Chapter 186: The Great Inferno Battle (2)

*Swish swish swish!*

Namgung Chan, emitting blue sword energy like beams of light, was unstoppable.

“Ha. Did you think you trapped me?”

Even in a world turned into a fiery hell, the momentum of Namgung Chan’s sword didn’t waver.

“How many times do you think I’ve been through hell in my life!”

*Woooooo!*

As his sword roared, beams of light split the flames.

Though it was the hellish fire that burned mountains and forests, the moment it touched his swirling sword energy, the flames were pushed back, creating a clear sky.

*Goooooo.*

With just one sword, he erased the flames that seemed to burn the heavens, like a war god.

The Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad members trailing behind him exclaimed in awe.

‘As expected of the elder.’

‘As long as we follow him, we won’t lose.’

But Namgung Chan, who swung his sword and sheathed it on his back, didn’t look pleased.

‘We’ve been lured in.’

The less experienced members didn’t know, but the seasoned squad leaders had a rough idea.

‘This kind of fight isn’t beneficial.’

They couldn’t even track the enemy’s movements or intentions.

Being forced into a war of attrition was never good.

‘My internal energy doesn’t deplete easily.’

But being caught in the enemy’s plan meant they didn’t know when their strength would run out.

Something else troubled him.

– Indeed. Sword Saint. You’re not easy to deal with.

It was an arrogant voice, as if expecting this.

– But it wouldn’t be fun if it were this easy.

“Damn it!”

Namgung Chan gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Coward! Show yourself!”

– Haha. I can’t do that.

“Coward! You dare challenge me without the courage to face me?”

– Well, there’s something more interesting.

*Woooooo.*

The flames twisted, forming the shape of a demon through the heat haze.

– How about I tear apart a young tiger cub in front of an old tiger?

‘No!’

*Swish!*

Namgung Chan’s gaze shot to the sky.

His senses expanded rapidly, searching for Namgung Musan.

*Boom boom boom!*

But his sharp senses were obstructed by massive flames shooting into the sky.

“Damn it!”

– tsk tsk tsk. Foolish old man. Do you think you can handle my wrath alone?

The fire of the Eight Heavenly Apostles is hotter than the sulfuric flames of hell.

– I will consume everything of the Namgung Clan!

“Damn it!”

– Starting with the young tiger who dared to covet my treasure.

‘Damn it! His target isn’t me but the Blood Tear Stone!’

Realizing the enemy’s intention, Namgung Chan shouted pale-faced.

“Everyone, clear the way! Return at full speed!”

The master of the incomplete Emperor Sword Technique.

He couldn’t let him fall into the enemy’s hands.

***

At that moment.

People with disheveled appearances were arriving at the clearing.

“Instructor Mo Yong!”

All of them looked distressed.

With faces pale as if they’d seen ghosts, the instructors shouted urgently.

“It’s an ambush!”

All of them, scorched by fire, shouted desperately.

Mo Yong Seon-ya bit her lips tightly.

“How many enemies?”

“I don’t know. A lot.”

“Ten? A hundred? Maybe even hundreds.”

Amidst the confusion, the instructors’ testimonies left Mo Yong Seon-ya at a loss.

‘How many enemies are there?’

The confused instructors said there were dozens, some even said hundreds.

“All of them wield terrifying martial arts.”

“Instructor Jin was engulfed in flames in an instant!”

“If we stay here, we’re doomed!”

The first encounter with elemental qi terrified even the instructors.

Seeing people burn in front of them was enough to strip them of their will to fight.

‘They’re all too panicked to think straight.’

The once quiet clearing had turned into a scene of chaos.

“Sister! There are too many injured!”

“We need more medical supplies. Give us everything you have!”

“Fetch water! We need to cool the burns first!”

In the midst of the shouting, Mo Yong Seon-ya gritted her teeth.

‘What should I do?’

No matter how experienced she was, Mo Yong Seon-ya hadn’t faced such a horrific situation often.

‘My decision could cost many lives.’

The responsibility weighed heavily on her shoulders.

But after thinking it over several times, she came to one conclusion.

“Those who can still move, prepare to leave! We need to fetch the senior instructor.”

It was the most rational decision she could make.

‘The senior instructor is with my father.’

And?

With the masters from the Inspection Department, they could turn the situation around.

‘We can’t handle this alone.’

Rather than burning to death in the flames, she chose to fight back.

“With our forces scattered, even escaping is difficult.”

We need to gather our strength and regroup.

It was a decision made after much deliberation.

But someone interrupted her.

“Excuse me, Instructor Mo Yong.”

A young instructor spoke cautiously.

“I’m sorry to say this, but we can’t do that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t the senior instructor also in a difficult situation? If we go back unprepared, we’ll just increase the casualties.”

It was the start.

One by one, the instructors began to express their refusal.

“We don’t even know who the enemy is. If we’re not careful, we’ll just die in vain.”

“It’s not too late. We should carefully assess the situation…”

“Rushing into a fight isn’t the answer.”

Mo Yong Seon-ya glared at the instructors avoiding her gaze.

“The senior instructor stayed behind to save you. Are you suggesting we abandon them?”

“We’re not running away. We’re being realistic.”

A young instructor added cynically.

“Someone needs to stay and protect the remaining disciples.”

“Everyone is exhausted from the forced march. We should be grateful that half of us survived.”

“Shouldn’t we at least prepare before going back to fight?”

They gave various reasons, but Mo Yong Seon-ya saw the emotion in their eyes.

‘They’re all scared.’

As disciples of prestigious families and sects.

The instructors, always proud and arrogant, were terrified by the unprecedented enemy.

‘It’s not just them.’

Mo Yong Seon-ya’s gaze fell on the disciples.

Feeling her cold stare, they quickly looked away.

The talented individuals selected from Jianghu were like frightened mice.

“I’m disappointed.”

“……”

Knowing they were ashamed, the instructor who first refused spoke in a softer tone.

“We shouldn’t make hasty decisions driven by emotions.”

*Bang! Bang!*

As signal flares continued to explode in the sky, the instructor shouted.

“Think rationally. We need to save those we can.”

‘Is that even a valid argument?’

Mo Yong Seon-ya’s red lips trembled with emotion.

“Such nonsense.”

A voice came from somewhere.

“Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi!”

As he emerged, picking his ears, the instructors all voiced their displeasure.

“You may not understand, but this is the best course of action.”

“Right. It’s time for realistic decisions.”

“Will you take responsibility if the disciples die in vain?”

“Those who can live should live!”

As the instructors shouted, Cho Un-hwi cut them off.

“Are you scared?”

“…You…”

“You’re scared. Haha. You talk about strategy and prestige, but you’re just scared, right?”

Receiving sharp glares, Cho Un-hwi scoffed.

‘Nothing’s changed.’

It was a common sight in his previous life.

Those who talked big when safe but fell silent in danger.

‘They boast about their sects and lineage but run when things get tough.’

These people ruined Jianghu.

Even facing destruction, they fought over interests and positions, leading Jianghu to ruin.

Seeing this again made him sick, but he wasn’t disappointed.

‘This is how Jianghu is.’

He had already given up hope on Jianghu.

But thinking of those like Seol-hyang, who might have suffered because of people like these, he had to say something.

“Strategy and nonsense.”

Scared puppies barking fancy words.

“What kind of strategy is it for an instructor to abandon their disciples?”

*Rustle!*

Exuding cold air, Cho Un-hwi turned and left.

***

“Instructor Cho, what are you going to do?”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the temporary instructors followed and asked.

“Calm down. Control your emotions.”

“Right. It’s frustrating, but they’re not entirely wrong.”

Each spoke, but Cho Un-hwi barely listened, grabbing his sword.

Yeo Mae-hong, noticing something different, asked.

“Are you going alone?”

“I don’t want to breathe the same air as those people.”

“Let’s go together. It’s better with more people.”

“No need. I prefer being alone.”

Hoisting his sword over his shoulder, Namgung Il-jun stepped in.

“You can’t do it alone. Why not try persuading them again?”

“Persuade? Haha.”

Seeing the usual smile disappear from his lips, Namgung Il-jun felt a chill.

“Persuasion is for those with even a glimmer of hope.”

“…You…”

“If an instructor chooses to abandon their disciples, there’s no compromise.”

If abandoning comrades and disciples is a choice.

“Then abandoning them is my choice too.”

Though his tone was condescending, Namgung Il-jun was too overwhelmed by his aura to retort.

*Swish. Clang.*

Drawing his sword and checking its sharpness, Cho Un-hwi sheathed it and shrugged.

“Thanks for everything.”

Without looking back, he left.

***

*Step step.*

Watching the distant flames, he thought.

‘That was a decent farewell.’

He always knew he would leave.

He was destined to leave Jianghu.

‘Didn’t expect it to be now.’

Just when he was about to meet Seol-hyang after all his struggles, he had to leave the academy.

Though it was a bit disappointing, he quickly brushed off the feeling.

“I won’t stand with the unrighteous.”

Those who talk big but hesitate will eventually stab you in the back.

Though it was disappointing, it might be for the best to cut ties now.

Just like in his previous life.

“Was it too harsh not to say goodbye?”

Sorry, but this might be for the best.

“I’ll leave a hefty gift.”

*Shrug.*

Hoisting his sword, Cho Un-hwi clicked his tongue.

“Farewells aren’t easy.”

With quick strides, he soon saw the faces of those waiting at the end of the path.

“Instructor.”

Namgung Yun-ho stood there with his well-worn belongings.

“How could you leave without a word?”

“Aren’t you being too heartless?”

Even Baek Ri Seol and Mo Yong So-hye.

Seeing Jegal Tan nervously licking his lips, Cho Un-hwi was taken aback.

“What are you doing here?”

Namgung Yun-ho tapped his sword sheath firmly.

“Didn’t you say an instructor doesn’t abandon their disciples?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s the same for us.”

Shrugging, Namgung Yun-ho added.

“Disciples don’t leave their instructor behind.”

Since when did he become so eloquent?

“We’ll follow you to the death.”

“Ha, this is something.”

Didn’t expect to be outdone by these kids.

‘I underestimated them.’

He had to admit.

‘Jianghu isn’t entirely the same as before.’

There are still foolish kids like these.

Feeling a strange sense of warmth, Cho Un-hwi was at a loss for words.

“Temporary Instructor! We’re coming too!”

It wasn’t just them.

Eon Ho-seung, Im So-jeong, Tang Gan, and the twins came running.

Even Mo Yong Seon-ya and Yeo Mae-hong with stern faces.

Even Instructor Yang and several Euncheon Hall instructors who had been embarrassed earlier were running towards them.

“Having baggage changes things.”

He had planned to wreak havoc on the enemy alone, but it was off to a bad start.

But.

‘It’s not a bad feeling.’

As a cool breeze filled his parched heart, a smile crept up.

Since it’s come to this.

Cho Un-hwi raised his finger.

“Want me to show you an awesome trick?”