Chapter 1262: Kill Them All (Part 2)

"A-mi-ta-bha!"

A majestic golden light enveloped the Myriad Man Manor members.

"Uaaaah!"

"Aaah!"

Although the Buddhist light appeared infinitely divine, the power contained within it was anything but gentle. Those struck by the light keenly felt the harsh reality as they screamed and fell away.

Paaaah!

"Kraaah!"

Jo Gol, who had effortlessly defeated those attacking him, glanced at Hye Yeon with a slightly surprised expression.

Hye Yeon, with a firmer expression than usual, clenched his teeth and continued to flex his power.

At that moment, Yoon Jong shouted sharply.

"Don't look away, you idiot!"

"Sahyung, why is Monk Hye Yeon so proactive today?"

But Jo Gol paid no heed and asked. Yoon Jong, who had just swung his sword, briefly glanced at Hye Yeon.

"Probably frustrated."

"What?"

"Until now, regardless of the Evil Sect, we haven't directly witnessed the Evil Tyrant Alliance oppressing the commoners."

"...What do you mean..."

Jo Gol, who was about to ask further, slightly realized the meaning a bit late and nodded.

While the Evil Tyrant Alliance occupied Gangnam, chaos ensued in Gangbuk with various Evil Sects causing disorder. However, upon closer inspection, the Evil Sects that had caused chaos in Gangbuk were not part of the Evil Tyrant Alliance; they were individuals who had fled in the face of the Evil Tyrant Alliance. So, objectively speaking, they hadn't witnessed the Evil Tyrant Alliance directly oppressing the commoners.

"...But during our journey here, he saw people suffering, didn't he? How angry do you think Monk Hye Yeon is right now?"

"Ah..."

"Forward! You bastard! Forward!"

"Wohoo!"

Jo Gol twisted his body quickly, avoiding an incoming attack, then unleashed a formidable sword strike.

Paaaah!

"Aaaah!"

The sword he sent pierced through the shoulder of a Spirit Unit member mercilessly.

'Myriad Man Manor's martial force.'

It wasn't Jo Gol's first time facing them. It was no exaggeration to say that their true combat experience began when they first fought against the Myriad Man Manor members.

So he was able to clearly feel it.

They were undoubtedly strong.

In terms of speed, momentum, every aspect, there was no discrepancy when it came to the word 'pinnacle.' Each member of the Spirit Unit forming the Evil Tyrant Alliance was undoubtedly recognized for their skills anywhere in the world.

Yet...

'Not difficult at all!'

Paaaah!

The Plum Blossom Sword striked twelve times in a row, truning the opponent's wrist and chest into rags. The face of the Spirit Unit member contorted in pain. Jo Gol delivered a final blow to the chest and slightly bit his lower lip.

'I've become stronger.'

No, he wasn't the only one who had become stronger.

"This damn bitch!"

"Block her! Don't let that bitch run wild!"

When he turned to where the commotion was coming from, he saw Yoo Iseol trampling on the chest of the Spirit Unit member and jumping into the air.

It was a miraculous sight every time you saw it. Jumping through the air meant exposing oneself defenselessly to the opponent's attacks. But how on earth did Sago fight so wildly while avoiding injuries?

It was a miraculous swordplay that one could not even imagine attempting unless one could manipulate one's body as delicately as a sheet of paper.

"Don't run, Sago!"

As Yoo Iseol drew everyone's attention, Tang Soso seized the opportunity and swiftly dug into the enemy's gaps.

In the first place, Tang Soso came from the Tang family. For hundreds of years, the Tang family had studied and practiced the art of using hidden weapons to exploit momentary weaknesses revealed by the opponent. There was no way that Tang Soso, born and raised in such a family, would miss an opportunity so clearly exposed.

"Haaaah!"

The sword energy scattered by Tang Soso ruthlessly penetrated the gaps between the Spirit Unit members, much like the hidden weapon strikes of the Tang family.

"Aaah!"

"Damn it!"

Shouts erupted from all directions. Although not fatal, who could be calm when sword energy pierced through their bodies?

Taking advantage of their dispersed senses, Yoo Iseol descended like a hawk targeting its prey.

Slash, slash!

The eerie sound of the sword cutting through flesh and severing tendons echoed one after another.

Blood spurted out here and there, but Yoo Iseol's expression remained unchanged. Her refined sword strikes unfolded without any rough edges, akin to a piercing north wind.

'Strong.'

Jo Gol tightened his grip on his sword.

Of course, Yoo Iseol had always been strong. As the only swordsman who could be compared to Baek Cheon within the Mount Hua Sect, it was only natural.

However, what Jo Gol was witnessing now wasn't just Yoo Iseol's sword. It was her boldness, her fearlessness in facing multiple opponents without hesitation or discomfort.

Yoo Iseol always plunged into the most dangerous situations without a moment's hesitation, firmly believing that someone behind her would protect her. And that boldness had swiftly overwhelmed the formidable opponents of the Myriad Man Manor's Spirit Unit.

"...It wasn't in vain."

"Huh?"

"No, nothing!"

Jo Gol, as if to declare that he wouldn't be outdone by Yoo Iseol, gritted his teeth and thrust his sword forward.

'Anyway, she's like a ghost, isn't she?'

After witnessing this scene, he seemed to understand. What the mysterious anxiety in his chest, lingering since the battle in Hangzhou, was all about.

"Taat!"

Yoon Jong swung forward, scattering plum blossoms. As a result, those who had been attempting to surround them hesitated and lost their momentum.

Jo Gol seized the opportunity, his eyes gleaming, and stabbed his sword. Like a venomous snake targeting its prey, his sword pierced through the enemy's body.

'This is it!'

What the Mount Hua Sect lacked the most was disciples.

Therefore, they had been training so far by joining forces against the absolute master Chung Myung or by sparring with each other.

So far, that had been enough. Those considered enemies of the Mount Hua Sect were either stronger than the Mount Hua Sect or, in some way, individuals who had to join forces. [idk]

But in Hangzhou, Jo Gol keenly felt it.

Now, what they needed to face wasn't a single absolute master, nor a formidable opponent who could decide life and death in a single battle. They needed to face a force that held an absolute advantage in 'numbers.'

And now, the coordinated moves demonstrated by Yoo Iseol and Tang Soso were revealing that. Like that ghostly Chung Myung, they were the first to grasp the facts, anticipate the situation, and take action accordingly.

'Yangtze River!'

The relentless sparring between the various sects at the Yangtze River. The time during which they fought not as individuals but as groups representing their sects.

At times, it felt like a waste, but in reality, that process was never a waste. Without that experience, he wouldn't have been able to face the Spirit Unit of the Myriad Man Manor so confidently.

What was thought to be an effort to enhance the strength of other sects was, in fact, also a process of nurturing the abilities within the Mount Hua Sect.

"Taaaah!"

Namgung Dowi wasn't just playing around either.

Kwaaaang!

The extended white sword energy instantly turned those rushing towards it into bloody shreds.

The moment he saw that powerful sword energy, a helpless voice leaked out of Jo Gol's mouth.

"... I should have been born into the Namgung family."

"What bullshit!"

"...Or even in Shaolin."

"He's not focused again!"

In response to Yoon Jong's criticism, Jo Gol, filled with frustration and injustice, consecutively unleashed a dozen more sword strikes.

He struggled to bring down just one person to the point of death, while they were easily sending two or three flying with each swing. How could he not feel unjust?

'That's why it's Shaolin, and that's why it's Namgung!'

The leaders of the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families.

As if proving that their reputation was not gained by luck, these figures leading the future of each sect were clearly demonstrating their strength...

"Uaaaah!"

Swish! Swooooosh!

"Uaaaah! Why are there so many like this!"

For a moment, Jo Gol's eyes were colored with a sense of shared misery. Tang Pae was vigorously swinging his arms like windmills, spewing out hidden weapons, to cover Namgung Dowi at the front.

"...The future of the Tang Family doesn't look very bright." 

"Focus, you bastard!"

Eventually, when Yoon Jong, bursting with anger, was about to step forward.

Paaaah!

Along with a piercing sound, a powerful aura was felt from behind.

Both of them turned their heads simultaneously. A vividly blooming plum blossom was seen.

Even those using the same sword were momentarily stunned by the splendid sword energy. At the center of that sword energy, Mount Hua's Deputy Sect Leader, Baek Cheon, was rushing forward with full force. Behind Baek Cheon, the disciples from the Southern Island Sect were closely following like shadows.

For a moment, the expressions of Jo Gol and Yoon Jong matched.

"Sahyung!"

"Yeah!"

The two of them broke through the encirclement together and rushed forward.

"Hey, you guys!"

And, as if it had been planned in advance, they spread the red plum blossom sword energy left and right near the enemies.

"Block them!"

"You piece of shit!"

The formidable formation of the Spirit Unit momentarily cracked and swayed left and right. At that moment.

"I'll break in!"

Baek Cheon, leading the Southern Island Sect, swiftly pierced through the tiny gap and swung his sword with all his might.

Claaaaaang!

Baek Cheon quickly opened the gap created by Jo Gol and Yoon Jong with a simple sword strike and dashed forward, ignoring the swords flying at him.

"Where are you going!"

"Don't make me laugh, you bastards!"

Desperately keeping up, Guo Hansuo and Lee Ziyang blocked the blades aimed at Baek Cheon. And then!

Paaaah!

From the tip of Baek Cheon's extended sword, crimson petals scattered. On the white sandy beach reminiscent of a snow-covered mountain peak, vivid red plum blossoms bloomed.

Sarararararak!

The plum tree swayed like an illusion for a moment and then disappeared. However, the petals did not vanish; riding the wind from the Southern Sea, they enveloped the surroundings.

In someone's eyes, incredibly beautiful.

In someone's eyes, incredibly intense.

And in someone's eyes, incredibly dangerous!

"Uaaaah!"

"What is this!"

"Aaack!"

Baek Cheon's rapid and chaotic sword strikes (紛紛) erupted in the middle of the formation. They were so threatening that even the experienced Spirit Unit members were forced to fly and leave their positions.

As the path opened, Baek Cheon shouted for everyone to hear.

"We're taking the ship! Charge!" 

"Yes!"

Leading the disciples of the Southern Island Sect, Baek Cheon formed a unified front like a rising tide, piercing through the red wall erected by the Spirit Unit.

Paaaah!

Baek Cheon, who swiftly mowed down those blocking the way, kicked the ground and leaped. In front of him was a large Myriad Man Manor ship anchored on the coast.

"Forward!"

"Yes!"

Guo Hansuo and Lee Ziyang rushed forward. Then, they swung Southern Island's wave-like swords at those blocking their way. The two of them had determined expressions on their faces.

Kakang!

In the split-second gap created when sword and sword clashed, Baek Cheon stepped on Guo Hansuo's shoulder and jumped into the air.

"Huh?"

"What!"

Startled by the suddenly appearing shadow, they hastily looked up. At that moment, all they saw was the figure of a swordsman with the scorching sun at his back. [Clarification: He jumped to behind the enemies.]

"Taaaah!"

Baek Cheon shouted as he swung his sword. The crescent-shaped sword energy that followed its trajectory cut through the hot air of Southern Island and surged forward.

Kagagagagak!

The thick anchor rope that held the Myriad Man Manor ship in place was cut in an instant.

Turning his body gracefully, Baek Cheon landed softly and immediately swung his sword, slashing the backs of the Spirit Unit members.

Smiling brightly, unbecoming of the intense battlefield, he whispered quietly.

"You too should feel what it feels like to be robbed."

Whether these words reached their ears or not, who knows.