Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Mysterious True Gate (3)
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When they arrived at the meeting point agreed upon with the Qingyang Sect warriors, Instructor Sim Ui was already waiting.
The instructor, whom they hadn't seen in over ten days, apologized as soon as they met.
"I'm sorry. Seeing those horribly injured people got the better of me."
A Wudang Sect warrior had jumped into action without even composing himself emotionally?
'That's more than just being nosy.'
Unfortunately, Qingyang Sect Leader Seo Tae-myeong wasn't bold enough to openly berate a Wudang disciple.
"If you witness injustice, it's only right to rise up and punish evil. You did well."
"Hearing that from the Qingyang Sect Leader makes me grateful."
"Where are the bandits?"
Instructor Sim Ui pointed to the ridgeline extending from the pass.
"I confirmed a mountain stronghold at the peak."
"At the peak."
Seo Tae-myeong pressed his palm to his forehead and squinted at the summit, furrowing his brow.
It was hard to see, obscured by the terrain. Instructor Sim Ui spoke as if to say not to worry.
"Don't worry. I've marked the location."
"That's a relief."
"We got lucky. For some reason, they were viciously dragging villagers to the stronghold, which is how I spotted them."
"Some kind of disappearance case..."
It seemed Instructor Sim Ui had his own reasons.
'I've heard there've been mysterious disappearances in the martial world lately.'
Above all, with the Beggars' Sect Elder Beggar Elder's matter known, he might have taken action personally.
"Let's hurry."
"Do you not need rest?"
Though he clearly showed signs of fatigue, Instructor Sim Ui answered firmly.
"Resting after upholding justice is enough."
Only as they neared the summit did the mountain stronghold come into view.
Hidden by the rugged terrain, it wasn't visible from afar, but up close, the sturdy log fence made from thick timber, sharpened to points, was no ordinary defense.
Especially after seeing the watchtower built to guard against enemies, they understood why Instructor Sim Ui had returned.
"It's a formidable defensive position. Exceptionally sturdy—rare to see."
The stronghold, built leveraging the steep mountainside, was vicious enough to make even government troops click their tongues.
Instructor Sim Ui nodded in agreement.
"With my internal energy, breaking the fence is my limit."
"Can you manage it?"
"If I go all out, yes."
"Clear the path first, and we'll follow right behind."
With that, Seo Tae-myeong turned.
"Disciples, listen up."
He was rallying his sect members.
Watching this, Instructor Sim Ui turned to Cheongsu and said.
Cheongsu's delicate face was pale with tension.
"This is your first real battle."
"Don't fall behind me, and follow carefully."
"Always watch for hidden weapons and arrows. Even masters can't dodge a blind blade."
"There are many enemies. The fight may drag on, so manage your energy wisely."
Instructor Sim Ui pressed Cheongsu with warnings of every possible danger in combat.
Baek Ri-seol, watching, bit her lip.
"Instructor, got nothing for us?"
"Nope. Just handle it yourselves."
At the curt reply, Baek Ri-seol puffed her cheeks.
"This is life-or-death real combat—you're being too harsh!"
"Sister's right! Give us a proper answer!"
Chu Un-hwi chuckled at the two protesting with arms raised threateningly.
"Remember just one thing."
Nothing major.
"I've got your backs."
What reassurance could be more solid?
"Got it!"
"Yes!"
The four steeled their resolve.
"I'll go first."
Instructor Sim Ui, saying so, unleashed elegant lightness skill and swiftly ascended the sloped path.
Tatataatatat!
Spotting the intruder flying like the wind, commotion erupted beyond the fence.
"Damn! It's a Wudang Taoist!"
"Bastards! Shoot arrows! Keep shooting!"
"Don't let him reach the fence!"
Shwaaash!
Dozens of arrows soared high into the sky.
They soon arced gracefully in the air and rained down on Instructor Sim Ui.
Shishishishik!
Seo Tae-myeong, pressed against the valley wall, swallowed a groan at the precise archery.
"Quite the elites."
It was archery rare even for mere bandits.
At that moment, Instructor Sim Ui stopped at a small boulder.
He flicked his sword, drawing a small circle.
The small circle grew larger. Even larger.
Finally, drawing a massive circle with this technique, exclamations burst from the Qingyang Sect warriors.
"Taiji Swordsmanship!"
"To see Taiji Sword in my lifetime."
"Truly Wudang's ultimate art."
The endless parade of circles seemed clumsy yet allowed not a single arrow through.
Papapapapap!
Dozens of arrows clattered about, their tips severed.
He had sliced only the arrowheads mid-air and deflected them.
Blocking the attack, Instructor Sim Ui resumed his lightness skill, closing in on the fence rapidly.
"Block him! Block!"
"Damn! Where's the chief?!"
Some shot arrows again, but the bandits' panicked response was not as before.
Deflecting the sporadic arrows, Instructor Sim Ui finally reached the fence.
"Haaaaap!"
As he approached, he let out a massive shout and swung his left palm.
His left hand, waving as if grasping air, struck the fence like lightning.
Ku-ung!
The fence shook violently from the spinning palm strike.
Ku-ung! Kung! Kung!
Continuous palm strikes tilted it.
Kung! Kukuung! Ku-ung!
Relentless strikes finally collapsed one side.
The ropes binding the logs snapped under the tension.
Warrururu!
As the fence toppled unevenly, bandits screamed.
"Damn! What a monster!"
"Dodge! The logs are falling!"
Mournful wails came from those crushed beneath.
'This is a master's terror.'
Approach like the wind, shatter defenses powerfully.
A single overwhelming blow is terror to foes, blessing to allies.
Inspired, Seo Tae-myeong raised his sword.
"We must protect Instructor Sim!"
"Waaah! Follow the sect leader!"
"Chaaarge!"
Wooo-.
Qingyang Sect disciples charged up the steep slope with roars.
Cheongsu hurried after Instructor Sim Ui with lightness skill.
Last was Jeongyang.
"Watch closely."
As if determined to show his skill, he gripped his gleaming new sword and climbed the slope.
Chaechaechaechang!
Thus, battle erupted between the defending bandits and advancing Qingyang disciples across the fence.
Clap. Clap.
Chu Un-hwi clapped.
"Alright. Our turn."
Time to move, my little achievement trees.
By the time they sauntered to the fence, Instructor Sim Ui had recovered some energy.
Squelch.
Stepping in warm flowing blood, they saw him at the front, cutting down two bandits.
"Impressive skill."
Though why he's an instructor at Silver Hall is a mystery.
Even as he effortlessly felled bandits, his eyes stayed on Cheongsu.
"What are you doing! I said widen your view!"
"Behind! Hidden weapon! How did you miss it!"
"Your sword reeks of killing intent! Wield it with a cultivator's mind!"
"Body's stiff. Why can't you relax!"
Under the bellows, Cheongsu sweated profusely, struggling.
'Even the newbie's decent.'
Couldn't fathom why he nitpicked constantly.
Cheongsu's skill was solid.
His deflections and cuts were precise, strikes powerful.
Splitting weapons with one sword stroke isn't easy.
Above all, his fluid Wudang Divine Gate Thirteen Swords rhythmically struck foes' vital points.
Just suppressing wrists showed his potential.
"No wonder the kid's complaining."
Truly overwhelming prowess.
Hard to find a match in Silver Hall.
In a world where even a stranger—mom's friend's son—excels and torments you, having a perfect model student next door?
Real-time comparison must crush with defeat.
'But it's a shame.'
"Out of the way! If that's all you've got, stop now!"
Endless rebukes.
"Eyes! Open them properly!"
"Survey the whole battlefield!"
"Why can't you do this!"
Cheongsu flinched at the side roars.
Distracted by nagging, his movements lagged a beat.
Hesitation slowed his once-bold sword.
His strides shortened, fighting defensively.
"Haha! I got one!"
He glanced at Qingyang disciples steadily racking kills.
'Distracted elsewhere—how survive?'
Puhwak!
He missed a back ambush.
Instructor Sim Ui slew the bandit instead, face red.
"Where's your focus!"
"S-sorry. My mistake."
"Get it together! Real battle's no game!"
Chu Un-hwi shook his head.
"Totally broken."
No help yelling at a tensed kid.
"Well, model students have their woes?"
Serves the annoying top student right.
"Wonder how my kids are doing."
Chu Un-hwi looked over.
Fortunately, his achievement trees performed steadily as trained.
"Brother Nangong! Killing intent!"
"Got it."
Chaeeng!
When Moyong So-hye called, Nangong Yun-ho led, deflecting arrows and swords.
"I'll hold that side."
Srulk.
As Nangong Yun-ho blocked frontal attacks, Jegal Tan constantly moved, breaking encirclements.
"Think three on you changes anything?"
Shishishik!
Baek Ri-seol occasionally leaped over heads, raining merciless strikes.
Bandits recoiled at flashing sword light.
Attack and defense. Precision and boldness harmonized.
Perfectly organic Four Directions Sword Formation.
Qingyang disciples marveled.
"Who's that girl?"
"Handling four swords as one—unique swordsmanship."
"That Jegal heir's amazing. True swift sword."
Qingyang folk praised Divine Martial Academy.
Chu Un-hwi eyed only Nangong Yun-ho.
"Ha. Kid. Evolved again."
Simpler, more concise, but Chu Un-hwi knew.
"Talent in flow fights, now rhythm too?"
Nangong Yun-ho's sword deflecting five blades flowed like water.
Before, it'd take five moves for five blades.
Chaechaechaeng! Taengkang!
One motion for four deflections, slicing the last.
With energy left for more, start and end blurred.
'Nangong's Sword Ghost indeed.'
Trod upon yet sprouting, blooming magnificently under sunlight.
"Well, still a ways off."
Just decent now.
No room for complacency.
"Anyway. Time to move? Gotta instructor for a living."
Saunter. Saunter.
Chu Un-hwi moved.