind, I spoke once more to Zhuge Seol-ji, who confidently claimed she could navigate the forest.
"Do you remember the advice I gave right before we left the camp?"
"The part where you compared my temperament to bamboo?"
At those words, Zhuge Seol-ji replied as if she knew the answer.
"Of course I remember. I'm not boldly declaring this out of shallow confidence that 'the Blood Cult's formations are child's play before the Zhuge family's decryption methods.'"
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Martial arts may differ greatly between righteous and demonic paths, but the principles of mechanisms and formations are the same. They twist natural laws and cloud the senses using the mysteries of yin-yang, the five elements, and minerals imbued with qi. I can break them. I must."
"Understood."
She didn't seem to be speaking out of her usual competitive spirit or bravado, so I turned my gaze to the Crimson Army.
"Then, Crimson Blood Hall Leader, you head to the Blood Asura Gate. Jeong-hyeon, go with him."
At my words, as Jeong-hyeon responded with a resolute expression...
"Yes."
Duggo Cheol posed a question.
"Beyond the strategy we discussed at camp, are there any other points to note?"
"You need to make the enemy think your side is the main force."
"...So, even though we aimed for Illusion Dream Forest, it proved unfeasible, so we chose the Blood Asura Gate—that sort of impression?"
Duggo Cheol grasped my intent immediately.
But once we parted here and the battle began, instant communication would be impossible, so I added a few words.
"Yes. And... for our infiltration of the Blood Heaven Asura Palace to ease the Crimson Army's fight, they need to appear as the main assault. To do that, you must break through as many checkpoints as possible. Of course, minimize casualties, so don't rush too... I'm piling on unreasonable orders while talking."
Duggo Cheol shook his head and replied.
"From the moment we decided to rebel against the Blood Heaven Asura Palace until now, there hasn't been a single easy instant. Sea Dragon's words. I understand."
I wanted to offer him warmer encouragement.
But he was currently performing the role of Crimson Blood Hall Leader.
I set aside those feelings and offered a calm cupped-fist salute.
"...Then, I wish you martial fortune."
"...I wish Sea Dragon the same."
After exchanging farewells with Duggo Cheol...
I noticed Sa Gyeom standing nearby, and he spoke first, before I could.
"It feels like we've decided to ally with the Eastern Unity Society ages ago, yet the Crimson and White Armies have never shared even a single drink."
"Just getting here was exhausting and hectic enough."
"Once this battle ends, let's share a drink."
"Agreed."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After parting from the Crimson Army, I signaled my following group that we would proceed.
"Professor. Sword Senior. We're entering. So-ryeong!"
"Yes! Young Master Eon! I'll flip the hourglass!"
She flipped the sandglass measuring one daegyeong and we stepped into Illusion Dream Forest.
"If you process the gazes as usual, your vision wavers, but with our family's secret art, the True Observation Method, the principles become clear."
Zhuge Seol-ji began dismantling the mechanisms and formations scattered throughout the forest one by one.
"This formation incorporates the principles of Backing Mang and Facing Luo. Mang originally refers to Northern Mang Mountain, but that can't be here in Luoyang, so it means 'turn your back to the north.' And here, north is..."
Of course, Zhuge Seol-ji wasn't handling everything alone.
Thanks to my Mental Immunity trait, unaffected by the formations, I provided precise directions on the spot.
"Our camp is that way, so that's north."
At my display, Namgung Yeong pulled out a malfunctioning compass and let out a hollow laugh.
"The scenery is rippling, the compass is spinning wildly, but how do you know the direction, Senior?"
"I just do."
"I'd question anyone else, but if Yong-un Senior says so... Seol-ji Senior's already trusting it and breaking them."
In that way, I helped shorten the time Zhuge Seol-ji needed for decryption.
The others added their own skills under her command.
"So-ryeong, you'll need to step up here."
"M-Me?"
"Yes. It's been decrypted, but this stone bridge collapses with a time delay after one person crosses. Let your guard down, and you plummet."
"...Ah. What should I do then?"
"Loop a rope around yourself, step on the footholds I indicate, and cross first. Then we'll use it as a bridge."
There were spots needing U So-ryeong's agility.
And others requiring pure strength.
Drag—
Drumrumrum—
"Whoa?! Seol-ji sis! The stone walls are closing in!"
"Everyone, brace the walls with brute force! I'm decrypting now!"
"Ugh! Watch the iron spikes embedded in the walls! They're poisoned—if you're stabbed in this situation, even I can't help!"
Thus, we methodically pushed through Illusion Dream Forest.
Considering the distance we'd walked from the entrance, it was about time to see the end...
Zhuge Seol-ji fell into deep contemplation.
"Pick the right one out of six formation stones, and the mist clears, revealing an escape door. These three are definitely not it... Which of the remaining three?"
As her deliberation dragged on...
I shifted my gaze to U So-ryeong.
She subtly showed the sandglass she'd flipped upon entering the forest.
The falling sand was nearly at the bottom.
Confirming that, I spoke to Zhuge Seol-ji.
"Think calmly. There's still time."
It was at that moment Master messaged me.
- What time? One daegyeong is almost up. Didn't you say we must cross this forest within that time, no exceptions?
'That's true.'
The moment our feet touched this forest, an alarm bell had likely rung somewhere in the Blood Heaven Asura Palace.
If the enemy realized the Crimson Army heading to Blood Asura Gate wasn't their full force...
Both Duggo Cheol's group and ours would be in danger.
'But since we've already entered, we have no choice but to trust Lady Zhuge.'
- Shouldn't you at least tell her the exact time left?
'No. She timed it herself from the start.'
As the Little Witch of Calculations, her mental timer would be precise.
Feeling the pressure of that time made the solutions elusive.
'Even empty words to help her regain composure are the right call.'
As I responded to Master, we silently waited for Zhuge Seol-ji a moment longer.
Finally, ending the blood-freezing deliberation, she spoke.
"The yellow one! The yellow formation stone!"
At her words, U So-ryeong leaped up and yanked out the formation stone embedded in the stone wall.
I summoned the Blood Dragon and issued the command.
"Smash it!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Kwaaaaaang!!!!!!!
As the stone wall shattered and dust billowed...
We saw the enemy soldiers in utter panic.
"C-Cough. Enemies! It's the enemy!"
"...Th-They passed through Illusion Dream Forest?!"
"The alarm rang, but didn't we think it was a false alarm and turn back? Then what's with the forces at Blood Asura Gate?"
It was no wonder the Blood Cult grunts nearby wore dazed expressions.
They probably never imagined anyone could breach the forest this quickly.
'Or rather, has the Blood Heaven Asura Palace ever been attacked before?'
In any case.
As expected, the Blood Cult's main forces were at Blood Asura Gate and the annex housing the Blood Demon, not here.
I wasted no time and shouted.
"Just as planned! Sweep them away!"
With the Blood Dragon roaring ferociously at the forefront...
We charged the enemies, swinging our swords.
Grraaaaaah!!!!!!
The Blood Dragon was the natural predator of warriors using crude blood arts.
And among the Blood Cult forces stationed where we emerged, there were no remarkable experts.
Slash! Slash!
Slaaaash!!!
Using the Blood Dragon as our shield, we rampaged freely into the rear of the Blood Heaven Asura Palace.
"Fifty paces from the forest exit. Young Master Yong-un. That peak you see is the annex where True Horned Dragon is."
"Head there!"
We surged forward unstoppable for a moment.
Then, an unprecedentedly fierce aura rushed toward us.
"Something's coming!"
A ragged old demonic appeared, leading his troops, and cleaved the Blood Dragon—which had been shoving aside the Blood Cult grunts—in two with a single stroke.
Slaaaash!!!
The Blood Dragon merely depleted my inner energy; I could resummon it.
The real issue was the old demonic who'd appeared.
His tiger-whiskered visage and the banner of the Mountain-Shifting Tiger Demon Army carried by his followers.
I surmised the old demonic's identity and declared it.
"Third-ranked among the Blood Cult's Cult Protector Kings. Tiger King."
At my words, the Tiger King furrowed his brow unpleasantly and spoke.
"Third-ranked? Rank isn't a measure of our strength."
He then commanded his subordinates.
"Cutting off Duggo Cheol and Sa Gyeom's heads might taste better, but slicing out the tongue of the brat who dared spew insolence at His Holiness during the meeting will have its own flavor. What are you waiting for? Slaughter them all!"
As the Tiger King and his minions began swinging their blades, scattering bloody qi...
Clang! Clang!
Ka-kaka-clang!!!
While Do Jung-gwang whirled his signature crescent blade, he urgently shouted.
"Our priority now isn't letting the Blood Demon complete his martial arts breakthrough?"
"Correct."
"Then leave this old bearded bastard to us."
At Do Jung-gwang's words, Elder Three furrowed his brow.
"Bandit boss. You're not enough alone."
At that moment, Namgung Yun spoke up.
"I'll assist."
Do Jung-gwang chuckled hollowly and retorted.
"Heh. Can the Namgung family young master truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with filthy bandits like us?"
Namgung Yun replied without a moment's hesitation.
"I'm not here as the Namgung family's young master."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. So, Senior, just call me Gong-yun."
Gong-yun wasn't a nickname he particularly cherished; he'd simply resigned to it from overuse.
'The Namgung name is his pride.'
Yet in this moment, Namgung Yun set it aside.
Confirming his resolve in that gesture, I nodded.
"Martial fortune!"
Leaving Namgung Yun and the bandit crew led by Do Jung-gwang behind, I turned toward the annex where True Horned Dragon lurked.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!
As we dashed forward briefly...
Another ragged old demonic blocked our path.
"...Wilderness Rat Demon Army. You're guarding here? Rat King."
Having clashed three times now, the rat-like old demonic was already familiar to my eyes.
Pieces of the Blood Cult leadership's scheme began clicking together in my mind.
'The moment True Horned Dragon completes his Blood Primordial Divine Art, they can reverse the entire battle.'
His presence here—the top-ranked Cult Protector King—proved it.
'...Which means Chou King leads the Flat Heaven Black Demon Army at Blood Asura Gate where Duggo Cheol and Jeong-hyeon went. Myo King and True Horned Dragon are in the annex.'
Reaching that conclusion, I immediately addressed Elder Three.
"Professor, Lady Zhuge, and the remaining White Army—handle Rat King and his legion."
At my words, Elder Three scowled and replied.
"You're saying you're going alone into the Blood Demon's lair? Better to kill this rat bastard together and..."
"That would be too late. And I'm not alone. You know that."
As I responded...
Zhuge Seol-ji spoke up.
"Half a day from camp. One daegyeong through the forest. Half a daegyeong to here... With all this commotion and True Horned Dragon not showing his face, he's still absorbing that Primordial Blood. He won't be able to move, so he won't be Young Master Yong-un's opponent right now."
"Exactly. Probably Myo King. Professor."
"......"
"If you're that worried, keep Rat King's minions from coming my way, finish as fast as possible, and follow."
At my continued words, Elder Three let out a long sigh, rolled up his sleeves...
"Haa. Fine, I'll quickly send this rat bastard to the afterlife and catch up!"
Yin Xia Lian and the White Army beggars each assumed their stances.
"Hurry on!"
Leaving them behind, I executed Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step.
Kwang!!!
I kicked open the door to the annex where True Horned Dragon sat.
To contribute even slightly to driving him into qi deviation, I bellowed at the top of my lungs.
"Come out!"