Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Facing Crisis
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Yi Woong couldn't bear to leave his ailing son alone, so he stayed at the Jeongnyong Sect.
As a sect affiliated with the Murim Alliance, they prepared to dispatch their elite disciples, but I stopped them.
"The Demonic Cult and Blood Cult's experts are all first-rate masters. Your sect's warriors would just become sacrificial lambs."
"Even so, how can we stand by while enemies of the Orthodox Murim are on the loose?"
"The Nangong Family and Murim Alliance will handle that. This isn't the time for you to step in."
Yi Woong, still brimming with hot-blooded righteousness, was fired up but barely managed to acquiesce after hearing me out.
He knew it too.
Even their elites lacked a single first-rate master.
"If you're concerned, instead of joining the fight, focus on securing the perimeter. Regulate the people heading to the Shangyang Market to minimize casualties. That alone fulfills your duty."
"Understood. I'll follow Scholar Cheon's words. But what will you do, Scholar Cheon?"
"With the Nangong Family's Demon Subduing Unit and White Tiger Unit stepping in, the Demonic Cult and Blood Cult rabble will be crushed. Unless they've sent transcendent experts."
White Tiger Unit Leader Wang Qing and the Demon Subduing Unit Leader were both peak masters.
Most of their members were first-rate experts, so there shouldn't be any major issues.
It was a situation where I didn't need to intervene.
Even if I did, there wasn't much room to maneuver in a large-scale battle like this.
So I turned my steps toward the Nangong Family.
Wang Qing scowled as he spoke.
"Squad Leader Il, take the Little Palace Lord and head to the Nangong Family."
"Leader!"
"I don't know how long I can hold that old monster. Get to the Nangong Family as fast as possible."
The White Tiger Unit wasn't at a disadvantage in the fight.
But with a transcendent expert whose fate even he couldn't predict appearing, prioritizing the Little Palace Lord's safe evacuation was paramount.
Squad Leader Il hurriedly led his squad members out of the Shangyang Market.
"Oh ho ho ho!"
A crone with snow-white hair braided into twin tails like a girl's shook her head as she cackled.
The White-Haired Maiden Demon, Oh Juhyang, was the Fourteenth Horn of the Demonic Cult's Seventeen Horns and known as a transcendent expert.
"Even a Demonic Cult Horn Lord has stepped out!"
The Demonic Cult's Horn Lords were a council formed from the seventeen clans that formed the cult's foundation.
As the head of one such clan, her prestige was evident.
"You two, capture her."
Oh Juhyang ordered the two elders behind her.
"As you command."
The two elders leaped toward where Jong Sobin had vanished.
Wang Qing could only hope the Little Palace Lord and Squad Il reached the Nangong Family safely.
"Let's see the famed White Tiger Unit Leader's skills, shall we?"
She smacked her lips like someone savoring a delicacy and advanced toward Wang Qing.
'I must stake my life on this.'
Wang Qing instinctively sensed this was the greatest crisis of his life.
Even in the dire situation, he couldn't help but voice his curiosity.
"I can't fathom why a Demonic Cult Horn Lord would personally intervene. Is the Ice Palace's Little Palace Lord that tempting?"
The Murim Alliance still didn't know why the Demonic Cult and Blood Cult were pursuing Jong Sobin.
"Heh heh heh."
Her toothless gums produced a laugh like air leaking from a deflated leather pouch.
"Judging by your question, the Murim Alliance knows nothing. No wonder they only sent the White Tiger Unit Leader for something like this—you're completely in the dark."
"What exactly don't I know?"
"Ignorance is bliss. Instead of pondering that, shouldn't you be racking your brains on how to survive me? Show me what you've got."
Wang Qing sneered defiantly.
"I have no confidence in winning, but I don't think I'll lose either. You seem to underestimate the leader of the Murim Alliance's Six Martial Units."
Wang Qing emptied his mind of all thoughts, focusing solely on the enemy before him.
Jong Sobin headed to the Nangong Family with ten members of White Tiger Unit Squad Il.
Seeing those following her filled her with mixed emotions.
Having sought the Murim Alliance's aid only to be pursued again left a bitter taste.
Hwayeong sensed Jong Sobin's turmoil.
"Little Palace Lord, it's best not to dwell on other thoughts right now. This is the moment to steel yourself for reclaiming the palace and restoring its glory. I will serve you to the end to make that happen."
Jong Sobin smiled faintly at Hwayeong's words.
"Looking back, without my Third Protector by my side, it would have been so much harder. You're prickly, but thank you for sticking with me."
"Shouldn't you have said that ages ago?"
Jong Sobin stared incredulously at Hwayeong's joking retort to her sincere words, then chuckled.
The Third Protector always eased her anxieties with humor whenever they arose.
She had mostly chided her for it back then, but now she finally understood her intentions.
'She was always comforting and reassuring me so I wouldn't waver. And I only realize it now.'
Jong Sobin said to Hwayeong.
"Thank you."
Hwayeong's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
As they exited the alley onto the main street, two elders blocked their path.
"Hmph."
White Tiger Unit Squad Leader Il tensed at the sight of the two elders.
"It's the Poison Eye Ghost and Poison Arm Ghost! Be careful!"
Upon closer inspection, one elder was missing an eye, the other an arm.
They were infamous former Demon Lords who had pledged themselves to the White-Haired Maiden Demon as her guards.
The young might not know them, but a veteran like Squad Leader Il had lived through tales of their notoriety.
The Poison Eye Ghost grinned wickedly.
"If you know me, you'll surrender quietly. I gouge out one eye from anyone who resists, just like mine."
The Poison Eye Ghost was a palm expert infamous for plucking out eyes with his fingers, while the Poison Arm Ghost, a swordsman, was known for severing arms.
They derived pleasure from inflicting pain rather than simply killing.
Sensing that White Tiger Squad Il couldn't handle the Poison Eye or Poison Arm Ghosts, Jong Sobin drew her sword.
"We have to fight too."
Hwayeong stood beside Jong Sobin.
The pursuing Demonic Cult group numbered fewer than ten, but with two masters among them, she didn't know how long they could hold out.
"I don't go easy on women."
The Poison Eye Ghost bared his gums in a leer.
"Instead, for beauties like you, this old man preserves their eyes in liquor. Today, I can finally complete my collection of ten pairs from fair maidens."
His words alone sent chills down her spine, but Jong Sobin held back her curses, not wanting to provoke him further.
Yet a cold voice emanated from the alley.
"Your remaining eyeball will make a fine meal for my house mutt."
A group emerged from the alley.
"Huh?"
The Poison Eye Ghost responded to the newcomers.
"What's this? Nangong scum. I already took eyes from about five of you earlier—are you here to offer more?"
Nangong Mubaek had been searching rooftops with ten Demon Subduing Unit members when he spotted Jong Sobin being pursued and rushed over.
Five of his unit members had died at the fiend's hands, fueling his thirst for vengeance.
Moreover, Jong Sobin was the woman etched in his heart.
Hearing the brute boldly declare he'd gouge out her eyes unleashed all the killing intent surging within him.
Nangong Mubaek stood beside Jong Sobin.
He had stepped in knowing the Demonic Cultists' target was the Ice Palace members.
"Reinforcements from the main family will arrive soon. We'll hold this place until then."
The Nangong Family Demon Subduing Unit Vice Leader smiled warmly at Nangong Mubaek.
He had thought the boy would cower or flee against strong foes, but he was wrong.
And it wasn't mere bravado.
The aura he exuded was solid and fierce.
'Yes, that's it. That's a Nangong Family warrior. I didn't believe the rumors that the wastrel youngest son had changed, but he really has.'
"This is getting annoying. So many flies buzzing around. Poison Arm Ghost, no time for games. Let's get serious."
"I've always been serious. You're the one fooling around."
As the Poison Arm Ghost drew his sword, his aura shifted.
"Attack!"
The Nangong Demon Subduing Unit, White Tiger Unit, and Ice Palace experts clashed with the Demonic Cult masters.
On my way to the Nangong Family, about thirty zhang away, I turned my head at the sensation of killing intent rising like heat haze.
Having absorbed even Yi Makseong's energy, my senses had grown even broader and keener.
The clash of weapons reached my ears belatedly.
I started toward it but halted.
'Do I really need to go?'
It wasn't an incident requiring my involvement.
The moment I turned to leave, I froze.
'That intense icy true energy belongs to Jong Sobin. Why is someone headed to the Nangong Family over there? That direction leads to the Nangong Family.'
I slipped into a deserted alley, scaled the roofs using the Nine Phantom Spirit Steps, and raced toward the raging battle.
'There.'
Overlooking the street from above, I frowned.
It was utter chaos.
Corpses of White Tiger Unit warriors, Nangong Family fighters, and Demonic Cultists already littered the ground.
Notably absent were any Ice Palace guards among the dead.
Thanks to the White Tiger and Demon Subduing Unit members desperately shielding the Ice Palace experts.
Even now, Nangong Mubaek deflected the Poison Arm Ghost's blade aimed at Jong Sobin and charged in.
From their appearances, I immediately identified them as the Demonic Cult's Poison Eye Ghost and Poison Arm Ghost.
My mind held records of the Demonic Cult's key figures and experts.
'Nangong Mubaek's enlightenment is substantial, and the depth of his Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique is immeasurable, but his lack of combat experience makes him fall for their provocations often.'
I hadn't noticed until now, but observing his Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique from above revealed his flaws.
Even minor ones stood out clearly.
The overhead vantage point made all the difference.
Flaws invisible at eye level became apparent.
'Why hasn't the murim ever used this method before?'
I'd never seen or heard of training martial arts this way in the Murim Alliance.
I quickly assessed the situation.
'Jong Sobin coming here instead of Wang Qing means she was evacuating to the Nangong Family while he held off an expert he couldn't handle. An expert on Wang Qing's level...'
I changed my mind about staying out of it.
These were people connected to me, and I couldn't stand by and watch them die.
Just then, Nangong Mubaek, clashing with the Poison Arm Ghost, took an unexpected kick to the abdomen and tumbled back over three zhang.
He clearly hadn't anticipated a swordsman using kicks.
I leaped down, snatched a sword, and swiftly attacked the Poison Arm Ghost.
"What?!"
The Poison Arm Ghost startled at my ghost-like approach and swung sword, leaping back in alarm.
"Who are you?!"
Approaching without triggering his senses meant I wasn't ordinary.
I said to the Demon Subduing Unit members.
"Hold this one for a moment. I'll check on Young Master Nangong and return."
Five Demon Subduing Unit members blocked the Poison Arm Ghost.
"You insolent fools!"
Ye Won was at Nangong Mubaek's side, tending to him.
Since he had flown right to where Ye Won was, I couldn't ignore it.
Ye Won looked pale, her stamina not yet recovered.
"Are you alright?"
Nangong Mubaek snatched the handkerchief Ye Won offered and wiped the blood from his mouth.
I said to Nangong Mubaek, who showed no sign of rising with his dismayed expression.
"You've always executed the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique perfectly as I instructed, but something was missing. Now I know what it was."
The Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique could unleash its power with just strength and speed.
Nangong Mubaek knew how to harness those to a degree.
'I overlooked one thing.'
I had thought strength and speed alone would perfect it, but I realized there was something I'd missed.
Nangong Mubaek spoke in a despairing voice.
"I know. That I lack real combat experience."
I shook my head.
"Supreme martial arts possess power that even overrides a lack of combat experience. If you've mastered the five initial forms of the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique, you can handle the likes of the Poison Arm Ghost. The reason you can't is something else."
Curiosity replaced the dismay on Nangong Mubaek's face.
"What is it? What's the reason?"
"First, one question. Answer honestly. I haven't seen the Emperor Sword Form's manual, but based on my guess, doesn't it amplify killing intent tremendously?"
Nangong Mubaek recoiled in shock.
"How did you...? Have you seen the Emperor Sword Form manual?"
Nangong Mubaek hadn't even glimpsed a single line of the Emperor Sword Form manual.
But he knew from a slip of his father's tongue.
That it was a technique brimming with killing intent.
As the family's true secret ultimate art, even this fact was top secret.
Yet this scholar had inferred the Emperor Sword Form from the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique.
Even amid life-and-death combat, shivers ran through him at the scholar's genius once more.