Chapter 148: Seok Myeong's Rage (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148: Seok Myeong's Rage (3)
Shing!
The moment Seok Myeong drew his sword and unleashed his Black Ink Energy, the eyes of the elders watching from the shadows widened in shock.
The Black Ink Energy coalescing around Seok Myeong’s blade was far denser and of an entirely different caliber than what Seok Jin had previously displayed.
As Seok Myeong and Goma collided, a brilliant white light engulfed the clearing.
Flash!
The flare of clashing energies vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
“What happened?”
The elders watching from afar looked back and forth between Seok Myeong and Goma. Between the thick clouds of rising dust and the distance, they couldn't immediately discern the outcome.
“Cough!”
However, the result they were waiting for was soon revealed.
Goma, who had been so brimming with confidence, had collapsed. He was clutching his stomach, doubled over in excruciating pain.
“You Qingcheng brat!”
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Nok Gwi-bo, an elder of the Diancang Sect who had been observing, rushed forward. Gwi Cheon-neung followed suit, leaping toward Seok Myeong. The moment they reached him, they began swinging their blades, unleashing Sword Aura recklessly.
“And you call yourselves elders of a sect...”
Seok Myeong evaded their desperate assault without the slightest sign of struggle.
He had already expected this. He knew someone—though he hadn't been sure who—was watching him from the shadows.
Sword Aura flew wildly through the air, yet even in the midst of that chaos, Seok Myeong dodged every strike with fluid grace.
Clang! Clang!
He began to counterattack. A magnificent sword dance began to unfold in mid-air.
“This is impossible.”
Lee Gon, who had retreated to a corner, could not hide his horror.
Seok Myeong had easily neutralized Goma, a master of the Diancang Sect and one of the Four Demons of the Martial World. Furthermore, he was holding his own against the simultaneous assault of two Diancang elders.
No matter how one looked at it, this was not the skill level of a first-generation disciple.
So that’s where they were.
Meanwhile, Seok Myeong turned his head while using his body lightness law and sword techniques to shake off his pursuers.
He had felt eyes on him, but he hadn't been able to pinpoint their exact numbers or positions. However, seeing where these elders had emerged from, the truth became clear.
Many people had been watching him.
Swoosh!
As the two elders’ swords danced through the air, Seok Myeong did not simply remain on the defensive. Dodging the downpour of blades, he prepared to fight in earnest.
But just as he raised his sword—
It happened.
“Kuaaaaaaaang!”
An ominous roar echoed from the distance.
“Aaaagh!”
“Run! Get out of the way!”
Dozens of men came sprinting toward them, fleeing as if they were being hunted by a nightmare.
*
“What is that sound?”
Go Ju-gang shouted over the sudden screams and explosions.
“Alliance Leader.”
Ji Jung, who had been missing for a moment, suddenly appeared and prostrated himself.
“Speak. What is happening?”
“That is...”
Ji Jung wore a troubled expression.
Go Ju-gang scanned the room. The elders of various sects were gathered inside the pavilion. He instinctively realized that this was a matter that could not be discussed openly in this setting.
“I shall go and find out what is happening.”
“Please do so.”
“We will look into it as well.”
Go Ju-gang stepped away from the elders. As he descended from the pavilion, he asked Ji Jung, who was keeping pace beside him.
“What happened?”
“The Giant Demons have escaped.”
“What?”
Go Ju-gang stopped in his tracks and stared back in shock.
“Did you not say they were suppressed and unable to move?”
“That is true, but... they broke through.”
“What did you say?”
Go Ju-gang shook his head, unable to comprehend the news.
They had made thorough preparations for the Giant Demons who had caused the recent bloodbath. Their entire bodies were bound in iron chains and secured with various mechanical traps. It should have been impossible for them to break out from the inside. And yet...
“How many in total?” Go Ju-gang asked.
The number of Giant Demons that had appeared recently reached into the hundreds. They had been captured and kept separate to investigate how so many had appeared simultaneously and why they possessed a subtle resistance to conventional martial arts.
But before the investigation could even conclude, these creatures—no different from demonic beasts—had escaped into the heart of the Martial Alliance.
“The number is not large.”
“I asked you how many!”
“There are five.”
“That is a relief, if it is only that many.”
Go Ju-gang breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the mechanical traps hadn't been completely destroyed.
“Alliance Leader, the thing is...”
“What? Is there something else?”
Ji Jung spoke to Go Ju-gang, his voice trembling.
“There is a reason why there are only five. It appears those five Giant Demons absorbed the others.”
“Absorbed?” Go Ju-gang asked, stunned by the absurdity of the claim.
“Those five Giant Demons absorbed all of the other hundred or so! That is what I am saying.”
“...Say that again. Accurately. What exactly happened?”
Only then did Go Ju-gang notice Ji Jung’s pale complexion. Ji Jung bit his lip hard and gave a quick, concise report.
“Report from the regular patrol. They found ninety-some Giant Demons shriveled up like mummies. Based on their positions, it looked as if they had transferred their internal strength to the others.”
Go Ju-gang blinked, agonizing over how to handle the situation.
“You said they were absorbed?”
“Yes.”
Go Ju-gang closed his eyes tight. He was the Leader of the Martial Alliance. Though he had been distracted by murky political infighting, once he looked at the facts calmly, he understood exactly what had happened.
“If that is true... then that is an energy absorption art. The Demonic Cult’s Demonic Energy Absorption Art!”
A horrific groan escaped his lips.
*
Nok Gwi-bo, Gwi Cheon-neung, and Seok Myeong stood in a tense standoff, glaring at one another.
However, as the screams grew louder and people began to flee past them, they lowered their killing intent and surveyed their surroundings.
A moment later, the two elders began to retreat, taking Lee Gon with them.
“Seok Myeong of Qingcheng. The next time we meet, you will pay with your life.”
They didn't forget to leave a parting threat. Seok Myeong had no way of knowing what kind of ill-fated relationship would bind them in the future.
“I will carry Yeon-hui.”
Seok Jun, whose condition had improved slightly, tried to pick up Yeon-hui, but Seok Myeong stepped in.
“Please, let me.”
Seok Jun nodded briefly and moved to support Seok Jin.
“Do you have the strength?”
“Yes, Eldest Disciple.”
“Then follow me.”
Seok Myeong began to move. He headed toward the direction the people were fleeing from, moving through the massive crowd without the slightest hesitation.
“Where should we go first...?”
“To Elder Song Gwan first.”
Seok Myeong entered the Inner Court while holding Yeon-hui.
Kuaaaaang!
The roar of the monsters sounded even closer now, but the disciples of Qingcheng ignored it and pushed deeper inside.
“Martial Uncle Song Gwan!”
Seok Myeong shouted, searching for Song Gwan. The fact that Song Gwan was not present where the other elders were gathered meant they had plotted something among themselves. This thought made Seok Myeong even more anxious.
[Song Gwan is in the fifth room of the building on the left.]
“Who is there?”
Seok Myeong looked back reflexively. However, he saw no one out of the ordinary among those fleeing. To be able to use Sound Transmission from a distance where they couldn't be seen meant they were a person of considerable skill.
Without stopping to wonder who it was, Seok Myeong moved quickly in the direction the voice had indicated.
Step, step!
Seok Jun followed close behind Seok Myeong, carrying Seok Jin on his back. Following the voice, they indeed found the fifth room.
Slide.
“Martial Uncle Song Gwan!”
Song Gwan was truly there. Seeing as he remained in a deep sleep despite the rampant screaming outside, it was clear his condition was not normal. Seok Myeong entered, placed Yeon-hui on the floor, and tried to wake him.
“Martial Uncle! Martial Uncle! Wake up!”
As Seok Myeong shook him violently, Song Gwan let out a low groan. A faint, subtle scent reached Seok Myeong’s nose.
“Ugh... what is happening?”
“Chaos has broken out outside.”
“Chaos?”
“There is no time. We must leave quickly.”
Seok Myeong picked up Yeon-hui again and prepared to leave. Song Gwan looked around and saw the injured Seok Jun standing there with Seok Jin on his back. Only then did he realize something dire was happening and hurriedly left the room.
Kuaaaaang!
“Good heavens! What on earth is going on?”
The roars of monsters. The sound of things being smashed to pieces. Screams erupted from everywhere. Many people who were not martial artists lived in the Inner and Outer Courts of the Martial Alliance.
“Aaaaagh!”
“Help me!”
Since the long period of peace following the subjugation of the Demonic Cult, the families of martial artists and servants of the Alliance had taken up residence within its walls. These civilians were now facing an unexpected disaster, and the screams throughout the Martial Alliance were ceaseless.
“For now, we are getting out of here!”
It was just as Seok Myeong was making his way back toward the Outer Court.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Kuaaaaang!”
From somewhere along the path, the sound of clashing metal and the roar of a monster echoed.
“...!”
As they passed by, they saw a battle in progress. Familiar faces were fighting desperately against a monster. Seok Myeong handed Yeon-hui to Song Gwan.
“Martial Uncle, take Yeon-hui and leave the Martial Alliance first.”
“Leave the Alliance? What about the Martial Demonstration Gathering?”
“That is not the problem right now! If we stay here, disaster might even reach Qingcheng.”
“What do you mean by that?”
To Song Gwan, it was all nonsensical. Seok Myeong shook his head urgently and pushed him along.
“I will explain everything once we return to the sect. Martial Uncle, saving people is the priority right now. Please take Seok Jun and Seok Jin and escape to a safe place.”
“...I understand.”
Song Gwan nodded. He was the person who had watched over Seok Myeong the longest, second only to Seok Myeong’s master, Song Hye. Despite the frantic situation and the sudden decision, he didn't ask any more questions.
He trusted Seok Myeong.
“Come back quickly. Stay safe!”
“Yes!”
Thud!
Seok Myeong dashed into the fray. Watching his back, Seok Jun bit his lip hard.
“Let’s go.”
A nod.
With a face set in grim determination, Seok Jun adjusted Seok Jin on his back. Thick tears were streaming down his face.