The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

Chapter 77 : The Hunter's Hour

"Cover your ears, close your eyes. And from now on, no matter what happens... don't pay any attention."

Jong Ryeo'ak left only these words and began the fight.

Siu did as he said, covering her eyes and ears and holding her breath. But through her ears, which were not completely blocked, she could hear the clash of blades and groans of pain.

Siu lowered her head even further.

"A prestigious sect is a prestigious sect, I see."

Already, five of his comrades had lost their lives to Jong Ryeo'ak's sword. Of course, their deaths were not entirely in vain.

"Hoo'ook! Hoo'ook!"

Jong Ryeo'ak, dripping with blood, was glaring at the two remaining unorthodox faction members with the hot gaze of a wounded beast. They were smart enough not to move rashly.

"If we wait, he'll collapse on his own. Time is on our side."

As the black-clad man said, Jong Ryeo'ak looked as if he didn't even have the strength to hold his sword.

"Not gonna attack?" Jong Ryeo'ak said with blood-stained lips.

The black-clad man snickered.

"Why should I? He's a dead man walking anyway. No need to waste my strength. And are you hiding that wench from before behind your back?"

"..."

"As expected of the Jongnam Sect! A true hero. To not even spare his own life to protect the one he loves."

"Love, my ass... stop with the nonsense and come at me."

"Don't worry. The wench you love, I'll love her to my heart's content in your stead."

The black-clad man opened his lips and flicked his lewd tongue. Jong Ryeo'ak found it difficult to hold back his anger any longer.

"I'll be sure to cut off that filthy tongue of yours, so just wait a little."

"Try it if you can. Ah! It seems the time has come."

Before long, the presence of a dozen or so people was felt from outside the cave.

'There are more? How many are there?'

Soon, unorthodox faction members dressed in black appeared in a line. They exchanged words among themselves and began to assess the situation.

"The Jongnam Sect... we've met a rather troublesome fellow."

"What happened to you all?"

"It wasn't difficult for us. We met some riffraff. They begged us to spare their lives as soon as they saw us."

"So what did you do?"

"Of course... we killed them! The way they begged for their lives even at the moment their necks were being cut was like a single bug."

"Hahahahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"

Where did it go wrong? No, why did this happen in the first place? Jong Ryeo'ak realized that their appearance was not a coincidence. This meant that someone was monitoring the movements of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.

'The Heretic's Path Alliance.'

The only one who could move this many unorthodox faction members was the Heretic's Path Alliance.

'There's no way the Martial Arts Alliance and the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple didn't anticipate this. But... why is no one here?'

The Martial Arts Alliance was not foolish. They couldn't have been unaware that sending the next-generation talents, who had been gathered in the Daoist temple to avoid Bud Crushing, to the outside would be dangerous. But there was no help from the Martial Arts Alliance.

"Hoo. This is dogshit."

He couldn't know the exact circumstances. Even if he did, nothing would change. In that case, there was only one best move Jong Ryeo'ak could make.

"Do what you have to do, Jong Ryeo'ak."

Jong Ryeo'ak, who was muttering as if hypnotizing himself, suddenly turned around. Siu, who had been told to cover her ears and eyes and pay him no mind, was looking at him.

"You damn brat. I told you not to look or listen."

"Mister..."

Jong Ryeo'ak frowned as he looked at Siu's terrified face.

"I'm not a mister, I'm Jong Ryeo'ak."

Before Siu could say anything, Jong Ryeo'ak swung his sword and collapsed the cave. Thanks to the precise sword strike, the cave did not collapse completely but only created a wall between Siu and Jong Ryeo'ak.

"What a tear-jerking love story!"

"Please just shut up..."

Jong Ryeo'ak re-gripped his sword and smiled slyly.

"You cowardly bastard. The numbers have increased, and you're still not going to attack? Or are you hoping those bastards will fight for you again this time?"

"Don't mind that brat's words. He's a dead man walking anyway."

"Well, it seems so. But it's not in my nature to just watch a man who might die at any moment."

"Then how about we do it together?"

"Good. But you go first."

"Me?"

"Yes. Don't tell me you're thinking of using us this time?"

At the voice of the black-clad men, which felt like it had bones in it, the two unorthodox faction members fell into thought. To retreat now, the big fish called the Jongnam Sect and the girl he was protecting were tempting. But he knew well. The most dangerous prey in this world is a beast on the verge of death.

'It's a waste, but... this isn't the time.'

The two unorthodox faction members took a step back.

"We'll leave this place to you."

"No. You go first."

"We're fine."

"Do my words sound like a joke?"

The atmosphere heated up. The two unorthodox faction members, who felt the air becoming not just cold but hot, realized that the situation was turning strange.

'Damn it! He's planning to use us!'

Jong Ryeo'ak's skills were not to be ignored. It was true that his strength had been depleted from the previous fights, but if he was careless, he could have his neck bitten by the wounded beast. But if they were to retreat now, the black-clad men who had taken their rear would not stand still.

'Did he aim for this... you cunning bastard.'

The two unorthodox faction members realized that they were also on a cliff due to Jong Ryeo'ak's instigation.

"Alright. We'll go first."

The two unorthodox faction members, who had quickly finished their calculations, stepped forward with their swords drawn, and the black-clad men followed.

Jong Ryeo'ak, who was watching them approach, caught his breath.

'Is this a relief, at least?'

Thanks to buying even a little time, he was able to recover even a little of his internal energy and stamina. Jong Ryeo'ak cooled his head and calculated the structure of the fight.

'I'll take at least two or three of them with me.'

As he made up his mind fiercely, his heart became much lighter. And in the next moment, his master's voice was heard in his head.

—Fear makes the heart heavy. When the heart becomes heavy, the body becomes heavy with it.

—Please teach me how to overcome fear.

—There is no way to overcome it.

—Then...

His master said with a benevolent face.

—Fear is also an instinct that humans are born with from the beginning. It is also the power to protect oneself from death.

—Are you saying that fear is also a power?

—That's right. Those who do not know fear take death lightly. Only by knowing fear can one protect oneself from death. So listen well. Fear is not something to be ignored or overcome. Accept fear, but do not be swallowed by it. Just flow with it.

His master said finally.

—Understand and accept fear, and make it your own.

At that time, he could not understand his master's words. Even when he entered the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple and faced his own fear from the Illusory Void Formation in the Dark Cave, he could not follow his master's teachings. But now, he felt he understood.

'Fear is not something to be overcome, but to be accepted and made one's own.'

Jong Ryeo'ak's sword became calm.

"Hmm?"

The footsteps of the two unorthodox faction members who were approaching him slowed down.

'The atmosphere has changed.'

Jong Ryeo'ak's prayer, which had been anxious as if it could be broken at any moment, had become solid without any gaps.

As the two unorthodox faction members did not approach any further, Jong Ryeo'ak smirked.

"Why? Are you planning to fight tomorrow?"

"Tch!"

'The fact that he's at his limit hasn't changed!'

The two unorthodox faction members looked at each other, exchanged glances, and then moved quickly.

Watching the two unorthodox faction members who were approaching, widening the distance on both sides, Jong Ryeo'ak let out a long breath.

'Aim for his blind spot!'

Human vision has its limits. Since they could not see both left and right at the same time, the two unorthodox faction members rushed in from Jong Ryeo'ak's blind spot at the same time.

At the same time, a sharp killing intent like a blade was felt on his skin. Nevertheless, Jong Ryeo'ak did not look to either the left or the right. He just waited for the right time. Until the killing intent that touched his skin became even thicker.

'They're here.'

As the swords of the two unorthodox faction members reached close, Jong Ryeo'ak's sword flashed.

The unique sword technique of the Jongnam Sect. The Tae'eul Splitting Light Sword was unfolded in Jong Ryeo'ak's hand.

—The sword of Jongnam emits a brilliant light, truly the fastest sword under heaven.

Jong Ryeo'ak's sword deflected all of the swords of the two unorthodox faction members that were stabbing in at the same time. Not only that, Jong Ryeo'ak's sword cut the torso of the unorthodox faction member who had stabbed in from his left.

Slice—!

As the skin split, red blood spurted out. The other unorthodox faction member, who had seen his companion being cut, gritted his teeth.

'At this rate, we'll both be defeated!'

He could not die like this. He raised his sword qi with all his might and cut Jong Ryeo'ak. But his sword qi could not reach Jong Ryeo'ak. Jong Ryeo'ak's sword, which had avoided the sword qi by stepping on a movement technique, danced once more.

The fifth form of the Tae'eul Splitting Light Sword, the Flashing and Difficult, was unfolded.

As a dazzling flash unfolded dizzily in front of his eyes, the unorthodox faction member was greatly flustered.

'Which side should I block!?'

The moment the sword that had lost its way cut through the empty air, the unorthodox faction member realized.

"Damn it..."

That Jong Ryeo'ak's sword had surpassed him.

The fast sword, imbued with light, cut the unorthodox faction member's neck.

Thump— Thump—!

As the severed head of the unorthodox faction member rolled on the floor, Jong Ryeo'ak roughly let out the breath he had been holding.

"Haak— Haak—!!"

His fingertips trembled wildly, and a pain as if his whole body would crumble assailed him. But apart from the pain, his mind was clear. It was a new feeling. As if the acupoints that had been closed had been opened. He couldn't move a single finger, but his mind was clear and clean.

Clap— Clap— Clap—!

At that moment, the sound of applause was heard from outside the cave.

"Congratulations. You have overcome the wall."

"Overcome... the wall...?"

"Yes. Sometimes there are martial artists who overcome the wall only when they face death. Like you."

"Was that it?"

"It was a good thing I sent those two brats first. If not, the one who would be dead by now would be me. It's a pity for you. To have barely overcome the wall only today."

Eight black-clad men slowly approached Jong Ryeo'ak.

"To die as soon as you've gained enlightenment... you pitiful brat... don't resent us too much. This is your fate."

"Fate... maybe so."

Jong Ryeo'ak squeezed out his last strength and aimed at the black-clad men.

Since he had used up all the strength of his mind and body, there was only one strength left for him.

'Burn the soul.'

If he used his innate true qi, he could fight for at least half a koku. Of course, using his innate true qi meant death.

'A body that will die anyway. I have no regrets.'

The leader of the black-clad men, who had felt an unusual qi flowing from Jong Ryeo'ak's body, shouted.

"That brat is trying to use his innate true qi! Kill him before that!"

It was the moment the black-clad men rushed in.

"You brats!!"

A group of martial artists appeared from outside the cave. The black-clad men who had discovered them were greatly flustered.

"The Martial Arts Alliance!"

The clothes the martial artists were wearing had the three-dragon pattern that symbolized the Martial Arts Alliance. The black-clad men, who had recognized that they were the warriors of the Martial Arts Alliance, hesitated and retreated.

"Retreat! At once!"

As the black-clad men ran away, displaying their movement techniques, the martial artists of the Alliance shouted.

"Some of you, chase them!"

The middle-aged man who seemed to be leading the warriors of the Alliance came into the cave. He approached Jong Ryeo'ak and checked his condition.

"Are you alright?"

"I... am fine. But inside..."

The middle-aged man, who had discovered the pile of stones where Jong Ryeo'ak was pointing, shouted with all his might.

"Dig out the stones! At once!"

While the warriors of the Alliance were clearing away the collapsed stones, the middle-aged man stood in front of Jong Ryeo'ak.

"My name is Wi'o. The Martial Arts Alliance has stepped in, so it will be alright now."

"..."

There was no answer. Wi'o realized that Jong Ryeo'ak had fainted while standing and slowly nodded his head.

"Yes. You've worked hard."

"There's a woman inside."

As Wi'o carefully supported Jong Ryeo'ak, his body quickly collapsed.

"Young Hero Jong!"

Siu, who had been rescued from inside the cave by the warriors of the Alliance, quickly shot out. She looked at Jong Ryeo'ak, who was in Wi'o's arms, and shed tears.

"Is he dead!?"

"Don't worry. He just fainted from exhaustion, he's not dead."

"Hwaaaang!"

While Siu was hugging Jong Ryeo'ak and crying, Wi'o got up.

"There's no time to delay! We have to save even a few more children!"

"Yes!"

The martial artists of the Alliance, led by Wi'o, moved busily.

"There's no time."

Wi'o's gaze turned to the sky. The sun had already set, and darkness was falling.

Night is the hunter's time.

Wi'o's heart became even more anxious.

(End of Chapter)