novelraw Chapter 304 : Shangguan Byeokin in Crisis (2)
Chapter 304 : Shangguan Byeokin in Crisis (2)
Chapter 304: Shangguan Byeokin in Danger (2)
As Zhao Qiansheng approached Shangguan Byeokin with his sword, Mo Baek called out from behind.
"Lord, please leave those people to me. There’s no need for you to dirty your hands."
Zhao Qiansheng smiled at Mo Baek. He was the only one who ever received a human smile from Zhao Qiansheng.
"Baek-ah, long ago… there was a fight I should have stepped in for, but I held back because of pride. During that fight, we lost Song Deok, the Leader of the Blood Dragon Unit, who was close to you. That was my fault, a failure of virtue. If I had stepped in, Song Deok wouldn’t have died. In a way, I killed one of the few friends you had. And I always felt guilty about that, Baek-ah. Especially because you're not someone with many friends."
Zhao Qiansheng was referring to the Blood Bamboo Battle of Moon and Orthodoxy.
"The humiliation of that day still haunts me. So this time, I’ve made up my mind to act myself. It's been a while, but the feeling of bones being cut isn’t so bad."
"Then please act as you will, my lord."
"Yes. Baek-ah, clean up the rest. Capture the Sect Leaders and their immediate family if you can. If they’re not worth it, killing them is fine too."
"Understood, my lord."
As Zhao Qiansheng approached, Shangguan Byeokin prepared for death.
"From now on, you must all listen carefully. While I fight Zhao Qiansheng, take your mother and flee. I’ll stop him from pursuing if I can."
Shangguan Byeokin believed this was the best option.
"I’m fine. I’ll fight with you."
However, Ha Yanggyo stood with her sword in hand.
"I was born a daughter of a martial family and trained in martial arts. I will not go down so easily. If it comes to the end, I will take my own life. So, Lord Shangguan, don’t worry about me. Focus on eliminating the enemies."
Shangguan Byeokin tightly shut his eyes.
He wished, at least in moments like this, that she would listen to him. But his proud wife never listened to anything he said.
And of course, this wasn’t the time or place for a husband and wife quarrel.
—Son, your mother’s being stubborn again, so use point-sealing and get her out of here.
—Father… I…
—Are you planning to end our family line?! This is an emergency. Don’t let emotions ruin the outcome.
—Understood.
Still uncertain, Shangguan Byeokin turned to the reliable Shangguan Mijong and entrusted his younger sibling and wife to him.
—Mijong-ah, help your sibling. The clan’s survival depends on you two. Don’t forget that.
—I’ll fight with Father.
—Listen to me. I won’t be able to hold them for long. Use that time to escape as far as possible.
Shangguan Mijong’s eyes grew moist.
"Wasn’t the True Sky Hundred Connections Saber Technique of the Shangguan Clan supposed to be first-class? Fine then, show me what you’ve got, Sect Leader. Let’s see if it’s truly first-class or just hot air."
At those words, Shangguan Byeokin rushed forward like lightning and unleashed his saber.
"Your momentum’s not bad!"
Zhao Qiansheng exclaimed as he watched Shangguan Byeokin’s saber technique.
The Shangguan Clan might not be known for deep martial knowledge, but it was still a prestigious family within the Twelve Martial Clans.
There was no way their martial arts would be lacking.
Unleashing all his internal energy through the True Sky Hundred Connections Saber, Shangguan Byeokin launched his assault on Zhao Qiansheng.
When the sequence of techniques ended, Shangguan Byeokin stepped back.
That was when he realized Zhao Qiansheng had let him perform every technique just to mock him.
"What the hell? Where are the guys I fought properly back in the Bamboo Forest? Is this it? If this is all the Shangguan Clan can do, they should ditch the martial arts and start running a store instead."
"What kind of bullshit is that?!"
Shangguan Mijong rushed forward and swung his sword.
"Oh? The sword art of the Shangguan Clan!"
After parting from Yong Hwarin, Shangguan Mijong had devoted himself to perfecting Dual-Hearted Blade.
Fierce and elusive, the Dual-Hearted Blade revealed its formidable might.
"That’s more like it. Why the hell does the Shangguan Clan use those cheap saber techniques when they’ve got this sword art?"
Enraged by Zhao Qiansheng’s taunt, Shangguan Byeokin also charged in.
At that moment, screams rang out from all directions.
Mo Baek had mobilized the Homa Heavenly Corps to attack the Mount Song Ak Clan and Hongchang Sect. Neither stood a chance.
While the elites of the Mount Song Ak Clan and Hongchang Sect were barely at the First-Rate level, those of the Homa Heavenly Corps had all reached the Supreme Peak.
Unsurprisingly, the warriors trying to block them were swiftly decapitated.
They couldn’t even mount a proper attack before being slaughtered.
"Form a formation! If this turns into a chaotic melee, we’ll be at a disadvantage!"
Oh Geuk, Sect Leader of the Hongchang Sect, shouted, but there were too few warriors capable of following his command. To form a battle formation, comparable strength was a prerequisite.
Shangguan Byeokin’s chest burned with frustration.
He had told his daughter to flee, and yet here she was, attacking Zhao Qiansheng.
—Jo Yeong-ah, at least you take your mother and escape! Hurry!
With that telepathic message, Shangguan Joyoung pressed Ha Yanggyo’s Devil’s Point and hoisted her onto his back.
Infuriated, Ha Yanggyo shouted,
"You wretched brat! Your father and sister are fighting with their lives on the line, and you’re thinking of fleeing?! Did I raise you like this?! So what if the clan’s bloodline ends?! It’s far more disgraceful if the clan’s will and honor are lost! Put me down now!"
Hearing that, Zhao Qiansheng murmured,
"Among them, she’s the most like a true warrior. She’s far too good for the likes of you."
Shangguan Byeokin fell into Zhao Qiansheng’s psychological ploy and failed to join Shangguan Mijong for a coordinated attack, instead lunging in recklessly.
That allowed Shangguan Mijong to slip behind Zhao Qiansheng and strike with his sword.
"This is getting a little annoying now."
A massive surge of true energy erupted from Zhao Qiansheng’s body and exploded toward the two of them.
"Nascent Qi…"
Shangguan Byeokin muttered blankly as he watched the explosion of sword qi.
Frankly, he had no confidence in blocking Nascent Qi.
Then, Shangguan Mijong unleashed all her true energy to form Protective Energy and shoved her father away.
Puh-uk!
Shangguan Mijong and Shangguan Byeokin were swept across the ground like rain-soaked fallen leaves.
"Keuuuugh!"
At last, Shangguan Joyoung, who had been frozen all this time, realized the situation and used Movement Arts to launch himself into the air.
But Zhao Qiansheng had already appeared in the direction Shangguan Joyoung was heading and struck with his hand.
"Keugh!"
Struck on the shoulder, Shangguan Joyoung plummeted straight to the ground.
Thud!
Landing on the ground with Ha Yanggyo, Shangguan Joyoung collapsed with both knees shattered.
"Kwaaaaah!"
At her son’s scream, Ha Yanggyo said,
"My son! Screams are for when you're dead! Stop screaming!"
Chastised by his mother’s stern rebuke, Shangguan Joyoung clenched his teeth.
Seeing those who had failed to withstand his attack now sprawled across the ground, Zhao Qiansheng grew triumphant and shouted.
"Twelve Martial Clans of the Murim? Do you know what’s wrong with you clan people? Within your own territories, you reign like kings, relying on your numbers. But isolate you like this, and your so-called royalty is nothing but a joke. Especially those of you who chase after wealth and power—you're not even martial clans. You can’t even fight without your factions backing you, and yet you carry swords around like warriors? It disgusts me."
Then Zhao Qiansheng turned to a beautiful middle-aged woman who stood rigidly, glaring at him.
"Your spirit surpasses that of your husband."
Zhao Qiansheng knew that Ha Yanggyo had once been one of the Three Great Beauties of Jiangnan twenty years ago.
"Well, well. Even with age, you’re still a peerless beauty. Such beauty—it’s a shame, truly."
Just as Zhao Qiansheng reached out to caress Ha Yanggyo’s cheek—
"Stop, you bastard!"
Swaaash!
A powerful force of martial energy flew in.
Zhao Qiansheng raised the hand that had been reaching for Ha Yanggyo and struck down the flying spear.
Clang!
There was considerable true energy imbued in it, enough to sting his hand.
"You dare…!"
Zhao Qiansheng glared at the ones descending from the air with eyes full of killing intent.
"Well, well… look at this."
Just as Zhao Qiansheng was starting to enjoy the fight, the appearance of intruders filled him with fury.
Shangguan Byeokin and Shangguan Joyoung, who had suffered internal injuries, barely stood up, swaying unsteadily.
Ha Yanggyo rushed over to support them.
But Zhao Qiansheng, now focused on the new arrivals, paid them no mind. He scanned the faces of the newcomers.
His gaze was like that of a fisherman inspecting fish caught in his net.
"Your face looks familiar. What’s your name?"
Zhao Qiansheng pulled out a cloth and began wiping his sword as he asked.
Yong Biyang stared at Zhao Qiansheng and replied.
"I am Yong Biyang, Sect Leader of the Heavenly Central Sect from Hayun County in Henan. And you—what’s your name?"
Violent Dragon Twin Swords and Mo Biyoung exchanged glances.
Their Sect Leader Yong Biyang was usually so courteous that even in confrontation, he never looked down on opponents. And yet now, speaking to someone clearly older than himself, he was emanating killing intent and calling him a dog.
That meant Yong Biyang was truly enraged.
"Hahahaha! Heaven hasn’t turned its back on me! To meet the father of that Yong brat here! Listen well! I am Zhao Qiansheng of the Blood Demon Castle! Have you heard of my name?"
Yong Biyang didn’t flinch at hearing that name.
"Of course I have! My son told me there’s an old mutt from the Blood Demon Castle, and that old dog’s name is Zhao Qiansheng. And now that I see you today, you truly are a mutt."
Zhao Qiansheng laughed uproariously at that.
"Father and son alike—both experts at provoking people. I was going to hunt you down anyway, but you’ve saved me the trouble by walking in on your own. How thoughtful."
Zhao Qiansheng gave the order to Mo Baek.
"Make those bastards kneel before me."
Mo Baek had already captured the Sect Leaders of the Mount Song Ak Clan and Hongchang Sect and brought the battle to a close. Once their leaders were captured, the Mount Song Ak Clan and Hongchang Sect lost the will to fight and surrendered.
Thanks to that, they were able to preserve some fighting power.
Mo Baek turned to the Homa Heavenly Corps and said,
"Kill them if you must. Just make them obedient."
Yong Biyang turned to his companions standing behind him and spoke.
"Don’t hold back out of concern for me. Show them exactly what kind of place the Heavenly Central Sect is!"