Chapter 228: I Can't Just Stand By Watching You Suffer
Massacre!
As soon as those words left the Blood Sect Lord's mouth, the disciples' blood began to boil.
Demonic path!
Though they had survived within the Central Divine Continent, they were far from welcome there. Fearing the united wrath of other factions, they hadn't even dared to cultivate certain extreme demonic arts. Thus, the demonic path had been shackled hand and foot in the Central Divine Continent, unable to spread its wings.
But here in Qingzhou, there was nothing to fear.
No surveillance from Hogye Meng, no forces strong enough to check them. They could do whatever they pleased.
The strong could dispose of the weak as they wished.
After all, wasn't weakness the greatest sin in this world?
Kill!
The Blood Sect disciples who stormed into the city began slaughtering anyone in sight. Soldiers rushed in desperately to stop them, but ordinary troops could only collapse helplessly.
The Hophwan Sect and Huanso Gate refrained from the killing and headed straight for the imperial palace.
Their top priority was seizing the Imperial Edict.
* * *
In front of Jeoguk's imperial palace.
Tens of thousands of soldiers were already densely arrayed.
Behind them stood Cheok Bal-eon, flanked by two Myriad Laws Realm experts guarding her.
Soon, under countless gazes, warriors led by the Hophwan Sect Lord and Huanso Gate Lord gathered before the palace.
The moment they spotted Cheok Bal-eon, the Hophwan Sect Lord and Huanso Gate Lord's eyes blazed with fury.
That was when it happened.
"Fire!"
With Cheok Bal-eon's shout, a rain of arrows poured from the sky, engulfing the Hophwan Sect and Huanso Gate warriors.
The Hophwan Sect Lord sneered coldly and casually swung his right hand. A stream of energy surged from his palm, sweeping away the arrow barrage that had blotted out the sun.
At this sight, the Jeoguk soldiers' faces turned pale in an instant!
He was a Law Realm expert.
No matter how many ordinary soldiers there were, they couldn't oppose a Law Realm powerhouse. Such a being had long transcended the realm of normal warriors.
Then, the Hophwan Sect Lord shouted toward Cheok Bal-eon, visible amid the soldiers.
"This time, no one will protect you! Don't even think of tricks. If you take your own life, I'll bury every soldier here with you!"
"Even if I surrendered meekly, you wouldn't spare my soldiers—I know that much. No need for more words. Jeoguk may fall due to our weakness, but our spirit will never break!"
With that, Cheok Bal-eon drew two Flame Burst Talismans from her sleeve.
In an instant, the talismans trembled wildly and ignited.
Right then, someone placed hands on both her shoulders from behind. She couldn't move.
Turning, Cheok Bal-eon saw the two elders who had been guarding her looking at her with apologetic eyes.
In the end, they bowed their heads, unable to meet her gaze.
"Your Highness, forgive us!"
Disbelief flashed in Cheok Bal-eon's eyes at the elder's words.
"Gang-i, Yakno... How could you..."
"We've already made a deal with the Hophwan Sect. After this, we'll go with them to the Central Divine Continent. With Qingzhou and Jeoguk finished, we must seek our own path to survival. Please understand..."
"Hahaha... I never dreamed you'd betray me. Anyone else, maybe, but not you two..."
Cheok Bal-eon had known them since childhood; they were like family to her. She could never have imagined betrayal from those she trusted as blood kin, especially at such a critical moment.
The old woman averted her gaze as she spoke.
"Everyone's selfish at heart. Don't blame us too much..."
"Everyone's selfish? Who said that!?"
A booming voice echoed through the area.
The warriors turned in shock to see a man approaching slowly.
Clad in a long crimson robe, sword in hand, sword case on his back.
It was Yeop Hyeon.
Everyone staring at him looked as if possessed by a ghost.
'Didn't they say he was dead!?'
Even Cheok Bal-eon, gazing at Yeop Hyeon, felt tension surge through her body.
As Yeop Hyeon walked toward her, the soldiers hurriedly parted. Excitement was plain on the faces of those nearest him.
Though a Kanguk native, Yeop Hyeon was Jeoguk's national savior. And everyone, even the blind, knew the depth of his bond with Cheok Bal-eon.
Meanwhile, the Hophwan Sect and Huanso Gate members eyed him differently.
Yeop Hyeon was the youngest Sword Emperor in Qingzhou history.
They couldn't believe he was alive.
Two Law Realm experts, over a dozen Myriad Laws Realm powerhouses, and hundreds of elite warriors had failed to kill him...?
Realizing this, the Hophwan Sect Lord and Huanso Gate Lord's expressions darkened.
Yeop Hyeon had already reached Cheok Bal-eon. The two elders still gripped her shoulders—gripping harder, in fact.
"When did you get here?"
Cheok Bal-eon asked calmly.
"About an hour ago?"
Yeop Hyeon grinned slyly.
"I planned to swoop in like a hero at the last moment, but I can't just stand by watching them torment you."
At that instant, his sword case twitched, and a blade shot out.
Slash—!
With a chilling sound, the arm of the elder gripping Cheok Bal-eon's shoulder was severed. The old woman beside him recoiled in shock, yanking Cheok Bal-eon to use as a shield. But a sword pierced her brow.
"So... fast..."
The area fell silent.
Killing a Myriad Laws Realm expert in one strike!
The Hophwan Sect and Huanso Gate warriors' faces stiffened.
It wouldn't be so shocking if it came after a fierce battle. But instant death changed everything.
Cheok Bal-eon said nothing, staring at the dead old woman. Her expression was profoundly complex.
Right then, the remaining elder bolted without looking back.
As Yeop Hyeon moved to pursue, Cheok Bal-eon raised a hand to stop him.
"Let him go."
She spoke softly to the puzzled Yeop Hyeon.
"He betrayed me in the end, but he's helped countless times before. That settles any debt to Jeoguk!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Alright, as you say."
He turned and strode toward the enemy warriors.
The Hophwan Sect Lord narrowed his eyes and called out.
"Yeop Hyeon, you'd best stay out of this. Otherwise..."
The moment Yeop Hyeon vanished from view, a sword flew toward the Hophwan Sect Lord.
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
His blade was already dyed black with Evil Intent Sword Intent, infused with the power of heaven and earth.
All faces trembled at the sword's dazzling arrival.
Sensing its might, the Hophwan Sect Lord gravely waved both hands. The space above his head warped strangely.
Space Distortion!
A ability any Law Realm expert could use. But as he wasn't True Law Realm, he could only distort space, not restructure it.
Altering and distorting were worlds apart.
Yeop Hyeon's sword ignored the distortion and descended on the Hophwan Sect Lord's head.
Boom—!
A shadow flew back amid all eyes. It was the Hophwan Sect Lord.
He halted after dozens of zhang, but Yeop Hyeon reappeared above him.
And once more—
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
In that instant, the Hophwan Sect Lord's face drained white as a sheet.
Boom—!
He was flung back again. Before he hit the ground, a sword speared between his brows.
The area went deathly still, as if doused in cold water.
A Law Realm expert was dead.
In just three exchanges...!
Yeop Hyeon had swung only three times. But those strikes were far from simple.
Evil Intent Sword Intent, the momentum of heaven and earth, the mighty sword art One Sword Determines Life and Death!
And his final blade was a Heavenly Tier famed sword.
Since becoming Sword Emperor, his realm rivaled Myriad Laws. Add peerless sword arts, intent, and a Heavenly sword, and he could slay Law Realm foes.
Mere space distortion couldn't block him. Only a True Law Realm restructuring space could counter it.
The fallen Hophwan Sect Lord wasn't True Law Realm.
Having slain him in three strokes, Yeop Hyeon turned to the Huanso Gate Lord, who cried out in terror.
"Retreat!"
As if awaiting the word, the warriors fled in droves.
The Huanso Gate Lord had planned to withdraw from the start.
Surviving two True Law Realm experts was absurd enough.
Witnessing Yeop Hyeon kill the Hophwan Sect Lord instantly shattered any will to fight.
Who would believe such a genius lacked a mighty backer?
The Huanso Gate Lord retreated without hesitation.
Yeop Hyeon had no intention of letting him escape. A fleeing foe might return with stronger allies, breeding greater trouble.
Once an enemy, they had to die to eliminate future threats.
As the fleeing Huanso Gate Lord glanced back at a chill, a sword burst from Yeop Hyeon's case, streaking like light toward him.
Gritting his teeth, the Huanso Gate Lord spun and stomped the ground hard with his right foot.
Thud—!
The earth quaked as vast energy erupted from him. He formed a strange mudra and thrust both hands forward.
"Earth Guard Mudra!"
Mighty energy surged from his feet, coursing through his body to gather in his palms. It swelled into a golden shield before him.
Just then, Yeop Hyeon's sword struck the shield.
Boom—!
Cracks spiderwebbed across it, vanishing in an instant.
Evil Intent Sword Intent!
As the Huanso Gate Lord recoiled to flee, Yeop Hyeon was already above him.
Whoosh—!
Yeop Hyeon slashed down. The lord clasped his hands to block the blade tip. The force buckled his legs, nearly forcing him to kneel.
Seizing the opening, another sword shot from Yeop Hyeon's case.
Pierce—!
A sword gleam split the Huanso Gate Lord's brow. The chaotic area fell silent.