Chapter 31
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Ghost Blade Guest
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"Bandits?"
Seol Hwa-un's group encountered over a hundred bandits out of nowhere, but none of them panicked.
They just felt a bit puzzled.
'They can tell we're martial artists just by looking at us... yet they're acting so boldly?'
Ordinary bandits feared martial artists and rarely blocked their path.
The fact that they were showing themselves so confidently meant they weren't your average bandits.
As the two sides faced off, Neung Pa-jeok shouted.
"Who's the Little Palace Lord?"
"Are you looking for me?"
Seol Hwa-un stepped forward and replied, causing Neung Pa-jeok's face to flush slightly.
"So you're the bastard who killed my junior brother!"
"Junior brother?"
"You haven't forgotten the Shanxi Sword Sect incident already, have you? Yo Rip, the Ghost King寨 Leader, was my junior brother!"
Seol Hwa-un examined his inner energy and nodded inwardly.
'His energy is on a whole different level from the Ghost King寨 Leader. He's top-tier even among the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits.'
As if reading his thoughts, Neung Pa-jeok continued.
"You should know who you've messed with. I am the Ghost Blade Guest, Neung Pa-jeok!"
Eom Mu-hwi, who had heard the name, murmured lowly.
"The Ghost Blade Guest... one of the Five Great Experts of the Green Forest."
"Is that so."
Seol Hwa-un looked at Neung Pa-jeok and said.
"Avenging your junior brother. Not bad loyalty for a bandit."
"Shut your mouth! Who are you to judge me? I've been waiting for this moment a long time. This place will be your grave!"
"Is that all you've got?"
Perhaps due to their leader, the bandits seemed to have decent skill. Of course, they still couldn't compare to the North Wind Brigade.
Neung Pa-jeok's lips curled up slightly.
"How about this?"
He raised his hand, and bandits who had been lying in ambush on both sides revealed themselves. Their numbers exceeded a hundred.
"......"
But it wasn't enough to surprise Seol Hwa-un's group. Only Hwang Bo-yeong was startled; the rest had already sensed the ambush through their presence. Even Dang So-gyo remained unfazed.
For Hwang Bo-yeong, it was bewildering.
'What? The others make sense, but why isn't that little girl shaken?'
Dang So-gyo was indeed extraordinary. Dang Cheong, amazed by her composure, asked.
"Aren't you scared? So many are radiating killing intent."
"What's there to worry about? I've got Big Brother and Seol Big Brother here. Mere bandits can't do a thing."
"......"
The encircling bandits numbered over two hundred in total. Seeing no disturbance from Seol Hwa-un's group despite the overwhelming numerical superiority, Neung Pa-jeok dismissed it as bravado.
'Hmph! They must be terrified inside.'
"I'll compliment you for not panicking. But can you manage it this time?"
He gave a signal with his eyes, and the vice leader beside him blew a whistle.
Piiiiiik!
"......?"
Soon, a shower of arrows rained down from the sky.
Shuuuuushushuk!
The North Wind Brigade Leader shouted.
"Everyone, watch the skies above!"
Archers had been hiding atop the canyon cliffs. They were so high up that even their presence hadn't been detected.
Chaeng chaeng chaeng!
Seol Hwa-un's group drew their weapons and deflected the arrows.
Arrows falling from such heights were quite powerful, even if the archers' skills weren't exceptional.
But unfortunately for the bandits, everyone in Seol Hwa-un's group except Dang So-gyo was at least first-rate or better.
Pafapang!
Dang Cheong, holding Dang So-gyo in his arms, was knocking arrows away with his gauntlets. The arrows weren't just deflected—they were shattering completely.
He was clearly using some special energy art.
Hwang Bo-yeong's face was flushed with tension. But he calmly thrust his inner energy-infused fist at the arrows coming his way.
Chaeng!
'Good!'
At that moment, three arrows dropped toward him simultaneously.
Shushuk!
"......!"
Even for a first-rate expert like him, it wasn't impossible to block. The problem was that this was Hwang Bo-yeong's first real battle.
Chaeng!
He handled two arrows perfectly. But the third grazed past his fist and fell toward his head.
'Ah!'
Just as the arrow was about to pierce his forehead.
Pang!
The arrow turned to dust in an instant. He turned to see Seol Hwa-un standing with his fist extended.
In that moment of crisis, he had blasted fist wind to block the arrow for him.
"Th-thank you, Little Palace Lord."
"Keep your composure. With the Young Lord's skill, you can block any number of arrows."
"Yes!"
The arrow attack slowed, likely for reloading, when the North Wind Brigade Leader shouted.
"Third squad, take out the archers!"
"Understood!"
Ten North Wind Brigade members scattered and began scaling the cliffs. Their wall-climbing skill was remarkable.
"......!"
Some archers fired at them, but it was futile.
The North Wind Brigade members dodged or deflected arrows while clinging to the cliffs, without a hint of danger.
Neung Pa-jeok, frowning at the minimal damage from the arrows, saw this and bellowed with inner energy.
"Archers, focus on the ones climbing the cliffs!"
Arrows that had been targeting the group now concentrated on the climbing North Wind Brigade members. Naturally, their ascent slowed.
Neung Pa-jeok's eyes gleamed.
'Now, while their numbers are few—that's our chance!'
He had grown wary of Seol Hwa-un's unexpectedly formidable group.
Moreover, the young scions who appeared to be from martial families were showing considerable skill, so he couldn't be overly optimistic.
"Heavenly Summit Bandit Stronghold, all hands! Charge the enemy!"
Waaaaah!
Over two hundred bandits surged from three directions.
The North Wind Brigade Leader immediately issued a counter order.
"First and second squads, defensive formation!"
"Understood!"
Twenty North Wind Brigade members formed a semicircle to block the bandits, naturally protecting Seol Hwa-un, Dang Cheong, and Hwang Bo-yeong.
Seol Hwa-un said to them.
"They're after me, so stay back, Dang Young Hero and Hwang Young Lord."
"But......"
"For precautions, Dang Young Hero, protect So-gyo. Hwang Young Lord, stay by my side."
Faced with his resolute expression, Dang Cheong and Hwang Bo-yeong could only comply quietly.
"Mu-hwi, Dong-won! Cover the North Wind Brigade from the rear. If the defensive formation breaks, you hold the line."
"Understood!"
It might seem better to form a joint defense, but in reality, it wasn't. They had no prior coordination with the North Wind Brigade against such numbers—it could just hinder them.
Waaaaah!
At the same time, the bandits charged the North Wind Brigade.
Chaeng chaeng chaeng chaeng!
Weapons clashed, resounding with sharp metallic echoes.
The North Wind Brigade wielded diverse weapons: spears, swords, blades, as well as whips, staffs, and axes.
But they shared a common trait: all were practical and powerful.
They showed no sign of yielding to the onslaught of ten times their number.
"Kraaak!"
"Gahk!"
Soon, bandits' screams erupted. Even while defending, the North Wind Brigade counterattacked, felling them.
Flash!
Seogeogeogeok!
"Kuhuk!"
"Kraaak!"
The most standout was undoubtedly the North Wind Brigade Leader. Standing at the center of the formation, he swung his long straight blade infused with blade energy, toppling three or four bandits per swing.
"Th-that's an incredible master!"
The bandits instinctively widened their distance from his overwhelming presence.
"No chance."
But it was useless. He immediately unleashed blade energy.
Shuuaaaak!
The monstrous blade energy spread out in a fan shape.
"Kraaak!"
"Kuhuk!"
"Sp-spare... Aak!"
In an instant, over a dozen bandits collapsed with limbs severed. It was utter dominance.
"......Monster!"
As the bandits faltered in terror, the vice leader stepped forward.
"Don't fall back!"
He cleaved the neck of a retreating bandit with his axe.
Seok!
"......!"
"I'll cut down anyone who retreats!"
"Ugh......!"
"That monstrous energy can't be sustained forever! Keep charging!"
In the end, the enraged bandits had no choice but to rush the North Wind Brigade again.
"Hmph."
The North Wind Brigade Leader unflinchingly swung his blade.
Paat!
Seok!
Several more bandits fell. In that short time, he had felled over twenty. Yet the bandits were still numerous.
'Not to be underestimated.'
The remaining North Wind Brigade members were under significant pressure from the numerical disadvantage. But they held their ground firmly.
Dang Cheong, watching from inside, couldn't help but be impressed.
'The Brigade Leader's martial arts are impressive, but the regular members are no slouches either. Even against bandits, holding off over two hundred with just twenty...'
It wasn't just individual skill; their coordination made it possible.
'As expected of the North Sea Ice Palace's North Wind Brigade.'
Dang So-gyo, cradled in his arms and unable to see ahead, said.
"Big Brother, can't I watch the fight too?"
"No. You're still too young. This isn't good for you."
"Tch! But I'm curious......"
"Cover your ears like I said."
"Hmph, no way."
Dang So-gyo had a boldness unusual for her age. She remained calm despite the gruesome screams.
Though the North Wind Brigade maintained a solid defense, it was impossible to block every bandit piling on relentlessly.
Finally, one bandit tried to breach the line.
"Die!"
Dong Ho-won flinched and thrust his spear, but.
Puk!
"Ugh......"
The bandit toppled, his forehead pierced by something.
"Eh?"
Dong Ho-won whipped his head around.
"Didn't you say to leave this to us, Dang Young Hero?"
It turned out Dang Cheong had launched a hidden weapon with his left hand.
"Sorry. My hand was idle."
"Geez."
Shushuk!
Afterward, he continued firing hidden weapons to aid the North Wind Brigade.
"......"
Thanks to that, Seol Hwa-un got to appreciate the Tang Clan hidden weapon arts up close for once.
'Definitely improved since before. His hand movements are much more concise and precise.'
Just from the hidden weapons, one could tell how profound Dang Cheong's martial arts were.
'Two hundred years is a long time. An era of peace naturally allows martial arts to advance.'
Two hundred years ago, the Primordial Sect's arts had overwhelmed most prestigious clans'. Only a few from the Nine Great Sects could compare.
"Ugh......"
Seol Hwa-un turned to see Hwang Bo-yeong trembling faintly beside him.
"......You alright?"
"F-fine."
He replied, but his face was pale.
Blood spraying and limbs severed—it was gruesomely terrifying.
It was no wonder the battle-inexperienced Hwang Bo-yeong felt fear.
"......"
Seol Hwa-un placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hwang Young Lord."
When their eyes met as Hwang Bo-yeong turned, he continued.
"Steel your heart. This is what it means to live as a martial artist. Someday, you'll face battles like this too, Hwang Young Lord. Will you just tremble then?"
"......"
"This could be a good opportunity for you. Experiencing a large-scale battle like this without fighting yourself. Such experience isn't easily gained."
"......"
Hwang Bo-yeong's trembling lessened a bit as he couldn't help asking.
"You're truly composed, Little Palace Lord. Have you experienced battles like this before?"
Seol Hwa-un gave a wry smile.
'Countless times. ...A long time ago.'
Even before becoming Alliance Leader, he had plenty of experience, but the campaign against the Outer Realm Evil Forces was the fiercest.
Especially the battles with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—he had faced life-and-death crises multiple times.
He had even clashed fiercely with his family, the North Sea Ice Palace. Recalling that left a bitter taste.
If he could go back, would he still lead the purge of the Outer Realm Evil Forces? He believed it was justice then, but now...
'......Water under the bridge.'
Meanwhile, Neung Pa-jeok, watching the battle, grew increasingly distorted in expression.
'Unbelievable. Holding out with so few?'
Then, faint screams reached his ears.
'Already?'
Looking up, the North Wind Brigade members who scaled the cliffs were out of sight. They were probably overwhelming the archers.
The ambush positions were spread wide, but the archers' annihilation seemed a matter of time.
'If those guys return, it'll be even worse.'
Neung Pa-jeok ground his teeth.
Eudeuk!
'I thought this many would suffice......'
He had planned to cleanly behead the captured Seol Hwa-un later, but now he snapped to attention.
His eyes caught the North Wind Brigade Leader radiating overwhelming might. But Neung Pa-jeok thought differently.
'Hmm......'
The opponent was the North Sea Ice Palace Little Palace Lord's bodyguard. He was plenty strong, but there was a sense of leisure in his movements.
'Hmph, meaning he can handle it without full power?'
He seemed similar in level, but Neung Pa-jeok was confident he could win if he pushed a bit.
'Kill him as quickly as possible.'
If he could take down just the Brigade Leader, the tide would turn in an instant.
Sreung!
Drawing the large saber at his waist, Neung Pa-jeok stepped toward the North Wind Brigade Leader.