Chapter 244: The World Doesn't Change (6)
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“Cough!”
White Rat’s eyes widened.
“M- Manor Lord.”
Yang Cheon slowly opened his eyes. His eyes, which were somewhat hazy for some reason, contained deep fatigue.
“……Is it White Rat.”
“Yes, Manor Lord. Are you alright?”
Yang Cheon did not answer. Only after closing his eyes again, taking a deep breath, and checking his body condition did he open his mouth.
“Did I pass out?”
It was a calm tone.
It was the voice of an absolute ruler who doesn’t lose his composure in any situation. White Rat finally realized the fact that his lord had regained his senses.
“That is correct.”
“What did the physician say.”
“They haven’t figured out the exact cause yet.”
“Hmm.”
“However…….”
“Speak.”
White Rat, who smacked his lips for a moment, soon put strength into his voice as if he had made up his mind.
“According to the Department Head of Information’s pulse reading, he said he felt something unusual from the wound on your chest, Manor Lord.”
In an instant, Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.
“My chest?”
“That is correct. The situation being what it was, please forgive my sin of entrusting the Manor Lord’s pulse reading to the Department Head of Information.”
It wasn’t something to ask for forgiveness. Rather, he was pleased with White Rat’s effort to figure out the cause somehow.
However, it was unexpected that the Department Head of Information saw through a fact that even the physician didn’t notice.
“Where is the Department Head of Information now.”
“That is…….”
Yang Cheon looked at White Rat.
Unlike him, signs of perplexity were clearly evident. Surprisingly, hints of regret could also be glimpsed in that expression.
Yang Cheon could instinctively tell that the unfolding situation was unusual.
“Explain. What happened after I passed out.”
“I receive your command.”
White Rat, who bowed his head deeply, talked about the events up until now without addition or subtraction.
Yang Cheon’s face contorted menacingly.
“Black Sheep, that bastard?!”
“That is correct.”
He knew the bastard was still connected to the Evil Lust Cult. But he never imagined he would betray him openly like this.
Moreover, the Department Head of Information said he passed out because of the scar on his chest.
Setting aside how he knew that, this scar was a wound inflicted by the Evil Lust Cult Leader’s Yin Desolation Divine Palm. And Black Sheep betrayed him.
It felt like something clicked together in his head.
“Is the bastard locked up in the underground prison?”
“That is correct. However, it seems the Department Head of Information felt a sense of urgency in the process of catching him. He is in a quite broken state.”
“As long as he’s alive, it’s fine.”
Yang Cheon raised his upper body.
White Rat felt his breath choking at the aura of an absolute ruler spewing from his whole body.
“As long as he’s alive, it’s fine.”
“And…….”
White Rat gritted his teeth.
The fact that Black Sheep was a traitor was a big shock, but actually, there was something else more shocking.
“The Department Head of Information…… seems to have died.”
Killing intent lingered in Yang Cheon’s two eyes.
“Explain. In detail!”
* * *
“Hoo.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon caught her breath.
Paaak!
Yeon Ho-jeong, who quickly approached her side, placed his hand on her Mingmen acupoint.
Ooooooong.
He operated the Black Tortoise Qi to create a passage for true qi to permeate, and poured Azure Dragon Qi into that passage. If there was a major problem with her heart and lungs right now, maybe, but he thought the Azure Dragon Qi would be more suitable than the rough White Tiger Qi.
Oooooong.
A healthy color returned to Zhuge Ah-yeon’s face.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
He blew away her fatigue with the Azure Dragon Qi and extracted the murky qi to some extent with the Black Tortoise Qi, but that alone couldn’t be a fundamental solution.
It wasn’t just Zhuge Ah-yeon. Not only Tang Sang-ah but also Ga Deuk-sang and Pae-yul had consumed a considerable amount of internal energy. Stamina was one thing, but the internal energy gradually showing its bottom was a bigger problem.
“Damn it, I shouldn’t have gotten excited.”
In urgent situations, one shouldn’t become stiff. Zhuge Ah-yeon grumbled in a playful voice.
“Were you the only one who got excited? Everyone got excited.”
“Hmph.”
“What’s that weird sound.”
“Because I have nothing to say.”
She said it to lighten the mood, but in the end, it was a situation where dozens of commoners had died. There was no way the mood could be lightened easily.
Yeon Ho-jeong asked Ga Deuk-sang.
“What about Gang-ryang?”
“Do you see the peak with the moonlight caught on it over there? He’s waiting there.”
“At most, we’ll meet in half a Shijin.”
Yeon Ho-jeong asked Pae-yul.
“Senior, are you alright?”
“What do you take me for. I can run for three more days.”
“The situation will end within three Shijin.”
“Didn’t I say three days.”
“I got it.”
Pae-yul glared fiercely.
But that was the end. Anyway, if Yeon Ho-jeong hadn’t appeared on time, all of Changsha would have almost become a pandemonium. It was a matter he couldn’t thank him enough for even if he wore his lips out.
“And Lady Tang?”
“I’m fine.”
“You definitely look relaxed. You have good stamina.”
Tang Sang-ah tried to show a smile. She said she was fine, but the accumulated fatigue for her was also no joke.
Pae-yul asked Yeon Ho-jeong.
“By the way, what about your spear?”
“I left it behind. I thought they would believe my death that way.”
“Hmm.”
Yeon Ho-jeong was sufficiently strong bare-handed too. But if he holds a long weapon, he is much stronger.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“We’ve opened up some distance, and if there are no major problems, the situation will end if we run along this road for just half a day more.”
“That’s the problem. That major problems could occur.”
“Things will work out somehow.”
Pae-yul’s eyes narrowed.
Things will work out somehow? It was a remark hard to believe coming from Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth.
Oooong.
Yeon Ho-jeong opened his eye power.
‘So Gang-ryang is over there.’
It’s near Mount Tianzi at the northernmost end of Hunan.
Once they cross Mount Tianzi, from then on it is Hubei. The moment they enter Hubei Province, the troops of the Black Dragon Manor will have no choice but to stop their pursuit.
“Now, let’s cheer up a little more.”
Paaaaang!
The party ran again.
It was a repetition of brief rests and fleeing with all their might. The speed was sufficient, but the party’s stamina was noticeably dropping.
How much time had passed like that again.
‘…….’
The eyes of Yeon Ho-jeong, who was running in the rear, deepened.
“Senior.”
“Speak.”
“Just in case, I will go look around the rear once. Please lead the group members and go ahead.”
In an instant, Pae-yul’s eyes flashed.
In the dark night, the two people’s eyes clashed in the air and sparked. It was a silent conversation that the other party members, exhausted in mind and body, failed to notice.
[Are they attached?]
[That is so.]
[Are they strong?]
[I think it will be hard if I don’t cut them off.]
[Damn it.]
Pae-yul tried to convey that he would step forward himself.
At that time, Yeon Ho-jeong minutely shook his head.
[I entrust the group members to you.]
[…….]
[It is an order as the Operations Group Leader.]
Pae-yul gritted his teeth and turned his head.
Flap!
Pae-yul, who took off his cloak and threw it to Yeon Ho-jeong, shouted short and strongly.
“Let’s go!”
Paaaak.
The three people ran following behind Pae-yul.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was watching them with a smile, suddenly made eye contact with Zhuge Ah-yeon.
Zhuge Ah-yeon’s eyes were shaking severely. Even while she was out of her mind from exhaustion, she realized why Yeon Ho-jeong wanted to check the rear.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and waved his hand. It probably meant not to worry.
Step.
Thus all the party disappeared from Yeon Ho-jeong’s vision.
Paaaaak!
Yeon Ho-jeong, who turned his body in the direction they came from, shot out with explosive movements.
‘It’s there.’
The momentum of the Soul-Severing Group was not felt. It was natural since a distance of over twenty li had already been opened up.
In other words.
‘It means those guys’ skills are good enough to overtake the Soul-Severing Group that departed first by far.’
Yeon Ho-jeong took a light breath.
“As expected, nothing in the world is easy.”
Srrrrr.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who gently relaxed his posture, put the Four Gods Qi to sleep and raised the Jade Gauze True Qi to the limit.
Ooooooong.
The Jade Gauze True Qi resonating with the atmosphere. Energy as blue as the clear sky settled in his pupils.
‘Here. Come here.’
Hweeeeeeeng!
The blowing wind was chilly.
The atmosphere was wriggling. The masters who were approaching spread out widely suddenly gathered towards a single point into an awl-like pointed formation.
And the point that formation aimed at was exactly where Yeon Ho-jeong was.
‘I’m sorry, but you will absolutely never be able to enter Mount Tianzi.’
Flap!
Taking off the long robe he was wearing and burning it with the Vermilion Bird Qi, he put on Pae-yul’s cloak.
When he covered above his nose with the hood, more than half of Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression was covered.
“Hoo.”
Yeon Ho-jeong slowly exhaling and releasing strength.
How much time passed like that.
Step.
In the dark mountain path, the sound of someone stepping on fallen leaves was heard.
Yeon Ho-jeong was still exhaling with his eyes closed. The breathing of internal energy masters is longer and firmer than ordinary people’s, but Yeon Ho-jeong’s breathing was exceptionally long even among them.
Step, step.
Did they judge that there was no other threat.
In the darkness, about thirty masters began to reveal themselves one by one.
“…….”
A strange silence descended.
A moment later, someone asked.
“The collapse of the Black Dragon Manor’s entrance, the mysterious master who annihilated the Third and Fourth Units of the Soul-Severing Group. The suspicious people suspected to have some kind of relationship with the Murong Clan.”
“…….”
“Where is the rest of your party?”
At that time, Yeon Ho-jeong took a deep breath.
Ooooooong.
The Jade Gauze True Qi surrounding his entire body sprinkled a more intense and brilliant blue halo.
The person who was quietly watching Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth again.
“I will ask one last time. Where is the party…….”
At that time, Yeon Ho-jeong’s breathing stopped.
“Heup!”
Puuuuuck!
The head of the one who opened his mouth shattered into pieces.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who narrowed the distance like a ray of light and crushed the head in a single blow, his two eyes were already full of the majesty of the Great King of the Mountains.
Keureureureureung.
The cry of a beast flowed from Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth.
It was the cry of a demonic beast on a different dimension from Azure Tiger’s roar.
“Kill him!”
Paaaaak!
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
‘They’re fast.’
Even though the captain was killed, there is absolutely no sign of agitation. The aura felt was like that.
Furthermore, these movements without any waste.
‘Is it the Dead Soul Group?’
The specialized assassination group of the Black Dragon Manor.
They are troops on a different dimension from the Soul-Severing Group, which is a group of murderous demons. Even within the Black Dragon Manor, the group of death that shows a will for sure-kill is precisely the Dead Soul Group.
And the meaning of the Dead Soul Group mobilizing?
‘Yang Cheon woke up!’
Hweeeeeng! Kwaaaang!
The explosive strike of the Sovereign Tiger’s Nine Thunderclaps blew away three Dead Soul Group members.
Just hearing the sound, it felt like a firebomb exploded. It was a fist strike that powerful, but the three people who actually flew backwards only staggered for a moment and did not die.
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
Paaaaak!
Four narrow-blade swords were thrust from exquisite positions.
However, the killing intent loaded in the swords was too hazy. It was to the point of wondering if these were swords swung to really kill.
Pararararak!
The cloak fluttered splendidly and dodged all four narrow-blade swords.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s two legs swung like windmills.
Pabababak!
He struck a total of four times, one hit each, but no one actually died. The Dead Soul Group members waiting in the rear immediately stuck close and dispersed the force.
‘Damn.’
They were guys whose ability to disperse force was amazingly excellent. If it were one-on-one, he was confident he could decide the match within three exchanges at least, but as their numbers increased, they became exponentially harder to deal with.
“Damn it, the fight will be long.”
It can’t be helped. For the party, for the mission, and even for himself, he had to take these guys down somehow.
‘If I don’t deal with these guys, then Yang Cheon will really step forward. No, maybe he already has.’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s cheeks twitched.
‘If possible, go to Murong Jun!’
Hwareureureuk!
The Vermilion Bird Qi soared, and the martial art of extreme killing, the Red Flame Six Killing Art, revealed itself.
Peeeong!
At that time.
the Evil-Annihilating Army entered Mount Tianzi.