Chapter 144
Chapter 144
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Flying Heaven Fortress (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As the Heavenly Demon Cult's relentless offensive crushed the Golden Sword Sect and Phoenix Sect in quick succession, the martial world south of the rivers plunged into dire peril. Though the Nangong Clan, hegemon of the southern martial world, still stood strong, the Heavenly Demon Cult's overwhelming might—which had obliterated over half of the southern forces in the blink of an eye—was more than enough to instill terror and dread in everyone's hearts.
Naturally, all eyes turned to the Flying Heaven Fortress.
Located in the eastern part of Gangseo Province, the Flying Heaven Fortress was now the only force capable of stemming the Heavenly Demon Cult's momentum and bolstering the Nangong Clan, now that the Golden Sword Sect and Phoenix Sect had fallen. The Nangong Clan had dispatched large reinforcements, and sects that had received the Azure Sword Command were flocking to the fortress one after another.
A stifling aura of impending war hung over the Flying Heaven Fortress.
Fortress Lord Sanggwan Cheon sat exhausted in his office, having spent the entire day devising strategies and greeting those who had rushed to aid the fortress.
Though night had already deepened, his day was far from over.
"Brother, it's me."
"Come in."
With permission granted, Chief Steward Sanggwan Je entered the office clutching several letters.
His forehead glistened with oily sweat, his hair disheveled, his eyes bloodshot. Dark spots under his eyes made him look like a patient ravaged by a grave illness.
"You look exhausted."
"No more than you, brother."
As Sanggwan Je sat in the opposite chair, Sanggwan Cheon pushed a bowl of medicinal tonic toward him.
"It's good for restoring your vitality. Drink up."
"You have it. That stuff only works on people who can actually benefit from it. I tried chugging it morning and night to stay alive, but it did nothing."
Sanggwan Cheon gave an awkward smile at his brother's deathly grim expression.
The Flying Heaven Fortress had been monitoring the Heavenly Demon Cult's movements even before their full-scale mobilization, and that duty had fallen entirely on Sanggwan Je. Now, with the threat looming right at their doorstep, his workload had exploded, leaving him without a proper night's sleep.
"That's why I told you to rest early today. It's late—why are you here?"
"We got word that the Heavenly Demon Cult's movements have changed."
Sanggwan Cheon slowly set down the bowl he'd been about to sip from.
"Changed how?"
"Some of the forces pushing through central Gangseo Province have turned toward us."
Sanggwan Cheon's face hardened.
"Central... you mean the Bloodlight War Emperor?"
"Yes."
"Damn it. The ones heading our way are tough enough already. If those guys join them, it's as good as telling us to die."
A hollow laugh escaped Sanggwan Cheon's lips.
The army that had razed the Golden Sword Sect to the ground and swept through countless minor sects was now at their doorstep. Numerous sects had come to the fortress's aid under the Azure Sword Command, but their overall strength still fell far short. If the Bloodlight War Emperor's forces joined the fray, the battle would be over before it began.
"Not all of them are moving—only some."
"What are you talking about?"
"Some of the ones coming our way have actually turned back toward the center instead."
Sanggwan Je handed a letter to his puzzled brother.
Sanggwan Cheon scanned it quickly, then crumpled it up in irritation.
"They must think we're complete idiots!"
After fuming for a while, Sanggwan Cheon turned to Sanggwan Je, who was quietly sipping his tea.
"They're swapping their leaders and forces around. What's their game? Why pull this nonsense?"
"How should we know? Probably some internal reason. It doesn't concern us anyway. Whether it's the Bloodlight War Emperor or that Ink Thunder River guy who took down the Golden Sword Sect Lord, they're all monstrously strong."
"True enough."
Sanggwan Cheon downed the medicinal tonic like liquor, grimaced at the taste, and bit into a mooncake. Despite the sweetness filling his mouth, his furrowed brow didn't relax.
"The Heavenly Demon Cult's movements are crucial, but this might be even more serious."
Sanggwan Je handed over another letter.
"What now? You're scaring me."
With a sigh, Sanggwan Cheon began reading, tilting his head repeatedly in confusion.
"So, attacks are being carried out on people moving to support our fortress from all over. But they're not Heavenly Demon Cult— they're Blood Cult minions? What the hell does that mean?"
Sanggwan Cheon shook the letter wildly.
"Exactly as it says. We've already had reports of casualties in various places."
"I know that. We discussed it at the afternoon meeting— the Heavenly Demon Cult hounding them relentlessly. But Blood Cult dogs?"
"Not all of them, obviously. We've confirmed some as Heavenly Demon Cult. But survivors have testified directly, so we can't dismiss it."
Sanggwan Je rubbed his temples, wincing at the headache just thinking about it.
"Yeoryeong of the Meteor Sect."
Sanggwan Cheon glanced at him after re-reading the letter, and Sanggwan Je shook his head.
"Never heard of it."
"It's heartbreaking that people we don't even know stepped up to help us and got hit like this, but how reliable is it?"
"The info came straight from the Beggars' Sect."
"Ah, the Beggars' Sect, no less."
The weight of that name made it impossible to brush off the new intelligence lightly.
"Recently, the Four Blood Forests fell into Blood Cult hands and their minions have been ambushing various factions. The details are specific, and recall how the Zhuge Clan officially declared Blood Cult spies infiltrating their ranks not long ago? The Sword Empress vouched for it. They're not advertising it, but everyone's conducting major sweeps for potential infiltrators."
"No need to bring up others. We investigated too."
After receiving word from the Zhuge Clan, the Flying Heaven Fortress had conducted a covert probe but found no spies.
"Damn it, I don't even know if there really aren't any or if we just couldn't find them."
"We couldn't find them."
Sanggwan Je, who had led the investigation, shook his head grimly.
"Don't say that."
"According to the Zhuge Clan, these aren't spies who slipped in overnight. With the Heavenly Demon Cult breathing down our necks, how do you expect to root out infiltrators that deep in just a few days? Especially when we can't even announce it publicly for fear of morale collapse and chaos."
As Sanggwan Je raised his voice, Sanggwan Cheon deftly changed the subject.
"Fine, whatever. When are the Nangong Clan's reinforcements arriving?"
"I told you at the meeting earlier. Tomorrow."
"No, not the main family's troops— I mean Elder Soaring Heaven High Sword."
"Ah!"
"Without his exploits, the Heavenly Demon Cult would've advanced much faster. What a remarkable man."
Namgung Kyung had raced to aid the Golden Sword Sect but arrived just too late. Swallowing his bitter regret, he had rallied scattered forces, buying time for sects unprepared for the Heavenly Demon Cult's assault to retreat safely. Along the way, he'd steadily whittled down their strength—so much so that rumors swirled within the cult that the damage from Namgung Kyung and his band exceeded even that from the Golden Sword Sect battle.
"Maybe that's why their leadership is shuffling— could be a reprimand."
"Could be."
Sanggwan Je nodded, finding the idea plausible.
"Oh, and the Haohuo Clan's support will be a bit delayed."
"Figures. Can't be helped with their elder passing."
He said it understandingly, but couldn't hide his disappointment.
"Instead, Elder Poison Freak is leading the Tang family retainers and departed from the Haohuo Clan ahead of schedule."
"Who...?"
"Elder Poison Freak."
"Wait, why is that old coot at the Haohuo Clan...? Ah!"
Recalling Haohuo Gok's funeral, Sanggwan Cheon scowled petulantly.
"Poison Freak's a bit much."
"What's so bad? Among the Three Freaks of the Martial World, his skill is top-tier—worth a thousand troops."
"His temper and filth are also top-tier, that's the problem."
"You got picked on a bit when you were young, but holding a grudge this long is a little much, isn't it?"
"Picked on? If that's 'picked on'..."
Sanggwan Cheon ground his teeth, reminiscing on old wounds.
"Anyway, since he's coming to help, we have to behave. Don't poke the bear out of spite."
"No promises. That old man and I just don't mix."
"And one more thing to report..."
Sanggwan Je hesitated, glancing at his brother's expression.
"What? Spit it out."
"You won't like it."
"After hearing Poison Freak's coming, what could worry me? Just say it."
Despite Sanggwan Cheon's urging, Sanggwan Je paused several times before speaking cautiously.
"A guy named Sima Geon is heading this way too."
"Who?"
"Sima Geon."
"Sima...? You mean that one from the Heavenly Demon Cult?"
"Yes."
"Why him?"
"Not sure exactly, but probably to avenge Elder Sword Freak. Oh, and he also uncovered that Four Blood Forests incident I mentioned."
"Tell him to buzz off."
"Brother!"
"I get that he's buddies with Sword Freak and can sympathize with his motives, but let him settle it himself. Tell him not to interfere in our fight."
"Haven't you heard the rumors? He's an incredible master. Maybe even more helpful than Elder Poison Freak..."
"Enough. Fighting cultists with help from a cult defector? There's a saying: you can wash a rag, but it's still a rag. They're all the same breed. He'd sooner die biting his sword than get my help."
Sanggwan Je could only sigh as Sanggwan Cheon turned away, refusing further discussion.
"Haa! Haa!"
He exhaled ragged breaths and surveyed his surroundings.
The situation was grim.
He'd set out with about fifty men, but now only seven remained, forming a desperate sword formation to hold out.
'I got too complacent.'
Namgung Kyung bit his lip.
Since the Golden Sword Sect's fall, he'd clashed endlessly with the Heavenly Demon Cult. Mostly small skirmishes rather than large battles, but they'd won every one without heavy losses. That was the problem. Stringing together victories had let complacency nest in his mind unnoticed, leading to this fatal mistake.
"Finally caught you, old fox of the Nangong Clan."
Elder Yu Sobak of the Bright King Sect—who'd been tasked with capturing Namgung Kyung and clearing the fortress perimeter—approached with a ghastly grin.
"Honestly, I'm impressed. Never dreamed anyone could harass us this much."
Yu Sobak sighed at the fallen Bright King Sect warriors around them.
"Tsk tsk. If we hadn't wasted time chasing the wrong guy, we wouldn't have taken these losses."
Namgung Kyung couldn't hide his despair, knowing the "wrong guy" was his nephew Namgung Po.
"Argh!"
Another agonized scream as one more man fell.
Namgung Kyung raised his sword, scanning for any chance to save even one more life. Yu Sobak sneered coldly.
"No escape. After all the damage you've caused? Not a chance. None of you will survive."
Locking eyes with Namgung Kyung, Yu Sobak bellowed,
"What are you waiting for? No dragging this out—kill them all!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Namgung Kyung's sword flashed.
Yu Sobak countered as if expecting it.
Namgung Kyung flew back helplessly from the blow, but Yu Sobak showed no disappointment.
He himself had struggled against Namgung Po. Yet it paled against Namgung Kyung withstanding and repelling a group assault. His visible wounds were severe; internal injuries worse. Just holding his sword with fighting spirit warranted respect.
But Namgung Kyung's movement was odd.
After rebounding from Yu Sobak's power, he twisted the momentum to hurl himself toward his endangered comrades.
Several rushed to block him, but his desperate sword swings overwhelmed them.
"I'll carve an escape route! Follow behind!"
Sanggung Kyung cut down the enemies pressing the formation, charging the weakest point in the encirclement as he shouted.
Feeling his retainers at his back, he mustered his last reserves.
'Only once.'
With forcibly gathered inner energy, he had one shot at a proper technique—no more.
Dazzling sword light erupted from his blood-smeared blade.
"Damn it!"
Yu Sobak, arriving late, roared like thunder at the sight.
"Dodge!"
He wanted to order a block, but his subordinates couldn't handle it. No need to take extra losses head-on; escape was impossible anyway.
The Soaring Heaven High Sword Namgung Kyung's final, all-out strike shattered the encirclement with overwhelming force.
Despite Yu Sobak's warning, nearly ten men died or suffered mortal wounds, too terrified to even attempt blocking.
But that was it.
Having expended his last strength, Namgung Kyung collapsed, unable to take another step. His comrades lacked the skill to carry him to safety. The encirclement reformed swiftly, and Yu Sobak strode arrogantly toward the barely conscious Namgung Kyung.