Chapter 178 – The Great War Begins (1)

Jong Won-gwang swung his sword with vigor, and with each slash, the lives of the Demonic Cultists were extinguished. It was a display of divine might befitting the strongest leader among the Four Constellation Brigades. Then, a strange sight caught his eye.

“Hm?”

Demonic Cultists, despite being martial artists, were clad in thick armor and were throwing themselves at the fortress gate.

For a moment, Jong Won-gwang wondered if they had gone mad, but soon, something astonishing happened.

*Boom!*

The bodies of the armored cultists exploded. Countless fragments of flesh slammed into the fortress walls, and the gate, unable to withstand the shock, trembled violently.

“Those crazy bastards!”

Jong Won-gwang, who had never expected such a suicidal attack, quickly leaped toward the gate. And it was then he finally understood why the Explosive Demon Brigade was called the Explosive Demon Brigade.

But Jong Won-gwang’s leap toward the gate couldn’t stop them. The Explosive Demon Brigade’s numbers exceeded a hundred, and as they indiscriminately self-destructed against the gate, it soon shattered.

“Waaaaaah!”

Using the sacrifice of the Explosive Demon Brigade as a stepping stone, the Blood Demon Brigade and the Sword Demon Brigade charged forward. Watching the advancing cultists, Jong Won-gwang gritted his teeth and lunged, along with the White Tiger Brigade that had gathered around him.

“You shall not pass!”

Jong Won-gwang shouted as he threw himself at the cultists. The Vermilion Bird Brigade, the Azure Dragon Brigade, and the Black Tortoise Brigade followed the White Tiger Brigade into the fray.

“Die!”

Jong Won-gwang swung his sword at the neck of a cultist before him, and his blade accurately sliced through it.

Starting with that cultist, Jong Won-gwang began to swing his sword indiscriminately. Thanks to his efforts, more than ten cultists lost their lives in an instant.

Just then, a cultist lunged at Jong Won-gwang, bringing his sword down. Startled, Jong Won-gwang twisted his body and swung his own sword, deflecting the blade that sought to cleave him in two.

“So there is a warrior of considerable spirit in the Central Plains. But this is as far as you go. I, Samado, leader of the Sword Demon Brigade, will be your opponent.”

Facing Samado, who radiated intense demonic energy, Jong Won-gwang couldn’t hide his tension. But it was only for a moment; he then unleashed a powerful fighting spirit and swung his sword at Samado.

*BOOM!*

As the sword aura formed from demonic energy clashed with the one made of pure internal energy, a powerful shockwave spread in all directions.

However, neither Jong Won-gwang nor Samado paid it any mind, continuing to swing their swords at each other.

Their skills were nearly equal, and they wielded sword arts of completely different natures, so the battle was not easily decided.

*Swoosh!*

As Jong Won-gwang’s sword smoothly traced an arc toward Samado’s neck, Samado quickly ducked. From that position, he swung his sword upward.

Samado’s sword was aimed precisely at his groin, and Jong Won-gwang recoiled in horror.

“You coward…”

Jong Won-gwang, about to shout “coward,” was cut short by a sudden presence behind him. Before he could react, the person who had targeted him from behind wrapped him in a tight embrace.

“Let go!”

Jong Won-gwang struggled to break free. But the strength of the warrior holding him was so immense that he couldn’t shake him off.

“You won’t be able to break free. The Explosive Demon Brigade is trained for this very purpose.”

Samado spoke, looking at Jong Won-gwang with a sneer. At the mention of the Explosive Demon Brigade, Jong Won-gwang panicked even more and struggled harder, but the cultist did not let go.

A moment later, a faint tremor began in the cultist’s body, and it grew stronger.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t settle this the way I wanted, but farewell.”

*KABOOOOOM!*

Before Samado’s words had even finished, the cultist’s body exploded. Jong Won-gwang, caught in the blast, was engulfed and vanished without a trace.

Following his lead, the members of the Explosive Demon Brigade began to carry out similar suicide attacks, targeting those they deemed strong among the Martial Alliance warriors.

The warriors of the Martial Alliance, encountering this type of attack for the first time, were unable to respond effectively and lost their lives.

In the end, Dangcheon Pass fell in less than four hours. However, the efforts of the Martial Alliance were not in vain. The fact that the Demonic Cult’s vanguard, which had maintained its full strength until now, was nearly decimated served as a consolation for their sacrifice.

* * *

Starting with Dangcheon Pass, the forces of the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult clashed everywhere. After capturing the pass, the Demonic Cult spread throughout Hubei Province, surrounding the Martial Alliance and tightening the encirclement.

The Martial Alliance established a defensive line to counter the Demonic Cult. Their fierce battles raged on day after day, producing countless casualties.

Although many died in the continuous fighting, the true masters from both sides had yet to enter the battlefield.

Everyone predicted that the moment these true masters appeared would be when the final victor was decided.

And finally, the True Dragon Sword Clan, which had remained idle and unresponsive, began to move.

The one leading the True Dragon Sword Clan’s combat forces was none other than Kang Yong-hoon. Having been healing his internal injuries, he requested to fight as soon as he recovered, and Yu-jin readily granted his permission.

“I don’t know how you obtained such power, but don’t get too excited, little brother.”

Yu-jin recalled a recent event. It was right after he had dealt with the traitors.

Not long ago, after returning from eliminating all the traitors, Yu-jin had sensed someone with a tremendous aura entering his barracks. He quickly realized that the immense aura was quite familiar.

“Oh? You couldn’t get up for a while. Did you attain some enlightenment?”

With a faint smile, Yu-jin took a sip of tea and looked at Kang Yong-hoon, who had entered his barracks.

*’Hm?’*

For a moment, Yu-jin felt a sense of incongruity from Kang Yong-hoon’s body, which puzzled him slightly. Strangely, the aura felt foreign, yet not entirely unfamiliar.

Yu-jin realized that this incongruity was what had allowed Kang Yong-hoon to reach the Profound Realm.

“It seems you’ve gained enlightenment. To think you’d reach the Profound Realm while healing your internal injuries.”

Although Yu-jin had recognized his realm at a glance, Kang Yong-hoon was not flustered.

After all, through the memories of Kang Yu-hyeon, which he had long since made his own, he was well aware of Yu-jin’s level.

At Yu-jin’s current level, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to perceive that he had reached the Profound Realm.

“A fortunate encounter allowed me to reach the Profound Realm.”

“To think two supreme masters would emerge in a single generation. The future of our clan is bright. So, what brings you here?”

Yu-jin asked with a faint smile, and Kang Yong-hoon replied with a solemn expression.

“It seems the Patriarch has no intention of moving yet, but I believe the situation is not favorable. Although the Demonic Cultists are fewer in number, their martial arts are, on average, superior to those of the Martial Alliance warriors. Furthermore, they employ vicious schemes unimaginable to the Alliance, so I believe our defensive line will surely be breached. It is time for the True Dragon Sword Clan to act.”

“And so? You wish to lead those combat forces?”

Yu-jin’s and Yong-hoon’s eyes met, neither man looking away. But soon, Kang Yong-hoon lowered his head and answered.

“That is correct. I am aware that there is much talk about me within the clan.”

While his other brothers and the clansmen had all pledged allegiance to Yu-jin, Kang Yong-hoon had never explicitly declared his submission. Because of this, talk of purging him occasionally arose among Yu-jin’s supporters.

Of course, Yu-jin’s declaration that he would not purge his own blood had quieted such talk, but Kang Yong-hoon was still viewed with suspicion.

“I will prove my true allegiance to you, Patriarch, by achieving great deeds for the True Dragon Sword Clan. Please trust me and entrust this to me, brother.”

*Pfft.*

Yu-jin couldn’t help but laugh at Kang Yong-hoon’s heartfelt words, especially how he ended by calling him “brother,” emphasizing their blood ties.

“Hahahaha! How can I not believe my proud younger brother when he speaks with such conviction! I will place the Heavenly Sword Brigade and the Dragon Sword Brigade under your command. Show the Demonic Cultists and the people of the Central Plains why the True Dragon Sword Clan is the greatest clan in the land!”

At Yu-jin’s command, Kang Yong-hoon knelt on one knee and clasped his hands in a formal salute.

“I accept the Patriarch’s command.”

The tragic man, once known as the Flying Sword Dragon and the greatest rising star of the martial world, only to be overshadowed by Yu-jin’s name. This was the moment he would soar once more.

After Kang Yong-hoon left with permission to deploy, Yu-jin remained alone in the empty barracks, lost in thought.

Just then, Eun Seol-rin appeared by his side.

“Do you really think he is acting for the sake of the clan? From what you said, he seems to have reached the Profound Realm. I think he’ll rely on that paltry power to challenge you again, Master.”

Yu-jin nodded obediently at Eun Seol-rin’s worried words. He knew roughly what she was concerned about.

“That might be true. But it’s clear the True Dragon Sword Clan must move. The Martial Alliance’s combat forces alone cannot stop the Demonic Cult. I should be grateful he’s moving in my stead. For now, he’s sufficient as a hunting dog.”

A hunting dog that had reached the Profound Realm would certainly be a fierce one.

“What will you do if the hunting dog forgets its place and bares its fangs at its master?”

“Seol-rin, is that even a question?”

When Yu-jin asked back with a broad smile, Eun Seol-rin nodded. Yu-jin was not a man who showed kindness to those who defied him. No, he was the personification of a grim reaper who brought the worst kind of ruin upon his opponents.

“Now, little brother. Show me what it is you truly desire. Seeing as you’ve shoved something strange into your body, you seem to have steeled your resolve. But remember, if you fail…”

*Fwoosh!*

A black flame flared up in Yu-jin’s hand and then vanished.

“You will never survive. I will erase even your soul. Even if you are my own blood.”

Yu-jin muttered coldly.

* * *

By the time Kang Yong-hoon led the Heavenly Sword Brigade and the Dragon Sword Brigade out, Dangcheon Pass had already fallen, and the Demonic Cult had occupied Hubei.

While the Martial Alliance had the upper hand in numbers, the Demonic Cult seemed to mock this advantage as they surrounded the Alliance’s headquarters, tightening their cordon. Kang Yong-hoon headed west.

“This is the last chance I’ve been given.”

His standing within the clan had already hit rock bottom. All of his supporters had either been purged or expelled from the clan. Therefore, if he failed to achieve significant merit this time, his position would inevitably become precarious.

“That aside, I still can’t properly wield my power. If I were to fight my brother in this state, I would only be met with defeat.”

Kang Yong-hoon muttered with a grim expression.