Chapter 179: The Inferno in Suzhou (1)

“What’s going on?”

Namgung Chan, who had hurried back, saw Namgung Musan trembling with shock.

However, maintaining his composure as the head of the family, he suppressed his killing intent and answered slowly.

“The Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad that was dispatched nearby was attacked.”

“The Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad?”

“Yes, it was the scouting party sent to search for demonic practitioners.”

It was rare for the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad, carefully nurtured by the Namgung Clan, to be attacked.

Especially when they went on missions, they always carried the Namgung Clan’s Azure Sky banner high for everyone to see.

Unless someone intended to attack the Namgung Clan, such an ambush would never occur.

“Who were the attackers?”

“That… we don’t know.”

“Were there no survivors?”

“You should see for yourself.”

Namgung Musan turned to indicate the white cloth inside.

*Flap.*

When the cloth was lifted, it revealed charred corpses.

“There are no survivors left to tell us about the attackers.”

Unable to contain his anger, Namgung Musan spoke with a trembling voice.

“But we will find them. Those who dared to attack our family.”

His voice was filled with intense killing intent.

“They will face the vengeance of the Azure Sky.”

***

*Ding ding ding ding!*

The already chaotic atmosphere turned even more tumultuous.

“What’s happening?”

“Could it be that demonic practitioners have appeared again?”

“No matter how bold they are, would they dare to attack the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad?”

“Especially when the head of the family and the Sword Saint are here.”

Just like the martial artists of Jianghu, the disciples were also in turmoil.

With the great elder and the head of the Namgung Clan present, the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad had been attacked.

This could only mean one thing: war was imminent.

“Is this Murim Excursion cursed?”

“Weren’t previous excursions like this?”

“Not at all. They were much easier. We just had to handle simple requests.”

“If we hadn’t failed, we wouldn’t be caught up in this disaster.”

As ominous rumors spread, the instructors had a hard time calming the anxious disciples.

A time of great chaos had arrived.

***

*Thud.*

Placing a heavy document on the table, Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim spoke.

“The situation is not good.”

With that, he gestured, and the Euncheon Hall instructors quickly distributed the documents.

“What is this, Senior Instructor?”

Mo Yong Seon-ya asked, and Jang Cheol-sim answered briefly.

“Exactly what it says.”

“Oh my.”

As the instructors read the documents, they gasped in shock.

“Is this really war?”

“This isn’t just a conflict between sects.”

“Which madmen… Could it be the Iron Thread Alliance?”

In the midst of the chaos, Jang Cheol-sim clapped his hands to gather attention and spoke.

“As you read, the Namgung Clan was attacked by multiple enemies. This was no coincidence.”

An Euncheon Hall instructor raised his hand.

“Senior Instructor, have the enemies not been identified?”

It was hard to believe that the Namgung Clan, with the Sword Saint personally involved, couldn’t identify the attackers.

“As stated in the document.”

“Unknown groups wielding different types of qi.”

“That’s just a guess. The team that arrived at the village found charred bodies.”

The document briefly stated:

– Seven dead. Total annihilation.

It was shocking that a team from the Namgung Clan’s proud Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad had been wiped out, but the condition of the bodies was even more troubling.

“They found the charred bodies displayed at the village entrance. And that’s not all.”

Jang Cheol-sim highlighted a part of the document.

“They didn’t even try to hide their tracks.”

‘Which means.’

The conclusion everyone feared was spoken.

“They’re not avoiding a confrontation with the Namgung Clan.”

This was indeed war.

It could escalate into a major conflict in Jianghu.

Everyone’s eyes widened with dread.

***

“Instructor, what will happen to us?”

Mo Yong So-hye muttered anxiously.

It had been nearly twenty days since they last met, but the sudden news left no time for catching up.

Even Baek Ri Seol, who usually had a cheerful demeanor, looked serious.

“Attacking the Namgung Clan, they must be quite bold.”

Baek Ri Seol, who had grown up as a precious member of the Baek Ri Clan, understood.

She knew how powerful the top ten clans were in Jianghu.

And how absurd it was to attack the Namgung Clan.

“On the way here, I heard that some of us might be drafted. Is that true? I have a bad feeling.”

Baek Ri Seol bit her nails.

Despite her tough exterior, she was sensitive to the atmosphere of bloodshed and sensed the danger.

“Surely, they wouldn’t involve young disciples like us.”

“Would they?”

Baek Ri Seol couldn’t hide her unease.

“She’s right blood fist.”

Instructor Cho Un-hwi intervened.

“Who are you calling a blood fist?”

“You.”

Patting the head of the fuming Mo Yong So-hye, Instructor Cho Un-hwi clicked his tongue.

“This isn’t a fight for kids. It’s going to get really ugly.”

Another person reacted to his words.

“…My grandfather.”

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t feel good.”

Namgung Yun-ho, who had a kind heart, seemed troubled by the thought of rejecting his grandfather and father before the Namgung Clan’s battle.

“It’s fine. Things like this happen in life.”

Being too sentimental will only make things harder for you.

“That’s true, but…”

“Don’t worry. The Sword Saint is there, and so is your father.”

“……”

As Jegal Tan tried to comfort Namgung Yun-ho, someone ran into the training ground.

“Sister!”

It was Mo Yong Seon-ya.

With a weak smile, she raised her hand to Mo Yong So-hye, who was hopping over.

“Instructor Cho, you’re being summoned.”

“I’m under probation.”

He tried to find an excuse, but Mo Yong Seon-ya’s next words froze him.

“All instructors have been given an emergency mobilization order.”

***

In the front yard of Myojinmun, the instructors wore serious expressions.

Namgung Musan was particularly noticeable.

The man who had once exuded the dignity of a clan leader now had hollow eyes.

“…Let’s begin.”

At his words, Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim stepped forward.

“We are in a state of emergency.”

*Buzz buzz.*

As the warning words were spoken, the instructors couldn’t hide their alarm.

Some wanted to ask questions, but they glanced at Namgung Musan and the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad and waited for further explanation.

“We have identified the enemy. As suspected, they are masters wielding different types of qi.”

“they have Especially mastered the Solar Yang Palm.”

*Buzz buzz buzz.*

The mention of different types of qi caused even more panic among the instructors.

‘No wonder. There’s not just one or two masters wielding different types of qi.’

Martial arts infused with elemental attributes are considered supreme techniques for a reason.

But what shocked everyone was the next statement.

*Swish.*

Unrolling a letter from the Beggars’ Sect, he continued.

“According to the Beggars’ Sect, these people are a cult that practices human sacrifice. They recently clashed with a Beggars’ Sect elder.”

This was confirmed by Elder Wang Woo here.

* Nod.*

As Wang Woo, holding his sword, nodded, everyone was stunned.

Even though they taught disciples at Shinmu Academy, they had all heard about the attack on the Beggars’ Sect elder.

“We have named these people ‘Heavenly Destruction Society,’ those who seek to bring down the heavens.”

Instructor Cho Un-hwi noticed Wang Woo’s gaze.

‘Is the existence of the Heavenly Destruction Society finally being revealed?’

The events are unfolding faster than in my previous life.

‘The butterfly effect is significant.’

Jang Cheol-sim continued.

“The problem is that the Heavenly Destruction Society doesn’t operate in a conventional manner.”

An Euncheon Hall instructor raised his hand.

“Senior Instructor, what do you mean by unconventional?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

Looking exhausted just thinking about it, Jang Cheol-sim replied.

“They are slaughtering everyone they encounter.”

The Namgung Clan was just the beginning.

They are indiscriminately killing both martial artists and civilians.

The most shocking part was what followed.

“The worst part is…”

Taking deep breaths, Jang Cheol-sim added.

“These mad fanatics intend to turn Suzhou into a sea of fire.”

They are using the Solar Yang Palm to create massive fires everywhere.

“Are they planning to burn all of Suzhou?”

“We have confirmed that a massive fire is approaching this place.”

I called you here for this reason.

“A citywide evacuation order has been issued for Suzhou.”

Beyond an emergency, a nightmare was unfolding.

***

“Ah! What is this?”

Mo Yong So-hye screamed, pulling at her hair.

“What do you think? It means we need to evacuate.”

As he replied nonchalantly, Baek Ri Seol tilted her head.

“Instructor, why do we have to evacuate when there are soldiers?”

“The soldiers are good. But it takes time to gather a large force.”

“Really?”

“There are many considerations when assembling an army.”

It would take ages to gather troops, supplies, and weapons.

“Moreover, summer is ending. Many soldiers have returned home for the harvest.”

As a city known for its entertainment, Suzhou didn’t have many standing troops.

“But can’t they just gather them? With these high walls, they can defend well!”

Mo Yong So-hye seemed unwilling to accept reality, but Jegal Tan cut off her hopes.

“That’s difficult.”

“Why?”

“The problem is their martial arts.”

“Martial arts? Solar Yang Palm… Ah!”

With just a hint, Mo Yong So-hye realized the reason.

‘She’s smart.’

Instructor Cho Un-hwi agreed with Jegal Tan’s explanation.

“That’s the terrifying aspect of elemental martial arts.”

Using fire, turning a village into a sea of flames is easy.

“If hundreds or thousands of masters wielding the Solar Yang Palm come, it’s unstoppable.”

Even the smart Jegal Tan hadn’t considered one point.

“Instructor, if they burn Suzhou, they’ll face retaliation from the authorities and martial arts sects. Why are they acting so extreme?”

“That’s simple.”

They are confident they will succeed.

‘It means they have enough power to cover up such a huge incident.’

But instead of mentioning the unbelievable reason, he added one more thing.

“They’re just that crazy.”

***

Not long ago, the front yard of Myojinmun was filled with instructors and disciples packing their belongings.

“Answer when your name is called!”

With the White Cat’s Wandering and the Namgung Clan’s visit, there were about two hundred disciples at Myojinmun.

Among them, there were only a handful of instructors.

Especially the instructors who had been taken to the infirmary after the recent incident were standing with crutches, looking miserable.

Particularly, Eo Jeong-geun’s despondent expression was quite a sight.

‘Haha. You’re finished.’

Not only had he been physically disciplined for his tyranny, but he had also become a burden in this major incident.

‘Your life is going to be a mess.’

Barely holding back his laughter, Instructor Cho Un-hwi saw Instructor Yang approaching through the crowd.

“Instructor Cho.”

“What’s the matter?”

“One, two, three, four. That’s right.”

Scratching his head with a fine brush, he said.

“I’m sorry, but we need you to take care of some disciples.”

“Huh? Me?”

“We’re short on hands because of what you did.”

“……”

Cancel the schadenfreude.

Feeling his high spirits plummet, Instructor Yang added.

“Don’t worry. I won’t give you people who don’t know what they’re doing.”

“Hey! Temporary Instructor!”

Finally found you!

Seeing the exhausted person who wasn’t deterred by the commotion, Instructor Cho Un-hwi smacked his forehead.