Chapter 119: Ancient Martial (1)
Chapter 119: Ancient Martial (1)
The talk continued for a long time.
It was a shock that Jegal Sung was planning to make the Justice Alliance, but the group also discussed what role the Justice Alliance should take.
Not only that.
A discussion about the size of the alliance.
Aside from that, there were also major issues that needed to be addressed.
During the process, Jegal Sung revealed the other Seven Masters of the Justice Blood Sect.
Even Woon-seong was surprised by the size of the Justice Blood Sect.
The Buddhist Star was the master of the Second Jade Knife and the leader of the Kunlun Sect was the master of the Third Jade Knife.
But there was more.
The master of the Fourth Jade Knife was related to the Namgung Clan, and the master of the Sixth Jade Knife was the head of the Gold God Merchant Company, which was one of the top five merchant caravans in the world.
Even though these masters did not show themselves much in Murim, they were the large roots of the Orthodox side. Once they moved, the world would shake.
And they had joined the Justice Blood Sect.
The reason none of them had made a move was because of the sect’s characteristic of hiding in the shadows.
But from what Woon-seong could tell, Jegal Sung seemed to have decided to get rid of the secrecy.
More like you have no choice but to do so.
The Cult of the Inverted Sky represented an unprecedented crisis for the Orthodox, no matter how deep their roots may lie.
In a crisis like this, no matter how secretive the Justice Blood Sect was, they would not be able to remain underground for long.
Revealing the Justice Blood Sect was a decision that showed Jegal Sung’s determination to try and change the world.
“Counting on the Justice Blood Sect to organize the Justice Alliance, to announce a movement against the Martial Alliance when they try to do something wrong.”
The Martial Alliance was a large coalition that had been leading the Orthodox side for a long time.
By comparison, the Justice Alliance would be new.
Although the influence of a new faction would seem small, it was hard to say considering the sects that would be associated with the Justice Alliance — the Kunlun Sect, Mount Hua Sect, Jegal Clan, the Namgung Clan, and so on.
If the Justice Alliance truly issued a statement against the Martial Alliance, it might be possible for even small and medium-sized groups to act.
“It’s not a bad idea,” King Jinseong agreed.
Stroking his beard, Jegal Sung added, “During that time, I want the Demonic Cult to take care of the Cult of the Inverted Sky’s informers stationed in the Martial Alliance.”
Jegal Sung turned to Woon-seong when he finished.
Woon-seong nodded.
As long as the Justice Alliance moved properly, the Demonic Cult would not have to fight against the entire Orthodox faction.
“So you want the Justice Alliance to fight the Martial Alliance on the inside, while we wage war against them from the outside.”
Jegal Sung clenched his fists. Even if we win the battle, if we lose the war, everything becomes worthless. The Cult of the Heavenly Demon will play the lead role in this plan…
That was why King Jinseong encouraged Woon-seong.
“When the Demonic Cult comes into Sichuan, the King’s Palace will announce this.”
The statement read: The Cult of the Heavenly Demon is heading south, not to have war against the Orthodox. They are here to cleanse Murim, which has been imbued by the Cult of the Inverted Sky, and to right a wrong in our place. As long as you do not stand against the Divine Cult, the Divine Cult will also not point a sword against you.
“This should be enough for the announcement.”
The discussion continued and the night grew deeper and deeper.
It was only after midnight that the discussion ended.
King Jinseong stood up and looked outside, muttering, “Time flies by so fast.”
It was as he said.
Do Jin-myung also looked outside.
None of the others had realized it had gotten so late either.
“A night without a moon… Isn’t this a good time to plan a rebellion conspiracy?” King Jinseong joked as he walked towards the window.
He was definitely joking, but no one laughed.
A conspiracy to rebel…
That was a warning, reminding them of the consequences of failure: Let us be aware.
Those who took part in this plan would be deemed as rebel forces and likely beheaded.
At that moment, Woon-seong suddenly frowned. “I think there’s noise from outside.”
As if to prove his words, someone ran into the room shouting, “There’s an attack!”
“An attack?! What do you mean by that?!” King Jinseong shouted loudly at the messenger who had barged inside.
The messenger hastily bowed. “As I said, sir. Someone just broke the ramparts of the King’s Palace and attacked. We are fighting against him right now.”
The sounds of fighting could be heard outside.
Clang—
Subsequently came the voices of people screaming and giving orders.
“Stop him!”
“Argh! My arm!”
“Man your positions!”
“Don’t even let his foot inside! The King is inside!”
The messenger, hearing the shouts, yelled, “He’s already here!”
All he could hear was noise.
It sounded like dozens of soldiers had been attacked.
“What do you mean by he’s already here?! When did he appear?”
The messenger closed his eyes for a moment, rapidly calculating. “It’s been less than seven minutes! The leader, Gong Chun-huk, is fighting against him right now.”
King Jinseong was surprised. They only took seven minutes to get here? The elite soldiers of the King’s Court and lots of martial artists were defeated within seven minutes.
“Are there a thousand people attacking?”
The messenger shook his head. Speaking slowly, as if he couldn’t believe it either, he said, “There is only one person.”
“T-That can’t be,” King Jinseong muttered.
Impossible.
Only one person defeated all of the elite soldiers?
Why would such a master attack?
No. I should calm down.
I shouldn’t let him destroy any more!
Still confused, King Jinseong turned to the others. “Could you help me?”
If he is a master, I should use another master against him.
Fortunately, there are four such masters here.
If I can get help from them, I’m sure they can defeat him.
At his words, Jegal Sung and the Sage of Bright rock stood up. Resolutely, they prepared to fight.
“I’ll join.”
“I’ll also help, Amitabha.”
Woon-seong firmly stopped them. “If you go, you will die.”
Everyone froze.
Do Jin-myung’s eyes trembled. “What do you mean by that, Cult Leader?”
“As I said. Even if you join them to help, you will die.”
Everyone in the room winced.
Normally, they would not believe those words. But it had been said by the Heavenly Demon. He had also said it very matter-of-factly.
“Even I couldn’t sense his presence until he revealed himself.”
The others stiffened.
There was no one who did not understand what he meant.
Meanwhile, Woon-seong furrowed his eyebrows.
I’m so close to tracing his qi, but I can’t do it perfectly. As soon as my senses try to feel his qi, it disappears like mist.
And right after it disappears, it will reappear somewhere else.
There was only one possibility.
Only a person who is at the same level or higher can escape my senses.
Either the Buddhist Star, the Sword Star, or someone of that level.
Plus, the Twin Stars would have negotiated with King Jinseong, not attacked him.
So who the hell was the attacker?
It had to be someone with overwhelming power and authority.
Woon-seong suddenly remembered a recent disaster, the one he had witnessed on the way to King Jinseong’s.
The burning of the Calling Sword Sect, and the crude but powerful traces that remained there.
If they could turn an innocent to ashes, wouldn’t they also attack the king?
No way…
Woon-seong and Jegal Seong guessed the same thing, “A martial artist who learned the ancient arts?”
***
Gong Chun-huk was responsible for training the soldiers of King Jinseong’s court.
He was also the supervisor for the guards, as well as the prison warden.
Naturally, he was also granted the authority to temporarily lead in dangerous situations.
Watching the attacker from afar, he shouted out orders.
“Armored Turtle Formation!”
As the name suggested, the formation was designed to defend rather than attack.
Soldiers stacked their shields around themselves, layering them on top of each other. Spears were stuck through any remaining holes.
If the formation worked, they would be able to buy time.
Buy time for reinforcements to arrive.
But…
Clang—
Kacha—
Gong Chun-huk thought he saw the apparition of a giant horse, galloping through the area.
The formation collapsed in an instant and the soldiers were blasted to the sides.
He broke the Armored Turtle Formation so easily…
Is he the resurrection of King Xiang Yu [1]?
Gong Chun-huk corrected his earlier judgement.
If it’s impossible to defend… Let’s at least hold him here for as long as possible and buy some time.
“Killing Meteor Web Formation!”
This was a formation tantamount to suicide.
A net of soldiers who would undoubtedly die, but they had the determination to drag the stars down with them.
Hundreds of soldiers would surround the target.
Well-trained cavalry would swoop in and attack, while armored foot soldiers continued to press forward.
Armor was made of iron.
With the weight of dozens of people, no matter how brave you were, you would find it difficult to move freely.
That was when the target should be stabbed with a spear.
Stab a spear through the body of an ally to pierce the enemy.
The perfect way to destroy your enemies, at the cost of your allies!
“While he’s suppressed, hurry and stab him with your spears!”
Gong Chun-huk thought he could at least stall for a little…
Boom!
The attacker crushed the soldiers, basically throwing them into the air.
Rushing through the formation, his movements were like lightning striking the ground.
Soon the bodies of soldiers rained down.
Not only was the attacker perfectly fine, but the soldiers had been sliced into pieces.
Severed limbs dropped from the sky.
“Dear Heavens…What the hell is this…?”
[1] Xiang Yu was the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. His might and battle prowess have been glorified, making him a heroic but bloodthirsty warrior-king.