Chapter 335
Chapter 335
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 335
Chapter Title: Yi Seong-ji in Crisis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was a stroke of bad luck.
The Zhao Kingdom warriors moving to target the Qin Kingdom army's grain supplies, and Yi Seong-ji's group en route at Yuan Gaese's summons—they crossed paths at the junction of their routes.
The Zhao warriors were inwardly startled but kept their composure, ready to draw their swords at any moment.
They concealed their hostility as best they could, observing the enemy's reaction. For the sake of completing their mission, avoiding unnecessary conflict was the wisest choice.
Meanwhile, Yi Seong-ji's group felt puzzled by the sight of over a hundred warriors pushing through the pouring rain in a tight formation.
One of the burly guards from Yi Seong-ji's side stepped forward and asked,
"Where do you hail from?"
The blue-robed man replied calmly.
"We're under the direct command of Grand Commander Baek Woo-kyeong. Why do you ask?"
The burly guard sharply scanned the blue-robed man and the Zhao Kingdom warriors standing behind him. The situation seemed suspicious, but the blue-robed man's confident demeanor made it hard to harbor further doubts.
He glanced back at Yi Seong-ji, who judged there was no need for further questioning and signaled to let them pass.
Receiving Yi Seong-ji's cue, the burly guard cupped his fists toward the blue-robed man.
"Sorry for holding you up in this downpour. Safe travels."
"Much appreciated. Farewell."
It seemed the encounter would end there.
But right then—
"Kyaaah!"
A guttural roar erupted from behind.
The blue-robed man whipped around and flinched for a split second.
The roar came from Ban Go. His entire body was already shrouded in blood-red light.
'What the hell is wrong with that guy...?'
* * *
Even in this tense situation, where exposure would inevitably lead to combat, Ban Go leaned against a tree, eyes fixed on the burly guard conversing with the blue-robed man.
Just then, the guard turned to look back, and Ban Go naturally followed his gaze—only for Yi Seong-ji's face to pierce his vision like a dagger.
"......!"
How could he forget?
It was Yi Seong-ji, the one who had wounded him just days ago.
"Kyaaah!"
Shing!
Ban Go let out the roar as he drew his sword.
The startled yellow-robed man rushed over. If Ban Go attacked the Qin warriors here, the mission would be as good as failed.
[You mad bastard! Can't you stay still?!]
As the yellow-robed man reached out to grab Ban Go's sword wrist—
Whoosh!
"Out of my way."
Boom!
"Ugh!"
Ban Go's left fist slammed straight into the yellow-robed man's chest. Caught completely off guard, the yellow-robed man flew back like a fallen leaf.
"Huh!"
"Gasp!"
The surrounding warriors cried out in shock.
But Ban Go ignored them all, keeping his gaze locked on Yi Seong-ji as he bared his fangs.
"I'll kill you."
* * *
Yi Seong-ji's eyes sharpened at the sudden turn of events.
'That guy...'
He remembered Ban Go's face all too well.
"Battle formation!"
"Battle formation!"
Swish-swish-swish!
The warriors swiftly formed ranks.
Yi Seong-ji stepped forward, staring down the blue-robed man.
"So you're Zhao Kingdom bastards after all."
The blue-robed man's face twisted in dismay.
'Ban Go, you fool—you've gone and ruined everything.'
The mission was doomed. Now, all that remained was to repel the enemies before them and survive.
The blue-robed man let out a heavy sigh and drew his sword.
Shing.
"Whoever you are, you're out of luck. If you'd let us pass, you wouldn't have had to die."
Clang-clang-clang!
The Zhao Kingdom warriors drew their weapons in unison.
Yi Seong-ji drew his sword as well.
Screee.
The moment it cleared the sheath, sword energy flared along the blade.
A flicker of surprise passed through the blue-robed man's eyes. Considering Yi Seong-ji's age, such power was astonishing.
He quickly steadied his gaze, and his sword erupted in blood-red light. The reflected glow dyed Yi Seong-ji's eyes crimson.
Gong Ya-un stepped up beside him.
[This one's a master as well. Leave him to me.]
"Be careful, Master."
Yi Seong-ji yielded to Gong Ya-un without hesitation. The one he needed to face wasn't the blue-robed man—it was Ban Go. He turned and shouted,
"Help my master."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Two burly guards moved to Gong Ya-un's side.
Knowing pride had no place here, Gong Ya-un accepted Yi Seong-ji's decision. Winning against the enemy came first, after all.
Yi Seong-ji advanced a few steps, channeling his full Twelve Stars inner power.
Aware of Ban Go's strength, he planned to go all out from the start. He unleashed Hellfire Blaze without delay.
Terrifying demonic energy poured from Yi Seong-ji's body, but Ban Go charged first without a hint of hesitation.
Leaping over the blue-robed man's head, he plummeted toward Yi Seong-ji like lightning.
Screeeee!
It was an attack like the heavens themselves crashing down.
Yet Yi Seong-ji had no intention of dodging. He faced it calmly.
Boom!
Force clashed against force.
Crunch!
The erupting dust storm swept the surroundings like a gale. Even the blue-robed man nearby had to hastily summon protective energy and retreat from the sheer power.
Boom-boom-boom!
"Kyaaah!"
Kablooom!
Roars and flashes lit up the dust cloud relentlessly.
Gong Ya-un couldn't even think of attacking the blue-robed man, his eyes fixed on Yi Seong-ji.
That was when—
[Attack him! He's the leader!]
Yi Seong-ji's transmission snapped Gong Ya-un back to focus.
Gong Ya-un's sword gleamed. The two burly guards on either side maxed out their inner power, syncing with him.
'This is bad!'
Gong Ya-un gritted his teeth.
The enemy was formidable, but their numbers put them at an absolute disadvantage. Regret gnawed at him for venturing out with only a few aides and minimal troops, assuming the area was secure.
"Wipe them all out!"
At the blue-robed man's command, the Zhao warriors charged en masse.
"Hold the line!"
"Maintain formation!"
Clang-clang-clang!
"Ugh!"
"Kaaagh!"
The bloody melee began.
* * *
Thud!
The forest edge shook.
The yellow-robed man emerged, brushing dirt from his clothes. Astonishingly, despite taking Ban Go's unguarded blow, he showed no sign of injury.
"Ban Go, you son of a bitch..."
He glared at Ban Go locked in fierce combat with Yi Seong-ji amid the dust, then picked up a sword from the ground.
Shing!
"First, let's kill these Qin bastards. Ptui!"
The yellow-robed man slowly headed toward Yi Seong-ji's warriors. He was utterly confident in victory, so his eyes never left Ban Go as he walked.
"There's a monster among them."
What surprised him was Yi Seong-ji.
No one knew Ban Go's strength better than the yellow-robed man. Yet Yi Seong-ji was holding his own against him.
"Just die together, both of you."
Right then—
As the yellow-robed man sneered at Yi Seong-ji and Ban Go, he spun around like lightning.
"......!"
His eyes widened. A streak of light was already upon him.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
With a strangled cry, the yellow-robed man flew back into the forest.
Yi Hwan landed where he had stood. Ju Tae and the others followed one by one.
"Go help."
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
They all plunged into the fray.
Not a single one among them was anything less than a master, throwing the Zhao warriors' rear into chaos.
Crunch!
"Kaaak!"
"Uwaaak!"
"Qin troops from behind!"
"Block the rear!"
Yi Hwan didn't rush in but watched Yi Seong-ji and Ban Go's clash for a moment.
Ban Go was no surprise. He already knew what the Blood Heavenly Messenger was.
'Amazing. I knew he was a master, but not to this extent.'
What shocked Yi Hwan was Yi Seong-ji's prowess.
He was matching the transformed Blood Heavenly Messenger Ban Go blow for blow. In some exchanges, Ban Go was even being pushed back.
Yi Hwan's gaze shifted sideways. There, Gong Ya-un and the two burly guards were battling the blue-robed man.
He locked eyes on the blue-robed man—the same one from the inn days ago, with the yellow-robed man.
'They were marked for death anyway.'
Shing!
Yi Hwan slowly drew his sword and headed toward the blue-robed man.
Two Zhao warriors charged him mid-stride, only to be bisected and crumple.
Splat!
"Kaaak!"
"Kwaaak!"
* * *
Ziiing!
The shock climbed his arm, churning through his body.
Gong Ya-un's eyes had long been filled with horror. Even with the two burly guards' aid against his aged self, the blue-robed man was an iron wall.
Each sword clash numbed his right arm momentarily, breaking his attack chain.
"Ugh!"
One burly guard groaned and slid back. If the other hadn't blocked the blue-robed man's follow-up, he'd be bleeding out on the ground.
The blue-robed man ignored the guards and closed in on Gong Ya-un. His eyes brimmed with bloodlust like Ban Go's, demonic energy seeping from his body like mist.
"I heard 'Your Highness' earlier. So that brat's a Qin prince?"
Gong Ya-un didn't answer, gripping his sword with both hands and steadying his stance.
A sneer curled the blue-robed man's lips.
"What a shame for an old timer. If you hadn't crossed me, you could've lived out your days in comfort with that skill."
"Enough talk—come on!"
"I'm coming. Heh heh heh."
Screee!
The blue-robed man's sword flared with blood-red light.
For a moment, Gong Ya-un was gripped by fear: could he block it again?
Death held no terror.
But Yi Seong-ji was here. He had to protect him, even at the cost of his life. Failure alone frightened him.
'If I fall, His Highness is in danger. I have to hold out longer somehow.'
Grit!
Gong Ya-un clenched his teeth, steeling his resolve. Blood trickled from his bitten lip.
The two burly guards summoned their innate energies, flanking him.
Did their desperate determination register? The blue-robed man's mocking expression twitched, then hardened.
Gong Ya-un shouted,
"You bastard! Come already!"
That was when—
"Everyone, fall back."
A heavy voice rumbled from behind. Gong Ya-un reflexively turned, his eyes widening in shock before shaking fiercely.
"......Great Prince!"