Chapter 162: Night Raid (2)

“Is that so? You’re right. Why are they bringing that wagon?”

Yong Hwarin and Ho Cheongun had been full of curiosity when they received the wagon as cargo.

Since they were under contract not to check the contents while transporting it, they had to suppress their curiosity the whole way.

They had simply assumed the wagon must have contained some valuable treasure. So seeing that wagon appear now, they could not help but feel suspicious.

And in front of that wagon stood Namgung Yoo.

Something felt off.

There was no reason for Namgung Yoo to be standing there like that.

It wasn’t like she was a powerful martial artist, nor was she standing there holding a sword ready to fight.

Namgung Yoo pulled out a flute from her robe and started playing a simple, monotonous melody.

The young lords of the clans couldn’t understand her strange behavior, but when the wagon suddenly opened, they were horrified.

“Ugh!”

In the end, Cheong Geonmin let out a half-scream when he saw what came out of the wagon.

“Those are Jiangshi!”

About forty Jiangshi emerged from the ten wagons.

There had been four Jiangshi packed into each wagon.

Poong Imso muttered.

“So, we’ve been transporting Jiangshi? How unbelievable. And why would the Namgung Clan have Jiangshi?”

“Where did they even get those Jiangshi?”

At Cheong Geonmin’s words, Jaegal Yohye spoke up.

“Those Jiangshi were probably purchased by the Namgung Clan in preparation for times like this. Haven’t you heard? It’s an open secret that Dongakbang manufactures and sells Jiangshi.”

“So you’re saying those Jiangshi were bought from Dongakbang?”

Dongakbang was a sect that specialized in manufacturing Jiangshi.

The price for one Jiangshi was five gold taels, so it wasn’t something people dared to afford lightly.

What shocked them was that the prestigious Namgung Clan had purchased Jiangshi.

Even if one searched through all the records of the orthodox martial world, there wasn’t a single case of a righteous sect using Jiangshi.

This revelation was a huge shock to them.

However, when those Jiangshi began to move at the sound of Namgung Yoo’s flute and slaughtered the black-clad men, their shock only deepened.

The Namgung Clan’s elite joined the Jiangshi in their assault, completely overwhelming the black-clad enemies who had once seemed so formidable.

With the Jiangshi blocking the attacks from the front and the Namgung Clan’s warriors pressing the offensive, the black-clad men had no way to fight back.

“The Namgung Clan must have prepared these Jiangshi to minimize losses among their elites in battles like this. In my view, it’s a brilliant strategy. And this is only possible because of Namgung Yoo, that extraordinary genius. I’m sure she had significant influence in convincing the clan to purchase the Jiangshi in the first place.”

After the recent battles with Ihwa Palace, they had come to realize just how outstanding Namgung Yoo was through many days of discussions.

At first, they had scoffed at her for learning sorcery from the Left Dao sect, but they gradually came to realize that her skills were not something to be taken lightly.

After all, who would have dared to think of controlling Jiangshi like this?

It was only possible because Namgung Yoo had mastered the Left Dao’s sorcery. Yong Hwarin found himself reevaluating both the Namgung Clan and Namgung Yoo.

This went far beyond anything he had imagined.

Thanks to the Jiangshi, the Namgung Clan’s elites suffered minimal damage.

Even those strong enough to kill the young lords of other clans stood helpless before the Jiangshi.

From atop the pavilion, First Young Master muttered as he watched the scene.

“Jiangshi… I never imagined they’d bring those out. This is my mistake. I should have investigated the Namgung Clan more thoroughly. Has the team sent to kidnap Ihwa Seonja returned yet?”

Just as he said that, a horn sounded from the direction where Ihwa Seonja was being held.

“They’ve succeeded.”

“And the Demonic Master’s daughter?”

“Since there’s no horn from that direction, it seems they haven’t found her yet.”

At those words, First Young Master’s brow furrowed.

Meanwhile, the Three Chivalrous Sisters continued to fight desperately against the waves of black-clad enemies.

“Looks like no help is coming this way, big sister.”

At Jeong Daji’s words, Jeong Suji pulled her sword from an enemy’s chest and replied.

“Then let’s retreat for now. We should avoid the downpour while we can.”

But Jeong Minji shook her head.

“It’s the same no matter where we go. It’s better to hold this position.”

“What’s with the Namgung Clan? They’re supposed to be the strongest among the martial clans, but they can’t even suppress intruders running wild like this.”

However, that statement wasn’t quite accurate.

Jeong Daji already knew from several clashes that these enemies were not inferior to the Namgung Clan’s elites in martial skill.

“I don’t think they’re warriors from Ihwa Palace.”

Jeong Minji spoke.

“They use techniques similar to those of the subordinates of the Third Young Master we fought in Soho. Be careful. These people attack without caring for their lives.”

“Big sister, how much longer do we have to wait here?”

“Just a little longer. Yong Gongja will be here soon.”

“Really? Then let’s wait.”

Hearing that Yong Hwarin was coming soon gave Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji renewed energy.

Among all the people they knew, they hadn’t seen anyone as strong as Yong Hwarin.

That was why they could believe that once Yong Hwarin arrived, this place would become safe.

While watching the Namgung Clan’s warriors and Jiangshi push back the black-clad enemies, Yong Hwarin realized something and flinched.

‘What a fool I’ve been, wasting my attention on the wrong thing.’

Yong Hwarin already knew their true objective.

“Namgung Gongja, these people are here to rescue Ihwa Seonja. You need to send more troops to her location right now.”

Yong Hwarin approached Namgung Soomyung and spoke urgently.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent a team there.”

“No. Sending just a few won’t be enough. Look at how desperately they’re fighting here. That means they’re also preparing for an escape. There must be a considerable number trying to rescue Ihwa Seonja.”

“Ah.”

Realizing his oversight, Namgung Soomyung quickly took several dozen elites and headed toward where Ihwa Seonja was being held.

Then Yong Hwarin slapped his own forehead again.

“What a fool I am.”

Covered in blood from head to toe, Paeng Giyok asked, puzzled by Yong Hwarin’s strange behavior.

“What’s wrong?”

“If they’re here to rescue Ihwa Seonja, they’re definitely planning to take Seok Sojeo with them as well. She hasn’t completed the Moon Sealing Demon Art yet.”

“That makes sense.”

“Will you come with me?”

With the remaining forces already taken by Namgung Soomyung, there was no way to request additional troops now. So Yong Hwarin turned to Paeng Giyok for help.

“If my friend asks, how could I refuse?”

“Thank you. Let’s go.”

Yong Hwarin pushed off the ground, and Paeng Giyok followed right behind.

Seeing this, Jegal Cheongyeong spoke up.

“Brother, stay here with Yohye.”

As Jegal Cheongyeong followed after them, Jegal Yohye muttered to herself.

“Unbelievable. Locking the barn after the horse is stolen? You were so stubborn when I tried to stop you.”

Jegal Yohye let out a deep sigh as she watched Jegal Cheongyeong move farther away.

“Suji! Protect Lady Seok!”

Jeong Minji shouted.

“Sister! I can’t break free either!”

They were still fighting with their restrictions sealed, unable to unleash their full strength.

In order to release their seals, they needed to undo the pressure point on their backs, but they had no room to do so.

The black-clad enemies’ martial arts were so intense that they couldn’t even find a moment to retreat.

As a result, the three sisters were pinned down by the black-clad attackers and ended up leaving Seok Unjeong undefended.

“Aaagh! Sister Jeong!”

Eventually, the black-clad men burst into the room and carried Seok Unjeong out in their arms.

“Seok Sister!”

“Stop them!”

The black-clad man shouted as he launched his movement technique. Even though he leapt away with Seok Unjeong in his arms, the Three Chivalrous Sisters could only stomp their feet in frustration, unable to give chase.

A dozen more black-clad enemies pressed in even more fiercely, preventing the Three Chivalrous Sisters from pursuing.

At that moment.

Screeeeee!

A faintly glowing light shot through the air, reflecting the moonlight as it flew toward the airborne black-clad man.

Someone had thrown a sword.

“Who’s there!”

The black-clad man raised his sword to block it but lost his balance and landed heavily on the ground.

Yong Hwarin rushed toward the black-clad man with bare fists.

The black-clad man muttered angrily.

“Underestimating me, are you?”

Enraged, the black-clad man sealed Seok Unjeong’s pressure point and set her down.

But in the brief moment he raised his head, Yong Hwarin’s fist was already flying toward him.

It had been a long time since Yong Hwarin unleashed the Spinning Dragon Fist, the Coiling Dragon Strike Fist.

The black-clad man tried to widen the distance, but Yong Hwarin was already closing in right in front of him.

“Captain! That’s the Heavenly Central Sword Hero! Be careful!”

They had already heard rumors of how the Third Young Master had been badly beaten by Yong Hwarin, the Heavenly Central Sword Hero.

Realizing this, the black-clad captain frowned.

And then he noticed that he had somehow ended up five jang (about 15 meters) away from Seok Unjeong.

Seeing Jegal Cheongyeong holding Seok Unjeong in his arms, the captain realized that Yong Hwarin had deliberately engaged him up close to separate them.

“Die!”

The black-clad man unleashed his ultimate technique with all his internal energy.

But Yong Hwarin weaved and dodged, closing in again with relentless punches.

Having pushed his technique to the peak of fluidity, Yong Hwarin could see countless openings in the black-clad man’s attacks.

Papapapapapak!

Yong Hwarin’s fists landed squarely on the black-clad man’s body.

With each satisfying impact, the man’s head jerked violently.

Even after Yong Hwarin stopped punching, the man’s head continued to sway uncontrollably.

His bones had already shattered, leaving his body limp and boneless.

Thud!

The black-clad man collapsed to the ground, and Yong Hwarin immediately launched himself back into the fray.

Paeng Giyok spoke to Jegal Cheongyeong standing behind him.

“Does the Heavenly Central Sect have a fist technique?”

“Yes, there is a technique called Spinning Dragon Fist. But I never knew it was such a remarkable technique.”

“It only looks impressive because it’s being used by someone extraordinary.”

Watching Yong Hwarin pounding on the black-clad men with his fists, Paeng Giyok realized that Yong Hwarin was filled with extreme anger.

Suddenly, Paeng Giyok cursed and rushed forward.

“Those bastards, no matter if they’re demons, attacking a woman’s chest is too much.”

Swinging his massive blade, Paeng Giyok struck at the black-clad enemies.

One of the black-clad men had slashed Jeong Suji’s chest with his sword, causing blood to spray from one side of her chest.

To Paeng Giyok, the sight overlapped with Shangguan Mijong’s chest, driving him into a half-crazed rage as he swung his blade wildly.

Thanks to that, the Three Chivalrous Sisters finally caught a breather.

“Phew, Suji, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. It’s not like it’s my face or anything.”

Seeing her younger sister still so spirited even in this situation, Jeong Minji smiled.

It was indeed surprising that such a strong-willed sister had ended up matching with the gentle Namgung Soomyung.

Screeeee!

At the sound of the horn, the black-clad men, who had seemed ready to fight to the death, began to retreat.

‘They succeeded in rescuing Ihwa Seonja.’

Yong Hwarin regretted letting her slip away and climbed onto the roof of the pavilion to observe the movements inside the Namgung Clan.

‘That way.’

A group of people was lining up and crossing over the Namgung Clan’s wall.

Yong Hwarin hurled himself toward them.

Then, he spotted two figures standing nonchalantly on the rooftop.

As one of the men blew the horn, the black-clad forces moved in perfect unison.

It was clear that these two men were the masterminds behind all of this.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep