Chapter 286 : Setting Out (2)
Chapter 286: Setting Out (2)
“Captain!”
“Woo-hyun!”
The moment he boarded the Great Thunder Fortress, his companions came rushing toward him in a crowd.
Chu Su, Seo Ryeom, Mak Ya-wol, and even the remaining martial artists of the now-reduced Immortal-Slaying Division.
They surrounded Jang Woo-hyun and the other five while greeting them.
“What? Ha-un seems like he got a bit stronger?”
“The young lady’s still the same as ever. Miss Seo-hee should train more too.”
“But who’s this?”
“Seriously? Who are you? You look pretty decent.”
The martial artists of the Immortal-Slaying Division focused their attention on Gun Yu-hye.
She was a face they had never seen before, and her skill appeared fairly impressive, so it was only natural that everyone became interested.
“…….”
While looking at the people surrounding her, Gun Yu-hye outwardly pretended to remain calm, but internally she was deeply shocked.
‘What are these people?’
Not only the rat beastkin and middle-aged man who rushed over first, but every martial artist surrounding her possessed tremendous skill.
Their numbers were small, but every individual among them was at a level that could not be ignored.
Furthermore, none of them bothered hiding their presence, causing sharp auras to prick at Gun Yu-hye constantly.
They were not releasing killing intent.
This was simply the nature and temperament they possessed.
Such an aura could never come solely from having high martial prowess.
‘They must have survived countless battles.’
That was why they felt so rough and savage.
Surrounded by these martial artists, Gun Yu-hye gradually began shrinking back.
‘No, who’s shrinking back?! Who do they think I am!’
Steeling her resolve, Gun Yu-hye took a step forward.
“I am Gun Yu-hye, disciple of the Heavenly Blade Lord, Seon Woo-baekrin of the Eight Extremes Tathagata Divine Blade!”
As she drew up her energy, Gun Yu-hye proudly revealed her identity.
As the disciple of the Heavenly Blade Lord, she could not afford to look intimidated in a place like this.
“What?”
“Did I hear that correctly?”
“I heard it too.”
“She said she’s the Heavenly Blade Lord’s disciple?”
“The Heavenly Blade Lord had a disciple?”
“What’s there to think about? We can just confirm it ourselves.”
After muttering among themselves, the Immortal-Slaying Division martial artists approached Gun Yu-hye.
Then they grabbed both her arms from either side.
“W-What are you doing?! Let go! If you suddenly do this, I’ll draw my sword even if Ha-un says you’re allies.”
“Yeah, draw it.”
“Right, you can draw it while coming this way.”
Excited, the martial artists dragged Gun Yu-hye toward the training grounds.
Jin Ha-un and Yong Seo-hee let out small sighs before slowly following behind them.
Into the place once occupied by Yu I-geon of the Sun Palace, a new existence named Gun Yu-hye had entered.
Once everyone rushed off, only Jang Woo-hyun, Chu Su, Seon Tae-gyeong, Seo Ryeom, and Mak Ya-wol remained behind.
In a sense, only the leadership of the Immortal-Slaying Division was left standing there.
“Is your body alright now? Completely recovered?”
“Yes. I’m perfectly fine.”
“So what are you planning to do now? Ha-un only kept saying we absolutely had to come.”
“Brother Chu, that’s not the important part right now.”
“What? Then what is?”
Chu Su turned his head and asked back, but Seo Ryeom spoke instead.
“This seriously makes no sense.”
“I agree.”
“Even the former captain thinks so?”
“Yeah, this makes no sense. Am I dreaming or something? How did this— agh!”
Seo Ryeom stabbed Mak Ya-wol in the shoulder with the sword attached to his tail.
“What the hell, you bastard!”
“I was checking whether this was a dream.”
“Then why stab me? You should stab yourself!”
“I never said I was dreaming. Judging by the former captain screaming, I guess this isn’t a dream. So anyway, Captain, what exactly happened?”
Lowering his voice, Seo Ryeom asked seriously.
Mak Ya-wol also stopped grumbling and focused.
The two of them realized something had changed the moment they approached to greet Jang Woo-hyun earlier.
‘We can’t read his strength.’
Even standing this close and examining him carefully, they could not grasp anything.
Even before they parted, Jang Woo-hyun had been stronger than them.
Still, back then, they could roughly estimate his level.
But now things were different.
They could not even tell whether he was stronger or weaker than them anymore.
Originally, Jang Woo-hyun’s presence became faint whenever he concealed his power.
If he truly hid his aura, he felt like a tree, a rock, or even the wind itself—a part of nature.
But now this was different again.
‘There’s nothing.’
There was no presence at all.
Even while looking directly at him, they could not tell whether he truly existed or was merely an illusion.
If he became an assassin now, it felt like he could casually walk up and stab someone, and they would only realize it after already being stabbed.
It was an utterly incomprehensible situation.
And what made even less sense was his absurd growth speed.
‘It hasn’t even been a year.’
They had not even been apart for very long, yet Jang Woo-hyun had climbed to an impossibly high place.
And they could not even estimate how high that place truly was.
“He just got stronger again. It’s not like this is the first or second time Woo-hyun’s done something crazy. Enough with the pointless talk.”
“Brother Chu, this isn’t pointless. This really doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t care about any of that. Woo-hyun recovered from his injuries and returned to us. That’s enough. So what are you planning to do now?”
“We’re attacking the Divine Dragon Clan.”
“What?!”
“Khmm.”
Seo Ryeom shouted in shock while Mak Ya-wol quietly groaned.
Attacking the Divine Dragon Clan.
That meant fighting Yong Cheonmyeong once again—the man who wielded power like a god.
Seo Ryeom and Mak Ya-wol instinctively tensed.
That battle against the monster they could not oppose had carved fear deep into their bodies.
Even masters who never retreated from battle and whose names shook the Central Heavens Martial Realm could not help but fear those heavenly beings known as the Six Great Heavens.
“Captain, it’s too soon. Wouldn’t it be better to prepare more before moving?”
For once, Seo Ryeom—normally the biggest joker among them—spoke completely seriously.
He acknowledged Jang Woo-hyun’s strength.
But challenging Yong Cheonmyeong was an entirely different matter.
“Can you do it?”
Unlike Seo Ryeom’s anxious negativity, Chu Su simply asked casually.
“Yes. Easily.”
As Jang Woo-hyun smiled lightly and nodded, Chu Su smiled back.
“Really? Then that settles it. Let’s go.”
“Brother Chu, Captain! This is too reckless.”
“I agree with Ryeom. This isn’t something we should decide so easily.”
“If Woo-hyun says it’s possible, then it’s possible. What’s there to worry about? Do you even realize who’s standing in front of you?”
Just like Jin Ha-un, Chu Su completely trusted Jang Woo-hyun.
If Jang Woo-hyun said he could do it, that was enough.
That foolish idiot would never place himself and his companions in danger carelessly.
If Jang Woo-hyun was this confident, Chu Su would follow without doubt.
“No, this isn’t right…… Our opponent is one of only six people in this vast Central Heavens Martial Realm…… This really isn’t right.”
“Then get off.”
“Huh?”
“If you think it’s dangerous, then get off.”
“Brother Chu, I’m honestly hurt right now. We’ve spent all this time together, yet you’re being this cold. Didn’t we even go to the Blood Corpse Realm together?”
“If you don’t trust Woo-hyun, then get off. Why talk so much?”
“…….”
Unable to think of a rebuttal, Seo Ryeom shut his mouth.
Chu Su’s gaze turned toward Jang Woo-hyun.
Chu Su had no idea how much Jang Woo-hyun’s martial arts had improved.
There was no way for him to know.
But he could see things others could not.
“So you can use your sword now?”
“Yes. I can call Baekmu now.”
“Baekmu? What’s that? Let me know too.”
Seo Ryeom’s previously timid expression changed instantly.
His eyes widened with curiosity.
“Woo-hyun’s sword.”
“The captain’s sword? Baekmu? Wait…… Ah! The sword newly forged from Divine Iron in the Gigantic Nation! You can use it now?”
At the question, Jang Woo-hyun nodded.
“Let me see it too! It’s a weapon made from Divine Iron! Captain, show us already.”
“I’m curious too. Can’t you show us?”
Even Mak Ya-wol, who had been deeply worried about the battle against Yong Cheonmyeong, became curious and joined in.
The two approached Jang Woo-hyun with sparkling eyes to the point it became burdensome.
Jang Woo-hyun pushed them away while saying he would show them later when there was a chance.
He had intended to discuss future plans with Chu Su, but Chu Su spoke first.
“Woo-hyun, before we head to the Divine Dragon Clan, let’s stop by the Beast King Sect.”
“Do we have something to do there?”
“We were originally heading there already. The situation isn’t good.”
“Ah, right. We changed course while heading there. Ye-ju’s in a difficult situation.”
“Senior Maeng?”
Jang Woo-hyun tilted his head.
When he last visited the Beast King Sect, Hae Ryang—one of the Ten Seats—had personally stepped onto the front lines.
With Hae Ryang’s strength, no sect should have found it easy to oppose the Beast King Sect.
Yet his companions’ reactions were strange.
“The Sovereign Clan intervened and caused massive damage. Even the former Sect Leader and elders were struck down. The current Sect Leader suffered severe injuries too. Right now, Ye-ju has become the Young Sect Leader and is leading the Beast King Sect.”
“Uh…… then let’s head to the Beast King Sect first. We’ll help them before moving again.”
“Good. Then our destination is the Beast King Sect.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve fought properly.”
Seo Ryeom and Mak Ya-wol bared their teeth in savage grins.
Watching the two suddenly radiating ferocious killing intent unlike before, Chu Su looked dumbfounded.
“You guys are hilarious. Earlier you stiffened up and said attacking the Divine Dragon Clan was impossible.”
“Khmm.”
“Well…… Brother Chu, don’t put us on the spot like this. Honestly, the Dragon Emperor Heavenly Lord is too much even for us.”
“Oh really? Since when did you idiots ever think things through before charging in?”
“I want to kill that bastard too. But what can I do if my abilities are lacking?”
Seo Ryeom honestly voiced his thoughts.
Seeing him droop all the way down to his ears, Chu Su finally stopped teasing him.
His reaction had simply become too pitiful.
“Do you remember what I said when we encountered the Demon Gathering Hall?”
At the sudden topic, everyone’s gaze turned toward Jang Woo-hyun.
“More specifically, what I said after blowing away the Six Heavenly Demons.”
-I will end every battle standing in my way. Even if I must crush everything beneath the power I possess.
The scene where one man declared he would suppress the chaos of the Central Heavens Martial Realm with his own power.
That image of Jang Woo-hyun had deeply engraved itself into the minds of the Immortal-Slaying Division.
It was an unforgettable memory.
Seo Ryeom and Mak Ya-wol clenched their fists tightly.
They had fought for a long time, but there were few moments that made their hearts race like that.
Because that was the first day they fought as one under the name Immortal-Slaying Division.
“The end of this battle is the Dragon Emperor Heavenly Lord, Yong Cheonmyeong.”
Jang Woo-hyun’s aura changed.
“Uh……?”
No, it was not his aura.
The world itself changed.
Before they realized it, Chu Su, Seo Ryeom, Mak Ya-wol, and Seon Tae-gyeong found themselves standing within a space filled entirely with blades.
Jang Woo-hyun had briefly opened his microcosm.
“I will end this battle and avenge my companions.”
Fifteen.
That was the number of Immortal-Slaying Division members who died because of Yong Cheonmyeong last time.
Jang Woo-hyun had not forgotten them.
The instantly transformed world.
And the overwhelming power emanating from Jang Woo-hyun.
Only now did his companions understand just how powerful he had become.
“Hehehe.”
Laughter naturally escaped Seo Ryeom’s lips.
‘I forgot for a moment.’
What kind of person their captain was.
What kind of group the Immortal-Slaying Division was.
Jang Woo-hyun had chosen a target.
Then all they needed to do was charge forward without hesitation and fight.
That was the way of the Immortal-Slaying Division.
No matter who the enemy was.
“Let’s go to the Beast King Sect first. We’ll end that battle.”
The surroundings shifted back into the Great Thunder Fortress once more.
At the same time, Seo Ryeom and Mak Ya-wol’s hearts changed as well.
The fear engraved within them disappeared.
All they needed to do was trust their leader.
Killing intent gleamed within their eyes as heat surged through their bodies.
The Immortal-Slaying Division, reunited with its leader, began moving once more.
---
“Don’t leave the front line! Maintain formation! Support your brothers from behind!”
Kwaaang!
As Maeng Ye-ju stomped down and thrust out her fist, the upper body of the giant blocking her path exploded apart alongside the roar of a beast.
The beastkin obeyed her commands while releasing savage beastlike momentum.
Things were different from before, when they had only been pushed back endlessly.
Once a new leader appeared, the beastkin regained their strength.
At first, some refused to acknowledge Maeng Ye-ju.
But after witnessing the strength and leadership she displayed on the battlefield, everyone now recognized her as the Young Sect Leader.
“Kang Yong! You idiot! Stop charging ahead! Protect your brothers! When dealing with giants, attack them in groups of at least three! Don’t face them alone!”
After ripping apart an assassin from the Flying Shadow Silver Sword Division who suddenly appeared from midair, Maeng Ye-ju barked out another order.
“Gather!”
The moment Maeng Ye-ju shouted while stomping the ground, the beastkin converged around her.
“We’re going!”
Lowering her body, Maeng Ye-ju kicked off the ground and shot forward.
The beastkin charged after her.
What Maeng Ye-ju could do—
Was face the enemy systematically instead of rampaging like beasts.
Of course, she could not control them perfectly.
Their beastly instincts still remained.
So sometimes they rampaged like wild beasts, while at other times they fought like humans in organized formations.
Maeng Ye-ju gave the Beast King Sect only two commands.
First, do not lose yourselves in excitement. Fight while protecting your brothers.
Second, whenever she gave the order, gather around her.
Right now, Maeng Ye-ju had issued the second command.
The blood-soaked beasts gathered together while releasing killing intent yet still maintaining their reason.
Kwaaang! Kwaddeudeuk!
As the beastkin charged together like a single sword, the martial artists blocking their path were shattered apart.
Concentrated assault at a single point.
The united strength of the beastkin resembled a violent tempest.
The enemies standing before Maeng Ye-ju were torn apart or exploded.
Race and martial skill meant nothing.
Every time her fists moved, enemies fell.
Ever since Maeng Ye-ju stepped forward, the Beast King Sect—once suffering defeat after defeat—had begun winning.
Whenever she personally entered a battlefield, the Beast King Sect overwhelmingly crushed its enemies.
Led by a new ruler, the savage beasts regained their strength and rampaged freely once more.
At this rate, they believed the Beast King Sect would seize victory in the war.
But things never went entirely as desired.
Suddenly, giants from the Great Human Nation appeared.
Because of them, the tide shifted once again.
“Those are…….”
The people facing the giants for the first time were shocked by their ominous appearance.
Their entire bodies were blood-red, as though drenched in blood, while their eyes were bloodshot crimson.
Even while standing still, they breathed roughly as though sprinting at full speed.
As the Blood Giants moved while shrieking madly, the Beast King Sect’s momentum faltered.
If anything, they looked more like savage beasts than the beastkin themselves.