Chapter 203
Chapter 203
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: Battle at Phoenix Mountain (2)
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The surroundings had devolved into utter chaos, a hellish battlefield of pandemonium, yet no one dared approach Neung Sohwa and Gu Yangsun as they locked eyes on each other.
Though their weapons weren't clashing directly, they were already locked in a fierce battle. The auras they emitted sliced through the air like invisible blades, shredding the empty space between them.
Gu Yangsun slowly moved his sword.
A sinister energy, like black mist, began to seep from the tip of his blade.
With a low shout, Neung Sohwa's figure shot forward, and the sword in her hand traced an elegant arc, cleaving through the energy Gu Yangsun unleashed.
Falling Blossoms in Flight, the first form of the Heavenly Stream Sword Canon.
Petals blooming in the sky scattered softly, settling lightly over the encroaching black mist.
Gu Yangsun immediately countered with the ultimate technique of the Black Mist Vast Heaven Sword: Black Flame Full Bloom.
The black mist transformed into hellish infernal flames, engulfing the petals and Neung Sohwa alike.
Neung Sohwa responded just as swiftly, her sword moving with practiced grace.
Boom!Boom!Boom!
Explosive clash after explosive clash rang out in rapid succession.
In just three or four breaths, the two had exchanged over twenty intense bouts.
Kaboom!
A collision far fiercer than before erupted, and as if by prior agreement, both figures reeled back.
In that brief moment, having poured everything into the fight, their breaths came in ragged gasps, and their clothes had been reduced to rags in an instant.
"Ah!"
From afar, watching the duel, a cry of admiration escaped Jinrim's lips.
Most of the Sword Pavilion's swordmasters were already deep in combat, but Jinrim, whose skills were comparatively lacking, had been ordered by Hwang Ye to stay back, far from the fray.
Excluded from the battle, all she could do was pray fervently for everyone's safety and victory. Naturally, her gaze was fixed on Neung Sohwa, who was engaged in the most perilous and intense fight of all.
But sadly, she could barely make out anything.
She couldn't tell how they attacked or defended, nor who held the advantage.
All she could perceive was that the two moved so fast her eyes could hardly follow, and each time they crossed paths, thunderous clashes echoed like lightning strikes.
'Please!'
Jinrim clasped her hands together, praying desperately for Neung Sohwa's victory.
'Impressive. As expected of the Sword Empress. Even clumsy attacks don't land at all.'
After the intense exchange, as he caught his breath, Gu Yangsun realized Neung Sohwa's skill far exceeded his expectations. Despite her youth and not having fully completed her Sword Empress training, she showed no trace of inexperience. He'd even tried luring her by feigning openings, only for her to counter by digging traps that mocked his intentions.
Exhaling deeply, Gu Yangsun gathered his energy once more.
The black mist that had bloomed from his sword tip now rose from his entire body.
In an instant, it enveloped him completely.
Sensing the enemy's aura sharpen to an unprecedented edge, Neung Sohwa heightened her honed senses to their limit, staring at Gu Yangsun, who had fully merged with the black mist.
The black mist protruded forward, forming the shape of a sword.
Ink Thunder Thousand Rends, the ultimate technique of the Black Mist Vast Heaven Sword.
The moment she sensed the sword form take shape, hundreds—no, thousands—of splintered black energies surged toward the Sword Empress.
Neung Sohwa met it head-on with the Heavenly Stream Sword Technique's ultimate move: Winds and Clouds at Play.
Shhhk!
The ferocious energy seemed to dissipate harmlessly, only to pierce through Neung Sohwa's counterattack in a single breath.
Even as she blocked it, she recognized that Gu Yangsun's momentum hadn't weakened in the slightest—her sword was already unleashing another form.
Boom!Boom!Boom!
The black energy crashed with devastating force, but it couldn't breach the sword barrier Neung Sohwa had woven.
The moment the black smoke scattered powerlessly, unable to penetrate, a single flash of light rent the air.
Thud!
With a dull impact, Gu Yangsun's exposed body staggered.
Seizing the opening with a perfect strike, Neung Sohwa pressed her assault relentlessly.
Gu Yangsun, overwhelmed by her momentum, stumbled back—and as if sensing the end, Neung Sohwa unleashed the Heavenly Stream Sword Technique's most powerful form: Meteor Quenching Flame.
With nowhere left to retreat, Gu Yangsun resorted to his ultimate, unfinished technique.
The ink-black energy vortex clashed violently against the sword energies raining down like a meteor shower.
Like a volcano erupting after compressing its fury, a deafening roar centered on the two shook the ground for dozens of feet, upheaving the earth itself.
Soil blasted skyward, blotting out even the sunlight.
Those fighting fiercely around them recoiled in horror.
Moments later, as the dust settled, the battle's outcome became clear.
Gu Yangsun lay collapsed in a pool of blood, both arms vanished without a trace, a massive hole torn through his chest.
Blood gushed from the wound, staining the ground crimson.
No miracle healer reborn could save him from such a fatal injury.
The Sword Empress, standing a short distance away, fared incomparably better.
Though her hair was disheveled and blood trickled from rents in her tattered clothes, she bore no mortal wounds.
"This old man... made a grave... mistake."
Gu Yangsun rasped, meeting the impassive gaze Neung Sohwa fixed on him.
"I promised the... Cult Leader... I would... survive and... return..."
Life rapidly faded from Gu Yangsun's eyes.
"Forgive... me, Cult... Leader. I couldn't... obtain forgiveness..."
He couldn't finish his final words before his head lolled lifelessly.
Neung Sohwa watched him a moment longer, then turned away without regret.
Though Gu Yangsun, their leader, had fallen, his indoctrinated disciples showed no disturbance. From the moment they'd been dragged into the Blood Cult and handed to him, they'd been raised devoid of emotion or pain.
"A victory for you, Pavilion Master."
Seo Yoryeong approached, weary but triumphant, having severed the necks of enemies charging even as their limbs flew.
"Yes."
"Impressive."
Seo Yoryeong flashed a genuine smile of joy.
"He was a formidable master. You got lucky."
"Luck doesn't cover it—your skill overwhelmed him completely."
At Seo Yoryeong's repeated praise, a faint smile flickered across Neung Sohwa's lips before vanishing.
"Thank you. But the situation isn't good."
Her brief smile was gone.
Neung Sohwa frowned at the Sword Pavilion disciples strewn about. Far more enemy corpses littered the ground, but her eyes saw only her own people's fallen.
"These fiends are ruthless. No fear of death, no sense of pain. Even with limbs severed, they charge without a whimper. It was so eerie, everyone panicked..."
Seo Yoryeong sighed, surveying the battlefield.
Had they not faltered at the foes' monstrous demeanor early on, casualties would have been far lighter. And at the end, some self-detonated for mutual destruction, spiking the losses.
"No helping it. All we can do now is minimize further damage."
As Neung Sohwa, fully recovered, prepared to reenter the fray, her sharp senses picked up unfamiliar presences.
Turning, she beheld figures beyond imagination.
Jinrim, tears of joy streaming at Neung Sohwa's victory, couldn't hide her confusion as Neung Sohwa and Seo Yoryeong turned to her.
She shyly raised a hand, signaling her safety and congratulating the win.
"What are you doing out here alone?"
At the sudden voice, Jinrim spun in fright, tumbling onto her rear. Pale-faced, her heart raced like a wild horse across the plains.
Thick hands seized her like wet laundry on a line.
"Doesn't look like anything's wrong on the outside."
The owner of the hands inspected her closely.
Finally recognizing Cheol Woo hoisting her up, curses exploded from Jinrim's mouth.
"You crazy bastard!"
Still dangling in midair, she kicked wildly.
"That won't kill me. Just hurts your feet."
So Surin yanked Cheol Woo's hand away and scooped Jinrim into her arms.
"Sis!"
Embraced by So Surin, Jinrim wept from joy, grievance, and embarrassment.
"No more pranks—move, now."
At Sima Geon's words, Cheol Woo grinned cheekily at the glaring Jinrim before charging back to the battlefield. Noejeon, Goyu, and Manchu followed on his heels.
"Better now?"
"Yes."
"See you in a bit."
Having soothed Jinrim, So Surin headed to the fray herself. Meeting Neung Sohwa's gaze en route, she gave a light bow.
"Long time no see, Lady Neung."
The instant their eyes met, Sima Geon had already scanned Neung Sohwa head to toe, confirming no serious injuries, and greeted her with a bright smile.
"Not that long apart, us."
Neung Sohwa tossed back a light jest before sobering.
"I mistook your sudden auras for enemies—nearly jumped. What happened? You said you were heading home."
"We were, until unexpected events derailed us."
Sima Geon briefly recounted smashing the Hao Clan headquarters in Nankin.
"I see. So it wasn't the Beggars' Gang, but Young Master Sima who toppled the Hao Clan's main branch and exposed them as Blood Cult lackeys."
"We worked together."
"Still, I had no idea you were involved."
"We asked the Beggars' Gang to keep our presence hidden. Less hassle that way, easier to move."
"Got it."
Neung Sohwa studied Sima Geon's face intently.
"Anyway, you rushed here upon hearing the Blood Cult was targeting me and the Sword Pavilion?"
Sima Geon answered without hesitation.
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Neung Sohwa smiled shyly, bowing her head.
"Um..."
Jegal Su spoke up cautiously amid the awkward atmosphere between them.
"Ah, greetings. This is..."
"Long time no see, Young Master Jegal."
Before Sima Geon could finish, Neung Sohwa greeted Jegal Su.
"Yes. Indeed."
Jegal Su bowed politely.
As Sima Geon looked mildly flustered, the Sword Empress covered her mouth, chuckling.
"I briefly met you when the previous Sword Empress visited the Jegal Clan."
Sima Geon nodded in understanding at Jegal Su's explanation.
"Didn't expect to see warriors of the Jegal Clan here."
Neung Sohwa glanced between Jegal Su and the Way Dragon Squad, who stood awkwardly, missing their chance to join the fight.
"That's how it went. But what are those things? Their actions aren't human at all. And that last bit... really."
Jegal Su grimaced at the Blood Cult thugs snarling viciously till death, even exploding their own bodies to attack.
"Hard to say—we just met them. Only confirmed they're specially trained."
"I'd heard the Sword Pavilion's fame so often my ears rang, but seeing it firsthand... it's even greater than rumored. Truly remarkable."
Jegal Su couldn't help but admire how the swordmasters handled the inhuman monsters with ease.
Of course, Cheol Woo and So Surin's exploits stood out. Without their rampage into the center, massacring foes indiscriminately, the Pavilion's losses would have been worse, and the battle far longer.
"Lady Su-ya."
Jegal Geom dashed to Jegal Su's side, bowing lightly to Neung Sohwa before handing over a palm-sized slip of paper. Jegal Su's face hardened slightly upon reading it.
"The ones who lured the Young Tiger Clan are moving fast. They'll arrive within half a gak at latest—accounting for the messenger's travel time, any moment now. About a hundred twenty strong. They'll be panicking. They meant to lure and then pincers, never expected such a quick end."
"A hundred twenty?"
Neung Sohwa gasped at the number, far higher than the Young Tiger Clan's report. She figured the Clan had suffered greatly falling for the bait.
"Looks like the Young Tiger Clan failed to hold them."
"Nah, not quite."
Jegal Su waved it off playfully.
"They're all in cahoots anyway."
"Pardon?"
"Cahoots. Young Tiger Clan and Blood Cult—definitely connected."
"What...?"
Neung Sohwa alternated bewildered glances between Sima Geon and Jegal Su.
But there was no time for explanations.
Far off, foes radiating a presence dwarfing the ones before were closing in rapidly.