752 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 752 of "The Heavenly Sword Emperor's Childhood Friend" > Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive Crack—!! Bang—!! A burst of energy erupted as if it were exploding. The aura, embodying decades of experiences, created a powerful sword force that ruthlessly struck at the barrier repeatedly. Bang—! Bang Bang—! Crack—!! A series of slashes was unleashed. Countless flashes surged as if determined to tear the barrier apart. Shhh—! No matter how fiercely the mighty energy stormed, the barrier remained unscathed. “Damn it—!” The warrior, relentlessly swinging his sword, cursed. He had already expended more than half of his internal energy, yet the situation remained shrouded in mystery. To his dismay, he wasn't the only one. He had to take a deep breath as he glanced sideways. ‘...Even the Seven Stars Sword Formation can't break this...!!' The Plum Blossom Saint of Mount Hua. The Sword Saint of Wudang. Even the Sword Emperor of the Martial Arts Alliance. Not only were they individuals of prestigious families and schools, but they were also three among the ten great masters of the central plains. Yet, even with their combined might, they couldn't cut through the barrier. “What on earth are those outside doing!” “…Please, do something.” From the back, the leaders of the merchants, with pallid expressions, urged the warriors. They seemed aware of how bizarre the situation was. Really, what was going on? “…Hmm.” The Plum Blossom Saint, who had been scattering crimson sword energy, stroked his beard with a furrowed brow. He then turned to the Sword Emperor beside him and spoke. "It doesn’t seem to be a simple barrier." “...” Nod. The Sword Emperor also nodded in agreement. The successive full-force strikes weren’t weak either. With this degree of power, not even the Three Supreme Masters would have been able to withstand it. Yet, despite taking all of that, the barrier showed no signs of wavering. Instead, the light it emitted seemed to strengthen. By now, anyone not a fool would realize. "It's likely a domain of a grand formation or a barrier." "In other words, it's not something that can be solved with brute force. Woobong, do you see anything?" The Plum Blossom Saint addressed Woobongchwigae, the Sage of the Open Divination, an elder who had been observing the barrier rather than joining in the attack. “I am observing... But that's all I’m doing.” “So you haven’t identified anything at all. Quite useless.” “...” At the Plum Blossom Saint’s harsh words, Woobongchwigae let out a grunting sound of frustration. Though what he said was true, it was still vexing for him too. “Blast it... How much do I even know about formations to be scolded for it?” “We thought you might know something, given that you haven’t been attacking but only looking. But I guess not.” “I am not a specialist in this field... Ah, that’s it! What about Fenglong Great Master? What's that old lady doing?” She was precisely the authority in this area. The person responsible for managing the formations throughout the entire alliance, Fenglong Great Master Bimapa Yesun. Considering she would be helpful, he quickly asked the Sword Saint about her. The Sword Saint responded with a twisted expression. "She’ll arrive shortly since the situation has unfolded." While answering, the Sword Saint surveyed the surroundings. -Aaaaahhh-! -We must get out...! I have to get out! Move! Beyond the barrier, there was a chaotic mess. Those engulfed in confusion, losing their sense of direction, were causing chaos. The martial arts festival, once hailed as an unprecedented celebration, was in ruins. The Sword Saint, watching this unfold, clenched his fist. Crunch. A rough sound emanated from his tightly clenched fist. It was indicative of the Sword Saint's roiling emotions. ‘What on earth is going on.’ An ominous event had occurred. What could have caused this? 'An attack? From where and how?' What foolish entity would dare attack Henan? Especially the place where the alliance is located? Given all the forces were present, attacking now would be ill-advised. Moreover, ‘How did they appear?’ What method allowed them to create such a situation so abruptly? ‘Surely, the Fenglong Great Master would have been continuously monitoring the formations.’ Even with all the forces gathered, there’s always the lingering threat. Continuous patrolling is standard, and numerous formations for preventing attacks should be in place. Even if they breached the defenses, they should have been detected by the formations. Could it be? ‘Could the Fenglong Great Master have betrayed us?’ It was a reasonable suspicion. The Fenglong Great Master managed the entire alliance’s formations. If she had indeed betrayed them, this scenario was plausible. Especially considering the recent reports of something unusual about the Fenglong Great Master’s condition; it wasn’t impossible. ‘...Could that be why she hasn’t appeared?’ Even with the situation as it is, her failure to appear might be explained by her betrayal. ‘Grit.’ Emotion welled up in the Sword Saint's eyes. A tangled, erupting situation. Why was this unfolding now? Of all times, during his leadership tenure. Intense emotions surged within him. He had to resolve this matter no matter what. For his future, by all means. As he struggled to think of a solution, focusing all his energy... “It’s much like a mouse trapped inside a jar.” A voice echoed from the air. Everyone inside immediately looked up. They all simultaneously gazed in the direction the voice had come from. “How fitting.” Ssssss. A crimson line began to connect across the sky and the dark clouds. Below it. An old man garbed in black was slowly descending. For an elderly man, he had a well-balanced physique and wielded a heavy cudgel in one hand. The old man, floating in the air, smirked as he looked at those gathered beyond the barrier. “So, how does it feel to be trapped like frogs in a well? I'm very curious.” “...” Everyone realized in that moment. That old man was the mastermind behind this entire scenario. “…Who are you?” “Do you even know who we are to act so boldly? Release us immediately—!” Just as the merchant leaders, gathered together, raised their voices at the culprit, plum blossoms extended out and sealed their mouths. The Plum Blossom Saint had done this. He judged that provoking the opponent was dangerous, thus compelling his action. Right after silencing them, the Plum Blossom Saint addressed the old man with a calm voice. “I am Dohwa, the 16th Leader of the Mount Hua Sect.” “Plum Blossom Saint. I know you well. It’s an honor to meet someone so distinguished.” “I suspect I do not have the pleasure of your acquaintance. May I ask your name, sir?” “Heh, heh, heh…” The old man chuckled at the Plum Blossom Saint’s inquiry. “A name, you say… Names are good... Yes, indeed, you should know who has brought you to this state!” With a voice raspy from dryness, he hefted his cudgel. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a name. But at least I have never forgotten my essence. Let me introduce myself this way.” With eyes brimming with resentment and fury, the old man gazed beyond the barrier and declared: “I am a descendant of the Jeagal family, whom you falsely accused and abandoned.” His introduction elicited a fierce reaction from those within the barrier. “…What!?” “Jeagal…?” “The Jeagal family… surely not.” The Jeagal family. Once part of the righteous sect, celebrated as one of the Five Great Families, they were exposed for secretly pursuing an evil power and subsequently fell from grace. Was this old man a survivor of that Jeagal family? “How does it feel to have those you thought you had erased with false accusations now brandishing a sword at your throats?” “False accusations? What do you mean by that?” “The Jeagal family was known to be pursuing….” The power of evil, specifically that of the blood demon responsible for past bloodshed was what they were accused of seeking. Everyone wore puzzled expressions at the unexpected claim of false accusations. “Yes, it’s an old affair now. For those in the righteous sect, something deeply hidden indeed... erased without a trace.” The old man scowled as if vexed by their reactions. “Yet, we, cast into hell, remember.” Rumble---!!! The tremors became increasingly intense. “You may have forgotten us, but we remember. How could we forget? Such a painful memory! How could we possibly forget--!!” With a roar, his voice exploded with energy, enveloping the area. Huaaa—!! -Screams-! -Aaaaahhh--!!! The impact was close enough to harm those yet to escape the Alliance. The old man’s fury was immense. Confronting this, the Sword Saint of Wudang stepped forward and addressed him. “Is that why you have orchestrated this?” The Sword Saint's words caught the old man's attention. “You, the Sword Saint, the most useless and impotent leader of this rotten Martial Arts Alliance.” The scornful words contorted the Sword Saint’s brow, but it was not the time to argue. “I know nothing of the Jeagal family's troubles. But while I comprehend that you seek vengeance for what might have been a false accusation, does your vengeance truly warrant what’s happening here?” No matter what past injustices the Alliance committed. Was it right to take revenge on the innocents of the present? A possibly valid perspective. “Are you suggesting I should forgive? Had that been my intent, I wouldn’t be standing here now.” The old man was unmoved. “…There are civilians here not involved in past events, not just members of the Alliance. If there must be revenge, then at least…!” “I know that. Reform always demands sacrifice.” “…Does that mean you intend to harm those not involved?” “Ha.” The old man chuckled derisively at the Sword Saint’s outraged words. “How ironic, Alliance leader.” “What is so amusing?” “It’s amusing how you speak as though this is the real issue. Since when did you—no, since when did any of you care about such things?” “…What are you talking about-!” “Look.” The old man cut off the Sword Saint and gestured broadly. He motioned beyond the bedlam towards those gathered around the barrier. “The situation has come to this, yet where are your principles and justice?” -Moveeee---!! Let us through!! -Nooo!!! -Run for it---!! Was it the old man's disturbance that exacerbated matters? An already chaotic environment was filled with screams. And even so. -Save the Alliance Leader-! -Break the barrier-! We must rescue the branch leaders-!! -Attack!- We’re under attack…!! -You there-! First, join the battle…! -The Alliance Leader is still in there--!! Send others and deal with this barrier first! Damn it! What is Fenglong doing!? Pointing at the disarray of martial artists who should be protecting civilians, the old man laughed. What sort of sight was this for the righteous sect's warriors to present? Nothing seemed to function properly. Curiously, those warriors below appeared unaware of the old man’s presence. “This is the order and justice you speak of? The foundation you’ve maintained amidst decay is that?” “This is the world you have created, struggling to cling to your positions.” “So do not merely label this as revenge directed at you.” The old man glared at the Sword Saint and continued. “This is the punishment we bestow upon you.” Rumble---!!! The cloud of dread and the vibrations intensified. Amid this, the old man cast his verdict upon the barrier. Inside, faces were painted with shock and anger. ‘Yes.’ Watching them, the old man felt an electrifying joy. ‘That’s it.’ That expression. The expressions he had worn throughout his life. And the one he had always wanted to see them wear. ‘How does it feel?’ How does it feel to be steeped in despair, powerless to act? How does it feel to experience the very emotions we have endured? Thrilling. It was immensely gratifying. ‘It’s not much longer now.’ Just a little time left before the calamity fully unfolded. This barrier couldn't be shattered unless one knew its weakness. Even with tremendous force, breaking it would demand an unimaginable power. Regardless of the strength folk have gathered, such force would likely still be insufficient. ‘So stay quietly trapped within your jar and witness the abyss.’ And be swept away by the storm he had unleashed. Just as the old man relished in his triumph. Buzz. “…!” The old man quickly pivoted. In that very instant. Thud—!!! An immense surge of energy skimmed past where the old man stood. Boom---!!! An explosion erupted in midair. It was an unexpected assault. Who was it? The old man looked at his opponent with bewildered eyes. “Are you the mastermind behind this attack?” A man with a deep, resonant voice came into view. He was a middle-aged man clad in a yellow robe. “I am Hwangbo Yeolwi, the head of the Hwangbo family.” “...” What was this? The old man was confounded. Not only had the man attacked him, but he was also looking directly at him clearly. That shouldn't have been possible. After all.... ‘The spell was definitely functioning properly. How can he…?’ How could that man possibly see him? It was a perplexing situation. However. “From this moment onward.” It wasn’t a time for such questions. “I, Hwangbo Yeolwi of the Fierce Tiger Fist, will eradicate evil in the name of the righteous sect.” With those words, Hwangbo Yeolwi leaped towards the old man. The sudden move prompted the old man to hastily swing his cudgel. Whooom---!!!! A shockwave erupted as energy collided with energy. Boom---!!! -Aaaahhh!! What is this--!! -Please, save meee—!!! Amidst the cries born from the impact, the old man's gaze suddenly narrowed. Was it an illusion? The eyes of the man who introduced himself as the head of the Hwangbo family seemed to glint with a purplish hue. ****************** Thud-!! Boom Boom-!!! Repeated shocks caused the ceiling to tremble. It seemed the plan had commenced. Boom---!! The impact was strong enough for its sounds to reach their somewhat distant location. Perhaps the order to be as intense as possible was a bit of an overreach. It might be a bit excessive, but... ‘It should be fine at that level.’ It was a favorable situation, so there was no need for concern. Instead, he continued his stride. Step. He passed through a dim, murky space. It was an area where almost no presence could be felt. The place was originally sparse in human presence, but the incident's onset seemed to have made it exceptionally vacant. Unless... ‘The ones who were here have disappeared.’ Perhaps there were people here once. Now, they might have been forcibly removed. Pondering that possibility, he continued walking until he reached— “….” A door. Though there were several other doors present, my destination was here, so there was no need to proceed further. Without hesitation, he pulled the door open. Creak. The metal door came apart, breaking off. Thump-! Beyond the shattered door appeared a grim scene. It caused his eyes to squint slightly. Drip. Drip…! An unpleasant noise accompanied by a metallic scent teased his nostrils. The smell of blood. It was a pungent scent. Splash. As he advanced, a damp floor greeted him. It wasn’t water. The floor was entirely drenched in blood. That wasn’t all. All around were mangled and dismembered bodies. Some faces appeared crushed as if struck with a cudgel. Others were torn in half as if their torsos had been wrenched apart. The count of the brutally slain bodies exceeded ten. Clicking his tongue slightly at the gruesomeness, he muttered. “What a mess they made.” Uttering those words in disgust, he sensed a presence ahead. At the center of a pit formed by human remains was someone kneeling on one knee. Dark green hair. The figure, donned in a prison garb signifying their status as a criminal, had arms and legs shackled with chains. But those seemed insufficient to restrain the man. Thud. Something bumped against his toe. Glancing down, he saw a human head. One that appeared to have been ripped off by hand. Now that he thought about it, it was a familiar face? As he stared with growing recognition— “It’s the head of the Ilryong leader.” A voice reached his ears, as if providing the information. “Indeed. It was him.” So that’s where he had seen it. With his curiosity satisfied, he stepped over the head and moved towards the man. No further interest lingered. “How’s your condition?” “No problems.” To prove his point, the man began to rise. Slowly, he stood, revealing his formidable height. Every time he witnessed it, the sheer size of his frame was remarkable. His skin bore countless scars. Most bore the marks of age, but a few seemed relatively recent. These appeared to be results of torture not long past. “Your limbs seem like the tendons were severed. Are you sure you're okay?” “They’ve regenerated.” “Good.” He asked, already knowing the answer. Had they not regenerated, he wouldn’t have been able to create such carnage. Accepting this, he retrieved clothing from his garments and tossed them to the man. Dangtuk caught the clothes and promptly unfolded them. Swoosh-! Black martial attire. The design was identical to what the head of the Phildoma sect wore. Seeing this, Dangtuk grinned ear to ear. He seemed to have understood its significance. Without being told, he donned the attire immediately, appearing thoroughly pleased. It felt like ages since I’d seen him smile. It was unnerving. “When you step outside, someone in yellow will have your weapon ready, so collect it there.” “Understood.” “And then… No, there’s no point in saying more when you’re not in a state to listen.” Dangtuk’s eyes were already glazed over. Saying more would be futile, and there was only one thing left to say. Expressing gratitude was unnecessary. What he desired wasn’t words of thanks…. “Go, and wreak havoc.” Thud-!! No sooner had the words left his mouth than Dangtuk barreled past him, smashing through the wall. …Crack. Rumble--!! In the distance, the sound of things being demolished echoed. The sound prompted a small sigh from him. ‘…Is it really alright?’ Though he had set certain prohibitions before, seeing his state, compliance seemed doubtful. He wished to follow and manage him, but… ‘I have my own tasks to deal with.’ Splash. Leaving Dangtuk alone, he continued marching forward. Where Dangtuk had been, a space lay open behind him. “I’ve found it.” There, he found something. Or more precisely, someone he sought. He crouched, matching eyes with the figure he discovered. "...Ugh... groooan..." The old woman's arms hung limply, seemingly broken, and the ligaments in her legs looked severed, suggesting her condition was dire. It was none other than Fenglong Great Master Bimapa Yesun. "Nice to see you. I've been looking for you everywhere, and here you are." "...Ugh...uhhhh..." She trembled violently, seemingly paralyzed by fear. Watching her through the mask, he addressed her. "I have a little favor to ask of you." Naturally, "Would you oblige?" There was never an option for her to refuse.