Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Chapter 44. Subjugating the Bandits (4)

A total of nine enemies burst out from among the villagers.

The momentum of each one was by no means easy to handle. They were not inferior compared to the leader they had faced earlier.

No, in the first place, that man was probably not the leader.

In that fleeting moment, the party scattered. At a rough estimate, each had to face more than two opponents.

That was not all. In the courtyard, dozens of villagers were tied with ropes, unable to do anything but tremble.

It would not be easy. But.

‘…I must protect them.’

Click, Lee Byeok gripped his sword.

He closed the distance in a single stride and rushed toward the enemy. He had to reduce their numbers as quickly as possible and help the party.

He had no particular intention of killing.

But he had no intention of not killing either.

[Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style: Second Form of the Sword-Drawing Style: Swift Sword]

The spear shaft of the enemy in the lead was instantly split in two. And an attack followed toward his now-open chest.

Seogeok, Lee Byeok's sword withdrew, slashing horizontally across the chest. It was the subtlety of the Azure River Sword Style’s ‘Curve’.

The enemy, grievously wounded, collapsed to the ground. But Lee Byeok's sword was not yet finished.

Lee Byeok's sword, bent at an exquisite angle, struck the sword of another who charged in right after.

The chest was opened again, and the subtlety of the Azure River Sword Style’s Sword-Drawing Form, ‘Swift’, pierced the open chest like lightning.

The enemy, pierced through the chest, collapsed with a stifled scream.

As Lee Byeok rushed toward the third enemy, a weapon was thrust out with a spirit-filled roar.

A bizarrely shaped three-section staff with blades attached bent flexibly and flew towards Lee Byeok.

Lee Byeok paused for a moment. And then.

[ Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style: Second Form of the Sword-Withdrawal Style: Changing Sword ]

Chaeng, chaeng, chae-aeng!

Lee Byeok's sword moved splendidly.

It overwhelmed the changes of the three-section staff with even more changes, crushing its momentum. Amidst the dazzling sword display, the three-section staff was swept away like fallen leaves in an autumn wind.

And as Lee Byeok’s sword withdrew, it grazed the side of the now-defenseless enemy.

The sword, thrust out again, pierced his stomach.

He had taken down three.

Lee Byeok looked around.

His companions were each facing two opponents. Eon Mi-hee and Pa Jin-seong were roughly holding their own in an even match.

Surprisingly, it was Gongson Su who was in a precarious situation.

Her martial arts, skilled in assassination, seemed to be weak in a direct confrontation.

Taat, having made his judgment, Lee Byeok kicked off the ground. He quickly approached Gongson Su’s opponents.

Lee Byeok's sword pierced one of the two enemies who were cornering Gongson Su.

The moment his comrade fell, the other one flinched and turned around. It was a huge mistake.

Gongson Su did not miss that opening.

Gongson Su’s dagger lodged between the remaining enemy’s ribs, and soon the enemy dropped his sword and collapsed.

“Oh my, thank you, Orabeoni. To run to me first of all. I was a little touched.”

“…Help Pa Jin-seong.”

Glancing at Gongson Su's playful smile, Lee Byeok kicked off the ground again. He went straight to Eon Mi-hee.

Gongson Su also went towards Pa Jin-seong.

“Keu… wha, what happened?! What are these bastards?! Where did they suddenly pop out from?!”

“Bl-Blood Fiends! Where are the Blood Fiends!”

But at that moment, the remaining four enemies, grasping the situation, deflected the attacks and hastily tried to retreat.

Of course, Eon Mi-hee and Pa Jin-seong had no intention of letting them go easily. Just as they were about to press on, empowered by the support of Lee Byeok and Gongson Su.

With a huge roar, the wall of the house in front of them was shattered. And a large fragment flew towards them.

The wall fragment flew over the villagers' heads and landed right in the middle of the standoff between the enemies and the party.

While the party flinched, the enemies succeeded in hiding behind the wall and escaping.

And from inside the broken doorway, a stout, middle-aged man with his upper body exposed appeared.

The man was carrying a great saber on his shoulder.

The escaped enemies hastily stood in attendance on either side of the middle-aged man.

“Thank you for saving us, Master!”

“Hmph, what a bunch of pathetic fools. You mean to tell me you couldn’t handle a few kids and six of you died?”

“M-master! I am alive!”

At that moment, a figure desperately crawled on the ground towards the middle-aged man. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on N0veI.Fiɾe.net

It was the very same man who was first disarmed by Gongson Su, bound by chains, and subdued.

“Hm? What is this, you? Where did you sell your two arms, and how are you still alive in such a state?”

“Th-this disciple……!”

The next moment, the middle-aged man’s foot mercilessly stomped on the fallen man’s neck.

The life of the man, who had been clinging to the ground and barely surviving even during the chaotic battle, was extinguished in vain.

“Tsk, what a useless fellow.”

A carelessness like crushing an insect.

Those standing in attendance on both sides trembled lightly. And the middle-aged man’s sunken gaze turned towards the party.

“Hoo! You’re quite something for being so young! Well, if you weren’t, half of my ten great disciples wouldn’t be dead like that. Yes, I am The Jade-Hued Heavenly Beast.”

Ggeol, ggeol, ggeol! The man burst into laughter.

He didn't seem particularly upset, even with the corpses of his disciples and their killers before him.

“How about it? I’m in a pretty good mood today, so I might even take you on as my new disciples.”

“…This time, it seems he’s the real one.”

“I know, right? Like a true leader, he seems like the craziest one of all. My goodness, calling himself ‘this exalted one,’ he must have no shame.”

As Lee Byeok spoke, Gongson Su replied.

“Keke, kekeke! Who’s taking whom as a disciple? That guy’s more absurd than I am.”

Twet, Pa Jin-seong spat.

“…I’m tired. Let’s just hurry up and beat him down.”

However, while letting out a sigh with feigned jests, the party composed their bodies and energy to be able to resume battle at any moment.

An aura was leaking from the leader's entire body. It seemed he had no intention of even concealing his presence.

And that presence… was by no means light. He was at least two levels above the other enemies.

He was clearly a strong opponent.

A martial artist’s intuition struck him.

“Keuha, keuhahahaha!”

The leader, who introduced himself as The Jade-Hued Heavenly Beast, laughed thunderously.

“What audacious brats! Well, of course! The world is now in a new upheaval, how could things like you understand such a change?!”

“Keu, keuak! Keuaaa!”

At that moment, they began to sense numerous presences from behind. The party turned around.

They confirmed that the remaining madmen from beyond the gate were swarming towards them.

It was as if they were instinctively drawn to the leader’s ferocious energy.

“…I’ll go. I won’t let a single one in… please take care of the villagers.”

If those madmen were let inside in this situation, it would be sheer chaos, and the safety of the villagers could not be guaranteed.

Eon Mi-hee, realizing this fact, kicked off the ground. Her figure moved away, outside the gate.

For a moment, Pa Jin-seong was conflicted, but he did not follow her.

Not only the leader, but four of his disciples were still left. No matter how he thought about it, this side was more dangerous.

“Kekeke, but you have such innate talent, it would be a waste to kill you. First, I shall show you the power of this exalted one.”

The next moment, the leader took out the great saber he had slung over his back.

As energy concentrated, the great saber vibrated violently. And… a turbid-colored energy began to shimmer over the blade.

“…So there is a Peak Master bandit.”

After a moment of silence, Lee Byeok spoke.

“…Orabeoni, I’m sorry for spouting off like I knew everything. The Jianghu is wide, and there are too many crazy people.”

“Kehe… I’m going nuts, for real. Why is everyone but me using enhanced qi? Was I this weak all along……?”

Lee Byeok looked at the leader’s Saber Force. The dark energy, flickering like a flame, was certainly threatening.

“…What should we do? Should we run?”

“Should we just ask him to take us as his disciples?”

Lee Byeok looked back at his companions.

Though they were speaking as if joking, a stiff tension had already settled on both of their faces.

He had decided to protect them.

It was a promise he made upon entering the village.

“I will face that man, so please take care of the remaining disciples.”

Jeobeok, Lee Byeok took a step.

His opponent's energy was certainly threatening, but for some reason, he didn't think he would lose.

It was the faith given by his Innate energy. And that faith had never betrayed Lee Byeok so far.

“Hoo, you intend to try?”

Moreover, the man was off his guard.

Jeobeok, jeobeok, tat!

Lee Byeok, who had been slowly closing the distance, finally kicked off the ground violently. He soared through the air towards the leader.

Just before the collision, Lee Byeok’s sword was drawn from its sheath. And in a fleeting moment, a blue light of enhanced qi swirled around it.

Enhanced qi and enhanced qi collided.

For an instant, a light like thunder flashed, and a roar as if heaven and earth were being torn apart erupted.

And Lee Byeok felt the shock that tore his muscles to shreds travel up the sword.

For a moment, his whole body froze.

No, but he had to move.

A single moment's opening could cost him his life. Lee Byeok painstakingly withdrew his sword.

Fortunately, the stiffness was not unique to Lee Byeok.

The expression of the leader, who had never imagined Sword Force would emerge, crumpled wretchedly.

Far from counterattacking, he took a couple of steps back. It seemed he had taken considerable shock.

The next moment, Lee Byeok’s Sword Force was extended once more. The same shock followed.

But… he could endure it.

Taang, taaaang!! Taang!!

The thunderous clashes continued. Lee Byeok extended his sword, and the man retreated helplessly.

After a few exchanges, superiority was revealed.

Finally, bewilderment began to appear on the man’s face.

“What, what are you doing!! You useless freeloaders!!! Help this exalted one, I say!!!”

Finally, the man shouted urgently.

The man’s disciples, who had been staring blankly at their clash, finally tried to approach Lee Byeok.

“Hmph, I don’t think so!”

But of course, there was no reason for Gongson Su and Pa Jin-seong to leave them be.

As the collisions continued, the man’s Saber Force began to flicker like a candle in the wind.

On the other hand, Lee Byeok’s Sword Force was steadfast.

Lee Byeok felt himself gradually getting used to the clash of enhanced qi. He would be able to take him down in a few more exchanges.

“Keu, keuaaaaak!!! How dare you, how dare you!!!”

At that moment, the man, enraged, swung the saber in his hand wildly. But it was a technique that was not properly composed.

An opportune opening appeared.

In that moment, Lee Byeok thought of the strongest technique he could use.

[ Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style: Third Form of the Sword-Drawing Style: Strong Sword ]

The sword, clad in Sword Force, unleashed the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style. For a moment, Lee Byeok felt a chunk of his internal energy drain away.

It was the first time he had felt a significant depletion of internal energy since he realized his Innate energy.

The next moment, the man’s saber shattered into pieces. And as if that wasn't enough, the remaining shock sent the man’s body flying backward.

The man’s body flew over the broken wall and crashed into the house.

But it was not over yet.

It was not necessary to kill him, but at the very least, he had to confirm the opponent's inability to fight.

Lee Byeok followed after him.

But the moment he entered the room, Lee Byeok froze in place. The man was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, there were women inside.

The women, wearing nothing, were scattered carelessly around the room. They didn't even think to cover their naked bodies.

Among them was a young girl.

Her eyes met Lee Byeok’s.

A village girl with no power and thus no responsibility.

It was as clear as day what had happened. The moment he met those empty eyes that had given up on everything, Lee Byeok’s breath hitched slightly.

At that moment, the tip of the broken saber clumsily dug into Lee Byeok’s side. It seemed the man had been hiding his body behind the fragments of the broken wall.

“Kuluck! F-foolish bastard!! How dare you let your guard down against this exalted one?! Keu, keuhaha!!”

Pain traveled up his nerves.

Lee Byeok didn’t want to think. But regardless of his will, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the girl’s gaze.

Suddenly, without any context, the face of Wang Suyeon in Flower Pavilion Village flashed through his mind.

The Innate energy surged violently.

From the deepest part of his heart, Lee Byeok felt a killing intent soar.