153 - Mission, Pursuit (3) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

They had only just passed halfway through the blue sea. Naegakju Gyeon Gweol, leading the march, suddenly halted his rapid pace. “Naegakju-nim?” Blue Dragon Gi Taewoon inquired, but Gweol simply pursed his lips, staring ahead without a word. The persistent pursuit had finally narrowed to about half a day's distance; it was palpable. Gweol sensed not only the demonic energy of a transcendent Ma Un but also another presence alongside it. “You were here.” Saying so, Gweon Gweol began to sit in a lotus position amidst the forest. “…Naegakju-nim?” “Battle is upon us. Everyone, recover your internal energy.” “The pursuit...” “It’s alright. There is someone to block it.” With that, Gweol started his energy circulation practice. The thought that his current state might hinder ‘him’ if they were to engage in battle now, after having used his internal energy in the chase and detection, prompted this action. To the vanguard, it was utterly bewildering. However, knowing Gweol was not one to speak in vain, Gi Taewoon declared, “Begin your energy circulation! Recover your internal energy quickly!” This occurred three days before Mok Riwon and his group were due to arrive. * Wi Gwang-cheon stopped in his tracks, looking at a man sitting in the alleyway. The other Ma Un trailing behind him all came to a standstill. No one dared to move forward rashly. It was understandable. The one obstructing their path was none other than a transcendent martial artist. “…Who are you?” Wi Gwang-cheon asked. The man then raised his head. He appeared to be at the threshold of middle age and old age. Grey hairs interspersed his black locks, covering half of his hair. His black martial arts uniform, stained with the vestiges of time, was shabby, and his demeanor was as languid and slick as that of a wastrel. Cradling a sword in his lap, the man’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Jin Geon.” He rose to his feet. “I was just wandering around when I felt an annoying energy, so I followed it here. But what do you know? The central lands are filled with a foul stench that shouldn't exist.” Wi Gwang-cheon exhaled a breath laced with irritation. ‘Jin Geon.’ A name known to Wi Gwang-cheon. The veteran who had led the charge to behead Dan Cheonhua during the war that central landers call the Blood War. He was Jin Geon, the Sword King, ranked among the Four Stars and Six Kings. “Well, look what we have here? Some Ma Un dogs straying onto our land.” Jin Geon chuckled, spitting out the leaf he was chewing. Drawing his sword with a whoosh, he remarked, “When you come to someone else’s land, isn’t it only polite to greet the landowner? Ma Un dogs are always lacking in manners, I tell you.” Wi Gwang-cheon assessed the situation. ‘We have the advantage in numbers.’ But only a conditional advantage. It was one that would quickly flip the moment the swiftly advancing warriors of the Meng catch up and arrive here. Fortuitously, those warriors have halted for the moment, perhaps with this man's trust. ‘He must be planning to replenish his strength.’ So, what would be the wise move? ‘Launch a focused strike and break through during this interval?’ No, that would only lead to significant losses on their side. The opponent was Sword King Jin Geon, a powerful warrior rated just below the Sword Saint and Sword Emperor among the Four Stars and Six Kings. A direct charge would mean being swiftly cut down by his blade, that was certain. Wi Gwang-cheon contemplated the scenario. ‘Fight alone.’ It would be better to buy time for the Ma Un to flee, ensuring Jin Geon couldn't catch up to them by increasing their distance sufficiently. Having coordinated movements with the Ma Un thus far, his demonic energy was considerably stored up. Given the dissipating drug effects, dividing the troops was certainly feasible. ‘About half a day’s gap. Finish within an hour.’ “Escape. Scatter in all directions and head to the New Doctrine first. Request reinforcements there.” To Wi Gwang-cheon’s command, Paewungchu responded, “Deputy leader?” “I said scatter because you’re in the way.” The following words were transmitted through secret sound transmission. [Since the leader has ended his seclusion, it implies the elders of the New Doctrine are also likely out. It’s necessary they come personally.] Over the past 25 years since the leader entered seclusion, the real power of the New Doctrine, the elders each a transcendent on their own, had merely guarded the entrance to his retreat chamber. Bringing even just two of them would significantly ease their exodus through the blue sea. Buying time? Utterly feasible. The transcendent here, the transcendents following. Even if facing two, by dodging around the vast blue sea, they could easily buy a fortnight. “Go!” Wi Gwang-cheon shouted, and the Ma Un bowed their heads. “Understood!” As they scattered in all directions, Jin Geon, who had been chuckling and watching all this while, made his move. “Quite the admirable leader for Ma Un! Not ignoring the death of your subordinates, are we?” As he spoke, his blade moved with the speed of lightning, sketching through the air. The energy beam, akin to rending space, spread out, targeting all directions. Against this, Wi Gwang-cheon executed a profound movement. KwaAAAAAAAANG! Heavenly Demon's Royal Stride. Wi Gwang-cheon stepped forward, deploying a technique that burst a wide range of demonic energy to block Jin Geon. “Such struggle! Reminds me of a courtesan I met recently! Her sharpness was truly exquisite.” Jin Geon concentrated his energy into his sword, swirling it vigorously. The green energy beam compressed and revolved, gradually intensifying in ferocity. “Now, here’s a question! Do you know what became of that courtesan?” It was Ganggi, pure internal energy. Jin Geon widened his smile and thrust his sword forward. “In the end, she was beneath me, gasping desperately! Much like how you’ll end up from now on!” Facing the charging Jin Geon, Wi Gwang-cheon cloaked himself in demonic energy. The energy blazed like furious flames, then settled into tranquility. “Nonsense.” KWAANG!!! Sword and fist collided, and the area was engulfed in an explosion. * Sword King Jin Geon. Did it take many words to denote his name? The martial world encapsulated him in a single term. A wastrel. Jin Geon’s origin was as unclear as his lack of a home. He was a man who wandered wherever his feet took him, doing whatever he fancied—a true eccentric. That must be why he found himself here. A striking coincidence. Fleeing a brothel without paying after bedding ten courtesans, Jin Geon expressed sheer delight at the arrival of an opponent to clear his complex thoughts. Certainly, for Jin Geon, whose life's purpose was women and fights, nothing could be more delightful. “Struggle a bit more!” With a ‘KWAANG!’ the impact was conveyed. An anonymous transcendent Ma Un gnashed his teeth and punched out once again. Jin Geon could feel it. ‘This is divine skill!’ Definitely, this martial skill advancing his cultivation could only be described as divine. His martial prowess was not just due to transcendent demonic energy but was completed by an understanding of this miraculous martial skill. ‘Let’s see… A transcendent level, a young Ma Un, using divine skill. Since Heavenly Demon wouldn’t bother here, the answer is one!’ “Little Heavenly Demon!” Instinctively, the Ma Un’s expression contorted. Jin Geon laughed heartily, swinging his sword. “Correct!” “Talkative.” The Ma Un amalgamated his demonic energy into one within his hand. It seemed quite dangerous. Jin Geon felt a growing thrill at the prospect of a dangerous duel. “You ought to know whom you're sharing blood with!” Following that, the Ma Un lifted his concentrated demonic energy above his head and slammed it into the ground. It must be a divine skill. Such destructive power was perceptible. Jin Geon enveloped himself in internal energy to neutralize the impact. “KHAAAAA!!!” He shouted loudly enough not to be drowned out by the thunderous explosion, thereby declaring his survival. As the explosion subsided, Jin Geon quickly sprinted towards the fleeing Little Heavenly Demon, scanning the surroundings. “Where do you think you’re going!” The guests hadn’t all arrived yet. Far away, what appeared to be Meng's forces were just rising to their feet. The fluctuating energy amidst them was undoubtedly Gyeon Ga’s. Then, shouldn’t he enjoy himself to the fullest? If Gyeon Ga arrived, wouldn’t it all end too blandly? “Come on, show me more!” Jin Geon was eager to know. Not the Ma Un's name or his bland life, but the man's limits and the best strategy he could employ. And thus, to name another duel of life and death. KWAANG!!! Ganggi clashed once more. The Ma Un’s brows furrowed. Eventually, he spoke. “Entertainment ends here.” What did he mean? Was he finally going to unleash his full strength? “Good! Then I shall also exert my utmost strength!” THUD, Jin Geon firmly planted his feet and gripped his sword with both hands, injecting all his energy into the sword, intensifying the rotation of the Ganggi. Regrettably, the situation Jin Geon hoped for did not materialize. “Fool.” The Ma Un scoffed and then, with a THUMP, dashed off. “Eh?” Jin Geon was left dumbfounded. Then, belatedly coming to his senses, he gathered his energy in his legs and launched forward like an arrow. “Wai, wait for me!!!” His plaintive voice was like that of an inept husband clinging to his leaving wife. * Gyeon Gweol clenched his eyes shut. ‘…Could he not have blocked it?’ No, they were still in pursuit. Joining them soon to push forward would suffice. Gyeon Gweol concluded his decision. “I will go alone. Since the Ma Un have scattered, you focus on capturing them.” “Naegakju-nim! Are you certain?!” “And why wouldn’t I be?” Gyeon Gweol drew his sword, from which a mysterious energy, an intricate blend of blue and white, began to emanate. “Then, I’m off.” With a light sound, Gyeon Gweol's body shot forward. How much time had passed as he shot forth at the maximum speed he could muster, sparing not a bit of the internal energy he had recovered thus far? ‘There.’ Gyeon Gweol could sense the energy of the two men maintaining a certain distance in the chase. He promptly adjusted his grip on his sword. After layering his energy over the sword, he swung it up from the ground to the sky in a large arc. It was his unique martial art, Wave. With a refreshing swoosh, the energy beam shot out like lightning, cutting through the distance. It soared past Jin Geon in pursuit, eventually reaching the Ma Un. The Ma Un's steps halted in a momentary flinch—a gap too significant among transcendental warriors. “Gyeon Ga! It’s been a long time!” Jin Geon, visibly excited, shouted as he looked straight at the Ma Un. Gyeon Gweol exhaled shortly and quickened his pace. THUD! Thus, Gyeon Gweol, having closed the distance to the now-stopped Ma Un, began a standoff. Jin Geon followed behind. In some forest of the blue sea, three transcendent warriors came to a halt.