Chapter 184: The Inferno in Suzhou (6)

‘Why is this guy here?’

Feeling that a lot of trouble was about to start, Cho Un-hwi frowned. Namgung Il-jun smiled broadly and said, “I have received permission from the senior instructor. We’ll be accompanying you for a while, so please take care of us.”

When he turned to ask if it was true, Mo Yong Seon-ya pursed her lips and mouthed, “It’s true.”

She didn’t seem pleased with the arrangement either, judging by her expression. However, she quickly resumed a professional demeanor and addressed Instructor Yang.

“Instructor Yang.”

“Yes, Instructor Mo Yong.”

“As of now, we are leaving this place and returning to the academy.”

“Has the decision to move already been made? We haven’t even rested yet.”

“The situation is urgent, so I had to inform you quickly. Normally, I would issue a written order, but time is short.”

Having worked at Dongcheon Hall for years, Instructor Yang was taken aback by a request without official documentation.

“Is it that urgent?”

“Elder Namgung mentioned that an unidentified group of enemies was spotted not far from here.”

“…Hmm. It could be the Heavenly Destruction Society.”

“The senior instructor thinks the same. Therefore, we are ordered to leave this place and return as quickly as possible.”

“Understood. We’ll prepare immediately.”

“The speed will vary depending on the disciples’ abilities. Everyone should return according to their capacity, but if danger approaches, pull this.”

Mo Yong Seon-ya handed over a small bamboo tube and stepped back, saluting.

“Good luck.”

“Good luck to all.”

*Swish.*

Turning around, Mo Yong Seon-ya moved swiftly like a cat and disappeared among the refugees.

***

‘This is troublesome.’

Namgung Il-jun’s presence was bothersome, but something else was even more troubling.

“Let’s move quickly!”

As Instructor Yang led the disciples forward, Cho Un-hwi’s gaze turned towards the sky.

‘This isn’t good…’

His expanded senses detected presences hundreds of meters away.

‘I sense some troubling auras.’

There were only a few for now, but the numbers seemed to be increasing.

‘I’m going to have to work hard.’

Despite dealing with some infiltrators among the refugees in recent days, it wasn’t enough.

‘The only consolation is that they’re just small fry.’

That meant the Eight Heavenly Apostles hadn’t arrived yet.

‘Let’s keep an eye on things.’

Closing his eyes, Cho Un-hwi put a bit more effort into his lazy steps.

***

As expected, Namgung Il-jun stayed close to Namgung Yun-ho, never leaving his side.

“Haha. Are you having a hard time?”

“You seem to have trained diligently in the time we haven’t seen each other.”

“Don’t worry. As long as we’re here, nothing will harm you, sir.”

Trying to win his favor, Namgung Il-jun’s flattering words made Namgung Yun-ho uncomfortable.

Watching from across the campfire, Cho Un-hwi felt a small figure cling to him.

“Should we just leave them alone?”

It was Mo Yong So-hye.

“Yeah.”

“It’s obvious they want to take Brother Namgung away, isn’t it?”

“Seems like it.”

“Instructor!”

Like Mo Yong So-hye, Jegal Tan didn’t look pleased either.

“Instructor, this is too much.”

“They look good together as a family. What’s too much about that?”

“The other disciples and instructors seem very uncomfortable.”

Cho Un-hwi chuckled and poked the campfire with a stick.

“With the mighty Namgung Clan elder and the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad as escorts, that’s mild.”

To be honest, even the strongest temporary instructor, Yang Dae-cheol of the Nine Hundred Iron Fist technique, would struggle against the weakest member of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad.

Especially since two of the five were on par with Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim, and one was even stronger.

“Are you prepared?”

“Yes.”

Baek Ri Seol, who had brought a pile of stones, poured them by the campfire.

“I got these from the valley as you asked. I tried to pick the best ones.”

Baek Ri Seol tilted her head.

“Well, it’s hard to tell.”

As he picked through the stones, Seo Ok-rang approached and squatted beside him.

“Hehe. I brought prettier stones.”

Aren’t they pretty?

Baek Ri Seol’s expression turned blank.

“Can’t you see we’re talking? Miss Seo.”

“Hmph. What are you saying?”

Here they go again.

As the two bickered, Eon Ho-seung appeared behind them.

“Instructor, what’s that?”

“Take it.”

Cho Un-hwi tossed a few stones to Eon Ho-seung, who looked puzzled.

“What’s this? Stones?”

“You’ll find them useful.”

“Huh? These worthless stones?”

Still doubtful, Eon Ho-seung laughed heartily.

“Well, if the instructor says so!”

“Yeah. We got extra credit last time too.”

“Im So-jeong, come look at these stones.”

As the conversation grew louder, Namgung Il-jun frowned.

Watching the disciples picking stones by the campfire, it was hard to tell if they were on a martial arts excursion or a picnic.

“That’s what happens when they’re not properly educated.”

Clicking his tongue, he asked Namgung Yun-ho.

“Even if the instructor is capable, their education is shallow and insignificant.”

“No learning is insignificant.”

“Those who live on the ground and those who look down from the sky must have different mindsets.”

“Haha. That’s still a distant matter for me.”

Namgung Yun-ho’s response, which maintained a clear boundary, made Namgung Il-jun sigh.

‘I expected this, but it’s not easy.’

Not only was he not focusing on his proposal, but.

“What are you doing?”

Seeing him kneading clay into balls, Namgung Il-jun asked.

“Oh, this? It’s a survival skill the instructor taught us.”

“…Survival skill?”

“He said it would be useful, so we’re making them.”

The Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad members chuckled at the absurdity.

“Did he teach you to make clay balls to eat?”

“I really doubt his qualifications as an instructor.”

Trying to undermine him.

“He said it would be useful, so we’re just waiting.”

Namgung Il-jun was disappointed by the unyielding barrier.

***

*Fwoosh.*

Namgung Chan, who had been relentlessly pursuing the enemies, was stopped by flames surrounding him on three sides.

“Hmm.”

As he stepped closer, the heat singed his skin, making him frown.

Even though he had surpassed the peak level and reached the transcendent realm, passing through the flames wasn’t difficult.

But the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad members couldn’t do the same.

“Supreme Elder, what should we do?”

They would follow his orders without hesitation, but how could human bodies withstand such heat?

With profound internal energy, they could endure for a while, but there was no need to take unnecessary risks.

“We’ll turn back here.”

“The traces lead into the flames.”

Namgung Chan shook his head at the deputy’s words.

“I’ve sent my energy ahead. There’s nothing beyond the flames.”

Even if there were traces, they wouldn’t survive the intense heat.

“Turning back is the right choice.”

*Thud!*

The Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad members stomped their feet in unison.

“We obey the Supreme Elder’s command!”

As Namgung Chan glanced at the roaring flames and turned to retrace their steps.

*Fwoosh. Fwoosh.*

Suddenly, the flames soared skyward, dancing wildly.

*Woooooo.*

The massive sound waves made some of the squad members stagger.

“What’s this!”

Namgung Chan was also taken aback by the overwhelming energy.

He quickly gathered his energy to block the incoming wave.

– tsk. You’ve fallen into the trap.

A massive flame descended on the previously clear path.

*Fwoosh!*

It wasn’t a coincidence.

The flames moved as if alive, starting to rain down fire.

“What a vile trick!”

Namgung Chan raised his left hand and grasped the air.

*Crack! Boom!*

The powerful energy tore through the air, scattering the incoming flames.

– It’s futile. This place will be your grave, Sword Saint.

But as the mocking voice echoed, more heat surged in.

With black smoke exploding towards them, Namgung Chan finally drew his sword.

“Do you think you can block the path of the emperor!”

*Boom!*

As energy rivaling the massive sound wave erupted, blue light burst from Namgung Chan’s sword.

*Boom!*

The flames and blue energy clashed, causing the small clearing to collapse.

***

*Fwoosh!*

The light atmosphere at the start quickly changed.

Leading the way, Instructor Yang stopped and looked back.

“It seems the flames are getting closer.”

“That’s strange. We were walking with the wind at our backs.”

Instructor Jo Hyeon’s words made Yeo Mae-hong urge the group forward.

“We need to get as far from the flames as possible.”

“Right. This isn’t the time to worry.”

But among the disciples, fear began to spread.

“Doesn’t it seem like the flames are chasing us?”

“Yeah. It’s getting hotter even though we’ve been walking.”

“Are we going the right way?”

“Shouldn’t we leave the temporary instructor and join someone else?”

Even experienced instructors were confused, so the young disciples on their first excursion were terrified of the flames closing in.

Fortunately, Namgung Il-jun and the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad were there.

“The instructors’ judgment is sound. Just follow them.”

With Namgung Il-jun, the famous Sword of the Middle Heavens, declaring this, some fear subsided.

But the continuous march and mental strain eventually wore down the disciples.

“I can’t go any further. Can we rest?”

“We’ve been moving for days without proper food or water.”

“Resting for a bit won’t hurt.”

Disciples unaccustomed to hardship frequently asked for breaks.

“What should we do?”

Instructor Jo Hyeon asked, and Instructor Yang stopped.

“We’ve pushed hard. A short rest is good.”

“It’s hard to endure such a march on the first excursion.”

Normally, the disciples would handle simple tasks and leisurely explore Jianghu.

No matter how well-trained, they weren’t prepared for the consecutive crises they faced.

Moreover, the disciples under the temporary instructor were among the weakest.

It was natural for them to reach their limits quickly.

Unfolding the map, Instructor Yang spoke.

“Alright. But we can’t rest here. Thirty li (twelve kilometers) ahead is a valley. We’ll rest there.”

The first priority in an excursion is water and a resting place.

The weary disciples replied in tired voices to the knowledge drilled into them.

“Yes, sir!”

“But we’ll cover the distance as quickly as possible.”

*Tap tap!*

As Instructor Yang led the way, the instructors and disciples followed, using their lightness techniques.

A full sprint?

‘They must be exhausted by now.’

Namgung Il-jun thought as he glanced over.

“This is harder than I thought. Are you alright?”

But the response was still monotonous.

“I’m fine. I’m used to it.”

“Used to such a march?”

“Haha. Somehow.”

Annoyed by the unyielding attitude, Namgung Il-jun glared sideways.

‘It’s really not easy.’

The faint smile under the tousled hair was very irritating.