Chapter 25: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (21)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (21)
The moment I lost my senses to Seol-hee and Jang Seo-young’s seduction and was about to pounce on them, news arrived that one of Elder Gu’s search party members had returned to the family estate in a hurry.
I quickly threw on my clothes and went outside. The cold air brushed against my skin.
A warrior waiting at the door greeted me with a tense face.
"Young Lord! We've found the Family Head and the Young Lady. However, they are currently being pursued by the Black Dragon Gate's chase team. Elder Gu has requested immediate support."
"Their location?"
"Near the Five Sword Gate."
"Summon the family's warriors at once. I will go myself."
With those words, my mind raced, quickly assessing the situation. Besides, it was a good opportunity to test my skills, now that I'd reached the first-rate level.
Just then, I heard Jang Seo-young's voice from behind me.
"Seo-yun… I will go with you."
I turned to see Jang Seo-young standing there with a firm expression, a sword in her hand. Her eyes were filled with determination.
"Very well. Mother, you've also reached the first-rate level, so let's go together."
Along with the summoned warriors and Jang Seo-young, we departed for the Five Sword Gate immediately.
We chose the fastest horses and rode out.
"The Family Head and Young Lady So-hee were discovered in a canyon near the Five Sword Gate."
I listened to the search party member's report as we galloped. The fact that the Black Dragon Gate's pursuit team was on their tail weighed on my mind.
Jang Seo-young's expression was dark as she rode beside me. Having heard no news of Jin Myeong-woo, her worry seemed to deepen.
I whipped my horse, urging it to go faster. Dark clouds began to gather in the sky.
The sound of hooves thundered across the land. As the dark clouds blanketed the sky, our party raced toward the Five Sword Gate at full speed.
Is it going to rain?
I thought, looking up at the sky. Rain would make the pursuit more difficult. The Jin Family Head's life was of no concern to me. The safety of Jin So-hee, the one I had my eye on, was far more important.
"Smoke ahead!"
At a warrior's shout, everyone's gaze turned forward. Black smoke was rising in the distance.
Has the battle already begun?
I cracked the whip even harder. The horses' pace quickened.
As we neared the canyon, I could feel an intense energy. A battle between first-rate masters was clearly underway.
The first drops of rain began to fall. The sky grew darker and darker.
*
Having barely survived the Black Dragon Gate's attack, Jin So-hee was leading her injured father, trying to escape the mountain quickly.
"There they are!"
From deep within the canyon, the Black Dragon Gate's pursuers, swords in hand, were closing in.
"So… So-hee… Leave me and go…"
"Father… Don't give up."
The Jin Family Head, who had lost an arm, spoke with great difficulty. Jin So-hee led him onward, squeezing out the last dregs of her internal energy to perform the lightness skill and flee.
The pursuers drew closer, and before long, they were surrounded.
"Hehehe, where do you think you're going?"
"Chu Hyung-pae…"
"Heh, she's a feisty-looking one. It'd be a real treat to crush her beneath me and have my way with her."
"......"
Jin So-hee drew her sword, preparing for a final battle.
"Give up. If you spread your legs for me yourself, I might just spare your father's life."
"Shut up! You're as vile as you look."
Jin So-hee raised her sword, emitting a sharp aura. She was gathering the last of her strength.
Just then, the sound of horse hooves echoed from the distance.
"Family Head! Young Lady!"
It was Elder Gu's voice. The Jin family warriors, led by the elder, were arriving.
"Elder Gu!"
Hope blossomed in Jin So-hee's eyes.
"Hehehe, so the Jin family's trash has arrived."
Chu Hyung-pae pulled out two axes. A red aura rose from them.
"Protect the Family Head and the Young Lady. I will deal with Chu Hyung-pae!"
"Hahaha, you dare face me, Chu Hyung-pae of the Blood Axe Twin Ghosts, alone?!"
Elder Gu stepped forward. Standing before Chu Hyung-pae, he drew his sword. Seeing the Family Head's wretched state, killing intent flared in his eyes.
"Chu Hyung-pae, I will end your life right here!"
Elder Gu unleashed his sword aura and swung at Chu Hyung-pae's neck. A cold glint of light cut through the air.
But Chu Hyung-pae's twin axes blocked his sword. The red aura rising from the axes swallowed Elder Gu's sword aura.
"Hehehe… I don't have time to play with an old man, but…"
A cruel smile spread across Chu Hyung-pae's lips. The dark energy rising from his axes grew thicker.
"I'll show you! The power I received from my master! Iron Dragon Twin Axes - Blood River Frenzy!"
Chu Hyung-pae's twin axes raged like a river of blood. The red aura swirling from the blades was like a vortex of gore. Combined with the Black Dragon Gate's sinister internal energy, it radiated a maddening power.
Elder Gu's sword blocked the axes, but he was being pushed back by the bizarre force erupting from them.
"Iron Dragon Twin Axes - Twin-Headed Demon Kill!"
Chu Hyung-pae's axes flew in, crossing like two vicious beasts. The black and red auras intertwined, unleashing an even more ferocious power.
Elder Gu's sword clashed with his axes. A powerful shockwave of energy exploded outward.
This is…
Elder Gu's eyes widened. Chu Hyung-pae's skill was completely different from the rumors. The red aura rising from his axes writhed as if it were alive.
"Hehehe, die!"
Chu Hyung-pae's axe cut through the air. Elder Gu blocked it, but he was pushed back by the strange power emanating from the weapon.
Clang!
Elder Gu's sword met Chu Hyung-pae's axe.
They said Chu Hyung-pae was at the peak of the second-rate level, but how is he this strong?!
Elder Gu's eyes widened. The red aura rising from the axes had already surpassed the first-rate level and was reaching for something beyond. Moreover, he could feel a crazed killing intent from that energy.
"Hehehe. Surprised? This is the power of the elixir my master bestowed upon me!"
Chu Hyung-pae's axe sliced through the air once more. Elder Gu barely managed to block it, but the impact sent him skidding backward, his feet digging into the ground.
Clang! Kang!
Sparks flew every time the sword and axes clashed.
"Take this!"
Elder Gu's sword grazed Chu Hyung-pae's shoulder. But ignoring the gash, he immediately launched a counterattack.
"Hahaha! This is my power!"
Chu Hyung-pae's laughter echoed through the canyon. His axe knocked Elder Gu's sword aside.
Clang!
Elder Gu's sword flew into the air. Two axes flew toward his exposed chest in a cross pattern.
"Kuh!"
Coughing up blood, Elder Gu collapsed to the ground. Blood flowed ceaselessly from the deep wounds.
"Elder Gu!"
Jin So-hee's scream echoed through the canyon. Chu Hyung-pae looked at her and laughed mockingly.
"Heh heh. What are you all doing? Finish off the rest of them."
At Chu Hyung-pae's command, the Black Dragon Gate warriors charged toward the Jin family's men. Chu Hyung-pae watched them for a moment before approaching Jin So-hee, who had her sword aimed at him.
"Heh heh. The more I look at you, the more beautiful you are."
A red aura still swirled from his axe. As he stared at Jin So-hee with crazed eyes, his gaze was a mixture of murderous intent and greed.
Jin So-hee's expression was cold as she stood with her sword, ready to protect her injured father. But her hand was trembling slightly.
"Die!"
Jin So-hee swung her sword, attacking Chu Hyung-pae. A cold glint of light cut through the air.
But Chu Hyung-pae's axe easily parried her sword.
"Kek kek, quite the spitfire, aren't you? Good, struggle more! Let's see how long you last!"
"Kuk… Hah!"
Jin So-hee's sword cut through the air once more. But Chu Hyung-pae, having deflected it with ease, moved even closer.
At this rate…
Accumulated fatigue was weighing her down, but Jin So-hee still gripped her sword tightly and didn't stop her attacks.
"I've had enough of your tantrums. Now, get ready to serve your husband!"
Chu Hyung-pae sneered, taunting her. Jin So-hee, breathing heavily, curled her lip.
"Husband? The likes of you? With your upturned nose and pig's snout, I can't even tell if you're a man or a pig. You must be delusional to think you could be my husband."
At her provocative words, Chu Hyung-pae's face twisted in an instant.
"You bitch…!"
His eyes flipped with rage, and the axe in one hand flashed.
Jin So-hee forced her exhausted body to recover and raised her sword high. A smirk remained on her lips.
"Just because a pig speaks human words, don't mistake it for a human!"
At Jin So-hee's taunt, Chu Hyung-pae's face turned beet red.
"Grr… I was being nice, and now you think you can say anything. Let's see if you can still run that mouth after I cut off your arms and legs and pass you around to my men!"
His face blotchy with rage, Chu Hyung-pae swung his axe toward Jin So-hee's arm.
Now!
Her taunt had worked. The enraged Chu Hyung-pae had revealed an opening. Her sword swung toward that gap.
Kang!
"Khaha! Did you think I'd fall for your clumsy little trick?"
Her attack was blocked, and Chu Hyung-pae grabbed her arm. In that moment, Jin So-hee felt a despair as if all hope had crumbled.
"Before I cut off your limbs, I should have a taste. I look forward to seeing you moaning and crying beneath me."
Chu Hyung-pae's repulsive face drew near.
Ah… Myeong-woo…
The face of her beloved younger brother flashed through her mind. Believing it was all over, she closed her eyes and prepared to bite her tongue.
"Don't touch my sister with your filthy hands, you pig."
Noticing the sword coming for his neck, Chu Hyung-pae instinctively swung his axe to block it, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling backward. The impact loosened his grip on Jin So-hee.
"Who are you! How dare you!"
"I have no name to give to a pig."
"You keep calling me a pig… I am Chu Hyung-pae of the Blood Axe Twin Ghosts!"
The red aura rising from Chu Hyung-pae's axe grew even thicker.
The axe flew like lightning. The red energy flowing along its blade cut through the air.
Jin Seo-yun's sword blocked it.
"Kuk…"
The immense power erupting from the axe sent Jin Seo-yun skidding backward, his feet digging into the ground. Chu Hyung-pae's strength, enhanced by the elixir, was greater than he had imagined.
"Hehehe, you're nothing special either!"
Chu Hyung-pae's second axe cut through the air. Jin Seo-yun twisted his body to narrowly avoid it, but the blade grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.
"Be careful! Chu Hyung-pae is at the peak of the first-rate level right now!"
Jin So-hee's shout came from behind. I gave a small nod.
Chu Hyung-pae was already surpassing the first-rate level. But his power was unstable. Whether it was a side effect of the elixir, his eyes held a glint of madness.
Dragging this out won't do any good.
I couldn't give him time. It would be a pain if he went berserk.
"Die!"
A flurry of axe strikes rained down. The red-wreathed axes tore through the air.
Clang! Kang! Clang!
Sparks flew every time the sword and axes clashed.
Jin Seo-yun's sword aimed for his thigh. The wound wasn't deep. Chu Hyung-pae ignored it and swung his axe.
"Hahaha! You think you can defeat me with this!"
He ignored the gash and immediately counterattacked. Thanks to the elixir's effects, his body was no longer normal.
"Did you know? Before you slaughter a pig, you're supposed to beat it while it's still alive. And what do you know, there's a pig right in front of me."
Jin Seo-yun's cold voice rang out. A white aura began to rise from the sword in his hand.
"What…?"
Feeling the white sword aura before him, Chu Hyung-pae's eyes widened. He realized that Jin Seo-yun had been hiding his true power until now.
"The real fight starts now, pig."
The white sword aura that erupted from the blade pushed back Chu Hyung-pae's axe. His feet scraped against the ground as he was forced back.
"Keoheok…! Y-You bastard…!"
Chu Hyung-pae's crazed eyes twisted further. A ferocious red energy exploded from his axe as he launched a counterattack.