Chapter 402: Hebei Peng Family Lord
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“Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan…?”
Peng Ya-hwi, murmuring as if reciting, tilted his head.
He had studied the major Jianghu history of the past in his own way, but the sobriquet and name just mentioned were unfamiliar.
That was only natural.
In truth, Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan was a figure who had been active only in the frontier demonic path.
So his name had never been widely known in this land.
It was the same for Cheol Ryu-heun.
It was a name he first learned after coming here.
There had been no connection with him even during his time as the Divine Martial Sword.
He had merely learned that Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan was the head of the Detached Three Army Corps after subduing a series of enemies on the way here using divine power.
Of course, he had also obtained fragmentary information about his personal history.
It wasn’t much, but he had learned a few key details of his past.
An ultra-pinnacle demon who had been active alone in the gaps between the great demonic forces of Heavenly Demon Cult, Blood Devil Cult, and Asura Demon Cult, flaunting infamy and martial fame….
Cheol Ryu-heun briefly taught him that.
Peng Ya-hwi showed a surprised expression after hearing the explanation.
“H-how alarming! To think he’s a villain of the previous era’s demonic path who has lived past one hundred forty years…”
As he spoke, fear and worry intertwined and swirled in his two eyes.
Because after learning of Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan’s past history, his concern for his father’s safety had grown.
However, Cheol Ryu-heun himself showed an unconcerned demeanor.
“Don’t worry too much. He’s not someone who would fall easily.”
“Yes, that may be so, but…”
“Trust me. I will definitely find him.”
“Hmm… Yes! Understood!”
Peng Ya-hwi steadied his mind and answered emphatically.
In the short time they exchanged conversation, the group led by Divine Wind had approached closely.
Martial artists of the Orthodox and Unorthodox who had narrowly escaped death with Cheol Ryu-heun’s help as he traversed the mountains.
Their respective original sects were diverse, including Heavenly Path Spear Pavilion, Eastern Gate Saber Family, Northern Dark Sect, Flying Spear Sect, Stone Palm Hall, Willow Sword Manor, Silver Eagle Corps, and Four Wickedness-Extreme Black Ground Gang.
In addition, there were even wanderers between the Orthodox and Unorthodox mixed in.
Peng Ya-hwi immediately assumed the greeting posture of cupped fists and greeted the haggard-looking personnel standing at the front.
“Hello. I am Peng Ya-hwi, Young Master of the Hebei Peng Family. I’m truly glad everyone is safe. I see there are some familiar faces here.”
Then several words leaked out from here and there.
“Tiger Step Saber Young Master…”
“Wow, even that famous martial talent is encountered here.”
“Impressive stature, just as rumored.”
At that time, one man with a sturdy build suddenly popped out.
“Ya-hwi!”
A voice filled with delight.
Having pushed through the crowd and come to stand at the very front, he was a young man who seemed to be slightly over twenty years old.
A character embroidered on the shoulder of martial clothes made of yellow silk was visible.
Hwangbo.
It precisely symbolized the Hwangbo Fist Family, an Orthodox family famous for fist techniques in the Shandong region.
Although not a supreme prestigious family at the Seven Great Families level, it was a famous place like the Qidiao Sword Family of the Hunan region.
Peng Ya-hwi also cried out with a delighted expression.
“Jung!”
Warmth could be felt in the eye-light that called that name.
The youth in question was Hwangbo Jung, the eldest young master and second son of the Family Lord of the Hwangbo Fist Family, who had a close friendship with Peng Ya-hwi.
Thus the two faced each other and stood close together.
“Jung! Are you alright? Is there anywhere you’re hurt?”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t badly injured. Among the people gathered here, we were the very last to be saved. Just before coming here, Sect Master Cheol appeared like a miracle.”
“Ah… I see. What about Lord Hwangbo…?”
When Peng Ya-hwi asked again, Hwangbo Jung’s complexion darkened.
“Hmm, same as you. While wandering lost, I ended up separated from Father’s side. My current companions are just those five over there. The rest are probably moving with Father. They might have scattered from there too…”
Hwangbo Jung thus pointed to the personnel behind him.
The five whose gazes met Peng Ya-hwi’s lightly nodded their heads.
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun expressionlessly stated.
“I’ve already found him.”
“Pardon?”
“He’s safe. Also, he’s currently moving with his party to a safe place. So set aside your worries.”
Hwangbo Jung’s two eyes widened upon hearing that.
“R-really? Thank you! Sect Master Cheol! I will definitely repay this grace…”
“Thanks are unnecessary, prepare to move again. Follow this fellow here, and you’ll be fine.”
Cheol Ryu-heun lightly stroked the head of Divine Wind beside him.
Then Peng Ya-hwi asked with a curious expression.
“You mean that horse will guide the way?”
“Yes. I planted a part of my power in his body a while ago. So that he’s free from the constraints of the formation. There will be no enemy ambushes on the way. So just follow along.”
Peng Ya-hwi clicked his tongue in admiration.
“Wow… I see.”
“Save the delayed conversation for later and move quickly. I’ll also go there later.”
No sooner had those words ended.
PPIT…
Cheol Ryu-heun’s form disappeared from view.
* * *
SSWAESSWAENG!
A piercing sound sharply cutting through the air.
When the long, large saber traversed forward, blood burst out.
CHYUCHYUK… PAHAAK!
Simultaneously, green flame fire spread explosively.
HWAAAAAAAAAAK… HWAREUREUREURUEK… !
Blue flames instantly swallowed the form of the martial artist who had just executed the powerful saber technique.
The rate of spread was so fast there was no time to dodge.
But.
PUSEUSSSEUT, PUSEUT, PUSEUSSSEUT…
The wave of green flame fire was rapidly compressed like a sphere by the grand formless aura that had been released at some point and then extinguished.
Following that.
CHEOCHEOK!
The martial artist standing amid the mixed smoke and heat haze straightened his saber and spoke.
“How wicked. Did you implant some kind of explosive in your body?”
A heavy voice accompanied by weighty dignity.
The saber wielder’s appearance was truly outstanding.
His features, with long black hair and even a long beard, were intense like a fierce tiger.
Just as he said, a person’s appearance reminiscent of a tiger.
Eyes seemingly painted with thick brushstrokes, eye-light that glinted like a newly sharpened blade, a neatly shaped nose, and lips neither too thick nor thin…
His age seemed to be around his forties or fifties.
Combined with his features, his splendid martial clothes and long robe harmonized to add elegance.
It felt like he stood as a singular, unparalleled existence between heaven and earth.
Truly the bearing of an overlord.
That’s right.
It was a weighty magnificence reminiscent of a being above ten thousand men, an invincible hegemon.
It seemed no one could meet his eye-light.
Standing before him, even a famous warrior would likely find it hard to raise his head.
The intangible aura that a martial artist of the realm beyond human emits, perhaps.
The middle-aged saber wielder’s manner was thus domineering, threatening, and overwhelming.
The long robe draped over his person was a glittering golden color.
The red tigers embroidered on both shoulders represented who he was.
The current Family Lord of the foremost Orthodox prestigious martial family, Hebei Peng Family.
Peng Cheon-jin.
The owner of the grand sobriquet Northern Heavens Saber Venerable, he was the strongest saber wielder of the Northern Jianghu, comparable to Shaolin Temple’s Abbot Won-gong.
He was currently facing off against a little more than a dozen of Eastern Heaven Division’s forces.
Also.
He was alone.
There was no one following beside him.
The reason was simple.
It was because of the enemy’s surprise and disorderly attack.
While fighting dazedly, he had become separated from his party.
It was a numerically inferior situation.
However.
Northern Heavens Saber Venerable Peng Cheon-jin was dignified.
Armed with an unwavering unmoved heart and the confidence born of powerful martial prowess, he faced them alone.
Not a bit of fear could be seen in his appearance.
Rather, it was the enemies’ lot.
The weight of the emotion called fear.
The one who had just died to Peng Cheon-jin’s fierce saber stroke was an Eastern Heaven Division Middle General. .
That wasn’t all.
Traces of exploded gu poison littered the surroundings.
The number of large craters alone exceeded ten.
The number of enemies who had died and disappeared before Peng Cheon-jin’s fearsome and transcendent saber technique was a whopping thirty.
Including underlings, five Young General and two Middle General…
Despite that, Peng Cheon-jin’s cultivation was still terrifying.
His face was completely devoid of any sign of exhaustion.
The Eastern Heaven Division group standing on the opposite side had stopped their combined attack and was arrayed in formation.
They had been completely intimidated by the martial power he had displayed.
At that time.
PEOLLEOKPEOLLEOK…
Along with the sound of cloth fluttering, one person appeared.
A blood-robed figure with an extraordinary aura.
Then the Eastern Heaven Division group quickly parted.
The blood-robed figure standing in the center ordered.
“Everyone, catch your breath.”
The one estimated to be in his forties soon drew his iron sword.
SEUREUREUNG.
And his mouth corners pulled up.
“Hut. As expected of Lord Peng.”
The blood-robed figure’s identity was the Eastern Heaven Division’s upper leadership, the Sixth Great General.
‘An enemy leader.’
Peng Cheon-jin spoke inwardly as his pupils flashed chillingly.
Suddenly.
KUKUKUKUKU… KUKUKUKUKU… KUKUKUKUKU…
The ground shook fiercely.
The atmosphere also swayed as if in sympathy.
Simultaneously, the blood robes of the Eastern Heaven Division personnel fluttered.
It was the effect of the massive formless aura that Peng Cheon-jin explosively released while operating a large amount of cultivation.
The Sixth Great General, whose shoulders were pressed down by the energy, murmured as if in admiration.
“To still have that much power remaining…”
When he quietly sent a hand signal.
PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPA… !
The dozen or so subordinates charged forward in unison.
Two Middle Generals and eleven underlings.
In response, Peng Cheon-jin’s saber traced an arc.
SSWAAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEK!
A terrifying piercing sound as if to split heaven and earth.
The power of the saber stroke was also horrifying.
Following the curve traced by the saber, a giant light was emitted.
It was not just one.
It was over twenty large strands of saber energy.
Each one resembled the forepaw of a tiger with extended claws.
Mountain Lord Thunderbolt Saber.
A finishing move of his person executed with extreme cultivation.
KKWAGWAGWAGWAGWAGWAGWAGWANG!
When the Mountain Lord Thunderbolt Saber thus struck the enemies before him, a roaring sound echoed.
Along with it, a series of explosions resounded in all directions.
HWAAAAAAAK, HWAAAAAAAK, HWAAAAAAAK… HWAREUREUREURUEK, HWAREUREUREURUEK, HWAREUREUREURUEK… !
Thus, large-scale green flame fire colored the space.
All those eliminated by the extreme finishing move that Peng Cheon-jin, called Northern Heavens Saber Venerable, executed with determination.
It was terrifying power.
That was in fact a power harmonized with divine energy in addition to his innate true energy.
To be precise, the energy of a divine weapon and strange artifact.
What Peng Cheon-jin possessed was precisely one of the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons, the Calamity Heaven Saber.
That sword’s divine energy further elevated the power of his finishing move.
The Sixth Great General, having maneuvered around the explosion radius, was enraged.
‘That bastard!’
PAPAPAAK!
The Sixth Great General, having gone around the flames, instantly compressed the gap and swung his sword toward Peng Cheon-jin.
JJEOEOEOEOEOEONG… KWAAAAAAANG!
Simultaneously with the roaring sound, Peng Cheon-jin’s form retreated.
JIIIIIIIIIIK…!
He who had been sliding backward, scraping the ground with the soles of his feet, had a thin stream of blood leak from the corner of his mouth.
“Kkeu…”
His body had finally reached its limit.
Of course, the Sixth Great General’s outstanding martial prowess was also a cause.
His martial power was not to be underestimated, befitting a leader.
Even though his power was below his own…
To make matters worse, presences rapidly increasing.
Before he knew it, around a dozen swordsmen in brown martial uniforms had revealed themselves around him.
It was the Detached Three Army Corps.
And.
-That was impressive saber prowess.
One shadowy figure descended to the ground along with a strand of Sound Transmission through the air.
It was the great demon of the previous era’s demonic path, Nine Springs Demon Dragon Sang-jan.