Those with Black Masks (6)
To Seong Moran, Jin Sowoon was an uncomfortable presence. Even setting aside matters between their sects, on a purely personal level, he was someone she could never feel at ease around. A man who would stake his life for others at the drop of a hat. Even if that "other" had once been an enemy, he'd do it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
That was why Seong Moran always harbored some dissatisfaction with his actions, yet she couldn't bring herself to push him away or leave. Perhaps that was also why she kept calling him by that nickname he didn't particularly like—hoping, just a little, that he'd turn a bit more selfish.
In the end, this is how it turned out.
If she hadn't gone along with his intentions from the start, she wouldn't be facing this worst-case scenario now.
"How dare you... do you even know where you are...?"
A displeased voice rumbled low like a tiger's growl. Despite the pleasantly warm weather, steam rose from his entire body. It meant he'd just expelled all the alcohol he'd drunk earlier and was now fully battle-ready.
Flying Cloud New Wind — Jong Byeokgi. A rising star from the Dragon Child Conference of Yong So-a's generation, now firmly holding a seat there. Had it not been for Yong So-a and the one-named prodigies, he would have been hailed as the next divine talent to lead the generation. And now, this figure was unleashing intense killing intent in all directions.
"Who are you? Reveal yourself."
Sword energy gathered on Jong Byeokgi's blade. Seong Moran recoiled at the sharp killing intent radiating from him and sent a sound transmission to Jin Sowoon.
"Young Master Jin. What do we do now?"
Jong Byeokgi's arrival meant the Jeomchang Faction warriors were mostly here too. And to cover up their ugly deeds, they wouldn't hold back.
"Now that we've revealed ourselves like this, we should be glad instead."
Seong Moran bit her lip hard.
"Hanging around with a black path divine talent means we end up clashing with white path sects more often, huh."
She readjusted her grip on her sword. She didn't want to remain someone who just relied on him. She wanted to be someone he could lean on. Or at least, someone who believed in him.
She didn't know why such thoughts arose. Her heart simply pointed that way.
"They'll be desperate."
"I know. And the Iron Sword Sect's blades don't break that easily."
"Understood. Then let's settle this as quickly as possible."
"You aren't thinking of facing Senior Jong Byeokgi head-on, are you?"
The Dragon Child Conference at the Murim Academy was a true war of stars. With Yong So-a and the one-named geniuses setting sky-high standards, the current conference was packed with powerhouses like never before. Among them, Jong Byeokgi was a top master slated to lead Jeomchang in the future—a late-generation talent whose caliber was said to be on another level.
"As if. I'm just planning to buy time."
Despite his words, a faint killing intent glimmered in Jin Sowoon's eyes visible through the mask. She hadn't seen that look even during the Murim Entrance Exam.
What on earth is going on with him?
"Anyway, don't get killed or hurt. It's embarrassing to get injured while helping others."
Seong Moran tried her best to hide her worry, scolding him instead. This was the most "her" way to express it.
"That's what I wanted to say to you. If you don't want to get scolded by Lady Namgung Seonhwa, be extra careful."
"Hah, as if."
With that, the two split to either side.
"You damned rats... dare..."
Jong Byeokgi's sword whipped out like lightning, unleashing a barrage of sword energy. Sayil Sword Technique: Swift Sword Form.
A flurry of sword energies too fast for the naked eye shot toward Jin Sowoon.
Jin Sowoon didn't slow down at all, charging straight ahead. Then, the moment he let the sword energies hit him—
"What?!"
Jin Sowoon's form shattered like an illusion and vanished, the sword energies flying harmlessly into empty air. As Jong Byeokgi whipped his head around at the odd sensation—
The vanished Jin Sowoon reappeared like a thunderbolt, aiming to split Jong Byeokgi's head.
"Insane...!"
Clang! The clash of swords sent a massive shockwave rumbling through the space. Jong Byeokgi staggered back five steps and vomited up everything he'd eaten and drunk the night before.
And Jin Sowoon immediately thrust at his throat.
"You bastard... dare..."
Thinking the opponent's sword heavier than expected, Jong Byeokgi drew his Fire Dragon Sword Technique.
The moment their swords met, the grinding of metal echoed through the hall. Kreeee— The ear-piercing screech continued relentlessly as they exchanged blows, the Yuwol Gate people clutching their ears in agony.
At least it was fortunate that Jong Byeokgi had regained his senses and was now pressing the masked figure.
The Yuwol Gate warriors rejoiced briefly—until the masked man's sword, retreating under the Fire Dragon Sword Technique, began conjuring that infamous illusion sword.
"Be careful! He uses illusion swords!"
At the warning from a Yuwol Gate warrior about the technique that had slain countless comrades, Jong Byeokgi's mouth gaped in shock.
"Il, illusion sword?!"
As if some bad memory surfaced. And with that, dozens of illusion swords erupted from the masked man.
"...You— shit—!"
Jong Byeokgi gnashed his teeth and scattered sword energy wildly. Jeomchang's ultimate art, Whirlwind Mist Sword, spun into a massive vortex.
Ku-ku-ku-kwa-kwa-kwa. The storm engulfed dozens of illusion swords—and the true sword hidden within—swelling enormously.
Whoooosh. The aftermath left even the wild grass scraped clean from the barren ground. But the masked man's form was nowhere in it.
"Jin Sowoon..."
The name spat through gritted teeth. The masked man's silhouette fluttered down lightly, landing amid the traces of the Whirlwind Mist Sword.
"Are you mad? Or has Tae-eul Gate grown so mighty that you can make an enemy of Jeomchang?"
Jong Byeokgi spoke as if certain it was Jin Sowoon, but the masked man gave no reply.
Growing frustrated, Jong Byeokgi bellowed.
"Answer me! Jin Sowoon! You gonna deny it's you now?!"
The masked man simply stepped into that damned footwork again, wordlessly.
Jong Byeokgi ground his teeth and raised his sword. He'd expelled the alcohol with his qi, but the hangover lingering in his body clouded his mind. In this state, he couldn't distinguish illusion from reality.
Then, a frontal clash it is.
He'd already learned from the Dragon Child Conference that the Sayil Sword Technique didn't work on him. Jong Byeokgi wasn't fool enough to repeat the same mistake.
He unleashed a swift storm sword drawn purely from the domineering strengths of Whirlwind Mist Sword. Whiiiir— Sword energies shot with fierce winds to devour Jin Sowoon.
Just like before, Jin Sowoon left an afterimage and vanished, reappearing at Jong Byeokgi's right flank.
"How long do you plan to use the same trick?!"
Jong Byeokgi whipped his sword around, unleashing Falling Petal Flying Flower Sword. Sword energies split space like falling flower shadows, blocking every escape.
One hit, and he'd lose a limb. Deadly precision.
Jin Sowoon slowly raised his sword, spinning it leisurely. Knowing it wouldn't work, yet conjuring illusions anyway.
Jong Byeokgi's triumphant eyes widened gradually, certain of victory.
"Wh-what?!"
Sword energy began cloaking the myriad illusions filling the air. Impossible—illusions couldn't hold sword energy.
The cloaked illusions sliced at the origin of Falling Petal Flying Flower Sword, blocking the energies.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. With each impact, flowers vanished.
Jin Sowoon pierced through, closing on Jong Byeokgi. The man swiftly thrust Sayil Sword Technique: Rear Horse Palace Form.
Whip.Kwa-boom.
Jong Byeokgi, who flew like lightning, crashed back like an arrow. Thud.Kuhk.
Blood trickled from his mouth as he sprang up to continue—
Slash.
Jin Sowoon appeared behind and severed Jong Byeokgi's Achilles tendon.
"Argh! Urk!"
Jong Byeokgi collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. The Yuwol Gate warriors couldn't hide their shock.
"Young Master Jong! Young Master Jong!"
If Jeomchang's divine talent died here, who knew what would happen. If it only exposed their misconduct, they might get scolded but still receive Jeomchang's protection. But if Jong Byeokgi died, Jeomchang's wrath toward them was unpredictable.
"Protect Young Master Jong! Hurry!"
Yuwol Gate warriors threw themselves forward like moths to a flame. But the gold-silver-bronze brothers didn't let them.
"Why butt into the boss's fight?!"
Geum Pyo charged ahead, blocking them. Eunho and Dongryong unfurled their Ten Thousand Swords, thoroughly holding the line.
The Yuwol Gate warriors couldn't break through to the inside.
Jin Sowoon leisurely approached the screaming Jong Byeokgi.
"Now you pay for insulting my sect."
"You... even after... this..."
Watching Jong Byeokgi grind his teeth in agony, Jin Sowoon switched his sword grip. Then struck his dantian with crushing force.
Thud.
An unnatural cracking sound, unbelievable from a human body. Jong Byeokgi let out a bizarre scream.
"Kwaaaagh—!"
Black blood mixed with flesh sprayed out. Before he could even check, his eyes rolled back and he toppled.
"Insane..."
"...Did Biun Sinpung just lose?"
"What are you doing?! Kill that bastard now!"
Then, with a massive boom, the grand gate flew off like a twig.
Kwa-boom!!
"..."
Those who smashed through were Jeomchang Faction warriors, all radiating fierce auras. Yuwol Gate warriors followed in a swarm.
Nearly a hundred elite Jeomchang experts. The middle-aged leader at the front glanced at Jong Byeokgi, then looked up at Jin Sowoon.
"...Who the hell are you?"
At the warrior's dying gasp, one pointed at Jin Sowoon.
"He... Young Master Jong called him... Jin Sowoon."
"Jin Sowoon?"
The middle-aged man fixed him with a chilling gaze.
"Jin Sowoon of Tae-eul Gate?"
"..."
"You knew we were Jeomchang Faction, and that kid is our Jong Byeokgi, right?"
"...I knew."
"Hah, you knew? Then can you explain why you did this shit?"
"Jong Byeokgi was involved in the kidnappings in Akyang. Did Jeomchang know too?"
"..."
The man's face hardened. But it quickly twisted into fury.
"What nonsense is this?! Kidnappings?!"
"Heh... Knew you'd play dumb. That's why I acted. At least you all have to pay a price."
"You're a mad bastard... We'll figure out what the hell you were thinking back at headquarters. And your sect won't exist in the martial world anymore, so don't expect help from anyone."
As the middle-aged man turned, radiating killing intent, the Jeomchang warriors began forming the Spectral Ghosts Sword Formation.
A deadly array where once entered, none escaped without becoming ghosts.
Seong Moran, watching breathlessly, didn't know what to do. She could only stare at that foolishly upright man, who wouldn't hesitate to walk into death to save others.
Then, Jin Sowoon's voice whispered in her ear.
"Lady Seong, do not step outside the formation no matter what."
"Huh?"
Before she could respond, Jin Sowoon shouted.
"Gold-Silver-Bronze!"
""""Yes!"""
The brothers positioned around Seong Moran in the familiar White Tiger Sword Formation.
Baekho Geomjin — Murim Alliance standard group sword array.
"Eunho, you're in command. I'll fill Saryeon's spot."
"Got it."
"Go full defensive from the start. Dragging it out puts us at a disadvantage."
"Yes!"
Seong Moran could barely keep up. Meanwhile, the Spectral Ghosts Sword Formation activated.
Fifty swords drew simultaneously, stabbing at the Tae-eul Gate group from all sides.
Four swords appeared around the Tae-eul group, whirling through space like a dance. Shrrrr.Boom.
Dozens of illusion swords bloomed from the four blades, bewildering the eyes of the formation's wielders.
"Ignore them! They're just illusions!"
Emboldened by the middle-aged man's shout, the Jeomchang warriors ignored the illusions and thrust their swords.
But— Shrrrrrk.Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang.
Friction sounds rang from clashes that should have been silent, screams erupting here and there.
Kuhk, aaak— euk!
Five swordsmen in the Spectral Ghosts Sword Formation were wounded, the array momentarily disrupted. Other Jeomchang swordsmen rushed to fill the gap—but Jin Sowoon exploited that split second.
"Where?!"
As Jin Sowoon slipped into the breach, cold flame palms exploded from the enraged middle-aged man's hands.
Pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-boom.
The ground flipped, weeds scattering. Jin Sowoon dodged the cold flames and returned to the White Tiger Sword Formation.
The Spectral Ghosts Sword Formation, vowing not to let him escape again, spread wide before enveloping the entire Tae-eul group. Perfectly encircling the White Tiger Sword Formation.
An array designed to trap even absolute masters. Not even one of the world's top hundred could escape unscathed.
"Seonghwan!"
At Eunho's cry, Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion shot from their four hands in all directions.
Combination of Small and Great Heaven Swords.
"Kuhk!"
"Kuhk!"
Jeomchang warriors fell one by one, but the Spectral Ghosts Sword Formation held.
"Fill the gaps!"
At the middle-aged man's order, reserves shot forward like arrows.
They pressed relentlessly, determined to the end.
"You've got some skill, but let's see if you escape Jeomchang's grasp."
The widely spread Spectral Ghosts Sword Formation began tightening. Damage was one-sided on Jeomchang's side, but it squeezed the White Tiger Sword Formation in equal measure. Finally, bits of the Tae-eul group's robes began slicing off.
Yet none broke formation.
Even in this life-or-death peril, Seong Moran kept her eyes wide. Because she'd chosen to believe in them—in him.
And at that moment.
"STOP!!!"
A voice thundering across the entire compound. Over two hundred warriors appeared atop the walls.