Chapter 454
Chapter 454
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 454
Chapter Title: Coincidence and Inevitability (8)
Mechanisms and formations were operating throughout the Murim Alliance.
I was rushing toward the position where my sworn younger brothers were, taking care not to disturb them.
At that moment, my master asked a question.
- But isn't the place where you sent Gongyun more important? Every time we deliberated on countermeasures, the Vermilion Bird Gate kept coming up as a key point, didn't it?
The two points that warned of Gongyun's danger were the small gates inside the Murim Alliance's walls.
They were called the Vermilion Bird Gate and the Azure Dragon Gate, respectively.
Among them, the Vermilion Bird Gate was strategically vital due to its location.
'You're right. Position-wise, the Vermilion Bird Gate is more important. It's directly accessible in a straight line from the main gate.'
Originally, the Murim Alliance's halls and facilities weren't built with defense in mind.
Moreover, as a place where all sorts of disputes from the jianghu converged, the main gate had no proper mechanisms under the principle of not blocking entrants.
Thus, the Vermilion Bird Gate effectively served as the real southern gate in sieges.
'Regardless of friend or foe, in emergencies like reinforcements or retreats, the Vermilion Bird Gate would naturally come to mind first.'
- Foe? You mean the demons have reinforcements?
'It's not impossible. First, there are the lackeys we scattered near Luoyang. Second, the group that raided Taihu as reported by the Hao Clan leader comes to mind.'
That's why I assigned Woncheol, Nangong Yun, and two strike teams to the Vermilion Bird Gate.
- But why head to the Azure Dragon Gate instead? You nagged about every leak being a barrel, yet your heart's more set on Haoseong and Soryeong's side?
'...Do you think I assigned personnel with that mindset?'
- Then?
'Well, I trusted the ones I sent would handle it somehow. And if the Vermilion Bird Gate is crucial, the Azure Dragon Gate... shouldn't be in danger to begin with.'
The Azure Dragon Gate wasn't in a straight line from the east gate.
The nearby halls were the Grand Marshal's office and its annexes, the only place with proper mechanisms installed.
All important documents had been relocated entirely.
'From the demons' perspective, it's just a high-risk spot with no real value.'
We even deliberately leaked that fact to the public, so the demons likely knew it too.
They wouldn't focus much there anyway.
So, I placed just the steadfast Yin Ha-seong, Wu So-ryeong, and Jang Cheol-han there.
With orders to flexibly support other points based on the situation.
Wu So-ryeong would quickly assess, Yin Ha-seong make flexible judgments, and Jang Cheol-han provide martial support—that was the plan.
'So Gongyun shouldn't have reported danger at the Azure Dragon Gate.'
They should have lured out small enemy groups, crushed them easily, and reinforced elsewhere.
- But Gongyun marked the Azure Dragon Gate?
'Yes. Hyeok Ryeon-so clearly got full intel on the Murim Alliance and Luoyang since he even sent you to the Brain Prison... Yet Gongyun pinpointed it means the demons pulled some trick.'
I'd know the details once I checked.
Shortly after exchanging a few words with my master,
I arrived near the Azure Dragon Gate.
'From here, I have to traverse the rooftops.'
To avoid the mechanism-laden ground, I leaped onto the adjacent hall, stepping along the ridge.
Clang! Schling!
Clang-clang-clang! Clang-clang!
Thus, the Azure Dragon Gate's situation came into full view.
- It's a hopeless mismatch.
As my master said, the demons outnumbered expectations vastly.
'Roughly over thirty at a glance. And that's after some losses... this many personnel...'
Surrounded layer upon layer by demons, the Azure Dragon team was holding their own.
Jang Cheol-han's sword, wielded with blazing flames, fully demonstrated why he was counted among the World's Ten Swords.
Whoosh!
Rooooar!!!
Yin Ha-seong, who earned Nangong family's recognition and received advanced techniques, firmly guarded his back.
Pzzt-zzzt!!
Wu So-ryeong supported the two with his signature footwork and swift sword.
"Brother Yin! Duck your head!"
"Got it!"
Yin Ha-seong and Wu So-ryeong were experts who only got scolded by me; they lacked nothing anywhere.
Of course, all three were covered in blood and didn't look unscathed.
They were barely enduring by exerting their full capabilities.
I quickened my already hasty steps, recalling who caused this.
'...Hyeok Ryeon-so.'
Deciding on three for the Azure Dragon team was after multifaceted deliberations with the Alliance's military staff.
I assumed Hyeok Ryeon-so would allocate accordingly.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wouldn't mirror our numbers exactly, but even so, the demons here were overkill.
'By now, they should know I've reached the Alliance Lord's position... yet they chose this?'
In short, the Cult's infiltration team saw this as the decisive point.
'This guy's more troublesome than I thought.'
It meant Hyeok Ryeon-so had his own decisiveness.
'Well, that's why a youngest dared to take down his brothers.'
It was an unexpected move.
Without the White Bone Society's aid, I couldn't have responded this quickly.
'But I gambled on those raccoon-like old fogeys too. Anyway, leaving this one alive will breed endless trouble.'
With those thoughts, I reached right before the Azure Dragon Gate and executed Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step, kicking off the ground.
Thud!
Splitting the demon Yin Ha-seong faced in half, I joined the Azure Dragon team.
Splatter!!
Wu So-ryeong and Yin Ha-seong lit up with joy.
"Brother Eon!!"
"Brother Yong-un!"
Simultaneously, the demons' greatswords poured down like a rainy season downpour.
I naturally took position amid the three, blocking and countering the onslaught.
Clang! Kaang!!!
Kakakakaka-clang!!!!!
Checking Jang Cheol-han, Yin Ha-seong, and Wu So-ryeong,
I saw they bore large and small wounds.
"Tsk tsk. Fine work."
I involuntarily clicked my tongue, and Yin Ha-seong grumbled back.
"No, Brother Yong-un. Seeing your brothers in a desperate fight, you can't even say 'good job' and instead click your tongue?"
"Did I teach brothers to bleed out against demons? I don't recall raising such ones."
"We haven't lost yet!"
"It was only a matter of time. Gut wound. Mess that up, and your intestines spill, right?"
"It's not that deep! Argh! We really had it under control! It was that Gongyun snitch, wasn't it? From the first meeting, he looked down on me. Once I survive today, I'll boil him alive!"
"He warned of danger, yet you won't honor him as brother but boil water for what?"
"To bathe him!"
As Yin Ha-seong swung his thunder-wrapped sword while muttering,
I apologized to Jang Cheol-han.
"My apologies, Senior. I didn't anticipate they'd commit such force here."
"When do worldly affairs go exactly to plan? No need to apologize for that. It's an emergency anyway."
"Still, thanks to you holding out, these two are alive, and the gate's secure."
"Nonsense. Don't scold them too much. I didn't guard them alone; they saved me from the Yellow Springs twice."
"Yes! Watch your right!"
"Right!"
Splatter!!!
Even without Jang Cheol-han's request, I had no intention of nagging endlessly.
Enemies swarmed not just here but throughout the Alliance.
So, I asked Wu So-ryeong and Yin Ha-seong.
"So, anything you've figured out or worth noting?"
As the two who boasted longest service at my side,
They assessed the demons based on past foes.
"These guys came prepared for you, Brother Yong-un. Unlike the suicidal rushes before, they're pulling injured back."
"I agree with Brother Yin; one addition—their footwork matches that fearsome old demon horse from Sichuan!"
"Do-ol Wol-ma? Hmm. Now that you mention, it does seem similar."
"Yes! Weapons are axes and greatswords, not as scary... but the way they crush and step in advance and retreat is identical."
"Demons from the Nangong branch of the Ghost City Eight Legs. Not bad clinging to my side. Good. Enemy analysis time cut short."
As I concluded,
Jang Cheol-han gave an awkward smile.
"Just from that, I see what battles you've fought. Makes me ashamed I challenged you for a World's Ten Swords spot... Just take it yourself."
"That's not a position handed over like that. Save it for after we clean up here."
"Right, let's do that."
* * *
My joining eased the Azure Dragon team's breathing room.
Conversely, the Nangong demons' momentum broke.
But they didn't cling to it.
"Even better! Avenge Lord Do-ol Wol-ma and offer merit to the youngest young master!"
"Yes!"
"Don't forget the Demon Brain Division and Monster King Division's advice! The other three are exhausted, and Eon Yong-un faced Elder Wu Nai-sa—he can't be at full strength!"
They swiftly reformed and began flanking slyly.
Swish-
Swish-swish-swish-
At that instant,
Time stretched like taffy,
And memories of devouring Manbak Mendicant Monk's traces from the Hao Clan overlapped with the flanking demons.
'!'
Naturally grasping their joint formation's deployment, I spoke to Jang Cheol-han.
"Senior."
"Yes?"
"Remember racing up Wudang Mountain every morning at the academy with the other owls?"
"...How could I forget."
"It's similar. No time for details. I'll run from now—follow my back and showcase your skills as best you can."
I signaled Yin Ha-seong and Wu So-ryeong to prepare mentally too.
"You two as well."
"Yes."
"Got it, Brother Eon."
I regripped Regret.
Immediately, the flanking demons' greatswords slashed mercilessly,
Sending sword qi and blade winds flying from all directions.
Scree! Scree!
Screeeee!!!
But it was doable.
I didn't know the joint formation's name,
But
'I see how it moves. What it targets.'
Interestingly, I grasped its principles.
Confidently, I kicked off the ground.
Thud!
Following the clear path to disruption, I plunged through the demons' gaps, swinging Regret.
Splatter! Splatter!!!
Splaaaaatter!!!!
Within the Heaven-Splitting Crane Dance forms I unleashed,
Demons collapsed, questioning why their formation crumbled so feebly.
"...Cough. H-how?"
"How what?! Ask your Heavenly Demon in the afterlife!"
Unlike the White Bone Society's sandbag-like humans,
Jang Cheol-han and my two brothers naturally followed without orders, covering flanks and rear.
Rooooar-
Pzzt-zzzt!!!
Thus, I could focus purely on the foes ahead.
Mingling blood arts and black steel, I swung Regret in a trance for a while.
Splatter! Splatter!!
Splaaaaatter!!!!!!
Soon, only our four panted beneath the Azure Dragon Gate.
"Hoo."
Confirming it, I finally exhaled held breath.
Then,
Jang Cheol-han spoke with a baffled expression.
"...Thought you were possessed. Our skills aren't that far apart. What sorcery is this?"
At his words, Wu So-ryeong and Yin Ha-seong beamed prouder.
"Heh. This is par for fighting with Brother Eon—barely a drop in the bucket. Right, Brother Yin?"
"Exactly. And he didn't even use assassins or blood slaves just now."
I flicked their foreheads.
Thwack! Thwack!
"Ouch!"
"Ack!"
"Why are you two proud? You're both beat to hell. You sure you're okay?"
Rubbing his forehead furiously, Yin Ha-seong squinted and asked,
"So where to now? Gongyun says no immediate threats in the central area?"
"Reinforce and go lop off the head."
At my words, Jang Cheol-han tilted his head.
"Reinforce? The White Bone Society elders? Is that even possible...?"
"Those folks are holding a demon horde at the Brain Prison's entrance. That's how I got here."
"R-really? How? Wait, reinforcements mean...?"
I grinned and placed a hand on the ground.
"Rise!"