Chapter 336

Chapter 336
Chapter 336. Division (3)

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*Boom!* Boulders shattered into pieces, and *crack-crack-crack!* woodland trees burst apart, dissolving into dust. *Clink, clink, clink!* Razor-sharp steel and overflowing blade energy clashed. *Ugh!* A lifeless body transformed into a wandering ghost upon being torn by that devastating sword force.

“Brother Kang!”

The companion who had been full of vitality, voicing his grievances just yesterday, was no longer drawing breath. Yet there was not even a single moment permitted to embrace the corpse and process the grief.

“Wake up!”

Allowing oneself to be overwhelmed by anguish meant that one would quickly face their own demise. The brutality of the warzone differed little between the bygone days and the current moment.

“Do you wish for us to perish together in this place!”

“Jin-so-un…”

I hauled the hopeless academy student to his feet, but he was incapable of demonstrating even half of his genuine capabilities. The abrupt raid, the startling slaughter of a companion, the unforgiving weather and terrain—all these elements converged, turning this location into an absolute abyss for the academy students.

“Eun-ho, what is the status of our unit?”

“They are holding the line by organizing into a sword formation. However, if the neighboring flanks give way, they will inevitably fall into peril.”

“……”

My impulse was to sprint toward my unit immediately, but it appeared there was still a slight cushion of time. Naturally, if I failed to untangle this predicament prior to that, rushing to their side would be meaningless as everyone would already be slaughtered.

‘Recall. Keep recalling.’

What must be accomplished at this exact instant. I have to discover a path to endure and break free from this zone. I am not solitary. I am alongside my companions.

‘Indeed, alongside my companions.’

Once my thoughts settled, I directed my words toward Eun-ho.

“Get back to the unit.”

“Dae-sa-hyeong…!”

“And ensure that our comrades do not perish under any circumstances.”

The White Tiger Sword Formation (*Baek-ho-geom-jin*) alters its intricate maneuvers based on how it is directed. At this moment, the position where Eun-ho was desperately required was right in the midst of the unit.

“Understood.”

Eun-ho gave a nod, locking eyes with me once more. Whether my intentions reached him, a fierce determination flickered within the youth’s gaze.

“Dae-sa-hyeong, ensure you survive as well.”

Tracking Eun-ho’s retreating figure as he dashed away, I channeled the Tae-eul True Scripture (*Tae-eul-jin-gyeong*) with every ounce of my strength. Survival, survival…

The Jade Clear Heavenly Power (*Ok-cheong-cheon-sang-ryeok*) flared to life, forcing the shadows to recede. I tore my gaze from Eun-ho, who had already vanished into the distance.

“Naturally.”

The twin eyes of a dark-clad assailant lurking within the shadows widened in surprise.

“Hup!”

The assassin, struck by an involuntary dread, attempted to leap backward. It stirred old recollections. In my previous existence, the ones retreating in panic had always been us. For that reason, I intended to repay exactly what had been inflicted upon us back then.

“I have absolutely no intention of falling until I have battered every last one of you wretched dogs to death!”

*Slash.*

The dark-clad figure crashed onto the earth, failing to utter even a parting shriek. From his severed throat, a torrent of crimson erupted like a beacon fire.

*Whoosh.*

I unleashed the Great Heaven Sword Technique (*Dae-cheon-geom-beop*) charged with Jade Clear Heavenly Power in every direction. This was not meant to trick anyone, but rather to prevent myself from being misled by the adversaries. I took note of the silhouettes exposed for a split second by the illumination of the Jade Clear Heavenly Power, matching them against the recollections of my bygone life.

‘Agile concealment methods, highly efficient blade styles, and malevolent force that remains obscured.’

The Secret Wolves (*Eun-mil-neuk-dae*), a combat unit of the Demonic Cult that went by that moniker inside the Murim Alliance during my past life. The Silent Shadow Demonic Wolf Squad (*Jeok-eum-ma-rang-dan*). Because they did not overtly display their wicked energy, these bastards were individuals who also specialized in stealthy movement and surprise raids. They appeared to be an ordinary combat squad that excelled at nothing in particular, yet on the contrary, they were deployed to great effect across various regions.

‘Yet there were undeniable indicators of malevolent force as well.’

I halted my train of thought before my mind became overly tangled. At this moment, prioritizing the eradication of these wretched bastards was the main concern. The issue lay in the fact that these individuals, who spent their entire existences in concealment, wore pitch-black attire, making them even more arduous to bring into the light. Even when expanding my senses (*Gi-gam*), they felt nearly identical to the academy students, making them exceptionally troublesome to handle.

“Aaargh!”

“Cough!”

Those excellent academy students were collapsing and perishing without even getting the chance to properly deploy their martial talents.

“…Dammit.”

The sole action I could take was to make the illumination blaze as intensely as possible. Yet the more I intensified the glow, the more the members of the Wolf Squad simply concealed their forms within the shadows cast by my radiance.

“Jin-so-un!!!!!”

Right at that second, a burly, bear-like fellow came charging in my direction like a lunatic, barely shielding his skull with both of his arms.

*Thud!*

Two operatives of the Wolf Squad who had been lurking within my shadow were sent flying, and I instantly directed my blade toward them.

*Slash, slash.*

One assassin collapsed while spraying crimson from his throat, while the other masked his form in the darkness once more, his arm severed. Despite it being obvious that both had sustained lethal injuries, they did not let out even a faint whimper. Beholding that, the bear-like man clicked his tongue as though he were thoroughly disgusted.

“Dammit…! From where did these bastards emerge?”

The bear-like warrior was none other than Nam-hwa-seong.

“Nam-hwa-seong. What brings you over here?”

To think that the fellow who ought to be stationed alongside the 12 Peaks Stars right now had traveled all the way to this spot.

“What exactly is going on? Jin-so-un.”

Faced with that inquiry, which implicitly trusted that I possessed all the answers, I turned my gaze, momentarily forgetting that we were locked in combat.

“…Did you journey all the way here merely to ask me that?”

The unwavering reliance reflecting within the man’s eyes was clear.

“Aren’t you the specialist when it comes to this type of chaos?”

…Was that meant to be praise? Regardless, since he had arrived, I needed to utilize him.

“Fine. Starting from this moment, begin setting things ablaze.”

“Ablaze?”

I signaled with my chin toward the surrounding environment.

“We need to be capable of identifying something to engage in combat or do anything else, do we not?”

Upon hearing this, Nam-hwa-seong’s brow creased deeply.

“Are you unaware of how saturated the Muk-rim is! Even if you ignite kindling, it will merely result in billowing smoke—”

“Who requested that you ignite the woodland?”

“…Then what?”

I kicked a fallen torch from the ground, sending it flying toward a nearby pavilion tent.

*Whoosh.*

The flames caught instantly, vividly lighting up the immediate vicinity. Because pavilion tents constructed from oil-permeated fabric for moisture resistance were highly susceptible to fire, they were pitched at a distance from the torches. Consequently, they served as the finest imaginable fuel. Nam-hwa-seong hacked from the smoke pouring out of the structure consumed by fire.

“Wh—where are we supposed to rest! *Cough, cough.*”

To be speaking of rest under these circumstances. Because it was so entirely typical of him, it actually felt as though I were drawing renewed strength. I fixed my gaze on the back of the fellow’s skull.

“Would you prefer to rest in the underworld? Or is it preferable to rest while being drenched by night precipitation?”

“…I have performed numerous righteous deeds, so I will not be heading to the underworld.”

“Nonsense.”

Owing to the radiance that flared up in an instant, the academy students, who had been floundering to combat the entities lurking in the dark, shifted their frames rapidly and evaded the Wolf Squad’s edges. Subsequently, as Nam-hwa-seong began hurling torches at the surrounding tents just as I had done, the area turned even brighter.

It appeared there were individuals whose minds had finally cleared up after witnessing our maneuvers.

“Fire! Ignite the flames!”

“Incinerate the tents!!”

“Hurry! Those bastards are employing concealment methods!”

*Whoosh.*
*Whoosh.*
*Whoosh.*

Vivid blazes erupted throughout the encampment. Although it lasted only a brief window, the predicament, which had been completely overwhelming them, began to steadily stabilize as the area grew as bright as midday.

“You wretched bastards…! What is your lineage!”

“Do you recognize who stands before you! I am the Third Sword of the Wu-dang!”

“I will absolute discover your sect and exact retribution!”

Offensives were launched across various sectors, and a few individuals began to gain the upper hand over the Wolf Squad. Yet the overall conditions remained perilous.

“Nam-hwa-seong. Where can Cheol-sun-jik be found?”

“Brother Cheol? Why do you require Brother Cheol?”

“We cannot continue fighting in this manner throughout the entire night! Locate him and assemble at the center of the encampment.”

“…In the middle of this chaos?”

“If your desire was to labor under secure conditions, you ought to have studied scholarship; why on earth did you master martial arts!”

For some reason, Nam-hwa-seong’s shoulders appeared to droop, but I possessed no luxury to concern myself with that at present.

“Be at that spot within a quarter of an hour.”

“U—understood.”

Deploying the Tae-eul Eight Myriad Spirit Footwork, I manifested five phantom duplicates and executed the Small Heaven Sword Technique and Great Heaven Sword Technique in rapid succession.

*Whoosh.*
*Slash, slash, slash, slash.*

An unfamiliar sensation that I had never experienced in my past existence settled at the tips of my fingers.

‘Was taking a life always like this?’

A feeling of capability validating one’s personal struggles. An assurance that I was capable of overcoming any obstacle. A sensation of absolute power, knowing that the opponent’s survival or demise rested entirely within my palms. In spite of executing a slaughter, a peculiar, euphoric sensation caused my mind to overheat. Did the demonic aberrations who trampled through the battlefields experience this exact sort of feeling?

The moment that thought drifted into my mind—*Is that the reason those demonic aberrations laughed so hysterically on the battlegrounds?*—my heart sank into a freezing chill.

*Thrust.*

The Red Light Sword (*Jeok-gwang-geom*) bit into a critical spot. Even if I chose to extract the blade at this instant, the fellow would perish. Yet in that position, I rotated the steel a half-turn.

*Crack.*

Accompanying the sound of splintering bone, the Wolf Squad operative’s eyes bulged as though the dying spark were blistering his nerve endings.

“Indeed, keep your mouth sealed until the absolute finish.”

Yanking out the blade and impaling the fellow’s thigh once more, I twisted the steel.

“Argh…”

For the very first time, a guttural cry escaped the lips of the expiring assassin. Perhaps owing to his failing heart, his consciousness was no longer capable of maintaining any further restraint. Those who had been skulking in the darkness to evade the illumination of the Jade Clear Heavenly Power also seemed to sense something anomalous, as they charged at me simultaneously.

An aggregate of eight. Extracting the Red Light Sword that was driven into the thigh, I immediately unleashed the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Decisive (*Man-hae-cheon-ji-geom-gyeol*).

*Whoosh.*

The ten thousand blades, diverging into six distinct edges, executed the Twin Heaven Sword Decisive.

*Whoosh!*

The blade energy of the phantom swords and authentic blades, expanding into dozens and hundreds, blanketed the terrain like a tempest. Subsequently, within that whirlwind of blade energy, ink-black wicked force mounted a ferocious resistance.

*K-boom!*

The air reverberated—*thump, thump*—and the embers of the blazing tents, caught by the shockwave, dispersed like frozen rain.

“Did you assume I would permit you to escape…!”

I tightened my grip on the Red Light Sword even more securely and brought it crashing down upon them.

*Slash, slash, slash.*

Three lifeless forms tumbled down alongside a spray of crimson.

*Crack-crack-crack!*

Subsequently, the remaining operatives of the Wolf Squad were likewise unable to withstand the detonation of blade force, and segments of their physical forms ruptured as they rolled across the dirt. When the majority of the tents in the encampment were ablaze and there was no longer any necessity to light up the environment, I lowered the Jade Clear Heavenly Power and unleashed my murderous aura.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaargh!”

A terrifying shriek reverberated through the space, and the Red Light Sword transformed into an even sharper edge than customary, beginning to hack the Wolf Squad into fragments.

“Gah!”

Was it due to the lethal intent radiating from the Red Light Sword? Shrieks spilled from the lips of the Wolf Squad operatives whose lethal spots were pierced. They exhibited an incredibly fragile state, entirely distinct from the reputation I recollected.

“…Why are you not laughing? Do you bastards not laugh when you engage in battle?”

I rotated the Red Light Sword precisely where it was, once more tearing the bones and nerves to shreds.

“Aaaaaargh…!”

In place of mirth, the fellow released a scream and perished just like that. Witnessing the pathetic sight of the Wolf Squad operative dying while shrieking, an academy student swayed his head with a drained complexion, looking utterly horrified.

“What are you doing standing there? Do you wish to die?”

“……”

“If your desire is to survive, grasp your blade and make your way to the center of the encampment.”

“Right this moment…?”

“How many times must I repeat myself for it to register! If you detest peril, you should never have picked up a sword!”

“I—I comprehend!”

Leaving behind the fellow who appeared paralyzed with fear for some unknown reason, I dashed out once more and scanned the area. I certainly believed he would be simple to spot because his skull was reflective.

“Il-gak!!!!”

Where on earth was this bald monk hiding. In the breaks between neutralizing the Wolf Squad fellows, I questioned the Orthodox Society members regarding Il-gak’s whereabouts, but there was not a soul who possessed accurate knowledge. What was even more preposterous was that one particular fellow, wearing a petrified look, actually uttered this:

“Don’t tell me… you intend to e—eliminate Il-gak?”

What sort of gibberish was this unhinged fellow spouting now?

“If we remain separated like this, we will perish. Did you fail to study that at the academy! Where is Il-gak!”

“Ah… if that is the situation, over in that direction…”

Blast it, he was positioned a great distance away. Following the pointing digit of the academy student indicating the furthest boundary of the encampment, I lopped off the head of a Wolf Squad operative and leaped off the ground.

“Il-gak!!! Where are you!”

Only after neutralizing seven additional members of the Wolf Squad did I spot that wretched bald monk. However. The instant I dashed toward him rapidly, was he not violently lunging at me with the iron staff clasped in his palm?

‘This is madness…’

I barely managed to contort my torso mid-air, deflected the staff with a kick, and touched down heavily upon the earth.

“Can you not even differentiate between an ally and an adversary! Baldy!”

“Jin Si-ju?”

Only then did Il-gak identify me and let out a brief breath.

“The murderous aura was so overwhelming… I naturally assumed you were a foe.”

carnage.

“……”

“By the way, Jin Si-ju, their techniques are exceptionally savage. Furthermore, they do not release a single cry until the exact instant they perish.”

I am well aware because I have slaughtered them all along the path here. No, I have known since my prior life.

“Let us relocate to the center of the encampment.”

“To the center?”

“I shall clarify once we arrive!”

As Il-gak retreated, the outer perimeter began to steadily give way. I rapidly bellowed to the remaining academy students as well.

“Assemble at the center! There will be no conclusion to this if we remain scattered out here!”

*Pop!*
*Pop!*

Since I prioritized rapid transit for the time being, I lacked the leisure to pursue the fleeing Wolf Squad operatives. Instead, I decisively slaughtered the adversaries that appeared right before my eyes.

“Aaaaaargh!”

“……”

For some reason, Il-gak was observing me with a peculiar expression in his gaze.

“…They, too, shriek when facing Jin Si-ju’s blade.”

Since I failed to comprehend what the issue was, I roughly dismissed his observation and bounded forward. And when we gained the center of the encampment, Cheol-sun-jik, Nam-hwa-seong, and Nam-gung-seon-hwa had already arrived. When my gaze met Nam-gung-seon-hwa, she spoke.

“I made my way here because I assumed you intended to group us according to our affiliations.”

She was undeniably a perceptive individual. There was a clear explanation for why she had not wavered to venture into the Demon Spirit Highlands.

“You have arrived opportunely.”

I am somewhat anxious regarding the unit members, but given that Eun-ho and Geum-pyo are stationed there, they will not be overcome so effortlessly.

“What is the meaning of this, Jin Si-ju. Are you implying you will foster segregation in the midst of this crisis?”

Il-gak questioned in immense consternation. Astonishingly, Cheol-sun-jik was paying attention compliantly without uttering much of a protest. Weren’t they typically the exact opposites of one another?

“What can individuals who have not even synchronized their movements accomplish at this juncture? Cluster together with the people you are familiar with. That is the reason I summoned everyone.”

“…What do you intend to execute after that? We will be unable to halt them in this manner.”

“Who said anything about halting them?”

“Jin Si-ju…!”

There exists no such thing as an effective method to receive blows when trapped in a corner. If you shield yourself with your arm, your arm suffers; if you shield yourself with your skull, your skull suffers. The optimal countermeasure when being swarmed is to drive a sharp spike directly into the adversary’s gut.

“From this moment onward, we initiate a counteroffensive.”

Let us discover whether you bastards retreat or not, you sons of dogs!