Chapter 274: Chapter 274
A sharp atmosphere hung in the air.
As a rule, the main gate was the face of a sect.
In other words, breaking the main gate was tantamount to declaring hostility against the sect.
So Gwang-pae glared at the young man.
The young man, wearing an arrogant expression, not only broke the main gate but was also sprouting insolent words while standing on it.
While looking at the young man like that.
‘That attire is…!’
His eyes wavered.
The young man’s attire was truly unique.
Usually, a Taoist robe was predominantly white, but the young man’s Taoist robe was black and red, and red plum blossoms were embroidered on the sleeves.
Was that all?
Look at the two swords of different shapes worn at his side.
To a swordsman, a sword was a lifelong friend.
What swordsman would be crazy enough to carry two swords?
It was a ridiculous sight.
However, So Gwang-pae could not laugh.
Because it was the attire of a person who was making a name for himself more than anyone else in the current Jianghu.
So Gwang-pae bit his lip.
“…Plum Blossom Divine Hero.”
A voice mixed with a groan flowed out from between So Gwang-pae’s bitten lips.
“If it’s the Plum Blossom Divine Hero…?!”
“The one who defeated the Green Forest Great Emperor!”
“Why did such a person come all this way…?”
In an instant, the surroundings fell into shock and confusion.
It could not be helped.
Who was the Plum Blossom Divine Hero?
As a rising star who was shaking the current Jianghu, his prestige had already surpassed the presence of a rising star and was on par with the experts of Jianghu.
Since such a person appeared here.
How could they not be shocked?
It was then.
“Oh, to think you would recognize me right away.”
Cheon-hwi spoke with a smile, as if it was unexpected.
It was understandable because, until now, no one had recognized him first.
‘Everyone only babbled about who I was.’
Cheon-hwi, reflecting on the words he had heard until his ears rang, jumped down from the main gate and landed lightly on the snow-covered ground.
Crunch.
Even though he landed after falling from a main gate well over eight feet high, his body stood haughtily without the slightest waver.
The martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan, who looked at Cheon-hwi after he landed, felt a sense of dread.
“T-Treading on Snow without Leaving Traces!”
“To have reached such a realm of movement technique at that age! So the rumors weren’t false!”
It was the manifestation of a realm of a different level.
When the martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan became frightened and took a step back.
“Do not step back!”
So Gwang-pae unleashed the Lion’s Roar.
The deep and majestic internal energy contained in his voice rippled like waves, fiercely sweeping away the snowflakes beneath his feet.
Internal energy manipulation achieved in a split second.
It was an amazing skill that truly befitted the Patriarch of the Blood Rain Sword Clan.
‘He’s quite good?’
An arc was drawn on Cheon-hwi’s mouth.
It was a formidable momentum and energy wave.
‘This should be suitable for real combat.’
By the time Cheon-hwi’s eyes settled.
“For what purpose did you come?”
So Gwang-pae glared at Cheon-hwi and said.
Anger was evident in his voice.
“Is it to destroy our clan?”
Unlike his ordinary-looking physique, the resonance of his voice was deep.
He had secretly infused internal energy.
Ordinary martial artists would have been intimidated by this, but his opponent was not good.
Cheon-hwi twisted his lips and replied nonchalantly.
“You know well.”
“…”
So Gwang-pae closed his mouth.
However, there was no change in his expression.
Because it was the expected answer.
He rolled his eyes briefly and took in the Blood Guild Leader standing next to him and his uncle, Elder So-wun-bo.
And immediately transmitted a voice message.
『Make sure to create an escape route.』
The eyes of the two slightly widened.
At the same time, they realized what kind of scheme So Gwang-pae was plotting, and after exchanging glances, they stealthily retreated.
In tune with that, So Gwang-pae glared at Cheon-hwi again and bulged his eyes.
“You are incredibly arrogant. Do you think you can bring down our clan by yourself?”
A firm voice flowed out.
He, who had continuously been emitting a strong momentum, erupted with an achromatic ray of light.
“No matter how you defeated the Green Forest Great Emperor, Jianghu is a place where one person cannot handle many.”
His surroundings began to waver as he let out his voice.
The family’s secret art of the Blood Rain Sword Clan.
The surrounding air could not withstand the internal energy of the liberated Blood Sword Knot.
In tune with this, the martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan also regained their senses and emitted an energy wave filled with terrible killing intent towards Cheon-hwi.
Several hands were already gripping the hilts of the swords at their waists so that they could strike at any time.
A volatile moment.
Swish…
Suddenly, Cheon-hwi raised his hand.
At that moment, dozens of shadows abruptly popped out over the wall and lined up.
“What!”
“…!”
The martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan flinched.
Those who appeared were extraordinary.
All of them were young, but the lightfoot technique they had just shown was unusual.
Cheon-hwi looked at the stiffened martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan and widened the corners of his eyes.
“When did I say I was alone?”
Then, Cheon-hwi gave an order.
“Let’s continue the mission.”
As soon as the order was given, the Extermination Unit members immediately dashed forward.
* * *
Cheon-hwi watched the scene unfolding before his eyes.
Due to the clashes occurring in all directions, the neat manor gradually became a ruin, and blood and screams ran rampant.
‘Their mindset has improved a bit now.’
Cheon-hwi smiled in satisfaction.
There was no mercy in the methods of the Extermination Unit members.
It must have been what they realized through actual combat and sparring.
That if they showed mercy in battle and left the enemy alive, not only themselves but also their comrades would be in danger.
At that moment.
Kwang!
An explosion struck his ears.
Cheon-hwi’s gaze turned to the epicenter where the explosion erupted.
The center of the manor, which had become a chaotic scene.
Before he knew it, So Gwang-pae, who had drawn his sword, was swinging it at the Extermination Unit members.
It was a series of terrifying sword strikes.
Every time he swung a single sword strike, an intense energy wave erupted, blowing away the Extermination Unit members.
The Extermination Unit members, who bounced off without being able to withstand even a single clash, bit their lips.
The level was different.
Materialized internal energy wrapped around So Gwang-pae’s sword, shedding terrible blood qi.
‘He’s stronger than the intel.’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
The information said that he had just become an expert of the Limitless Realm, but the one in front of him now was different.
He had reached the stage of perfection.
It was a martial prowess that could easily take a seat in the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
‘It will be difficult with just the Extermination Unit.’
By the time Cheon-hwi stroked his chin.
“Do you think you guys alone can defeat our clan!”
Clang! Thwack!
“Keok!”
So Gwang-pae overwhelmed them.
That was not all.
Empowered by So Gwang-pae’s performance, the martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan also pushed back the Extermination Unit.
The momentum that had been evenly matched was shaken in an instant.
The majesty of an expert who had reached a high realm.
That was what turned the tide of battle now.
‘The presence or absence of experts in a war between sects is indeed huge.’
Cheon-hwi recalled his past life.
An expert who had reached an absolute realm was a fighting force no different from a one-man army.
That was why any sect would fiercely try to produce experts.
“Tsk, should I step up?”
Cheon-hwi scratched his head.
Originally, he had no intention of stepping up.
However, seeing So Gwang-pae’s martial prowess, the defeat of the Extermination Unit naturally drew itself.
“It can’t be helped. I’ll take care of So Gwang-pae and leave the rest to them.”
The moment Cheon-hwi, judging the situation to be difficult, was about to step forward.
Pa-aat!
Danli Gwan-cheon kicked the ground fiercely.
The extreme Drifting Clouds Leaping Float closed the distance with So Gwang-pae, who was dealing with the Extermination Unit, in a single breath.
‘Huh?’
In his eyes, which were charging towards So Gwang-pae, a cold flame was burning.
‘…Oho, look at this?’
Cheon-hwi held interest in his eyes.
Danli Gwan-cheon’s martial prowess was outstanding in the Extermination Unit, but compared to So Gwang-pae, an expert of the Limitless Realm, he fell short.
However, the blade wielded along with his innate killing intent revealed now was not pushed back against So Gwang-pae in front of him.
‘Shall I watch a little more?’
He let go of the hand holding Hwawol.
Just in time, Danli Gwan-cheon, who had reached right in front of So Gwang-pae, put strength into the foot he stepped forward with.
Thump!
The ground rang with an intense foot stomp.
A foot deeply embedded by about an inch.
Using that power, Danli Gwan-cheon bent his upper body far forward and put all his strength into his blade, the Calm Blade.
The balance of his body drastically lowered.
His face came down almost to his knees, and the Calm Blade in his hand was dangerously close to touching the ground.
However, Danli Gwan-cheon did not stop.
‘Lower, faster, deeper!’
Danli Gwan-cheon gritted his teeth.
At the same time, he twisted his forearm greatly.
It was an abnormal hand movement.
However, thanks to that, the Calm Blade, which was heading downwards, gained momentum and could soar upwards.
A blade swung upwards like a thunderbolt.
The blade form he had unfolded to Cheon-hwi during sparring.
It was the manifestation of the Wind Thunder Blade.
“…!”
Surprise colored So Gwang-pae’s eyes.
The blade soaring from below contained a killing intent that was hard to see even in the Unorthodox Factions.
‘To think such a blade art exists in the righteous factions…!’
However, the surprise was brief.
Swish…
He stepped forward and chopped down with his sword.
C-clang!
So Gwang-pae’s sword blocked the Wind Thunder Blade.
A powerful shockwave created a strong wind.
Their hair fluttered in the air, and their two eyes met in between.
It was a fleeting moment.
At the same time, So Gwang-pae swiftly withdrew his family heirloom, the Blood Rain Sword, in his hand.
And he swung his sword again.
In an instant, the strong wind was cut in half.
It was a sword strike containing the internal energy of the Blood Sword Knot.
Kwang!
“Keuk!”
Danli Gwan-cheon, who urgently raised his blade to block the sword, let out a groan.
It was a terrible power.
His muscles were screaming just by barely blocking it.
Danli Gwan-cheon raised his head.
Through the crossed sword and blade, he saw So Gwang-pae’s gaze looking down at him.
His expression was apathetic like a mask.
That expressionlessness was almost terrifying.
And meeting those eyes, a chill ran down Danli Gwan-cheon’s spine.
At that moment, So Gwang-pae, instead of competing in strength, withdrew the force he was pushing with and swung his sword again.
The sword seemed to squirm like a snake before instantly occupying all directions and pushing Danli Gwan-cheon back.
A series of dazzling trajectories.
Linked sword strikes were unfolded.
Clang! Clang!
The blade and the sword collided heavily in succession.
Every time that happened, Danli Gwan-cheon had to swallow the internal injuries threatening to rise inside him.
The power of every strike thrown out was immense.
That went past ten clashes, twenty clashes.
“Keok!”
Unable to withstand the shock of the continuous strong strikes, Danli Gwan-cheon’s knees finally buckled.
“…You held out for a long time. It is over now.”
So Gwang-pae looked down at Danli Gwan-cheon and mumbled.
Then, he raised the Blood Rain Sword high.
Thread-like blood qi intertwined on the Blood Rain Sword and wrapped around the sword aura.
He intended to cut his neck in one breath.
“Vice Squad Leader!”
“Young Hero Danli!”
The Extermination Unit members who had been dealing with the martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan urgently tried to run to save Danli Gwan-cheon.
However.
“Where are you trying to go?!”
“Do you think you can go!”
The martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan had no intention of letting them go peacefully.
“Damn it!”
“The Vice Squad Leader…!”
While the Extermination Unit was held up by the martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan persistently rushing at them.
Swoosh!
The Blood Rain Sword was drawn largely in a diagonal line.
As if declaring Danli Gwan-cheon’s death.
Eventually, the moment the swung Blood Rain Sword was about to sever Danli Gwan-cheon’s neck.
Whoosh!
The Blood Rain Sword vainly sliced through empty air.
“…What!”
Just as So Gwang-pae erupted in panic.
“Good grief. The enthusiasm was good, but the opponent was stronger than expected.”
A low voice was heard.
He urgently raised his head.
There, a familiar person stood still, grabbing the scruff of Danli Gwan-cheon’s neck.
“Plum Blossom Divine Hero…!”
When he, glaring at Cheon-hwi, growled like a beast, Cheon-hwi let go of his grip on Danli Gwan-cheon’s neck.
“I told you several times to run away if you think you’re going to die, but why did you fight… phew.”
“S-Squad Leader…”
“Don’t speak, and treat your internal injuries. I will just let it go this time.”
“…”
Cheon-hwi, who scolded Danli Gwan-cheon, tilted his neck and stared at So Gwang-pae.
“Then shall I finish what I have to do?”
Cheon-hwi, meeting eyes with So Gwang-pae who was emitting killing intent, slowly twisted his lips.
“Your next opponent is me.”