Chapter 1321: If That's A Human, That Is (Part 1)

"Run faster! More!"

Kim Yang Baek pushed the elders forward, swallowing hard as blood surged in his throat.

Those who had dedicated their lives to martial arts for decades found it difficult to keep up with the speed of their disciples.

'Just how potent is this poison...'

Poison is naturally dangerous.

However, for those who have reached a certain level of mastery, it is not as frightening.

Any poison can be expelled if one can control their body.

This is common knowledge among the martial arts, something they are well aware of.

But in this hellish battlefield, none of the knowledge they acquired seemed to fit.

Even if one could control poison with internal strength, who could preserve their internal strength while fighting with all their might on the battlefield?

Moreover, when the enemy uses evil techniques and brandishes a sword, when is the right time to circulate energy?

Perhaps there was a hypothetical level where one could circulate energy while running, but there was no one in Southern Island who had reached that realm.

The realm of circulating energy cannot be entered simply by increasing one's martial prowess.

"Cough!"

"Elder Yi!"

Kim Yang Baek quickly grabbed the shoulders of the elder who was collapsing. If he hadn't caught him, the elder might have fallen and never gotten up again.

"Are you okay?"

"I-I'm... cough!"

Black blood poured again from Elder Yi's mouth.

When the poison circulates vigorously, poisoning intensifies.

But at this moment, they had no other choice.

Enduring all of it, they could only keep running.

Kim Yang Baek gritted his teeth.

How many of them could withstand the poison?

In this situation, could they wield their swords effectively if the enemies attacked?

Kaaaang!

At that moment, a strong sound, as if scraping metal, echoed.

Turning hastily, they saw swords rotating and shooting into the air. A

nd beside them, a head was also shooting into the air.

'Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword!'

Chung Myung stood like a solid wall, blocking those who rushed like hungry beasts.

Paaaah!

The outstretched sword sharply cut the inside of the elbow.

Due to the wind, the sword, out of control, shot into the air.

The sword that had partially severed the opponent's arm pierced the heart of Myriad Man Manor in a single motion.

"Kwah..."

Squelch!

The inserted sword rotated.

Before the victim realized they hadn't died yet, before they could attempt anything with their remaining strength, the rotating sword cut off the heart of Myriad Man Manor member, shattering his insides.

A lethal sword without room for counterattack.

Chung Myung's sword had no waste.

But at the same time, Chung Myung's sword was terribly wasteful.

From the perspective of martial artists, the process of stabbing an opponent, slashing an arm, and twisting a sword in the heart were nothing more than useless movements.

If aiming for the opponent's vital points quickly and accurately with a single blow is the ideal of martial artists, then Chung Myung's sword goes beyond that ideal.

Paradoxically, the useless waste made Chung Myung's sword more efficient.

Chung Myung, who uses a unique sword not found in any of the Mount Hua sect's textbooks, mercilessly cut down the approaching enemies.

"Haaaaaaa!"

However, the Myriad Man Manor members were not to be underestimated either.

Even though those approaching the Mount Hua Sect were all engulfed in chaos, there was no sign of hesitation in the charge of the Myriad Man Manor's skilled members.

Thunk!

In an instant, a person who had been pierced through the chest forcefully drove the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword, which had been lodged in their chest, downward.

Crash!

It was undoubtedly a reckless act.

The sword that was lodged couldn't overcome the weight it carried and plunged deeply downward.

Naturally, even if a Great Divine Body were to come, it couldn't save the person from a fatal injury. A severe injury occurred, and internal organs were instantly cut off.

A behavior akin to self-harm, but in return, the movement of Chung Myung's sword stopped momentarily.

At that moment, the charging members of Myriad Man Manor struck the ground with a force that twisted their legs.

"Dieeeee!"

There is no need to explain what it means for the sword of a swordsman to be stopped.

However, Chung Myung's response exceeded their expectations.

Paaah!

Chung Myung, letting the fallen sword continue downward, thrust it into the ground with the same force.

Kwak!

As the sword completely pierced through and stuck into the ground, Chung Myung's left hand shot out at full speed, striking the handle of the opponent's sword.

Kwaah!

Then, like a projectile launched from close range, the handle of the sword flew forward and knocked away the Myriad Man Manor member in front of it.

At that moment, those who were charging from behind momentarily hesitated. Do they avoid it? Or do they continue charging?

No, it doesn't matter what decision they make. From the moment they hesitated for even a moment, their fate was already decided.

Taahng!

A sound like pulling a highly tensed string resounded, and a greenish-blue internal energy struck the Myriad Man Manor disciples successively.

Bamboo Leaf Hand (竹葉手).

An energy that focused on speed (快) and strength (强), unlike Mount Hua's change (變) and illusion (幻).

This practical energy repelled those who charged with an overwhelming force.

Swish.

Chung Myung immediately kicked the sword that had been stuck in the ground and caught it in mid-air. And then, he thrust it forward.

Paaah!

As the sword flew at a speed that seemed impossible for human hands to produce, one of the Myriad Man Manor members tried to swing their blade haphazardly to block it.

No, they tried to block it.

But at that moment.

Oodeuk!

The sword that was flying at an unbelievable speed stopped in its tracks as if it were a lie.

'What?'

The eyes of the Myriad Man Manor disciple who was about to swing his blade twisted.

"S-stop...."

But the blade, already swung with all its might, could no longer be stopped.

The blade that was swung to block the sword gradually extended sideways, passing beyond his body.

While everything, including his blade, was violently moving, that one sword remained fixed as if time had stopped, without even a slight tremor.

And then.

Paaah!

At that moment, the stopped time began to flow again.

The stopped sword moved at the same speed it had first flown, and it thrust into the space where the blade had passed emptily, cutting through everything.

Despite staring at everything vividly, it was an absurd situation where nothing could be done.

The Myriad Man Manor member etched into his mind Chung Myung's chilling gaze towards him.

Thunk!

At the moment the sword pierced through the neck, a scorching sensation spread. The sword that entered the neck in a straight line then swept horizontally, cutting the neck of another approaching person in one go.

The onslaught of the Myriad Man Manor members did not stop even at this moment.

One blade flew toward Chung Myung's sword, and another blade was thrust toward Chung Myung's upper body.

No matter how skilled the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword was, there was a belief that they could somehow deal with the opponent if they could block the sword's movement.

Knowing what to do in a situation where they were facing opponents stronger than themselves in a dense battle was what set them apart.

However, Chung Myung was not an ordinary master they had faced before.

Instead of avoiding the oncoming sword by clashing it with his own sword, Chung Myung unleashed a relentless attack without hesitation.

Kaaah!

With a metallic sound that tore through the ears, the blade was sent flying. However, in that gap, another blade, spewing a vivid blue energy, shot towards Chung Myung's upper body at a rapid speed.

Chung Myung swiftly moved his body backward, but the speed of retracting his body couldn't surpass the speed of the blade piercing. 

'Caught...'

The Myriad Man Manor disciple who thrust the blade felt a sense of victory in his heart. However, as he withdrew, Chung Myung, who had moved backward, quickly reached out towards the blade that almost touched his chest.

Thud!

Then, he caught the blade with his bare hands.

The Myriad Man Manor member, surprised to the point that his heart seemed to pop out through his throat, unintentionally opened his mouth.

Catching it with bare hands?

A blade as sharp as this one?

Even if it was caught in the hand, who would dare to hold a knife-like object?

But there was no time to ponder further. The freed sword flew towards the Myriad Man Manor member's neck at an astonishing speed.

Paeaeaeng!

Perhaps there was no pain.

The Myriad Man Manor member, whose neck had been cleanly cut in a single blow, stumbled forward and collapsed.

Kwah!

Chung Myung kicked the fallen body aside with his foot and immediately extended the sword forward.

Clang! Clang!

The sword moved rapidly back and forth between the two flying blades, twisting the blades as if opening a door with both hands.

And then, Chung Myung's left hand emitted a red energy.

Peak Plum Blossom Scatter (梅花散手) at its climax.

The energy, dyed crimson like autumn leaves, explosively struck the unbalanced side of the Myriad Man Manor member.

"Uuaaaack!"

The ribs all twisted, shaking even the spine.

The one hit directly by the Plum Blossom Scatter couldn't avoid reaching the unavoidable result of death.

Just before reaching the inevitable result of death, the Myriad Man Manor member exerted the last bit of strength to swing his sword.

However, at that moment, something flew at lightning speed and pierced his forehead.

Thunk!

"Kkuuugh..."

Because of the dagger piercing his forehead, he couldn't even swing the sword properly, and he crumbled.

As if Chung Myung had already expected this result, he had already moved on to the next person, piercing the opening created by the wind hole.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

"Kkuaaaaaaack!"

Those who had their necks or hearts pierced were doomed on the spot, but those with their abdomens or shoulders pierced somehow clung to their tough breath and retaliated.

Chung Myung's sword was still extended, not yet retrieved.

Even if a sword flew from behind and cut his throat, he was ready to swing his blade with determination to put only this one blow in.

Unfortunately, the opponent he had to face was not only Chung Myung.

Swish!

A sword extending from near Chung Myung's side swiftly cut the neck of the approaching opponent in an instant.

Unlike Chung Myung's intense sword, it was different.

Incredibly smooth yet simultaneously the most lethal swordsmanship.

Blood gushed like a waterfall from the cleanly severed carotid artery, and the white-bladed sword instantly turned red.

However, Yoo Iseol, without hesitation, swiftly retrieved the sword.

And at that moment.

"Dojaaaaaah!"

A scream of agony burst from Tang Pae's mouth.

They had discovered something flying over their heads.

Jincheon Thunder! [The bomb]

The cursed object that reversed Tang Pae's poison and poisoned all the leaders of the Southern Island was flying over Chung Myung's head.

If that exploded, no matter how much Chung Myung was.... But at that moment, Tang Pae saw it.

As countless red petals blossomed like a fantasy, spreading out like welcoming fireworks.

"Ah...."

Mesmerized by the dreamlike scene, Tang Pae forgot all reality and situation for a moment and let out a sigh.

What brought him back to reality was none other than Chung Myung's indifferent voice.

"Sorry, but...."

Tang Pae's gaze momentarily focused on Chung Myung.

Although only the back was visible, he seemed to know.

What kind of expression Chung Myung was making right now.

"I don't accept gifts from the Evil Sect."

Paaat!

The bomb, which had been wrapped in plum blossoms, bounced off the sword faster than it had flown in.

Witnessing the bomb flying above their heads, the Myriad Man Manor disciples were startled, and their eyes widened.

And then.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

A massive explosion occurred.

The Myriad Man Manor disciples, who had rushed like an ant swarm, were torn apart into pieces.