244 - Genius Martial Arts Trainer

◈ Overcoming the Poisoned Array (Part 2) Mujin, tasked with the direction located in the northeast, fumbled through his clothes as he approached the point Tang Sumi had indicated. “After attacking the formation, I was told to use this immediately.” In Mujin’s grasp was the Antidote Pearl handed to him by Tang Sumi. — In the unlikely event of failure, it’ll at least help resist the poison a bit. You might end up melting before realizing if you succeeded or failed, so as soon as you attack, hold this in your mouth and make a swift escape. It seemed like an irresponsible plan, yet Tang Sumi had ensured there was at least a “minimum” safeguard in place. Arriving at his designated location, Mujin calmed his mind and assumed the initial stance of the Unsurpassed Godly Fist. Others assigned to different positions were likely also in the midst of preparations to unleash their respective arts by now. “Phew.” With all preparations complete, Mujin steadied his breath and awaited the signal. Because the attack had to be launched simultaneously at five locations, it was crucial to unleash martial arts precisely on cue. It was, in a way, the most precarious moment. If the enemies sensed something amiss and took action, it would be difficult to respond while exerting all efforts to execute the tactic. The seconds that ticked by as Mujin held the initial stance of the Unsurpassed Godly Fist felt like eternal eons. Just as a cold sweat drop threatened to drip from his brow amidst the tension, the prearranged signaling horn blared. *Beeeep!* Simultaneously, Mujin, who had finished all preparations, struck with a punch as if following a predetermined course. With that natural motion, a burst of golden star-like energy surged from his fist toward the poisonous formation. *Boom!* Five tremendous explosions resonated across the swamp shrouded in toxic fog simultaneously. Mujin, after delivering his punch, retrieved the Antidote Pearl and held it in his mouth, fleeing without a backward glance. Unleashing his extreme speed technique, Mujin quickly put distance between himself and the battlefield, only slowing down when he reached a relatively safer location, allowing him to glance back. “Was it... a success?” They had attacked the formation simultaneously, yet no violent reaction occurred. One might have expected a massive explosion akin to a bombing, but the only visible effect was the toxic mist swirling haphazardly. * * * When Mujin arrived at the temporary tent where the strategy meeting had taken place, others who had shared the same mission were entering one by one. As Geum Yang-hwi was the last to enter the tent safely, Tang Sumi, who had been waiting for them, greeted them warmly. “Well done, everyone. It seems we succeeded.” “Was that really a success? There doesn't seem to be any particular reaction,” Guhyang Pae questioned, looking skeptical. Pointing at the five who had returned, Tang Sumi replied, “The fact that you all returned safely is proof enough.” “It might be thanks to the Antidote Pearl?” “I did mention, didn’t I? That it wasn’t a special Antidote Pearl made by analyzing that poison. It was merely to put your minds at ease.” “...” At her words, the group exchanged awkward glances at the Antidote Pearls they each held. ‘A placebo effect, perhaps?’ As Mujin pondered this, feeling somewhat baffled, Tang Sumi clapped her hands, invigorating the atmosphere. “And there’s more evidence. If you look at the poisonous formation, you’ll see the toxic mist is swirling around chaotically. That means the poisons within are beginning to counteract each other. Assemble those forming the original formation into one location.” “But won’t that make it hard to prevent them from escaping in another direction?” “With the broken formation, the power that was binding the poison’s flow has disappeared. That’s why it has begun counteracting, but it also means the poison will now spread in all directions. Now that it’s counteracting, the potency of the toxic mist should be significantly reduced.” “!!!” Despite the astonished expressions around her, Tang Sumi continued in a relaxed tone. “Instead of trying to block the poison spreading everywhere, wouldn’t it be better to gather everyone in one place for a focused breakthrough?” “What if they escape while we’re doing that?” “The poison spreading in all directions means it’s also starting to infiltrate their main base within the poison formation, doesn’t it? From what I hear, allies, not just the Poison Sect’s members, are with them, right? Those allied martial artists are likely preoccupied trying to repel the poison with their energy rather than escaping.” After concluding her debate with Guhyang Pae, she clapped her hands once again to steer the conversation. “So, assemble your forces immediately. There’s no time for idle chatter!” * * * Following Tang Sumi’s advice, they directed their subordinates to form a concentrated formation. As those spread out to create the original formation converged, the leaders who had executed the tactic took the opportunity to recuperate their energy through guided meditation. In the meantime, as Tang Sumi had predicted, the toxic mist in the poisonous formation visibly began to seep into all directions. Once ready, they launched their advance toward the Poison Sect. Around the perimeter of the advancing dense formation, archers from the Sun Palace positioned themselves. “Repel the poison!” Following the command of the Sun Palace Lord at the center, the archers at the perimeter unleashed their solar energy. “This group blending together, even Mugung looks like a true Sun Palace follower.” By coincidence, due to his proficiency in solar energy, Mugung too was battling valiantly at the forefront against the poison. Observing Mugung, who unleashed force as if competing with the surrounding Sun Palace archers, Mujin mumbled. “Indeed, his skills have improved remarkably.” With Geum Yang-hwi and the Sun Palace Lord resting at the center after destroying the formation. Mugung's celestial palm was truly a standout, like a lone crane among chickens. When Mugung thrust his palm forward, the obscuring toxic mist in front of him would instantly dissipate, clearing the line of sight momentarily. Compared to the other archers of the Sun Palace, whose energy merely blew away the poison right before them, his was vastly superior in performance. Furthermore, whenever a nearby Sun Palace archer faltered, overwhelmed by the toxins and needed to catch their breath. “Don't worry!” Mugung stepped forward, dispersing the encroaching toxic mist for his comrade with a reassuring smile. His sturdy build, skill, and smile made him seem like a fitting hero of legends. “Yet, why is it so infuriating to watch?” Mujin shook his head, unable to conceal his irritation, for he knew that Mugung’s smile was a product of the so-called ‘hero act’ that Mugung often practiced. Even his powerful display using the Celestial Palm was just for show. ‘He could have taken it easy, but no, he needs to show off due to his competitive nature.’ Mugung should have coordinated his efforts with those around him. Striking at full power to clear the mist was meaningless if it simply flowed back as time passed, unless he moved in tandem with the others. Perhaps it was because of such reckless use of energy that Mugung, despite his outward composure, was sweating heavily. “Phew.” And predictably, Mugung, under the guise of wiping sweat with a determined look, seemed to Mujin like he was acting as a diligent man engrossed in his work, almost causing Mujin to gag. Just then, the Sun Palace Lord, assessing the archers' condition, shouted a command. “First line, fall back! Second line, advance!” The archers of the Sun Palace, battling the toxic air at the forefront, retreated, allowing the next line to move forward. As the rotation happened and Mugung stepped back, Mujin couldn’t resist a jibe. “After all that show, why are you retreating so soon?” “Ahem. Show? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mugung feigned ignorance, prompting a faint sigh from Mujin. “Yeah, right. Take it easy. Take it easy.” Even amidst their trivial banter, they continued advancing toward the Poison Sect. By the time the second line fell back and the final third line of archers moved to the outer ranks, the scenario changed. “Wow. Is all the poison gone?” The toxic mist, initially obstructing their view, had thinned considerably and was now nearly gone. “Most of it has cleared due to mutual counteraction, but invisible poisons might still remain!” Tang Sumi’s caution reminded them not to let their guard down, and thus the last line of Sun Palace archers also unleashed solar energy to clear the path. With their vision now unobstructed, they could see the walls of the large estate belonging to the Poison Sect. The toxic mist had dispersed, but the swamps’ thick foliage had also been a visual hindrance. Thankfully, the solar energy from the Sun Palace archers cleared both the mist and the vegetation, providing an unimpeded view. “We're almost there! Just a little more!” As the Sun Palace Lord bellowed to rally the archers, raindrops began to fall from the sky. The intense heat generated by burning through poison, swamp water, and foliage had summoned a sudden rainstorm typical of this jungle environment. *Shhhhh!* No sooner had the sound of raindrops been heard than a torrential downpour began. Seeing the rainfall, Tang Sumi shouted as if struck by inspiration. “Now’s the time!!! Most of the poison in the mist has cleared, and this rain will wash it all away!” Her proclamation was relayed through Guhyang Pae, and then the Beast Palace Lord and Sun Palace Lord shouted their commands. “Strike!!! Let the wrath of the Sun God be upon them!” “It’s time for vengeance! Warriors!!” At the cue from the two lords, warriors of the Beast Palace and archers of the Sun Palace roared in unison and charged toward the visible walls of the Poison Sect. As always, the first to charge forward was the mounted Beast Palace Lord on his mount, Mangkr. It seemed he had no intention of simply leaping over the Poison Sect’s walls. “Break it down! Mangkr!!” As Mangkr swiftly approached the walls, he swung his massive body, causing the walls before them to collapse entirely. With the rain preventing even dust from rising, the view inside the Poison Sect’s estate became instantly clear to the invaders. “Bl-Block them!” “How could they be this fast!!” Throughout the estate, individuals who had been seated in lotus position, attempting to expel toxins, hurriedly rose to their feet. Though that was only true for those who had reached a certain level of mastery. Most dressed as outlaws were already strewn lifeless on the ground, and many were still struggling against toxins, unable to get up. Of course, the Beast Palace Lord, who had lost many of his forest allies to the poisons, had no intention of offering them any reprieve. “Uraurauraura!!!!” With a battle cry that sounded unhinged, the Beast Palace Lord swung his fists, sending powerful waves of energy toward those in meditation, dealing devastating blows. “Gurgle...” “Gah...” For those preoccupied with dispelling poison, such blows were catastrophic. Yet the enemies weren’t merely taking the hits. The few who remained relatively unscathed in the toxic mist — the Poison Sect members — bypassed the Beast Palace Lord and began hurling toxins toward those about to breach the walls. “Forget the Beast Lord! That bastard is immune to anything! Focus on those behind him!!! The rain makes it difficult for the Sun Palace to deploy their strength!!” They skillfully chose toxins less soluble in water, spreading them into the air. However. “The flame of the Sun!! Is not extinguished by mere rain!!” Having reached the walls, the Sun Palace Lord drew a massive sword from his back and swung it, sending a giant flame in a straight line. The intense flames vaporized the falling rain into steam in an instant, evaporating the toxins hurled by the Poison Sect. Undeterred, the flames reached the Poison Sect members who were scattering toxins. “Kyaaaak!!” The stench of burning flesh filled the air as the bodies of the Poison Sect members caught fire from the Sun Palace Lord's blazing attack. Thanks to his remarkable feat, the force, numbering over a thousand, managed to cross the breached walls of the Poison Sect with minimal losses. Just as they began their skirmishes with those who had barely risen throughout the estate, a thunderous voice cut through the air. "You filthy southern barbarians! Using such despicable tricks!" With that bellow, a hundred swordsmen in the distinctive martial attire of the Jeomchang Sect appeared all at once. Beside them, a motley group of over a hundred martial artists, clad in an array of mismatched outfits and wielding a variety of weapons, began to advance. "How dare you tread your dirty feet here!" Hundreds of Poison Sect disciples, clad in their signature green garb, started encircling the area. These were the true adepts, those who had successfully purged the toxins in a short span, making their formidable presence known.