Battle for the Spiritual Beast (6)
While So Jaun dazzled the Jongnam Sect warriors with her astonishing skills and Yeon Jinjin, the capable heir of the Gold Amount Escort Agency, protected Jeong Se-in, Hyeon Yucheon stepped forward.
Pa-at!
Charging ahead like a furious tiger, he left Samu Hyeok utterly terrified.
Unlike the rumors he'd only heard about, the man didn't look like some spoiled rich kid from a golden castle—at least not at first glance. But what was this?
His movements were so blindingly fast that even Samu Hyeok's own eyes couldn't keep up. It was nothing short of astonishing.
And that was why...
"Ch-charge, Jongnam Four Swords!"
Samu Hyeok, the Wind Cloud Venerable who was the face of his sect and its leader, didn't step up himself. Instead, he summoned his four junior brothers.
"Yes, sir!"
As their senior brother first and foremost, but above all their sect leader, the four warriors representing Jongnam charged in unison.
These men, alongside Samu Hyeok, were known as Jongnam Sect's golden generation. Each boasted a cultivation at the Peak realm or higher.
But the real reason these four were praised as a unit went beyond that.
Jongnam's ultimate unbreakable formation.
Individually, none matched a Super Peak master, but together? Even one of the Heaven's Five Venerables would struggle against Jongnam's strongest array, the Taeeul Sword Formation.
Unlike its gentle, flowing nature, the razor-sharp crossing sword strikes from the four were inescapable once ensnared—death was certain.
-Open formation!
The Jongnam Four Swords' Taeeul Sword Formation gleamed mysteriously, instantly encircling Hyeon Yucheon.
And it didn't stop there.
Pababababat!
Starting soft and fluid, the sword lights accelerated with time, their momentum so overwhelming that Hyeon Yucheon's figure vanished amid the frenzy.
"Excellent!"
Yeon Ilbi clapped and cheered at the sight of the Jongnam Four Swords unleashing their Taeeul Sword Formation.
She believed it would at least tie down Hyeon Yucheon for a while.
'Demon Sword Prince Hyeon Yucheon, I know you're strong. But this is Jongnam's home turf!'
Yeon Ilbi was no longer just a schemer spinning her head.
"We must secure the Sun Golden Frog first!"
She shouted at Samu Hyeok, who had been blankly watching the clash between the Jongnam Four Swords and Hyeon Yucheon.
'Right!'
Snapping out of his daze, Samu Hyeok hurriedly moved.
But the Sapa warriors weren't about to let him.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
"This belongs to Demon Sword Sovereign Hyeon Yucheon, our sect leader!"
Astonishingly, the Sapa warriors—who had been eyeing the Sun Golden Frog for themselves—suddenly united, claiming it for Hyeon Yucheon.
'Have these bastards lost their minds?'
Yeon Ilbi and Samu Hyeok were stunned by the stream of Sapa warriors pouring out.
Sapa fighters typically prioritized personal survival over sect loyalty, especially before spirit medicines or beasts—they'd abandon even brothers or friends without hesitation.
Sure, there were rare loyal ones among the riffraff, but they were always the minority.
Yet today, all these gathered Sapa warriors had banded together as one.
"You court death!"
Impressive unity, but Samu Hyeok was no pushover.
Without hesitation, he unleashed Jongnam's famed Thirty-Six Swords of the World.
-World's Champions!
Samu Hyeok was the type strong against the weak and weak against the strong.
Against these ragtag Sapa fighters? It was a slaughter.
Kwajijijik!
In the blink of an eye, he carved through them, advancing relentlessly.
Creeeak!
Grinning twistedly at how they crumbled like sandcastles before his blade.
'Of course.'
Watching them fall somehow restored his shattered pride from Hyeon Yucheon's dominance.
That was when it happened.
Seogeok!
A chilling slicing sound rang in Samu Hyeok's ears.
What the—?!
He whipped around, doubting his own eyes.
Incredibly, Hyeon Yucheon's formless sword gang had pierced the chest of the youngest of the Jongnam Four Swords.
"Junior brother!!"
Samu Hyeok bellowed, throat raw.
He couldn't believe it.
'Is this even possible?'
The Jongnam Four Swords had deployed the full Taeeul Sword Formation.
Even the Heaven's Five Venerables would tread carefully, needing half a day to break it.
Yet Hyeon Yucheon had toppled one pillar mere moments into the clash.
"Impressive formation, truly. Better than Huashan Sect's overhyped Plum Blossom Twenty-Four Sword Formation."
As the crowd and Jongnam fighters reeled in shock, only Hyeon Yucheon remained calm.
"But it couldn't withstand my unbreakable formation breaker."
Hyeon Yucheon always spoke of two ways to shatter formations.
First: prior knowledge of the array.
Second: overwhelming raw power to smash it outright.
He'd chosen the latter here.
"That monster..."
"Shattering the Taeeul Sword Formation barehanded."
If onlookers were stunned, how must the Jongnam Four—no, Three Swords—feel, facing him directly?
For those who still didn't grasp his prowess, Hyeon Yucheon reached out again.
A thrusting strike of invisible sword energy.
A building minus one pillar? Its fate was sealed.
The Jongnam Four Swords fared no better.
With their rearguard dead, their formation was exposed.
"Fall back!"
The eldest cried out, but Hyeon Yucheon's Formless Flash Quick Sword was far swifter.
Kwagagagang!
Unbelievable scenes unfolded before their eyes.
Hyeon Yucheon's hands didn't just dismantle the Taeeul Sword Formation—they obliterated it. Now, only two of the Jongnam Four Swords remained.
"Sect leader senior brother!"
"Spare us!"
"We can't hold him!"
Samu Hyeok was helpless against their desperate pleas.
Craving the Sun Golden Frog was one thing, but losing all his juniors would turn Jongnam's golden generation into a gaping void.
He'd cut down the Sapa rabble blocking his path, poised to claim the treasure like a prize—only for it all to crumble.
"Stop, you bastard!"
In the end, Samu Hyeok abandoned the Sun Golden Frog and stepped before Hyeon Yucheon.
Tremble!
His hands shook against his will, but he had no choice.
As the saying went: chasing fleas with fire could burn down the whole thatched house. Losing his juniors for a spirit beast? The losses would outweigh the gain.
'I can't do this alone.'
At least two Jongnam Four Swords remained intact, and Yeon Ilbi had her wits.
[Ilbi! Got any good plans?]
Wary of the paused Hyeon Yucheon, Samu Hyeok sent a transmission to Yeon Ilbi.
"Th-that's..."
Yeon Ilbi was just as flustered.
When her mind rattled, her brain froze.
Hyeon Yucheon's power exceeded expectations, leaving her stumped.
Honestly, it wasn't hopeless.
'If the sect leader goes for mutual destruction, with two juniors supporting... maybe...'
But which sect would sacrifice its leader?
Yeon Ilbi had no words, no ideas. Samu Hyeok stood awkwardly, pinning all hopes on her.
"What exactly are you waiting for?"
From Hyeon Yucheon's view, they were just stalling endlessly. Frustrating.
Swish!
Impatient, he raised a hand toward Samu Hyeok.
How many had died unknowing from that gesture?
"If you're gonna charge, do it quick."
Samu Hyeok snapped back to reality.
'Fighting the Demon Sword Prince was the mistake from the start.'
If he'd realized a shichen—or even half—earlier, half of Jongnam's precious Four Swords wouldn't be gone.
Regret always comes too late, as they say.
"No... I forfeit."
Samu Hyeok cast aside his pride and everything.
"Sect leader senior brother!"
Yeon Ilbi leaped in shock at the unagreed words.
"You're giving up the Sun Golden Frog now?!"
Samu Hyeok had faced reality; Yeon Ilbi was still dreaming.
Who was the smart one here?
"Then use that brilliant brain of yours for a clever solution."
Samu Hyeok eyed his remaining junior brother with unyielding realism.
"......"
Yeon Ilbi had no reply.
"Demon Sword Prince Hyeon Yucheon, sect leader. Forgive Jongnam's rudeness with your magnanimity."
Samu Hyeok said shamelessly.
To lead a sect, one had to be thick-skinned.
And he backed words with action.
"In apology... Jongnam Sect will guard and control the entrance to Hyeonhwang Peak until you fully claim the Sun Golden Frog."
He knew convincing Hyeon Yucheon required real payment.
Hmm.
Hyeon Yucheon tilted his head, pretending to ponder.
If he were the naive youth he appeared, he'd accept gladly. But he was anything but easy.
"I could handle it with my own strength, no need for Jongnam's help."
He glanced at the Sapa warriors supporting him.
They burned with killing intent, fresh wounds from Samu Hyeok's blade fueling their rage.
[Add another condition!]
At their fierce loyalty, Yeon Ilbi's mind finally spun again, sending a transmission.
"Furthermore... Jongnam will never obstruct or provoke the Demon Sword Sect or Demon Sword Merchant Association... and we publicly recognize the Sun Golden Frog as your possession, Demon Sword Prince Hyeon Yucheon."
A perfect wrap-up from Hyeon Yucheon.
In the end, Jongnam—coveting the Sun Golden Frog—got thoroughly thrashed by Hyeon Yucheon and even ceded dominance in Shaanxi.
For Hyeon Yucheon and the Demon Sword Sect, kneeling both former hegemons—Huashan and Jongnam—was ideal.
Kuhuk.
Samu Hyeok and Yeon Ilbi shed bloody tears, sending away those who'd sought the frog. Ironically, it fell to innocent Hyeon Yucheon, leaving some sobbing in sorrow.
Unlike their despair, Hyeon Yucheon's face stayed bright.
Interlopers were gone. Per agreement, Jongnam guarded Hyeonhwang Peak's entrance, barring outsiders.
Meaning: only Hyeon Yucheon and his three beauties remained before the Sun Golden Frog.
"Alright then. Shall we catch that Sun Golden Frog now?"
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