#1
7
2.
The Jukhyeonbang, occupying the second peak of Baekpalbong, and the Cheolgeommun, who had long been the lords of Hefei, were entities that viewed each other with suspicion, so it was extremely awkward for them to move together. ‘That is not all.’ Above all, what had happened during Jeongsi was making Seong Moran feel uncomfortable in dealing with Cheol Sun-jik.
From the perspective of the simple and straightforward Seong Moran, Cheol Sun-jik, who is full of calculations and seems different on the inside than on the outside, is quite an unsettling opponent.
“Hahaha. It seems Miss Seong dislikes me.”
As if he had seen through Seong Mo-ran, Cheol Sun-jik also did not seem to mind her attitude much.
“yes?”
Seong Mo-ran spoke as if asking what she was talking about, but Cheol Sun-jik wore a completely relaxed expression, as if even that was amusing.
I have bad luck.
Or perhaps Miss Seong does not trust me.
“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about…….”
“Aren’t you always chasing after me from behind? Doesn’t that mean you don’t trust me enough to want to show your back?”
“…….”
It was only then that Seong Moran realized that she had been occupying the backs of Cheol Sun-jik and the 12 Peaks, but she was not particularly flustered by the fact that she had been caught.
“……
The last memory was really bad, you see.
Cheol-sun-jik chuckled at Seong Mo-ran’s sharp words.
“Isn’t it an unwritten rule of the martial arts world to leave matters of the proper time to the proper time?”
It is a warrior’s instinct to forget the result but remember the process.
That’s true, indeed.
It was Seong Moran who eventually spoke first, despite the attitude that she didn’t care whether you believed or doubted her.
“What on earth is your ulterior motive this time?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking why the 12 Peaks followed Young Master Jin.”
“Isn’t it only natural for a student to take an interest in the actions of the student center representative?”
Seong Moran raises her eyebrows at the brazen answer.
So, did you skip the Soul Annihilation Formation ceremony and instead plan to have someone conduct the investigation?
For the first time, Cheol-sun-jik’s face hardened.
“Did you think we wouldn’t know? It’s just that the Jeongdohoe stepped forward first; after that, the Baekdohoe and the Twelve Peaks were planning to do the exact same thing, weren’t they?”
So you knew.
Cheol-sun-jik merely shrugged his shoulders. He had an expression of indifference.
Seong Moran’s cheeks trembled.
“You guys are truly… shameless beyond measure.”
“It was unavoidable for us as well. If only the Jeongdohoe and Baekdohoe were to discover the Soul-Destruction Formation, it would cause great damage to the Twelve Peaks.”
The Virgin Mary brought up a fundamental question.
“Is it impossible to follow Young Master Jin in the first place? After all, the Twelve Peaks are merely one of the One Hundred and Eight Peaks.”
Cheol-sun-jik smiled faintly as if looking at a child and said.
“When the existing system collapses, chaos ensues. And Confucius of Qin is trying to tear down such a system.”
It seems the Young Master Jin I saw and the Young Master Jin you saw are different.
Cheol-sun-jik shook his head as if to say that he was no different.
“Just look at the present, doesn’t it?”
What is it?
The representative of the academy has forgotten his duty and come to Sacheon to save someone close to him. And on top of that, he even mobilized Seunghodang.
It’s because there is a dangerous being.
Cheol-sun-jik took a scroll from his pocket and handed it to Seong Mo-ran.
This is data from the investigation conducted by Gaebang regarding the incident in Sichuan. The investigation clearly concludes that the mass death incident during the regular admissions period occurred because the victims were attacked while already severely injured due to the intense competition of the entrance exam process.
Seong Moran held the letter and could not continue speaking.
“The conclusion of the openness is that they were not such a strong opponent. The Presbyterian Council’s event is grand in name only; it is nothing more than a pleasure trip. The ‘danger’ that Representative Jin mentioned does not actually exist.”
Cheol-sun-jik wore a broad smile on his face.
Seong Moran found that face so hateful that she felt she would have no other wish than to punch him right then and there.
“Whether it was because they failed to conduct a proper investigation or made a fuss over a trivial matter, they are equally unfit to be representatives.” A small burst of laughter erupted among the members of the 12 Peaks.
That is why a system is necessary. Because an exceptional individual, whether competent or incompetent, eventually causes problems.
So, did you chase after Young Master Jin all the way here to oust him from the representative position?
They say they came to set things right.
“As expected, you had no intention of listening to Young Master Jin from the very beginning.”
“Because there is no reason to follow what is wrong.”
Seongmo-ran turned her head as if she didn’t need to hear any more.
However, Cheol-sun-jik did not seem to want to end the conversation here.
“Miss Seong, it seems you completely trust Representative Jin. Do you know everything about him inside and out?”
“no.”
“Oh, that’s a bit unexpected…….”
“Actually, it would be more accurate to say that I don’t really know. Because I don’t even know what’s on his mind.”
However, I know that the moment he says ‘dangerous’ is the truly ‘dangerous’ moment.
Seong Moran continued speaking with an unwavering expression.
It was the same in the Maryeong Plateau, during the Jeongsi, and during the Myeolhonjin. While I was with him, there were countless moments where our lives hung in the balance, but whenever he truly called something ‘dangerous,’ a danger of a completely different dimension would arrive.
Seong Moran looked at the faces of Cheol Sun-jik and the 12 Bongseong who were looking at her.
“Exactly. It’s frustrating. Because no matter how ‘dangerous’ he is, you don’t really believe him. No, far from believing him, you doubt him even more and are bringing ‘danger’ upon yourselves.”
Cheol-sun-jik shook his head as if disagreeing with Seong Mo-ran’s opinion.
That is because he judges danger solely from his own position. Just as Jukhyeonbang and Taeeulmun cannot be viewed on the same level from the start, there are many cases where what is a ‘danger’ to him is not a ‘danger’ to us.
Seong Moran moved her lips slightly, then closed them.
It’s a waste of breath to try to persuade them any further.
Because right now, just as Jin So-un said, it was more urgent to identify what the ‘danger’ was and stop the people.
Cheol-sun-jik continued to express his opinions without stopping.
Representative Jin is a person completely consumed by stubbornness…….
“Shut up!”
He wore a triumphant expression at Seongmoran’s shout.
The fact that the other party unilaterally cut off the conversation was proof that his logic had won.
However, Seong Moran pointed to one side with a serious expression instead of the look of a loser.
Look over there.
It was because an ominous shadow cast by the moonlight was visible there.
Not only Cheol-sun-jik but also the divine laws of the 12 Peak Fortresses came to a sudden halt.
And each of them began to take out their own weapon.
Watch your surroundings.
After speaking to the 12 Peaks, Seongmoran slowly approached.
A foul smell stung my nose. ‘It’s a corpse…’ Darkness enveloped the surroundings, so I couldn’t see anything.
Seong Moran quickly took a flint out of her bosom and flicked it.
Click, click.
Whenever a small flint falls, the surroundings briefly appear and disappear.
And a sigh burst from the corners of the mouths of the 12 Peaks.
“What is this…….”
Aren’t they student dorm students?
“What on earth is going on here…….”
Cheol-sun-jik approached Seong Mo-ran.
Seongmoran flicked the flint once again to reveal the corpse.
He is a disciple of the Cheongseong Sect and a disciple of the Hyangjang Sect, a secular branch of Cheongseong.
It is a strange thing. The two they were originally supposed to meet
Jo was the Jo of the Hwasan Sect, the Gongdong Sect, and the Seokgamun Sects.
However, what they actually faced was three
They were the Jo In Cheongseong faction and the Sokgamun faction.
Although he didn’t know exactly how things were going, it was practically saying that the current situation had gone awry beyond Jin So-woon’s expectations.
Was there something so urgent that they couldn’t recover the body?
Cheol-sun-jik asked Seong Mo-ran, who remained silent.
“Miss Seong?”
Seong Moran spoke as if murmuring.
“You said Jukhyeonbang is… stronger than Taeeulmun, right?”
Seongmo-ran pointed to the corpses scattered on the floor and said
Then, how does it compare to the Cheongseong Sect and its secular sects?
“What is that?” 12 Bongseong also continues his vigil and checks the body.
He is a student at the academy.
“Disciple of Cheonggwanmun.”
There is also a disciple of the Green Leaf Sect.
The identities of the corpses are being revealed here and there.
“Is the ‘danger’ that Confucius Jin spoke of nothing to Confucius Cheol?”
“I intend to look for other survivors, just as Young Master Jin said. What are you going to do about Young Master Cheol? Do you still not want to listen to Young Master Jin?”
Instead of answering, Cheol-sun-jik looked at the corpses once again with a pale face.
Cheol-sun-jik had only one choice.
“Go ahead. I will follow.” Jin So-un said, gazing into a space darker than darkness.
“Never break the lantern.”
“what?”
Before Nam Hwa-seong could answer, Jin So-un moved first.
Jin So-un shot out like a flash of lightning and vanished straight into the darkness.
At the same time, a violent metallic sound began to ring out in the darkness.
Chaechachechachechachachachachang.
No sooner had the sound of iron clashing fiercely ended than a deafening roar of air bursting began to ring out.
Puff puff puff puff.
A golden radiance surged in the darkness, resembling the way lightning-laden clouds pulsate before a storm.
“What on earth…….”
Rumble rumble rumble.
A huge human shadow revealed from the black mist.
The giant’s shadows repeated the process of fighting fiercely, falling, and clashing again.
Zzz
Nam Hwa-seong, who had slumped down to counteract the pain, was startled by the sudden murderous intent and unleashed a burst of martial arts energy toward the rear.
Puff puff puff puff!
A chill ran through my chest as I felt a blow in the darkness where there should have been nothing. ‘Joe, if I had been even a little late, I would have died.’ The sharp touch of a sword imbued with clear murderous intent.
Actions imbued with genuine murderous intent, which had never been felt during sparring for class.
Nam Hwa-seong heightened his five senses to the extreme and began searching for an unseen opponent in the dark space.
Is that it!!!
Nam Hwa-seong, who threw himself forward with a sharp shout as if deliberately trying to shake off his fear.
However, he was quickly flung backward with a tremendous impact to his abdomen.
“Cough, ugh.”
A single-round contest.
I could realize it just from that.
The opponent in the darkness is by no means an ordinary opponent.
Nam Hwa-seong immediately prepared the Deer Horn Light Fist, the final ultimate technique of the Three Gates.
A green radiance flashed from his two fists, illuminating the darkness and casting fleeting glimpses of the figures hidden within.
“Haaap!”
Nam Hwa-seong’s Deer Horn Light Fist, shot out leaving a green trajectory like the tail of a firefly, spread green light in all directions the moment it touched a point of darkness, aiming for the opponent’s vital points.
Puff puff puff puff puff puff!
He unleashed thirty punches in a single breath, but surprisingly, there was no sensation of the fabric flying.
His hands and feet felt more stifled than usual, as if he had been swinging his fist underwater.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
As he poured out all of his internal energy amounting to fifty years, the darkness lifted thanks to the light of the glowing Deer Horn Light Fist, and the opponent’s true form was gradually revealed.
Nam Hwa-seong’s eyelids trembled violently. ‘Just how many are there!’ A group that looked to number well over a hundred just based on the number of people located where the darkness had lifted.
If the darkness were lifted, I couldn’t even begin to guess how many more there might be.
In the fleeting moment I was distracted, countless sword energies began to pour out from the darkness.
“Damn it.”
He unleashed a storm of martial arts energy, but not only was he unable to stop everyone, but it was also impossible to counter the hidden dark forces lurking among them.
Puff puff puff!
Nam Hwa-seong’s body, struck by the dark mirror, flew away as if shot by a cannon.
Crunch.
A shattering sound echoed from behind, but Nam Hwa-seong, unable to pay attention to it, sprang to his feet and assumed a stance.
The opponent has once again hidden their body in the darkness, concealing their new form.
“If you’re confident, come out! Let’s fight fair and square!”
Did you react to Nam Hwa-seong’s words?
The darkness began to slowly lift.
And a moving figure caught my eye in between.
Churrrrrk.
Nam Hwa-seong had to tilt his head upright to confirm the true nature of the appearing being.
“……!!!”
The moment I saw that ‘being’, the hairs on my body stood on end.
“W-Blue Scale One-horned Kyu-ryong?”
Its body was so extremely large and heavy that it was a dragon
A monster called [Name].
A giant snake, rarely seen even by an ordinary person, or rather, a warrior traversing the entire martial arts world, was flicking its tongue toward him.
Nam Hwa-seong, who had been backing away in instinctive fear, turned his head as if his neck would break at the sound of another voice coming from behind him.
S-ex, s-ex, s-ex.
A spider the size of a house with eight legs.
“This, the Human-faced Blood Lord?”
A terrible monster with a human-like face and four fangs was tilting its head while looking at Nam Hwa-seong.
“Ugh, ugh!”
The operation and the investigation into Jin So-un were not the immediate priority. ‘I’m going to die! I’m going to die!’ Just as Nam Hwa-seong unleashed the Deer Horn Wind and Cloud Sect and desperately tried to escape the arena.
The Blue Scale One-Horned Kyu-ryong moved its massive body like a ghost and rolled up Nam Hwa-seong’s body in a single stroke.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
As Nam Hwa-seong’s new form was lifted into the air, various monsters began rushing toward the space—which was thought to contain only the Human-Faced Blood Lord—to taste Nam Hwa-seong’s flesh.
“Damn it, I’m nothing but muscle, so I’m tasteless!”
He swung his fists and shot at them, but they ignored him as if he hadn’t even heard a word, and gaped their horrible maws wide open toward him.
-Nam Hwa-seong!
Just then, a majestic voice rings in my head.
Burn the talisman.
The voice I usually hated hearing so much.
However, at that voice that was like salvation, Nam Hwa-seong burned the talisman he was holding in his hand.
Whoosh.
Along with a talisman that would instantly catch fire and turn to ash at the slightest spark, a sound of cloth splitting in the air was heard, and a being wielding a golden sword leaped into the space.
“Bow your head, Nam Hwa-seong!”
“Aaaaaaaah!”
The being with the golden sword descends like lightning and slices the Blue Scale One-horned Kyu-ryong in half.
Nam Hwa-seong’s new form, floating in the air, was exactly
– and fell to the floor.
“Aaaargh!”
Despite the considerable shock, Nam Hwa-seong sprang up from the floor and assumed a battle stance.
Jin So-un turned to him and shouted.
“You damn bastard! I told you not to break the lanterns!”
“Ah, I didn’t break it!”
“Then why did the Blood-Spirit Soul Formation activate?”
“Si, what about the si-hyeol?”
It is an illusion formation! Break the evil spirits
and exorcism
Have you ever learned that?
“H-the Demon-Suppressing Mantra…….”
“Damn bastards, the Demon-Slaying Mantra is our trump card. Let’s see you take on the Demonic Cult with that!”
Jin So-woon spewing meaningless profanities.
Nam Hwa-seong instinctively realized that something was wrong.
“Uh, what should I do?”
“What can I do? It’s not like your mind can withstand this illusion.”
Then me, I.
Jin So-un adjusted his grip on the sword.
I have to tear it apart and get out.
Nam Hwa-seong wore a blank expression at Jin So-un’s words.
You’re saying I can get out of this place, swarming with monsters on all sides and where I don’t even know the entrance or the exit?
Hey, you punk!
“Uh, uh?”
Just then, a fiery slap flew in on Nam Hwa-seong’s cheek.
“Snap out of it, you bastard! Do you want to die here?”
Ah, no!
“On the battlefield, listen only to the commander’s voice. Don’t trust your own pathetic brains! Do you understand!”
“Ah, okay…….”
Jin So-un handed Nam Hwa-seong two copies of the Demon Subduing Talisman from his bosom.
“Since you survived, I will give you two. If you survive one more time, I will give you three.”
Th-thank you.
“We are escaping their illusion formation right now. Don’t look anywhere else; stick close to me and follow me. Understand?”
“Yes, four!”
“let’s go!”
Jin So-un began to run without delay toward the monsters blocking all sides.
A golden radiance shone on his sword, and before he knew it, a long golden line had extended from his left hand.
As the giant human-faced Blood Lord opened its horrific maw to swallow Jin So-un, Jin So-un swung his sword.
Swish, swish.
When the ropes emitting a golden glow pour down, the giant monster is tightly bound and unable to move, and when the golden sword is swung, the giant monster is split into two and three pieces.
Jin So-un moved forward, dealing with monsters one after another in a flash.
Puff puff puff.
Puff puff puff puff puff.
Although a series of unrealistic scenes unfolded before his eyes, Nam Hwa-seong moved as Jin So-un shouted.
“Shoot Kwon-gi!”
“You bastard! What are you going to do with your internal energy? Are you going to take it to hell after you die?”
“Is this all the Samwonmun’s season has?”
“Hit, hit! The illusion formation has weak durability. If you hit it again and again, it will eventually break!”
Then, strangely enough, the oppressive energy surrounding everything begins to subside considerably.
Breathing became a little easier, and for some reason, the monsters seemed to be getting smaller as well. ‘On the battlefield, trust only the commander’s voice, on the battlefield, trust only the commander’s voice.’ Nam Hwa-seong frantically repeated the words Jin So-woon had spoken and kicked his feet like crazy.
I wonder how far we ran like that.
At one point, Jin So-un disappeared along with monsters all around.
“J-Jin So-woon! Jin So-woon! Where did you go!”
The moment Nam Hwa-seong called out to Jin So-un like a chick looking for its mother.
Someone grabbed Nam Hwa-seong by the back of the neck and started pulling him up.
“Hah!”
As Nam Hwa-seong, terrified, struggled, a familiar voice pierced his ears.
“It’s me! Don’t struggle! You’re heavy!”
Zzzzzzz.
With the sound of a large cloth tearing, the space before my eyes changed in an instant, revealing clear moonlight.
“Gasp, gasp, gasp. Th-what is this.”
The sensation of the soil on the ground, the coldness of the air.
It is a return to actual reality after escaping the illusion formation Jin So-un mentioned.
“J-Jin So-un…….”
Before the feeling of euphoria at escaping the illusion circle, doubts fill my mind.
“I belong to the Twelve Peaks and came here to monitor Jin So-un. But… Jin So-un saved me from that illusion formation.”
Th-thank you, Jin So-un…
However, the answer was extremely curt.
“Shut up and get up. The real story starts now.”
“Uh, huh?”
Before he knew it, Jin So-un was staring only at the front.
And in front of it, the Blood-clad men I had seen inside the illusion formation were lined up.
