Chapter 122: Ember (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 122: Ember (2)
Slash!
Droplets of blood arced through the thick, azure mist.
Charging at the vanguard of the Great Derivation Sword Formation, Namgung Jun mercilessly cut down the demonic cultists blocking his path.
He had achieved the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown through the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and had even created the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique.
The martial prowess Namgung Jun displayed now was worlds apart from what it had been before he climbed Mount Wudang.
Though he had already expended a significant amount of energy, he still demonstrated the formidable might of a supreme expert.
Namgung Jun continued to break through toward the west, carving out a path.
Keeping pace close behind him, Hyeon-pung shouted, "Young Master Namgung! Is this the right direction?"
The western battlefield, where Namgung Jun was headed, was primarily defended by ordinary cult disciples and Wudang's lay disciples. Compared to the eastern battlefield—where supreme experts, elite martial groups, and top-tier warriors clashed in a chaotic melee—its strategic importance was relatively low.
Hyeon-pung believed that to seize victory in this sect war, they had to prioritize taking control of the eastern battlefield. Yet, since Namgung Jun was moving in the exact opposite direction, his doubts only grew.
"If you and I join the eastern front, we could shift the flow of the battle significantly," Hyeon-pung pointed out.
Thrusting his Eternal Righteous Sword forward, Namgung Jun replied, "You're not wrong, Daoist Master. However, the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's forces were overwhelmingly superior to begin with. Even if we join them, we would only turn a severe disadvantage into a slight advantage."
"Mmm."
Quickly running through the state of the battle in his mind, Hyeon-pung nodded. In terms of supreme experts, elites, and martial formations, the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's deployment for this war far outmatched Wudang's. The only reason they had managed to hold out and compensate for their numerical disadvantage was thanks to Wudang's martial arts, which excelled in defensive, prolonged warfare.
"Even if Wudang temporarily gains the upper hand, the elites of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult won't retreat so easily," Namgung Jun continued. "Looking at the bigger picture, we can't end this sect war that simply."
"Then what do you plan to do on the western battlefield?"
Hyeon-pung gently pushed away the chest of a demonic cultist who lunged from his flank. It seemed like a light touch, but the man flew backward spitting blood, his chest deeply sunken in the shape of a palm. Such was the depth of his Palm Force.
"The martial artists deployed in the west are of a lower caliber than those in the east," Namgung Jun explained. "More importantly, the battlefield is twice as wide."
"You mean it's easier to exert a massive influence there?"
"If the western front collapses entirely, the shockwave will spread far faster and more menacingly than you can imagine. Like a wildfire."
Hearing Namgung Jun's explanation, Hyeon-pung fell silent. He immediately understood the boy's aim.
This child. He isn't just trying to shift the momentum; he intends to seize victory in a single stroke.
The strategy wasn't far-fetched. It was well worth a try.
In a life-and-death struggle, even a minor emotional disturbance could be fatal. It created variables and mistakes that ultimately led to defeat and death. This was true even for supreme experts who had achieved the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown. At the end of the day, they were still human beings with emotions.
If they completely crushed the west as intended, the demonic cultists on the eastern front would feel immense pressure. They would realize an entire flank had collapsed and that those forces would soon come crashing down upon them.
If my approach is to gather small victories to keep defeat at bay, Young Master Namgung's is to snatch victory all at once.
Glancing at Namgung Jun, Hyeon-pung swallowed hard, holding back his admiration. Given his young age, it was unlikely he had ever experienced a sect war of this scale. Even if he had, grasping the entire battlefield at a single glance required not only innate comprehension but also vast experience and insight.
Yet, Namgung Jun had read the flow of the battle in an instant and was leading his martial group in the optimal direction. He was like an old master possessing deep wisdom forged on countless battlefields.
Innate comprehension and outstanding martial arts. He truly deserves to be called the Righteous Path's Number One Rising Star.
After their brief conversation, Hyeon-pung was certain of Namgung Jun's choice. Having brushed aside his lingering worries, he could now observe Namgung Jun with a more discerning eye. The first things that caught his attention were the young man's momentum and posture.
Hyeon-pung's expression, which hadn't wavered in the slightest even while facing two supreme experts, shifted subtly.
How strange.
For some reason, Namgung Jun's momentum and posture felt incredibly familiar. The way two distinct energies interlocked in his qi to achieve a perfect harmony was one thing, but his very posture reminded Hyeon-pung of the second-generation disciples who had mastered the Taiji Taoyuan Technique.
Tilting his head in confusion, Hyeon-pung then turned his attention to Namgung Jun's sword technique. Intrigued by the unfamiliar swordplay, he focused on it.
Slash!
The nature of the sword momentum, which relentlessly cut down countless demonic cultists, transformed endlessly. The strikes, each containing a multitude of profound principles, flowed with infinite freedom. Far from being chaotic, the process was incredibly natural. Like clouds swept by the wind, or a sudden flash of lightning amidst a downpour.
Yes. It is like a sword technique that embraces the vast sky.
Having grasped even a faint glimpse of the sword's essence, Hyeon-pung was certain. The technique unfolding from the young swordsman's hands was undoubtedly a divine art, a peerless skill. It was bound to be discussed among the greatest arts under the heavens in the future.
As he watched, certain sword techniques naturally came to Hyeon-pung's mind.
The Wudang Sect's Taiji Wisdom Sword.
The Kunlun Sect's Great Void Dragon-Slaying Sword Technique.
Perhaps one day, it will stand shoulder to shoulder with these sword techniques.
Ultimately unable to suppress his curiosity, Hyeon-pung had to ask.
"What is the name of this sword art you are using, Young Master Namgung?"
"It is the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique."
"Ho. A truly fitting name. Is it a martial art of the Azure Heaven Association?"
Bringing the Eternal Righteous Sword to a mid-level guard, Namgung Jun caught his breath and shook his head.
"I created it myself."
At the unexpected answer, Hyeon-pung's eyes widened in shock. The Taiji Wisdom Sword and Great Void Dragon-Slaying Sword Technique were created by two martial gods regarded as the greatest of all time in the history of the Jianghu.
Patriarch Sanfeng of the Wudang Sect, and Daoist Master Yong-myeong of the Kunlun Sect.
Hearing that Namgung Jun had created a sword technique comparable to theirs, a thought flashed through Hyeon-pung's mind. Perhaps the boy before him would also leave his name vividly etched in history.
Boom!
Sweeping his Eternal Righteous Sword in a wide arc to clear the area around them, Namgung Jun said, "From here on, I need your help, Daoist Master Hyeon-pung."
"Speak."
"Most of the martial artists here are lay disciples of the Wudang Sect, correct?"
Though Namgung Jun didn't explain further, Hyeon-pung immediately nodded. "I understand. It will certainly be easier to lead them if I take the front."
"Exactly. We must properly stoke this spark to ignite a wildfire."
"The role you have given me—I shall fulfill it properly."
Whoosh!
Executing the Cloud-Ladder Steps, Daoist Master Hyeon-pung distanced himself from Namgung Jun and the Heavenly Sword Hall. Charging to the front to clear a path, he leaped into the air as if stepping on invisible stairs.
Pushing his Lightness Movement Art to its absolute limit, he soared high into the air. At the apex of his jump, he spoke.
"Primordial Heavenly Venerable!"
It was a calm yet powerful Daoist chant.
In the brief moment when the eyes of the Wudang lay disciples, who were struggling to hold back the ordinary cultists, turned upward one by one—
"The Ravenous-Wolf Sword Disciple, Hyeon-pung, steps forward! All disciples of the Wudang lineage, follow me!"
Hyeon-pung's solemn voice settled over the western battlefield like a heavy mist. At the same time, an immense wave of qi, which he intentionally unleashed, spread in all directions. The qi of a supreme expert was an intense pressure that affected friend and foe alike.
The eyes of the Wudang lay disciples, who had been desperately holding their ground, changed. As if in response, distinct waves of qi erupted across the battlefield. Though their types and natures differed, a closer look revealed they all shared a similar temperament. The dozens of auras, released one after another, soon manifested their presence like a single, massive cloud.
"Follow the Wudang Seven Swords!"
"The Sopung Sect steps forward! Push the Demonic Cult bastards out of our home!"
"Now is the time to use all our reserved strength!"
Shouting battle cries, the lay disciples advanced, forcefully widening the path Hyeon-pung had carved out.
Was this truly the power of the leader of the Wudang Seven Swords? Just by revealing his presence, hot blood boiled within the lay disciples.
Daoist Master Hyeon-pung did exactly what was needed.
It was just as Namgung Jun had anticipated. The leader of the Wudang Seven Swords possessed more than enough fame and martial prowess to boost the morale of the lay disciples.
Seeing the atmosphere shift in an instant, Namgung Jun turned to the Heavenly Sword Hall.
"We must add substantial force. Heavenly Sword Hall, disperse into your units once more and secure victory in each direction."
"So we're playing the role of the wind that fans the flames?"
"Let's spread out, centering on the path Daoist Master Hyeon-pung cleared."
At Namgung Jun's command, the Heavenly Sword Hall dispersed back into their units, deploying across the front lines to bolster the lay disciples.
Namgung Jun sent a voice transmission to Daoist Master Hyeon-pung, who was piercing through the enemy lines alone.
– I will take care of the lay disciples following from behind. Daoist Master Hyeon-pung, please focus on your current role.
– You have my deepest thanks.
"Whew."
Exhaling, Namgung Jun intentionally released a violent wave of qi.
Crackle!
Turbulent blue lightning crackled, creating a clamorous display of light and sound.
Seeing this, several demonic cultists immediately recognized Namgung Jun's identity.
"Heavens! Could it be the Azure Star Sword?"
"The one who slew the Ninth Mirror Master?!"
Namgung Jun made his presence known but carefully managed it so that Hyeon-pung's presence would continue to dominate the western battlefield.
Slash!
Cutting down a demonic cultist who seemed quite strong even among the ordinary disciples, Namgung Jun shouted, "The Heavenly Sword Hall of the Azure Heaven Association will assist Daoist Master Hyeon-pung and the Wudang lay disciples! Do not stop!"
"Ohhh!"
"The Azure Star Sword! The Azure Star Sword is helping us too!"
Namgung Jun deliberately adjusted his speed, exerting his influence near the lay disciples to crush the morale of the demonic cultists.
The appearance of two supreme experts and an elite martial group was decisive. Not only the morale of the lay disciples but also their actual combat power had risen overwhelmingly.
"Aaargh!"
"Reinforcements! Is there no support for our side?!"
"We can't hold out with just Bright Order Ranks! A Mirror Master must come!"
The demonic cultists on the western battlefield crumbled and were swept away in an instant, like a precarious sand dune. They collapsed so rapidly that the Bright Order Ranks commanding various sectors of the battlefield could not even react. In fact, far from issuing orders, most of them had their heads severed by Namgung Jun and the Heavenly Sword Hall.
The sensory perceptions of the experts clashing fiercely on the eastern battlefield immediately detected the massive shift in the west. This gradually began to influence the state of the battle on their front as well. The momentum of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult slowly waned, while the Wudang Sect, conversely, began to move more aggressively.
And the first to notice the rapidly spreading wildfire was the Sun-Exhaustion Demon King, who was fighting the Wudang Sect Master high in the air.
Clash!
Deflecting the Wudang Sect Master's Pine-Patterned Ancient Sword, the Sun-Exhaustion Demon King's gaze swept past the distant Namgung Jun for a fleeting instant. He accurately grasped the reason why the tide of battle had turned so unbelievably.
Interesting.
There was no way to reverse the situation now.
Ultimately, the Sun-Exhaustion Demon King sent a simultaneous voice transmission to all his subordinate officers.
– Retreat.
Following that, the demonic cultists began to withdraw from the front lines.
The sect war between the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and the Wudang Sect in Hubei Province.
It was Wudang's victory.