Chapter 183: The Emperor's Heavenly Thunder (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 183: The Emperor's Heavenly Thunder (2)
Returning from a clash with the Demonic Practitioners, Yeong-il tore a long strip from the sleeve of his uniform to bind the gash on his thigh.
‘We barely held them off again today. It feels like the Demonic Practitioners are growing fiercer every day.’
Yeong-il’s expression darkened as he replayed the battle in his mind.
Recently, the Death-Carving Guard and the Northern Pillar Guard—two of the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards—had appeared in Shaanxi Province.
Fortunately, the first-generation disciples of the Mount Hua Sect managed to intercept the two groups when they suddenly appeared mid-battle. Had they been even a moment later, the allied sects aiding Mount Hua would have suffered devastating casualties.
Yeong-il recalled the Demonic Practitioners from the Death-Carving Guard he had personally faced.
As expected of the cult’s elites, their martial prowess was on an entirely different level. The wound on his thigh was from a Death-Carving Guard member who had attempted a mutual-destruction gambit.
‘I’d gained some confidence after my recent breakthrough… but I’m still too weak.’
Lost in thought, Yeong-il looked up as a shadow fell over him.
"Yeong-il. Are you alright?"
"Ah. Martial Uncle Sun-hyeon."
Sun-hyeon stopped Yeong-il from trying to stand and examined the wound.
"Fortunately, it’s not deep. Just make sure it doesn't get infected."
"Thank you, Martial Uncle."
"Because you held the front line so resolutely, Yeong-hong and Yeong-hwa survived. You did exceptionally well."
"Of course. It's my duty to protect my junior brothers."
Nodding, Sun-hyeon straightened up and asked, "I hear more commoners have fled here?"
"Yes. They said they came from Saeul Village. By now, the evacuation from most of the villages should be complete."
"Hall Master Namgung's assistance has been immense. For someone so young to possess both a righteous heart and supreme martial arts is a great blessing for the Jianghu."
Normally, such a task would require mobilizing numerous disciples. However, because Namgung Jun was personally protecting the commoners along the pre-arranged evacuation routes, the Mount Hua Sect was spared a massive burden.
Originally, the Mount Hua Sect’s objective was to intercept wandering martial artists, rogue warriors, and independent Demonic Practitioner cells operating like guerrilla units, all while evacuating commoners to the vicinity of Huayin County, where Mount Hua was located.
‘Under normal circumstances, the southern part of Shaanxi Province would have been thrown into chaos as well.’
But with Namgung Jun's intervention, the situation had completely changed.
Moving alone with the swift movement techniques of a supreme expert and his overwhelming martial prowess, he rapidly guided the evacuation. Any Demonic Practitioners who crossed his path were utterly wiped out, causing the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult to suffer heavy losses.
This, in turn, gave the Mount Hua Sect's forces some much-needed breathing room.
"Hall Master Namgung said he would join the direct combat once the evacuation is mostly complete. That will be a tremendous help. Just hold on a little longer."
"I am perfectly fine. After all, the plum blossom blooms even in the snow."
"Haha. A mindset truly befitting a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect."
After a moment of hesitation, Yeong-il asked, "But… Hall Master Namgung is acting alone. Will he be alright? Surely the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult has noticed something is amiss by now."
"Hmm. Do not worry. Yeong-il, once you reach the realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown, you will understand. There's a reason a supreme expert is called a decisive weapon, capable of acting alone."
Seeing that Yeong-il's face was still filled with worry, Sun-hyeon added, "To capture the Azure Star Sword, the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult would have to commit their full strength and resources. But can they afford to do so while facing our sect? The very fact that the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards have come as reinforcements shows how stagnant their war effort has become."
Nodding, Yeong-il slowly stood up.
Sun-hyeon had already drawn his Plum Blossom Sword and was looking back. He had sensed the presence of Demonic Practitioners rapidly approaching from afar.
"Don't overexert yourself. With that wound on your thigh, you'd be better off using the Floating Cloud Leaping Steps rather than the Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps."
"I will keep that in mind."
Sun-hyeon, Yeong-il, and the other Mount Hua Sect disciples drew their Plum Blossom Swords one by one, circulating their internal energy.
Whoosh!
As the Mount Hua Sect's internal energy surged into the Plum Blossom Swords, a crisp scent of plum blossoms wafted through the air.
For a brief moment, spring seemed to descend upon the desolate plains.
* * *
A deep chill clung to Namgung Jun's breath with every step he took.
Even though he was suppressing his Nine Yin Severed Meridian with qi circulation, a substantial amount of Yin Cold Qi remained in his body.
Although the weather in Shaanxi Province was not particularly cold, he felt as if midwinter had arrived. His hands and feet were icy, and even a gentle breeze sent shivers down his spine.
Though he was suppressing the Yin Cold Qi by channeling the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula and the Spear King Azure Aura, his physical condition showed little improvement.
‘My body feels like it’s gradually growing sluggish.’
Namgung Jun strained to sharpen his senses. He could be ambushed at any moment. He had to be especially cautious, as his primary enemy in Shaanxi Province was the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.
Since manipulating both scorching yang qi and Yin Cold Qi was a basic skill for the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's supreme experts, they were an even greater threat to him.
Crackle!
Blue Thunder Qi flickered intermittently across Namgung Jun's body. Every time it flared, the frost settling on his uniform melted, only to freeze over again.
Whoosh!
The Yin Cold Qi, which had seemed to quiet down, surged once more.
Frowning, Namgung Jun stopped in his tracks.
It was not an internal issue. His Nine Yin Severed Meridian was reacting to a powerful wave of Yin Cold Qi emanating from the northwest.
‘That direction is…’
It was the exact direction of the village he was about to inspect.
Though his sense of foreboding grew stronger, Namgung Jun’s pace quickened.
"Ha."
Arriving at the entrance of the village, Namgung Jun's eyes turned ice-cold, as if the Yin Cold Qi had seeped into his very gaze.
The entire village was covered in indigo ice and frost, radiating a dense, biting chill.
To be precise, the entire village had been frozen solid.
Not only the houses, but also the inns, the market stalls, and even the people and livestock were completely frozen. Had it not been for the ice, it would have looked as if time itself had stopped.
‘The Yin Cold Qi blanketing the village is extraordinary.’
Just stepping inside caused the Yin Cold Qi of his Nine Yin Severed Meridian to writhe.
While leaving immediately would be the wisest course of action, Namgung Jun's gaze turned toward the center of the village. He could sense two moving presences—the only signs of life in this frozen wasteland.
Exhaling a puff of white steam, Namgung Jun walked deeper into the village.
Waiting for him in the wide, open square at its center were two men.
"You arrived faster than we expected. Good thing we prepared in advance."
The man who spoke first was middle-aged, his hair just beginning to gray. The man standing two steps behind him was younger, but the aura he exuded was far denser and heavier.
Realizing the man in the back held a higher status, Namgung Jun shifted his gaze to him.
"Who are you?"
"I am the Second Young Master of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult. You have no need for my name."
The middle-aged man, slowly drawing his sword, radiated open murderous intent. "I hold the rank of Fifth Mirror Master in our Cult."
Nodding, Namgung Jun caressed the hilt of the Eternal Righteous Sword. It felt exceptionally cold, making even the act of holding it a burden. Nevertheless, without the slightest change in his expression, Namgung Jun gripped his sword.
This was a time to draw his sword, no matter the cost.
"The Second Young Master and the Fifth Mirror Master, is it? It doesn't matter who you are."
Namgung Jun drew the Eternal Righteous Sword and pointed it toward the frozen village.
"What have you done?"
The Second Young Master, who had been scrutinizing Namgung Jun's condition, tilted his head. "You're holding up surprisingly well. I expected you to be shivering from the Yin Cold Qi the moment you set foot in this village. It seems you've cleared your meridians to a considerable degree."
Namgung Jun didn't bother to answer and provide information. Instead, the Thunder Qi enveloping his body simply grew denser.
"This formation was originally prepared to trigger a rampage of the Seventh Young Lady's Nine Yang Severed Meridian, but it seems you will be the first to experience it."
The succession struggle of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult had reached its final stages. Only three successors remained: the Eldest Young Master, the Second Young Master, and the Seventh Young Lady. Since all the others had fallen at the hands of the Seventh Young Lady, the Eldest and Second Young Masters naturally felt threatened. Wary of her talent and martial arts, they had decided to target her sole weakness: the Nine Yang Severed Meridian.
"Thinking about it, this is for the best. Testing the formation's efficacy on you will allow us to kill the Seventh Young Lady even more flawlessly."
The All-Pervading Pure Yang Enchantment Formation.
It was a formation that converted all the Natural Qi within a certain area into either scorching yang qi or Yin Cold Qi. To an ordinary person, it would only feel like a drastic change in the weather. But for someone with a unique constitution, the effect would be devastating. The Nine Yang Severed Meridian and the Nine Yin Severed Meridian were prime examples.
Furthermore, for someone who had reached the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown, they would be on the verge of overcoming their severed meridian. This meant their body would react to the formation even more sensitively and violently.
‘So a formation meant to subdue the Seventh Young Lady has been deployed against me.’
The Second Young Master's words did not seem to be a bluff. Indeed, his Nine Yin Severed Meridian had begun to react the moment he stepped into the village. Although he was suppressing it with his internal energy, there was no telling when it might spiral out of control.
‘But I have no choice.’
He had known this was a trap from the moment he reached the village entrance. However, he could not simply turn his back on the frozen scene.
To confirm his suspicions, Namgung Jun asked, "The commoners frozen in this village… they're all still alive. Are they bait to tie my hands?"
"We took great care not to kill them, just for you. But even if they're alive now, they won't last long. In their ordinary, untrained bodies, they have fifteen minutes at best."
"Fifteen minutes…"
Muttering to himself, Namgung Jun finally took a step toward the two Demonic Practitioners.
Seeing his resolute expression as he closed the distance without hesitation, the Second Young Master burst into laughter.
"Azure Star Sword, do you truly intend to fight? If you retreat from this village and preserve your life, you could save far more people in the future."
"I have carried a sword this long precisely so I would never have to turn away from a situation like this."
"How touching. Truly a chivalrous hero of the Azure Heaven Association."
Even as he applauded, the Second Young Master’s hands thrust forward.
Crack!
A palm strike, laden with incredibly pure Yin Cold Qi, slammed into the spot where Namgung Jun had just been standing. The dust and debris shattered by the attack froze solid before they could even scatter.
Though he hadn't taken a direct hit, the residual energy disrupted the flow of his internal energy. As Namgung Jun dodged left, the Fifth Mirror Master immediately closed in on his flank.
"Not long ago, I gained a great realization when I killed the Sect Master of the Emei Sect. I hope you can provide me with just as much inspiration."
Clang!
A biting chill also erupted from the sword drawn by the Fifth Mirror Master.
Two supreme experts who specialized in Yin Cold Qi.
The All-Pervading Pure Yang Enchantment Formation, blanketing the entire village.
His Nine Yin Severed Meridian, beginning to run wild, tormented the meridians throughout his body.
As the pain flared, Namgung Jun silently raised the Eternal Righteous Sword, holding it perfectly straight.
"You should not have touched the village."
With his face contorted in rage, Namgung Jun lunged at the two Demonic Practitioners.