Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: Massacre
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The traces of the Dark Heaven Cultists who had remained in the village.
Park Ji-mun, skilled in tracking, took the lead, following the signs.
Everyone followed behind him, while Ju Tae had already departed for the local yamen in the nearest city on Yi Hwan's orders.
Park Ji-mun moved without hesitation. The traces left by the Dark Heaven Cultists were that clear.
The trail led to the mountain peak. It was quite a high mountain, and once they crossed the seventh ridge, the temperature dropped sharply, and snow began to fall heavily.
"Capture alive anyone we judge to be of high rank."
"Understood."
Yi Hwan's fury was immense.
He deeply despised martial artists who harmed innocent civilians. In his era, any who committed such acts were hunted down no matter where they hid and made to pay with their lives.
This was also to maintain the Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World without issue.
For the court not to interfere in martial world affairs, civilians must never get caught up in them. The moment that was violated, the non-aggression pact would collapse.
Whoooosh!
The higher they climbed, the fiercer the wind grew.
Everyone's faces were flushed red from the extreme cold. Only one person, Tae Seon, appeared the most composed. It was no doubt because she had lived her entire life in the harsh northern environment.
Park Ji-mun, who had gone ahead by about twenty paces, turned back with a troubled expression.
"The tracks are gone because of the snow. They must have passed through here before it started snowing."
Yi Hwan sharply scanned the surroundings.
"From now on, we'll split into pairs and climb. If you find them, don't act rashly—send a signal."
"Understood."
Tae Seon stepped forward first.
"We'll take that side."
The "we" she mentioned naturally included Cheol Mu-ok. Park Ji-mun and Kim Mu-gwan chose the right side. Yi Hwan decided to go with Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong.
Yi Hwan said one thing to Tae Seon.
"Be careful, Princess."
"I will."
"See you at the peak."
Everyone moved quickly.
Yi Hwan turned to the two women and gave them a caution.
"Keep your scabbard latches open in advance."
"Yes."
In such cold, swords sometimes froze into their sheaths. Of course, a slight force would draw them, but in a dire moment, failing to draw on the first try with normal strength could lead to panic.
Against a master opponent, that split second could mean life or death.
Yi Hwan took the lead. The two women followed, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
How far had they climbed like that? Suddenly, a wild boar the size of a bull charged out from the forest ahead.
Yi Hwan's sword sliced through the air. The boar split in two without even a squeal and tumbled down the slope.
Yi Hwan continued upward as if nothing had happened. Hwa Ryeong stared at his back and shrugged her shoulders slightly.
[I've never seen him that angry before.]
[Of course. I'm furious too—how must the Great Prince feel?]
[Those bastards. If they fall into my hands, I'll smash them all to pieces.]
Whoooosh!
The higher they went, the stronger the gale and snow narrowed visibility sharply. Even with senses heightened to the max amid the wildly shaking forest, it was useless. Visual search was the only option.
How far had they climbed?
The peak came into view.
Moments later, upon reaching the summit, Yi Hwan sharply surveyed the area. But no structures suitable for shelter were visible anywhere.
Go Mi spoke.
"Assuming the wind is always fierce at this altitude, they would have built lodging sheltered from it."
"I was already looking for spots like that. Let's divide the areas and search."
"Yes. I'll take the west."
"I'll check east and south."
It was right then.
Kagang!
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
Death cries rode in on the wind.
It was from the direction Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon had gone.
"They've found them!"
"To that spot."
Boom!
* * *
It was by chance. From outside, it looked like just forest, but one step inside revealed an entirely different scene.
A large hall reminiscent of a temple, flanked left and right by several small log cabins.
At the entrance, Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon were locked in fierce combat.
They hadn't sent the signal first—no, they couldn't—because they had stumbled upon the Dark Heaven Cultists by pure accident, and the enemies attacked without warning, leaving no time.
Cheol Mu-ok's great saber sprayed blood. Tae Seon's sword was no less formidable.
Kwajik!
"Argh!"
"Kwaaak!"
Over a dozen corpses already littered the ground. But those who rushed out at the commotion blocked their rear, trapping them.
Tae Seon showed bewilderment.
"What, there are so many!"
"The others will rush here soon, so keep your composure."
With backs to each other, they focused more on defense than offense.
Then.
Swish!
Two blood-robed men dropped into the courtyard. They looked like masters at a glance. They slowly drew their swords, eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
"You don't seem to have come by chance."
Chiruruk.
Bloodlight flowed along their blades.
"Why did you climb up here?"
"To kill you."
"What?"
"Everyone here will die soon. There's someone extremely pissed off because of you lot."
"Is that so? But what if you die first?"
Sasasak.
The two blood-robed men spread out and closed in. The others surrounded on three sides, blocking any space for Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon to maneuver.
'Hurry up and come.'
Cheol Mu-ok felt the crisis.
Because of Tae Seon, his range of motion was limited. A restricted range naturally diminished the great saber's power.
Moreover, being positioned downhill made it even more disadvantageous.
Then.
Kwakwakwang! Ujikkeun!
"Graaak!"
"Uwaak!"
Suddenly, thunderous booms and screams erupted from behind. The blood-robed men's heads snapped back.
Sssk.
Cheol Mu-ok smiled. Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun were dancing their blade storm in the yard of the largest hall.
"Kill these bastards!"
The two blood-robed men ordered their subordinates and leaped toward Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun.
Right then.
Flash!
A streak of blue light flashed in the air.
The blue light cleanly severed one blood-robed man's legs below the calves.
Thud!
"Graaak!"
The blood-robed man collapsed screaming in agony. The other whirled toward the left in shock.
Yi Hwan charged at him.
Thud!
Yi Hwan's sword pierced the blood-robed man's throat. Leaving the blade embedded, he spun and sealed the acupoints of the writhing, legless one.
"Keep this one alive, Moon Lord."
"Yes!"
Yi Hwan finally looked at Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon.
Tae Seon grinned broadly.
"I'm fine!"
Yi Hwan at last withdrew his sword from the blood-robed man's throat. Blood fountained out as he toppled backward like a felled log.
Thud!
"Hwa Ryeong, help here."
"Yes!"
Boom!
Yi Hwan kicked off the ground and soared toward Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun.
There were more Dark Heaven Cultists there than here. Even as he headed that way, dozens more burst out from various spots.
Yi Hwan veered left. A small log cabin where about ten were about to burst through the door.
Flash!
Wiiiing!
The qi unleashed from his sword spun fiercely, engulfing the Dark Heaven Cultists.
"W-what is that?!"
Wiiiing!
Pukpukpukpuk!
"Graaak!"
"Kwaak!"
Next came the flying sword technique.
Unlike ordinary flying swords, Yi Hwan's spun like a windmill, sweeping over the Dark Heaven Cultists.
Kagagak!
"Argh!"
"Kwaaak!"
One managed to parry with his sword, but his sword and arm flew off together.
It didn't end there. Before his sword even returned, Yi Hwan leaped at the survivors.
Thud!
"Kwek!"
His right hand pierced one's chest, his left ripped another's arm from the shoulder like drawing a saber.
Jijijik!
"Kraaa!"
Better to die outright than suffer this. The Dark Heaven Cultists not yet dead writhed and screamed in torment.
Clang!
The sword returned to his hand.
"You won't die easy."
Flash!
Pukpukpuk!
The legs of those writhing in pain were all severed and sent flying.
"Ugh...."
Those descending from the upper log cabins stared wide-eyed like they'd seen a ghost and began retreating.
Yi Hwan glanced at where Kim Mu-gwan and Park Ji-mun fought. They handled many foes but seemed at ease.
Yi Hwan turned back upward. His eyes were dyed an icy blue glow.
He himself hadn't even noticed.
* * *
Ju Tae entered the courtyard first.
Behind him, over a thousand warriors climbed up one after another. All were struck speechless by the horrific scene before them.
"What in the world...."
"I've never seen such brutality. Ugh...."
Splish splash.
Blood flowed like water along the path the warriors took. Mangled corpses littered everywhere the eye could see, severed limbs tangled indistinguishably.
Ju Tae furrowed his brow.
"We hurried, but it's already over."
He kicked a dead man's head toward where the group was.
Thud!
"You bastards called the reaper yourselves. Why the hell did you touch civilians?"
Ju Tae walked, scanning the group.
Covered head to toe in blood, it was impossible to tell who was injured or unscathed.
'Where's the lord?'
Yi Hwan was nowhere in sight.
Ju Tae asked Cheol Mu-ok.
"Where's the lord?"
"He's inside there."
Cheol Mu-ok pointed to the rear hall.
Ju Tae peered through the half-open door. Yi Hwan stood there.
"What are you staring at like that?"
"Who knows."
Cheol Mu-ok stood. As they entered the hall where Yi Hwan was, they both scowled.
'What the hell is that?'