Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: Two Against One
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“...You?”
“It's been a while. Is this the second time we've greeted each other face-to-face?”
At the sight of the man smiling leisurely with a fan unsuited for a battlefield, Neung Un-bi’s eyes narrowed.
“Zhuge Min.”
“So you remember me? I was worried you might have forgotten this humble one...”
Neung Un-bi gritted his teeth and glared at Zhuge Min, who maintained a playful demeanor.
“Was it you? Were you the one helping Namgung Mu-wi?”
“That's right.”
“...”
“Didn't I tell you before? I've come to admire you, so I've studied you extensively. I became so engrossed in your way of thinking that I could roughly predict your moves. Your attempt to save Yun An-ro just now was no different.”
Neung Un-bi didn't reply, merely glaring at Zhuge Min. The rescue of Yun An-ro had already failed.
“But regardless of me seeing through you, I can only say that you truly are a remarkable person.”
“...Praise from your mouth is unsettling.”
“What can I do? It's the truth. This is likely the first time in the history of the Orthodox Murim Alliance that they've faced such a predicament. Failing despite setting two inescapable nets, the pursuit of the Black Hounds, and even a trap laid by masters of the previous generation. And all against a single person.”
“...”
“People seem to think highly of Dam Un-cheon, but I believe you are even more remarkable.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. You're probably the only one who doesn't know.”
“...”
“What are the qualifications of a great general? Wisdom, virtue, and strength. But those who possess all three are rare. Some have wisdom but lack strength, others have strength but lack virtue... But not you. You have both wisdom and virtue. You possess brilliant strategic sense and are respected by your subordinates and those who know you. The only thing you still lack is strength...”
“...”
“Perhaps this is for the best. Had I not known that a person like you existed in the Demonic Cult, it would have been difficult to deal with you later. You would have grown into a giant.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“You know, don't you?”
“...”
“It means I must kill you before you fully mature. Right here.”
Zhuge Min’s tone changed, a cold smile gracing his lips.
“I hope you have the ability to do so.”
Neung Un-bi slowly drew his Flying Swallow Sword, lowering his stance.
The distance between them was a mere three zhang.
If he used the Three Nothings Footwork to its absolute limit, there was a chance.
“Oh dear, how disappointing. I am not the one you should be facing.”
“...?”
“The Sword Emperor, who lost his son to you, has been considerate enough to wait his turn!”
With those words, Namgung Mu-wi stepped in front of Neung Un-bi.
“Damn...”
Even while conversing with Zhuge Min, Neung Un-bi had been focused on saving Yun An-ro, and Namgung Mu-wi had used that opening to close the distance.
“Well, is the conversation over?”
“...”
“On our way here, that boy told me. He said you would surely try to save Yun An-ro. So I waited. To crush even that sliver of hope you so desperately cling to.”
At Namgung Mu-wi's sneer, Neung Un-bi's face twisted in anguish.
“Now, go ahead and struggle. So that the soul of my son, who wanders the nine heavens after being killed by you, can laugh.”
In an instant, his expression turned murderous, and Namgung Mu-wi's presence swelled to a colossal size. Like darkness spreading with the setting sun, his aura pressed down on the world.
His shoulders felt heavy as if burdened by stones, but Neung Un-bi's mind was still consumed with thoughts of saving Yun An-ro.
“Hoo... In that case, I have no choice but to step in.”
“...?”
As the two men faced off, Hyang-i approached, daggers in both hands, and took a position beside Neung Un-bi.
“And who the hell are you?”
Namgung Mu-wi asked, squinting one eye. Hyang-i scoffed.
“What a foul-mouthed old man. Calling a woman this and that upon first meeting.”
“What did you say?”
“You know something? Every bastard who's called me that is dead. Except for my grandmother, of course.”
“You young bitch!”
“There it is again... It seems this old man won't be living a long life. Then again, you've lived long enough as it is.”
As Hyang-i retorted without missing a beat, Namgung Mu-wi's beard trembled as he glared at her.
“Hyang-i...”
“Don't say anything. It's still too much for you alone. It's too much for me alone, too... We might not even win if we fight together. I wish we'd practiced coordinating our attacks.”
“...”
“Go all out. I'll match your movements.”
“Mm...”
Although he nodded at Hyang-i’s words, his attention remained fixed on Yun An-ro's group, which was now surrounded by Namgung family warriors.
[Hey!]
“...?”
[Snap out of it. Focus only on the fight with that old man for now.]
*He's right.*
He knew it himself.
Namgung Mu-wi was not an opponent he could afford to face while distracted.
But no matter how he tried to calm himself, his heart wouldn't listen.
He knew he was being selfish. Yun An-ro was part of his past.
A connection severed completely after his death. Now, living as Neung Un-bi, he should be prioritizing Hyang-i, Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Sakwol Squad.
Yet, he found it impossible to suppress his selfish desires.
[I know they're important. I don't know your relationship with them... but for now, just focus. I'll create an opportunity somehow, so rescue them then.]
“...Hyang-i.”
“Don't make that stupid face. It doesn't suit you.”
Hyang-i spoke bluntly, but her words were enough to help Neung Un-bi finally regain his composure.
“Thank you.”
After expressing his gratitude, Neung Un-bi glared at Namgung Mu-wi and at last gripped his Flying Swallow Sword tightly.
“About time.”
“...I'll take the first move.”
“Of course.”
The moment Hyang-i finished speaking, Neung Un-bi instantly amplified his demonic energy.
*Ruuuumble.*
The demonic energy erupted, swirling out and beginning to push back Namgung Mu-wi's presence.
“I'll create an opening. You take his head.”
“Huh?”
As Hyang-i let out a slightly surprised response, Neung Un-bi took a powerful step forward.
*Bang!*
With that light step, Neung Un-bi's body shot forward like a gale.
The Three Nothings Footwork, pushed to its extreme, instantly closed the distance to Namgung Mu-wi.
“Fool! Do you think you can match me just because you're fast!”
Though Neung Un-bi moved at a speed difficult to follow with the naked eye, Namgung Mu-wi met his charge without a hint of panic.
However, the first strike was not meant to kill. It was a powerful blow intended to create a small opening in Namgung Mu-wi's defense.
The move would be wide and leave him exposed to a counterattack, but he didn't care. He was counting on Hyang-i's follow-up.
A combined attack?
They didn't need to practice such a thing.
Hadn't they sparred countless times already?
Her attacks were unorthodox, always aiming for unexpected places.
And since he too had once been an assassin, he could predict how Hyang-i would move.
Just as he thought, she had already vanished into his shadow, despite her earlier surprise.
And if he were an assassin with abilities like hers?
“Hoo-up!”
Neung Un-bi swung the Flying Swallow Sword, gripped in both hands, with all his might.
*Claaaang!*
“Kuh!”
The moment their swords clashed, a look of bewilderment crossed Namgung Mu-wi’s face as he had intended to parry and counter.
The force was excessive. Neung Un-bi's attack, like a battering ram against a castle wall, sent his sword reeling. As if he had poured everything into a single strike, despite a sword not being a blunt weapon.
And this kind of attack was an absolute taboo for a swordsman.
“I thought you were something special! Just a reckless fool!”
Namgung Mu-wi quickly pulled his sword back, intending to slash Neung Un-bi’s neck.
But the smile on Neung Un-bi’s lips was ominous.
“Heh, you fool...”
“...?”
“And you call yourself the Sword Emperor!”
At that moment, Namgung Mu-wi saw a dagger shooting out from behind Neung Un-bi like a bolt of lightning.
*Shwiiiik!*
“Th-this damn bitch!”
Realizing it was too late to change his sword's trajectory to block, Namgung Mu-wi leaned his upper body back.
*Riiip!*
The dagger grazed Namgung Mu-wi's chest, tearing a long gash in his clothes.
Namgung Mu-wi's face contorted at the stinging sensation on his skin.
But the wound was shallow. Only a little blood welled up.
*It should have torn his chest, not just his clothes...*
Though filled with regret, there was no time to hesitate.
The Sword Emperor, Namgung Mu-wi. He would not allow the same attack to work twice.
Moreover, the wound would have certainly fueled his rage, so they had to press their assault relentlessly.
“Hoo-up!”
Inhaling deeply, Neung Un-bi filled his Flying Swallow Sword with demonic energy and swung it toward Namgung Mu-wi’s waist.
*Whoooosh!*
A horizontal slash that split the air.
No flashy techniques were needed. The two basic movements of the sword, vertical and horizontal, were enough.
His role was to continuously pressure Namgung Mu-wi and create openings. In those openings, Hyang-i would inflict a fatal wound.
“You bastard!”
*Claaang!*
Staggering again from the intense impact, Namgung Mu-wi was left exposed to Hyang-i's attack.
*Clang! Claclang!*
With each strike, Neung Un-bi swung with all his might, and Hyang-i thrust her daggers into the openings he created.
Overwhelmed by their combined assault, Namgung Mu-wi struggled to gain the upper hand, steadily accumulating more wounds as he was pushed back.
*A little more, just a little more...*
They had to prevent him from unleashing his true power. The moment his true divine might was revealed, neither Neung Un-bi's nor Hyang-i's attacks would have any effect.
They had to inflict a fatal wound before then.
*Boom! Kaboom!*
The fight had been raging for some time.
Everyone watched in silence, their fists clenched.
Although it was a two-on-one fight, it was a duel between leaders, not an all-out war. To interfere in their battle would be to trample upon the pride they held as martial artists.
But Zhuge Min was different.
He frowned as he watched Namgung Mu-wi being pushed back by the duo.
“Tsk, tsk, the title of Sword Emperor is just for show. To be so helpless...”
Of course, he would reveal his true strength soon enough.
For now, he was being overwhelmed by the relentless barrage, but humans eventually reach their limits.
“Still, I can't just keep watching. There's always a 'what if'.”
Zhuge Min lowered his gaze slightly, looking at Yun An-ro's group, and called his subordinate.
“Changseo.”
“Yes.”
“It seems we'll have to lend a hand.”
At Zhuge Min's words, Changseo glanced at Yun An-ro, unable to hide his surprise. He realized what Zhuge Min intended to do.
“We can't. If the Sword Emperor finds out we interfered...”
“Silence.”
“...”
“If the Sword Emperor falls because of this, will you take responsibility?”
“...Understood.”
As Changseo began to move stealthily toward Yun An-ro, a wicked smile spread across Zhuge Min's face.
The pride of a martial artist?
Bullshit.
Winning is all that matters in a fight, and in the end, the victor writes history.
Therefore, to win, one must use every means available.
Any means necessary.