Chapter 211: Three Reasons (1)
Chapter 210 – Three Reasons (1)
The flames surrounding the forest were gradually drawing closer.
At the same time, the number of gathering enemies also increased.
At this rate, annihilation was certain.
Setting fire to the forest meant they had blocked the retreat entirely and resolved to wipe them out.
It meant the enemy was that confident of victory.
Though his pride was hurt, his instinct warned him to retreat.
And Blood Sword Soul Chaser was always faithful to the warnings of his instincts.
Pride?
Something like pride only ever endangered one’s life.
Once you died, it was all over.
He had to survive somehow.
This Jianghu was a place where the survivor was the strong one.
Did using martial force itself not already presuppose despicableness?
Pressing down with strength to make the opponent submit.
At the very least, there was nothing more ridiculous than a martial artist talking about fairness.
Therefore, fleeing was also merely one of the methods to live!
‘For now, it is retreat!’
Just as he solidified his resolve, Namgung Cheon’s voice was heard again.
“We set fire to all sides, so there is no retreat. Where are you trying to escape?”
Blood Sword Soul Chaser turned to look at Namgung Cheon.
“Namgung Cheon. I will remember you.”
The next moment, he quickly turned around and threw his body.
Even if the fire demon swept in from all sides, did one safe retreat not still remain?
“Everyone, escape this place along the valley!”
“We obey the command!”
At Blood Sword Soul Chaser’s order, the unorthodox figures began to withdraw at the same time they replied.
Behind them, the voices of the Paeng Clan martial artists burst out.
“The bastards are running away! Catch them! Kill them, leaving not a single one behind!”
“Uwahhhh!”
The martial artists began to chase the fleeing unorthodox figures.
However, it was not easy to completely catch up with the unorthodox figures who fled with determination.
Namgung Cheon spoke to Paeng Jeok-ho.
“Do not pursue too deeply, and have them tend to the wounded.”
“What? Reinforced even by the Blue Wave Corps after all this, what do you mean by that? We must chase them immediately and annihilate those bastards!”
“The Blue Wave Corps did not come.”
“What? Then what about them…”
While Paeng Jeok-ho narrowed his brow and looked at the forest, a middle-aged man drenched in blood strode over.
When the middle-aged man’s face was finally clearly revealed under the moonlight, Paeng Jeok-ho’s expression trembled with a flinch.
“Clan Leader Eon…?”
Was the bear-sized middle-aged man none other than Jinzhou Eon Clan Leader Eon Yang-geol?
‘Why is that man here…?’
Of course, Jinzhou was not very far from here.
However, the problem was the relationship between the two families.
In fact, the Eon Clan and the Paeng Clan were not on very friendly terms. Because they were families that always wrestled for power over Hebei.
Furthermore, was the Jinzhou Eon Clan not a place once classified as unorthodox? They used the Jiangshi technique, which was rejected by the orthodox faction.
However, from several generations ago, they sealed the Jiangshi technique and developed it into a way to apply it to the body to strengthen the Eon Clan Fist.
Thanks to that, they were able to be incorporated into the orthodox faction, but the Paeng Clan still recognized the Eon Clan as half-unorthodox.
Thus, it was also a place he thought would never send support even if the Paeng Clan fell into crisis.
“Clan Leader Paeng, are you alright?”
Eon Yang-geol asked with a faint smile.
Paeng Jeok-ho replied with a lukewarm expression.
“I am fine. But why are you here…?”
“The Jianghu Divine Dragon made me come here.”
Eon Yang-geol pointed at Namgung Cheon with a chin gesture.
Paeng Jeok-ho’s gaze naturally turned to Namgung Cheon.
‘Of all things, the enemy’s child and the Eon Clan.’
Though it was a thoroughly unwelcome situation, there was no doubt he had received a favor.
“Thank you for risking danger to run here and help.”
When Paeng Jeok-ho said this while cupping his fists, Eon Yang-geol smiled and returned the gesture.
“Not at all. We should naturally help each other live.”
Paeng Jeok-ho raised his head and turned to Namgung Cheon.
‘Just how did that fellow move the Eon Clan?’
* * *
One day ago.
A plaque reading ‘Jinzhou Eon Clan’ hung over the grand main gate.
Yun Jong-seung looked up at the large plaque, turned his head, and asked Namgung Cheon.
“Why did we come here?”
The other cadets were equally curious.
“I am curious too. Should we not rush to the Paeng Clan as quickly as possible?”
Yu Hyeon stepped forward and asked.
Had they not heard that the Paeng Clan Estate was in danger from the unorthodox figures they met just last night?
Yet, to visit the Eon Clan out of the blue.
However, Jin So-hong alone noticed Namgung Cheon’s intention and spoke calmly.
“Even if we run to the Paeng Clan now, it will be too late anyway. Furthermore, it will be hard for anything to change just because we go. If that is the case, it is better to drag along support personnel.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Yun Jong-seung nod.
However, a question still remained.
“But I heard the Eon Clan is not on very good terms with the Paeng Clan. Will they really go to support them?”
“We have to find that out starting now.”
Namgung Cheon grinned and strode toward the main gate.
Conveniently, two gatekeepers who were on guard blocked him and shouted.
“Halt! Where do you think this is to come in the middle of the night?”
“It is an urgent matter of the utmost priority, so I would like you to open the gate quickly.”
“What? Such a crazy bastard…”
The gatekeeper rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward. It was obvious from his expression that he was glad to have caught someone, as he was bored anyway.
On the other hand, Yun Jong-seung, who stood behind, silently prayed for the gatekeeper’s soul in his heart.
* * *
“F-Father…”
Eon Ho-ryang hesitated with his sword.
He had an expression as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment.
Soon, Eon Yang-geol’s furious roar fell.
“You useless thing! What are you doing! Strike down quickly!”
“But…!”
“Where can I use you if your heart is that weak!”
At Eon Yang-geol’s scolding, Eon Ho-ryang gripped the sword tightly with both hands.
However, his trembling heart still did not calm down.
The place where the father and son were was the inner training room.
Eon Yang-geol had thrown off all his upper garments and was extending his left arm. His solid body with copper skin looked perfectly fine, almost reminding one of steel.
Even so, it was a human body.
If the arm were struck with a sharp blade, it could not help but suffer an injury.
Nevertheless, Eon Yang-geol urged his son to strike down with the momentum of cutting off his arm.
“Ryang, listen carefully. The reason our family is driven into the unorthodox path is also entirely because our strength is weak. This world is a place enjoyed only by those with power. For our family to have power, above all, we must complete this Jiangling Divine Art! Do you understand?”
“Father…”
“If only the Jiangling Divine Art was solid, you would have safely ascended to the main tournament of the Joint Conference. Now, strike!”
Eon Ho-ryang gripped the sword tightly with both hands.
His father had learned the Jiangling Divine Art while performing closed-door cultivation for the past month.
One of the secret arts passed down only to the Clan Leader in the family.
They had been developing it by graft-linking the Jiangshi technique to the internal cultivation method since several generations ago, and the one that could be called the best among them was precisely the Jiangling Divine Art.
Completing the Jiangling Divine Art completed an invulnerable body.
Of course, although it could not withstand a master’s sword qi or sword gang, it meant it would be a body that could deflect a decent blade.
However, because the former Clan Leader died before fully transmitting the Jiangling Divine Art, Eon Yang-geol could not achieve mastery of the art.
This was equivalent to Eon Yang-geol’s lifelong regret. Since he learned the Jiangling Divine Art solely through self-study, progress was slow and sluggish.
And now.
Eon Yang-geol, who came out after completing his one-month closed-door cultivation, wished to test the Jiangling Divine Art once more.
His forearm was already full of deep and shallow stab wounds. They were wounds created while testing the Jiangling Divine Art like today.
“Strike quickly!”
When Eon Yang-geol let out a sudden shout, Eon Ho-ryang flinched and raised his sword.
“Uwaaaah! Father!”
Swiiiiiish!
The strange situation where the son raised his sword and struck down on his father’s left arm.
Clang!
Finally, as the blade hit the left arm, a metallic sound resonated.
Simultaneously, Eon Yang-geol ground his molars tightly.
The moment of time felt as long as an eon.
Eon Ho-ryang saw the part of the blade that bounced up into the air.
Receiving the candlelight, the shining edge spun in the air for a long time.
‘It… broke?’
The blade broke!
Snapping back to his senses, Eon Ho-ryang looked down at the blade held in his hand. It was clearly broken right in the middle.
‘What about Father…?’
Lifting his head quickly, his father’s left arm was perfectly fine.
Tears welled up.
“F-Father! We succeeded!”
A shout close to a scream burst out.
However, Eon Yang-geol remained silent.
“Mmm.”
Letout a low groan, he turned his head slightly and looked at his left arm.
At that moment,
Spurt!
A thin line of fresh blood was drawn, and a streak of blood squirted from his left arm.
‘Damn it… is it a failure again?’
Anyone who heard his inner thoughts would have clicked their tongue.
For that matter, to make such a harsh assessment just because he saw a little blood from the blade struck with all his might!
However, as far as he knew, if he had mastered the Jiangling Divine Art, even a wound of this degree should not have occurred.
“Do not make a fuss. It is a failure.”
“Yes? But the blade broke…!”
“Did you use sword qi?”
“No, but…”
“Are you a peak master?”
“No.”
“If I saw blood even from a sword you swung, that says it all. It is a clear failure. To think realizing the profound meaning of the Jiangling Divine Art would be this difficult.”
Eon Yang-geol let out a deep sigh and looked at the ceiling.
Eon Ho-ryang also kept his mouth shut and only watched his father’s reaction.
It was then.
The door burst open, and a servant ran in and reported.
“C-Clan Leader. I think you should come outside.”
“Huh? How dare you enter the training room so carelessly!”
Eon Ho-ryang scolded with a feigned stern tone, but the servant, as if caring about something else entirely, glanced outside and spoke.
“The thing is, someone has come to see you now…”
“The Clan Leader? In the middle of the night?”
“Yes, please come outside quickly…”
Before the servant could even finish his words, it became noisy outside.
“Where do you think this is to enter carelessly!”
“Block him!”
“Catch that fellow!”
“Good grief, I said it is an urgent matter!”
“Shut up!”
Eon Ho-ryang furrowed his brow heavily.
What kind of crazy guy dared to visit the Eon Clan Estate in the middle of the night? And so rudely at that.
“I will go!”
Eon Ho-ryang threw out the words and turned around, just as the door burst open and someone entered.
“Well, there is no need to come out.”
Confirming the opponent, Eon Ho-ryang widened his eyes and blinked.
“Y-You…?”
“It has been a while. Are your eyes alright?”
The person who calmly spoke to him.
The very person who thrust fingers into his two eyes, almost making him go blind!
“N-Namgung Cheon…!”
When Eon Ho-ryang stammered, Eon Yang-geol, who sat behind him, narrowed his eyes.
Namgung Cheon? That Jianghu Divine Dragon?
He turned his head and showed interest.
“Did you say that child is Namgung Cheon?”
“F-Father…”
Eon Ho-ryang quickly stepped to the side and bowed his head.
“Yes, Father.”
Regardless, Namgung Cheon looked around the training room once and whistled.
“Whew. What a murderous training room. You are even bleeding profusely. Is that arm alright? It looks extremely painful.”
Eon Yang-geol’s eyebrows twitched.
‘Is this… a crazy guy?’