Chapter 156: Falling Into Crisis (2)

Yong Hwarin could have escaped with just his own body.

However, doing so would mean that everyone else here would have to die, so he could not move carelessly.

In fact, Pang Giyok, Namgung Soomyung, and Jegal Cheongyeong all had the ability to escape on their own if they wanted to, but they stayed put because they could not bear to abandon the others.

The disciples of Mount Hua were no different.

Seeing those who had resolved to either live together or die together, Yong Hwarin nodded.

‘They might be rude and lack manners, but when it comes to moments like this, they know how to risk their lives for righteousness.’

That was probably the difference between the Righteous Path and the Demonic Path.

Driven by the thought that he had to do something to protect them, he fired a large needle.

‘Argh!’

At that moment, the nail of his ring finger tore off, and Yong Hwarin had to endure excruciating pain. His hand trembled as if his finger had been cut off.

After shooting dozens of large needles using his Samjitan technique, the nail of his ring finger could no longer withstand the strain and had ripped off.

It was inevitable.

Even though Flicking Finger Technique could be executed instantly without prior training, one still needed to strengthen their nails and fingers to prevent such side effects as torn nails or broken fingers.

Forced to switch to using his index and middle fingers to perform Ijitan (Two-Finger Flick), Yong Hwarin was suddenly struck by a thought. Because of that brief distraction, he failed to notice a member of the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad swinging a sword right in front of him.

The one who blocked that fatal blow was Pang Giyok.

Taking a deep breath, Pang Giyok stepped in front of Yong Hwarin. If he had been even a moment later, Yong Hwarin’s life would have ended right there.

Namgung Soomyung was equally shocked.

Seeing Yong Hwarin suddenly standing blankly, Namgung Soomyung reached out to snap him out of it.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed right now?”

However, the hand Namgung Soomyung grabbed was not Yong Hwarin’s shoulder but Pang Giyok’s hand.

“This guy tends to stand there like that when he gains some insight while fighting. Please understand, Brother Namgung.”

Namgung Soomyung felt both understanding and bitterness at the same time.

‘Ah, seeing how Yong Hwarin enters deep contemplation even in a situation like this, I can see why he’s so strong. He never misses an opportunity for insight, no matter the circumstance. And seeing Pang Giyok understanding him so well makes me a bit envious.’

Namgung Soomyung had neither a friend like Pang Giyok nor the concentration that Yong Hwarin possessed.

“Lord Namgung, where are you looking?”

Jeong Suji blocked a sword aimed at her lower body, radiating sharp Sword Qi.

Had she been a moment late, she could have lost her lower half.

Seeing Jeong Suji, Namgung Soomyung smiled faintly.

‘Right, I’m not entirely without worth. I have a strong and beautiful woman like her by my side.’

Had he not been kidnapped by Ihwa Seonja, he would never have won Jeong Suji’s heart.

“Honestly, I never thought I’d see my sister wield a sword to protect a man.”

When Jeong Daji grumbled out of jealousy, Jeong Minji smiled.

“Doesn’t it look good?”

“Ugh! I need to find myself a man too. But they’re all taken.”

At that, Jeong Minji replied,

“Aren’t the Taoists from Mount Hua available?”

“No matter how desperate I am, I’d never go for a Taoist.”

Fortunately, the Three Killing Three Heroes still had some breathing room.

They coordinated their attacks and defenses well, giving them room to maneuver.

On the other hand, the women of the other clans lacked the same level of skill, leaving them with no chance to talk, let alone catch their breath.

As a result, injuries began to accumulate one by one among the women of the clans.

“Ah, I can’t even last a moment longer.”

Seomun Seoseol muttered under her breath.

The blade she held felt unbearably heavy.

This was the first time she had fought this desperately, and it was taking a toll on her.

Just as their group was beginning to crumble, Yong Hwarin suddenly snapped his eyes open. He then fired a Dragon Scale Finger toward a charging member of the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad.

Ping!

The sound of the flying needle was the same as before, but its power was on a completely different level.

The member of the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad blocked the needle with his sword.

Clang!

However, the sword that blocked the needle shattered into pieces, scattering in all directions.

Two members nearby caught fragments of the shattered sword in their faces and clutched their faces in agony.

“Arghhh!”

Seeing blood flowing between their fingers, it seemed like sword fragments had lodged in their eyes.

Yong Hwarin fired another Dragon Scale Finger.

Thud!

The member who was hit flew backward like someone struck by a spear.

Of the five members charging toward them, whether they blocked the needle or dodged it, they ended up either dead or incapacitated.

“What the…? All of a sudden?”

The most surprised person was Pang Giyok, who had been watching from the side.

After coming out of his meditation, Yong Hwarin’s Daechim had become several times stronger than before.

Thanks to that, the relentless onslaught of the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad momentarily paused.

‘It’s beyond what I expected. Drawing the two energies of the Tai Chi Dantian into my index and middle fingers and then firing them as Dragon Scale Finger… the power is several times greater.’

When the energy of the Yang Dantian flowed into the index finger and the energy of the Yin Dantian flowed into the middle finger, they fused together, causing the energy to spiral naturally. When released, it unleashed enough power to pierce through stone.

If the nail of his fourth finger hadn’t torn off, he would never have had this realization.

He had come to understand that opportunity often followed crisis.

And that opportunity was not yet over.

A gust of hot wind blew from behind.

It meant that a breach had formed in the formation of Ihwa Palace due to the fire.

“Even if we die here, we cannot let them get out!”

As the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad prepared for a final, suicidal attack, Yong Hwarin couldn’t help but feel stunned.

The hardest fight was against those prepared to die.

“Everyone, focus!”

Yong Hwarin shouted, and at the same time, the leader of the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad also gave an order.

“Attack all at once!”

Waaaah!

As the remaining members of the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad charged in, Yong Hwarin fumbled at his waist.

“Damn it.”

There were only a few needles left in his waist pouch. At some point, he had completely run out.

“If only I had realized this sooner…”

He felt deep regret. If only he had understood the method of using Dragon Scale Finger through the Tai Chi Dantian earlier, he might have found another way.

I could endure it, but I wasn’t sure if the others could hold out.

‘It seems unlikely that all of us will survive.’

Danmok Gyeol, Shangguan Joyoung, and Seomun Yuwon, who had already had their Qi drained, were dripping with sweat like it was pouring rain as they barely held on. The other women also looked like they had no strength left to continue fighting.

The members of the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad, realizing a little too late that I had only a few needles left, shouted.

“He has no more hidden weapons left! It’s time to teach him the law of Ihwa Palace! Attack!”

At that, Jeong Minji stepped to my right.

At the same time, Jegal Cheongyeong took position on my left.

They wanted to fight and die alongside me, even if it cost them their lives.

“Daji, release the restriction!”

At those words, Jeong Daji pressed on Jeong Minji’s pressure points from behind.

She also released Jeong Suji’s pressure points.

While doing so, Jeong Minji spoke as she unlocked Jeong Daji’s points.

“Suji, if the formation breaks, take Daji and get out.”

“I won’t.”

“Suji unni isn’t going to run away for us anyway. It’s because of Lord Namgung, isn’t it?”

Jeong Suji gave a light flick on Jeong Daji’s forehead as she grumbled teasingly, then smiled brightly.

“We’re the Three Killing Three Heroes!”

At those words, Jeong Minji let out a short laugh. That one sentence said it all. Any other words at a time like this would just feel cheap.

“Uwooooh!”

As the Plum Blossom White Sword Squad roared and charged in, the same kind of roar echoed from behind.

“Ah, looks like enemies are coming from the rear too.”

Namgung Soomyung turned around with a voice full of despair.

But soon, a joyous shout burst from Namgung Soomyung’s mouth.

“We’re saved! Reinforcements from the main house have arrived!”

“Uwooooh!”

Behind us, warriors from the Namgung Clan and members of the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit were pouring in through the breach in the formation caused by the fire.

I muttered under my breath.

“As expected, it’s Namgung Yoo.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Namgung Soomyung asked.

“I thought if we managed to survive, it would be thanks to Lady Namgung Yoo. I believed she would know I had infiltrated this place alone and would prepare a countermeasure.”

“You barely met her, yet you seem to know her well?”

Jegal Cheongyeong spoke in a slightly raised voice, sounding displeased.

“She’s as sharp as she is beautiful.”

At that, Jegal Cheongyeong’s expression softened.

The Namgung Clan reinforcements and the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit engaged the attacking Plum Blossom White Sword Squad in a fierce battle.

A warrior of the Namgung Clan spoke to Namgung Soomyung.

“Young Lord, leave this place to us and retreat first.”

At those words, Shangguan Joyoung, Seomun Yuwon, and Danmok Gyeol quickly headed outside the formation.

Mu Iso approached and spoke.

“Young Master, please retreat as well. We will take care of this.”

I shook my head at those words.

“We fight together. We die together. We live together. That’s how I want to live. Let’s fight together.”

As I spoke, I stepped forward and swung my sword.

“Young Master!”

Mu Iso watched me with a troubled expression but eventually shook his head as if there was no stopping me.

Because of that, Pang Giyok and Namgung Soomyung, who had started to retreat, paused awkwardly when they saw the scene.

Shangguan Mijong, worried about Pang Giyok, spoke.

“Young Lord Yong is strong, so he’ll be fine. Let’s get out of here.”

At those words, they tried to move again.

But from behind, they heard the voices of the later-generation disciples of Mount Hua.

“We may die here today. But at least let our junior brothers and sisters escape!”

As Poong Imso declared his determination to die, Ho Cheongun and Ho Maeyok nodded.

“We’re prepared to die as disciples of Mount Hua, Senior Brother! We’ve heard that Mount Hua has never turned its back on its own. Please don’t make us betrayers.”

Sa Jeokwoo, ready to fight to the death, made Poong Imso smile proudly.

“You make me proud, Junior Brother.”

“We’re proud of you too, Senior Brother.”

“Still, you have the responsibility to lead Mount Hua’s future. You can’t just die a meaningless death here. Go.”

Sa Jeokwoo protested.

“We can’t just leave you behind.”

“No! If you die, how can we face the Sect Leader?”

“What are you saying? We may be his children, but we are also disciples of Mount Hua. If the Sect Leader and the sect find out that we abandoned our senior brothers to save ourselves, they would never forgive us. You know our father’s character.”

At those words, Poong Imso, Ho Cheongun, and Ho Maeyok smiled softly.

“That’s true.”

“Mount Hua isn’t Mount Hua if we turn our backs on evil.”

“Exactly.”

“Alright, let’s go. Brother Ho, take care of the juniors.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

As the later-generation disciples of Mount Hua gave up on fleeing and charged back into the battlefield, Pang Giyok and Namgung Soomyung couldn’t bring themselves to leave either.

They had grown up as young lords of clans that prioritized gain above all else, and they had been taught that in situations like this, retreating was the right choice.

But for the first time, they questioned whether they were truly martial artists.

Namgung Soomyung, watching Jeong Suji fighting without holding back alongside Jeong Minji and Jeong Daji, felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Brother Pang, I think I’ve gone mad. Charging into battle at a time like this. Go on ahead.”

But Pang Giyok was already throwing himself into the fray.

Pang Giyok couldn’t bring himself to leave after seeing Paeng Cheollyeon attacking while swinging her saber alongside Mu Iso.

He had been thinking of retreating with a large wound on his side, but inside he muttered to himself.

‘That girl must be trying to get me killed.’

Yet there was a smile on his lips.

“Damn it, I’m always one step behind.”

Namgung Soomyung grumbled and then turned back toward the battlefield.

Watching him, Namgung Yoo smiled softly.

To Namgung Yoo, her brother looked more manly and worthy of being called a martial artist than ever before.

She had often worried about when she would see him like this, but after watching him grow while mingling with Yong Hwarin and the others, she felt reassured.

Many around her had said that Namgung Soomyung was too soft-hearted to lead the Namgung Clan.

It was precisely at times like this that he needed to prove his worth as the Young Lord of the Namgung Clan.

‘It seems my brother is finally starting to change.’

And at the center of that change stood Yong Hwarin, making it impossible for Namgung Yoo to take her eyes off him.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep