Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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Paht!
We headed to the Yellow Mountain Sect using Mokgap and Bi-dung. Truth be told, Bi-dung alone would have sufficed, but we did so at Lee Gwang's insistence to conserve mental energy.
As the sect's grounds came into view, a complicated feeling washed over me.
[Master. Should we strike the Yellow Mountain Sect already? There are so many complicating factors.]
That was what I had asked. Lee Gwang had replied,
[What complicating factors?]
[I made a ten-year pact with the White Lotus Leader, and the Yellow Mountain Sect is one of the Nine Great Sects.]
[Hmph. None of that matters.]
Lee Gwang had laughed coldly.
[Ten-year pact? It never said anything about not striking the Wind God Style's base in the Central Plains.
Nine Great Sects? They're already branded public enemies of the martial world. What does it matter?
We've been hit first, and the Wind God Style are our mortal enemies. What more do we need?]
[......]
[If you're afraid of the killing karma, leave now. I won't hold it against you.]
[No, sir. I'll go.]
And so here we were. Our position was an obscure corner of the Yellow Mountain Sect's training grounds. A nearby disciple startled and stared at us.
"W-Who... are you..."
Seokeok!
Lee Gwang charged without a word and severed his head. The man didn't even have time to scream before his head floated into the air. Those of us behind him felt our hearts sink at the sight. Simple as the act seemed, it clearly signaled what we would do here today.
Sure enough, Lee Gwang turned to us and said quietly,
"Leave nothing alive on this Yellow Mountain today."
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood."
"...Yes, sir."
Jin So-cheong and Geukho answered without hesitation. Even Gu Cheol—the Green Forest King, a Wind God Style disciple until moments ago—replied through a pained expression. This was a clash between mortal enemies, Thunder God Style and Wind God Style. No mercy could be shown.
But I felt a reluctance. Shaking my head, I said to Lee Gwang,
"Could we spare the women and pregnant ones?"
Lee Gwang's eyes flashed fiercely. Tiger-like killing intent poured from them.
"Baek Woong. Are you the only one who knows righteousness and chivalry? The only just one here? Do you think we're mindless bastards slaughtering enemies here?"
"Th-That's not..."
"I'll take full responsibility. Do as your judgment dictates, but don't forget—this is enemy territory."
"Understood."
Lee Gwang turned away, visibly irritated. He was usually cold and impassive, so open anger meant deep displeasure. From experience, I knew defying him like that could cost your life.
I reflected inwardly.
'Right. No one here enjoys the killing...'
My sense of justice, learned from Mang-ryang, had made me resist the extermination order. But we were a shared-fate community waging war against the Wind God Style. Who would relish killing strangers just because of a name? Yet leaving potential enemies alive was equally foolish.
Mang-ryang's words suddenly came to mind.
[I'll wait at True Lang Valley. Learn as much as you can from this fight.]
[I'll gain plenty of combat experience.]
[There's more to learn from Lee Gwang than that.]
[Oh?]
[He has a tyrant's heart like a snake's. His actions seem reckless and savage at first glance, but everything is executed under thorough schemes and cold calculation. Master his judgment and composure, and you'll become a greater vessel.]
Mang-ryang's assessment of Lee Gwang was harsh. Fittingly so—even the world's greatest strategist struggled to sway him, often facing backlash. Lee Gwang was a torment as a foe, reliable as an ally.
And then the massacre began. We tore through the inner compound buildings, systematically eliminating every Yellow Mountain Sect expert in sight.
Swish!
Puk!
Geukho's spear writhed savagely, slaying three Yellow Mountain warriors in an instant. I'd rarely seen him fight before, but his spearmanship had reached a remarkable level—far superior to mine in proficiency.
"Hahat! Is that all you've got?"
Geukho roared wildly and charged like a madman. He treated everything here as mortal foes, fighting with tremendous momentum. Pouring his lifelong cultivation into battling two Peak Experts at once was impressive.
Kakang!
Chwak.
After dispatching three or four, I paused to watch Geukho. Jin So-cheong approached me.
"Junior Brother. Ignore what Master said earlier. There won't be any women here anyway."
The fight had barely lasted half a gak, yet thirty corpses littered the area around us. With no more nearby foes, Jin So-cheong had turned to chat.
"Senior Brother."
"You know why Geukho Senior Brother is fighting so fiercely, right?"
Lee Gwang had already headed toward where more experts gathered. Confirming he was gone, I spoke.
"...His master was killed by the Wind God Style."
"Right. Unlike Geukho Senior Brother, you and I have no direct grudge against them. That's why I thought your words earlier were fair."
Chwak—Jin So-cheong shook the blood from his spear in a circle. Calmly scanning the battlefield, he continued.
"But if we show them mercy, will they show us any?"
[......]
"Don't hesitate anymore. We're the Thunder God Style."
"Understood."
Paht!
Nodding to Jin So-cheong, I leaped back into the fray. Two Peak Experts who'd been holding Geukho at bay 2-on-1 startled. I noticed they wore strange black wind robes, not Yellow Mountain Sect uniforms.
'Wind God Style elites dispatched from headquarters.'
Officially, the sect had about six Peak Experts: the four elders and left-right protectors. These weren't elders, so likely the protectors or dispatched Wind God Style masters. I unleashed a fierce sword wind at one.
Chaat!
"Ugh!"
Caught off-guard, he groaned and retreated three jang. Before he could recover with footwork, I pressed relentlessly. Geukho and I each claimed a one-on-one matchup.
"Die."
Geukho thrust his Heavenly Thunder Polearm Extreme Spear amid killing intent. The ever-shifting thunder spear overwhelmed the Wind God Style expert. Soon, a final scream rang out as one foe perished.
"Ku aaaak."
Hearing his comrade's death cry, the Peak Expert before me clenched his teeth.
"Ugh."
Glarem-eyed, he assumed the stance of body-sword unity. A mutual destruction pose—he'd land one hit before dying. He was undoubtedly a seasoned master.
But I had no need to indulge it. The longer we dragged, the worse for our outnumbered Thunder God Style. Instead, I retreated a jang and fired Heavenly Thunder Blade sword qi from afar.
Chiririring!
"Kuh... Fight fair!!"
He deflected it furiously, but I sneered coldly.
"Why should I?"
After ten such blasts, he was drained, exhausted. His body-sword unity shattered, letting me close with Soul Extinguishing Step and slam Thunder Cloud Hard Fist into his solar plexus.
Pbeaak!
"Kuaaaagh..."
He spat blood and expired. I could have toyed by severing limbs first, but this was mercy in my book. Finishing my foes, Jin So-cheong said approvingly.
"Impressive!"
Geukho lowered his spear.
"Master went with Gu Cheol to take down Earth Dragon Divine Sword Yong Jung-il. Let's hurry."
"Yes."
Taht!
We dashed to the inner compound's rear. A vast bamboo grove stretched to the back mountain—Lee Gwang must have judged Yong there. Leaping with lightness skill through it, I thought,
'Definitely a great spot for training martial arts.'
Also perfect for ambushes. Midway, we spotted gruesomely slaughtered corpses—likely Wind God Style experts who'd challenged Lee Gwang.
Whiiik!
Leaping off a bamboo node into the air, I said,
"It's probably over already. Master's that strong."
"I doubt it."
Jin So-cheong bounded ahead.
"Earth Dragon Divine Sword Yong Jung-il is no ordinary master. He hid his power at the White Lotus Summit talks, so we can't underestimate him."
"Hmm."
Geukho, running beside us, asked Jin So-cheong,
"Hey. Isn't that dangerous? Gu Cheol was Wind God Style just now..."
"I don't think so. Master accepted him because he doesn't believe Gu Cheol will betray twice."
"Heh, is that so?"
"Yes."
Chatting idly, we'd crested the mountain into a large clearing. Ten li from the main hall, this bamboo clearing hosted an epic showdown.
Kuuuung.
Five experts already faced off inside.
On the Thunder God Style side, Lee Gwang and Gu Cheol gripped their weapons, glaring. Opposite: Earth Dragon Divine Sword Yong Jung-il, flanked by what seemed the Yellow Mountain Sect's left-right protectors. A dozen corpses scattered about suggested a prior slaughter.
Lee Gwang spoke as we arrived.
"Main hall cleared?"
"Yes."
"You should have handled the low-rank disciples too."
"We judged this more urgent."
Lee Gwang glanced at Jin So-cheong's calm reply, then turned to the Wind God Style side.
"Yong Jung-il. You have no chance. Surrender."
The Yellow Mountain Sect leader, renowned Peak Expert and great swordmaster among the Nine Great Sects, looked incredulous. He chuckled.
"No face left to surrender. Take my life yourself, Lee Gwang."
Lee Gwang ground his teeth.
"You sly fox. Didn't expect the Wind God Squad gathered at your base."
"It nagged at me. Your Thunder God Style moves like lightning—too fast for our heaven-earth net."
Sususuk.
"So I used the Wind God Squad to guard my neck first."
From behind the bamboo, thirty black-clad elites emerged—they'd waited nearby. Gauging their skill, my eyes widened.
[......!!]
Strong!
Far stronger than the Wind God Squad from my tenth reincarnation. These were 30-40-year-old veterans, likely true elites specially trained at Wind God Style headquarters.
'Each a Peak Expert...!! What madness!'
The squad I'd seen early on was probably the next generation. Little time had passed since reincarnation, so the previous squad was active. No single might outdid a Thunder God Style disciple, but dozens of Peak Experts was an unforeseen ambush.
Yong Jung-il said,
"Oh, your disciples are all exceptional. Let's see how they fare against the Wind God Squad."
[......]
Lee Gwang fell silent, then sent me a transmission.
[Prepare Bi-dung anytime.]
[Understood.]
He seemed focused on retreat. Rightly so—a Peak Expert was a pinnacle master. Dozens made victory impossible via mere secret arts. Plus Yong Jung-il, a transcendent one. Hard to predict odds.
Susuk.
I, Jin So-cheong, Geukho, and Gu Cheol stood before the Wind God Squad. Their combined formation qi felt suffocating—they'd trained joint strikes. I repelled the pressure with my internal energy, but they were formidable.
'Hmm. Let's try it.'
I transmitted to Jin So-cheong and Geukho.
[Buy me 20 seconds to gather power.]
They seemed to grasp it, grinning.
"Good!"
"Let's do it."
The battle began.
Shiiiing—
Kakang!
Sword winds and saber winds whipped wildly. The Wind God Squad fully deployed Wind White Step, encircling us. We blocked all sides, holding their formation.
"Hap!"
Simultaneously, Lee Gwang flashed forward, unleashing Thunder Public Flash at Yong Jung-il and the two protectors. A thunder dragon surged ahead—separating the battlefield.
Kwagwang!
Moments later, the four vanished a li away. Lights flashed everywhere as Lee Gwang, Jin So-cheong, and Gu Cheol battled the squad all-out. Miho, in jade form, urged urgently.
[You okay? No need to help?]
'Fine. Watch.'
Wuuung.
I poured power into the sword blade. Heavenly Thunder Blade fully activated, compressing my internal energy to extremes. Swelling massively, it exceeded a jang in seconds.
Kugugugu.
Thunder light sparked before me. My Baek Woong Formula had advanced energy control, and available power had surged. Thus, maxing Heavenly Thunder Blade took far less time. The squad, sensing it, attacked fiercer.
"Kill him!!"
Kwang!
"Not so fast!"
Incredibly, as their ultimate strikes converged lethally, Jin So-cheong roared and moved like lightning—he'd invoked Thunder Roar!
"Uaaak."
Five nearby Wind God Squad necks severed, two flung back. Jin So-cheong paled, but astonishing—he'd slain five elder-level masters instantly. Geukho gnashed teeth at his feat.
"Uoooo!!"
Soul Extinguishing Step.
Secret Art.
Heavenly Light.
Suddenly, twelve thunder shadows burst from Geukho's Soul Extinguishing Step—a feat only he could manage, thanks to his unique training. He'd delved deeper lately.
"Kuhk."
As Heavenly Light unfolded, squad members targeting Jin So-cheong's openings spat blood and fell. The thunder shadows attacked like real—unprecedented for clones. All experts gaped.
"Hahk, hahk."
Green Forest King Gu Cheol was blood-soaked. After mere dozen breaths of chaos, he teetered on collapse, drained. A fine Peak Expert, but their combined assault was another level. Seeing him, I grew urgent.
'More, more, more!!'
Kugugugugu...
The thunder-charged sword qi formed a massive thunder spirit cloud. Crackling lightning coiled serpent-like along the blade, then compressed. I realized—this surpassed my prior max-output Heavenly Thunder Blade.
Focus.
Refine.
Compress all internal energy into this single line.
My focus unified, twisting from toes to scalp. Senses overwhelmed, ears rang. Head throbbed, but I ignored all for the compression.
'...It's here!'
Kwaching.
That instant—Heavenly Thunder Blade, infused with my all, completed.
"Yaa!"
Doubting I could hold three breaths, I swung at the swarming Wind God Style experts.
Sword Gang.
In that split second, I heard Jin So-cheong mutter. Before grasping it, heaven and earth drowned in light.
Kukwakwakwang!
Thunder light exploded with storm-force. Lightning grazed, incinerating squad bodies outright. Terrifying heat and bolts rained light-beams—pure sorcery. Actually, just my crammed power erupting wildly.
Light warped white to crimson hellfire. Six more Peak Experts ashed. Uncontrollable, I swung madly, nearly fainting, but endured to hit maximal foes.
Kwang!
Secondary blast. Four nearby squad members shredded to chunks. Last desperate lunge at me, but sword gang had no blind spots.
Amid it, I strained to spare allies. Thunder God Style disciples, including Jin So-cheong, huddled close—power too fierce; unknown fallout.
Kugugugu...
Finally, Heavenly Thunder Blade expended—the mountain crumbled, hills flattened. Unbelievable this was bamboo grove; devastation erased all trace.
No enemies left; swept clean. I collapsed there.
"Huu..."
We won.
Internal energy fully depleted—recovery would take time—but I'd repelled them with my power!
Geukho beside me snickered.
"Kekeke... Actually made sword gang with raw internal energy, you monster."
Oddly elated, I laughed.
"Heh... hehe... Millennium Snow Ginseng... eat it..."
"Hand it over first, punk."
As we bantered, Jin So-cheong said,
"Geukho Senior Brother. Take Junior Brother and fall back."
"Heading out?"
"Yes. This is enough."
"Got it... Leave Baek Woong to me..."
[As for me...]
Ah.
So tired...
Exhaustion beyond 100,000 prior cuts hit at once—I blacked out before hearing the end.