Chapter 1573: Not Just Any Fox (Part 3)

Swish!

Three harpoons shot towards Jo Gol in a straight line. As if to prove the title Eighteen Yangtze River Fortresses wasn't just for show, the harpoons they unleashed were as fast and sharp as venomous snakes.

However, twice as fast as the sturdy harpoons was a white glow.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Jo Gol effortlessly deflected all three harpoons simultaneously, sending them bouncing off and embedding into the chests of the pursuing enemies.

Squelch!

Without a moment's delay, the sword that tore through muscles and pierced hearts swiftly withdrew and aimed for the next opponent.

"Move!"

Jo Gol slammed into the bodies of those whose breath had been cut short. Because even waiting for the corpses to fall seemed like a waste of time.

Kwoong!

The bodies thrown into the air floated, bouncing away. Jo Gol used them as shields, swiftly running towards the bewildered enemies and shooting dozens of sword qi.

Paaah!

It was a ruthlessly swift sword that left the enemies unaware of their impending death until their hearts were pierced. It seemed the title 'Light-Splitting Sword' was not given without reason.

"Inoooom!"

However, the enemies were not to be underestimated either.

Dozens of long metal ropes flew towards Jo Gol like live snakes, each ending with a gruesome hook that glinted eerily in the sunlight.

Iron Hook Snare (鐵鉤索), a deformed weapon used by the Evil Sect to capture strong opponents.

The sight of dozens of iron hooks pouring towards Jo Gol looked like dozens of venomous snakes leaping towards a tiger that had fallen into a snake pit.

But Jo Gol paid no attention to the iron hooks and continued charging forward. Instead, Yoon Jong, who flew over Jo Gol as if accustomed to it, unfolded his sword in the air.

Swish!

In an instant, the sword split into dozens of sword shadows, spreading like a butterfly. Twisting and turning, it caught all the flying metal ropes.

"Haaaah!"

Simultaneously, Yoon Jong's sword swung powerfully downward.

Kwoooooong!

A powerful blow as if to shatter the ground! The iron hooks entwined with the sword writhed like a lake struck by a massive boulder. Unable to withstand the force, the pirates attached to the end of the ropes were slammed into the ground.

"Cough!"

Simultaneously, an intense shock surged through their internal organs, causing them to convulse and seem as if they were about to explode. But before the enemies could writhe in pain, Jo Gol's sword flew in.

"Keep going!"

"Yes!"

Vivid.

The intricate patterns engraved on the sword handle felt as deep as a grand valley. The breath of the enemies sounded as loud as thunder.

Jo Gol sharpened his already keen senses even further, becoming more alert.

Paaah!

His sword strike was unleashed once again. Disregarding defense, he staked everything on the attack.

Harpoons and Jo Gol's sword energy flew through the air.

Whoosh.

With swirling sounds reminiscent of branches brushing against each other in a dense windy forest, Jo Gol's sword energy consecutively struck the bodies of the enemies.

Agonizing screams and wails erupted from various places. It was a spectacle created by a single sword strike. Truly a refined attack, yet Jo Gol couldn't block a single harpoon flying towards him.

Nevertheless, there was no trace of fear in his eyes.

"Ah...!"

At the moment when Lee Songbaek, who was following behind, was about to panic.

"Damn it again!"

Kaga-gakang!

Yoon Jong jumped in with all his strength, sweeping away the harpoons flying toward Jo Gol. Without even acknowledging Yoon Jong, Jo Gol continued to advance.

Lee Songbaek felt goosebumps run down his spine for a moment.

'How...'

How could he entrust his life to others without the slightest hesitation? If Yoon Jong had been just a moment late, Jo Gol might not be alive now.

Trust to such an extent was beyond human comprehension. Could someone trust another person to the point of risking their life?

The power generated by this profound trust was truly remarkable.

"Ah!"

"Kuk!"

The forest, which consisted only of people and malice, crumbled like a burning wildfire.

"Kuk!"

Lee Songbaek's face involuntarily contorted.

The ones in the lead were dealing with the pirates, and he could only follow along. It wasn't due to a lack of skill. It was simply that he couldn't react to the momentary burst of power displayed by them.

Yet, strangely enough, it offered a glimmer of hope.

'With this!'

This time, they could truly defeat the Black Dragon King!

Lee Songbaek harbored hope while looking ahead at that moment.

"Heung!"

Seeing Jo Gol and his group, the Black Dragon King sneered and then leaped back.

"Ah..."

Lee Songbaek opened his eyes wide for a moment.

Running forward only to retreat. It was an obvious and shameless tactic.

However, at that moment, Lee Songbaek felt something. Why retreating, which was nothing more than running away, was treated as a single tactic in so many strategies.

The single step back, maximally drawing the opponent in and showing a single withdrawal. This one move broke Lee Songbaek's will, even if only for a moment.

The ones guarding the spot where the Black Dragon King retreated were visible. No, that was not enough; more pirates crowded into that position. Pirates dressed in blue surged forward, raising a yellow dust cloud.

In Lee Songbaek's mind, a single word came to mind for a moment.

River. It was as if a massive river was before him.

Although this place was undoubtedly a wasteland, the Black Dragon King, utilizing his subordinates, was transforming it into the most familiar form of a battlefield.

In the face of the overwhelming scene, even a feeling of being dominated emerged, and at that moment, Lee Songbaek took a deep breath.

"Move!"

A group of enemies dressed in blue surged forward like an overwhelming river. Even though this place was undoubtedly a wasteland, the Black Dragon King, using his subordinates, was transforming this place into the most familiar form of a battlefield.

In the midst of a scene that seemed overwhelming, Lee Songbaek took a deep breath.

"Gol-ah!"

"I know!"

Two people leaped into the river. Standing resolutely against the fierce, wave-like onslaught of enemies.

It was a scene reminiscent of a mantis raising its front leg towards an approaching carriage. However, unlike Lee Songbaek, who unknowingly hesitated, there was no hint of hesitation in the movements of the two.

"Reckless...!"

"A―mi―ta―bha―!"

At that moment, beside Lee Songbaek, a resounding chant erupted.

"Oooooh!"

Hye Yeon's attire, resembling neither the golden robe symbolic of Shaolin nor a complete robe of Mount Hua, began to swell as if it would burst. It was a robe created by mending the black robe of Mount Hua.

Hye Yeon reached out powerfully.

Wuuuuuuuuung!

Gradually, a golden brilliance spread out like an embrace around Jo Gol and Yoon Jong.

The Supreme Power (無上大能力).

It was the peak of Shaolin's supreme ability.

This force smoothly but firmly pushed back the enemies who were about to overwhelm Yoon Jong and Jo Gol, much like a golden radiance pushing back the surging tide of a river.

"Uheuk!"

"Mi, pushed... Uugh!"

Unexpected and unimaginable attacks left the enemies staggering. At that moment, Jo Gol's sword flashed.

Thunk!

Those pierced through the chest spurted blood and fell.

'Will it work?'

No, there was no need for such thoughts or doubts.

Just press forward. Even if his sword did not reach the Black Dragon King, it didn't matter. If he got tired and fell, those behind him would undoubtedly open the way.

So, more!

Paaat!

Jo Gol's movements became faster and faster.

Unity of Sword and Body (身劍合一). The state where the sword and the body become one.

Jo Gol's body, which had transcended beyond that state, began to accelerate like the sword he wielded. Yoon Jong, following closely behind, struggled to keep up.

Paaat!

The sword energy split into dozens in an instant. The sword energy scattered like plum blossoms without fluttering. It was the sword of Mount Hua, but also Jo Gol's unique sword.

At the moment when the Black Dragon King, who had stiffened his face, tried to retreat again.

Hwaaaak!

Jo Gol accelerated once again, charging towards the Black Dragon King as if rushing with his sword energy.

"Heuk!"

The Black Dragon King, terrified, swung his scimitar

Thunk!

At that moment, Jo Gol's sword pierced through the ankle of the Black Dragon King, who was suspended in mid-air. Like firing an arrow towards a soaring eagle!

"Kuk!"

The Black Dragon King twitched, twisting his body violently. Like a fish caught on a harpoon. [bro these analogies...]

"Noom!"

Toong!

The Black Dragon King swung the scimitar diagonally, lifting Jo Gol, who was attached to his ankle, into the air.

Jo Gol's body floated into the emptiness.

At that moment!

"Taaaap!"

Yoon Jong, who had been like a shadow behind Jo Gol, suddenly sprang up. Simultaneously grabbing Jo Gol's ankle, which was bouncing off, with one hand, he shot dozens of plum blossom sword energies towards the Black Dragon King.

Though the Black Dragon King vigorously swung the scimitar, the plum blossom sword energies of Yoon Jong delved into the subtle gaps that the ponderous scimitar couldn't block.

Suhguk! Suhguk! Suhguk!

Various parts of the colossal body were shredded, spraying streams of blood into the air.

"This rat bastard!"

The Black Dragon King, with a malicious expression, pulled back the scimitar. A faint mist clung to the curved shape of the large blade, resembling clouds.

"Ooooh!"

In an instant, the Black Dragon King's scimitar, which had been pulled taught, snapped towards Yoon Jong and Jo Gol, tearing through the air as if the bowstring had been released.

"Euaaaah!"

It was frightening. Every hair on his body stood on end.

However, Lee Songbaek embraced that fear, throwing himself directly at it. It was his role. Even if he were to break, he couldn't afford to run away.

The path he had chosen, regardless of whether it led to breaking, was to face it head-on.

Kwaaaaah!

Lee Songbaek's sword collided head-on with the Black Dragon King's scimitar. Blood gushed momentarily from the seven orifices, and the shock painted everything in front of him black for a brief moment, engulfing his entire body.

However, even with a sword that risked his life, all Lee Songbaek could do was momentarily delay the Black Dragon King's strike.

Seizing this momentary opening, a monk dressed in black robes, who had been following closely behind him, thrust forward.

Kuuuuung!

With all his might, the fist was raised struck into the pole of the momentarily halted scimitar.

Kwaaaaah!

The rough sword energy emanating from the end of the blade narrowly passed by Jo Gol and Yoon Jong, who were suspended in the air. It barely missed them.

"This...!"

Kuwung!

The Black Dragon King's forceful kick landed explosively on Hye Yeon's side.

Despite crossing his hands and barely blocking the airborne kick with his feet, he was still pushed aside by three steps.

"These damn dogs!"

The Black Dragon King's eyes were filled with intense hatred that erupted darkly.

However, the experienced fox did not lose his composure even in the midst of rising anger. Instead of charging forward, he quickly pounded the ground. He had to get out of this place.

Swoosh!

But at that moment, a sharp cutting sound was heard from behind. Startled, the Black Dragon King instinctively twisted his body backward.

Suk!

A searing pain spread over his back like an earthquake. Quietly but fiercely, the blade of Yoo Iseol, who had flown from behind, carved a long and deep scar into the Black Dragon King's back.

At the same time, Jo Gol and Yoon Jong, as if in agreement, twisted their bodies and propelled themselves downward through the air.

"Ooooh!"

The Black Dragon King instinctively raised his scimitar.

Gakang!

As the urgency grew, instinct faithfully responded to the threat felt by the body. The scimitar perfectly blocked the radiant thrust of Jo Gol's sword.

However, on the opposite side, Yoon Jong's powerful sword was not entirely blocked.

Wudeuk!

Yoon Jong's plum blossom sword pierced the Black Dragon King's empty shoulder.

Even though the flying blade penetrated the human body, a sound reminiscent of a hammer breaking bones was heard. The sound was not transmitted through the air but through the body itself.

The internal force that penetrated through the sword twisted inside the Black Dragon King's body. Blood spurted out, and his mouth quickly turned crimson.

"Black Dragon Kiiiiing!"

At that moment, Baek Cheon, carrying Namgung Dowi, charged directly at the Black Dragon King.

Thak!

Suddenly, the Black Dragon King's clouded eyes regained focus.

"Uaaah!"

The muscles of the Black Dragon King tightened. Gradually, the massive scimitar descended towards Baek Cheon, ignoring the attacks of the others.

It was such a powerful blow that everyone was startled, freezing in their movements.

"You fool!"

Kaaaang!

And the one who blocked that sword was none other than Southern Edge's sword. The short-bladed sword poured out all of Jin Geumryong's inner strength.

Blocking and countering the Black Dragon King's scimitar, Jin Geumryong spat out blood as he was pushed back and slammed onto the ground.

In the air, amid the splattering blood, the fierce gazes of Baek Cheon and the Black Dragon King were entwined.

Aaaargh!

Baek Cheon's knuckles turned white as he tightly gripped the sword.

The blood shed by oneself, the blood shed by enemies, and the blood shed by those who fought to open the way.

The sword, drenched in all that blood, cut through the air like a flash of light.

Thud!

It resonated in everyone's ears.

The talons of the bird that had lost its wings terrifyingly pierced the stomach of the black dragon.