Chapter 1299: Is There a Place to Rest In This Land? (Part 4)

"Uh..."

The disciples of the Southern Island Sect stared blankly at the figure stepping forward.

Namgung Dowi, the Mountain Shattering Sword (斷岳劍). [I forgot what name I used for him before lol...]

Once, he held a higher reputation here than anyone else here.

A figure destined to lead the righteous sects in the future. And now, he stepped forward to protect them.

"Namgung..."

A faint sigh escaped Namgung Dowi's lips.

'Not good.'

His stamina was lacking, despite his rigorous training.

Well, it had been only a short time since he spent it with Mount Hua. The path of martial arts was not easy enough for significant growth in that brief period.

Nevertheless, Namgung Dowi did not hesitate to step forward.

'I've already experienced it.'

Fighting against overwhelming enemies.

Resisting and enduring in desperate situations.

That's why he could step forward. Face the opponent. And protect. Unlike those who floundered without knowing what to do, like the Namgung Family of the past.

If he couldn't protect them this time either, it would mean he hadn't moved an inch from the path of the past. As Namgung Dowi, that was something he couldn't accept.

Growl.

Namgung Dowi tightly gripped the hilt of his beloved sword until his knuckles turned pale.

"Bring it on!"

However, the opponent had no intention of giving Namgung Dowi a chance to catch his breath, so they quickly erased their momentary expressions of surprise and swiftly charged towards Namgung Dowi.

Three opponents. No different from the number facing Jo Gol or other disciples of Mount Hua. Namgung Dowi's gaze darkened.

'I appreciate the high evaluation...'

Wooong!

His sword emitted a powerful aura.

The famous heirloom of the Namgung Family, passed down for generations. Especially when wielded by direct descendants, it was a treasured sword befitting its high reputation. However, it wasn't because Namgung's family indulged in luxury.

It was because a sturdy sword was needed. Anything less couldn't withstand the legacy bestowed by Namgung's swordsmanship and would crumble in an instant. Unless it was a well-forged sword, it couldn't bear the weight.

Paaaat!

The Blood Cultists, gripping their three blades, soared toward Namgung Dowi like hunting birds. The three strands of crimson lines seemed like they would pierce through Namgung Dowi at any moment.

At that moment, Namgung Dowi's eyes gleamed.

'You chose!'

Kwoooong!

He stamped a powerful footstep.

'The wrong opponent!'

Claaaaaaaaang!

Namgung Dowi swung his sword in a single motion. From the shining white sword erupted a tremendous sword energy, pouring out like a waterfall. It seemed as if he had unfolded a vast white silk cloth in the air.

The wide-ranging sword energy covered the entire front of the charging Blood Cultists, overwhelming them.

"What...?"

The Blood Cultists opened their eyes in surprise. Before they could react, the sword energy instantly covered and swept them away.

Paaaaaaaaaa!

There wasn't even a scream. The Blood Cultists were sent flying like arrows, tumbling and rolling. Truly an overwhelming sight. All eyes on the battlefield were focused on Namgung Dowi.

Namgung Dowi took a deep breath. The hand holding the sword was slightly shaking due to the rapid consumption of energy.

But to those now looking at him, they wouldn't see that. They could only see his expression, faintly outlined.

"I'll handle the front!"

He consciously straightened his shoulders. The Blood Cultists involuntarily flinched at his imposing demeanor.

At that moment, the central Blood Cultist narrowed his eyes.

'The Namgung Family?'

The match-up wasn't favorable.

They wielded thin triple blades. They were trained to professionally exploit their opponent's vulnerabilities. So, for them, inexperienced youngsters without practical combat experience were nothing more than easy prey.

No matter how skilled they were in swordsmanship, openings were bound to be exposed on the battlefield, and with their sharp thin triple blades, it was easy to defeat the enemy by exploiting those openings.

However, the Namgung's Family sword wasn't swordsmanship.

Rather than swordsmanship, it was more like a fireworks display. There might be openings in the body holding the sword, but what openings could there be in the flying sword energy? Once the distance widens and the clash of sword energies begins, all that remains are the thin and weak triple blades that can barely exert proper strength.

Superlative. Perhaps that was the term used in such situations. While others might not know, there was no proper way for the current attackers to deal with Namgung Dowi.

At best, they could endure sacrifices and engage in a prolonged battle until his internal energy was depleted. But the current situation didn't allow for that.

So, what's the solution...

The central Blood Cultist flicked his finger.

"Ignore that guy..."

The finger pointed to the Southern Island Sect disciples behind Namgung Dowi.

"Stick close to those Southern Island guys. He can't ignore allies and freely unleash such sword energy. Then, it's just an ordinary sword fight."

The moment the command was given, the feet of the Blood Cultists began to move in unison. Just from that sight, one could see how thoroughly trained they were.

Swish!

The Blood Cultists rushed forward. Their direction subtly changed from before, not targeting Namgung Dowi's front, but his flanks.

If they completely ignored Namgung Dowi, those who flew in from the sides would inevitably be swept away by the flying sword energy. However, they didn't consider that sacrifice for a moment. No, they ignored that fact itself.

If an order was given, they simply followed it.

That was the most important principle on the battlefield, yet the most difficult to uphold. These attackers were strictly adhering to it.

"Kuk!"

Namgung Dowi's face, realizing the enemy's strategy, distorted momentarily. No matter how much sword energy he unleashed, if the enemies emerged like this, it would be impossible to block all those coming through.

When Namgung Dowi urgently tried to deflect the sword, a familiar splitting sound reached his ears.

Hwiiiiiiik!

Puuuuuuush!

A fist-length pouch flew to the right and burst open like a blooming flower, releasing a pink poisonous mist. The Blood Cultists rushing forward hesitated, reducing their speed as they saw the spreading poison mist. [Ma man!]

Swish!

Subsequently, countless sharp needles rained down from within the poison mist.

Clang! Clangclang!

The Blood Cultists frantically swung their swords to fend off the striking needles. Even if these needles were clean, they would've been soaked in poison the moment they pierced through the poison mist.

The attackers knew better than anyone else how fatal it could be to be exposed to poison on the battlefield. That's why even small needles couldn't be ignored.

"Of course, Tang Pae..."

Amidst the rising poison mist, Tang Pae walked out slowly. As if to say it was impossible for him to be affected by his own poison mist. [top 10 most epic anime entrances]

"While I might be treated worse than the Namgung Family, it's not to the extent of being ignored by you Evil Sect bastards."

Clangclang!

The darts sandwiched between his fingers made a sharp metallic sound as they rubbed against each other.

At that moment, a crescent-shaped bombardment of needles flew towards the Blood Cultists charging forward on both sides, creating a chaotic and dizzying scene. 

"Kuk!"

Kagagakang!

There wasn't particularly overwhelming force embedded in each needle. However, each strike moved vividly, as if each one was alive. It was as if dozens of butterflies were fluttering through the forest.

Ignoring such eccentric attacks and rushing forward was an act of suicide. Nothing more, nothing less. In the end, even those who were charging had no choice but to halt their steps.

Thud, thud.

Im Sobyeong, walking with a fluttering fan, chuckled. [...bitch...]

"These guys are from Hao Sect."

"..."

"Let's see. Triple thin blades, masks, and blood... It seems like the sword technique they use is the Wolf Chasing Soul Sword (餓狼追魂劍). Is it the Chasing Soul Unit of the Hao Sect, then?"

The blood disciples stared silently at Im Sobyeong. Under their gaze, Im Sobyeong smirked.

"Anyway, these Evil Sect people, I don't know what's gotten into their heads. Why do they wear the same clothes, wield the same weapons, and use the same martial arts without hiding their identities? Maybe they'll feel upset if we don't recognize them?"

In response to Im Sobyeong's sarcastic remarks, Tang Pae burst into laughter.

"Seems like you're not Evil Sect either."

"Oh, I washed my hands long ago! Stop bringing up the past!"

Im Sobyeong joked and waved his fan.

But in contrast to his exaggerated and comical gestures, his eyes were fixed solely on the enemy. It seemed as if he would analyze and understand every bit of flesh.

"I didn't know the Nokrim King would defend the Southern Island Sect."

"If you don't have gums, your teeth will be sensitive. Even these guys are better than nothing, so I won't have as many knives sticking into my body." [idk]

Im Sobyeong tried to turn his head to look in the other direction but ended up shaking it instead.

"Well, it's not that I'm scared of anyone...Don't misunderstand." [Human Baek-Ah lmao]

"Nobody misunderstood."

"Tsk."

Im Sobyeong slowly lowered the fan he was holding.

"The Hao Sect's Soul Chasing Unit. If you're an Evil Sect, you've got at least one pursuit team. Due to the Hao Sect's nature, there are several pursuit teams. You can consider these as one of them."

"Oh, then what's the method to deal with them?"

"Do you guys understand?"

Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.

"There's more than one pursuit team. And I'm not a martial artist or an informant. I just know that there are guys like that."

"...Not an informant but a bandit."

"That's right."

"...Stop talking."

"And if you take a look at this situation, doesn't the Evil Sect seem better than those so-called righteous sects?"

"What?"

As Tang Pae looked puzzled, Im Sobyeong glanced at the others.

"Someone not much older steps forward to protect them, but they're just trembling in fear from behind, isn't that right?"

Im Sobyeong's face revealed a blatant sneer.

"These guys, who acted like they could tear apart easy enemies now become so docile when facing someone slightly dangerous. Those so-called skilled martial artists from the righteous sects aren't all that impressive. It's just that people of the Evil Sect have different stories. That's all."

Upon hearing those words, the Southern Island Sects' disciples' faces twisted. Only now did they realize what they were doing and felt a deep sense of shame.

Just one sentence was enough to turn that shame into anger.

"Well, no need to worry. I'll protect you. Just stay there and watch quietly."

Upon hearing Im Sobyeong's words, the Southern Island Sect's disciples started to breathe again.

"Who said we were trembling!"

"We were just momentarily surprised!"

"That's right! What do you think of the Southern Island Sect!"

"Oh, is that so?"

Im Sobyeong chuckled.

"Well then, don't just blabber with your mouth. How about proving it with that sword?"

"This...!"

Glaring at Im Sobyeong with venomous eyes, the Southern Island Sect's disciples rushed forward.

With Namgung Dowi and Tang Pae leading the way, the Southern Island Sect's disciples, along with Im Sobyeong, raised their spirits to confront the Blood Cultists.

Seeing how the opponents' shattered momentum was revived, the complexions of the Blood Cultists momentarily stiffened.