Chapter 1046: I Was Insane Too (Part 1)

"Trained dogs don't bark."

The Hongyeon were currently demonstrating this proverb.

Jang Ilso's dogs. Those who willingly accepted the derogatory term attacked the enemies like hunting dogs aiming for prey.

With sunken eyes and tightly sealed lips, they showed no sign of wavering in their hearts. They mercilessly swung their swords toward the head of the demonic sect as if they were hunting dogs charging at prey.

Slash!

A sinister blade punctured the air and pierced through the arm of the demonic sect member who tried to block the attack on his head. The eerie sound of solid bones and metal friction echoed chillingly.

Then, in that moment,

Swish!

Yipa, who had rushed from behind, stepped on the back of the person in front, leaping forward and thrusting a rapid strike into the head of the demonic sect member. It flowed naturally as if it were a prearranged agreement, smoothly continuing like water flowing.

It was a scene vividly demonstrating how rigorously they had been trained.

"This...!"

The startled demonic sect member tried to pull back his stabbed arm, but the leading Hongyeon, who had grabbed the sword held by someone else, swirled it around and pulled the demonic sect member's arm as if embracing it.

And then,

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

One from the left, one from the right, and one from above the head.

Like trained hunting dogs targeting a tiger, three red lines extended from the front Hongyeon, spread out, and passed over the entire body of the demonic sect member.

"...Ugh."

The demonic sect member, wounded on both sides and in the middle of his head, staggered backward for a moment.

Sweeaak!

Following that, the sword flying through the air forcefully thrust into the demonic sect member's neck.

Crunch!

It sounded less like the noise of cutting through the neck and more like the sound of a saw slicing through metal. The sword, partially stuck in the tough skin, struggled and couldn't advance further.

But at that moment,

Like a flash, the airborne Hongyeon twisted its body in mid-air and fiercely struck the sword embedded in the demonic sect member's neck.

Crack!

Finally, the cleanly severed neck of the demonic sect member shot up into the air. However, in the eyes of Hongyeon, who had dealt with one demonic sect member without a hitch, there was no sign of satisfaction in their victory.

"Five."

It takes five to deal with one demonic sect member. If it's five Hongyeons, they can handle even a formidable master without any problems. In other words, each of these demonic sect members scattered around here possesses skills equivalent to those of a top-notch master.

The Hongyeons, filled with a steady sense of crisis, slammed the ground, heading towards their next prey.

"Screaaaam!"

With a vicious howl, hands stained dark flew in. The rough and turbulent magic emanating from the hands made the long magic-created nails as sharp as they were deadly, aiming for the throat.

However...

Clang!

Without any hesitation, Baek Cheon's sword swung neatly and repelled the demonic cultist's attack without exerting much force. At the moment the sword and the demonic sect member's hand touched, the magic surrounding that hand retreated, leaving a deep mark on the palm.

Paah!

Following that was a thrust. Baek Cheon's sword stretched out like a flash of lightning, split into dozens of sword images, and lacerated the entire body of the demonic cultist.

Seuk Seuk Seuk!

The sound of cutting flesh pierced the ears.

"Kraaaah!!"

A furious roar erupted from the demonic sect member's mouth. His eyes, tainted a reddish color, were terrifying enough to give chills just by making eye contact.

One.

Kaak!

Baekcheon stabbed the flying arm of the demonic sect member, pushing it back. Then, with lips clenched, it moved one step forward.

Paaaah!

Soon, a reddish line was etched in the air.

That intense line brushed past the demonic sect member's throat, and halfway through the severed neck, red blood gushed out.

"Kkh..."

The demonic sect member, with his cervical vertebrae halfway cut, twisted his hand as if in defiance. At that very moment, a black figure rose like an illusion above Baek Cheon's head.

In the dark night sky, Yoo Iseol soared, rotating her body in mid-air and swinging her sword. The direction her sword pointed was naturally the demonic sect member's throat.

Seuk!

With utmost precision, the demonic sect member's throat was cleanly severed.

Brandishing the extended sword, she pulled it back and once again swung it towards the sky. With that force, she lifted her body once more. Soon, countless crimson plum blossoms bloomed from the tip of her sword, sweeping in all directions.

"Kkheuk!"

"This dog-like!"

Rough voices erupted from the mouths of the demonic sect members. There was nothing as difficult to deal with as the attacks pouring down from above. Moreover, Mount Hua's swordsmanship, which unleashes a wide-ranging attack blending reality and illusion, especially demonstrated its power in the group battle.

The plum blossom sword energy pouring from above pierced the bodies of the demonic sect members countless times.

"Sahyung!"

"Let's go!"

And at that moment, behind Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong and Jo Gol leaped forward like beams of light. Despite the frantic attacks of the demonic sect members, they did not evade their opponents. Instead, they directly struck down the demonic sect members rushing at them with powerful swords.

Kwaaaang!

The battlefield, filled with the sounds of cutting, tearing, and slashing, erupted with a thunderous noise. Jo Gol and Yoon Jong, who forcefully pushed away the demonic sect members, increased their momentum, pushing the surrounding demonic sect members aside.

"Clear the way!"

Rushing towards the path they opened, Tang Soso flipped her body, gazing at the sky and extending her sword. Yoo Iseol swung her sword down to clash with Tang Soso's. In response, Tang Soso swiftly wielded her sword, lifting Yoo Iseol higher and higher.

Sarararak!

Her sword emitted red sword energy once again. The peak-level Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique painted numerous plum blossom petals under the sky stained with darkness. Like red rain, fluttering plum blossoms poured over the heads of the demonic sect members.

"Kkeuk..."

"Keheok..."

Those whose limbs were pierced could endure the pain, but those with heads or throats impaled trembled and convulsed, their bodies shivering. Plum blossoms imbued with transcendent energy allowed no resistance.

"This filthy unbeliever!"

The demonic sect members pounded the ground, filled with malice. Naturally, their target was where Yoo Iseol was descending. Filled with hatred and rage, they intended to tear her to shreds.

However, someone here would prove how gravely mistaken that choice was.

"Amitabha!"

In the dark world, a profoundly sacred golden light spread out. A fist extended from Hye Yeon, striking the ground forcefully.

Arahat Divine Fist. (阿羅漢神拳)

The fist of the Arhat, which annihilates all impurities, engulfed the gathered demonic sect members like a tidal wave. The intense golden light seemed to brightly illuminate the entire world.

"Kraaaaah!"

"Aaaaah!"

The demonic sect members screamed in agony as they were swept away by the power of the fist. The sensation of their accumulated demonic energy shattering and disintegrating brought a pain surpassing physical destruction.

"This, this..."

Watching the scene, Im Sobyeong folded his fan and shook his head in awe.

'It's best when things are kept in moderation.'

From what he had observed, since entering the battle, these individuals hadn't exchanged a single word. However, the moment they began wielding their swords, it was as if they already knew what they needed to do.

This included even Hye Yeon, who was originally from Shaolin and not Mount Hua.

'Is this what they mean by saying it's reassuring if they're allies and terrifying if they're enemies?'

Well, that was fortunate. Now, he had become a person who had no shortage of reasons to consider them allies.

"But, well... I guess I have to pay for the food so I don't get scolded."

Tas.

Im Sobyeong advanced gracefully, unfolding his fan. The energy emanating from the fan spread like a swarm of butterflies.

Kagak!

The demonic sect members rushing toward Baek Cheon hesitated in the face of that force.

"Well, aren't you going to move forward now?"

"...."

Baek Cheon, without a word, kicked the ground and surged forward. With Im Sobyeong and the Five Swords supporting him from behind like guardians, he rushed ahead.

'Incredible.'

Im Sobyeong's lips twitched, as if trying to suppress a smile.

Running ahead with flowing hair, Baek Cheon's figure leading the charge was truly impressive. This was probably what the world referred to as the appearance of a hero.

If they had made just a slightly wrong choice, Im Sobyeong and Nokrim would have ended up facing them. The thought alone sent shivers down the spine.

Meanwhile, Baek Cheon's eyes, running forward, were not as heated as one might think.

Swish!

Baek Cheon, who swiftly cut down the approaching demonic disciples, bit his lips slightly.

'Not difficult at all.'

He understood it clearly now.

What the past three years of training were for.

The demonic disciples attacked fiercely and in ways that were almost indescribable with words, but Baek Cheon could handle all their attacks with ease.

He had already experienced them.

Not the North Sea. The attacks he had faced countless times during his training with Chung Myung. For those who had endured three years of training with Chung Myung, this battle was nothing special.

Even the madness unleashed by the demonic disciples was nothing compared to the energy Chung Myung had spewed at them.

That's why the situation was not particularly unfavorable.

But...

'There's no way it's just this.'

He wasn't overestimating the enemy's strength. Baek Cheon's judgment of the opponent was very firm.

'If it was only this, that guy wouldn't have reacted like that. There must be something more.'

Baek Cheon's gaze turned towards Chung Myung, who was driving the demonic disciples away from the front. There's no way such an extreme reaction would have come out just from facing opponents like this.

"Don't let your guard down! Don't be captivated by the sword!"

In response to Baek Cheon's resounding shout, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect immediately answered with voices filled with vigor.

And at that moment...

In Baek Cheon's field of vision, the figure of Jang Ilso, approaching Chung Myung, came into view.

Paaaat!

Blood poured down Chung Myung's face, who had just taken down another demonic disciple in an instant. A chilling voice settled in Chung Myung's ears as he, without blinking, prepared to move on to the next demonic disciple.

"Don't get too carried away."

"..."

Chung Myung turned wordlessly. Jang Ilso, who had approached without him noticing, stood there with a peculiar smile.

"You haven't forgotten who your enemy is, right? Now is not the time to let your guard down against these pests."

Chung Myung stared at Jang Ilso with cold eyes.

"Understood."

Jang Ilso glanced around with a sneering look.

Perhaps he was one of the few who fully grasped the situation on this battlefield right now, along with Chung Myung, and... let's add Im Sobyeong to the mix.

"It's not the time to be pleased with winning. The enemy is just a hundred or so. There are probably at least three hundred more here. These guys are just small fries circling the outskirts. If the main force joins, the situation will become even more difficult. Before that..."

Jang Ilso paused for a moment and then smiled brightly.

"We have to kill that bishop. You've shown enough mercy. I appreciate the Taoist's intention to save even these lowly Evil Sect bastards, but now is not the time."

Chung Myung, who had been looking at Jang Ilso with a cold gaze, twisted his lips.

"It seems like a rotten smell is coming from your insides."

"Hmm?"

"But whatever. Let's go along. Yeah, to your beat."

They looked at each other and laughed coldly. Soon, Jang Ilso turned his head and shouted.

"Gakmyung!"

"Yes!"

"Stick with me."

A sinister light flowed from Jang Ilso's eyes.

"From now on, we're going to cut that bishop's throat."