Chapter 269: Receiving Guests (1)
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“An incident has occurred.”
“An incident?”
“They say Yang Cheon has cut off contact with the Evil Lust side.”
“…….”
“They say there is no contact from the Seven Chiefs of the Evil Lord sent as Yang Cheon’s trusted confidants. He acted as the Black Sheep of the Twelve Earthly Branches, the elites under Yang Cheon’s command, but he evaporated from within the Manor at some point.”
“Does directly noticing the evaporation of the Seven Chiefs of the Evil Lord mean that the spies planted in the Black Dragon Manor still remain?”
“The evaporation of the Seven Chiefs of the Evil Lord, and the mysterious expert who became the new Information Department Head dying at the hands of the Murong Clan Head was the last information sent by the spies.”
“If so, does that mean all the spies planted in the Black Dragon Manor have been caught?”
“As of now…… we must assume so. If they hadn’t all evaporated, contact wouldn’t have been cut off for over a month.”
“Amazing.”
“…….”
“I’ve said it time and time again. Do not look lightly upon Yang Cheon. The Seven Chiefs of the Evil Lord? You shouldn’t have sent such greenhorns as representatives. You said you were confident you could put a leash around Yang Cheon’s neck, but the situation has become laughable.”
“…….”
“What is the reaction of Evil Lust?”
“They are in the middle of silence.”
“It seems to be quite disgraceful. Indeed, it wouldn’t be strange even if they are cursed at.”
“And, although it’s not accurate information, I would like to report one more thing.”
“Report it.”
“There is a possibility that Yang Cheon made some kind of deal with the Murong Clan Head.”
“With the Murong Clan Head?”
“That is correct.”
“You said the Murong Clan Head killed the Information Department Head of the Black Dragon Manor side, so why did they make a deal?”
“The exact reason is unknown. The reliability of the information itself is not that high, but it was confirmed that Murong Jun safely returned to the Murim Alliance even though he faced Yang Cheon directly, and a woman presumed to be Murong Jun’s daughter entered the Black Dragon Manor.”
“Ho-oh.”
“I think there might have been some kind of deal. Of course, as I just said, it is merely a guess.”
“You call it a guess, but when weighing the series of processes, the reliability seems very high.”
“I think Yang Cheon could do that. However, Murong Jun has no reason to go out of his way to make a deal with Yang Cheon.”
“Reason…… By any chance, is there any personal information regarding Murong Jun?”
“There is. Although it is not detailed.”
“Check it. Investigate what his disposition is like, and even how much the Murong Clan expanded after Murong Jun became the Clan Head.”
“Understood, but why do you do so?”
“Just in case the Murong Clan Head is hiding his ambition, there is enough reason to make a deal with Yang Cheon.”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t they say they are electing the Murim Alliance Leader next year?”
“……!”
“It hasn’t been long since the Murim Alliance was established. They too would want to seat someone capable of demonstrating stable politics in the position of the first-generation Alliance Leader.”
“Shaolin…….”
“Or the Wudang Sect. There is a high probability that it will be elected from the Nine Sects One Gang. However, the board can always be shaken, and if someone stands out beyond common sense, they might snatch the Alliance Leader seat.”
“I see. So the Murong Clan Head…….”
“From what I briefly heard, I know Murong Jun’s ambition is great. I think it was also said that his ability to decorate himself externally is excellent. A more detailed investigation will be needed though.”
“Is that so.”
“If Murong Jun joined hands with Yang Cheon.”
“…….”
“Then we can also try shaking this board.”
“Wouldn’t it be dangerous? Especially if Evil Lust takes issue with this matter…….”
“Evil Lust was in charge of the Unorthodox. We are aiming for Murong Jun. The boards we are fighting on are different.”
“Ah!”
“Scrape together all the information regarding Murong Jun.”
“I receive your command.”
* * *
Chwa-r-r-r-reuk!
The Flood Dragon Chain piercing through the empty space radiated a fearsome power.
Ti-ti-ti-ting!
The iron chain struck away all the pouring arrows.
Surprise arose on Muk Bi’s face.
Pa-ah-ah-ang!
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had wrapped the Flood Dragon Chain around his hand, sprinted at a fearsome speed.
It was the footwork of the Vermilion Bird, the incarnation of the southern heaven. No matter how confident Muk Bi was in her lightness art, she couldn’t afford to act leisurely even in front of the Blood Wing Sweeping Heavens.
Teo-eo-eo-eong!
Muk Bi, who had widened the distance with the Dragon Flying Divine Walk lightness art, pulled the bowstring without an arrow.
It was an arrow flown with formless true qi, the Invisible Strike.
Ta-ah-ah-ah-ang!
The power of the Invisible Strike shot while burning the air was different from before.
Fire caught in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes.
Kwa-ang!
It was an instant that the footwork of divine speed changed to the footwork of power and advance. A white wind stormed and created one step of the White Tiger’s Sovereign Step.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who wrapped the Flood Dragon Chain around both fists, wielded twin fists like crazy.
Peo-peong!
The Invisible Strike broke, and two streaks of fist wind aimed for Muk Bi’s body.
A fast and sharp fist strike. It was a fearsome martial art that showed absolutely no mercy to the opponent.
At that time, Muk Bi’s body showed an enigmatic movement.
Pa-ah-ak!
Muk Bi, who dashed out like a thunderbolt, reached the wall beyond the training ground in an instant.
Pak!
Her body, which leaped after kicking the training ground wall, reached the opposite wall at some point.
Pa-ba-ba-ba-bak!
The Dragon Flying Divine Walk was not simply a fast lightness art. It was a martial art at the pinnacle of the world that satisfied all the ranges a lightness art could do, such as elasticity, flexibility, long-distance movement, short-distance sprint, and attack assistance.
The innate elasticity in that lightness art, the training that developed that elasticity to the extreme, and finally Muk Bi’s fearsome dynamic visual acuity combined to create an enormous spectacle.
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pang!
Stone dust splattered from all directions.
Pa-pa-pang! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tang!
The sound of the air exploding became even sharper.
“Wh-what is this?!”
Peng Man-ho’s voice was full of shock.
That wasn’t all. All the soldiers of the Evil-Annihilating Army watching Muk Bi’s movement couldn’t close their gaping mouths.
Muk Bi moved while erasing all areas within the training ground. Just how fast was the speed, her movements couldn’t even be seen well with the naked eye.
She moved like crazy, as if drawing dozens of straight lines with a thick brush heavily dipped in white paint. Surprisingly, even though she moved at such a fast speed, the movements of her toes kicking the ground and walls looked very refreshing.
‘Hmm.’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
‘It is incredible, but the physical stamina consumption must be extreme.’
Muk Bi’s martial art was a dynamic martial art. Her cardiopulmonary ability wouldn’t fall far behind Yeon Ho-jeong’s.
However, this kind of movement wasn’t something that could be sustained forever.
‘She intends to see the outcome in a short-term battle. But this fellow knows my reaction speed. Even if she flies arrows from unseen places, I can dodge them all. If so…….’
Ku-reu-reu-reung.
It was as if invisible waves were storming from all directions. Yeon Ho-jeong raised the Black Tortoise Qi.
‘Simultaneous sniping from multiple directions!’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s guess was accurate.
Peo-eo-eo-eo-eo-eong!
Invisible Strikes containing enormous resonance were shot at Yeon Ho-jeong.
It wasn’t one shot. The Invisible Strikes Muk Bi shot every time she moved as she endlessly traversed in all directions, but the speed was so fast that only one explosive sound could be heard.
U-wu-wu-wu-ung!
The Jade Gauze True Qi soared like a thunderbolt.
The world seemed to slow down. Yeon Ho-jeong counted the number of Invisible Strikes storming from all directions.
‘Forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine…… fifty-nine? Does it mean she pours out ten shots every time she moves once?’
Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t help but admire.
‘She’s crazy. She conceived such a martial art?’
Of course, it wasn’t the time to just admire. If he was careless for a moment, even he would be done for.
‘If so.’
If the opponent applied an attack that exceeded common sense, this side also had no choice but to show a response transcending common sense.
A black-colored Water Qi was contained in Yeon Ho-jeong’s two hands.
Kwa-ah-ah-ah-ang! Peo-peo-peo-peo-peo-peong!
The training ground broke and gave off thick smoke.
“U-ah-ak!”
“Dodge!”
“Shit, we’re going to die while spectating!”
the Evil-Annihilating Army soldiers were terrified and stepped back. They were on the verge of suffering internal injuries just from the aftermath of the rebounding force.
Tu-wu-wu-ung!
The face of Muk Bi, who soared high in the sky, had become quite pale. It was because the consumption of internal energy and the burden on her body were too great.
However, only her expression was bright.
‘The Nine Dragons Destruction Formation went in properly. I didn’t know it would succeed in actual combat.’
The Nine Dragons Destruction Formation wasn’t a martial art of the Nine Dragons Heaven-Shattering Bow. It was a technique she created herself while receiving teachings from Yeon Wi.
Her own martial art combined the elasticity and speed of the Dragon Flying Divine Walk with the destructive power of the Nine Dragons Archery. There were still many points to supplement, but in terms of firepower, it was a technique more powerful than the Dragon Fang Cannon.
Ku-reu-reu-reung!
As the thick dust cloud settled, the appearance of the training ground that was entirely burst and smashed was revealed.
At that moment, Muk Bi’s eyes shook.
‘Where did he go?’
If one suffered a direct hit from the Nine Dragons Destruction Formation, even their corpse couldn’t remain intact.
But that didn’t apply to Yeon Ho-jeong. She knew Yeon Ho-jeong’s abilities, and she didn’t doubt that he would take this level of attack leisurely.
But Yeon Ho-jeong disappeared.
Leaving only a giant hole in the center of the training ground.
‘Don’t tell me?!’
Did he fall to the Nine Dragons Destruction Formation? For real?
Ta-ah-ak!
Muk Bi, who quickly landed on the ground, swept her gaze in all directions. A flustered expression was evident on her face.
“Y-Young Master Yeon!”
It was then.
Kwang! Chwa-r-r-r-reuk!
The Flood Dragon Chain that soared from the ground snatched her ankle.
“Heok!”
Kwa-deu-deuk!
Her foot bound by the Flood Dragon Chain dug into the ground up to her ankle.
It was an enormous internal energy. Even though she momentarily exerted strength to block it, she was buried up to her ankle. Considering Muk Bi’s internal energy capacity, it was truly a stupendous power.
Surprise tinged Muk Bi’s face.
‘The ground?!’
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
With a roar that seemed to shake heaven and earth, Yeon Ho-jeong soared from the ground on the left.
Muk Bi’s hand moved reflexively.
Ti-ti-ti-ting!
Muk Bi’s reaction speed to shoot four consecutive Invisible Strikes in that single moment was not in the realm of humans either.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong was faster. He, who approached while dodging the Invisible Strikes with fast and flexible footwork, unfolded the Sovereign Tiger’s Nine Thunderclaps.
Kwang!
“Keuk!”
Muk Bi collapsed on the spot.
The Red Lotus Bow she missed flew far away. Normally, she should have been bounced off by the mighty strike, but because her ankle was bound by the Flood Dragon Chain, she couldn’t properly evade or defend.
“Kkeu-eung.”
“Are you alright?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled wickedly.
“I won.”
Muk Bi spat out a complaining voice.
“You’re cheap.”
“What’s cheap?”
“Hiding into the ground, where is such a law.”
“Where are there rules in actual combat?”
“And, what is this on my ankle? You tied me up to hit me, is that it?”
“This is thoroughly because you relaxed your tension. You didn’t mistakenly think that I was ground away without a trace by that martial art, did you?”
He is a truly detestable person.
Muk Bi grumbled.
“At least untie this. How did you tie it that it won’t even budge.”
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke while untying the Flood Dragon Chain tightly coiled around her ankle.
“Still, it was decent.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean this attack. Any ordinary opponent wouldn’t even dare to dodge it. Well, to truly land all the shots, you’d have to be much more delicate.”
Joy tinged Muk Bi’s face.
“Was it decent?”
“Yeah, but it’s not to the point of using it in actual combat. The consumption of internal energy and physical stamina is too excessive. If you kill them for sure, it’s another story, but if you fail to kill them, you’ll be the one to fall.”
“……Indeed.”
“Touch it up a bit better. When it’s completed, it seems there won’t be anything to criticize as a decisive battle weapon.”
“Yes.”
The Evil-Annihilating Army soldiers clicked their tongues at the stupendous spar between the two. They knew it would be brutal, but this exceeded the limit.
And they realized once again. That their Army Commander was strong.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts, which didn’t even have a single scratch from that disaster-like attack, was truly not in the realm of humans.
“Army Commander!”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was about to say let’s eat together, turned his head.
Far away, Zhuge Ah-yeon was waving her hand.
“A guest has arri…… What is this?! Who smashed the training ground! Did you two spar?”
“Keo-heom.”
“Ah, if you want to fight, go to some mountain valley and fight! What kind of act is this!”
Yeon Ho-jeong pointed at Muk Bi.
“Vice Commander Muk smashed it. I am only guilty of hiding in the ground.”
Muk Bi looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with eyes feeling betrayed.
Zhuge Ah-yeon grumbled.
“Tch, a huge amount of public funds will be broken to repair it.”
“But why?”
“A guest has arrived. Come quickly.”
“Who?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon pointed upwards with her finger.