Chapter 245

Swish swish. Swish.

The seemingly endless silent battle between sword and shield was decided much faster than expected.

This was because Ye Jin-gyeong was suddenly pushed back in the subtle combat. Ye Jin-gyeong’s sword caught on the shield, bent greatly, and was deflected.

Ye Jin-gyeong’s face contorted. A subtle foreign sensation felt when operating internal energy interfered with Ye Jin-gyeong’s concentration.

‘Poison!’

The poison Jin Ja-gang had released while coming had also affected Ye Jin-gyeong.

Ye Jin-gyeong immediately leaped into the air and caught his deflected sword. Gu Ryun didn’t miss the opportunity and made the shield’s blades spring out before throwing it toward Ye Jin-gyeong.

Whirr!

The shield with eight protruding blades flew filled with internal energy. Ye Jin-gyeong stepped on his left instep with his right foot and made another leap in the air. Gu Ryun drew a short blade and threw it. The shield struck by the short blade changed trajectory and chased after Ye Jin-gyeong.

Ye Jin-gyeong turned his body and stepped on his sword floating in the air to leap again. Gu Ryun drew and threw several short blades. The shield struck by the short blades rotated at even faster speed as it followed Ye Jin-gyeong.

Crack!

The shield struck Ye Jin-gyeong’s shoulder as it passed. Ye Jin-gyeong’s shoulder split open. Due to being poisoned by bracken poison and his body becoming uncomfortable, Ye Jin-gyeong’s lightness technique wasn’t smooth.

Ye Jin-gyeong’s discomfort was only slight, but that alone was sufficient advantage for Gu Ryun who was facing him.

Gu Ryun threw three short blades in succession.

Pop pop pop!

Like striking a spinning top, the shield accelerated further as it flew toward the back of Ye Jin-gyeong floating in the air. Ye Jin-gyeong consumed all his remaining true energy and threw his sword at Gu Ryun, using that reaction to fly far away. Gu Ryun also couldn’t disregard the move Ye Jin-gyeong had thrown while risking his life. Gu Ryun leaped up to avoid the sword and shouted.

“Are you running away!”

Though Ye Jin-gyeong’s face reddened from wounded pride, he already knew from sounds heard outside that the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors were being defeated, so he didn’t delay any longer.

Ye Jin-gyeong fled without any reply.

“Damn. I let him escape.”

Gu Ryun clicked his tongue and retrieved his shield that had fallen and embedded in the ground. His forearms and hands were covered with bruises. Even though he had deflected most of Ye Jin-gyeong’s strikes on the shield, internal energy had continuously flowed in, accumulating shock in the hands gripping the shield and creating wounds.

* * *

Ye Jin-gyeong leaped over the wall of Shangqing Palace and jumped down to the front courtyard where the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors were. Blood had burst from his shoulder, soaking his entire upper body in blood.

Gam Chung laughed and said.

“Oh my. You’re quite injured?”

That made Ye Jin-gyeong even more furious.

Ye Jin-gyeong ground his teeth while looking at the dead White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors. Only four had survived out of twenty. The cost of raising one White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warrior of such skill was dozens of gold taels. Yet in an instant, he had lost power equivalent to hundreds of gold taels.

Because the Tang family and Mount Emei didn’t cooperate, he had fallen into a trap and suffered massive losses. However, it was difficult to hold the Tang family and Mount Emei responsible. They had offered to help, and it was Ye Jin-gyeong who had refused their assistance.

Even the Martial Alliance hadn’t directly told Ye Jin-gyeong not to receive help. They had simply not sent cooperation documents to the Tang family and Mount Emei, making Ye Jin-gyeong act on his own.

Ye Jin-gyeong felt bitter inside.

All of this was his responsibility.

“Let’s return!”

Ye Jin-gyeong guarded the rear until the remaining White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors limped out the gate.

Ye Jin-gyeong glared at Jin Ja-gang and said.

“I’ll withdraw for today. However, whether you were originally from the Medicine Gate or an orthodox sect, from this moment on, you will become the Martial Alliance’s top elimination target.”

“Are you saying I should have sat still and died when you tried to kill me?”

“That’s right.”

Jin Ja-gang re-gripped the Soul Seizing Thread.

Click.

“Then I’ll have to kill you here.”

Rather than mere provocation, Jin Ja-gang genuinely revealed killing intent toward Ye Jin-gyeong. Gam Chung beside him was so flabbergasted he stuck out his tongue.

“A friend who doesn’t know what’s scary. How did he survive this long with such a personality? Do you know who that is? Thunder Brand Sword. One of the Martial Alliance’s two hunting dogs along with Indestructible Heavenly Sword.”

Indestructible Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung!

“Then all the more reason I should face him.”

Fire lit up in Ye Jin-gyeong’s eyes.

“Insolent brat…”

But then Gu Ryun walked out from inside and stopped Jin Ja-gang.

“Just let him go. There’s a big difference between killing them all and letting them return alive.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Gu Ryun.

“What difference?”

“If we kill them all, we’ll earn the wrath of the entire martial world and tremendous numbers will swarm to kill us.”

“What happens if we let them return alive after defeat?”

“Since they became a laughingstock in the martial world, they’ll harbor poison and stronger ones will quietly come to kill us.”

Gam Chung burst into hearty laughter and said.

“I find the latter more frightening!”

Gu Ryun chuckled and threw Ye Jin-gyeong his sword.

“Go. Before I change my mind.”

Tendons stood out on Ye Jin-gyeong’s jaw. He could have fought more if he wanted to fight, but he couldn’t cause any more damage. He was also worried about the other warriors waiting below. Preserving military strength was as important as his own life.

Ye Jin-gyeong picked up his sword and cupped his fists.

“I’ll remember this debt.”

Jin Ja-gang thought he should kill Ye Jin-gyeong, but Gu Ryun seemed to have other thoughts. So he endured and stepped back.

Gam Chung waved his hand at Ye Jin-gyeong.

“Ah, if you’re done with business, go home safely? Heh heh heh!”

Ye Jin-gyeong descended the mountain with his warriors, his face flushed red.

Gu Ryun looked at Jin Ja-gang and said.

“Kid, you think Thunder Brand Sword ran away because he was scared? He retreated to save his subordinates. If he loses White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors, he can’t avoid being held responsible even if he kills us all. We just need to buy time until Fairy Maiden comes out. There’s no need to corner Thunder Brand Sword further and turn him into a vengeful ghost. That would create unnecessary damage.”

“I see. I understand.”

Gu Ryun chuckled and said to Jin Ja-gang.

“And you really did well doing this much alone. Your skills are much better than expected.”

Jin Ja-gang lightly acknowledged the praise with a nod and looked down toward the mountain gate. He was worried about Tang Ha-ran.

* * *

The twenty White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors and two hundred Sword Hero Squad members waiting at the mountain gate were also fighting with the Evil Sect.

Though the Evil Sect numbered slightly less than thirty, most were renowned skilled fighters, so they were hardly being pushed back. Rather, they were somewhat pushing forward. Still, it wasn’t without casualties.

“Ugh!”

One Evil Sect martial artist became a porcupine covered in sword wounds and died. The White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors, blood-splattered and covered in gore, immediately pulled out their swords and moved positions to attack other Evil Sect members.

When White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors deployed the three-person combined formation, they could face one or two Evil Sect martial artists. However, the Sword Hero Squad were merely ordinary second-rate warriors, so even when several attacked together, it was difficult to face one Evil Sect martial artist. The Sword Hero Squad warriors were relatively continuing to decrease in number.

Bang! Boom!

Bone-chilling collision sounds burst out in succession.

Deputy Pavilion Master Tomb-Bare Reverse Fist Hyeop-su of the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion fought Tang Ha-ran while throwing a punch. The massive internal energy contained in the punch pressed down on Tang Ha-ran.

Tomb-Bare Reverse Fist Hyeop-su was possessed of such tremendous strength that he could overturn large tombs with one punch, making them appear naked. Already two Evil Sect martial artists had died after being hit by his punch, becoming meat paste with crushed limbs.

Tang Ha-ran continuously struck with palms to weaken the fist force.

Thud thud thud! Bang!

Striking the fist with palm force, the bones rang from the rebound force. Tang Ha-ran reduced the fist force to less than half while dodging. Even so, her shoulder ached as if crushed by the pressure of the deflected fist. In an instant, blood vessels inside her shoulder burst and bruised.

Tang Ha-ran used the Tang family’s Golden Thread Hand to grab Hyeop-su’s wrist, put it over her shoulder, and struck up with her elbow. Hyeop-su’s elbow bent with a cracking sound. Hyeop-su shouted and raised his left fist to strike down from above.

Tang Ha-ran released his arm and struck Hyeop-su’s exposed side with the back of her hand. Tang Ha-ran had also reached a considerable level in internal energy. The force contained was not insignificant.

Crack.

The sound of Hyeop-su’s ribs cracking could be heard. Due to the pain, Hyeop-su couldn’t strike down at Tang Ha-ran. Instead, he grabbed Tang Ha-ran’s head with one hand and struck up at her abdomen with his knee.

Tang Ha-ran hastily gathered her arms to block, but the impact lifted her body into the air. The internal energy contained in Hyeop-su’s fist and the rebound force caused by Tang Ha-ran’s protective energy rang out like striking a gong.

Ugh, blood leaked from Tang Ha-ran’s mouth. Hyeop-su struck the floating Tang Ha-ran’s stomach with his left fist.

“Not there!”

Tang Ha-ran desperately twisted her body. At that moment, Bian Bu threw iron awls from the side. The awls stuck in Hyeop-su’s shoulder and arm. Thanks to this, the fist’s power was considerably weakened. Tang Ha-ran was hit in the side and flew away, rolling on the ground several times.

Hyeop-su pulled out the embedded awls and looked back at Bian Bu with a fierce gaze. Just as he clenched his fist and walked toward Bian Bu.

“Waaah! Waaah!”

Suddenly heard baby crying echoed in his ears, temporarily disrupting his internal energy flow. His face reddened, his blood raced, and lewd thoughts began to emerge.

“Evil Lustful Sound!”

Hyeop-su had to stand still for a moment and regulate his breathing to calm down.

Flower Snake Divine Woman, holding a baby, smiled sweetly at Hyeop-su.

“Great hero, you have tremendous strength? If you have trouble controlling your surplus strength, there are other methods… would you like to hear about them?”

The seductive voice again stirred up Hyeop-su’s internal energy. Hyeop-su had to grit his teeth tightly and tense his body to calm his fluctuating lustful thoughts.

“This wicked woman…”

Having already seen Flower Snake Divine Woman bewitch and kill several Sword Hero Squad warriors, Hyeop-su glared and emitted killing intent.

Bian Bu pulled back both arms then thrust forward, throwing ten awls. Hyeop-su stepped forward with the True Step and thrust out a punch.

Bang!

Internal energy exploded in midair and the awls scattered in all directions. However, Tang Ha-ran had earlier twisted his elbow, so Hyeop-su’s elbow was swollen.

One slender Evil Sect martial artist among them didn’t miss the timing and attacked Hyeop-su together. Hyeop-su indiscriminately pushed and struck the Evil Sect martial artist charging with a short blade using his left fist. The Evil Sect martial artist’s short blade shattered, his fingers were crushed, and his head flew off.

Thud!

The Evil Sect martial artist collapsed and died as he had been charging.

“Damn! I want to fight strong guys too, so you small fry get lost!”

Remnant Wind Guest was facing six White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors while holding an axe twice the size of his head.

Clang clang! Clang!

The six White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors deployed White Tiger Heavy Momentum in three-person combined formations to tie down Remnant Wind Guest. Remnant Wind Guest was someone who had fought and fled from the entire ForesGreen Eighteen Strongholds, famous for having many masters. His skills were formidable, but he was frustrated being unable to do anything against six pairs of hands. He had killed about two at first, but that was all.

“Raaaaar!”

When Remnant Wind Guest swung his axe with terrifying momentum, the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors gave up crossing swords, retreated, then charged again to persistently press him.

“These fly-like bastards!”

Several stabbing wounds had already appeared on the hot-tempered Remnant Wind Guest’s body.

But then a long whistle sound was heard. Though low due to containing internal energy, it continued long without breaking.

Wheeeee!

Then the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors hesitated briefly. Hyeop-su contorted his face and retreated.

“Prepare to withdraw!”