Chu Yeong-ho’s heart felt as though it were on fire.

The Eastern Depot guard who appeared suddenly—could he really be a Taoist of the Azure Forest, and even an honor flower disciple at that?

No sorcerer from the Demon Cult could fail to recognize an honor flower disciple.

The revered Taoists of the Azure Forest were all dangerous, but honor flower disciples were especially more so.

His younger brother, Jeok-woong, had used the Explosive Blood Art.

He could surely face that honor flower disciple, but regardless of the outcome, Jeok-woong would die.

‘Jeok-woong… I will not forget your sacrifice!’

Chu Yeong-ho survived by his younger brother’s blood.

At this point, he had no choice but to risk his life to complete the mission.

He had kidnapped the Honorable County Princess.

His stealth spell remained flawless. The escorts of the Honorable County Princess were helpless as their throats were slit.

After kidnapping the Honorable County Princess, he ran without hesitation.

But, how such a small body had made such a loud sound, he could not understand.

From the purity of the energy in the shout, it was undoubtedly a Taoist sound technique.

The stealth spell, based on sorcery, suddenly unraveled.

As he restrained the struggling Honorable County Princess, a woman with a whip sword appeared, having heard her scream.

“Kidnapper…!”

She lunged forward, swinging her whip sword gracefully.

Chu Yeong-ho, in a state of shock, almost died at that moment.

The woman used the same movement technique as the honor flower disciple he had encountered earlier.

Recognizing Jin Ri-yeon’s light footwork, Chu Yeong-ho quickly guessed her identity.

‘Why do all the Azure Forest disciples dress like the Eastern Depot guard?’

He wanted to ask, but remained silent to maintain his stealth spell.

Once again, the Honorable County Princess cried out loudly.

“Help me!”

“Damn it!”

Chu Yeong-ho barely managed to block the mute acupoints on the Honorable County Princess’s body.

Because his right hand had been burned, he hadn’t been able to properly strike the acupoints until now.

Suddenly, Chu Yeong-ho felt a chilling presence behind him.

Cherrrnnng!

The softly swaying whip sword pierced the spot where Chu Yeong-ho’s head had been.

As the sword straightened, the sharp noise jolted him back to his senses.

Instead of climbing over the wall, Chu Yeong-ho maximized his stealth spell and concealed himself.

By remaining completely still, he enhanced the effectiveness of his invisibility.

Jin Ri-yeon stopped in place.

Then, as if searching for Chu Yeong-ho, only her gaze moved silently.

‘She’s relentless…’

Chu Yeong-ho was thinking of escaping with the Honorable County Princess as soon as he found the slightest opening.

But Jin Ri-yeon didn’t blink once.

It was as if she was determined to track down Chu Yeong-ho, who was hiding somewhere.

Time was not on Chu Yeong-ho’s side.

Soon, Yi-gang appeared.

“Senior Sister!”

Hearing the words senior sister, Chu Yeong-ho felt a chill run down his spine.

The honor flower disciple from earlier, this swordswoman wielding the whip sword, and even the Crown Prince’s teacher. They were all disciples of the Azure Forest?

Chu Yeong-ho held his breath in silence.

The honor flower disciple from earlier was special, but surely these two wouldn’t be able to see through his stealth spell.

If he could just move away little by little and escape…

“He’s standing directly in front of you, Senior Sister, three steps ahead, holding the Honorable County Princess by the neck. Don’t stab him.”

Chu Yeong-ho never imagined that Yi-gang could pinpoint his location as if he could see him clearly.

This was because he didn’t know that Yi-gang had mastered the Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion.

Shooosh!

The sand Jin Ri-yeon scattered covered Chu Yeong-ho’s body.

Chu Yeong-ho gritted his teeth and shot upward while maintaining his stealth spell.

Jin Ri-yeon’s whip sword grazed his thigh.

Luckily, it didn’t sever an artery, but blood started to drip rapidly.

“Senior Sister!”

Yi-gang ran up next to Jin Ri-yeon.

Chu Yeong-ho still hadn’t released his stealth spell, so Jin Ri-yeon couldn’t see him.

“I’ll take care of this!”

Yi-gang thrust his Shooting Star Fang at Chu Yeong-ho.

At the very moment the sharp blade was about to pierce Chu Yeong-ho’s chest, he lifted the Honorable County Princess into the path of the sword.

“Urgh!”

Yi-gang nearly stabbed the Honorable County Princess in the neck.

This bought Chu Yeong-ho a split second.

Kicking off the wall, he propelled himself away.

At that moment, the effect of the Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion Yi-gang had memorized wore off. Chu Yeong-ho disappeared from his sight as well.

‘Damn it…!’

Of course, Chu Yeong-ho’s stealth spell wasn’t flawless.

But even Yi-gang couldn’t find a way to break through at this moment.

“Senior Sister!”

Yi-gang shouted toward Jin Ri-yeon, who was in the direction Chu Yeong-ho was heading.

However, he didn’t expect much from Jin Ri-yeon.

Unlike Yi-gang, she couldn’t see Chu Yeong-ho.

How could one strike an invisible opponent, especially when that opponent was wielding a hostage?

But Jin Ri-yeon swung her whip sword.

Charrararrrak!

“…!”

A bright blue sword flash gleamed, and the swishing sound of the whip sword echoed like a snake hissing.

The sword clearly cut through something.

Blood splattered, and Chu Yeong-ho’s left arm, which had been gripping the Honorable County Princess in mid-air, was severed and fell to the ground.

Along with the Honorable County Princess.

“Arrrrgh!”

Chu Yeong-ho screamed in agony.

He glared fiercely at Yi-gang and Jin Ri-yeon.

Then, as if making a final decision, he gritted his teeth.

His eyes turning blood-red was a sign that he was about to unleash his energy and use the Explosive Blood Art.

Shiiik—

At that moment, Yi-gang’s Shooting Star Fang left a dark trail as it passed.

Chu Yeong-ho’s lips parted slightly.

“Krrk.”

But what came out wasn’t words—it was blood.

His throat had been slashed, and he collapsed like a felled tree.

Yi-gang flicked the blood off his sword and turned to Jin Ri-yeon.

Jin Ri-yeon, looking slightly embarrassed, spoke up, “…I could see the bloodstains.”

“Ah.”

Yi-gang noticed the blood droplets on the ground. They had dripped from Chu Yeong-ho’s wounded thigh.

Jin Ri-yeon had perfectly predicted Chu Yeong-ho’s movements by following the trail of blood drops.

Even knowing the Honorable County Princess was held hostage, her swordsmanship had been daring, yet precise without fault.

“…You’re incredible,” Yi-gang admitted sincerely.

“Thanks,” Jin Ri-yeon responded with a soft smile.

Yi-gang genuinely admired Jin Ri-yeon.

Even with his sharp senses, it was a skill difficult for him to replicate.

「The courage of a dragon, the ferocity of a tiger… They say young heroes emerge in troubled times.」

Just as Zhang Sanfeng said.

Yi-gang and Jin Ri-yeon quickly checked on the Honorable County Princess’s condition.

Fortunately, she was unharmed.

It seemed the Seven Great Immortals had a reason to capture her alive.

As soon as the acupoints were released, she started crying loudly, clearly terrified.

“My younger brother, the Crown Prince…! Huuu…!”

No, the Honorable County Princess wasn’t crying for herself, but for the Crown Prince.

She then ran into the arms of King Gye-yeong, who had rushed over breathlessly, and continued to sob.

“It’s okay. It’s okay…”

King Gye-yeong’s face was filled with conflicting emotions.

Relief that his daughter had been saved.

But also despair that his son had been captured by the Seven Great Immortals…

Yi-gang, gazing at the scene, asked Jin Ri-yeon, “Senior Sister, where are Eldest Senior Brother and Senior Brother Dam Hyun?”

“Senior Brother Dam Hyun… he went to find you, didn’t you see him?”

“No.”

“Hmm… Eldest Senior Brother went with the Eastern Depot guards toward the garden beyond the north gate.”

“That’s where the emperor is.”

“Yes, we need to join them. That’s why I came to deliver this message.”

Yi-gang understood the situation.

He couldn’t tell if the decision had come from Jin Mu or the Admiral Grand Eunuch, but it was the right one.

It was obvious what the Seven Great Immortals were after—the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon.

“They also tried to kidnap the Crown Prince and the County Princess…”

「It must be related to the emperor’s blood.」

There was no other reason for them to carry out the kidnapping under such circumstances.

“Blood ritual…”

A ritual involving the use of blood. They likely needed more imperial blood for it.

“Let’s go! We must go!”

King Gye-yeong jumped to his feet, ready to rush off to save the Crown Prince at any moment.

Yi-gang agreed, they needed to go and confront the Seven Great Immortals, then rescue the Crown Prince.

However, there was a problem.

“Your Majesty, you must stay here.”

“…”

“The villains could target Her Highness again…”

King Gye-yeong would only be a burden if he followed.

King Gye-yeong seemed to understand this as well.

「There must be someone to protect them.」

The martial artists of the Scholar Circle, led by the Eastern Depot and the Senior Grand Secretary Seong Yeok-ju, were not here.

Another of the Seven Great Immortals might already be on the way to target the Honorable County Princess again.

At that moment, Jin Ri-yeon stepped forward.

“I’ll protect her.”

With her whip sword in hand, she stood by the Honorable County Princess’s side.

“Yi-gang, you go and help Eldest Senior Brother.”

“…Yes.”

Who else could they trust more than Jin Ri-yeon?

King Gye-yeong was moved, tears nearly welling up in his eyes.

“Take my horse, Crown Prince’s teacher.”

His prized steed, was clearly a noble horse at a glance.

The horse, which had carried the heavy King Gye-yeong with ease, calmly accepted Yi-gang.

“May fortune be with you.”

“Teacher…!”

The Honorable County Princess approached the horse and tightly grabbed Yi-gang’s hand.

Her hand was as cold as her brother’s.

“Please… stay safe.”

She didn’t ask him to bring her brother back, but instead wished for Yi-gang’s safety.

Yi-gang nodded.

“I will also save the Crown Prince.”

The Honorable County Princess’s face brightened.

After saying that, Yi-gang kicked the horse into motion.

「I thought you were the type not to make promises you couldn’t keep.」

‘…’

「Well, I suppose that’s also a good way to strengthen your resolve.」

Yi-gang rode off.

The guards of the Shenwu Gate were once again the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Their expressions were grim, and their eyes were bloodshot with anxiety. An internal conflict had erupted within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

“Move aside! I must pass!”

It was clear that those stationed at the Shenwu Gate were not on the same side as Yi-gang.

Because arrows flew at him without hesitation.

Ting, ting, ting—!

Yi-gang deflected the arrows with a flick of his sword.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was shocked.

The officer in charge quickly shouted at the soldiers.

“Drag him down! Throw the chains!”

The situation wasn’t favorable.

Yi-gang clicked his tongue.

He had confidence in breaking through the Embroidered Uniform Guard guarding the gate. However, it seemed he would have to consume a lot of his True Qi to do so.

Whoosh—

Just as a bright sword flash radiated from Yi-gang’s Shooting Star Fang…

“Embroidered Uniform Guard! Stop—!”

A group of scholars dressed in official robes suddenly appeared. Yi-gang quickly halted his horse.

What was peculiar was that, incongruously, they were all carrying swords.

“How can a sword meant to protect the emperor and the royal family turn against them?”

The scholar with the most impressive beard drew his sword and shouted.

“In response, we, the martial artists of the Scholar Circle, will not tolerate the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s disgrace of our sacred duty!”

“Uwaaah!”

The men dressed as scholars drew their swords and charged at the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Their swordsmanship and momentum were quite fierce.

“Yi-gang.” Seong Ji-an, who had appeared beside Yi-gang at some point, spoke, “We couldn’t just stand by either. Go.”

“…Yes, Aunt.”

The martial artists of the Scholar Circle were few in number, but their spirit was no less than that of any warriors.

It was enough to throw the Shenwu Gate into chaos.

Yi-gang urged his horse into full speed and leapt over the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s defensive line.

“Hiiing!”

“No, stop him!”

Yi-gang’s Shooting Star Fang drew a long arc beside the horse, cutting down an officer.

Yi-gang galloped forward, passing through the Shenwu Gate in one breath.

Even a noble horse panted heavily after such a fierce run.

Just as he entered the garden, he heard the sounds of many people fighting.

The chilling screams of those struck by blades and the clashing of spears and swords filled the air.

Shwaaak—!

Amidst the chaos, a sharp arrow flew toward him.

Yi-gang raised his sword to block it, but the arrow was imbued with a brilliant blue bow energy.

Crack!

Though deflected by his sword, the arrow’s path curved and struck his horse in the neck.

“Hiiing!”

The horse collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud.

Yi-gang twisted his body midair and managed to land safely.

As he planted his feet on the ground and lifted his head, he spotted the archer.

It was one of the elite officers loyal to Bu Yeong-hu.

“Impressive, you move quickly!”

This time, the archer notched three arrows onto his bowstring.

Just as the arrows, charged with blue energy, were about to be fired…

A pale hand suddenly appeared behind the elite officer and crushed his head like a watermelon.

Thud!

Yi-gang quietly observed the one who had intervened.

The pale hand was evidence of the Barehand Demonic Art.

Standing before him was Hu Gyeong, the Admiral Grand Eunuch of the Eastern Depot.

The usually immaculate Hu Gyeong was covered in blood, his hair disheveled.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get up there to help your senior brother!”

Hu Gyeong said this as he dashed past Yi-gang.

He charged into the ongoing battle between the Eastern Depot guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, fighting like a tiger.

「Go quickly!」

‘Yes.’

Yi-gang rushed through the garden toward Jingshan.

Soon, the path to the Emperor’s Longevity Hall appeared.

Even in front of the pavilion, a fierce battle was raging.

“Yi-gang—!”

Jin Mu recognized Yi-gang and let out a joyful shout.

Yi-gang began sprinting up the stairs.

Then, without hesitation, he hurled the Shooting Star Fang in his hand.

The dark-colored Shooting Star Fang flew straight toward Bu Yeong-hu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had been fighting Jin Mu.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep