Jeong Yeon-shin brushed his hand lightly across his eyes.
In that fleeting moment, Jeong Yeon-shin thought it was understandable.
He had witnessed the same thunderous bombs emerging from the bags of twenty Blood Scythe Sect members.
It truly felt surreal.
The attitude of the sect towards an enemy who had mastered the ultimate martial arts was clear: they would kill at all costs.
It seemed they had all adapted their throwing techniques, leaving afterimages in their wake.
Boom! There was no time to shout a warning.
Using the three meridians of his lower body and the spinal blood points, he struck the ground with great force.
Even though he had avoided a direct hit, his body flew through the air against his will.
It felt as if his ears were ringing from a powerful blow.
It was as if his very marrow was shaken.
Thud! His whole body ached.
For a moment, he could not move.
"Cough, cough!" He felt it as he collapsed and spat blood.
His insides were damaged.
A sharp pain surged from his stomach.
Bang! Boom! Crash! The ground erupted like waves all around him.
The pristine feeling of Yeonhwa Pavilion was swept away in an instant by clouds of dust.
The groans echoing from all directions added to the horror.
‘Madness.’ The method of the Blood Flame Sect's extermination was not mere martial arts.
It was meticulously planned.
He had already realized that confronting them head-on would lead to certain defeat.
‘Thunderous bombs.
Since they were declared by the sect, they are not worried about the imperial gaze.’ It had been the same last time.
The explosion that had crushed the mechanisms of the Yicheon Sword Clan came to mind.
Despite their immense power, they moved stealthily, hiding the location of their main body.
They were the ones who had immediately tracked Jeong Yeon-shin's movements.
The Blood Flame Sect's tracking technique was said to belong to the realm of sorcery.
Knowing that the Gu family was a formidable force, they would not be careless.
‘Senior Cheongmyeong mentioned it several times.’ He recalled the mention of the Sicheondang Clan.
It was a family known for its poison and stealth.
There was no other explosive that could detonate at a speed that would reach the martial artists of the world.
It was the ultimate thunderous bomb triggered by internal energy.
Were they even holding back?
‘It’s too early to be sure they received help from the clan.’ No matter where the backing came from, it was unlikely to be a common item.
Some martial arts take precedence over the power of a group.
Especially those that are deadly in their countermeasures.
Those bastards must have also banded together.
Should he feel relieved that the apostle of the Blood Flame Sect did not come in person?
‘What about Heonwon and Shin So-bin?’ Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes darted as he stood up unsteadily.
He could feel a familiar energy nearby.
Through the thick dust, he saw a figure on guard.
It was Heonwon Chang.
He seemed to have benefited from an unusual martial stance.
- What about Shin So-bin? - They said they would scout the direction of Hwangbo Myung-rin before the bastards arrived.
She must be heading towards the pavilion.
Heonwon Chang immediately responded, his tone changed.
The core message revealed the seriousness of the situation.
The Blood Scythe Sect members had now closed the distance, using both swords and thunderous bombs together.
Their purpose was clear: the annihilation of the Hwangbo family and the descendants of the righteous sects.
It was a rebellion using explosive bombs for personal gain.
The imperial family could mobilize their forces on a grand scale.
Those bastards were always willing to take risks.
It could be called fanaticism.
Seeing the battered Jeong Yeon-shin, Heonwon Chang flinched. - Can you move? - To the pavilion.
Jeong Yeon-shin replied briefly.
At the same time, he and Heonwon Chang ran, trying to conceal their presence as much as possible.
His whole body felt like it was being torn apart.
Though it was not a long distance, time felt exceedingly long.
As they avoided the skirmish and got closer, the upper area was relatively clearer of dust.
Hwangbo Myung-rin, who had been fleeing with the children of the clans, slipped to the back.
Shin So-bin was right in front of her.
As Shin So-bin was on guard against the Blood Flame Sect, she was caught off guard when Hwangbo Myung-rin swiftly struck her from behind.
It was a mere step away.
The youngest of the Hwangbo family, who had already been gathering energy, was unable to respond in time and took a hit.
The ambush came from directly behind, and Shin So-bin's body was flung forward like a bowstring.
She was at the back of the line.
It seemed no one had noticed.
"That, that!" Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes sank beside the furious Heonwon Chang. ‘Before counting to five, I will hit the surface of the lake.
The distance is seven lengths.
If I fall like this, it will attract attention.’ In an instant, he analyzed the situation and calculated the distance for his lightness skill.
The energy that had already spread throughout his body surged forth.
The points beneath his buttocks, the Yinmen point just below his thigh, and the Yongcheon point on the soles of his feet were the first to respond.
He forgot the pain of the blood vessels that had nearly collapsed.
Crash! With the lightness skill of the Hwangbo family, he struck the ground.
It was swift.
He dashed close to the ground like a raging wind.
In three steps, he reached the edge of the clearing, and on the fourth step, he leaped to the edge of the lake.
Whoosh! Shin So-bin of the Shin family.
Her youthful face, tightly shut, rapidly expanded before him.
Even if she acted as if she knew everything, she was still a precious child of a prestigious family.
Hwangbo Myung-rin's sudden ambush seemed to be something she had never experienced before.
He could sense her breath immediately.
It did not seem like her internal injuries were severe. ‘That’s enough.’ The energy of Jeong Yeon-shin surged painfully.
It flowed down from his back muscles, through his shoulders, and down to his forearms.
His internal energy took on the softness of the Moonlight Harmony.
He reached out with his left hand, wrapping it around Shin So-bin's waist, while his right hand grabbed the outer railing of the pavilion, spinning like a leaf.
It was a technique used by the noble families to dissipate shock.
Thud.
The small landing felt like a shock.
It was the first time he had been this injured since entering the martial world.
"Shin So-bin. The techniques."
As soon as he descended into the pavilion, he murmured softly.
Despite his demeanor, he was quick to follow orders.
Energy spread from Shin So-bin's round, wide-open eyes.
Her slender waist was easy to use as a weapon.
Jeong Yeon-shin swung the junior he had wrapped around his forearm.
Boom! The Blood Flame Sect member approaching from the side was knocked down by her foot.
It was clear that the Blood Scythe Sect was not alone.
They were surrounded by a net of pursuit.
It seemed the infamous Heavenly Net was being formed from the territory of the Namgung family.
Perhaps it was only natural since they were not worried about the imperial gaze.
"Thank you... Senior! Are you okay?" Her long, thin eyebrows shot up.
Shin So-bin looked at him with a face full of surprise.
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head silently.
"Let’s go."
He brushed off her attempt to support him.
They needed to escape Yeonhwa Pavilion quickly.
The two who jumped down landed in the midst of the chaotic battlefield.
Heonwon Chang rushed over and whispered, "They are coming up from the south."
"Northwest. They are climbing along the water's edge."
"It could be a trap."
Shin So-bin replied.
In the midst of this, she was adjusting her waist where Jeong Yeon-shin's arm had touched.
Perhaps she was trying to lighten the mood in the urgency.
She stared intently into Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes, as if she were deliberately not avoiding him.
Even in the midst of pain that felt like it was tearing through his body, he almost smiled.
"There’s no choice. Because of the lake, we have to choose one."
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly.
It was a statement that determined their next actions.
"Let’s go."
The command of the blue-clad warrior of the island was given.
The three of them immediately began to run along the lakeshore.
They were not just fleeing aimlessly.
Hwangbo Myung-rin was heading in the direction where her brothers and the children of the clans had gathered. ‘The Blood Flame Sect is just a common obstacle.’ He thought as he forced himself to move.
The mission was the top priority.
His current physical condition was not something to worry about.
They could not let the Hwangbo family slip away.
The booming sounds that had been echoing from a distance gradually faded away.
The thunderous bombs no longer exploded.
It was unclear whether they were being saved or had run out.
He could not afford to let his guard down and remained alert.
"It seems they are too busy killing other descendants."
"The Blood Flame Sect is the one accumulating sins, so why should we feel guilty?" After running for a while, they seemed to have gained a bit of leeway.
Both Heonwon Chang and Shin So-bin had valid points.
It was a situation that could not be ignored.
It was the price that the extermination technique had to pay.
Now, the Hwangbo family had to live with the Blood Flame Sect hanging on their backs.
Anger and guilt intertwined.
‘Blood Flame Sect.
Every time I see you, I will open your skull.’ Jeong Yeon-shin thought calmly.
"There it is!" Heonwon Chang pointed ahead.
Jeong Yeon-shin had already recognized it.
It was the descendants of various martial families, including the Hwangbo family.
They seemed uninjured.
The agile martial artists were already running up the path leading to the mountain range.
It was a situation where fleeing was the obvious choice.
Among the Blood Scythe Sect, those with exceptional strength had reached the level of the Hwangbo family.
It was understandable that the seven apostles of the Blood Flame Sect could compete with the likes of Majin and Muui.
They were incredibly meticulous and powerful.
There was no way the mid-level masters would be empty.
"Hey? Over there!" A young man, glancing back as he climbed the path leading to the mountain, pointed at Jeong Yeon-shin and his group, who were disguised as a scouting party.
The descendants of the clan turned around and stopped.
They waited until Ma Gwang-ik and his two companions approached.
Hwangbo Myung-rin, who was standing in the middle, seemed to have a moment of frost in her eyes.
"What’s that look? The situation seems very serious! As long as your limbs are safe, that’s all that matters."
Tae Yeom-ryong spread his arms wide.
He looked extremely welcoming towards Jeong Yeon-shin.
He seemed to be holding onto a poppy flower that he could carry in his arms, which felt burdensome.
"In this kind of chaos, the main family must be coming from above, and Namgung from below. It won’t take long. You are someone I can discuss martial arts with. I will specially use my strength to get you some rare medicine. I have that much authority. Even if there are many who talk about being a bastard child."
"Brother!" Hwangbo Myung-rin pushed Tae Yeom-ryong away.
Perhaps they were half-siblings.
There was no sign of respect in her demeanor.
She immediately approached Jeong Yeon-shin.
‘What should I do?’ Jeong Yeon-shin thought as he looked at Hwangbo Myung-rin.
If this was a mission that did not hide his affiliation with the Hwangbo family, then his current injuries would not be a problem.
Swallowing the medicinal pill given by the monk would solve everything.
He had not been able to bring it with him.
He had entrusted it to Cheongmyeong along with the Hwangbo sword.
The internal injury medicine from the Shaolin family, which contained the techniques of noble families, had a very strong fragrance.
Any skilled martial artist who had honed their senses would recognize it.
He had heard about it through the Hwangbo family’s informants.
The monk enjoyed praise as much as his visible character.
He was said to speak of the Hwangbo family’s island while traversing the martial world.
It was inevitable that the whereabouts of the rare medicinal pill would also be revealed.
"You bastard."
Hwangbo Myung-rin glared at Jeong Yeon-shin.
Perhaps due to the aftermath of the thunderous bombs, there was dirt on her face.
Her inherent nobility had not disappeared.
Her features were quite delicate and pleasing to the eye.
If she did not have an arrogant expression, it would have been even more so.
"You. What is your true identity? The scythe bastards clearly came after you. You said you were a scouting party? What kind of grudge did you bring with you?"
"..."
"Answer me. Do I look like a fool?" Jeong Yeon-shin, glancing at the others around them, slowly opened his mouth.
"Are they all descendants of the clan? It seems the mid-level martial artists of the smaller sects have either died or scattered."
"Don’t say anything else. Don’t put on airs. Just looking at your pitiful appearance tells me everything. I can see your internal injuries clearly. Can you still flaunt your meager strength?"
Hwangbo Myung-rin scoffed.
Her hair, lacking luster, swayed.
Heonwon Chang and Shin So-bin, who were agitated, seemed ready to step forward.
Jeong Yeon-shin extended his arm and shook his head.
He took a step forward, feeling the pain shoot through him.
He stood face to face with Hwangbo Myung-rin.
Their eyes met at a very close distance, and her beauty, filled with poison, looked particularly unappealing.
"You tried to use my junior as bait. At Yeonhwa Pavilion."
He said.
The quiet path began to fill with tension.