Chapter 61: The Great Battle of Moon and Blood Bamboo (1)
"Cheollyeon! Get a hold of yourself. Where the hell is your mind wandering?!"
When Pang Giyok snapped at her, Pang Cheollyeon shot a sharp glare at her slow-witted older brother before grumbling.
"Tch! And who the hell is that vixen now?!"
Seomun Seoseol didn’t voice her emotions as directly as Pang Cheollyeon.
‘Never seen that woman before. But why is she clinging to the Young Master Yong? This is bothering me.’
On the other hand, the experts of the Guardian Assembly were focused on Yong Hwarin.
"Who the hell is that guy?!"
Zhao Qiansheng turned to ask his strategist.
But there was no way the strategist would know. Yong Hwarin wasn’t even part of his original plans from the beginning.
"He's just some stray who tagged along with the Jaegal Clan warriors."
"You think a stray like that could annihilate the Blood Dragon Unit and control the young masters of the noble clans like puppets?"
"Th-That’s..."
Zhao Qiansheng, the Chief Guardian, was so enraged he shouted.
Things were going awry—far beyond the realm of coincidence or simple mishaps.
"You will be held responsible for this."
At Zhao Qiansheng's icy words, the strategist dropped to the ground and bowed his head deeply.
"Chief Guardian, if you grant me just one more chance, I will sweep them all away!"
"I will handle that. Then what will *you* do?"
"I-I will..."
"See? You have nothing to do."
Zhao Qiansheng’s boot came crashing down on the strategist’s head.
Thud!
The strategist's skull burst open like a ripe watermelon.
"That bastard deserved to die. To think he dared to ruin the Grand Plan of the Chief Guardian."
Song Deok, who had been listening behind them, clenched his teeth hard enough to crack them.
‘You sons of bitches. You’re the ones who ruined the plan!’
If they hadn’t given the enemy that breathing room, the Blood Dragon Unit wouldn’t have fallen so pathetically. Who could’ve imagined that the unit, once forging a legend of fear through the martial world, would crumble in vain like this?
As the former leader of the Blood Dragon Unit, Song Deok could barely contain the bitter rage that burned within him.
But even so, he couldn’t defy Chief Guardian Zhao Qiansheng.
If he said a word out of turn, he’d end up just like the strategist—dead on the spot.
He already knew the high-ranking members of the Triumvirate viewed the sect’s warriors as nothing more than expendables.
"I’ll take the lead."
"Hmm."
Even as he continued to cough up blood, Song Deok stepped forward. Zhao Qiansheng felt a tinge of guilt at the sight.
But they were weaklings who died—and he was the leader of such weaklings.
"Very well."
Song Deok charged forward with a powerful stride.
Seeing him run in alone, Seomun Yuwon also charged in with the warriors of his clan to meet him.
The battle was entering its final phase. Seomun Yuwon was driven by a desperate ambition to claim credit for something—anything. That ambition had made him act hastily and move ahead of the others.
"He’s still just a greenhorn."
When Yong Hwarin muttered, Namwook, not understanding why he said that, asked curiously.
"Why do you say he’s a greenhorn? Isn’t now the perfect time?"
To Namwook, this seemed like a golden opportunity for Seomun Yuwon to achieve something. His move had felt clever.
"When trying to kill a wounded beast, you’ll always suffer heavy losses. That man has already resolved himself to die. Thanks to that, Seomun Clan’s warriors are going to take quite a hit."
"Ah... so that’s what you meant?"
Mo Biyoung answered instead, and Yong Hwarin nodded.
"Master Mo sees things clearly."
As soon as their conversation ended, screams rang out. Seomun Clan warriors were falling one after another, unable to match Song Deok.
Seeing this, Pang Giyok and Shangguan Joyoung tried to step in, but Yong Hwarin blocked them.
"Not yet."
"What are you saying?! Seomun Clan warriors are dying out there, and you expect us to just watch?!"
When Shangguan Joyoung shouted and glared, Jaegal Byeok spoke from behind in a strained voice.
"Young Master Yong is stalling for time! If we charge in and kill that man, the experts from Blood Demon Castle waiting behind will come crashing in. When that happens, even if we want to stop them, we won’t be able to."
The only ones who truly understood Yong Hwarin’s intention were the people of the Jaegal Clan.
"Still... still, as warriors of a fellow noble clan, we can’t just stand by."
Having charged in without much thought, only to find himself utterly helpless against Song Deok, Seomun Yuwon began to step back—step by step.
Before long, he found himself within reach of the others. He turned his head to look at the group.
But that was all.
He had gone in alone trying to claim the credit. Now, asking for help? His pride wouldn’t allow it.
Yong Hwarin, observing him, quickly spoke.
"You still don’t get it? The Seomun Clan is saving us all! Even as their warriors fall, they’re not pushing the offensive. They’re stalling for time! Why are you trying to ruin Young Master Seomun’s noble will?"
With just those few words, Yong Hwarin suddenly turned Seomun Yuwon into a gallant hero. Everyone looked at him with expressions that said, "Is that really why he’s doing this?"
Faced with that, Seomun Yuwon bit his lip hard. And finally, reluctantly, he opened his mouth.
Hiding his trembling hands.
"Young Master Yong is right. We will delay them as much as possible, so hold your ground."
"As expected of Young Master Seomun. But, didn’t we make a bet earlier? You’re supposed to call me hyung now, aren’t you?"
Pang Giyok burst into laughter.
"To be making jokes even in this situation… I, Pang, cannot help but admire Young Master Yong’s boldness."
Seomun Yuwon bit his lip so hard that blood began to trickle out.
But he had already committed to playing the hero.
"Yes, you’re right, Brother Yong. A man must keep his promises—even in death."
Amidst this chaos, many were moved by Seomun Yuwon’s noble spirit.
But the Jaegal Clan, Pang Cheollyeon, and Yong Hwarin’s companions could only shake their heads in disbelief at Yong Hwarin’s strategy. He had used Seomun Yuwon’s pride to elevate him and force him to fight Song Deok alone.
He was manipulating the situation just as he intended.
Yong Hwarin was making clever use of a well-known saying in the Upper World:
“Use your opponent’s intention.”
Forcing only his will would never lead to true benefit. Pretending to follow the other’s intention while reaping the gain—that was the method with the least resistance.
In truth, when it came to the art of employing people, no one could rival merchants.
This was only possible because he had spent fifty years in the Upper World, mastering mercenary strategy and the art of personnel management.
But eventually, the end came.
The noble clan warriors continued to fall, and the elite fighters of the Seomun Clan pressed Song Deok through coordinated attacks.
“Graaaagh!”
Eventually, Song Deok collapsed and died, exhausted by his own fury.
He had lost control, consumed by rage toward Chief Guardian Zhao Qiansheng and the noble clan warriors who had killed his subordinates. In the end, he died flailing like a beast.
At first glance, the death of a unit leader in such a futile way might seem ridiculous, but how could a lone survivor ever return in glory?
With Song Deok’s death, the experts of the Guardian Assembly finally stepped forward.
“We must avenge them.”
Zhao Qiansheng said it as if it were nothing, casually striding into the bamboo forest. Yong Hwarin shivered as if a tiger had just entered the battlefield.
‘That man is on another level. Can we even hold out until Shangguan Clan’s reinforcements arrive? No—do they even realize we’ve walked into a trap?’
Yong Hwarin had been confident that Jaegal Yohae would sense the trap and send help.
But now, doubt crept in.
‘If they were coming, they should’ve arrived already. Maybe Jaegal Yohae really doesn’t know anything? No, if she thinks about it even a little, she should notice we’ve been led into a trap. Just considering that demonic practitioners suddenly appeared and drove us in the opposite direction… someone like Jaegal Yohae, a genius, should be able to catch on. Jaegal Yohae, I hope you really are a genius.’
Yong Hwarin murmured inwardly as he gazed toward the main road.
He then sensed the presence of the Two Wook Sword Demons, Mo Biyoung, Seok, and Jong Munhye approaching at his sides and turned his attention forward.
One of the Guardian Assembly experts was approaching Yong Hwarin directly.
“I specially asked the Chief Guardian to let me fight you. You’re just a kid, but not bad.”
Yong Hwarin looked around.
The warriors of each noble clan had formed sword formations and were facing off against the Guardian Assembly experts.
Just as the tension peaked, the most aggressive warriors of the Pang Clan moved first.
They were quickly followed by the Shangguan, Seomun, and Jaegal clans, all clashing with the experts of the Guardian Assembly.
Each clan fought against two of the Assembly’s experts, but Yong Hwarin’s group, due to its smaller size, faced just one.
“Where are you from?”
“What does it matter where I’m from, when it’s a matter of kill or be killed?”
“Hahaha! You’re right. Who cares about the origin of the soon-to-be-dead!”
Even in deadly duels, it was customary to ask one’s opponent’s background to gauge their rank. But Yong Hwarin avoided such introductions, not wanting to be intimidated if he learned the enemy’s nickname or reputation.
Yong Hwarin activated the Spirit Possession Technique and drew upon the Demonic Master’s internal energy.
Something had clearly advanced in his training, as he could now faintly sense the aura emanating from his opponent’s body.
Yong Hwarin didn’t realize it yet, but being able to see the flow of aura meant he had effectively entered the realm of a top-class martial master.
When the Guardian Assembly expert stepped forward, a wind blasted directly at Yong Hwarin.
Then, the enemy’s sword came down. Yong Hwarin responded with the Azure Bamboo Sword**, deflecting the attack with ease.
After blocking three swift attacks, the expert let out a low whistle.
“Not bad!”
Yong Hwarin had no intention of attacking. He focused solely on defense, wielding the Azure Bamboo Sword through the Spirit Possession Technique.
Then, the Two Wook Sword Demons and Mo Biyoung, alongside Jong Seok, launched attacks from the left, right, and rear.
But even facing a three-pronged assault, the Guardian Assembly expert continued to strike at Yong Hwarin without losing composure.
Yong Hwarin realized that if he didn’t have the Demonic Master’s internal energy, he would’ve dropped his sword long ago and lost his head.
That’s how sharp and powerful the enemy’s sword was.
“Khuhk!”
Suddenly, a swinging sword carried a doubled force of energy.
As five more seconds passed in a flash, Yong Hwarin moved like a swaying willow.
He had instinctively activated the Soaring Dragon in Bamboo Steps at full force.
Seeing Yong Hwarin in danger, the Two Wook Sword Demons charged recklessly at the enemy in a near-suicidal strike.
Boom!
But both of them were sent flying and crashed to the ground.
They wanted to get back up, but their bodies wouldn’t respond.
All they could do was lift their heads and glare at the enemy.
Even before the fight began, Yong Hwarin had been trying to awaken the Demonic Master.
With only half a step’s worth of the Demonic Master’s power, it was impossible to face the Guardian Assembly expert.
While Jong Seok and Mo Biyoung briefly tied up the expert’s hands with a coordinated attack, Yong Hwarin took a risk.
He closed his eyes and focused his consciousness—attempting to draw out the Demonic Master’s spirit, which resided in his Upper Dantian.
He stimulated the Upper Dantian using energy flow through pressure points, then thought to himself,
‘Demonic Master! You old fart! Get out here now!’