Chapter 453
Chapter 453
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 453
Chapter Title: Coincidence and Inevitability (7)
Eon Yong-un's battle with the demonic cultists.
When Jang Son-rip's group burst out from the Thunder Prison and joined the fray, the cultists seemed momentarily flustered.
However, that was only because they had been forming an array solely to deal with Eon Yong-un up until now.
"To take down Eon Yong-un, we must first eliminate those old buzzards! Deploy the Absolute Annihilation Demonic Formation!"
At the old demonic sorcerer's command, the cultists swiftly reorganized into a new crescent-shaped formation with perfect discipline.
And then, they began their counterattack.
Chaeng! Chae-aeng!!!
Chae-chae-chae-chae-chaeng!!!
In response, the true capabilities of the Baekbon Assembly physicians who had followed Jang Son-rip were immediately laid bare.
"Ugh!"
In an instant, numerous warriors sustained major and minor injuries.
Even those barely managing to block the cultists' assaults were visibly shaken.
"Their killing intent is utterly vile!"
"This isn't something we can handle alone! Pair up!"
Jang Son-rip had emerged from the Thunder Prison hoping the Baekbon Assembly could serve as a pillar of strength against the Demonic Cult's raid, thereby atoning for past failures.
Now faced with the exact opposite situation, he pondered why they were being pushed back by the cultists.
...The cultists aren't particularly strong.
Their individual martial prowess was not inferior to the cultists'.
The former Haomen Lord, Wang Seon-nam, had once remarked to Jang Son-rip that despite his dull five senses, he had a cunning mind that earned adults' favor.
That comment about his lacking martial talent merely meant he fell short of being a faction's symbol.
Jang Son-rip was still a master who had honed the Zhongnan sword his entire life.
The other physicians are the same.
Some were even family heads of renowned houses comparable to the Five Great Families.
No faction would recommend someone without any backing to the Baekbon Assembly.
Except for that one old demonic called the Inner Demon. Aside from him, we're not being outmatched.
Yet that old sorcerer was being appropriately checked by Eon Yong-un.
Still, the Baekbon Assembly physicians were faltering against the cultists' attacks.
"We, we need to regroup!"
"Fall back five paces—no, ten paces."
The dignified figures who had entered the Baekbon Assembly hall with such authority were now in utter disarray.
A faint sigh escaped Jang Son-rip's lips.
Have they all rusted over...?
Righteous Murim warriors traditionally ventured into the jianghu in their youth, so nearly all had experience facing the blind killing blades of the unorthodox paths.
However, for the Baekbon Assembly physicians, such experiences were ancient history—decades or even scores of years past.
In short, it had been far too long since they last faced life-or-death combat.
In other words, encountering foes intent on killing them was a novelty after so much time.
Compounding this, the members couldn't even coordinate with each other.
...The word 'faction' rings hollow here.
It was inevitable.
They had only gathered for mutual benefit.
They had never compared martial arts or practiced formations together.
Paradoxically, Jang Son-rip's coordination with Eon Yong-un—the man he despised so much—was seamless, like a perfect fit.
"Elder! Use the initial form of World-Spanning Crosscut!"
Kaaaang!!
Mutual loathing left no time for prior coordination between Jang Son-rip and Eon Yong-un.
Yet their synergy was flawless, thanks to Eon Yong-un's deep knowledge of the Zhongnan sword.
"Now! Flowing Cloud Dragon Ascent!!!"
Following Eon Yong-un's cue, Jang Son-rip executed the prescribed form of the Flowing Cloud Sword.
He spun his body, channeling streams of sword energy to whip up a vortex.
Whoooosh!
This bought the Baekbon Assembly physicians a brief moment to regroup.
However, seeing Eon Yong-un's mastery of not just the Thirty-Six World Swords but also the Zhongnan Sect's advanced Flowing Cloud Sword left Jang Son-rip questioning.
"You know the Zhongnan sword quite well, don't you?"
"Worried I might have stolen and learned it?"
"...That wasn't my intent."
"Even if it was, it doesn't matter. It's not true. You sent disciples to the Righteous Martial Academy, including that guy Du Seong-yeon, right?"
"Hm?"
"We never gave special treatment to Zhongnan disciples. They mingled naturally under the academy and alliance policies."
"...News to me."
"Since I've earned Zhongnan's grudge from the start, they probably kept it quiet at the main sect."
At Eon Yong-un's words,
Jang Son-rip felt as if struck hard on the head.
...So the younger generation has been exchanging knowledge, regardless of old grudges?
Simultaneously, Nangong Won's words from the Heavenly Martial Tournament flashed through his mind.
How can you only think of retreat when you can't unite against the great waves...?
At that moment, Jang Son-rip's focus wavered briefly.
The cultists seized the opening, raising their swords.
Shuak!
Shu-aaaak!!!
Thus, a moment of life-or-death crisis descended upon Jang Son-rip.
From Eon Yong-un's hand unfurled a graceful yet domineering technique.
It deflected every sword strike aimed at turning Jang Son-rip into a pincushion.
Kang! Ka-ang!!
Kang-kang-kang-kang-kang!!!!
Strictly speaking, even in that instant, Jang Son-rip had eyed Eon Yong-un suspiciously.
But Eon Yong-un had focused solely on the cultists before him.
Chae-chae-chae-chaeng!!!
Chae-chae-chaeng!!!
Not stopping there, Eon Yong-un called out another command to Jang Son-rip.
"Flowing Cloud Mist Veil!!"
Regaining his composure, Jang Son-rip transitioned into the Flowing Cloud Mist Veil form.
He first solidified his defensive stance, preparing for the regrouping cultists' next assault.
Simultaneously, he subtly ejected the energy coiling around his sword, dispersing a hazy mist.
The moment Jang Son-rip executed Flowing Cloud Mist Veil,
Pat-
Eon Yong-un melted into the fog, charging straight into the heart of the cultists' formation.
With his cherished blade, Regret, he unleashed an immense energy horizontally.
Kwaaaaaaaaak!!!!
Eon Yong-un's sword energy sliced through four cultists in an instant.
Chwaaaaaaak!!!!
It severed the right arm of the old sorcerer who had stepped forward to prevent further casualties.
Chwaak!!!!
As cultists rushed to aid the old sorcerer,
Eon Yong-un swiftly kicked off, returning to Jang Son-rip's side.
He whistled, calling down Baek Eung from circling above to perch on his shoulder.
Whiiiik!
"From here on, handle it yourself, Elder. This much is the least you can do."
With those words to Jang Son-rip, he leaped toward the crumbled outer wall.
Only then did Eon Yong-un come fully into Jang Son-rip's view.
"Heh. Heh-heh. Heh-heh-heh-heh."
A thick wave of regret, shame, and genuine fear flooded Jang Son-rip's heart.
"Now I understand why Sword Emperor senior asked if I could handle that guy. When I heard it, I thought it was just a threat to back off before embarrassing myself further in front of the Heavenly Martial Tournament crowd..."
No.
It was sincere advice from a senior not to make an enemy of Eon Yong-un.
"...Invincible Sword."
The moment he realized this,
Eon Yong-un's words echoed in Jang Son-rip's mind: Regret comes too late, no matter how swiftly.
Gripping his sword anew, Jang Son-rip spoke.
"I can't retrieve spilled water... but I mustn't let it spread further. Even if it means dying here. We have to hold them."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving the cultists who invaded the Thunder Prison to Jang Son-rip's group, I immediately asked my master's opinion.
Those folks can handle that much, right?
- You had that in mind, didn't you?
True, but Master's eye for warriors is sharper than his disciple's.
- Well, bodies used to idling suddenly thrust into mortal combat will waver. But I saw them gradually steadying. Even that Jang family runt with his rotten fish eyes seems to have some spark now? Holding the line should be within reach.
Confirming my master's agreement, I pulled out the Murim Alliance map from my bosom.
And asked Eungyong-i.
"You said to come to me if you spot a dangerous spot. Where is it?"
Eungyong-i craned its neck.
Peck. Peck.
Its beak punched two holes in the map.
Stroking its head, I recalled who I'd sent to those points.
"This is where I sent Gongyun and Woncheol Monk, and this is Haseong, Sorung, and Elder Jang..."
Not where Eungyong-i pecked, but another spot caught my eye.
"And here is where the Alliance Lord is."
The Alliance Lord was likely facing Hyeok Ryeon-so himself and the cultists' core forces.
Naturally, the thought of striking the enemy's head—Gold Thief Gold King—crossed my mind.
But I shook my head.
These bastards who crawled this far will just rampage more if we cut off the head. They won't collapse instantly.
Thus, I needed to annihilate them simultaneously as much as possible.
In other words, the battle with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had only just begun.
I can't lose a single one.
With that resolve, I folded the map back into my bosom and told Eungyong-i.
"Gongyun and Woncheol Monk have to pull their weight... I'll head to Haseong's side. You scout other areas like before and come if something comes up."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, Nangong Yun and Woncheol were locked in a fierce bloodbath with Mang Family head Man Wi.
In the unrelenting clash, as wounds accumulated large and small, warriors on both sides began collapsing one by one.
"Gah!"
"Keurk!!"
Nangong Yun frantically deflected the hammers filling his vision, pondering how to break the deadlock.
Ssaek! Ssaek! Ssaek! Ssaek!
Ssa-aaaak!!
His thoughts inevitably turned to moments fighting alongside Eon Yong-un.
That guy embodied Sun-tzu's 'know yourself and know your enemy' better than anyone.
Thus, Nangong Yun contemplated what Eon Yong-un would do, coldly assessing his and the enemy's reserves.
Woncheol and I have Man Wi tied down well, but our subordinates are lacking.
The battle, even at the start, was tilting toward the cultists.
At this rate, it'll soon be just Woncheol and me left.
As his thoughts reached that point,
Nangong Yun's mind naturally shifted to 'So what must I do?'
Ruin what the enemy desires. To do that, know what they want...
At that moment,
Man Wi's blazing eyes and surging energy rushed ferociously at Nangong Yun.
Nangong Yun twisted his body like lightning to evade.
Whiric!!!
He shook off the following sword strike with his thunder-wrapped blade.
Kaka-ka-kang!!!
As their swords clashed, sparking flames,
A realization flashed through Nangong Yun's mind.
Man Wi's goal isn't just defending this place—it's killing us.
Hyeok Ryeon-so had ordered defense priority.
But before that, Man Wi had insisted on presenting Nangong Yun and Woncheol's heads as gifts.
Especially me—he wants me dead most.
If Woncheol was merely a target as Shaolin's rising star,
Nangong Yun was one who aided in killing Man Wi's cherished Black Immortal Demon Lord, Man U.
That tale, through the Sichuan incident, had become a grand opera retold wherever opera troupes and storytellers roamed.
Knowing Man Wi's desire clarified how to fight.
Like Elder Do Jung-gwang at Manyeop Mountain... Use me as bait and let Woncheol land the strike.
The issue was communicating this to Woncheol.
To deceive the enemy, first deceive your ally.
Sound transmission wasn't foolproof for conversation.
If lips moved suspiciously, it would ruin the ploy.
While busily swinging his sword, Nangong Yun pondered how to convey his idea.
...What to do.
As no clever solution emerged,
Nangong Yun hit upon a surprisingly simple one.
Trust him.
Nangong Yun and Woncheol's joint training time was short.
But while Nangong Yun was at the Black Forest Mountain Manor, Woncheol had trained with the other Eon brothers.
Then he can be trusted.
If trained and fought alongside Eon Yong-un, and given Woncheol's once-touted genius as the world's top young talent, he wouldn't miss the intent.
Pachichichichik!!!!!!
With that conviction, Nangong Yun unleashed the Nangong family's ultimate, Sovereign Sword Forms.
Man Wi sneered and countered, closing the distance.
"Hmph. Feeling parched already?"
As their swords locked, tearing the air with a roar,
Kaaaaang!!!
Nangong Yun released his grip in a split-second split.
Tuk.
He thrust both hands, seizing Man Wi's sword arm.
"!?"
Man Wi yielded his right arm, never expecting the Nangong heir's move,
But immediately punched with his left fist into Nangong Yun's side.
Ppeokak!!!!!!
Ribs cracked audibly, blood spraying from Nangong Yun's mouth.
"Keuruk."
In that instant,
Woncheol, aura blazing across his body, charged like lightning.
"Amita Buddha!!"
Slamming straight into Man Wi.
Booooom!!!!!
That was the end.
The brief golden blaze that blinded the area exploded Man Wi's body in one go.
Puuuung!!!
Spotting Nangong Yun swept by the aftermath, Woncheol supported him upright.
"Yun, are you alright?"
"Keuruk. You too, Monk. Seems you've become one of Eon little brother's crew."
"Pardon?"
"...It's a thing. Anyway, this should avoid any scolding."
"Who would scold you?!"
"Who else... Eon Yong-un."
"Ah, Yong-un... Well, who knows?"