Chapter 165: Chapter 165
The Mount Hua Sect was currently quite chaotic.
It began due to the mission the Sect Leader suddenly announced that morning.
A joint operation with the Zhongnan Sect!
At first, everyone rose in revolt.
Among them, the elders were particularly vehement.
“Do you not know how great a humiliation our sect suffered because of the Zhongnan Sect!”
“Have you forgotten what happened recently at the Murim Alliance, Sect Leader?”
The Sect Leader looked at the elders who had come all the way to the Purple Mist Pavilion to passionately vent their anger.
“I know.”
“Then are you doing this despite knowing?”
The elders could not suppress their anger.
What had the Zhongnan Sect done when the Mount Hua Sect walked the path of decline?
As if they had been waiting, they snatched the Mount Hua Sect’s position and expanded their power even more.
From their perspective, the Zhongnan Sect was detestable and a place they did not even want to look at.
However, even with their pressure, the Sect Leader did not waver at all.
“Right now, the commoners of Shaanxi are suffering; are you trying to pretend not to see their pain because of petty emotions?”
Rather, he delivered a stern rebuke towards the rising elders, making them shut their mouths.
“The Zhongnan Sect bowed their heads to our sect and requested help for the sake of the commoners. What do you think will happen if we refuse?”
To persuade them, the Sect Leader spat out the words he had thought of beforehand.
“Will they not point fingers, saying that while the Zhongnan Sect even lowered their heads for Shaanxi, the Mount Hua Sect refused because of their pride?”
The elders’ breath hitched.
The Mount Hua Sect was now in the midst of regaining its former reputation. But if such a rumor were to spread…
Looking at the elders whose expressions were becoming serious, the Sect Leader drove in a wedge.
“And it is not that we will continue to hold hands, but simply joining forces just while we drive out all the Unorthodox Factions in Shaanxi; is there a need to get so worked up?”
At the continued persuasion, their hearts swayed one by one, and soon, they all accepted it.
At that time, the Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion asked.
“But who are you thinking of sending for this joint operation?”
“As the mission is what it is, I plan to move with a small number of people.”
The Sect Leader spoke calmly towards the Pavilion Lord of the Secret Pavilion.
Two things were important in this joint operation with the Zhongnan Sect.
Fast mobility and stealth.
Therefore, sorting it out quickly with the fewest possible people was the key.
“The Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion, Hyeon Heo, and Hyeon-hae will lead the Plum Blossom Swordsmen. And…”
The Sect Leader, pausing his words for a moment, spoke while recalling the letter that arrived at dawn today.
“Cheon-hwi will move separately.”
* * *
Cheon-hwi, who was returning to the Mount Hua Sect while listening to Jeok-geom’s explanation, opened his mouth.
“So you’re saying that they’re moving divided into three?”
“That is correct.”
“Who are you going with?”
“I will be going with the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion. I wanted to go with you, Martial Uncle, but since this is the Sect Leader’s command…”
“Saying things you don’t even mean in your heart. Is Seol Ran going with you too?”
“No. My junior martial sister and I are acting separately this time.”
“Hmm, is that so? In that case, this mission seems quite important.”
Jeok-geom and Seol Ran possessed outstanding skills even among the second-generation disciples.
‘But separating the two must be to distribute our combat power evenly.’
“So who am I going with?”
“That is… the Sect Leader said he would speak with you separately, Martial Uncle.”
“Hmm, really?”
“More importantly, I will hurry a bit. It is almost time to depart…”
After a short while, the two arrived at the mountain gate.
There, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were already lined up, divided into three groups.
And the Sect Leader was encouraging them one by one.
“I know you find it hard to trust conducting a joint operation with the Zhongnan Sect.”
A few disciples flinched.
They could not bring themselves to rebel like the elders, but they were full of dissatisfaction on the inside.
The Sect Leader looked at such disciples with a gentle gaze and added his words.
“However, I want you to know that this operation is absolutely necessary for the commoners residing in Shaanxi.”
At the Sect Leader’s sincere words, the disciples shouted resoundingly in unison.
“Understood.”
“Then I will now let you know what we are doing.”
The Sect Leader, having made a satisfied expression, only then revealed the operation he had kept tightly hidden.
The operation was simple and clear.
That they would move on the same day at the same time to join forces with and help the righteous factions opposing the Unorthodox Factions.
“It is simple.”
Jeok-geom muttered in disappointment.
He had expected some mysterious and clever stratagem.
It was understandable, for wasn’t this a matter of two places of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang joining forces?
But what the Sect Leader said was a quite fundamental method…
A sense of disappointment filled him.
A few among the Plum Blossom Swordsmen also could not hide the disappointment on their faces, as if their thoughts aligned with Jeok-geom.
However, only Cheon-hwi was different.
“It’s good.”
It was perfectly to his liking.
If the operation was needlessly complex and detailed, the moment it went even slightly awry, they would have to make a plan all over again from the beginning.
At that time, the Sect Leader, having finished his explanation, looked at the elders in front of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
“Then the elders who will lead the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, come to me.”
Three people stood in front of the Sect Leader.
Seeing them, Cheon-hwi opened his eyes wide.
One person was the familiar Pavilion Lord of the Martial Might Pavilion.
But the other two…
“It is the first time I’ve seen those two step forward; were we short on people?”
Cheon-hwi looked at Hyeon Heo and Hyeon-hae, who had been holed up in their residences for several years and never came outside, with fascinated eyes.
The appearances of the two were contrasting.
While Hyeon Heo had a robust frame to the point that his Daoist robe could not hide it, Hyeon-hae was thin like a frail scholar.
Since those two were together, they looked even more contrasted.
“I leave it in your capable hands. If you face danger, it does not matter if you flee, so prioritize surviving unconditionally above all else.”
The Sect Leader repeatedly urged the three.
A chivalrous deed was a chivalrous deed, but the most important thing was for the disciples to survive.
The three nodded their heads.
They also knew it very well.
“We will make survival our top priority.”
“Do not worry.”
“There will not be an occasion where we experience such a bloody tragedy again.”
At the answers of the three, the Sect Leader had a smile of relief as he looked at the disciples.
It was a small number of people, totaling eighteen.
However, they possessed more than enough skill to carry out this operation.
The Sect Leader parted his lips while looking at them.
“Rather than defeating them, think of it as driving them out. And do not forget that your safety is more important than anything else.”
“Understood!”
With their resounding answer, the three leading the platoons said to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
“Then follow us.”
“Is everyone finished preparing?”
“We are departing immediately.”
As they were about to leave, Jeok-geom, startled, spoke to Cheon-hwi.
“Ah! Then I will be going as well.”
With that greeting as the end, Jeok-geom approached the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion and exchanged greetings.
And a short while later.
Tat!
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen, with the three at the lead, executed their footwork and rapidly descended the mountain.
Soon, only the Sect Leader and Cheon-hwi remained at the mountain gate.
Cheon-hwi approached the Sect Leader.
“Have you come?”
“Where am I going?”
Seeing Cheon-hwi cutting straight to the chase and spitting out his business right away, the Sect Leader laughed.
“The Changmu Sect in Pyeongni County is where you will go.”
* * *
The southernmost part of Shaanxi, Pyeongni County.
Pyeongni County, which had been peaceful until just a few dozen days ago, was now rampant with a sharp atmosphere everywhere on the streets.
The reason was that the Changmu Sect, which had spent a long time as the lord of the manor in Pyeongni County, was powerless against the Blood Dragon Sect, which was recently suddenly expanding its power.
“…Is this true now?”
The Sect Leader of the Changmu Sect found it hard to believe even while looking at the paper in front of his eyes.
On the paper, along with the text that the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect would help, a thumbprint was stamped.
“To think all the righteous factions of Shaanxi are joining forces… Then are you saying the Zhongnan Sect and the Mount Hua Sect are joining forces too?”
Cheon-hwi nodded his head while looking at the Sect Leader of the Changmu Sect who could not hide his surprise.
“That is right.”
His expression brightened.
At a moment when about half of the Changmu Sect was lying in the infirmary due to the Blood Dragon Sect, the cooperation of the Mount Hua Sect was like sweet rain during a drought.
“Of course we will cooperate.”
He bit his hand to draw blood, and then clearly stamped his thumbprint on the paper.
Cheon-hwi asked as he put away the paper.
“Did you say the Blood Dragon Sect was the problem?”
“That is right.”
“Then let’s go handle them.”
At that time, Cheon-hwi stood up from his chair.
“A-are you planning to go to the Blood Dragon Sect?”
“Is there anywhere else to go?”
At Cheon-hwi’s words, the Sect Leader of the Changmu Sect stood up in surprise.
“I-it is dangerous alone. They are not people you can communicate with. I will call my disciples now, so…”
The Sect Leader of the Changmu Sect spoke urgently.
They had just joined hands with the Mount Hua Sect, so what would happen if something were to occur!
He reached out his hand to stop him.
Swish…
However, before his hand could even touch Cheon-hwi, he disappeared in an instant.
“What…”
The Sect Leader of the Changmu Sect looked on blankly.
He had not taken his eyes off him, yet he suddenly disappeared, so it was a baffling matter.
“A-am I dreaming?”
Around the time the Sect Leader of the Changmu Sect could not get a grip on whether this was a dream or reality.
“Is it here?”
Cheon-hwi, who came outside by executing the Flying Heaven Footwork, arrived at the Blood Dragon Sect.
“Is it because it’s new? It’s neat.”
As he was looking at the main gate that was quite neat compared to the Changmu Sect.
“The M-Mount Hua Sect…”
The gate guard, who could not hide his shock when Cheon-hwi suddenly appeared, stuttered.
“Is the Sect Leader inside?”
“Y-yes.”
“Then please relay a message inside that someone from the Mount Hua Sect came.”
As soon as Cheon-hwi’s words ended, the gate guard hurried inside in a rush.
A short while later.
“Welcome.”
A middle-aged man came out smiling.
‘Since it’s the Blood Dragon Sect, it lives up to its name.’
He was wearing a flashy martial arts uniform embroidered with a dragon as red as blood.
“Are you the Sect Leader?”
The man’s eyebrows twitched.
He claimed to be a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect, yet wasn’t there completely no manners in his tone?
However, swallowing his inner thoughts, he put on a forced smile and spoke.
“Haha, that is right. And are you a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect, young hero?”
“That is right.”
Cheon-hwi spoke unenthusiastically.
At that attitude, a vein bulged and popped out on the forehead of the Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect.
He gulped down his rising anger.
“For what matter have you come?”
“I came to deliver the message that the Mount Hua Sect has decided to help the Changmu Sect this time.”
The face of the Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect stiffened coldly.
“Are you making a declaration of war right now?”
Cheon-hwi grinned.
“You at least have a brain.”
“It seems you thought I would surrender upon hearing the name of the Mount Hua Sect.”
The Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect roused his internal energy.
‘At best, he is barely twenty. Moreover, seeing that he does not have a tassel, he is not even a Plum Blossom Swordsman.’
Having rapidly grasped his identity the moment he saw Cheon-hwi, he was filled with confidence.
No matter if he was a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect, it was impossible for everyone to be an expert!
Besides, did he not also have a reliable backing?
“This matter is between our sect and the Changmu Sect, so do not intervene.”
“So you’re saying it’s a refusal?”
“You are stating the obvious.”
A smile hovered around Cheon-hwi’s lips.
“That worked out well. I did not want to bother talking more either.”
“What… Keuh-heok!”
Smack!
Cheon-hwi kicked the Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect.
At that moment.
Crash!
The main gate shattered as he flew away.
“Then shall I handle the rest too?”
As Cheon-hwi grinned and went inside.
“What happened!”
“T-the Sect Leader!”
The disciples of the Blood Dragon Sect poured out.
‘At a rough guess, is it at least forty people?’
“U-ugh.”
At that time, the Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect clutched his kicked abdomen and raised his upper body.
“K-kill… that bastard!”
The disciples of the Blood Dragon Sect grasped their weapons.
Cheon-hwi, who was looking at them, was about to grab his sword but then let his hand drop.
‘Since I was told not to kill.’
Recalling the Sect Leader’s words to refrain from murder, Cheon-hwi stomped his foot.
“First is you.”
Cheon-hwi, who stood in front of the Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect in a single breath, lifted his foot towards his abdomen.
And struck down just like that.
Smack!
“Keuh-heok!”
A dull sound erupted.
At the same time, blood surged into the sky from the mouth of the Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect.
Looking at him vomiting with blood mixed in, Cheon-hwi withdrew his foot and turned his head.
“What are you doing? Not coming over.”
Cheon-hwi lightly loosened up his hands.
Crack, crackle…
As the brutal sound echoed in all directions, the disciples of the Blood Dragon Sect fell into fear.
“If you are not coming, I will go.”
Sensing their presence, Cheon-hwi let out a chuckle and executed the Dark Fragrance Drift.
At that moment, his figure disappeared.
Smack! Smack!
“Kkeu-ak!”
“Keuh-heok!”
“S-spare… Keuk!”
Dull sounds and screams erupted.
A short while later, Cheon-hwi withdrew his hands and feet.
Before he knew it, he was the only one standing in the area.
“Hmm, did they die?”
He did hold back his moves as much as he could.
However, since the opponents were weak.
“It gets annoying if they die.”
Cheon-hwi looked down at the fallen people for a moment, and lightly kicked them with his foot.
“Kkeu-eok!”
“Keuh-heok!”
As groans flowed out, he nodded his head.
“They are at least still breathing.”
After withdrawing his gaze from them, Cheon-hwi kept his eyes on the space where a shadow had formed.
“This much is fine since I at least did not kill them, right?”
At that time, the shadow swayed, and a blunt voice was heard.
“When did you notice?”
“Since I first entered.”
“…You monster-like bastard.”
Along with those words, Heavenly Ear Beggar appeared.
“Why did you come here?”
“What kind of nonsense is that. For me to call you out here, to the Sect Leader…”
At the time Heavenly Ear Beggar was about to say something.
Swish…
Cheon-hwi abruptly turned his head.
Rustle…
At the end of his gaze, the Sect Leader of the Blood Dragon Sect and his disciples, who had been collapsed, were raising their bodies.
However, their appearance was strange.
Their two eyes were dyed bright red, and drool was continuously leaking from their mouths.
In an instant, Cheon-hwi crumpled his eyes.
‘What is that?’
Their appearance was one thing, but there was something that grated on his nerves even more.
It was none other than the unfamiliar energy they were presently exuding in all directions from their entire bodies.
“Can such a bizarre energy exist in the world?”
Enjoyed the chapter?
If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!
Support on Ko-fi