CHAPTER 51

Heon Wonchang, standing nearby, brushed his eyes lightly with the back of his hand.

In that fleeting moment, Jung Yeonshin thought it was understandable.

He had seen identical thunder bombs come out of the pouches of twenty Blood Master Swordsmen.

It felt unreal. That was how cultists treated enemies who had mastered supreme martial arts.

Their approach was simply to kill, no matter what. It was as if they were incorporating throwing techniques into palm strikes, leaving afterimages in their movements.

Boom!

There wasn't even time to shout a warning. He channeled his energy into the meridians of his lower body and the spinal cord in his waist, then kicked off the ground.

Even though he avoided a direct hit, his body was thrown back uncontrollably. His ears rang as if they had been struck by a shockwave.

It felt as though his bones were shaking down to the marrow.

Thud!

His whole body ached, leaving him unable to move for a brief moment.

"Ugh, cough!"

As he collapsed and spat out blood, he felt it. His insides were injured, and there was a sharp, burning sensation rising from his stomach.

Bang! Boom! Crash!

The ground erupted like waves all around. The neat atmosphere of the Lotus Pavilion was swept away by dust in an instant.

Groans echoing from all directions added to the horror.

'Insane.'

The Blood Flame Cult's method of breaking demonic energy wasn't martial arts. It was calculated and thorough.

He had come already aware that there was no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation.

'Thunder bombs. Since they've been declared heretical, they aren't afraid of the imperial authorities.'

It had been the same before. He remembered the explosions that had crushed the mechanical formations of the Yitian Clan.

Even with their supposed influence, the cult's main headquarters remained hidden, moving unpredictably.

These men had tracked and pursued Jung Yeonshin immediately. It was said that the Blood Flame Cult's tracking techniques bordered on sorcery. Knowing their methods were sharp was no comfort.

'Senior Chung Myung mentioned it several times.'

He recalled how Chung Myung had brought up the Tang Clan, renowned for poison and hidden weapons.

There was nothing else capable of detonating at such speeds that could threaten martial artists across the land.

These were top-grade thunder bombs triggered by internal energy. Were they imprisoning iron tribesmen somewhere?

'It's too soon to be certain they had the Tang Clan's help.'

Regardless of who was backing them, such items couldn't be common.

Some martial techniques held more value than an entire faction's strength.

Techniques capable of deadly destruction, in particular. Those men must have also taken risks.

Should he be relieved that the Blood Flame Cult's apostles hadn't come personally?

'What about Heon Wonchang and Shin So-bin?'

Jung Yeonshin, who had barely risen, glanced around. He could sense familiar energy nearby.

Through the thick dust, a figure stood guard—Heon Wonchang.

He seemed to have benefited from an extraordinary eye technique.

—Where's Shin So-bin?

—She said she would scout Hwangbo Myeong-rin's direction before they arrived. Likely headed for the pavilion.

Heon Wonchang, who had turned immediately, responded through a sound transmission. His tone had changed.

Only the essentials were relayed, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Now, the Blood Master Swordsmen, having closed the distance, were using both swords and thunder bombs.

Their objective was clear—the massacre of the noble lineages and the younger disciples of orthodox sects.

These heretics were using explosive weapons as if they were disposable. Even the Imperial Family might respond with military force.

The cultists, too, were constantly risking danger. They were fanatics in every sense.

Heon Wonchang, having approached, flinched upon seeing Jung Yeonshin's battered condition.

—Can you move?

—To the pavilion.

Jung Yeonshin spoke briefly, then moved alongside Heon Wonchang, suppressing their presence as much as possible.

His entire body felt like it was being torn apart. Despite the short distance, time dragged unbearably.

They drew closer while avoiding confrontations. Visibility improved slightly as the dust thinned toward the upper area.

From the pavilion, Hwangbo Myeong-rin, who had been retreating with members of her household, subtly shifted to the rear.

Shin So-bin stood directly in front of her.

Just as Shin So-bin was watching for the Blood Cult's movements, Hwangbo Myeong-rin suddenly struck So-bin's lower back.

It was point-blank.

Shin So-bin, who had been circulating immense energy, failed to react in time and took the blow.

An ambush delivered from behind at close range. Shin So-bin's body arched like a bow from the force of Hwangbo Myeong-rin's palm strike.

She had been at the back of the group. It seemed no one had noticed.

"You, you!"

Next to the enraged Heon Wonchang, Jung Yeonshin's eyes darkened.

'She'll hit the water's surface before I count to five. The distance is seven zhang. If she falls like that, it'll attract attention.'

T/Note- 7 Zhang is about 23.33m.

In an instant, he analyzed the situation and measured the movement distance. His internal energy surged throughout his body.

He ignored the pain searing through his bruised meridians.

Slam!

He pushed off the ground using the swift footwork of the Desolate Fortress' lightness techniques.

His speed was like a storm, skimming the earth.

In three steps, he reached the edge of the clearing, and in the fourth, he leapt toward the lake's edge.

Whoosh!

Shin So-bin's delicate, pale face, her eyes tightly shut, rapidly came into view.

Despite acting as if she knew everything, she was still a sheltered scion of a noble family.

She had likely never experienced a sudden betrayal like Hwangbo Myeong-rin's ambush.

She was conscious. Jung Yeonshin immediately sensed her breath. Her internal injuries didn't seem severe.

'That's enough.'

The flowing energy of the Moonlight Harmony Technique raced painfully through his muscles.

He reached out with his left hand, pulling Shin So-bin by the waist, and grabbed the pavilion's railing with his right hand, swinging around like a falling leaf.

It was a nimble movement designed to disperse impact.

Tap.

Even the small landing felt jarring.

This was the worst injury he had sustained since entering the martial world.

"Shin So-bin, footwork!"

As soon as they landed inside the pavilion, he muttered firmly.

Despite her demeanor, she followed commands quickly. Energy radiated from her legs immediately.

Her slender waist was well-suited for use as a weapon. Jung Yeonshin swung her in his arms.

Thud!

One of the Blood Cult members approaching from the side was struck by her kick and sent tumbling.

As expected, it wasn't just swordsman. A net of pursuers was closing in.

Rumors of the Heaven Spanning Net starting in the Namgoong family's territory seemed true.

Disregarding the Imperial Family was no longer surprising.

"Thank you… senior! Are you alright?"

Her thin, arched eyebrows shot up as she looked at him in shock.

Jung Yeonshin silently shook his head.

"Let's go."

He pushed away the helping hand. They had to leave the Lotus Pavilion quickly.

The two who jumped down together landed in the middle of the chaotic battlefield. Heon Wonchang quickly approached and whispered.

"They're coming up from the south."

"Northwest, let's move along the waterside."

"It could be a trap."

Shin So-bin responded, her hands still brushing over her waist, where Jung Yeonshin's arm had touched.

Was she trying to lighten the mood amid the tension? She stared directly into Jung Yeonshin's eyes, seemingly not avoiding the contact on purpose.

She didn't approach too boldly. Despite the pain splitting through his entire body, he almost laughed.

"There's no choice. Because of the lake, we have to pick one route."

Jung Yeonshin spoke calmly, his words determining their next move.

"Let's go."

The command of blue rank martial artist Lightning Genius fell. The three immediately began running along the lakeshore.

They weren't just fleeing aimlessly. It was the direction Hwangbo Myeong-rin had taken while rallying her brothers and the clan's heirs.

'The Blood Flame Cult is just another obstacle.'

He forced his body to move, focusing on the mission as the top priority.

His current physical state wasn't the concern. He couldn't afford to lose the Hwangbo Clan.

The distant explosions soon faded. The thunder bombs had stopped detonating.

Whether they were conserving them or had run out, it was unclear. They couldn't let their guard down and remained tense.

"Looks like they're too busy killing the other heirs to bother with us. I feel guilty."

"The Blood Flame Cult is the one committing sins. Why should we?"

After running for a while, they seemed to regain some composure. Both Heon Wonchang and Shin So-bin made valid points.

It was a realization they couldn't avoid.

The price of defeating demonic enemies was steep.

From now on, the Desolate Fortress' Lightning Genius must live with the Blood Flame Cult hanging on back. Rage and guilt intertwined.

'Blood Flame Cult, I'll split your skulls every time I see you.'

Jung Yeonshin thought calmly.

"There they are!"

Heon Wonchang pointed ahead. Jung Yeonshin had already noticed.

The heirs of the Hwangbo Clan and other martial families were there. None of them seemed injured.

They were using nimble movement techniques, already climbing the mountain path.

Escape was the logical choice.

Even the most skilled Blood Master Swordsmen were said to rival the blue rank martial artists of Desolate Fortress.

It was understandable that the Blood Flame Cult's Seventh Apostle had faced off against Ma Jin.

They were precise and formidable. There was no way their mid-level warriors would be absent.

"Ah? Over there!"

A young man glancing back as he climbed the mountain path pointed at Jung Yeonshin's group, disguised as members of Chushil Sect.

The heirs of the clans turned back and stopped, waiting until Radiant Demon Squad's group arrived.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin, standing in the middle, briefly showed a frosty expression.

"What's with that look? You look like a mess! At least your arms and legs are intact."

Lazy Flame Dragon spread his arms wide, greeting Jung Yeonshin enthusiastically.

The poppies he chewed endlessly made him seem overbearing.

"With this much chaos, the main clan from above and the Namgoong clan from below will be here soon. It won't take long. You're someone I can discuss martial arts with. I'll get you a rare medicine. I have that much authority, even if people call me a bastard."

"Brother!"

Hwangbo Myeong-rin pushed Lazy Flame Dragon aside.

Were they half-siblings? There was no respect in her tone. She approached Jung Yeonshin directly.

'What should I do?'

Jung Yeonshin considered his options while looking at Hwangbo Myeong-rin. If this mission didn't require hiding his affiliation with Desolate Fortress, his internal injuries wouldn't be an issue.

He could simply swallow the Bright Pure Pill he received from Monk Gak Jeong.

But he didn't bring it. He had entrusted it, along with the Desolate Sword, to Chung Myung.

The healing pill infused with the secret arts of noble clans had an intensely clear scent.

Any martial artist with decent senses would recognize it immediately.

Desolate Fortress had heard rumors about it. Little Divine Monk, who enjoyed praise as much as his virtuous character, had traveled the martial world boasting about the Desolate Fortress Lightning Genius.

Naturally, news of the rare Bright Pure Pill's whereabouts spread too.

"You bastard."

Hwangbo Myeong-rin glared at Jung Yeonshin. Soot from the thunder bombs smudged her face.

Yet her noble elegance remained. Her features were delicate and well-defined, undeniably attractive.

If not for her arrogant demeanor, she would have been even more striking.

"What are you? The Blood Master Swordsmen were clearly targeting you. You said you're from Chushil Sect? What grudge brought them after you?"

"…"

"Answer me. Do you think I'm a fool?"

Jung Yeonshin swept his eyes over the others before slowly speaking.

"Are they all heirs of martial clans? It seems the disciples of smaller sects have died or scattered."

"Don't change the subject. Don't act tough. I can see your internal injuries just by looking at you. Can you even show off your pathetic strength right now?"

Hwangbo Myeong-rin sneered. Her dull hair shimmered slightly as it swayed.

Heon Wonchang and Shin So-bin bristled, about to step forward, but Jung Yeonshin raised his arm and shook his head.

He stepped forward despite the throbbing pain in his legs. Standing right in front of Hwangbo Myeong-rin, their eyes met at a very close distance.

Her sharp beauty, laced with hostility, looked particularly unpleasant.

"You tried to use my junior as bait, back at the Lotus Pavilion."

He spoke.

The deserted mountain path grew tense in an instant.