Chapter v8c6

The twelve iron arms surrounded Bi Ryu yeon in a circle, like a tent with an iron wall. However, the real attack did not come from the ten people who formed a circle around Bi Ryu yeon. Because they were ten.

‘Heeeing!’

With the sunlight of the sky at their backs, two horses leaped over the circular wall and simultaneously thrust their spears at Bi Ryu yeon from both sides. It was an incredible leap, almost three meters high, demonstrating tremendous leaping power and horsemanship. To construct this formation, their armor had to be much lighter than others.

It was a deadly encirclement with no way to escape in any direction. Yet, the messengers ultimately failed to catch Bi Ryu yeon.

The invisible giant fist seemed to send the two horses flying backward.

Two flashes of light pierced through the horses.

‘Boom!’

Rather than being pierced, it would be more accurate to say they were struck. A massive force collided, and a sound resonated. Surprisingly, despite being hit by sharp blades, the horses that were floating in the air were sent flying two meters backward. It was a sight that would not have been believed if not seen directly.

‘Clang clang clang!’

The two were sent flying back in an instant. When the trusted first attack failed, The twelve iron arms immediately tried to launch a second full frontal attack. But Bi Ryu yeon would not allow it.

The ten Iron arms, who tried to surround and press Bi Ryu yeon from both sides, were beautifully destroyed, caught in the splendid sword energy that burst out like the wing beats of a phoenix. Once activated, the sword energy was as merciless as ice.

The wingbeats of the phoenix turned into dozens of cold sword shadows, slaughtering the iron arms. Even the iron clad horses, armored with iron shells, were helpless before the shining wingbeats of the phoenix. They were cleanly sliced, leaving only neat cross sections. A phoenix, armed with the light of sword energy, soared into the sky.

There was no chance to escape. Bi Ryu yeon stood alone in the same place where he started, without moving, until the dazzling sword energy that stretched out left and right like wing beats soared into the sky… until the rain of blood once again soaked the earth.

A fear of the unknown began to creep up from the depths of the Iron Cavalry’s hearts.

‘I can’t believe it!’

The onlooking Gu Cheon Hak could not help but exclaim in admiration. The awe of the opponent’s martial arts that burst forth before the anger over what was happening to his subordinates. It was one of the bad habits of martial artists. The amazing divinity shown by Bi Ryu yeon was hard to believe as human. It had already transcended the realm of humanity.

Who would believe that the famous and formidable Iron Cavalry, a symbol of fear and power, suffered near annihilation at the hands of a boy’s light and casual gesture? It was a story that was implausible from the start.

But Bi Ryu yeon proved that the world still witnessed mysterious and inexplicable events, as if demonstrating a feat.

‘Eit!’

The watching Yeom do suddenly stood up. Without hesitation, he walked forward, casually slinging the mourning Hongyeom over his shoulder. His fighting spirit was itching, and he could not contain himself. He was a born warrior.

‘Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!’

Despite cursing with his mouth, he got up and walked forward with a grimace. Unknowingly, his steps were heading towards Bi Ryu yeon, who was confronting the Iron Cavalry.

He barely suppressed the urge to cut off his own legs that were walking towards that place.

‘Let me make this clear, I’m not going because I want to! It’s not because I’m willing to act! I’m walking there because I have no choice, really no choice. Understand?’

Nod nod!

Who could dare to argue against Yeom do’s forcefulness?

‘Damn it!’

And then Yeom do walked earnestly towards the battlefield.

A Single Match

‘Move aside!’

Wi Musang said.

‘I will step in.’

Finally, Wi Musang agreed that the situation was not something his subordinates could handle.

It was his role to rectify the mistakes of his subordinates. He could not stand by and watch the legacy of the Iron Cavalry fall into ruin.

“Is everything alright?”

The one who worried about his safety on behalf of the Iron Cavalry was none other than Bi Ryu yeon. Wi Musang felt a severe insult, but he did not act rashly as he was facing an enemy. Whether he liked it or not, he had to acknowledge the skills of this man. He could not tolerate it.

He carefully gripped his steel spear. A fierce fighting spirit blazed in his eyes. As expected of the deputy commander, he showed a level of skill far superior to his subordinates with his fighting spirit alone.

“So you’re finally making an appearance, uncle?”

Bi Ryu yeon smiled faintly. Wi Musang said.

“This is the only moment you can wag that insolent tongue of yours. I will pierce through your throat in one go. So that you will never wag that disrespectful mouth again…”

‘… Gulp!’

Although he tried to sound fierce and intimidating, a dry swallow went down his throat. Now, caution rather than the killing intent that had enveloped his body dominated him. The fact that Wi Musang was tense about Bi Ryu yeon’s divinity was proof that his hasty nature was feeling wary and suppressing his true nature.

Now, he himself could not predict the outcome of this duel. He could not guarantee that he could handle the power that had been shown just a moment ago.

That’s when it happened.

“I’ll take this fight!”

Bi Ryu yeon knew very well whose rough and unsophisticated voice it was. Bi Ryu yeon turned his head and greeted Yeom do, who was approaching from behind, with joy. Yeom do was walking heavily, carrying the mourning Hongyeom on his shoulder.

“Hey! What brings you here? Weren’t you planning to just watch and ignore?”

“What kind of nonsense is that, of course, I came to help!”

Yeom do felt a twinge inside, but outwardly he spoke sternly. Gu Cheon Hak’s eyes sparkled as he recognized his identity. He had a feeling that today’s gains might be outweighed by losses. But he could not retreat now, as the damage to the Iron Cavalry had been too severe.

“Who is this guy?”

Wi Musang made the mistake of not recognizing the situation here again. Compared to Yeom do Wi Musang’s martial arts ranking was close to the bottom with a bit of exaggeration. The Iron Cavalry Pavilion is strong as a group, not as individuals, except for the leader.

“Who is this guy?”

Yeom do shot up to the sky immediately.

“And Who the hell are you?”

“This rascal!!!”

Wi Musang gasped for breath. It was clear that he had neglected to memorize the list of martial artists.

“Hold on! He is Yeom do .”

It was Gu Cheon Hak who stopped Wi Musang, who seemed ready to rush in immediately.

“Don’t tell me that person is the famous burning wreck?”

“Kahahahahahaha!”

Bi Ryu yeon burst into a fit of laughter. The face of Yeom do had turned into a night demon .

“What?”

Sparks flew from his eyes. It seemed that many insolent people had increased while he was quietly staying at the academy. Gu Cheon Hak nodded.

“Red flame, red hair , red eyebrows! Who else in the martial world would have such distinctive red features like this person other than Yeom do?”

Even to Wi Musang, the vivid primary colors were certainly eye catching. However, his identity did not break his fighting spirit. Gu Cheon Hak could guess that from the aura emanating from Wi Musang’s entire body.

“Shall we give it a shot?”

Honestly, Yeom do was too much of a burden for Wi Musang. Gu Cheon Hak sincerely wanted to avoid a head on confrontation if possible. He didn’t want to recklessly put a trusted subordinate in danger. However, Wi Musang showed no signs of backing down.

“Leave it to me!”

It was his firm declaration of intent. Gu Cheon Hak was inwardly satisfied with Wi Musang’s demeanor, not intimidated even after hearing the name of Yeom do. He no longer thought of stopping him.

“Is that person really one of the five great thieves of the righteous faction, the Hwa Ryeong yeom cheon?”

“Want to go?”

“I’m not afraid.”

Wi Musang’s gaze did not falter as he faced Yeom do head on. Behind the path walked by Yeom do, six iron clad horses were sizzling with their owners.

“Good! Good!”

Yeom do smiled with inner satisfaction. What he feared in the Iron Calvary Pavilion was their collective attack but not the individual challenge. Whether on horseback or not, whether the horse was armored or not, it didn’t matter. He was long past the age of being intimidated by the size of a horse.

Clang!

Wi Musang’s spear and Yeom do’s sword collided head on. Yeom do foolishly took on the full force of Wi Musang’s grand charge, enhanced by the rushing power of the horse.

Screech!

Unable to withstand the breakthrough power of the horse and rider, Yeom do’s body was pushed back nearly a 10 feet, creating a deep furrow in the ground. However, he did not fall backward.

“Tsk tsk! How foolish…”

Bi Ryu yeon clicked his tongue at the sight.

Despite having the skill to dodge or deflect, he stubbornly blocked it head on with sheer willpower. It was indeed an action befitting Yeom do. To think he would try to break through head on…

“You’re doing well!”

Holding the sword firmly in both hands, Yeom do blocked the opponent’s spear and spoke. Wi Musang jumped back with his horse. As the gap between them widened more than the length of the spear, Yeom do took the opportunity to catch his breath. This moment was what Wi Musang had been aiming for.

Thrust, thrust, thrust!

Three consecutive stabs like a whirlwind! It was an attack that ignored the widened gap and came in. Yeom do was caught off guard.

Both sides of Yeom do’s waist were exposed, with the clothes torn and bare skin showing. It was the result of two passing stabs.

“Indeed, the rumored Yeom do. To block my three stage gale strike head on… But how do you plan to overcome this gap difference?”

With this attack, Wi Musang seemed to have regained some confidence. Suddenly, the length of the spear Wi Musang was holding had doubled, turning into a long spear reaching about 3 meters. It seemed to be a tactic to gain an advantage in distance.

However, it soon became clear that this tactic was meaningless.

“What?”

Suddenly, Wi Musang was startled. A hot heat wrapped around his spear shaft. It was Yeom do’s sword flame energy.

“Ugh!”

It felt like his palm was being scorched by fire. If he held on any longer, it seemed he would drop the spear.

“Ha! Take this!”

Once again, a fierce thrust of the three stage gale burst forth from his spear. At the same time, three large holes were pierced in the ground that had been intact. The holes were not wide but were nearly 50 centimeters deep. It was said that Wi Musang’s thrust possessed tremendous penetrating power. The earth pierced by the spear had spirals drawn around the holes, evidence of the tremendous rotational force. It was said that Wi Musang’s thrust not only had speed but also tremendous rotational force.

And it was also said that Yeom do had just blocked such a thrust head on. The Monster Judging Committee favored Yeom do a little more. No matter how powerful the strike, it was useless if it did not hit.

“Did you think I would be hit by the same move twice?”

His voice came from above the head of Wi Musang, who was sitting on the saddle. Before anyone knew it, Yeom do had leaped higher than Wi Musang’s head.

And then, Yeom do lightly landed on the spear shaft that Wi Musang had thrust for the second time. Although it was a long spear reaching about 3 meters, Yeom do used it as a foothold to balance himself in a stable posture.

“Clap, clap, clap!”

Bi Ryu yeon sent generous applause for Yeom do’s feat. Yeom do politely ignored it. Swiftly! Yeom do quickly and lightly climbed the spear shaft towards Wi Musang. There was nowhere left for Wi Musang to escape. There was no time to draw another spear for defense.

He closed his eyes tightly.

“Boss! I’m sorry.”

For the first time, Wi Musang became aware of death and humbly accepted it. Crack!

Along with a streak of red light, Yeom do’s Red Flame mercilessly struck Wi Musang’s neck.

Normally, Wi Musang’s head would have surely separated from his body, soared high into the air, and then fallen to the ground, rolling around about five times.

However, surprisingly, that did not happen. What was truly astonishing was that Wi Musang’s neck was still in place, functioning properly. Therefore, Yeom do almost went mad.

“Isn’t this cheating?”

Bi Ryu yeon turned his gaze to where Gu Cheon Hak was standing. Until just a moment ago, one of the Five Star Ink Spears, Gu Cheon Hak’s beloved weapons, had been missing.

It was now in the hand of its owner, Gu Cheon Hak. And it was the culprit that had interfered with the decisive moment when Yeom do’s sword was about to cut Wi Musang’s neck.

“Sorry about that! But I couldn’t let my precious subordinate die! It’s hard to find someone like him.”

“Boss!”

Wi Musang was so moved that he seemed ready to shed tears at any moment. Fortunately, such an embarrassing scene did not happen.

‘I will definitely sacrifice my life for him one day!’

Wi Musang made such a decision. It was a romantic thought befitting a warrior. The life in question was the very one that had almost been ended by Yeom do’s sword just moments before.

“Tsk! It stinks!”

Yeom do grumbled. It felt as if something was uncomfortably lingering, like someone who went to the bathroom and didn’t wipe properly afterward. Bi Ryu yeon said,

“No matter what, cheating is cheating. There’s always a penalty for cheating. What will you pay as the price for cheating?”

Bi Ryu yeon still fixed his gaze on Gu Cheon Hak. Gu Cheon Hak silently received the gaze.

“A bet!”

Gu Cheon Hak said.

“A bet… That’s a very interesting story. And it’s quite to my taste.”

Bi Ryu yeon showed interest in Gu Cheon Hak’s words.

“That’s fortunate. If you had refused, the only thing left would have been an all out war until one of us was annihilated.”

Gu Cheon Hak’s words were clearly sincere. Leaving room for returning without completing the mission held tremendous meaning for him.

“So, what kind of bet?”

“A one on one duel!”

Upon hearing Gu Cheon Hak’s words, surprise spread across the faces of Yeom do, Na Yerin, Mo Yong hwi, Cheong heun, Baek Mu yeong, Jang Hong, Hyo ryong, and the members of the Jujakdan like ripples.

A one on one duel! Also known as a head to head fight or a champions battle, it’s a method of combat where one representative comes forward to decide the outcome of the entire battle. In other words, it’s a method where the fate of the whole is entrusted to the power of one person.

“That’s a very interesting method.”

Bi Ryu yeon seemed quite satisfied. The method proposed by Gu Cheon Hak seemed to be quite pleasing.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Then, naturally, you will be your side’s representative… As for our side…”

With Deputy Commander Wi Musang defeated, the last remaining card for the Ironclad Horse Brigade was none other than the Boss, Gu Cheon Hak. It was a desperate situation. Bi Ryu yeon began to look around carefully to select a representative.

“What are you looking at? Your representative is, of course, you.”