nashuaworldcup Chapter 263: The Descent Of The Divine Demon (1)
Chapter 263: The Descent Of The Divine Demon (1)
Chu Yeong-ho’s heart felt as though it were on fire.
The Eastern Depot guard who appeared suddenly—could he really be a Taoist of the Azure Forest, and even an honor flower disciple at that?
No sorcerer from the Demon Cult could fail to recognize an honor flower disciple.
The revered Taoists of the Azure Forest were all dangerous, but honor flower disciples were especially more so.
His younger brother, Jeok-woong, had used the Explosive Blood Art.
He could surely face that honor flower disciple, but regardless of the outcome, Jeok-woong would die.
‘Jeok-woong... I will not forget your sacrifice!’
Chu Yeong-ho survived by his younger brother’s blood.
At this point, he had no choice but to risk his life to complete the mission.
He had kidnapped the Honorable County Princess.
His stealth spell remained flawless. The escorts of the Honorable County Princess were helpless as their throats were slit.
After kidnapping the Honorable County Princess, he ran without hesitation.
But, how such a small body had made such a loud sound, he could not understand.
From the purity of the energy in the shout, it was undoubtedly a Taoist sound technique.
The stealth spell, based on sorcery, suddenly unraveled.
As he restrained the struggling Honorable County Princess, a woman with a whip sword appeared, having heard her scream.
“Kidnapper...!”
She lunged forward, swinging her whip sword gracefully.
Chu Yeong-ho, in a state of shock, almost died at that moment.
The woman used the same movement technique as the honor flower disciple he had encountered earlier.
Recognizing Jin Ri-yeon’s light footwork, Chu Yeong-ho quickly guessed her identity.
‘Why do all the Azure Forest disciples dress like the Eastern Depot guard?’
He wanted to ask, but remained silent to maintain his stealth spell.
Once again, the Honorable County Princess cried out loudly.
“Help me!”
“Damn it!”
Chu Yeong-ho barely managed to block the mute acupoints on the Honorable County Princess’s body.
Because his right hand had been burned, he hadn’t been able to properly strike the acupoints until now.
Suddenly, Chu Yeong-ho felt a chilling presence behind him.
Cherrrnnng!
The softly swaying whip sword pierced the spot where Chu Yeong-ho’s head had been.
As the sword straightened, the sharp noise jolted him back to his senses.
Instead of climbing over the wall, Chu Yeong-ho maximized his stealth spell and concealed himself.
By remaining completely still, he enhanced the effectiveness of his invisibility.
Jin Ri-yeon stopped in place.
Then, as if searching for Chu Yeong-ho, only her gaze moved silently.
‘She’s relentless...’
Chu Yeong-ho was thinking of escaping with the Honorable County Princess as soon as he found the slightest opening.
But Jin Ri-yeon didn’t blink once.
It was as if she was determined to track down Chu Yeong-ho, who was hiding somewhere.
Time was not on Chu Yeong-ho’s side.
Soon, Yi-gang appeared.
“Senior Sister!”
Hearing the words senior sister, Chu Yeong-ho felt a chill run down his spine.
The honor flower disciple from earlier, this swordswoman wielding the whip sword, and even the Crown Prince’s teacher. They were all disciples of the Azure Forest?
Chu Yeong-ho held his breath in silence.
The honor flower disciple from earlier was special, but surely these two wouldn’t be able to see through his stealth spell.
If he could just move away little by little and escape...
“He’s standing directly in front of you, Senior Sister, three steps ahead, holding the Honorable County Princess by the neck. Don’t stab him.”
Chu Yeong-ho never imagined that Yi-gang could pinpoint his location as if he could see him clearly.
This was because he didn’t know that Yi-gang had mastered the Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion.
Shooosh!
The sand Jin Ri-yeon scattered covered Chu Yeong-ho’s body.
Chu Yeong-ho gritted his teeth and shot upward while maintaining his stealth spell.
Jin Ri-yeon’s whip sword grazed his thigh.
Luckily, it didn’t sever an artery, but blood started to drip rapidly.
“Senior Sister!”
Yi-gang ran up next to Jin Ri-yeon.
Chu Yeong-ho still hadn’t released his stealth spell, so Jin Ri-yeon couldn’t see him.
“I’ll take care of this!”
Yi-gang thrust his Shooting Star Fang at Chu Yeong-ho.
At the very moment the sharp blade was about to pierce Chu Yeong-ho’s chest, he lifted the Honorable County Princess into the path of the sword.
“Urgh!”
Yi-gang nearly stabbed the Honorable County Princess in the neck.
This bought Chu Yeong-ho a split second.
Kicking off the wall, he propelled himself away.
At that moment, the effect of the Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion Yi-gang had memorized wore off. Chu Yeong-ho disappeared from his sight as well.
‘Damn it...!’
Of course, Chu Yeong-ho’s stealth spell wasn’t flawless.
But even Yi-gang couldn’t find a way to break through at this moment.
“Senior Sister!”
Yi-gang shouted toward Jin Ri-yeon, who was in the direction Chu Yeong-ho was heading.
However, he didn’t expect much from Jin Ri-yeon.
Unlike Yi-gang, she couldn’t see Chu Yeong-ho.
How could one strike an invisible opponent, especially when that opponent was wielding a hostage?
But Jin Ri-yeon swung her whip sword.
Charrararrrak!
“...!”
“Please... stay safe.”
She didn’t ask him to bring her brother back, but instead wished for Yi-gang’s safety.
Yi-gang nodded.
“I will also save the Crown Prince.”
The Honorable County Princess’s face brightened.
After saying that, Yi-gang kicked the horse into motion.
「I thought you were the type not to make promises you couldn’t keep.」
‘...’
「Well, I suppose that’s also a good way to strengthen your resolve.」
Yi-gang rode off.
The guards of the Shenwu Gate were once again the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Their expressions were grim, and their eyes were bloodshot with anxiety. An internal conflict had erupted within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
“Move aside! I must pass!”
It was clear that those stationed at the Shenwu Gate were not on the same side as Yi-gang.
Because arrows flew at him without hesitation.
Ting, ting, ting—!
Yi-gang deflected the arrows with a flick of his sword.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard was shocked.
The officer in charge quickly shouted at the soldiers.
“Drag him down! Throw the chains!”
The situation wasn’t favorable.
Yi-gang clicked his tongue.
He had confidence in breaking through the Embroidered Uniform Guard guarding the gate. However, it seemed he would have to consume a lot of his True Qi to do so.
Whoosh—
Just as a bright sword flash radiated from Yi-gang’s Shooting Star Fang...
“Embroidered Uniform Guard! Stop—!”
A group of scholars dressed in official robes suddenly appeared. Yi-gang quickly halted his horse.
What was peculiar was that, incongruously, they were all carrying swords.
“How can a sword meant to protect the emperor and the royal family turn against them?”
The scholar with the most impressive beard drew his sword and shouted.
“In response, we, the martial artists of the Scholar Circle, will not tolerate the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s disgrace of our sacred duty!”
“Uwaaah!”
The men dressed as scholars drew their swords and charged at the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Their swordsmanship and momentum were quite fierce.
“Yi-gang.” Seong Ji-an, who had appeared beside Yi-gang at some point, spoke, “We couldn’t just stand by either. Go.”
“...Yes, Aunt.”
The martial artists of the Scholar Circle were few in number, but their spirit was no less than that of any warriors.
It was enough to throw the Shenwu Gate into chaos.
Yi-gang urged his horse into full speed and leapt over the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s defensive line.
“Hiiing!”
“No, stop him!”
Yi-gang’s Shooting Star Fang drew a long arc beside the horse, cutting down an officer.
Yi-gang galloped forward, passing through the Shenwu Gate in one breath.
Even a noble horse panted heavily after such a fierce run.
Just as he entered the garden, he heard the sounds of many people fighting.
The chilling screams of those struck by blades and the clashing of spears and swords filled the air.
Shwaaak—!
Amidst the chaos, a sharp arrow flew toward him.
Yi-gang raised his sword to block it, but the arrow was imbued with a brilliant blue bow energy.
Crack!
Though deflected by his sword, the arrow’s path curved and struck his horse in the neck.
“Hiiing!”
The horse collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud.
Yi-gang twisted his body midair and managed to land safely.
As he planted his feet on the ground and lifted his head, he spotted the archer.
It was one of the elite officers loyal to Bu Yeong-hu.
“Impressive, you move quickly!”
This time, the archer notched three arrows onto his bowstring.
Just as the arrows, charged with blue energy, were about to be fired...
A pale hand suddenly appeared behind the elite officer and crushed his head like a watermelon.
Thud!
Yi-gang quietly observed the one who had intervened.
The pale hand was evidence of the Barehand Demonic Art.
Standing before him was Hu Gyeong, the Admiral Grand Eunuch of the Eastern Depot.
The usually immaculate Hu Gyeong was covered in blood, his hair disheveled.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and get up there to help your senior brother!”
Hu Gyeong said this as he dashed past Yi-gang.
He charged into the ongoing battle between the Eastern Depot guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, fighting like a tiger.
「Go quickly!」
‘Yes.’
Yi-gang rushed through the garden toward Jingshan.
Soon, the path to the Emperor’s Longevity Hall appeared.
Even in front of the pavilion, a fierce battle was raging.
“Yi-gang—!”
Jin Mu recognized Yi-gang and let out a joyful shout.
Yi-gang began sprinting up the stairs.
Then, without hesitation, he hurled the Shooting Star Fang in his hand.
The dark-colored Shooting Star Fang flew straight toward Bu Yeong-hu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had been fighting Jin Mu.