“Seowung! Block those guys pouring in from the left properly!”
At Won Semun's shout, Han Seowung, clad in layered armor and swinging his massive sword, yelled back.
“Squad leader, you block properly! There are more of them crawling out over here!
“You fatso?! You've gotten pretty useful, talking back like that!” As Han Seowung poured a surge of inner energy into his great sword, a bluish aura flowed from it.
“It's been ages since I lost the weight…”
With a low mutter, more than a dozen Black Alliance swordsmen raised their weapons and charged at him.
“You keep calling me fat!” With a thunderous roar, he swung his great sword.
A crescent-shaped blade energy poured forth, and the charging Black Alliance swordsmen collapsed in heaps.
“Haa, haa.” As Han Seowung panted heavily, Won Semun, standing beside him, murmured softly.
“Does being called fat bother you that much?”
“You won't do it anymore?”
“That depends on the captain.”
“What nonsense is this now?” At that, Won Semun grabbed Han Seowung's shoulder with a deadly serious expression.
“If the captain stops calling me 'twin swords,' I won't call you 'fatso' either.” At his nonsense, Han Seowung unleashed the boiling rage inside him once more as blade energy.
“Shut up already!”
In the meantime, the members of the Second Squad, led by Wi Cheongyeong, scattered to the left and right, enveloping the enemies like a noose.
“Maintain distance and handle only the enemies slipping to the outer edges with hidden weapons!”
The hidden weapons unleashed by the Second Squad members didn't kill the enemies outright but interrupted their assaults at every moment, breaking the flow of battle. The Black Alliance swordsmen burst with fury each time, but they couldn't even catch up to those swiftly moving foes.
“Make way!” Meanwhile, the Third Squad members charged straight ahead, disrupting their formation.
Because they had mastered the Black Poison Demon Art to at least the seventh level, ordinary swords and blades couldn't penetrate them. Moreover, their sword techniques consisted entirely of killing blows that disregarded defense, so the close-range Black Alliance swordsmen fell helplessly.
“They're doing well.” Bu Eunseol, overlooking the battlefield, nodded.
From the start, the three squads he had trained had honed their teamwork through long years of bitter training, so this outcome was perhaps all too natural. But what was astonishing was the remarkable growth of the Fourth and Fifth Squads.
Swaaaa!
The Fourth Squad members, trained by Myo Cheonwoo, were all employing a unique palm technique that was silent and formless.
Myo Cheonwoo couldn't teach his subordinates the utmost secret arts of the Extinction Palace, given his circumstances as one of its Ten Demon Warriors. Thus, he had devised a unique palm method by combining his own insights with the strengths of the Extinction Palace's palm techniques—yin-soft yet distinctive.
“It's still clumsy… but with a bit of polishing, it could become a supreme skill rivaling the Extinction Palace's palm arts.”
Myo Cheonwoo had only just begun walking his own path. Though the palm technique he had newly created was a bit rough and incomplete at present…
It would grow stronger with time. Together with the squad members under his command.
Chwararak!
At that moment, amid the Black Alliance swordsmen charging in a group, a sharp, keen flash of light flickered.
It was the Fifth Squad members, led by Yoo Unryong.
Ping! Chwararak!
Unexpectedly, Yoo Unryong had not taught them any unorthodox methods.
—I cannot reach the pinnacle with the White Horse Whip.
Yoo Unryong had realized that he could not break through to the transcendent realm with the White Horse Temple's martial arts. From the moment he devised a technique to wield two White Horse Whips, he had already deviated from the principles of the White Horse Whip arts. It was a means to grow stronger without being bound by techniques, much like Bu Eunseol…
But in doing so, his approach had veered from the demonic one to the righteous one, rendering the highest realm of the White Horse Whip unattainable.
—If I can't reach transcendence with the White Horse Whip, I'll break through with another method!
Over time, Yoo Unryong had created a new whip technique based on his insights.
The issue was that this had led to the creation of successive techniques like spear arts and staff arts. Though whip arts and spear arts were entirely different, Yoo Unryong, having gained great enlightenment, boldly fused them without hesitation.
—Then, is there no weapon that can wield both a spear and whip at once?
After much deliberation, he improved the three-section staff into a ten-section staff—a new weapon that separated into ten parts. When infused with energy, it locked rigidly; otherwise, it divided into ten joints, allowing techniques akin to whip arts.
Bu Eunseol could assert with confidence.
Once that unique ten-section staff technique was perfected, another new exotic weapon would be born in the martial world.
Meanwhile, the heirs of the Seven Sword Sect were following at the rear of the Death Shadow Corps, dealing with the Black Alliance swordsmen flanking from the sides. Having diligently honed their martial arts all this time, they had gained considerable confidence in their abilities.
But witnessing the Death Shadow Corps in battle, they keenly felt how far they still had to go.
—We're still so far behind.
However, there was one thing they had overlooked.
This battle was not a typical martial artist's duel.
The Death Shadow Corps members not only displayed exceptional individual prowess but moved like a single organism. This was possible because they had grown accustomed to fighting hordes of enemies over long periods, their hearts united as one.
—We have no choice but to try!
Yet they did not cower; they fought with all their might.
Even if they couldn't provide much help, this battle would serve as a catalyst to advance their martial arts one step further. Before they knew it, a burning warrior's spirit, akin to that of the Death Shadow Corps, had been etched into their hearts.
‘…!’ At that moment, Bu Eunseol's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the battlefield.
Suddenly, mysterious warriors appeared from the rear guard. As a result, the Death Shadow Corps began to be pushed back bit by bit.
‘Those are…’ They all wielded bizarre swords with jagged protrusions, their eyes tinged yellow.
Not only that, but they trampled over their comrades' corpses without a care, attacking like madmen.
‘That drug, perhaps.’ Bu Eunseol's eyes flashed.
The appearance of these fiends somewhat resembled the corpses imprisoned underground.
‘No, they're not Bound Asuras.’
Bound Asuras could only be killed by severing their necks or draining the essence blood injected into their bodies. But these ones stopped moving immediately when struck in the heart or vital points.
‘But they feel no pain or fear.’ In such a large-scale melee, lacking sensation of pain and fear was a tremendous weapon. Even vigilant squad members could lose their lives to their hands.
Kurrung.
Bu Eunseol, unleashing a lightning-like body technique, passed through his squad members and took the vanguard.
“Fall back!”
Sreung!
With a shout that shook heaven and earth, Bu Eunseol drew his black blade and immediately unfolded his sword art.
Each time the sword light flashed, blood sprayed, and Black Alliance swordsmen fell like autumn leaves, creating a massive gap. He felled over a dozen in a single breath, yet the remaining Black Alliance swordsmen, drenched in their comrades' crimson blood, charged at Bu Eunseol without hesitation.
The drug had utterly eradicated any sense of fear in them.
‘I can't drag this out.’ As Bu Eunseol raised his inner energy, a pitch-black sword aura surged from his dark sword.
Supreme Heavenly Flow—Waning Moon, Dawn Star.
Unleashing the most powerful single-strike form among the Supreme Heavenly Flow techniques, a vast space opened in the midst of the enemy ranks.
Kurrurung.
As he poured all his power into the sword art, its might shook the land.
Pattering.
With the form's release, blood mist spread in all directions, bones and flesh scattering everywhere. In one strike, he had toppled over thirty Black Alliance swordsmen with their yellowish eyes. Not only the Seven Sword Sect heirs watching the scene but all the Death Shadow Corps members gaped in awe.
They had heard rumors of Bu Eunseol's tremendous prowess, but seeing it firsthand was beyond words.
Clang.
As if nothing had happened, Bu Eunseol sheathed his dark sword and shouted loudly.
“We charge straight into the heart of the Black Alliance.” At that instant, the blood-soaked eyes of the Death Shadow Corps gleamed like those of beasts.
They intended to immediately enter the Black Lion Palace where the Black Alliance Lord resided, and sever his head.
***
Strictly speaking, the Black Alliance was not a martial sect but a coalition of bandits.
Thus, they unhesitatingly employed poisons and hidden weapons, strictly forbidden in the martial world. They even had no qualms about gruesome tactics using the dead.
But what of Majeon? The sacred ground of the world's myriad demons, the demonic alliance uniting the power of a million demon paths.
If the Black Alliance swordsmen used poisons and hidden weapons, Majeon countered with savage, brutal tactics, breaching their defensive lines.
—Chaeng! Chaaang!
The Blood Martial Corps's advances and retreats were lightning-swift, and even facing over ten thousand Black Alliance troops, they rampaged ferociously without yielding an inch. The Black Alliance swordsmen tried various tactics to halt their charge, but the individual prowess gap between the soldiers was too vast.
No matter that they had imparted martial arts even to lowly grunts, the Black Alliance were born bandits. They were no match for Majeon's elite experts, honed daily through rigorous training.
“It'll be over soon.” From the hill at the rear, Jwa Dae-baek, overlooking the battlefield, curled his lips upward.
The Blood Martial Corps had repeated advances and retreats for days, disrupting the Black Alliance's defensive line. And now, with the final all-out assault, they were crumbling uncontrollably.
“Indeed, that one has clearly given up.” Jwa Dae-baek glanced at the handsome young man standing beside him.
It was Do Cheonlin, the young lord of the Blood Flame Blade Sect.
“Didn't I assure you?” Jwa Dae-baek smiled at Do Cheonlin. “No matter what method he uses, that one can never claim merit.”
Jwa Dae-baek had not deployed Do Cheonlin or the Blood Flame Blade Sect's experts to the battlefield. The plan was to thrust them into the Black Lion Palace the moment the defensive line broke, to claim the credit.
But Do Cheonlin's brow was deeply furrowed.
He had received an absurd report from the spies monitoring the Death Shadow Corps.
—We lost track of their movements…
While tracing the Death Shadow Corps's path, their trail suddenly split into seven directions, it was said. They had hastily divided to pursue each, but the Death Shadow Corps was nowhere to be found.
‘In this barren land of Qinghai, there's no place to perfectly hide over fifty troops.’
Do Cheonlin was certain.
Bu Eunseol had devised some scheme.
In the end, gripped by unease, he had moved Jwa Dae-baek to launch a total assault on the Black Alliance. It was out of fear that Bu Eunseol's sudden appearance might lead to some plot.
“He wouldn't give up this easily.” Awakening from his thoughts, Do Cheonlin said to Jwa Dae-baek. “I even heard rumors that the Death Shadow Corps went to a sect near the Sakgeom Pass to seek alliance.”
“Hahaha. That's utterly impossible.” Snorting a laugh, Jwa Dae-baek stated firmly. “The Seven Sword Sect at Sakgeom Pass are strange folk with an odd pride, claiming Qinghai as the cradle of demon paths. Their ties with us are poor.”
“But…”
“Moreover, according to the Solitary Light Pavilion Lord's words, they've made some pact with the Black Alliance. You've heard that too.” As Do Cheonlin nodded faintly, he continued. “In such a battlefield, individual martial prowess is useless no matter how superior. And above all, obedience to command is paramount.”
Jwa Dae-baek wore a confident smile.
“Having received orders to strike the Black Alliance's rear, if they fail to comply, no method can absolve them of insubordination.”
Do Cheonlin nodded reluctantly.
Even if Bu Eunseol deployed some ingenious stratagem, the Death Shadow Corps alone couldn't strike the rear of the thirty-thousand-strong Black Alliance.
—Hiyeyo!
At that moment, with shouts of battle cries, the Blood Martial Corps's forces finally breached the Black Alliance's defenses and entered the Black Lion Palace where the Black Alliance Lord resided. With enemy forces clashing nose-to-nose, tactics became irrelevant.
It devolved into a chaotic brawl of raw power against power.
—Uoooo!
Then, the gates of the Black Lion Palace swung open, and with roars, over three hundred fiends surged out, pushing back the Blood Martial Corps.
Chaeng! Chaaang!
They possessed monstrous strength without exception, and even with limbs severed, they pressed the Blood Martial Corps fearlessly.
“This is…” Jwa Dae-baek, watching the scene, widened his eyes.
With the appearance of the fiends with sallow yellow eyes, the tide had suddenly evened.
On the grand scale, the Blood Martial Corps held the advantage, it was true. But these fiends' prowess was considerable, and they were employing a resolute, defense-only tactic. If they held out so tenaciously, the plan to annihilate the Black Alliance in one fell swoop would collapse, turning into a protracted war.
“They aimed to endure from the start.”
The Black Alliance had held firm despite rumors of Majeon's vanguard charging in.
From the outset, they had bred these fiends to block the invading Majeon forces and drag it into a war of attrition. Prolonging the battle would inflict massive losses on Majeon's expeditionary side.
“We'll handle those ourselves.” As Do Cheonlin nodded, over fifty warriors from behind him stepped forward—swordsmen from the Blood Flame Blade Sect, their blades gleaming silver even in their sheaths.
“Can you manage?” Jwa Dae-baek's expression was filled with concern. “No need to overexert yourselves.” Pushing too hard and injuring the future heir of Majeon would spell trouble for him as well.
“With me and the clan's experts, we can breach the defensive line within half a shichen.”
“Mm.” Jwa Dae-baek nodded.
Then, Do Cheonlin and the Blood Flame Blade Sect's swordsmen took the lead.
Flash!
Unleashing the Blood Flame Sword Art in an instant, Do Cheonlin became a massive beam of light, severing the fiends' necks one after another.
Until now, he had never fully revealed his prowess.
Yet long ago, he had been designated by the lords of the Ten Demonic Sects as Majeon's successor. In essence, his talent was acknowledged as the highest among the Ten Demonic Sects' heirs. Proving this, his moniker was the Ten Perfection Scholar—not only in martial aptitude but in scholarship and wisdom, unmatched by any.
And such qualities manifested in his martial arts as well.
“Like a machine.” Jwa Dae-baek, watching from afar, let out a gasp of admiration.
Do Cheonlin's sword art struck the fiends' vitals with not a single inch of error or mistake. Moreover, he distributed his power precisely, wasting not a drop of energy.
Sreuk. Kwoong.
Each time the silver sword wave rippled like water, fiends' heads unfailingly separated from their bodies. No matter what moves they made or how they evaded…
Do Cheonlin's Blood Flame Sword Art spread brilliantly like sunlight reflected on a river, felling them.
“It's done.” Jwa Dae-baek, observing, nodded.
Finally, led by Do Cheonlin, the Blood Flame Blade Sect's swordsmen pierced through, and the defensive wall of fiends began to crumble slowly.
“Not half a shichen—within one ke.” As Jwa Dae-baek chuckled lowly and prepared to order the total assault,
—Kwaaaak!
Suddenly, a agonized scream erupted before the solidly encircled Black Lion Palace.
Do Cheonlin and the swordsmen, who had been cutting down fiends, blinked in surprise.
Before they knew it, over fifty warriors were charging straight toward the Black Lion Palace where the Black Alliance Lord was.
It was the Death Shadow Corps, led by Bu Eunseol.
‘Bu Eunseol!’ Flames sparked in Do Cheonlin's eyes as he beheld the sight.
Having abandoned claiming merit and gone into hiding, why were Bu Eunseol and the Death Shadow Corps there?
***
‘They used the Nujiang River to infiltrate!’
Crunch.
Having grasped the entire situation, Do Cheonlin ground his molars to dust. Until now, Bu Eunseol had completed every mission deemed impossible.
Do Cheonlin knew this well and had remained constantly vigilant. He had even dispatched spies and messengers to report on Bu Eunseol and the Death Shadow Corps's movements…
How had they deceived all eyes and charged straight into the Black Alliance's core?
Moreover, the Nujiang River was a place the Black Alliance defended ironclad, as it led directly to the vital points.
‘No way the Seven Qinghai Sword Sects…?’ Do Cheonlin quickly shook his head.
He had been closely monitoring the Seven Sword Sect's movements out of mere suspicion. But their forces showed no activity. And what they operated were not warships, but mere small merchant vessels?
‘No way—they broke through the coastal defenses with just the Death Shadow Corps?’
There was one thing the Ten Perfection Scholar, Do Cheonlin, had overlooked…
It was the Death Shadow Corps's prowess.
He knew Bu Eunseol was formidable, but he had judged the branch-unit composed of branch disciples as not particularly impressive.
‘Was that the mistake?’ Do Cheonlin bit his lip.
Only now did he realize that the Death Shadow Corps members charging into the Black Lion Palace possessed strength comparable to a first-rate vanguard.
Kwaang!
In the interim, the Death Shadow Corps members shattered the defensive line and immediately entered the Black Lion Palace where the Black Alliance Lord resided.
Do Cheonlin's eyes widened as if they might tear.
“No!” Losing his reason at last, he unleashed the Blood Flame Sword Art with full power and dashed forward.
He had to stop Bu Eunseol from severing the Black Alliance Lord's head, no matter what.
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