NOTICE: Many of the novels have been removed because they might cause violations, which we were not aware of earlier.
Episode 277. Jongnam (2)
Among the peaks of Jongnamsan Mountain, each with its own gruesome sight━
There was still a place where the sound of weapons clashing had not stopped.
It is said that the resistance was comparatively stronger than other peaks, and this was understandable because it was where the chieftain and many elders resided and decided on the major and minor matters of the sect. As they were considered the most important of the Jongnam, their level of military power was bound to be extraordinary.
One, the sound of their resistance was gradually dying down. This was because the Mines who had come over after massacring other peaks joined one after another. There was not much difference in their abilities, but once they started to lose in numbers, the number of Jongnampa disciples who allowed attacks and fell increased. The remaining ones naturally had to deal with more enemies, so it was truly a mountainous terrain.
At first glance, it seemed like a strange thing.
There is a peerless swordsman in the Jongnam faction who cannot be defeated by numbers. What on earth is he doing now, watching the deaths of so many disciples?
“……Priests.”
There was a middle-aged Taoist with a defeated expression, who was hurriedly backing away while supporting someone. He had a generally clean appearance, but a bluish flame was swaying from the long sword he was holding in his right hand. Needless to say, it was a sword. It was the exclusive property of martial artists who had reached the level of harmony.
The peerless martial arts that can manifest Ganggi (罡氣), the water drop-like pattern symbolizing Jongnam embroidered on the sleeves, the fact that he called Jongnam Geomjeol (終南劍節) Hakwoon, who was bleeding a line from between his tightly shut lips as if he was suffering from an internal injury, as his disciple━all of these facts meant that the middle-aged Taoist with a calm appearance who was stepping back was none other than Hwasan Jangmun Okyeon and Jongnam Geomjong (終南劍宗) Hakyu, who had been competing for the position of the best swordsman in Shaanxi for a long time. In other words, Jongnam Jangmun.
‘How did things turn out like this?’
Hak-yu looked at the man walking in front of him and thought. He was a fearful man in many ways. The atmosphere of self-respect was prevalent in the Magic Way, and because of that, he knew that the demons did not hide their achievements in order to be treated as strong people. In fact, all the magic masters he had seen, heard, and encountered proudly flowed the magic energy and left behind clear records of their actions.
‘The author didn’t do that.’
As soon as Hak-yu sensed the presence of the man at the entrance of Jongnam Mountain, he quickly climbed up to the peak where Hak-yu was. Kyung-gong, who had no intention of running away. The man he had come face to face with was wearing a golden mask that covered half of his face, for some reason. Did he have an unsightly wound?
There was no room for idle thoughts. Hakyu was soon shocked to realize two facts: one was that the masked man was an extremely powerful demon who had reached the extreme of the devil, and the other was that he had moved while hiding his magic energy.
The appearance of a new, completely unknown, extreme demon master was surprising, but this level of master was moving while hiding his own sect and movements, which was different from common sense. This was to the point where I thought I had to inform other powers immediately. That was because it was something that could be very fatal. If you miscalculate the number of peerless masters during the Jeongma War and devise a strategy like a local war, one or two of the Daebang factions could easily collapse.
━The sword that should be in the Jeongcheon Alliance is here? That’s lucky. The Grand Duke’s achievements will be doubled.
The man did not back down even after seeing the masters of the Harmony Movement, Hak-yu and Hak-un, standing side by side. He had great confidence. It is no exaggeration to say that the fight between peerless masters is a battle of 罡氣. However, since it is rare for the 運氣 to be destroyed, the fight between peerless masters tends to flow into a battle of attrition of internal energy.
Therefore, it could be guessed that the masked man’s confidence was based on one of two things. Either the internal energy he had accumulated within his body was so great that it exceeded the power of two of the most powerful masters, or he had the means to destroy the strength of others.
━It is called the Nine Dragon Magical Skill.
The masked man gave some instructions to his subordinates and then walked over with a heavy gait.
Saaaaaaa━
One step, another step – With each step, the hidden magic energy slowly leaked out. A dark red air current covered the room with a heavy feeling. In an instant, the air became dreary, and even the sky seemed to darken slightly. When the peerless masters of magic appeared, they say that the lower ranks couldn’t even breathe properly, and indeed, the pressure was no joke. In fact, among the young disciples of Jongnampa, there were cases where they gasped for breath belatedly.
That wasn’t all.
Hurrruk!
Nine crimson flames shot out from the man’s heart. It was immediately obvious that they were manifestations of the demonic energy. Two flames were directed to each of his limbs, and one flame wrapped around the man’s torso. Immediately afterwards, they took the shape of a dragon.
━The two of you should come out at the same time. We have to destroy not only Jongnam but also Hwasan, so we have a long way to go.
━You bastard, are you just talking about destroying the main sect?
One of the elders shouted, getting angry at the man’s words, and instead of answering, the man simply waved his hand away.
KWAAANG━!!
The result was shocking. The strong energy that flew at the man’s gesture accelerated immediately, pierced the elder’s body, and stuck in the ground before exploding. The dead elder had trained in the martial arts of the Jongnam faction his entire life and was considered a fairly excellent swordsman. He was exiled without even being able to properly swing his sword once. This was proof that the attack was far beyond the range that ordinary people could perceive. Of course, Hak-yu and Hak-un, who had reached the Harmony Realm and had extremely keen senses, recognized the man’s attack, but they were far from being able to block the attack directed at the elder.
━There’s no need to waste time listening to things that are going to die anyway. Just hit it.
━Your honor.
As soon as the masked man finished speaking, the gray-white-uniformed men standing behind him flew forward with answers. Some attacked the elders, while others immediately turned around and headed for other peaks. Hak-yu also gave instructions to several of his most skilled disciples. Tell them to run ahead of them and take cover for now, and to ask for reinforcements from the volcano.
‘I don’t know if it arrived safely.’
Hak-yu recalled the face of the Hwasanpa Jangmun Hwasan Geomhwa Ok-yeon. Unlike now, she looked young. It was because she brought back memories of when she first met her in the past. Now, perhaps because time had passed enough to weather such memories, the overall feeling was hazy, but the cute smile on her face and clear eyes, wearing a uniform embroidered with a plum blossom pattern, were still vivid.
‘The childish spirit of that time ruined Shaanxi.’
Hak-yu felt regret creeping in. Originally, he had been in love with Ok-yeon since he first met her, and had always kept her in his heart. When he learned that he would be called Shaanxi Dragon and Phoenix together with her, he had been secretly so happy. And he had constantly practiced his swordsmanship so that he would not be ashamed when he showed her.
One, the relationship between the two sects became even more strained during the friendly competition held at the volcano.
While Hak-yu was staying with his disciples at the residence provided by Hwasan, he prepared for a friendly martial arts competition. At that time, he wrote a letter to Ok-yeon to express his feelings, but he hesitated for several days without actually delivering it. However, at that time, the curious Hwasan disciples secretly entered the residence where the Jongnam disciples were staying and discovered Hak-yu’s letter. They read it among themselves and made fun of him greatly.
Hak-yu was furious. Not only was his secret desire exposed by others, but he was also made the target of ridicule… …!
In the friendly martial arts competition that was soon held, Hak-yu took out his anger on the Hwasan faction disciples. Using the skills he had honed to show off to Ok-yeon, he beat up her disciples.
And Ok-yeon, who had no idea about the circumstances before and after defeating Hak-yu, broke the legs of all the Jong-nam faction disciples who had come out one after another.
As a student, he had to return without even being able to explain his feelings in detail. The elders of the school were also very angry because of what had happened to the students, and from then on, the friendly competition became a battle of many interests, and the relationship between the two schools deteriorated to the point where it could not be repaired.
As time passed, Hak-yu and Ok-yeon became the elders of Jong-nam and Hwa-san respectively, but even after that, the misunderstanding could not be resolved and they maintained a relationship similar to that of enemies.
Taking advantage of that gap, the Hwa family, a magical family, took root in the land of Shaanxi.
In this moment, it was understandable that Hak-yu was reproaching himself.
‘… … This is how Jongnam ends in my generation.’
Hak-yu did not expect help from Hwasan. When he heard the news that Hwasisega had sent troops to Hwasan a while ago, he had maintained his position that he would not send reinforcements until the Hwasan faction’s leader personally bowed his head and asked for help, showing off his pitiful pride. How could he expect help from Hwasan now?
Also, the volcano is also in a position where it has to deal with the two peerless masters of the Hwaseong family – King of Hell and the Demon of the Talmyeong Fist. There is no way it can afford to send troops here.
It was also a situation where help from the Jeongcheon Alliance could not be expected. According to what the priest, Hakun, had told him, the Jeongcheon Alliance’s military leader, Zhuge Changxin, had no intention of sending troops to Shaanxi. Above all, the leader, Dangmyeong, and Jaun of Shaolin – the two masters of Hwagyeong, were absent.
Only a peerless master can deal with a peerless master.
The Masked Man’s Nine Dragons Magic Sword was a skill that refined his energy. Hak-un was also a strong man who had reached a level where he could refine his energy to some extent, but he had suffered a major internal injury after being hit several times by the dragon-shaped energy and his sword energy had shattered.
Ganggi (罡氣) is a collection of thoughts that a peerless master has forged with great concentration. If it were to break, it would inevitably cause a psychological blow.
If he were to leave Hak-woon, who was almost unconscious, alone, he would die without a fight. However, it would be unreasonable to support him and continue the fight. Since he was an opponent who knew how to refine his qi, it would be difficult to guarantee victory even if they fought him one-on-one, and Hak-yu had a feeling. His qi was also on the verge of breaking. He was barely able to maintain his sword, but his trembling hands were proof of this.
‘It’s a dilemma.’
It was at this time that Hak-yu was feeling hopeless.
Masked Man━ Geumryeong suddenly stops walking and tilts his head. Volcano… …?
Hak-Yu also felt a familiar presence. Along with the strange feeling of energy that flowed from someone who had mastered the Ja-Ha-shin technique and experienced it many times.
“how……?”
At the same time that Hak-yu was muttering, someone came down. The space covered with heavy magic energy waves was covered with purple currents.
It was the Hwasan Sword Flower, Okyeon.