Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Misjudgment (3)
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"That's enough. Let's stop here."
As Tang Cheonhwa withdrew his hand and stepped back, So Surin bent at the waist, gasping for breath.
"Your footwork is incredible, Elder. It looks so slow no matter how many times I watch, but I can't catch you at all. It seems full of changes, yet it flows so naturally, like a snake slithering over a wall."
Cheol Woo tried imitating Tang Cheonhwa's movements and took a few steps, but he barely managed three before twisting his body awkwardly and stumbling.
"You fool, do you think anyone can do that?"
Tang Cheonhwa snorted as he gulped down water handed to him by Manchu.
"You're right. This is tough."
Cheol Woo tried a few more times before quickly giving up.
"So, how was my martial art?"
So Surin asked, steadying her breath.
Her face was flushed with excitement, eagerly awaiting Tang Cheonhwa's judgment on whether the spar had been satisfactory.
"It was excellent. You've worked hard all this time."
So Surin's face lit up at Tang Cheonhwa's praise.
"The poison qi dormant in your body seems fully assimilated now. You can wield it freely at will."
"Yes."
"Most impressive of all is the Ink Moon Palm Art. It feels like you've surpassed the tenth stage—is that right?"
So Surin nodded, her cheeks slightly reddened.
"Haha! It's been barely a little over a year since I taught you the Ink Moon Palm Art. What method did you use to achieve such rapid progress?"
"Just diligent training. What other reason could there be..."
So Surin glanced briefly at Sima Geon and Cheol Woo.
"Of course, it wasn't just training. I practiced it in real combat scenarios, correcting my mistakes along the way."
"Well said! You honed your skills through spars with those two."
Cheol Woo shot Tang Cheonhwa an incredulous look at his words.
"Spar? Ha! When did charging at us like you wanted to kill count as a spar? If I weren't so patient, I'd have just crushed you!"
Clearly harboring a lot of pent-up frustration, Cheol Woo snorted in anger.
"It was training like real battle, just as the Division Leader always emphasized."
"Do it twice more, and I'll really kill you."
"Out of ten times, you sparred with me eight or nine. Don't act like you only did it once or twice."
"What? Act? Ha, really..."
Cheol Woo was so flabbergasted he couldn't continue.
"You didn't hold back either. You pounded on me freely because my body's tough."
As So Surin chided him, Cheol Woo was about to shout back when Sima Geon grabbed his shoulder and chuckled.
"At first, her uncontrolled poison qi gave us some trouble. But after that, no major issues. Ah, though as Cheol Woo said, she did come at us like it was life or death."
"I see. Real combat truly is the way."
Tang Cheonhwa nodded vigorously. Then he gestured to several Tang Clan retainers who had been watching the spar from the side and asked,
"Did you sense anything off in her Ink Moon Palm Art?"
"It felt incredibly refined. Like she'd been practicing since childhood."
"Agreed. Hard to believe she reached the tenth stage in a year, but it was so natural, like a lifetime of training."
"Maybe it's my imagination, but it seemed somehow different from the Ink Moon Palm Art we learned."
Tang Cheonhwa smiled in satisfaction at their opinions.
"It's natural to sense that difference. No matter how diligently you train for years, you can't escape the form and style. Even intense spars have limits—you achieve some results, but can't transcend them. But she's different."
Tang Cheonhwa pointed at Sima Geon and Cheol Woo as he continued.
"She fought them in real combat. No, I misspoke. It wasn't sparring—it was actual fighting. Didn't you just hear? She came at them with killing intent. Something impossible in the main clan."
Everyone nodded at Tang Cheonhwa's words.
"She raised her Ink Moon Palm Art through real battles. That's clearly different from mere training. That's why it feels unlike what you know."
"It wasn't just aggressive attacks like real combat. She took plenty of hits too. Any normal person would've met King Yama dozens, no, hundreds of times."
The Tang retainers didn't fully grasp it, but Tang Cheonhwa understood Sima Geon's meaning immediately. Trusting her sturdy body, they'd struck properly. She'd gained much from enduring those blows.
"Chasing that Myriad Poison Valley lord must've been tough too. You all worked really hard."
"It was frustrating not grasping his movements no matter how hard we tried. We pursued without giving up until the end, only to learn he'd vanished months ago. So hollow. We decided to head home. We'll meet again someday."
Sima Geon shook his head with a wry smile.
Not just Tang Cheonhwa, but everyone around felt the emptiness and simmering rage in his smile.
Sensing the heavy mood, Sima Geon quickly changed the subject.
"We heard Hwicheon, who were fighting the Heavenly Demon Cult, suddenly attacked the Emei Sect. What's the situation?"
"Hahaha! A great victory, Elder."
Oh Hong, the elder who had swiftly broken through Incense Road Pass where the enemy had set up camp, burst into laughter while holding his bloodied sword.
"As expected, their numbers were few. The ploy to make them think Phoenix Ridge was the main force succeeded."
Tae Bo, the Red-Eyed Horse Bandit, stroked his long beard with a relaxed smile.
"No news from Phoenix Ridge?"
"Nothing yet. But we got word from the Illusion Feather Branch Leader."
"What did they say?"
Oh Hong asked, barely hiding his competitive glee.
"They succeeded in their first battle too, just like us. Some losses from fierce resistance, but no major issues."
"With Black Heaven Gang and Ghost Water Gate joining, that's expected. Four-tenths of Hwicheon's forces are moving— it'd be trouble if they got blocked. What about Jang Hoe? No word from him? Shadow Hand Gate and Spirit Sand Faction are short on power, but being the most remote, should be fine."
"Hmm. Thought he'd report first, but nothing yet. Probably nothing wrong. We'll meet safely at the midpoint soon."
Tae Bo wasn't too worried, attributing it to the rugged terrain slowing messengers.
As if mocking his assumption, a blood-soaked messenger came running.
"E-Elder."
Tae Bo's relaxed face hardened at the messenger's state.
"Where from? Who sent you?"
"Fr-From Elder Jang Hoe."
His heart chilled at the name. Ominous dread gripped him.
"What happened?"
Tae Bo asked, masking his anxiety.
"We... we were attacked by the Tang Clan."
"Tang... Clan?"
Tae Bo's eyes widened in shock at the unexpected name.
"How are they here? If Tang reinforcements, Thunder Sound Temple and Demon Buddha Temple were handling them. Even if missed, we should've noticed that many approaching."
"Don't know how, but as we were gaining the upper hand, nearly a hundred Tang reinforcements arrived."
"A... hundred?"
Tae Bo and Oh Hong gasped at the scale.
"A-And?"
"We fought hard, surrounded on both sides, but..."
The messenger trailed off. His message was clear without words.
"If Tang reinforcements arrived, Qingcheng Sect's might too."
Tae Bo gritted his teeth at Oh Hong's words.
"Likely."
"Thunder Sound Temple and Demon Buddha Temple must've let them slip."
"Or perhaps let them go intentionally?"
"Pardon?"
"Maybe not slipped—perhaps released on purpose."
"No way."
Oh Hong denied, but his trembling eyes suggested he saw the possibility.
"Anyway, need more details. Where's the strategist?"
A shadow-like guard answered Tae Bo's shout.
"Following slowly from the rear with the Lord."
"Fetch him immediately."
"Understood."
As the guard left, Oh Hong said,
"Think the strategist's scheming something?"
"Scheming what?"
"He was from Myriad Poison Valley originally."
"No. He follows not the valley, but those who can avenge him against the Heavenly Demon Cult. That's why I value him. If scheming, he wouldn't send Myriad Poison Valley or Crimson Flame Clan to Phoenix Ridge. Using them as arrow fodder was his plan—don't forget."
"I was surprised when he suggested sending them to Phoenix Ridge."
"Cold judgment. Sending Black Killer Gate and Moon Manzhang together prevented issues—thorough."
"True. My needless suspicion."
Oh Hong erased his doubts.
"But missing Tang movements is a problem. Or maybe he knows by now and has countermeasures."
Tae Bo clung to faith in Strategist Jong Yo.
"Incense Road Pass and Moon Pine Pavilion directions are breached."
Even hearing two of the four paths to Emei were open, Gold Well Monk remained unmoved. Few troops there anyway—just to probe enemy strength.
"At this rate, we'll reach Ox Heart Courtyard within half a shichen."
Gold Well Monk nodded silently to Won Myeong's report.
Ox Heart Courtyard, where two paths converged, would decide the battle.
"Preparations?"
"Set at optimal spot. Encouraging that Phoenix Ridge defenders can flank their rear."
"Amitabha!"
Gold Well Monk murmured a chant unconsciously.
Phoenix Ridge, main path for Emei disciples, led straight to the sect if breached—hence heavily guarded. Yet unthinkable chaos erupted.
Internal strife!
Unknown cause, but they slaughtered each other.
Nearly a third of attackers died; survivors withdrew abruptly. Cheers erupted at the report.
Yet suspicion lingered—some scheme. Only after confirming retreat to mountain base could Phoenix Ridge forces detour.
As Gold Well Monk envisioned them striking the enemy's rear at Ox Heart,
"Master."
The door burst open; Guest Quarters Leader Won Yul rushed in.
"Junior Sister, what's this commotion?"
Won Myeong frowned, scolding Won Yul.
"S-Sorry, Senior Brother. But..."
"What is it?"
Gold Well Monk signaled to stop and asked.
"Tang Clan reinforcements arrived—we won a great victory."
"Is that true?"
Gold Well Monk shot up.
"Yes. Just in— they crushed enemies heading to Immortal Peak Temple."
"Amitabha! Amitabha!"
Unable to contain emotion, Gold Well Monk chanted repeatedly.
He knew Tang reinforcements neared, but not they'd strike so perfectly timed. He'd only prayed they weren't late.
"Qingcheng's reinforcements are near too, right? If they arrive safely, routing these fiends is just time."
Won Myeong, who'd agonized daily planning against Hwicheon invaders, teared up.
"Indeed. All thanks to Buddha's grace."
Turning, Gold Well Monk bowed gratefully to Buddha, face full of emotion.
"Amitabha!"
"Amitabha!"
Won Myeong and Won Yul followed, paying respects to Buddha's blessing.