Chapter 356
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 356
Chapter Title: Flowers Blooming in the Snow
"Baekhyanga, what happened with the Demonic Cult again...? No, never mind."
Dang Mujin started to ask her for the full story but closed his mouth. There was only one reason why people from the Demonic Cult would come looking for Baekhyanga.
The Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra must have appeared aiming for her corpse.
He suddenly felt anew how twisted her fate was.
The world is vast. Countless people are swayed and used by others.
However, as far as Dang Mujin knew, no one was targeted so intensely by martial artists like Baekhyanga, and no one had their corpse as the goal.
Surely, Baekhyanga wouldn't even be able to leave a grave like ordinary people.
Instead of consoling her, Dang Mujin tossed out a joke.
"You're really popular, huh."
"I'm pretty, after all."
Baekhyanga took the joke in stride, as if she'd been waiting for it.
Dang Mujin chuckled.
Then, after a moment's thought, he asked,
"Eight years ago, was it wrong for my master and me to treat you?"
In response, Baekhyanga shot back,
"You didn't treat me knowing my life would turn out like this, right?"
"That's true."
"Then it's not your fault."
It was a straightforward, clear answer. It didn't feel like empty words.
While Baekhyanga and Dang Mujin whispered, the Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra had already closed to within about thirty zhang.
Baekhyanga whispered in a slightly more urgent tone.
"Dang Mujin. You know how to use a sword, right?"
"Yeah, I do. But I haven't been lately. And I don't have one right now anyway."
Dang Mujin's sword was by the campfire where his friends slept.
He hadn't expected a sudden fight, and he thought approaching Baekhyanga at night with a weapon might make her react sensitively.
"You've completely given up on martial arts?"
"No. Lately, I've been using this instead of a sword."
A flying ring popped out from Dang Mujin's sleeve and hooked onto his finger. Seeing it, disbelief flickered across Baekhyanga's face. Flying rings looked unfamiliar to anyone.
"How do you use it?"
"You throw it."
"Ah... Still, it has its merits. I don't think I'd get cut by that ring. Throw it without worry."
It meant she could block the flying ring just as easily as she'd caught Hyun-gong's sword barehanded without a scratch. Dang Mujin nodded.
"Got it. Let's prepare."
No lengthy explanations were needed; their roles were clear. Baekhyanga on defense, Dang Mujin on offense.
There was no choice from the start. Dang Mujin's flying rings and poison arts weren't suited for defense.
Up until now, traveling with friends had simply masked the weakness.
Dang Mujin took a deep breath. It eased his mind a bit, but seeing the approaching Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra made his chest tighten again.
Gwang Yeomra was a monstrous expert who had held the upper hand against both Manryeokseung and Hong Geolgae simultaneously. But what worried him more was Left Protector Yeon Sa-uk.
To be precise, not his martial prowess, but his position.
Protectors usually guarded superiors at close range, didn't they?
'No way...?'
Dang Mujin shouted toward Left Protector Yeon Sa-uk.
"Hey, Left Protector!"
"That's some rude way to address your elder."
It wasn't a positive response, but he seemed willing enough to hear him out. Dang Mujin pressed on.
"Why'd you show up instead of the Cult Leader coming personally?"
The Left Protector sneered.
"Are you scared the Cult Leader might appear?"
It hit the nail on the head. Dang Mujin mumbled evasively.
"Not that... Just looks funny seeing a protector wandering off from the Cult Leader's side. Is the Demonic Cult that messed up?"
"Doesn't matter. The Cult Leader doesn't need protection right now."
"...What do you mean?"
"If you met the Cult Leader, you'd understand immediately. Unfortunately, you won't get the chance."
With that, the Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra charged in together.
Yet Dang Mujin felt an inexplicable surge of confidence.
He recalled his first meeting with Nangong Jincheon. Back then, just facing an Absolute Peak Expert had made his legs go weak. But now, he was only a little tense, not afraid. Even these two Absolute Peak Experts felt somewhat manageable.
Dang Mujin retreated while drawing his flying rings, and Baekhyanga stomped the ground hard.
Boom.
True Step. Baekhyanga's True Step, backed by overwhelming inner power, was no mere warning.
The air around them seemed to freeze cold.
Without fear, Baekhyanga leaped toward Gwang Yeomra and the Left Protector, extending both arms.
Ice White Palm.
The Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra swung their swords at Baekhyanga.
Her small, pale hands blocked their swords as if it were natural. As expected, not even a small scratch marked Baekhyanga's hands. The sight gave Dang Mujin conviction.
'We can win!'
Dang Mujin kept retreating while hurling his flying rings.
Five flying rings soared into the night sky, tracing erratic paths like living creatures, circling above Gwang Yeomra and the Left Protector's heads.
At the slightest opening, the rings would dive for vital points at Dang Mujin's gesture.
The Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra quickly withdrew their swords to avoid Baekhyanga's grasp and targeted her again.
Shoulder, then throat.
Baekhyanga ignored the Left Protector's sword flying at her shoulder. It bounced limply off the moment it touched. Her body was no ordinary human's.
But she didn't ignore the sword at her throat. She extended her hand to block Gwang Yeomra's blade.
Baekhyanga defended only vital spots like face, throat, and heart while repeatedly thrusting her palms at the two Demonic Cult Absolute Peak Experts.
Even combining their strength, the two couldn't subdue Baekhyanga quickly.
"Urgh!"
In achievement and enlightenment, the Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra clearly held the edge.
But that yin energy was the problem. Icy chill poured madly through the swords touching her palms. They couldn't focus fully on attack and defense.
And that wasn't the end.
Swoosh—
Occasionally, flying rings darted in at Gwang Yeomra and the Left Protector. Even to them, the rings' power was no ordinary hidden weapon.
Stealthy, unpredictable trajectories, blades sharp at a glance.
Regardless of one's skill level, they couldn't ignore or let their guard down against the rings. No expert survived a slash to a vital point.
Worse, poison coated them—the surfaces gleamed ominously.
The Left Protector and Gwang Yeomra leaped back simultaneously, widening the distance from Baekhyanga.
"Baekhyanga. Your attainment wasn't this high before... Did you have some enlightenment in the meantime?"
Unaware she'd drawn True Origin Qi, that was their reaction. Baekhyanga sneered.
"Already scared? We're just getting started!"
With those words, she slightly increased her True Origin Qi consumption.
The surrounding yin energy thickened. Now, even the wind near her stung the skin.
Gwang Yeomra and the Left Protector exchanged glances.
Baekhyanga was a sturdy shield, Dang Mujin a sharp sword—no need to gang up on the shield first.
'Cut the sword first.'
The Left Protector charged Baekhyanga and grabbed her foot.
No need to subdue her fully, so no hasty sword thrust.
Meanwhile, Gwang Yeomra ignored Baekhyanga and rushed Dang Mujin.
Seeing it, Dang Mujin thought,
'As expected.'
Thump, thump.
His heartbeat quickened. It felt like his heart had jumped to his throat or temples.
Dang Mujin's five fingers pointed at the ground.
Descend.
Simultaneously, the five flying rings plunged toward Gwang Yeomra. He twisted to dodge two and deflected three with his sword.
All five rings hit the ground powerless—or so it seemed, as if Dang Mujin's offense was spent.
But that wasn't the end of his moves.
He could only control five at once, but he had more than five. Ten flying rings remained.
Dang Mujin shook his hands, and five more hooked onto his fingers.
Crossing his arms, he sent them skimming over the underbrush again.
The rings danced to his finger movements, probing Gwang Yeomra's gaps. It was more acrobatics than combat.
But a problem arose. Gwang Yeomra's skill exceeded expectations.
"Ha!"
Gwang Yeomra smashed the flying rings one by one while closing on Dang Mujin.
The five rings slammed into the ground again.
The distance between them shrank to twenty zhang in an instant.
Five more rings left, but too close to throw.
Even at range, Gwang Yeomra wouldn't fall easily. He was among the strongest Absolute Peak Experts.
Dang Mujin's mind raced.
'Throwing rings now is pointless. That leaves poison arts. Which poison? Seven Treasures Temple's? Or the untested Human-Face Spider's? Best to wound and inject, but can't wound him. Scatter in the air? Or liquid to the face...?'
Now ten zhang between Gwang Yeomra and Dang Mujin.
Still no decision. Gwang Yeomra knew of his poison mastery; he wouldn't fall for tricks easily.
Threat closing, no clear solution.
Dang Mujin felt his heart shrink. Dizziness set in.
'Palm strikes? Use palm to find an opening? No, insane. If only I had my sword! No, even with it...'
Now five zhang.
A few more steps, and it was over. But no way to stop Gwang Yeomra.
In hindsight, not fleeing immediately was arrogance.
Too many Absolute Peak Experts around lately—his standards had risen pointlessly.
Gwang Yeomra took three more steps. Joy and killing intent gleamed in his eyes. His right shoulder twitched. A long blade cleaved the dark night.
'Dodge first!'
As Dang Mujin moved to deploy Shadowless Swift Step and retreat, a sword suddenly thrust from behind Gwang Yeomra.
It approached his back silently.
Not heart or throat, but between ribs—toward his lung.
Gwang Yeomra noticed only when the tip nearly touched his back.
He twisted in panic, deflecting the sword from behind.
Clang.
Only then did the sword's wielder emerge from the shadows.
A bizarre movement, like slipping from darkness. It was Nangong Myeong.
Nangong Myeong lightly waved his left hand in greeting to Gwang Yeomra.
"Hey. Long time no see?"
Instead of returning the greeting, Gwang Yeomra spat curses.
"You so-called righteous warrior starting with a sneak attack!"
"Narrow-minded. Not a sneak attack—just a subtle sword."
As Gwang Yeomra opened his mouth to retort, three more presences appeared. Hong Geolgae, Hyun-gong, Seolhwa.
He barely reacted to Hong Geolgae and Seolhwa, but flames erupted in his eyes at Hyun-gong.
"You, you cowardly con artist bastard!"
During the last Righteous-Demonic Great War, Gwang Yeomra had tried to use Hyun-gong, only to take a deep sword wound from him.
He'd suspected Hyun-gong's ulterior motives, but the betrayal came far faster than expected.
Yet Hyun-gong brazenly played innocent.
"Cowardly? Con artist? Still slandering with every breath, Gwang Yeomra."
"Slander? You approached me first, begging to join the Demonic Cult..."
"Shut it!"
Hyun-gong bellowed, cutting him off.
"You think anyone will fall for your nonsense?"
Gwang Yeomra trembled with injustice. Even in the dark night, his face flushed red visibly.
But truthfully, Gwang Yeomra had no reason to feel wronged. Dang Mujin's group, Seolhwa aside, inwardly believed his words.
'So that's how it was.'
'No wonder Hyun-gong landing a hit on Gwang Yeomra back then seemed off.'
But Hyun-gong's response wasn't over.
He quickly scanned around with rolling eyes, then slightly bowed his head to mask lip movements, sending a transmission to Gwang Yeomra.
—Elder. Circumstances forced that choice back then. A bit late, but may I join your side now?
Nonsense, yet something felt off. He'd just sneakily checked his group's reactions. His voice brimmed with sincerity.
Unthinkingly, Gwang Yeomra transmitted back.
—Don't talk crap!
—I'm serious. We have three Absolute Peak Experts here, plus two beyond peak First-Rate. Your side's situation isn't great, even if attainments vary.
Hyun-gong's words rang true. Gwang Yeomra's eyes wavered wildly.
—You think I'll fall for it twice!
—Elder, I'm on the advantageous side now. No need to lie. Please sense my sincerity.
Hyun-gong's eyes met his—pure, unfeigned sincerity.
Gwang Yeomra wavered unwittingly.
Meanwhile, Hyun-gong naturally sidled closer.
—A bit late, but I'll stand by you now. Repel these fools and return to the Demonic Cult together.
Gwang Yeomra's instincts urged acceptance.
Yet his reason screamed warnings madly.
Instinct and intuition were the sum of decades of an expert's experience.
Thus, seasoned warriors never ignored them.
But Gwang Yeomra made the gamble of a lifetime.
Ignoring instinct, he judged purely by reason.
He swung his sword at the approaching Hyun-gong.
A split-second moment. Yet thoughts flooded his mind.
Turning away a miracle ally? Kicking away victory? Still uncertain.
Clang.
But Hyun-gong smoothly drew and parried.
Hyun-gong muttered,
"Can't fool you twice, huh..."
Hearing it, goosebumps erupted on Gwang Yeomra's neck.
Burned once, knowing it was a trick, nearly burned again. Vertigo hit.
'Is this sorcery...?'
Gwang Yeomra eyed Dang Mujin's group tensely.
Hong Geolgae, Hyun-gong, Nangong Myeong, plus Dang Mujin and Seolhwa.
One or two, easy to suppress. Three or four, manageable. But five? No chance.
And that wasn't all.
He noticed Hyun-gong subtly moving his lips.
'No way, this bastard...!'
Gwang Yeomra whipped around to the Left Protector.
The Left Protector, mid-block against Baekhyanga, was transmitting to someone, lips moving. Gwang Yeomra grasped the situation instantly.
Gwang Yeomra bellowed at the top of his lungs.
"Yeon Sa-uk! Block your ears now!"
But Yeon Sa-uk, facing Baekhyanga and exchanging transmissions, missed it.
Gwang Yeomra unleashed lightness skill with all his might. Never before had he fled so desperately.
He sensed Dang Mujin's group chasing frantically. But he reached Left Protector Yeon Sa-uk a touch sooner.
Unaware of the situation, Yeon Sa-uk cautiously lowered his voice.
"Hey, Gwang Yeomra. We have reinforcements—"
"Shut it!"
Without slowing, Gwang Yeomra kicked Left Protector Yeon Sa-uk. Bewildered, Yeon Sa-uk tumbled across the ground.
Gwang Yeomra didn't stop, grabbing his collar with his left hand and slapping him three times in succession. Smack smack smack.
Only then did reason return to Yeon Sa-uk's eyes.
"Uh... Uh!"
"Snap out of it! We retreat first!"
Gwang Yeomra and dirt-covered Yeon Sa-uk unleashed lightness skill and fled.
Dang Mujin's group pursued the two Demonic Cult Absolute Peak Experts, but their lightness skill was beyond catching.
Dang Mujin stared long after them, then let out a deep sigh.
"...Hoo."
They'd barely overcome the crisis.
Dang Mujin approached Hong Geolgae, who'd done nothing, and slung an arm over his shoulder.
"You came to rescue me out of worry?"
"Nah."
"Then?"
"Hyun-gong said you went off to seduce Baekhyanga too, so I came to check if it was true."
Dang Mujin pretended not to hear that.