Episode 348

“Did those two just leave? What’s going on here?”

Namgung Yong mumbled while swinging his sword, his gaze bewildered. With the disappearance of the most dangerous adversaries, the pressure was lifted, allowing most to move more freely.

However, an unsettling feeling remained.

Once again, the enigmatic figures appeared.

Their strength surpassed, if not equaled, those who had appeared earlier; they were by no means lesser threats.

The intense sensation felt during a single exchange of swords instilled a fear that a moment’s negligence could lead to decapitation.

“Do not let your guard down! They are not weak!”

Tang Jung-ack hollered, grasping the situation.

From all around, deathly screams echoed. Those who appeared in an instant extended their swords towards their opponents without hesitation, creating corpses in their wake.

Moreover, the ones present just moments ago seemed to lack a sense of self, but the strange figures appearing now were assessing the situation, reading it, and understanding how to seize the advantage.

“This is, truly a disgrace to the Namgung family.”

Namgung Yong turned his head with an awkward smile.

Many were falling victim.

Regardless of being from the Murim Alliance or Heavenly Way Alliance, they were tearing each other apart, killing and being killed. Because only those confident in their skills had gathered, this situation was not what anyone had hoped for.

‘Of the Eight Great Families of the Murim world…and more so than the Murim Alliance, those two are fighting better.’

Namgung Yong glanced at Kwon Mujin and Zhuge Yeon.

Where did they learn such martial arts, and how could they move like that? Amidst the chaos unfolding on all sides, they were targeting their opponents without blinking an eye.

This wasn’t something that could be gained through mere training.

‘I’m envious, but…’

It’s not time to be caught up by the younger ones yet.

Namgung Yong gripped his sword with more strength.

The image of Namgung Chun still flickered before his eyes. He couldn’t completely catch up to him. But shouldn’t he at least get close?

If he bore the name Namgung!

“I will not tarnish my father’s name!”

Namgung Yong tightened his grip on the sword even more.

Meanwhile, Zhuge Yeon assessed the situation by observing her surroundings.

‘Not a jiangshi!’

Realizing this, she frowned.

If they were merely reanimated corpses, devoid of self-awareness and driven solely by instinct, they could have swiftly assessed and responded to the situation.

However, they were different.

The collaboration between the jiangshi and the ones who appeared earlier showed undeniable destructive power.

“We can’t fight like this! We need to retreat, form a battle line, and gradually press them!”

Zhuge Yeon’s voice rang out sharply.

Those were things they knew from the start.

Most of those present here were individuals who had made a name for themselves even in a Murim world of this level, so they were fully aware of the potential collateral damage in a melee.

‘But…how in this situation?’

They understood it in their minds, but it wasn’t easy.

Does one know why such chaos erupted when they first fought those who appeared?

They struck precisely at their opponent’s weaknesses, swept through without forming ranks, and manipulated the chaos to turn everything to their advantage.

Beings adept at fighting multiple foes.

And monsters with cooperative tactics, formidable power, and brilliant minds.

This was by no means an easy battle.

Kang-!

Kwon Mujin parried the sword and moved inward. He extended his blade toward the one charging at Zhuge Yeon. The blade, infused with Enhanced qi, aimed for an opening, but the opponent seemed to have anticipated even that and twisted away.

However, in an instant, Kwon Mujin’s blade veered off in a bizarre direction.

It was as if he had predicted even the evasion.

Puk-!

His blade hilt dug into the monster’s neck. A short groan of “Ugh!” was heard, and at the same time, Zhuge Yeon’s blade fiercely split the man’s head.

Swish!

As they watched the blood gush out thickly, the two were certain.

The monsters were definitely not reanimated corpses.

“The situation isn’t turning out as well as we thought.”

“Perhaps the only relief is that those two aren’t here?”

“That’s true. But we mustn’t forget our goal. It’s to rescue Abbot Seon Jin. Not to die fighting.”

At Zhuge Yeon’s words, Kwon Mujin nodded.

As the battle intensified and even the monstrous beings appeared, it seemed people were forgetting one thing.

The purpose of coming here.

It was to rescue Seon Jin, not to waste lives needlessly.

Kwon Mujin and Zhuge Yeon nodded and rushed towards Seon Jin. Their eyes carried the determination to at least save him that much, no matter what.

The Namgung family, the Hwang Bo family, and many others, including the Sichuan Tang family, realized the two’s intentions and moved to protect them.

Wudang Mountain, where the fierce battle was taking place, looked almost like a war zone. The groans of the dying and the clashing sounds of metal echoed madly in all directions.

Dan Woo-hyun was watching it.

“Impressive.”

Among them, Zhuge Yeon and Kwon Mujin’s movements were the most noticeable.

Perhaps the training from last time had become second nature, as the two, with their heightened skills, protected their lives and steadily took down their opponents one by one amidst the chaos.

If victory is achieved in that fight, it will surely be thanks to those two people.

However, Zhuge Yeon and Kwon Mujin soon realized their purpose and rushed out. Dan Woo-hyun nodded with satisfaction, praising their actions.

“It is wise not to forget one’s purpose no matter where you are. If you can avoid a fight, it is wise to achieve your goal and choose to avoid it.”

For a Murim person, fighting recklessly is the worst strategy to take.

If you can achieve your goal, it is right to think of only that.

There is no need to sacrifice people when you can accomplish something without spilling a drop of blood.

Dan Woo-hyun, who had been observing the whole situation, glanced to the side.

There stood two men, idly by.

“It’s the first time we’re meeting face to face. I’m quite surprised. I didn’t expect someone of your legendary status to watch such a trivial fight.”

“It’s rather entertaining.”

At Dan Woo-hyun’s response, the man licked his lips and smiled. It was puzzling that someone who was supposedly a legend would stand there watching such a ridiculous fight.

It seemed like there was nothing to feel, nothing at all.

“My Lord mentioned you…but you seem even more unimpressive than expected.”

“Who do you mean by lord? Blood Demon? Or perhaps the Heavenly Martial Emperor?”

“Haha…”

The man remained silent.

Seeing this, Dan Woo-hyun cast a haughty glance.

The lack of reaction to either name made him think the man was either well-trained in this area or perhaps neither guess was correct.

However, he soon shook his head.

“It was something that Blood Demon said. The Lord is merely grinding his teeth now, without saying a word.”

“I see.”

He had already anticipated the existence of a new lord.

But judging by their expressions, it wasn’t the Heavenly Martial Emperor. So, who else could lead such formidable individuals?

No one came to mind for Dan Woo-hyun.

He shook his head, looking straight at the two.

“Even among the Blood Demon’s lackeys, you are mere small fry.”

“Haha! Yong Pung! He called us as lackeys! This is really driving me crazy!”

“…Shut up, Ma Cheol.”

The one called Yong Pung slowly drew his sword.

At the same time, Ma Cheol also assumed a stance, ready to attack at any moment. This was undoubtedly their intention to showcase everything they had against someone called a legend.

“What are you doing?”

Dan Woo-hyun asked with a slight smile.

He knew the opponent’s capabilities well. Yet, trying to engage was no different from a suicidal act, something they surely must realize.

These two were undoubtedly strong, but only within the current Murim world. Among the practical forces of the Blood Demon, they were barely at the bottom.

Dan Woo-hyun’s gaze deepened slightly.

“Our orders are to bring down Wudang. Beyond that, we have freedom in our actions. So…”

Swish-!

In an instant, Yong Pung’s form disappeared.

Before he knew it, he appeared behind Dan Woo-hyun and swung his sword. The strong and fierce qi entwined with the wind, soon embracing a storm that shattered everything.

At the moment it was about to strike down toward Dan Woo-hyun.

Kwa-da-da-da-dang-!

Instead, his body was ridiculously flung away.

“You bastard!”

Ma Cheol looked at the situation and charged forward.

In an instant, he closed the distance and swung a heavy fist. With a force that seemed capable of shattering even diamond, it appeared that no one could block it.

Bang-!

Soon, a loud sound was heard.

Tremble-!

Even though the man’s fist, which seemed capable of destroying everything, was swung accurately, it could not penetrate Dan Woo-hyun’s wind.

The man’s fist stopped right in front of Dan Woo-hyun’s nose.

He stood vacantly, showing not even the slightest interest as he gazed at the trembling figure.

At that moment, Yong Pung, who had flown away, reappeared and swung his sword.

Swish!

A fierce wind surged, but the sword failed to fulfill its purpose, being caught in Dan Woo-hyun’s hand.

“Are you foolish, or are you overflowing with confidence?”

Dan Woo-hyun casually stretched out his foot.

Thud-!

“Ugh!”

A deep strike to Ma Cheol’s abdomen.

Simultaneously, with a slight exertion of force on the sword in his right hand, Yong Pung’s body spun fiercely and was driven into the ground.

Crash-!

With a violent impact, the bodies of the two were slammed into the ground. A large crater formed, and dark red blood seeped from their mouths.

The two barely managed to stand.

A faint smile lingered at the corners of their mouths, suggesting that perhaps they were enjoying the situation.

“You are both foolish and overconfident. If I don’t do this, I would have become a puppet of that damned man.”

“……”

Dan Woo-hyun’s gaze turned towards Ma Cheol.

Ma Cheol, with a face full of rage, shouted and summoned his power. All his muscles writhed and began to swell several times over, and that strength grew unimaginably powerful.

Yong Pung was no different.

Dan Woo-hyun’s gaze changed once more.

“Is it the Body Strengthening Arts… This is quite troublesome.”

He said this as he lightly loosened his hands.

The fierce qi from the two, who were solely focused on Dan Woo-hyun, was palpable.

Dan Woo-hyun, unwittingly smiling, opened his mouth.

“In the end, you’re asking to be killed, aren’t you?”

Dan Woo-hyun slowly released his momentum.