Ep472 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.
Her master, the Celestial Demon, had spoken. "Do whatever it takes to block Baek Woojin’s path," he commanded. Thus, Jin Miyeon pondered the task. In a situation where there were no restrictions on means and methods, the most effective way to obstruct someone was through murder. This decision was not solely about obeying her master. It was personal—a chance to avenge her 'child', whom she cherished as dearly as her own son. "The intruder is heading to Kunlun?" Being geographically closer, Jin Miyeon reached Cheonghaeseong much quicker than Baek Woojin could. There, she unveiled a new breed of monsters born from her recent insights. Her target was Cheonghaeseong. Occupying this strategic location promised immense advantages. Not only could it serve as a future stronghold for the Demonic Cult’s advance into the Central Plains, but it could also pose a formidable barrier to Baek Woojin's journey to Mount Kunlun. Recalling martial techniques from her lifetime, she orchestrated a strategic assault. The monsters, enhanced and far more powerful than before due to her transformation, began mercilessly trampling the unprepared warriors of Cheonghaeseong. “Not much longer now.” It would not be long before Cheonghaeseong fell into her grasp. But just then— "Exterminate the vile presence!" An intruder appeared. “Unjung Yuseon...!” Unjung Yuseon Myung Hyun. A revered elder of the Kunlun sect, and one of the Three Pillars of the orthodox martial world. "How dare this old man—!" One could say he lived his entire life on the front lines against the Demonic Cult. He likely realized that a defeat in this battle would break the spirit of the warriors of Cheonghaeseong beyond repair, prompting him to act. With each swing of his blade, dozens of monsters were torn to shreds. Indeed, proving that 'old ginger is spicier', his prowess was awe-inspiring. She regarded his efforts with a cold smile. "Hmph... still trying, are you?" Ninety-nine years old, he was. Living a lifetime of martial training and ferocious battles, no less. Even for a master at his level, his body was undeniably at its limit. To effectively move his creaking body, he was exhausting a significant amount of internal energy without reserve. Despite that, fatigue was clearly showing. With every swing of his sword, his stamina visibly diminished. Jin Miyeon considered the opportunity presented before her. "If I can kill that old man here, a member of the Three Pillars—!" Ending his life would not only secure Cheonghaeseong in this battle but also devastate the morale of the entire orthodox martial world. With rising anticipation, she calmed herself and concealed her presence. She had already strayed from being fully human. In her state of being a half-human, half-demon, one advantage was that the usual human biological activities had nearly ceased, making it far easier for her to hide her presence. She waited. Until his breath grew ragged. "Hah... hah..." Finally, the moment arrived. "Now!" As one's breath becomes disturbed, so too does their awareness. Jin Miyeon seized this moment, swiftly closing in on Myung Hyun's back, extending her razor-sharp nails. Just as she was about to pierce his heart with her nails, which were harder than the toughest steel— "Damn...!" Sensing her presence belatedly, he spun around with a startled cry. But it was too late. By the time he would turn, her nails would already have pierced his heart. Sneering, she thrust her hand forward. Myung Hyun's gaze changed. Even facing death, his eyes bore no trace of fear as they fixed on her. There was only one reason for such composure in the face of death. "Could it be...!" In that split-second, a blade flashed. The ornate dragon carved into the sword lunged toward her with its jaws wide open. "Come with me, you vicious thing!" It was a strike made with the resolution of death. A technique meant to ensure that if he died, he would take her along. "Ugh...!" It was a golden opportunity. To eliminate one of the pillars supporting the orthodox martial world. But doing so would require her readiness to trade her life, just as the old man did. Had she been her usual self, she surely would have done so. Yet her master's command was not to die alongside one of the Three Pillars, but to obstruct Baek Woojin. "Tch...!" She twisted her body. Immediately, the blade and her nails drove deep into their respective targets. Slice! Thud! "Argh...!" “Grrk…!?” It wasn’t the intended target, the heart. Myung Hyun’s sword slashed through her left arm, while Jin Miyeon’s claw just pierced his shoulder. Jin Miyeon had clearly sustained the more grievous injury. It was a matter of resolve. One was prepared to face death without hesitation, while the other refused to embrace it. “D-damn…!” With a face full of indignation, she roughly withdrew her claw from his shoulder. As a half-human, half-demon, she possessed regenerative abilities far beyond human limits. Even a severed arm would grow back in time. However, this particular wound would take a while to mend. It wasn't just a regular injury—it was caused by a sword imbued with powerful energy. She would need to thoroughly expel the intruding energy from her body for her regenerative abilities to function fully. With a smirk curling one corner of her mouth, she hissed at him. "You’d best stay hidden away, old man. Cross my path again, and you won’t survive." Myung Hyun clenched his teeth. To hear such words from a being hardly deserving of being called human was an affront. Suppressing his boiling anger rather than letting it explode— He gathered his emotions, locked them away, and spoke in a calm voice. “Heh...! Next time, I’ll ensure you return to dust.” Crack! She ground her teeth at the grating laugh of the old man, breaking one tooth in the process, before turning away in anger. As she distanced herself, the monsters halted their battle and followed in her wake. Though it left her scarred, it was a victory she hadn’t tasted for a long time. * * * Baek Woojin had rushed toward Cheonghaeseong upon receiving urgent news of its peril. By the time he arrived, a deep sense of defeat hung heavily across the fortress. Even after Myung Hyun's heroic effort to secure a victory, they had suffered three consecutive defeats. Though the spirit of the warriors had not been utterly broken, they were still at a grave disadvantage. Their defensive line had been pushed right up to the gates of Cheonghaeseong, forcing them into a defensive battle. “…At least I’m not too late.” Though the situation seemed dire, the fortress had not yet fallen. Reclaiming the lost ground would be the only concern. With the combined strength of himself and his companions, they could surely achieve that. However, there was something else more immediate to address. Rekindling the spirits of the warriors of Cheonghaeseong, which had hit rock bottom. At Baek Woojin’s nod, Jang Sam and Goo Wangsoo stepped forward and shouted with exuberance. “The illustrious Baek Woojin, Master of the Heavenly Radiance Sword, has arrived!” “The great Baek Woojin is here to save Cheonghaeseong in its time of need!” The arrival of an absolute master to break through the crisis. What better boost could exist for reviving the morale of warriors crushed under defeat? “Baek Woojin himself is here?” “The very Heavenly Radiance Sword?” As the two belted out their announcement, warriors began to gather. Among them, those who had witnessed Baek Woojin from afar before shouted in recognition. “It’s true!” “Baek Woojin is really here!” “The Heavenly Radiance Sword has come to save Cheonghaeseong!” Their hopeful cries quickly spread throughout Cheonghaeseong, lifting the oppressive atmosphere. It was enough to rekindle the embers of hope. Knowing full well how many miracles he had achieved. They began to believe he could perform one here as well. Baek Woojin addressed the gathering warriors. “Sharpen your swords. Be ready to charge out and reclaim your place by vanquishing the monsters.” Having said his piece, Baek Woojin stepped past them, resuming his stride. That was all it took. “Raise your blades!” “The Master of the Heavenly Radiance Sword is with us!” “An opportunity for revenge against those monsters is here!” With that brief moment, he had managed to rejuvenate their spirits. Baek Woojin then made his way to the lord’s palace, where the leaders fighting the monsters gathered. As he approached the entrance, the commanders who had been drawn outside by the commotion hurried to him. “Lord Baek Woojin!” Their reaction was startling. Though his reputation was sky-high, he was still a relatively new master in the martial world. Yet they all bowed their heads to someone several ranks below their seniority. “Why are you acting this way?” Startled, he inquired, and the foremost commander, with a voice tinged with desperation, exclaimed. “Please, help us!” “Of course, I will. Once preparations are done, we will exterminate all the monsters outside….” “That’s not it.” His face took on a puzzled expression. “Then what is it you need my help with?” "Unjung Yuseon has not regained consciousness since being injured in the last battle." "You're referring to the revered elder of the Three Pillars?" This was news to him. In his rush to get there, Baek Woojin hadn't received any updates on the situation. He was puzzled. The elder, belonging to the esteemed Three Pillars of the martial world— While advanced in years at ninety-nine, was not someone to be easily felled by monsters. "Unjung Yuseon encountered a woman on the battlefield." "A woman, you say?" Baek Woojin's expression turned grave. Could it have been the Celestial Demon? "Indeed. She bore the appearance of a human, yet she was no ordinary being—quite an enigmatic woman." "Ah." At that description, one specific figure came to mind. 'Jin Miyeon.' A woman who delved so deeply into the study of beasts that she was becoming one herself. "While fighting her, he sustained a severe injury to his shoulder, and the malignant energy there has prevented any healing." "Hmm..." A contemplative hum escaped Baek Woojin. An aged body naturally recovers slowly. Couple that with sinister energy that destroys everything it touches, and the outcome is predictable. Having assessed the situation, Baek Woojin swiftly organized his thoughts and priorities. "Please take me to the elder." He had to save him first. --- **Author's Note** That's it for this chapter. I look forward to seeing you in the next installment. Thank you for reading, as always. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)