Black Flame Dragon Leaping Over the Pass (5)
Forest fires in autumn were nothing new. Especially after a summer drought, when fallen leaves piled thick on the mountains, the slightest breeze could ignite them. To prevent this, nearby villagers prepared firewood for winter in advance and built firebreaks to keep the flames from spreading.
"But the Ssangmak Stronghold never allowed villagers up the mountain."
Thieves had no better hiding spot than dense underbrush. To maintain it, the Ssangmak Stronghold banned not just logging but even herb gathering. Now, that thick, dry forest no longer sheltered them—it was strangling their throats.
The bandits charging down the mountain faltered as the oil-soaked flames exploded around them, and the fire spread even faster in all directions. Over a thousand men tried to retreat up the slope, but that demanded even more strength.
"Argh!"
"Get out of the way!"
"Hot!"
The line collapsed amid tangles and falls. Bandits fleeing off the path into the mountains were swallowed by the roaring blaze. Those rolling to escape the heat only helped the fire spread faster.
"This can't be real."
Eunho stared blankly at the sky choked with thick black smoke. Fierce winds quickly dispersed it, fueling the flames like some elixir, making them burn even wilder.
Though every one of the thousand had trained in martial arts, their achievements varied. Those with weak inner energy couldn't hold their breath and inhaled smoke, collapsing one by one.
"Young master Sowoon, did you predict the wind?"
Yang Gunbaek brushed back his hair whipping in the gale and asked. I drew the Black Dragon Sword without a special reply.
"Get ready."
At my words, the three brothers drew their swords.
"They can't flee toward the mountain through the fire. But the oil-slicked path will burn out—they'll come down it."
"We'll go too."
Yang Gunbaek stepped forward with the Haomen members.
"Hit them hard while they're dazed from the flames."
No sooner had I spoken than a massive whoosh echoed.
Boom!
The Gold-Faced Fireblade and Poison-Eyed Blood Axe combined their strikes, gouging the earth and scattering dirt everywhere.
"The fire's weakening! Cross as fast as you can!"
A booming voice rang out, and bandits who'd found an escape poured onto the path. Those with clothes aflame frantically patted them out, only to be trampled by those behind.
Crack!
Trees left uncut for ambushes along the path caught fire and toppled onto it.
"Aaaagh!"
"Dodge!"
"Help!"
Abandoning their leaders, bandits bolted for other paths over the ridge. Even as they scattered, the Gold-Faced Fireblade and Poison-Eyed Blood Axe had no time to rally them—they had to keep blasting dirt to clear the way.
Boom!
Their powerful energy scattered soil and rocks, tamping the flames somewhat. But after they passed, the following bandits burned alive.
"Damn it all!!!"
Furious at the mounting deaths, the Gold-Faced Fireblade ignored the Poison-Eyed Blood Axe and unleashed his lightness skill at full speed down the path.
"Listen up."
"Now?"
"If they survive, the village tragedy repeats."
"...Yes."
"Just remember what we saw from the hill."
No mercy. The brothers clenched their jaws, understanding.
"Charge!"
At my shout, the three brothers and Yang Gunbaek's group dashed forward. No trace of their earlier fear of the bandits—they were brimming with courage.
"Jin Sowoon!"
The Gold-Faced Fireblade, charging like a fire-tailed boar, spotted me and accelerated. I matched him with Heavenly Lone Walker God Step, closing in.
Thud.
"Die!"
As his saber, laced with saber energy, swung for my head, I unleashed Lotus Blossom, hurling him into the inferno.
Crash! Boom!
A roar inhuman as he snapped trees and slammed into the flames.
"Aaaargh!"
Meanwhile, I deployed Socheon Sword Technique's Breaking Form, slashing bandits gasping for air as they fled.
"S-spare...!"
"Gah!"
Aiming for vital points, my strikes sprayed blood, sowing chaos. Each form claimed a life, bandits dying relentlessly under my relentless blade.
Yet they couldn't stop. Lungs burning with smoke robbed their reason, driving them forward—crawling if they fell.
Bang!
A sudden massive impact amid my flurry sent me staggering two steps back. Lifting my head, the Poison-Eyed Blood Axe loomed, radiating viscous killing intent.
"Bold pup."
"How's my junior's move?"
"Wrong choice!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each clash of axe and Black Dragon Sword sent shockwaves everywhere. Even frenzied bandits sensed danger and veered aside.
I sheathed Breaking Form and unleashed Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion. The Black Dragon Sword fanned illusions like a peacock's tail, thrusting at vitals.
"You hid your skill!"
His remaining eye blazed. His axe sometimes swiped phantoms, sometimes barely blocked the true blade. But endless minions behind and inner energy spent blocking flames tangled his defenses.
"You bastard!"
A lion's roar erupted from the blaze, and the charred Gold-Faced Fireblade leaped out.
"I'll flay your flesh and bones and chew them all!"
I retreated two steps, unleashing Ten Thousand Swords of Heaven and Earth.
*
The gold-silver-bronze brothers could barely think since the fight began. Maintaining their sword formation against foes who didn't dodge or block—just fled the fire madly.
"Eunho! Dongryong! Keep the formation! Nothing else matters!"
"Bro! Too many!"
"Just the formation! Then... then..."
Geum Pyo felt he had to say something but couldn't find words. Would this battle end? How long must they fight? Even panicked by fire, could they handle this alone? The stronghold leaders' arts were beyond them.
"Then what!"
Eunho's shout snapped Geum Pyo back. He blurted the first thought.
"Big bro's coming! He'd never start if we were doomed!"
"Isn't that big bro judging us by his standards?"
No retort to that. Targeting the mightiest of the seventy-two Green Forest strongholds was mad from the start.
"Guh!"
"Urk!"
"Damn..."
While dazed, screams rang from the side. Dongryong dispatched bandits with unfamiliar forms. Tae-eul Gate basics, but trajectories optimized for killing—ruthlessly efficient. Even in formation, his killing intent chilled their bones.
"Damn it!"
Geum Pyo cursed, meeting Eunho's eyes and nodding. They knew Dongryong's state. Eunho's expression darkened. Heavenly Killer Star craved blood. If it bloomed before his mind cultivation deepened, disaster.
"Bro!"
"Yeah!"
No words needed—their minds aligned.
"Argh!"
"Cough!"
Fallen bandits piled up under their blades, Dongryong's intent easing.
"Bro! Too many foes!"
March kept their energy precarious, but survivors swarmed. Some skirted the brothers, others stalled defensively. The fifty Haomen guarded the well, but overwhelming numbers encircled them. Jin Sowoon couldn't help—facing the leaders at the slope's mouth while slashing escapees. They'd die before he arrived.
"Focus! Only the enemy in front!"
Geum Pyo screamed desperately, swinging.
Then dust rose from the village, shouts echoing.
"Charge!"
"Waaah!"
Village head Heo led evacuees with farm tools charging.
"Save the kids first!"
"No mercy to the exhausted!"
Sickles, hoes, axes, sharpened bamboo. Untrained folk savaged weary bandits.
"S-spare me!"
"Your kind starved my son!"
"Forgot raping my sister!"
"Kill!"
Grief-fueled hands struck fiercer than lifelong martial artists.
*
Clang! Clang! Boom! Boom!
Sword shades from Ten Thousand Swords of Heaven and Earth swept everywhere, beheading bandits while clashing with the leaders. Wounded but at peak realm, facing both strained even me. Without the technique's myriad illusions mimicking multiple foes or Cartoon Invincible Fist, I'd crumble.
"I'll kill you! Kill! Must kill!"
"Die!"
Ignoring defense, they barely dodged vitals and charged relentlessly—tough opponents.
"Even if I die, I'll take you!"
"No desire to join you."
"Hmph!"
Boom! Boom!
Energy blasts ignored friend or foe, exploding wildly. Bandits slain by Gold-Faced Fireblade glared betrayed, but he ignored them, hurling more at me.
"Fine lightness skill!"
Poison-Eyed Blood Axe gnashed at my elusiveness.
"Made by the era's best duo."
"Must sting, dying by arts we crafted."
"Again, no plans to die by you."
"Not your call. Ours."
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
His axe hurled flaming logs like hidden weapons. Tae-eul Paeman Sinbo dodged barely—then Gold-Faced Fireblade swung.
This way, I'd tire first.
"Ends here!"
"Haat!"
I maxed Tae-eul Heart Technique, unleashing Cartoon Invincible Fist and leaping airborne. As they swung at me—
Whoooosh. Thud!
"Eek!"
"Damn!"
A house-sized boulder flew at them; they panicked aside. Landing, I glanced back.
"Why so late?"
"Didn't you send me the other way?"
"Figured you'd handle it."
Bang Du-chil and his crew arrived, having routed the opposite escapees.
"Tired? Rest. I'll finish."
A far cry from his earlier distrust.
"Fine. Need to aid the juniors."
"Then hurry."
Our exchange flushed the leaders red.
"Damn whelps!"
"Bratty fools dare!"
Sensing delay's peril, Bang Du-chil gathered energy in his fists. His robes strained, a mighty aura erupted.
'As expected of Heavenly Gang Infinite Body!'
Poison-Eyed Blood Axe gaped at the unprecedented pressure.
"What inner energy...!"
As he fled, air boomed. Bang Du-chil's unique Gale Divine Palm pulverized every bone.
Crack!
"Insane..."
Gold-Faced Fireblade gawked mid-charge.
"Not the time."
I unleashed Radiant Heaven Divine Palm.
Boom! Boom!
He veered, but max-range palm engulfed him. Air and flames burst—his body exploded.
Whoosh.
The palms' force vacuumed air; even flames died.
"..."
Bang Du-chil eyed me, brows twitching.
"What?"
"..."
Baek So-ryeong approached, sheathing her sword.
"First peer with stronger energy than brother."
That explained his shock—no equal in his age.
"Really took the Ssangmak Stronghold. Easily, too."
Fires blazed across Cheonmok Mountain, bandit corpses piled like peaks below. Many remnants lingered, but dead leaders meant the end.
"Thanks to you."
I cupped fists lightly; Baek So-ryeong's crew returned it. Bang Du-chil stared blankly like at a rare beast, elbowed by her, then awkwardly reciprocated.
"Sorry for doubting."
"Natural. Not over yet—let's end perfectly."
"Good."
As we headed down for remnants—
Eunho panted up from the formation below.
"Big bro! Emergency! Save Dongryong!"
Before he finished, I surged my scant energy into Heavenly Lone Walker God Step.