Chapter 142: The Heirs in Peril (1)

Yong Hwarin, for once, glared at Man Inhwa with genuine hostility, his killing intent palpable.

He regretted missing the opportunity to eliminate the Third Young Master.

Observing Yong Hwarin, Man Inhwa spoke.

“Hohoho, please don’t resent me too much. Perhaps someday, I might be the one to save you, Yong Young Master.”

Yong Hwarin responded coldly.

“I’ll remember this debt.”

“It would be an honor if you remembered my face.”

Despite Yong Hwarin’s chilly reply, Man Inhwa smiled brightly.

“And since I also saved Young Master-nim, please remember that as well.”

At her words, the Third Young Master smirked slyly.

“I shall repay Miss Man’s kindness with utmost gratitude.”

“No need for such formality. I’ve received something in return as well. Let’s withdraw now.”

While Yong Hwarin was engrossed in his battle with the Third Young Master, all those aboard the Ihwa Seonja’s ship had been subdued and were no longer visible.

Fortunately, Pang Giyok, Seomun Yuwon, and Jegal Cheongyeong were still engaged in combat with the white-haired old woman and the emaciated old man.

Their superior skills compared to others had allowed them to hold out thus far.

Particularly, the White-Haired Red-Faced Monster and Elder Yoro had repeatedly been forced back by Baekho’s sword qi whenever they attempted to subdue the trio, causing their faces to flush with embarrassment.

Those encountering Pang Giyok’s Five Tiger Severing Sect Sword for the first time realized they couldn’t underestimate him.

“It’s unfortunate that such a talent has emerged in the Pang Clan only to face this fate.”

Elder Yoro muttered with genuine admiration, feeling regret for the impending downfall of Pang Giyok.

Even though he was aligned with the Demonic Path, seeing such talent evoked a sense of pity.

In the martial world, witnessing exceptional talent often transcended affiliations, leading to admiration regardless of sides.

However, the fact that this talent didn’t belong to the Demonic Path was what Elder Yoro found most regrettable.

Realizing that the heirs of the noble families might all fall into enemy hands if he continued battling the Third Young Master, Yong Hwarin leaped onto the Ihwa Seonja’s ship.

Swaeaeaeak!

Arrows flew from all directions.

Before he knew it, warriors of the Ihwa Fairy had surrounded the area densely.

The Third Young Master, Eum Sajeok, was taken aback by the Ihwa Seonja’s meticulous preparations.

“Impressive. When did they prepare all this? Still, it seems I’m the only one at a loss here. Losing the Red-Clothed Twin Demons will surely anger my master.”

Eum Sajeok didn’t particularly care for the Red-Clothed Twin Demons, so their deaths didn’t sadden him.

However, knowing that his master cherished them, he understood that their deaths wouldn’t be overlooked easily.

“Well, since things went well with the Ihwa Fairy, I won’t be scolded too harshly.”

Watching Yong Hwarin dodge the countless arrows while fighting, Eum Sajeok spoke.

“Retrieve the bodies of the Red-Clothed Twin Demons.”

As his subordinates brought the two corpses, he said,

“Is it acceptable to lose the Baekho Hangma Sword?”

A Demonic Master beside him inquired, to which Eum Sajeok grinned.

“Did you really think I’d bring the Baekho Hangma Sword here?”

Deung Hwaun asked in surprise,

“Then, is the one the Shaolin monk possesses a fake?”

“I had a replica made in advance for situations like this. Hahaha. They’ll probably be deceived by it. It was crafted so convincingly that even the monk wouldn’t know.”

“Since you’ve accomplished much, shouldn’t you release my daughter now?”

Upon hearing this, Eum Sajeok tilted his head.

“What accomplishments are you referring to?”

“Capturing the heirs of the noble families is a significant achievement, isn’t it?”

“How is that your accomplishment?”

The Demonic Master frowned and retorted,

“Who provided the information that the heirs would be touring Soho? And who devised the plan?”

“You seem to be mistaken. The original agreement was to retrieve the four sacred artifacts, not capture them. We still haven’t obtained the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm and the Vermilion Bird Winged Cloak. You should be well aware of this. Once we have them, my master will release your daughter.”

The Demonic Master clenched his trembling hands tightly.

He wanted nothing more than to crush this wicked brat’s head, but for his daughter’s sake, he restrained himself.

Observing Eum Sajeok, known for his cunning, the Demonic Master forced a bitter smile.

Despite sensing the Demonic Master’s killing intent, Eum Sajeok remained unfazed.

“Turn the ship around. We’re leaving this place.”

Unwilling to disengage without a decisive victory, Eum Sajeok kept his eyes on Yong Hwarin.

At that moment,

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Jegal Yeongcheon charged at the fleeing Third Young Master like a flying tiger.

In response, the Third Young Master’s subordinates swarmed to attack.

Seeing Jegal Yeongcheon fighting alone, Monk Gak Un, despite his internal injuries, stepped in to assist.

Jegal Yohye deeply regretted her inability to use martial arts once again.

Yong Hwarin had to focus entirely on deflecting the swarm of arrows coming at him like flies.

Each arrow carried potent sword qi, making them impossible to ignore, even for him.

The relentless barrage prevented him from boarding the Ihwa Seonja’s ship.

Observing the archers around, he sought a solution.

If he continued spending time deflecting arrows, he feared missing the chance to board the ship.

“Aagh!”

Amidst the splashing sounds, a scream erupted like a leaping fish.

‘Cheongyeong!’

He saw Cheongyeong vomiting blood and being flung into the air.

Ultimately, Jegal Cheongyeong, with less internal energy than the two old monsters, had been struck.

Splash!

Watching Jegal Cheongyeong fall into Soho, he hesitated.

Rescuing Jegal Cheongyeong meant he couldn’t save the others.

Yet, he couldn’t ignore her, unconscious and submerged.

Yong Hwarin glanced at Monk Gak Un and Jegal Yeongcheon.

They were overwhelmed, trying to attack the escaping Third Young Master but ending up surrounded.

They needed assistance more than anyone.

“Damn it!”

At that moment, the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit arrived.

“Young Master!”

They had been sightseeing on the opposite side of Soho and arrived late upon hearing the commotion.

“Mu Iso-jang, save Miss Jegal from the water!”

At that command, Mu Iso handed his sword to the warrior beside him and jumped straight into the lake.

“Son Yang, Go Ram—assist Commander Mu in protecting Miss Jegal! Wi Sook, Gam Heum—divide the unit into two teams and go aid Jegal Young Master immediately!”

The Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit hesitated for a moment, stunned that Yong Hwarin knew their names precisely and issued such direct orders.

None of them expected the heir of a noble clan to remember the names of members among the two hundred men of the Heavenly Central Sect.

But when he looked each one straight in the eye and called their names, they were momentarily taken aback.

“What are you doing? Move, now!”

Startled by Yong Hwarin’s shout, the warriors quickly split into two groups and rushed toward Jegal Yeongcheon.

Their morale rose noticeably. While others might not understand, the warriors who served their lord were deeply moved that their lord remembered their names.

Meanwhile, Yong Hwarin was still desperately fending off the arrows flying toward him.

“I won’t let you live!”

Annoyance flared, and any remaining mercy had long run dry.

“Don’t blame me!”

Yong Hwarin stepped to the center of the ship and channeled the power of the Triad Flow into his Tai Chi Dantian, releasing it all at once.

He unleashed that energy through only two points—both Yongchun points.

As the energy surged from his Yongchun points, the small boat shook violently. The intense true energy from the Tai Chi Dantian flowed into the boat’s structure, causing it to convulse and tremble.

Crack! Crack!

Eventually, unable to withstand the enormous qi generated by the Tai Chi Dantian, the small boat began to split.

“Hyat!”

When Yong Hwarin released the remaining energy from his Tai Chi Dantian again, the boat exploded into pieces, splintering in all directions.

Swaeaeaeak!

The small boat shattered into thousands of wooden fragments that scattered in every direction.

Thwack! Thwack! Aagh! Guh! Urgh!

The scattering shards created a symphony of painful sounds.

Some pieces embedded themselves deep into the Ihwa Seonja’s ship, while others turned the bodies of the surrounding archers into human pincushions.

Not a soul remained standing within five zhang of the explosion.

“Elder Yoro! We must be cautious with that one.”

The White-Haired Red-Faced Monster spoke gravely, having seen Yong Hwarin’s energy discharge.

“With qi release at that level, he shouldn’t even be able to stand. I’d wager he expelled all of his innate true qi. Don’t worry.”

However, Pang Giyok, clutching his wounded side, murmured,

“Hehehe, now that’s more like you. I was wondering why I couldn’t see the ruthlessness you showed in the Bamboo Forest.”

As he spoke, he glanced toward the two old monsters.

“That young man, you should know… he’s stronger than all of us here combined.”

The White-Haired Red-Faced Monster scoffed as if he’d heard nonsense.

“Even so, he’s still a fledgling. You’re stronger than everyone here, and look where that got you, boy from the Pang Clan!”

“Listen, old man. That boy, he’s not just strong in qi. His tongue is also a weapon. You’d better fear that tongue more than his power. Even Zhao Qiansheng from Blood Demon Castle was defeated by it.”

The two old monsters listened despite themselves, knowing they were no stronger than Zhao Qiansheng. Realizing that, they exchanged bitter smirks.

“If that young man gets involved here, this battle will take on a completely different turn.”

“He’ll end up just like you, so don’t worry.”

With that, Pang Giyok collapsed to his knees.

He was weak and exhausted, having suffered at the hands of the two old monsters and the Ihwa Poison.

But the Ihwa Seonja held a different view than the two elders.

“He’s more formidable than the rumors say. If all those stories weren’t baseless, then listening to that boy from the Pang Clan might not be a bad idea. I believe it’s time we withdraw.”

“Little Lady of the Palace, running away because of a fledgling like that? Let us go capture him.”

Man Inhwa shook her head.

“When it comes to cunning, even Eum Sajeok, who boasts of being the best under heaven, is retreating after fighting Yong Hwarin. If he could capture him, he wouldn’t have fled. Also, are the two elders here truly capable of killing that man? Or do you perhaps believe you are stronger than the Red-Clothed Twin Demons?”

More than twenty subordinates floated lifelessly in the lake within ten zhang, their bodies riddled with wooden shards.

Even with qi alone, none of them could have shattered a boat and killed over twenty people.

Nor were they sure they could have defeated the Red-Clothed Twin Demons. But they also couldn’t guarantee victory over them.

Immersed in such thoughts, they shivered at the sight of Yong Hwarin standing alone on the raft, watching them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep