41 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 41 In a state of shock at the unexpected appearance of these individuals, Ha Woo-jin was about to quickly propel himself away from the ground. Swish― However, there was someone faster than him. "Senior Hyun Do?" Hyun Do glanced at those in front of him. His gaze was filled with an intensity that was hard to believe coming from a Taoist. "An impressive movement technique indeed." So Baek-gwi stared at Hyun Do, who suddenly blocked his way, with eyes gleaming sharply. "Are you the one who killed the Soulhunters?" Hyun Do's eyebrows twitched. From his response, it was clear the man was affiliated with the Baek-gwi-seong. "So, you're from the Baek-gwi-seong." "Reinforcements already?" "Gasp!" "Baek-gwi-seong?!" In no time, the expressions of Ha Woo-jin and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen changed as they trailed behind. "Looks like I was right." Hyun Do clenched his teeth. "Are you one of the Four Chiefs?" "Hahaha." So Baek-gwi offered a cold smile. "If you desire an introduction, isn't it courtesy to reveal your name first?" "You insolent...!" "Haha! 'You insolent' – what a unique name you have!" No sooner had the mocking ended than Hyun Do could no longer contain himself and moved swiftly. Boom! It was a rapid and elegant technique, cutting through the fiery white blaze like lightning. "……!" So Baek-gwi's pupils shook. Hyun Do's technique far exceeded his expectations. In his surprise, So Baek-gwi quickly gathered his internal energy, which enveloped him in a white aura. Crack— The wicked Yin-and-Ghost manifesting art, taught directly by the Master of Baek-gwi-seong! It was an eerily cold, ominous energy mixed with Yin and ghostly auras that surrounded him. Then, his energy surged. Thud! With a heavy sound, he was pushed back. So Baek-gwi staggered three steps backward, his expression twisting. "The Ghostly Yin Palm...!" Despite being amazed, his teeth ground together. Who was he? Soon to succeed his master as the lord of Baek-gwi-seong, he was So Baek-gwi. And yet, to be forced back? His pride was wounded as his face contorted with rage. "So Baek-gwi." A low voice flowed through the fierce winds and flames. 'That voice?' Hyun Do, who was preparing his next strike after delivering a Plum Blossom Palm to So Baek-gwi's abdomen, turned his head. A man stood on the shattered brick wall, his left sleeve fluttering in the wind. Upon seeing him, a nickname instantly flashed in Hyun Do's mind, and he muttered it aloud. "Sword of Ruthless Cuts...!" "Oh, you recognize this old man?" A slow grin revealed a set of yellowed teeth. "However, I'm sorry to say, I don't know who you are. And you are?" "Hyun Do." The Sword of Ruthless Cuts' eyes widened. "The First Sword of Mount Hua...!" Though he had surmised there might be a martial expert in Bi-pung Trading, he hadn't anticipated encountering the renowned First Sword of Mount Hua. "Even so..." His eyes narrowed. The rumors across the land suggested the First Sword of Mount Hua had yet to reach the peerless realm. "You couldn't have annihilated the Soulhunters alone..." Muttering softly, he scanned his surroundings with sharp eyes. "I see now." He noticed Ha Woo-jin biding his time, concealing his presence. "It would have been enough with the Swift Phantom Sword here." His thoughts cleared. With the combined strength of the Swift Phantom Sword and Hyun Do, the First Sword of Mount Hua, they were capable of annihilating the Soulhunters. Of course, there remained a few mysteries. Who had executed the Thunder Blade technique? And how had they slain the Soulhunters in a single stroke? But at that moment, the Sword of Ruthless Cuts couldn't spare any mental energy on those questions. The opponents were Hyun Do, the First Sword of Mount Hua, and Ha Woo-jin, acknowledged as the next head of the Jongnam Sect, known as the Swift Phantom Sword. 'Dealing with one alone would be manageable...' Facing both alone was overwhelming. He signaled So Baek-gwi with his eyes. "I'll handle Hyun Do, so South Chief, take the Baek-gwi warriors and deal with the Swift Phantom Sword and those Plum Blossom Swordsmen over there." "Of course." So Baek-gwi replied, as if he had been waiting for this. With the Sword of Ruthless Cuts handling the toughest opponent, Hyun Do, So Baek-gwi felt reassured. 'Though it's disappointing not to kill him myself, it can't be helped.' While Hyun Do's skill had angered him earlier, completing his mission took precedence. "Then I'll leave this to you." Without delay, he turned sharply. His gaze captured Ha Woo-jin and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, who glared with tense vigilance. "South Chief?" Ha Woo-jin's mouth gaped as he recalled how the Sword of Ruthless Cuts addressed So Baek-gwi. "So you’re So Baek-gwi...!" As the South Chief of the Baek-gwi-seong, he was famous as the sole disciple of the White Death, having reached the peerless realm at a young age—a genius in his own right. Ha Woo-jin knew him well, as they had once been recognized together with Hyeon-gang and So Baek-gwi as the Three Great Prodigies destined to lead the rivers and lakes. 'If he’s come this far, despite usually not stepping one foot outside the Baek-gwi-seong unless for major matters...' It dawned on Ha Woo-jin that the current situation was indeed dire. Swoosh! The hands of the Baek-gwi warriors who had surrounded from a distance moved, releasing throwing weapons. Shurik! The sudden ambush proved effective. Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, as they had been focusing on So Baek-gwi and the Sword of Ruthless Cuts, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were left stunned. "Perform the Plum Blossom Butterfly Dance!" At the shout of Eok-geom, who was the first to regain composure, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen drew their swords. "Haap!" "Haap!" "Hoo!" Shouting their battle cries, they moved with precision. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen's swords left countless shadows behind, forming a dense, net-like barrier. The genuine form of the Plum Blossom Butterfly Dance, as Eok-geom referred to it: the Sword Barrier. The barrier diverted or deflected the trajectory of the incoming projectiles, effectively shielding them from the attack. Their movement was so precise and swift, it was hard to believe they were the same people who had been floundering just days before. "Hoo!" "Another ambush...!" But it was mere deception. The Baek-gwi warriors charged simultaneously, blades drawn, while flinging daggers from all directions. As the Plum Blossom Swordsmen braced against the advancing Baek-gwi warriors, they found themselves tangled in a chaotic clash. Raising his sword, Eok-geom shouted, "Form the Plum Blossom Sword Formation!" In an instant, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen formed a circle, leaning their backs against one another. A red aura enveloped the five of them. It was a somewhat rough energy for Taoists. Yet it was the manifestation of the Plum Blossom Sword Formation that the Mount Hua Sect prided itself on. With Eok-geom and the rest staring at the swarm of attackers charging towards them, they were reminded just how different this was from their encounter with the Pae-wang Sect a few days ago. Each individual here was at least a first-rate martial artist, representing the warriors of Baek-gwi-seong, known as the Six Emperors. However, they did not waver. What did it matter if their opponents belonged to Baek-gwi-seong? "We are the Plum Blossom Swordsmen!" "Ahhh!" "Come at us!" "I am the Red Flying of Mount Hua!" With Eok-geom's rallying cry, the remaining four who were executing the Plum Blossom Sword Formation raised their voices loudly as they lifted their swords. The two groups clashed. Bang! Clang! Kaang! Explosions, the clash of swords, and the sound of air bursting filled the air. Various sounds of collision reverberated. Despite the relentless attacks from Baek-gwi-de, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen stood their ground firmly, unyielding like an iron fortress with no gaps at all. Among them, the three who had undergone the intense secret training known as the Transformation Technique were notably different from their previous self. They effortlessly blocked attacks and counterattacked. When faced with only one or two opponents, it wasn't noticeable, but with all five displaying such skill, Baek-gwi-de was taken aback. "To wield such swords at that age..." Seizing the momentary gap of a stunned Baek-gwi-de member, Jeok-bi unleashed Plum Blossom Falling. Slash! "Ugh!" Blood marks extended from shoulder to waist, and the Baek-gwi-de member kneeled. ‘Was moving always this easy?’ ‘Was the sword always this light?’ ‘Did I really strike just now?’ Calmly blocking the attacks and succeeding in counterattacks, he himself was surprised. His body felt lighter than expected, and his internal energy moved more swiftly, perhaps due to the overflowing vitality coursing through him. Moreover, the opponent's attacks? Even when his abdomen was struck with a technique imbued with internal energy, it didn't hurt. To be precise, compared to the excruciating pain felt during the Transformation Technique's training, it tickled like a mosquito bite. And Jeok-bi wasn't alone. Jeok-jae and Jeok-woon also began to effectively fend off Baek-gwi-de's attacks and launch counterattacks. Their growth since the struggle against the much weaker Pae-wang Sect days ago was astounding. ‘Was that really training?’ ‘Was that truly a form of practice?’ ‘Wasn't it just torment?’ The three shared bewildered glances. Though Chun-hwi had described it as training, they had initially thought it was a punishment for refusing to train. They exchanged determined looks with one another. Nod— A wave of confidence swept over their faces after exchanging a single nod. Just ten days. But the transformation was unmistakably significant. "Let's go!" "Let's do this!" "Here we come!" As the three charged forward with renewed vigor, "I can trust they'll handle it." "Senior! Focus on the opponent in front of you!" Eok-geom and Seol-ran exhibited a skill with their swords far superior than before, as if their reins had been released. Their expertise surpassed that of the three, so much so that Baek-gwi-de, overwhelmed by their spirit, hesitated and retreated. Then, suddenly, Swish― Swish― The attackers who had been recklessly charging forward withdrew. Abandoning their assault, they widened their formation, gradually enclosing the clustered Plum Blossom Swordsmen to exert pressure on them. They had commenced a wheel battle. "Damn..." "They've figured it out." Eok-geom and Seol-ran's faces darkened. Not just Baek-gwi-de—they had discerned the Plum Blossom Sword Formation's incompleteness, opting for attrition tactics to induce change. Clang! Clang! Repeating cycles of attack and retreat. Whenever they were about to counterattack, the opponents would leap back, maintaining distance, only for another Baek-gwi-de member to immediately engage. Moreover, with perfect timing, they managed to counter every move, preventing the battle from swaying easily and pushing the advantage against them. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen gripped their swords tighter. Though they longed to pursue the retreating Baek-gwi-de, doing so would crumble the Plum Blossom Sword Formation and worsen the already fragile situation. "The infamous Baek-gwi-seong, retreating in fear?" "Running with their tails between their legs." Eok-geom and Seol-ran taunted them, but the opponents remained composed. Swish― Clang! Instead of retaliating, they intensified their sharp, rapid attacks and retreats. ‘Damn!’ Eok-geom tasted blood in his mouth. He had bitten his lip hard. ‘Completely ensnared, just like fish in a trap.’ Despite their efforts, the opponent's numbers were tenfold. With each passing moment in this war of attrition, Jeok-jae and Jeok-woon grew increasingly rattled. "Are you alright?" "Yes, barely." "Still holding up." Eok-geom bit his lip hard. If this continued, defeat was certain. --- Flames roared, engulfing Bi-pung Trading from somewhere unknown. As the fire threatened to spread to the main building, Go Gye-young shouted urgently. "Everyone, evacuate!" Perhaps because it was his second time experiencing it, Go Gye-young assessed the situation with cooler-headed precision, prioritizing the safety of the servants around him. Buildings could be rebuilt, but human lives, once lost, were gone forever. Anxiety flickered in Go Gye-young's eyes. "My, my wife?" Yeon Su-ran was nowhere to be seen. "So you're faster at handling it the second time," came a sudden voice from behind. Go Gye-young turned hastily. Behind him, where it had previously been empty, stood Chun-hwi. And in his arms, he carried Yeon Su-ran. "My wife!" Chun-hwi handed Yeon Su-ran over to Go Gye-young. "She appears to have inhaled quite a bit of smoke and lost consciousness." "Thank you." Tears welled in Go Gye-young's eyes. His wife's face was smudged with streaks of soot. Had it been a moment later, she might have been trapped and consumed by the flames. No, she very well could have been. The fire was that fierce. "This grace, I... owe you..." "First, deal with the fire." "But water..." "I've broken the wall leading to the pond in the garden." "The wall has been...!" Immediately, Go Gye-young shouted. "Everyone, head to the garden and fetch water from the pond!" Upon receiving Go Gye-young's command, the servants who had already evacuated hurriedly dashed towards the designated area. "Let me go check first." Chun-hwi, observing Go Gye-young running with Yeon Su-ran on his back, lifted his gaze. "The urgent fire has been put out." With everyone gone and standing alone in the main building, the only sounds were those of the fire consuming the pillars and walls. "Luckily, the wind has also calmed, so the fire shouldn't spread further." He looked up at the sky. The ashes and flames that had been scattered by the harsh winds were now subdued, rising only upwards. "I intended to watch quietly from the side." When the attack first began, he had planned to remain at his spot and merely spectate. But that wasn't possible. Perhaps it was because they were from the martial underworld; their methods were insidious. The fighters engaging Hyun Do, Ha Woo-jin, and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen weren't all there was. They had divided their forces. There was the main group that showed themselves openly and a separate squad aiming to massacre the servants. Their true intention was to attract attention by having the main group show up blatantly, while secretly dealing with the trading post. "The Bi-pung Trading is quite significant to Mount Hua right now." Chun-hwi's eyes gleamed. His pupils, reflecting the blazing flames and darkness, were unnerving. As his gaze intensified, Boom! The air exploded, and the flames erupted. It was the Baek-gwi soldiers who had been watching silently that were taken aback by the sudden change. As they exchanged glances among themselves, Crash! With the sound of destruction, a liquid redder than the flames splattered down on them like rain. "……!" The Baek-gwi members, forgetting even to stay hidden, started in shock at the sight of the corpse. The body that fell from the flames was in a grotesque state. It looked as if a beast had torn it apart, the upper body completely mangled. The head was the most severely damaged, beyond recognition. "Sa, Saho?" They stammered in confusion. "You've gathered nicely on your own." Suddenly, Chun-hwi appeared among them, drawing the Baek-gwi members' attention as they raised their weapons in defense. Ordinarily, unexpected events would cause alarm or panic, but they regained their composure swiftly. They had assessed their enemy—it wasn't the one they feared, but Chun-hwi—and readied themselves with lethal intent. Their movements weren't of those merely trained casually. These were movements ingrained in those well-drilled and accustomed to such situations. However... "Nineteen of you, huh." Chun-hwi whispered as he scanned each Baek-gwi member with indifferent eyes. And in that instant, Thud! One member suddenly collapsed. There was no sign nor change. Confusion engulfed the Baek-gwi members. ‘What just happened?’ ‘What is this?’ The Baek-gwi members were bewildered. The fallen member did not attempt to rise. Upon closer inspection, a small hole was visible in his forehead, with hot blood pooling on the ground. It seemed like he had been possessed by a ghost. At that moment, an eerie grin spread on the ghost's face, revealing white teeth in the darkness. "Shall we wrap things up then." The ghost's voice was low and soft. In an instant, the forgotten fear and terror resurfaced among the Baek-gwi members. As the clattering teeth of the fear-stricken Baek-gwi member echoed, not a single member of the Baek-gwi unit remained standing.